53 10 585 https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/5ee2e4232a0655e6563fe2d46b022868.pdf 3167a37deda29d5b7c45841969a7b926 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. {Blank Front Cover Inside page on the left} {Right side page} DIARY.1916 T.B.Barrett. Port Dover, Ontario. The Farm From January 1st 1916 to September 29th 1916 https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/40784bbbf1c90f60411148c305eaf65f.pdf c89fe169a53d22ac517a8781a59802ff PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Saturday January 1st 1916 They tolled the church bell three times and rang it to herald the New Year and after spending about another quarter of an hour in church we went over to the dance Dad. & Enah were in church and they came over to the dance This being Leap Year all boys caught asking a girl to dance were supposed to be fined a quarter but I don't think many spotted up. They had a square dance which Mr Cope and Enah took part in Mr Cope aparently enjoyed him self immensely We danced till nearly three o clock and every body agreed that it was the best dance this year so far. Enah and I spent the remainder of the night at Aunty Alices but Dad. & Frank who we discovered had been up {several faded words} dance went home. Aunty Alice sat up as the baby was asleep and she thought he might wake up. Aunty Alice didn't call me till nearly ten o clock and I wasnt very anxious to get up then. It was raining hard so after I had breakfast I sat around and read till noon. We just sat down to dinner when Dad. drove down after Enah so I went up with him and got the mail, and then walked home. We just did chores this after noon except Frank who cut a lot more of the chicken house flooring. It has rained nearly all day. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/39d64ac3853006fdabd3d9af40fb6496.pdf b045295c0f484e7fae299e6ab474686c PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Sunday January 2nd It poured rain during the night and has been very soft and mild all day but is colder to-night I arose fairly early this morning and got ready in time to go to church Enah and I walked down and were late. After church Aunty Alice and Aunt Ida were going up to Huby's for dinner as they had goose and as Aunty Maude had told Aunty Alice to bring Dad. up too should he happen to be in church and as he didn't happen to be in church and as I was in no mood to walk home in the slush to dinner and right back I thought it would be all right for me to go to Huby"s so I did and had a very enjoyable dinner. Uncle Ward was the only other guest. I spent the afternoon down at the Bagley's and had tea there. We all went to our various churches. Monday January 3rd I did chores most of the morning and husked a little corn Dad. and the baby went down to meet Aunty who came up on the morning train to vote. Dad. was very anxious to have her vote because Vyse was running again against old Walker. They saw Ed. up town and he said to vote for Walker Moon & Wilson so she did. Walker got in by a majority of 8 Ed. headed the polls for councillors then came Harry Smith, R.M. Taylor and Mat. Wilson and the bylaw which was to give a fixed rate of assessment to the canning factory who in return are going to put up another big building carried so Aunty didn't lose a vote. Dad. stayed down to dinner, while he was gone and while I was husking corn out in the barn, the fattening steer got lose and got out behind the calves and into the alley in front of the cows I heard a commotion but didn't pay much attention but when I went to go in I found the black calf had either been frightened or hooked into the manger He was on his side with his nigh fore & hind feet sticking over the edge but he was wedged in so tightly that I couldn't lift him so had to tear the whole manger out, and he felt pretty wobbly when he did get loose. This after noon Dad. and I went out to try and set up some of the down shocks of corn but they were frozen in to hard. The mice are eating it badly and we cant haul it in till we thrash out our clover seed. Mr. Flemming was over to get a hand to help him thrash to-morrow but I dont think the machine is there yet. It was A.Y.P.A. social evening to-night. Mrs Clare Deal Miss Marshall and I were put on the committee to run it but except for meeting Mrs Deal on the bridge last night on my way https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/9b8ebb59a470ef894a03309278bbe9aa.pdf 0d9d473ac5c3631421cea31954c9d391 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. home and telling her that what she had done couldn't have been improved on I haven't done a thing. However it came off all right only there were very few there Enah went down to tea at the James and she said Elva played a duet said Davis sang Aunty Maude gave us a little talk and we had refreshments. Frank and I went down to see Aunty on our way down as this is her birthday. Sunny, a little blizzardy but misty. Tuesday January 4th Dad. had to go over to Flemming's to thrash alsike this morning, they thrashed all day and got seven bags from eleven loads so it didn't turn out so well as the rest has this year. Dad. says Lloyd Crysler told them John Wess got eleven bushels to the acre. I was over for a few minutes this after noon and it looked terribly dusty {illegible} Dad. was nearly all in when he came home. Mr. Flemming never has enough men either. I didn't do much but chores to-day, and sorted out my chickens a little to-night. I got three more pullet's eggs to day. Much milder, south wind Wednesday January 5th It rained hard during the night and has poured rain most of the day but to-night it is freezing and the wind getting around to the north. Dad. and I did chores most of the morning and this after noon we got some more of the floor laid in the chicken shed. Thursday January 6th This morning Dad. and I got a little more floor laid in the chicken shed. Aunty Alice came over while we were working at it and stayed to dinner and walked back soon after via Mrs. Battersby's to see Miss Phipps who has been sick Dad. and I went down with the waggon to get a load of soft coal for the thrashers who may be here to-morrow. Alan was in to-night and said they would get moved down here to-morrow night maybe in time to thrash a little. To-night I went skating. Frank went down with me and spent the evening up at Huby's, he didn't get home till about twelve o'clock I was late enough as Essie & Marj. were down skating. I called for them but they had gone with Mr. Woodyer so I went up home with them and Marj. made some cocoa and we fed and sat around for about an hour, so it was pretty late. Dick was just getting ready for bed and said he had the grip. There is an awful lot of it in town. Much colder & freezing hard. Skating grand. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/062c779ceb4aabaf27d1df71fc0a225b.pdf df46de1e9e2c0e0b4529036cbc8b3a06 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Friday January 7th This was Dick's birthday, but as he has every thing he wants with in the limits of an ordinary man's fortune, we couldn't think of any thing to get him, but he happened to mention at breakfast that he broke his hockey stick yesterday so I got one for Frank and me to give him. Right after breakfast I went down to get Joe shod and took her up to Hallam's but as Bobbie McMullin seemed to be running things up there I made an excuse to see Hallam who was down at George Gambles and took Joe down to Joe Howell's, it was after twelve when I got home. This after noon we laid a little more of the chicken house floor. Frank stayed home and helped us. About four o'clock Sam & Alan came in with the clover mill & engine but it wasn't worthwhile thrashing any. To-night I went skating again Enah went down to choir practice with me. I went up to the Bagley's and Essie & Woodyer were just leaving but Marj. hadn't got back from a treat they were giving the Sunday school kids so I started off to get her but met her half way as Enah had told her there was skating on. We had a fine time as the ice is great but Essie had to leave at eight o'clock to go to choir practice. I could have had a ride home with Dick and Alan but thought I had better go down to Aunty's and see if Enah was there but she had just left before I got there. Dick & Frank both feel rather tough to-night. Nice day pretty frosty. Saturday January 8th We thrashed the clover this morning and finished it by a little after twelve and before dinner. We got over five bags of stuff from the six loads but it was more than half I think plantain seed. If we can ever get it separated though we will have enough red seed for our own use. Mr. Flemming and Tupper were the only ones extra we had. Aunty came over and helped Enah. This after noon Dad. and I went up to Ham Thompson's to see a sick cow, we were up there quite awhile looking at all the stock some of which is pretty nice. I drove down and got the mail when we got home. To-night I went skating again as it was a beautiful night and the ice was fine. There was a good bunch down there and we had a good time. I had a bath after I got home. Dick came home early and has not felt very well all day, his eyes are sore Frank has been in all day too with the grip. Still pretty cold and frosty. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/3c95f48c46c21505b49f30488b5bccd1.pdf 42f6026be17a3bb8fe02ea9ae6eaddf5 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Sunday January 9th Enah and I walked down to church this morning and I have been down all day I had dinner and tea at Aunty's Miss Phipps was there to dinner. I spent the after noon & evening up at the Bagley's, before tea I got Cousin Loll & Cousin Phoebe to go over to the Ansley's with me as they had the key to the house and get a Wandering Jew plant which Cousin Bessy left there to freeze unless Aunty took pity on in so I took it down to her. The Ansley's all left for Toronto yesterday. They expect Joe Syer's battery to be moved to France next month. Aunty Alice and I went to church to-night. We thought Dad. would have been down but I found out that he had had to go up to Bill Duncan's to see a sick horse. Dick and Frank have both been in the house all day to-day so Dick must be pretty bad. There were quite a few skating this after noon but I didn't go. It is getting milder to-night. Monday January 10th It rained during the night and has rained a lot during the day but is colder to-night. I went over to Quanbury's to see Charlie this morning, he is better and sitting up but has had a bad time with his throat.On my way home I stopped in and got a setting of eggs from Jack Martin as one of the old red hens has been sitting for quite awhile and Dad. was very anxious to put some eggs under I thought it would be too early to have them come out. Dad & I didn't do much but chores this after noon Aunty came over before tea to stay all night as Dad. Enah and I went down to A.Y.P.A. and the boys have been in the house all day. Dick was bound he was going to work yesterday but when this morning came he wasn't at all anxious to go Glad. Law and Marj. Clarke had a Dicken's evening at A.Y.P.A. to-night and Dad. & Enah sang "What are the Wild Waves Saying" Cousin Willie, Jack Martin and Aunty Maude also took part but there were very few there. Dad. had to be chairman. Tuesday January 11th It was frozen up this morning so after we got the chores done Dad. and I got in a load of corn and another one this after noon, we took two rows at a time so got quite a strip of land cleared, there are about two loads left out there yet, we put it up where the clover seed was cut left the last load on the waggon, we couldn't get it in before on account https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/97451f4a86303d6805782abc25f761ff.pdf ee554ce8f95fca5166ae431015cb5f78 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. of the clover seed taking up the room. To-night I went skating the ice was in beautiful shape. Dad has felt sick all day. Wednesday January 12th Dad. has been in bed all day and feels properly sick I guess he has the grip like all the rest of them althoug he hasn't a cold. It has kept me busy all day just doing the chores. Frank has felt a lot better but not well enough to be out. Dick still {feels his?} eyes pretty sore. Nicholson & Hazen came over to see him this evening. They told him not to try to come to work. Hazen told me last night they were getting along fine Mr. {Name?} has sold about fifteen dollars worth of chickens and only spends about ten minutes a day in the bank. It has rained most of the day but is colder to-night. Tuesday January 13th Dad. has been sitting up to-day but doesn't feel much better I think. Frank has been well enough to-day to help me do some of the chores but we didn't get anything else done. Mrs. Dyer came over to see Dick to-day He doesn't feel much better. It has been cold and stormy to-day Friday January 14th I saw they had steam up over at Sam's this morning and about nine o'clock Alan came in to see if one of us could go over. I was just going in to breakfast but he said he had to go down town so I didn't need to hurry, I went over and hung around for half an hour and we got started about half past ten, but as there were only two loads of alsike we got through before noon, it turned out pretty well as they got three bushels. I was the only extra hand there. Bert and I pitched out of the mow and Sam & Alan did the rest. I had dinner over there but when I got home found Frank had all the chores done so this after noon he and I took a small grist to the mill, small because we could only find about half a dozen empty bags. Tonight I went skating there was a little snow on the ice but it was pretty good. Dess & {Name?} Dyer came over to see Dick to-night so Frank had to see them home and didn't get back till long after I did. Dick has felt a great deal worse to-day about the sickest he has yet although his eyes are better. Dad. says he feels better to-night but he is pretty weak. It has been a nice day but pretty cold. This was Aunt Ida's birthday and I called in to wish her a happy one. Aunty & Aunty Alice were both at church but I saw them on my way home https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/fa4a6d74a0a831651bf12c641ee15ba3.pdf 917cf67dc1731403f3d2c5a3bffcfd2f PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Saturday January 15th Frank and I have put in a busy day besides doing the chores we got in two loads of corn, we only took two rows in the two loads but in some places it was badly frozen in so we didn't have time to take full rows. Dad. has felt very miserable to day and has not been out of bed at all his eyes ache {illegible}. Aunty has been over all the after noon and I walked home with her after tea and got the mail. Dick is a little better. Very blustery day especially this after noon. Strong wind with snow and very cold. Sunday January 16th Frank went to church this morning and I did chores I got them pretty well done up before dinner and this after noon Dick and I went down town Dick wasn't much better but vowed he was coming down and stayed down all night. Essie, Marj. and I paid a visit to the Prestons this after noon every female member of that family are sick in bed and Arthur and Mr. P. are keeping house. I came home about half past five and did chores and went down again after tea I was too late for church so I went up to Huby's for about an hour. Aunty Maude was sick with neuraligia and had gone to bed & I met Essie & Marj. on their way from Methodist Church and went with them over to the Smith's, Harry & Fred were both home for Sunday. Mrs. Smith looked very badly. I came home fairly early. Elva & Mr. James were over here this after noon and Huby was here when I got home before tea but didn't stay to tea. Aunty Alice was over to dinner and part of the after noon. Very cold nor'west wind all day. Blizzardy Monday January 17th Frank went to school to-day but came home early this after noon he said they had to let a lot of them out as the school house was so cold. I haven't tried to do a thing but chores as it has been so cold. Dad. has felt better and was out at the barn for a little while to-day. To-night I went down to A.Y.P.A. but as there was no body there to conduct the meeting it adjourned and Marj. Glad. Law & I went to the picture show where we enjoyed ourselves much better. I looked in at Henry Buoy's pool room on my way home attracted by what sounded on the street like quite a racket but which proved to be only Al. Faulkner talking. I found Frank up there https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/073bf87971174277ad22aa6b0beba2a4.pdf c4ece5492307524f474482d1a57f8038 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. watching a game between Bunyian and Fred Tuck. Bunyian was pretty well jagged and was shooting with the butt end of his cue. Frank and I stopped in at Aunty's on our way home and found Dick there for the night, he looks pretty rotten yet but says he feels all right. I tried on a couple of shirts which Aunty Alice made for Dad. but which were too small and which just about fit me so I inherited them. They're dandys too. I sat up till three o'clock after I got home and finished reading "Mr. {illegible} of {illegible}" It was pretty good but I thing I caught a bad cold over it. This I think has been the coldest day yet this winter frosty as well as windy. Tuesday January 18th Frank has been at school all day. I have just done chores and not tried to anything else, in fact the chores took up most of my time. Dad. went down town this morning and stayed at Aunty's to dinner and most of the after noon, he doesn't feel any worse for it what he suffers most from now is a peculiar, very disagreeable, undescribable and he says most rotten taste and sometimes smell that he gets on some of his food and most of all when he tries to smoke, he is longing for a smoke and hasn't had one for four days, he has filled and lit three different pipes but each one has the same taste and he just takes one draw then puts the pipe away with an exceedingly marked expression of utter disgust. Enah has caught the sore eye trouble in one eye and I have a peacherine of a cold in my head. Tid's eyes are both sore. It has been still cold & blizzardy all day but not so frosty as yesterday and I think is getting milder to-night. Wednesday January 19th It has been milder and sunny to-day and much milder to-night, but we haven't done anything but the chores.The little steer was off his feed this morning and I noticed he was badly bloated so Dad. has had a stick in his mouth most of the day to take the bloat down but it isn't all out to-night though better. Mr. Morgan was over here all the after noon and Dad. ordered six cherry trees from him and he is going to replace the two walnuts that died. To-night I went down to see if there was any skating but there was no one down. The ice is beautifully smooth where the wind has swept https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/a5f9278e16ded303ef398bf44a3bfc68.pdf 34cf1f9e9c6210367edeb3220e9e64b3 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. it clear but there is too much snow to make skating. I took my skates up to the garage and left them to be sharpened and then went down to Aunty's for a little while. Aunty was just going to bed and was not {doing?} at all well all day. Dick was down there looking tough and hasn't been out of the house all day but says he feels better, over here Dad. & Enah both have very sore eyes and Enah feels pretty sick besides I think. Frank went down to-night with me and went up to Huby's. Thursday January 20th It has drizzled rain all day and every thing as slippery as grease or partly inundated, we have just done chores I cleaned out the chicken dropping boards this morning and this after noon I husked a little corn while Dad. cut some shelves to put up in the clothes room, Frank and I did up the night chores and Dad. went down to Aunty's for tea, he wanted to see how Aunty & Dick were, he hasn't seen Dick since Sunday. Frank saw him up town to-day at noon. To night I went down town and stumbled on the opening meeting of the "Never-ready Club" which consists of Marj. Glad. Law & Essie. They were all knitting or crocheting so I joined and just talked to them and held some yarn for Marj. to wind into balls. I got home about twelve after waiting for nearly two hours in at Hec's for Alan Law. <u>Wednesday</u> Friday January 21st Enah has at last got the grip she has felt very miserable all day and not been able to sit up or eat at all. The baby has a bad cough. This morning I got the chores pretty well done up and this after noon Dad. and I got some more of the chicken shed floor down, it wont take very much longer to finish it. To-night I walked down to Aunty Alice's with a couple of dozen eggs. Aunty feels better and Dick was up working. I stopped in at Quanbury's on my way home and gave Mr. Quanbury a dollar to join the Horticultural Society. Charlie & Art. were out at the farm for a load of straw. Very mild all day just like Spring, no colder to-night Saturday January 22nd Dad. has been in the house all day nearly again to-day with a headache. Enah was in bed all morning but felt better and was able to be up this afternoon while the poor baby is about half dead with the croup. He barks just https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/e8d67fb096eee0cf31c92f1953c86be4.pdf 60b2b2bacff46391136797eff0ea0a7a PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. a little dog when he coughs and looks like the mischief and I guess feels as bad as he looks although he has been very good. Frank and I laid floor in the chicken house this morning and used up all the lumber we had, so this after noon we did up all the chores and drove down town in the waggon and got 20 {illegible} more, which we laid to-night after tea, we worked out there till nearly nine o'clock and only have it to finish up with a six inch board which has to be notched to fit the studding. Frank has developed a case of pink eye this after noon and has gone to bed to-night not being able to see out of his left eye. Dick came home to-night the first time since last Sunday. Very soft & mild. An April day. Sunday January 23rd Owing to the condition of the familys health this morning I had to most of the chores. Frank helped me clean out the cow stables after breakfast but he can't do much on account of his eye, he feels all right other ways and went back to the gully and set a rat trap this morning. Dad's head doesn't ache to-day and Enah says she feels a little better but the poor baby looks awful although his cough doesn't sound as bad. This after noon I went down town and also to-night. I came home at tea time to do chores, but Dad. & Frank had them all done. Aunty Alice has the doctor down to see Aunty this after noon, he says it is the regular grip she has It froze last night and has been colder to day but feels very like Spring. Monday January 24th Frank went to school this morning sore eyes and all. Dad. and I did up the necessary chores and then went out and got in the rest of the corn, there were three rows but we brought it all in one load and got it in about noon, this after noon Will Philips was in for quite awhile to ask Dad about a sick horse and then {Name?} McPherson came in to get us all to sign a petition to the Government to put through a total Prohibition Bill or submit it to the people, we all signed it. I would rather have waited to hear some more argument on the subject but as it stands it looks right enough to me. We then {cacked?} up a grist which I took down to the mill. To-night Frank and I went skating, the ice was great in spots but there were a lot of rough spots to skate into Dad has been out all day but feels too weak to work hard. Enah and Tid show very slight signs of improvement while Frank reports that Aunty though still in bed is a little better. Very mild all day & to-night. Spring. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/142eb7e56a907e9d610f3e54daaafa78.pdf f818743343133dd59c593a2504197550 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Tuesday January 25th This morning I went down to the mill and got the grist that I left there last night. I took the washing up to Mrs. McBride's as she was over this morning to say she could not come over to wash as Sam had to go out to Pow's and couldn't mind the kids, she gave me a whole pile of old cabbages which have been frozen two or three times for the chickens, soon after I got back Charlie Quanbury came over to get Dad. to look at old Corbett who Dad says is pretty sick, they drenched him the other night and Dad. thinks got some oil on his lungs. He didn't get back till noon as Jack Martin called him in there to show him a rooster with the chicken pox. I cleaned out the stables while he was gone.This after noon we were going to {polish?} the floor in the chicken house but just as we got the noon chores done Uncle Ward came over and visited all the after noon. About half past four we had to take Elgithe up to Ham Thompson's bull. She was very wild at first and we had a sling rope tied on to the end of her halter rope before we got out of the lane. I had caught my foot in the loop of the rope and had to let go and drop to get loose She dragged me a few feet before I got loose and then ran right down along the fence running into it and catchin in it every now and again, when she got to the corner she turned in Ivey's gate and ran for our line where we managed to head her off and catch her. Dad. took her on up and I went behind after she got a little cooled down she went as gentle as a lamb. To-night Frank and I went skating or at least down town to go skating but as there was no body on the pond we came to the conclusion that it was too soft so went down to see Aunty for awhile she is much better and came home. It has been very mild & muddy all day, looks very much like rain. Wednesday January 26th Dad and I have put in all our time to-day besides doing chores in putting down the last strip in the chicken house floor it only took one six inch board but Dad. had to cut it at each stud to make it fit right as the spaces between floor & wall were uneven between some of the streds, so it took a long time. Sam Law came in this morning to settle up accounts, we owe him six or seven dollars yet for thrashing. Alex Jamieson was in this afternoon to get some veterinary advice. To-night Dad. walked down https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/63173c9c5e1521ebe6bfdd09eb6d394f.pdf 26ef13be4863a106673b7c4bd6173904 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. to see Aunty. Frank and I spent most of the evening catching pigeons. Hugh McQueen is buying them this time for a shooting match and paying thirty cents a pair for them. It has been too mild to day to wear a coat, but looks rainy. Thursday January 27th About the first thing this morning I went over to Mrs. McBride's and got the clothes. Aleta was there and Mrs. McBride away, they have all gone back to live with Sam and he has made all kinds of promises about acting like a good husband and father and they say he signed the total prohibition petition. Alan Law says it is all her fault anyway. He said this Christmas she asked him to go down to Jane's for dinner but Sam wanted to have their own Christmas at home and accordingly went down and bought a goose and presents for all the family when Christmas came he went home and as Alan says "No damned Susan there" so poor Sam had to eat alone, when she did come she "throwed" the presents and spoke very desparagingly of them. "Why" Alan says "How would you like it if you were a married man to go home there at night and have to get your own supper and have no woman to sit down and talk to and go to bed alone and have her come prowling in about midnight and then never get up in the morning to get your breakfast and the house all upset, its enough to make any man discouraged." He said " I've lived beside them a long time and know them both and there isn't a better man living than Sam McBride." "Yes" I said "I guess he's all right when he's sober" "Why" Alan said "I never found him out of the way when he was drunk, and if she was half the woman that he is a man there would be no drinking go on in that house." However they are a united family at present we'll see how long it will last. When I got home from there I took a chicken down to Aunty Alice and just got home by noon. Joe was feeling very much like what might be expected since she has done nothing whatever the last couple of weeks but stand in and eat oats and hay too of course, but the roads were so bad she couldn't do much, they say the frost is all out in some places, Alan says that Fred Rose down the Plank was digging post holes to-day. This after noon Dad. and I carried four big bundles of straw over to the the chicken's new floored scratchin shed. I think it is going to be a great improvement. To-night I https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/4c1b4718f4b6c43454ed9d89af6f01be.pdf 36d944dc7e020c0c13a615da38f6658e PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. went down to the Red Cross supper in the Town Hall I was to have called for Aunty Alice at six o'clock but I was late so she had gone so I went alone but had my tea with Dick & Dess. There were some dandy cakes there but as usual in such cases my stomach became incapacitated long before my appetite was satiated. I went home with Marj. & Essie and later we went to the picture show, we had to use brute force to get Essie past the Methodist Church as there was a prayer meeting going on and she was supposed to be there to play and we literally dragged her away from it. It's a war prayer meeting and as I tell her the Germans are praying as hard as we are and I suppose there are lots of them just as good in God's sight as there are of us so in all probability God will wind it up in his own way in spite of all of us. I really think about like Aunty Alice that praying and fighting don't go very well to-gether that if we trust so much in our own strength we oughtn't to expect much help from Heaven or if we do want Divine help we should throw down our arms and pray for it, but of course that is out of the question as we are too human for that. I got a ride home with Dick & Alan. I don't know what has struck me to-night to write so much diary but it is half past twelve now so I am going to bed. Dad. has just been out for a while to smoke he got so hot in bed he couldn't go to sleep. This is really the most remarkable weather for January I ever heard of. It has rained a good part of to day and to-night was too mild to wear an overcoat. It is hard to believe that it is midwinter. Friday January 28th Dad. and I put off the load of corn which was on the waggon this morning and also nailed on the boards which block up the space over the south doors of the old barn We didn't do much this after noon but chores, we took the nests out of the rooster's pen and put them up in the pullets end of the scratching shed, the pile of straw we put in there has kept them busy most of the day, we also swept out the brooder and put it in the colony house. Tonight Dad. & Frank have gone down town Dick expects Ferdy to-night for a few days and as the roads are too bad to drive down Dad. took the lantern and is going to wait at Aunty's for them, they have to call on Dess & maybe take in the show before they come over. Colder to-day freezng to-night https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/b030aabb92007cb5841a683d4a9cc327.pdf bbad5dd83134816cc2995438a21ca412 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Saturday January 29th Ferdy arrived safely last night and aparently in good condition as whe Enah inquired after his health he expressed the fact "that he didn't have no kick coming." We haven't seen any thing of him since soon after breakfast as he has spent the day in town. Frank was down town most of the morning getting his teeth filled. I did a few chores but spent most of the day making a hopper in the chicken house and putting in a {illegible} and another couple of {illegible}. This evening I filled the two hoppers with a whole bag of rolled oats and also put in grit and dried meat scrap. Dad and Frank went down town and got a load of coal. To-night Frank has gone down again to get a link of stove pipe for the little {illegible} coal stove, it has to be made a {illegible} and {illegible} narrow {illegible} to put on the stove and be {illegible} six inch pipe. Dunn has sent over two {illegible} {Illegible} but none are big enough although Dad. took an exact impression of the hob on a piece of cardboard and sent it down but Dunn said he should have sent down the shape made of wire so he did this after noon. It froze fairly hard last night but except for a cold and raw east wind it has not been very wintry to-day. It is raining & freezing as it comes to-night. Sunday January 30th We all got up late this morning and none of us got ready in time to go to church. This after noon Dick, Ferdie & I walked down and I spent the afternoon and evening up at the Bagley's. I had tea at Aunty's and went to church with Aunty Alice. It has been a horrible day raining most of the time, to-night it was pouring rain and very dark when I went down to Aunty's after my overshoes so I stayed all night. Aunty feels quite a lot better to-day. Monday January 31st I got up fairly early this morning but it was still raining when I was ready to start for home so I thought I would wait and see if Dad. drove the boys down in which case I knew he would call for me. I finished reading "The Road Mender" by Michael Fairless which I started down there last fall when I was sick and have read part of since whenever I had time, then Aunty Alice and I had a game of chess I had nearly forgotten the game but she reminded me as we went along and we had quite a game. Neither one of us won because about ten o'clock we came to the conclusion that Dad. wasn't down https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/ab9df3f3a645188f211e2318bccabb1d.pdf 6fedfdb7a262429bc2d0fc79be489fb3 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. and that we shouldn't be wasting any more time in the middle of the morning, so we quit without either being checked. By the time I got home and got my clothes changed it was nearly noon. This after noon we didn't do much but chores and husk a little corn. Ferdie went down town. Frank and I went down to A.Y.P.A to-night but they didn't do anything down there much but adjourn. Mr. Johnson was not there as he was called away very suddenly this morning to Muskoka to the supposed death-bed of his uncle. Glad Law brought the minute book as Marj. has the grip. I went in with Glad. after the meeting to see her. She looks the picture of health and says she feels alright as long as she is sitting down but she got so sick and dizzy in school this morning that she had to let the kids all out and go home before recess. I went down to Aunty's on my way home Aunty Alice had gone up to Cousin Loll's to play bridge. Frank came in while I was there and we came home to-gether. The marble season has commenced already I suppose on account of the open weather. Frank has been playing all evening and has about thirty he had none when he went down I borrowed some from him and we played odd & even all the way home and I had the same old luck that I used to have when Egg. Thompson & I used to play all day in school, started with about a dozen and only had about five or six when we got home. Dick and Ferdie where here when we got home, they got a ride with Alan. It has been very mild all day but is colder to-night. Tuesday February 1st It froze a little last night but not much after I cleaned out the stables I took some manure around to put on the front beds and the frost was all out in the sod. I took another strip off by the rhubarb bed that I started last fall. Dad. cut a piece off the stack. This after noon Aunty Alice came over and we didn't do much. Alan came in towards dark with ten bushels of potatoes he got from {Name?] Waddle at $1.00 and we were going to take four bushels and he was to leave five of theirs in our cellar as they have no place to keep them and he took one bag home to use. To-night Frank and I went out to catch some more pigeons for Hugh McQueen's match but could only catch two. Ferdie has been down town all the after noon in fact went before dinner. Poor old Tige has been sick all day. I don't know what is the matter with her, she doesn't seem to want to move. I guess she has the grip. It has been colder this after noon and is freezing hard to-night with strong N.W wind. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/d3ba459ef571d836ee64e9cdbfcc2c37.pdf cd20e8a8a88bb6d63f0929a336b6a1dd PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Wednesday February 2nd After breakfast this morning Dad. got started reading Happy Hawkins aloud so we didn't get out very early and didn't do any thing but chores. Enah went down town before dinner as Aunty Alice told her yesterday that her father was quite ill, she was down all the after noon, so Dad. Ferdie & I had dinner alone. This after noon we did chores and Dad. trimmed Queen's & Gingers hooves, he had a few chores to do around the house too. I went over to Jack Martin's to get a couple of roosters to mate up with my hens but they were too busy shipping birds to get them for me to-night. I went down to Quanburys with {illegible} nursery stock I {rest of sentence illegible} To-night Frank and I went down town. Frank took some eggs down to the store and his two pigeons which we caught last night. I went around to see Marj. she feels pretty wobbly yet but looks well (if looks were all that were concerned I wish she was {illegible} all the time allthough her every day looks are ok its been colder and cloudy to day Bear saw his shadow Thursday February 3rd This morning I went over to Martin's to get four roosters to mate my hens. I was over there quite a while and was just starting off with a couple intending to come back after the other two when Dad. came in he had helped Enah bring the baby through the field so he helped me take the four home. Enah spent the day down town again as her father is still very ill although a little better to-night. Ferdy went down with her and has been down town all day. The old hen hatched out four of the thirteen eggs I got from Jack but one of them got chilled to-day and died. Dad. brought her and the other three into the kitchen this after noon. I haven't done any thing but chores and read this after noon It has been cold and rather stormy so Dad went down to Aunty's about four o'clock to bring the baby home but Enah had taken him up to the Jame's and Dad. didn't go up there after him. Mrs. Hodge died to-day and the old man is just about all in. Bruce Dell was over before tea to get Dad. to go down and look at thier old cow which is bloated. Dad. gave Bruce a great raking over but has gone down to-night. I trimmed the tag locks off the hens to-night with the sheep shears. I got a fac-simile of the letter Dick got (the other day) from Pratt yesterday telling me it was my duty to join the 133rd Norfolk Battalion. Holly Bush got one but Holly says he won't answer the requirements as he https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/c42a1ec69884b274fb50f7bb20dc5f10.pdf 9fc11bca78ee752c145bb07853eb4de9 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. over the age limit (45 years) and under the minimum heighth which is 5 ft 2 but I am sure there are fellows down there shorter than Holly and he says he is only 5 ft 1 in. I think they are taking almost any body who will join. Old Bill George and two of his sons have enlisted. Old Bill will make a pretty figure in uniform. If they aim high enough he will make a good mark but they could shoot a good sized shell between his knees and him standing at attention. Hammy Innes joined yesterday too. Hammy joined on a bet. Hargreaves one of the boys in khaki bet Hammy he could spot him 25 playing pool and beat him. Hammy took him up. Hargreaves said if he did would he enlist and Hammy said he would so when he lost he kept his word. I thought he would some day anyway, he has been the butt of a good deal of sarcasm as there were a great many "patriotic" busy bodies who couldn't understand what their was to keep him home. They will have to turn all their attention to Cliff Lees now but I don't think it will affect him much. He is off to-day seeing L.G. Morgan & the Penman's Company for the pond or something or other. I think the lawsuit was to come off to day. If he beats them I guess he is smarter than most people took him for but he can't be any crookeder Friday February 4th We haven't done much all day but chores. Enah went over to the Martin's this morning and telephoned down to find out how her father was and found he had had a good night and was better. This after noon I got my duds picked out for the hard time ball and Enah cleaned them up. I got a long tailed coat of Dad's out in the wood shed and a light coloured vest and wore one of my new blue and white shirts that Aunty Alice made me with a little plaid bow tie after that I just sat around and listened to Dad. read Happy Hawkins. Enah, Dad. & the baby went down to Aunty's for tea so Frank and I had ours alone, Ferdy having gone down early in the afternoon to stay at the Dyer's or Henry's to tea and taken a suitcase full of clothes for himself and Dick. Frank and I went down as soon as I got togged up. I went into Aunty's for a minute or two and then went up to see how Marj. was, she has been at school the last two days and was waiting for Glad Law to go down and watch the dance for a little while I went down with them they all laughed heartily at my costume but when we got there we found very few dressed out of the ordinary https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/a0e5ec9926f20183992400bc560ca6af.pdf 1a5d4e9c76d4979d59b8b6bcb5ef3d04 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Hazen was the best he had the doggonedest outfit on I ever saw great big coloured patches sewed all over his clothes and an old bit of side line for a belt with an alarm clock hanging to it for a watch it would go off every time there was a lull in the dancing The girls went home early and didn't dance at all. I went up with them and went in to show my self to Essie who had been at choir practice. She didn't say much and appeared shocked, it's part of her Methodist tomfoolery to think dancing, wicked, though I don't suppose she could tell why to save her neck. There wasn't such a big crowd there but we certainly had a good time Dad. & Enah didn't get there till quite late. Enah had a tray there which she had carved and which she raffled off. Sam Morris drew the lucky ticket, we got home before three o'clock. Enah staying down at Aunty's where Tid was. It has got milder this after noon and was snowing when we came home Saturday February 5th I did a few chores to-day but spent most of the time just sitting around and going to sleep. I wrote to Quint this after noon and read a good deal of the newspaper as it is full of the accounts of the awful fire at Ottawa which destroyed the Parliament Buildings, they don't know yet whether the fire was caused by accident or whether it was the work of Germans but they have arrested one man on suspicion. It was an awful fire as seven people lost their lives two of them women and one a member and it destroyed what they say was the most beautiful public building in <s>Canada</s> North America. It has snowed most of the day and is very much milder. Enah walked home with the baby this morning Dad. killed and dressed three chickens but none of us have done much. Frank husked corn & copied notes. Sunday February 6th Frank, Enah and I went to church this morning and were quite late, Frank and I especially, I stayed down at Aunty's to dinner and spent most of the afternoon at the Bagley's I came back to Aunty's for tea and went to church this evening with Aunty Alice, she went around after church with the Tibbits and I went home with Marj. & Glad Law. We had a new preacher as Mr. Johnson is still up in Muskoka with his sick uncle, this man was a Mr. Low from Stratford and https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/7eba90814bbaeab75f3665e658da3cda.pdf d690d2ac4546390870af0d98d6b594ab PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. seemed like a very nice man as well as a fairly good preacher. I went in to Aunty's on my way home to say good-bye to Ferdy as he is leaving in the morning and is going to stay there all night so as he will be handy to the train. It has been quite mild to-day and has snowed considerably. Monday February 7th This has been a regular winter day cold, some snow and very windy. We didn't do any thing but chores and Dad. put cotton on the last frame for the chicken house. This after noon I went down and got a tooth filled and stayed at Aunty Alice's to tea. Arthur Anderson walked over this morning to get Dad. to give him an order for some binder twine but Dad. didn't and afterwards he changed his mind so I gave them an order for fifty lbs this after noon. Mr. & Mrs. Johnson, some people Aunty Alice knew in Fort Saskatchewan came in to-night and I went with her to the station to meet them. She spoke to to drive them up and he did but Mrs. {Name?} came in from {illegible} out of the hospital so he took her home first and had to drive very slowly and then as he was so close, went up to Davie's with Ida so by the time we got down to the house we might far better have walked. I went right back up with Al. and went around to call at the Moon's to say good bye to Miss Misner (Minnie) who is leaving in the morning to go with the Queen's University Kingston Corps to be a military nurse at Cairo, Egypt. She & Mrs. Moon were just leaving when I got there to go to the Sunday school were the A.Y.P.A. and Willing Workers were entertaining the soldiers and sent Miss Misener an invitation so I went with them. Mrs. Skey & Mrs. Col. Smith were there representing the I.O.D.E. and presented Miss Misener with an adress & a purse. The orchestra was there and Cousin Willie was chairman, after quite a programe in which the soldiers "did their bit" we had refreshments and it was quite late when Frank and I got home. Tuesday February 8th Dad and I took our steer down to Bagley & Miller's slaughter house where Whit Dixon is going to kill him for us We stopped in at Aunty's on our way back. Mr. & Mrs. Johnson wanted to come over this after noon and see Jack Martin's chickens and as Mrs. Johnson is a little lame they wanted me to come down after dinner and drive https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/e8e5c861e8ea8fba437e6ba91271dbb1.pdf 777c4ee350407d1bdc14824caf78d469 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. her over so I did and Mr. Johnson & Aunty Alice walked over. Dad. came over and met us there and after we had seen pretty well all the plant he & Mr. Johnson drove over to the farm. I walked over and Aunty Alice & Mrs. Johnson called on Mrs. Martin and walked home. About half past four Dad. Enah & Mr. Johnston & the baby went down to Aunty {illegible} Frank and I did chores and had our tea alone. The Johnsons are going in the morning. Mrs. McBride has been here {washing?} all day. I am {illegible} there are hot times going on between the Martin's & Quanbury's, the latter accused the former of listening to their telephone talk and old Mrs.Martin and Mrs. Charlie went over and called the Quanbury's down and John says Charlie called the boys all kind of names Jack is away but he isn't mixed up in it any way. It has not been so cold to-day and has snowed all the afternoon. Wednesday February 9th We did chores this morning and I put cotton on the window in the old hen's pen and blocked it up with boards where the glass had come out. Dad. had another fall after dinner and hurt his elbow quite badly. About four o'clock we hooked the big team to the waggon and went down to get our beef, we went right over to the slaughter house but Whit wasn't there so I had to walk back up town to get him and he drove me back. He had the beef killed and halved so it didn't take long to get him, we weighed one side and figured the whole carcass at 376 lbs, hindquarter 100 lbs and front 88 lbs, we got home about five thirty and I carried the meat down cellar Dad. isn't able to lift much after his fall. It has been mild but raw & cloudy to-day a little more snow but not enough for sleighing. Thursday February 10th This morning after doing chores I tacked cotton over the other window in the old hen's pen. I took the two frames out to put glass in where it had come out but didn't have any panes to fit it so just put the cotton in. Dad. gave Jim a dose of salts she hasn't been just right since he was sick. This after noon he and I went down and got a load of coal, we took the waggon although there are a lot of sleighs out but we didn't think we could have a load over the road from here to the corner and around the hill Alan Law was in and got a couple of sacks of oats which https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/6a2189cbcb29f1e9a68378732358de3b.pdf adb37565c76e6c97bafbcdfa45b54349 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. we owed him, they haven't a place yet but are thinking of taking Charlie McQueen's if they can ever get Charlie to make any agreement. To-night I went down town and just sat around and talked to Marj. all evening, she and Essie have each knitted a Red Cross sock so I tried them both on. Cloudy and raw wind all day. Clear and frosty to-night. Friday February 11th We didn't do much but chores this morning and unloaded our load of coal. This after noon I copied out a long letter I wrote to Lt. Col. Pratt in answer to the one I got on the recruiting subject. I sat up till two o'clock last night to write it About four o'clock Dad. hooked up Joe & Ginger to the cutter and took Enah & the baby down to Aunty's for tea, after tea Dad. Frank and I walked down as Aunty Alice's party that she has been talking about for the last month in honor of Dick's birthday All the family where there but noone else except Marj. & Dess. We had a great time Huby keeping us laughing most of the time and the baby enjoying himself but not very bad. I showed Huby the letter I wrote to Pratt and he advised me not to send it. Dick and I got a ride home with Alan Law but had to wait till after twelve in at Hec's for him to start. Rather stormy but not very cold. Saturday February 12th Did chores all morning and Dad. drove down and brought Enah & the baby home as they stayed down at Aunty's all night. This after noon we hooked Joe & Queen up to the cutter and went down town. Queen went fine, she balked a little when we first started out at a snow drift and broke her martingale. Jim isn't any better to-day Dad. gave her another dose of salts but she won't eat or drink a thing. It has been very blustery to-day but not very cold. Sunday February 13th Frank and I went to church this morning and Frank went down to Sunday school. This after noon I took Joe & Ginger with the cutter and took Marj. & Glad. Law for a drive it was pretty cold up the gravel so we didn't go far. I brought the team home and then went down to Aunty Alice's to tea, there was no church in our church to-night. Cousin Willie conducted the service this morning. Mr. Johnson is still in Muskoka. Art. Quanbury told me this afternoon that they had telephoned over from the Jame's to get Enah to go down first thing in the morning so I went up to inquire into things to-night and found Mrs. James was in bed with a swelled neck and Elva wanted Enah to go down in the morning so she could go to work. I then went around and https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/132c312dcdda3fe2553d1429a5db804d.pdf 4b439d96a646dfc269a1f4dd18b1e236 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. helped Marj make valentines for her kids. It has been sunny to day but a very cold wind it is freezing hard to-night but a lovely night, moonlight and still. Monday February 14th Dad. took Enah down to the Jame's this morning and Dick & Frank went at the same time. Enah took the baby with her When Dad. got back we took a hindquarter of the beef down to Aunty Alice & Dad. cut it up partly for her. It was nearly noon when we got back. I went to sleep in the chair after dinner and didn't wake up till about two o'clock. Then Dad. and I went out and sacked up the wheat which was over in the big barn and hauled it over to the old barn we had to make two trips with it as we only had two bags but we filled the fifty bushel bin nearly, there was more here than we thought there was. To-night I went down to see "What {happened?} to Jones" which was put on by a bunch of Waterford amateurs and it was good and very comical. I was surprised to see Frank come in and sit down ahead of us with a nice looking little girl who Marj. told me was her cousin Olive Ward. He stayed down at Aunty's all night to get measured for a shirt. Enah and the baby also stayed down at the James. Poor Dad. had a very sad accident to-day as he killed his little canary, it flew out of its cage when he was giving it water as it often does and lit on the other cage which is suspended from the ceiling by a wire, he went to lift the cage up and instead of it coming off the wire the wire came off the ceiling and flopped over and broke the little fellow's back. It was a dandy singer and a great pet of Dad's. It is the last one, he has certainly had bad luck with them. Last night was the coldest night by a long way we have had this winter, the lowest reported temperature that I heard was 18° below zero and it has been very nipper all day but it is not so cold to-night. Tuesday February 15th Alan Law came in about half past nine this morning with his blue grass seed to take to sell so we threw on our (clover seed?) and he & I lit out for Simcoe. Frank & Aunty had just come over. We stopped in at Lynn Valley and Alan asked the fellow there what he would give him for his seed and the fellow told him just four dollars. Alan knew he had 210 lbs of it and Green had offered him 2 cts a lb the other night on a sample so Alan thought he might as well take it on to Simcoe, then it turned out that Green backed out and https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/93596c42e7d5abf31b474f268b580049.pdf 24d3b6840c85183339fa4ddb3f75f4f1 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. wouldn't give him more than 1 1/2 cts a lb. making the excuse that he couldn't see the other night and didn't know there was so much wild flax in it, but Alan says he promised him the 2 cts for it. He then began to wish he had left it at Lynn Valley so he went and telephoned the fellow and found he was still willing to pay four dollars so on our way home we left it, although we hated to as of course the fellow rubbed it in about not talking a man's word. They were about all the after noon cleaning my seed, they put it through about three times and out of the five bags & a half of stuff I took up I got one bag of clean seed but they got it pretty clean and charged me $1.25 for cleaning it. We didn't know what to do with all the dirt they cleaned out most of it plantain which looked like onion seed, but we loaded it on and when we got to Lynn Valley the fellow there told us to take in through to the back of the mill and dump it through a hole in the floor into the creek where he says he throws tons of it every year so we did saving one bag to fool Dad. with. We got done just about six after a very enjoyable outing. Frank stayed home all day and he & Dad. got all the oats over in the big barn sacked up and half of them hauled over to the old barn. Aunty was over all day and just before we got back Dad. drove her down and brought Enah and the baby back. Frank told me that Val. Leany had quite a patch of ice cleared to cut ice and there were a few skating on it when he went down so to-night I went down, there wasn't a soul there but I went accross the pond there and thought it was pretty good so went up and got Marj. it took a lot of coaxing to get her to come alone but she did and we had a dandy skate for about an hour. We saw a couple on snow shoes go up the pond and we judged from their voices it was George Henderson & Nell Hussey. When we got back to the Bagleys we found Nell. Smith & Bill Marchington, he is supposed to be sick so came up here to recover. Raw wind but much milder. Wednesday February 16th This morning we did chores and hauled the oats which Frank and Dad. sacked up yesterday over to the old barn. This afternoon we bagged up about twelve bags of barley and oats and I took them down to be chopped, that grist took nearly all the pile. About six I took Dad. Enah & the baby down town. Tid. stayed down at the house and Dad. & Enah went to https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/9d9181d473e76be4601b6d0290a425b6.pdf 1bf8c044d33e5c05843a9b77eb00dad9 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. the Methodist tea meeting. Frank and I had our tea alone. Frank has been in the house all day with a cold. It has been milder to-day and to-night there was a sort of sleet storm. Thursday February 17th First thing this morning I drove down in the bobsleighs after Enah and the baby as they stayed down all night. I took 3 1/2 doz. eggs down to Bagley & Miller's and got 27 cts for them. When I got back I went down to the mill and got the grist I took down last night. This after noon Dad. & I cleaned out all the chicken houses but not the scratching pens, that took us nearly all the after noon and haven't been able to clean off the dropping boards during the frozen weather and the floors were sadly in need of fresh sraw. Frank went to school to-day. It has been a beautiful spring day very soft and mild but misty and colder to-night. Friday February 18th This morning Dad. & I hauled the oats that he and Frank sacked up on Tuesday over to the old barn and took what few that were there cleaned up over to the horse stable. This after noon we sacked up what was left of the barley & oats but there wasn't much more than ten or twelve bushels. To-night Marj. and I went to the picture show but it wasn't much good. It has been pretty mild all day but blustery and cold to-night. Saturday February 19th Colin Ryerse came up before we had breakfast this morning to get Dad. to go down and tend to a cow which calved yesterday morning so he went down soon after breakfast. Frank and I did a few chores and then hauled the hay rack from the old barn over to the big one to put on a load of hay for the horse stable as we are just out there. We didn't get much on before dinner as I wanted to take it from the back of the mow and it was a long way to carry it. Then Charlie Quanbury came in with Dad's injecting pump which he had for Corbett and he delayed us quite awhile visiting and before he left Colin Ryerse brought Dad. back and he hung around and talked till about noon and then I took the car off the track over in the barn as Dad. thought we had better take it down while there was lots of hay under it This after noon Dad. & I soon put a load on and Frank loaded it and we got it hauled over and pitched off by soon after four. Bill Marchington came over and invited me to go with them to Simcoe to skate, he saw Dad. first and asked if Tobias https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/144914925bcf6b7350853fa5633a8b56.pdf a2c8cf6aa7d2919cfd45e917adff72d0 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. was in, so Dad. took him for a recruiting officer as that is the way Pratt's letters have been addressed to me. However when I identified him Dad. showed him the sheep & horses and was friendly enough. Bill had hired a team and two seater sleigh from Faulkner and six of us went up, Nellie, Essie & Marj. Bill, Roy Dell & myself. I was appointed driver and so was in the front seat with Bill & Nellie. The nigh mare, Maud (which I think is the same mare Al. got from Walt McCall and which is widely known to be a devil) got started to go in a canter as soon as we started out and before we got to the head of Main St. my arm was just about all in trying in vain to bring her down to a trot. Once we got on the Gravel she lengthened out into a full run and there seemed to be no way of holding her. I stood up and see-sawed and at last Bill took them till I got my gloves off to get a better grip but he couldn't hold them at all and then we each took a line, all this time poor Nellie was getting more frightened, this method of driving of canter had its disadvantages and Maude got into the ditch and nearly upset us once and Bill had to get over in the middle to rest his arm so I was sitting on the arm of the seat and came within an ace of falling out, however when we got up about to Barwell's place we struck some loose ground and then Maude came down to a walk perforce and used all her energy to draw and from Bill Robert's corner to the halfway house we went at a stately walk, as I didn't want to get them sarted again till we turned the corner anyway and the girls were very well satisfied with the gait. Nellie was very nervous and Essie was inclined to be although she was in the back seat but I don't think Marj. cared a cent. They went at a delightful trot all the way into Simcoe and we certainly had a very enjoyable time at the rink, the band was there and the ice in lovely shape, afterwards we all went into Leas and had oyster soup, Bill standing treat for everything Roy didn't come home with us as he being in the 133rd Batt. band is practised in Simcoe and has to be on hand in the morning for church parade I suppose. The team acted fine coming home and we had a fine drive back. We started off with the three girls in the back seat but when we got down on the Dover Gravel Bill got me to stop and he changed places with Marj. and he and Esse nearly froze poor Nellie with their actions, Essie pretended to resist strongly but she enjoyed herself just the same Nellie didn't like it so well. I took the team to the barn after letting them all out at the Bagley's corner and I was about half dead when I got home about one o'clock. Dick came in half an hour later. It has been cold all day but milder to-night. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/6f1ac21e8f5b37c35ce3ddd4b67a64da.pdf 89333dea3fb8142a5668540bf2843894 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Sunday February 20th Frank went down to Sunday school and Enah and I went to church. Dad. drove Enah down but I walked. The soldiers were all in our church this morning and behaved themselves very well right from Bunyan & Hammy down to Bill George. Hammond went to sleep during the sermon but didn't cause any disturbance and woke up in time to lead the boys out. Aunty came over here to dinner with Enah and Frank but I had dinner at Aunty Alices I spent the after noon at the Bagley's and also the evening. Nellie & Bill were there to tea so I stayed too. Marj. & I went to church and the rest all went to Methodist church but we all met again afterwards and had some music. Mr. Bagley went to the recruiting meeting in the town hall. They say Kelly (Redmond Kinsular) has enlisted with the Haldimand batt. and old Rickford went down to Toronto to enlist but couldnt qualify I went in to see Aunty for a few minutes on my way home, it has been very mild all day but is colder to-night. Monday February 21st It froze hard last night and has been pretty cold all day. We didn't do much but chores all day. Just before dinner Dad & I went back across the gully to see if we could get the plow and bring it up but it was stuck to fast with the frost so we took the doubletrees and chain off of it and brought them up. This after noon I drove Enah down to the dentists' and she walked home. To-night I went down and saw Harry Moon about taking the orchestra up Vittoria to play at a dance they are having on Wednesday night. I am afraid I won't be able to take them unless the roads improve for sleighing, but I am to let him know on Wednesday morning I went over to make arrangements with Marj. to go to the carnival in Simcoe to-morrow night but she wasn't home and I couldn't find her. Essie went up this after noon to the Russian concert. Dad. and Enah drove down to-night to go to a party at Aunty Alices and I went down there and drove Joe home. I then crawled into bed beside the baby's cot and went to sleep he woke up as usual but I took him in beside me and just let him cry for awhile and he soon went to sleep. Tuesday February 22nd We did chores and husked a little corn this morning and this after noon cleaned out the ice house, at least Dad. did I helped him till about three o'clock and then went in and got https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/6a8b8366c10ae49f03a05e082ae1208a.pdf 7dcf22e020d05a2af632e0758453c162 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. my clothes picked out for the carnival and got fixed up. I got an old evening dress coat and a vest that Dad. wore at the Jacobite show and Aunty Alice and Enah fixed some lace around the throat of it. Miss Phipps and Aunty Alice came over this after noon. Miss Phipps didn't stay long and wanted Dad to read a poem on Saturday night as they are giving the soldiers another feed it being the anniversary of Paardeburg. Aunty Alice stayed to tea and later Miss Harding came <s>down</s> over and she stayed too I drove then both down when I went about six. I called for Marj. and found her all decked out in a suit covered with pennants of different towns and looked fine. We had a fine time, Essie went up yesterday and stayed all day to-day at the Hogg's so we stopped there on our way up but they weren't going in costume so we went on, we were surprised and rather disappointed at the very small crowd. There weren't more than a couple of dozen in costume I don't believe. However we had a good skate Essie Miss Hoag, Mr & Mrs Murray Hamilton and some Bob. Hunter a soldier and a cousin of Miss Hoag's came on after the judging was done and we were there till about ten o'clock, we then went down to the Hoags and had something to eat and drink altogether having a very nice time I think. Essie came home with us and we got in soon after one. We had to take the buggy as it has been very soft and sunny all day and the snow melted. Wednesday February 23rd Dad. and I went down first thing this morning and got a load of ice, there was a big crowd of teams around the platform and we had to wait quite awhile to get loaded. It snowed about an inch last night so we took the sleighs but the hill was about bare so I went over to the mill and told Harry Moon I wouldn't be able to take them up to night but when we got to the top of the hill with our load, we found they got up quite well so I went back and told Harry I would take them, he said they would much rather go in the sleighs than the automobile if it was possible. It was about noon when we got the load off. This after noon Dad. hauled two more loads and I did up the stables and chinked the ice we had in. To-night I took Harry & Joe and got down to Harry Moon's about seven or a little after. Besides the five members of the orchestra, there were five girls waiting to go. Winnie, Frances Slocombe, {Frances?} Dyer and the two Fisher girls. We got to Vittoria in about an hour, the roads were far better than I expected and we jogged along all the https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/a8f979a0d7a156072b12612226180953.pdf 39119e64c0e07ad554c5628657a547f6 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. way at a pretty good rate, old Harry got pretty well warmed up but I got them in a stable at the hotel so I guess it didn't hurt him any. We had a fine time up there in the old hall. I had about the best time I ever had and every one else said the same. Carl Coleman and Pat brought another load up and there were several others from Dover up. Mr & Mrs. Rev Johnson were there and Mr Johnson had a high time. We stopped dancing soon after three but it was quite awhile before we got started for home. The return ride was a delightful one as the moon was well up and the air clear and frosty. By the time I got home, the team put away and into bed it was about five o'clock. The orchestra paid me two dollars for taking them and it cost me one dollar and sixty cents. Harry said I neen't have paid the dollar to dance as their driver alwas got in free but the proceeds were for patriotic purposes and I had such a whale of a time I didn't begrudge it. The hotel fellows soaked me fifty cents for putting the team in and ten cents for checking the robes. The soldiers all went to a dance in Port Ryerse to-night, they went in three loads and one load upset and the team got away according to reports coming home Hammy Innes was driving and it was the same team that took us to Simcoe last Saturday night. Very soft but cloudy all day. Thursday February 24th I didn't get up till half past nine this morning and have just being doing chores and chinking ice all day. Dad. didn't haul a load this morning but hauled a couple this after noon. The sleighing on the hill was completely gone so he had to haul in the waggon, nothing of importance happened to day it has been mild but there is quite a snowstorm to night. Friday February 25th It snowed hard about all night so there was plenty of it this morning to make dandy sleighing. Dad took the boys down in the bob sleighs and intended to bring a load of ice back with him but the engine down there was broked down again so he couldnt get any, he went down to the house and shoveled all their paths for them I did chores and chinked the last load of ice we put in last night. Dad. thought one of us ought to attend the annual meeting of the patron's of the Black Creek Creamery in the town hall this after noon so said he would haul a load of ice and I could go although I wasn't very keen on it. The secretary and auditors made their reports which were satisfactory and Lea Marshall hit them up for a raise. He gave a statement https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/b8f5eb60c4a7a90c8a35165c14c66ca0.pdf d7959b0269a8cf6d192d1bede67b4d10 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. of his expenses and receipts at the request of George Hammond and explained that the factory was getting into a very bad state of repair while help was going to be scarcer an consequently much dearer next year so that he found he could not make butter for three cents a lb as he has been<s>g</s> doing and asked for a raise of half a cent. After hearing this explanation and also that Lea had been offered good big wages to go and make butter for other fellows no one demurred in giving the three and a half cents so it was resolved to give it to him. There was another speaker there from Guelph or some place Mr Hearns I think his name was and I think represented the Dairyman's Association and he gave us a nice address on the care of cream and the production of it, I'd heard it or read it all before more than once but still it was interesting. After the meeting I went upstairs to see the soldiers' clubroom, it was very nicely furnished and decorated and looked very comfortable, most of the boys were out on their march but Hammond and three others were playing cards up there and another one over in the corner running a phonograph I then went up and got my hair cut and went over to the Post Office to see when May Perry would be ready to go to the dance to-night, she promised to go but when I went over backed out and said she was too tired so I didn't urge her very much but I heard afterwards that she went to Simcoe to-night with Elva so if that's the case I'm through with her. I stopped in at Aunty's on my way home and Mr. & Mrs. {Name?} Bowlby and Eva were just leaving. Just as I got home Dad. was coming out in the cutter to go down and bring Aunty over to stay all night with the baby, so I went down instead. To-night Dad. Enah and I went to the country dance in the town hall, it was got up by George Crosbie, Charlie Long and Sid. McBride and there was certainly a crowd there I didn't get there till about eleven as I went over to see Marj. for a little while, but as it didn't break up till about half past four I was in lots of time to have some fun. I didn't dance anything much but square dances but it was mostly square dances and I didn't miss many. There was such a crowd that they could hardly dance a round dance. There were a few townspeople there including Toty Smith, the R.M Taylor's, the Si. Butlers, the Carl Coleman's, Mrs {Name?}, Mrs. Sinclair and a few others and every body from the country. Kelly was there all dolled up in his uniform, he is still teaching school but starts to drill on the first of March. Dad. and Enah didnt stay as long as they might have but I was there as long as any and the town clock https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/88a991a0b8e4d7cae1d755b3fee2cfe2.pdf 2ad1f4a2469787f5fc5f8832356a4967 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. struck five just as I was ploughing through the snow under the hickory nut tree over here in Martin's field and I didn't waste very much time in getting to bed. It has been a nice day Saturday February 26th I didn't get up till half past ten this morning as nobody woke me. I did wake up up when Frank got up at seven and thought of getting up then, but before I could get the proposition properly turned over in my mind, I had got myself comfortably turned over in bed and knew no more till ten thirty. Frank and Dad did chores and when I got out Frank and I chinked the load of ice Dad got yesterday and packed in sawdust while Dad. went down and got another load before dinner. This after noon Dad. took a load of ice down to the cheese factory as all the farmers are hauling one load for Lea Marshall. Frank and I did chores and Alan Law brought us over a load of ice. He said he wasn't going to be done out of hauling one load for us as it might be his last one if they move away. He was half way up the hill on his way home when he saw Dad. drive into the ice platform so he came back and offered to take a load over on his way home. Dad. didn't get home till late and was about frozen he brought a load of coal back with him, he said he had to break a track all the way down and it filled up as fast as he made it. Frank drove Enah down town this after noon to a supper and entertainment the ladies of the I.O.D.E. gave to the soldiers and cadets. I stayed in the house in case Tid. woke up and started to write this but went to sleep, however the baby didn't wake up till Dad. got home, we had tea with out Enah and about half past nine I drove down to Aunty Alices and got her. Cousin Clare came up up to-night from Hamilton very unexpectedly to stay for a week. The two latest recruits to sign up with the 133rd are to say the least a variety, they being Jonas Green and Ed. Moon. Neither have been examined yet so I don't think there is any chance of Jonas being accepted as he is terribly ruptured and it seems to be uncertain whether Ed is going in the ranks or is going to train for an officer. The war news for the week has not been very cheering. The big German offensive has become a terrific and desperate drive concentrated on the French line around Verdun. The French are falling back closer to the Verdun forts and will no doubt do every thing in their power to hold it as if it falls the road will be open for Paris, and those who should know say that if the Huns enter Paris, London will be in a very grave predicament. Very blizzardy day and snowing hard to-night. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/7fd98a628492d36765ecb690f68e5de4.pdf e1879cfd19ac81b0dbc951e1d0bdaf29 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Sunday February 27th None of us went to church or Sunday school this morning as we didn't get up in time. I didn't do anything much all morning but got shaved and this after noon Dad. drove Dick and me down town. He had to drive through the lane a couple of times to break a track as it was filled right up. I took a couple of dozen eggs that were no good for Jack to Aunty Alice and two dozen and a half of Jack's eggs to Mr. Hobbes, he has been beggng and coaxing Dick to bring him some for the last week so I took them down and charged him a dollar for them and told him I couldn't possibly let him have any more, he gave me the dollar and thanked me very much for what I took. I spent the after noon with Marj. and had tea at Aunty's. I went alone to church to-night and they had a very slim crowd. Marj. was there and we went up and got Essie at the Methodist church and all went down to the town hall to hear Father {Nagel?} give<s>ing</s> a recruiting speech and he proved to be an exceptionally good speaker, he gave very strong reasons for those who could to enlist but didnt speak in a bullying or tantalizing style as most of them do. Mr. Johnson was chairman and Hammond gave a short appeal but both of them seemed very poor after hearing the priest. Poor old Lloyd I think was nervous and used fierce English, none of their eloquence brought forth any recruits there but for all I know some may have been hit as there was a good crowd there. Woodyer came home with Essie and we sat around for about an hour reading Burns and some gems of American humorists. I went into Hec's on my way home to see if I could get a ride home with Alan but he had ridden down as the roads were so bad, so I had to walk, I thought I was going to have a bad <s>tooth</s>earache to-night as my left ear felt as if it was full of water but it didn't ammount to anything. Very blizzardy and rough all the afternoon although sunny. Clear and cold to-night. Monday February 28th I haven't done any thing all day but chores and sit around the house. I have felt rather lazy I suppose on account of my cold. Dad. drove Frank to school this morning. Dick didn't come home last night and he felt a little anxious about him as he said positively yesterday he would be home, however he changed his mind when the time came and stayed all night at the bank. This after noon Dad. stowed the load of ice Alan brought on Saturday and about five o'clock he and I unloaded https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/c8880499b20d88cb350431eaf37978c6.pdf a59debd37cb000e22ef22c36b8b8355b PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. the load of coal, a little after six Alan came in and borrowed our sleigh to go to Simcoe to-night with a load and left his here. This after noon we saw what we think was Faulkner's roan mare going by here on the run hitched to a cutter with nobody in it. Presently Colin Ryerse came after it bareback on his black mare and soon after came back driving the roan and leading the black. I went down to interview him, he said a couple of girls had upset coming up their hill which was full and the horse had got away, he caught it down at the mill bridge where it had stopped. The dashboard of the cutter was broken and it was full of snow. It has been a fine day fairly sunny and cold. Tuesday February 29th This morning Dad. went over to Quanbury's to arrange to have their party for us on Wednesday postponed till next week, while he was over there Ham. Thompson came after him to go and tend to a cow which had aborted. Ham is having bad luck with his stock this year as a mare aborted the other day too. He went over and got Dad. and he was up there most of the fore noon. This after noon he stowed and chinked the ice and did chores I have been in the house all day as my cold has been pretty bad, my ear ached last night and my throat was pretty sore. This morning I pasted pictures in my snap shot album and slept most of the after noon. Bright and cold, quite a snow storm this after noon. Wednesday March 1st I have not been out of the house to day but have felt a lot better, Frank stayed home to help Dad. Floyd Crysler came after him first thing this morning to go and see a sick calf and old Billy Lewis followed him over there and took him on out to his place to tend to a cow that had aborted. It is beginning to look a little like contagious abortion as Fred Misner had a case too. Dad. says it is rich to hear old Billy curse Pratt, as young Billy has been the recipient of letters like mine from him and they evidently take more stock in them. Young Billy has been down in Hamilton working in a munitions factory but is home again now. This after noon Dad and Frank got another load of hay over to the old barn and enough ice to fill the ice house and then went down and borrowed Charlie Quanbury's flat rack as they expect to go to Port Rowan in the morning to get a load of Aunt Ida's furniture https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/10f883c3387594702bda0f238278c831.pdf a5180cbacd451b4a8a07c990a3cabf57 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Mrs. Tupper made a call on Enah this after noon. Mr. Henderson was over this after noon to see if he could buy a couple of pullets but I didn't want to sell any. He also wanted a setting of eggs later on. The two girls who upset on Ryerse's hill on Monday were {Name?} Turner and the nurse who is there. Lovely winter day. Cold and sunny. Thursday March 2nd Dad. and Frank got started for Port Rowan about nine o'clock this morning, and I have managed to get all the chores done up all right. I didn't feel very badly but a little weak and didn't try to do any more than the chores. I came in the house about two o'clock and started to read but went to sleep and slept till half past four, but I was all through in time to have tea about seven o clock which is as late as we often have it under normal conditions. I didn't go down town to-night but went to bed fairly early. Lovely day, sunny and fairly cold. <s>Fridnes</s> Friday March 3rd I have felt quite a lot better to-day but didn't do anything but chores, there wasn't much else I could do alone except chink the last load of ice and I didn't want to get into the ice house with my cold. This morning I took nine dozen eggs over to Jack Martin and this after noon when I got through I came in and shaved. Dad. & Frank didn't get home till about five o'clock, they had a lot of furniture on {illegible} Aunt Ida sent over here and they left most of their load down at Aunty's. Dad. says there is more stuff up there including a walnut bureau and wash stand that Aunt Ida said we could have and he is going to make a special trip for them. To-night Dad. went down to Aunty's and put a lot of the furniture to-gether that he had to take apart to bring down Frank went down to a social that the High School pupils had in the school house, Lloyd Ryerse called for him, it is evidently going to be a grand affair as Frank has been talking about it for a week. Lloyd said the trustees not only gave their consent that they should hold it in the school house, but had gas lights put in for them, he said all the trustees were invited and I asked both of them if the the public school teachers were invited and the both said none of them but Mr. Smith were, so I went down to see Marj. as I haven't been down since last Sunday, but she had gone to the social with Miss McQueen, so I was there about half an hour talking to https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/4aa2c4e6fca36d388b0272fb13e63795.pdf 28b042990c40989031cf898959e33503 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Mrs. Bagley and then went down to Aunty's and waited there till Dad. was ready to come home and came with him. Mrs. Willie Steele died to-night. Walt just went to Brantford the other day and got a job in a mill up there, he has been with this mill since he was thirteen years old. Poor old Bill Duncan died very suddenly on Wednesday. Dad. and Frank met his funeral on the Gravel to-day. Dick says there is trouble brewing between Lt. Col. Pratt and the other officers of the 133rd Batt. It seems Walt. McCall wasn't supposed to assume the duties of liutennant till they went to camp in the Spring but he and Pratt got into a poker game in which Walt skinned Pratt for about $200.00 and Pratt ordered him into his uniform and on duty so now Walt is going around with a petition to have Pratt deposed, so I don't know how it will come out. Cold and not so sunny but a nice day Saturday March 4th Frank and Dad. chinked the ice and put in the sawdust this morning but I don't think they got it all covered. This after noon they went down town to get a load of slabs but couldn't get any. Hawey is going to let them know when they can get them, some time next week. I just puttered around all day this morning I put a cage up in the old hen's pen so that I could shut one of the roosters up every other day as one is boss. This after noon I fixed a rigging out in the cow stable to facilitate the weighing of the milk in the hopes of getting Dad into the habit of it. To-night we printed a lot of the old pictures, when I was pasting them in my album the other day I found that I had given away all the best ones so I sorted out my films and picked out about twenty five and printed them to-night. There seemed to be something wrong with the developer as as it took about a minute or more for them each to develop, afterwards we noticed a lot of crystals in the bottom of the developer bottle that didnt mixup with the rest of the liquid. Pretty cold all day but nice. Sunday March 5th Frank went down to Sunday school and church this morning and I would have gone to church but Dad. was going to Aunty's for dinner and said he would go to church if I did up the chores, so I did but he didn't get off in time for church but went to Aunty's for dinner, this https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/9d01f59c9758633cecf5f0eb1cce87d7.pdf f83cb2275087ce5002a2c8a5ff0c1b39 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. after noon he went up to say good bye to Tiny as she is going to Toronto tomorrow night and sails for England on Saturday, he saw Harry Ansley and he took him up to the stable to show him a mare he bought in Toronto Dad. says he brought seven home. The mare is a Clyde about eight years old, has been working, is bred to a Percheron and due to foal the 2nd. of May, he wants Dad. to bring her over her and keep her till its time to wean the colt on any terms he likes, Dad didn't tell him he would but I said he might as well, as we can't lose much and might get quite a lot of use out of her this summer. Dad. also made a dicker with Al. Faulkner for a pair of geese for Frank, Al. has a pair he wanted to put out some place and said if Frank would take them he could have half the increase, so Dad. knowing Frank has been trying to get some geese thought that a pretty good proposition so Dad. did quite a stake of business if he didn't get to church. Dick and I drove down soon after dinner and Marj. and I went <s>with</s> for a a cutter ride and had a nice time although the roads were pretty drifted in spots, and a cold west wind but sunny and nice when the wind was in our back. To-night I walked down to church and after church Marj. and I went to hear Miss Templeton Armstrong from Port Rowan speak at the recruiting meeting. I didn't think much of her speech and much less of her looks, her hair was cut off short and she took her hat off to speak. Dad. says Uncle Massey used to call her the he-she and it certainly suited her. Frank came down to hear her and I went down to Aunty's on my way home and Frank was there so we came home to-gether. Monday March 6th I drove the boys down town this morning and took Frank around to Faulkner's to get his geese, he had quite a time finding him but did at last and I brought the geese home while he went on to school where he would be very late. When I got home I hooked Joe to the cutter and drove Enah down to see if Mrs. McBride would come over to-night and look after Tid if we all went to the concert. Mrs. McBride was at the Stamps, she could come and said she would while Enah was there and in seeing her mother for a few minutes I put Joe in the Methodist church shed and went over to see Harry Ansley about the Clydesdale mare. Tiny let me in and I talked to her for a quite awhile before I asked for her father and then I found he wasn't in so I went down to the fish shanties https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/a8f3ffc856cddc34dc597c4bd7079241.pdf 2c34639d6087fd35b28a64fbf2784b38 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. and all over town but couldn't find him so got Joe and started for Enah when I saw him with Huby, he went up with me and showed me the mare and told me we could either buy her now for $120.00 which is the price he paid for her or we could bring her over and let her raise her colt and sell her in the fall and share the profits so I told him we would get her soon, I got Enah down at Aunty's and we got home about noon. Tupper came after Dad. right after dinner to see a cow so I did up the chores and about five o clock drove down and got Mrs. McBride. To-night Dad. Enah and I drove down to the concert given by Zeitha Barwell, Miss Prest and Miss Martin and it was certainly worth hearing rather high toned an classical maybe for most of us but enjoyable nevertheless. It has been a very stormy and disagreeable day Strong east wind and a blinding snow storm this morning afterwards turning to rain and freezing. It was still raining when we got home but had got much milder and the ice was dropping off the trees and making a great row. We saw several vivid flashes of lightening while the concert was in progress and Mrs. McBride said that they heard thunder plainly over here. She stayed all night but hadnt gone to bed when we got home. Tuesday March 7th We did chores up this morning and about eleven I went over to shovell out a track at the top of the hill at the cut on the side road, as Charlie Butler told me yesterday that it ought to be done, and it was too windy and drifting to do it yesterday but when I got over there this morning it was all done. Dad. husked a little corn while I was there. This after noon I cleaned out the dropping boards in the chicken house as they have not been cleaned out for quite awhile on account of the frost. Al. Faulkner came over this after noon and brought over another goose for Frank. To-night, Frank and I drove down town in the bobsleighs to take a load of schoolkids down to Dave Ward's, Olive Ward asked Frank if he could get me to take them down and said Marj. was going too but when we got there they said that they had seen Marj. a little while before going to the doctor's about her neck and couldn't go, so as I didn't know what could be the matter with her, I was a little anxious to know and as I wasn't very keen on going with the kids anyway I excused myself and went up and spent the evening with Marj. she wasn't in a very serious condition but had a stiff neck. Frank took charge of trhe load and got back between three https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/6bdc5a70dd2c1a4ea63e96b41d8033c4.pdf 5f60abe89f2446af3a05a5bb0441257b PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. and four o'clock, he said they had a great time down there dancing till twelve o'clock but not later as it was then Lent. The sleighing was poor but they had no accidents I heard to-night that Jack Martin has bought Vyse out. Sunny, but windy to-day quite a snow storm to night about midnight, but Frank and his pals missed it. Wednesday March 9th This morning Dad. and I drove down town and took the baby and we got Joe shod in at Bert Greenbury's who has started up in Butler's old stand. Aunty and Aunty Alice were at church as this is Ash Wednesday, but weren't long and Dad. stayed there with the baby till they got back. I took the buggy {illegible} down and we looked at the arms of Harry Ansley's buggy which is out in the barn down there, it looks as if it had been painted twice but is in pretty good shape, I got Joe out of the shop at noon and Dad. and I went up town found Harry Ansley at the post office and took him up with us and got his mare and brought her over. We left the baby down there to dinner. This after noon we did chores and about four o'clock drove down after the baby He wasn't at all anxious to come home. Frank was down at Aunty's and he and I went up and <s>got the</s> posted a letter of Enah's. Frank got a sheet to night showing a system of keeping Farm accounts as arranged by a Mr. Stark District Representative for Peel Co. we saw an account of it in an old number of the Farmer's Advocate so Frank wrote to him the other day. It seems like a very simple yet efficient system and only single entry. I spent the evening pasting snapshots in my album. Sunny but quite cold all day and very blizzardy to-night. Thursday March 10th Frank stayed home from school to-day to help us move some hay from the big barn, we did chores this morning and got a pretty good sized load over to the horse stable before dinner, and this after noon got another over to the old barn for the cattle, we had to get the chores done early to-night as we all went over to Quanbury's to tea at six oclock we had a great tea, but Dad. had to leave right after to attend a meeting to arrange for a reunion of all Mr. Smith's old pupils on the first of July. Enah, Frank the baby and I stayed till about half past nine and then Art drove us home as it was a fierce night. Billy {Falcon?} was in to https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/5491281332846feaba4a38c5acd4c4b1.pdf ddcc2139f7ea916a25040d0f7f18b887 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. see Dad this morning about a sick cow and Norman Holden came to get a dose for George's horse. To-night Charlie Butler tracked him over to Quanbury's to see about a sick cow, there is an awful lot of trouble among the cattle this year for some reason or other. This after noon Frank and I took Martin's sleighs back and got our own with Quanbury's rack on it as we had intended going to Port Rowan to-morrow but to-night it is the worst blizzard of the season, and a lot of snow fallen, so the drifts will be too bad to go through to-morrow and get back the same day as we want to. Dick walked home to-night and so did Dad. Dick said the drifts were as high as his waist down by Chris Quanbury's. Cold wind but sunny all day. Friday March 11th It was very evident this morning that we could not go to Port Rowan to-day so Frank went to school, he was going to stay home and do chores if we went. I spent most of the morning shovelling out paths through the drifts and cleaning out the stable. Dad. walked down town after he got the morning chores done and stayed at Aunty's for dinner, he shovelled all their snow for them. He wanted to find out more particulars about the financial state of the church. Jack Martin told him last night that they were about five hundred dollars in debt and that several members of the congregation had said they would not help to clear it unless there was a change made {illegible}. Dad. told Jack he didn't see how he could do much and didn't feel in duty bound to any way as he has kept up his share in the collection envelope. This after noon I cleaned out the incubator and got it in place ready to start down cellar. To-night I went down to see Marj. but found she had gone to Nanticoke to stay till Sunday night. I wasn't very surprised because I knew she had been intending to go these last two Friday nights. I went up to Huby's for most of the evening Aunty Maude and Lila were the only ones home, they didn't know where Huby was and Win was over the hill she came in before I left. They got cards from Quint yesterday saying he had left the mill and was now in New York and to expect him home soon. They are all very sorry he has left the mill especially now that Jack is not https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/721ca1b6016c75275fe57963a6846b6f.pdf a5d481c52aaceb0b0870f35017a89d6f PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. at home. They can't think of any reason unless he has just got mad at some body. We thought {illegible} was coming home to enlist and Huby hopes that is the reason, he hinted at it in one of his cards. To-days war news is a little better. The French have checked the German advance in places and and made an advance themselves in one place but I think it is just about nip & tuck yet. Every one seems to think that this battle is going to be the turning point of the war for the victors. Nice day. Saturday March 11th Dad. and Frank shovelled out the lane this morning and I went over to Jack Martin's and got them to put my incubator thermometer in one of their machines to test it. Then I went down to the Quanbury's and got a bag of white carrots as Dad. wants to see if he can tempt Jim into eating one, but she just took a few bites and then wouldn't look at it. This after noon we hooked Queen and Harry up and went down town and got some oil and turpentine for Jim and also the mail. To-night I was out in the chicken house putting crude oil on the old hens legs for scaly leg when Colin Ryerse came past and called my attintion to a big fire in the west, we thought it looked about at Tom Myers or Wess Baughner's so started up to it, when we got to the mill it looked as if it was at Colin McNellige's so we started up the track, we soon could see it was still farther on but as it looked straight ahead on the track and we knew it wasn't over the top of the big hill we thought it must be some where in Doan's Hollow, but when we got there it looked just as far away as ever but we thought since we had tramped that far we would find out where the fire was if we had to go to Simcoe, so we did and reached our journey's end at Lynn Valley where we found Edmond's old mill burned to the ground, the walls had all fallen but there was a big blaze yet and quite a crowd around it. It seems they think it caught from overheated machinery as they had been working late chopping alfalfa meal, they had a carload of bluegrass all ready to ship so it was a big loss for Edmonds and they say the fellow that ran it, Graham, lost every thing he had. They say it wasnt discovered till the flames burst through the roof and when Graham pushed open the door down stairs the flames shot out in his face so it must have gone up like tinder. It made an awful blaze and could be https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/c3d8a420b435b6bf4b5659f2f99a91df.pdf ef4e694bf8b5a77608e67d12ca8ff5ec PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. seen for miles, as far as Nanticoke, and it was in the hollow too, three Dover kids drove in with one of Faulkner's horses after we got there and were about frozen, they had driven all over the country trying to get to it and couldn't locate it from the roads, we hung around for half an hour and as we didn't see any chance of a ride back we hit the track again. Colin was invited to stay all night with his cousins but he didn't know what his folks would think so came back with us, we got home just about twelve and as it was a little after eight when we left home we didn't make bad time, we went up in about an hour and a half. They were up when we got home and Dick informed us that the fire was at Sutton's mill in Simcoe, but we enlightened them on that point. It has been sunny and soft all day but a raw wind. Clear, frosty and moon light to-night lovely for walking. Sunday March12th Frank went down to Sunday school this morning and Dad Enah and the baby went down to church, this was the first trip for the baby to church since he was christened and was just an experiment. I was sure they wouldn't be able to keep him quiet for ten minutes but Dad. said he couldn't have been better, the soldiers were in church and Mr. Herbert preached, he has enlisted as a chaplin and is going to speak at the recruiting meeting to-night. Aunty Alice came over to dinner with them and was here all the after noon. I didn't go down town this after noon, but Dick did and Frank went down to Ryerse's to see the ferret that Colin bought at Bill George's sale. We had an early tea and Frank drove Aunty Alice and me down and I went to church. I spent the evening up at the Bagley's. Marj's cousins the Doughty's brought her home before tea and they had all just got home from church when I got there. I stopped in at Aunty's on my way home and got three pieces of cake and Uncle Hal's big coon skin coat as we intend to go to Port Rowan in the morning. I wore it home over my other one and nearly cooked as it was a very warm night. It has been getting milder all day and was raining for awhile to-night. Monday March 13th We all got up fairly early this morning and Dad and I got started soon after seven for Port Rowan https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/ca54587b2d6edff91ac889b7cad2d8ef.pdf d5b6bdde6df7ba408bac4ad85cab7d9c PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. with Harry and Joe. It froze a little during the night and there was a slight North west wind but the roads were grand, we couldn't have chosen a better day to go, the sun was hot and coming home the snow was pretty well off the roads in places, so we took longer to get back but went up in about three hours, we got our load on before noon and had our dinner over at Mr. Pete Backhouses Clara was sick in bed, we got a dandy great big walnut bureau and a heavy walnut washstand besides a smaller washstand also walnut but with two big holes cut in the top of it for basins, the first too Aunty Ida gave to Dad and also a bedstead supposed to be walnut. The bureau is the best of the lot hard built and built as solid as a house and walnut right through except the back, the only trouble is everything is varnished. We unloaded it after tea Art & Charlie Quanbury came in for awhile, they had been out to the farm with a load of manure. Frank went down to a travelling show that struck town called "The man from Canada". I went to bed fairly early as I was inclined to be tired. Tuesday March 14th Glen Ryerse came this morning about half past ten, we had begun to think he wasn't coming but he did and got the old shed all jacked up and in place by about four o'clock, it wasn't nearly the job to get the ends of the rafters on the purlin plate that we thought it would be when we raised the front posts Glen just pryed the ends of the rafters up and as the front raised the rafters slid in on the plate. The middle rafters didnt meet on the plate but Glen said if we raised the middle of the shed till they did meet there would be a hump in the shed roof the same as is in the barn roof and would look bad, the hump in the barn roof being caused by the corner posts rotting and settling. Frank stayed home from school and we could have got along without any extra help but I had told Art Quanbury to come over after dinner so he came, he had to tell Jack that Glen was going out to his own place to get off as he was very busy <s>Jack</s> Chris being sick. Art and I nailed pockets on the two rafters over the purlin plate so that they can't spread again so easily. Glen got through about four https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/a2a39ddb5fa0513632a2d9ce483f2b0f.pdf ca61ed8f6a1c2182d97490f29d1fee75 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. and just charged two dollars. Cloudy & cold east wind. Wednesday March 15th This has been a very rough day high cold east wind and snow I drove the boys down this morning and went down and shovelled Aunty's snow, they were just getting up when I got there so I had some breakfast with them as I was cold. I didn't do much the rest of the day but sat around and read or sleep. I put a new wick in the incubator lamp and lit it but I wont put the eggs in till it gets going all right. Dad & Enah have been working most of the day and all evening at getting the names out of Mr. Smith's old registers that Huby sent over, they were at it last evening too. To-night I went down to see Marj. The wind had gone down and it was a lovely moonlight night but cold. Thursday March 16th This morning we took a load of Aunt Ida's stuff that we brought from Port Rowan down with us, down to her, and it was noon when we left there as we were late getting started, we stopped in at Quanbury's on our way home and took their rack off and put on our own waggon box which has been there since the first trip to Port Rowan. Just as we got through dinner who should come along but Mr. Blaikie so he was here all the after noon and part of the evening but wouldnt stay all night, he came up to Alfred's on Tuesday, he was more than loaded with conversation and entertained us with his experiences in the peach country. We just did chores and visited with him all day although we should have gone to the mill. Blaikie wants us to take some of his boxes down to the train to-morrow as he is going to take some to Hamilton He is tired of the city and knocking around and says he is going to have a little place of his own before next winter. Frank went down town to tea to-night at Aunty's. Dad. was to have gone and gone to a meeting of the Mr. Smith reunion committee but as Blaikie was here and he didn't have the names all out he didn't go. Quint was to have come home to-night but didn't arrive. Aunty Alice intends to go to Toronto on Saturday to stay with Roy for a week. Vernon has been up in Brantford with Miss. Very sunny but raw wind. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/48d1ce1b588d85b62111a1cc67f8c94b.pdf ede9f981c98486de288540e22da50439 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Friday March 17th {Wee sketch of 2 shamrocks} It froze hard last night and has been very cold and raw all day though sunny. They say it was down to zero last night. We didn't do much this morning. I killed a chicken and Dad. plucked it for Aunty Alice to take to Roy if she goes to-morrow. I took four dozen eggs over to Jack Martin's. This after noon Dad. and I sacked up six bags of barley and oats and took them down to the mill and then went on down town and got a load of coal. We got back about four and I helped Dad. unload it and then got ready and went down to the St. Patrick's tea they had in the Methodist church, it was a dandy tea but the church was very cold so when we had tea I went home with Marj and waited for about an hour till the entertainment commenced and then we went back to the church. Marj. and Essie both took their knitting, but Essie had to accompany most of the performances. The church was cold as they can't get any gas the last few days but it didn't last long. I stayed down at Aunty Alice's to-night to help her get off in the morning. I wasn't very late going down but she and Aunt Ida had gone to bed but Aunty was sitting up. Saturday March 18th I went to the station this morning with Aunty Alice and she got off safely, we got nearly to the station when she remembered a box of eggs she was going to take to Roy so I had to hike back after them but I got them in time. I went right home and saw a poor little robin on the hill, it is the first one I have heard of this year and it looked about frozen, as it went down to ten below zero last night. Ever since that night on my way home I had been hatching a plot to go to Simcoe to skate to-night as the girls told me Bill Marchington was up and I thought it would be a g ood chance to get even on him for his trip, so I told Dad. and he suggested that I drive Dick down and then make arrangements for my load. I went to the Bagley's first and as Essie and Marj. seemed to favor the idea I was naturally very disappointed when I went over to the Smith's and Nellie told me that Bill had to go home to-night, and she wouldn't go if he didn't, he wasn't up yet. As I had got so far I thought I had better keep on with the load so Marj. suggested I ask May & Johnnie and three more boys. May & Johnnie jumped at the chance to go but I had an awful time finding any boys who were game https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/b38af6d177ca9ff49288550ecae22733.pdf be389f8342719c764ec748f4f07ccd36 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. I thought I could get Clark in the bank easily but he said he had been out every night so far this week & didn't want to go, and Dick didn't and Hazen didn't. I got Dick to telephone Woodyer and he said he'd go and then I got Milton Cruise and let it go at that. I got a hundred of sugar and came home. I didn't do much this after noon Charlie Quanbury came over and said old Jonas had telephoned Jack Martin last night to have Dad. go up there and see Nellie & the colt, they are both down and he doesn't know what to do. Dad did intend to get some hay over, but thought he had better go up and see Jonas and then some thing happened that we didn't get started in time and it wound up with Dad. & Frank going down town in the bobsleighs with Harry & the new mare and getting the mail and hauling enough hay over on the waggon box for tonight. Norman Holden came over about five o'clock to get a boll for his horse. Frank & I got started a little late for Simcoe but didn't have to wait at all in town as the load was all ready at the Bagley's when we got there. It wasn't a very nice night going up as it was snowing but wasn't a bit cold. We got up about half past eight and had an hour and a half's good skating as the ice was in good shape and then had a little supper before we came home, we got home about half past twelve and they said they had a good time. Frank drove up and I drove home. Frank stayed down town all night at Aunty's as she promised Aunty Alice she would have one of us stay every night. Dick was at the bank when we drove past and came home with me. There was a mince pie on the table and some cocoa that Enah had fixed so I had a cup of cocoa and some pie and Dick half the pie. Sunday March 19th I would have gone to Sunday school this morning but didn't feel very well after breakfast and sat around till I was almost too late to get ready for church, however I did get ready. John Wess & Lloyd Crysler came in for a few minutes John Wess wants Dad. to go over and have a look at Mildred who has lymphangites again. They left in time for Dad. to drive Enah & me down, Dad. took the baby with us and they came back home. I stayed down at Aunty's to dinner and all the after noon and evening at the Bagley's. Mr. & Mrs. Bagley were out in Townsend visiting and hadn't got back at ten o'clock when I left. Essie & Marj. made https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/775d6355fb069ed3fe61245cbf0807fb.pdf dd293112459b504c41a8d8d920b5ccfc PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. some candy this after noon to send to a friend of Essie's George Hunter who is in the trenches, that took a good part of the after noon as we had to crack nuts for it, but we went for a short walk. I stayed to tea and we all went to church or churches. Mr. Tarney brought in ours and was going to speak at the recruiting meeting afterwards we didn't go but went home and washed dishes instead. Quint came home yesterday noon he had been in Buffalo and Detroit; no-one seems to know why he left the mill unless it is that he just got tired of it. He and Huby went to Simcoe this after noon to see Alex McCall and interview him on the subject of enlisting. I guess Quint will enlist all right as Huby is very anxious to have him. Dad. was going up to old Jona's this after noon but Jim Waddle came over and he didn't get. He went over to John Wess' about five o'clock. Dick stayed with Aunty to-night. Monday March 20th Dad. went up to Jona's first thing this morning and left Frank and me to do chores, we hooked up old Harry & Nellie to the bobsleighs and cleaned out the box stall into the sleighs and hauled it out to the old garden we had about two loads in it and the stable and it took us till noon. When Dad. got home he said Jonas was going to lose Nellie and the colt he was sure as they were in awful shape, they were both down and Nellie had batted herself all to pieces trying to get up, nothing wrong with them but starvation, right after dinner Blaikie came along with his brother-in-law, Jim Andrews from Tyrell, he has been out there the last few days & thought it was too cold to monkey with his stuff but to-day they had the bobsleighs and he loaded it all on them and took it out there where he will sort it and leave it till he wants it. He had a good big sleigh load but it wasn't very heavy. Dad. & Frank and I had quite an argument about Blaikie's two chests, he had a big red one in behind the chimney with rope handle on it and a little green one that he had his tools in and which has allways been open and stood in front of the window and near the head of the stairs. He told us it was the chest his father had brought from Scotland in 1830 and they both say he said it was the other one. By the time tney got their load on and got started it was after three o'clock so we just had time to put on about https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/f7ab98b644f95ffff5223fda925df436.pdf 3ce045d3413b72324ee321a712c49a45 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. half a load of hay and haul it to the horse stable and a little jag for the cows. To-night Dad. went down to the Mr. Smith's reunion committee meeting and Frank was down and stayed all night at Aunty's. Dick came home to-night but will have to start sleeping at the bank now as Hazen is to leave for Ottawa to-morrow night. It has been much milder to-day. Tuesday March 21st Art Quanbury came after Dad. this morning first thing to go and help him and Glen get their Art's barn jacked up ready to move and Dad. has been over there all day and says they are not through yet. Tupper helped them this after noon. It's the old barn in the lane on Tupper's place and Art bought it and is going to have Glen move it over on to his place. Frank came home instead of going to school and he and I have hauled three loads of wood from Carpenter's to-day besides doing chores. Dad. spoke to Carpenter yesterday about getting this wood. It is mostly body wood cut two years ago and piled up near the house. It is 16 inches long and $1.75 a cord when we haul it. We had the big new mare who answers pretty well to Nellie and Harry and she goes fine, steps right along the road without urging and is as quiet and gentle as a kitten but we have almost come to the conclusion juging from her looks and to-day and yesterday from her actions that she is not in foal, but she may be. Frank set some rat traps up in the pig pen last night and this morning Dad. found poor old Tits {illegible} in two of them by a front leg and her tail, we don't know whether her leg is broken or not. Enah took the baby in his sleigh down town this after noon and got the mail. Sam Law was in and got a bag of potatoes, he thinks now they will go down on John Watt's place. Aleta McBride was over here all day working. Very soft and cloudy all day & to-night. Wednesday March 22nd We were rather surprised this morning after yesterday's nice day to find it winter again this morning, but it was snowing and blowing and pretty cold. Art. didn't call for Dad. and we didn't haul any wood. We just did chores and Frank and Dad took down our bed and put up the walnut one instead which we got in Port Rowan. I took some more https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/24e63f90d1971969478c350166ad1031.pdf aee1eb5dbc1bf76153e490e7d85849bf PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. eggs over to Jack Martin's and asked Chris what was wrong with the incubator that I couldn't get it heating up and what made the flame go down Chris couldn't think of any thing but poor ventilation or poor oil and suggested that I clean the lamp out well and put fresh oil in, this I did when I got home and boiled the burner and put in fresh wick. This after noon Dad and Frank built a pen over in the barn for the ewes to lamb in and I put the saddle on Ginger and went down and got the mail, she went fine too. To-night Lloyd Ryerse brought over a note for me from Miss Walker inviting me down there to spend the evening so I went down early and went to church and then called for Essie & Marj. Nellie Smith went up with us, we had a very pleasant evening playing Pit and indulging in other forms of Methodist sport. Will {Currie?} was the only other one there and the three Walker girls. I stayd down at Aunty's to-night and it was about one o'clock when I got in. It had cleared off to night and was moonlight but very frosty. Thursday March 23rd Dick came down to Aunty's for breakfast this morning and she gave him his lunch. Hazen left on Tuesday for Ottawa where Nicholson is and so Dick has to sleep at the bank now. I came home right after breakfast but Dad. had gone with Art Quanbury. Frank and I went up after another load of wood, we are going to pile it home now and then measure it so as we can pile the box up with as much as it will hold and wont have to figure on each individual load. We got home in time to do most of the chores before dinner and got an early start after dinner, however we hauled all that was up there in one big load, there was a pile of apple wood freshly cut at one end, but we left it and and just took the two year old beech, it took us longer to get this load on as the bottom layer was frozen in and had to be knocked out with an axe, we didn't unload the load when we got home but piled a lot of what we had hauled. Enah and the baby went down town before we got back and were down all the after noon. Dad. got home about six and said they had got through or at least he had, he told Art. that we couldnt put a team on to help draw the building as we didn't have one that could draw, but he can get lots. Raw wind but sunny https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/f0414a0a03147a7bef6ba9e0bec9474e.pdf 9c9ee8ba404c13a0deebb8e39b383ab9 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Friday March 24th Frank got started this morning about nine o'clock to the Street Fair in Simcoe, it is the second one they have had, he took up the young gobbler and a turkey hen, he didn't get back till after five to-night. He sold the turkeys but could only sell them by the pound and just got $5.45 for them but it was the best he could do, he said there was quite a little bit of stock there but none of it went very high; he said there weren't many buyers. Dad. and I just did chores and piled some more of the wood. This after noon Dad. cleaned out the hog pen, the little pigs root the boards in the floor of their upstairs sleeping apartmens up and drop through into Glady's pen and then she goes for them This morning Harry Ansley and {Name?} Brock came over with a couple of horses which Harry wanted to hook up, one was a little mare so stiff she could hardly go he hooked them up to the bobsleighs and drove around the block with them. Alan Law came after Dad. just before dinner to get him to look at old Ned. who Alan said was {illegible} to death but Dad. said he couldn't see any thing the matter with him. Mrs. James and & Mrs. McCarter drove Dave Waddle's horse over here this after noon. I set my incubator to-day it seems to be going all right now. To-night I went down and got my hair cut and went up to see Marj. Glen Ryerse was telling Dad. yesterday that Tommy Jackson had sold his farm to Frank Ryerse. Sunny & mild to-day. Saturday March 25th This morning Dad. & Frank went down and cut down the trunk of the old locust tree and logged it up. I did chores and about noon took Harry & Nellie and went down after them and the wood. This after noon Frank and I went over to Vyse's sale and were there all the after noon. There was a good crowd and things went pretty well. I was going to look at the harness but it sold for $35. which is about ten dollars more than he paid for it about ten years ago, the cows went about as reasonably as any thing and they each had a calf last night. Jack Martin bought the red & white one for $82 and I think it was Geordie Boughner paid $90 for the black and white one. George Crosbie paid $152 for the old mare and young Powell gave $104 for the four year old filly which was all she was worth. Eliner Atkinson got Stan. the five year old for $70. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/ae1e3b0ccec2b16ecb2c06b1a0844025.pdf 8b79ea4cc0bd7fde4717d27c64ab59e5 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. He is the one Vyse was advertising in the Simcoe Reformer last year as a Sensation but they took care not to mention his breeding to-day as there were too many there that know he is out of the little Postmaster horse that Stan William's used to have. Tupper was there and we came home with him. To-night Dad. & I drove down to see Aunty Alice who came home to-night. Enah and the baby were down there so Dad. drove them home. The baby was invited to an "At Home" at John Harris Buck's this after noon. Quint was down there and I stood at Alan's corner for about an hour talking to him. He has signed up <s>and is going on duty</s> first has to go to Toronto for a day or so before <s>before</s> he goes on duty. Very soft, snow has gone off a lot. Sunday March 26th I got around in time to go to Sunday school with Frank this morning and so of course went to church. Quint & Dick were both in church and they came over to dinner I waited for them and we three came down town about three o'clock. Quint and I took a walk up Main St. and met Marj. & Glad Law so I went around to the house with Marj for a little while and then came home to tea. I had to come home to tend to my incubator, it doesn't seem to be running so evenly this time for some reason or other. I don't know what is the matter unless it is the oil. I went down town again after tea but wasn't in time for church. Marj. Glad Law & I went to the recruiting meeting after church. Dr. Jacques spoke and spoke well. I saw Sam Ja ques in uniform to-night This has been the first Spring day we have had and the snow is nearly all gone off the roads looks rainy to-night. Monday March 27th Spent most of the morning cleaning out the stable and the chicken house. I didn't work very fast nor do very much all day, I think owing to the fact that I have been suffering from a mild attack of Spring fever. This after noon I took a meander through Ivey's place and around the orchard on Frank Odd's place. When I got home I went down town and got some coal oil. Dad. piled the rest of the wood and threw some of the sawdust into the ice house. To-night we set three hens. Quint left for Toronto to-night, he has to go through an operation for rupture before he https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/f76e2bfa87020fbcfe444d253bf8c292.pdf 44be248f163fbc7be58a1f39cbeb6bc8 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. can be enlisted. He never said any thing about it to any one of the family, he told me on Saturday but told me not to say any thing about it so when Art Quanbury told Dad. to-night that Quint had told Charlie about it he was very surprised. Every thing is flooded to-day a very great deal of snow has gone off and it has rained two or three times, the roads all fierce for either sleighs or wheels. Tuesday March 28th It rained most of the morning so we didn't do much but just the chores and just before dinner we husked a little corn, we sat around for quite awhile after dinner while Dad. was reading from James Whitcomb Riley. I drove Enah down to the annual meeting of the Women's Auxillary about three o'clock and had to turn around and go after her again almost as soon as I got home, the roads are so bad, Joe couldn't go off a walk. Dad. & I took the top of the buggy and it makes it look queer but it was in bad shape. The first lamb of the season arrived last night some time and was all right out there this morning, he is a ram and belongs to 117 I think. Very mild but not sunny snow going fast. Wednesday March 29th This has been a real Spring day. Sunny and very mild, too mild to wear a coat or sweater and mud & water every where you look, the snow is nearly all gone except where there are drifts. After I did chores I spent most of the morning wheeling my compost heap down south of the well where it is low. This after noon Dad and I husked some corn. Dad. also put the saddle on Queen and I rode<s>r</s> her down the road a little way, just to give her a little exercise and to get her used to the bridle, she didn't do so badly at all. Frank Crysler was in for awhile to ask Dad. about a bad winded horse and Dad. told him he would go over to-morrow. To-night Frank & I walked down town and Marj. & I went to the soldier's concert. The hall was packed full and Jim Much and two McDonald girls had our seats and couldn't be induced to move. I stood there about five minutes trying to make {Sublimy?} Brock who was usher get me my proper seats and had a stream of humanity from the centre isle to the door blocked but as I saw they wouldnt move with out my creating conspicuous and unseemly disturbance https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/74c1be15b919e04ae078a03851825db5.pdf ce8795c1cad0830c338bb8cdba41ff37 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. we took their seats at the other end of the row. The concert wasn't bad at all. It was mostly of a vaudeville minstrel show nature, which neither Marj. nor I are particularly fond of but still it was good for its class and fairly decent. Lieutennant Doughty & Sh<s>a</s>rgeant Hawking were blacked up and did a good share of the entertaining. Jock Watt danced a Highland Reel accompanied by some other fellow and the music for them was furnished by Waddel with a Harmonica or what ever they call those things they pull in and out like bellows. Jock was dressed in kilts and looked very "cute" especially in some of the twirly whirl parts of his dance. In those actions it might have been deemed an improvement by a few folks if he had had a pair of some sort of pants on but I think it held the attention of the public better as it was as they didn't want to miss seeing everything The most remarkable performer of the evening was Pte. Glover, the Strong man, who I believe comes from Port Rowan and is a private in the 133rd. He would have done very well for a performance at Shea's and when one considers that he comes from so near home and it isn't his regular business, he was to say the least a surprise. First of all he took a quarter inch iron rod about eighteen inches long and took it in his teeth with a handkerchief around it and then pulled down on each end with each hand till it was bent to nearly a right angle, he then took similar rods and smote them on the muscles of his extended forearm till they burst at a slight angle. He next drove a five or an eight inch spike into a saw bench and got half a dozen of the boys to hold the bench while he wrapped a handkerchief around the head of it and took it in his front teeth and bent it back wards & fore wards till he broke it off, all these things he would throw into the audience to prove that they were genuine. He took Sid Stass and put him in a chair lifted him up and held Sid, chair, and all with his teeth by the back rung of the chair, the best part of that was to see poor Sid. turn pale green. He was so scared his knees shook and he certainly looked pleased to get safely down to land. His teeth and jaws weren't the only strong parts with him as he did all kinds of other stunts, such as lying down on his back and <s>raising</s> rising to his feet https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/6c79622c10fc54c589971ff9eb5c0613.pdf e7b683ae939d30c34be07cedf977e32d PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. with Billy Boughner standing in the palms of his hands and then getting down again and lying with his head on one chair and his feet on another and making his abdomen rigid enough for as many of the soldiers as there was room for from his head to his feet to stand on him. The last item on the programme and the one that proved about the most interesting was a recruiting rally. Mrs. Lamb a returned nurse gave us a good account of her experiences at the front and then made a very stirring appeal for more men using some extremely foolish arguments in favor of them leaving things here to go to a financial smash up and enlist to save Canada from the ravages of the Huns. Of course it sounds all right, but it would sound much better if they would mix up reason with sentiment. Major Innes from Simcoe then spoke and said he was going to ask Mrs. Lamb to get them twenty five men to-night, so she started by telling them she would knit a pair of socks for every man who enlisted to-night and said "Now who'll come up here." In a very short time there were about fifteen men on the stage but a strange feature of it was that with the exception of George Holden and {illegible} Paton fellow, no one seemed to know any of them so it looked as if there had been a little trouble taken beforehand to prepare the act. The soldiers went all through the hall trying to induce us, "safety first, home guard civilians." One fellow asked me if I wouldn't don a uniform and I told him I wanted to be sure there would be some fighting before I enlisted, as that is what they all say now that these fellows will never get over there before peace is made. Dick & Dess were up in the gallery and Frank said some drunken bum of a soldier was up there launching a terrible volley of abuse on poor old Dick, calling him a coward and saying he couldn't go because his girl wouldn't let him. Dick of course couldn't do any thing up there but I guess he felt like doing him up. Dick and I would both have gone two or three months ago and were eager to if Dad. had just said the word, but as he was so dead against it and as we were by no means a drag on the country and in fact were just a little <s>in</s> doubtful<s>l</s> whether we weren't doing as much good at home as in the trenches, we didn't feel it our duty to go, and now, when things are beginning to look as if the German's strength was failing and the end of the war in sight, the idea of weakening Canada's already sickly financial condition by enlisting and bum around for https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/b056f3a949693c9e09ce0a0a5d4d829a.pdf 9f5bee42f3e9ca9cd284cae5fee8c14b PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. about ten months and never get a poke at the Germans does not appeal to me in the least. If on the other hand the Kaiser should get a new lease of life by smashing the Verdun forts and breaking his way through to and entering Paris, then I will enlist right away, because I believe that in that case the British Empire will be nearer destruction than she has been for many years and it will be high time for every British subject to drop personal welfare and forget National finances and fight or help fight for all that is in them to save Britain from Germany and the devil. However I don't think Willie will ever see the inside of Paris with his army at his back because they have been hammering at Verdun now for over a month I believe and have had about 100,000 men slaughtered and are still on the outside looking in and Verdun is a long way from Paris and there are several fortified nuts to crack between the two. Thursday March 30th We hitched Queen and Joe up this morning and went out to Frank Crysler's. Queen went fine most of the way but got a little frightened going down the hill out here on the side road and nearly put us in the ditch, the roads were fierce and the frost is nearly out in places. Frank Crysler's mare was certainly in awful shape, she makes a terrible noise when she breathes hard and he let her out in the yard and chased her so that she would breathe hard just to show Dad. and it was awful the distress she showed and Dad. said she bled at the nose. Frank Crysler said Burt. told him that he thought there was a growth at the end of the windpipe, but Dad. looked at it with the speculum but he couldn't see any growth, what he thinks is the matter is caused by an incision they made in the windpipe last fall to put in a tracheaotmy tube when she had distemper healing and the edges of the cut turning in and blocking up the windpipe This after noon Dad. went out and opened up a ditch out of the barley stubble and I did chores. Vail the assesor was in this morning and raised the assessment about $100. Dad is pretty sore about it, but Vail said it was Hammond's fault, he was on the committe for putting a value on the land and he had charge of this part of Woodhouse and he valued all these farms at forty https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/86203950c7ea8b1f1beb536073cd9648.pdf c32256dfa7076efbee1c45a4ccf06bbc PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. dollars an acre. Dad. doesn't want to say that John Wess isn't assessed big enough but his land is certainly worth more to the acre than ours is as it is all cleared {illegible} hills. Vail made it thirty seven dollars an acre I think. It has been another lovely Spring day, with lots of mud but sunny. Friday March 30th This <s>after noon</s> morning after I got the chores done I started to paint my colony house. I got one end and most of the back done before dinner. Aunty Alice was over for a little while and to dinner. This after noon Dad. and I went down to John Watts sale we got a ride down and back with Charlie Quanbury, the roads were awful we all had to walk up Monteith's hill and Charlie had the team and little light democrat. There wasn't such an awful crowd there and things didn't go especially high. It was a nice day but the sale was over by about four o'clock. Johnny Loan has sold out and enlisted and Erny Hinds of Nanticoke has sold out and every body supposes he has enlisted. Young Lee Boughner has enlisted and left his Dad with two farms on his hands and no man. Lee said he couldn't stand it any longer he couldn't go to town without them getting after him. To-night I went down to see Marj. for a little while. Another beautiful Spring day. Saturday April 1st It has rained off and on all day and we haven't done much but chores. I went over to Jack Martin's and got an inside hover that he wasnt using. He thought it would work better than my outside brooder. I was over there quite awhile poking around. Charlie Quanbury is quitting to-day and Jack's new man came, he is gping to live in Brirely's house and Brirely is going to move into Vyse's house. While I was gone Dad. & Frank sacked up some barley and Frank and I took it down to the mill this afternoon, we went up to Bert Thompson's and got an incubator of Art Quanbury's which Bert had but wasn't using and while Art said I might use. It is an Essex 70 egg machine. Huby and Lila came over just as we were taking the team off and they stayed till it was time to do the night chores. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/b6989f7efc5d24504ed44098c03eff2c.pdf faa6bb61c7484d20fc732d2c4e97ec07 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Huby said that Larry Skey had telephone up to say that Quint had gone through his operation all right and was doing fine, the doctors said he was one of the finest specimens they had operated on for some time, and they do a lot of them. There are two fellows from Simcoe right next to Quint going through the same thing, the Government pays all their expenses. To-night Sid Marsh came after Dad. to go and see a mare of Carpenter's which foaled this after noon, but something had gone wrong with her and she died while Dad. was up there. Rainy & raw. Sunday April 2nd I got ready to go to Sunday school this morning but found I was late so didn't go but went down to church We all went to church even the baby and he was very good. Aunty came back with us and Dick was here when we got home. He slept too late to get to church. It was the first time we had seen him since last Sunday. He and I went down town again soon after dinner. Marj., Glad Law and I went for a walk around the hill. I came home to tea and went down again afterwards but didn't go to church. They didn't have any recruiting meeting to-night. Marj. & I went up with Glad Law to her place for a little while. I went down to Aunty's for a little while and came home early. Aunty expects to go to London to-morrow to attend the annual meeting of the W.A. Mr. Carson the canning factory manager died this morning he was only sick about a week. They had high jinks down town last night old Bill Caley got on a tear and wanted to lick every body in town and they had to put him in the lockup after he had smashed Bobby Leany's window Mrs. Caley told them to run him in and Jimmy helped, it took four or five of them to handle him. When I went out this morning I found another buck lamb belonging to Dad's yearling ewe. Very nice day. Monday April 3rd Old Splitear presented us with a pair of twins this morning. She is the first ewe to have twin lambs We spent a good part of the morning choring around I painted some more of the colony house this <s>afternoon</s> morning and finished it this afternoon. I didn't use all the paint so I put the rest on the https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/923f46582a7052082a9c1921bf16eaf3.pdf f31b3e83fdfbb2b8129643241b758159 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. end of the old chicken house, but didn't have quite enough to do it all so it didn't improve the look of it much. Enah went down town this after noon and Dad. stayed in with the baby all the after noon. To-night Frank and I tested rthe eggs and took out 68 unhatchables, most of them were clear. It has been very mild and sunny all day. Tuesday April 4th We spent most of the morning tending to lambs. When I went out this morning there was old Greynose and a yearling with the tag our of her ear on the barn floor each with a pair of twin lambs and later on in the morning another yearling lambed out in the field, she had twins too, we pruned two or three trees in the orchard this after noon. Wyatt Waddle and some other fellow were in this after noon trying to sell Dad a cultivator but they didn't manage to do it. I took 8 doz. eggs over to Martin's this morning. Alex James was in this morning to ask Dad. about a sick cow. Aleta McBride was here washing most of the day. Very mild and no wind, sunny & nice. Wednesday April 5th Did chores and pruned a little more in the orchard to-day. Dad. has just been tending to sheep and doing chores most of the day, he went down to the mill on foot and got a bag of bran. Lorne Jackson was in before dinner to get him to file his old mare's teeth. Sam Law came in this after noon and invited us all down there to-night. He said a few friends were coming out and they wanted to have all the neighbours, they will be moving down to John Watt's in a few days. Dad. was quite alarmed about old Splitear to day, soon after he gave her some oats and bran both this morning and to-night, she got down and rolled and kicked and was aparently in pain, but neither spasm lasted so very long. Mild but not so sunny to-day. To-night we all went down to Law's and had a great time dancing, there wasn't any crowd there, just about enough for two sets and give every one a chance to rest Cliff {Name?} was the fiddler and {Tat?} Robinson who got up the dance did most of the calling off, though Alan did some Alan and Sam both danced all evening in their shirt sleeves. Dad. and Enah brought the baby home soon after mid-night and Frank didn't stay till the end https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/5f824805e9f94b5686a9b1f68b380426.pdf 107e17ea7e960d64fc5ce20dff7ff125 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. but I did which wasn't very late abut three or half past, there were three or four other babies or very small children there and they all stayed till the last but all went to sleep. The bed was full of them after midnight. {Pete?} Furlong's baby which isn't a year old was there and never said a word all night. Alan had a graphaphone there which I think belonged to Ethel Leany. Every body had a good time. Thursday April 6th I didn't get up very early this morning and just did chores all morning. I went to sleep again after dinner on the sofa and was awakened by Dick and Dess coming in. They were here for about an hour and we went out and saw the sheep, they couldnt stay to tea as Dess had to go to work at six o'clock. While I was asleep another pair of lambs arrived from the wooly faced yearling I think No. 2. Dad spends most of his time with them. Bobbie presented us with a fine big red heifer calf to-night. It is the second heifer she has had, last year's being the first. It snowed this morning and has been cloudy windy and much colder all day. Friday April 7th The old white ewe had one ewe lamb this morning we were afraid at first she wasn't going to own it and then that she was sick as she seemed very stupid and wouldn't eat, but our fears on both points are by to-night aparently groundless. We watched her with more suspicious eyes anyway because she was the one that wouldn't own the little ram lamb last year, but last year she had three, and one died and she did own one. Besides doing chores and husking a couple of shocks of corn Dad. and I havent done anything but monkey with the sheep Dad. especially, I did work a little out in front this morning but this after noon we caught the lamb which has its eyelids turned under and Dad. put a stitch in each ey lid and each cheek and pulled them out and down and tied them there, according to instructions in an American sheep magazine which I got the other day as a sample copy. We had to do this to two and he put two stitches in one eyelid. It keeps the lids out all right but the look horrible and we had a hard time doing it as it hurt them to pierce the eyelid which was also tough. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/8cdaa0eac09193f70d9e2fa438e46026.pdf da7ae120dfe727b401719c471137eb4c PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. We were afraid we were too late with one little fellow as his eyeball looks to have burst. To-night we all went down town. I went to Tips and got some samples for a new suit and then went up to see Marj. Dad. Enah and the baby went down to see Aunty Alice and to see Mrs. Johnson Enah's sister who just arrived from London where she has been attending the W.A. annual meeting. I think Frank was going to Huby's. I went down to Aunty's on my way home but the house was in darkness and I found the same conditions prevailing here when I arrived and see no sign of any one being home. It is now about eleven o'clock and still no one home and I'm going to bed. I am afraid they will ruin that child's health both physically and morally by permitting to be down town so late at night. Froze hard last night and has been cool all day but nice and sunny Cold east wind to-night. Saturday April 8th This morning Frank drove Enah and the baby down town in the waggon and they have been at the Jame's all day and walked home before dark. Enah brought back a bag of potatoes which Mrs. James sent to me and some turnips and parsnips she sent over. Dad. and I husked some corn while he was gone. This after noon Dad. cleaned out the hog pen and Frank and I worked in the shop. Frank at hanging an axe handle as he broke one the other day and I at making a frame to put cotton on for the front of the colony house. To-night I took some samples I got last night back to Tip Varey and ordered a suit. I then went down to Aunty Alice's and saw Aunty who just got home to-night from London. Aunty Maude and the two girls were down there. Raw cold day, Snowed all after noon and to-night. Sunday April 9th I didn't get to Sunday School this morning but Frank Enah and I went to church. I stayed down to Aunty's for dinner and spent the after noon with Marj. and Glad. Law but came home to tea and didn't go down again to night. Art. Quanbury came over to get Dad. to go and look at {Birson?} Ivey's horse which he had in his stable over here, before we went to church this morning and he was over again this https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/3890a0121bd7ab687194af9756bfb462.pdf 538f066112754f1c3ee7226fcd118fa9 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. this after noon and again to-night. It got down some time during the night and got its neck twisted and jammed up in one corner of the stall and now it can't get up or straighten its neck. Dad. says it doesn"t matter about it not getting up but he is afraid its neck twisted beyond recovery and it was one of a new team he had just bought in Brantford. Lila was over here most of the afternoon and to tea and Mr. James and Mrs. Johnson were over this after noon. Dick was over to dinner but of course I didn't see him. The little yearling ewe that has been out of sorts all winter had a pair of nice lambs to-day, but doesn't seem to have much milk for them. It has been rather cold & raw though fairly sunny I took my eggs out of the incubator this morning to cool them and went to feed the chickens, forgot them and left them out an hour and a half, but I don't think it will hurt. Monday April 10th Lorne Jackson came after Dad. at a quarter to four this morning to go over and see Frank Crysler's mare which was suffering from an attack of acute indigestion owing to her eating corn cobs which had been shovelled out with the cleanings from the hog pen. Dad. had to send Lorne down after some medicine and didn't go till he got back. He walked out but got there the same time as Lorne who was on horseback. Tommy Jackson was over there and had been doctoring her for which he apologised to Dad. but Dad. said he had done all right for he likes old Tommy and realizes that he knows a lot more that the majority of these self taught quack-doctors, but Tommy had been handicapped he went to look through his medicine chest but found that his ether which he wanted had eaten the cork out of the bottle and evaporated, so he gave the horse some laudnum. Dad. told him if they had administered a little whiskey, it would have been a good thing Tommy said they had had some whiskey, but as he and Frank who had been sitting up all night had suffered considerably from the cold, they consumed most of it themselves so it naturally didn't have a very stimulating effect on the horse. Dad. was over there to breakfast and got back here about nine. When I went https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/f61147b7973d781aab539f82bd7d058f.pdf cc465f8813048cee2fa54e517533b5b0 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. out this morning Ben Ivey was prowling around looking for Dad. He and Art Quanbury had been up all night with his horse and he was very anxious to try and sling him up on his feet as he said he had been thrashing around all night and he was afraid he would knock his feet all to pieces or get his head under the hay and smother so the consequence was that except for doing a few chores here Dad. and I have been over there all day and Dad. is just about all in to-night. Art Quanbury Dad. and I went down to Aunty's before dinner to see if we could find Dad's. old set of slings but we couldn't any where. Art. & I went down to the Customs office to ask Huby but he didn't know where they were so they had to rig one up with a couple of little single trees and an old piece of carpet. We went back after dinner to help lift and Landon & Morg. Williams came over from the greenhouse. They were a long time getting things ready and when we did get him up the beam they had the pulleys fastened too was not high enough so we had to let him down and they made it higher, then we hauled him up again but it was just as Dad. expected he couldn't use his legs when we did get him up and just pawed around so we had to let him down and all we could do for him was to turn him over. Dad. feels sure that the injury in his neck is causing all the trouble, and says there is a possibility of it recovering with him lying down as he eats and drinks alright, but if the spinal column is hurt much there is little hope for him. It was about five o'clock when we got home so we just did up the chores. Nice day, rather raw Tuesday April 11th This morning we cut the tails of six of the biggest lambs Dad. cut the first one off with a jack knife but it didn't work very well so we did the rest with a butcher knife hammer and block the same as last year and it worked fine, they all lived through it all right although the first one seemed very sore for quite awhile but I think it was owing more to some of the turpentine he put on getting on to more tender parts than it was intended than to the cut itself. I walked Belle up and down the road for a while this moring at least I rode her, just to make her take a little https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/1a492c481dfaa20b68ec0f24747c8f53.pdf 2811ade3bcbe9d846a1c3dd278b525c0 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. more exercise, as she is beginning to show signs of foaling soon, her time is up on the 25th of this month. When I put her in I started to rake up the annual crop of sticks and leaves under the old willow tree but only got it about half done before dinner and after dinner it was pouring rain and rained all the after noon we just did chores. Art Quanbury came over for most of the after noon, his last ewe had a pair of twins last night but he can't make one of them suck so he came over and borrowed our sucking bottle to give it a feed and sent it back with Frank. It thundered a little this after noon. Wednesday April 12th We havent done any thing much to-day I took Belle put for another little ride for exercise. Aunty Alice was over to dinner but didn't stay long after. The last ewe No. 67 lambed to-day, we watched her all morning as she seemed to be straining and Dad examined her but couldn't find any thing, but when we went out after dinner we found a dead lamb with her, it had come in a wrong position and was dead when it came, it was a fine big one too. About an hour later she had another dandy big ram lamb and it was all right and she seems to be all right to and has an enormous bag. To-night I went down to church, there were about a dozen or so there but there were no lights when we first got there I went up to see Marj. afterwards. I found her marking exam papers and suffering with an awfully sore throat. When I started for home it was pouring rain so I camped all night at Aunty's. It has been a very nice day. Thursday April 13th I just did chores after I got home this morning till dinner this after noon I took Belle out again, I saw Art. Quanbury he told me that Charlie and Ben Ivey had driven to Brantford yesterday morning to buy another horse and had not got home yet. He said he went up last night and turned Syd. (the one that's down) over and went up again this morning and found him dead. The little Ivey kid told me last night that his Daddy named his horses after the places he used to travel in Sydney & Halifax. I planted some old flower seeds in a box this after noon and put them in the kitchen window. I don't know that they https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/833763846fec8d24a1a0b9da58848714.pdf 5564bc20d76be550a9c5727c498ba8f2 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. will grow as I think they are two or three years old. I also raked some more up under the old willow outside the fence, I finished inside yesterday. To-night I went down to a party of the Every-ready Club girls at Bessie Paterson's. We played Five-Hundred which I had never played before and which I didn't know any thing about so consequently didn't win one game. Colin Ryerse and I cut for booby prize and I got in a little tin watch and chain which proved a great source of amusement for the baby. Bill Davis & Johnnie I think got first prizes. We also had a hat trimming contest. Each boy had to trim a hat I did one for Hazel Silverthorne by just tying a couple of ribbons around it. I was quite tickled with the job I made. Sam Schram got first prize at that and George Henderson the booby. Marj. was there and said her sore throat was "all better". We all had a nice time and got away about half past one. It was pouring rain again to-night so I went down to Aunty's and stayed. They had half expected me as the bed was all ready to crawl into. It has been quite hot to-day and the fields are beginning to look quite green. Friday April 14th Aunty came over with me this morning and has stayed all day at least she went back about half past four. It has been cloudy, cold, windy and wet all day and we have just done a few chores, husk a little corn, keep our eyes on the incubator and sit around all day. Ham Thompson was in for a little while this morning to see the sheep. He has just invested in five Shropshires. He bought them at the Street Fair in Simcoe. They are supposed to be registered but he hasn't got the pedigree's and he says they have no tags in their ears. The chicks have been hatching all day but I am not looking for much of a hatch maybe twenty five or thirty. Saturday April 15th This morning Dad helped me take the chicks out of the incubator we took out twenty five but had to kill three which were crippled. I knocked their heads on a post and threw them over in the orchard, it was rather sickening but had to be done and I was sure I killed them but this after noon Dad. heard some cheeping and went out and found two of them had come to. I suppose I had only stunned https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/3291ebe3e346ff2cc955ec4a23e63a39.pdf c443152edfb2f0a0e21867de53033571 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. them. We put them under two of the setting hens and put the eggs which were under the hens in the incubator. They are due to hatch on Monday. This after noon Frank and I drove the team down town and got some groceries, we went up to Mrs. Leslie Battersby's and got a lot of plants for Aunty which Mrs. Battersby is giving her as she can't take them all to Brantford with her. I got a lot of stuff out of the garden down at Aunty's and brought it over. I got some tulip and daffodil bulbs some lily of the vallet roots, some clematis and Virginia creeper and a little syringa tree all of which I put out when I got home and didn't help do any chores. It took me till dark and the ground was really too wet. Lila was over all the after noon and got some may flowers back in the woods. Frank went down with her to-night. Dad. had to go down to Mr. Flemming's after tea as Chris Quanbury came after him. Flemming's mare had a colt when Dad. got there and it was all right so he didn't stay long. Old Dave Lampkins was in to-night, his new horse that he got at Watt's sale had some sort of fit and he wanted to ask Dad. about it. Tom. Abbot told Dad. he had them before, but they didn't tell poor old Davie that. Lovely day, sunny & mild Sunday April 16th Frank went down to Sunday School and Enah and I went down to church we took the baby down and left him with Aunty in the back of the church, and we three boys sat up in the front seat with Aunty Alice and Enah went in the choir. The baby was very good as usual. Dick came over here to dinner but I stayed down at Aunty's. I wernt up to the Bagley's after dinner to see Marj. I got up opposite Kev. Henderson's barn when it began to pour rain. I hiked across the road in there till the heaviest was over and then I got out and up as far as Alfy Dell's barn when it started again so I ran in the lane, over the manure heap and over a couple of bars which were nailed across the open door and waited there till it subsided alittle and sallied forth again, this time getting past the Methodist Church shed before it began to pelt so I just ran for all I was worth to the Bagley's veranda but got rather wet however Mrs. Bagley mopped me off with a duster and I didn't suffer much. After sitting around an hour or so Marj. and I went up and called for Glad Law and went for a walk up to the head of Main St. I went into Bert Thompson's and got the thermometer that belongs to Art Quanbury's incubator. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/6adfb2653c6394678ec53abe1136f533.pdf 5f4e13fa44f3bf8eba1e3f819ed2c6bd PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. I came home to tea and didn't go down again. Aunty & Aunty Alice want me to go down there and give them a whole day in the garden to-morrow if it doesn't rain. This was a lovely Spring morning and warm but wet this after noon. Monday April 17th It rained hard during the night and was cold dark & windy this morning so I didn't go down to work in the garden, it has been a very nasty day, hasn't rained much but has looked like it and been cold and windy. Charlie Martin came over this morning and was here for an hour or so visiting, he had three hams he wanted smoked but we took the meat out of our smoke house two or three days ago. Enah and the baby went down town to dinner and were down most of the afternoon. Bill Phillips came after Dad. Soon after dinner to go down and tend to Alfy Dell's cow which calved yesterday, so Dad. went down and charged them two dollars; he and Frank got home to-gether a little before six. I didn't do much but put the cotton on the colony house frames and husk a little corn. Bruce Dell came over after Dad. again to-night, the cow is worse and Dad. has gone down with him Tuesday April 18th Dad. went down town again this morning to see the Dell's cow and was down most of the morning, he said she was better. I did chores most of the morning and just before dinner Dad. put the saddle on Queen and I rode her down nearly to the corner, she didn't do so very badly. Dad said she looked fine. We spent most of the after noon trimming her up, Dad. cut the long hair off her legs & fetlocks with the scissors and singed most of it off under her jaw. About half past four when Frank got home we undertook to drive the eight pigs from the hog pen over to the bay on the old barn where Dad. thinks they will do better, we got five of them in with out much trouble but three we had an awful time with and had to just tire them out and the last one we had to tire out and catch but we had Tige to help us with her and the others we did alone, it nearly killed us. Dad. is anxious to get them finished for fear the price drops they were up to $10.75 per cent yesterday. Frank has gone on a hunting, trapping and fishing expedition with the Ryersies to-night Mrs McBride was here all day washing. It has been sunny but a very high wind all day. Mud has dried up a lot. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/25f3f150c51ecd4194352384027f160b.pdf 579e1af7314c2d2e2de6e141468a9584 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Wednesday April 19th This morning Dad. and I put the association ear tags in the old ewes and the two year olds' ears. Dad put the holes in their ears with the harness punch, we also marked all the lambs, their ears are too small to put tags in and we hate to punch the edges of them all up so we painted Roman numerals on their sides with lamp {black?} and oil, and then marked it down in a book which lambs belong to which ewes. This after noon we took the tails off eight more lambs, they are all done now except the two little ones. We then did chores and Dad. started to make a trough to feed the lambs. This <s>after noon</s> To-night Enah and I went down town, we weren't in time to go to church, but Enah was in time for choir practice. I went in to Tip's to see if my suit had come and he said he had got word from the firm that the stuff I ordered hadn't come yet from the mill and they didn't expect it for at least three weeks, so I told him to tell them to wait till the three weeks were up and then to make it up out of another choice if the first wasn't there as I didn't want to wait. I told him I would be down in the morning, I then went up to see Marj. She expects to go to London on Friday to spend her Easter holidays. I went down to Aunty's and called for Enah, Aunty Alice got home to-night from Ingersol, where she was spending a couple of days visiting Miss Parke, Uncle Hals sister. It has been a nice day but rainy to-night. Thursday April 20th Mr. Fleming came after Dad. this morning to go and see his colt, which Dad. is afraid has joint ill, which is almost impossible to cure. When he went down there I went down to Tip's and picked out another sample, the only one I liked much that wasn't on his list of "sold outs". I took a lot down to show Aunty and Cousin Clare, and they thought it would be nice too, so I stayed there to dinner and took them back after dinner, got the mail and came home. Dad. was here all alone as Enah and the baby had gone down to her mother's. Old Gladys made her nest this morning. Dad. put a lot of straw for her in the pen where the young pigs were but she carried it all out and put it in her own pen so has <s>far</s> too much, when Dad. went out https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/fd1c54f69dde934fd2c9a8ed0af52dcb.pdf 1717c866850924f4cf1a228df7b1b5de PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. about twelve she was still making her nest and when he went out about an hour later she was covered with pigs and more coming, she had thirteen altogether but killed one to-night by lying on it, but she is very careful, and good to them. Soon after dinner or at least dinner time because Dad. hadn't bothered eating any dinner, Al. Faulkner came after him to go down and doctor Jimmy Leany's horse. He hated to go but did and got a dollar out of it, he has started charging folks in town as lately they have come after him from all directions. I spent most of the after noon cleaning out and heating up my two incubators. The little one was up to 103° before I went to bed to-night. About six o'clock we had one of the worst old thunder storms we have had since last summer. Frank Dad. & I were all besieged in different barns and couldn't get out till it was over. It seemed to come from the north and went right over us towards the lake There were a couple of cracks I though would hit the barn. Enah and the baby got home about eight and the baby seemed quite sick. Dad. and I greased the little chicken's heads to-night. It has been very warm all day Friday April 21st (Good Friday) I promised Aunty and Aunty Alice I would give them a day in the garden to-day but as it was so wet I didn't hurry down and put the eggs in the two incubators first, I put in 198. 135 in the big one and 63 in the other. I got a ride down as far as Fleming's with Sam Law who came in after a bag of his potatoes. I went in to tell Mr Fleming of an ant toxin for navel ill which Dad read of last night and which Dad. said he could telephone to Burt or Duncomb in Waterford for if he wanted to. When I got down to Aunty's they were just starting for church. Aunty Alice was terribly distressed that she wouldn't be there to work with me but I cleaned up a lot of old rubbish and boards that were in the road of where they want to have Val. Leany plan. This after noon they both got out and worked and I dug up a couple of patches and Aunty Alice put in some potatoes and multiplier onions. It started to rain about five o'clock so we had to stop I stayed to tea and came home about dark. Dick was down to dinner & tea, he has had a holiday <s>this after noon</s> to-day of course. I guess Dad. just did chores over here to-day. Frank was off hunting with the Ryerse's https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/ab650fb95a46b3065583aa0938520529.pdf 7039da99ed1ba380b9e4bc63663322dc PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Snowdrop had a big, black, bull calf, and Gladys killed anothe piglet. Ed. was over this after noon telling his adventures in the 133rd. He is Quartermaster Sergeant now. Nice day but rather cloudy and wet. Saturday April 22nd This morning we just did chores and Dad. had a bath and went down to Aunty's for dinner, he wanted to get his hair cut for Easter. He was gone all the after noon I cleaned out the horse stable and Frank started to house clean the shop, then we fooled around awhile and at last put the saddle on Queen and he got on and rode her down the road a little way. When Dad. came home he found he had missed bringing the paper so after we got the horses fed, <s>Frank</s> I put the saddle on Ginger and rode down to Aunty's and got it. Tonight Frank and I set two hens on thirty eggs. Fram Walker was in to-night to get a boll and to borrow the speculum for a lymphatic horse Sunday April 23rd This being Easter we all went to church Dad. took the baby who was pretty good but having Huby sit right across the isle didn't improve his behaviour any. Dick came over to dinner. This after noon Frank and I went over to John Wess' and Frank set some traps up in McQueens & Robert John's gully. We got home just in time to let Enah go to church. Dad. had to go down this after noon to see Dell's cow again, she isn't doing right. Charlie Quanbury came over twice since six o'clock to get Dad. to go and look at his colt. Dad. went back with him the last time and just got there in time to see it die, he is going back in the morning to hold a post mortem, it was the one he got in Brantford for fifty eight dollars. Lovely morning but cloudy & rainy later. Monday April 24th Dad. & Frank went over to Quanbury's this morning soon after breakfast Dad. to dissect the dead horse and Frank to skin it as Charlie told him he could have the hide if he would skin it. Dad. had to go down town to see Dell's cow, and so didn't finish his job before dinner and stayed at the Quanbury's to dinner, neither he nor Frank got home till nearly four o'clock, but he found out what was the matter with the colt. He had distemper last winter and https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/3ad0144ce4c749c0f819a47fc278d8ea.pdf 0b04b7fa350c12f5d271cb5b81c8583f PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. the absess did not form & break under the jaw as it should have done, and it seems when this does not happen, an absess is liable to form any place in the body, so in this case they found it in the bowells which had all grown to-gether around the growth which Dad said was as big as his head, so nothing could have saved him anyway I just did chores to-day and this after noon cleaned out the separator, we started separating again to-night. We got the chores done up fairly early and I went down to Aunty's to tea, to-night Aunty and I went to the picture show to see "Mistress Nell" with Mary Pickford. It was pretty good the play being in the time of Charles III. Harry Battersby and Dave Waddle were over this morning for a little while. Nice day but cloudy to-night. Tuesday April 25th Dad had to go down town again this morning to see Dell's cow and Frank went down to ship his horse hide to Hallam. Bob. Miller showed him how to fix it and ship it. I did chores all morning and this after noon husked a little corn. Art. Quanbury was over all the after noon and watched Dad. shear the two rams which he did in about four hours. The little fellow was very poor and alive with ticks. I rode down town to get the paper tonight. It has drizzled all the after noon and things are getting in awful shape. Wednesday April 26th Allan Law came up this morning with old Ned. the big bay, he was all humped up and the musles in his hip trembled. They had him hitched up coming up to Pickford's after their stove but when they got to Art Ryerse's they had to unhook and put one of Art's in. Alan said on Friday he gave his foot a bad cut when they were moving the big new engine for the factory from the car one of the skids ran up on ihs heel and cut a piece out and they haven't had him out of the stable since till to-day, but Dad didn't think that would affect him the way he was affected and didn't know what was the matter. This after noon Dad. caught old Splitear and sheared her they were all too wet from yesterday's rain to shear this morning, when he was about half done Alan came after him, he said old Ned had given up going down Art Ryerse's hill and Alan had managed to get him to the top of Monteith's but no https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/f55153548e7feff4fc86befd7c93e81c.pdf f5d0fe2a1b8d224987bbcd2d5eb7b05c PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. farther, so when Dad. finished the sheep he went down with him and didn't get back till after seven, they said they had got Ned home but he didn't understand the case He said he was down when he first got there but got up by himself afterwards. He read it up at tea time and came to the conclusion it was asoturia although it didn't show the regular symptoms, but after tea he walked down again to give it a boll, it must have been after midnight quite a bit when he got home I havent done much but chores all day cleared up a little around the back door. We moved the three hens and little chickens from the colony house outdoors to-day. Lila was over all day, she Quint and Win got back from Toronto last night. She and Frank went back to the gully this afternoon and Frank went down with her to-night. It has been much warmer to-day but didn't rain. Thursday April 27th Dad. went down to Sam's again right after breakfast and didn't get back till about two o'clock, he had dinner down there, he thought Ned was better. When he came home he and Frank sheared another sheep. I spent the day doing chores and clearing up Aunty came over this after noon and stayed to tea. I walked down with her after tea and went up to get my hair cut and went up to see Quint. I waited there till after ten and then found him down in Henry Biroy's pool room. I had quite a visit with him and didn't get home till about twelve o'clock. It has been fairly sunny to day and a strong east wind. Friday April 28th I haven't worked very hard to day as I had a sort of pain most of the time, this morning I made a sort of little desk and put it up in the cow stable to put our milk record book on. This after noon I took some eggs over to Jack Martin's, they seemed very busy over there shipping eggs. When I got back I cut a little strip of lawn but the old lawn mower is just about out of commission. Sam Law came up this morning and said old Ned was doing alright. Frank took a small grist to the mill this morning and got it this after noon. He went down the mill hill but it was so bad that he went around by town to get his stuff. He and Dad. burned some grass on the road this after noon. He got an express order https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/60531dfab0d7a226737d71a3098a05a8.pdf 525de277df99a4747b25296e38b22bf4 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. from John Hallam today for $5.15 for the horse hide he shipped them and they had deducted 35 cts for freight. He thought that was good as he wasn't looking for much more than three Dad. was very surprised this morning when he went out to find a newly born lamb belonging to the little yearling which we were sure wasn't in lamb. The lamb was in the pen and she was outside, he was afraid at first he was going to have trouble making her own it but she did alright. Enah and the baby were down town most of the day. Enah said Aunty Alice had expected [Darycote?} to come and work in the garden but he didn't so she was out digging herself, so Dad. told Frank to tell them to-night (he went down to cash his order) that I would go down tomorrow if all was well and help them We saw in yesterday's casuality list <s>yesterday</s> that Kieth Aylen of Ft. Saskatchewan was killed in action.There seems to be quite a mess over in poor old Ireland. They captured Sir Roger Casement the other day who was leading a ship laden with arms and ammunition unto Ireland for rebels and they also sunk the ship which was a disguised German one, and since there have been serious riots of the Sinn Fein party in Dublin but the Nationalists are helping the loyal troops quell it so they think the rioting is just being carried on by a bunch of fanatics, however the whole of Ireland is under martial law. Sir Roger they think was a little out of his head anyway and they say he had done before now some great things for the British. He is sure now they say of the gallows but hopes they will hang him with a silken cord as he thinks common rope would be too degrading to man of his position. It has been a lovely day foggy this morning but sunny after. Saturday April 29th As soon as Frank went out after breakfast this morning he noticed Belle was not right, so called Dad. After watching her for a few minutes Dad decided some thing was wrong so made an examination and found a colt coming with Its head bent back. He had quite a time straitening it but managed to get it away but it was dead. Dad. said the first strainter had probably broken its neck. Frank and I were just ready to go down town and as Belle seemed all right we left and it was not till I got home at night that I knew that another dead colt had come in exactly the same position only on its back, they were a beautiful pair of mare colts one a bay with black mane and black points and the other a sorel with sorel mane and white points and each https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/0f7bc29528e94cb87e9dfd99552a9998.pdf 94ac9448cdfd23b83f73566baa1ecd0a PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. and each with a white strip in its face.Dad says he had done nothing else but grieve all day, not that in itself it is such a loss but they were such a pair of beauties and no reason in the world why they shouldn't have lived if they had come straight. I went down with Frank and helped him put on a load of wood which was about half of the cord that Dad bought from Cousin Phoebe. I then went down and gave Aunty Alice another day in the garden, they couldn't get a man to come so had started to dig it themselves. Frank got anothe load after dinner but got it alone. It was nice beech and maple wood and she gave him a lot of old boards too. Huby went to Simcoe this after noon and heard about our twin colts up there before I did. I got home about dark and set out some little daisys, violets and a pansy plant that Aunt Nancy gave me. Lovely sunny day and quite hot. Sunday April 30th I was the only member from this house at church this morning. Frank & Enah having decided to go to-night instead. Dad. and the baby were about to get ready to go down when Ham Thompson came in and Dad. had to go up there with him, to take a colt away from his mare, it was dead. Ham has had about the roughest streak of luck with his stock this year that a man could have. He has one or two calves but four of his cows aborted and now both his colts are gone, He has no young chickens either. I stayed down at Aunty's to dinner and Aunty Alice came over here, we didn't have any sermon this morning Mr. Johnson feels pretty badly over the news which came last week that his youngest brother was killed at the front. Quint and Bill Oakes went to Normandale early this morning so I didn't think Quint would be over to dinner but I saw him this after noon and he said they had got back earlier than they expected so was over to dinner, he said the trout didn't bite very well. This after noon Marj. Glad Law and I went up to Dixon's woods and got a few mayflowers. Tonight Enah and Frank went down to church and Dad. and I were rather late getting through with the chores. The Oddfellows were at our church to-night. George Duncan was in for quite awhile to see Dad. about a cow which has something wrong with it. I tested out my eggs to-night. I only took 48 out of the big machine but 38 out of the little one. I put all that were left into the big one. Nice day quite hot. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/f1d7188c8b2d34d66507fc366599712e.pdf a52f2d3416d133ae8d5dc33cbbf66a5e PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Monday May 1st Frank took a walk over the back field yesterday after noon and reported that the side hill was fit to go on but the top was pretty wet, so this morning he took Harry and Nellie with the disks back and has been working back there all day. Dad. went back with him to get him started, he got the side hill all gone over and of course couldn't turn on it so had to go across the top but threw the disks out, however it scratched it up a little and will help it to dry. It will take a lot of work yet as the rain has packed it so hard and the grass is pretty well started. While Dad. was back there I buried the twins in the garden up by the windmill. Tom Abbot saw them this morning and said he would give five dollars if they had lived. Sam Law came in while I was at it with some of Dad's instruments he had left down there and said old Ned. was just about all right again. When Dad. came up he sheared a sheep before dinner and two after dinner, he thinks he is getting on to it now. The last one he did I thought he did in a little less than an hour. This after noon I cut most of the lawn I didn't make much of a job of it with the old lawn mower but managed to get it haggled a little.Alex Jamieson came in to see Dad. about a cow he has "that ain't doin right." He told me that "Wilful waste makes woeful want" and that I ought to let the grass grow for hay or turn the old mare in on it. It has been a nice day but looks rainy to-night. Tuesday May 2nd It rained hard enough during the night to put a stop for the present to agricultural operations, but has been a nice sunny day with rather a cold wind. Mr. Fleming came after Dad. this morning his colt is not so well again and Dad. is afraid he will lost it yet. It was a lot better. Tupper was in too for awhile to ask Dad. about his colt which is leaking a little at the navel. Just before dinner we put all the unsheared sheep in the barn and cut the tails off the two little ones there is just one more lamb now to dock, the one belonging to the little yearling ewe. Dad. sheared two more this after noon but had heartburn pretty badly I spent most of the after noon digging the corner bed I made by the rhubarb bed outside the clothes room window. Frank husked corn and went down and got the mail. He went down again to-night with a message to Mrs. Dell about her cow. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/e36ced2cf25163d8aecd5368efd5b8f4.pdf 0087d4272b4a69c39591dbe949f961be PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Wednesday May 3rd It started to rain sometime during the night and <s>has</s> kept it up all morning most of the time quite heavily so that underfoot conditions are in about as bad a state as they everwere. It cleared up after dinner but was cold all the after noon but was a very nice night. This morning I spent most of the morning in the house grinding bread crumbs for the chickens and writing in this. Dad. helped me get the little chickens into the colony house this morning as we were afraid the wet would be bad for them. Two of them did die with the sore eye trouble that they had last year. This after noon Frank and I did chores and husked a little corn. Frank spent all the morning packing his muskrat skins and after dinner he took them down and shipped them to Hallam and got the mail. Dad. sheared one sheep this morning and two more this afternoon, he has just one more to shear. I went down town to-night. Tom Abbot and other soothsayers and astronomers were predicting cold weather as the new moon was exceptionaly far North and slap on its back. Thursday May 4th Dad. sheared the last sheep this morning and as soon as he got through we packed the wool up and Frank and I took it down. We stopped at the Quanbury's to get a shovel as I wanted to get a little sand to throw in the chicken yard and Charlie gave us Art's three fleeces. Art himself was down {bathing?} Vyse's horse. Henderson gave us 30 cts. a lb for it, which was the highest payed in yesterday's paper, and to-day it has dropped a cent or two, but the mail hadn't come in when we sold it. We had eight six lbs and got $25.80. Art had 18 lbs and got $5.40. By the time we got our sand and a few more things up town we didn't get home till about one o'clock. This after noon we all cleaned up oats. Aunty was over for a few minutes after tea and brought me a new pair of working pants and three tea-roses which Aunty Alice bought from Ivey's. I set them out before she left. It has been a nice day but windy. Friday May 5th This morning Dad. Frank and I went around the gully fence or at least this end and got it so we think it will hold the cattle, Dad. wants to turn them out on Monday. Dad. and I came up a little before https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/cb88331c6c668a94f56009d7dc1dd791.pdf 8bbb12e900839ae285c40cd1954e2a69 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. noon, but Frank stayed back there to set some traps for a coon he thought he saw tracks of the other day, he isn't sure whether it is a coon or a ground hog. This afternoon he went back and worked all after noon on the side hill, while Dad and I cleaned up more oats. Enah went down to choir practice to-night. Lovely day. Saturday May 6th Dad. got started down pretty early and worked all day in the garden down home fixing the paths all up the way they used to be. He had to cut the sod right off so it was a tedious job, but I went down to-night and they are all just tickled to death at the change in the looks of things He took the baby down with him. Frank worked all day on the land and says he got on fairly well. I worked around the garden all day and did chores. At noon while we were at dinner we head a cow bawl and on looking out saw they had knocked down the lane gate and were all back the lane. We tried to head them off but couldn't so let them go. Jim went back too although Dad wanted to put her in the orchard insted of back there as he was afraid she would not be able to navigate the hills but she managed pretty well Nice day rained a few times {illegible} I went down to-night and got my new suit. Sunday May 7th We all went down to church this morning. Dad. and the baby sat up in the front seat and the baby surpassed all past records for good behaviour. After church I walked down to the Customs office with Huby. and he was explaining the great ammount of complicated work he had to do and saying how much he liked it. He is just as interested down there as he used to be over here digging post holes or shovelling manure, he thinks his office is dandy with the view he gets from both windows of the lake and the marsh right outside full of all kinds of birds and he has every thing inside just as neat and slick as a button. We monkeyed around down there so long that I was afraid Aunty would have started dinner without me so I went up to dinner with Huby. Ada. was up there but Quint had come over here. This after noon Marj. and I started to walk around the hill but it was such a beautiful day and so hot that I with a little coaxing persuaded her to come out here till I hooked Joe up and we went for a drive. Dad. had just got through cleaning his probang and his hands were all dirty so he hooked up for us. The old https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/533f47505b7da0dbc473bc65a6d98412.pdf 2bb0365eb59f1268cf490ee924d59b1c PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. buggy was all mud and looked terribly shabby with the top off but Marj. said she didn't mind so we had a nice drive as the roads are fine now except on the hills. I got home soon after five. Enah went down to church to-night as they wanted her to play for some fellow to sing a solo, he came down from Brantford with Meesa Dyer. Frank was off all the after noon on his wheel. We let the sheep all out in the lane for a little while to-night. Beautiful day. Monday May 8th We were all up fairly early this morning and Frank got his team all harnessed to get out on the land right after breakfast but about breakfast time and old soaker of a thunderstorm rolled in and everlastingly soused things. It got so dark we had to light the lamp and there were two or three claps of thunder that made our teeth rattle. The storm itself didn't last long but of course we couldnt think of doing anything on the land although it has been sunny and a very high west wind which dried things up a lot. We chored around all day, carried the apples & vegetables all up out of the cellar put the rest of the sawdust back in the ice house and packed it in docked a couple of the calves horns and this morning. Dad. and Frank took up a board in the woodshed floor to see if they could discover the source of a very disagreeable odour which has been pervading that part of the house lately. They found it all right, it turned out to be the cat that died last fall. I got the old lawnmower going to-night so that it makes quite a respectable looking job by setting the blade up against the knives Tuesday May 9th This morning Dad. and I drove Belle up to Yeager's and bred her to King Chocolate again. There was some New Yorker there looking for saddle horses and Yeager was asking Dad. about Ginger so before we left they said they would be down to see her this after noon. We got home soon after twelve and right after dinner Frank went down and got the mail and then took the big team back to disk he had looked at it this morning and thought it was fit. Dad. & I did chores and cleaned up the horses. About three o'clock Rus. Lampkins came in to borrow the pump and sink he left here a year or so ago to put up, so Dad. told him to take it as he didn't know when we would get a chance to put it in. He was here quite awhile and bought a setting of eggs from me but didn't pay for them. He was just leaving https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/409696e8cb19dd4bf86fda0e93fe1ebd.pdf ea4bd49d7e05fba5df08eb035d29e392 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. when Murray Hamilton came in with his car with Yeager Jack Davis and the New York saddle horse man, so then the horse show began, we brought out both Ginger and Queen, Yeager seemed to be trying to convince all the company that Ginger was in foal and she did look a little queer, Dad. just noticed it to-day but we knew by her actions she couldn't be so we attributed Yeager's talk to the whiskey that he was carrying but he told Dad. aside a little later that he knew she wasn't in foal he was just trying to make the fellow think he was working for him he asked me what I wanted for Queen and I said two hundred he laughed at me but later he told us to let Ginger go for what the fellow would pay and he would see that he bought Queen too after she has been handled a little more "but" he said "Remember the price of her is three hundred not two". so whether he meant all he said or not I don't know as he was pretty full. After I rode Ginger down the lane once or twice, Dad. sold her for one hundred and twenty five dollars and the fellow shelled out the hard cash and said he wanted her at Yeager's before six. As it was then nearly five we had to hurry but we left right away and were up to Charlie Bawlby's when they overtook us in the car, they had probably come around by town to get some more booze. We were there by six but both Joe and Ginger were about all in. We drove Joe to the buggy and led Ginger. The fellow seemed rather surprised that we made such good time. We left Ginger at Yeager's stable but he was going to ship her to New York to-night. Dad. hated to leave her but he told the man he was glad she was not going to the army. He said she would never see the army as he wants her in his riding school and if she doesn't stay there she will go to some rich man's stable for a lady's saddle horse. He said he would be back in a couple of weeks or so after Queen. We got home about seven and I dressed up right away and Marj. and I went to the picture show. It has been fair all day but a cold north wind. It was starting to sprinkle to-night when I got home. Wednesday May 10th It aparently rained all night and certainly rained most of the day, not very heavily except for a few showers but a lot of water fell. To-night it looked and felt like a big thunder storm but a very high wind got up and dispersed the clouds. We did chores and cleaned grain all day https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/9b415ea833bc6553ad1e518051e61943.pdf a1f9fc1fb21d82d7cf902e35be198dce PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. We got all the oats cleaned and quite a lot of the barley. Charlie Butler was in tihs after noon for a minute or two, his mare Dad. thinks has an attack of lymphangitis. To-night I walked down to see if Marj. would like to go to Simcoe on Friday night to see the "Battle Cry of Peace" at the show. I guess she would have liked to go but thought she hadn't better. I stopped in for a few minutes to see Aunty & Aunty Alice. Thursday May 11th Dad. took a load of manure down this morning to Aunty Alice for the garden and Frank and I set out the two English walnuts and two of the cherry trees which we got from Mr. Morgan. This afternoon he went back and disked and Dad took Joe & Belle back and harrowed for awhile. I set out the other four cherry trees and just did chores. Very high strong west wind. Friday May 12th Mr. Carpenter came after Dad. this morning while we were milking to go and see his mare which was foaling, so Dad. had to go up there before breakfast, he went out and harrowed as soon as he got back and this after noon they took the drill back and six bags of barley & oats which we mixed on the barn floor at noon. He got it all sowed but didn't get over quite all the ground they had worked up. I just did chores. I took 45 chicks out of the incubator and put them under three hens but two died. Lila stayed here all night nice day. Saturday May 13th Frank has been back working on the land all day and Dad. was back this morning and finished drilling all that was in fit shape. I worked around here put the three hens with the chickens in the colony house and took five more out of the incubator but two of them were weak. I also cut some more of the lawn. This after noon Dad. and I hooked Joe & Queen to the waggon and went down town and took some furniture of Aunty's down to her as she had room for it now that Cousin Clare has moved into her new house. Just as we got opposite the "Titanic." Queen jumped at a rut in the road and piece broke of the end of the tongue causing the iron to bend and let the tongue down. Dad. tied it up with a strap which lasted https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/cde7fb8ac0aa597f2240251731d01338.pdf 3d470a3814f50bd3a39c15153f6d342f PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. till we got our furniture unloaded and got around to the blacksmith shop where Bert Greenbury took the iron off and I took the tongue over to the planing mill and got George Nunn to <s>put</s> splice a new end on it then Greenbury put the iron back on. I had some cream for Elva and when I got to the shop Dad asked me what I did with it and I suddenly remembered I had left it on the bank by the "Titanic". I went back for it <s>but</s> and it was all right. We went on up town and got the mail and Enah's wallpaper but didn't have time to do anything more than chores when we got home. Queen behaved very nicely. To-night Frank went down with Lila. Beautiful day. I took four dozen eggs over to Martin's. Sunday May 14th Guy Tuple came after Dad. this morning about nine o'clock to go and see a sick colt. He had his car so Dad. got back just in time to hitch Joe up for Enah & <s>I</s> me to go to church. Frank had gone, so Dad. and Tid went back to the gully to let the fence down to let the cattle in the other end of the pasture field but it began to rain so came back. It was raining quite hard when we got to church and kept it up all the after noon. We got rather went coming home. Dick walked over with Frank to dinner. I didn't go down town this after noon but went down to church again to-night, and went for a short walk with Marj. afterwards, but went down early to see Aunty & Aunty Alice. Monday May 15th Frank went down first thing this morning and borrowed Mr. Fleming's hog rack and we loaded up our hogs, we were only going to take four which were in pretty good shape but they were such a nuisance to separate that we loaded them all in the waggon and then Dad. threw the two smallest ones out but that still left two medium sized ones but they took them down. Dad. wasn't very well satisfied with what the brought, he never is and thought Neil didn't give them all there was in them. The six of them at $10.75 per cwt came to $92.98. As soon as they left I hooked up Joe and went down to get my teeth filled as I thought there were some holes in them. Bill couldn't get at them for quite awhile https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/c8b72cc2109df8454dcad7d18cf31a7a.pdf 61f9213ddf517035d1ddf38f14f8ae78 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. so by the time he got through it was about noon, he filled two. Right after dinner we mixed up a sheep dip of zenoleum in a tub and dipped all the lambs. We got them all covered but it was rather an unsatisfactory job as the tub gave them such a chance to kick and splatter. When we got through with that Frank & I went down in the waggon and got some sand & plaster for Dad. to do some patching and four cement tile to put accross the lane at the big mudhole as the cows got into awful shape wallowing through it every day. To-night Frank and I did chores and Dad. Enah & the baby went down to Aunty Alice's to tea and after wards to the picture show to see Cinderella. Aunty, Aunty Alice and Aunt Ida all went to. They said it was good but a lot different from the old story. Dad. said the baby wasn't nearly so interested as he expected. About half a dozen or more fellows spoke to Dad. this morning about getting some of the little pigs and Ham Thompson told me he would take the whole litter. Morley Buck was over right after dinner to borrow Dad's wig for the masquerade dance to-night that the I.O.D.E. are giving. Old Monteith was in too and brought a couple of bushels of potatoes which Dad. bought and got four bushels of seed barley. Wet to-day feels like more rain. Tuesday May 16th Trinder came in this morning with some trees that I ordered from the Horticultural Society and as part of them were for Aunty I took them down and helped them put them in. They hurried me off to get my own in but Uncle Ward called me in there to show me some peach trees and he talked for about an hour. Then I had to stop in to pay John Quanbury so by the time I got home it was getting late. I got my crimson rambler rose bush set out before dinner but it began to rain before I was through and it rained steadily all the after noon so we didn't do much. Dad. was working in the house anyway doing some patching for Enah on the walls. Frank also helped them in there. It cleared up about tea time and to-night Frank and I went down to see Mary Pickford in Cinderella. We went up to Huby's after wards for a little while. We saw Lewis Woodson yesterday, he is here getting things ready for the rest. Wednesday May 17th This has been a most horrible day, cold, windy, cloudy and a cold rain about every half hour. Mrs. McBride was here all day papering in the dining room and the two bedrooms off it and Dad. has been helping her https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/283e0604607115753e5026fbfb2d7986.pdf a4f643a33c964c97ebe09d52b10ca7c9 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. all day, she was here till eleven o'clock to-night and I had to drive her home or at least to the top of the hill where she cuts through Preston's orchard as the mill hill is about impassable I suppose. They got the dining room just about finished. I helped for awhile this after noon painting the wood work Frank and I set out the rest of the nursery stock we got yesterday. He got a Bartlett pear tree and I got a mulberry which I put in the chicken yard and a hydrangea. Art and Charlie Quanbury brought a young cow and a heifer over this after noon which they are going to pasture for the milk we can get from the cow which I guess won't be much. Ham Thompson was also in. Thursday May 18th Enah is the only one that is getting any work done these days, the rest of us don't seem to feel like it Dad. and I went back and fixed up the gully fence a little this morning and this after noon I drove down and got some groceries and paint for Enah. She is make the other part of the house look pretty nifty. I went down to see Aunty and Aunty Alice while I was down town and found Mrs. Jackson there from Port Rowan to see Aunt Ida. Dad. helped Enah this after noon I think, Frank has been gathering up old rags & junk for the rag man most of the after noon. Cloudy & cold Friday May 19th Dad. and Frank got started at grading the lane this morning and have been at it all day. They plowed as close to the fence on each side as they could and four or five furrows over and intend throwing the two outside furrows from each side into the middle so as to leave a ditch at each side and high in the center I just worked around here and planted some flower seeds. This after noon I took the wheel barrow and went over to Ivey's and Ben gave me a whole of flower roots of different kinds I didn't know the names of half of them but there were some larkspur chasta daisy's and a Dorothy Perkins rose bush. Dad. helped Enah paper this after noon for awhile. To night he had to go down to a meeting of the Mr. Smith's reunion so I went down with him to get my hair cut but the shop was closed. Enah paperd till twelve o'clock. Another heavy rain to-night. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/45329d97d3c243d9977addc6e108baaf.pdf 7d3acf705d92b1efc8c16c65f259614f PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Saturday May 20th Dad. and Enah paperd nearly all morning and I think are just about through. Frank and I went out about ten o'clock to work at the lane and have been there all day, Dad. helping us this after noon I threw the sods from the side into the middle on the east side right back and they followed cleaning out the loose earth and culling the east edge of the ditch on a hebel so the cattle wouldn't tramp up and break it. We are only working north of the waterhole as they couldnt plow through that with the team. After we did chores to night and before tea we ran the buggy down the lawn to the ditch and washed it. After tea Frank and I went down town and I got my hair cut. Sunny & nice. But breezy. Sunday May 21st Frank and I went to church this morning. After church we picked Quint up and then Aunty Alice and they both came over to dinner, on the bridge we overtook Dess and Dick also on their way to the farm. Enah was rather surprised at the dinner party although she expected Aunty Alice, Dick thought I would be staying down to dinner when he asked Dess, however we got on all right. This after noon I went for a drive with Marjorie. We went out to England's first as Glad Law had gone out there with Bertha for dinner but they had gone off for a drive so we went on by ourselves. Dick, Dess, Frank & Quint all went back to the woods and Dad. took Queen out with just the surcingle on her, he said she went fine. Beautiful day. Monday May 22nd It began to rain before seven this morning and has kept it up steadily all day. About eleven it seemed to let up a little so Dad. and I took Daisy May up to Ham Thompson's, we were up there quite awhile as we had to have a look at all the stock some of which looks fine and so by leaving about twelve we got into an old soaker of a shower so got properly soused. We spent the after noon in the house. Dad. helped Enah put down carpets and Frank cleaned up over the woodshed. I sorted out all the Farmers' Advocate's. There were about seven years of them and we got them all sorted and tied in bundles and packed in a tea box. Frank has seventeen ducks out and has to feed them every two hours. He expects a lot more soon https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/d73a4a073449af2ede93e3631e6a9e31.pdf 8206eb6149bcfea45c408340f88effa6 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Tuesday May 23rd I didn't do anything much this morning but a few chores and go back to the gully to see if the cattle were all right as some of them didn't come up last night. I got a ride up with Jim Ryerse, he said they had twelve acres in but there were lots that had none. I saw the old turkey that hatched out on Sunday, she had lived through the storm and still had her six little ones and an egg that she left in the nest and which Art Quanbury gave me to put under a hen, hatched. This after noon I took 34 chicks out of the little incubator and cut some of the lawn. Frank and Enah went down town this morning in the waggon and got a lot of stuff. Frank went down to the mill this after noon and got different kinds of feed for his ducks. Dad. helped Enah put down the dining room. To-night I went down to see David Harum with Marj. at the picture show, it was pretty good. Very hot and sultry to-day feels like more rain. Wednesday May 24th Frank left about 9 o'clock this morning on his wheel for Port Ryerse to spend the holiday and left me in charge of his seventeen ducks which should be fed every two hours. He got back in the middle of the afternoon and hadn't been at Port Ryerse but went on up to Vittoria and saw Dr. McKinnes about some golden seal. He advised him not to get it till fall. Lila came over with him and he went back with her after tea. I spent most of the morning tending to chickens and trying to cut the lawn. I got all cut on the other side of the ditch but when I got into the tough thick grass near the house I couldn't make a go of it with the old lawn mower so came in and went to sleep for awhile. Then Dad. put Charlie Martins saddle on Queen and I rode her a little way down the road. She went a lot better but I couldn't get very used to the little saddle and the stirrups were too {illegible} for me and hurt my bad knee a little. I nearly went over her head once but didnt get quite that far. Aunty came over at noon and stayed most of the after noon. All day long there have been buggy and democrat loads of fishermen going both east to the creek and west to the pond or lake and I suppose that like other years Black Creek will be lined with them as it has a been a beautiful day to lie around in the shade https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/ef25ab5ffda7c662947fd88959efc25f.pdf 78e576c69485cc41a98eb01b3890b9b9 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. by the creek whether the fish bite or not. It has been swelteringly hot and yet a nice cool breeze. To-day is the proper day to plant corn around here but I doubt if there will be a grain dropped unless it is in some garden, there are dozen's who haven't a grain of any thing in the ground. Tom Abbot says he heard that Charlie Kinsular who has about four acres in is the only man between the Dog's Nest and the town line who has a seed in and their fields are all regular meadows and we're looking for more rain still. Thursday May 25th Dad. went back to see what the land looked like this morning and came back with the report that it was too wet to touch to-day, and a great big string of rock bass which were part of yesterday's catch. He had been over at John Wess's and said Cam. was cleaning a whole tub-full He, Dr. Bill, and Lloyd Crysler, were down at the creek all day and he said he thought they caught more fish than any one else on the creek and of course as usual it was lined from one end to the other. John Wess drove him and the lunch down as he can't walk very well on account of the veins in his legs, and had then come back and he & old Bill Wilkinson had put in the day target shooting. While Dad. was gone I worked a little trying to get some of the old cherry tree roots out of where I want to plant my hedge and when he came back we hooked Queen and Joe to the waggon and went up to McCoy's as Maria sent word down by her nephew the other night that Mike the old horse wasn't well and wanted Dad. to come up. There was aparently nothing the matter with Mike but the fellow gave him a bag of oats & hay for pay. Queen went fine. We hooked her up again this after noon with Joe and drove down to Ott. Collins with the lawn mower. We came back by the plank as this road was awful. (I have went to sleep.) Wyatt Waddle and Mr. Harris of the Massey. Harris firm were down for awhile to try and sell Dad. a corn cultivator but he didn't bite. He said Mr. Harris was the decentest agent he had seen for a long time as he didn't coax at all. Lovely day. Friday May 26th This morning Dad. and Frank did some ditching in the back field and Frank took his bee hive back to the woods to see if a stray swarm would take possession https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/8f2c72b25d562891d0731a6a3e71257b.pdf c5abaaf8d049781358a9df84c21d18a0 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. of it. This after noon Frank took the team back and worked all the after noon but says it isn't any to dry yet. John Wess made a start to-day too, Art. Quanbury came over this after noon and he and Dad. put the picture moulding up in the dining room I helped them for a little while but I measured one piece 23 inches instead of 32 (the yardstick was upside down) and then went to sleep so I went out and continued the work I was at this morning viz. grubbing out the cherry tree roots an digging the strip for my hedge. I got it all dug down to the ditch by to-night. Very hot to-day. Saturday May 27th It rained first thing this morning so nothing more could be done on the land. I don't remember what we did this morning but I don't reckon it was anything very exciting. Come to think, I believe I read and cleaned off Queen and Joe, and Dad. did chores and cleaned out the cellar. Frank went back to the gully and fastened his bee hive up in a tree. This after noon I had quite a snooze out in the hay and about four o'clock Dad. & Frank went down town in the waggon to look at the refrigerator Emery is making and I went down to the corner with them to get some of the little spruce trees that are thick down on the side hill in Dicky Steven's orchard. I was about an hour hunting for Frank Awde as Dad. said I had better get his permission to take them and at last found him over at Jack Martin's, he told me to take all I wanted as they were a nuisance, so I went back and got quite an armful pulled before Dad. & Frank got back with the waggon and they took them home for me. I got a few of them set out to-night before dark and heeled the rest of them in. I got them planted down to about the brow of the hill and from there down to the ditch it is heavy clay and I will have to get some other earth to put in. Aunty sent me over a root of the blue lilly but I didn't get it set out to-night. It got very black this after noon and looked like a proper souser of a thunder storm but it didn't ammount to much sort of a drizzle all the after noon Sunday May 28th This morning after we did most of the chores and I set out the lilly and before we had breakfast Frank and I went for a swim down below Quanbury's. The water was pretty https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/19c398ea56d765477833de9d7723ae23.pdf 3c08908be586187d408d028fa9ec1101 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. cold and I only had about one duck when I stepped on something pretty sharp and got a chunk out of the bottom of my foot, so had to quit. Just as we were getting ready for church Billy Miller came after Dad. to go over to the slaughter house to see a sick pig so Enah and I went to church and Frank stayed home and minded Tid and got dinner. I went up to Huby's for dinner and this after noon Quint and I went down to Harry Ansley's with some merells he got, and Huby told him to take them down to Harry. Lewis Woodson was there so we three went for a walk down to the dock. The lake was a little choppy so Quint took a notion to get a canoe and see if he could ride it, so we went down to Juke's with him, and he jumped into one the same as he would a boat and the consequence was it turned half way over, filled with water and put Quint in the creek, but he didnt get wet much above the tops of his puttees, and he went on out. He said to-night he went up the beach as far as {Wed lake's.?} Lewis then went back up town and I went home and stopped in at Aunty's on my way. I helped Dad. milk so was too late for church to-night but went down and went for a little walk afterwards with Glad. & Marj. Sunny and sultry to-day. Monday May 29th Frank got a good start this morning and has been disking all day. Dad. did a little ditching in the lane this morning and to Joe & Belle and harrowed this after noon. I spent the day getting my hedge in. I had to dig a trench and fill it in partly with dried rotted manure and partly with soil from the top of the garden and this after noon I set out the rest of the little trees. I just had enough to go to the ditch. It was about half past four then and a big thunder storm was rolling up and Enah had all the stuff from the clothes room out on the line so I gathered them in and just got them in when it began to rain and it everlastingly poured for a few minutes. Dad. & Frank came up in the middle of it both soaked to the skin, Frank was so wet he couldn't get any wetter so went back and brought the cows up. Marie Ryerse and Maudie Pickford sought shelter under the willow tree so Enah called them in and Tid had a great time with them for awhile. Enah put him to bed this after noon but he heard me outside so got up and talked to me out the window for a long time and then came out so while he was eating his tea to-night he went sound asleep with his head about in his plate. Tom Abbott said Ott. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/852cb38ff81a6b0704dc03d30e5a4c74.pdf 3b6dc8db63a35960aa0a47b689ce1619 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. fixed the lawn mower all right and he was going to bring it back with him when he brought the can but he forgot. Frank went down town to night and got the mail. The rag man that interviewed Frank the other day came again and gave me 55 cents for all the stuff Frank had gathered up and borrowed my lead pencil which he has got, he gave a haf a cent back in cash for rags or a cent in trade he was very anxious to trade but the straight pails he had were worth 35 & 40 cts and Enah said she could get them for 15 down town. Nice enough day till it rained pretty hot. Tuesday May 30th It rained hard again during the night and every thing has been too wet outside to do any thing. Frank and Dad. went down this morning to get some sand but there was a nice ridge of gravel washed up so they got a load of it and took it up to Aunty's to put on the walk and after dinner went down and got another load, so didn't get any sand to put in the mud hole at all. Dad. nearly broke his neck this morning. He was up over the woodshed and when he started to come down his foot slipped on the top step and he fell from there to the landing or rather slid and hurt his back and then instead of stopping at the landing he peeled head first off it and lit square on his head between a couple of stoves. He felt as he said like Pete {illegible} "Considerately shook up" all day. I didn't do any thing much all day except prowl around in the mud. This morning I made a mitre box which I believe is fairly true. After dinner I went back to the gully to see if the bars and gate were still shut as in their hurried exit yesterday Dad. & Frank hadn't taken much pains but they were all right. The oats and barley back there are well up now and look fine as there is no grass in them at all it seems. I brought the cows up with me and it was early but we got through early and Frank and I both went to the picture show to see Margeurite Clark in "The Crucible". It wasn't a bad show Marjorie Clarke & Glad Law went with me. It rained again a little shower about four o'clock but has cleared off. Cold to-night. Wednesday May 31st First thing this morning that Dad noticed was that Elgeitha wanted to take another trip to the bull. We were https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/c0aaa95d3ab6ec22af54edcca1f64961.pdf 4caced122b6c7cc3d899d933b66db111 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. terribly disappointed as we thought she was safe in calf not having showed any signs for three months and she was so regular before. The only cause we could think of was abortion and Dad. was sure it wasn't that as we have been here nearly every night since we turned out, however he and I made a pretty thorough search of the gully this morning but couldn't find any signs of it. Dad. stood her in and was so undecided what to do with her between wondering if she had aborted and if Ham's bull was any good or if we should take her to John Wess' that we didn't do any thing with her and this evening when he let her out she made right straight for the gully all alone and was aparently all over her excitement. Aunty Alice came over a little before dinner and stayed till a little after. Harry Ansley and Billy Dixon were also in to look at Nellie but Billy didn't buy her, she wasn't what he wanted he said at all. I didn't do much this after noon but sit around, although I did haul enough rotted manure to mulch the hedge. Frank spent the after noon patching the wood shed roof. I guess he intends going over the whole house as it all needs it. Dad. didn't feel very well. Some fellow (a {...man?}, I think) with a couple of little kids came in to see if we had any rhubarb to sell and as we didn't he would like to get a setting hen or two so I sold him one for 75 cts. I spent the evening making a new milk record book for June. Thursday June 1st Tom brought the lawn mower back from Ott. Collin's this morning, so I have put in nearly the whole day working on the lawn. I started cut the longest of the grass with the scythe and didn't get it all done but this after noon I got all the shortest including all the other side of the ditch cut with the lawn mower, it looks nice and was no trouble to cut at all. Ott. seems to have made a good job. Frank spent most of the day patching the roof. About nine o'clock this morning Dad. took Aunty up to the cemetry, they took the baby too. When he got back from there he took the team and waggon and went down to the Widespread and got the new refrigerator. They had just finished it and as it smelled strongly of the alcohol in the shelack we had to leave it open and not use it to-day. It is a nice looking one and I think plenty big enough for us. This after noon Dad. was ditching in the back field he says it is very wet yet, but John Wess was out and calculated to sow a little to-night just to be able to say he had some in. "Very hot and sultry https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/6e2b2abd093c4cbbfe260e4637b7f547.pdf 545396955cd386c582a6b62e7168bde0 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Friday June 2nd After the big rain on Sunday people seem to have been of the opinion that the weather had "took up" using Mr. Fleming's expression, I don't know why unless it was because it turned cold after it and the wind changed around but it does that lately without a minutes notice any way, then there was a new moon and a good many thought that would fix it, but yesterday after noon public opinion veered round again and the general belief was that we were about to have another little "spell of weather", and this morning's sultry air and cloudy sunrise and the lake's growling convinced us all of the fail. Despite all these omens we got up pretty early and Frank went back about half past seven. Dad. intended to take his team back after Frank got started but the sky soon began to darken and the rumbling and growling in the west began to get nearer so we didn't go I mowed the rest of the hay on the front lawn with the scythe but that didn't take long. About half past nine it began to rain and I had just time to get into the shop when it came down in sheets. The awful flashes of lightening seemed so close that thunder almost cracked while it was there. This storm lasted for ten or fifteen minutes then it settled down to a sensible rain and soon stopped altogether. Frank came up with the team during this interval, he had been under a beech tree in the woods and was aparently dry. It soon began again however and I went into the house to put a new cloth on my foot and it developed into a worse storm than the first one, not only in rain, thunder & lightening but hail which seemed worse than the storm of last fall which did so much damage. It battered against the south kitchen window<s>s</s> like bullets and I was sure they would break it but they didn't. They weren't like ordinary hailstones being quite flat and the edges jagged. It didn't last so very long but the rain kept up most of the morning. Frank went down town after the mail after dinner and had a great time getting accross the ditch the water was so high. We didn't do anything much this after noon but I monkeyd around in the shop with the old moulding planes. Old Monteith was past this after noon and told Dad. he had never seen the water in the creek so high it was the wind more than the rain that caused it. Art's flats where he had his oats were completely inundated Dad. went down to a Mr. Smith's Reunion meeting to-night and as the walking was so bad stayed down all night at Aunty's. Enah spent the after noon house cleaning the front bedroom. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/eb443f54139f0dc4d6d7e6104783e0b4.pdf 18a867b440ea8be38180122a4b00328f PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Saturday June 3rd Dad. got home about six or before this morning just as I was starting to milk and about ten o'clock, he, Enah & the baby started for Simcoe with Joe & the buggy to <s>Simcoe</s> see the circus which was to be there to-day. Frank went soon after on his wheel. They told me they would be sure to be back by the middle of the after noon I didn't do much till dinner time but chores. Mrs. Jack was in for a few minutes to see Enah about noon. She is here for a few days and is staying just now at the Pickford's. Frank was down to see her last night. She only stayed a few minutes. After I had partaken of my solitary lunch I sat around and read for awhile, then went out and cleaned Queen and then started to rake up the hay on the lawn, while I was at that Aunty Alice came over thinking I would be getting tired of my own company and brought me the mail. There was rather bad news in the paper as a British fleet was engaged in the Skagerrack on Wednesday & Wednesday night by the entire German High Seas fleet and received quite a mauling. That seriousness lay in the great loss of men and ships they sustained as the Germans didn't gain any particular advantage and were fighting with the odds greatly in their favor. As soon as the main British fleet the Globe says hurriedly steamed to the scene of the action the German's left off pounding the overmatched ships they had engaged and scuttled back to port. The British loss was three Dreadnoughts three cruisers and eight destroyers while the Germans admit the loss of one battleship and two cruisers but it is believed there was more on both sides. They don"t know how many men were lost but if none were saved from the sinking ships there would be about six thousand. The greatest loss outside of the men was that of the battleship "Queen Mary" which was about the last word in battleship construction both in speed and the mounting of big guns She was a sister ship to the "Queen Elizabeth." Aunty Alice didn't stay long as she thought they would soon be back. I worked a while longer at the lawn and got some of it cut but I didn't start very early to do chores as I expected them back any minute. However it was after six when I got the cows up and in and no sign of them and I was just about through milking when they came in quite a bit after seven. They said the performance didn't start till so late, but they had a good day, the circus was a small one and they didn't have many animals but they had them very well trained. Frank rode in soon https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/3f896a83a4965f1114f35d4811ef5fc6.pdf e4e34c25f95fec1eeb453bfaebf1055e PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. after they came in. He had come down from Simcoe with Bill Barwell and had had tea at the Barwells. He & the rest of the family hadn't seen each other all day as Frank had been taking in all the side shows and had dinner on the fairground where the circus was while Dad & Enah had fallen in with Jim Waddle & his sisters and had gone to Miss Waddle's for dinner. It has been cloudy and rather cool but fine, it looked rainy for awhile. Sunday June 4th Frank, Enah, and I went to church this morning while Dad. & the baby stayed home and got dinner Aunty came over to dinner, Dick didn't come as he & Dess. <s>walked</s> went to Simcoe last night to stay all night at "Grandpa Meads" and were going to walk back this after noon. Frank stayed down at Aunty's to dinner and went this after noon to Vittoria with Aunty Alice & Aunt Ida in Mr. Johnson's car. After Aunty went back about four o'clock Dad. & I drove out to the Shand's as Harvey Shand was past here yesterday and said they had a colt leaking at the navel which they would like Dad. to look at and I thought I ought to go and see Charlie who just got home from the West a couple of weeks ago. They don't seem to think he is much better. It began to rain before we got home but we didn't get wet. It rained quite a lot all the evening. To-night Frank and I tested the eggs in the little incubator. We only took twelve out of sixty seven. Monday June 5th I spent most of the day raking up and cutting the front lawn and got all the part I had to mow with the scythe cut by to-night. Enah & Tid were down town all day as she wanted to get some teeth fixed but Bill wasn't there. Dad. helped her take the baby over in the sidewalk and saw Brirely over there who gave him a full account of his row with Vyse. Brirely has moved into Vyse's house and he says it was in awful shape, then one day Helen came over after something and got on Brirely's garden, he asked her not to run over it and she got saucy so he ordered her off and told her not to come back so that is what started it. He saw Vyse later up at the Quanbury's and Vyse spoke to him about it and in the course of their conversation told Brirely that if he felt better he would mop the sidewalk with him where upon Brirely invited him out to do it but Vyse declined the https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/4c9cdae6929572568b6b0df5ac4d8e99.pdf 9ba436cbbca72fd844b9eddbff35e7a3 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. invitation and stayed on the other side of Quanbury's fence. While Dad. was over there Frank started down to Porter's with old Gladys who has been out since Saturday. He rode Joe down and drove Gladys; she knows the way pretty well anyway. He didn't get back till long after two and Dad. and I thought he was having dinner down there but he hadn't. Brirely came over after some little ducks Frank sold him. He took ten, six for himself and four for Gordon Dovecote, they were just hatched the other day so he borrowed the hen too, he gave ten cents apiece for them. Dad. spent the after noon putting up barricades behind the little cherry trees in the lane so as old Harry couldn't reach over the pasture field fence and nip the tops off them, Frank I think fixed his bicycle. About five o'clock, Mr. & Mrs Tupper & Clara drove in and brought Enah & Tid home. Nice day, but cool. Tuesday June 6th We spent quite a time this morning fixing Queen up Dad. powdered her cut and trimmed her hoofs a little besides giving her a general grooming. About ten o'clock he and I went back the lane to see if we could let some water off so that we could work at it. This after noon Enah went down to a reception at Mrs. Woodson's to meet Miss Glass, Carol's sister-in-law so Dad. had to stay in to watch the baby and I went out and dug around and tied a lot of the little poplars along the road, the mice have girdled & killed quite a lot of them. Martin's men were on the corner field disking & harrowing the oats in that had been sowed broad-cast. It looked to be pretty wet and seems rather foolish. Frank finished patching the roof this morning and has made a good job of it. This after noon he went down and got the mail and said there was a report came in after the mail that Kitchener & his staff were drowned, they were on their way to Russia when their ship struck a mine or was torpedoed. The Canadians have had stiff fighting too. Fine day. Wednesday June 7th It began to rain sometime in the night and with an east wind so we have had a steady downpour all day. Allan Law came in while we were at breakfast to have Dad. look at the sorel horse's mouth as he thought he wasn't doing right and he was here till about eleven. During the morning Mrs. McBride https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/bf6b87d4c6fa296524ccb1cedfa1c36c.pdf 00cbf0ed091ad1bce3cbddf0139e5b2a PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. waded in although they didn't look for her on account of the weather but she & Enah have been cleaning the parlor all day. Frank went out at eleven o'clock to feed his ducks this morning and found all but four of them in a heap out side the box dead, one wasn't quite dead but it soon died. He put the four live ones over in the barn as he thinks it was the rain killed them but they were all well at seven when he fed them before. We haven't done any thing but sit around all day I read "The Lay of the last Minstrel" This after noon Frank drove Mrs. McBride down town and got the paper which confirms the report of Kitchener's death. Mrs. McBride said that she was in Simcoe last night and and about eleven o'clock Bob Mead ran in and said the last report was that he was saved but the morning's paper had been issued since then. Kitchener was on his way to Petersgrad when the cruiser Hampshire which was carrying him & his staff struck a mine or was torpedoed off the Orkneys and they think no one has been saved. Sir Wm. Robertson it is thought will take his place in the War office. About five o'clock to-night Frank noticed a lot of our cattle down at Ben Ivey's corner at the end of the road so he and I went down to get them, they were all in Martins field. Ben Ivey told Frank that they had come up throug his place. There were only five of the cows and the three steers so I went back Ivey's lane to see if I could find the rest of them. I heard a young crow squawk back there in one of his pine trees and saw a little bedraggled looking fellow sitting on a limb so I threw two or three sticks at him and he at last flew down and lit in a mud-puddle where I easily caught him, so I brought him up in side my coat and put him in Dad's bird cage. I looked all through the gully for the cattle but as they had gone up or Dad. had brought them up I couldn't find them. I waded through the creek up to my knees more than once. Dad. said he had yelled at me when I was going down Ivey's lane but I hadn't seen him. It didn't matter much as I was soaked then. Thursday June 8th Charlie Quanbury was in here for quite awhile this morning and he traded collars as the one he had on Art's horse was too big for him. Frank & I took Daisy May up to Ham. Thompson's again and got back about twelve. Dad. beat https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/bc7fbcc9fa2241f08d2d51c113ab4a07.pdf eadb0487c9b3d0014276243cdbc5b29d PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. the parlor carpet while we were gone. This after noon Frank and I rode out to Tupper's with Charlie Quanbury who was going to help Tupper dip sheep, we fooled around there for awhile and helped him weigh a veal calf and then went over to John Wess' to see if he would make up a cement post mould like his. He was hewing a cedar stick for a brace. We were over there a long time poking around. He said he had more work to do now than he would ever get done but if we couldn't get any one else to make us one he would so we told him we would find out down at the Widespread and he said he would lend us his for a pattern. We didn't get home till after six. Dad. had spent the afternoon putting down the parlor carpet. I learned the last of the second canto of "The Lady of the Lake" to-day. I started it on the 25th April so didn't take so long as I did learning the first canto two years ago I tried a little different scheme of writing it out which works better. It has been fair all day but a big thunder storm went around us to-night. Friday June 9th Frank left soon after breakfast this morning to go down and clean out Aunty's eave-troughs for her, he said he would be back right after dinner but he didn't get back till after six, he said it was a worse job than he thought. I spent the biggest part of the day raking up and cutting the lawn, but got it all gone over in front of the house. The actual time I took cutting it wasn't very long but it took along time to rake up the debris on the other side of the ditch left by the hail storm, then I was a long time getting the lawn mower set right. I think Dad. ditched around the barnyard most of the day but had to keep his eye on the baby this after noon after he woke up as Enah went down to Bill's to get her teeth fixed. He intended to go down to-night to a meeting of the W.H. Smith reunion committee but about five o'clock Ashbaw the castrator from Caledonia came in and as Dad. couldn't go with him to-night asked him to stay here all night and he would go to Mr. Fleming's & Ham. Thompson's with him in the morning as they are the only two around here who have entire colts except our Billy, so he agreed to the proposition and accordingly put his horse in, then it started to rain and turned out such a nasty night that Dad. stayed home and entertained Mr. Ashbaw by listening to his adventures in his many fields of occupation, which though numerous are all of about the same standard and as one would expect a https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/87e00a83c151a2b764538d2a39dc1876.pdf e251e49be62d685b77861e98bdf48670 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. man of his tastes would naturally devote his time to, as the work he is at now is what he enjoys above all things and his other vocations ranged from tending bars to travelling {illegible} and in the early spring grafting fruit trees which is about the most elevated sort of industry he indulges in. Dad. had to sit up till eleven o'clock with out his usual evening snooze and then suggest bed himself. It has been cloudy by spells. Bob. Davis was in this morning with Jaeger & Hamilton's big Percheron and tried Nellie and said he would be back next week as Harry Ansley told him to {breed her?} Saturday June 10th Dad. and Ashbaw left right after breakfast this morning for Mr. Fleming's and Ham Thompson's and Frank and I were to have gone back and brought our colts up but it began to rain and rained quite hard for awhile but we went back when it let up and didn't have much trouble in getting them up and Billy in the stable, a little while before they got back, and old Ashbaw fixed him up before dinner. This after noon we sat around for an hour or two till he left He invited Dad. & Enah & the baby to come down to see him Caledonia Fair, he said he would give them a bed three meals a day and treat them as mean as he knew how. He showed us how to graft trees as he is a professional grafter and told us what we never knew before and what has probably been the reason of our non-success that care must be taken to have the lowest bud on the scion just set level with the top of the branch. He also gave us a receipt for making grafting wax which was different and he says better than the old one, it was 4 lbs resin, 1 lb beeswax & 1 pint raw oil, melt & pour into cold water. After he left I don't think we did any thing very startling. It has been partly fair and partly rainy to-day. Frank went down to the mill and down town with the team and waggon this after noon, it rained while he was gone. Sunday June 11th Frank and I went down to church this morning and Dick and Aunty Alice came over with us to dinner This after noon we sat around till I thought it was too late to go out to Tommy Jackson's as Frank and I intended so he went alone down to the Ryerse's and they went over to Tommy's with him and looked over his museum as they call it. Frank https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/c9b88e0061cd89f7f5c55e3fa26bc280.pdf d260890e268e75d12647cce000c8b4f2 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. says he has sold over seven hundred dollars worth of stuff and a stranger wouldn't know there was any thing gone. They say he has all the buildings on the place including the house filled with old odds and ends which he has picked up at auction sales. Aunty Alice stayed till about half past four and then Enah and the baby who were going to have tea at the James<s>'</s>s' and then go to church went down with her. Dick went down earlier. Art Quanbury came over just before they left to get Dad. to go down to Mr. Fleming's to see old Prince the big {Sensation?} as they were afraid his leg was broken. Dad. got back about half past six and said his leg had been broken off right below the stifle and they had to send for Dave Waddle to shoot him. He said Mr. Fleming felt very badly but was going to skin him. I got the cows up and helped Dad. milk and about eight o'clock went down town. I happened to meet Marj. & Glad Law on their way home from Lola McBride's and was with them for awhile and then went in to see Harry Moon for a little while. Mrs. Moon was in bed with grip. I then went down to Auntys and got some tea, they persisted in feeding me and got home soon after eleven. Cloudy morning but nice day Monday June 12th This morning Dad. & the baby and I drove Joe & Queen up to Barwell's and took his two pigs up. Barwell showed Dad. all his crops which Dad. says look fine, this year has just suited his sand farm. We didn't get home till after <s>dinner</s> noon and went around by town. Dick got us the paper and gave Dad. & me our invitations to Mr. Smiths reunion. Miss McQueen had brought them into the bank. We stopped in<s>to</s> at the Quanbury's and borrowed their step ladder and paste board as they are going to paper the ceiling of the kitchen & bedroom to-morrow. This after noon I drove Enah down town as she had to get her teeth fixed and I left Joe & Quanbury's and had her shod, he soaked us $1.50 for putting on new shoes. I went up and got my hair cut while I was waiting and fooled around up town most of the after noon I waited till half past four at Aunty Alice's for Enah and then went home alone. She got home before six Dad. and Frank spent the after noon clearing everything out of the kitchen. It rained a little to-night but was a nice day. Zeitha Barwell invited me up there to tea to-morrow night to give her a riding lesson. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/78136dedd82b39c735c59acb0b20e9fc.pdf 82e6fbb5c74dbef9c29a18f921e05834 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Tuesday June 13th This morning I went down to Aunty's and took Tid with me to help work in the garden and incidentally to remove him from the impending operations to be carried on here as Mrs. McBride arrived just as we left and they have beend papering the kitchen ceiling all day and generally house-cleaning and they thought his presence would not be required. I spent the day digging the cellar banks and got them pretty well dug the houseside of the drain, but not the woodshed side, however they were well pleased they said with what I did and it certainly did make quite an improvement. I came home about four o'clock and did chores but didn't get through in time to get up to the Barwells for tea but left soon after to give Zeitha a riding lesson she got on fine. She had been reading up on it in the encyclopedia and tried to put the theory to practice and didn't lose her head or lose control of Joe so had a few good canters up and down the road. I didn't stay late. Winnie was over here to tea and Frank went down with her after tea and I guess they went to the picture show. Dad. says Ham Thompson was in to-night feeling pretty blue as another cow aborted just gone a few months and is afraid it is contagious abortion. Fine, hot & sultry. Wednesday June 14th Frank went over at seven this morning to help Jack Martin's gang set out strawberry plants and was there all day. Dad drove Enah down to the dentists' this morning and she was down all day too. Minnie Quanbury came over at noon to say Enah had telephoned over that she wouldn't be home. She got four teeth filled and one out so feels rather sore in the mouth. Dad. and I have not done any thing to speak of A few chores and I slept and read. Dad. of course had to watch the baby. He has been reading up on contagious abortion, and feels very worried for if Ham's bull is infected we have brought it into this herd by breeding Daisy May & Elgitha to him and we have to wait now anyway before we can find out as the only way to tell seems to be to see if other cows abort, so we won't dare breed Elgitha when she comes around again. Dad. had a letter from Douglas and he thought she must have aborted and said he would breed her at once but Tupper who has had experience of it says not to breed them till after the time they would have had their calf if they had not aborted. But any way we daren't breed her to another bull till we know for sure about Ham's or the thing will get spread all over. Very hot & sultry. Thundery. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/339a9fbef1a083de0763b9b22ffcf931.pdf 96c6cff53ecbc2ae0df421a210fa526f PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Thursday June 15th This morning Dad. & I did up the chores and then started to put a barbed wire on the top of the fence along the lane comin in from the road, we merely started there as we want to if we can stretch one all along every fence where the horses run as they will reach over and bend the top of the woven wire down. We got quite a long strand of wire from the fence down the road and tried to stretch it with the claw hammer but that didn't work well so I went over to John Wess' to borrow his wire stretchers. He was down fixing the well when I got there and when he came up it was beginning to rain and looked like a bad storm coming up. It was then just about noon so I stayed to dinner and there was a heavy rain for a while at noon After dinner Lloyd Crysler came over and wanted me to go fishing so we took a walk down to Frank Ryerse's where we found Wilbur and Lorne Jackson. We stopped in for {From?} Walker on our way down as Wilbur said he promised to go the next rainy day, but {From?} said he had to take his wife to town so Lloyd told him he would never ask him again. We got Lorne's nets but as Wilbur didnt want to get in the creek with the drag net we just used the gil net and strung it accross the creek and then I rowed Wilbur & Lorne up the creek a way and they whippet it down but we didn't get a fish Tige got in it once she and Lloyd's dog swam across about forty times. We fooled around for a little while before we came home and it was long after five when I came through John Wess' place to our gully Dad. came back after the cows he thought some thing must have happened to me he said but couldn't have done any thing on account of the wet and he had a very bad head-ache. Aunty was over to dinner and he drove her home this after noon, she is going to Brantford in the morning to pay a little visit to Miss & Mrs. Battersby. Frank didn't get a whole day in to-day on account of the rain but he only lost an hour or two I think they were still planting strawberries. He is having a great time over there with Joe Green. <s>Thursday</s> Friday June 16th Friday We chored around a little this morning and I got most of the lawn cut I was out there after dinner when a buggy came in and I was very surprised & pleased to see it was Ham. Thompson with Mr. Douglas of Caledonia. He had come up to Ham's to look at his bulls and then come over here. He was here till after four so we had a long visit with him. The https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/16a85adfeeb01647afaa1328b4f11de9.pdf db51845d4d5be597f293085fd0e616e0 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. conversation dwelt mostly on contagious abortion as although Douglas has never had it, he seems to know pretty well about it. He says the only way to do if it gets in the herd is to live it down which takes in all about five years. He, unlike Tupper, says to breed the cows after they abort as soon as possible as they never abort more than twice and sometimes only once, but they can still carry the germ even if their own calves come all right and give it to others so that it could be stamped or worn out rather out of a herd of old cows in about three years but it would not be safe to breed any heifers for two more years. He said he was sure Ham didn't have it and he said he would certainly breed Elgitha the next time as if it was contagious she had it this time and if it wasn't we were only wasting time. To-night Dad. and I went down town, he went to a Mr. Smith's reunion committee meeting and I just took a little stroll around to see Marj. for a few minutes as she was all alone. I then went down to Aunty Alice's and stayed all night as Aunty went to Brantford this morning and she didn't like to be alone with Aunt Ida all night. It has been a nice day to-day. Frank put in another day. Saturday June 17th I got up in time to get home and help Dad. milk this morning. Frank went over to Jack Martin's and Dad. & I put the lambs all in and put the ear tags in their ears, we didn't have quite enough so didn't mark the two little ones nos. x. Douglas thought yesterday they were a "ripping" fine bunch of lambs, picked out two or three "right good ones" and said there wasn't a bad lamb in the bunch. We were nearly all morning at that job and this after noon we hooked up Joe & Queen to the waggon and drove down town to get some stuff, we just got back in time to do chores. Old Rollings stopped us down town and told Dad. he wanted to get a horse and hadn't seen any thing that suited him so well since he came to town as Queen, but it nearly flabergasted the old boy when Dad. told him the price was three hundred. To-night Frank went down town and I took a walk down to Odd's point and had a half a notion to go for a swim but didn't. Nice day but thundering. Sunday June 18th Frank and I went down to church this morning. Dick came over to dinner but went down soon after. This after noon I wrote and read till I went to sleep and about four o'clock started to do chores. Dad. drove Uncle Ward out to Colin Mc https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/fd34a57eb749b4aa0409921acdba24c7.pdf 5adb2d194e7ec01ecce0b891c83060e2 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Neiledge's as he fell the other day and paralyzed the nerve in his arm that is Colin did and Dad. thought Uncle Ward would like to go out and see him. He said he enjoyed the drive but the McNeiledge's were not at home. Frank spent the after noon back in the gully with the Ryerse's spearing frogs, he took them down to-night and sold them to Henry Buoy for ten cents a dozen. I got down in time for church to-night and had a little visit with Marj. Aunty Alice sent an<s>d</s> invitation to her by me to come down to a tea party to-morrow night but she said she couldn't come as there was another one on at Mrs. McQueen's and she had to go. Aunty Alice told me this morning that Mrs. John Watts was dead but she didn't die till to-night, but old Mrs. Watson Robert John's mother died yesterday. Rained this morning. Cool & Cloudy to-day. Monday June 19th Dad. went over to John Wess' right after breakfast and took him over a bag of oats & barley in return for a bag of oats we got some time ago. John Wess told him was hoping he wouldn't bring them for awhile as he was afraid now that he would feed them up. The object of Dad's visit was to warn him not to breed any cows that had been to Ham Thompson's bull and to be very careful what cows he did breed. Dad. is afraid yet of contagious abortion. I don't think I did any thing much while he was gone. Frank took the team out and disked up the sand knoll by {Name?} and said he got the top of the grass pretty well cut up but it didn't affect the roots any. I weeded a little in the rose border Dad. got home just before a big rain started which lasted all noon hour. Frank went back to the gully this after noon Dad. helped Enah paper the pantry ceiling. I read "The Gentle Shephard till four o'clock when I started to do chores. Jonas came in and peddled some fish. To-night Frank and I went down to Aunty Alice's party. She was rather distressed and the majority of boys over the girls. Zeitha & Miss Tinny couldn't come but Mis Herring was there and Elva, Ada & Dess. and besides us four boys there was Lewis Woodson, George Clark & Douglas Skey but we had a good time Quint <s>for</s> whom the party was for especially seemed to enjoy himself in Miss Herrings company. Aunty got home from Brantford to-day. Tuesday June 20th Gordon {Darecote?} came over this morning to get Dad. to go over and see Jack Martin's horse, so Dad. went over https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/17eb2ee956d04e7725646ae85f185972.pdf 5ab465f9442cad4d9f5969e73b9a6ec2 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. and Frank and I followed soon after. It was the bay pacer that Charlie bought from Beswitherock and evidently sold to Jack and Dad. & Anderson who was down from Simcoe agreed that he had tetanus, so Anderson gave him an injection of antitetnantic {antitetantic?} serum and left instructions for Dad. to give them every six hours. Dad. says he is sure the horse is too far gone to be helped and anyway there was no curative properties claimed for that stuff it being merely a preventative, however he has gone over three times and that is all he has to. This after noon Frank and I put through the few bushels of wheat in Ed's big bin which we were saving for chicken feed. Bruce Smith was in for quite awhile this after noon for a visit. Enah has been down all the after noon at the dentists' and felt pretty rotten over it to-night. It has been a nice day to-day. Wednesday June 21st It started to rain about six o'clock this morning and rained till about nine or ten o'clock. It wasn't a bad day after that sunny and cool. Dad. spent most of the morning over at Martin's the horse was so bad this morning that Joe Field's shot it. I didn't do anything much but help Enah tear the cover off the armchair as she wants to put a new one on. This after noon I read & slept most of the after noon but did go out and put the wheat back in the bun which Frank and I cleaned up yesterday. Just before tea Frank and I took Elgitha up to Ham Thompson's. Frank was down town this after noon. Thursday June 22nd This morning Dad. left for Charlie Dunkin's to see if he couldn't hurry him up to get the old ram registered and also to pay him the service fee of his ram. I would have gone but Dad. thought as Uncle Ward enjoyed his drive so much on Sunday he would ask him and I thought he would enjoy it more with Dad. than wth me so I persuade him to go. They left about ten o'clock and didn't get back till about five and I guess both of them had a great day of it. Dunkin wasn't home when they got there so they stayed to dinner. Uncle Ward knew him well, used to go to party's with him, and I suppose he had a great talk. Dad. says his crops and the crops of his near neighbors look immense but that is the only place they do. The rain has been just what they want up there. They saw Frank Marr on their way home and he told them that https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/297d8ea595bf140198386dcadc51619f.pdf 8062397d4c1007cdf157189ac58754b4 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Dr. Harrison of Selkirk says that it is recorded in his father's diary of one hundred years ago that we had just such a spring as this and that it rained all summer and nothing was saved of either hay or grain, all stock starving to death in consequence the following winter, so that sounds hopeful. Frank has been over at Jack Martin's all day picking strawberries, he made $1.01. I did chores, weeded out the rest of the rose border, sprinkled the roses with tobacco water which Aunty Alice fixed for me by steeping some of Frank's old homegrown leaves and put in the rest of the day doing nothing. Aunty Alice and Winnie were both over to dinner and Win stayed most of the after noon but Aunty Alice of course couldn't. Nice day. Friday June 23rd Frank disked up the sand knoll by the old well again this morning and after dinner Dad ran out eleven furrows and Frank and I planted potatoes. Then Dad. covered them and Frank harrowed them in. Dad. also made a start at plowing the old garden back of the shop. It was very waxy. He hauled out manure out of the two boxstalls and put on the west side of it. I cut the lawn to-day. To-night Dad. went down to a reunion meeting and Frank and I went down to the stump but didn't have much of a swim as the water was cold. Dad. stayed in town all night. It was fair all day but rained a little to-night. Saturday June 24th Frank has been picking strawberries over at Martin's all day and made another dollar. This morning Dad cut some of the long grass down by the ditch and in the lane and I puttered around. Alex Jamieson came in after dinner and was here most of the after noon. It was time to do chores when he left. Uncle Ward had to go down to Art. Ryerse's to collect for the reunion some time before next meeting and Dad. told him he would drive him down this after noon but he couldn't, it rained once or twice any way and looked very cloudy so not likley Uncle Ward. would expect him. To-night Dad. Enah and the baby drove down town and Dad. drove Aunty Alice up to the cemetry. As soon as they were gone Frank & I decided to go over to Tommy Jackson's to tell him Frank would take a couple of skips of bees. Frank thought they https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/62fd2f7943947e02b5f7514cac37f857.pdf dea7832c45d25fd3214760e589f714ce PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. were pretty cheap on Tommy's terms. He offered him two skips of bees in Langstroth hives with frames and foundation comb for seven dollars and he can get them and pay for them any time he likes. It was about dusk when we got over there and Tommy was just getting started to milk, he milked two cows and then showed us around the apairy and it was pitch dark before we left but he had started in on the other cow and had the lantern out with him. Frank and I had quite a time extricating ourselves from Frank Ryerse's gully's in the dark and then got our legs soaking wet on the grass on our way home. Dad. & Enah were home and Dad. was getting ready to worry about our absence as we forgot to leave any word. Sunday June 25th The whole family went down to church this morning as Mr. Rennaud preached. He is here for a short visit, he used to be the rector here 41 years ago and gave a very emotional reminescent sermon. Dad. Enah & the baby stayed down at Aunty's to dinner and Quint and Dick came over here with us. They went off right after dinner to see the Oddfellows march and Frank left soon after to go for a ride on his wheel with Harve Taylor. I waited till Joe had time to eat her noon feed then took her down for Dad. & Enah to drive home. I sat down at Aunty Alice's for about an hour and then started to walk home but got a ride over as far as Martin's with Charlie in his car. I helped Dad. milk then went down to church and then went around with Marjorie to the house. This was his most holy of holy the right reverent Mr. J. Culp's last Sunday in the Methodist church and I guess he gave them a long wind-up sermon anyway. I had a very pleasant visit and left before any of the Bagley family appeared on the scene. I wouldn't have left so soon but poor Marj. seemed to be rather uneasy for fear they would catch me there although she said she didn't care. I went down to Aunty's for a few minutes and found Douglas Skey there. I supposed he had walked down with Mrs. Baker, Mr. Rennaud's daughter, who is staying with Aunty Alice & Aunty. It has been fine and hot to-day, regular Oddfellows day. Monday June 26th Frank went over to pick strawberries and to-day made $1.21. I left about nine to take Uncle Ward on his https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/18598ddddfe681f6fa19b5186ae32c61.pdf 784da3859fd808341b9601bab8a40f61 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. collecting circuit. I met Bob. just going into Woodson's and couldn't resist the temptation of driving her down town so Uncle Ward and I were a little late getting started, and then the shoulder strapring pulled out of the breast collar which caused a little more delay. We just called at Alfred's, Art's and Allan Law's, Uncle Ward hinted at getting a donation from Alfred for his daughters' but Alfred didn't bite, but they probably will. We only saw Mrs. Art. Ryerse as Art was way back and the kids all have the measles, she said she would tell Art. to call in some night and pay Uncle Ward. Alan Law was hauling gravel but Mrs. Law said he would drop in too. I gave him five dollars for Dad. and we three boys. We came up the Plank Road from the Dog's Nest and didn't get home till after one o'clock. This after noon Dad plowed some more of the garden but didn't quite finish as it is very tough and old Nellie started out a little balky after her holiday. I didn't do much but cut a few weeds and take some more eggs over to Jack Martin. After tea I rode Queen down to the corner and back, she hasn't been out lately and felt frolick. Mrs. McBride was here to-day and informed us that old Robert John was married, his mother died three or four days before. Fine & hot but looks rainy. Tuesday June 27th I spent most of my time to-day cutting weeds I finished cutting the dock in the raspberry patch first and then went back to cut thistles in the oats and barley. I didn't get on very fast as it is hard to tell where to go on the side hill Pickford and I think Clair Jackson were hauling Pickford's hay and their dog an Airdale pup started chasing Art. Quanbury's sheep. I didn't know it was Pickford's till I went up the road to tell Art and heard him call it off Art was working on his buckwheat ground and Tupper who had ploughed about four rounds as he said this morning was talking to old Evans who was disking right opposite. Tupper said he was very thirsty so we went down to Art's new well that he dug with the post auger but couldn't find anything but an old paint pail to dip the water with However that fitted in the well alright and we got enough to slake our thirsts, it was good cold water too. Dad. finished plowing the garden this morning and disked and rolled it. Frank went down to Porter's again with Gladys. He ploughed in the old garden this after noon. Enah was down town for tea. Frank and I had to take Daisy May up to Ham Thompson's to-night. Mrs. W.H. Smith died at five o'clock this morning. It has been a hot summer day. It really looks as if the weather had "took up" https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/c050456d621c7f08e2b9d216e3b53d8e.pdf 15b5bf40e0c2d7852b7069e871a75e0c PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Wednesday June 28th Frank has been picking strawberries all day again and made $1.35, this has been his best day yet. Dad. plowed in the old garden all morning, he and the baby and he finished it and disked it this after noon. I raked up the grass he cut along the ditch this morning and went out and spread a few piles of manure which were in his road for plowing. This after noon I went down town to get some stuff. Huby saw me and wanted me to go up and look at Bill Slocomb's buggy, he wants fifty dollars for it. It looks like a good one. I went down to Aunty's to cut a ham in two for them and Aunty Alice was at a bridge up at Miss Buckwell's. This has been another beautiful day. Thursday June 29th I went over to Art Quanbury's this morning and got our post auger and Dad and I put in a post at the gap between the two fields across the gully and put up the bar and let the cattle into the west field, we then went along Ivey's line in the gully but couldn't do much to it John was over in Ivey's having walked under the fence along the creek bottom. We had dinner on time and got ready and both of us went down at half past one to Mrs. Smith's funeral. We went up to the cemetry and there was a big crowd there. We went from there over to Barwell's and got Zeitha and brought her down, she and I were to have gone for a ride to-night but Enah asked some more over to have some music so we postponed our ride. We saw Mrs. Bagley & Marj. up at the cemetry and they said Essie couldn't come over to-night as it was choir practice but Marj. would only she didn't like to come alone, so Dad. told her if she saw Winnie coming over to come with her and if not to wait till I called for her, so as Winnie came over to tea I went right after tea to get Marj. I picked her up at Silverthorne's, she had come over to pay her Dad's lodge dues. We drove down town to see if we could get Elva but she had too bad a cold to come. We had a very nice evening being entertained by Zeith's & Enah's music on one hand and the baby catching moths on the other; he stayed up till midnight and except for evincing a few cannibalistic passions early in the evening when he bit poor Marj; he was very good and well-behaved. Dad. gave him a heart to heart talk on the occasion of his one offence and I don't think Marj. suffered any permanent injury. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/5bc5dcc08ba0d4a92d7f9fd762b36e5e.pdf b0678ea12bce7453bd67551e5c614703 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. I was to have taken the bunch home in the lumber waggon but <s>hi</s> Frank who has worked all day in the old garden left the neck yoke & doubletrees out there I couldn't and as it was raining, it didn't promise to be very pleasant walking, however it didn't rain hard so the four boys, Dick, Quint, Douglas Skey & George Clark walked down and I drove Dess & Marj down in the buggy Zeitha & Winnie stayed all night. There was an accident in town to-night. It seems Earl Long was going home and being very drunk was yelling at the top of his voice and frightened Barwell's horse which was tethered in Barny McMinny's yard and it ran over the engine bridge with the train after it, it got past that safely but when it got down to the station the chain that was on it caught and threw it so that it broke its leg, and Dave Waddle shot it. It has been fine and hot to-day but rather cloudy, Friday June 30th ) New moon is straight up and down so that the Indian can't hang his powder horn on it. Aunty Alice says it is a dry moon but Dad. scoffs at the idea. Soon after breakfast this morning we saddled Joe & Belle and Zeith and I started off for our ride. We went down to the mill and out to Edmond Englands corner then up to Chris Quanbury's corner down the side road to the Gravel and then to Barwell's, and I led Belle home. We had a nice ride but not a good one as Joe wouldn't travel up abreast of Belle and Belle was inclined to be a little mean, however Zeitha said she enjoyed herself. I didn't get home till nearly noon. This after noon I planted eighteen rows of turnips with Art Quanbury's seed drill which he brought over this morning. Dad. sowed clover seed on the garden and harrowed it well. Frank spent the day picking strawberries but didn't have such a good day to-day. To-night I went down town to see Roy & Vernon. Roy came to-night and Vernon last night. It has been sunny and hot to-day. Saturday July 1st This has been a great day, the weather couldn't have been better, hot and fine just the kind to make people enjoy the lake, and Dover certainly celebrated, although I saw very little of it. Dad. and Enah & the baby went down this morning and stayed to dinner and Dad. had a great time visiting all the old boys and girls who came to Mr. Smith's reunion. Frank and I https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/eceac406af7e7510cb28172db37323cb.pdf 906e607c6805b9d32cde910ffc132249 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. didn't go down till noon, I started to cut the lawn but the mower broke so went out and helped Frank put in his school garden and I also sowed my Experimental Union plots of cabbage, kale & rape, and didn't get through till half past twelve, then we came in and got dressed up and intended to go for a swim at the stump but before we left we heard the school bell ringing so hurried down thinking we would be late, they didn't begin for quite awhile however and then all there was to it was a lot of speeches and we were up there till about four o'clock. I think every one got pretty tired of it. Jack Martin was chairman and made the presentation Mr. Smith didn't say much himself as he was in no mood for it but got Mr. Robertson to read a little that he had written for the occasion. After it was over Ray and I went right straight down to the house and I stayed there to tea. Dad. came down a little later, he had seen a good many old school pals and so had Ray. I saw Hubert Long and Egg Thompson and Fat Turner Col. A.C. Pratt got himself very much disliked by forbidding Mr. Smith's old boys in the 133rd coming down this after noon. He acted in a very small, sore headed way about it, and all Dover as well as a good part of Simcoe are pretty hot about it, he just did it for pure spite. Ed. Moon was down, he said he got leave by being on duty this morning at the picture show which the 133rd rented for the day to show the Willard Moran boxing contest but he said it wouldn't have made any difference he would have come just the same whether he got leave or not. Ray went over the hill to the Woodson's to get Vernon & Rebecca and I went for a swim in the creek, the water was fine. After tea I went up town and saw Fat. Turner and went over to the park with him to watch the fireworks, and I had a little visit with Marj. Her father is here and she is going home with him on Monday. Dad. and Frank who went home to do chores came down again after tea and I found the family up in the park and went home with them at a rather late hour. Sunday July 2nd Dad. Enah, the baby and I drove down to church this morning Frank didn't go. We were going to start early as Enah was going to practice with Zeitha who was to have sung a solo, but it began to rain so we had to wait till it was over, and we weren't there anymore https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/a39a2278c2740201834b5b20ea0d6c7f.pdf f10d8fe27ff007609a10646d0193bae7 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. than just on time, but it didn't matter as Zeitha was not there anyway. Just as we got into church an old soaker of a storm broke over us and it hailed till I thought it would break the church windows. It stormed pretty much all through church but was clear enough when we came out. Dick didn't come over to dinner and this after noon this family spent in peaceful slumber. We got the chores done early and Dad. drove Enah down to church they took the baby but he and Dad. stayed down at Auntys. Enah said she was the only girls voice in the choir and poor Harry Moon was so disheartened as he had expected a lot for to-day that he resigned from the leadership. They didn't see Roy or Vernon they being over at the Woodson's. Frank spent the evening getting his accounts system into working order and taking an inventory of the stock & implements. Monday July 3rd Frank went over to pick strawberries again this morning and has been over there all day. We started to plow the barley stubble again for buckwheat. Dad. struck out once but found it would tramp the long grass at the north end so started plowing right around the field, after one round I took it and plowed till noon, and he cut grass at the lane gate at the head of the orchard to get into that field with the mower. The grass was very thick and long there. After dinner the Quanbury boys and Glen Ryerse came in and wanted me to help them, they are moving Art's barn or at least trying to. We were there all the after noon and just got it turned around. They just hooked a cable on one corner of it and wound it up on a "capsule" as they call it but their chain broke two or three times and things went pretty slowly. It has been fine and hot to-day. By to-days paper the big drive on the Western front has begun. I didn't have time to read it but they have taken eleven villages and a lot of prisoners. The British & French are both at it. Tuesday July 4th The boys came after me again as soon as I had my breakfast and I have been over there all day, they came home to dinner. We had a pretty slow day of it first one thing would break and then another and all on account of it pulling too hard. Glen had the big rollers and saddles under her and we have come to the conclusion they are not much https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/457f4448ba763b4fe7f3655d1ab03a8d.pdf a21c63b274b9719350c5cf1f7f689d4c PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. account unless maybe every thing is smooth and hard underneath. First we had a small new one under the hind corner and after breaking the chain two or three times trying to budge it, we decided it was too small and wasn't greased enough so we jacked it up and put an old big one under that was split and wired to-gether we moved a foot or two with it and then it broke, so we had to jack her up again and grease the small one and put it under and after pulling all the after noon and breaking chain & upsetting the capstan two or three times, we took it out and put under three or {four?} small rollers and no saddle. Mr. Evans was over helping us this afternoon, and so about five o'clock she started to go and from then till we quit we moved as far as we could without setting the capstan again so the boys went home in great spirits full of praisr for the small rollers. I nearly tore the clothes off me on their wire and nails and also hit my sore knee a lot with the end of the cable so I didn't feel so happy. Frank plowed all day and Dad. had to go up to George Duncan's this morning to look at a cow. Tupper. who was in Simcoe all day came over about five and killed the yearling buck. Fine & hot a shower at noon. Wednesday July 5th I have been out at the Quanbury's all day again and to-day we made a little better progress. We moved the barn more than the length of itself this forenoon but twisted the underpinning of Glen's capstan reel so at noon they went down and borrowed Kolbe's capstan and things went beautifuly we moved about seventy five paces. Over here they got a little more plowing done but nothing cut. Aunty, Vernon & Rebecca were over to dinner and to spend the after noon, Cousin Clare was over too. Frank and I had to take Daisy May up to Ham Thompson's again he was in bed when we got there but got up. Another beautiful day. Thursday July 6th The boys wouldn't have called for me this morning if we hadn't hailed them but I didn't want to see them stuck and we certainly needed all the men we have although Glen brought two with him but Evans didn't come back to-day. Glen had old Isaac Bush and Od. Frolic both venerable and hoaryheaded. Isaac is rheumatic and slightly palsied and told us he would much rather be doing what he was yesterday than https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/3a87ace37d0ecef221ebef0ecd21883b.pdf 4435388bf787bfa82081a9d10380019a PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. what he was to-day. We found by interrogation that yesterday's occupation consisted in riding from the Falls up here in Jim's car, as he hadn't been there since he was eleven years old, we didn't doubt his words in the least. He took my job of minding the capstan and once when they were unwinding it he got a bat in the leg with the lever that knocked him over. Old Od. is the same whom Dad. & I saw a year ago last winter down in Hammond's bush with Jack Richardson building a log hut for himself in which he still lives. That day his face was about completely covered with whiskers while now he is clean shaven down to the rim of his jaw and he has left border of grizzled hair right around, I suppose it is hard shaving around the corner. His hair is long and curls closely under an old reddish brown straw hat. His cheeks are just like a well smoked ham but his neck and nose are a lovely purple, his nose, hands & feet are enormous. I had a pretty good chance to study him to-day and he is an interesting looking old duck, he just kept plodding from one end of the barn to the other carrying plank and chewing to-bacco with his front teeth I guess he hasn't got any back ones. He didn't seem disposed to talk and didn't say half a dozen sentences all day not even when Glen would get mad and curse him into a heap, which he did occasionaly, it seemed rather hard lines to hear old fellows like Od. and old Bush just everlastingly damned up and down, but Glen doesn't care and shows respect to no-one, but he is good natured about it all and we take his blasphemous abuse as a matter of course. He was always alright with me and I found that even there a little blarney in small doses helped wonderfully to keep in Glen's good graces and also to get out of a lot of strenuous labor, which was my place or Charlies's to perform. I didn't feel any qualms of consience in laying my tasks on Charlie's shoulder's, because he really believes likes to work and I don't. We got on well with the barn to-day and to-night had it safely over the gully, I was to quit when we got that far but Glen coaxed me to come back to-morrow so I said I would. Dad. got a little more plowed to-day and Frank got started to cut the corner field. He & I had to go up to Ham Thompson's again to-night woth Quanbury's heifer. Nice Day https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/75853b4b94c4dc216f220088e0e56069.pdf bdf34f43da5e61f568b34afec2839f8f PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Friday July 7th Art. & Charlie didn't call for me this morning and I didn't see them go past so I walked out as I promised Glen I would go back. We were at it all day and just about six to-night got it into its place so we are through with it. It will take a little longer to level and block it up. Old Isaac & Od. were on the job to-day and Od. was almost as silent as yesterday but to-wards evening I managed to get him talking (because I was curious to see what he would say and how he would say it.) by remarking on the size of his wrists and then he started to tell me of the weights in logs that he had carried and before we quit had told me several interesting stories of the early days and the scythe & cradle, when men were plentiful and every one of them strong, and each vied with the other in feats of strength and powers of endurance. Dad. plowed a little more to-day and Frank finished cutting the corner field. This was Dad's birthday and Dick and Winnie were over to tea, we were late getting through chores. Frank got some raked up and Dad. got a load cocked up. Hot & fine Saturday July 8th I got out first thing this morning and started to cock up and Dad. & Frank came out very soon after and we put on a load of what Dad. cocked yesterday and hauled it to the horse stable where we pitched it off by hand and packed it around the well so that the sling loads hitting it wouldn't loosen like they did last year. When we got it off we went and cocked up till noon. This after noon Frank brought the team out to rake but only went a couple of rounds and then as it looked so rainy in the north stopped and helped us cock up. It was looking very angry and a continual low roar of thunder, we saw one storm go to the north but another one came up and it caught us when we had just about one more windrow to cock. It rained pretty hard for half an hour or so but not hard enought to hurt anything and would do good. I went to sleep for awhile and then shaved. Whit Dixon came over before tea to look at the steers but said they weren't ready for a <s>year</s> month yet. To-night Frank and I went down town and went for a swim in the creek and I got my hair cut. Walter & Roy came up to-night and we saw them for a little while. We got home soon after twelve. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/e59bec83f61b920a63186fb3412f9bcb.pdf 0c3e7f20dd2ca40563d2a7d2487e25d5 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Sunday July 9th Just as Dad. was getting ready for church this morning Alan Law came after him amd he had to go down there to administer unto a sick calf which died later in the day. I drove Enah and the baby down to church and as the baby didn't want to sit alone in church without some of the family, I had to sit with him in the front seat and hold him on my knee most of the time but he was very good. Enah. stayed down to dinner at Aunty's and Dad. came down after he got home from the Law's. Frank and I had dinner alone. About three o'clock I went down to Aunty's and left Frank asleep on the sofa. Huby was there and he Dad. Walter, Roy and I walked up to his place via the Dominion Hotel and Dave Waddle's in search of Dave but didn't find him, after inspecting Huby's garden and Bill Slocomb's buggy which Dad. thinks has been run considerably, we took a walk down to the Customs House stopping in to see Mr. Smith for a few minutes on our way down. While we were down there Dave Waddle came along with Geo. {Faulmsbe?} and Jack Davis. We went back to the house all of us but Huby. and I stayed there to tea. Dad. went home to do chores. Enah went up to her mother's to tea but left Tid. down at Aunty's and he and Rebecca had a good time chasing the cat. Jean Marks was there to tea and all of us but Aunty, Aunt Ida and the two kids went to church. Enah has played to-day as Elva jammed her finger in the safe door. Roy donned a surplice and sang in the choir at both services to-day. After church I walked home with Jean and was over there for a little while and then came back down to Aunty's to say goodbye to Roy who goes back in the morning. Dad. was there with Joe and I drove home with them soon after. It has been fine with a nice breeze to-day. Monday July 10th Frank raked the rest of the corner field this morning and Dad. & I have been cocking up all day but didn't finish it. After dinner while Frank was down after the mail Dad. and I finished grinding the mower knife which Dad. & Frank started on Saturday so we were late getting out. Frank started cutting the barley & oat stubble along the side road. Walter & Aunty were over to-night after tea. Fine & hot. Walter is to go back to Regina to-morrow night. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/53364a206a54e86a4371bd41983b7822.pdf 9bb7c3c04b68e0869638c5d96a7f120f PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Tuesday July 11th It took Dad. and me till noon to cock up the rest of the corner field and Frank finished cutting the other field by noon, he left the south west corner of it for alsike along with the wheat stubble next to it. He went down and got the mail after dinner and I got a letter from Lloyd Jones inquiring about the lambs Douglas had told him we had some nice ones. I wrote him to-night. We got one load in after dinner but spent all the rest of the after noon getting the car on the track and the ropes & pulleys in place ready for business, we just got our load off about six. Mrs. McBride was here to-day. It has been a fine hay day. Wednesday July 12th We got three loads in this morning but didn't put the last one off. We got out pretty early but Lloyd Crysler delayed us a little, he was in telling Dad. about a lame cow he had. Dad. said he would go over and see it if Lloyd would call for him at 4.30 but he didn't come. We have been getting out earlier lately as we all get up at five o'clock and Enah has breakfast ready before seven. It also makes a great difference havin the three of us in the field when we are hauling in. Frank loads and Dad. and I pitch on to-gether, we get on much faster and it is not nearly such hard work as when there is only one. This after noon Frank raked up the long field of clover along the side road which he cut yesterday and Dad. and I cocked up all the after noon. To-night Frank and I went for a swim in the pond just this side of the bridge at the bottom of Marshall's hill. Carl Coleman and a bunch from up town go in there every night, they have a spring-board rigged up so that they dive right into the deep hole where the man & horse were drowned years ago It has been sunny but pretty breezy this after noon. Thursday July 13th We all three cocked up this morning and just finished the field at noon, and just as it began to rain, it rained two light showers one just at noon and one after dinner when we were unloading the load that was in the barn, we didn't go out for an hour or two as we thought it would be too wet to haul. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/ac0da0ba24baf5415b7710bdae12eae3.pdf 02a26c5dcbcd1e482aa08d38c86aac1e PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. but Dad. took Queen out and bathed her leg, the last one she hurt it seems to be in rather bad shape and badly swollen. About three o'clock we went out and found the hay was perfectly dry so got in two loads. While we were putting off the first load Enah and the baby who had been down town to dinner came home and Elva with them, soon after them Vernon Jean & Betty came over and the whole four of them came out with us for the last load and seemed to have a dandy time in the hay and riding on the load. They stayed to tea and the Southerners had to leave right after to go to the bridge club but Elva stayed and I drove her down about ten o'clock. It has been hot to-day when it wasn't raining. Friday July 14th We got on fine this morning getting out early and getting four loads before dinner, but this after noon we had miserable luck with one load, the sling rope getting lost once, and an old one with a wire in it coming apart once and then the car sticking in the track like it did last year, we have come to the conclusion that that is caused by the horses going too slow and not givin the lift enough of a jerk into the car. They made two lifts of that from the barn floor and then didn't get it all. We got in three loads though, the last one I pitched to Frank alone as Lloyd Crysler came after Dad. to go and see his cow. We didn't get in with it till after six and didn't put it off. There is just one load left in the corner field. Hot. Saturday July 15th For some reason we didn't get on as fast to-day and only got in two loads this morning but had to change the car from one end of the barn to the other as the east bay is full enough to bother with till it settles a little. We got in three loads this after noon so that finished the corner field and took four loads out of the field along the side road, there is still quite a lot in there yet. Lloyd Jones came in for a little while this after noon, he motored down from Burford and bought the big lamb for $12.00, he wants him shipped the week after next. Frank and I went for a swim to-night. Very hot day. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/a787477b084cd052719d8c6d4f73e29d.pdf 5cd83b8ec93b0ddd3aaf8b9123266a31 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Sunday July 16th We all went to church this morning but Frank and he went back to the woods and went to sleep. Roy was in church he came up yesterday to Brantford and down to Simcoe on the L.E.&N. and Cars. Rankin went up there and got him in his car, and I took him back this after noon at five so he can get to Toronto to-night and be on time at the office in the morning. I had intended asking Geo. Clark to go to Vittoria with me to see the Dunkin girls but hadn't made any arrangements and they were in church so when I told them they asked me to come up next Sunday. After we got into church I was very surprised to see old Quint. come in, I had an idea once they got to Camp Borden they wouldn't be back again until they left for overseas anyway but Quint said that about five thousand left the camp last night three hundred of which belonged to the 133rd and came down on a special, they will get passes if they apply every weekend and he said Pratt who has been acting a little better up there made arrangements with General Login to have them paid every two weeks so they can come home. He said the camp was a horrible place and the boys all hate it, it is all just like a bonfire bottom, and almost unbearably dusty while the heat is fierce, an awful lot of them have been knocked out temporally by it, but they have good water and cool nights. Roy and I left about four but didn't go very fast so just caught the car and had no time to spare. I came around by Vittoria to see if I could hurry Charlie Dunkin up a little getting the old ram registered and it was dark when I got home. I picked a couple of fellows up on the road who were walking from Pt Ryerse to Dover. Mr. Johnson came over in his car to get Enah to go down and play the organ and he brought her back. it has been pretty hot and dusty to-day. Monday July 17th We finished hauling the field on the side road to-day. We thought we only had about three or four loads out but there were five and a half and it took us all day. We left the last half load on the barn floor and Frank hooked to the waggon and went down and got a load of boxes at Mr. James that he has been saving for us. Hot and looks a little like rain. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/975f9246bf4baff161b37536fc5b0f1f.pdf ae89c532bbf5d039739ed71c30f8ef49 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Thursday july 18th Frank started to cut the field next the gully and west of the lane this morning and the mower has been going all day in there but it is not quite down yet. Dad. & I ran the cultivator through the potatoes and turnips this morning, we used Belle. The ground was quite moist where we stirred it up but the bugs are at the potatoes badly. This after noon I hoed about half the turnips and Dad. cut while Frank hoed his garden and then Frank went back on the mower and Dad. hoed a few potatoes. Ben Ivey got the rake this after noon to rake up in his back field. He is beginning to howl for rain Things are getting very dry. It has been hot to day. Wednesday July 19th Frank finished cutting the field this morning but it took him longer than we expected and he didn't get through till about eleven. Dad. went over to Ivey's and got Ben to bring back the rake and when Frank got through cutting he hooked on to it and raked up what he cut first. I didn't do any thing much till then and then Dad. and I started to cock up. Frank raked for an hour or so after dinner but as it began to look a little like rain and the hay that was cut late yesterday was getting tough, he stopped and helped us cock up till it was time to do chores, we didn't quite finish. Ben came over again and got the rake as he had a little to rake up in his back field. To-night as we were milking Zeitha Barwell came in on horse back, she had Norman Holden's horse and saddle. She stayed awhile and then I rode Belle home with her. It has been another hot sultry day. Thursday July 20th We all three got out and cocked up for an hour or two this morning and then when Ben brought the rake back, Frank raked up the rest of the field that was in swathe and finished about noon, we cocked up all day and went out after tea and worked till after dark but had to leave a little more than a load uncocked it is a heavy crop and dandy hay mostly clover but a lot of alsike. When we came in for tea we found a note saying Enah & Tid had gone for a motor ride with Elva & Billy Baugner who is home on furlough to help on the farm. They didn't get back till we had our tea. Aunty https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/46b12160dead9e2cb52b8066c1d3cf2f.pdf 19238b434729c496a2741e1cd152ef3f PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Alice came over to-night with a fine mess of peas from her own garden and Frank and I walked down with her. Vernon joined us at the Woodson's so Frank and I just went as far as the bridge and then went for a swim. Looked more rainy to-day but very hot. Friday July 21st We hauled in six loads to-day. The first two we hauled out of windrow and the next was the poorest hay we could find in the field and we put them in the barn, then the first load after dinner we changed the car over to the horse stable and put three loads in there, changing the car took us a little while and probably kept us from getting in another load, but we hope to nearly if not quite finish it to-morrow. Dad. and Frank went down town to-night. Dad. got a notice of a Mr. Smith committee meeting and went down but didn't get to it, got his hair cut instead. They heard that Mr. Gus. Smith was killed on the T.H.&B tracks near Hamilton. {Toby's father now writes the diary} Saturday July 22nd We beat all records to-day, hauled in 8 loads unloaded 7 in the horse stable and left one on the waggon in the barn, Roy and Vernon came over in the evening Just as Hattie, baby and I were about to start for town, so we did not go but Tobe and Frank went for a swim. Hot and dry. Sunday July 23rd Frank was not feeling well all day today as he took medicine that he got from Dr Cook last night. Hattie, Tobe, Timboy and I all went to church. Dick and Quint came back with Tobe for dinner here, the rest of us went to the James. In the afternoomn Tobe got Charlie Martins buggy and took Clark up to Vittoria and they had a great time, Billy Boughner brought me home and about 3 O'Clock and took Elva, Hattie and Mrs James and baby for a ride in his car, he brought Hattie and old Tim home about 5 and hattie made some sandwiches and w ehad a little tea out on the lawn. Very hot all day. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/2cebfe9dc28f66cdd49b0478521d5a99.pdf 9695d7b1697cbcf460186b6e86c70cba PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. {24th and 25th July and beginning of 26th July entries are missing - Toby is now writing the diary} up, although Dad. went out after tea and worked till Dark <s>and</s> I tested my eggs to-night and only took out seven out of the sixty three. Lila was over all the after noon and Frank went down with her to-night. Still hot. Thursday July 27th Frank raked up the alsike this morning. We were late getting around as we were delayed by one of the ram lambs we found him when we went out frothing at the mouth and bloated. Dad. shoved a long tube down his throat and that took the bloat down. When I did get out this morning I cut three of my four plots of wheat with the sickle, it took me till noon as it was mostly grass and I didn't want to get any thing but the wheat if I could help Dad. helped me cut the fourth plot after dinner, we got a fair sized sheaf of each plot. We got the binder out this morning and Frank got one round cut on the wheat field before dinner, after dinner he & Dad. finished the field and got the binder back in the barn before tea. I had to back and put Snowdrop and John out of Pickfords side hill field, they went through the culvert and we got the wheat all shocked up. To-night Frank borrowed Jack Martin's democrat and he and I took little Joe and went over to Tommy Jackson's after the bees but it was such a hot night they were hanging out on every hive so he told us we would have to wait till it was cooler. Friday July 28th We hauled hay to-day but didn't get very much done. We finished hauling off the field next the gully and west of the lane and got two and a half loads off it. We also hauled two loads off the field east of the lane. We put one load in the horse stable but that filled it up and we put the rest in the barn, it took some time to change the car. This after noon Neff. the District Representative came in to look at Frank's garden and said it was pretty good for being put in so late. Saturday July 29th Frank took the mower out this morning and started cutting the weeds on the old corn stubble https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/8987329a241a3be5ddbbc34ba5f7ab05.pdf 28205f3d5565a2e5e79c586c075d1a7a PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. he was at it all day and finished up to-night. I didn't do any thing much this morning but drove Enah and Tid. down to the L.E.&N. tracks where they embarked with the rest of the family for Scotland to attend the silver wedding anniversary of Cousin Harry & Lizzy Langs. Dad. walked down to Aunty's a little before with some cream and came up to the car wth Aunty she being the only representative from that household. All of Huby's family went but Winnie, and Cousin Clare represented the Langs portion of the family in Dover. They came back on the five o'clock car all except Huby who had to go back after his hat and who brought Clark Langs and Marion his daughter down with him on the nine o'clock car. They had a great time and a very hot day and I guess there was an army of folks there. I spent the after noon cocking hay north of the orchard but didn't finish. Roy came down to-night with the bunch from Brantford. I went down to the dance to-night. I intended going to the picture show first but ran into the Miss Dunkin's and they wanted to go to the dance right away so I went with them, we picked Clark up over there and had a hot time of it. I hardly missed a dance but it nearly killed me, the lake flies were bad too. Frank and Enah went down to the show. Another very hot day. Sunday July 30th I wwent down early this morning to see if Roy wanted to go for a swim and found him in the pond at the foot of the hill by the bridge with Vernon and Rebecca, they had an extra bathing suit so I went in with them, Aunty took Rebecca home after she had a dip, she evidently enjoyed herself immensely. I went up to Auntys with them and got dressed and then tried to go to sleep but didn't have much luck. I didn't go to church but just lay around I did get some sleep. Enah drove Joe down and I tied her up outside the house and Dick drove her home. I stayed down there and we had dinner about two o'clock and then I went up to the Park as the Miss Dunkin's said they would be there with a lunch I found them alright but Clark had missed them and gone in bathing but he found us later on https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/d49c6bac9d01411b981076c0a43a0521.pdf b098cd7950e6c6e79c7805ebea0e32b6 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. and the four of us had tea together of home made bread sandwiches and cake which the girls brought with them, after tea Miss Dunkin and I went to church and then up the creek, we didn't get back to the park till after dark quite a lot and poor Hazel was nearly wild thinking she had lost her sister, but after their happy meeting Clark and I escorted them to Faulkner's stable and saw them safely started for home. Very hot. Monday July 31st Last night was the first night it was too hot for me to sleep, and I have felt lazy to-day in consequence. Frank was pretty miserable this morning, he was very sick yesterday owing to some treatment he is undergoing at the hands of Dr. Cook. Dad. and I put off a load of hay that was on the waggon and then got in a load of wheat and put it off in the old barn. This after noon Dad. and Enah went over to the Martin's to the funeral of Dr. McGlaughlin, he died of heart failure or apoplexy or heat prostration last Friday while he was visiting up at his uncle's above Waterford. Dad. was one of the bearers. This after noon I went to sleep till Dad came home and then we got another load of hay in. Frank ran errands with Joe all morning and this after noon took the big team down to the mill and got some chop and when he came home went out and disked the old garden where it wasn't planted, he tried I think to rouse me up to some sort of action but I wouldn't rouse, to-night he and Enah planted some cucumber seed out in the old garden. Hot this morning but much cooler to-night. Tuesday August 1st We hauled hay to-day I don't remember how many loads we got in but we didn't break any records nor finish the field. To-night Frank and I went out to Tommy Jackson's and got the two hives of bees. We didn't get to bed till three o'cock and had a time getting them. I got stung a couple of times and Tommy about a dozen. It has been cooler to-day and quite cold to-night. Wednesday August 2nd (New Moon) Aunty Alice says a dry one Dad says nothing in it.) We finished hauling in hay off that field this morning, there wasn't much out there but Dad. put most of it on alone and I stayed in the barn to mow https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/20fc19a503f47559eec0fa5b94f60788.pdf d72e03ee0c2fed65027585ff9e7dbc5c PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. away as the barn is getting so full. We changed the car to the other end of the barn and filled it up so that the barn is now as full as we can fill it without wasting a lot of time. The last half load we put off after dinner. Alan Law drove in to inform us they were going to thrash to-morrow and wanted some help. When he left Frank went out and started to cut the timothy field, and Dad. and I hauled in the rest of the wheat. There were only about three jags. Aunty Alice came over to dinner and Frank went down with her after tea. I went to bed before nine. Still cooler but very dry. Thursday August 3rd Frank has cut hay all day but didn't get out very early this morning. He finished cutting the timothy and then cut the grass & weeds on the fall plowing between the wheat stubble and where Dad. replowed. He mowed over a bumblebees nest and one stung him over the eye and it swelled up so that he couldn't see out of it. This morning we waited around to see if they started thrashing over at Law's but as they showed no signs I went down town and bought a new lawn-mower with the money I got for the purpose on my birthday. Dad. sharpened the mower knives and tried to barricade the sheep out of Ivey's. Jack Martin borrowed our rack to haul in wheat. When I came home Dad & I spudded some of the buckhorn around on the lawn. This after noon we went over and helped thrash Law's wheat. Dad. filled bags and I pitched on in the field with Eph. Innes. Sam had his two teams there and his own and Pickford's rack and had Colin & Lloyd Ryerse driving teams and {Lat?} Robinson was there with his team and rack. We finished up about five o'clock and he only got 78 bushels off the 8 acres. It looked and felt very like rain this morning but didn't. The forest fires are again raging up in Northern Ontario or were a day or two ago. Two or three villages have been wiped out and about four hundred people killed. Friday August 4th This morning I raked up the timothy as Frank's eye being tight shut he couldn't see properly and said he couldn't see straight. He fixed his wheel and then helped Dad. bunch up the alsike https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/58f1f11f41a74cef8df8de3d49111a72.pdf 1c1ebe070ec3172247aeec26db0baaa2 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Enah spent most of the day picking blackcurrants out in the old garden. Frank went down town after dinner and got the mail which contained an invitation for me to a party at Mrs. Hobbes this evening. This after noon we greased the waggon and got in one load of alsike and put it off over the granary in the old barn. To-night I went down to Mrs. Hobbes and tried to play five hundred with Miss Prest, Miss {Keenan?} & Lewis Woodson. Ida, Miss Cowdry, Miss Bain & Miss Buckwell and Geo. Clark were playing bridge. Douglas Skey came in about eleven o'clock and young Robinson a brother of Ellies came in about midnight. Bessie Lawrie was also there. We weren't very late. Hot and dry but breezy. Saturday August 5th It just rained enough this morning to keep us from getting out at the alsike for an hour or so. Dad. and I went out and blocked up some more holes under the fence where the sheep get through on to Ben Ivey's. We then started to thrash some of my wheat out as they wanted the report to-day if possible. Dad. thought it would be too tough to flail out so we did it with our hands It was an awful job It took us till noon to rub out and clean one sheaf the Banatka. I don't think we got as much seed back as we sowed but it was nice quality. This after noon we hauled in two loads of alsike but it bulks up so it hardly makes a hole in the field. To-night I went down to Aunty's and went for a swim in the creek and then up to the dance and had quite a time. Quint was there and was very anxious to go to Vittoria to-morrow to see the Miss Robinson's that are there from B.C. so he drove up with the Dunkin girls and I don't know whether he stayed there all night or not. I think he intended to. I rode up with them pretty nearly to Peter Bougner's and then walked home getting here about two o'clock or soon after. Hot. Sunday August 6th We didn't get up till late this morning but Enah and I got ready in time to drive down to church. Dick came over to dinner and we had some great ice cream that Enah & Frank made with https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/81189101cbf4120dc3aaf44951eb2e0c.pdf e57f7bdb16eb91e99a7f0670056f7d4b PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Quanbury's freezer. This after noon Dad. and I were to have gone out to Tommy Jackson's but Dad. felt sick and it was so hot we didn't go. I did some chores and then went to sleep, and didn't go anywhere but to bed to-night. I took 17 chicks out of the incubator to-day only 11 black ones and had to kill one of them It was a very poor hatch I think I must have put too much water in the machine. Frank went out on his wheel to view rhe ruins of Lige. Farr's big barn this after noon It was burned to the ground night before last. Very hot. Life scarcely worth living this weather. Monday August 7th We didn't get on very well to-day just got in two loads of alsike and pitched off three, but Dad. felt very miserable all day and this after noon he didn't come out to help us put on the load but helped put it off. The wind was also pretty strong which made it hard pitching. We have the mow so full now that we are not going to try to put any more in. We will have to stack the rest of the hay & alsike unless we put a little in the old shed at the other barn. Much cooler to-day. Tuesday August 8th I woke up about three o'clock this morning and was so hot I couldn't get anything like comfortable. I heard it thundering and it seemed to be raining a little so as I heard Frank who was sleeping on a cot out on the lawn stirring around I got up and helped him move it to the hall. There was a little breeze coming from the West so I put the sheepskin down in front of the hall door and lay down there. I flounced around till I got pretty well off the mat on to the floor oilcloth which though cool was not very springy or soft and finally went to sleep with a faint breeze fanning me and a sort of drizzle coming in the screen door. Before morning I got so cooled off that I went back to bed and later even covered myself up. Dad. tried four different beds and then didn't get very comfortable so we spent a rather restless night. Dad. has felt a little better to-day but Frank has been completely knocked out and been in the house all day. The little rain we had although it didn't ammount to any more than a dew stopped us from hauling for a while so Dad. and I thrashed and cleaned https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/fa8b3e26b23d063e5b79b9aeb8bd8c6e.pdf 617ea5480421ff08d93d9d00413ba038 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. the rest of my wheat. We cleaned up the old barn floor and spread the binder canvas down and Dad. thrashed it with a flail. It didn't take nearly so long and we were surprised at how clean we got it. We got the last one done after dinner and I filled up the report. I found the Imperial Amber was the best, Banatka next but with soft straw American Banner next and our own Common mixed poorest as far as yield in lbs. went but it wasn't a good test as the flats never did well and I am going to try it again; our wheat had quite a little ball smut in it but we didn't see any in what came from Guelph, it was all treated. It was getting on to three o'clock when we got through and we both felt like a holiday as Frank couldn't help us so we went out to Tommy Jackson's. We found Tommy running around with a broken single tree as some one had bought his waggon and double trees and he had to fix a new outfit up before he could haul in any more hay or oats. He was rigging up a waggon out of the {illegible} of an old seperator but stopped to show us his stuff and he certainly has a pile of it a lot of it just implements which he intends to fix over in the remaining years of his life some ime, but every thing he has made or fixed has been done properly, he is a crack workman and aparently knows the secrets of all crafts. When we came to the harness Dad. found he was just too late to get a dandy set of double harness, which Tommy said had taken four sides of leather to make it and was all handmade. It was old but not a strap broken on it and far better now than our harness was when we got it but Lige. Farr had bought it yesterday for eighteen dollars. Dad. was bewailing his hard luck in this and Tommy told him he had a set of single harness in the house which couldn't be beaten anywhere. It also was all handmade but not so old but Tommy said he didn't want to lose more than about eight dollars on it as he had only used it once or twice and he figured it had cost him about sixty dollars. Dad. at first wasn't going to look at it as he said he couldn't afford to pay forty five dollars, Tommy's price but Tommy brought it down from upstairs, and when Dad. saw it and thought that with care it would last https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/9680d7c61a29de05a2519966bbb4c685.pdf 1bc09eff512cc97e106f93044490ac95 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. a lifetime, while an ordinary one will only be good for about ten years, he at last promised Tommy his price, Tommy said he could have it for six months without intrest and at five percent after that as long as he liked. It was a beauty Tommy had selected all the leather himself and said it was the best oak-tanned leather that could be had, he had also cut out the patterns Every ring and buckle on it is stamped solid nickel so it is a beauty or will be when it is cleaned up. Dad. told me afterwards he would give it to me for a 21st birthday present, so now with Queen and it I will be pretty nicely hooked up and I am going to take the old buggy to Simcoe as soon as I get a chance to have it fixed. We didn't get away from there till six o'clock so were late getting through with the chores. Cooler to-day. Wednesday August 9th We were all morning nearly this morning getting a load of hay but Dad. discovered Jim prostrated down in the gully very bloated and so punctured her, he said he let out a lot of gas and just saved old Jim's life. {Toby's father takes up the diary} for a little while at least. Tobe fell asleep at this stage so I will try and write this up to date. I no sooner finished with Jim than I discovered John going through the fence into the oats so I had to go and get her out and fix the fence, we hauled hay the rest of the day. Pretty hot and dry. Thursday 10th I forgot to enter in yesterday's diary that we went back at night and got Franks bees down out of the tree and brought them up, we took Jim a pail of water and some hay. Today we hauled hay and had to stack it and gathering it out of the windrow is a low. Whit Dixon came along in the forenoon and delayed us some time buying the steers he bought my two for $135.00 and Tobys for $52.50 or 7 cts per lb if he comes to more than that. It looks like rain tonight. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/b203afef6200f731d57abda8bcaf2743.pdf ee26e2102bf9f9175b414755c34c3078 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Friday August 11th We did intend cutting oats this morning but it looked so much like rain that we hauled hay and fixed our stack up it did sprinkle a few drops. After dinner we went at the oats Frank and I went back with the binder and Toby went back the lane to take Jim a drink he found poor old Jim past wanting water she was dead so we turned out early and as soon as Frank got up with the team he went over and got Ben Iveys stoneboat and after tea Toby went over to the old garden to dig her grave and Frank and I went back and got her after taking the hide off her and and putting her in and filling up the grave it was 12.30. It was a very cool night and I had a horrible toothache. {Toby resumes the diary} Saturday August 12th We got back at the oats this morning about nine o'clock, and Frank finished cutting at one I shocked up but had to go back to the house once to turn the windmill out. Dad went around with Frank most of the time but helped me shock up for awhile and after they got the binder loaded and Frank got started. It was about two o'clock when we left the field and after three when we had dinner. Dad then got dressed up and went down to Bill Lemon's to get his tooth fixed up but he found Bill just about loaded. He was up in the office and Sam {Fick?} was trying to get him to eat something. He could just mumble to Dad. that he couldn't fix his tooth to-day as he was "sh shick", so Dad. had to come home still suffering. Frank house cleaned the shop this after noon and I went to sleep. To-night Frank and I went down to Aunty's and had a swim in the creek, and Frank went up to get any mail tnat happened to be there. I was going up town but it began to rain so I stayed at Aunty's all night. Frank rode home on his wheel. It was a nice rain and lasted pretty well all through the night. Aunty Alice was up trying to telephone Vernon to find out how Roy was he has been suffering from indigestion, but couldn't get much satisfaction as the lines weren't working right and she had to talk to Vernon through the operator but found out Roy was better. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/c305ca83bbd7da9dca62a5c052b3ce9d.pdf 449d3fc4eaeebb4cf4ce9d180305886a PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Sunday August 13th I walked home this morning right after breakfast, but Dad. had most of the chores done, I just fed the chickens. Frank and I walked back down again to church, after which Aunty and Aunty Alice came over with me to dinner. Aunt Iday went to Port Rowan the night before last for a short visit with Miss Wood and it gives Aunty and Aunty Alice a chance to both get out at once. Frank came over with Dick and they picked Cousin Clair came up and she came over too. Mr. James was over this after noon. I hung around here till about four o'clock and then went down town. I bummed around with Pud. Slocomb till six o'clock and then went up to Huby's to tea. I saw the Miss Dunkin's this after noon and they said they were going to church to-night so Pud and I went too and for a walk afterwards We had quite a lot of fun but Mrs. Dunkin was down too so we couldn't stay long. The girls came down this morning with Mr. Johnson in his car and {then he?} drove down to take them home to-night. Dad's tooth was so bad this after noon that he went down to Dr. Smith's to-night and got him to pull it. It has been much cooler to-day. Monday August 14th Frank and I went to Simcoe this morning as the oats were a little too wet to haul from Saturday's rain. We got started about ten o'clock to take the old buggy up to Joe Coates to get fixed up and Frank wanted to go to Brook's to look at their suits. We met Win. down at the corner coming over to the farm so took her along with us to Simcoe. We went pretty slowly on account of the old buggy being in such a critical condition and it was getting on to noon when we arrived in town. We went first to {Name?} tannery with old Jim's hide but only got six dollars for it. We then went up to Coates and just caught him before he left in his car for Brantford. He told us he would put new rims on, set the tires, fix the top and paint it for a little under $20.00, so we were very pleased as we thought it would come higher than that without the painting which is eight dollars, but when we got home Dad. said he thought it would need new tires so I wrote to tell him. We then went down town to do our shopping but discovered it was Simcoe's civic holiday and every thing was closed up, however we got some thing to eat in at Lea's and some hay for Joesie at Burt's. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/a278c57d2533f35fc6ca540121813431.pdf d411cd32bd2b39848f8157883e8a267d PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. We then went over to the L.E.& N. station as Frank and Win had to come down on the car. They missed the one o'clock car but for some reason or other another went down at half past one so they took it. I brought the little saddle up in the buggy so rode Joe home. I didn't come very fast, but got home before Frank, who had been down town some place. When he got home, he Dad. & the baby went out with the waggon and cleaned up the rubbish around the old garden and the fence bottom between the corner field and the one north of it while I cut some of the thistles in the pasture field. This morning Dad, Enah and the baby went back to the woods and picked berries and Dad. shocked up some of the down oats. Nice day, cooler. Tuesday August 15th We hauled two or three loads of oats to-day and upset the first load on the side hill. It was a very neat upset waggon and all went and put the half load of oats we had on in a nice heap but didn't break a thing. Wednesday August 16th We finished hauling our oats out to-day. We hadn't much of a harvest, the oats and barley were good though what we had I think there were only five loads altogether and they together with the wheat just come up to the second {beam?} in the old barn. I am not writing this account very fully as it is over a week ago now since I wrote last. Frank took the mower back and finished cutting the weeds over {there?} on the fall plowing. Thursday August 17th Dad. had to go over this morning and help Pickford thrash and was over there all day but they didn't do much all morning something was broken. Frank and I & the baby went down town in the waggon and got a load of sawdust for Queen's boxstall some provisions a cedar post to put the mail box on and the mail box. We spent all the after noon dressing the post and putting up the mail box but made a good job of it. The only trouble was they had the name stencilled the name on the box with just one r. which made Dad. furious. I got a cwt of stuff from Charlie Ivey to-day to crate fatten some chickens I have to make a crate https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/6c0518c75fa8645d350256e081b84c25.pdf 4c6e96c9f1f5aa7e1f98a1bead118ab0 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. {Toby's father takes up the diary} Friday August 18th Frank and I went to Pickfords to help him finish his Alsike, he was in a terrible state with his cracked ribs. We finished about 10-30, he had a little more than 6 bags. I came home as soon as we were done and Frank went to the creek for a swim. Hot and dry still, in the afternoon we hauled hay and put it up over the shed. Saturday August 19th {Bow------?} are having their picnic in Simcoe today. We hauled hay in the forenoon and had a small load to haul after dinner then Frank and I burned weeds on the old corn ground. We put up two bees next to Tobe and he got 3 stings and has a lovely eye, he and Frank went down town in the evening. It has been very hot and no sign of rain. Sunday August 20th Toby and Frank went to church the rest of us stayed home. Dick came over before the others he did not go to church. {Name?} and Alice came to dinner and in the afternoon Elva and Byron came over. The boys all went of after dinner. Grl Hausker brought Elva over and Dick went back with him. Toby took Quint to Vittoria {Toby resumes the diary} in Charlie Martin's buggy. It was late when we got started and arrived at the Dunkin's just a little before six but we told them last night we wouldn't be up early. We had tea then went for a walk down to the mill and sang songs. When we came back we lay out on the lawn till about one o'clock and then Quint and I came home and Quint slept and I dozed most of the way home. Monday August 21st Frank and I went down in the waggon and got a load of slabs as well as some other things. It took us all morning. Dad. shined up the nickelon my new https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/226d2d824fba4a5dc99725dc862d1342.pdf 447d40fdb6c261cb0fe6b21d9c151da3 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. harness. This afternoon Frank and Dad. burned the weeds on the old corn stubble and I worked some more at my chicken fattening crate. Huby came over and got Dad. to go down to tea with him and cut the tails of his two field spaniel pups which he got from some fellow in St. Thomas. We did up the chores and then Frank and I went down town. I stayed down at Aunty's all night so as to get started at seven thirty our picnic in the morning Terribly hot & oppressive. Tuesday August 22nd I got down to the dock at half past seven this morning and we waited around till nearly eight for some one else to come as {Name?} said Miss McInnes telephoned him that there were two to go from here at last Pud. Slocomb came along, Frances had brought him an invitation from the church concert last night. We picked the main picnic about twenty up at Port Ryerse and went from there over to the East End Lighthouse. I don't know how long it took us or at what time any of our proceedings took place but we had our dinner as soon as we got there and after that Cook the lightouse keeper showed us all around we went to the top of the lighthouse and saw the revolving light which is a wonderful bit of work especially the lens or prisms which throw the light so far. He also blew the foghorn for us and explained the wind velocity register. We all went to his house and signed our names. On our way back we stopped at the Anderson property and went in there for a few minutes. There was quite a sea on coming home and some of the elder ladies felt a little sick but we managed to get to Port Ryerse without any great trouble. The two Dunkin girls were very anxious to come down to Dover with Pud and me, go to the show and let Pud take us back to Vittoria but their mother objected and as she was sick they didn't like to do it. We got home about eight and had a dandy day. It was very hot here they say. Wednesday August 23rd Dad. and I finished building my fattening crate this morning Dad. nearly finished it yesterday. Old Felix came over to fix the suckers in the pump as it hasn't been working properly lately and Frank https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/a7b1b235082ef86abca7c9c05b3b7748.pdf c63489914aa19eb8b86ad81c6b47b299 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. told him on Sunday he had better come and have a look at it. He was here till after twelve so had dinner. He put new suckers in but I don't know that it works much better. It throws a better stream but has to be primed. This after noon we went back and burned the weeds that Frank had cut on the piece which wasn't plowed but the fire would run on the fall plowing it was to thin. John Wess was plowing in his back field and said it was pretty hard. Cooler to-day. Thursday August 24th Dad. and Frank took two teams back this morning Frank to mow the weeds in the back field and Dad to rake them up on the fall plowing. I went back to open the gate for Dad. as he had the little team on the rake and couldn't leave them. When I got up behind the barn on my way back I heard a car honk and saw someone in the lane so when I got up I found it was Miss Herring and her cousin Miss Bain in a car belonging to a Mr. Harvey who brought them over. They had come to invite me to a picnic this after noon at Fisher's Glen and said they had been here ever so long but couldn't find anyone about the place. I told them I would be delighted to go at half past one so I had to hustle around to get ready, but got down alright in time. They were going in Harry Smith's launch and were just debating whether there would be too much sea or not as there was quite a breeze from the south west. However after every one arrived we all piled in and got out about as far as the breakwater and found there was quite a sea a couple of waves splashed up against the bow window and drenched all the ones in the bow of the boat and several of the ladies and they say Col. Smith were very frightened so we turned back. Harry could have taken us he said but thought under the circumstances it was the best thing to do. When we got back to dock there was quite a time deciding what to do next. Col. Smith, Jack Martin & Mr. Hobbes wanted to go up creek for the rest of the picnic but Lewis, Miss Herring and the rest who got it up wanted to get cars and go to Port Ryerse. Mr. Harvey offered to take two loads in his car and went and got it Lewis & Miss Herring went up to get Faulkner's but although the car was there they couldn't find Al. In the meantime Col. Smith had made arrangements with Harry Ansley for one of his flat bottomed pound net boats and a couple of the fishermen had gone over and got it and fixed it up https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/1ddf3ab69398ae66a50a6c769af0d652.pdf 66a6c423b00be987cebf8ae1b7bbd31f PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. with clean new fish boxes for seats so when Mr. Harvey arrived with his car and the others of the Port Ryerse faction they thought every thing was now settled for their wishes to be carried out and so it would have been but Col. Smith kicked and said those that wanted to could go but he was going up creek so to avoid any further trouble Mr. Harvey took his car back and we all went up creek. Dad. Brook and another fisherman took us up and called for us again at seven. They left us at the far end of the straight water at Will Smith's place and we had a dandy time. Two or three of us fished before tea but had no luck except Louise Herring who caught a mudcat and threw it back. Col. Smith and Jack Martin built a fire in an old stump and cooked a dandy supper fried eggs and bacon and hot coffee. We all ate enough to kill us. After tea we played Nuts <s>and</s> in May and had a lot of fun. I got yanked all over the place Lewis Woodson was champion he pulled them all but Jack Martin. He pulled Col. Smith over and so did Jack which made the Col. very mad. Mr. Hobbes had a headache but took several pictures of us and one of Miss Cope or her leg while she was lying down behind a log to dry out after her sousing with the waves. At supper the Col. said "Well I got soaked in that launch but I daren't tell you where" and Miss Cope said " Oh I know where, I got it in the same place." On<s>t</s> the way back the batteries played out and the engineer had to get out and tow us. It was pretty hard work and slow till Lewis got out and helped him row. When we got to town we all but Miss Prest and the Cowdry's went to the picture show and saw Granstork. Lewis and I went home with Miss Bain & Miss Herring and I got home about a quarter past twelve. Tom brought me up the creamcan full of buttermilk to-day and I started feeding fifteen cockerels. Friday August 25th Frank finished mowing the field of weeds this morning and this after noon cut the little side hill across the ditch from the oat stubble. Dad. disked witht the big team till Frank finished mowing and then Frank went on and disked and Dad. brought the little team up through the gully and Frank brought the mower up with him at six. Dad. cut weeds with the scythe after he came up and went back at six to help Frank out of the gates https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/7995bbbd0b092cbeeeb94afe44777129.pdf 966865d4d7bd7d620af3891ccb53ef75 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. with the mower. I just chored around and tried to pull buckhorn out of the lawn this afternoon and did a little raking. This morning the baby and I went down to Aunty's and cut her corn that has all the ears picked off it and made one shock of it. We stayed there to dinner. It hasn't been quite so hot to-day. Saturday August 26th Frank has been disking all day on the oat stubble. They came to the conclusion that the fall plowing was too hard in spots. Dad. mowed the pig weed which comes up thick in the garden and a very even crop they were and also cut the weeds in the plum orchard. I raked up a little on the lawn and when he got through with the team I hooked to the waggon and went back and borrowed John Wess' cement anchor post mould and am going to try at put a few up next week while Dad. & Frank are working on the land or drawing out manure. This after noon Dad. and I dug one hole. We did it with John's spud and spoon and made it five feet deep but it took a long time. To-night Enah's brother and his whole family came in in a car. Mr. & Mrs James & Steward stayed here all night but Jean, Adelena and Fred Johnson who was with them stayed down town at the James. Cooler and cloudy to-day. Sunday August 27th All hands went to church this morning. We all went down in Mr. Jame's car although it was quite a squeeze and Dad. was scared half to death. After church he went up to cut the tail of another pup Huby got from the same litter as his first two. I stayed down at Aunty's for dinner and the rest all went over in the car and also Winnie and Miss McAlpine a friend of hers from Caledonia. Jean and Adelena went over too but Mrs. James stayed down at the old James and Mr. James brought the car back and stayed there to dinner. Dick wasn't in church but walked over and was <s>t</s>here when the bunch arrived. They said he didn't get down town till about four o'clock this after noon, then they all went down except Dad. who had to keep his eye on the sleeping baby When I got home long after six Dad. was just getting out to do chores as the baby had just wakend up and he daren't leave him before. The others didn't come home till about ten o'clock I guess and Dad. the baby https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/5f2ad37508ddbcdabe6f052ab08cbf20.pdf 047b531a7aa7e06bb528b3c85831a3bf PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. and I had our tea alone. Jean and Adelena came back with them to-night. I had a very nice after noon Went over to the Herring's cottage and found that Miss Bain, Miss Whitney, Lewis Woodson & Douglas Skey had walked to Port Ryerse for a picnic and Louise had gone part way with them but was coming back so I went down and met her just a little way up with the little Cook girl. We came back and went down town to call on Ada. She wasn't home when we first went up but we sat down and she appeared presently so we spent the rest of the after noon there. I stopped in at Aunty Alice's on my way home and got some corn. I also rat across Uncle Ward on my way home and he showed me his different potato patches which are as clean as a whistle but nothing on them. We didn't make any arrangements for a hay load party this after noon as Louise has hay fever and says she wont be able to go but insists upon us having it. Cooler to-day we had quite a shower this morning. Monday August 28th ( <s>)</s> "Another dry moon" says Aunty Alice though still scoffed at by Dad.) The automobile party left here about eight or a little after they didn't get away quite as soon as they had hoped and had to go down town I suppose to pick up Fred. We were late getting out and Dad. and I went out to our anchor posts again while Frank cleaned some perch he got from Mrs. Quanbury. We spent most of the morning getting the stakes lined up to suit us as we were in a sort of a quandry what to line to or sight from, but at last we started to sink the holes and trust to luck at having them straight. Charlie Ivey and Bob. Leitch were out on the road fixing the hole in the road over the culvert. This after noon Frank and I took Joe and Belle down town on the waggon to get some cement and a couple of 7/8 inch rods for reinforcement to the anchor posts. They were nine feet long and cost us 85 cts apiece the cement was $1.55 a bbl {barrel}, so we figured the posts would come pretty high when we got them built. When we got home we went over to Art. Quanbury's and got his flat rack to mix our cement on. Dad. started out after dinner to plow but had to change the shear on his plow and spent most of the after noon getting the old shear off so didn't get back till about four o'clock or half past. He got a few rounds plowed but says it is very hard but not the least bit bumpy. Quite cold this morning & night. Cool all day. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/43fa05b9305960cb4d63dadff13c49d2.pdf a7aeec708a8c675e4139b158411cbfdb PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Tuesday August 29th Dad. has been plowing all day. Frank and I put up one anchor post. We didn't get started till about nine o'clock and didn't know what sized batches of grout to mix up so it took us till after one to get the thing finished. We didn't like to leave till we had dinner for fear the two batches wouldn't knit together. We used nearly a bag and a half of cement which Dad. thought was too much but he asked John Wess and he said that was about what he used. Dad. came out at noon and helped us finish. Art. Quanbury stopped on his way to and from the farm to make a few suggestions. He thought the reinforcing was too expensive and thought that pipe posts which could be got for 26 cts apiece and were 7 ft long would do as well but John Wess didn't think they could be much account at that price. Dad. saw him this after noon. Art. also thought that stubs in the ground for braces instead of full length posts would be just as good but John Wess says not for him. He says if it is not wired from the top of the brace posts it is bound to give a little at the bottom when the ground is soft and an inch give at the bottom gives enough at the top to let the fence go slack, so I guess if we want to be sure of things we hadn't better try to cut down expence. This after noon Frank and I put down or nearly did two more holes. We didn't get started till late as we were doing chores. Cooler. Wednesday August 30th We ran the binder out of the barn this morning and Dad. helped us try to get all the sheep in the barn to separate the rams from the rest of the flock but they didn't want to go in the barn so we left them till noon and Dad. went back and plowed and Frank and I went out and took the mould off our anchor post and spent a good part of the morning admiring it. It certainly looks fine but we won't be able to stretch the wire to it for a year yet and I know I will be scared stiff then for fear it will break. Lewis Woodson came over while we were at it and invited me down to Supper to-night. Aunty, Aunty Alice and Cousin Clare all came over to dinner. Frank and I spent the remainder of the forenoon gathering the https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/6be672ddeb27bd83de9ceca7d1dea812.pdf 3368acb78d82f8e0f019dfd41df40a8a PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. burs out of the orchard so that the sheep wouldn't get them in their wool. After dinner we managed to get the sheep in the barn and separated the rams and put them over in the orchard. We had all the "women folks" out helping us and then had quite a time of it. Dad. didn't get started back till about three but plowed till six. After he went back Frank and I put up a gate at the end of the orchard in to the lane so that the sheep could run on the wheat stubble and old {meadow?} but not get under the bars. Frank then went down town to get a plow shear sharpened and I cut the weeds in the front lane and some thistles in the sheep pasture I quit a five and got ready and went down to the Woodson's for tea. Louise Herring and Amy Bain were there so I had a very pleasant time. We had a game of croquet before tea and afterwards all went down to the picture show and then around with the girls to the cottage where we had watermelon and cake and joked around till twelve o'clock. Cooler to-day and quite cold to-night. Thursday August 31st Ben Ivey was over last night to get Dad. to<s>o</s> look at a lame sow, and said he wanted to get some help for the next two weeks to get his work all finished and then he is going back on the road for the winter, so Frank went over this morning to pick tomatoes for him. Dad. went over to see his sow and says she seems to have sprained both of her front fetlocks. Ben knew it was some thing like that as she did it going down the hill at the gully. One of our ram lambs got back with the ewes out of the orchard and I put him back but I couldn't find out where he escaped. Dad. went back and plowed till noon and I deepened one of our anchor post holes enough to build the post although I didn't put it down the full five feet. It took me long enoug to put it down six inches more. I also got sand enough measured out to make a batch of grout to fill the hole to ground level. This after noon Frank had to go back to Ben's for awhile so Dad. helped me put up another post and it took us all the after noon. Tommy Jackson and Lorne came along and talked for an hour. Tommy said we were very foolish to pay such a price for our centre rods that we could get angle posts just as good and strong for thirty cents. He also told https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/67a80caf30ba8c9e34d7d174ac7978ca.pdf 0d65ad59fd196537524109f9e1bed22a PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. us to be sure to keep the post well watered. Frank got through at Ben's early as Ben went to Brantford and so Frank borrowed his rack and went down and got eight more bags of cement. He and I went out after tea and loosened the nuts on the mould as John Wess said it would warp if we didn't. Cold nights & hot day. Friday September 1st Frank worked at Ben's all day raking (with our rake) and hauling & stacking clover seed. Dad. plowed this forenoon and I went out and took the moulds off our post and deepened the other hole for the brace post. This after noon Dad and I put it in. We made it tall like John Wess said but Dad. and I had a hot argument about it. He was bound that with a stub in the ground and a wire from the top of it to the bottom of the anchor post and a brace from the top of the anchor post to the top of the stub or the same point as the wire went that the anchor post would give more at the top than at the bottom if the stick gave at all in soft ground {Toby has sketched a drawing of his description} and I was bound that it couldn't, if it came at all it had to come at the bottom as at the top because if the top gave an inch the brace would free the stub an inch at the point where the wire bore on it and that would free the wire an inch over at the stub and unless it stretched which I don't think it does it would pull it an inch at the anchor post and as it is fastened to the bottom of the anchor post it would have to come an inch with it and yet the top couldn't come more than an inch on account of the brace. It looked plain enough to me but Dad. had got some idea in his head that as a thing always moves faster at the top than at the bottom the anchor post would have to cant if it moved at all and I couldn't convince him any other way. We argued most of the dinner away and all the time we each knew we couldn't convince the other and that if we did the other wouldn't admit it so we finally quit. I went down town to-night to see Helen Dunkin who with her mother is keeping house at the Rectory while Mr. & Mrs Johnson is away on his holidays. It rained a little shower and wet things up a little so I stayed at Aunty's all night. Saturday September 2nd Frank worked at Ben's all day and Dad. plowed but didn't quite finish as he didn't get out till about three https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/3e5a8abf21f46d83047ef3170aefbff8.pdf 7fb4df900fa24fbb99c62fb999444812 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. {This is a repeat of the previous page}. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/2d859e3ba073a4890ee3a721085707da.pdf 71c3244eaf3d1a0e67f62370371e7fec PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. o'clock after dinner. I didn't get home this morning till about eight or after and by the time I got my clothes changed and some chores done it was getting pretty late to start anything. I went out and wet down the three anchor posts and then decided to get Dad. to help me carry out a gate to measure the proper distance between the next post we are going to build and the first one we built, so I didn't start another post hole but went back to where Dad. was plowing and on over to where John Wess was hauling out manure with his new Massey-Harris low down manure spreader, he says he likes it to load much better than the high ones but I don't believe it spreads as well as it has an endless apron and no tailboard to hold the manure up to the beater. I started the argument with him about the brace posts and he explained it satisfactorly by saying the wire would stretch, which I didn't know and of course it is easily seen that there is not nearly the strain on the wire when<s>t</s> it is fastened to the long brace post on at the top as when it is fastened to the stub because as Dad. said the natural tendency for the brace post would {Toby has sketched a drawing of his description} be to move faster at the top than at the bottom but it can't with out taking the bottom of the anchor post with it. This after noon Dad. and I took the gate out and meausred between the posts and as we were putting it back Whit Dixon came in and talked for quite awhile. He told us that Bagley & Miller had their store advertised for sale in the "Globe". When he went Dad went back to plow and I did a few chores then caught three of Jack Martin's roosters and took them home. The fourth one was out in the field somewhere so I didn't take him. From there I went down to the mill to ask Charlie Ivey the address of Silverwoods Lmtd. to ship my crate fattened chickens to. When I got back from there I caught the little ram lamb which had got with the ewes and took him up with the others after first practising a little trimming on him I didn't improve his appearance much this time but maybe another operation will. I went down town to-night and got my hair cut. Nice day but almost frosty to-night. Sunday September 3rd We all went to church this morning, Loudon & Jack Ivey came over just before church in their car to have Dad. look at Jack's dog again which has distemper and which Dad. doesn't think will recover. They took Dad. Enah & Tid down in the car. Sam Law was in too just before they left to see if https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/d10b0bc95bcc208e96625037c8224840.pdf fa2381d0baeb6f227e00b0711eeb4da0 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. we wanted to thrash this week but Dad. didn't think we could get ready. Frank and I walked down to church. Cousin Willie officiated as Mr. Johnson is away on his holidays. Every body expressed great delight at the service and I didn't go to sleep during ther sermon. Zeitha Barwell was there for the first time this summer I think and sang a solo. She and I made arrangements for a ride to-night. The Dunkin girls were there and wanted me to go over there this after noon I wasn't very anxious to but said I would go for a while. Aunty and Aunty Alice came over to dinner and Dick was here when we got home, he slept too late to get to church and was disappointed as he wanted to hear Zeitha sing. He and I went down to-gether after dinner and I fooled around with the Dunkins for an hour or more and got home about five. I wanted to get up to Barwell's about six but Winnie and her two friends from Caledonia Miss McAlpine & Miss Lyons were here to tea so that delayed us a little and by the time we got the milking done, our horses saddled and up there it was seven o'clock Frank rode Joe up as Zeitha hasn't a horse of her own now to ride and I thought it would be awkward leading Joe. Frank waited there with Bill till we came back. It was after dark but there was a week old moon and it was cool so we had a great ride down the Radical as far as the town limit and then back up to the brick schoolhouse and accross to the Gravel and down to the Barwell's. We went rather slowly so it was pretty late when Frank and I got home. He and Bill had been back to the Cadet Camp on Fred. Duan's place Frank had been up there this after noon. Nice cool day. Monday September 4th - Labor Day. Dad. and Enah both felt rather tough to-day for some reason or other. They had colds and sore throats, the baby wasn't very well either. This morning Dad. and I went along the east side of the lane and tried to fix the fence at the bottom so that the rams couldn't get under. I then took the other rooster of to Jack Martins and went in to borrow Charlie's buggy for Dad. Charlie was knocked out too. To-day was the first anniversary of the Shand's school reunion of Mrs. Dolly Smith's pupils and all the people in the section got an invitation. Dad. and Enah were going but didn't know what time it was till Meritt Walker came in <s>and</s> on his way out to get Dad's advice about a horse with an colic and said they were to meet out there at eleven o'clock, and have https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/bc63ee4c9f344ab4a47b9b5d26ea014b.pdf 999023d759d135a75a2ada1927b798f2 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. dinner at twelve. It was too late then for them to go to dinner but Dad. thought they would go out after noon so I took Joe over and got Charlie's buggy but by the time they got there it was nearly over - and all they could do was to say Hello! to everybody, but they went on out to the Shands for tea and all evening so had a good time I guess. Frank spent the morning digging at another post hole and this after noon he filled up the hole in the stable floor back of Joe with cement while I pulled the burrs along the lane fence and wet down the anchor posts. We then stretched barbed wire along the top of the fence on the west side of the front lane between the drivehouse and the road where old Harry. bent the fence over leaning over it. After we did chores and had tea Frank hiked for bed as he has to work for Ben to-morrow but I waited till the rest came home. Tuesday September 5th I got up at five this morning but as Dad. didn't feel very well I got the cows and milked. Frank had to work over at Ben's to-day picking and sorting tomatoes. Dad. didn't feel much like working but did chores and oiled up the manure spreader but we didn't get out with it before dinner. I took Charlie Martin's buggy back with out hooking up to it and then came back and harnessed the team and went down to the mill to get a couple of bags of hay feed. This after noon I started a compost heap between loads and we got out six loads of manure on the corner field. Lila was over after school and got a lot of Frank's old school books. Hot to-day and looks very like rain. Flys very bad. Wednesday September 6th We didn't get started hauling manure till about ten o'clock this morning on account of chores and getting a late start, so we only got out ten loads all day. Dad. didn't feel very well either. Frank was over at Ben's all day. Ben<s>t</s> took a load of tomatoes to Hagersville this morning and got 35 cts a basket for them on the market. There are about 3 baskets in a bushel. Frank was all alone over there this morning. I went on with my compost heap and did odd jobs between loads. Art. Quanbury was in at noon to borrow the post auger to make some anchor post holes he wants to put in some cement posts He brought it back to-night and said the ground was too hard. Hot. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/5ea43b87c7146aed3325d77cd3cda585.pdf 6d86c6c94203904597a7cd625683a67c PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Thursday September 7th We got a fairly good start this morning but only got out thirteen loads all day. I just chored around between loads. Tom Abbot was late coming for the cream this morning, he said he had been up at Charlie McQueens. He says it is a happy bunch Charlie has just got back from the {Fair?} and they have more whiskey than they have water. Charlie is full as a goose and Bruce is full they're all full, but the womans and Tom says if he'd stayed any longer he'd have been full. Frank has been over at Ben's all day. About six o'clock we had a great old rain next thing to a cloud burst we all got soaked to the skin, but were glad to see it. I went down town to-night and went up to see Marj. she and Glad. Law got back safely. I then went up to Huby's to see Quint all the soldiers came home to-night on a six day leave Quint and I went down to look at the dance The London Harpers were down but their train was late and there was a very small crowd I suppose owing to the wet night and the lateness of the season This was the last dance We didn't go in but saw Joe Thompson and Helen Dunkin outside and talked to them for quite awhile and then all four of us went up to the Rectory where Helen is all alone and were there till nearly one. It began to rain again about midnight and was raining when we left. I stayed all night at Aunty's. Friday September 8th I came home by the mill this morning as I left my umbrella up at Huby's last night and borrowed one from Helen Dunkin so returned hers and got ours and came home around the other way as it is just about as short from Huby's. I haven't done a tap all day. Aunty and Aunty Alice were over to dinner and all the after noon I had a nasty pain so just lay around on the sofa. Dad. went back with the big team and disked on the fall plowing and said it worked fine except for the grass. I went back about five o'clock and got the cows Zeitha came down to-night for a ride but I couldn't go with her but Frank went and they had a great time. It was a beautiful cool moonlight night. Zeitha stayed here all night. Frank worked all day for Ben. Cloudy and cool all day. Saturday September 9th Dad. has been disking all day but didn't quite get over https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/e3936e6c326eb59c95876225583774ae.pdf df61f3fffd24535a28fc733df1b5df1c PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. the piece. Ben Ivey was over with one of his horses this morning which has a very bad case of Fistulas Withers Dad. opened it for him but says he is afraid the horse is ruined I took Joe and Belle over and borrowed Ben's little orchard disks and worked up a piece on the north end of last years barley stubble which was plowed last fall and again this spring and which we never got our buckwheat in on for my experimental plots. I got from the Experimental Union this fall seed of winter Emmer and Winter Barley It worked up nicely but will need harrowing and rolling to smash the lumps. The roller is out of commission and I was going to take the harrows out this after noon but couldn't find our doubletrees except the ones on the waggon and I didn't have a clevise that would fit them so I finished disking it crosswise and left it. Frank worked all day for Ben and got fifteen dollars from him to-night Ben paid him two dollars a day Enah and the baby went down town this after noon Zeitha walked home before dinner. Flossie Shand was in this morning and invited Dad. and Enah to go with them in their car to visit Maimie to-morrow. Warmish Sunday September 10th The Shands came in the car this morning for Dad. Enah & Tid in time to get to St. John's church, then they had dinner and spent the afternoon at the Baker's and got back here to tea. Frank and I went down to church and Frank rode home on his wheel to do the noon chores and then came back to Aunty's for dinner Dick wasn't at church but got down to <s>church</s> dinner. Morton Brown the piano-tuner took the services both morning and evening. This after noon I went over to the Herring's to inquire after Louise as Lewis Woodson told me this morning that she had been in bed with her hayfever. She was up this after noon, however, and I was there all the after noon, Ada came over and we all three walked down town. Louise gave me a pressing invitation to stay to tea but as I didn't know that Dad. would be home I told her I had to come back to do chores but promised to be back after tea. I did go over but was rather late as I met Marj. & Glad Law coming out of church and walked down to the pier with them. When I got to the Herring's, Lewis & Louise had gone home with Ada, but they came back before I left, and I was there for about an hour. Mrs. Woodson invited me in on my way home to have a piece of cake and I was there for another half hour. Huby and Quint went to the Point yesterday with the Iveys and were to have been back this after noon. Cool and breezy. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/9ab681ac6966beceb582542d5106c88b.pdf 4193f89bc0460350ce847471f9ee8d1a PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Monday September 11th Sam. Law went past this morning and asked Dad. if he would be ready to have them pull in here this after noon after they thrashed Ben Ivey out but Dad said 'No.' However on thinking it over he thought it would be better to thrash before seeding so as to have some feed and so I went down with the big team and waggon and got a load of slabs while Dad. cleaned out the barn and got all ready for them. I was down about all morning but got a good load. Enah went down with me and got some vegetables and some dandy tomatoes over at her mother's and I brought them home on the load. This after noon Dad. went over to Ben's to see Sam but John Wess had spoken to him over at Charlie's so he has to go there next but will be here to-morrow, probably by after noon as they just moved to John Wess to-night and didn't thrash any. I didn't do anything much this after noon. My cold made me feel rotten and I went in the house and went to sleep. Dad. continued to prepare. Tuesday September 12th I walked down town right after breakfast and got some meat for the thrashers and spoke to Chris for a man from Martins and also told Aunty & Aunty Alice. They came over about noon. Quint was over for a few minutes this morning in civilian clothes. He has to go back to Camp Borden this after noon. He says he is pretty sure they will get another leave before they go overseas and some of them think they won't go over this winter but stay in Simcoe again. The thrashing outfit pulled in and got all set up before dinner and we got thrashed out early in the after noon Frank Odd. and Pickford were the only two extra men we asked for but old Tom came up and said Sam had sent him to pay us for helping him at Pickford's. Ben let Frank off for the after noon. I felt pretty rotten but pitched on the feeder. We only got 115 bushels of oats & barley and about 25 bushels of wheat. The grain is small but nice The wheat I think has a little midge in it. I didn't do anything after we finished. Tonight Dad. and I went over to Quanbury's and each had a good hot bath in their bath tub. Looked like rain but didn't come. Wednesday September 13th I had to take Joe down and have her shoes set this morning before I went to Simcoe for the buggy https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/94fe222c6b3ef59cd9d055f157cda329.pdf f75a99d450b6bc22fa61ae8a5d1a3ef8 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. so I rode her down. When I got there I found she had lost one front shoe so Bert Greenbury had to put a new one on. Bob Law and Albert Newcombe were in the shop and there was great interest evinced all around in a story Greenbury had told about young Fred Misner out here on Clark Mathews place giving Val. Leany a trimming last night. It seems they were up at McBains where Val. was hauling some lumber for McPherson & Nunn and made some uncomplimentary remarks about Farmers whereat Misner indulged in some repartee that Val. said he had never taken from anyone. Fred. then remarked that he would have to take it this time but Val. thought differently and got off his waggon, came back and made a "pass" at Misner, but Misner "wasn't there" but was there presently with a clip on the jaw for Val. which sent him to his knees, Val got up and clenched but Fred got away and hit him again, and then again this time flooring him, then George Nunn stopped the scrap. Nobody seems to know much about Misner but he must be a pretty good man to handle Val. I waited over at Aunty's till Joe was done. I rode up town to post a letter before I went home and met Louise Herring and her mother so said good-bye to them as they are to leave to-night. This after noon I rode to Simcoe but didn't get started till after two. When I got just above the half-way-house I found Joe had lost the new shoe Bert put on this morning so I had to go pretty slowly the rest of the way up and all the way home. I got the buggy and it looks fine and has a dandy set of wheels on it. I stopped to get the evener for the spreader at Anderson's and some rock salt at Edmond's and it was after eight when I got home. I found I had left Joe's halter in Simcoe. Dad. has disked all the after noon. Frank is getting to be king over at Ben's. Ben has to leave to-morrow night for Brantford, and then Frank will have to run the ranch and boss Mrs. Bush who is picking tomatoes. Thursday September 14th Dad. disked all day and has the field pretty well cut up but there are still a lot of grass and weed roots in it. I drove down this morning to get Joe's shoe put on and took the baby with me and left him at Aunty's while I went on up town to get some things and see if my chicken crate came to ship my live cockrels to London but it hadn't I saw Huby for a while and it was just about noon when we got home. They heard from Aunt Hattie and she expects https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/f4d108cd8e49113c410c7b0332ef28ba.pdf afb251041cec500a65beef0067ae87d9 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. to arrive here to-morrow night. This after noon I just chored around and got all the loose straw around the stack packed in the barn. Helen and Mrs. Dunkin were over to call on Enah to-night. It sprinkled rain this afternoon and evening but didn't ammount to much Friday September 15th Dad. disked all morning but had to use Harry & Belle as old Nellie is quite lame. I did chores and then took a walk over to ask Mr. Fleming if we might have his diamond tooth harrows to us on that piece across the gully to rake the grass roots out. He was plowing in his back field next Art Ryerse's and I walked down along the creek & up through the woods. He said he wouldn't be using them before Monday, so that we might as well take them. I went over and talked to Art. till about noon. He was plowing too and Lloyd was disking. They got through seeding about a week ago but when they found this plowed so nicely, they thought they would put in a little more. This after noon I did up the chores then took Nellie & Joe down and got Mr. Flemming's harrows and took them back to Dad. He was just through disking so hooked on to them but they wouldn't work at all as the grass just bundled up thick under them, so he went up and got the horse rake and tried to rake the grass up with it but it wouldn't work either so he is going over tomorrow and borrow Martin's spring tooth cultivator. I took Ben Ivey's disks home and then put the team in. Frank had to go to Jarvis to-day with a load of tomatoes, and had a great day of it. He and I went down town to-night and saw Aunt Hattie. All of Huby's family were down there. I was up for a little while to see Marj. Quite cold & cloudy. Saturday September 16th I had to take Elgitha up to Ham Thompson's again this morning and that took most of the morning as I was up there quite awhile and had an awful time getting her up there alone. She got away from me just at his gate and if it hadn't been for a little kid heading her off I don't know how I would have caught her. This after noon I did chores and took Mr. Flemming's harrows back with Joe and Nellie. Dad. Spring toothed all day and has it pretty well ripped up. He is going to try the rake again now that the grass is loose. Frank and I went down town to-night I killed two of my crate fattened cockrels this morning and took https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/323e26693ff08d6940599071d5b72541.pdf 93d72bb0f194939570ca0b08aaaac224 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. one down to Aunty Alice to test it. Prohibition came into effect at seven o'clock to-night and we thought there might be some fun up town but I hung around till about twelve o'clock and although there were quite a few drunks around, most of them had gone home and things were very quiet. The baby was pretty sick last night and has not felt very lively all day. Very cold wind but cloudy & milder to-night. Sunday September 17th Enah, Frank and I drove down to church this morning and Dad. looked after Tid. Ben Ivey was over for quite awhile getting instructions as to the treatment of his horse which has a bad case of fistulas withers. He is just home for over Sunday and is still keeping Frank to run the farm Aunty Alice felt pretty sick to-day with her cold so none of them came over to dinner, but Dad. went down this after noon and had tea with them. I did chores and started to read this after noon but went to sleep. Frank and Lloyd Ryerse spent the after noon back in the gully and Frank and I did up the night chores. I went down to-night and caught Marj. & Glad Law coming out of church, there had been a Sunday school meeting after a service I saw Lewis Woodson on my way home and said good-bye. He is going back in the morning. Cold and cloudy all day rained a little this morning. Feels like fall. Monday September 18th I took Joe and Belle this morning and got Ben Iveys dray and went down to Burn Ball's after our ten bushels of seed wheat He had it all cleaned so I wasn't long getting it and got back just about noon. I came around by town and got my chicken crate at the station. Right after dinner Dad. helped me weigh up my cockrels from the fattening crate and put them in the shipping crate I had 82 lbs as near as I could make it with the old spring scales and 12 birds. I took them right down so they would go off on the 2.45 train. On my way up town Bob. and Johnnie hailed me for a ride so I took them up home and as Dad. had four bags of barley and oats bagged up so we took them down to the mill and waited for them to be chopped and went all through the mill. They came back to the gate with me and then walked on around the block to town. It is Civic Holiday in town so they were not working. Dick went to Toronto on Saturday and was coming back to-night or in the morning. When I got home I took the harrows out to my plots but forgot the doubletrees so couldn't work at it but took the horses in and started to do chores. Dad. fixed the roller this morning and rolled my plots and the fresh plowing this after noon. Frank worked all day with his tomatoes. He had three women working over there and got 119 baskets but didn't get his {number?} basket. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/88c078c8df04e16979cb67251c11493c.pdf 48b340b02ce6533e9ab4d196a7980733 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. order sorted in time to get it off to Brantford to-night. He didn't get home to tea till long after dark and then had to back after tea and also down town. Arthur Preston came over with him in a terrible state of agitation over one of his cows which was acting queerly. Dad. went back with him and said the cow was pretty sick. Cold all day but sunny and nice. Tuesday September 19th I disked this morning on the fresh plowing with Joe and Belle and Dad. brought the rake back again and raked over all the fall plowing with the big team. He got a lot of the grass in windrows but it is of course full of earth. This after noon I tried to burn it and it burned all right when the earth was shaken out but that took a long time and I only got a very little done at this end of the field. It will take too long to go over the whole field that way so I don't know just what we will do. Dad. finished disking the plowing with Harry and Nellie and then plowed a few rounds, he only has one more load and the headlands to plow. Enah and the baby went down town this morning to see Aunt Hattie and stayed to dinner. Some one brought my braking cart to-day but no one saw them. Froze last night pretty hard and has been cold all day but a little milder to-night. Wednesday September 20th Dad. finished plowing this morning while I shook out a few more windrows of grass. This after noon Dad. shook them out and although he got on faster than I did, didn't get many done. I rolled down all the grass plowing and then started to disk it. We just worked to one team Harry & Nellie to-day. Alan Law was in to-night and borrowed a couple of bushels of oats. The frost the night before last froze Ben's tomato plants and the buckwheat. John Wess and old Walker are cutting theirs to-day. It has been sunny and warm to-day but windy. Thursday September 21st I have disked all day to day and consequently feel a little sore in spots as some of the ground is pretty hard and chunky and is inclined to jolt a fellow. I finished disking the fresh plowing lengthwise and started crosswise of the whole field. Dad. shook out and burned some more grass roots this morning but had to go to Mr. Fleming's to thrash this after noon, he got home about five as a boxing on the engine melted and they had to quit. Aunty, Aunty Alice, Aunt Hattie and Cousin Clare were all over to dinner and Aunty and Aunt Hattie stayed to tea and Frank drove them home to-night. Aunty Alice's cold is still pretty bad. Cloudy and showery all day but not enough to wet much. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/3975c49c6f8be87a5a29fbe72a2e5911.pdf 7db1878e57d8dda523fba919e7f2febd PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Friday September 22nd I have disked all day but am not over the field yet. This morning Dad. blocked up the line fence between Ben Ivey and us so that the sheep couldn't get through, they have been getting very wayward lately and running all over Ben's place. He would have come back but Whit came after a steer and they had an awful time getting him I guess. They took mine. By this after noon they had the engine fixed so Dad. had to go down and finish helping Mr. Fleming. The machine moved over to Jack Martin's but they didn't thrash any there. It began to rain about six and we had quite a heavy shower for awhile and then a quieter one for an hour or two. I went down town after tea and went up to the Bagley's for a little while. Louise came up to-night to stay at Aunty's for awhile. I went down there and as it was raining when I was ready to come home so I stayed and slept on the sofa all night. Alan Law was telling Dad. Val Leany's version of his fight with Misner. According to him it was Misner who was doing the most talking and exasperated Val. till he slapped him. Then they clenched and Misner downed him but it wasn't long till Val. was on top and he choked Misner till he "hollered" enough and said he was sorry and he wouldn't have said so much if he hadn't been drinking. So which is the correct yarn is hard to say, but I believe I would sooner take Val's word than Misner's. Saturday September 23rd Dad. went over to Martin's this morning but found they weren't going to thrash as Sam thought the stacks would be too wet, so Dad. came home and shook out more of the grass roots he got them nearly all done. I disked all day and finished the field to-night. Dad. brought the other team back this after noon and harrowed the fresh plowed part and started to roll it. I got a check from Silverwoods to day for my 12 cockrels for $12.24 I was well satisfied as I thought the price would have dropped but I got 18 cts a lb. Cold and cloudy. Sunday September 24th I drove Enah down to church this morning, but Dad. Frank & the baby didn't go down. Frank was over with Ben Ivey all morning. Dick was in church and he came home with us and was here all the after noon but had to go down before dark to feed Mr. Hobbe's chickens as he is away on his holidays now. Dess is in Simcoe so Dick is having a respite from his ardent attention to her. He and I prowled around the farm a little but it was cold and looked rainy so we spent most of the after noon in the house. Enah had to play to-day as Elva's away so I drove her down again to-night. I went up with Marj. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/afe3a423d9bd1f5a5e688f2fc4cf7c30.pdf 78422cc58804f331a56a153579ade732 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. for a little while and picked Enah up at the Rectory as Mr. Johnson had coaxed her to go down there instead of down home as she intended and Harry Moon told me where to find her. It was raining when we came out of church and rained quite a shower. Monday September 25th Dad. went over to Martin's to thrash this morning and was over there till some time this after noon. They thrashed 800 and some odd bushels. The wheat on his own place went {18?} bushels to the acre but Dad. said it was very dirty with couch grass I went back and rolled and it took me nearly all day to roll the piece but I didn't get a very early start either morning or noon. John Wess came over and borrowed the rolling coulter to try on his plow but I went over this after noon and he said he couldnt work it on his plow. He says it is pretty hard for him to keep from swearing it is just like plowing through loose blocks of ice the way the clods slide around. Mr. Johnson was over here for a few minutes after dinner to bring Enah a book which she dropped last night getting in the buggy in front of his gate. She and the baby went down town this after noon. When I got through rolling I went down to Sam Laws and got his disk drill. Sunny and warmer to-day Tuesday September 26th We got our seed on the waggon this morning and all ready to start out to drill it in when it began to rain and so we had to back the waggon and drill in to the shed. We then went over to the barn and threw the hay off that was on the rack and ran the rack out of the barn, cleaned up the floor and started to clean up our own seed as what I got from Burn Ball will only sow part of the field. It cleared up soon after we got started. A little before noon I went over to Martin's to borrow some bags to sack it up as we didn't want to bother putting it in the bin and then taking it out again when we emptied our own bags. They didn't have any bags over there so I got two or three over at Ben. Ivey's and we sacked up the grain we had cleaned but it was noon then so we didn't clean up any more. We went back right after dinner with the seed and drill and Dad. drilled in all of Burn's wheat. The disk drill worked fine cut through everything and covered well. We had it set at 2 bushels to the acre so I guess have about five acres in I didn't stay back all the time but did a few chores and went back about four and waited till six and then helped Dad. out with the drill as it looked like rain. He and I cleaned up some more seed after tea to-night. Milder & cloudy. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/bcfb643696adb98815ffcf0203362bd3.pdf 14fdd680c7b20ba67c18d549ec9853b1 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Wednesday September 27th We had to clean up a little more grain this morning and by the time we got it sacked up, loaded and back there with the drill it was about ten o'clock. I helped Dad. get started and then came up and drove Enah and Tid down town, Aunty was having a little picnic over Brant Hill and they went to it. I took Enah up town first to get some things and then drove her over there. Aunt Ida came back last night and she, Louise, Aunt Hattie & Aunty all went over. Louis is going to Simcoe tomorrow as she heard from Annie Bowlby and she got an unexpected call to go back to the war-zone to nurse. This after noon I did chores and finished making enough stakes for my plots, about four o'clock Mr. Johnson brought Enah and the baby home so saved me a trip down after them. Dad. finished drilling the field by to-night and used nearly all the seed he had, so we think there must be a big 12 acres back there. Cloudy & warm Whit Dixon came in to-night and wanted the black steer shut up to-morrow Thursday September 28th I had to go over to Pickford's to thrash first thing this morning but he only had about three loads of oats so it only took about an hour I think he got a little over fifty bushels. Whit came after the steer just as I left and Dad. was just going back with the team when I got back. I took Joe and Belle and went back and brought the roller up and Dad. came up behind me with the waggon and trailing the disks. The head of the bolt in the roller broke again coming uphill but didn't cause any accident. Dad. took the disks out to my plots and disked them up and harrowed them before dinner. It rained a little just at noon. After dinner I went out with my stakes garden line and tape measure and Dad. helped me stake out the plots we had quite a time getting them all square but they are not too bad. Dad. sowed them all broadcast and disked them in. We sowed four plots of wheat my three from Guelph and one of Burn Ball's and one plot of barley and one of {illegible} both winter varietys. Dad. got them all furrowed out before six. Enah and the baby went down this after noon to a tea party at Aunty's and as it looked like rain about six I drove after them. It was raining hard by the time I got there and although they were all ready to stay to tea I thought we had better get home and it was a good thing we did as it turned out to be a two or three hour soaker. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/d9fecff7ca7c4dac1f4b632bd2bc468c.pdf 84267d989b4220b42067d65ee91e9caa PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Friday September 29th It was too wet for Dad. to furrow out his field this morning so he did a few chores and I went down town with the waggon and got some shingles also the money for my steer from Bagley and Miller. I was down till noon as I had to do a lot of chasing around after the shingles. They had none at the Widespread and Hawey was working way up on St. George St. on Haymaker's new house and I had to go up there and get him. I got eight bunches for $7.50 I want to shingle the old part of the chicken house. This after noon Dad. went back and furrowed out the field and finished it and I cleaned out the ditches in my plots. Art. Quanbury borrowed our hay rack this morning to haul a load of furniture from Simcoe for Jack Martin's new man Cawley. He brought it back to-night. Frank brought us over ten bushels of potatoes from Billy Laing's who has just brought a carload in at $1.25 a bushel. Tonight I drove Enah down to choir practice. We took Miss Mathews down to the top of the hill but there she discovered she had lost her handbag so went back after it I got my hair cut and then went over to the drug store where I found Dick and Joe with Bob. & Johnny I sat there till half past ten and had a lot of fun, got Enah at Aunty's. Very cold and windy all day. {Blank page} https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/c9db667e8b2126e63be93d6290c25d9f.pdf 05fbed85572217f6d955012d410a2984 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. {Blank page} Saturday September 30th 1916 This morning I took Sam's drill back home. I didn't get started very early and was talking to Alan for awhile so didn't get home till noon. This after noon we all went down to see the new fish boat launched "The City of Dover". She didn't go in very well as one of the skids had more of a slant to it than the other so the stern end went in first and the other end bound but they got her in eventually without any injury, they then had to fill her with water to get her under the bridge. I went up town and got a tooth filled and Dad. got his hair cut, he drove Enah and the baby home and I got a ride home with Flossie Shand. It has been sunny and nice to-day but cold wind. Sunday October 1st I wernt to church this morning Dad. drove Enah down but didn't go himself but took Joe & Belle around to Auntys and got Harry Ansley's double carriage out of the barn and brought all the family from down there over in it to dinner. This after noon they all went for a drive except Aunty Alice and Aunt https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/f3722c24e7f5aa33646ca4a91e90f46d.pdf 11b836c1af7624795337e999be8984d2 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Ida. Dick Frank and I went over to Charlie McQueen's chestnut trees to see if they were getting ripe as we had quite a hard frost last night but the burrs were tight and the nuts very green but they were big ones and a lot on the tree. We came up to the house for awhile and then Dick and I went down town. We went up to the L.E.& N. tracks and ran into a bunch of girls. Dick took a couple of pictures of us all and I made a date with Bob & Johnnie to go after chestnuts next Sunday after noon and then went down to Aunty's for tea I think Dick must have had tea with Mildred Henry as he was with her when I left him and didn't show up down at the house. Aunty Alice and I went to church to-night and then Marj. and I went over to see Miss McQueen and we all decided to go after chestnuts a week from next Saturday. I went down to Aunty's for awhile before I came home. Aunt Hattie is staying over here to-night. Lovely fall day but cold wind Monday October 2nd I went down town this morning to get a load of slabs but found that there were only a few left at the planing mill and they wanted them so I couldn't get any I came around by the mill and got some chop I had taken a grist on my way down. This after noon I raked up the lawn Aunty came over about four and I drove her and Aunt Hattie down. When I got back Enah had a chicken all plucked for Aunty Alice which I had figured on plucking and taking down after tea so I went right back with it. Dad. has been cleaning out ditches all day but isn't through yet. John Wess was over to tell us he would want his post moulds if it stayed dry in a day or two, and Alan Law was in to-night to say they were going to thrash to-morrow and gave us a bid. Lovely day. Tuesday October 3rd Dad. drove down to Sam's to thrash this morning and got back about four o'clock, he said the oats were pretty good. I finished digging the hole for the anchor post that Frank started quite awhile ago and got every thing ready but didn't start to mix the cement till Dad. came which was pretty late, however we put in a post but had to work at it till seven o'clock https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/35ae2c912798d254a6cb7d4d3d67c7b9.pdf df11ca1cf9aea7226bc711eb5d3a1345 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. We hurried at it and I am afraid got it a little out of line Enah went down to the deanery meeting this afternoon and had to stay to the choir festival or what ever it is to-night, she told me not to come after her but Dad. thought he had better so I went down, it was about nine o'clock when we got through tea so it was pretty late when I got down town and as I expected couldn't find Enah. I went down home for a while and when I got back we figured that I missed Enah as she was coming through Martin's field and Jack walked over with her. Frosty nights & hot days now. No wind. Wednesday October 4th We were very late getting out this morning and Dad. and I didn't quite get another hole dug by noon We finished after dinner and got another post up by six. We had quite a few visitors to-day which delayed us a little. Harvey Shand was past and said they expected a car of crushed stone in by Monday and wanted us to help unload it for the road. We havent done any road work yet this year. Another lovely day hot and no wind. Thursday October 5th Dad. and I spent most of the morning lining up the corner post at the crossroads but by noon we had a stake in that suited us. We just nicely got started to dig the two holes this after noon (we were going to put down the brace posthole the same time as the anchor post as we can put down two as fast as one, one digs while the other spuds) when Jack Highland came along and wanted us to take our bluegrass seed down to the car, so about three o'clock we went up and took our three bags and stopped and got six bags of Mr. Fleming's as he wasn't home, we got three dollars for our seed. We didn't have time to do any thing when we got home as we had to quit early to get down to Aunty Alice's for tea. We had a great time down there. Quint was there for tea but Joe Thompson called for him right afterwards to go to Vittoria I suppose to see the Dunkin's. Quint is home on what we suppose to be his last leave. The whole battalion is off. They have had a bad split in the 133rd. They have had a quarrel with Pratt and wanted him to resign but he wouldn't so Majors' Jackson, Burch and & Lieuts Hammond, Donovon & Capt. Slater did resign. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/83338b0005f4a580a1f0d3b76a53f20a.pdf 1366f75624221d7c3c6335df996e9395 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Friday October 6th Just as we were going out to work this morning (late) Ham Thompson came along to look at the ram lambs so I went back with him. He was here till nearly noon just visiting but I managed to sell him the old ram for fifteen dollars. Dad. went out and finished digging the corner post hole. Just before dinner we took the team and waggon out and moved our platform up to the corner. Right after dinner I took the team over to Ben Ivey's and borrowed his stone boat and we got the pickle barrel (in which we discovered a highly scented piece of corn beef) up out of the cellar filled it with water and hauled it to the crossroads corner on the stone boat. We then had to cut an inch gas pipe and a quarter inch rod which looks as if it had been a hoop for a vat and all of which we got down at Aunty's from under the barn yesterday for reinforcement. All of this took time and so it was quite late in the after noon when we got started to build our post and also quite late in the evening when we finished it and much later by the time we got the chores done and had tea. Dad. and the baby went back after the cows but it was dark and they were in the woods or some place and he couldn't find them so let them go. Enah went down town this after noon and stayed down to tea so she could go to choir practice to-night. I drove down after her about nine thirty and found her at Aunty's. We drove home around by<s>t</s> the post and I loosened the nuts on the mould. Nice day. Saturday October 7th Niel Elliot came in this morning and gave Dad. $45.00 for Spotty and I had to take her down to the car right after breakfast. Dad. asked him sixty but the cattle market has become glutted the last few days. I was down there till nearly eleven and then had to take Elgitha up to Ham. Thompson's. We had an awful time with her and I didn't get back till one o'clock. Dad. dug the hole for the brace post this morning and this after noon we put the post in and got it done by six o'clock. It has been a very nice day Sunday October 8th We all went to church this morning as it was https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/80d8083bdb472181032e81b7e0c50469.pdf f98841b139ff103b036f94733ad2efe0 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Thanksgiving Sunday. I was late as I went out and took the moulds of the post first. Roy and Vernon came up yesterday and so they and all the Aunty household were here to dinner. I left right after dinner and Dick and I drove down town. Bob & Johnnie were waiting for me at the drugstore and we hiked straight for Vittoria or the road south after chestnuts. The first tree we struck had no nuts and the burrs weren't open but we at last got one on Smythe's place that was loaded with wide open burrs and we stayed there till we got told to move on by the family (I suppose) who were just getting home. We moved across the road to the tree back of Farrar's barn which was just as well loaded. We stayed there till it was time to start for home and as we stopped at the Vittoria mill to get a drink and take some pictures it was late when we got home with a pumpkin and Johnnie's hat full of shelled chestnuts as spoils of war. I went down to Aunty's to see Quint as he is going in the morning at seven o'clock and I only saw him for about a minute the other night but he hadn't got back from Vittoria where he has spent most of this furlough at the Dunkin's, in away I'm just as glad I didn't see him when it was his own fault if this is his last leave. It has been hot to-day. Monday October 9th I took John Wess' moulds back first thing this morning and didn't get much else done as we all went down to Aunty Alices to dinner, except Frank who worked with Ben all day. After dinner Dad. Roy and I cleaned out one of the stalls in the barn down there so that George Mitchell can put his horse in and then Dad. trimmed the walks and Roy fixed the barn steps I stood around and watched him and lent a had occasionally Dad. and Enah went home to tea but I stayed and after tea went down to the station and met the first train, and was rewarded by meeting Marj. and walking home with her. Mr. Bagley was there to meet her but as I showed up he went to the picture show where our friend Essie was playing in Topsy's place. I was at the Bagleys for a short while and then went back down home but Roy & Vernon were up at Cousin Loll's so I didn't wait to say good-bye to them. They had intended going after nuts this after noon but it rained this morning and was cloudy and raw all the after noon so didn't go. Tuesday October 10th We were very late getting around this morning and https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/e689925720b4bec744817124a8f0a877.pdf dd7c3d87b04614dfb0922d79e79a8a72 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. were more delayed by Mr. Horn of Marburg who came to look at the rams. He liked them but thought they were a little "steep" in price so went off to Vittoria to look for some. He came back about four and said he hadn't found any one at home at Smythe's so after a lot of sizing up of the flock decided to take one of the $12.00 ones. Dad. shovelled out some more of his ditches this forenoon and I went out with the team and brought our barrell home from the cement posts and also took Ben's stoneboat home. This after noon Dad. and Enah went down to the Rural School Fair and I picked up what burrs I could find in the plum orchard and started to cut the lawn but didn't get much done at it. Froze hard last night has been cool all day. Wednesday October 11th Dad. has put in most of the day cleaning out ditches and finished to-night. I started to clean out the chicken house but didn't finish Louise came over to dinner and this afternoon she and the baby & I drove out to Shand's to see if the stone had come yet and came home by Marburg. Dad. & Enah drove Louise down to-night and went up to see how Aunty Maude came through her operation it was successful. Thursday October 12th We did chores this morning and I finished cleaning out and putting straw in the chicken house. This afternoon Dad. and I cut down the dead elm in the gully and sawed it up into logs that can be hauled up. When we came up we sawed up some wood. It has been a nice day but looks rainy. Friday October 13th We got up long before daylight this morning and although it was pouring rain Dad. and I went to the Caledonia Fair. It rained most of the day poured part of the time but was not cold. Although the show was a failure in one way as there was no crowd nor any races, there was a great show of cattle & sheep and the absence of people made it easier to watch the judging. We hung around the sheep most of the day and bought a yearling ram for $140.00 from Shield's of Canfield. He took second prize over a $150.00 imported ram of Young's and the first prize ram was Lloyd Jones and a half-brother to Shield's. Mr. Douglas was there and introduced me to a Mr. McEwen from Brantford who says he is coming down to buy our ram lambs, so we had a satisfactory day of it https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/6f01abfe8dc3729050fe61094f97ad03.pdf 698f05a766d1400ec3ff9bd5c06108b7 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Saturday October 14th We just did chores this morning and oiled the buggy and this after noon I got down town by soon after one and got Miss McQueen and Marjorie and went to Vittoria after chestnuts, we went up to Farrar's to try the woods that Helen Dunkin told me the big nuts were in. The woods are ac<s>c</s>ross the road from the house and in front of them but two or three fields back, and there is a lane in to them. We drove Joe in the lane and tied her behind a clump of trees out of the wind and sight of the house. We trailed all through the woods which was nearly all chestnut trees but never found a nut but coming out we struck a little tree along the fence that was loaded and the burrs open. I climbed it and shook them all off and they picked up enough to satisfy them of big nuts very big ones. We then went up to Charlie Dunkin but he wasn't home, we tried a couple of other trees but didn't draw much in the way of nuts. I also took a couple of pictures and so did Marj. I didn't get home till nearly eight. Colder to-day. Sunday October 15th I went to church this morning but none of the rest did. Dad. Enah and the baby went out to Tupper's for dinner. Frank had to do Ben's chores but came down town for dinner. We three boys went to Aunty's for dinner I was in the drugstore all the after noon listening to Dr. Jolley expound his religion which is interesting though heterodoxy. At four o'clock when Bob. was relieved at the telephone by Golly Bob. Johnnie. Said. Davis, Pansy Fischer, Arlof McCarter & I walked around the hill and I went to Aunty's for tea. Aunty & I went to church to-night and afterwards I went home with Marj. who to my delight and surprise consented to go to the picture show on Tuesday with We had a new preacher to-day a Mr. Wright from Huron College. He wasn't bad till he got excited and then he went wild. To-night he was very much wrought up over some of Pastor Russel's literature which had been circulated about town during the after noon. It has been a lovely day Monday October 16th I took the crosscut saw over to Uncle Ward to sharpen and went on down and got him a file to do it. I then went back and cut the corn down at Aunty's and stayed there to dinner This after noon Dad. and I cut up some of the elm logs which he hauled up from the gully Saturday after noon, Enah went down town this after noon to get some thing's for Frank's birthday. Mild & cloudy https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/9fe4cc3557732b9e88c174f3e46972b6.pdf eb32bb193e5d7704927f9c94d8e8fe93 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Tuesday October 17th It was too windy to do much this morning Dad. split wood and I painted the labels for my plots and put them in. The wind picked up Art's dray that we had out at the corner to mix the cement on for the anchor posts and blew it right out on the road, broke the cement post of below the ground and smashed Arts dray considerably. We went back and wired up the gully gate on the road. This after noon we had to haul stone for the road. We only got two loads hauled as we had to go down to Sam Law's and get his gravel box so were late getting to the car. Marj. & I went to the picture show to-night. It has been much colder to-day and freezing hard to-night. Wednesday October 18th I was down at the car at half past seven this morning a half an hour before any of the teams came and got quite a lot of the stone shovelled out of the car. I worked in the car steadily till I got the one half all cleaned out but before I finished, they had dumped the other half and Willie Shand helped me clean it out. I went down to Aunty's to dinner and this after noon quit for a couple of hours to go up town with Bob Ross and then home with him to sell him a $12.00 ram. I then went out and worked till six on the road with the rest of them covering the stone with earth, they put it on the side road at the bottom of our big hill. This was Frank's 18th birthday he went to Simcoe Fair this after noon. Cold. They say Hammy Innes has deserted and about 30 more of the 133rd. Thursday October 19th We were all up early this morning awakened by whistles & the fire bell but as it was raining hard and the fire didn't look very big none of us went down. Frank heard that it was one of the tugs either the "Two Friends" or the "Gambler" one was sunk and the other burned last night. It rained steadily all day not so hard towards evening as in the forenoon. We altered our plans a little about going to the Simcoe Fair and I cut strips of tar paper to put around the little trees to protect them from the mice and then after noon pasted pictures in my album. Tom was in for a long time this morning out of the rain but had to go out while it was pouring but Dad. covered him up with waterproofs. Friday October 20th I started to clean out the rest of the chicken house this morning but it rained all the after noon so we just sat around and read. Dad. went down this morning and took a nail out of his big colt's foot and Tupper brought old Pete in this after noon to have him lance an absess on his shoulder. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/61093cd2cb303e6a08f35764517feadb.pdf 7fe363474257ac576245fb2cccc3740c PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Saturday October 21st Dad. had to go up to Miss McCoy's this morning to tend to a cow. I drove him up and then went down town and got some stuff and called for him again. He did odd jobs this after noon and I continued to clean up the chicken house. Aunty was over to tea and she and Frank went down to-night. High wind last night. Cloudy & cold wind to-day Sunday October 22nd Enah and I drove down to church this morning. Dick was over to dinner. He and I went down to the 3 o'clock car to see Hazen off and then I went down and fooled around the {dook?} with Wodyer all the after noon. Dad. went down to tea and church to-night. I did chores and then went down in time to meet church coming out, went for a short walk & came home with Dad. Raw. Monday October 23rd Mr. McEwen came down this morning and bought the bunch of lambs & the old one, he gave $100.00 for the 8. I drove him down to the radial at 11 o'clock and then went up and told Ham I had sold his ram but he didn't care if he can use ours. This after noon I drove up to Dunkin's to hurry him up with the pedigree's but I don't know whether it was much use. To-night Frank and I went down town to see about getting a car to ship our sheep in. Dad did odd jobs and started shingling the hen house. Young Ham came and got his ram and paid for him. Lovely day but cool. Tuesday October 24th I went down to the station agan this morning and found if we took the rams down to-morrow night, they would go out the next morning and not stay all night at Norwich, Dad. took Sam's waggon home and I shingled and this after noon helped Dad. move the binder over from the big barn and Dad. cleaned the barn all up. Art Quanbury wants us to thrash in the morning. Cloudy but much milder Wednesday October 25th Dad. was over at Art's thrashing this morning for an hour or two and then came back and cleaned up around the big barn. I shingled and this after noon we took the eight rams down and loaded them. McEwen came down from Brantford as he thought he wasn't going to get the old ram in time but it was all right. Clair Jackson died this morning. Cold, rained all the afternoon Thursday October 26th I was down town most of the morning on messages and this after https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/19f38d936288eb7cab78c06f9d950e6e.pdf 6fd558360d9ebf414af6b3d68bbc34c6 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. noon, I didn't do any thing but lie around my cold was so bad. Dad trimmed the ewes all up this morning and we put the ewe lambs in the orchard. Tommy Jackson was in and wants me to be pal bearer at Clair's funeral to-morrow. Enah went down town to wish Lila a happy birthday and got there just in time to meet Aunty Maude who came home with Ada on the five o'clock car. She also heard that 133rd leave for overseas tomorrow Aunty got a letter from Quint. Cold, cloudy and windy all day. Friday October 27th I didnt do any thing much this morning as it rained. This after noon we Dad. and I went down to Clair Jackson's funeral. When we came home we got the Shields ram which came on the eleven o'clock train. Aunty Alice was here to tea and Frank went down with her after tea and got his cobbling outfit from Eaton's. Nice afternoon Saturday October 28th Dad. and I spent the whole day cutting down the dead locust tree in front of Aunty's. It was a ticklish job and we were afraid of it going on the house but we managed to get it down without doing more than break a rafter in the wood-shed. It was a lovely day. Dad. & I caught chickens most of the night. Sunday October 29th We all went to church this morning but Dad. & the baby. I drove Aunty Alice up to the cemetry before church. Aunty was over to dinner. Marj. and I went for a long drive this after noon. Dad. went down to church to-night. I went down after church and paid a visit to the Moon's with Marj. Lovely day. Monday October 30th I forget what we did day by day since Monday as this is Friday and I have not written since. Frank is home from Ben Ivey's and Mr. Clark is doing things over there. Frank has been plowing most of the time and between him and Dad. they have kept the plow going pretty steadily, and if all is well will finish the wheat stubble this week. Frank planted his $5.00 worth of Golden Seal back in the woods on Monday and Dad. Mr. Fleming & I worked on the road and finished Monday after noon. That night I went down to help Marj. and her colleagues decorate the Sunday school and on Tuesday night, Enah Frank and I went down to the Hallowe'en tea and had a great time. Dick and Dess were over Thursday night. This (Friday) morning Dad. went down to see the doctor about his throat. It is so sore he can hardly eat, sleep or speak. I have been getting my chickens ready for winter most of the week. It has been lovely weather most of the time. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/9deb4c767eca016d30315751ec73f0fa.pdf 4ef31c81063424bcc7bdd94b1e5c6c14 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Saturday November 11th Frank and I hooked Joe & Queen to the waggon and went down and got his duck crate. When we got back we took Queen off and put Belle on and took the plow out to Evan's as he wanted it to fit the slide on that he made for us, he also sharpened a coulter. It was the old plow Dad. plowed all day with the other. Ham Thompson came over with his five ewes this after noon, and put them in with our {back?}. Cold wind but nice day. Sunday November 12th Frank and I went down to Sunday school & church but none of the rest came down. Dick was over to dinner. I drove him down town this afternoon and then took Enah down to Uncle Ward's to see Aunty Maude. To-night I spent church hour with Marj. as I knew she had a bad cold and would be home and that the family would be at church. She wouldn't let me stay after eight so I sat in the bank with Clark for a couple of hours and called in to see Aunty on my way home. Cloudy and a raw cold wind all day. Monday November 13th Dad. plowed all day. I raked the lawn this morning. This after noon Frank and I took his ducks down to ship to Silverwoods also took the geese back to Al. Faulkner's all but one, Frank's share, and got some more of the locust wood at Auntys. Dad. went down to see Aunty to-night. Cold all day. Quite a snow storm this afternoon & to-night. Tuesday November 14th The ground being covered with snow to-day Dad. didn't plow but we all moved the straw stack in so that we could let the cows in the yard. Cold, raw, cloudy, snowed a little. Wednesday November 15th Frank and I got our butter milk this morning and this after noon went down and got some chicken feed at the mill and went on down town. Dad. just did chores. I took my horn down to Harry Moon to-night to fix. It has been freezing all day in the shade & cold enough for mid winter Thursday November 16th We just did chores to-day. Enah went down to her mother's this after noon and the baby and I drove after her during a heavy snow storm. Art Quanbury got his heifer this morning. It has been milder to-day, but snowed all night. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/7f558df4e17a833c8adf8a3d99896499.pdf da0a66b63b5623fb3fbb16c86ccc6c54 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Friday November 17th We killed the squealing pig this morning. Just did chores this after noon. Bill Donald was in to ask Dad. & Enah to perform at the opening concert of the new Shand's School-house. I went down town to-night to attend the meeting of the club that Clark told me but found that they couldn't get gas so called it off. I called on Cousin Clare, Marj. Mrs. Moon (Harry was in bed) and Aunty. I got my horn. Nice day but cold to-night. Saturday November 18th Frank and I went down with the sleighs and got the rest of the locust tree at Aunty's. This after noon Frank went down and did some odd jobs for Aunty and went down again to-night. I washed the name of the mail box and painted it (the box) fresh with aluminum enamel. Alex Jennison was after a ram. Softer to-day. Sunday November 19th Frank & I went to Sunday school & church. Enah drove down to church. Dick's cold too bad to come over. Dad. went down to see him. I went down town to-night saw Marj. for a little while Essie was at church and then went up to Huby's. Thawed all day snow nearly gone Monday November 20th Dad. plowed all day. Frank was down at Aunty's most of the day doing odd jobs. I did chores this morning and this after noon painted the name on one side of the mail box. Enah drove down town this after noon. The yearling hens have started laying. Aunty Alice came home to-night. Much milder Tuesday November 21st Dad. and the baby were down at Aunty's all morning banking up the house I finished painting the mail box. Dad. plowed this after noon & Frank & I fixed the barnyard fence. Frank Enah & I went down to hear Mr. Fielding's lecture on Malay in the Sunday school to-night. Mild but freezing hard to-night. Wednesday November 22nd Frank and I went down to the factory this morning for the butter milk. This after noon he and Dad. moved some of the hay stack into the barn, and I cleaned up around the wood shed. Jack Martin came over and picked out six cockrels. Enah went down town to tea & choir practice and I went down after her. Much milder to-day. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/43800dbbbf9857192fae0dbde76bc325.pdf 8aa53ef897bfbc3a3233268a3457c424 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Thursday November 23rd It rained nearly all day. Ham & Bert Thompson came over this morning and bought all the thin roosters at 12 1/2 cts. Frank and I took them down after dinner I got $9.38 for them. I stopped in at Jack Martin's on my way home and he paid me $18.07 for eggs & cockrels. We picked three chickens in the shop this morning Harry Smith from the Lake Shore was in for about an hour to ask Dad about a sick cow. Friday November 24th Frank & I went down town in the waggon this morning. I banked some money and sent Douglas a checkqe for my note. $84.80. Just did chores this after noon. Dad. cleaned ditches this morning and plowed this after noon Went down to the first meeting of the club to-night in Mrs. Belle's cottage. There was quite a crowd there both boys & girls and we had a big time dancing & picking up a row. High cold wind. Freezing Saturday November 25th Dad. banked up the house this morning and I dug up the border where the hedge was and protected the three tea roses Aunty was over to tea. Frank and I moved the bees in the colony house to-night. Frank went down town with Aunty & Dad. & I tested the pullets to-night. Freezing all day very cold night. Sunday November 26th Frank and I went to Sunday school and church and I went up to Huby's for dinner and telephoned to Charlie Dunkin for the number of his Beattie ram. Came home soon after dinner and did chores. Dad. went down to tea & church. I went down to church and sat around the bank for awhile before I came home. Very windy but milder. Monday November 27th I spent most of the morning getting the sheep records ready and this after noon took them down and got a postal note for the fees and sent them off. Frank & Dad. took up the barbed wire off the old fence along the road. To-night Enah Frank & I went down to see "The Prince & the Pauper" at the picture show It was very good. Very mild, not freezing to-night. Tuesday November 28th Rained all day but not hard. Frank & I threw of the load of hay this morning Dad. packed his pork. This after noon he dug ditches and I cleared up the headland along the gully fence near the east of the fence. Enah went down town and got an old root of a tooth pulled out that has been bothering her. Read "The Lost World" by Conan Doyle till near mid-night https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/ead180e7d157a885c378b17443c857b5.pdf 36dec6651917576e2e3c7220fb651e08 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Wednesday November 29th Frank and I went to the factory for butter milk this morning & took Joe & Queen Dad. finished plowing the field. This after noon Frank & I went to the mill for some chicken feed, and then he & Dad took Elgitha up to Ham's again. He has a new bull. It has been a nasty rainy day & raining to-night. Thursday November 30th Dad & Frank plowed in the plum orchard to-day but not at the same time, Dad. dug some more ditches. This after noon he went to Mrs. Fawcett's funeral. I did chores & dug the sod off the border in front of the hedge border. To-night I went down town to get my hair cut but Corny was closed up it being Thursday. Cloudy & raw. Friday <s>November</s> December 1st Frank finished plowing the plum orchard and he & Dad. got started on the field back of the old barn. I worked around in front of the house most of the day. To--night I went down to the club. Fine day & windy. Saturday December 2nd We got out early this morning and got a good day in plowing. I put manure on the roses & beds in front of the house and this after noon helped Frank shingle on the cow stable roof while Dad. plowed. Lovely day, mild. Sunday December 3rd Frank and I went down to Sunday school & church. Enah Dad. & the baby stayed down at Aunty's to dinner. I drove down after dinner and Dad. took Aunty Alice up to the cemetry. I sat around the bank all the after noon & went down to Aunty's for tea Aunty, Aunty Alice & I went to church to-night. Monday December 4th Dad. & Frank plowed all day between them, Frank and I cleaned some more ditches and shingled some more of the cow stable roof. It was a cloudy, drizzly day. Got word to-day that they want the Beattie ram's certificate at Ottawa. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/eee02d132142d8e0fd8c472100601709.pdf fac0da86b2ff3847b4adeddb04bc084e PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Wednesday December 6th Went down alone after butter milk this morning Had to go slow as Joe lost a shoe yesterday. Didn't do much this after noon Went down to tea at the Barwell's to-night and Zeitha & I went over our parts in the cantata and then went down to a rehearsal in the Sunday school. Dad plowed all day to-day & yesterday. Cold wind but sunny. Thursday December 7th Dad. plowed all day. Enah and I went down town this morning and I got Joe's shoes set. Frank and I went down to a practice to-night in the Sunday school and then I went over to church after first going up to see letters from Quint & Roy Dell at Huby's I didn't get to bed till two o'clock as I was fooling around with Joe & the Dunkin girls. Friday December 8th Dad. got in a good day plowing to-day and is now finished all but the head-lands. Frank and I measured the field this morning & found it had about {6?} acres in it. This after noon I took the baby down to Aunty's to stay all night and then got Marj. and Uncle Ward and brought them over to tea and we all went out to the opening of Shand's new school house and had a high time. Dick couldn't get over. It has been a lovely day but cloudy at times and rained to-night. Saturday December 9th Dad. and I had to go out and help move Harvey Shand's piano home from the school house but it was snowing early so we didn't go out very early and then had to wait till Harvey Shand got back from town but we helped the trustees clean up. We didn't get home till the middle of the after noon. Fozen up tight to-night very blustery. Sunday December 10th I went to Sunday school this morning and to church both times. Dick was over all the after noon as Dess is in Brantford. I went over to a Sunday school meeting to-night and then up to Miss Martin's and then up to the ba<u>nk</u>. Freezing hard to-night but nice day Monday December 11th Did chores this morning. This after noon got some stuff at the mill. Ham Thompson got his sheep and showed me how to bleed & dry pick a chicken. Dad. went down and rustled some money to pay taxes. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/831f1dcb2f5df00a727f9d80ae12b215.pdf 587c80a598a1b3a9492462bd489c76a2 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Tuesday December 12th Dad & I killed and picked the 9 cockrels left in the crate this morning and Frank took the pinfeathers out of them. I got some of them stuck in the brain alright but some I didn't. I went over to Quanbury's at noon and got them to telephone to Simcoe to see what prices were like but they weren't extra so I decided to ship them to Silverwood's. I spent most of the after noon cleaning the feet & heads & shaping them and had to go down to post a letter. Aunty Alice came over with me to tea. I went down after to a practice. Snowed a little to-day. Wednesday December 13th Frank and I packed up the chickens and shipped them to Silverwoods this morning. This after noon we went down to the factory and got the buttermilk. I went down to tea at Aunty Alice's to-night Marj. Win. Clark & Dick were there. Got the first pullets egg to-day. Snowed enough to make sleighing. Thursday December 14th Put a fire in the shop & Frank & I started to oil the new harness this morning Dad. & I went down this after noon and he put Aunty's cellar windows in. Frank kept on oiling harness but didn't finish Got a letter from Ottawa, they wanted more money for records. Went to practice to-night. December 31st Sunday. As I have neglected to write this for ovwer two weeks I will just summarize the principal happenings. I will begin with the weather as we have had more of it than any thing else and it has been different from any we have had at this time of the year since we came over here being one continual "spell" of cold weather since the 9th except for one day when it rained and took off a lot of snow. The rest of the time it has hardly been above freezing once although never I think has it been quite down to zero. The sleighing has been fine but the skating except for the last few days since the rain has been poor on account of the snow on the ice. We have been busy all the time but just at chores and small jobs I got my returns from Silverwood's promptly and got 20 cts a lb. for the chickens $8.40 for the 9. We have been looking for our sheep records very anxiously all this time and Dad wrote them at Ottawa a rather sharp letter on Monday and Thursday they came Friday Dad. got a very courteous reply to his letter saying they had been very busy. Friday Frank https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/36c01dc8d3efbfd75316fab296659981.pdf a384893f0604eb22317d75f9664ef8f2 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. and I took them up to McEwen, had dinner there and went on in to Brantford got some fire brick for the kitchen range at Buck's factory, saw Miss Batersby for a few minutes and got him on the 5 car. McEwen paid me $25.00. We sold four of our turkeys to people in town for 35 cts a lb. dressed One we had for Christmas dinner at Aunty's where all the family except Aunty Maude who stayed at Aunt Lucy's gathered Christmas night and they had a tree. It was a lovely day. Our concert came off and was voted a success by all both financially and otherwise. They took in over $50.00 from 20 & 10 ct tickets. We are having an awful time trying to get chestnut coal. There is none in the country and some trouble with the railway congestion of freight at the lines prevent any from coming in. We borrowed a little from Quanbury's and Frank and I managed to get a box of big furnace coal the other day, but Dad. has to crack it up with the hammer and then it isn't as good. The war is still progressing. Germany has made peace proposals but with such an arrogant air and offering no suitable terms so they have been ignored by all the Allies Most people look for peace next year. We all got Quint's picture for Christmas. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary Collection Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Theobald "Toby" Barrett Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Courtesy of Archival and Special Collections, University of Guelph Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1911-1925 Language A language of the resource English Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 20th Century, Norfolk County, Woodhouse Township, Ontario Table Of Contents A list of subunits of the resource. Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary & Transcription, 1911 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary & Transcription, 1913 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary & Transcription, 1914 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1915 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1916 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1917 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary & Transcription, 1918 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1919 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1920-1921 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1921 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1925 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1925-1926 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1926-1927 Medium The material or physical carrier of the resource. Scanned Manuscript Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1916 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Theobald "Toby" Barrett Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Courtesy of Archival and Special Collections, University of Guelph Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1916 Language A language of the resource English Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 20th Century, Norfolk County, Woodhouse Township, Ontario Date Created Date of creation of the resource. January 1, 1916 Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary Collection Medium The material or physical carrier of the resource. Scanned Manuscript UG Transcription Progress Scripto transcription progress Done Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>{Blank Front Cover Inside page on the left}</p> <p>{Right side page}</p> <p>DIARY.1916</p> <p>T.B.Barrett.</p> <p>Port Dover, Ontario.</p> <p>The Farm</p> <p>From January 1st 1916 to September 29th 1916</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Saturday January 1st 1916</p> <p>They tolled the church bell three times and rang it to herald the New Year and after spending about another quarter of an hour in church we went over to the dance Dad. &amp; Enah were in church and they came over to the dance This being Leap Year all boys caught asking a girl to dance were supposed to be fined a quarter but I don't think many spotted up. They had a square dance which Mr Cope and Enah took part in Mr Cope aparently enjoyed him self immensely We danced till nearly three o clock and every body agreed that it was the best dance this year so far. Enah and I spent the remainder of the night at Aunty Alices but Dad. &amp; Frank who we discovered had been up {several faded words} dance went home. Aunty Alice sat up as the baby was asleep and she thought he might wake up. Aunty Alice didn't call me till nearly ten o clock and I wasnt very anxious to get up then. It was raining hard so after I had breakfast I sat around and read till noon. We just sat down to dinner when Dad. drove down after Enah so I went up with him and got the mail, and then walked home. We just did chores this after noon except Frank who cut a lot more of the chicken house flooring. It has rained nearly all day.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Sunday January 2nd</p> <p>It poured rain during the night and has been very soft and mild all day but is colder to-night I arose fairly early this morning and got ready in time to go to church Enah and I walked down and were late. After church Aunty Alice and Aunt Ida were going up to Huby's for dinner as they had goose and as Aunty Maude had told Aunty Alice to bring Dad. up too should he happen to be in church and as he didn't happen to be in church and as I was in no mood to walk home in the slush to dinner and right back I thought it would be all right for me to go to Huby"s so I did and had a very enjoyable dinner. Uncle Ward was the only other guest. I spent the afternoon down at the Bagley's and had tea there. We all went to our various churches.</p> <p>Monday January 3rd</p> <p>I did chores most of the morning and husked a little corn Dad. and the baby went down to meet Aunty who came up on the morning train to vote. Dad. was very anxious to have her vote because Vyse was running again against old Walker. They saw Ed. up town and he said to vote for Walker Moon &amp; Wilson so she did. Walker got in by a majority of 8 Ed. headed the polls for councillors then came Harry Smith, R.M. Taylor and Mat. Wilson and the bylaw which was to give a fixed rate of assessment to the canning factory who in return are going to put up another big building carried so Aunty didn't lose a vote. Dad. stayed down to dinner, while he was gone and while I was husking corn out in the barn, the fattening steer got lose and got out behind the calves and into the alley in front of the cows I heard a commotion but didn't pay much attention but when I went to go in I found the black calf had either been frightened or hooked into the manger He was on his side with his nigh fore &amp; hind feet sticking over the edge but he was wedged in so tightly that I couldn't lift him so had to tear the whole manger out, and he felt pretty wobbly when he did get loose. This after noon Dad. and I went out to try and set up some of the down shocks of corn but they were frozen in to hard. The mice are eating it badly and we cant haul it in till we thrash out our clover seed. Mr. Flemming was over to get a hand to help him thrash to-morrow but I dont think the machine is there yet. It was A.Y.P.A. social evening to-night. Mrs Clare Deal Miss Marshall and I were put on the committee to run it but except for meeting Mrs Deal on the bridge last night on my way</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>home and telling her that what she had done couldn't have been improved on I haven't done a thing. However it came off all right only there were very few there Enah went down to tea at the James and she said Elva played a duet said Davis sang Aunty Maude gave us a little talk and we had refreshments. Frank and I went down to see Aunty on our way down as this is her birthday. Sunny, a little blizzardy but misty.</p> <p>Tuesday January 4th</p> <p>Dad. had to go over to Flemming's to thrash alsike this morning, they thrashed all day and got seven bags from eleven loads so it didn't turn out so well as the rest has this year. Dad. says Lloyd Crysler told them John Wess got eleven bushels to the acre. I was over for a few minutes this after noon and it looked terribly dusty {illegible} Dad. was nearly all in when he came home. Mr. Flemming never has enough men either. I didn't do much but chores to-day, and sorted out my chickens a little to-night. I got three more pullet's eggs to day. Much milder, south wind</p> <p>Wednesday January 5th</p> <p>It rained hard during the night and has poured rain most of the day but to-night it is freezing and the wind getting around to the north. Dad. and I did chores most of the morning and this after noon we got some more of the floor laid in the chicken shed.</p> <p>Thursday January 6th</p> <p>This morning Dad. and I got a little more floor laid in the chicken shed. Aunty Alice came over while we were working at it and stayed to dinner and walked back soon after via Mrs. Battersby's to see Miss Phipps who has been sick Dad. and I went down with the waggon to get a load of soft coal for the thrashers who may be here to-morrow. Alan was in to-night and said they would get moved down here to-morrow night maybe in time to thrash a little. To-night I went skating. Frank went down with me and spent the evening up at Huby's, he didn't get home till about twelve o'clock I was late enough as Essie &amp; Marj. were down skating. I called for them but they had gone with Mr. Woodyer so I went up home with them and Marj. made some cocoa and we fed and sat around for about an hour, so it was pretty late. Dick was just getting ready for bed and said he had the grip. There is an awful lot of it in town. Much colder &amp; freezing hard. Skating grand.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Friday January 7th</p> <p>This was Dick's birthday, but as he has every thing he wants with in the limits of an ordinary man's fortune, we couldn't think of any thing to get him, but he happened to mention at breakfast that he broke his hockey stick yesterday so I got one for Frank and me to give him. Right after breakfast I went down to get Joe shod and took her up to Hallam's but as Bobbie McMullin seemed to be running things up there I made an excuse to see Hallam who was down at George Gambles and took Joe down to Joe Howell's, it was after twelve when I got home. This after noon we laid a little more of the chicken house floor. Frank stayed home and helped us. About four o'clock Sam &amp; Alan came in with the clover mill &amp; engine but it wasn't worthwhile thrashing any. To-night I went skating again Enah went down to choir practice with me. I went up to the Bagley's and Essie &amp; Woodyer were just leaving but Marj. hadn't got back from a treat they were giving the Sunday school kids so I started off to get her but met her half way as Enah had told her there was skating on. We had a fine time as the ice is great but Essie had to leave at eight o'clock to go to choir practice. I could have had a ride home with Dick and Alan but thought I had better go down to Aunty's and see if Enah was there but she had just left before I got there. Dick &amp; Frank both feel rather tough to-night. Nice day pretty frosty.</p> <p>Saturday January 8th</p> <p>We thrashed the clover this morning and finished it by a little after twelve and before dinner. We got over five bags of stuff from the six loads but it was more than half I think plantain seed. If we can ever get it separated though we will have enough red seed for our own use. Mr. Flemming and Tupper were the only ones extra we had. Aunty came over and helped Enah. This after noon Dad. and I went up to Ham Thompson's to see a sick cow, we were up there quite awhile looking at all the stock some of which is pretty nice. I drove down and got the mail when we got home. To-night I went skating again as it was a beautiful night and the ice was fine. There was a good bunch down there and we had a good time. I had a bath after I got home. Dick came home early and has not felt very well all day, his eyes are sore Frank has been in all day too with the grip. Still pretty cold and frosty.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Sunday January 9th</p> <p>Enah and I walked down to church this morning and I have been down all day I had dinner and tea at Aunty's Miss Phipps was there to dinner. I spent the after noon &amp; evening up at the Bagley's, before tea I got Cousin Loll &amp; Cousin Phoebe to go over to the Ansley's with me as they had the key to the house and get a Wandering Jew plant which Cousin Bessy left there to freeze unless Aunty took pity on in so I took it down to her. The Ansley's all left for Toronto yesterday. They expect Joe Syer's battery to be moved to France next month. Aunty Alice and I went to church to-night. We thought Dad. would have been down but I found out that he had had to go up to Bill Duncan's to see a sick horse. Dick and Frank have both been in the house all day to-day so Dick must be pretty bad. There were quite a few skating this after noon but I didn't go. It is getting milder to-night.</p> <p>Monday January 10th</p> <p>It rained during the night and has rained a lot during the day but is colder to-night. I went over to Quanbury's to see Charlie this morning, he is better and sitting up but has had a bad time with his throat.On my way home I stopped in and got a setting of eggs from Jack Martin as one of the old red hens has been sitting for quite awhile and Dad. was very anxious to put some eggs under I thought it would be too early to have them come out. Dad &amp; I didn't do much but chores this after noon Aunty came over before tea to stay all night as Dad. Enah and I went down to A.Y.P.A. and the boys have been in the house all day. Dick was bound he was going to work yesterday but when this morning came he wasn't at all anxious to go Glad. Law and Marj. Clarke had a Dicken's evening at A.Y.P.A. to-night and Dad. &amp; Enah sang "What are the Wild Waves Saying" Cousin Willie, Jack Martin and Aunty Maude also took part but there were very few there. Dad. had to be chairman.</p> <p>Tuesday January 11th</p> <p>It was frozen up this morning so after we got the chores done Dad. and I got in a load of corn and another one this after noon, we took two rows at a time so got quite a strip of land cleared, there are about two loads left out there yet, we put it up where the clover seed was cut left the last load on the waggon, we couldn't get it in before on account</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>of the clover seed taking up the room. To-night I went skating the ice was in beautiful shape. Dad has felt sick all day.</p> <p>Wednesday January 12th</p> <p>Dad. has been in bed all day and feels properly sick I guess he has the grip like all the rest of them althoug he hasn't a cold. It has kept me busy all day just doing the chores. Frank has felt a lot better but not well enough to be out. Dick still {feels his?} eyes pretty sore. Nicholson &amp; Hazen came over to see him this evening. They told him not to try to come to work. Hazen told me last night they were getting along fine Mr. {Name?} has sold about fifteen dollars worth of chickens and only spends about ten minutes a day in the bank. It has rained most of the day but is colder to-night.</p> <p>Tuesday January 13th</p> <p>Dad. has been sitting up to-day but doesn't feel much better I think. Frank has been well enough to-day to help me do some of the chores but we didn't get anything else done. Mrs. Dyer came over to see Dick to-day He doesn't feel much better. It has been cold and stormy to-day</p> <p>Friday January 14th</p> <p>I saw they had steam up over at Sam's this morning and about nine o'clock Alan came in to see if one of us could go over. I was just going in to breakfast but he said he had to go down town so I didn't need to hurry, I went over and hung around for half an hour and we got started about half past ten, but as there were only two loads of alsike we got through before noon, it turned out pretty well as they got three bushels. I was the only extra hand there. Bert and I pitched out of the mow and Sam &amp; Alan did the rest. I had dinner over there but when I got home found Frank had all the chores done so this after noon he and I took a small grist to the mill, small because we could only find about half a dozen empty bags. Tonight I went skating there was a little snow on the ice but it was pretty good. Dess &amp; {Name?} Dyer came over to see Dick to-night so Frank had to see them home and didn't get back till long after I did. Dick has felt a great deal worse to-day about the sickest he has yet although his eyes are better. Dad. says he feels better to-night but he is pretty weak. It has been a nice day but pretty cold. This was Aunt Ida's birthday and I called in to wish her a happy one. Aunty &amp; Aunty Alice were both at church but I saw them on my way home</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Saturday January 15th</p> <p>Frank and I have put in a busy day besides doing the chores we got in two loads of corn, we only took two rows in the two loads but in some places it was badly frozen in so we didn't have time to take full rows. Dad. has felt very miserable to day and has not been out of bed at all his eyes ache {illegible}. Aunty has been over all the after noon and I walked home with her after tea and got the mail. Dick is a little better. Very blustery day especially this after noon. Strong wind with snow and very cold.</p> <p>Sunday January 16th</p> <p>Frank went to church this morning and I did chores I got them pretty well done up before dinner and this after noon Dick and I went down town Dick wasn't much better but vowed he was coming down and stayed down all night. Essie, Marj. and I paid a visit to the Prestons this after noon every female member of that family are sick in bed and Arthur and Mr. P. are keeping house. I came home about half past five and did chores and went down again after tea I was too late for church so I went up to Huby's for about an hour. Aunty Maude was sick with neuraligia and had gone to bed &amp; I met Essie &amp; Marj. on their way from Methodist Church and went with them over to the Smith's, Harry &amp; Fred were both home for Sunday. Mrs. Smith looked very badly. I came home fairly early. Elva &amp; Mr. James were over here this after noon and Huby was here when I got home before tea but didn't stay to tea. Aunty Alice was over to dinner and part of the after noon. Very cold nor'west wind all day. Blizzardy</p> <p>Monday January 17th</p> <p>Frank went to school to-day but came home early this after noon he said they had to let a lot of them out as the school house was so cold. I haven't tried to do a thing but chores as it has been so cold. Dad. has felt better and was out at the barn for a little while to-day. To-night I went down to A.Y.P.A. but as there was no body there to conduct the meeting it adjourned and Marj. Glad. Law &amp; I went to the picture show where we enjoyed ourselves much better. I looked in at Henry Buoy's pool room on my way home attracted by what sounded on the street like quite a racket but which proved to be only Al. Faulkner talking. I found Frank up there</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>watching a game between Bunyian and Fred Tuck. Bunyian was pretty well jagged and was shooting with the butt end of his cue. Frank and I stopped in at Aunty's on our way home and found Dick there for the night, he looks pretty rotten yet but says he feels all right. I tried on a couple of shirts which Aunty Alice made for Dad. but which were too small and which just about fit me so I inherited them. They're dandys too. I sat up till three o'clock after I got home and finished reading "Mr. {illegible} of {illegible}" It was pretty good but I thing I caught a bad cold over it. This I think has been the coldest day yet this winter frosty as well as windy.</p> <p>Tuesday January 18th</p> <p>Frank has been at school all day. I have just done chores and not tried to anything else, in fact the chores took up most of my time. Dad. went down town this morning and stayed at Aunty's to dinner and most of the after noon, he doesn't feel any worse for it what he suffers most from now is a peculiar, very disagreeable, undescribable and he says most rotten taste and sometimes smell that he gets on some of his food and most of all when he tries to smoke, he is longing for a smoke and hasn't had one for four days, he has filled and lit three different pipes but each one has the same taste and he just takes one draw then puts the pipe away with an exceedingly marked expression of utter disgust. Enah has caught the sore eye trouble in one eye and I have a peacherine of a cold in my head. Tid's eyes are both sore. It has been still cold &amp; blizzardy all day but not so frosty as yesterday and I think is getting milder to-night.</p> <p>Wednesday January 19th</p> <p>It has been milder and sunny to-day and much milder to-night, but we haven't done anything but the chores.The little steer was off his feed this morning and I noticed he was badly bloated so Dad. has had a stick in his mouth most of the day to take the bloat down but it isn't all out to-night though better. Mr. Morgan was over here all the after noon and Dad. ordered six cherry trees from him and he is going to replace the two walnuts that died. To-night I went down to see if there was any skating but there was no one down. The ice is beautifully smooth where the wind has swept</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>it clear but there is too much snow to make skating. I took my skates up to the garage and left them to be sharpened and then went down to Aunty's for a little while. Aunty was just going to bed and was not {doing?} at all well all day. Dick was down there looking tough and hasn't been out of the house all day but says he feels better, over here Dad. &amp; Enah both have very sore eyes and Enah feels pretty sick besides I think. Frank went down to-night with me and went up to Huby's.</p> <p>Thursday January 20th</p> <p>It has drizzled rain all day and every thing as slippery as grease or partly inundated, we have just done chores I cleaned out the chicken dropping boards this morning and this after noon I husked a little corn while Dad. cut some shelves to put up in the clothes room, Frank and I did up the night chores and Dad. went down to Aunty's for tea, he wanted to see how Aunty &amp; Dick were, he hasn't seen Dick since Sunday. Frank saw him up town to-day at noon. To night I went down town and stumbled on the opening meeting of the "Never-ready Club" which consists of Marj. Glad. Law &amp; Essie. They were all knitting or crocheting so I joined and just talked to them and held some yarn for Marj. to wind into balls. I got home about twelve after waiting for nearly two hours in at Hec's for Alan Law.</p> <p>Wednesday Friday January 21st</p> <p>Enah has at last got the grip she has felt very miserable all day and not been able to sit up or eat at all. The baby has a bad cough. This morning I got the chores pretty well done up and this after noon Dad. and I got some more of the chicken shed floor down, it wont take very much longer to finish it. To-night I walked down to Aunty Alice's with a couple of dozen eggs. Aunty feels better and Dick was up working. I stopped in at Quanbury's on my way home and gave Mr. Quanbury a dollar to join the Horticultural Society. Charlie &amp; Art. were out at the farm for a load of straw. Very mild all day just like Spring, no colder to-night</p> <p>Saturday January 22nd</p> <p>Dad. has been in the house all day nearly again to-day with a headache. Enah was in bed all morning but felt better and was able to be up this afternoon while the poor baby is about half dead with the croup. He barks just</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>a little dog when he coughs and looks like the mischief and I guess feels as bad as he looks although he has been very good. Frank and I laid floor in the chicken house this morning and used up all the lumber we had, so this after noon we did up all the chores and drove down town in the waggon and got 20 {illegible} more, which we laid to-night after tea, we worked out there till nearly nine o'clock and only have it to finish up with a six inch board which has to be notched to fit the studding. Frank has developed a case of pink eye this after noon and has gone to bed to-night not being able to see out of his left eye. Dick came home to-night the first time since last Sunday. Very soft &amp; mild. An April day.</p> <p>Sunday January 23rd</p> <p>Owing to the condition of the familys health this morning I had to most of the chores. Frank helped me clean out the cow stables after breakfast but he can't do much on account of his eye, he feels all right other ways and went back to the gully and set a rat trap this morning. Dad's head doesn't ache to-day and Enah says she feels a little better but the poor baby looks awful although his cough doesn't sound as bad. This after noon I went down town and also to-night. I came home at tea time to do chores, but Dad. &amp; Frank had them all done. Aunty Alice has the doctor down to see Aunty this after noon, he says it is the regular grip she has It froze last night and has been colder to day but feels very like Spring.</p> <p>Monday January 24th</p> <p>Frank went to school this morning sore eyes and all. Dad. and I did up the necessary chores and then went out and got in the rest of the corn, there were three rows but we brought it all in one load and got it in about noon, this after noon Will Philips was in for quite awhile to ask Dad about a sick horse and then {Name?} McPherson came in to get us all to sign a petition to the Government to put through a total Prohibition Bill or submit it to the people, we all signed it. I would rather have waited to hear some more argument on the subject but as it stands it looks right enough to me. We then {cacked?} up a grist which I took down to the mill. To-night Frank and I went skating, the ice was great in spots but there were a lot of rough spots to skate into Dad has been out all day but feels too weak to work hard. Enah and Tid show very slight signs of improvement while Frank reports that Aunty though still in bed is a little better. Very mild all day &amp; to-night. Spring.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Tuesday January 25th</p> <p>This morning I went down to the mill and got the grist that I left there last night. I took the washing up to Mrs. McBride's as she was over this morning to say she could not come over to wash as Sam had to go out to Pow's and couldn't mind the kids, she gave me a whole pile of old cabbages which have been frozen two or three times for the chickens, soon after I got back Charlie Quanbury came over to get Dad. to look at old Corbett who Dad says is pretty sick, they drenched him the other night and Dad. thinks got some oil on his lungs. He didn't get back till noon as Jack Martin called him in there to show him a rooster with the chicken pox. I cleaned out the stables while he was gone.This after noon we were going to {polish?} the floor in the chicken house but just as we got the noon chores done Uncle Ward came over and visited all the after noon. About half past four we had to take Elgithe up to Ham Thompson's bull. She was very wild at first and we had a sling rope tied on to the end of her halter rope before we got out of the lane. I had caught my foot in the loop of the rope and had to let go and drop to get loose She dragged me a few feet before I got loose and then ran right down along the fence running into it and catchin in it every now and again, when she got to the corner she turned in Ivey's gate and ran for our line where we managed to head her off and catch her. Dad. took her on up and I went behind after she got a little cooled down she went as gentle as a lamb. To-night Frank and I went skating or at least down town to go skating but as there was no body on the pond we came to the conclusion that it was too soft so went down to see Aunty for awhile she is much better and came home. It has been very mild &amp; muddy all day, looks very much like rain.</p> <p>Wednesday January 26th</p> <p>Dad and I have put in all our time to-day besides doing chores in putting down the last strip in the chicken house floor it only took one six inch board but Dad. had to cut it at each stud to make it fit right as the spaces between floor &amp; wall were uneven between some of the streds, so it took a long time. Sam Law came in this morning to settle up accounts, we owe him six or seven dollars yet for thrashing. Alex Jamieson was in this afternoon to get some veterinary advice. To-night Dad. walked down</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>to see Aunty. Frank and I spent most of the evening catching pigeons. Hugh McQueen is buying them this time for a shooting match and paying thirty cents a pair for them. It has been too mild to day to wear a coat, but looks rainy.</p> <p>Thursday January 27th</p> <p>About the first thing this morning I went over to Mrs. McBride's and got the clothes. Aleta was there and Mrs. McBride away, they have all gone back to live with Sam and he has made all kinds of promises about acting like a good husband and father and they say he signed the total prohibition petition. Alan Law says it is all her fault anyway. He said this Christmas she asked him to go down to Jane's for dinner but Sam wanted to have their own Christmas at home and accordingly went down and bought a goose and presents for all the family when Christmas came he went home and as Alan says "No damned Susan there" so poor Sam had to eat alone, when she did come she "throwed" the presents and spoke very desparagingly of them. "Why" Alan says "How would you like it if you were a married man to go home there at night and have to get your own supper and have no woman to sit down and talk to and go to bed alone and have her come prowling in about midnight and then never get up in the morning to get your breakfast and the house all upset, its enough to make any man discouraged." He said " I've lived beside them a long time and know them both and there isn't a better man living than Sam McBride." "Yes" I said "I guess he's all right when he's sober" "Why" Alan said "I never found him out of the way when he was drunk, and if she was half the woman that he is a man there would be no drinking go on in that house." However they are a united family at present we'll see how long it will last. When I got home from there I took a chicken down to Aunty Alice and just got home by noon. Joe was feeling very much like what might be expected since she has done nothing whatever the last couple of weeks but stand in and eat oats and hay too of course, but the roads were so bad she couldn't do much, they say the frost is all out in some places, Alan says that Fred Rose down the Plank was digging post holes to-day. This after noon Dad. and I carried four big bundles of straw over to the the chicken's new floored scratchin shed. I think it is going to be a great improvement. To-night I</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>went down to the Red Cross supper in the Town Hall I was to have called for Aunty Alice at six o'clock but I was late so she had gone so I went alone but had my tea with Dick &amp; Dess. There were some dandy cakes there but as usual in such cases my stomach became incapacitated long before my appetite was satiated. I went home with Marj. &amp; Essie and later we went to the picture show, we had to use brute force to get Essie past the Methodist Church as there was a prayer meeting going on and she was supposed to be there to play and we literally dragged her away from it. It's a war prayer meeting and as I tell her the Germans are praying as hard as we are and I suppose there are lots of them just as good in God's sight as there are of us so in all probability God will wind it up in his own way in spite of all of us. I really think about like Aunty Alice that praying and fighting don't go very well to-gether that if we trust so much in our own strength we oughtn't to expect much help from Heaven or if we do want Divine help we should throw down our arms and pray for it, but of course that is out of the question as we are too human for that. I got a ride home with Dick &amp; Alan. I don't know what has struck me to-night to write so much diary but it is half past twelve now so I am going to bed. Dad. has just been out for a while to smoke he got so hot in bed he couldn't go to sleep. This is really the most remarkable weather for January I ever heard of. It has rained a good part of to day and to-night was too mild to wear an overcoat. It is hard to believe that it is midwinter.</p> <p>Friday January 28th</p> <p>Dad. and I put off the load of corn which was on the waggon this morning and also nailed on the boards which block up the space over the south doors of the old barn We didn't do much this after noon but chores, we took the nests out of the rooster's pen and put them up in the pullets end of the scratching shed, the pile of straw we put in there has kept them busy most of the day, we also swept out the brooder and put it in the colony house. Tonight Dad. &amp; Frank have gone down town Dick expects Ferdy to-night for a few days and as the roads are too bad to drive down Dad. took the lantern and is going to wait at Aunty's for them, they have to call on Dess &amp; maybe take in the show before they come over. Colder to-day freezng to-night</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Saturday January 29th</p> <p>Ferdy arrived safely last night and aparently in good condition as whe Enah inquired after his health he expressed the fact "that he didn't have no kick coming." We haven't seen any thing of him since soon after breakfast as he has spent the day in town. Frank was down town most of the morning getting his teeth filled. I did a few chores but spent most of the day making a hopper in the chicken house and putting in a {illegible} and another couple of {illegible}. This evening I filled the two hoppers with a whole bag of rolled oats and also put in grit and dried meat scrap. Dad and Frank went down town and got a load of coal. To-night Frank has gone down again to get a link of stove pipe for the little {illegible} coal stove, it has to be made a {illegible} and {illegible} narrow {illegible} to put on the stove and be {illegible} six inch pipe. Dunn has sent over two {illegible} {Illegible} but none are big enough although Dad. took an exact impression of the hob on a piece of cardboard and sent it down but Dunn said he should have sent down the shape made of wire so he did this after noon. It froze fairly hard last night but except for a cold and raw east wind it has not been very wintry to-day. It is raining &amp; freezing as it comes to-night.</p> <p>Sunday January 30th</p> <p>We all got up late this morning and none of us got ready in time to go to church. This after noon Dick, Ferdie &amp; I walked down and I spent the afternoon and evening up at the Bagley's. I had tea at Aunty's and went to church with Aunty Alice. It has been a horrible day raining most of the time, to-night it was pouring rain and very dark when I went down to Aunty's after my overshoes so I stayed all night. Aunty feels quite a lot better to-day.</p> <p>Monday January 31st</p> <p>I got up fairly early this morning but it was still raining when I was ready to start for home so I thought I would wait and see if Dad. drove the boys down in which case I knew he would call for me. I finished reading "The Road Mender" by Michael Fairless which I started down there last fall when I was sick and have read part of since whenever I had time, then Aunty Alice and I had a game of chess I had nearly forgotten the game but she reminded me as we went along and we had quite a game. Neither one of us won because about ten o'clock we came to the conclusion that Dad. wasn't down</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>and that we shouldn't be wasting any more time in the middle of the morning, so we quit without either being checked. By the time I got home and got my clothes changed it was nearly noon. This after noon we didn't do much but chores and husk a little corn. Ferdie went down town. Frank and I went down to A.Y.P.A to-night but they didn't do anything down there much but adjourn. Mr. Johnson was not there as he was called away very suddenly this morning to Muskoka to the supposed death-bed of his uncle. Glad Law brought the minute book as Marj. has the grip. I went in with Glad. after the meeting to see her. She looks the picture of health and says she feels alright as long as she is sitting down but she got so sick and dizzy in school this morning that she had to let the kids all out and go home before recess. I went down to Aunty's on my way home Aunty Alice had gone up to Cousin Loll's to play bridge. Frank came in while I was there and we came home to-gether. The marble season has commenced already I suppose on account of the open weather. Frank has been playing all evening and has about thirty he had none when he went down I borrowed some from him and we played odd &amp; even all the way home and I had the same old luck that I used to have when Egg. Thompson &amp; I used to play all day in school, started with about a dozen and only had about five or six when we got home. Dick and Ferdie where here when we got home, they got a ride with Alan. It has been very mild all day but is colder to-night.</p> <p>Tuesday February 1st</p> <p>It froze a little last night but not much after I cleaned out the stables I took some manure around to put on the front beds and the frost was all out in the sod. I took another strip off by the rhubarb bed that I started last fall. Dad. cut a piece off the stack. This after noon Aunty Alice came over and we didn't do much. Alan came in towards dark with ten bushels of potatoes he got from {Name?] Waddle at $1.00 and we were going to take four bushels and he was to leave five of theirs in our cellar as they have no place to keep them and he took one bag home to use. To-night Frank and I went out to catch some more pigeons for Hugh McQueen's match but could only catch two. Ferdie has been down town all the after noon in fact went before dinner. Poor old Tige has been sick all day. I don't know what is the matter with her, she doesn't seem to want to move. I guess she has the grip. It has been colder this after noon and is freezing hard to-night with strong N.W wind.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Wednesday February 2nd</p> <p>After breakfast this morning Dad. got started reading Happy Hawkins aloud so we didn't get out very early and didn't do any thing but chores. Enah went down town before dinner as Aunty Alice told her yesterday that her father was quite ill, she was down all the after noon, so Dad. Ferdie &amp; I had dinner alone. This after noon we did chores and Dad. trimmed Queen's &amp; Gingers hooves, he had a few chores to do around the house too. I went over to Jack Martin's to get a couple of roosters to mate up with my hens but they were too busy shipping birds to get them for me to-night. I went down to Quanburys with {illegible} nursery stock I {rest of sentence illegible} To-night Frank and I went down town. Frank took some eggs down to the store and his two pigeons which we caught last night. I went around to see Marj. she feels pretty wobbly yet but looks well (if looks were all that were concerned I wish she was {illegible} all the time allthough her every day looks are ok its been colder and cloudy to day Bear saw his shadow</p> <p>Thursday February 3rd</p> <p>This morning I went over to Martin's to get four roosters to mate my hens. I was over there quite a while and was just starting off with a couple intending to come back after the other two when Dad. came in he had helped Enah bring the baby through the field so he helped me take the four home. Enah spent the day down town again as her father is still very ill although a little better to-night. Ferdy went down with her and has been down town all day. The old hen hatched out four of the thirteen eggs I got from Jack but one of them got chilled to-day and died. Dad. brought her and the other three into the kitchen this after noon. I haven't done any thing but chores and read this after noon It has been cold and rather stormy so Dad went down to Aunty's about four o'clock to bring the baby home but Enah had taken him up to the Jame's and Dad. didn't go up there after him. Mrs. Hodge died to-day and the old man is just about all in. Bruce Dell was over before tea to get Dad. to go down and look at thier old cow which is bloated. Dad. gave Bruce a great raking over but has gone down to-night. I trimmed the tag locks off the hens to-night with the sheep shears. I got a fac-simile of the letter Dick got (the other day) from Pratt yesterday telling me it was my duty to join the 133rd Norfolk Battalion. Holly Bush got one but Holly says he won't answer the requirements as he</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>over the age limit (45 years) and under the minimum heighth which is 5 ft 2 but I am sure there are fellows down there shorter than Holly and he says he is only 5 ft 1 in. I think they are taking almost any body who will join. Old Bill George and two of his sons have enlisted. Old Bill will make a pretty figure in uniform. If they aim high enough he will make a good mark but they could shoot a good sized shell between his knees and him standing at attention. Hammy Innes joined yesterday too. Hammy joined on a bet. Hargreaves one of the boys in khaki bet Hammy he could spot him 25 playing pool and beat him. Hammy took him up. Hargreaves said if he did would he enlist and Hammy said he would so when he lost he kept his word. I thought he would some day anyway, he has been the butt of a good deal of sarcasm as there were a great many "patriotic" busy bodies who couldn't understand what their was to keep him home. They will have to turn all their attention to Cliff Lees now but I don't think it will affect him much. He is off to-day seeing L.G. Morgan &amp; the Penman's Company for the pond or something or other. I think the lawsuit was to come off to day. If he beats them I guess he is smarter than most people took him for but he can't be any crookeder</p> <p>Friday February 4th</p> <p>We haven't done much all day but chores. Enah went over to the Martin's this morning and telephoned down to find out how her father was and found he had had a good night and was better. This after noon I got my duds picked out for the hard time ball and Enah cleaned them up. I got a long tailed coat of Dad's out in the wood shed and a light coloured vest and wore one of my new blue and white shirts that Aunty Alice made me with a little plaid bow tie after that I just sat around and listened to Dad. read Happy Hawkins. Enah, Dad. &amp; the baby went down to Aunty's for tea so Frank and I had ours alone, Ferdy having gone down early in the afternoon to stay at the Dyer's or Henry's to tea and taken a suitcase full of clothes for himself and Dick. Frank and I went down as soon as I got togged up. I went into Aunty's for a minute or two and then went up to see how Marj. was, she has been at school the last two days and was waiting for Glad Law to go down and watch the dance for a little while I went down with them they all laughed heartily at my costume but when we got there we found very few dressed out of the ordinary</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Hazen was the best he had the doggonedest outfit on I ever saw great big coloured patches sewed all over his clothes and an old bit of side line for a belt with an alarm clock hanging to it for a watch it would go off every time there was a lull in the dancing The girls went home early and didn't dance at all. I went up with them and went in to show my self to Essie who had been at choir practice. She didn't say much and appeared shocked, it's part of her Methodist tomfoolery to think dancing, wicked, though I don't suppose she could tell why to save her neck. There wasn't such a big crowd there but we certainly had a good time Dad. &amp; Enah didn't get there till quite late. Enah had a tray there which she had carved and which she raffled off. Sam Morris drew the lucky ticket, we got home before three o'clock. Enah staying down at Aunty's where Tid was. It has got milder this after noon and was snowing when we came home</p> <p>Saturday February 5th</p> <p>I did a few chores to-day but spent most of the time just sitting around and going to sleep. I wrote to Quint this after noon and read a good deal of the newspaper as it is full of the accounts of the awful fire at Ottawa which destroyed the Parliament Buildings, they don't know yet whether the fire was caused by accident or whether it was the work of Germans but they have arrested one man on suspicion. It was an awful fire as seven people lost their lives two of them women and one a member and it destroyed what they say was the most beautiful public building in Canada North America. It has snowed most of the day and is very much milder. Enah walked home with the baby this morning Dad. killed and dressed three chickens but none of us have done much. Frank husked corn &amp; copied notes.</p> <p>Sunday February 6th</p> <p>Frank, Enah and I went to church this morning and were quite late, Frank and I especially, I stayed down at Aunty's to dinner and spent most of the afternoon at the Bagley's I came back to Aunty's for tea and went to church this evening with Aunty Alice, she went around after church with the Tibbits and I went home with Marj. &amp; Glad Law. We had a new preacher as Mr. Johnson is still up in Muskoka with his sick uncle, this man was a Mr. Low from Stratford and</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>seemed like a very nice man as well as a fairly good preacher. I went in to Aunty's on my way home to say good-bye to Ferdy as he is leaving in the morning and is going to stay there all night so as he will be handy to the train. It has been quite mild to-day and has snowed considerably.</p> <p>Monday February 7th</p> <p>This has been a regular winter day cold, some snow and very windy. We didn't do any thing but chores and Dad. put cotton on the last frame for the chicken house. This after noon I went down and got a tooth filled and stayed at Aunty Alice's to tea. Arthur Anderson walked over this morning to get Dad. to give him an order for some binder twine but Dad. didn't and afterwards he changed his mind so I gave them an order for fifty lbs this after noon. Mr. &amp; Mrs. Johnson, some people Aunty Alice knew in Fort Saskatchewan came in to-night and I went with her to the station to meet them. She spoke to to drive them up and he did but Mrs. {Name?} came in from {illegible} out of the hospital so he took her home first and had to drive very slowly and then as he was so close, went up to Davie's with Ida so by the time we got down to the house we might far better have walked. I went right back up with Al. and went around to call at the Moon's to say good bye to Miss Misner (Minnie) who is leaving in the morning to go with the Queen's University Kingston Corps to be a military nurse at Cairo, Egypt. She &amp; Mrs. Moon were just leaving when I got there to go to the Sunday school were the A.Y.P.A. and Willing Workers were entertaining the soldiers and sent Miss Misener an invitation so I went with them. Mrs. Skey &amp; Mrs. Col. Smith were there representing the I.O.D.E. and presented Miss Misener with an adress &amp; a purse. The orchestra was there and Cousin Willie was chairman, after quite a programe in which the soldiers "did their bit" we had refreshments and it was quite late when Frank and I got home.</p> <p>Tuesday February 8th</p> <p>Dad and I took our steer down to Bagley &amp; Miller's slaughter house where Whit Dixon is going to kill him for us We stopped in at Aunty's on our way back. Mr. &amp; Mrs. Johnson wanted to come over this after noon and see Jack Martin's chickens and as Mrs. Johnson is a little lame they wanted me to come down after dinner and drive</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>her over so I did and Mr. Johnson &amp; Aunty Alice walked over. Dad. came over and met us there and after we had seen pretty well all the plant he &amp; Mr. Johnson drove over to the farm. I walked over and Aunty Alice &amp; Mrs. Johnson called on Mrs. Martin and walked home. About half past four Dad. Enah &amp; Mr. Johnston &amp; the baby went down to Aunty {illegible} Frank and I did chores and had our tea alone. The Johnsons are going in the morning. Mrs. McBride has been here {washing?} all day. I am {illegible} there are hot times going on between the Martin's &amp; Quanbury's, the latter accused the former of listening to their telephone talk and old Mrs.Martin and Mrs. Charlie went over and called the Quanbury's down and John says Charlie called the boys all kind of names Jack is away but he isn't mixed up in it any way. It has not been so cold to-day and has snowed all the afternoon.</p> <p>Wednesday February 9th</p> <p>We did chores this morning and I put cotton on the window in the old hen's pen and blocked it up with boards where the glass had come out. Dad. had another fall after dinner and hurt his elbow quite badly. About four o'clock we hooked the big team to the waggon and went down to get our beef, we went right over to the slaughter house but Whit wasn't there so I had to walk back up town to get him and he drove me back. He had the beef killed and halved so it didn't take long to get him, we weighed one side and figured the whole carcass at 376 lbs, hindquarter 100 lbs and front 88 lbs, we got home about five thirty and I carried the meat down cellar Dad. isn't able to lift much after his fall. It has been mild but raw &amp; cloudy to-day a little more snow but not enough for sleighing.</p> <p>Thursday February 10th</p> <p>This morning after doing chores I tacked cotton over the other window in the old hen's pen. I took the two frames out to put glass in where it had come out but didn't have any panes to fit it so just put the cotton in. Dad. gave Jim a dose of salts she hasn't been just right since he was sick. This after noon he and I went down and got a load of coal, we took the waggon although there are a lot of sleighs out but we didn't think we could have a load over the road from here to the corner and around the hill Alan Law was in and got a couple of sacks of oats which</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>we owed him, they haven't a place yet but are thinking of taking Charlie McQueen's if they can ever get Charlie to make any agreement. To-night I went down town and just sat around and talked to Marj. all evening, she and Essie have each knitted a Red Cross sock so I tried them both on. Cloudy and raw wind all day. Clear and frosty to-night.</p> <p>Friday February 11th</p> <p>We didn't do much but chores this morning and unloaded our load of coal. This after noon I copied out a long letter I wrote to Lt. Col. Pratt in answer to the one I got on the recruiting subject. I sat up till two o'clock last night to write it About four o'clock Dad. hooked up Joe &amp; Ginger to the cutter and took Enah &amp; the baby down to Aunty's for tea, after tea Dad. Frank and I walked down as Aunty Alice's party that she has been talking about for the last month in honor of Dick's birthday All the family where there but noone else except Marj. &amp; Dess. We had a great time Huby keeping us laughing most of the time and the baby enjoying himself but not very bad. I showed Huby the letter I wrote to Pratt and he advised me not to send it. Dick and I got a ride home with Alan Law but had to wait till after twelve in at Hec's for him to start. Rather stormy but not very cold.</p> <p>Saturday February 12th</p> <p>Did chores all morning and Dad. drove down and brought Enah &amp; the baby home as they stayed down at Aunty's all night. This after noon we hooked Joe &amp; Queen up to the cutter and went down town. Queen went fine, she balked a little when we first started out at a snow drift and broke her martingale. Jim isn't any better to-day Dad. gave her another dose of salts but she won't eat or drink a thing. It has been very blustery to-day but not very cold.</p> <p>Sunday February 13th</p> <p>Frank and I went to church this morning and Frank went down to Sunday school. This after noon I took Joe &amp; Ginger with the cutter and took Marj. &amp; Glad. Law for a drive it was pretty cold up the gravel so we didn't go far. I brought the team home and then went down to Aunty Alice's to tea, there was no church in our church to-night. Cousin Willie conducted the service this morning. Mr. Johnson is still in Muskoka. Art. Quanbury told me this afternoon that they had telephoned over from the Jame's to get Enah to go down first thing in the morning so I went up to inquire into things to-night and found Mrs. James was in bed with a swelled neck and Elva wanted Enah to go down in the morning so she could go to work. I then went around and</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>helped Marj make valentines for her kids. It has been sunny to day but a very cold wind it is freezing hard to-night but a lovely night, moonlight and still.</p> <p>Monday February 14th</p> <p>Dad. took Enah down to the Jame's this morning and Dick &amp; Frank went at the same time. Enah took the baby with her When Dad. got back we took a hindquarter of the beef down to Aunty Alice &amp; Dad. cut it up partly for her. It was nearly noon when we got back. I went to sleep in the chair after dinner and didn't wake up till about two o'clock. Then Dad. and I went out and sacked up the wheat which was over in the big barn and hauled it over to the old barn we had to make two trips with it as we only had two bags but we filled the fifty bushel bin nearly, there was more here than we thought there was. To-night I went down to see "What {happened?} to Jones" which was put on by a bunch of Waterford amateurs and it was good and very comical. I was surprised to see Frank come in and sit down ahead of us with a nice looking little girl who Marj. told me was her cousin Olive Ward. He stayed down at Aunty's all night to get measured for a shirt. Enah and the baby also stayed down at the James. Poor Dad. had a very sad accident to-day as he killed his little canary, it flew out of its cage when he was giving it water as it often does and lit on the other cage which is suspended from the ceiling by a wire, he went to lift the cage up and instead of it coming off the wire the wire came off the ceiling and flopped over and broke the little fellow's back. It was a dandy singer and a great pet of Dad's. It is the last one, he has certainly had bad luck with them. Last night was the coldest night by a long way we have had this winter, the lowest reported temperature that I heard was 18° below zero and it has been very nipper all day but it is not so cold to-night.</p> <p>Tuesday February 15th</p> <p>Alan Law came in about half past nine this morning with his blue grass seed to take to sell so we threw on our (clover seed?) and he &amp; I lit out for Simcoe. Frank &amp; Aunty had just come over. We stopped in at Lynn Valley and Alan asked the fellow there what he would give him for his seed and the fellow told him just four dollars. Alan knew he had 210 lbs of it and Green had offered him 2 cts a lb the other night on a sample so Alan thought he might as well take it on to Simcoe, then it turned out that Green backed out and</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>wouldn't give him more than 1 1/2 cts a lb. making the excuse that he couldn't see the other night and didn't know there was so much wild flax in it, but Alan says he promised him the 2 cts for it. He then began to wish he had left it at Lynn Valley so he went and telephoned the fellow and found he was still willing to pay four dollars so on our way home we left it, although we hated to as of course the fellow rubbed it in about not talking a man's word. They were about all the after noon cleaning my seed, they put it through about three times and out of the five bags &amp; a half of stuff I took up I got one bag of clean seed but they got it pretty clean and charged me $1.25 for cleaning it. We didn't know what to do with all the dirt they cleaned out most of it plantain which looked like onion seed, but we loaded it on and when we got to Lynn Valley the fellow there told us to take in through to the back of the mill and dump it through a hole in the floor into the creek where he says he throws tons of it every year so we did saving one bag to fool Dad. with. We got done just about six after a very enjoyable outing. Frank stayed home all day and he &amp; Dad. got all the oats over in the big barn sacked up and half of them hauled over to the old barn. Aunty was over all day and just before we got back Dad. drove her down and brought Enah and the baby back. Frank told me that Val. Leany had quite a patch of ice cleared to cut ice and there were a few skating on it when he went down so to-night I went down, there wasn't a soul there but I went accross the pond there and thought it was pretty good so went up and got Marj. it took a lot of coaxing to get her to come alone but she did and we had a dandy skate for about an hour. We saw a couple on snow shoes go up the pond and we judged from their voices it was George Henderson &amp; Nell Hussey. When we got back to the Bagleys we found Nell. Smith &amp; Bill Marchington, he is supposed to be sick so came up here to recover. Raw wind but much milder.</p> <p>Wednesday February 16th</p> <p>This morning we did chores and hauled the oats which Frank and Dad. sacked up yesterday over to the old barn. This afternoon we bagged up about twelve bags of barley and oats and I took them down to be chopped, that grist took nearly all the pile. About six I took Dad. Enah &amp; the baby down town. Tid. stayed down at the house and Dad. &amp; Enah went to</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>the Methodist tea meeting. Frank and I had our tea alone. Frank has been in the house all day with a cold. It has been milder to-day and to-night there was a sort of sleet storm.</p> <p>Thursday February 17th</p> <p>First thing this morning I drove down in the bobsleighs after Enah and the baby as they stayed down all night. I took 3 1/2 doz. eggs down to Bagley &amp; Miller's and got 27 cts for them. When I got back I went down to the mill and got the grist I took down last night. This after noon Dad. &amp; I cleaned out all the chicken houses but not the scratching pens, that took us nearly all the after noon and haven't been able to clean off the dropping boards during the frozen weather and the floors were sadly in need of fresh sraw. Frank went to school to-day. It has been a beautiful spring day very soft and mild but misty and colder to-night.</p> <p>Friday February 18th</p> <p>This morning Dad. &amp; I hauled the oats that he and Frank sacked up on Tuesday over to the old barn and took what few that were there cleaned up over to the horse stable. This after noon we sacked up what was left of the barley &amp; oats but there wasn't much more than ten or twelve bushels. To-night Marj. and I went to the picture show but it wasn't much good. It has been pretty mild all day but blustery and cold to-night.</p> <p>Saturday February 19th</p> <p>Colin Ryerse came up before we had breakfast this morning to get Dad. to go down and tend to a cow which calved yesterday morning so he went down soon after breakfast. Frank and I did a few chores and then hauled the hay rack from the old barn over to the big one to put on a load of hay for the horse stable as we are just out there. We didn't get much on before dinner as I wanted to take it from the back of the mow and it was a long way to carry it. Then Charlie Quanbury came in with Dad's injecting pump which he had for Corbett and he delayed us quite awhile visiting and before he left Colin Ryerse brought Dad. back and he hung around and talked till about noon and then I took the car off the track over in the barn as Dad. thought we had better take it down while there was lots of hay under it This after noon Dad. &amp; I soon put a load on and Frank loaded it and we got it hauled over and pitched off by soon after four. Bill Marchington came over and invited me to go with them to Simcoe to skate, he saw Dad. first and asked if Tobias</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>was in, so Dad. took him for a recruiting officer as that is the way Pratt's letters have been addressed to me. However when I identified him Dad. showed him the sheep &amp; horses and was friendly enough. Bill had hired a team and two seater sleigh from Faulkner and six of us went up, Nellie, Essie &amp; Marj. Bill, Roy Dell &amp; myself. I was appointed driver and so was in the front seat with Bill &amp; Nellie. The nigh mare, Maud (which I think is the same mare Al. got from Walt McCall and which is widely known to be a devil) got started to go in a canter as soon as we started out and before we got to the head of Main St. my arm was just about all in trying in vain to bring her down to a trot. Once we got on the Gravel she lengthened out into a full run and there seemed to be no way of holding her. I stood up and see-sawed and at last Bill took them till I got my gloves off to get a better grip but he couldn't hold them at all and then we each took a line, all this time poor Nellie was getting more frightened, this method of driving of canter had its disadvantages and Maude got into the ditch and nearly upset us once and Bill had to get over in the middle to rest his arm so I was sitting on the arm of the seat and came within an ace of falling out, however when we got up about to Barwell's place we struck some loose ground and then Maude came down to a walk perforce and used all her energy to draw and from Bill Robert's corner to the halfway house we went at a stately walk, as I didn't want to get them sarted again till we turned the corner anyway and the girls were very well satisfied with the gait. Nellie was very nervous and Essie was inclined to be although she was in the back seat but I don't think Marj. cared a cent. They went at a delightful trot all the way into Simcoe and we certainly had a very enjoyable time at the rink, the band was there and the ice in lovely shape, afterwards we all went into Leas and had oyster soup, Bill standing treat for everything Roy didn't come home with us as he being in the 133rd Batt. band is practised in Simcoe and has to be on hand in the morning for church parade I suppose. The team acted fine coming home and we had a fine drive back. We started off with the three girls in the back seat but when we got down on the Dover Gravel Bill got me to stop and he changed places with Marj. and he and Esse nearly froze poor Nellie with their actions, Essie pretended to resist strongly but she enjoyed herself just the same Nellie didn't like it so well. I took the team to the barn after letting them all out at the Bagley's corner and I was about half dead when I got home about one o'clock. Dick came in half an hour later. It has been cold all day but milder to-night.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Sunday February 20th</p> <p>Frank went down to Sunday school and Enah and I went to church. Dad. drove Enah down but I walked. The soldiers were all in our church this morning and behaved themselves very well right from Bunyan &amp; Hammy down to Bill George. Hammond went to sleep during the sermon but didn't cause any disturbance and woke up in time to lead the boys out. Aunty came over here to dinner with Enah and Frank but I had dinner at Aunty Alices I spent the after noon at the Bagley's and also the evening. Nellie &amp; Bill were there to tea so I stayed too. Marj. &amp; I went to church and the rest all went to Methodist church but we all met again afterwards and had some music. Mr. Bagley went to the recruiting meeting in the town hall. They say Kelly (Redmond Kinsular) has enlisted with the Haldimand batt. and old Rickford went down to Toronto to enlist but couldnt qualify I went in to see Aunty for a few minutes on my way home, it has been very mild all day but is colder to-night.</p> <p>Monday February 21st</p> <p>It froze hard last night and has been pretty cold all day. We didn't do much but chores all day. Just before dinner Dad &amp; I went back across the gully to see if we could get the plow and bring it up but it was stuck to fast with the frost so we took the doubletrees and chain off of it and brought them up. This after noon I drove Enah down to the dentists' and she walked home. To-night I went down and saw Harry Moon about taking the orchestra up Vittoria to play at a dance they are having on Wednesday night. I am afraid I won't be able to take them unless the roads improve for sleighing, but I am to let him know on Wednesday morning I went over to make arrangements with Marj. to go to the carnival in Simcoe to-morrow night but she wasn't home and I couldn't find her. Essie went up this after noon to the Russian concert. Dad. and Enah drove down to-night to go to a party at Aunty Alices and I went down there and drove Joe home. I then crawled into bed beside the baby's cot and went to sleep he woke up as usual but I took him in beside me and just let him cry for awhile and he soon went to sleep.</p> <p>Tuesday February 22nd</p> <p>We did chores and husked a little corn this morning and this after noon cleaned out the ice house, at least Dad. did I helped him till about three o'clock and then went in and got</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>my clothes picked out for the carnival and got fixed up. I got an old evening dress coat and a vest that Dad. wore at the Jacobite show and Aunty Alice and Enah fixed some lace around the throat of it. Miss Phipps and Aunty Alice came over this after noon. Miss Phipps didn't stay long and wanted Dad to read a poem on Saturday night as they are giving the soldiers another feed it being the anniversary of Paardeburg.</p> <p>Aunty Alice stayed to tea and later Miss Harding came down over and she stayed too I drove then both down when I went about six. I called for Marj. and found her all decked out in a suit covered with pennants of different towns and looked fine. We had a fine time, Essie went up yesterday and stayed all day to-day at the Hogg's so we stopped there on our way up but they weren't going in costume so we went on, we were surprised and rather disappointed at the very small crowd. There weren't more than a couple of dozen in costume I don't believe. However we had a good skate Essie Miss Hoag, Mr &amp; Mrs Murray Hamilton and some Bob. Hunter a soldier and a cousin of Miss Hoag's came on after the judging was done and we were there till about ten o'clock, we then went down to the Hoags and had something to eat and drink altogether having a very nice time I think. Essie came home with us and we got in soon after one. We had to take the buggy as it has been very soft and sunny all day and the snow melted.</p> <p>Wednesday February 23rd</p> <p>Dad. and I went down first thing this morning and got a load of ice, there was a big crowd of teams around the platform and we had to wait quite awhile to get loaded. It snowed about an inch last night so we took the sleighs but the hill was about bare so I went over to the mill and told Harry Moon I wouldn't be able to take them up to night but when we got to the top of the hill with our load, we found they got up quite well so I went back and told Harry I would take them, he said they would much rather go in the sleighs than the automobile if it was possible. It was about noon when we got the load off. This after noon Dad. hauled two more loads and I did up the stables and chinked the ice we had in. To-night I took Harry &amp; Joe and got down to Harry Moon's about seven or a little after. Besides the five members of the orchestra, there were five girls waiting to go. Winnie, Frances Slocombe, {Frances?} Dyer and the two Fisher girls. We got to Vittoria in about an hour, the roads were far better than I expected and we jogged along all the</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>way at a pretty good rate, old Harry got pretty well warmed up but I got them in a stable at the hotel so I guess it didn't hurt him any. We had a fine time up there in the old hall. I had about the best time I ever had and every one else said the same. Carl Coleman and Pat brought another load up and there were several others from Dover up. Mr &amp; Mrs. Rev Johnson were there and Mr Johnson had a high time. We stopped dancing soon after three but it was quite awhile before we got started for home. The return ride was a delightful one as the moon was well up and the air clear and frosty. By the time I got home, the team put away and into bed it was about five o'clock. The orchestra paid me two dollars for taking them and it cost me one dollar and sixty cents. Harry said I neen't have paid the dollar to dance as their driver alwas got in free but the proceeds were for patriotic purposes and I had such a whale of a time I didn't begrudge it. The hotel fellows soaked me fifty cents for putting the team in and ten cents for checking the robes. The soldiers all went to a dance in Port Ryerse to-night, they went in three loads and one load upset and the team got away according to reports coming home Hammy Innes was driving and it was the same team that took us to Simcoe last Saturday night. Very soft but cloudy all day.</p> <p>Thursday February 24th</p> <p>I didn't get up till half past nine this morning and have just being doing chores and chinking ice all day. Dad. didn't haul a load this morning but hauled a couple this after noon. The sleighing on the hill was completely gone so he had to haul in the waggon, nothing of importance happened to day it has been mild but there is quite a snowstorm to night.</p> <p>Friday February 25th</p> <p>It snowed hard about all night so there was plenty of it this morning to make dandy sleighing. Dad took the boys down in the bob sleighs and intended to bring a load of ice back with him but the engine down there was broked down again so he couldnt get any, he went down to the house and shoveled all their paths for them I did chores and chinked the last load of ice we put in last night. Dad. thought one of us ought to attend the annual meeting of the patron's of the Black Creek Creamery in the town hall this after noon so said he would haul a load of ice and I could go although I wasn't very keen on it. The secretary and auditors made their reports which were satisfactory and Lea Marshall hit them up for a raise. He gave a statement</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>of his expenses and receipts at the request of George Hammond and explained that the factory was getting into a very bad state of repair while help was going to be scarcer an consequently much dearer next year so that he found he could not make butter for three cents a lb as he has beeng doing and asked for a raise of half a cent. After hearing this explanation and also that Lea had been offered good big wages to go and make butter for other fellows no one demurred in giving the three and a half cents so it was resolved to give it to him. There was another speaker there from Guelph or some place Mr Hearns I think his name was and I think represented the Dairyman's Association and he gave us a nice address on the care of cream and the production of it, I'd heard it or read it all before more than once but still it was interesting. After the meeting I went upstairs to see the soldiers' clubroom, it was very nicely furnished and decorated and looked very comfortable, most of the boys were out on their march but Hammond and three others were playing cards up there and another one over in the corner running a phonograph I then went up and got my hair cut and went over to the Post Office to see when May Perry would be ready to go to the dance to-night, she promised to go but when I went over backed out and said she was too tired so I didn't urge her very much but I heard afterwards that she went to Simcoe to-night with Elva so if that's the case I'm through with her. I stopped in at Aunty's on my way home and Mr. &amp; Mrs. {Name?} Bowlby and Eva were just leaving. Just as I got home Dad. was coming out in the cutter to go down and bring Aunty over to stay all night with the baby, so I went down instead. To-night Dad. Enah and I went to the country dance in the town hall, it was got up by George Crosbie, Charlie Long and Sid. McBride and there was certainly a crowd there I didn't get there till about eleven as I went over to see Marj. for a little while, but as it didn't break up till about half past four I was in lots of time to have some fun. I didn't dance anything much but square dances but it was mostly square dances and I didn't miss many. There was such a crowd that they could hardly dance a round dance. There were a few townspeople there including Toty Smith, the R.M Taylor's, the Si. Butlers, the Carl Coleman's, Mrs {Name?}, Mrs. Sinclair and a few others and every body from the country. Kelly was there all dolled up in his uniform, he is still teaching school but starts to drill on the first of March. Dad. and Enah didnt stay as long as they might have but I was there as long as any and the town clock</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>struck five just as I was ploughing through the snow under the hickory nut tree over here in Martin's field and I didn't waste very much time in getting to bed. It has been a nice day</p> <p>Saturday February 26th</p> <p>I didn't get up till half past ten this morning as nobody woke me. I did wake up up when Frank got up at seven and thought of getting up then, but before I could get the proposition properly turned over in my mind, I had got myself comfortably turned over in bed and knew no more till ten thirty. Frank and Dad did chores and when I got out Frank and I chinked the load of ice Dad got yesterday and packed in sawdust while Dad. went down and got another load before dinner. This after noon Dad. took a load of ice down to the cheese factory as all the farmers are hauling one load for Lea Marshall. Frank and I did chores and Alan Law brought us over a load of ice. He said he wasn't going to be done out of hauling one load for us as it might be his last one if they move away. He was half way up the hill on his way home when he saw Dad. drive into the ice platform so he came back and offered to take a load over on his way home. Dad. didn't get home till late and was about frozen he brought a load of coal back with him, he said he had to break a track all the way down and it filled up as fast as he made it. Frank drove Enah down town this after noon to a supper and entertainment the ladies of the I.O.D.E. gave to the soldiers and cadets. I stayed in the house in case Tid. woke up and started to write this but went to sleep, however the baby didn't wake up till Dad. got home, we had tea with out Enah and about half past nine I drove down to Aunty Alices and got her. Cousin Clare came up up to-night from Hamilton very unexpectedly to stay for a week. The two latest recruits to sign up with the 133rd are to say the least a variety, they being Jonas Green and Ed. Moon. Neither have been examined yet so I don't think there is any chance of Jonas being accepted as he is terribly ruptured and it seems to be uncertain whether Ed is going in the ranks or is going to train for an officer. The war news for the week has not been very cheering. The big German offensive has become a terrific and desperate drive concentrated on the French line around Verdun. The French are falling back closer to the Verdun forts and will no doubt do every thing in their power to hold it as if it falls the road will be open for Paris, and those who should know say that if the Huns enter Paris, London will be in a very grave predicament. Very blizzardy day and snowing hard to-night.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Sunday February 27th</p> <p>None of us went to church or Sunday school this morning as we didn't get up in time. I didn't do anything much all morning but got shaved and this after noon Dad. drove Dick and me down town. He had to drive through the lane a couple of times to break a track as it was filled right up. I took a couple of dozen eggs that were no good for Jack to Aunty Alice and two dozen and a half of Jack's eggs to Mr. Hobbes, he has been beggng and coaxing Dick to bring him some for the last week so I took them down and charged him a dollar for them and told him I couldn't possibly let him have any more, he gave me the dollar and thanked me very much for what I took. I spent the after noon with Marj. and had tea at Aunty's. I went alone to church to-night and they had a very slim crowd. Marj. was there and we went up and got Essie at the Methodist church and all went down to the town hall to hear Father {Nagel?} giveing a recruiting speech and he proved to be an exceptionally good speaker, he gave very strong reasons for those who could to enlist but didnt speak in a bullying or tantalizing style as most of them do. Mr. Johnson was chairman and Hammond gave a short appeal but both of them seemed very poor after hearing the priest. Poor old Lloyd I think was nervous and used fierce English, none of their eloquence brought forth any recruits there but for all I know some may have been hit as there was a good crowd there. Woodyer came home with Essie and we sat around for about an hour reading Burns and some gems of American humorists. I went into Hec's on my way home to see if I could get a ride home with Alan but he had ridden down as the roads were so bad, so I had to walk, I thought I was going to have a bad toothearache to-night as my left ear felt as if it was full of water but it didn't ammount to anything. Very blizzardy and rough all the afternoon although sunny. Clear and cold to-night.</p> <p>Monday February 28th</p> <p>I haven't done any thing all day but chores and sit around the house. I have felt rather lazy I suppose on account of my cold. Dad. drove Frank to school this morning. Dick didn't come home last night and he felt a little anxious about him as he said positively yesterday he would be home, however he changed his mind when the time came and stayed all night at the bank. This after noon Dad. stowed the load of ice Alan brought on Saturday and about five o'clock he and I unloaded</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>the load of coal, a little after six Alan came in and borrowed our sleigh to go to Simcoe to-night with a load and left his here. This after noon we saw what we think was Faulkner's roan mare going by here on the run hitched to a cutter with nobody in it. Presently Colin Ryerse came after it bareback on his black mare and soon after came back driving the roan and leading the black. I went down to interview him, he said a couple of girls had upset coming up their hill which was full and the horse had got away, he caught it down at the mill bridge where it had stopped. The dashboard of the cutter was broken and it was full of snow. It has been a fine day fairly sunny and cold.</p> <p>Tuesday February 29th</p> <p>This morning Dad. went over to Quanbury's to arrange to have their party for us on Wednesday postponed till next week, while he was over there Ham. Thompson came after him to go and tend to a cow which had aborted. Ham is having bad luck with his stock this year as a mare aborted the other day too. He went over and got Dad. and he was up there most of the fore noon. This after noon he stowed and chinked the ice and did chores I have been in the house all day as my cold has been pretty bad, my ear ached last night and my throat was pretty sore. This morning I pasted pictures in my snap shot album and slept most of the after noon. Bright and cold, quite a snow storm this after noon.</p> <p>Wednesday March 1st</p> <p>I have not been out of the house to day but have felt a lot better, Frank stayed home to help Dad. Floyd Crysler came after him first thing this morning to go and see a sick calf and old Billy Lewis followed him over there and took him on out to his place to tend to a cow that had aborted. It is beginning to look a little like contagious abortion as Fred Misner had a case too. Dad. says it is rich to hear old Billy curse Pratt, as young Billy has been the recipient of letters like mine from him and they evidently take more stock in them. Young Billy has been down in Hamilton working in a munitions factory but is home again now. This after noon Dad and Frank got another load of hay over to the old barn and enough ice to fill the ice house and then went down and borrowed Charlie Quanbury's flat rack as they expect to go to Port Rowan in the morning to get a load of Aunt Ida's furniture</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Mrs. Tupper made a call on Enah this after noon. Mr. Henderson was over this after noon to see if he could buy a couple of pullets but I didn't want to sell any. He also wanted a setting of eggs later on. The two girls who upset on Ryerse's hill on Monday were {Name?} Turner and the nurse who is there. Lovely winter day. Cold and sunny.</p> <p>Thursday March 2nd</p> <p>Dad. and Frank got started for Port Rowan about nine o'clock this morning, and I have managed to get all the chores done up all right. I didn't feel very badly but a little weak and didn't try to do any more than the chores. I came in the house about two o'clock and started to read but went to sleep and slept till half past four, but I was all through in time to have tea about seven o clock which is as late as we often have it under normal conditions. I didn't go down town to-night but went to bed fairly early. Lovely day, sunny and fairly cold.</p> <p>Fridnes Friday March 3rd</p> <p>I have felt quite a lot better to-day but didn't do anything but chores, there wasn't much else I could do alone except chink the last load of ice and I didn't want to get into the ice house with my cold. This morning I took nine dozen eggs over to Jack Martin and this after noon when I got through I came in and shaved. Dad. &amp; Frank didn't get home till about five o'clock, they had a lot of furniture on {illegible} Aunt Ida sent over here and they left most of their load down at Aunty's. Dad. says there is more stuff up there including a walnut bureau and wash stand that Aunt Ida said we could have and he is going to make a special trip for them. To-night Dad. went down to Aunty's and put a lot of the furniture to-gether that he had to take apart to bring down Frank went down to a social that the High School pupils had in the school house, Lloyd Ryerse called for him, it is evidently going to be a grand affair as Frank has been talking about it for a week. Lloyd said the trustees not only gave their consent that they should hold it in the school house, but had gas lights put in for them, he said all the trustees were invited and I asked both of them if the the public school teachers were invited and the both said none of them but Mr. Smith were, so I went down to see Marj. as I haven't been down since last Sunday, but she had gone to the social with Miss McQueen, so I was there about half an hour talking to</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Mrs. Bagley and then went down to Aunty's and waited there till Dad. was ready to come home and came with him. Mrs. Willie Steele died to-night. Walt just went to Brantford the other day and got a job in a mill up there, he has been with this mill since he was thirteen years old. Poor old Bill Duncan died very suddenly on Wednesday. Dad. and Frank met his funeral on the Gravel to-day. Dick says there is trouble brewing between Lt. Col. Pratt and the other officers of the 133rd Batt. It seems Walt. McCall wasn't supposed to assume the duties of liutennant till they went to camp in the Spring but he and Pratt got into a poker game in which Walt skinned Pratt for about $200.00 and Pratt ordered him into his uniform and on duty so now Walt is going around with a petition to have Pratt deposed, so I don't know how it will come out. Cold and not so sunny but a nice day</p> <p>Saturday March 4th</p> <p>Frank and Dad. chinked the ice and put in the sawdust this morning but I don't think they got it all covered. This after noon they went down town to get a load of slabs but couldn't get any. Hawey is going to let them know when they can get them, some time next week. I just puttered around all day this morning I put a cage up in the old hen's pen so that I could shut one of the roosters up every other day as one is boss. This after noon I fixed a rigging out in the cow stable to facilitate the weighing of the milk in the hopes of getting Dad into the habit of it. To-night we printed a lot of the old pictures, when I was pasting them in my album the other day I found that I had given away all the best ones so I sorted out my films and picked out about twenty five and printed them to-night. There seemed to be something wrong with the developer as as it took about a minute or more for them each to develop, afterwards we noticed a lot of crystals in the bottom of the developer bottle that didnt mixup with the rest of the liquid. Pretty cold all day but nice.</p> <p>Sunday March 5th</p> <p>Frank went down to Sunday school and church this morning and I would have gone to church but Dad. was going to Aunty's for dinner and said he would go to church if I did up the chores, so I did but he didn't get off in time for church but went to Aunty's for dinner, this</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>after noon he went up to say good bye to Tiny as she is going to Toronto tomorrow night and sails for England on Saturday, he saw Harry Ansley and he took him up to the stable to show him a mare he bought in Toronto Dad. says he brought seven home. The mare is a Clyde about eight years old, has been working, is bred to a Percheron and due to foal the 2nd. of May, he wants Dad. to bring her over her and keep her till its time to wean the colt on any terms he likes, Dad didn't tell him he would but I said he might as well, as we can't lose much and might get quite a lot of use out of her this summer. Dad. also made a dicker with Al. Faulkner for a pair of geese for Frank, Al. has a pair he wanted to put out some place and said if Frank would take them he could have half the increase, so Dad. knowing Frank has been trying to get some geese thought that a pretty good proposition so Dad. did quite a stake of business if he didn't get to church. Dick and I drove down soon after dinner and Marj. and I went with for a a cutter ride and had a nice time although the roads were pretty drifted in spots, and a cold west wind but sunny and nice when the wind was in our back. To-night I walked down to church and after church Marj. and I went to hear Miss Templeton Armstrong from Port Rowan speak at the recruiting meeting. I didn't think much of her speech and much less of her looks, her hair was cut off short and she took her hat off to speak. Dad. says Uncle Massey used to call her the he-she and it certainly suited her. Frank came down to hear her and I went down to Aunty's on my way home and Frank was there so we came home to-gether.</p> <p>Monday March 6th</p> <p>I drove the boys down town this morning and took Frank around to Faulkner's to get his geese, he had quite a time finding him but did at last and I brought the geese home while he went on to school where he would be very late. When I got home I hooked Joe to the cutter and drove Enah down to see if Mrs. McBride would come over to-night and look after Tid if we all went to the concert. Mrs. McBride was at the Stamps, she could come and said she would while Enah was there and in seeing her mother for a few minutes I put Joe in the Methodist church shed and went over to see Harry Ansley about the Clydesdale mare. Tiny let me in and I talked to her for a quite awhile before I asked for her father and then I found he wasn't in so I went down to the fish shanties</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>and all over town but couldn't find him so got Joe and started for Enah when I saw him with Huby, he went up with me and showed me the mare and told me we could either buy her now for $120.00 which is the price he paid for her or we could bring her over and let her raise her colt and sell her in the fall and share the profits so I told him we would get her soon, I got Enah down at Aunty's and we got home about noon. Tupper came after Dad. right after dinner to see a cow so I did up the chores and about five o clock drove down and got Mrs. McBride. To-night Dad. Enah and I drove down to the concert given by Zeitha Barwell, Miss Prest and Miss Martin and it was certainly worth hearing rather high toned an classical maybe for most of us but enjoyable nevertheless. It has been a very stormy and disagreeable day Strong east wind and a blinding snow storm this morning afterwards turning to rain and freezing. It was still raining when we got home but had got much milder and the ice was dropping off the trees and making a great row. We saw several vivid flashes of lightening while the concert was in progress and Mrs. McBride said that they heard thunder plainly over here. She stayed all night but hadnt gone to bed when we got home.</p> <p>Tuesday March 7th</p> <p>We did chores up this morning and about eleven I went over to shovell out a track at the top of the hill at the cut on the side road, as Charlie Butler told me yesterday that it ought to be done, and it was too windy and drifting to do it yesterday but when I got over there this morning it was all done. Dad. husked a little corn while I was there. This after noon I cleaned out the dropping boards in the chicken house as they have not been cleaned out for quite awhile on account of the frost. Al. Faulkner came over this after noon and brought over another goose for Frank. To-night, Frank and I drove down town in the bobsleighs to take a load of schoolkids down to Dave Ward's, Olive Ward asked Frank if he could get me to take them down and said Marj. was going too but when we got there they said that they had seen Marj. a little while before going to the doctor's about her neck and couldn't go, so as I didn't know what could be the matter with her, I was a little anxious to know and as I wasn't very keen on going with the kids anyway I excused myself and went up and spent the evening with Marj. she wasn't in a very serious condition but had a stiff neck. Frank took charge of trhe load and got back between three</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>and four o'clock, he said they had a great time down there dancing till twelve o'clock but not later as it was then Lent. The sleighing was poor but they had no accidents I heard to-night that Jack Martin has bought Vyse out. Sunny, but windy to-day quite a snow storm to night about midnight, but Frank and his pals missed it.</p> <p>Wednesday March 9th</p> <p>This morning Dad. and I drove down town and took the baby and we got Joe shod in at Bert Greenbury's who has started up in Butler's old stand. Aunty and Aunty Alice were at church as this is Ash Wednesday, but weren't long and Dad. stayed there with the baby till they got back. I took the buggy {illegible} down and we looked at the arms of Harry Ansley's buggy which is out in the barn down there, it looks as if it had been painted twice but is in pretty good shape, I got Joe out of the shop at noon and Dad. and I went up town found Harry Ansley at the post office and took him up with us and got his mare and brought her over. We left the baby down there to dinner. This after noon we did chores and about four o'clock drove down after the baby He wasn't at all anxious to come home. Frank was down at Aunty's and he and I went up and got the posted a letter of Enah's. Frank got a sheet to night showing a system of keeping Farm accounts as arranged by a Mr. Stark District Representative for Peel Co. we saw an account of it in an old number of the Farmer's Advocate so Frank wrote to him the other day. It seems like a very simple yet efficient system and only single entry. I spent the evening pasting snapshots in my album. Sunny but quite cold all day and very blizzardy to-night.</p> <p>Thursday March 10th</p> <p>Frank stayed home from school to-day to help us move some hay from the big barn, we did chores this morning and got a pretty good sized load over to the horse stable before dinner, and this after noon got another over to the old barn for the cattle, we had to get the chores done early to-night as we all went over to Quanbury's to tea at six oclock we had a great tea, but Dad. had to leave right after to attend a meeting to arrange for a reunion of all Mr. Smith's old pupils on the first of July. Enah, Frank the baby and I stayed till about half past nine and then Art drove us home as it was a fierce night. Billy {Falcon?} was in to</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>see Dad this morning about a sick cow and Norman Holden came to get a dose for George's horse. To-night Charlie Butler tracked him over to Quanbury's to see about a sick cow, there is an awful lot of trouble among the cattle this year for some reason or other. This after noon Frank and I took Martin's sleighs back and got our own with Quanbury's rack on it as we had intended going to Port Rowan to-morrow but to-night it is the worst blizzard of the season, and a lot of snow fallen, so the drifts will be too bad to go through to-morrow and get back the same day as we want to. Dick walked home to-night and so did Dad. Dick said the drifts were as high as his waist down by Chris Quanbury's. Cold wind but sunny all day.</p> <p>Friday March 11th</p> <p>It was very evident this morning that we could not go to Port Rowan to-day so Frank went to school, he was going to stay home and do chores if we went. I spent most of the morning shovelling out paths through the drifts and cleaning out the stable. Dad. walked down town after he got the morning chores done and stayed at Aunty's for dinner, he shovelled all their snow for them. He wanted to find out more particulars about the financial state of the church. Jack Martin told him last night that they were about five hundred dollars in debt and that several members of the congregation had said they would not help to clear it unless there was a change made {illegible}. Dad. told Jack he didn't see how he could do much and didn't feel in duty bound to any way as he has kept up his share in the collection envelope. This after noon I cleaned out the incubator and got it in place ready to start down cellar. To-night I went down to see Marj. but found she had gone to Nanticoke to stay till Sunday night. I wasn't very surprised because I knew she had been intending to go these last two Friday nights. I went up to Huby's for most of the evening Aunty Maude and Lila were the only ones home, they didn't know where Huby was and Win was over the hill she came in before I left. They got cards from Quint yesterday saying he had left the mill and was now in New York and to expect him home soon. They are all very sorry he has left the mill especially now that Jack is not</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>at home. They can't think of any reason unless he has just got mad at some body. We thought {illegible} was coming home to enlist and Huby hopes that is the reason, he hinted at it in one of his cards. To-days war news is a little better. The French have checked the German advance in places and and made an advance themselves in one place but I think it is just about nip &amp; tuck yet. Every one seems to think that this battle is going to be the turning point of the war for the victors. Nice day.</p> <p>Saturday March 11th</p> <p>Dad. and Frank shovelled out the lane this morning and I went over to Jack Martin's and got them to put my incubator thermometer in one of their machines to test it. Then I went down to the Quanbury's and got a bag of white carrots as Dad. wants to see if he can tempt Jim into eating one, but she just took a few bites and then wouldn't look at it. This after noon we hooked Queen and Harry up and went down town and got some oil and turpentine for Jim and also the mail. To-night I was out in the chicken house putting crude oil on the old hens legs for scaly leg when Colin Ryerse came past and called my attintion to a big fire in the west, we thought it looked about at Tom Myers or Wess Baughner's so started up to it, when we got to the mill it looked as if it was at Colin McNellige's so we started up the track, we soon could see it was still farther on but as it looked straight ahead on the track and we knew it wasn't over the top of the big hill we thought it must be some where in Doan's Hollow, but when we got there it looked just as far away as ever but we thought since we had tramped that far we would find out where the fire was if we had to go to Simcoe, so we did and reached our journey's end at Lynn Valley where we found Edmond's old mill burned to the ground, the walls had all fallen but there was a big blaze yet and quite a crowd around it. It seems they think it caught from overheated machinery as they had been working late chopping alfalfa meal, they had a carload of bluegrass all ready to ship so it was a big loss for Edmonds and they say the fellow that ran it, Graham, lost every thing he had. They say it wasnt discovered till the flames burst through the roof and when Graham pushed open the door down stairs the flames shot out in his face so it must have gone up like tinder. It made an awful blaze and could be</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>seen for miles, as far as Nanticoke, and it was in the hollow too, three Dover kids drove in with one of Faulkner's horses after we got there and were about frozen, they had driven all over the country trying to get to it and couldn't locate it from the roads, we hung around for half an hour and as we didn't see any chance of a ride back we hit the track again. Colin was invited to stay all night with his cousins but he didn't know what his folks would think so came back with us, we got home just about twelve and as it was a little after eight when we left home we didn't make bad time, we went up in about an hour and a half. They were up when we got home and Dick informed us that the fire was at Sutton's mill in Simcoe, but we enlightened them on that point. It has been sunny and soft all day but a raw wind. Clear, frosty and moon light to-night lovely for walking.</p> <p>Sunday March12th</p> <p>Frank went down to Sunday school this morning and Dad Enah and the baby went down to church, this was the first trip for the baby to church since he was christened and was just an experiment. I was sure they wouldn't be able to keep him quiet for ten minutes but Dad. said he couldn't have been better, the soldiers were in church and Mr. Herbert preached, he has enlisted as a chaplin and is going to speak at the recruiting meeting to-night. Aunty Alice came over to dinner with them and was here all the after noon. I didn't go down town this after noon, but Dick did and Frank went down to Ryerse's to see the ferret that Colin bought at Bill George's sale. We had an early tea and Frank drove Aunty Alice and me down and I went to church. I spent the evening up at the Bagley's. Marj's cousins the Doughty's brought her home before tea and they had all just got home from church when I got there. I stopped in at Aunty's on my way home and got three pieces of cake and Uncle Hal's big coon skin coat as we intend to go to Port Rowan in the morning. I wore it home over my other one and nearly cooked as it was a very warm night. It has been getting milder all day and was raining for awhile to-night.</p> <p>Monday March 13th</p> <p>We all got up fairly early this morning and Dad and I got started soon after seven for Port Rowan</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>with Harry and Joe. It froze a little during the night and there was a slight North west wind but the roads were grand, we couldn't have chosen a better day to go, the sun was hot and coming home the snow was pretty well off the roads in places, so we took longer to get back but went up in about three hours, we got our load on before noon and had our dinner over at Mr. Pete Backhouses Clara was sick in bed, we got a dandy great big walnut bureau and a heavy walnut washstand besides a smaller washstand also walnut but with two big holes cut in the top of it for basins, the first too Aunty Ida gave to Dad and also a bedstead supposed to be walnut. The bureau is the best of the lot hard built and built as solid as a house and walnut right through except the back, the only trouble is everything is varnished. We unloaded it after tea Art &amp; Charlie Quanbury came in for awhile, they had been out to the farm with a load of manure. Frank went down to a travelling show that struck town called "The man from Canada". I went to bed fairly early as I was inclined to be tired.</p> <p>Tuesday March 14th</p> <p>Glen Ryerse came this morning about half past ten, we had begun to think he wasn't coming but he did and got the old shed all jacked up and in place by about four o'clock, it wasn't nearly the job to get the ends of the rafters on the purlin plate that we thought it would be when we raised the front posts Glen just pryed the ends of the rafters up and as the front raised the rafters slid in on the plate. The middle rafters didnt meet on the plate but Glen said if we raised the middle of the shed till they did meet there would be a hump in the shed roof the same as is in the barn roof and would look bad, the hump in the barn roof being caused by the corner posts rotting and settling. Frank stayed home from school and we could have got along without any extra help but I had told Art Quanbury to come over after dinner so he came, he had to tell Jack that Glen was going out to his own place to get off as he was very busy Jack Chris being sick. Art and I nailed pockets on the two rafters over the purlin plate so that they can't spread again so easily. Glen got through about four</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>and just charged two dollars. Cloudy &amp; cold east wind.</p> <p>Wednesday March 15th</p> <p>This has been a very rough day high cold east wind and snow I drove the boys down this morning and went down and shovelled Aunty's snow, they were just getting up when I got there so I had some breakfast with them as I was cold. I didn't do much the rest of the day but sat around and read or sleep. I put a new wick in the incubator lamp and lit it but I wont put the eggs in till it gets going all right. Dad &amp; Enah have been working most of the day and all evening at getting the names out of Mr. Smith's old registers that Huby sent over, they were at it last evening too. To-night I went down to see Marj. The wind had gone down and it was a lovely moonlight night but cold.</p> <p>Thursday March 16th</p> <p>This morning we took a load of Aunt Ida's stuff that we brought from Port Rowan down with us, down to her, and it was noon when we left there as we were late getting started, we stopped in at Quanbury's on our way home and took their rack off and put on our own waggon box which has been there since the first trip to Port Rowan. Just as we got through dinner who should come along but Mr. Blaikie so he was here all the after noon and part of the evening but wouldnt stay all night, he came up to Alfred's on Tuesday, he was more than loaded with conversation and entertained us with his experiences in the peach country. We just did chores and visited with him all day although we should have gone to the mill. Blaikie wants us to take some of his boxes down to the train to-morrow as he is going to take some to Hamilton He is tired of the city and knocking around and says he is going to have a little place of his own before next winter. Frank went down town to tea to-night at Aunty's. Dad. was to have gone and gone to a meeting of the Mr. Smith reunion committee but as Blaikie was here and he didn't have the names all out he didn't go. Quint was to have come home to-night but didn't arrive. Aunty Alice intends to go to Toronto on Saturday to stay with Roy for a week. Vernon has been up in Brantford with Miss. Very sunny but raw wind.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Friday March 17th {Wee sketch of 2 shamrocks}</p> <p>It froze hard last night and has been very cold and raw all day though sunny. They say it was down to zero last night. We didn't do much this morning. I killed a chicken and Dad. plucked it for Aunty Alice to take to Roy if she goes to-morrow. I took four dozen eggs over to Jack Martin's. This after noon Dad. and I sacked up six bags of barley and oats and took them down to the mill and then went on down town and got a load of coal. We got back about four and I helped Dad. unload it and then got ready and went down to the St. Patrick's tea they had in the Methodist church, it was a dandy tea but the church was very cold so when we had tea I went home with Marj and waited for about an hour till the entertainment commenced and then we went back to the church. Marj. and Essie both took their knitting, but Essie had to accompany most of the performances. The church was cold as they can't get any gas the last few days but it didn't last long. I stayed down at Aunty Alice's to-night to help her get off in the morning. I wasn't very late going down but she and Aunt Ida had gone to bed but Aunty was sitting up.</p> <p>Saturday March 18th</p> <p>I went to the station this morning with Aunty Alice and she got off safely, we got nearly to the station when she remembered a box of eggs she was going to take to Roy so I had to hike back after them but I got them in time. I went right home and saw a poor little robin on the hill, it is the first one I have heard of this year and it looked about frozen, as it went down to ten below zero last night. Ever since that night on my way home I had been hatching a plot to go to Simcoe to skate to-night as the girls told me Bill Marchington was up and I thought it would be a g ood chance to get even on him for his trip, so I told Dad. and he suggested that I drive Dick down and then make arrangements for my load. I went to the Bagley's first and as Essie and Marj. seemed to favor the idea I was naturally very disappointed when I went over to the Smith's and Nellie told me that Bill had to go home to-night, and she wouldn't go if he didn't, he wasn't up yet. As I had got so far I thought I had better keep on with the load so Marj. suggested I ask May &amp; Johnnie and three more boys. May &amp; Johnnie jumped at the chance to go but I had an awful time finding any boys who were game</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>I thought I could get Clark in the bank easily but he said he had been out every night so far this week &amp; didn't want to go, and Dick didn't and Hazen didn't. I got Dick to telephone Woodyer and he said he'd go and then I got Milton Cruise and let it go at that. I got a hundred of sugar and came home. I didn't do much this after noon Charlie Quanbury came over and said old Jonas had telephoned Jack Martin last night to have Dad. go up there and see Nellie &amp; the colt, they are both down and he doesn't know what to do. Dad did intend to get some hay over, but thought he had better go up and see Jonas and then some thing happened that we didn't get started in time and it wound up with Dad. &amp; Frank going down town in the bobsleighs with Harry &amp; the new mare and getting the mail and hauling enough hay over on the waggon box for tonight. Norman Holden came over about five o'clock to get a boll for his horse. Frank &amp; I got started a little late for Simcoe but didn't have to wait at all in town as the load was all ready at the Bagley's when we got there. It wasn't a very nice night going up as it was snowing but wasn't a bit cold. We got up about half past eight and had an hour and a half's good skating as the ice was in good shape and then had a little supper before we came home, we got home about half past twelve and they said they had a good time. Frank drove up and I drove home. Frank stayed down town all night at Aunty's as she promised Aunty Alice she would have one of us stay every night. Dick was at the bank when we drove past and came home with me. There was a mince pie on the table and some cocoa that Enah had fixed so I had a cup of cocoa and some pie and Dick half the pie.</p> <p>Sunday March 19th</p> <p>I would have gone to Sunday school this morning but didn't feel very well after breakfast and sat around till I was almost too late to get ready for church, however I did get ready. John Wess &amp; Lloyd Crysler came in for a few minutes John Wess wants Dad. to go over and have a look at Mildred who has lymphangites again. They left in time for Dad. to drive Enah &amp; me down, Dad. took the baby with us and they came back home. I stayed down at Aunty's to dinner and all the after noon and evening at the Bagley's. Mr. &amp; Mrs. Bagley were out in Townsend visiting and hadn't got back at ten o'clock when I left. Essie &amp; Marj. made</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>some candy this after noon to send to a friend of Essie's George Hunter who is in the trenches, that took a good part of the after noon as we had to crack nuts for it, but we went for a short walk. I stayed to tea and we all went to church or churches. Mr. Tarney brought in ours and was going to speak at the recruiting meeting afterwards we didn't go but went home and washed dishes instead. Quint came home yesterday noon he had been in Buffalo and Detroit; no-one seems to know why he left the mill unless it is that he just got tired of it. He and Huby went to Simcoe this after noon to see Alex McCall and interview him on the subject of enlisting. I guess Quint will enlist all right as Huby is very anxious to have him. Dad. was going up to old Jona's this after noon but Jim Waddle came over and he didn't get. He went over to John Wess' about five o'clock. Dick stayed with Aunty to-night.</p> <p>Monday March 20th</p> <p>Dad. went up to Jona's first thing this morning and left Frank and me to do chores, we hooked up old Harry &amp; Nellie to the bobsleighs and cleaned out the box stall into the sleighs and hauled it out to the old garden we had about two loads in it and the stable and it took us till noon. When Dad. got home he said Jonas was going to lose Nellie and the colt he was sure as they were in awful shape, they were both down and Nellie had batted herself all to pieces trying to get up, nothing wrong with them but starvation, right after dinner Blaikie came along with his brother-in-law, Jim Andrews from Tyrell, he has been out there the last few days &amp; thought it was too cold to monkey with his stuff but to-day they had the bobsleighs and he loaded it all on them and took it out there where he will sort it and leave it till he wants it. He had a good big sleigh load but it wasn't very heavy. Dad. &amp; Frank and I had quite an argument about Blaikie's two chests, he had a big red one in behind the chimney with rope handle on it and a little green one that he had his tools in and which has allways been open and stood in front of the window and near the head of the stairs. He told us it was the chest his father had brought from Scotland in 1830 and they both say he said it was the other one. By the time tney got their load on and got started it was after three o'clock so we just had time to put on about</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>half a load of hay and haul it to the horse stable and a little jag for the cows. To-night Dad. went down to the Mr. Smith's reunion committee meeting and Frank was down and stayed all night at Aunty's. Dick came home to-night but will have to start sleeping at the bank now as Hazen is to leave for Ottawa to-morrow night. It has been much milder to-day.</p> <p>Tuesday March 21st</p> <p>Art Quanbury came after Dad. this morning first thing to go and help him and Glen get their Art's barn jacked up ready to move and Dad. has been over there all day and says they are not through yet. Tupper helped them this after noon. It's the old barn in the lane on Tupper's place and Art bought it and is going to have Glen move it over on to his place. Frank came home instead of going to school and he and I have hauled three loads of wood from Carpenter's to-day besides doing chores. Dad. spoke to Carpenter yesterday about getting this wood. It is mostly body wood cut two years ago and piled up near the house. It is 16 inches long and $1.75 a cord when we haul it. We had the big new mare who answers pretty well to Nellie and Harry and she goes fine, steps right along the road without urging and is as quiet and gentle as a kitten but we have almost come to the conclusion juging from her looks and to-day and yesterday from her actions that she is not in foal, but she may be. Frank set some rat traps up in the pig pen last night and this morning Dad. found poor old Tits {illegible} in two of them by a front leg and her tail, we don't know whether her leg is broken or not. Enah took the baby in his sleigh down town this after noon and got the mail. Sam Law was in and got a bag of potatoes, he thinks now they will go down on John Watt's place. Aleta McBride was over here all day working. Very soft and cloudy all day &amp; to-night.</p> <p>Wednesday March 22nd</p> <p>We were rather surprised this morning after yesterday's nice day to find it winter again this morning, but it was snowing and blowing and pretty cold. Art. didn't call for Dad. and we didn't haul any wood. We just did chores and Frank and Dad took down our bed and put up the walnut one instead which we got in Port Rowan. I took some more</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>eggs over to Jack Martin's and asked Chris what was wrong with the incubator that I couldn't get it heating up and what made the flame go down Chris couldn't think of any thing but poor ventilation or poor oil and suggested that I clean the lamp out well and put fresh oil in, this I did when I got home and boiled the burner and put in fresh wick. This after noon Dad and Frank built a pen over in the barn for the ewes to lamb in and I put the saddle on Ginger and went down and got the mail, she went fine too. To-night Lloyd Ryerse brought over a note for me from Miss Walker inviting me down there to spend the evening so I went down early and went to church and then called for Essie &amp; Marj. Nellie Smith went up with us, we had a very pleasant evening playing Pit and indulging in other forms of Methodist sport. Will {Currie?} was the only other one there and the three Walker girls. I stayd down at Aunty's to-night and it was about one o'clock when I got in. It had cleared off to night and was moonlight but very frosty.</p> <p>Thursday March 23rd</p> <p>Dick came down to Aunty's for breakfast this morning and she gave him his lunch. Hazen left on Tuesday for Ottawa where Nicholson is and so Dick has to sleep at the bank now. I came home right after breakfast but Dad. had gone with Art Quanbury. Frank and I went up after another load of wood, we are going to pile it home now and then measure it so as we can pile the box up with as much as it will hold and wont have to figure on each individual load. We got home in time to do most of the chores before dinner and got an early start after dinner, however we hauled all that was up there in one big load, there was a pile of apple wood freshly cut at one end, but we left it and and just took the two year old beech, it took us longer to get this load on as the bottom layer was frozen in and had to be knocked out with an axe, we didn't unload the load when we got home but piled a lot of what we had hauled. Enah and the baby went down town before we got back and were down all the after noon. Dad. got home about six and said they had got through or at least he had, he told Art. that we couldnt put a team on to help draw the building as we didn't have one that could draw, but he can get lots. Raw wind but sunny</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Friday March 24th</p> <p>Frank got started this morning about nine o'clock to the Street Fair in Simcoe, it is the second one they have had, he took up the young gobbler and a turkey hen, he didn't get back till after five to-night. He sold the turkeys but could only sell them by the pound and just got $5.45 for them but it was the best he could do, he said there was quite a little bit of stock there but none of it went very high; he said there weren't many buyers. Dad. and I just did chores and piled some more of the wood. This after noon Dad. cleaned out the hog pen, the little pigs root the boards in the floor of their upstairs sleeping apartmens up and drop through into Glady's pen and then she goes for them This morning Harry Ansley and {Name?} Brock came over with a couple of horses which Harry wanted to hook up, one was a little mare so stiff she could hardly go he hooked them up to the bobsleighs and drove around the block with them. Alan Law came after Dad. just before dinner to get him to look at old Ned. who Alan said was {illegible} to death but Dad. said he couldn't see any thing the matter with him. Mrs. James and &amp; Mrs. McCarter drove Dave Waddle's horse over here this after noon. I set my incubator to-day it seems to be going all right now. To-night I went down and got my hair cut and went up to see Marj. Glen Ryerse was telling Dad. yesterday that Tommy Jackson had sold his farm to Frank Ryerse. Sunny &amp; mild to-day.</p> <p>Saturday March 25th</p> <p>This morning Dad. &amp; Frank went down and cut down the trunk of the old locust tree and logged it up. I did chores and about noon took Harry &amp; Nellie and went down after them and the wood. This after noon Frank and I went over to Vyse's sale and were there all the after noon. There was a good crowd and things went pretty well. I was going to look at the harness but it sold for $35. which is about ten dollars more than he paid for it about ten years ago, the cows went about as reasonably as any thing and they each had a calf last night. Jack Martin bought the red &amp; white one for $82 and I think it was Geordie Boughner paid $90 for the black and white one. George Crosbie paid $152 for the old mare and young Powell gave $104 for the four year old filly which was all she was worth. Eliner Atkinson got Stan. the five year old for $70.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>He is the one Vyse was advertising in the Simcoe Reformer last year as a Sensation but they took care not to mention his breeding to-day as there were too many there that know he is out of the little Postmaster horse that Stan William's used to have. Tupper was there and we came home with him. To-night Dad. &amp; I drove down to see Aunty Alice who came home to-night. Enah and the baby were down there so Dad. drove them home. The baby was invited to an "At Home" at John Harris Buck's this after noon. Quint was down there and I stood at Alan's corner for about an hour talking to him. He has signed up and is going on duty first has to go to Toronto for a day or so before before he goes on duty. Very soft, snow has gone off a lot.</p> <p>Sunday March 26th</p> <p>I got around in time to go to Sunday school with Frank this morning and so of course went to church. Quint &amp; Dick were both in church and they came over to dinner I waited for them and we three came down town about three o'clock. Quint and I took a walk up Main St. and met Marj. &amp; Glad Law so I went around to the house with Marj for a little while and then came home to tea. I had to come home to tend to my incubator, it doesn't seem to be running so evenly this time for some reason or other. I don't know what is the matter unless it is the oil. I went down town again after tea but wasn't in time for church. Marj. Glad Law &amp; I went to the recruiting meeting after church. Dr. Jacques spoke and spoke well. I saw Sam Ja ques in uniform to-night This has been the first Spring day we have had and the snow is nearly all gone off the roads looks rainy to-night.</p> <p>Monday March 27th</p> <p>Spent most of the morning cleaning out the stable and the chicken house. I didn't work very fast nor do very much all day, I think owing to the fact that I have been suffering from a mild attack of Spring fever. This after noon I took a meander through Ivey's place and around the orchard on Frank Odd's place. When I got home I went down town and got some coal oil. Dad. piled the rest of the wood and threw some of the sawdust into the ice house. To-night we set three hens. Quint left for Toronto to-night, he has to go through an operation for rupture before he</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>can be enlisted. He never said any thing about it to any one of the family, he told me on Saturday but told me not to say any thing about it so when Art Quanbury told Dad. to-night that Quint had told Charlie about it he was very surprised. Every thing is flooded to-day a very great deal of snow has gone off and it has rained two or three times, the roads all fierce for either sleighs or wheels.</p> <p>Tuesday March 28th</p> <p>It rained most of the morning so we didn't do much but just the chores and just before dinner we husked a little corn, we sat around for quite awhile after dinner while Dad. was reading from James Whitcomb Riley. I drove Enah down to the annual meeting of the Women's Auxillary about three o'clock and had to turn around and go after her again almost as soon as I got home, the roads are so bad, Joe couldn't go off a walk. Dad. &amp; I took the top of the buggy and it makes it look queer but it was in bad shape. The first lamb of the season arrived last night some time and was all right out there this morning, he is a ram and belongs to 117 I think. Very mild but not sunny snow going fast.</p> <p>Wednesday March 29th</p> <p>This has been a real Spring day. Sunny and very mild, too mild to wear a coat or sweater and mud &amp; water every where you look, the snow is nearly all gone except where there are drifts. After I did chores I spent most of the morning wheeling my compost heap down south of the well where it is low. This after noon Dad and I husked some corn. Dad. also put the saddle on Queen and I roder her down the road a little way, just to give her a little exercise and to get her used to the bridle, she didn't do so badly at all. Frank Crysler was in for awhile to ask Dad. about a bad winded horse and Dad. told him he would go over to-morrow. To-night Frank &amp; I walked down town and Marj. &amp; I went to the soldier's concert. The hall was packed full and Jim Much and two McDonald girls had our seats and couldn't be induced to move. I stood there about five minutes trying to make {Sublimy?} Brock who was usher get me my proper seats and had a stream of humanity from the centre isle to the door blocked but as I saw they wouldnt move with out my creating conspicuous and unseemly disturbance</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>we took their seats at the other end of the row. The concert wasn't bad at all. It was mostly of a vaudeville minstrel show nature, which neither Marj. nor I are particularly fond of but still it was good for its class and fairly decent. Lieutennant Doughty &amp; Shargeant Hawking were blacked up and did a good share of the entertaining. Jock Watt danced a Highland Reel accompanied by some other fellow and the music for them was furnished by Waddel with a Harmonica or what ever they call those things they pull in and out like bellows. Jock was dressed in kilts and looked very "cute" especially in some of the twirly whirl parts of his dance. In those actions it might have been deemed an improvement by a few folks if he had had a pair of some sort of pants on but I think it held the attention of the public better as it was as they didn't want to miss seeing everything The most remarkable performer of the evening was Pte. Glover, the Strong man, who I believe comes from Port Rowan and is a private in the 133rd. He would have done very well for a performance at Shea's and when one considers that he comes from so near home and it isn't his regular business, he was to say the least a surprise. First of all he took a quarter inch iron rod about eighteen inches long and took it in his teeth with a handkerchief around it and then pulled down on each end with each hand till it was bent to nearly a right angle, he then took similar rods and smote them on the muscles of his extended forearm till they burst at a slight angle. He next drove a five or an eight inch spike into a saw bench and got half a dozen of the boys to hold the bench while he wrapped a handkerchief around the head of it and took it in his front teeth and bent it back wards &amp; fore wards till he broke it off, all these things he would throw into the audience to prove that they were genuine. He took Sid Stass and put him in a chair lifted him up and held Sid, chair, and all with his teeth by the back rung of the chair, the best part of that was to see poor Sid. turn pale green. He was so scared his knees shook and he certainly looked pleased to get safely down to land. His teeth and jaws weren't the only strong parts with him as he did all kinds of other stunts, such as lying down on his back and raising rising to his feet</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>with Billy Boughner standing in the palms of his hands and then getting down again and lying with his head on one chair and his feet on another and making his abdomen rigid enough for as many of the soldiers as there was room for from his head to his feet to stand on him. The last item on the programme and the one that proved about the most interesting was a recruiting rally. Mrs. Lamb a returned nurse gave us a good account of her experiences at the front and then made a very stirring appeal for more men using some extremely foolish arguments in favor of them leaving things here to go to a financial smash up and enlist to save Canada from the ravages of the Huns. Of course it sounds all right, but it would sound much better if they would mix up reason with sentiment. Major Innes from Simcoe then spoke and said he was going to ask Mrs. Lamb to get them twenty five men to-night, so she started by telling them she would knit a pair of socks for every man who enlisted to-night and said "Now who'll come up here." In a very short time there were about fifteen men on the stage but a strange feature of it was that with the exception of George Holden and {illegible} Paton fellow, no one seemed to know any of them so it looked as if there had been a little trouble taken beforehand to prepare the act. The soldiers went all through the hall trying to induce us, "safety first, home guard civilians." One fellow asked me if I wouldn't don a uniform and I told him I wanted to be sure there would be some fighting before I enlisted, as that is what they all say now that these fellows will never get over there before peace is made. Dick &amp; Dess were up in the gallery and Frank said some drunken bum of a soldier was up there launching a terrible volley of abuse on poor old Dick, calling him a coward and saying he couldn't go because his girl wouldn't let him. Dick of course couldn't do any thing up there but I guess he felt like doing him up. Dick and I would both have gone two or three months ago and were eager to if Dad. had just said the word, but as he was so dead against it and as we were by no means a drag on the country and in fact were just a little in doubtfull whether we weren't doing as much good at home as in the trenches, we didn't feel it our duty to go, and now, when things are beginning to look as if the German's strength was failing and the end of the war in sight, the idea of weakening Canada's already sickly financial condition by enlisting and bum around for</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>about ten months and never get a poke at the Germans does not appeal to me in the least. If on the other hand the Kaiser should get a new lease of life by smashing the Verdun forts and breaking his way through to and entering Paris, then I will enlist right away, because I believe that in that case the British Empire will be nearer destruction than she has been for many years and it will be high time for every British subject to drop personal welfare and forget National finances and fight or help fight for all that is in them to save Britain from Germany and the devil. However I don't think Willie will ever see the inside of Paris with his army at his back because they have been hammering at Verdun now for over a month I believe and have had about 100,000 men slaughtered and are still on the outside looking in and Verdun is a long way from Paris and there are several fortified nuts to crack between the two.</p> <p>Thursday March 30th</p> <p>We hitched Queen and Joe up this morning and went out to Frank Crysler's. Queen went fine most of the way but got a little frightened going down the hill out here on the side road and nearly put us in the ditch, the roads were fierce and the frost is nearly out in places. Frank Crysler's mare was certainly in awful shape, she makes a terrible noise when she breathes hard and he let her out in the yard and chased her so that she would breathe hard just to show Dad. and it was awful the distress she showed and Dad. said she bled at the nose. Frank Crysler said Burt. told him that he thought there was a growth at the end of the windpipe, but Dad. looked at it with the speculum but he couldn't see any growth, what he thinks is the matter is caused by an incision they made in the windpipe last fall to put in a tracheaotmy tube when she had distemper healing and the edges of the cut turning in and blocking up the windpipe This after noon Dad. went out and opened up a ditch out of the barley stubble and I did chores. Vail the assesor was in this morning and raised the assessment about $100. Dad is pretty sore about it, but Vail said it was Hammond's fault, he was on the committe for putting a value on the land and he had charge of this part of Woodhouse and he valued all these farms at forty</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>dollars an acre. Dad. doesn't want to say that John Wess isn't assessed big enough but his land is certainly worth more to the acre than ours is as it is all cleared {illegible} hills. Vail made it thirty seven dollars an acre I think. It has been another lovely Spring day, with lots of mud but sunny.</p> <p>Friday March 30th</p> <p>This after noon morning after I got the chores done I started to paint my colony house. I got one end and most of the back done before dinner. Aunty Alice was over for a little while and to dinner. This after noon Dad. and I went down to John Watts sale we got a ride down and back with Charlie Quanbury, the roads were awful we all had to walk up Monteith's hill and Charlie had the team and little light democrat. There wasn't such an awful crowd there and things didn't go especially high. It was a nice day but the sale was over by about four o'clock. Johnny Loan has sold out and enlisted and Erny Hinds of Nanticoke has sold out and every body supposes he has enlisted. Young Lee Boughner has enlisted and left his Dad with two farms on his hands and no man. Lee said he couldn't stand it any longer he couldn't go to town without them getting after him. To-night I went down to see Marj. for a little while. Another beautiful Spring day.</p> <p>Saturday April 1st</p> <p>It has rained off and on all day and we haven't done much but chores. I went over to Jack Martin's and got an inside hover that he wasnt using. He thought it would work better than my outside brooder. I was over there quite awhile poking around. Charlie Quanbury is quitting to-day and Jack's new man came, he is gping to live in Brirely's house and Brirely is going to move into Vyse's house. While I was gone Dad. &amp; Frank sacked up some barley and Frank and I took it down to the mill this afternoon, we went up to Bert Thompson's and got an incubator of Art Quanbury's which Bert had but wasn't using and while Art said I might use. It is an Essex 70 egg machine. Huby and Lila came over just as we were taking the team off and they stayed till it was time to do the night chores.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Huby said that Larry Skey had telephone up to say that Quint had gone through his operation all right and was doing fine, the doctors said he was one of the finest specimens they had operated on for some time, and they do a lot of them. There are two fellows from Simcoe right next to Quint going through the same thing, the Government pays all their expenses. To-night Sid Marsh came after Dad. to go and see a mare of Carpenter's which foaled this after noon, but something had gone wrong with her and she died while Dad. was up there. Rainy &amp; raw.</p> <p>Sunday April 2nd</p> <p>I got ready to go to Sunday school this morning but found I was late so didn't go but went down to church We all went to church even the baby and he was very good. Aunty came back with us and Dick was here when we got home. He slept too late to get to church. It was the first time we had seen him since last Sunday. He and I went down town again soon after dinner. Marj., Glad Law and I went for a walk around the hill. I came home to tea and went down again afterwards but didn't go to church. They didn't have any recruiting meeting to-night. Marj. &amp; I went up with Glad Law to her place for a little while. I went down to Aunty's for a little while and came home early. Aunty expects to go to London to-morrow to attend the annual meeting of the W.A. Mr. Carson the canning factory manager died this morning he was only sick about a week. They had high jinks down town last night old Bill Caley got on a tear and wanted to lick every body in town and they had to put him in the lockup after he had smashed Bobby Leany's window Mrs. Caley told them to run him in and Jimmy helped, it took four or five of them to handle him. When I went out this morning I found another buck lamb belonging to Dad's yearling ewe. Very nice day.</p> <p>Monday April 3rd</p> <p>Old Splitear presented us with a pair of twins this morning. She is the first ewe to have twin lambs We spent a good part of the morning choring around I painted some more of the colony house this afternoon morning and finished it this afternoon. I didn't use all the paint so I put the rest on the</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>end of the old chicken house, but didn't have quite enough to do it all so it didn't improve the look of it much. Enah went down town this after noon and Dad. stayed in with the baby all the after noon. To-night Frank and I tested rthe eggs and took out 68 unhatchables, most of them were clear. It has been very mild and sunny all day.</p> <p>Tuesday April 4th</p> <p>We spent most of the morning tending to lambs. When I went out this morning there was old Greynose and a yearling with the tag our of her ear on the barn floor each with a pair of twin lambs and later on in the morning another yearling lambed out in the field, she had twins too, we pruned two or three trees in the orchard this after noon. Wyatt Waddle and some other fellow were in this after noon trying to sell Dad a cultivator but they didn't manage to do it. I took 8 doz. eggs over to Martin's this morning. Alex James was in this morning to ask Dad. about a sick cow. Aleta McBride was here washing most of the day. Very mild and no wind, sunny &amp; nice.</p> <p>Wednesday April 5th</p> <p>Did chores and pruned a little more in the orchard to-day. Dad. has just been tending to sheep and doing chores most of the day, he went down to the mill on foot and got a bag of bran. Lorne Jackson was in before dinner to get him to file his old mare's teeth. Sam Law came in this after noon and invited us all down there to-night. He said a few friends were coming out and they wanted to have all the neighbours, they will be moving down to John Watt's in a few days. Dad. was quite alarmed about old Splitear to day, soon after he gave her some oats and bran both this morning and to-night, she got down and rolled and kicked and was aparently in pain, but neither spasm lasted so very long. Mild but not so sunny to-day. To-night we all went down to Law's and had a great time dancing, there wasn't any crowd there, just about enough for two sets and give every one a chance to rest Cliff {Name?} was the fiddler and {Tat?} Robinson who got up the dance did most of the calling off, though Alan did some Alan and Sam both danced all evening in their shirt sleeves. Dad. and Enah brought the baby home soon after mid-night and Frank didn't stay till the end</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>but I did which wasn't very late abut three or half past, there were three or four other babies or very small children there and they all stayed till the last but all went to sleep. The bed was full of them after midnight. {Pete?} Furlong's baby which isn't a year old was there and never said a word all night. Alan had a graphaphone there which I think belonged to Ethel Leany. Every body had a good time.</p> <p>Thursday April 6th</p> <p>I didn't get up very early this morning and just did chores all morning. I went to sleep again after dinner on the sofa and was awakened by Dick and Dess coming in. They were here for about an hour and we went out and saw the sheep, they couldnt stay to tea as Dess had to go to work at six o'clock. While I was asleep another pair of lambs arrived from the wooly faced yearling I think No. 2. Dad spends most of his time with them. Bobbie presented us with a fine big red heifer calf to-night. It is the second heifer she has had, last year's being the first. It snowed this morning and has been cloudy windy and much colder all day.</p> <p>Friday April 7th</p> <p>The old white ewe had one ewe lamb this morning we were afraid at first she wasn't going to own it and then that she was sick as she seemed very stupid and wouldn't eat, but our fears on both points are by to-night aparently groundless. We watched her with more suspicious eyes anyway because she was the one that wouldn't own the little ram lamb last year, but last year she had three, and one died and she did own one. Besides doing chores and husking a couple of shocks of corn Dad. and I havent done anything but monkey with the sheep Dad. especially, I did work a little out in front this morning but this after noon we caught the lamb which has its eyelids turned under and Dad. put a stitch in each ey lid and each cheek and pulled them out and down and tied them there, according to instructions in an American sheep magazine which I got the other day as a sample copy. We had to do this to two and he put two stitches in one eyelid. It keeps the lids out all right but the look horrible and we had a hard time doing it as it hurt them to pierce the eyelid which was also tough.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>We were afraid we were too late with one little fellow as his eyeball looks to have burst. To-night we all went down town. I went to Tips and got some samples for a new suit and then went up to see Marj. Dad. Enah and the baby went down to see Aunty Alice and to see Mrs. Johnson Enah's sister who just arrived from London where she has been attending the W.A. annual meeting. I think Frank was going to Huby's. I went down to Aunty's on my way home but the house was in darkness and I found the same conditions prevailing here when I arrived and see no sign of any one being home. It is now about eleven o'clock and still no one home and I'm going to bed. I am afraid they will ruin that child's health both physically and morally by permitting to be down town so late at night. Froze hard last night and has been cool all day but nice and sunny Cold east wind to-night.</p> <p>Saturday April 8th</p> <p>This morning Frank drove Enah and the baby down town in the waggon and they have been at the Jame's all day and walked home before dark. Enah brought back a bag of potatoes which Mrs. James sent to me and some turnips and parsnips she sent over. Dad. and I husked some corn while he was gone. This after noon Dad. cleaned out the hog pen and Frank and I worked in the shop. Frank at hanging an axe handle as he broke one the other day and I at making a frame to put cotton on for the front of the colony house. To-night I took some samples I got last night back to Tip Varey and ordered a suit. I then went down to Aunty Alice's and saw Aunty who just got home to-night from London. Aunty Maude and the two girls were down there. Raw cold day, Snowed all after noon and to-night.</p> <p>Sunday April 9th</p> <p>I didn't get to Sunday School this morning but Frank Enah and I went to church. I stayed down to Aunty's for dinner and spent the after noon with Marj. and Glad. Law but came home to tea and didn't go down again to night. Art. Quanbury came over to get Dad. to go and look at {Birson?} Ivey's horse which he had in his stable over here, before we went to church this morning and he was over again this</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>this after noon and again to-night. It got down some time during the night and got its neck twisted and jammed up in one corner of the stall and now it can't get up or straighten its neck. Dad. says it doesn"t matter about it not getting up but he is afraid its neck twisted beyond recovery and it was one of a new team he had just bought in Brantford. Lila was over here most of the afternoon and to tea and Mr. James and Mrs. Johnson were over this after noon. Dick was over to dinner but of course I didn't see him. The little yearling ewe that has been out of sorts all winter had a pair of nice lambs to-day, but doesn't seem to have much milk for them. It has been rather cold &amp; raw though fairly sunny I took my eggs out of the incubator this morning to cool them and went to feed the chickens, forgot them and left them out an hour and a half, but I don't think it will hurt.</p> <p>Monday April 10th</p> <p>Lorne Jackson came after Dad. at a quarter to four this morning to go over and see Frank Crysler's mare which was suffering from an attack of acute indigestion owing to her eating corn cobs which had been shovelled out with the cleanings from the hog pen. Dad. had to send Lorne down after some medicine and didn't go till he got back. He walked out but got there the same time as Lorne who was on horseback. Tommy Jackson was over there and had been doctoring her for which he apologised to Dad. but Dad. said he had done all right for he likes old Tommy and realizes that he knows a lot more that the majority of these self taught quack-doctors, but Tommy had been handicapped he went to look through his medicine chest but found that his ether which he wanted had eaten the cork out of the bottle and evaporated, so he gave the horse some laudnum. Dad. told him if they had administered a little whiskey, it would have been a good thing Tommy said they had had some whiskey, but as he and Frank who had been sitting up all night had suffered considerably from the cold, they consumed most of it themselves so it naturally didn't have a very stimulating effect on the horse. Dad. was over there to breakfast and got back here about nine. When I went</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>out this morning Ben Ivey was prowling around looking for Dad. He and Art Quanbury had been up all night with his horse and he was very anxious to try and sling him up on his feet as he said he had been thrashing around all night and he was afraid he would knock his feet all to pieces or get his head under the hay and smother so the consequence was that except for doing a few chores here Dad. and I have been over there all day and Dad. is just about all in to-night. Art Quanbury Dad. and I went down to Aunty's before dinner to see if we could find Dad's. old set of slings but we couldn't any where. Art. &amp; I went down to the Customs office to ask Huby but he didn't know where they were so they had to rig one up with a couple of little single trees and an old piece of carpet. We went back after dinner to help lift and Landon &amp; Morg. Williams came over from the greenhouse. They were a long time getting things ready and when we did get him up the beam they had the pulleys fastened too was not high enough so we had to let him down and they made it higher, then we hauled him up again but it was just as Dad. expected he couldn't use his legs when we did get him up and just pawed around so we had to let him down and all we could do for him was to turn him over. Dad. feels sure that the injury in his neck is causing all the trouble, and says there is a possibility of it recovering with him lying down as he eats and drinks alright, but if the spinal column is hurt much there is little hope for him. It was about five o'clock when we got home so we just did up the chores. Nice day, rather raw</p> <p>Tuesday April 11th</p> <p>This morning we cut the tails of six of the biggest lambs Dad. cut the first one off with a jack knife but it didn't work very well so we did the rest with a butcher knife hammer and block the same as last year and it worked fine, they all lived through it all right although the first one seemed very sore for quite awhile but I think it was owing more to some of the turpentine he put on getting on to more tender parts than it was intended than to the cut itself. I walked Belle up and down the road for a while this moring at least I rode her, just to make her take a little</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>more exercise, as she is beginning to show signs of foaling soon, her time is up on the 25th of this month. When I put her in I started to rake up the annual crop of sticks and leaves under the old willow tree but only got it about half done before dinner and after dinner it was pouring rain and rained all the after noon we just did chores. Art Quanbury came over for most of the after noon, his last ewe had a pair of twins last night but he can't make one of them suck so he came over and borrowed our sucking bottle to give it a feed and sent it back with Frank. It thundered a little this after noon.</p> <p>Wednesday April 12th</p> <p>We havent done any thing much to-day I took Belle put for another little ride for exercise. Aunty Alice was over to dinner but didn't stay long after. The last ewe No. 67 lambed to-day, we watched her all morning as she seemed to be straining and Dad examined her but couldn't find any thing, but when we went out after dinner we found a dead lamb with her, it had come in a wrong position and was dead when it came, it was a fine big one too. About an hour later she had another dandy big ram lamb and it was all right and she seems to be all right to and has an enormous bag. To-night I went down to church, there were about a dozen or so there but there were no lights when we first got there I went up to see Marj. afterwards. I found her marking exam papers and suffering with an awfully sore throat. When I started for home it was pouring rain so I camped all night at Aunty's. It has been a very nice day.</p> <p>Thursday April 13th</p> <p>I just did chores after I got home this morning till dinner this after noon I took Belle out again, I saw Art. Quanbury he told me that Charlie and Ben Ivey had driven to Brantford yesterday morning to buy another horse and had not got home yet. He said he went up last night and turned Syd. (the one that's down) over and went up again this morning and found him dead. The little Ivey kid told me last night that his Daddy named his horses after the places he used to travel in Sydney &amp; Halifax. I planted some old flower seeds in a box this after noon and put them in the kitchen window. I don't know that they</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>will grow as I think they are two or three years old. I also raked some more up under the old willow outside the fence, I finished inside yesterday. To-night I went down to a party of the Every-ready Club girls at Bessie Paterson's. We played Five-Hundred which I had never played before and which I didn't know any thing about so consequently didn't win one game. Colin Ryerse and I cut for booby prize and I got in a little tin watch and chain which proved a great source of amusement for the baby. Bill Davis &amp; Johnnie I think got first prizes. We also had a hat trimming contest. Each boy had to trim a hat I did one for Hazel Silverthorne by just tying a couple of ribbons around it. I was quite tickled with the job I made. Sam Schram got first prize at that and George Henderson the booby. Marj. was there and said her sore throat was "all better". We all had a nice time and got away about half past one. It was pouring rain again to-night so I went down to Aunty's and stayed. They had half expected me as the bed was all ready to crawl into. It has been quite hot to-day and the fields are beginning to look quite green.</p> <p>Friday April 14th</p> <p>Aunty came over with me this morning and has stayed all day at least she went back about half past four. It has been cloudy, cold, windy and wet all day and we have just done a few chores, husk a little corn, keep our eyes on the incubator and sit around all day. Ham Thompson was in for a little while this morning to see the sheep. He has just invested in five Shropshires. He bought them at the Street Fair in Simcoe. They are supposed to be registered but he hasn't got the pedigree's and he says they have no tags in their ears. The chicks have been hatching all day but I am not looking for much of a hatch maybe twenty five or thirty.</p> <p>Saturday April 15th</p> <p>This morning Dad helped me take the chicks out of the incubator we took out twenty five but had to kill three which were crippled. I knocked their heads on a post and threw them over in the orchard, it was rather sickening but had to be done and I was sure I killed them but this after noon Dad. heard some cheeping and went out and found two of them had come to. I suppose I had only stunned</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>them. We put them under two of the setting hens and put the eggs which were under the hens in the incubator. They are due to hatch on Monday. This after noon Frank and I drove the team down town and got some groceries, we went up to Mrs. Leslie Battersby's and got a lot of plants for Aunty which Mrs. Battersby is giving her as she can't take them all to Brantford with her. I got a lot of stuff out of the garden down at Aunty's and brought it over. I got some tulip and daffodil bulbs some lily of the vallet roots, some clematis and Virginia creeper and a little syringa tree all of which I put out when I got home and didn't help do any chores. It took me till dark and the ground was really too wet. Lila was over all the after noon and got some may flowers back in the woods. Frank went down with her to-night. Dad. had to go down to Mr. Flemming's after tea as Chris Quanbury came after him. Flemming's mare had a colt when Dad. got there and it was all right so he didn't stay long. Old Dave Lampkins was in to-night, his new horse that he got at Watt's sale had some sort of fit and he wanted to ask Dad. about it. Tom. Abbot told Dad. he had them before, but they didn't tell poor old Davie that. Lovely day, sunny &amp; mild</p> <p>Sunday April 16th</p> <p>Frank went down to Sunday School and Enah and I went down to church we took the baby down and left him with Aunty in the back of the church, and we three boys sat up in the front seat with Aunty Alice and Enah went in the choir. The baby was very good as usual. Dick came over here to dinner but I stayed down at Aunty's. I wernt up to the Bagley's after dinner to see Marj. I got up opposite Kev. Henderson's barn when it began to pour rain. I hiked across the road in there till the heaviest was over and then I got out and up as far as Alfy Dell's barn when it started again so I ran in the lane, over the manure heap and over a couple of bars which were nailed across the open door and waited there till it subsided alittle and sallied forth again, this time getting past the Methodist Church shed before it began to pelt so I just ran for all I was worth to the Bagley's veranda but got rather wet however Mrs. Bagley mopped me off with a duster and I didn't suffer much. After sitting around an hour or so Marj. and I went up and called for Glad Law and went for a walk up to the head of Main St. I went into Bert Thompson's and got the thermometer that belongs to Art Quanbury's incubator.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>I came home to tea and didn't go down again. Aunty &amp; Aunty Alice want me to go down there and give them a whole day in the garden to-morrow if it doesn't rain. This was a lovely Spring morning and warm but wet this after noon.</p> <p>Monday April 17th</p> <p>It rained hard during the night and was cold dark &amp; windy this morning so I didn't go down to work in the garden, it has been a very nasty day, hasn't rained much but has looked like it and been cold and windy. Charlie Martin came over this morning and was here for an hour or so visiting, he had three hams he wanted smoked but we took the meat out of our smoke house two or three days ago. Enah and the baby went down town to dinner and were down most of the afternoon. Bill Phillips came after Dad. Soon after dinner to go down and tend to Alfy Dell's cow which calved yesterday, so Dad. went down and charged them two dollars; he and Frank got home to-gether a little before six. I didn't do much but put the cotton on the colony house frames and husk a little corn. Bruce Dell came over after Dad. again to-night, the cow is worse and Dad. has gone down with him</p> <p>Tuesday April 18th</p> <p>Dad. went down town again this morning to see the Dell's cow and was down most of the morning, he said she was better. I did chores most of the morning and just before dinner Dad. put the saddle on Queen and I rode her down nearly to the corner, she didn't do so very badly. Dad said she looked fine. We spent most of the after noon trimming her up, Dad. cut the long hair off her legs &amp; fetlocks with the scissors and singed most of it off under her jaw. About half past four when Frank got home we undertook to drive the eight pigs from the hog pen over to the bay on the old barn where Dad. thinks they will do better, we got five of them in with out much trouble but three we had an awful time with and had to just tire them out and the last one we had to tire out and catch but we had Tige to help us with her and the others we did alone, it nearly killed us. Dad. is anxious to get them finished for fear the price drops they were up to $10.75 per cent yesterday. Frank has gone on a hunting, trapping and fishing expedition with the Ryersies to-night Mrs McBride was here all day washing. It has been sunny but a very high wind all day. Mud has dried up a lot.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Wednesday April 19th</p> <p>This morning Dad. and I put the association ear tags in the old ewes and the two year olds' ears. Dad put the holes in their ears with the harness punch, we also marked all the lambs, their ears are too small to put tags in and we hate to punch the edges of them all up so we painted Roman numerals on their sides with lamp {black?} and oil, and then marked it down in a book which lambs belong to which ewes. This after noon we took the tails off eight more lambs, they are all done now except the two little ones. We then did chores and Dad. started to make a trough to feed the lambs. This after noon To-night Enah and I went down town, we weren't in time to go to church, but Enah was in time for choir practice. I went in to Tip's to see if my suit had come and he said he had got word from the firm that the stuff I ordered hadn't come yet from the mill and they didn't expect it for at least three weeks, so I told him to tell them to wait till the three weeks were up and then to make it up out of another choice if the first wasn't there as I didn't want to wait. I told him I would be down in the morning, I then went up to see Marj. She expects to go to London on Friday to spend her Easter holidays. I went down to Aunty's and called for Enah, Aunty Alice got home to-night from Ingersol, where she was spending a couple of days visiting Miss Parke, Uncle Hals sister. It has been a nice day but rainy to-night.</p> <p>Thursday April 20th</p> <p>Mr. Fleming came after Dad. this morning to go and see his colt, which Dad. is afraid has joint ill, which is almost impossible to cure. When he went down there I went down to Tip's and picked out another sample, the only one I liked much that wasn't on his list of "sold outs". I took a lot down to show Aunty and Cousin Clare, and they thought it would be nice too, so I stayed there to dinner and took them back after dinner, got the mail and came home. Dad. was here all alone as Enah and the baby had gone down to her mother's. Old Gladys made her nest this morning. Dad. put a lot of straw for her in the pen where the young pigs were but she carried it all out and put it in her own pen so has far too much, when Dad. went out</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>about twelve she was still making her nest and when he went out about an hour later she was covered with pigs and more coming, she had thirteen altogether but killed one to-night by lying on it, but she is very careful, and good to them. Soon after dinner or at least dinner time because Dad. hadn't bothered eating any dinner, Al. Faulkner came after him to go down and doctor Jimmy Leany's horse. He hated to go but did and got a dollar out of it, he has started charging folks in town as lately they have come after him from all directions. I spent most of the after noon cleaning out and heating up my two incubators. The little one was up to 103° before I went to bed to-night. About six o'clock we had one of the worst old thunder storms we have had since last summer. Frank Dad. &amp; I were all besieged in different barns and couldn't get out till it was over. It seemed to come from the north and went right over us towards the lake There were a couple of cracks I though would hit the barn. Enah and the baby got home about eight and the baby seemed quite sick. Dad. and I greased the little chicken's heads to-night. It has been very warm all day</p> <p>Friday April 21st (Good Friday)</p> <p>I promised Aunty and Aunty Alice I would give them a day in the garden to-day but as it was so wet I didn't hurry down and put the eggs in the two incubators first, I put in 198. 135 in the big one and 63 in the other. I got a ride down as far as Fleming's with Sam Law who came in after a bag of his potatoes. I went in to tell Mr Fleming of an ant toxin for navel ill which Dad read of last night and which Dad. said he could telephone to Burt or Duncomb in Waterford for if he wanted to. When I got down to Aunty's they were just starting for church. Aunty Alice was terribly distressed that she wouldn't be there to work with me but I cleaned up a lot of old rubbish and boards that were in the road of where they want to have Val. Leany plan. This after noon they both got out and worked and I dug up a couple of patches and Aunty Alice put in some potatoes and multiplier onions. It started to rain about five o'clock so we had to stop I stayed to tea and came home about dark. Dick was down to dinner &amp; tea, he has had a holiday this after noon to-day of course. I guess Dad. just did chores over here to-day. Frank was off hunting with the Ryerse's</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Snowdrop had a big, black, bull calf, and Gladys killed anothe piglet. Ed. was over this after noon telling his adventures in the 133rd. He is Quartermaster Sergeant now. Nice day but rather cloudy and wet.</p> <p>Saturday April 22nd</p> <p>This morning we just did chores and Dad. had a bath and went down to Aunty's for dinner, he wanted to get his hair cut for Easter. He was gone all the after noon I cleaned out the horse stable and Frank started to house clean the shop, then we fooled around awhile and at last put the saddle on Queen and he got on and rode her down the road a little way. When Dad. came home he found he had missed bringing the paper so after we got the horses fed, Frank I put the saddle on Ginger and rode down to Aunty's and got it. Tonight Frank and I set two hens on thirty eggs. Fram Walker was in to-night to get a boll and to borrow the speculum for a lymphatic horse</p> <p>Sunday April 23rd</p> <p>This being Easter we all went to church Dad. took the baby who was pretty good but having Huby sit right across the isle didn't improve his behaviour any. Dick came over to dinner. This after noon Frank and I went over to John Wess' and Frank set some traps up in McQueens &amp; Robert John's gully. We got home just in time to let Enah go to church. Dad. had to go down this after noon to see Dell's cow again, she isn't doing right. Charlie Quanbury came over twice since six o'clock to get Dad. to go and look at his colt. Dad. went back with him the last time and just got there in time to see it die, he is going back in the morning to hold a post mortem, it was the one he got in Brantford for fifty eight dollars. Lovely morning but cloudy &amp; rainy later.</p> <p>Monday April 24th</p> <p>Dad. &amp; Frank went over to Quanbury's this morning soon after breakfast Dad. to dissect the dead horse and Frank to skin it as Charlie told him he could have the hide if he would skin it. Dad. had to go down town to see Dell's cow, and so didn't finish his job before dinner and stayed at the Quanbury's to dinner, neither he nor Frank got home till nearly four o'clock, but he found out what was the matter with the colt. He had distemper last winter and</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>the absess did not form &amp; break under the jaw as it should have done, and it seems when this does not happen, an absess is liable to form any place in the body, so in this case they found it in the bowells which had all grown to-gether around the growth which Dad said was as big as his head, so nothing could have saved him anyway I just did chores to-day and this after noon cleaned out the separator, we started separating again to-night. We got the chores done up fairly early and I went down to Aunty's to tea, to-night Aunty and I went to the picture show to see "Mistress Nell" with Mary Pickford. It was pretty good the play being in the time of Charles III. Harry Battersby and Dave Waddle were over this morning for a little while. Nice day but cloudy to-night.</p> <p>Tuesday April 25th</p> <p>Dad had to go down town again this morning to see Dell's cow and Frank went down to ship his horse hide to Hallam. Bob. Miller showed him how to fix it and ship it. I did chores all morning and this after noon husked a little corn. Art. Quanbury was over all the after noon and watched Dad. shear the two rams which he did in about four hours. The little fellow was very poor and alive with ticks. I rode down town to get the paper tonight. It has drizzled all the after noon and things are getting in awful shape.</p> <p>Wednesday April 26th</p> <p>Allan Law came up this morning with old Ned. the big bay, he was all humped up and the musles in his hip trembled. They had him hitched up coming up to Pickford's after their stove but when they got to Art Ryerse's they had to unhook and put one of Art's in. Alan said on Friday he gave his foot a bad cut when they were moving the big new engine for the factory from the car one of the skids ran up on ihs heel and cut a piece out and they haven't had him out of the stable since till to-day, but Dad didn't think that would affect him the way he was affected and didn't know what was the matter. This after noon Dad. caught old Splitear and sheared her they were all too wet from yesterday's rain to shear this morning, when he was about half done Alan came after him, he said old Ned had given up going down Art Ryerse's hill and Alan had managed to get him to the top of Monteith's but no</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>farther, so when Dad. finished the sheep he went down with him and didn't get back till after seven, they said they had got Ned home but he didn't understand the case He said he was down when he first got there but got up by himself afterwards. He read it up at tea time and came to the conclusion it was asoturia although it didn't show the regular symptoms, but after tea he walked down again to give it a boll, it must have been after midnight quite a bit when he got home I havent done much but chores all day cleared up a little around the back door. We moved the three hens and little chickens from the colony house outdoors to-day. Lila was over all day, she Quint and Win got back from Toronto last night. She and Frank went back to the gully this afternoon and Frank went down with her to-night. It has been much warmer to-day but didn't rain.</p> <p>Thursday April 27th</p> <p>Dad. went down to Sam's again right after breakfast and didn't get back till about two o'clock, he had dinner down there, he thought Ned was better. When he came home he and Frank sheared another sheep. I spent the day doing chores and clearing up Aunty came over this after noon and stayed to tea. I walked down with her after tea and went up to get my hair cut and went up to see Quint. I waited there till after ten and then found him down in Henry Biroy's pool room. I had quite a visit with him and didn't get home till about twelve o'clock. It has been fairly sunny to day and a strong east wind.</p> <p>Friday April 28th</p> <p>I haven't worked very hard to day as I had a sort of pain most of the time, this morning I made a sort of little desk and put it up in the cow stable to put our milk record book on. This after noon I took some eggs over to Jack Martin's, they seemed very busy over there shipping eggs. When I got back I cut a little strip of lawn but the old lawn mower is just about out of commission. Sam Law came up this morning and said old Ned was doing alright. Frank took a small grist to the mill this morning and got it this after noon. He went down the mill hill but it was so bad that he went around by town to get his stuff. He and Dad. burned some grass on the road this after noon. He got an express order</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>from John Hallam today for $5.15 for the horse hide he shipped them and they had deducted 35 cts for freight. He thought that was good as he wasn't looking for much more than three Dad. was very surprised this morning when he went out to find a newly born lamb belonging to the little yearling which we were sure wasn't in lamb. The lamb was in the pen and she was outside, he was afraid at first he was going to have trouble making her own it but she did alright. Enah and the baby were down town most of the day. Enah said Aunty Alice had expected [Darycote?} to come and work in the garden but he didn't so she was out digging herself, so Dad. told Frank to tell them to-night (he went down to cash his order) that I would go down tomorrow if all was well and help them We saw in yesterday's casuality list yesterday that Kieth Aylen of Ft. Saskatchewan was killed in action.There seems to be quite a mess over in poor old Ireland. They captured Sir Roger Casement the other day who was leading a ship laden with arms and ammunition unto Ireland for rebels and they also sunk the ship which was a disguised German one, and since there have been serious riots of the Sinn Fein party in Dublin but the Nationalists are helping the loyal troops quell it so they think the rioting is just being carried on by a bunch of fanatics, however the whole of Ireland is under martial law. Sir Roger they think was a little out of his head anyway and they say he had done before now some great things for the British. He is sure now they say of the gallows but hopes they will hang him with a silken cord as he thinks common rope would be too degrading to man of his position. It has been a lovely day foggy this morning but sunny after.</p> <p>Saturday April 29th</p> <p>As soon as Frank went out after breakfast this morning he noticed Belle was not right, so called Dad. After watching her for a few minutes Dad decided some thing was wrong so made an examination and found a colt coming with Its head bent back. He had quite a time straitening it but managed to get it away but it was dead. Dad. said the first strainter had probably broken its neck. Frank and I were just ready to go down town and as Belle seemed all right we left and it was not till I got home at night that I knew that another dead colt had come in exactly the same position only on its back, they were a beautiful pair of mare colts one a bay with black mane and black points and the other a sorel with sorel mane and white points and each</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>and each with a white strip in its face.Dad says he had done nothing else but grieve all day, not that in itself it is such a loss but they were such a pair of beauties and no reason in the world why they shouldn't have lived if they had come straight. I went down with Frank and helped him put on a load of wood which was about half of the cord that Dad bought from Cousin Phoebe. I then went down and gave Aunty Alice another day in the garden, they couldn't get a man to come so had started to dig it themselves. Frank got anothe load after dinner but got it alone. It was nice beech and maple wood and she gave him a lot of old boards too. Huby went to Simcoe this after noon and heard about our twin colts up there before I did. I got home about dark and set out some little daisys, violets and a pansy plant that Aunt Nancy gave me. Lovely sunny day and quite hot.</p> <p>Sunday April 30th</p> <p>I was the only member from this house at church this morning. Frank &amp; Enah having decided to go to-night instead. Dad. and the baby were about to get ready to go down when Ham Thompson came in and Dad. had to go up there with him, to take a colt away from his mare, it was dead. Ham has had about the roughest streak of luck with his stock this year that a man could have. He has one or two calves but four of his cows aborted and now both his colts are gone, He has no young chickens either. I stayed down at Aunty's to dinner and Aunty Alice came over here, we didn't have any sermon this morning Mr. Johnson feels pretty badly over the news which came last week that his youngest brother was killed at the front. Quint and Bill Oakes went to Normandale early this morning so I didn't think Quint would be over to dinner but I saw him this after noon and he said they had got back earlier than they expected so was over to dinner, he said the trout didn't bite very well. This after noon Marj. Glad Law and I went up to Dixon's woods and got a few mayflowers. Tonight Enah and Frank went down to church and Dad. and I were rather late getting through with the chores. The Oddfellows were at our church to-night. George Duncan was in for quite awhile to see Dad. about a cow which has something wrong with it. I tested out my eggs to-night. I only took 48 out of the big machine but 38 out of the little one. I put all that were left into the big one. Nice day quite hot.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Monday May 1st</p> <p>Frank took a walk over the back field yesterday after noon and reported that the side hill was fit to go on but the top was pretty wet, so this morning he took Harry and Nellie with the disks back and has been working back there all day. Dad. went back with him to get him started, he got the side hill all gone over and of course couldn't turn on it so had to go across the top but threw the disks out, however it scratched it up a little and will help it to dry. It will take a lot of work yet as the rain has packed it so hard and the grass is pretty well started. While Dad. was back there I buried the twins in the garden up by the windmill. Tom Abbot saw them this morning and said he would give five dollars if they had lived. Sam Law came in while I was at it with some of Dad's instruments he had left down there and said old Ned. was just about all right again. When Dad. came up he sheared a sheep before dinner and two after dinner, he thinks he is getting on to it now. The last one he did I thought he did in a little less than an hour. This after noon I cut most of the lawn I didn't make much of a job of it with the old lawn mower but managed to get it haggled a little.Alex Jamieson came in to see Dad. about a cow he has "that ain't doin right." He told me that "Wilful waste makes woeful want" and that I ought to let the grass grow for hay or turn the old mare in on it. It has been a nice day but looks rainy to-night.</p> <p>Tuesday May 2nd</p> <p>It rained hard enough during the night to put a stop for the present to agricultural operations, but has been a nice sunny day with rather a cold wind. Mr. Fleming came after Dad. this morning his colt is not so well again and Dad. is afraid he will lost it yet. It was a lot better. Tupper was in too for awhile to ask Dad. about his colt which is leaking a little at the navel. Just before dinner we put all the unsheared sheep in the barn and cut the tails off the two little ones there is just one more lamb now to dock, the one belonging to the little yearling ewe. Dad. sheared two more this after noon but had heartburn pretty badly I spent most of the after noon digging the corner bed I made by the rhubarb bed outside the clothes room window. Frank husked corn and went down and got the mail. He went down again to-night with a message to Mrs. Dell about her cow.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Wednesday May 3rd</p> <p>It started to rain sometime during the night and has kept it up all morning most of the time quite heavily so that underfoot conditions are in about as bad a state as they everwere. It cleared up after dinner but was cold all the after noon but was a very nice night. This morning I spent most of the morning in the house grinding bread crumbs for the chickens and writing in this. Dad. helped me get the little chickens into the colony house this morning as we were afraid the wet would be bad for them. Two of them did die with the sore eye trouble that they had last year. This after noon Frank and I did chores and husked a little corn. Frank spent all the morning packing his muskrat skins and after dinner he took them down and shipped them to Hallam and got the mail. Dad. sheared one sheep this morning and two more this afternoon, he has just one more to shear. I went down town to-night. Tom Abbot and other soothsayers and astronomers were predicting cold weather as the new moon was exceptionaly far North and slap on its back.</p> <p>Thursday May 4th</p> <p>Dad. sheared the last sheep this morning and as soon as he got through we packed the wool up and Frank and I took it down. We stopped at the Quanbury's to get a shovel as I wanted to get a little sand to throw in the chicken yard and Charlie gave us Art's three fleeces. Art himself was down {bathing?} Vyse's horse. Henderson gave us 30 cts. a lb for it, which was the highest payed in yesterday's paper, and to-day it has dropped a cent or two, but the mail hadn't come in when we sold it. We had eight six lbs and got $25.80. Art had 18 lbs and got $5.40. By the time we got our sand and a few more things up town we didn't get home till about one o'clock. This after noon we all cleaned up oats. Aunty was over for a few minutes after tea and brought me a new pair of working pants and three tea-roses which Aunty Alice bought from Ivey's. I set them out before she left. It has been a nice day but windy.</p> <p>Friday May 5th</p> <p>This morning Dad. Frank and I went around the gully fence or at least this end and got it so we think it will hold the cattle, Dad. wants to turn them out on Monday. Dad. and I came up a little before</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>noon, but Frank stayed back there to set some traps for a coon he thought he saw tracks of the other day, he isn't sure whether it is a coon or a ground hog. This afternoon he went back and worked all after noon on the side hill, while Dad and I cleaned up more oats. Enah went down to choir practice to-night. Lovely day.</p> <p>Saturday May 6th</p> <p>Dad. got started down pretty early and worked all day in the garden down home fixing the paths all up the way they used to be. He had to cut the sod right off so it was a tedious job, but I went down to-night and they are all just tickled to death at the change in the looks of things He took the baby down with him. Frank worked all day on the land and says he got on fairly well. I worked around the garden all day and did chores. At noon while we were at dinner we head a cow bawl and on looking out saw they had knocked down the lane gate and were all back the lane. We tried to head them off but couldn't so let them go. Jim went back too although Dad wanted to put her in the orchard insted of back there as he was afraid she would not be able to navigate the hills but she managed pretty well Nice day rained a few times {illegible} I went down to-night and got my new suit.</p> <p>Sunday May 7th</p> <p>We all went down to church this morning. Dad. and the baby sat up in the front seat and the baby surpassed all past records for good behaviour. After church I walked down to the Customs office with Huby. and he was explaining the great ammount of complicated work he had to do and saying how much he liked it. He is just as interested down there as he used to be over here digging post holes or shovelling manure, he thinks his office is dandy with the view he gets from both windows of the lake and the marsh right outside full of all kinds of birds and he has every thing inside just as neat and slick as a button. We monkeyed around down there so long that I was afraid Aunty would have started dinner without me so I went up to dinner with Huby. Ada. was up there but Quint had come over here. This after noon Marj. and I started to walk around the hill but it was such a beautiful day and so hot that I with a little coaxing persuaded her to come out here till I hooked Joe up and we went for a drive. Dad. had just got through cleaning his probang and his hands were all dirty so he hooked up for us. The old</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>buggy was all mud and looked terribly shabby with the top off but Marj. said she didn't mind so we had a nice drive as the roads are fine now except on the hills. I got home soon after five. Enah went down to church to-night as they wanted her to play for some fellow to sing a solo, he came down from Brantford with Meesa Dyer. Frank was off all the after noon on his wheel. We let the sheep all out in the lane for a little while to-night. Beautiful day.</p> <p>Monday May 8th</p> <p>We were all up fairly early this morning and Frank got his team all harnessed to get out on the land right after breakfast but about breakfast time and old soaker of a thunderstorm rolled in and everlastingly soused things. It got so dark we had to light the lamp and there were two or three claps of thunder that made our teeth rattle. The storm itself didn't last long but of course we couldnt think of doing anything on the land although it has been sunny and a very high west wind which dried things up a lot. We chored around all day, carried the apples &amp; vegetables all up out of the cellar put the rest of the sawdust back in the ice house and packed it in docked a couple of the calves horns and this morning. Dad. and Frank took up a board in the woodshed floor to see if they could discover the source of a very disagreeable odour which has been pervading that part of the house lately. They found it all right, it turned out to be the cat that died last fall. I got the old lawnmower going to-night so that it makes quite a respectable looking job by setting the blade up against the knives</p> <p>Tuesday May 9th</p> <p>This morning Dad. and I drove Belle up to Yeager's and bred her to King Chocolate again. There was some New Yorker there looking for saddle horses and Yeager was asking Dad. about Ginger so before we left they said they would be down to see her this after noon. We got home soon after twelve and right after dinner Frank went down and got the mail and then took the big team back to disk he had looked at it this morning and thought it was fit. Dad. &amp; I did chores and cleaned up the horses. About three o'clock Rus. Lampkins came in to borrow the pump and sink he left here a year or so ago to put up, so Dad. told him to take it as he didn't know when we would get a chance to put it in. He was here quite awhile and bought a setting of eggs from me but didn't pay for them. He was just leaving</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>when Murray Hamilton came in with his car with Yeager Jack Davis and the New York saddle horse man, so then the horse show began, we brought out both Ginger and Queen, Yeager seemed to be trying to convince all the company that Ginger was in foal and she did look a little queer, Dad. just noticed it to-day but we knew by her actions she couldn't be so we attributed Yeager's talk to the whiskey that he was carrying but he told Dad. aside a little later that he knew she wasn't in foal he was just trying to make the fellow think he was working for him he asked me what I wanted for Queen and I said two hundred he laughed at me but later he told us to let Ginger go for what the fellow would pay and he would see that he bought Queen too after she has been handled a little more "but" he said "Remember the price of her is three hundred not two". so whether he meant all he said or not I don't know as he was pretty full. After I rode Ginger down the lane once or twice, Dad. sold her for one hundred and twenty five dollars and the fellow shelled out the hard cash and said he wanted her at Yeager's before six. As it was then nearly five we had to hurry but we left right away and were up to Charlie Bawlby's when they overtook us in the car, they had probably come around by town to get some more booze. We were there by six but both Joe and Ginger were about all in. We drove Joe to the buggy and led Ginger. The fellow seemed rather surprised that we made such good time. We left Ginger at Yeager's stable but he was going to ship her to New York to-night. Dad. hated to leave her but he told the man he was glad she was not going to the army. He said she would never see the army as he wants her in his riding school and if she doesn't stay there she will go to some rich man's stable for a lady's saddle horse. He said he would be back in a couple of weeks or so after Queen. We got home about seven and I dressed up right away and Marj. and I went to the picture show. It has been fair all day but a cold north wind. It was starting to sprinkle to-night when I got home.</p> <p>Wednesday May 10th</p> <p>It aparently rained all night and certainly rained most of the day, not very heavily except for a few showers but a lot of water fell. To-night it looked and felt like a big thunder storm but a very high wind got up and dispersed the clouds. We did chores and cleaned grain all day</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>We got all the oats cleaned and quite a lot of the barley. Charlie Butler was in tihs after noon for a minute or two, his mare Dad. thinks has an attack of lymphangitis. To-night I walked down to see if Marj. would like to go to Simcoe on Friday night to see the "Battle Cry of Peace" at the show. I guess she would have liked to go but thought she hadn't better. I stopped in for a few minutes to see Aunty &amp; Aunty Alice.</p> <p>Thursday May 11th</p> <p>Dad. took a load of manure down this morning to Aunty Alice for the garden and Frank and I set out the two English walnuts and two of the cherry trees which we got from Mr. Morgan. This afternoon he went back and disked and Dad took Joe &amp; Belle back and harrowed for awhile. I set out the other four cherry trees and just did chores. Very high strong west wind.</p> <p>Friday May 12th</p> <p>Mr. Carpenter came after Dad. this morning while we were milking to go and see his mare which was foaling, so Dad. had to go up there before breakfast, he went out and harrowed as soon as he got back and this after noon they took the drill back and six bags of barley &amp; oats which we mixed on the barn floor at noon. He got it all sowed but didn't get over quite all the ground they had worked up. I just did chores. I took 45 chicks out of the incubator and put them under three hens but two died. Lila stayed here all night nice day.</p> <p>Saturday May 13th</p> <p>Frank has been back working on the land all day and Dad. was back this morning and finished drilling all that was in fit shape. I worked around here put the three hens with the chickens in the colony house and took five more out of the incubator but two of them were weak. I also cut some more of the lawn. This after noon Dad. and I hooked Joe &amp; Queen to the waggon and went down town and took some furniture of Aunty's down to her as she had room for it now that Cousin Clare has moved into her new house. Just as we got opposite the "Titanic." Queen jumped at a rut in the road and piece broke of the end of the tongue causing the iron to bend and let the tongue down. Dad. tied it up with a strap which lasted</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>till we got our furniture unloaded and got around to the blacksmith shop where Bert Greenbury took the iron off and I took the tongue over to the planing mill and got George Nunn to put splice a new end on it then Greenbury put the iron back on. I had some cream for Elva and when I got to the shop Dad asked me what I did with it and I suddenly remembered I had left it on the bank by the "Titanic". I went back for it but and it was all right. We went on up town and got the mail and Enah's wallpaper but didn't have time to do anything more than chores when we got home. Queen behaved very nicely. To-night Frank went down with Lila. Beautiful day. I took four dozen eggs over to Martin's.</p> <p>Sunday May 14th</p> <p>Guy Tuple came after Dad. this morning about nine o'clock to go and see a sick colt. He had his car so Dad. got back just in time to hitch Joe up for Enah &amp; I me to go to church. Frank had gone, so Dad. and Tid went back to the gully to let the fence down to let the cattle in the other end of the pasture field but it began to rain so came back. It was raining quite hard when we got to church and kept it up all the after noon. We got rather went coming home. Dick walked over with Frank to dinner. I didn't go down town this after noon but went down to church again to-night, and went for a short walk with Marj. afterwards, but went down early to see Aunty &amp; Aunty Alice.</p> <p>Monday May 15th</p> <p>Frank went down first thing this morning and borrowed Mr. Fleming's hog rack and we loaded up our hogs, we were only going to take four which were in pretty good shape but they were such a nuisance to separate that we loaded them all in the waggon and then Dad. threw the two smallest ones out but that still left two medium sized ones but they took them down. Dad. wasn't very well satisfied with what the brought, he never is and thought Neil didn't give them all there was in them. The six of them at $10.75 per cwt came to $92.98. As soon as they left I hooked up Joe and went down to get my teeth filled as I thought there were some holes in them. Bill couldn't get at them for quite awhile</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>so by the time he got through it was about noon, he filled two. Right after dinner we mixed up a sheep dip of zenoleum in a tub and dipped all the lambs. We got them all covered but it was rather an unsatisfactory job as the tub gave them such a chance to kick and splatter. When we got through with that Frank &amp; I went down in the waggon and got some sand &amp; plaster for Dad. to do some patching and four cement tile to put accross the lane at the big mudhole as the cows got into awful shape wallowing through it every day. To-night Frank and I did chores and Dad. Enah &amp; the baby went down to Aunty Alice's to tea and after wards to the picture show to see Cinderella. Aunty, Aunty Alice and Aunt Ida all went to. They said it was good but a lot different from the old story. Dad. said the baby wasn't nearly so interested as he expected. About half a dozen or more fellows spoke to Dad. this morning about getting some of the little pigs and Ham Thompson told me he would take the whole litter. Morley Buck was over right after dinner to borrow Dad's wig for the masquerade dance to-night that the I.O.D.E. are giving. Old Monteith was in too and brought a couple of bushels of potatoes which Dad. bought and got four bushels of seed barley. Wet to-day feels like more rain.</p> <p>Tuesday May 16th</p> <p>Trinder came in this morning with some trees that I ordered from the Horticultural Society and as part of them were for Aunty I took them down and helped them put them in. They hurried me off to get my own in but Uncle Ward called me in there to show me some peach trees and he talked for about an hour. Then I had to stop in to pay John Quanbury so by the time I got home it was getting late. I got my crimson rambler rose bush set out before dinner but it began to rain before I was through and it rained steadily all the after noon so we didn't do much. Dad. was working in the house anyway doing some patching for Enah on the walls. Frank also helped them in there. It cleared up about tea time and to-night Frank and I went down to see Mary Pickford in Cinderella. We went up to Huby's after wards for a little while. We saw Lewis Woodson yesterday, he is here getting things ready for the rest.</p> <p>Wednesday May 17th</p> <p>This has been a most horrible day, cold, windy, cloudy and a cold rain about every half hour. Mrs. McBride was here all day papering in the dining room and the two bedrooms off it and Dad. has been helping her</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>all day, she was here till eleven o'clock to-night and I had to drive her home or at least to the top of the hill where she cuts through Preston's orchard as the mill hill is about impassable I suppose. They got the dining room just about finished. I helped for awhile this after noon painting the wood work Frank and I set out the rest of the nursery stock we got yesterday. He got a Bartlett pear tree and I got a mulberry which I put in the chicken yard and a hydrangea. Art and Charlie Quanbury brought a young cow and a heifer over this after noon which they are going to pasture for the milk we can get from the cow which I guess won't be much. Ham Thompson was also in.</p> <p>Thursday May 18th</p> <p>Enah is the only one that is getting any work done these days, the rest of us don't seem to feel like it Dad. and I went back and fixed up the gully fence a little this morning and this after noon I drove down and got some groceries and paint for Enah. She is make the other part of the house look pretty nifty. I went down to see Aunty and Aunty Alice while I was down town and found Mrs. Jackson there from Port Rowan to see Aunt Ida. Dad. helped Enah this after noon I think, Frank has been gathering up old rags &amp; junk for the rag man most of the after noon. Cloudy &amp; cold</p> <p>Friday May 19th</p> <p>Dad. and Frank got started at grading the lane this morning and have been at it all day. They plowed as close to the fence on each side as they could and four or five furrows over and intend throwing the two outside furrows from each side into the middle so as to leave a ditch at each side and high in the center I just worked around here and planted some flower seeds. This after noon I took the wheel barrow and went over to Ivey's and Ben gave me a whole of flower roots of different kinds I didn't know the names of half of them but there were some larkspur chasta daisy's and a Dorothy Perkins rose bush. Dad. helped Enah paper this after noon for awhile. To night he had to go down to a meeting of the Mr. Smith's reunion so I went down with him to get my hair cut but the shop was closed. Enah paperd till twelve o'clock. Another heavy rain to-night.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Saturday May 20th</p> <p>Dad. and Enah paperd nearly all morning and I think are just about through. Frank and I went out about ten o'clock to work at the lane and have been there all day, Dad. helping us this after noon I threw the sods from the side into the middle on the east side right back and they followed cleaning out the loose earth and culling the east edge of the ditch on a hebel so the cattle wouldn't tramp up and break it. We are only working north of the waterhole as they couldnt plow through that with the team. After we did chores to night and before tea we ran the buggy down the lawn to the ditch and washed it. After tea Frank and I went down town and I got my hair cut. Sunny &amp; nice. But breezy.</p> <p>Sunday May 21st</p> <p>Frank and I went to church this morning. After church we picked Quint up and then Aunty Alice and they both came over to dinner, on the bridge we overtook Dess and Dick also on their way to the farm. Enah was rather surprised at the dinner party although she expected Aunty Alice, Dick thought I would be staying down to dinner when he asked Dess, however we got on all right. This after noon I went for a drive with Marjorie. We went out to England's first as Glad Law had gone out there with Bertha for dinner but they had gone off for a drive so we went on by ourselves. Dick, Dess, Frank &amp; Quint all went back to the woods and Dad. took Queen out with just the surcingle on her, he said she went fine. Beautiful day.</p> <p>Monday May 22nd</p> <p>It began to rain before seven this morning and has kept it up steadily all day. About eleven it seemed to let up a little so Dad. and I took Daisy May up to Ham Thompson's, we were up there quite awhile as we had to have a look at all the stock some of which looks fine and so by leaving about twelve we got into an old soaker of a shower so got properly soused. We spent the after noon in the house. Dad. helped Enah put down carpets and Frank cleaned up over the woodshed. I sorted out all the Farmers' Advocate's. There were about seven years of them and we got them all sorted and tied in bundles and packed in a tea box. Frank has seventeen ducks out and has to feed them every two hours. He expects a lot more soon</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Tuesday May 23rd</p> <p>I didn't do anything much this morning but a few chores and go back to the gully to see if the cattle were all right as some of them didn't come up last night. I got a ride up with Jim Ryerse, he said they had twelve acres in but there were lots that had none. I saw the old turkey that hatched out on Sunday, she had lived through the storm and still had her six little ones and an egg that she left in the nest and which Art Quanbury gave me to put under a hen, hatched. This after noon I took 34 chicks out of the little incubator and cut some of the lawn. Frank and Enah went down town this morning in the waggon and got a lot of stuff. Frank went down to the mill this after noon and got different kinds of feed for his ducks. Dad. helped Enah put down the dining room. To-night I went down to see David Harum with Marj. at the picture show, it was pretty good. Very hot and sultry to-day feels like more rain.</p> <p>Wednesday May 24th</p> <p>Frank left about 9 o'clock this morning on his wheel for Port Ryerse to spend the holiday and left me in charge of his seventeen ducks which should be fed every two hours. He got back in the middle of the afternoon and hadn't been at Port Ryerse but went on up to Vittoria and saw Dr. McKinnes about some golden seal. He advised him not to get it till fall. Lila came over with him and he went back with her after tea. I spent most of the morning tending to chickens and trying to cut the lawn. I got all cut on the other side of the ditch but when I got into the tough thick grass near the house I couldn't make a go of it with the old lawn mower so came in and went to sleep for awhile. Then Dad. put Charlie Martins saddle on Queen and I rode her a little way down the road. She went a lot better but I couldn't get very used to the little saddle and the stirrups were too {illegible} for me and hurt my bad knee a little. I nearly went over her head once but didnt get quite that far. Aunty came over at noon and stayed most of the after noon. All day long there have been buggy and democrat loads of fishermen going both east to the creek and west to the pond or lake and I suppose that like other years Black Creek will be lined with them as it has a been a beautiful day to lie around in the shade</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>by the creek whether the fish bite or not. It has been swelteringly hot and yet a nice cool breeze. To-day is the proper day to plant corn around here but I doubt if there will be a grain dropped unless it is in some garden, there are dozen's who haven't a grain of any thing in the ground. Tom Abbot says he heard that Charlie Kinsular who has about four acres in is the only man between the Dog's Nest and the town line who has a seed in and their fields are all regular meadows and we're looking for more rain still.</p> <p>Thursday May 25th</p> <p>Dad. went back to see what the land looked like this morning and came back with the report that it was too wet to touch to-day, and a great big string of rock bass which were part of yesterday's catch. He had been over at John Wess's and said Cam. was cleaning a whole tub-full He, Dr. Bill, and Lloyd Crysler, were down at the creek all day and he said he thought they caught more fish than any one else on the creek and of course as usual it was lined from one end to the other. John Wess drove him and the lunch down as he can't walk very well on account of the veins in his legs, and had then come back and he &amp; old Bill Wilkinson had put in the day target shooting. While Dad. was gone I worked a little trying to get some of the old cherry tree roots out of where I want to plant my hedge and when he came back we hooked Queen and Joe to the waggon and went up to McCoy's as Maria sent word down by her nephew the other night that Mike the old horse wasn't well and wanted Dad. to come up. There was aparently nothing the matter with Mike but the fellow gave him a bag of oats &amp; hay for pay. Queen went fine. We hooked her up again this after noon with Joe and drove down to Ott. Collins with the lawn mower. We came back by the plank as this road was awful. (I have went to sleep.) Wyatt Waddle and Mr. Harris of the Massey. Harris firm were down for awhile to try and sell Dad. a corn cultivator but he didn't bite. He said Mr. Harris was the decentest agent he had seen for a long time as he didn't coax at all. Lovely day.</p> <p>Friday May 26th</p> <p>This morning Dad. and Frank did some ditching in the back field and Frank took his bee hive back to the woods to see if a stray swarm would take possession</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>of it. This after noon Frank took the team back and worked all the after noon but says it isn't any to dry yet. John Wess made a start to-day too, Art. Quanbury came over this after noon and he and Dad. put the picture moulding up in the dining room I helped them for a little while but I measured one piece 23 inches instead of 32 (the yardstick was upside down) and then went to sleep so I went out and continued the work I was at this morning viz. grubbing out the cherry tree roots an digging the strip for my hedge. I got it all dug down to the ditch by to-night. Very hot to-day.</p> <p>Saturday May 27th</p> <p>It rained first thing this morning so nothing more could be done on the land. I don't remember what we did this morning but I don't reckon it was anything very exciting. Come to think, I believe I read and cleaned off Queen and Joe, and Dad. did chores and cleaned out the cellar. Frank went back to the gully and fastened his bee hive up in a tree. This after noon I had quite a snooze out in the hay and about four o'clock Dad. &amp; Frank went down town in the waggon to look at the refrigerator Emery is making and I went down to the corner with them to get some of the little spruce trees that are thick down on the side hill in Dicky Steven's orchard. I was about an hour hunting for Frank Awde as Dad. said I had better get his permission to take them and at last found him over at Jack Martin's, he told me to take all I wanted as they were a nuisance, so I went back and got quite an armful pulled before Dad. &amp; Frank got back with the waggon and they took them home for me. I got a few of them set out to-night before dark and heeled the rest of them in. I got them planted down to about the brow of the hill and from there down to the ditch it is heavy clay and I will have to get some other earth to put in. Aunty sent me over a root of the blue lilly but I didn't get it set out to-night. It got very black this after noon and looked like a proper souser of a thunder storm but it didn't ammount to much sort of a drizzle all the after noon</p> <p>Sunday May 28th</p> <p>This morning after we did most of the chores and I set out the lilly and before we had breakfast Frank and I went for a swim down below Quanbury's. The water was pretty</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>cold and I only had about one duck when I stepped on something pretty sharp and got a chunk out of the bottom of my foot, so had to quit. Just as we were getting ready for church Billy Miller came after Dad. to go over to the slaughter house to see a sick pig so Enah and I went to church and Frank stayed home and minded Tid and got dinner. I went up to Huby's for dinner and this after noon Quint and I went down to Harry Ansley's with some merells he got, and Huby told him to take them down to Harry. Lewis Woodson was there so we three went for a walk down to the dock. The lake was a little choppy so Quint took a notion to get a canoe and see if he could ride it, so we went down to Juke's with him, and he jumped into one the same as he would a boat and the consequence was it turned half way over, filled with water and put Quint in the creek, but he didnt get wet much above the tops of his puttees, and he went on out. He said to-night he went up the beach as far as {Wed lake's.?} Lewis then went back up town and I went home and stopped in at Aunty's on my way. I helped Dad. milk so was too late for church to-night but went down and went for a little walk afterwards with Glad. &amp; Marj. Sunny and sultry to-day.</p> <p>Monday May 29th</p> <p>Frank got a good start this morning and has been disking all day. Dad. did a little ditching in the lane this morning and to Joe &amp; Belle and harrowed this after noon. I spent the day getting my hedge in. I had to dig a trench and fill it in partly with dried rotted manure and partly with soil from the top of the garden and this after noon I set out the rest of the little trees. I just had enough to go to the ditch. It was about half past four then and a big thunder storm was rolling up and Enah had all the stuff from the clothes room out on the line so I gathered them in and just got them in when it began to rain and it everlastingly poured for a few minutes. Dad. &amp; Frank came up in the middle of it both soaked to the skin, Frank was so wet he couldn't get any wetter so went back and brought the cows up. Marie Ryerse and Maudie Pickford sought shelter under the willow tree so Enah called them in and Tid had a great time with them for awhile. Enah put him to bed this after noon but he heard me outside so got up and talked to me out the window for a long time and then came out so while he was eating his tea to-night he went sound asleep with his head about in his plate. Tom Abbott said Ott.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>fixed the lawn mower all right and he was going to bring it back with him when he brought the can but he forgot. Frank went down town to night and got the mail. The rag man that interviewed Frank the other day came again and gave me 55 cents for all the stuff Frank had gathered up and borrowed my lead pencil which he has got, he gave a haf a cent back in cash for rags or a cent in trade he was very anxious to trade but the straight pails he had were worth 35 &amp; 40 cts and Enah said she could get them for 15 down town. Nice enough day till it rained pretty hot.</p> <p>Tuesday May 30th</p> <p>It rained hard again during the night and every thing has been too wet outside to do any thing. Frank and Dad. went down this morning to get some sand but there was a nice ridge of gravel washed up so they got a load of it and took it up to Aunty's to put on the walk and after dinner went down and got another load, so didn't get any sand to put in the mud hole at all. Dad. nearly broke his neck this morning. He was up over the woodshed and when he started to come down his foot slipped on the top step and he fell from there to the landing or rather slid and hurt his back and then instead of stopping at the landing he peeled head first off it and lit square on his head between a couple of stoves. He felt as he said like Pete {illegible} "Considerately shook up" all day. I didn't do any thing much all day except prowl around in the mud. This morning I made a mitre box which I believe is fairly true. After dinner I went back to the gully to see if the bars and gate were still shut as in their hurried exit yesterday Dad. &amp; Frank hadn't taken much pains but they were all right. The oats and barley back there are well up now and look fine as there is no grass in them at all it seems. I brought the cows up with me and it was early but we got through early and Frank and I both went to the picture show to see Margeurite Clark in "The Crucible". It wasn't a bad show Marjorie Clarke &amp; Glad Law went with me. It rained again a little shower about four o'clock but has cleared off. Cold to-night.</p> <p>Wednesday May 31st</p> <p>First thing this morning that Dad noticed was that Elgeitha wanted to take another trip to the bull. We were</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>terribly disappointed as we thought she was safe in calf not having showed any signs for three months and she was so regular before. The only cause we could think of was abortion and Dad. was sure it wasn't that as we have been here nearly every night since we turned out, however he and I made a pretty thorough search of the gully this morning but couldn't find any signs of it. Dad. stood her in and was so undecided what to do with her between wondering if she had aborted and if Ham's bull was any good or if we should take her to John Wess' that we didn't do any thing with her and this evening when he let her out she made right straight for the gully all alone and was aparently all over her excitement. Aunty Alice came over a little before dinner and stayed till a little after. Harry Ansley and Billy Dixon were also in to look at Nellie but Billy didn't buy her, she wasn't what he wanted he said at all. I didn't do much this after noon but sit around, although I did haul enough rotted manure to mulch the hedge. Frank spent the after noon patching the wood shed roof. I guess he intends going over the whole house as it all needs it. Dad. didn't feel very well. Some fellow (a {...man?}, I think) with a couple of little kids came in to see if we had any rhubarb to sell and as we didn't he would like to get a setting hen or two so I sold him one for 75 cts. I spent the evening making a new milk record book for June.</p> <p>Thursday June 1st</p> <p>Tom brought the lawn mower back from Ott. Collin's this morning, so I have put in nearly the whole day working on the lawn. I started cut the longest of the grass with the scythe and didn't get it all done but this after noon I got all the shortest including all the other side of the ditch cut with the lawn mower, it looks nice and was no trouble to cut at all. Ott. seems to have made a good job. Frank spent most of the day patching the roof. About nine o'clock this morning Dad. took Aunty up to the cemetry, they took the baby too. When he got back from there he took the team and waggon and went down to the Widespread and got the new refrigerator. They had just finished it and as it smelled strongly of the alcohol in the shelack we had to leave it open and not use it to-day. It is a nice looking one and I think plenty big enough for us. This after noon Dad. was ditching in the back field he says it is very wet yet, but John Wess was out and calculated to sow a little to-night just to be able to say he had some in. "Very hot and sultry</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Friday June 2nd</p> <p>After the big rain on Sunday people seem to have been of the opinion that the weather had "took up" using Mr. Fleming's expression, I don't know why unless it was because it turned cold after it and the wind changed around but it does that lately without a minutes notice any way, then there was a new moon and a good many thought that would fix it, but yesterday after noon public opinion veered round again and the general belief was that we were about to have another little "spell of weather", and this morning's sultry air and cloudy sunrise and the lake's growling convinced us all of the fail. Despite all these omens we got up pretty early and Frank went back about half past seven. Dad. intended to take his team back after Frank got started but the sky soon began to darken and the rumbling and growling in the west began to get nearer so we didn't go I mowed the rest of the hay on the front lawn with the scythe but that didn't take long. About half past nine it began to rain and I had just time to get into the shop when it came down in sheets. The awful flashes of lightening seemed so close that thunder almost cracked while it was there. This storm lasted for ten or fifteen minutes then it settled down to a sensible rain and soon stopped altogether. Frank came up with the team during this interval, he had been under a beech tree in the woods and was aparently dry. It soon began again however and I went into the house to put a new cloth on my foot and it developed into a worse storm than the first one, not only in rain, thunder &amp; lightening but hail which seemed worse than the storm of last fall which did so much damage. It battered against the south kitchen windows like bullets and I was sure they would break it but they didn't. They weren't like ordinary hailstones being quite flat and the edges jagged. It didn't last so very long but the rain kept up most of the morning. Frank went down town after the mail after dinner and had a great time getting accross the ditch the water was so high. We didn't do anything much this after noon but I monkeyd around in the shop with the old moulding planes. Old Monteith was past this after noon and told Dad. he had never seen the water in the creek so high it was the wind more than the rain that caused it. Art's flats where he had his oats were completely inundated Dad. went down to a Mr. Smith's Reunion meeting to-night and as the walking was so bad stayed down all night at Aunty's. Enah spent the after noon house cleaning the front bedroom.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Saturday June 3rd</p> <p>Dad. got home about six or before this morning just as I was starting to milk and about ten o'clock, he, Enah &amp; the baby started for Simcoe with Joe &amp; the buggy to Simcoe see the circus which was to be there to-day. Frank went soon after on his wheel. They told me they would be sure to be back by the middle of the after noon I didn't do much till dinner time but chores. Mrs. Jack was in for a few minutes to see Enah about noon. She is here for a few days and is staying just now at the Pickford's. Frank was down to see her last night. She only stayed a few minutes. After I had partaken of my solitary lunch I sat around and read for awhile, then went out and cleaned Queen and then started to rake up the hay on the lawn, while I was at that Aunty Alice came over thinking I would be getting tired of my own company and brought me the mail. There was rather bad news in the paper as a British fleet was engaged in the Skagerrack on Wednesday &amp; Wednesday night by the entire German High Seas fleet and received quite a mauling. That seriousness lay in the great loss of men and ships they sustained as the Germans didn't gain any particular advantage and were fighting with the odds greatly in their favor. As soon as the main British fleet the Globe says hurriedly steamed to the scene of the action the German's left off pounding the overmatched ships they had engaged and scuttled back to port. The British loss was three Dreadnoughts three cruisers and eight destroyers while the Germans admit the loss of one battleship and two cruisers but it is believed there was more on both sides. They don"t know how many men were lost but if none were saved from the sinking ships there would be about six thousand. The greatest loss outside of the men was that of the battleship "Queen Mary" which was about the last word in battleship construction both in speed and the mounting of big guns She was a sister ship to the "Queen Elizabeth." Aunty Alice didn't stay long as she thought they would soon be back. I worked a while longer at the lawn and got some of it cut but I didn't start very early to do chores as I expected them back any minute. However it was after six when I got the cows up and in and no sign of them and I was just about through milking when they came in quite a bit after seven. They said the performance didn't start till so late, but they had a good day, the circus was a small one and they didn't have many animals but they had them very well trained. Frank rode in soon</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>after they came in. He had come down from Simcoe with Bill Barwell and had had tea at the Barwells. He &amp; the rest of the family hadn't seen each other all day as Frank had been taking in all the side shows and had dinner on the fairground where the circus was while Dad &amp; Enah had fallen in with Jim Waddle &amp; his sisters and had gone to Miss Waddle's for dinner. It has been cloudy and rather cool but fine, it looked rainy for awhile.</p> <p>Sunday June 4th</p> <p>Frank, Enah, and I went to church this morning while Dad. &amp; the baby stayed home and got dinner Aunty came over to dinner, Dick didn't come as he &amp; Dess. walked went to Simcoe last night to stay all night at "Grandpa Meads" and were going to walk back this after noon. Frank stayed down at Aunty's to dinner and went this after noon to Vittoria with Aunty Alice &amp; Aunt Ida in Mr. Johnson's car. After Aunty went back about four o'clock Dad. &amp; I drove out to the Shand's as Harvey Shand was past here yesterday and said they had a colt leaking at the navel which they would like Dad. to look at and I thought I ought to go and see Charlie who just got home from the West a couple of weeks ago. They don't seem to think he is much better. It began to rain before we got home but we didn't get wet. It rained quite a lot all the evening. To-night Frank and I tested the eggs in the little incubator. We only took twelve out of sixty seven.</p> <p>Monday June 5th</p> <p>I spent most of the day raking up and cutting the front lawn and got all the part I had to mow with the scythe cut by to-night. Enah &amp; Tid were down town all day as she wanted to get some teeth fixed but Bill wasn't there. Dad. helped her take the baby over in the sidewalk and saw Brirely over there who gave him a full account of his row with Vyse. Brirely has moved into Vyse's house and he says it was in awful shape, then one day Helen came over after something and got on Brirely's garden, he asked her not to run over it and she got saucy so he ordered her off and told her not to come back so that is what started it. He saw Vyse later up at the Quanbury's and Vyse spoke to him about it and in the course of their conversation told Brirely that if he felt better he would mop the sidewalk with him where upon Brirely invited him out to do it but Vyse declined the</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>invitation and stayed on the other side of Quanbury's fence. While Dad. was over there Frank started down to Porter's with old Gladys who has been out since Saturday. He rode Joe down and drove Gladys; she knows the way pretty well anyway. He didn't get back till long after two and Dad. and I thought he was having dinner down there but he hadn't. Brirely came over after some little ducks Frank sold him. He took ten, six for himself and four for Gordon Dovecote, they were just hatched the other day so he borrowed the hen too, he gave ten cents apiece for them. Dad. spent the after noon putting up barricades behind the little cherry trees in the lane so as old Harry couldn't reach over the pasture field fence and nip the tops off them, Frank I think fixed his bicycle. About five o'clock, Mr. &amp; Mrs Tupper &amp; Clara drove in and brought Enah &amp; Tid home. Nice day, but cool.</p> <p>Tuesday June 6th</p> <p>We spent quite a time this morning fixing Queen up Dad. powdered her cut and trimmed her hoofs a little besides giving her a general grooming. About ten o'clock he and I went back the lane to see if we could let some water off so that we could work at it. This after noon Enah went down to a reception at Mrs. Woodson's to meet Miss Glass, Carol's sister-in-law so Dad. had to stay in to watch the baby and I went out and dug around and tied a lot of the little poplars along the road, the mice have girdled &amp; killed quite a lot of them. Martin's men were on the corner field disking &amp; harrowing the oats in that had been sowed broad-cast. It looked to be pretty wet and seems rather foolish. Frank finished patching the roof this morning and has made a good job of it. This after noon he went down and got the mail and said there was a report came in after the mail that Kitchener &amp; his staff were drowned, they were on their way to Russia when their ship struck a mine or was torpedoed. The Canadians have had stiff fighting too. Fine day.</p> <p>Wednesday June 7th</p> <p>It began to rain sometime in the night and with an east wind so we have had a steady downpour all day. Allan Law came in while we were at breakfast to have Dad. look at the sorel horse's mouth as he thought he wasn't doing right and he was here till about eleven. During the morning Mrs. McBride</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>waded in although they didn't look for her on account of the weather but she &amp; Enah have been cleaning the parlor all day. Frank went out at eleven o'clock to feed his ducks this morning and found all but four of them in a heap out side the box dead, one wasn't quite dead but it soon died. He put the four live ones over in the barn as he thinks it was the rain killed them but they were all well at seven when he fed them before. We haven't done any thing but sit around all day I read "The Lay of the last Minstrel" This after noon Frank drove Mrs. McBride down town and got the paper which confirms the report of Kitchener's death. Mrs. McBride said that she was in Simcoe last night and and about eleven o'clock Bob Mead ran in and said the last report was that he was saved but the morning's paper had been issued since then. Kitchener was on his way to Petersgrad when the cruiser Hampshire which was carrying him &amp; his staff struck a mine or was torpedoed off the Orkneys and they think no one has been saved. Sir Wm. Robertson it is thought will take his place in the War office. About five o'clock to-night Frank noticed a lot of our cattle down at Ben Ivey's corner at the end of the road so he and I went down to get them, they were all in Martins field. Ben Ivey told Frank that they had come up throug his place. There were only five of the cows and the three steers so I went back Ivey's lane to see if I could find the rest of them. I heard a young crow squawk back there in one of his pine trees and saw a little bedraggled looking fellow sitting on a limb so I threw two or three sticks at him and he at last flew down and lit in a mud-puddle where I easily caught him, so I brought him up in side my coat and put him in Dad's bird cage. I looked all through the gully for the cattle but as they had gone up or Dad. had brought them up I couldn't find them. I waded through the creek up to my knees more than once. Dad. said he had yelled at me when I was going down Ivey's lane but I hadn't seen him. It didn't matter much as I was soaked then.</p> <p>Thursday June 8th</p> <p>Charlie Quanbury was in here for quite awhile this morning and he traded collars as the one he had on Art's horse was too big for him. Frank &amp; I took Daisy May up to Ham. Thompson's again and got back about twelve. Dad. beat</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>the parlor carpet while we were gone. This after noon Frank and I rode out to Tupper's with Charlie Quanbury who was going to help Tupper dip sheep, we fooled around there for awhile and helped him weigh a veal calf and then went over to John Wess' to see if he would make up a cement post mould like his. He was hewing a cedar stick for a brace. We were over there a long time poking around. He said he had more work to do now than he would ever get done but if we couldn't get any one else to make us one he would so we told him we would find out down at the Widespread and he said he would lend us his for a pattern. We didn't get home till after six. Dad. had spent the afternoon putting down the parlor carpet. I learned the last of the second canto of "The Lady of the Lake" to-day. I started it on the 25th April so didn't take so long as I did learning the first canto two years ago I tried a little different scheme of writing it out which works better. It has been fair all day but a big thunder storm went around us to-night.</p> <p>Friday June 9th</p> <p>Frank left soon after breakfast this morning to go down and clean out Aunty's eave-troughs for her, he said he would be back right after dinner but he didn't get back till after six, he said it was a worse job than he thought. I spent the biggest part of the day raking up and cutting the lawn, but got it all gone over in front of the house. The actual time I took cutting it wasn't very long but it took along time to rake up the debris on the other side of the ditch left by the hail storm, then I was a long time getting the lawn mower set right. I think Dad. ditched around the barnyard most of the day but had to keep his eye on the baby this after noon after he woke up as Enah went down to Bill's to get her teeth fixed. He intended to go down to-night to a meeting of the W.H. Smith reunion committee but about five o'clock Ashbaw the castrator from Caledonia came in and as Dad. couldn't go with him to-night asked him to stay here all night and he would go to Mr. Fleming's &amp; Ham. Thompson's with him in the morning as they are the only two around here who have entire colts except our Billy, so he agreed to the proposition and accordingly put his horse in, then it started to rain and turned out such a nasty night that Dad. stayed home and entertained Mr. Ashbaw by listening to his adventures in his many fields of occupation, which though numerous are all of about the same standard and as one would expect a</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>man of his tastes would naturally devote his time to, as the work he is at now is what he enjoys above all things and his other vocations ranged from tending bars to travelling {illegible} and in the early spring grafting fruit trees which is about the most elevated sort of industry he indulges in. Dad. had to sit up till eleven o'clock with out his usual evening snooze and then suggest bed himself. It has been cloudy by spells. Bob. Davis was in this morning with Jaeger &amp; Hamilton's big Percheron and tried Nellie and said he would be back next week as Harry Ansley told him to {breed her?}</p> <p>Saturday June 10th</p> <p>Dad. and Ashbaw left right after breakfast this morning for Mr. Fleming's and Ham Thompson's and Frank and I were to have gone back and brought our colts up but it began to rain and rained quite hard for awhile but we went back when it let up and didn't have much trouble in getting them up and Billy in the stable, a little while before they got back, and old Ashbaw fixed him up before dinner. This after noon we sat around for an hour or two till he left He invited Dad. &amp; Enah &amp; the baby to come down to see him Caledonia Fair, he said he would give them a bed three meals a day and treat them as mean as he knew how. He showed us how to graft trees as he is a professional grafter and told us what we never knew before and what has probably been the reason of our non-success that care must be taken to have the lowest bud on the scion just set level with the top of the branch. He also gave us a receipt for making grafting wax which was different and he says better than the old one, it was 4 lbs resin, 1 lb beeswax &amp; 1 pint raw oil, melt &amp; pour into cold water. After he left I don't think we did any thing very startling. It has been partly fair and partly rainy to-day. Frank went down to the mill and down town with the team and waggon this after noon, it rained while he was gone.</p> <p>Sunday June 11th</p> <p>Frank and I went down to church this morning and Dick and Aunty Alice came over with us to dinner This after noon we sat around till I thought it was too late to go out to Tommy Jackson's as Frank and I intended so he went alone down to the Ryerse's and they went over to Tommy's with him and looked over his museum as they call it. Frank</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>says he has sold over seven hundred dollars worth of stuff and a stranger wouldn't know there was any thing gone. They say he has all the buildings on the place including the house filled with old odds and ends which he has picked up at auction sales. Aunty Alice stayed till about half past four and then Enah and the baby who were going to have tea at the James's' and then go to church went down with her. Dick went down earlier. Art Quanbury came over just before they left to get Dad. to go down to Mr. Fleming's to see old Prince the big {Sensation?} as they were afraid his leg was broken. Dad. got back about half past six and said his leg had been broken off right below the stifle and they had to send for Dave Waddle to shoot him. He said Mr. Fleming felt very badly but was going to skin him. I got the cows up and helped Dad. milk and about eight o'clock went down town. I happened to meet Marj. &amp; Glad Law on their way home from Lola McBride's and was with them for awhile and then went in to see Harry Moon for a little while. Mrs. Moon was in bed with grip. I then went down to Auntys and got some tea, they persisted in feeding me and got home soon after eleven. Cloudy morning but nice day</p> <p>Monday June 12th</p> <p>This morning Dad. &amp; the baby and I drove Joe &amp; Queen up to Barwell's and took his two pigs up. Barwell showed Dad. all his crops which Dad. says look fine, this year has just suited his sand farm. We didn't get home till after dinner noon and went around by town. Dick got us the paper and gave Dad. &amp; me our invitations to Mr. Smiths reunion. Miss McQueen had brought them into the bank. We stopped into at the Quanbury's and borrowed their step ladder and paste board as they are going to paper the ceiling of the kitchen &amp; bedroom to-morrow. This after noon I drove Enah down town as she had to get her teeth fixed and I left Joe &amp; Quanbury's and had her shod, he soaked us $1.50 for putting on new shoes. I went up and got my hair cut while I was waiting and fooled around up town most of the after noon I waited till half past four at Aunty Alice's for Enah and then went home alone. She got home before six Dad. and Frank spent the after noon clearing everything out of the kitchen. It rained a little to-night but was a nice day. Zeitha Barwell invited me up there to tea to-morrow night to give her a riding lesson.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Tuesday June 13th</p> <p>This morning I went down to Aunty's and took Tid with me to help work in the garden and incidentally to remove him from the impending operations to be carried on here as Mrs. McBride arrived just as we left and they have beend papering the kitchen ceiling all day and generally house-cleaning and they thought his presence would not be required. I spent the day digging the cellar banks and got them pretty well dug the houseside of the drain, but not the woodshed side, however they were well pleased they said with what I did and it certainly did make quite an improvement. I came home about four o'clock and did chores but didn't get through in time to get up to the Barwells for tea but left soon after to give Zeitha a riding lesson she got on fine. She had been reading up on it in the encyclopedia and tried to put the theory to practice and didn't lose her head or lose control of Joe so had a few good canters up and down the road. I didn't stay late. Winnie was over here to tea and Frank went down with her after tea and I guess they went to the picture show. Dad. says Ham Thompson was in to-night feeling pretty blue as another cow aborted just gone a few months and is afraid it is contagious abortion. Fine, hot &amp; sultry.</p> <p>Wednesday June 14th</p> <p>Frank went over at seven this morning to help Jack Martin's gang set out strawberry plants and was there all day. Dad drove Enah down to the dentists' this morning and she was down all day too. Minnie Quanbury came over at noon to say Enah had telephoned over that she wouldn't be home. She got four teeth filled and one out so feels rather sore in the mouth. Dad. and I have not done any thing to speak of A few chores and I slept and read. Dad. of course had to watch the baby. He has been reading up on contagious abortion, and feels very worried for if Ham's bull is infected we have brought it into this herd by breeding Daisy May &amp; Elgitha to him and we have to wait now anyway before we can find out as the only way to tell seems to be to see if other cows abort, so we won't dare breed Elgitha when she comes around again. Dad. had a letter from Douglas and he thought she must have aborted and said he would breed her at once but Tupper who has had experience of it says not to breed them till after the time they would have had their calf if they had not aborted. But any way we daren't breed her to another bull till we know for sure about Ham's or the thing will get spread all over. Very hot &amp; sultry. Thundery.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Thursday June 15th</p> <p>This morning Dad. &amp; I did up the chores and then started to put a barbed wire on the top of the fence along the lane comin in from the road, we merely started there as we want to if we can stretch one all along every fence where the horses run as they will reach over and bend the top of the woven wire down. We got quite a long strand of wire from the fence down the road and tried to stretch it with the claw hammer but that didn't work well so I went over to John Wess' to borrow his wire stretchers. He was down fixing the well when I got there and when he came up it was beginning to rain and looked like a bad storm coming up. It was then just about noon so I stayed to dinner and there was a heavy rain for a while at noon After dinner Lloyd Crysler came over and wanted me to go fishing so we took a walk down to Frank Ryerse's where we found Wilbur and Lorne Jackson. We stopped in for {From?} Walker on our way down as Wilbur said he promised to go the next rainy day, but {From?} said he had to take his wife to town so Lloyd told him he would never ask him again. We got Lorne's nets but as Wilbur didnt want to get in the creek with the drag net we just used the gil net and strung it accross the creek and then I rowed Wilbur &amp; Lorne up the creek a way and they whippet it down but we didn't get a fish Tige got in it once she and Lloyd's dog swam across about forty times. We fooled around for a little while before we came home and it was long after five when I came through John Wess' place to our gully Dad. came back after the cows he thought some thing must have happened to me he said but couldn't have done any thing on account of the wet and he had a very bad head-ache. Aunty was over to dinner and he drove her home this after noon, she is going to Brantford in the morning to pay a little visit to Miss &amp; Mrs. Battersby. Frank didn't get a whole day in to-day on account of the rain but he only lost an hour or two I think they were still planting strawberries. He is having a great time over there with Joe Green.</p> <p>Thursday Friday June 16th Friday</p> <p>We chored around a little this morning and I got most of the lawn cut I was out there after dinner when a buggy came in and I was very surprised &amp; pleased to see it was Ham. Thompson with Mr. Douglas of Caledonia. He had come up to Ham's to look at his bulls and then come over here. He was here till after four so we had a long visit with him. The</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>conversation dwelt mostly on contagious abortion as although Douglas has never had it, he seems to know pretty well about it. He says the only way to do if it gets in the herd is to live it down which takes in all about five years. He, unlike Tupper, says to breed the cows after they abort as soon as possible as they never abort more than twice and sometimes only once, but they can still carry the germ even if their own calves come all right and give it to others so that it could be stamped or worn out rather out of a herd of old cows in about three years but it would not be safe to breed any heifers for two more years. He said he was sure Ham didn't have it and he said he would certainly breed Elgitha the next time as if it was contagious she had it this time and if it wasn't we were only wasting time. To-night Dad. and I went down town, he went to a Mr. Smith's reunion committee meeting and I just took a little stroll around to see Marj. for a few minutes as she was all alone. I then went down to Aunty Alice's and stayed all night as Aunty went to Brantford this morning and she didn't like to be alone with Aunt Ida all night. It has been a nice day to-day. Frank put in another day.</p> <p>Saturday June 17th</p> <p>I got up in time to get home and help Dad. milk this morning. Frank went over to Jack Martin's and Dad. &amp; I put the lambs all in and put the ear tags in their ears, we didn't have quite enough so didn't mark the two little ones nos. x. Douglas thought yesterday they were a "ripping" fine bunch of lambs, picked out two or three "right good ones" and said there wasn't a bad lamb in the bunch. We were nearly all morning at that job and this after noon we hooked up Joe &amp; Queen to the waggon and drove down town to get some stuff, we just got back in time to do chores. Old Rollings stopped us down town and told Dad. he wanted to get a horse and hadn't seen any thing that suited him so well since he came to town as Queen, but it nearly flabergasted the old boy when Dad. told him the price was three hundred. To-night Frank went down town and I took a walk down to Odd's point and had a half a notion to go for a swim but didn't. Nice day but thundering.</p> <p>Sunday June 18th</p> <p>Frank and I went down to church this morning. Dick came over to dinner but went down soon after. This after noon I wrote and read till I went to sleep and about four o'clock started to do chores. Dad. drove Uncle Ward out to Colin Mc</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Neiledge's as he fell the other day and paralyzed the nerve in his arm that is Colin did and Dad. thought Uncle Ward would like to go out and see him. He said he enjoyed the drive but the McNeiledge's were not at home. Frank spent the after noon back in the gully with the Ryerse's spearing frogs, he took them down to-night and sold them to Henry Buoy for ten cents a dozen. I got down in time for church to-night and had a little visit with Marj. Aunty Alice sent and invitation to her by me to come down to a tea party to-morrow night but she said she couldn't come as there was another one on at Mrs. McQueen's and she had to go. Aunty Alice told me this morning that Mrs. John Watts was dead but she didn't die till to-night, but old Mrs. Watson Robert John's mother died yesterday. Rained this morning. Cool &amp; Cloudy to-day.</p> <p>Monday June 19th</p> <p>Dad. went over to John Wess' right after breakfast and took him over a bag of oats &amp; barley in return for a bag of oats we got some time ago. John Wess told him was hoping he wouldn't bring them for awhile as he was afraid now that he would feed them up. The object of Dad's visit was to warn him not to breed any cows that had been to Ham Thompson's bull and to be very careful what cows he did breed. Dad. is afraid yet of contagious abortion. I don't think I did any thing much while he was gone. Frank took the team out and disked up the sand knoll by {Name?} and said he got the top of the grass pretty well cut up but it didn't affect the roots any. I weeded a little in the rose border Dad. got home just before a big rain started which lasted all noon hour. Frank went back to the gully this after noon Dad. helped Enah paper the pantry ceiling. I read "The Gentle Shephard till four o'clock when I started to do chores. Jonas came in and peddled some fish. To-night Frank and I went down to Aunty Alice's party. She was rather distressed and the majority of boys over the girls. Zeitha &amp; Miss Tinny couldn't come but Mis Herring was there and Elva, Ada &amp; Dess. and besides us four boys there was Lewis Woodson, George Clark &amp; Douglas Skey but we had a good time Quint for whom the party was for especially seemed to enjoy himself in Miss Herrings company. Aunty got home from Brantford to-day.</p> <p>Tuesday June 20th</p> <p>Gordon {Darecote?} came over this morning to get Dad. to go over and see Jack Martin's horse, so Dad. went over</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>and Frank and I followed soon after. It was the bay pacer that Charlie bought from Beswitherock and evidently sold to Jack and Dad. &amp; Anderson who was down from Simcoe agreed that he had tetanus, so Anderson gave him an injection of antitetnantic {antitetantic?} serum and left instructions for Dad. to give them every six hours. Dad. says he is sure the horse is too far gone to be helped and anyway there was no curative properties claimed for that stuff it being merely a preventative, however he has gone over three times and that is all he has to. This after noon Frank and I put through the few bushels of wheat in Ed's big bin which we were saving for chicken feed. Bruce Smith was in for quite awhile this after noon for a visit. Enah has been down all the after noon at the dentists' and felt pretty rotten over it to-night. It has been a nice day to-day.</p> <p>Wednesday June 21st</p> <p>It started to rain about six o'clock this morning and rained till about nine or ten o'clock. It wasn't a bad day after that sunny and cool. Dad. spent most of the morning over at Martin's the horse was so bad this morning that Joe Field's shot it. I didn't do anything much but help Enah tear the cover off the armchair as she wants to put a new one on. This after noon I read &amp; slept most of the after noon but did go out and put the wheat back in the bun which Frank and I cleaned up yesterday. Just before tea Frank and I took Elgitha up to Ham Thompson's. Frank was down town this after noon.</p> <p>Thursday June 22nd</p> <p>This morning Dad. left for Charlie Dunkin's to see if he couldn't hurry him up to get the old ram registered and also to pay him the service fee of his ram. I would have gone but Dad. thought as Uncle Ward enjoyed his drive so much on Sunday he would ask him and I thought he would enjoy it more with Dad. than wth me so I persuade him to go. They left about ten o'clock and didn't get back till about five and I guess both of them had a great day of it. Dunkin wasn't home when they got there so they stayed to dinner. Uncle Ward knew him well, used to go to party's with him, and I suppose he had a great talk. Dad. says his crops and the crops of his near neighbors look immense but that is the only place they do. The rain has been just what they want up there. They saw Frank Marr on their way home and he told them that</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Dr. Harrison of Selkirk says that it is recorded in his father's diary of one hundred years ago that we had just such a spring as this and that it rained all summer and nothing was saved of either hay or grain, all stock starving to death in consequence the following winter, so that sounds hopeful. Frank has been over at Jack Martin's all day picking strawberries, he made $1.01. I did chores, weeded out the rest of the rose border, sprinkled the roses with tobacco water which Aunty Alice fixed for me by steeping some of Frank's old homegrown leaves and put in the rest of the day doing nothing. Aunty Alice and Winnie were both over to dinner and Win stayed most of the after noon but Aunty Alice of course couldn't. Nice day.</p> <p>Friday June 23rd</p> <p>Frank disked up the sand knoll by the old well again this morning and after dinner Dad ran out eleven furrows and Frank and I planted potatoes. Then Dad. covered them and Frank harrowed them in. Dad. also made a start at plowing the old garden back of the shop. It was very waxy. He hauled out manure out of the two boxstalls and put on the west side of it. I cut the lawn to-day. To-night Dad. went down to a reunion meeting and Frank and I went down to the stump but didn't have much of a swim as the water was cold. Dad. stayed in town all night. It was fair all day but rained a little to-night.</p> <p>Saturday June 24th</p> <p>Frank has been picking strawberries over at Martin's all day and made another dollar. This morning Dad cut some of the long grass down by the ditch and in the lane and I puttered around. Alex Jamieson came in after dinner and was here most of the after noon. It was time to do chores when he left. Uncle Ward had to go down to Art. Ryerse's to collect for the reunion some time before next meeting and Dad. told him he would drive him down this after noon but he couldn't, it rained once or twice any way and looked very cloudy so not likley Uncle Ward. would expect him. To-night Dad. Enah and the baby drove down town and Dad. drove Aunty Alice up to the cemetry. As soon as they were gone Frank &amp; I decided to go over to Tommy Jackson's to tell him Frank would take a couple of skips of bees. Frank thought they</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>were pretty cheap on Tommy's terms. He offered him two skips of bees in Langstroth hives with frames and foundation comb for seven dollars and he can get them and pay for them any time he likes. It was about dusk when we got over there and Tommy was just getting started to milk, he milked two cows and then showed us around the apairy and it was pitch dark before we left but he had started in on the other cow and had the lantern out with him. Frank and I had quite a time extricating ourselves from Frank Ryerse's gully's in the dark and then got our legs soaking wet on the grass on our way home. Dad. &amp; Enah were home and Dad. was getting ready to worry about our absence as we forgot to leave any word.</p> <p>Sunday June 25th</p> <p>The whole family went down to church this morning as Mr. Rennaud preached. He is here for a short visit, he used to be the rector here 41 years ago and gave a very emotional reminescent sermon. Dad. Enah &amp; the baby stayed down at Aunty's to dinner and Quint and Dick came over here with us. They went off right after dinner to see the Oddfellows march and Frank left soon after to go for a ride on his wheel with Harve Taylor. I waited till Joe had time to eat her noon feed then took her down for Dad. &amp; Enah to drive home. I sat down at Aunty Alice's for about an hour and then started to walk home but got a ride over as far as Martin's with Charlie in his car. I helped Dad. milk then went down to church and then went around with Marjorie to the house. This was his most holy of holy the right reverent Mr. J. Culp's last Sunday in the Methodist church and I guess he gave them a long wind-up sermon anyway. I had a very pleasant visit and left before any of the Bagley family appeared on the scene. I wouldn't have left so soon but poor Marj. seemed to be rather uneasy for fear they would catch me there although she said she didn't care. I went down to Aunty's for a few minutes and found Douglas Skey there. I supposed he had walked down with Mrs. Baker, Mr. Rennaud's daughter, who is staying with Aunty Alice &amp; Aunty. It has been fine and hot to-day, regular Oddfellows day.</p> <p>Monday June 26th</p> <p>Frank went over to pick strawberries and to-day made $1.21. I left about nine to take Uncle Ward on his</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>collecting circuit. I met Bob. just going into Woodson's and couldn't resist the temptation of driving her down town so Uncle Ward and I were a little late getting started, and then the shoulder strapring pulled out of the breast collar which caused a little more delay. We just called at Alfred's, Art's and Allan Law's, Uncle Ward hinted at getting a donation from Alfred for his daughters' but Alfred didn't bite, but they probably will. We only saw Mrs. Art. Ryerse as Art was way back and the kids all have the measles, she said she would tell Art. to call in some night and pay Uncle Ward. Alan Law was hauling gravel but Mrs. Law said he would drop in too. I gave him five dollars for Dad. and we three boys. We came up the Plank Road from the Dog's Nest and didn't get home till after one o'clock. This after noon Dad plowed some more of the garden but didn't quite finish as it is very tough and old Nellie started out a little balky after her holiday. I didn't do much but cut a few weeds and take some more eggs over to Jack Martin. After tea I rode Queen down to the corner and back, she hasn't been out lately and felt frolick. Mrs. McBride was here to-day and informed us that old Robert John was married, his mother died three or four days before. Fine &amp; hot but looks rainy.</p> <p>Tuesday June 27th</p> <p>I spent most of my time to-day cutting weeds I finished cutting the dock in the raspberry patch first and then went back to cut thistles in the oats and barley. I didn't get on very fast as it is hard to tell where to go on the side hill Pickford and I think Clair Jackson were hauling Pickford's hay and their dog an Airdale pup started chasing Art. Quanbury's sheep. I didn't know it was Pickford's till I went up the road to tell Art and heard him call it off Art was working on his buckwheat ground and Tupper who had ploughed about four rounds as he said this morning was talking to old Evans who was disking right opposite. Tupper said he was very thirsty so we went down to Art's new well that he dug with the post auger but couldn't find anything but an old paint pail to dip the water with However that fitted in the well alright and we got enough to slake our thirsts, it was good cold water too. Dad. finished plowing the garden this morning and disked and rolled it. Frank went down to Porter's again with Gladys. He ploughed in the old garden this after noon. Enah was down town for tea. Frank and I had to take Daisy May up to Ham Thompson's to-night. Mrs. W.H. Smith died at five o'clock this morning. It has been a hot summer day. It really looks as if the weather had "took up"</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Wednesday June 28th</p> <p>Frank has been picking strawberries all day again and made $1.35, this has been his best day yet. Dad. plowed in the old garden all morning, he and the baby and he finished it and disked it this after noon. I raked up the grass he cut along the ditch this morning and went out and spread a few piles of manure which were in his road for plowing. This after noon I went down town to get some stuff. Huby saw me and wanted me to go up and look at Bill Slocomb's buggy, he wants fifty dollars for it. It looks like a good one. I went down to Aunty's to cut a ham in two for them and Aunty Alice was at a bridge up at Miss Buckwell's. This has been another beautiful day.</p> <p>Thursday June 29th</p> <p>I went over to Art Quanbury's this morning and got our post auger and Dad and I put in a post at the gap between the two fields across the gully and put up the bar and let the cattle into the west field, we then went along Ivey's line in the gully but couldn't do much to it John was over in Ivey's having walked under the fence along the creek bottom. We had dinner on time and got ready and both of us went down at half past one to Mrs. Smith's funeral. We went up to the cemetry and there was a big crowd there. We went from there over to Barwell's and got Zeitha and brought her down, she and I were to have gone for a ride to-night but Enah asked some more over to have some music so we postponed our ride. We saw Mrs. Bagley &amp; Marj. up at the cemetry and they said Essie couldn't come over to-night as it was choir practice but Marj. would only she didn't like to come alone, so Dad. told her if she saw Winnie coming over to come with her and if not to wait till I called for her, so as Winnie came over to tea I went right after tea to get Marj. I picked her up at Silverthorne's, she had come over to pay her Dad's lodge dues. We drove down town to see if we could get Elva but she had too bad a cold to come. We had a very nice evening being entertained by Zeith's &amp; Enah's music on one hand and the baby catching moths on the other; he stayed up till midnight and except for evincing a few cannibalistic passions early in the evening when he bit poor Marj; he was very good and well-behaved. Dad. gave him a heart to heart talk on the occasion of his one offence and I don't think Marj. suffered any permanent injury.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>I was to have taken the bunch home in the lumber waggon but hi Frank who has worked all day in the old garden left the neck yoke &amp; doubletrees out there I couldn't and as it was raining, it didn't promise to be very pleasant walking, however it didn't rain hard so the four boys, Dick, Quint, Douglas Skey &amp; George Clark walked down and I drove Dess &amp; Marj down in the buggy Zeitha &amp; Winnie stayed all night. There was an accident in town to-night. It seems Earl Long was going home and being very drunk was yelling at the top of his voice and frightened Barwell's horse which was tethered in Barny McMinny's yard and it ran over the engine bridge with the train after it, it got past that safely but when it got down to the station the chain that was on it caught and threw it so that it broke its leg, and Dave Waddle shot it. It has been fine and hot to-day but rather cloudy,</p> <p>Friday June 30th ) New moon is straight up and down so that the Indian can't hang his powder horn on it. Aunty Alice says it is a dry moon but Dad. scoffs at the idea.</p> <p>Soon after breakfast this morning we saddled Joe &amp; Belle and Zeith and I started off for our ride. We went down to the mill and out to Edmond Englands corner then up to Chris Quanbury's corner down the side road to the Gravel and then to Barwell's, and I led Belle home. We had a nice ride but not a good one as Joe wouldn't travel up abreast of Belle and Belle was inclined to be a little mean, however Zeitha said she enjoyed herself. I didn't get home till nearly noon. This after noon I planted eighteen rows of turnips with Art Quanbury's seed drill which he brought over this morning. Dad. sowed clover seed on the garden and harrowed it well. Frank spent the day picking strawberries but didn't have such a good day to-day. To-night I went down town to see Roy &amp; Vernon. Roy came to-night and Vernon last night. It has been sunny and hot to-day.</p> <p>Saturday July 1st</p> <p>This has been a great day, the weather couldn't have been better, hot and fine just the kind to make people enjoy the lake, and Dover certainly celebrated, although I saw very little of it. Dad. and Enah &amp; the baby went down this morning and stayed to dinner and Dad. had a great time visiting all the old boys and girls who came to Mr. Smith's reunion. Frank and I</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>didn't go down till noon, I started to cut the lawn but the mower broke so went out and helped Frank put in his school garden and I also sowed my Experimental Union plots of cabbage, kale &amp; rape, and didn't get through till half past twelve, then we came in and got dressed up and intended to go for a swim at the stump but before we left we heard the school bell ringing so hurried down thinking we would be late, they didn't begin for quite awhile however and then all there was to it was a lot of speeches and we were up there till about four o'clock. I think every one got pretty tired of it. Jack Martin was chairman and made the presentation Mr. Smith didn't say much himself as he was in no mood for it but got Mr. Robertson to read a little that he had written for the occasion. After it was over Ray and I went right straight down to the house and I stayed there to tea. Dad. came down a little later, he had seen a good many old school pals and so had Ray. I saw Hubert Long and Egg Thompson and Fat Turner Col. A.C. Pratt got himself very much disliked by forbidding Mr. Smith's old boys in the 133rd coming down this after noon. He acted in a very small, sore headed way about it, and all Dover as well as a good part of Simcoe are pretty hot about it, he just did it for pure spite. Ed. Moon was down, he said he got leave by being on duty this morning at the picture show which the 133rd rented for the day to show the Willard Moran boxing contest but he said it wouldn't have made any difference he would have come just the same whether he got leave or not. Ray went over the hill to the Woodson's to get Vernon &amp; Rebecca and I went for a swim in the creek, the water was fine. After tea I went up town and saw Fat. Turner and went over to the park with him to watch the fireworks, and I had a little visit with Marj. Her father is here and she is going home with him on Monday. Dad. and Frank who went home to do chores came down again after tea and I found the family up in the park and went home with them at a rather late hour.</p> <p>Sunday July 2nd</p> <p>Dad. Enah, the baby and I drove down to church this morning Frank didn't go. We were going to start early as Enah was going to practice with Zeitha who was to have sung a solo, but it began to rain so we had to wait till it was over, and we weren't there anymore</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>than just on time, but it didn't matter as Zeitha was not there anyway. Just as we got into church an old soaker of a storm broke over us and it hailed till I thought it would break the church windows. It stormed pretty much all through church but was clear enough when we came out. Dick didn't come over to dinner and this after noon this family spent in peaceful slumber. We got the chores done early and Dad. drove Enah down to church they took the baby but he and Dad. stayed down at Auntys. Enah said she was the only girls voice in the choir and poor Harry Moon was so disheartened as he had expected a lot for to-day that he resigned from the leadership. They didn't see Roy or Vernon they being over at the Woodson's. Frank spent the evening getting his accounts system into working order and taking an inventory of the stock &amp; implements.</p> <p>Monday July 3rd</p> <p>Frank went over to pick strawberries again this morning and has been over there all day. We started to plow the barley stubble again for buckwheat. Dad. struck out once but found it would tramp the long grass at the north end so started plowing right around the field, after one round I took it and plowed till noon, and he cut grass at the lane gate at the head of the orchard to get into that field with the mower. The grass was very thick and long there. After dinner the Quanbury boys and Glen Ryerse came in and wanted me to help them, they are moving Art's barn or at least trying to. We were there all the after noon and just got it turned around. They just hooked a cable on one corner of it and wound it up on a "capsule" as they call it but their chain broke two or three times and things went pretty slowly. It has been fine and hot to-day. By to-days paper the big drive on the Western front has begun. I didn't have time to read it but they have taken eleven villages and a lot of prisoners. The British &amp; French are both at it.</p> <p>Tuesday July 4th</p> <p>The boys came after me again as soon as I had my breakfast and I have been over there all day, they came home to dinner. We had a pretty slow day of it first one thing would break and then another and all on account of it pulling too hard. Glen had the big rollers and saddles under her and we have come to the conclusion they are not much</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>account unless maybe every thing is smooth and hard underneath. First we had a small new one under the hind corner and after breaking the chain two or three times trying to budge it, we decided it was too small and wasn't greased enough so we jacked it up and put an old big one under that was split and wired to-gether we moved a foot or two with it and then it broke, so we had to jack her up again and grease the small one and put it under and after pulling all the after noon and breaking chain &amp; upsetting the capstan two or three times, we took it out and put under three or {four?} small rollers and no saddle. Mr. Evans was over helping us this afternoon, and so about five o'clock she started to go and from then till we quit we moved as far as we could without setting the capstan again so the boys went home in great spirits full of praisr for the small rollers. I nearly tore the clothes off me on their wire and nails and also hit my sore knee a lot with the end of the cable so I didn't feel so happy. Frank plowed all day and Dad. had to go up to George Duncan's this morning to look at a cow. Tupper. who was in Simcoe all day came over about five and killed the yearling buck. Fine &amp; hot a shower at noon.</p> <p>Wednesday July 5th</p> <p>I have been out at the Quanbury's all day again and to-day we made a little better progress. We moved the barn more than the length of itself this forenoon but twisted the underpinning of Glen's capstan reel so at noon they went down and borrowed Kolbe's capstan and things went beautifuly we moved about seventy five paces. Over here they got a little more plowing done but nothing cut. Aunty, Vernon &amp; Rebecca were over to dinner and to spend the after noon, Cousin Clare was over too. Frank and I had to take Daisy May up to Ham Thompson's again he was in bed when we got there but got up. Another beautiful day.</p> <p>Thursday July 6th</p> <p>The boys wouldn't have called for me this morning if we hadn't hailed them but I didn't want to see them stuck and we certainly needed all the men we have although Glen brought two with him but Evans didn't come back to-day. Glen had old Isaac Bush and Od. Frolic both venerable and hoaryheaded. Isaac is rheumatic and slightly palsied and told us he would much rather be doing what he was yesterday than</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>what he was to-day. We found by interrogation that yesterday's occupation consisted in riding from the Falls up here in Jim's car, as he hadn't been there since he was eleven years old, we didn't doubt his words in the least. He took my job of minding the capstan and once when they were unwinding it he got a bat in the leg with the lever that knocked him over. Old Od. is the same whom Dad. &amp; I saw a year ago last winter down in Hammond's bush with Jack Richardson building a log hut for himself in which he still lives. That day his face was about completely covered with whiskers while now he is clean shaven down to the rim of his jaw and he has left border of grizzled hair right around, I suppose it is hard shaving around the corner. His hair is long and curls closely under an old reddish brown straw hat. His cheeks are just like a well smoked ham but his neck and nose are a lovely purple, his nose, hands &amp; feet are enormous. I had a pretty good chance to study him to-day and he is an interesting looking old duck, he just kept plodding from one end of the barn to the other carrying plank and chewing to-bacco with his front teeth I guess he hasn't got any back ones. He didn't seem disposed to talk and didn't say half a dozen sentences all day not even when Glen would get mad and curse him into a heap, which he did occasionaly, it seemed rather hard lines to hear old fellows like Od. and old Bush just everlastingly damned up and down, but Glen doesn't care and shows respect to no-one, but he is good natured about it all and we take his blasphemous abuse as a matter of course. He was always alright with me and I found that even there a little blarney in small doses helped wonderfully to keep in Glen's good graces and also to get out of a lot of strenuous labor, which was my place or Charlies's to perform. I didn't feel any qualms of consience in laying my tasks on Charlie's shoulder's, because he really believes likes to work and I don't. We got on well with the barn to-day and to-night had it safely over the gully, I was to quit when we got that far but Glen coaxed me to come back to-morrow so I said I would. Dad. got a little more plowed to-day and Frank got started to cut the corner field. He &amp; I had to go up to Ham Thompson's again to-night woth Quanbury's heifer. Nice Day</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Friday July 7th</p> <p>Art. &amp; Charlie didn't call for me this morning and I didn't see them go past so I walked out as I promised Glen I would go back. We were at it all day and just about six to-night got it into its place so we are through with it. It will take a little longer to level and block it up. Old Isaac &amp; Od. were on the job to-day and Od. was almost as silent as yesterday but to-wards evening I managed to get him talking (because I was curious to see what he would say and how he would say it.) by remarking on the size of his wrists and then he started to tell me of the weights in logs that he had carried and before we quit had told me several interesting stories of the early days and the scythe &amp; cradle, when men were plentiful and every one of them strong, and each vied with the other in feats of strength and powers of endurance. Dad. plowed a little more to-day and Frank finished cutting the corner field. This was Dad's birthday and Dick and Winnie were over to tea, we were late getting through chores. Frank got some raked up and Dad. got a load cocked up. Hot &amp; fine</p> <p>Saturday July 8th</p> <p>I got out first thing this morning and started to cock up and Dad. &amp; Frank came out very soon after and we put on a load of what Dad. cocked yesterday and hauled it to the horse stable where we pitched it off by hand and packed it around the well so that the sling loads hitting it wouldn't loosen like they did last year. When we got it off we went and cocked up till noon. This after noon Frank brought the team out to rake but only went a couple of rounds and then as it looked so rainy in the north stopped and helped us cock up. It was looking very angry and a continual low roar of thunder, we saw one storm go to the north but another one came up and it caught us when we had just about one more windrow to cock. It rained pretty hard for half an hour or so but not hard enought to hurt anything and would do good. I went to sleep for awhile and then shaved. Whit Dixon came over before tea to look at the steers but said they weren't ready for a year month yet. To-night Frank and I went down town and went for a swim in the creek and I got my hair cut. Walter &amp; Roy came up to-night and we saw them for a little while. We got home soon after twelve.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Sunday July 9th</p> <p>Just as Dad. was getting ready for church this morning Alan Law came after him amd he had to go down there to administer unto a sick calf which died later in the day. I drove Enah and the baby down to church and as the baby didn't want to sit alone in church without some of the family, I had to sit with him in the front seat and hold him on my knee most of the time but he was very good. Enah. stayed down to dinner at Aunty's and Dad. came down after he got home from the Law's. Frank and I had dinner alone. About three o'clock I went down to Aunty's and left Frank asleep on the sofa. Huby was there and he Dad. Walter, Roy and I walked up to his place via the Dominion Hotel and Dave Waddle's in search of Dave but didn't find him, after inspecting Huby's garden and Bill Slocomb's buggy which Dad. thinks has been run considerably, we took a walk down to the Customs House stopping in to see Mr. Smith for a few minutes on our way down. While we were down there Dave Waddle came along with Geo. {Faulmsbe?} and Jack Davis. We went back to the house all of us but Huby. and I stayed there to tea. Dad. went home to do chores. Enah went up to her mother's to tea but left Tid. down at Aunty's and he and Rebecca had a good time chasing the cat. Jean Marks was there to tea and all of us but Aunty, Aunt Ida and the two kids went to church. Enah has played to-day as Elva jammed her finger in the safe door. Roy donned a surplice and sang in the choir at both services to-day. After church I walked home with Jean and was over there for a little while and then came back down to Aunty's to say goodbye to Roy who goes back in the morning. Dad. was there with Joe and I drove home with them soon after. It has been fine with a nice breeze to-day.</p> <p>Monday July 10th</p> <p>Frank raked the rest of the corner field this morning and Dad. &amp; I have been cocking up all day but didn't finish it. After dinner while Frank was down after the mail Dad. and I finished grinding the mower knife which Dad. &amp; Frank started on Saturday so we were late getting out. Frank started cutting the barley &amp; oat stubble along the side road. Walter &amp; Aunty were over to-night after tea. Fine &amp; hot. Walter is to go back to Regina to-morrow night.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Tuesday July 11th</p> <p>It took Dad. and me till noon to cock up the rest of the corner field and Frank finished cutting the other field by noon, he left the south west corner of it for alsike along with the wheat stubble next to it. He went down and got the mail after dinner and I got a letter from Lloyd Jones inquiring about the lambs Douglas had told him we had some nice ones. I wrote him to-night. We got one load in after dinner but spent all the rest of the after noon getting the car on the track and the ropes &amp; pulleys in place ready for business, we just got our load off about six. Mrs. McBride was here to-day. It has been a fine hay day.</p> <p>Wednesday July 12th</p> <p>We got three loads in this morning but didn't put the last one off. We got out pretty early but Lloyd Crysler delayed us a little, he was in telling Dad. about a lame cow he had. Dad. said he would go over and see it if Lloyd would call for him at 4.30 but he didn't come. We have been getting out earlier lately as we all get up at five o'clock and Enah has breakfast ready before seven. It also makes a great difference havin the three of us in the field when we are hauling in. Frank loads and Dad. and I pitch on to-gether, we get on much faster and it is not nearly such hard work as when there is only one. This after noon Frank raked up the long field of clover along the side road which he cut yesterday and Dad. and I cocked up all the after noon. To-night Frank and I went for a swim in the pond just this side of the bridge at the bottom of Marshall's hill. Carl Coleman and a bunch from up town go in there every night, they have a spring-board rigged up so that they dive right into the deep hole where the man &amp; horse were drowned years ago It has been sunny but pretty breezy this after noon.</p> <p>Thursday July 13th</p> <p>We all three cocked up this morning and just finished the field at noon, and just as it began to rain, it rained two light showers one just at noon and one after dinner when we were unloading the load that was in the barn, we didn't go out for an hour or two as we thought it would be too wet to haul.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>but Dad. took Queen out and bathed her leg, the last one she hurt it seems to be in rather bad shape and badly swollen. About three o'clock we went out and found the hay was perfectly dry so got in two loads. While we were putting off the first load Enah and the baby who had been down town to dinner came home and Elva with them, soon after them Vernon Jean &amp; Betty came over and the whole four of them came out with us for the last load and seemed to have a dandy time in the hay and riding on the load. They stayed to tea and the Southerners had to leave right after to go to the bridge club but Elva stayed and I drove her down about ten o'clock. It has been hot to-day when it wasn't raining.</p> <p>Friday July 14th</p> <p>We got on fine this morning getting out early and getting four loads before dinner, but this after noon we had miserable luck with one load, the sling rope getting lost once, and an old one with a wire in it coming apart once and then the car sticking in the track like it did last year, we have come to the conclusion that that is caused by the horses going too slow and not givin the lift enough of a jerk into the car. They made two lifts of that from the barn floor and then didn't get it all. We got in three loads though, the last one I pitched to Frank alone as Lloyd Crysler came after Dad. to go and see his cow. We didn't get in with it till after six and didn't put it off. There is just one load left in the corner field. Hot.</p> <p>Saturday July 15th</p> <p>For some reason we didn't get on as fast to-day and only got in two loads this morning but had to change the car from one end of the barn to the other as the east bay is full enough to bother with till it settles a little. We got in three loads this after noon so that finished the corner field and took four loads out of the field along the side road, there is still quite a lot in there yet. Lloyd Jones came in for a little while this after noon, he motored down from Burford and bought the big lamb for $12.00, he wants him shipped the week after next. Frank and I went for a swim to-night. Very hot day.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Sunday July 16th</p> <p>We all went to church this morning but Frank and he went back to the woods and went to sleep. Roy was in church he came up yesterday to Brantford and down to Simcoe on the L.E.&amp;N. and Cars. Rankin went up there and got him in his car, and I took him back this after noon at five so he can get to Toronto to-night and be on time at the office in the morning. I had intended asking Geo. Clark to go to Vittoria with me to see the Dunkin girls but hadn't made any arrangements and they were in church so when I told them they asked me to come up next Sunday. After we got into church I was very surprised to see old Quint. come in, I had an idea once they got to Camp Borden they wouldn't be back again until they left for overseas anyway but Quint said that about five thousand left the camp last night three hundred of which belonged to the 133rd and came down on a special, they will get passes if they apply every weekend and he said Pratt who has been acting a little better up there made arrangements with General Login to have them paid every two weeks so they can come home. He said the camp was a horrible place and the boys all hate it, it is all just like a bonfire bottom, and almost unbearably dusty while the heat is fierce, an awful lot of them have been knocked out temporally by it, but they have good water and cool nights. Roy and I left about four but didn't go very fast so just caught the car and had no time to spare. I came around by Vittoria to see if I could hurry Charlie Dunkin up a little getting the old ram registered and it was dark when I got home. I picked a couple of fellows up on the road who were walking from Pt Ryerse to Dover. Mr. Johnson came over in his car to get Enah to go down and play the organ and he brought her back. it has been pretty hot and dusty to-day.</p> <p>Monday July 17th</p> <p>We finished hauling the field on the side road to-day. We thought we only had about three or four loads out but there were five and a half and it took us all day. We left the last half load on the barn floor and Frank hooked to the waggon and went down and got a load of boxes at Mr. James that he has been saving for us. Hot and looks a little like rain.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Thursday july 18th</p> <p>Frank started to cut the field next the gully and west of the lane this morning and the mower has been going all day in there but it is not quite down yet. Dad. &amp; I ran the cultivator through the potatoes and turnips this morning, we used Belle. The ground was quite moist where we stirred it up but the bugs are at the potatoes badly. This after noon I hoed about half the turnips and Dad. cut while Frank hoed his garden and then Frank went back on the mower and Dad. hoed a few potatoes. Ben Ivey got the rake this after noon to rake up in his back field. He is beginning to howl for rain Things are getting very dry. It has been hot to day.</p> <p>Wednesday July 19th</p> <p>Frank finished cutting the field this morning but it took him longer than we expected and he didn't get through till about eleven. Dad. went over to Ivey's and got Ben to bring back the rake and when Frank got through cutting he hooked on to it and raked up what he cut first. I didn't do any thing much till then and then Dad. and I started to cock up. Frank raked for an hour or so after dinner but as it began to look a little like rain and the hay that was cut late yesterday was getting tough, he stopped and helped us cock up till it was time to do chores, we didn't quite finish. Ben came over again and got the rake as he had a little to rake up in his back field. To-night as we were milking Zeitha Barwell came in on horse back, she had Norman Holden's horse and saddle. She stayed awhile and then I rode Belle home with her. It has been another hot sultry day.</p> <p>Thursday July 20th</p> <p>We all three got out and cocked up for an hour or two this morning and then when Ben brought the rake back, Frank raked up the rest of the field that was in swathe and finished about noon, we cocked up all day and went out after tea and worked till after dark but had to leave a little more than a load uncocked it is a heavy crop and dandy hay mostly clover but a lot of alsike. When we came in for tea we found a note saying Enah &amp; Tid had gone for a motor ride with Elva &amp; Billy Baugner who is home on furlough to help on the farm. They didn't get back till we had our tea. Aunty</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Alice came over to-night with a fine mess of peas from her own garden and Frank and I walked down with her. Vernon joined us at the Woodson's so Frank and I just went as far as the bridge and then went for a swim. Looked more rainy to-day but very hot.</p> <p>Friday July 21st</p> <p>We hauled in six loads to-day. The first two we hauled out of windrow and the next was the poorest hay we could find in the field and we put them in the barn, then the first load after dinner we changed the car over to the horse stable and put three loads in there, changing the car took us a little while and probably kept us from getting in another load, but we hope to nearly if not quite finish it to-morrow. Dad. and Frank went down town to-night. Dad. got a notice of a Mr. Smith committee meeting and went down but didn't get to it, got his hair cut instead. They heard that Mr. Gus. Smith was killed on the T.H.&amp;B tracks near Hamilton.</p> <p>{Toby's father now writes the diary} Saturday July 22nd</p> <p>We beat all records to-day, hauled in 8 loads unloaded 7 in the horse stable and left one on the waggon in the barn, Roy and Vernon came over in the evening Just as Hattie, baby and I were about to start for town, so we did not go but Tobe and Frank went for a swim. Hot and dry.</p> <p>Sunday July 23rd</p> <p>Frank was not feeling well all day today as he took medicine that he got from Dr Cook last night. Hattie, Tobe, Timboy and I all went to church. Dick and Quint came back with Tobe for dinner here, the rest of us went to the James. In the afternoomn Tobe got Charlie Martins buggy and took Clark up to Vittoria and they had a great time, Billy Boughner brought me home and about 3 O'Clock and took Elva, Hattie and Mrs James and baby for a ride in his car, he brought Hattie and old Tim home about 5 and hattie made some sandwiches and w ehad a little tea out on the lawn. Very hot all day.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>{24th and 25th July and beginning of 26th July entries are missing - Toby is now writing the diary}</p> <p>up, although Dad. went out after tea and worked till Dark and I tested my eggs to-night and only took out seven out of the sixty three. Lila was over all the after noon and Frank went down with her to-night. Still hot.</p> <p>Thursday July 27th</p> <p>Frank raked up the alsike this morning. We were late getting around as we were delayed by one of the ram lambs we found him when we went out frothing at the mouth and bloated. Dad. shoved a long tube down his throat and that took the bloat down. When I did get out this morning I cut three of my four plots of wheat with the sickle, it took me till noon as it was mostly grass and I didn't want to get any thing but the wheat if I could help Dad. helped me cut the fourth plot after dinner, we got a fair sized sheaf of each plot. We got the binder out this morning and Frank got one round cut on the wheat field before dinner, after dinner he &amp; Dad. finished the field and got the binder back in the barn before tea. I had to back and put Snowdrop and John out of Pickfords side hill field, they went through the culvert and we got the wheat all shocked up. To-night Frank borrowed Jack Martin's democrat and he and I took little Joe and went over to Tommy Jackson's after the bees but it was such a hot night they were hanging out on every hive so he told us we would have to wait till it was cooler.</p> <p>Friday July 28th</p> <p>We hauled hay to-day but didn't get very much done. We finished hauling off the field next the gully and west of the lane and got two and a half loads off it. We also hauled two loads off the field east of the lane. We put one load in the horse stable but that filled it up and we put the rest in the barn, it took some time to change the car. This after noon Neff. the District Representative came in to look at Frank's garden and said it was pretty good for being put in so late.</p> <p>Saturday July 29th</p> <p>Frank took the mower out this morning and started cutting the weeds on the old corn stubble</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>he was at it all day and finished up to-night. I didn't do any thing much this morning but drove Enah and Tid. down to the L.E.&amp;N. tracks where they embarked with the rest of the family for Scotland to attend the silver wedding anniversary of Cousin Harry &amp; Lizzy Langs. Dad. walked down to Aunty's a little before with some cream and came up to the car wth Aunty she being the only representative from that household. All of Huby's family went but Winnie, and Cousin Clare represented the Langs portion of the family in Dover. They came back on the five o'clock car all except Huby who had to go back after his hat and who brought Clark Langs and Marion his daughter down with him on the nine o'clock car. They had a great time and a very hot day and I guess there was an army of folks there. I spent the after noon cocking hay north of the orchard but didn't finish. Roy came down to-night with the bunch from Brantford. I went down to the dance to-night. I intended going to the picture show first but ran into the Miss Dunkin's and they wanted to go to the dance right away so I went with them, we picked Clark up over there and had a hot time of it. I hardly missed a dance but it nearly killed me, the lake flies were bad too. Frank and Enah went down to the show. Another very hot day.</p> <p>Sunday July 30th</p> <p>I wwent down early this morning to see if Roy wanted to go for a swim and found him in the pond at the foot of the hill by the bridge with Vernon and Rebecca, they had an extra bathing suit so I went in with them, Aunty took Rebecca home after she had a dip, she evidently enjoyed herself immensely. I went up to Auntys with them and got dressed and then tried to go to sleep but didn't have much luck. I didn't go to church but just lay around I did get some sleep. Enah drove Joe down and I tied her up outside the house and Dick drove her home. I stayed down there and we had dinner about two o'clock and then I went up to the Park as the Miss Dunkin's said they would be there with a lunch I found them alright but Clark had missed them and gone in bathing but he found us later on</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>and the four of us had tea together of home made bread sandwiches and cake which the girls brought with them, after tea Miss Dunkin and I went to church and then up the creek, we didn't get back to the park till after dark quite a lot and poor Hazel was nearly wild thinking she had lost her sister, but after their happy meeting Clark and I escorted them to Faulkner's stable and saw them safely started for home. Very hot.</p> <p>Monday July 31st</p> <p>Last night was the first night it was too hot for me to sleep, and I have felt lazy to-day in consequence. Frank was pretty miserable this morning, he was very sick yesterday owing to some treatment he is undergoing at the hands of Dr. Cook. Dad. and I put off a load of hay that was on the waggon and then got in a load of wheat and put it off in the old barn. This after noon Dad. and Enah went over to the Martin's to the funeral of Dr. McGlaughlin, he died of heart failure or apoplexy or heat prostration last Friday while he was visiting up at his uncle's above Waterford. Dad. was one of the bearers. This after noon I went to sleep till Dad came home and then we got another load of hay in. Frank ran errands with Joe all morning and this after noon took the big team down to the mill and got some chop and when he came home went out and disked the old garden where it wasn't planted, he tried I think to rouse me up to some sort of action but I wouldn't rouse, to-night he and Enah planted some cucumber seed out in the old garden. Hot this morning but much cooler to-night.</p> <p>Tuesday August 1st</p> <p>We hauled hay to-day I don't remember how many loads we got in but we didn't break any records nor finish the field. To-night Frank and I went out to Tommy Jackson's and got the two hives of bees. We didn't get to bed till three o'cock and had a time getting them. I got stung a couple of times and Tommy about a dozen. It has been cooler to-day and quite cold to-night.</p> <p>Wednesday August 2nd (New Moon) Aunty Alice says a dry one Dad says nothing in it.)</p> <p>We finished hauling in hay off that field this morning, there wasn't much out there but Dad. put most of it on alone and I stayed in the barn to mow</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>away as the barn is getting so full. We changed the car to the other end of the barn and filled it up so that the barn is now as full as we can fill it without wasting a lot of time. The last half load we put off after dinner. Alan Law drove in to inform us they were going to thrash to-morrow and wanted some help. When he left Frank went out and started to cut the timothy field, and Dad. and I hauled in the rest of the wheat. There were only about three jags. Aunty Alice came over to dinner and Frank went down with her after tea. I went to bed before nine. Still cooler but very dry.</p> <p>Thursday August 3rd</p> <p>Frank has cut hay all day but didn't get out very early this morning. He finished cutting the timothy and then cut the grass &amp; weeds on the fall plowing between the wheat stubble and where Dad. replowed. He mowed over a bumblebees nest and one stung him over the eye and it swelled up so that he couldn't see out of it. This morning we waited around to see if they started thrashing over at Law's but as they showed no signs I went down town and bought a new lawn-mower with the money I got for the purpose on my birthday. Dad. sharpened the mower knives and tried to barricade the sheep out of Ivey's. Jack Martin borrowed our rack to haul in wheat. When I came home Dad &amp; I spudded some of the buckhorn around on the lawn. This after noon we went over and helped thrash Law's wheat. Dad. filled bags and I pitched on in the field with Eph. Innes. Sam had his two teams there and his own and Pickford's rack and had Colin &amp; Lloyd Ryerse driving teams and {Lat?} Robinson was there with his team and rack. We finished up about five o'clock and he only got 78 bushels off the 8 acres. It looked and felt very like rain this morning but didn't. The forest fires are again raging up in Northern Ontario or were a day or two ago. Two or three villages have been wiped out and about four hundred people killed.</p> <p>Friday August 4th</p> <p>This morning I raked up the timothy as Frank's eye being tight shut he couldn't see properly and said he couldn't see straight. He fixed his wheel and then helped Dad. bunch up the alsike</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Enah spent most of the day picking blackcurrants out in the old garden. Frank went down town after dinner and got the mail which contained an invitation for me to a party at Mrs. Hobbes this evening. This after noon we greased the waggon and got in one load of alsike and put it off over the granary in the old barn. To-night I went down to Mrs. Hobbes and tried to play five hundred with Miss Prest, Miss {Keenan?} &amp; Lewis Woodson. Ida, Miss Cowdry, Miss Bain &amp; Miss Buckwell and Geo. Clark were playing bridge. Douglas Skey came in about eleven o'clock and young Robinson a brother of Ellies came in about midnight. Bessie Lawrie was also there. We weren't very late. Hot and dry but breezy.</p> <p>Saturday August 5th</p> <p>It just rained enough this morning to keep us from getting out at the alsike for an hour or so. Dad. and I went out and blocked up some more holes under the fence where the sheep get through on to Ben Ivey's. We then started to thrash some of my wheat out as they wanted the report to-day if possible. Dad. thought it would be too tough to flail out so we did it with our hands It was an awful job It took us till noon to rub out and clean one sheaf the Banatka. I don't think we got as much seed back as we sowed but it was nice quality. This after noon we hauled in two loads of alsike but it bulks up so it hardly makes a hole in the field. To-night I went down to Aunty's and went for a swim in the creek and then up to the dance and had quite a time. Quint was there and was very anxious to go to Vittoria to-morrow to see the Miss Robinson's that are there from B.C. so he drove up with the Dunkin girls and I don't know whether he stayed there all night or not. I think he intended to. I rode up with them pretty nearly to Peter Bougner's and then walked home getting here about two o'clock or soon after. Hot.</p> <p>Sunday August 6th</p> <p>We didn't get up till late this morning but Enah and I got ready in time to drive down to church. Dick came over to dinner and we had some great ice cream that Enah &amp; Frank made with</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Quanbury's freezer. This after noon Dad. and I were to have gone out to Tommy Jackson's but Dad. felt sick and it was so hot we didn't go. I did some chores and then went to sleep, and didn't go anywhere but to bed to-night. I took 17 chicks out of the incubator to-day only 11 black ones and had to kill one of them It was a very poor hatch I think I must have put too much water in the machine. Frank went out on his wheel to view rhe ruins of Lige. Farr's big barn this after noon It was burned to the ground night before last. Very hot. Life scarcely worth living this weather.</p> <p>Monday August 7th</p> <p>We didn't get on very well to-day just got in two loads of alsike and pitched off three, but Dad. felt very miserable all day and this after noon he didn't come out to help us put on the load but helped put it off. The wind was also pretty strong which made it hard pitching. We have the mow so full now that we are not going to try to put any more in. We will have to stack the rest of the hay &amp; alsike unless we put a little in the old shed at the other barn. Much cooler to-day.</p> <p>Tuesday August 8th</p> <p>I woke up about three o'clock this morning and was so hot I couldn't get anything like comfortable. I heard it thundering and it seemed to be raining a little so as I heard Frank who was sleeping on a cot out on the lawn stirring around I got up and helped him move it to the hall. There was a little breeze coming from the West so I put the sheepskin down in front of the hall door and lay down there. I flounced around till I got pretty well off the mat on to the floor oilcloth which though cool was not very springy or soft and finally went to sleep with a faint breeze fanning me and a sort of drizzle coming in the screen door. Before morning I got so cooled off that I went back to bed and later even covered myself up. Dad. tried four different beds and then didn't get very comfortable so we spent a rather restless night. Dad. has felt a little better to-day but Frank has been completely knocked out and been in the house all day. The little rain we had although it didn't ammount to any more than a dew stopped us from hauling for a while so Dad. and I thrashed and cleaned</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>the rest of my wheat. We cleaned up the old barn floor and spread the binder canvas down and Dad. thrashed it with a flail. It didn't take nearly so long and we were surprised at how clean we got it. We got the last one done after dinner and I filled up the report. I found the Imperial Amber was the best, Banatka next but with soft straw American Banner next and our own Common mixed poorest as far as yield in lbs. went but it wasn't a good test as the flats never did well and I am going to try it again; our wheat had quite a little ball smut in it but we didn't see any in what came from Guelph, it was all treated.</p> <p>It was getting on to three o'clock when we got through and we both felt like a holiday as Frank couldn't help us so we went out to Tommy Jackson's. We found Tommy running around with a broken single tree as some one had bought his waggon and double trees and he had to fix a new outfit up before he could haul in any more hay or oats. He was rigging up a waggon out of the {illegible} of an old seperator but stopped to show us his stuff and he certainly has a pile of it a lot of it just implements which he intends to fix over in the remaining years of his life some ime, but every thing he has made or fixed has been done properly, he is a crack workman and aparently knows the secrets of all crafts. When we came to the harness Dad. found he was just too late to get a dandy set of double harness, which Tommy said had taken four sides of leather to make it and was all handmade. It was old but not a strap broken on it and far better now than our harness was when we got it but Lige. Farr had bought it yesterday for eighteen dollars. Dad. was bewailing his hard luck in this and Tommy told him he had a set of single harness in the house which couldn't be beaten anywhere. It also was all handmade but not so old but Tommy said he didn't want to lose more than about eight dollars on it as he had only used it once or twice and he figured it had cost him about sixty dollars. Dad. at first wasn't going to look at it as he said he couldn't afford to pay forty five dollars, Tommy's price but Tommy brought it down from upstairs, and when Dad. saw it and thought that with care it would last</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>a lifetime, while an ordinary one will only be good for about ten years, he at last promised Tommy his price, Tommy said he could have it for six months without intrest and at five percent after that as long as he liked. It was a beauty Tommy had selected all the leather himself and said it was the best oak-tanned leather that could be had, he had also cut out the patterns Every ring and buckle on it is stamped solid nickel so it is a beauty or will be when it is cleaned up. Dad. told me afterwards he would give it to me for a 21st birthday present, so now with Queen and it I will be pretty nicely hooked up and I am going to take the old buggy to Simcoe as soon as I get a chance to have it fixed. We didn't get away from there till six o'clock so were late getting through with the chores. Cooler to-day.</p> <p>Wednesday August 9th</p> <p>We were all morning nearly this morning getting a load of hay but Dad. discovered Jim prostrated down in the gully very bloated and so punctured her, he said he let out a lot of gas and just saved old Jim's life. {Toby's father takes up the diary} for a little while at least. Tobe fell asleep at this stage so I will try and write this up to date. I no sooner finished with Jim than I discovered John going through the fence into the oats so I had to go and get her out and fix the fence, we hauled hay the rest of the day. Pretty hot and dry.</p> <p>Thursday 10th I forgot to enter in yesterday's diary that we went back at night and got Franks bees down out of the tree and brought them up, we took Jim a pail of water and some hay. Today we hauled hay and had to stack it and gathering it out of the windrow is a low. Whit Dixon came along in the forenoon and delayed us some time buying the steers he bought my two for $135.00 and Tobys for $52.50 or 7 cts per lb if he comes to more than that. It looks like rain tonight.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Friday August 11th</p> <p>We did intend cutting oats this morning but it looked so much like rain that we hauled hay and fixed our stack up it did sprinkle a few drops. After dinner we went at the oats Frank and I went back with the binder and Toby went back the lane to take Jim a drink he found poor old Jim past wanting water she was dead so we turned out early and as soon as Frank got up with the team he went over and got Ben Iveys stoneboat and after tea Toby went over to the old garden to dig her grave and Frank and I went back and got her after taking the hide off her and and putting her in and filling up the grave it was 12.30. It was a very cool night and I had a horrible toothache.</p> <p>{Toby resumes the diary}</p> <p>Saturday August 12th</p> <p>We got back at the oats this morning about nine o'clock, and Frank finished cutting at one I shocked up but had to go back to the house once to turn the windmill out. Dad went around with Frank most of the time but helped me shock up for awhile and after they got the binder loaded and Frank got started. It was about two o'clock when we left the field and after three when we had dinner. Dad then got dressed up and went down to Bill Lemon's to get his tooth fixed up but he found Bill just about loaded. He was up in the office and Sam {Fick?} was trying to get him to eat something. He could just mumble to Dad. that he couldn't fix his tooth to-day as he was "sh shick", so Dad. had to come home still suffering. Frank house cleaned the shop this after noon and I went to sleep. To-night Frank and I went down to Aunty's and had a swim in the creek, and Frank went up to get any mail tnat happened to be there. I was going up town but it began to rain so I stayed at Aunty's all night. Frank rode home on his wheel. It was a nice rain and lasted pretty well all through the night. Aunty Alice was up trying to telephone Vernon to find out how Roy was he has been suffering from indigestion, but couldn't get much satisfaction as the lines weren't working right and she had to talk to Vernon through the operator but found out Roy was better.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Sunday August 13th</p> <p>I walked home this morning right after breakfast, but Dad. had most of the chores done, I just fed the chickens. Frank and I walked back down again to church, after which Aunty and Aunty Alice came over with me to dinner. Aunt Iday went to Port Rowan the night before last for a short visit with Miss Wood and it gives Aunty and Aunty Alice a chance to both get out at once. Frank came over with Dick and they picked Cousin Clair came up and she came over too. Mr. James was over this after noon. I hung around here till about four o'clock and then went down town. I bummed around with Pud. Slocomb till six o'clock and then went up to Huby's to tea. I saw the Miss Dunkin's this after noon and they said they were going to church to-night so Pud and I went too and for a walk afterwards We had quite a lot of fun but Mrs. Dunkin was down too so we couldn't stay long. The girls came down this morning with Mr. Johnson in his car and {then he?} drove down to take them home to-night. Dad's tooth was so bad this after noon that he went down to Dr. Smith's to-night and got him to pull it. It has been much cooler to-day.</p> <p>Monday August 14th</p> <p>Frank and I went to Simcoe this morning as the oats were a little too wet to haul from Saturday's rain. We got started about ten o'clock to take the old buggy up to Joe Coates to get fixed up and Frank wanted to go to Brook's to look at their suits. We met Win. down at the corner coming over to the farm so took her along with us to Simcoe. We went pretty slowly on account of the old buggy being in such a critical condition and it was getting on to noon when we arrived in town. We went first to {Name?} tannery with old Jim's hide but only got six dollars for it. We then went up to Coates and just caught him before he left in his car for Brantford. He told us he would put new rims on, set the tires, fix the top and paint it for a little under $20.00, so we were very pleased as we thought it would come higher than that without the painting which is eight dollars, but when we got home Dad. said he thought it would need new tires so I wrote to tell him. We then went down town to do our shopping but discovered it was Simcoe's civic holiday and every thing was closed up, however we got some thing to eat in at Lea's and some hay for Joesie at Burt's.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>We then went over to the L.E.&amp; N. station as Frank and Win had to come down on the car. They missed the one o'clock car but for some reason or other another went down at half past one so they took it. I brought the little saddle up in the buggy so rode Joe home. I didn't come very fast, but got home before Frank, who had been down town some place. When he got home, he Dad. &amp; the baby went out with the waggon and cleaned up the rubbish around the old garden and the fence bottom between the corner field and the one north of it while I cut some of the thistles in the pasture field. This morning Dad, Enah and the baby went back to the woods and picked berries and Dad. shocked up some of the down oats. Nice day, cooler.</p> <p>Tuesday August 15th</p> <p>We hauled two or three loads of oats to-day and upset the first load on the side hill. It was a very neat upset waggon and all went and put the half load of oats we had on in a nice heap but didn't break a thing.</p> <p>Wednesday August 16th</p> <p>We finished hauling our oats out to-day. We hadn't much of a harvest, the oats and barley were good though what we had I think there were only five loads altogether and they together with the wheat just come up to the second {beam?} in the old barn. I am not writing this account very fully as it is over a week ago now since I wrote last. Frank took the mower back and finished cutting the weeds over {there?} on the fall plowing.</p> <p>Thursday August 17th</p> <p>Dad. had to go over this morning and help Pickford thrash and was over there all day but they didn't do much all morning something was broken. Frank and I &amp; the baby went down town in the waggon and got a load of sawdust for Queen's boxstall some provisions a cedar post to put the mail box on and the mail box. We spent all the after noon dressing the post and putting up the mail box but made a good job of it. The only trouble was they had the name stencilled the name on the box with just one r. which made Dad. furious. I got a cwt of stuff from Charlie Ivey to-day to crate fatten some chickens I have to make a crate</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>{Toby's father takes up the diary}</p> <p>Friday August 18th</p> <p>Frank and I went to Pickfords to help him finish his Alsike, he was in a terrible state with his cracked ribs. We finished about 10-30, he had a little more than 6 bags. I came home as soon as we were done and Frank went to the creek for a swim. Hot and dry still, in the afternoon we hauled hay and put it up over the shed.</p> <p>Saturday August 19th</p> <p>{Bow------?} are having their picnic in Simcoe today. We hauled hay in the forenoon and had a small load to haul after dinner then Frank and I burned weeds on the old corn ground. We put up two bees next to Tobe and he got 3 stings and has a lovely eye, he and Frank went down town in the evening. It has been very hot and no sign of rain.</p> <p>Sunday August 20th</p> <p>Toby and Frank went to church the rest of us stayed home. Dick came over before the others he did not go to church. {Name?} and Alice came to dinner and in the afternoon Elva and Byron came over. The boys all went of after dinner. Grl Hausker brought Elva over and Dick went back with him. Toby took Quint to Vittoria {Toby resumes the diary} in Charlie Martin's buggy. It was late when we got started and arrived at the Dunkin's just a little before six but we told them last night we wouldn't be up early. We had tea then went for a walk down to the mill and sang songs. When we came back we lay out on the lawn till about one o'clock and then Quint and I came home and Quint slept and I dozed most of the way home.</p> <p>Monday August 21st</p> <p>Frank and I went down in the waggon and got a load of slabs as well as some other things. It took us all morning. Dad. shined up the nickelon my new</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>harness. This afternoon Frank and Dad. burned the weeds on the old corn stubble and I worked some more at my chicken fattening crate. Huby came over and got Dad. to go down to tea with him and cut the tails of his two field spaniel pups which he got from some fellow in St. Thomas. We did up the chores and then Frank and I went down town. I stayed down at Aunty's all night so as to get started at seven thirty our picnic in the morning Terribly hot &amp; oppressive.</p> <p>Tuesday August 22nd</p> <p>I got down to the dock at half past seven this morning and we waited around till nearly eight for some one else to come as {Name?} said Miss McInnes telephoned him that there were two to go from here at last Pud. Slocomb came along, Frances had brought him an invitation from the church concert last night. We picked the main picnic about twenty up at Port Ryerse and went from there over to the East End Lighthouse. I don't know how long it took us or at what time any of our proceedings took place but we had our dinner as soon as we got there and after that Cook the lightouse keeper showed us all around we went to the top of the lighthouse and saw the revolving light which is a wonderful bit of work especially the lens or prisms which throw the light so far. He also blew the foghorn for us and explained the wind velocity register. We all went to his house and signed our names. On our way back we stopped at the Anderson property and went in there for a few minutes. There was quite a sea on coming home and some of the elder ladies felt a little sick but we managed to get to Port Ryerse without any great trouble. The two Dunkin girls were very anxious to come down to Dover with Pud and me, go to the show and let Pud take us back to Vittoria but their mother objected and as she was sick they didn't like to do it. We got home about eight and had a dandy day. It was very hot here they say.</p> <p>Wednesday August 23rd</p> <p>Dad. and I finished building my fattening crate this morning Dad. nearly finished it yesterday. Old Felix came over to fix the suckers in the pump as it hasn't been working properly lately and Frank</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>told him on Sunday he had better come and have a look at it. He was here till after twelve so had dinner. He put new suckers in but I don't know that it works much better. It throws a better stream but has to be primed. This after noon we went back and burned the weeds that Frank had cut on the piece which wasn't plowed but the fire would run on the fall plowing it was to thin. John Wess was plowing in his back field and said it was pretty hard. Cooler to-day.</p> <p>Thursday August 24th</p> <p>Dad. and Frank took two teams back this morning Frank to mow the weeds in the back field and Dad to rake them up on the fall plowing. I went back to open the gate for Dad. as he had the little team on the rake and couldn't leave them. When I got up behind the barn on my way back I heard a car honk and saw someone in the lane so when I got up I found it was Miss Herring and her cousin Miss Bain in a car belonging to a Mr. Harvey who brought them over. They had come to invite me to a picnic this after noon at Fisher's Glen and said they had been here ever so long but couldn't find anyone about the place. I told them I would be delighted to go at half past one so I had to hustle around to get ready, but got down alright in time. They were going in Harry Smith's launch and were just debating whether there would be too much sea or not as there was quite a breeze from the south west. However after every one arrived we all piled in and got out about as far as the breakwater and found there was quite a sea a couple of waves splashed up against the bow window and drenched all the ones in the bow of the boat and several of the ladies and they say Col. Smith were very frightened so we turned back. Harry could have taken us he said but thought under the circumstances it was the best thing to do. When we got back to dock there was quite a time deciding what to do next. Col. Smith, Jack Martin &amp; Mr. Hobbes wanted to go up creek for the rest of the picnic but Lewis, Miss Herring and the rest who got it up wanted to get cars and go to Port Ryerse. Mr. Harvey offered to take two loads in his car and went and got it Lewis &amp; Miss Herring went up to get Faulkner's but although the car was there they couldn't find Al. In the meantime Col. Smith had made arrangements with Harry Ansley for one of his flat bottomed pound net boats and a couple of the fishermen had gone over and got it and fixed it up</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>with clean new fish boxes for seats so when Mr. Harvey arrived with his car and the others of the Port Ryerse faction they thought every thing was now settled for their wishes to be carried out and so it would have been but Col. Smith kicked and said those that wanted to could go but he was going up creek so to avoid any further trouble Mr. Harvey took his car back and we all went up creek. Dad. Brook and another fisherman took us up and called for us again at seven. They left us at the far end of the straight water at Will Smith's place and we had a dandy time. Two or three of us fished before tea but had no luck except Louise Herring who caught a mudcat and threw it back. Col. Smith and Jack Martin built a fire in an old stump and cooked a dandy supper fried eggs and bacon and hot coffee. We all ate enough to kill us. After tea we played Nuts and in May and had a lot of fun. I got yanked all over the place Lewis Woodson was champion he pulled them all but Jack Martin. He pulled Col. Smith over and so did Jack which made the Col. very mad. Mr. Hobbes had a headache but took several pictures of us and one of Miss Cope or her leg while she was lying down behind a log to dry out after her sousing with the waves. At supper the Col. said "Well I got soaked in that launch but I daren't tell you where" and Miss Cope said " Oh I know where, I got it in the same place." Ont the way back the batteries played out and the engineer had to get out and tow us. It was pretty hard work and slow till Lewis got out and helped him row. When we got to town we all but Miss Prest and the Cowdry's went to the picture show and saw Granstork. Lewis and I went home with Miss Bain &amp; Miss Herring and I got home about a quarter past twelve. Tom brought me up the creamcan full of buttermilk to-day and I started feeding fifteen cockerels.</p> <p>Friday August 25th</p> <p>Frank finished mowing the field of weeds this morning and this after noon cut the little side hill across the ditch from the oat stubble. Dad. disked witht the big team till Frank finished mowing and then Frank went on and disked and Dad. brought the little team up through the gully and Frank brought the mower up with him at six. Dad. cut weeds with the scythe after he came up and went back at six to help Frank out of the gates</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>with the mower. I just chored around and tried to pull buckhorn out of the lawn this afternoon and did a little raking. This morning the baby and I went down to Aunty's and cut her corn that has all the ears picked off it and made one shock of it. We stayed there to dinner. It hasn't been quite so hot to-day.</p> <p>Saturday August 26th</p> <p>Frank has been disking all day on the oat stubble. They came to the conclusion that the fall plowing was too hard in spots. Dad. mowed the pig weed which comes up thick in the garden and a very even crop they were and also cut the weeds in the plum orchard. I raked up a little on the lawn and when he got through with the team I hooked to the waggon and went back and borrowed John Wess' cement anchor post mould and am going to try at put a few up next week while Dad. &amp; Frank are working on the land or drawing out manure. This after noon Dad. and I dug one hole. We did it with John's spud and spoon and made it five feet deep but it took a long time. To-night Enah's brother and his whole family came in in a car. Mr. &amp; Mrs James &amp; Steward stayed here all night but Jean, Adelena and Fred Johnson who was with them stayed down town at the James. Cooler and cloudy to-day.</p> <p>Sunday August 27th</p> <p>All hands went to church this morning. We all went down in Mr. Jame's car although it was quite a squeeze and Dad. was scared half to death. After church he went up to cut the tail of another pup Huby got from the same litter as his first two. I stayed down at Aunty's for dinner and the rest all went over in the car and also Winnie and Miss McAlpine a friend of hers from Caledonia. Jean and Adelena went over too but Mrs. James stayed down at the old James and Mr. James brought the car back and stayed there to dinner. Dick wasn't in church but walked over and was there when the bunch arrived. They said he didn't get down town till about four o'clock this after noon, then they all went down except Dad. who had to keep his eye on the sleeping baby When I got home long after six Dad. was just getting out to do chores as the baby had just wakend up and he daren't leave him before. The others didn't come home till about ten o'clock I guess and Dad. the baby</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>and I had our tea alone. Jean and Adelena came back with them to-night. I had a very nice after noon Went over to the Herring's cottage and found that Miss Bain, Miss Whitney, Lewis Woodson &amp; Douglas Skey had walked to Port Ryerse for a picnic and Louise had gone part way with them but was coming back so I went down and met her just a little way up with the little Cook girl. We came back and went down town to call on Ada. She wasn't home when we first went up but we sat down and she appeared presently so we spent the rest of the after noon there. I stopped in at Aunty Alice's on my way home and got some corn. I also rat across Uncle Ward on my way home and he showed me his different potato patches which are as clean as a whistle but nothing on them. We didn't make any arrangements for a hay load party this after noon as Louise has hay fever and says she wont be able to go but insists upon us having it. Cooler to-day we had quite a shower this morning.</p> <p>Monday August 28th ( ) "Another dry moon" says Aunty Alice though still scoffed at by Dad.)</p> <p>The automobile party left here about eight or a little after they didn't get away quite as soon as they had hoped and had to go down town I suppose to pick up Fred. We were late getting out and Dad. and I went out to our anchor posts again while Frank cleaned some perch he got from Mrs. Quanbury. We spent most of the morning getting the stakes lined up to suit us as we were in a sort of a quandry what to line to or sight from, but at last we started to sink the holes and trust to luck at having them straight. Charlie Ivey and Bob. Leitch were out on the road fixing the hole in the road over the culvert. This after noon Frank and I took Joe and Belle down town on the waggon to get some cement and a couple of 7/8 inch rods for reinforcement to the anchor posts. They were nine feet long and cost us 85 cts apiece the cement was $1.55 a bbl {barrel}, so we figured the posts would come pretty high when we got them built. When we got home we went over to Art. Quanbury's and got his flat rack to mix our cement on. Dad. started out after dinner to plow but had to change the shear on his plow and spent most of the after noon getting the old shear off so didn't get back till about four o'clock or half past. He got a few rounds plowed but says it is very hard but not the least bit bumpy. Quite cold this morning &amp; night. Cool all day.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Tuesday August 29th</p> <p>Dad. has been plowing all day. Frank and I put up one anchor post. We didn't get started till about nine o'clock and didn't know what sized batches of grout to mix up so it took us till after one to get the thing finished. We didn't like to leave till we had dinner for fear the two batches wouldn't knit together. We used nearly a bag and a half of cement which Dad. thought was too much but he asked John Wess and he said that was about what he used. Dad. came out at noon and helped us finish. Art. Quanbury stopped on his way to and from the farm to make a few suggestions. He thought the reinforcing was too expensive and thought that pipe posts which could be got for 26 cts apiece and were 7 ft long would do as well but John Wess didn't think they could be much account at that price. Dad. saw him this after noon. Art. also thought that stubs in the ground for braces instead of full length posts would be just as good but John Wess says not for him. He says if it is not wired from the top of the brace posts it is bound to give a little at the bottom when the ground is soft and an inch give at the bottom gives enough at the top to let the fence go slack, so I guess if we want to be sure of things we hadn't better try to cut down expence. This after noon Frank and I put down or nearly did two more holes. We didn't get started till late as we were doing chores. Cooler.</p> <p>Wednesday August 30th</p> <p>We ran the binder out of the barn this morning and Dad. helped us try to get all the sheep in the barn to separate the rams from the rest of the flock but they didn't want to go in the barn so we left them till noon and Dad. went back and plowed and Frank and I went out and took the mould off our anchor post and spent a good part of the morning admiring it. It certainly looks fine but we won't be able to stretch the wire to it for a year yet and I know I will be scared stiff then for fear it will break. Lewis Woodson came over while we were at it and invited me down to Supper to-night. Aunty, Aunty Alice and Cousin Clare all came over to dinner. Frank and I spent the remainder of the forenoon gathering the</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>burs out of the orchard so that the sheep wouldn't get them in their wool. After dinner we managed to get the sheep in the barn and separated the rams and put them over in the orchard. We had all the "women folks" out helping us and then had quite a time of it. Dad. didn't get started back till about three but plowed till six. After he went back Frank and I put up a gate at the end of the orchard in to the lane so that the sheep could run on the wheat stubble and old {meadow?} but not get under the bars. Frank then went down town to get a plow shear sharpened and I cut the weeds in the front lane and some thistles in the sheep pasture I quit a five and got ready and went down to the Woodson's for tea. Louise Herring and Amy Bain were there so I had a very pleasant time. We had a game of croquet before tea and afterwards all went down to the picture show and then around with the girls to the cottage where we had watermelon and cake and joked around till twelve o'clock. Cooler to-day and quite cold to-night.</p> <p>Thursday August 31st</p> <p>Ben Ivey was over last night to get Dad. too look at a lame sow, and said he wanted to get some help for the next two weeks to get his work all finished and then he is going back on the road for the winter, so Frank went over this morning to pick tomatoes for him. Dad. went over to see his sow and says she seems to have sprained both of her front fetlocks. Ben knew it was some thing like that as she did it going down the hill at the gully. One of our ram lambs got back with the ewes out of the orchard and I put him back but I couldn't find out where he escaped. Dad. went back and plowed till noon and I deepened one of our anchor post holes enough to build the post although I didn't put it down the full five feet. It took me long enoug to put it down six inches more. I also got sand enough measured out to make a batch of grout to fill the hole to ground level. This after noon Frank had to go back to Ben's for awhile so Dad. helped me put up another post and it took us all the after noon. Tommy Jackson and Lorne came along and talked for an hour. Tommy said we were very foolish to pay such a price for our centre rods that we could get angle posts just as good and strong for thirty cents. He also told</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>us to be sure to keep the post well watered. Frank got through at Ben's early as Ben went to Brantford and so Frank borrowed his rack and went down and got eight more bags of cement. He and I went out after tea and loosened the nuts on the mould as John Wess said it would warp if we didn't. Cold nights &amp; hot day.</p> <p>Friday September 1st</p> <p>Frank worked at Ben's all day raking (with our rake) and hauling &amp; stacking clover seed. Dad. plowed this forenoon and I went out and took the moulds off our post and deepened the other hole for the brace post. This after noon Dad and I put it in. We made it tall like John Wess said but Dad. and I had a hot argument about it. He was bound that with a stub in the ground and a wire from the top of it to the bottom of the anchor post and a brace from the top of the anchor post to the top of the stub or the same point as the wire went that the anchor post would give more at the top than at the bottom if the stick gave at all in soft ground {Toby has sketched a drawing of his description} and I was bound that it couldn't, if it came at all it had to come at the bottom as at the top because if the top gave an inch the brace would free the stub an inch at the point where the wire bore on it and that would free the wire an inch over at the stub and unless it stretched which I don't think it does it would pull it an inch at the anchor post and as it is fastened to the bottom of the anchor post it would have to come an inch with it and yet the top couldn't come more than an inch on account of the brace. It looked plain enough to me but Dad. had got some idea in his head that as a thing always moves faster at the top than at the bottom the anchor post would have to cant if it moved at all and I couldn't convince him any other way. We argued most of the dinner away and all the time we each knew we couldn't convince the other and that if we did the other wouldn't admit it so we finally quit. I went down town to-night to see Helen Dunkin who with her mother is keeping house at the Rectory while Mr. &amp; Mrs Johnson is away on his holidays. It rained a little shower and wet things up a little so I stayed at Aunty's all night.</p> <p>Saturday September 2nd</p> <p>Frank worked at Ben's all day and Dad. plowed but didn't quite finish as he didn't get out till about three</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>{This is a repeat of the previous page}.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>o'clock after dinner. I didn't get home this morning till about eight or after and by the time I got my clothes changed and some chores done it was getting pretty late to start anything. I went out and wet down the three anchor posts and then decided to get Dad. to help me carry out a gate to measure the proper distance between the next post we are going to build and the first one we built, so I didn't start another post hole but went back to where Dad. was plowing and on over to where John Wess was hauling out manure with his new Massey-Harris low down manure spreader, he says he likes it to load much better than the high ones but I don't believe it spreads as well as it has an endless apron and no tailboard to hold the manure up to the beater. I started the argument with him about the brace posts and he explained it satisfactorly by saying the wire would stretch, which I didn't know and of course it is easily seen that there is not nearly the strain on the wire whent it is fastened to the long brace post on at the top as when it is fastened to the stub because as Dad. said the natural tendency for the brace post would {Toby has sketched a drawing of his description} be to move faster at the top than at the bottom but it can't with out taking the bottom of the anchor post with it. This after noon</p> <p>Dad. and I took the gate out and meausred between the posts and as we were putting it back Whit Dixon came in and talked for quite awhile. He told us that Bagley &amp; Miller had their store advertised for sale in the "Globe". When he went Dad went back to plow and I did a few chores then caught three of Jack Martin's roosters and took them home. The fourth one was out in the field somewhere so I didn't take him. From there I went down to the mill to ask Charlie Ivey the address of Silverwoods Lmtd. to ship my crate fattened chickens to. When I got back from there I caught the little ram lamb which had got with the ewes and took him up with the others after first practising a little trimming on him I didn't improve his appearance much this time but maybe another operation will. I went down town to-night and got my hair cut. Nice day but almost frosty to-night.</p> <p>Sunday September 3rd</p> <p>We all went to church this morning, Loudon &amp; Jack Ivey came over just before church in their car to have Dad. look at Jack's dog again which has distemper and which Dad. doesn't think will recover. They took Dad. Enah &amp; Tid down in the car. Sam Law was in too just before they left to see if</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>we wanted to thrash this week but Dad. didn't think we could get ready. Frank and I walked down to church. Cousin Willie officiated as Mr. Johnson is away on his holidays. Every body expressed great delight at the service and I didn't go to sleep during ther sermon. Zeitha Barwell was there for the first time this summer I think and sang a solo. She and I made arrangements for a ride to-night. The Dunkin girls were there and wanted me to go over there this after noon I wasn't very anxious to but said I would go for a while. Aunty and Aunty Alice came over to dinner and Dick was here when we got home, he slept too late to get to church and was disappointed as he wanted to hear Zeitha sing. He and I went down to-gether after dinner and I fooled around with the Dunkins for an hour or more and got home about five. I wanted to get up to Barwell's about six but Winnie and her two friends from Caledonia Miss McAlpine &amp; Miss Lyons were here to tea so that delayed us a little and by the time we got the milking done, our horses saddled and up there it was seven o'clock Frank rode Joe up as Zeitha hasn't a horse of her own now to ride and I thought it would be awkward leading Joe. Frank waited there with Bill till we came back. It was after dark but there was a week old moon and it was cool so we had a great ride down the Radical as far as the town limit and then back up to the brick schoolhouse and accross to the Gravel and down to the Barwell's. We went rather slowly so it was pretty late when Frank and I got home. He and Bill had been back to the Cadet Camp on Fred. Duan's place Frank had been up there this after noon. Nice cool day.</p> <p>Monday September 4th - Labor Day.</p> <p>Dad. and Enah both felt rather tough to-day for some reason or other. They had colds and sore throats, the baby wasn't very well either. This morning Dad. and I went along the east side of the lane and tried to fix the fence at the bottom so that the rams couldn't get under. I then took the other rooster of to Jack Martins and went in to borrow Charlie's buggy for Dad. Charlie was knocked out too. To-day was the first anniversary of the Shand's school reunion of Mrs. Dolly Smith's pupils and all the people in the section got an invitation. Dad. and Enah were going but didn't know what time it was till Meritt Walker came in and on his way out to get Dad's advice about a horse with an colic and said they were to meet out there at eleven o'clock, and have</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>dinner at twelve. It was too late then for them to go to dinner but Dad. thought they would go out after noon so I took Joe over and got Charlie's buggy but by the time they got there it was nearly over - and all they could do was to say Hello! to everybody, but they went on out to the Shands for tea and all evening so had a good time I guess. Frank spent the morning digging at another post hole and this after noon he filled up the hole in the stable floor back of Joe with cement while I pulled the burrs along the lane fence and wet down the anchor posts. We then stretched barbed wire along the top of the fence on the west side of the front lane between the drivehouse and the road where old Harry. bent the fence over leaning over it. After we did chores and had tea Frank hiked for bed as he has to work for Ben to-morrow but I waited till the rest came home.</p> <p>Tuesday September 5th</p> <p>I got up at five this morning but as Dad. didn't feel very well I got the cows and milked. Frank had to work over at Ben's to-day picking and sorting tomatoes. Dad. didn't feel much like working but did chores and oiled up the manure spreader but we didn't get out with it before dinner. I took Charlie Martin's buggy back with out hooking up to it and then came back and harnessed the team and went down to the mill to get a couple of bags of hay feed. This after noon I started a compost heap between loads and we got out six loads of manure on the corner field. Lila was over after school and got a lot of Frank's old school books. Hot to-day and looks very like rain. Flys very bad.</p> <p>Wednesday September 6th</p> <p>We didn't get started hauling manure till about ten o'clock this morning on account of chores and getting a late start, so we only got out ten loads all day. Dad. didn't feel very well either. Frank was over at Ben's all day. Bent took a load of tomatoes to Hagersville this morning and got 35 cts a basket for them on the market. There are about 3 baskets in a bushel. Frank was all alone over there this morning. I went on with my compost heap and did odd jobs between loads. Art. Quanbury was in at noon to borrow the post auger to make some anchor post holes he wants to put in some cement posts He brought it back to-night and said the ground was too hard. Hot.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Thursday September 7th</p> <p>We got a fairly good start this morning but only got out thirteen loads all day. I just chored around between loads. Tom Abbot was late coming for the cream this morning, he said he had been up at Charlie McQueens. He says it is a happy bunch Charlie has just got back from the {Fair?} and they have more whiskey than they have water. Charlie is full as a goose and Bruce is full they're all full, but the womans and Tom says if he'd stayed any longer he'd have been full. Frank has been over at Ben's all day. About six o'clock we had a great old rain next thing to a cloud burst we all got soaked to the skin, but were glad to see it. I went down town to-night and went up to see Marj. she and Glad. Law got back safely. I then went up to Huby's to see Quint all the soldiers came home to-night on a six day leave Quint and I went down to look at the dance The London Harpers were down but their train was late and there was a very small crowd I suppose owing to the wet night and the lateness of the season This was the last dance We didn't go in but saw Joe Thompson and Helen Dunkin outside and talked to them for quite awhile and then all four of us went up to the Rectory where Helen is all alone and were there till nearly one. It began to rain again about midnight and was raining when we left. I stayed all night at Aunty's.</p> <p>Friday September 8th</p> <p>I came home by the mill this morning as I left my umbrella up at Huby's last night and borrowed one from Helen Dunkin so returned hers and got ours and came home around the other way as it is just about as short from Huby's. I haven't done a tap all day. Aunty and Aunty Alice were over to dinner and all the after noon I had a nasty pain so just lay around on the sofa. Dad. went back with the big team and disked on the fall plowing and said it worked fine except for the grass. I went back about five o'clock and got the cows Zeitha came down to-night for a ride but I couldn't go with her but Frank went and they had a great time. It was a beautiful cool moonlight night. Zeitha stayed here all night. Frank worked all day for Ben. Cloudy and cool all day.</p> <p>Saturday September 9th</p> <p>Dad. has been disking all day but didn't quite get over</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>the piece. Ben Ivey was over with one of his horses this morning which has a very bad case of Fistulas Withers Dad. opened it for him but says he is afraid the horse is ruined I took Joe and Belle over and borrowed Ben's little orchard disks and worked up a piece on the north end of last years barley stubble which was plowed last fall and again this spring and which we never got our buckwheat in on for my experimental plots. I got from the Experimental Union this fall seed of winter Emmer and Winter Barley It worked up nicely but will need harrowing and rolling to smash the lumps. The roller is out of commission and I was going to take the harrows out this after noon but couldn't find our doubletrees except the ones on the waggon and I didn't have a clevise that would fit them so I finished disking it crosswise and left it. Frank worked all day for Ben and got fifteen dollars from him to-night Ben paid him two dollars a day Enah and the baby went down town this after noon Zeitha walked home before dinner. Flossie Shand was in this morning and invited Dad. and Enah to go with them in their car to visit Maimie to-morrow. Warmish</p> <p>Sunday September 10th</p> <p>The Shands came in the car this morning for Dad. Enah &amp; Tid in time to get to St. John's church, then they had dinner and spent the afternoon at the Baker's and got back here to tea. Frank and I went down to church and Frank rode home on his wheel to do the noon chores and then came back to Aunty's for dinner Dick wasn't at church but got down to church dinner. Morton Brown the piano-tuner took the services both morning and evening. This after noon I went over to the Herring's to inquire after Louise as Lewis Woodson told me this morning that she had been in bed with her hayfever. She was up this after noon, however, and I was there all the after noon, Ada came over and we all three walked down town. Louise gave me a pressing invitation to stay to tea but as I didn't know that Dad. would be home I told her I had to come back to do chores but promised to be back after tea. I did go over but was rather late as I met Marj. &amp; Glad Law coming out of church and walked down to the pier with them. When I got to the Herring's, Lewis &amp; Louise had gone home with Ada, but they came back before I left, and I was there for about an hour. Mrs. Woodson invited me in on my way home to have a piece of cake and I was there for another half hour. Huby and Quint went to the Point yesterday with the Iveys and were to have been back this after noon. Cool and breezy.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Monday September 11th</p> <p>Sam. Law went past this morning and asked Dad. if he would be ready to have them pull in here this after noon after they thrashed Ben Ivey out but Dad said 'No.' However on thinking it over he thought it would be better to thrash before seeding so as to have some feed and so I went down with the big team and waggon and got a load of slabs while Dad. cleaned out the barn and got all ready for them. I was down about all morning but got a good load. Enah went down with me and got some vegetables and some dandy tomatoes over at her mother's and I brought them home on the load. This after noon Dad. went over to Ben's to see Sam but John Wess had spoken to him over at Charlie's so he has to go there next but will be here to-morrow, probably by after noon as they just moved to John Wess to-night and didn't thrash any. I didn't do anything much this after noon. My cold made me feel rotten and I went in the house and went to sleep. Dad. continued to prepare.</p> <p>Tuesday September 12th</p> <p>I walked down town right after breakfast and got some meat for the thrashers and spoke to Chris for a man from Martins and also told Aunty &amp; Aunty Alice. They came over about noon. Quint was over for a few minutes this morning in civilian clothes. He has to go back to Camp Borden this after noon. He says he is pretty sure they will get another leave before they go overseas and some of them think they won't go over this winter but stay in Simcoe again. The thrashing outfit pulled in and got all set up before dinner and we got thrashed out early in the after noon Frank Odd. and Pickford were the only two extra men we asked for but old Tom came up and said Sam had sent him to pay us for helping him at Pickford's. Ben let Frank off for the after noon. I felt pretty rotten but pitched on the feeder. We only got 115 bushels of oats &amp; barley and about 25 bushels of wheat. The grain is small but nice The wheat I think has a little midge in it. I didn't do anything after we finished. Tonight Dad. and I went over to Quanbury's and each had a good hot bath in their bath tub. Looked like rain but didn't come.</p> <p>Wednesday September 13th</p> <p>I had to take Joe down and have her shoes set this morning before I went to Simcoe for the buggy</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>so I rode her down. When I got there I found she had lost one front shoe so Bert Greenbury had to put a new one on. Bob Law and Albert Newcombe were in the shop and there was great interest evinced all around in a story Greenbury had told about young Fred Misner out here on Clark Mathews place giving Val. Leany a trimming last night. It seems they were up at McBains where Val. was hauling some lumber for McPherson &amp; Nunn and made some uncomplimentary remarks about Farmers whereat Misner indulged in some repartee that Val. said he had never taken from anyone. Fred. then remarked that he would have to take it this time but Val. thought differently and got off his waggon, came back and made a "pass" at Misner, but Misner "wasn't there" but was there presently with a clip on the jaw for Val. which sent him to his knees, Val got up and clenched but Fred got away and hit him again, and then again this time flooring him, then George Nunn stopped the scrap. Nobody seems to know much about Misner but he must be a pretty good man to handle Val. I waited over at Aunty's till Joe was done. I rode up town to post a letter before I went home and met Louise Herring and her mother so said good-bye to them as they are to leave to-night. This after noon I rode to Simcoe but didn't get started till after two. When I got just above the half-way-house I found Joe had lost the new shoe Bert put on this morning so I had to go pretty slowly the rest of the way up and all the way home. I got the buggy and it looks fine and has a dandy set of wheels on it. I stopped to get the evener for the spreader at Anderson's and some rock salt at Edmond's and it was after eight when I got home. I found I had left Joe's halter in Simcoe. Dad. has disked all the after noon. Frank is getting to be king over at Ben's. Ben has to leave to-morrow night for Brantford, and then Frank will have to run the ranch and boss Mrs. Bush who is picking tomatoes.</p> <p>Thursday September 14th</p> <p>Dad. disked all day and has the field pretty well cut up but there are still a lot of grass and weed roots in it. I drove down this morning to get Joe's shoe put on and took the baby with me and left him at Aunty's while I went on up town to get some things and see if my chicken crate came to ship my live cockrels to London but it hadn't I saw Huby for a while and it was just about noon when we got home. They heard from Aunt Hattie and she expects</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>to arrive here to-morrow night. This after noon I just chored around and got all the loose straw around the stack packed in the barn. Helen and Mrs. Dunkin were over to call on Enah to-night. It sprinkled rain this afternoon and evening but didn't ammount to much</p> <p>Friday September 15th</p> <p>Dad. disked all morning but had to use Harry &amp; Belle as old Nellie is quite lame. I did chores and then took a walk over to ask Mr. Fleming if we might have his diamond tooth harrows to us on that piece across the gully to rake the grass roots out. He was plowing in his back field next Art Ryerse's and I walked down along the creek &amp; up through the woods. He said he wouldn't be using them before Monday, so that we might as well take them. I went over and talked to Art. till about noon. He was plowing too and Lloyd was disking. They got through seeding about a week ago but when they found this plowed so nicely, they thought they would put in a little more. This after noon I did up the chores then took Nellie &amp; Joe down and got Mr. Flemming's harrows and took them back to Dad. He was just through disking so hooked on to them but they wouldn't work at all as the grass just bundled up thick under them, so he went up and got the horse rake and tried to rake the grass up with it but it wouldn't work either so he is going over tomorrow and borrow Martin's spring tooth cultivator. I took Ben Ivey's disks home and then put the team in. Frank had to go to Jarvis to-day with a load of tomatoes, and had a great day of it. He and I went down town to-night and saw Aunt Hattie. All of Huby's family were down there. I was up for a little while to see Marj. Quite cold &amp; cloudy.</p> <p>Saturday September 16th</p> <p>I had to take Elgitha up to Ham Thompson's again this morning and that took most of the morning as I was up there quite awhile and had an awful time getting her up there alone. She got away from me just at his gate and if it hadn't been for a little kid heading her off I don't know how I would have caught her. This after noon I did chores and took Mr. Flemming's harrows back with Joe and Nellie. Dad. Spring toothed all day and has it pretty well ripped up. He is going to try the rake again now that the grass is loose. Frank and I went down town to-night I killed two of my crate fattened cockrels this morning and took</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>one down to Aunty Alice to test it. Prohibition came into effect at seven o'clock to-night and we thought there might be some fun up town but I hung around till about twelve o'clock and although there were quite a few drunks around, most of them had gone home and things were very quiet. The baby was pretty sick last night and has not felt very lively all day. Very cold wind but cloudy &amp; milder to-night.</p> <p>Sunday September 17th</p> <p>Enah, Frank and I drove down to church this morning and Dad. looked after Tid. Ben Ivey was over for quite awhile getting instructions as to the treatment of his horse which has a bad case of fistulas withers. He is just home for over Sunday and is still keeping Frank to run the farm Aunty Alice felt pretty sick to-day with her cold so none of them came over to dinner, but Dad. went down this after noon and had tea with them. I did chores and started to read this after noon but went to sleep. Frank and Lloyd Ryerse spent the after noon back in the gully and Frank and I did up the night chores. I went down to-night and caught Marj. &amp; Glad Law coming out of church, there had been a Sunday school meeting after a service I saw Lewis Woodson on my way home and said good-bye. He is going back in the morning. Cold and cloudy all day rained a little this morning. Feels like fall.</p> <p>Monday September 18th</p> <p>I took Joe and Belle this morning and got Ben Iveys dray and went down to Burn Ball's after our ten bushels of seed wheat He had it all cleaned so I wasn't long getting it and got back just about noon. I came around by town and got my chicken crate at the station. Right after dinner Dad. helped me weigh up my cockrels from the fattening crate and put them in the shipping crate I had 82 lbs as near as I could make it with the old spring scales and 12 birds. I took them right down so they would go off on the 2.45 train. On my way up town Bob. and Johnnie hailed me for a ride so I took them up home and as Dad. had four bags of barley and oats bagged up so we took them down to the mill and waited for them to be chopped and went all through the mill. They came back to the gate with me and then walked on around the block to town. It is Civic Holiday in town so they were not working. Dick went to Toronto on Saturday and was coming back to-night or in the morning. When I got home I took the harrows out to my plots but forgot the doubletrees so couldn't work at it but took the horses in and started to do chores. Dad. fixed the roller this morning and rolled my plots and the fresh plowing this after noon. Frank worked all day with his tomatoes. He had three women working over there and got 119 baskets but didn't get his {number?} basket.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>order sorted in time to get it off to Brantford to-night. He didn't get home to tea till long after dark and then had to back after tea and also down town. Arthur Preston came over with him in a terrible state of agitation over one of his cows which was acting queerly. Dad. went back with him and said the cow was pretty sick. Cold all day but sunny and nice.</p> <p>Tuesday September 19th</p> <p>I disked this morning on the fresh plowing with Joe and Belle and Dad. brought the rake back again and raked over all the fall plowing with the big team. He got a lot of the grass in windrows but it is of course full of earth. This after noon I tried to burn it and it burned all right when the earth was shaken out but that took a long time and I only got a very little done at this end of the field. It will take too long to go over the whole field that way so I don't know just what we will do. Dad. finished disking the plowing with Harry and Nellie and then plowed a few rounds, he only has one more load and the headlands to plow. Enah and the baby went down town this morning to see Aunt Hattie and stayed to dinner. Some one brought my braking cart to-day but no one saw them. Froze last night pretty hard and has been cold all day but a little milder to-night.</p> <p>Wednesday September 20th</p> <p>Dad. finished plowing this morning while I shook out a few more windrows of grass. This after noon Dad. shook them out and although he got on faster than I did, didn't get many done. I rolled down all the grass plowing and then started to disk it. We just worked to one team Harry &amp; Nellie to-day. Alan Law was in to-night and borrowed a couple of bushels of oats. The frost the night before last froze Ben's tomato plants and the buckwheat. John Wess and old Walker are cutting theirs to-day. It has been sunny and warm to-day but windy.</p> <p>Thursday September 21st</p> <p>I have disked all day to day and consequently feel a little sore in spots as some of the ground is pretty hard and chunky and is inclined to jolt a fellow. I finished disking the fresh plowing lengthwise and started crosswise of the whole field. Dad. shook out and burned some more grass roots this morning but had to go to Mr. Fleming's to thrash this after noon, he got home about five as a boxing on the engine melted and they had to quit. Aunty, Aunty Alice, Aunt Hattie and Cousin Clare were all over to dinner and Aunty and Aunt Hattie stayed to tea and Frank drove them home to-night. Aunty Alice's cold is still pretty bad. Cloudy and showery all day but not enough to wet much.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Friday September 22nd</p> <p>I have disked all day but am not over the field yet. This morning Dad. blocked up the line fence between Ben Ivey and us so that the sheep couldn't get through, they have been getting very wayward lately and running all over Ben's place. He would have come back but Whit came after a steer and they had an awful time getting him I guess. They took mine. By this after noon they had the engine fixed so Dad. had to go down and finish helping Mr. Fleming. The machine moved over to Jack Martin's but they didn't thrash any there. It began to rain about six and we had quite a heavy shower for awhile and then a quieter one for an hour or two. I went down town after tea and went up to the Bagley's for a little while. Louise came up to-night to stay at Aunty's for awhile. I went down there and as it was raining when I was ready to come home so I stayed and slept on the sofa all night. Alan Law was telling Dad. Val Leany's version of his fight with Misner. According to him it was Misner who was doing the most talking and exasperated Val. till he slapped him. Then they clenched and Misner downed him but it wasn't long till Val. was on top and he choked Misner till he "hollered" enough and said he was sorry and he wouldn't have said so much if he hadn't been drinking. So which is the correct yarn is hard to say, but I believe I would sooner take Val's word than Misner's.</p> <p>Saturday September 23rd</p> <p>Dad. went over to Martin's this morning but found they weren't going to thrash as Sam thought the stacks would be too wet, so Dad. came home and shook out more of the grass roots he got them nearly all done. I disked all day and finished the field to-night. Dad. brought the other team back this after noon and harrowed the fresh plowed part and started to roll it. I got a check from Silverwoods to day for my 12 cockrels for $12.24 I was well satisfied as I thought the price would have dropped but I got 18 cts a lb. Cold and cloudy.</p> <p>Sunday September 24th</p> <p>I drove Enah down to church this morning, but Dad. Frank &amp; the baby didn't go down. Frank was over with Ben Ivey all morning. Dick was in church and he came home with us and was here all the after noon but had to go down before dark to feed Mr. Hobbe's chickens as he is away on his holidays now. Dess is in Simcoe so Dick is having a respite from his ardent attention to her. He and I prowled around the farm a little but it was cold and looked rainy so we spent most of the after noon in the house. Enah had to play to-day as Elva's away so I drove her down again to-night. I went up with Marj.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>for a little while and picked Enah up at the Rectory as Mr. Johnson had coaxed her to go down there instead of down home as she intended and Harry Moon told me where to find her. It was raining when we came out of church and rained quite a shower.</p> <p>Monday September 25th</p> <p>Dad. went over to Martin's to thrash this morning and was over there till some time this after noon. They thrashed 800 and some odd bushels. The wheat on his own place went {18?} bushels to the acre but Dad. said it was very dirty with couch grass I went back and rolled and it took me nearly all day to roll the piece but I didn't get a very early start either morning or noon. John Wess came over and borrowed the rolling coulter to try on his plow but I went over this after noon and he said he couldnt work it on his plow. He says it is pretty hard for him to keep from swearing it is just like plowing through loose blocks of ice the way the clods slide around. Mr. Johnson was over here for a few minutes after dinner to bring Enah a book which she dropped last night getting in the buggy in front of his gate. She and the baby went down town this after noon. When I got through rolling I went down to Sam Laws and got his disk drill. Sunny and warmer to-day</p> <p>Tuesday September 26th</p> <p>We got our seed on the waggon this morning and all ready to start out to drill it in when it began to rain and so we had to back the waggon and drill in to the shed. We then went over to the barn and threw the hay off that was on the rack and ran the rack out of the barn, cleaned up the floor and started to clean up our own seed as what I got from Burn Ball will only sow part of the field. It cleared up soon after we got started. A little before noon I went over to Martin's to borrow some bags to sack it up as we didn't want to bother putting it in the bin and then taking it out again when we emptied our own bags. They didn't have any bags over there so I got two or three over at Ben. Ivey's and we sacked up the grain we had cleaned but it was noon then so we didn't clean up any more. We went back right after dinner with the seed and drill and Dad. drilled in all of Burn's wheat. The disk drill worked fine cut through everything and covered well. We had it set at 2 bushels to the acre so I guess have about five acres in I didn't stay back all the time but did a few chores and went back about four and waited till six and then helped Dad. out with the drill as it looked like rain. He and I cleaned up some more seed after tea to-night. Milder &amp; cloudy.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Wednesday September 27th</p> <p>We had to clean up a little more grain this morning and by the time we got it sacked up, loaded and back there with the drill it was about ten o'clock. I helped Dad. get started and then came up and drove Enah and Tid down town, Aunty was having a little picnic over Brant Hill and they went to it. I took Enah up town first to get some things and then drove her over there. Aunt Ida came back last night and she, Louise, Aunt Hattie &amp; Aunty all went over. Louis is going to Simcoe tomorrow as she heard from Annie Bowlby and she got an unexpected call to go back to the war-zone to nurse. This after noon I did chores and finished making enough stakes for my plots, about four o'clock Mr. Johnson brought Enah and the baby home so saved me a trip down after them. Dad. finished drilling the field by to-night and used nearly all the seed he had, so we think there must be a big 12 acres back there. Cloudy &amp; warm Whit Dixon came in to-night and wanted the black steer shut up to-morrow</p> <p>Thursday September 28th</p> <p>I had to go over to Pickford's to thrash first thing this morning but he only had about three loads of oats so it only took about an hour I think he got a little over fifty bushels. Whit came after the steer just as I left and Dad. was just going back with the team when I got back. I took Joe and Belle and went back and brought the roller up and Dad. came up behind me with the waggon and trailing the disks. The head of the bolt in the roller broke again coming uphill but didn't cause any accident. Dad. took the disks out to my plots and disked them up and harrowed them before dinner. It rained a little just at noon. After dinner I went out with my stakes garden line and tape measure and Dad. helped me stake out the plots we had quite a time getting them all square but they are not too bad. Dad. sowed them all broadcast and disked them in. We sowed four plots of wheat my three from Guelph and one of Burn Ball's and one plot of barley and one of {illegible} both winter varietys. Dad. got them all furrowed out before six. Enah and the baby went down this after noon to a tea party at Aunty's and as it looked like rain about six I drove after them. It was raining hard by the time I got there and although they were all ready to stay to tea I thought we had better get home and it was a good thing we did as it turned out to be a two or three hour soaker.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Friday September 29th</p> <p>It was too wet for Dad. to furrow out his field this morning so he did a few chores and I went down town with the waggon and got some shingles also the money for my steer from Bagley and Miller. I was down till noon as I had to do a lot of chasing around after the shingles. They had none at the Widespread and Hawey was working way up on St. George St. on Haymaker's new house and I had to go up there and get him. I got eight bunches for $7.50 I want to shingle the old part of the chicken house. This after noon Dad. went back and furrowed out the field and finished it and I cleaned out the ditches in my plots. Art. Quanbury borrowed our hay rack this morning to haul a load of furniture from Simcoe for Jack Martin's new man Cawley. He brought it back to-night. Frank brought us over ten bushels of potatoes from Billy Laing's who has just brought a carload in at $1.25 a bushel. Tonight I drove Enah down to choir practice. We took Miss Mathews down to the top of the hill but there she discovered she had lost her handbag so went back after it I got my hair cut and then went over to the drug store where I found Dick and Joe with Bob. &amp; Johnny I sat there till half past ten and had a lot of fun, got Enah at Aunty's. Very cold and windy all day.</p> <p>{Blank page}</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>{Blank page}</p> <p>Saturday September 30th 1916</p> <p>This morning I took Sam's drill back home. I didn't get started very early and was talking to Alan for awhile so didn't get home till noon. This after noon we all went down to see the new fish boat launched "The City of Dover". She didn't go in very well as one of the skids had more of a slant to it than the other so the stern end went in first and the other end bound but they got her in eventually without any injury, they then had to fill her with water to get her under the bridge. I went up town and got a tooth filled and Dad. got his hair cut, he drove Enah and the baby home and I got a ride home with Flossie Shand. It has been sunny and nice to-day but cold wind.</p> <p>Sunday October 1st</p> <p>I wernt to church this morning Dad. drove Enah down but didn't go himself but took Joe &amp; Belle around to Auntys and got Harry Ansley's double carriage out of the barn and brought all the family from down there over in it to dinner. This after noon they all went for a drive except Aunty Alice and Aunt</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Ida. Dick Frank and I went over to Charlie McQueen's chestnut trees to see if they were getting ripe as we had quite a hard frost last night but the burrs were tight and the nuts very green but they were big ones and a lot on the tree. We came up to the house for awhile and then Dick and I went down town. We went up to the L.E.&amp; N. tracks and ran into a bunch of girls. Dick took a couple of pictures of us all and I made a date with Bob &amp; Johnnie to go after chestnuts next Sunday after noon and then went down to Aunty's for tea I think Dick must have had tea with Mildred Henry as he was with her when I left him and didn't show up down at the house. Aunty Alice and I went to church to-night and then Marj. and I went over to see Miss McQueen and we all decided to go after chestnuts a week from next Saturday. I went down to Aunty's for awhile before I came home. Aunt Hattie is staying over here to-night. Lovely fall day but cold wind</p> <p>Monday October 2nd</p> <p>I went down town this morning to get a load of slabs but found that there were only a few left at the planing mill and they wanted them so I couldn't get any I came around by the mill and got some chop I had taken a grist on my way down. This after noon I raked up the lawn Aunty came over about four and I drove her and Aunt Hattie down. When I got back Enah had a chicken all plucked for Aunty Alice which I had figured on plucking and taking down after tea so I went right back with it. Dad. has been cleaning out ditches all day but isn't through yet. John Wess was over to tell us he would want his post moulds if it stayed dry in a day or two, and Alan Law was in to-night to say they were going to thrash to-morrow and gave us a bid. Lovely day.</p> <p>Tuesday October 3rd</p> <p>Dad. drove down to Sam's to thrash this morning and got back about four o'clock, he said the oats were pretty good. I finished digging the hole for the anchor post that Frank started quite awhile ago and got every thing ready but didn't start to mix the cement till Dad. came which was pretty late, however we put in a post but had to work at it till seven o'clock</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>We hurried at it and I am afraid got it a little out of line Enah went down to the deanery meeting this afternoon and had to stay to the choir festival or what ever it is to-night, she told me not to come after her but Dad. thought he had better so I went down, it was about nine o'clock when we got through tea so it was pretty late when I got down town and as I expected couldn't find Enah. I went down home for a while and when I got back we figured that I missed Enah as she was coming through Martin's field and Jack walked over with her. Frosty nights &amp; hot days now. No wind.</p> <p>Wednesday October 4th</p> <p>We were very late getting out this morning and Dad. and I didn't quite get another hole dug by noon We finished after dinner and got another post up by six. We had quite a few visitors to-day which delayed us a little. Harvey Shand was past and said they expected a car of crushed stone in by Monday and wanted us to help unload it for the road. We havent done any road work yet this year. Another lovely day hot and no wind.</p> <p>Thursday October 5th</p> <p>Dad. and I spent most of the morning lining up the corner post at the crossroads but by noon we had a stake in that suited us. We just nicely got started to dig the two holes this after noon (we were going to put down the brace posthole the same time as the anchor post as we can put down two as fast as one, one digs while the other spuds) when Jack Highland came along and wanted us to take our bluegrass seed down to the car, so about three o'clock we went up and took our three bags and stopped and got six bags of Mr. Fleming's as he wasn't home, we got three dollars for our seed. We didn't have time to do any thing when we got home as we had to quit early to get down to Aunty Alice's for tea. We had a great time down there. Quint was there for tea but Joe Thompson called for him right afterwards to go to Vittoria I suppose to see the Dunkin's. Quint is home on what we suppose to be his last leave. The whole battalion is off. They have had a bad split in the 133rd. They have had a quarrel with Pratt and wanted him to resign but he wouldn't so Majors' Jackson, Burch and &amp; Lieuts Hammond, Donovon &amp; Capt. Slater did resign.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Friday October 6th</p> <p>Just as we were going out to work this morning (late) Ham Thompson came along to look at the ram lambs so I went back with him. He was here till nearly noon just visiting but I managed to sell him the old ram for fifteen dollars. Dad. went out and finished digging the corner post hole. Just before dinner we took the team and waggon out and moved our platform up to the corner. Right after dinner I took the team over to Ben Ivey's and borrowed his stone boat and we got the pickle barrel (in which we discovered a highly scented piece of corn beef) up out of the cellar filled it with water and hauled it to the crossroads corner on the stone boat. We then had to cut an inch gas pipe and a quarter inch rod which looks as if it had been a hoop for a vat and all of which we got down at Aunty's from under the barn yesterday for reinforcement. All of this took time and so it was quite late in the after noon when we got started to build our post and also quite late in the evening when we finished it and much later by the time we got the chores done and had tea. Dad. and the baby went back after the cows but it was dark and they were in the woods or some place and he couldn't find them so let them go. Enah went down town this after noon and stayed down to tea so she could go to choir practice to-night. I drove down after her about nine thirty and found her at Aunty's. We drove home around byt the post and I loosened the nuts on the mould. Nice day.</p> <p>Saturday October 7th</p> <p>Niel Elliot came in this morning and gave Dad. $45.00 for Spotty and I had to take her down to the car right after breakfast. Dad. asked him sixty but the cattle market has become glutted the last few days. I was down there till nearly eleven and then had to take Elgitha up to Ham. Thompson's. We had an awful time with her and I didn't get back till one o'clock. Dad. dug the hole for the brace post this morning and this after noon we put the post in and got it done by six o'clock. It has been a very nice day</p> <p>Sunday October 8th</p> <p>We all went to church this morning as it was</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Thanksgiving Sunday. I was late as I went out and took the moulds of the post first. Roy and Vernon came up yesterday and so they and all the Aunty household were here to dinner. I left right after dinner and Dick and I drove down town. Bob &amp; Johnnie were waiting for me at the drugstore and we hiked straight for Vittoria or the road south after chestnuts. The first tree we struck had no nuts and the burrs weren't open but we at last got one on Smythe's place that was loaded with wide open burrs and we stayed there till we got told to move on by the family (I suppose) who were just getting home. We moved across the road to the tree back of Farrar's barn which was just as well loaded. We stayed there till it was time to start for home and as we stopped at the Vittoria mill to get a drink and take some pictures it was late when we got home with a pumpkin and Johnnie's hat full of shelled chestnuts as spoils of war. I went down to Aunty's to see Quint as he is going in the morning at seven o'clock and I only saw him for about a minute the other night but he hadn't got back from Vittoria where he has spent most of this furlough at the Dunkin's, in away I'm just as glad I didn't see him when it was his own fault if this is his last leave. It has been hot to-day.</p> <p>Monday October 9th</p> <p>I took John Wess' moulds back first thing this morning and didn't get much else done as we all went down to Aunty Alices to dinner, except Frank who worked with Ben all day. After dinner Dad. Roy and I cleaned out one of the stalls in the barn down there so that George Mitchell can put his horse in and then Dad. trimmed the walks and Roy fixed the barn steps I stood around and watched him and lent a had occasionally Dad. and Enah went home to tea but I stayed and after tea went down to the station and met the first train, and was rewarded by meeting Marj. and walking home with her. Mr. Bagley was there to meet her but as I showed up he went to the picture show where our friend Essie was playing in Topsy's place. I was at the Bagleys for a short while and then went back down home but Roy &amp; Vernon were up at Cousin Loll's so I didn't wait to say good-bye to them. They had intended going after nuts this after noon but it rained this morning and was cloudy and raw all the after noon so didn't go.</p> <p>Tuesday October 10th</p> <p>We were very late getting around this morning and</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>were more delayed by Mr. Horn of Marburg who came to look at the rams. He liked them but thought they were a little "steep" in price so went off to Vittoria to look for some. He came back about four and said he hadn't found any one at home at Smythe's so after a lot of sizing up of the flock decided to take one of the $12.00 ones. Dad. shovelled out some more of his ditches this forenoon and I went out with the team and brought our barrell home from the cement posts and also took Ben's stoneboat home. This after noon Dad. and Enah went down to the Rural School Fair and I picked up what burrs I could find in the plum orchard and started to cut the lawn but didn't get much done at it. Froze hard last night has been cool all day.</p> <p>Wednesday October 11th</p> <p>Dad. has put in most of the day cleaning out ditches and finished to-night. I started to clean out the chicken house but didn't finish Louise came over to dinner and this afternoon she and the baby &amp; I drove out to Shand's to see if the stone had come yet and came home by Marburg. Dad. &amp; Enah drove Louise down to-night and went up to see how Aunty Maude came through her operation it was successful.</p> <p>Thursday October 12th</p> <p>We did chores this morning and I finished cleaning out and putting straw in the chicken house. This afternoon Dad. and I cut down the dead elm in the gully and sawed it up into logs that can be hauled up. When we came up we sawed up some wood. It has been a nice day but looks rainy.</p> <p>Friday October 13th</p> <p>We got up long before daylight this morning and although it was pouring rain Dad. and I went to the Caledonia Fair. It rained most of the day poured part of the time but was not cold. Although the show was a failure in one way as there was no crowd nor any races, there was a great show of cattle &amp; sheep and the absence of people made it easier to watch the judging. We hung around the sheep most of the day and bought a yearling ram for $140.00 from Shield's of Canfield. He took second prize over a $150.00 imported ram of Young's and the first prize ram was Lloyd Jones and a half-brother to Shield's. Mr. Douglas was there and introduced me to a Mr. McEwen from Brantford who says he is coming down to buy our ram lambs, so we had a satisfactory day of it</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Saturday October 14th</p> <p>We just did chores this morning and oiled the buggy and this after noon I got down town by soon after one and got Miss McQueen and Marjorie and went to Vittoria after chestnuts, we went up to Farrar's to try the woods that Helen Dunkin told me the big nuts were in. The woods are accross the road from the house and in front of them but two or three fields back, and there is a lane in to them. We drove Joe in the lane and tied her behind a clump of trees out of the wind and sight of the house. We trailed all through the woods which was nearly all chestnut trees but never found a nut but coming out we struck a little tree along the fence that was loaded and the burrs open. I climbed it and shook them all off and they picked up enough to satisfy them of big nuts very big ones. We then went up to Charlie Dunkin but he wasn't home, we tried a couple of other trees but didn't draw much in the way of nuts. I also took a couple of pictures and so did Marj. I didn't get home till nearly eight. Colder to-day.</p> <p>Sunday October 15th</p> <p>I went to church this morning but none of the rest did. Dad. Enah and the baby went out to Tupper's for dinner. Frank had to do Ben's chores but came down town for dinner. We three boys went to Aunty's for dinner I was in the drugstore all the after noon listening to Dr. Jolley expound his religion which is interesting though heterodoxy. At four o'clock when Bob. was relieved at the telephone by Golly Bob. Johnnie. Said. Davis, Pansy Fischer, Arlof McCarter &amp; I walked around the hill and I went to Aunty's for tea. Aunty &amp; I went to church to-night and afterwards I went home with Marj. who to my delight and surprise consented to go to the picture show on Tuesday with We had a new preacher to-day a Mr. Wright from Huron College. He wasn't bad till he got excited and then he went wild. To-night he was very much wrought up over some of Pastor Russel's literature which had been circulated about town during the after noon. It has been a lovely day</p> <p>Monday October 16th</p> <p>I took the crosscut saw over to Uncle Ward to sharpen and went on down and got him a file to do it. I then went back and cut the corn down at Aunty's and stayed there to dinner This after noon Dad. and I cut up some of the elm logs which he hauled up from the gully Saturday after noon, Enah went down town this after noon to get some thing's for Frank's birthday. Mild &amp; cloudy</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Tuesday October 17th</p> <p>It was too windy to do much this morning Dad. split wood and I painted the labels for my plots and put them in. The wind picked up Art's dray that we had out at the corner to mix the cement on for the anchor posts and blew it right out on the road, broke the cement post of below the ground and smashed Arts dray considerably. We went back and wired up the gully gate on the road. This after noon we had to haul stone for the road. We only got two loads hauled as we had to go down to Sam Law's and get his gravel box so were late getting to the car. Marj. &amp; I went to the picture show to-night. It has been much colder to-day and freezing hard to-night.</p> <p>Wednesday October 18th</p> <p>I was down at the car at half past seven this morning a half an hour before any of the teams came and got quite a lot of the stone shovelled out of the car. I worked in the car steadily till I got the one half all cleaned out but before I finished, they had dumped the other half and Willie Shand helped me clean it out. I went down to Aunty's to dinner and this after noon quit for a couple of hours to go up town with Bob Ross and then home with him to sell him a $12.00 ram. I then went out and worked till six on the road with the rest of them covering the stone with earth, they put it on the side road at the bottom of our big hill. This was Frank's 18th birthday he went to Simcoe Fair this after noon. Cold. They say Hammy Innes has deserted and about 30 more of the 133rd.</p> <p>Thursday October 19th</p> <p>We were all up early this morning awakened by whistles &amp; the fire bell but as it was raining hard and the fire didn't look very big none of us went down. Frank heard that it was one of the tugs either the "Two Friends" or the "Gambler" one was sunk and the other burned last night. It rained steadily all day not so hard towards evening as in the forenoon. We altered our plans a little about going to the Simcoe Fair and I cut strips of tar paper to put around the little trees to protect them from the mice and then after noon pasted pictures in my album. Tom was in for a long time this morning out of the rain but had to go out while it was pouring but Dad. covered him up with waterproofs.</p> <p>Friday October 20th</p> <p>I started to clean out the rest of the chicken house this morning but it rained all the after noon so we just sat around and read. Dad. went down this morning and took a nail out of his big colt's foot and Tupper brought old Pete in this after noon to have him lance an absess on his shoulder.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Saturday October 21st</p> <p>Dad. had to go up to Miss McCoy's this morning to tend to a cow. I drove him up and then went down town and got some stuff and called for him again. He did odd jobs this after noon and I continued to clean up the chicken house. Aunty was over to tea and she and Frank went down to-night. High wind last night. Cloudy &amp; cold wind to-day</p> <p>Sunday October 22nd</p> <p>Enah and I drove down to church this morning. Dick was over to dinner. He and I went down to the 3 o'clock car to see Hazen off and then I went down and fooled around the {dook?} with Wodyer all the after noon. Dad. went down to tea and church to-night. I did chores and then went down in time to meet church coming out, went for a short walk &amp; came home with Dad. Raw.</p> <p>Monday October 23rd</p> <p>Mr. McEwen came down this morning and bought the bunch of lambs &amp; the old one, he gave $100.00 for the 8. I drove him down to the radial at 11 o'clock and then went up and told Ham I had sold his ram but he didn't care if he can use ours. This after noon I drove up to Dunkin's to hurry him up with the pedigree's but I don't know whether it was much use. To-night Frank and I went down town to see about getting a car to ship our sheep in. Dad did odd jobs and started shingling the hen house. Young Ham came and got his ram and paid for him. Lovely day but cool.</p> <p>Tuesday October 24th</p> <p>I went down to the station agan this morning and found if we took the rams down to-morrow night, they would go out the next morning and not stay all night at Norwich, Dad. took Sam's waggon home and I shingled and this after noon helped Dad. move the binder over from the big barn and Dad. cleaned the barn all up. Art Quanbury wants us to thrash in the morning. Cloudy but much milder</p> <p>Wednesday October 25th</p> <p>Dad. was over at Art's thrashing this morning for an hour or two and then came back and cleaned up around the big barn. I shingled and this after noon we took the eight rams down and loaded them. McEwen came down from Brantford as he thought he wasn't going to get the old ram in time but it was all right. Clair Jackson died this morning. Cold, rained all the afternoon</p> <p>Thursday October 26th</p> <p>I was down town most of the morning on messages and this after</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>noon, I didn't do any thing but lie around my cold was so bad. Dad trimmed the ewes all up this morning and we put the ewe lambs in the orchard. Tommy Jackson was in and wants me to be pal bearer at Clair's funeral to-morrow. Enah went down town to wish Lila a happy birthday and got there just in time to meet Aunty Maude who came home with Ada on the five o'clock car. She also heard that 133rd leave for overseas tomorrow Aunty got a letter from Quint. Cold, cloudy and windy all day.</p> <p>Friday October 27th</p> <p>I didnt do any thing much this morning as it rained. This after noon we Dad. and I went down to Clair Jackson's funeral. When we came home we got the Shields ram which came on the eleven o'clock train. Aunty Alice was here to tea and Frank went down with her after tea and got his cobbling outfit from Eaton's. Nice afternoon</p> <p>Saturday October 28th</p> <p>Dad. and I spent the whole day cutting down the dead locust tree in front of Aunty's. It was a ticklish job and we were afraid of it going on the house but we managed to get it down without doing more than break a rafter in the wood-shed. It was a lovely day. Dad. &amp; I caught chickens most of the night.</p> <p>Sunday October 29th</p> <p>We all went to church this morning but Dad. &amp; the baby. I drove Aunty Alice up to the cemetry before church. Aunty was over to dinner. Marj. and I went for a long drive this after noon. Dad. went down to church to-night. I went down after church and paid a visit to the Moon's with Marj. Lovely day.</p> <p>Monday October 30th</p> <p>I forget what we did day by day since Monday as this is Friday and I have not written since. Frank is home from Ben Ivey's and Mr. Clark is doing things over there. Frank has been plowing most of the time and between him and Dad. they have kept the plow going pretty steadily, and if all is well will finish the wheat stubble this week. Frank planted his $5.00 worth of Golden Seal back in the woods on Monday and Dad. Mr. Fleming &amp; I worked on the road and finished Monday after noon. That night I went down to help Marj. and her colleagues decorate the Sunday school and on Tuesday night, Enah Frank and I went down to the Hallowe'en tea and had a great time. Dick and Dess were over Thursday night. This (Friday) morning Dad. went down to see the doctor about his throat. It is so sore he can hardly eat, sleep or speak. I have been getting my chickens ready for winter most of the week. It has been lovely weather most of the time.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Saturday November 11th</p> <p>Frank and I hooked Joe &amp; Queen to the waggon and went down and got his duck crate. When we got back we took Queen off and put Belle on and took the plow out to Evan's as he wanted it to fit the slide on that he made for us, he also sharpened a coulter. It was the old plow Dad. plowed all day with the other. Ham Thompson came over with his five ewes this after noon, and put them in with our {back?}. Cold wind but nice day.</p> <p>Sunday November 12th</p> <p>Frank and I went down to Sunday school &amp; church but none of the rest came down. Dick was over to dinner. I drove him down town this afternoon and then took Enah down to Uncle Ward's to see Aunty Maude. To-night I spent church hour with Marj. as I knew she had a bad cold and would be home and that the family would be at church. She wouldn't let me stay after eight so I sat in the bank with Clark for a couple of hours and called in to see Aunty on my way home. Cloudy and a raw cold wind all day.</p> <p>Monday November 13th</p> <p>Dad. plowed all day. I raked the lawn this morning. This after noon Frank and I took his ducks down to ship to Silverwoods also took the geese back to Al. Faulkner's all but one, Frank's share, and got some more of the locust wood at Auntys. Dad. went down to see Aunty to-night. Cold all day. Quite a snow storm this afternoon &amp; to-night.</p> <p>Tuesday November 14th</p> <p>The ground being covered with snow to-day Dad. didn't plow but we all moved the straw stack in so that we could let the cows in the yard. Cold, raw, cloudy, snowed a little.</p> <p>Wednesday November 15th</p> <p>Frank and I got our butter milk this morning and this after noon went down and got some chicken feed at the mill and went on down town. Dad. just did chores. I took my horn down to Harry Moon to-night to fix. It has been freezing all day in the shade &amp; cold enough for mid winter</p> <p>Thursday November 16th</p> <p>We just did chores to-day. Enah went down to her mother's this after noon and the baby and I drove after her during a heavy snow storm. Art Quanbury got his heifer this morning. It has been milder to-day, but snowed all night.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Friday November 17th</p> <p>We killed the squealing pig this morning. Just did chores this after noon. Bill Donald was in to ask Dad. &amp; Enah to perform at the opening concert of the new Shand's School-house. I went down town to-night to attend the meeting of the club that Clark told me but found that they couldn't get gas so called it off. I called on Cousin Clare, Marj. Mrs. Moon (Harry was in bed) and Aunty. I got my horn. Nice day but cold to-night.</p> <p>Saturday November 18th</p> <p>Frank and I went down with the sleighs and got the rest of the locust tree at Aunty's. This after noon Frank went down and did some odd jobs for Aunty and went down again to-night. I washed the name of the mail box and painted it (the box) fresh with aluminum enamel. Alex Jennison was after a ram. Softer to-day.</p> <p>Sunday November 19th</p> <p>Frank &amp; I went to Sunday school &amp; church. Enah drove down to church. Dick's cold too bad to come over. Dad. went down to see him. I went down town to-night saw Marj. for a little while Essie was at church and then went up to Huby's. Thawed all day snow nearly gone</p> <p>Monday November 20th</p> <p>Dad. plowed all day. Frank was down at Aunty's most of the day doing odd jobs. I did chores this morning and this after noon painted the name on one side of the mail box. Enah drove down town this after noon. The yearling hens have started laying. Aunty Alice came home to-night. Much milder</p> <p>Tuesday November 21st</p> <p>Dad. and the baby were down at Aunty's all morning banking up the house I finished painting the mail box. Dad. plowed this after noon &amp; Frank &amp; I fixed the barnyard fence. Frank Enah &amp; I went down to hear Mr. Fielding's lecture on Malay in the Sunday school to-night. Mild but freezing hard to-night.</p> <p>Wednesday November 22nd</p> <p>Frank and I went down to the factory this morning for the butter milk. This after noon he and Dad. moved some of the hay stack into the barn, and I cleaned up around the wood shed. Jack Martin came over and picked out six cockrels. Enah went down town to tea &amp; choir practice and I went down after her. Much milder to-day.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Thursday November 23rd</p> <p>It rained nearly all day. Ham &amp; Bert Thompson came over this morning and bought all the thin roosters at 12 1/2 cts. Frank and I took them down after dinner I got $9.38 for them. I stopped in at Jack Martin's on my way home and he paid me $18.07 for eggs &amp; cockrels. We picked three chickens in the shop this morning Harry Smith from the Lake Shore was in for about an hour to ask Dad about a sick cow.</p> <p>Friday November 24th</p> <p>Frank &amp; I went down town in the waggon this morning. I banked some money and sent Douglas a checkqe for my note. $84.80. Just did chores this after noon. Dad. cleaned ditches this morning and plowed this after noon Went down to the first meeting of the club to-night in Mrs. Belle's cottage. There was quite a crowd there both boys &amp; girls and we had a big time dancing &amp; picking up a row. High cold wind. Freezing</p> <p>Saturday November 25th</p> <p>Dad. banked up the house this morning and I dug up the border where the hedge was and protected the three tea roses Aunty was over to tea. Frank and I moved the bees in the colony house to-night. Frank went down town with Aunty &amp; Dad. &amp; I tested the pullets to-night. Freezing all day very cold night.</p> <p>Sunday November 26th</p> <p>Frank and I went to Sunday school and church and I went up to Huby's for dinner and telephoned to Charlie Dunkin for the number of his Beattie ram. Came home soon after dinner and did chores. Dad. went down to tea &amp; church. I went down to church and sat around the bank for awhile before I came home. Very windy but milder.</p> <p>Monday November 27th</p> <p>I spent most of the morning getting the sheep records ready and this after noon took them down and got a postal note for the fees and sent them off. Frank &amp; Dad. took up the barbed wire off the old fence along the road. To-night Enah Frank &amp; I went down to see "The Prince &amp; the Pauper" at the picture show It was very good. Very mild, not freezing to-night.</p> <p>Tuesday November 28th</p> <p>Rained all day but not hard. Frank &amp; I threw of the load of hay this morning Dad. packed his pork. This after noon he dug ditches and I cleared up the headland along the gully fence near the east of the fence. Enah went down town and got an old root of a tooth pulled out that has been bothering her. Read "The Lost World" by Conan Doyle till near mid-night</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Wednesday November 29th</p> <p>Frank and I went to the factory for butter milk this morning &amp; took Joe &amp; Queen Dad. finished plowing the field. This after noon Frank &amp; I went to the mill for some chicken feed, and then he &amp; Dad took Elgitha up to Ham's again. He has a new bull. It has been a nasty rainy day &amp; raining to-night.</p> <p>Thursday November 30th</p> <p>Dad &amp; Frank plowed in the plum orchard to-day but not at the same time, Dad. dug some more ditches. This after noon he went to Mrs. Fawcett's funeral. I did chores &amp; dug the sod off the border in front of the hedge border. To-night I went down town to get my hair cut but Corny was closed up it being Thursday. Cloudy &amp; raw.</p> <p>Friday November December 1st</p> <p>Frank finished plowing the plum orchard and he &amp; Dad. got started on the field back of the old barn. I worked around in front of the house most of the day. To--night I went down to the club. Fine day &amp; windy.</p> <p>Saturday December 2nd</p> <p>We got out early this morning and got a good day in plowing. I put manure on the roses &amp; beds in front of the house and this after noon helped Frank shingle on the cow stable roof while Dad. plowed. Lovely day, mild.</p> <p>Sunday December 3rd</p> <p>Frank and I went down to Sunday school &amp; church. Enah Dad. &amp; the baby stayed down at Aunty's to dinner. I drove down after dinner and Dad. took Aunty Alice up to the cemetry. I sat around the bank all the after noon &amp; went down to Aunty's for tea Aunty, Aunty Alice &amp; I went to church to-night.</p> <p>Monday December 4th</p> <p>Dad. &amp; Frank plowed all day between them, Frank and I cleaned some more ditches and shingled some more of the cow stable roof. It was a cloudy, drizzly day. Got word to-day that they want the Beattie ram's certificate at Ottawa.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Wednesday December 6th</p> <p>Went down alone after butter milk this morning Had to go slow as Joe lost a shoe yesterday. Didn't do much this after noon Went down to tea at the Barwell's to-night and Zeitha &amp; I went over our parts in the cantata and then went down to a rehearsal in the Sunday school. Dad plowed all day to-day &amp; yesterday. Cold wind but sunny.</p> <p>Thursday December 7th</p> <p>Dad. plowed all day. Enah and I went down town this morning and I got Joe's shoes set. Frank and I went down to a practice to-night in the Sunday school and then I went over to church after first going up to see letters from Quint &amp; Roy Dell at Huby's I didn't get to bed till two o'clock as I was fooling around with Joe &amp; the Dunkin girls.</p> <p>Friday December 8th</p> <p>Dad. got in a good day plowing to-day and is now finished all but the head-lands. Frank and I measured the field this morning &amp; found it had about {6?} acres in it. This after noon I took the baby down to Aunty's to stay all night and then got Marj. and Uncle Ward and brought them over to tea and we all went out to the opening of Shand's new school house and had a high time. Dick couldn't get over. It has been a lovely day but cloudy at times and rained to-night.</p> <p>Saturday December 9th</p> <p>Dad. and I had to go out and help move Harvey Shand's piano home from the school house but it was snowing early so we didn't go out very early and then had to wait till Harvey Shand got back from town but we helped the trustees clean up. We didn't get home till the middle of the after noon. Fozen up tight to-night very blustery.</p> <p>Sunday December 10th</p> <p>I went to Sunday school this morning and to church both times. Dick was over all the after noon as Dess is in Brantford. I went over to a Sunday school meeting to-night and then up to Miss Martin's and then up to the bank. Freezing hard to-night but nice day</p> <p>Monday December 11th</p> <p>Did chores this morning. This after noon got some stuff at the mill. Ham Thompson got his sheep and showed me how to bleed &amp; dry pick a chicken. Dad. went down and rustled some money to pay taxes.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Tuesday December 12th</p> <p>Dad &amp; I killed and picked the 9 cockrels left in the crate this morning and Frank took the pinfeathers out of them. I got some of them stuck in the brain alright but some I didn't. I went over to Quanbury's at noon and got them to telephone to Simcoe to see what prices were like but they weren't extra so I decided to ship them to Silverwood's. I spent most of the after noon cleaning the feet &amp; heads &amp; shaping them and had to go down to post a letter. Aunty Alice came over with me to tea. I went down after to a practice. Snowed a little to-day.</p> <p>Wednesday December 13th</p> <p>Frank and I packed up the chickens and shipped them to Silverwoods this morning. This after noon we went down to the factory and got the buttermilk. I went down to tea at Aunty Alice's to-night Marj. Win. Clark &amp; Dick were there. Got the first pullets egg to-day. Snowed enough to make sleighing.</p> <p>Thursday December 14th</p> <p>Put a fire in the shop &amp; Frank &amp; I started to oil the new harness this morning Dad. &amp; I went down this after noon and he put Aunty's cellar windows in. Frank kept on oiling harness but didn't finish Got a letter from Ottawa, they wanted more money for records. Went to practice to-night.</p> <p>December 31st Sunday.</p> <p>As I have neglected to write this for ovwer two weeks I will just summarize the principal happenings. I will begin with the weather as we have had more of it than any thing else and it has been different from any we have had at this time of the year since we came over here being one continual "spell" of cold weather since the 9th except for one day when it rained and took off a lot of snow. The rest of the time it has hardly been above freezing once although never I think has it been quite down to zero. The sleighing has been fine but the skating except for the last few days since the rain has been poor on account of the snow on the ice. We have been busy all the time but just at chores and small jobs I got my returns from Silverwood's promptly and got 20 cts a lb. for the chickens $8.40 for the 9. We have been looking for our sheep records very anxiously all this time and Dad wrote them at Ottawa a rather sharp letter on Monday and Thursday they came Friday Dad. got a very courteous reply to his letter saying they had been very busy. Friday Frank</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>and I took them up to McEwen, had dinner there and went on in to Brantford got some fire brick for the kitchen range at Buck's factory, saw Miss Batersby for a few minutes and got him on the 5 car. McEwen paid me $25.00. We sold four of our turkeys to people in town for 35 cts a lb. dressed One we had for Christmas dinner at Aunty's where all the family except Aunty Maude who stayed at Aunt Lucy's gathered Christmas night and they had a tree. It was a lovely day. Our concert came off and was voted a success by all both financially and otherwise. They took in over $50.00 from 20 &amp; 10 ct tickets. We are having an awful time trying to get chestnut coal. There is none in the country and some trouble with the railway congestion of freight at the lines prevent any from coming in. We borrowed a little from Quanbury's and Frank and I managed to get a box of big furnace coal the other day, but Dad. has to crack it up with the hammer and then it isn't as good. The war is still progressing. Germany has made peace proposals but with such an arrogant air and offering no suitable terms so they have been ignored by all the Allies Most people look for peace next year. We all got Quint's picture for Christmas.</p> </div> transcribed https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/e24bb5a9ccb28eb734a106a783df5844.pdf f5f6446cdbfe46278720af3311cf612f PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. {Inside front cover - blank} https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/72810acae10fa190c822fe03a6f2ec1f.pdf 74f7cb35bc39caaf834ff38e36af0c4a PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. {Blank page} https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/975d7901555d32cbe215868f932ef649.pdf d099b99838e4e410a32129aec7fec867 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Tuesday January 2nd Just did chores this morning and Frank and Dad cleaned out the hog pen and I cleaned out the first pen in the chicken house. Enah went down town this after noon and we didn’t do any thing much outside. Mr. & Mrs. Harvey Shand came in for a few minutes to ask me about shipping some live chickens to Silverwoods. To night Frank and I went down town to get our hair cut but as there was skating on the pond Frank went there and I went down to the station on a chance of seeing Marj. and she came home. I went up with her for a few minutes and when I got down town the barber shops were closed. I found Joe up in the pool room and made further arrangements concerning the dance Thursday night but it is so much milder to-night I am afraid the sleighing will be spoiled, in which case we won’t go. He & I both went home with Bob. and then I went down to Aunty’s they were all up at the Hardings' but left a note saying they would be back at ten so I sat down and went to sleep till they came home. There is a report around that Herb. Brooks, Sam George and Charlie Cawley were all killed the same day and before they had been in the trenches {illegible} but most people think it is false as there has been no word officialy. Wednesday January 3rd We tied Bobbie up again this morning and Dad filed down his {this sentence is incomplete} https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/1040f3977b62ef47f2fa6be624acef94.pdf 9f4e83a15a2f8781ed9c2ff47273b62d PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. so to-night I went down to go although I know I was getting a cold but I saw Joe and he said the dance had been cancelled on account of the roads so I went down to Aunty's for a few minutes and then started to go to the club but changed my mind and went in to see Zeitha, she and I had a game of chess which she beat and I got home a little before twelve feeling rotten with a cold. Very mild & soft. Winnie was over all the after noon and Frank went down with her and went skating Friday January 5th I felt pretty bad with my cold to-day and didn't get up till about nine o'clock and didn't do any thing in particular all day but as it rained nearly all day there wasn't much to do any way. It cleared up to-night and I went down to see Marj. for a little while Mrs Moon and Mrs. Misner were there. Mrs. Moon had a letter from Laura reading it aloud. She is at Malta now. I came back to Auntys and stayed all night. Miss Harding is staying there for a few days now Saturday January 6 I didn't get up till late this morning and had breakfast at Aunty's Dick and I went down and tried the creek after breakfast and it seemed pretty fair. I stopped in at Jack Martin's to see about getting some roosters and he said he would get some ready for Dad. & Frank to get as I expect to go to Guelph on Monday. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/1e3cb790ada3e99e1e734bd13f09b654.pdf 7671cdbb8153fb12c4141a2a87a293d2 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. {This is a repeat of the previous page.} https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/29a69dbda7d497d30515f91716b0b0ac.pdf 814cea384e1befbd45b0f678e7e53ede PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. {Toby's father picks up the diary writing} Monday, January 8th I was up at 4-45 this morning, and the others were up soon after to give Toby an early start for Guelph. Frank walked down with him and when he came home he told us that Tobe missed his car and went down to Aunties it was most provoking, however, I went down at noon to go to the station with {illegible?} and she told me that Tobe had gone on the 9 O'Clock car. Frank and I cut a little wood, (oak limbs) in the morning in the after noon we did little but chores. {Vie?} and Arthur were over this afternoon. Frank has gone skating tonight. Lovely day but windy. Tuesday, January 9th Frank and I put the partition in the old barn nothing of importance happened. Tom came for the cream. Frank has gone down to get his hair cut tonight. It has been mild and cloudy all day rained and snowed a little this morning https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/6637e0b7656bd880f9ba6003007257ab.pdf b1cf97762fbcd51def52286ce4609c80 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Friday, January 12th Frank and I hoped to get the last of the old trees down home cut to-day but did not manage it. It was so late when we got all the chores done we thought we would have an early dinner and go immediately after, but Art Quanbury came after me to look at his heifer then when we got down town we could not get a ladder. While we were there John H. McBride came to see me and we came home with him. Just as we had finished tea Guy Tuple came for me. This has been the coldest day so far this Winter 20° below, not so cold tonight. We had a fine letter from Tobe to day and the card we should have received on Tuesday. Frank feels miserable tonight lower back. Saturday, January 13th Frank is about all in. He did go over to Bens and fed the chickens but he feels pretty tough. I was doing chores most of the day. Hubert come over this afternoon with old Nig. We put him to sleep Hubert stayed to tea and he and the baby had https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/4f10db879050e77d5ff39d4cce3baae4.pdf 2067d40ff786a4093a047c4af52eaf45 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Monday, January 15, When I went out in the kitchen this morning I saw that the poor plants had caught it. They were frozen stiff. I went out as soon as I had the fires going well and fed everything. Frank said he thought he felt a little better and would get up as soon as it got a little warm. He has been better today walked over as far as Jack Martins to get the roosters but Jack did not have them ready and said to come at 3 O'Clock, so I went over and got a couple. It is not so cold tonight but cold enough. Tuesday, January 16th Nothing much to report today. Frank felt much better and did quite a lot of the chores. I went down home this morning for a few minutes. Mrs. Quanbury was over this after noon and Lloyd Ryerse was here this evening. It has been cold all day and is cold tonight. They are cutting ice we will have to get our ice house ready. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/8ae9fc4f33109a284c8e75e10fb4d0dc.pdf f4fd25c7a7c3e90f7acd249366b72b0a PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. was too bad to attempt to go down to the Reids the crazy things were expecting to go. Frank has gone down town tonight to tell them we cant get out of our lane. Dick came over about 5 O'Clock he expects to go to New York on Saturday he only stayed a little while as he wanted to get the snow {shovel} for Auntie before dark. {Toby's stepmother picks up the diary writing} Heard from Toby today He is having a good time altho' kept pretty busy. Friday, January 19th We got up a little earlier this morning as Frank wanted to go after the buttermilk. He got started about 12.30 and went by way of town to see if the coal was in and it was not so went on to the factory. He had not been gone long when Tom came with the buttermilk so Frank had his trip for nothing. If he had only known, he could have taken a load of ice to Lea Marshal as they were drawing that day but Tom had forgotten to tell us. Very cold. Saturday, Jan. 20th. I started Friday's diary for today as we did not get up any earlier yesterday but did today so Frank got off this morning at 9:30 instead of yesterday. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/f6f737388c33b1eb23ee420db56b9f44.pdf 0e57a327c39853f89ef4cf8b6d180be8 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. this morning and Dad, Tim and I went to church. There was no fire on account of the shortage of gas so Mr. Johnson, very wisely, omitted the sermon so we got home fairly early. Dad and Frank spent most of the afternoon doing chores. Dad went down town about 4.30 to shovel the snow for Aunty Alice so stayed for tea and I guess went to church. Cold and stormy all day. Mrs. Nells died yesterday {Toby's father picks up the diary writing} Monday, January 22nd I did not get up very early this morning as I did not sleep very well last night it blew so terribly that I could not sleep it rained very hard for a little while too then turned colder and put a crust of ice all over the snow. As soon as we had things fed Frank and I went down home in the sleighs, stopped at Jack Martins and got a crate to send some eggs in to Roy I cleaned the paths for the girls and then we came home as we could not get any ice as no one was there this forenoon it was too stormy I went down to the mail box as soon as Roy came and the first thing I saw was that Will Macdonald was https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/108a5de591e902c1e71d8d1784834695.pdf 7678cd69b9d8e26596e6e44c1d3ea7ba PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. and a bag of shorts, then down after Hattie. and baby. Charlie Butler was in to ask me about a horse that had been kicked and I gave him the certificate for his ram and his ear label. It has been a beautiful day. Thawing in the sun. Thursday, January 25th Frank and I were going to kill the crate fed chickens today. We did kill 4 but it has been a very rough day a regular blizzard, so we got very little done but the chores. The wind has died down and it is cold tonight. Friday, January 26th Frank and I cleaned out the box stalls this forenoon, hauling the manure out on the old garden. Harry Ansley was over to see if we would take his cow and calf for a month while he is away. It has been a cold day with a high west wind, tonight is clear, calm, and cold. Frank has gone down to the dance in the hall. Tim's cold is pretty bad. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/13a6ea0111eed845486a8340b1d42037.pdf 7c66a4479a88114c90c223d85cc4fabb PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. gave Loll a pair, sold one to cousin Clare a pair to Rev J.H. Johnson and the remaining 5 to Henderson. I gave the cows and calves a good oiling, after dinner Frank and I covered the ice with sawdust. It has been a very disagreeable day drizzling rain nearly all day and spoiling the sleighing. Tuesday, January 30th Did not get much done today but chores Hattie washed and baked bread, she and Frank went down town to see the Simcoe dramatic club perform. Tim and I kept house and went to bed early. It has been a beautiful day. Heard from Tobe. Wednesday, January 31st I drove down before breakfast, took Alice to the station and went around by Pickfords on my way home as Auntie told me he was very miserable. I asked Mrs Pickford if she would like me to take the doctor out and she seemed grateful for my offer https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/b7a6827e739dac3af854721217c40053.pdf 57e26f0f0d237e5cca845a57dec2b3be PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Friday, February 2nd Frank took a couple of sacks of grain to the mill this morning to have it chopped but did not wait for it, after dinner I went down to see how poor old Dave is, they seem to have very little hope for his recovery. I think this has been the coldest day yet there has been and is such a wind. I went in to Clares for a few minutes the gas was very poor and there was quite a skimming of ice in the tank in her cellar and the water pipes were freezing. Saturday, February 3rd When I got up this morning I found things in the pantry frozen up tight. I was afraid they would be suffering down home so I walked down at noon but they were comfortable. Frank went down this after noon. The wind still blows a gale and it is colder than get out. We have been able to keep pretty comfortable in spite of weather except at breakfast this morning it was outrageous cold. 28 eggs today. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/49cb9db139c0aca9ba1f65495cdd0f91.pdf e272d4e6ef97b446c819ca6dd12efa52 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. {Toby's stepmother takes up the diary writing} Thursday February. 8th Tobe did not arise very early this morning as he was very tired. He did not do much but rest <s>all</s> until about four o'clock. He then drove down town. It snowed pretty much all day but was not cold. Harry and Frank drove down after tea and brought Aunts Ida, Nese, and Alice over also {Mard?} Sovereign. The Shand family with Miss Grey arrived later and we spent the evening in music. Mr. Shand brought his violin and Charlie his mouth organ and an "Octo-something" I forget what he called it but it made sweet music all the same. It was about 1.30 a.m. when they left. Friday February 9th It was late when we got up this morning as none of us got to bed until after three o clock, so we did not have breakfast until 10 oclock. The boys went up to Mr. Cantelon’s and got a load of gravel then we had lunch. They have both gone down town to a dance in the town hall. It has been very cold all day today. Marjorie Clarke has the measles. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/c2ae134ee29531c17698c4c25a86a4e0.pdf d2db0efa18641cfcc65cdd14b31cc1d1 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. {Toby takes up the diary writing} business from A. to Z. Mr. Marcellus, his assistant was a younger man I think a graduate of the College and also very good natured with a pleasant manner. Between them they made the course very interesting for us with their lectures and general discussions. The lectures lasted from about 9 to 4 and before and after them we had to tend to incubators feed {pens?} of laying hens and bunches of fattening cockrels. Our incubators, all hatched about the same about {0° 9 %?} and they told us we had set a record for Short Course students for hatching At the end of the course we all had to kill and pluck our fattened birds. There were several evening lectures at the College and various subjects pertaining to Agriculture and I attended most of them. Other evenings I spent in different ways going to the show once, skating twice, often spending the time at the boarding house singing with my room mate Charlie Gray while Edna the landlady's daughter played for us. The last week I was up there I visited several of the sons-in law of the family and one night went to a country dance in a sleigh load composed of the church club of which Edna was a member The people were all very kindhearted and it did me good to be amongst them. I went from Guelph to Toronto when the course was over and went down with Hunter & Fred {Presant?}. I saw Fred again in Toronto and spent the best part of a day with him but https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/9d4452918b8a805a7e870ab0999b8e7d.pdf 4068addb7929e4107aac49819d25446b PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. season, and I told him I would see if I could get any one up here to handle him, as I would like very much to see one brought into this district. Aunty Alice and I got home on Wednesday night, after having a tedious journey and a long wait in Jarvis and I was very glad to get home. Frank and Dick met us at the station and Enah was down town and we drove home but upset in the lane, no one was hurt but Joe was frightened and broke the harness a little. The sky in the north-west was all aglow when we got in as that night the big Lithographing works in Simcoe burned down with a quarter of a million dollar loss Enah has written this up for the last few days since I got back as I have not got into the way of it yet, as she said we went to the old country dance in the town hall last night but I went first to see Marj. who has the measles - and then over to club. That was really enough for me as I have not been to bed before midnight for a week but I went on over to the dance and kept on my feet till about four o'clock then I sat down and began to feel sleepy so I came home and got to bed by five. Frank stayed till they wound up and got home about an hour later, consequently neither of us got up very early, however we managed to get another load of gravel hauled from Cantelon's and I took ten doz. eggs over to Jack Martin and he paid me 48. cts a dozen for them, three cts. over the market price. I went to bed early to-night. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/98e3f4aea2da0adb32c15fc8e12cc348.pdf a0b8dcf18bee946b33616c6df63c38e1 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. till after three, the train was so late. When we did get out Frank & I went down and got some groceries and 20 bags of cement which we didn't pay for, but we thought we would soon need it if we got making posts and {Clare?} Deal said the next lot they got in would be dearer and he didn't know how soon they would be getting any more. About 18° below zero last night and very cold all day. Tuesday February 13th Right after breakfast this morning Dad. Frank and I went over to Ben Ivey's and got a pretty good big load of rails. After dinner Frank and I went up and got another load of gravel. There were four other teams up there but we managed to get a load in a new place after one of the teams pulled out. it is getting almost to dangerous up there to take chances as the bank is undermined all around and is liable to fall in any time. We were working Harry & Nellie all day so to-night Frank took Joe & Belle to take a load to Jarvis to a dance. It was a sort of rotten night but he promised to take them. It is not so cold to-day but raw & blustery Wednesday February 14th Frank got home a little after six this morning and just changed his clothes and went to work without a wink of sleep, but was pretty drowsy at teatime and went right to bed after tea https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/4b94d0030ea0d7e9766d1942edf82434.pdf 5e68fc4fb931de5436b64b4fa0ae0036 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. she would get him to call up the Quanbury's to-night. I was there quite awhile talking to Charlie who is home again in bed with the quinzy. They also got playing the new Victrola for me. Winnie was over to tea and she and Frank have just gone down town Frank is going to Club if there is any. Pommers got caught in the wire fence this morning and cut his hind leg pretty badly and is very sore on it. Another lovely day but not enough wind to {power?} Friday Februrary 16th We took another load of manure down to Aunty's this after-noon. We didn't get it loaded till noon. Frank's throat was sore so he didn't stay out long. Aunty and Aunty Alice rode over as far as Mrs. Battersby's with us they were going to see Miss Phipps. I went down there to tea to-night and after tea went up town to see Marj. and then up to Huby's didn't get home till quite late very nasty blustery morning with a lot of snow but quite a nice mild after noon and night. Saturday February 17th Les Dunkin telephoned the Quanbury's that if I wanted to buy seed corn I would have to get it either yesterday morning or this morning. I went up this morning. I got two bushels of https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/6bb7e5a634f0abf861bc5c9f4c2de43f.pdf 88484ae6a080b1cf726a2b035353f568 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. and Frank had quite a bad cold. Aunty and Dick came over to dinner. While we were at dinner John Wess came over to get Dad to look at one of his mares, Mildred I think as she had taken a chill so Dad. and Frank went over with him and were gone most of the after noon. Elva, Said. Davis, Pansy Fischer and Mr. Bloodsworth all came over this after noon. While they were here Aunty and I went down town. I stayed down there for tea. Aunty Maude and Lila came in on their way home from Aunt Lucy's and they stayed to tea. None of us went to church. I went up to see Marj. but found that she had gone up to Miss Martin's for tea so I went up there and came home with her. Fram. Walker drove Aunty and me over this morning and informed us that they had a baby boy, his wife being at Mrs. Lawson's. They are very much grieved down home at the loss of their big black cat. He has been missing for two days and Jim. Mummery told Aunty this morning there was a cat down by the engine bridge, ran over. So I went down before tea to-night and identified him it was Tom all right. He had been cut right in two. He always was terrified of the train. On my way back there were a lot of kids sleigh riding down the hill in front of Ed's barn and accross the creek and one of them lent me his sleigh and I had a ride down the first one I've had down that hill for a long time. Beautiful day but colder to-night https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/c1da9e84d0fe785c5be1bcf0e85fdbad.pdf aa495e7a6cd1acbe37d1da2e795a5d4a PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Wednesday February 21st It is still to icy to take a team out so we have done nothing but chores all day and sit around the house a good part of the time. Lila came over this morning and was over most of the day as there is no school, they can't get any coal. Tom. was in this morning and took the butter milk can he also went up to the mill for us and got some chop and chicken feed. Will Wright was in this morning to see Dad. about a cow and came back after him to-night about six and Dad. went up with him. I cleaned the separator out this morning and we started separating the milk to-night as we get enough to make it worth while now that John's calf is gone. Enah and I went down to church to-night, it being Ash Wednesday After church I went with Marj. down to Bessie Patterson's and was there for the rest of the evening. Enah stayed to choir practice and then went down to Aunty's to wait for me. Sunny, freezing in shade. Thursday February 22nd Haven't done any thing much all day but choies and I cleaned out the chicken dropping boards this after noon. Took 8 doz. eggs over to Jack this morning. Alan Law and Tom brought the butter milk up and Alex Jameison was in for a long visit at noon. I sent in a list of sheep owners around here to the Live Stock Branch. Sunny and milder to-day. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/3dd823c3bb900989ab8a605814bc1e10.pdf edf8c2e81e906f3ddae578eeed3e312f PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Saturday February 24th I went out this morning and pruned the Northern Spy tree but as the wind kept getting stronger I didn't tackle another tree as it wasn't warm enough out there although sunny I then started to help Dad. clean out the pen in the sheep barn where John and her calf were. While we were at it Frank who had gone down town after some groceries came back with Aunty Alice so we didn't do much else while she was here but she went back soon after dinner. Frank got a three cornered file down town and has been sharpening all the saws and making a pretty good job of it too. Enah expected Zeitha over this afternoon to practice a song she is going to sing in Church to-morrow but she didn't come. She expects to go to the other side next week. Nice day but cloudy this after noon and much colder to-night Sunday February 25th Frank and I were too late getting up to get to Sunday school this morning but we went to church. We all intended to go as we thought Zeitha was going to sing but Dad. and the baby were too late. Enah got in about 11.30. Dad. Enah and the baby stayed down at Aunty's for dinner. {Dick?} also stayed there. Frank and I came home to do chores and had dinner alone. Frank went skating this after noon https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/6b886930cb223f71f099df958640d3f3.pdf be4727f4846503524dfa6986ec4c2f46 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. thinks it is high time Dick got a raise, as Dick himself is getting dissatisfied and would like to move some where else. Mr. Hobbes spoke as if he couldn't get along with out him and wouldn't hear of him being moved but said the financial condition of the bank was such that he couldn't expect more wages just now. He praised Dick up highly and said he had never had a bad report, but he doesn't seem to believe in telling Dick this. He, Dad, also got his hair cut and got home before me. I was talking to Ham. Thompson abput joining the Norfolk Fruitgrowers Association and he said if one of us came up and helped him spray he would lend us his spray outfitt. Zeitha was just leaving here when I got home so I said good bye to her. She is going on Wednesday to Philadelphia or near there. To-night I went down again and took Marj. to the picture show to se Mary {Pickford?} Tuesday February 27th I didn't do much this morning but wash out the incubators and get the lamps cleaned up. Dad. & Frank finished cleaning out the pen in the barn where John & her calf were. This after noon Dad. did up the chores while Frank and I got on a load of hay out of Preston's barn for Bob Ivey. Frank borrowed Art Quanbury's team to haul https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/17e02ac912d5e3837b083064677362ae.pdf 0dc953a485f6ae44e553ac2d020dd133 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. went up to Cousin Clare's to tea. To-night Aunty and I went to church where Aunty Alice Joined. Enah was also down and stayed to choir practice and I met her at Aunty's. Huby and Aunty Maude were down there. A very nice sunny day but sharp. Thursday March 1st I spent most of the morning getting the incubators in shape to start. I lit the lamps in both of them. Dad. went down to Aunty's for dinner as Aunty left to-night for Toronto. She is going down for a couple of weeks to celebrate Rebecca's birthday. I didn't do much this after noon but went down and prowled around in Dicky Steven's orchard for awhile. To-night we all went over to the Quanbury's as they have been inviting us for quite awhile to come over and hear their new Victrola. Just as we were coming out the lane we heard voices down the road and waited to see who it was. It turned out to be Dick & Dess who had been out for a walk and were coming to the farm but they came over with us to the Quanbury's but Dick had to leave before us as he promised Aunty Alice to stay down there to-night. It has been a very nice sunny day but with a raw wind. Friday March 2nd We haven't done much but chores to-day. Frank and I https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/71f27b75cbf3edc34822657a1e102c71.pdf 97a0c150b078711c57d38abb66d7f96d PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. some provisions. I killed and picked a young cockrel that was out there for dinner. Tonight Frank has gone down to stay all night with Aunty Alice. Nice sunny day. Sunday March 4th I didn't get chores done in time to get down to Sunday school but drove Enah down to church. Aunty Maude was in church and asked me to drive her over to Aunt Lucy's so I did and then came back and drove Aunt Ida over here while Frank & Aunty Alice walked over. Dick was over to dinner too. About four I drove Aunt Ida back down town and Aunty Alice walked. She said she would rather walk than drive. She stopped in at Uncle Wards on her way down and Aunty Maude came down with her. I let Aunty <s>Maude</s> Ida out at Allan's corner and took Aunty Maude in and drove her home. I drove in the buggy the roads are mostly pretty bare but icy in spots which made it hard for Josie as her shoes are smooth. I walked down to tea and went to church alone to-night. After chuch I went for a very short walk with Marjorie and then went up to see Cousin Loll. I called in at Aunty Alice's on my way home. Winnie was going to stay there all night. It has been getting much colder all day to-day and is snowing quite hard to-night with a strong north east wind. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/32a90699d752a97112a56672dd7c9594.pdf 328d59b3c3bf629542e7a112cbe0b6ca PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. {This is a repeat of the previous page} https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/c384d37da591377a11bbacda8f55b121.pdf 4e0ae2b788d52303fbc93e1929ef6dfa PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Tuesday March 6th We started to chop open the big barn doors going into the barnyard this morning so that we could get in with the sleigh to haul out the manure that was in Johns pen but when we got the doors opened we were interupted by Tommy Jackson who brought over his mare, the same one that Lorne had over last year, to have her teeth filed down. She was a very mean brute to handle and took all {illegible} of us She struck Dad. once in the head with her head and hurt his nose quite badly. Tommy thought our flock of sheep was improving in type. This after noon we loaded on the manure and Frank and I took it down to Aunty Alice's. When we got back Dad. & Frank put what little there was left in the pen on the sleigh and Dad. and I took it out to the old garden. We also hauled the hay for the horse stable and cows over with the Sleighs. Froze hard last night but sunny & mild to-day. Wednesday March 7th We cleaned out the sheep barn to-day. The first load we took down to Aunty Alice and the rest we put on the old garden. I think there were five loads altogether. We found the floor in very bad shape under it. In two or three places it went right through. Enah went down town https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/10e337c33b92e4499397054b3282b1b8.pdf 087b6188a54c12164b5f66073273eed7 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Friday March 9th Dad's tooth ached badly last night so after we got the chores done this morning he went down to have it out, so I went down with him in the cutter and took Mr. Hobbes his three old hens. I went down to Aunty Alice's and waited there for Dad. He didn't come for about two hours and I had my dinner down there, he had to wait but got his tooth pulled. It is sore to-night more from the stuff Bill injected than anything. Lila came over with us as there is no High school this after noon Mr. Barron having gone away. This after noon Frank and I went down to the mill and as they had some {corn?} in I got four bags of it. To-night Frank has gone down to Club. Enah and "Aunt Annie" went over to Mrs. Battersby this after noon. Ada. told Dad. this morning that Alan tells in his last letter home that he saw fifteen dead children, killed from eating poisoned candies which were dropped from a German Zeppelin flying over one of the small French towns behind the trenches. I don't know whether that convinced Dad. that the Germans are any thing short of savages compared with the Allies in their tactics or not, as he always refuses to believe any such stories {unless?} hear of them through other sources. It has been fairly sunny to-day but a cold raw wind all day. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/38bc5271d216db4de642db2aeff57f70.pdf 8a3e36190be51f0a002038e9596320f4 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. but we went to a recruiting meeting in the town hall after church. One returned soldier spoke and a chaplain and although there was nothing wrong with what they said, I think a good many people are getting sick of recruiting meetings as it seems as if the Government was wasting valuable time and money on them with very small results while if men are so urgently needed it would only take the scratch of a pen to enforce the Militia Act, and they would have all the men in the country to do as they needed with. Very mild and muddy. Monday March 12th Frank went over this morning to see Taylor and ask him about his bees. I tested out my eggs and only took 35 out of the big machine and 23 out of the other. The big one had 135 in it and the little one 63 so I thought that was pretty good. This after noon Dad. and Frank fixed up a pen for the lambing ewes in the barn. I didn't do anything in particular. Enah, "Aunt Annie" and the baby went calling To-night I went down to see Marj. for a little while and then down to Aunty Alice's where I ran into a small bridge party and incidentally a feast of cake and sandwiches. Cousin Clare. was going https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/14c07c28ab7ade90da50b328808078bd.pdf fa7d61f1164e55ad4a265bbb0ea52507 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Wednesday March 14th It snowed, rained and froze during the night and has been a miserable rainy fore noon, and although it did not rain after dinner. It has been dull and very windy with the wind off the lake. We just did chores this morning but this after noon Frank and I went down town with Harry and Belle and the waggon and I got some lumber to make a couple of chicken coops to put old hens with chickens in. To-night Enah and I went down to church and I walked up with Marj. and Miss Martin afterwards. Thursday March 15th I have spent most of the day working on one of my hen coops but did not finish, Dad. and the baby went down to Aunty Alice's to dinner so Frank and I did up the cow stables this afternoon. Enah went down to see Mr. and Mrs Alfred Ryerse this after noon. Windy and cloudy all day. Friday March 16th After I did chores this morning I worked at my chicken coop. Dad. lit a fire in the smoke house. Tom came in walking, and said he had been sick all week and that the butter milk can was still at the factory, so https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/6053a048fb8ac48a4c6923af8fff75dc.pdf ce1b9a8feaea78a551e88b269e6d6c0c PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Sunday March 18th I got ready to go to Sunday school this morning but as I saw I would be late I didn't go down but Enah and I walked down to church. Frank went down too but didn't go to Sunday school Dick came over with us to dinner but Aunty had a stiff neck so didn't come. I went down with Dick about four o'clock and went to Aunty's for tea. Cliff Lees was there all the after noon and they were all tired out listening to him. Aunty and I went to church to-night and after church Marj. and I walked up to Miss Martins. She lent me her "Mr. Britling see it through" which Aunty Alice has been going to get for me to read. Cloudy windy and raw. Monday March 19th Dad. and the baby went down to-day to help Aunty Alice clean up the garden. They were down there all day. Besides doing a few chores I took 10 doz. eggs over to Jack and worked a little more at my chicken coop. Frank had to go over to help Billy Mills put on and off a load of hay which Ben Ivey bought from Jack Martin. Ben sold all his own. Great war news to-day British and French have advanced on an 80 mile front to a distance in some places of 10 and 12 miles. I think though the Germans retired with out much fighting, but Bapaume is taken, and it must be a sign of the Germans weakening https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/150e9d67991ead7e637be022e3715323.pdf 5087ce3f50c16f066afc9371c8ab5463 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. to look at the wheat. It is very brown but it is not heavy and seems to be alive still. To-night Enah, Frank and I drove down to church and Frank went to the show afterwards. It has been a lovely day. We still have the sow that Colin Ryerse brought in here last night. It went past here in the after noon with a couple of fellows who were driving some stock down the road and we thought it belonged to them but Colin said it went into their place and the fellows didn't bother with it and as they were afraid it might hurt the sheep Colin chased it back up here, thinking may be it was old Gladys. She is a nice looking white sow & in good shape Thursday March 22nd This morning we did chores and I started to build another chicken coop. Frank is making a bird house to attract some blue martins to build as they are supposed to eat up house flys. We also took some pictures this morning one of the ram and one of Elgitha. This after noon Frank and Dad. went down home to cut the last of the locust trees in front of the house but I don't think they had much luck. I worked on my chicken coops and painted the one. Old Bill Roberts came in and claimed the lost sow. He said he would be after her to-morrow. It has been a beautiful, mild spring day. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/62e243b259cfb3f35be208ed011ba681.pdf a22190625507d0d5cb6c369896055913 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. and then Frank and I took Harry and Belle and went down and got some more. Frank got his flats which Emery cut out for him for making bee hive supers. This after noon we took the little chickens out of the incubator and put them up in the loft under the four hens, two of which acted as if they would be very good mothers and two were cross but we covered the latter up with horse blankets and are hoping they will be all right in the morning. We only got 60 chicks out of the incubator which was pretty poor but the hens only hatched four. We put the unhatched eggs from the hens in the incubator. After we got them tended to I took a walk down to Dicky Stevens orchard. Young Awde and Ferris were fishing on the point and had three little horned ace and the ice isn't out of the pond at all below Goosey. It has been a bright sunny day a little windy. Sunday March 25th On account of having the little chickens to tend to this morning I didn't get down to Sunday school but Drove Enah down to church. We took Belle as Joe had her eye all swelled up this morning. Frank went down to Sunday school and Dick and Aunty Alice were over to dinner. Dick went down town soon after dinner and Frank went with him Aunty Alice went down about four o'clock and https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/69652d3cf49d51407bad2c008a855f3b.pdf 99fddc05e1d42dae78040ad6e83488b8 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. we put the bobsleighs away in the barn. I took six more chickens out of the incubator and as two more were dead this morning I think that makes sixty eight I have now They are all under three hens. I cleaned out the machine and set it again right away with 140 eggs. Old Bill Roberts came at last to-day noon after his sow. She seemed perfectly willing to follow him home behind the buggy This after noon Dad. and Frank fixed a fence accross the yard this side of the plum orchard so that he could put his two bee hives out with out the old ram bothering them. They were all flying to-day. We put them out to-night. I worked on my chicken coop. Beautiful day, fairly hot. Lila was over after school to say that a man would be down home to-morrow noon to cut the telegraph wires so that they could fell the locust tree across the track, so they will have to go down. Tuesday March 27th The weather turned up side down during the night and has been cloudy, rainy, snowy, windy, muddy and rottenly raw all day. Dad. Frank and the baby went down in the waggon this morning in the midst of one of the heaviest showers to lay low the last of the locusts down home, and in spite of the weather, the man was there to cut the wires and https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/0ec28d4906288ee3757717aaf49aaf3f.pdf 18a03e06d859af93b2f6fb7ada9319d4 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Wednesday March 28th Frank went down early this morning to take a file to Uncle Ward to point up the crosscut saw, they left it there yesterday but Uncle Ward told me last night he had no file. Dad. and I took Frank's heifer up to Ham. Thompson's Ham wasn't home but we had a look at all the stock being showed around by old {Name?}. He entertained us by accounts of his experiences on big estates where stock was kept in the Old Country, but owing to his dialect I don't know which part of England it belonged to, we could only understand about half of it. It was getting near noon when we got home but Dad. went right down to help Frank saw up the locust tree. They were down all the after noon and when Dad. came home he had an awful headache but it was better after tea. I just did chores this after noon. There was no service to-night as Mr. Johnson thinks he is getting the measles. Tim has been busy all day making Jennie Millers out of plasticene and shooting them with his pop gun. Cloudy with raw wind all day. Thursday March 29th The Ben Ivey family is in the throes of moving, Ben having bought (so rumour <s>they</s> says) Cliff McBain's house over on https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/f8476402596922b6f06ae56fee7c6ebe.pdf dccb9865d71f33fac1b57a6d18a66ba0 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. and Sam. Butler's barn. Art Quanbury came through just before tea and said it had blown his barn about five feet back and racked it considerably, while his little 8 x 12 shack was turned completely over on its roof. To-day it has been sunny but raw and windy. Friday March 30th Frank has been helping Ben all day again and to-night I guess has him pretty well moved. Art Quanbury came in this morning before we had breakfast to see if he could get one of us to help him straighten his barn out so I told him I would go as soon as I could but as the first pair of lambs arrived this morning, and we had to trim the wool around the ewe's (Lop Ear's) bag it was pretty late when I got to Art's. However Tupper, {Trum?} Walker and John Quanbury were there and there wasn't much for me to do any way. I stood around and visited with them till noon and by that time they had the posts all jacked about plumb so we didn't have to go back this after noon I guess Art isn't going to try to move it back where it was This after noon Dad. and I took the black heifer up to Ham. Thompson's. Ham wasn't home. Winnie was over to tea and after tea Dad. and I walked down with her. Dad. {took?} https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/249bfefc35f314635da5407a265ecaaf.pdf 657947b39cd0bbab5dc92b0a949f2431 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. moved up to the farm but broke the doubletrees on the skid before we got it into place. Frank joined us about four o'clock and we got his pump up and broke the pipe off at the {sucker?} while we were at it. Charle Quanbury came home this morning Another lamb arrived late to-night No 4 ewe. Very mild to-night. Sunday <s>March</s> April 1st Frank and I went down to Sunday school this morning but as Mr. Johnson has the measles there was no church so Marjorie and I went for a walk up the beach.It was a lovely morning cloudy and foggy after the rain but very mild and spring like. Aunty and Frank went to the Presbyterian church. As Aunty was coming over to dinner I went down to the house and waited for her till church was out. It began to rain before she came and has kept it up steadily all the after noon and evening, but Aunty came over and went down just before tea. I went to sleep on the sofa for most of the after noon and read all evening. Enah was reading "Sudden Jim" out loud at the same time, so I got it and "Mr. Britling" a little mixed up. Another pair of lambs arrived about tea time to-night. One of the three year old ewes that has lost her tag. It has since transpired that she was No. 5. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/61a304e93ba25e81d6a390e2ca1742de.pdf 7cb64853f588f7b582c7aad834777585 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. well. She only had one. This after noon Dad. went down to Cooper's and I cleaned out the bay in the east end of the sheep barn while Frank fixed a place where we could let the ewes with the oldest lambs into it. Alan Law came in with the cream slip but didn't bring the cans back. As soon as Dad. got back I went down town to get my hair cut but as I didn't get down till nearly six I didn't go up town but had tea at Aunty's and went up right after tea, then I went up to see Marj. Dad. came down after tea to put their carpet down for them down home as they have started house cleaning. I took three more chicks out of the little machine to-day and set it again, one of the chicks died. Pickford was over this morning he wants Dad to go down and look at a lame horse he has down there. Mr. Duncan was also in this after noon and wants him to go up there to see a lame horse. It has been a very nice day and the mud is drying up fast. Wednesday April 4th Dad drove Enah and the baby down town this morning and went from there up to Duncan's. He got back about one o'clock and Enah and Tid were down all day. Frank and I pruned apple trees this morning. Dad. got a letter from Douglas to-day saying they were going to ship the heifer to-day, so Frank went right down after dinner to see if she came on the morning freight. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/a3c2a9ac22a38836fe0bb6528a8a1c7c.pdf 171b4673910f5be388ca276135ef3e04 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Thursday April 5th Dad. and I went down as soon as we got up this morning to get the heifer. We picked Frank up at Aunty Alice's, he had been at the dance all night but had his clothes changed They were up down there had had toast and coffee ready for us Dad. had some but I didn't feel very well so didn't partake. We got the heifer with out help or trouble and she came home like a lamb. We didn't put her in the cow stable as it is so boggy at the door but tied her in the bay. It began to rain soon after we got home and has kept it up all day steadily, Gus. came over to renew the insurance application and Frank and I thought as we couldn't do any thing else we would go fishing as Frank has been at me for the last two weeks to go. We put on old clothes and went down to Pickford's to borrow his net. He went with us and we went all the way down to Art. Ryerse's and fished up to the culvert. They held the net and I "rallied" as Pickford calls it, but we never got a bite. We saw one. We got home about noon and changed all our clothes and I had all the fishing I wanted I felt rotten as my old rubbers leaked so and I had to wade through the creek occasionally and the water was sickeningly cold. This after noon we went to sleep after reading the paper and I slept all the after noon. I spent the evening drawing. It was snowing to-night. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/d371fdeff295b873f308570d395f6d32.pdf eeb34180169435084f17edf99ab5bcd7 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. and added his testimony to Dad's advice on the favorability of turning out foundered pigs. Ham had a look at all the stock and was showing us his predigrees for his sheep and asking about them. It was about noon when he left. This after noon I started to rake up the rubbish under the old willow tree. Dad. and Frank did chores. Frank walked down to the mill and got a little chop and went down early to tea at Aunty Alices. It froze hard last night and although sunny it has been a cold windy day. Sunday April 8th Frank and I got an early start and went down to Sunday school and then to church. It being Easter Sunday there was a pretty good-sized congregation and we were rather late getting out, Dad. came down as far as Aunty's with the baby I guess he was too late to come to church and he waited there and went home with Enah, Dick went over with Frank but I stayed down town to dinner. After dinner Aubrey and I had a game of chess and then after Frank had come down again, Gladys, Aubrey, Frank and I went for a walk up the beach. Frank and I came home to tea but went down afterwards. Enah went down to church but we were too late. I went for. a walk with Marj. after church and went down to Aunty's for awhile before I came home with Enah and Frank https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/3370800551b72270d43e0b61badf80b0.pdf 0d24436c7c434f7173ab48c5c2b7e822 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Tuesday April 10th I didnt get up till after seven this morning, and didn't do much all morning. Aunty was here for breakfast but went down right after. Uncle Ward walked over and was here for a good part of the morning, he wanted to know what time Colin McNeillige's sale started this after noon. Aubrey Billings came over to dinner and this after noon he, Frank and I walked over to the sale and were there all the after noon, we didn't get anything I bid on the heavy set of harness but Jack King got it for 31 dollars. I got a ride home with Sam Law and the boys walked down the track. Frank went down town to-night but the rest of us went to bed early. It froze harder than ever last night but has not been quite so cold to-day but the wind was very raw. The paper to-day says the Canadians and British captured the Vimy ridge and gathered in about 6000 prisoners in a big offensive where they advanced two or three miles on a front of twelve miles. Wednesday April 11th This morning we moved all the little chickens out into the run this side of the plum orchard and it has been a lovely day for them Sunny and very mild. Dad. Enah and the baby all went down to Aunty's https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/307726d98bcc414cddd79d0443dc86e3.pdf 98a5fd99228114e7386a330faa3dc8b2 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. I went down to a party of Win's in Ada's ballroom. I was pretty late getting there and felt tired and sleepy when I left home, but got rather braced up down there. We had to say good bye to the Billing's to-night as they are going to-morrow morning, we were all very sorry to see them go. It looked very rainy early this morning but cleared off into a beautiful mild fore noon but this after noon it clouded up again and the wind veered to the north and got very cold and is freezing to-night. Friday April 13th Dad. got up early this morning and went down to see the Billings off. He had breakfast down there. We were rather late getting the chores done up but when we did we ear marked all the lambs and put the association number in the ears of last year's lambs. We were just going to mark the little lambs the way we did last year with lampblack and oil on their sides but Frank had been readin in Kleinheintz's book that they couldn't be too young to have the ear tags put in so we thought we would try it. It saves going over them twice and the lampblack and oil makes bad spots in the fleece but we hated to do it to the little fellows. We did the last five after dinner. About four o'clock https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/71b9832236ed7a9f84353cbed1b5f1df.pdf da9c0a6464294479f7eed733dfb11690 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. P.S. Mathew's came over this after noon and got Harry Ansley's cow and Mr. Bagley was over this morning and got a setting hen. a complete surprise. They caught Mr. Shand out in the barn cleaning up seed, he hadn't heard the first few rigs come in and he told Dad. that he had no idea there was going to be a funeral there to-day, that if they had given him any idea of it, he would have tried to have the corpse ready. Flossie said she had an awful time yesterday keeping enough stuff in the house for the occasion as they were supposed to have been all moved down town to-day. There were about sixty people there and they had a very nice time. Dad. had to make an after dinner speech and to play a game of six handed pedro but otherwise spoke as if he enjoyed himself. Frank and I did up the cow stables when we got through reading the paper which wasn't very early and then Frank went over to ask Ben Ivey about some rails, he said he would be right back but stayed to help Ben load his hog pen on to his dray. I went up to Ham Thompsons to ask him about getting spray material as I had a card to day from the Norfolk Fruit Grower's Ass'n saying their warehouse in Simcoe would only be open on certain days. Ham wasnt home having gone down to Bruce Ball's sale. Frank went down town to-night. The wind got around a little more to the west to-day but it has been cloudy and raw and is snowing quite hard to-night. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/1c478e9396a716ee5d8089dc016e9457.pdf cf4294c059477057e577f742ec252778 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. sowing clover seed on the wheat and got over the twelve acres. The wheat certainly looks sick but it is still alive. In a few places it was heaved and a few small patches killed out. Frank took Alfred's spear back to him this morning and went by way of the creek. He went up along Robert John's creek and came back along Charlie McQueens and got three or four more pike and some suckers so he presented Alfred with some of them. This after noon he made a cold frame for Enah to put her cabbage plants in, we will use the storm windows for the top. After I did up the cow stables I walked up to Ham Thompson's again. He said I would need a barrel of Lime Sulphur but that I should have ordered it beforehand so I got Art Quanbury to telephone up to-night to see if I could get it. Art. Pickford, Tupper and Jack Martin were all on the land to-day. Jack's men were drillng this after noon on the side hills. Frank thinks we can start to-morrow. Wind still in the north but milder. Tuesday April 17th Frank got out at seven with the team this morning and has been disking all day on the west half of the field east of the orchard. Dad. relieved him this after noon while he came in and looked through https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/e6ad07d75ae92bc8a7f18572c63f7752.pdf 6e11f1a0ca1031417da4e9ff1748919d PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. price it is. He got 12 1/2 cts for them, but I don't know what they weighed. This after noon I cleaned out the colony house and did a little clearing up around it. I want to put the last batch of chicks in it. Wind in south much milder. Wednesday April 18th Frank has worked on the land all day. He cross disking all morning and part of the after noon and then harrowed. About five Dad. took the drill out with Belle & Joe and drilled in all that was worked up. He sowed my three bushels of O.A.C. 72 oats on this side of the field and only sowed about two bushels of the others as he sowed mine thinly He sowed clover seed with the oats. This morning he and I treated 8 bushels of oats with formalin for smut, we spread it on the barn floor and sprinkled the grain. We also gave the sick lamb another dose of oil and some more injections but it was no good. She died this after noon. We also put three of the hens with chicks in the colony house. Huby was over for a few minutes this after noon. Very sunny and warm all day with a light thunder shower to-night which ought to do the wheat a lot of good if it doesn't get cold after it. Bill {George?} went past to-night just as the storm was coming up and as he said he could see "a bit at all" I lent him the lantern. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/014fba1d2939623db5366c9bce2e323a.pdf 00f5291d665010a40a6b0dadc4327a03 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Friday April 20th it rained another little shower this morning so we have done nothing on the land to-day. Frank went down to Aunty's again this morning and helped them down there in the garden nearly all day, he got home about four. Dad. and I did chores and Dad. finished the cold frame and this after noon he and Enah planted it out with tomato and cabbage plants. I spent most of the day raking up the lawn and looking after the little chickens. I went down town early this after noon to have Dr. Lemmon look at my tooth, the one he filled last has been aching a little the last few days, but he said there was nothing wrong with it unless I had caught a little cold in it. I had tea at Aunty's, Aunty Alice is tired out but delighted at the progress of her work in the garden. Tonight Marj. and I went to the picture show which was pretty poor, I thought. Tom brought back the lantern that Bill {Tearque?} borrowed the other night all shined up and a new globe in it. I guess it was never so clean before.Lila came over this after noon while I was down town to get a job for the summer and in that way earn her certificate at school. It is a rather poor idea I think but they are all going to try it and she of course was very excited with the expectation but I was very sorry to hear when I got home that Dad. had dashed cold water on her hopes and wouldn't give her https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/5b5aa639f591e52c723b6988cf5281be.pdf e065d459b3899a2c154789a014e21473 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Dad. cultivated with the Spring-tooth and the big team on the other half of the field east of the orchard this after noon Cloudy and a coolvbreeze to-day with a little drizzle this after noon. Sunday April 22nd I didn't get up this morning till half past seven although I thought I was getting up at half past six so I coudn't get things done in time to get down to Sunday school. Frank went down and I drove Enah down to church. Aunty came over with us after church and Cousin Clare walked over to dinner Dick was over too. Soon after dinner I drove Dick down town and then took Marj. and Miss Acheson (Kaufman's milliner) for a drive We went down the Lake Shore and up Mud Street. The rest of the family all went back to the gully and got some wild flowers except Frank who went down to the Ryerse's. It was six o'clock before I got home so by the time I got chores done it was too late to go to church but I went down after church and Marj. and I went up to Miss Martin's and got my lettuce seed. We also stopped it at Miss McQueen's for a few minutes. I called in at Aunty's on my way home and gave Aunty Alice a pinch of my lettuce seed. It has been a beautiful day although a little windy. They have had the town flag up to-day to commemorate the second anniversary of St. Julien. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/bd8167cc9e07588817f8f0e962c0d898.pdf 3525aad711f5b71a979119eec3f7ce59 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Wednesday April 25th Dad. and Frank worked both teams all day and Dad. finished drilling the field this morning. They got it harrowed over after the drill and the ditches run out Frank got nearly all over the six acre field west of the old garden with the disks and Dad. got it partly harrowed. I took twenty one chicks out of the little incubator this morning and put them under one of the old hens that was brooding part<s>s</s> of the last batch and gave her bunch to the other three hens. I didn't have a fresh setting hen but that worked all right. I set both incubators again with 220 eggs. I did chores and painted my second chicken coop as it was to windy to do much else. Very windy and cloudy with an intermittent drizzle all after noon. Thunder to-night Thursday April 26th It has been too wet to work on the land to-day, there was a heavy thunder storm last night and it has been drizzling every now and then to-day. This morning Frank and I went down in the waggon and got fifty tile for the ditch. I have been digging to drain the border on the east side of the lawn where I want to set out a hedge. I put https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/a4854fb769fc3279e07bb9d3bdde9234.pdf af80b60fa2b6eb382534d470f0e89352 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Friday April 27th Frank has been disking all day cross ways on the six acre field this side of the old garden and got nearly all over it. Dad. spent the morning working at the mud hole in the lane and got it pretty well filled up for the present He just used the wheelbarrow this morning and got all the earth he wanted right in the lane. I cleaned up some more of the lawn and burned the two big heaps of rubbish down on the road that were the accumulation of two years from down under the willow tree. This after noon I did chores and Dad. and I treated four more bags of oats, there is just one bag left untreated as we may not need to sow it and if it is treated we wouldn't want to feed it. I let the three hens loose that were in the colony house this after noon and chased all the chicks out doors but I am afraid it was too cold for them as I found two or three dead ones. I suppose they had got lost from the others. To-night I went down town to see Marj. She had just been down at Dr. Cooks and Mrs. Cook had told her that poor little Orin England was killed to-day out at Shand's school house when the old wall of the old school house fell on him. They were tearing it down and he was playing inside when it fell, they had left it to-day with just the two walls standing. I got my hair cut before I came home. Fine but a cold northwest wind. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/a854c5a21df838e740d9d77e8390a9c7.pdf 06bc4312e19a4de8b73ffc50512c8f12 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. over the report he had been able to make of the Easter vestry meeting which revealed an extraordinary improvement in the churches finances that he could not refrain from reading his report from the pulpit (I had been figuring on reading it during the sermon and for that reason had resisted the temptation to do so during the first lesson) and enlarging on every item. Aunty was very grieved that the subject should have been delivered from the pulpit as a sermon with a Biblical text as a title and so was I especially after the first half hour of it, for it seemed as if he couldn't come to a full stop. He commended the congregation for their loyalty to the church and their liberality in paying up. He held up John Walkers name as one worthy of the greatest honor and his generosity beyond words when he gave two nights proceeds at the picture show to the coffers of the church. Mrs. Jesse Thompson, we were led to believe, was a saint (I suppose in disguise) and I expect to see her next Sunday with a made-to-order halo from Eaton's, because she was the organizer and is the leader of that noble band of maidens the "Willing Workers" which provided the "caskets" for the choir. Dr. Cook and Mr. Hobbes deserved our deepest gratitude for the manner in which they had conducted themselves as wardens. Poor Mr. Hobbes hung his head in https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/cd55d27b6f2eb6b0afc8895a891b8f4a.pdf f900f6ee092f6f68a7bc3103605b005a PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Miss McQueen. It was drizzling when I started home so I went down and spent the night at Aunty's. Monday April 30th I got home this morning just as the family were at breakfast. Frank disked on the pea ground all morning and said it worked fine. Dad. trimmed up all the ewes and I spent the morning with him although I didn't do much to help. We also docked the two last lambs. This after noon Dad. and Frank went out to England's to Orin's funeral and Dad. took Enah and the baby down town and called for them on his way home. Enah wanted to practice a duet with Mr. Johnson. I sowed a few lbs of clover seed on the oats at the road end of the field as Dad. didn't have quite enough seed to go over it all when he drilled it. I also sowed about four lbs of rape seed on the plum orchard and I think I got it on a little too thick. Alan Law brought back the manure spreader. I gave Tom Abbot a setting of eggs to-night It is the only way I can pay him for hauling the butter milk. Art. Quanbury was in to-night to ask about his new lamb. Milder but cloudy Tuesday <s>April</s> May 1st Frank drove Dad. down to catch the nine o'clock car for Simcoe https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/f4ffa7691dcb09ec17c0176c8528648b.pdf 0743c79beacb6f9ead0c24109e786bf4 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. {This is a repeat of the previous page} https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/5afe738b2b689a1320e90b8dfc900945.pdf 245c803b5bfcb71d5da833517587e8db PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Bluffs for shelter. They made Dover harbor some time this after noon. They had been telephoning from here all day but couldn't get any trace of them. I suppose they went around the Point before day light and the Lifesaving crew didn't see them. Frank and I didn't get home till noon as we stopped in at Aunty's for awhile. This after noon we didn't do any thing but chores and sit around. Frank fixed or tried to fix his wheel. To-night I went down to see Marj. it being one of Essie's nights at the show and as it was nasty walking stayed down at Aunty's all night. Wednesday May 2nd I got up this morning before Aunty & Aunty Alice not knowing that they weren't up and sat around for about half an hour reading Beltane the Smith which I borrowed from Marj. last night. On<s>t</s> my way home I stopped in at the Quanburys and found Art. had fixed the post mould up yesterday afternoon and as he and Charlie were just ready to go up to Ben's to plow. (They are putting in stuff on shares) Charlie took the post mould home for me and gave me a ride with it. Bob Davis was in for a few minutes this morning, and said he hadn't sold his house so couldn't handle the Throughbred but if he was able to he would like to take him. Frank and I went over to John Wes's this morning to get a few final instructions https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/59578272c64512324a83ae8b8bc08100.pdf 3bf9904638b04a10a77e7095f30b2f0d PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. came back he made some more staples and straightened out a rod or two for the posts. Right after dinner Frank and I spread the manure on the old garden and Dad. came out and tried to plow it but he couldn't with the plow he had so he came up and tried to plow the headland of the pea ground along Ivey's fence but he couldn't work it either so he didn't get any plowed. Jim Bannister came in on his way home from his mail route to have Dad. look at his horse which had gone staggery this side of Art. Walker's and he had had to leave him at Bill Donald's and get Bill to drive him along the rest of the route. Fra k and I made another post this after noon. Sunny to-day but windy and cold. Friday May 4th Dad. plowed the headlands on the pea ground this morning Frank covered the garden back of the shop with manure out of the box stalls in the stable and I hammered out some more reinforcements and raked some of the earth into the trench where I dug the ditch. This after noon I harrowed the six acres north of the orchard where Dad sowed the oats last Saturday and which we never got harrowed again. It worked very nicely this after noon and I think most of the oats are covered now that the drill didn't cover. Frank finished disking the https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/daba830afb763583d97da46f3a1af464.pdf f2b2e184735dad4221f8f7c09c3e3a24 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. stayed down there to tea but went for a walk before tea down to the lake and up to Huby's. I found Huby planting potatoes. Cousin Clare was at Aunty's to tea. Aunty and I went to church to-night. After church Marj. and I walked up with Miss Martin. George Duncan came after Dad. this after noon to go and take a calf from a heifer but he got back before six. I don't know where Frank went to but I suppose back in the gully. It has not been much milder to-day and cloudy with an occasional drizzle. Monday May 7th Frank went down to Aunty's right after breakfast and has been down all day helping in the garden. He didn't get home till quite awhile after dark. Dad. has been ditching most of the day in the different fields. I spent the morning filling in the border bed along the chicken run fence with compost and earth. This after noon I levelled off the heap of clay in the drive house and made another fence post in there and mixed the cement on the floor of Billy's box stall. That took me about all the after noon. To-night I put the saddle on Queen and took her around the block. She went fine. Frank was telling us that Dave Low got a letter from Billy to-day from the hospital where he says he will have to be for three months. He said that he and young https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/efd3fa143d8beb84574bbe1cac2412a1.pdf e1a81ed334f6e0ed8b4907a68c1f18f5 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. and ploughed a couple of furrows to plant potatoes. It is such a rich piece of ground that he thought it would be a great place for the Irish Cobblers he got from Art Quanbury. He also started to plow the garden back of the shop where we want to put mangels. He got it about half plowed. The manure on it makes it hard as he has to stop every round and rake it into the furrow, it is pretty wet too. I took Queen for another ride to-night. I started to go down the mill hill but she was afraid to go through the bad mud hole so I didn't make her but rode her down to Aunty's and back. We painted pictures to-night. It has been a nice day but looks rainy. Froze last night. Wednesday May 9th Frank and I among a few chores got another cement post made this morning and Dad. finished plowing the garden. This after noon Frank disked on the pea ground till about four o'clock and then the rain drove him in. I got the cutter out and started to clean it and Dad. went back to see Charlie Quanbury who was working back in Ben Ivey's orchard to see if he could borrow Ben's little disks and put Belle and Queen on them. Charlie told him to hook on to Ben's springtooth so we harnessed the team but Alan Law came in to have Dad. look at old Ned's mouth and before we recovered from his attack Bob. Law https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/ffd3ff85e7432836d61415ac190e989c.pdf 20ef89ee9351f70231a831a68cad0780 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Friday May 11th Dad. harrowed and rolled the garden back of the shop this morning and this after noon went over my acre of alfalfa plot with the springtooth but he and Frank have worked the rest of the day on the pea ground and think it will be fit to drill to-morrow if all's well. Aunty and Aunty Alice came over about eleven o'clock and stayed to dinner and tea. Aunty Alice brought us over a pound of mangle seed half a pound each of red and yellow variety's so this after noon I went over and borrowed Quanburys seed drill and Aunty Alice and I sowed them all on the garden back of the shop we just had enough seed to go over it except for two rows of potatoes next the orchard fence which I planted this morning. They were Irish Cobblers. Aunty and Aunty Alice brought Frank and me each a dandy pair of gloves. Win. came over to tea to-night, she won a two dollar prize on her composition on "The High school boy & the labor shortage" that wasn't just the title but it was the subject. To-night Enah and Aunty and Aunty Alice went over to Mrs. Battersby's on their way home and Win and I went straight down town. I went in to see Marj. and as she had just got some trailing Arbutus from home we took a bunch of it down to Aunty. Billy Laings came into the Bagley's before we left with some chicken feed and we had to entertain him till Mrs. Bagley came home and relieved us. Billy was in a very {illegible} https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/e62997e01218f790e6920dd3244bebc5.pdf 8985383f56f6a565fbe87bd4cc742343 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Sunday May 13th Frank and I didn't get ready in<s>t</s> time to get to Sunday school this morning but we went down to church. Frank had to see Ben Ivey and as he was working over here we went around this way. Aunty came over with us for dinner. This after noon Dad. Dick and the baby went down to the gully. Frank went down to the Ryerse's and Enah, Aunty and I started down to look through the {Dicky?} Stevens orchard but we met Jim Waddle on the way out to the farm so Enah went back with him but Aunty and I went on and went all over the place. Jim Waddle and the girls were still here when we got back and when Aunty and I left for town. I went down with Aunty for tea and went to church with Aunty and Aunty Alice. Much warmer but breezy. Monday May 14th I was just getting ready to go to Ham's after the sprayer this morning when he and his man brought it down He said his trees were out too for now for the second spray so as he was coming down town any way he brought it down to us. We got the orchard and all the plum & cherry trees sprayed by about five o'clock this after noon. We used nearly two tanks of spray but didn't put the second on nearly as thick as the first. To-night my two year old heifer https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/bc1d5826331b424d021772aa41fa15c3.pdf 0c642fc90625803248f2595b859503cc PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. think it will last now. Before it broke every time after it had been in about a month. Karl Coleman came in while we were at it and helped us. He wanted to ask Dad. about a bloated lamb. I went over this morning and got some bone meal at Jack Martin's and Quanbury's seed drill to sow my alfalfa. After I got it Cawley and Chris both told me that Jack wanted to use it this after noon to sow mangels but he hadn't said anything to Quanbury's about it. Frank gave the acre a final harrowing and rolled it while I was gone and I started in to sow it before dinner. It took me till about five o'clock to get it done I got the three pounds on the acre but had to open the drill up to a larger hole for the last nine rows and I am a little afraid it didn't sow evenly. Dad. finished plowing the garden to-day and worked it up and ran out the ditches in the last drilled oat field and the pea ground. Frank and Enah started to sow the garden this after noon. I set out some dahlia and gladiolus to-night. Much warmer and very smoky. It looks like rain. Thursday May 17th Dad. and I took the four old hens which we put eightysix chicks out of the incubator under last night and put them in three coops in this end of the old hen house and in the other new coop outdoors. As soon as we got that done I went https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/45c2397f1d94a4ad7f089c88505ef88b.pdf d7c906c3551dd268e7b2a1566d3033d4 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. down town and Marj. and I went up to the Radial to meet Mrs. Bagley who has been at some missionary conference in St Cathrines for a week. Poor old Dr. Jolly died this morning. He had a stroke the night before last and got delirious and while trying to induce Mrs. Bell to let him go downstairs he fainted or had another stroke and fell backwards all the way downstairs. Saturday May 19th Frank went over to Evans this morning with the plow shear to have it sharpened and Dad. plowed while he was gone. When he came back he plowed and Dad. and I stretched the wire along the posts we put in yesterday. We just had John Wess little wire stretchers and had to pull to each post as we went along so didn't get it very tight. While we were at it a fellow came in and introduced himself as Mr. Ferguson and said he had our application for a drainage survey and had come to do it. So we went out with him before dinner. This after noon he and I did the job. We staked out the runways first and then he took the levels. He will send us a blueprint when he gets back to the O.A.C. The holes at the north end of the field will drain easily into the gully but we couldn't drain the ones this way without making an eight or ten feet https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/5d02572e8a455d3a0b8721a28f3b0160.pdf 052eb53e0a357426fdd5459fa5af441c PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Monday May 21st I was up at five o'clock this morning for a change but didn't get much done. About nine o'clock I drove Mr. Ferguson up to young Bobbie Leith's which was his next job and when I got home went over to Mrs. Battersbys and got some rhubarb and some flag roots, which I set out this after noon. I didn't do much but putter around this after noon one job being to get the hop poles put up. Dad. set out about a hundred cabbage plants this after noon and nearly froze as there was a cold rain. Frank set thirty three duck eggs in the little incubator to-day. I read "Beltane the Smith" till about one o'clock to-night. It has been cold with an east wind all day and steady rain all the after noon & to-night. Tuesday May 22nd Old Mr. Miller came after Dad. to-day before breakfast as his cow was sick so Dad. went up after breakfast. Just as he was going out of the lane George Duncan met him as he had a mare in trouble so Dad. was gone till noon. Frank and I made a cement post. Frank Ryerse was in to tell us the Government traction plow was at his place and to ask us if we wanted any plowing done but we are afraid our ground is too wet. This after noon we moved the three cement posts we had made out of the drive house and Frank and Dad. cut up some apple https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/290fbe102bcebafab7f6cd232838bc35.pdf af7dbb7adda9b2a01a11d183d034bb3c PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. town I ran across Harry Moon trying to put in a block of the pavement over his tile drain so I helped him till dark, then I met Bab. going up to Ben Ivey's with a telephone message so went up with her and then went down to Aunty's for awhile. It has been a miserable day. Cold, cloudy and drizzly also windy Thursday May 24th {Sketch of a Union Jack flag} It has been a rotten day. Cold windy and drizzling rain most of the time. We puttered around all morning. Frank started to clean out the shop and I took some eggs over to Jack Martin and he paid me Dad. has been digging ditches all day and feels about as blue as a sick fish over the weather. Right after dinner Frank and I made another cement post and then I went down to Miss Martin's to get my hollyhocks, she gave a baket full of stuff, besides hollyhocks were asters, snapdragons, nicotina and a few seedling dahlias. I set most of them out when I got home I stopped in at Aunty's for a few minutes on my way home. Although there were a few fishers went down the road to-day according to the annual custom, they were very few and the old creek was not bristling with fish poles from Art. Ryerse's to Coleman's point as it would have been if it had been a sunny day as it generally is. Hollie's ad. in the "Maple Leaf" is changed again. It is now "Wanted - Boys under 81 to make themselves generally useless about the fish house" https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/a45c41c69675f5490b87a7341b9f3c16.pdf 9a4ba95108ac34b8ca7249a69670a5ce PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. out to the plum orchard. Dad. then drove Enah and the baby down town and got back about six while Frank and I planted a few onion sets and a few potatoes in the old garden besides making afew observations on the actions of an old bee who appeared to be blind in one eye and to weak to fly and on a pair of humming birds out in the current bushes in the old garden. Frank went down town after tea. Winnie and Olive Ward were over this after noon to tell me that Mrs. Smythe had invited Aunty <s>herself</s> Winnie and me out there to dinner to-morrow but I said I couldn't go so maybe Frank will go instead. It has been sunny and warm all day but rained a little to-night. Sunday May 27th Frank and I went down for Sunday school this morning but as it was after ten when we got to Main St. we went down to the lake instead and circled around in time for church Dad. Enah and the baby came down to church. Dad. expected to hear Mr. Browne preach but Mr. Johnson announced that he would preach to-night. It was raining when we got out of church so Frank Aunty and Win didn't go to the Smythe's as they had intended (They were going up on the radial) but Frank and Win stayed down at Aunty's to dinner. Dick was over here when we got home. Dad had to go out to Charlie Teiple's to see a colt this after noon and https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/6857e0fb6c19ed232682886d57b8eafc.pdf 38f7e2b496fadf5650356c71e6e8dbdc PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Tuesday May 29th We started on the rest of the sheep this morning alone and the first one seemed too wet to shear. Dad let them all out for a few minutes last night and the first thing they did was to go across the ditch and it was too swollen for the planks to go over it so consequently a good many of them got in. However we caught a drier one and I had it nearly sheared when Art. came. I didn't make a very good job of it as I didn't have the knives tight enough. About eleven o'clock I went down town to get some coal oil and on up to the mill for flour and chicken feed. The hill down here at Preston's where they have put the big stones is so bad I had to go both ways by town and was so delayed that I didn't get home till after one. Billy Mills stopped me to ask about Ben Ivey's line fences as Jack is going to turn cattle back there in Ben's gully. Cawley stopped me to ask about the same thing Uncle Ward nailed me and I had to go down to Aunty's. Aunty Alice is going to Toronto in the morning. Art. left at eleven o'clock and we finished the sheep at four o'clock this after noon. I sheared the last one, so we all are pretty fair at the job now. Counting the tags we had 195 lbs of wool taking the aggregate of the individual fleece weighs according to the spring scales. To-night I went down to Aunty Alice's with some eggs and cream for Roy. Raining this morning but cleared off with fine day, warmer. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/e3f0f5e90e9362f1a760a3d31f294be3.pdf 8ae9bc54bb80cb3e8f0192b6f47b66f9 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. business and how Ansley through mismanagement was losing thousands of dollars, for Frank contended that it was just as easy to make money as it was to lose it. He also informed us that Ansley was the best man to work for that ever lived. To-night I went down to church and went up to Huby's for awhile. I telephoned Ham Thompson from there to see if the car for the wool was at the L.E. & N. siding and he said it was but that he hadn't been able to get Neff all day to find out for sure if we should ship to-morrow. Edmond England wants to ship with us but hasn't sheared yet and he thought it wouldn't matter for a day or two. I came home around by the L.E. & N. station but the agent had left so I didn't find out any more. It has been hot and sultry Looks very rainy Thursday May 31st Frank went down this morning to tell Art. Ryerse that the car was there to ship the wool and while he was gone Dad. and I sewed up the wool sack and put the tags on it. Young Jack Maxwell came over to get Dad. to go over to <s>John</s> Robert John's to look after a cow. He said he had been working over there all Spring and that poor old Robert John is just about dead. Art. & Lloyd came back with Frank with their wool and scales and they weighed our wool and took it down to the car. Frank and I https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/f05c7471148063bc3803113d9c176428.pdf 83262e9357c7bebafe825ff2b306e189 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. did not break under the jaw. Dad. calls it bastard strangles. We stayed long enough for him to have a good look at Queen as the object of our trip was partly to try to sell her. We went from there on down to Jimmy Horn's and took them the pedigree for the ram they got last fall. We were there about an hour as Dad. wanted to have a talk to the old man. While we were gone Frank went down to Art. Ryerse's and paid him for the freight on the wool as Art lent us the money yesterday. He also made a bee hive out of a nail keg to put up in the gully to see if he can catch another swarm and he put the supers on his two hives up here and got stung once. This after noon we made another post but didn't get much else done Dad. did some plastering in the kitchen Enah is house cleaning. To-night I went down town to see Marj. for a little while. Roy came to-night on the seven o'clock car from Simcoe, he was up there on business and will stay here till Sunday night any way. Aunty Alice with Vernon and Rebecca came up on the early Grand Trunk train and got here soon after Roy. Warm & breezy. Saturday June 2nd Dad. and the baby drove down town this morning and were down all day. Dad. has been promising Aunty to go down for a long time to fix up her bay window bed and trim the walk https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/326c9ec42c842666d3706e96fcfda173.pdf 7559d9c675ffc2e164560ee7848c820d PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Dick and Dess came over to see the little pigs. Not long after that Dad. Enah and the baby drove home and Aunty and Roy came over to tea Rebecca having come with Dad. Dick and Dess didn't stay long. To-night I went down town but none of us went to church to-night. I went up to Miss. Martin's where I found Marj. & Mr. & Mrs. McQueen. They had been in Grimsby all day and had come back on the seven o'clock car. They had intended going down with Jack Walker but it was such a nasty morning Jack didn't go so they went by radial and had a fine after noon. They went down principally to see peach blossoms but they weren't out yet and the cherry & apples were gone but they had a good time. I stopped in at Auntys for an hour or so on my way home. Rainy & very windy this morning but lovely by evening. Monday June 4th After I did chores this morning I planted out some gladioli and some mignonette & Hollyhock seed. Aunty gave me the seeds and the hollyhocks were grown at Mt. Vernon and supposed to be some thing extra. Bert Thompson came over with a yearling heifer which he turned out here to pasture. I put in the rest of the day spudding thistles in the oats. Frank was down town getting Joe shod this morning and when he came back he cultivated mangels with the "Buko" as Aunty Alice calls the https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/88b3b565ee32d1861b6e89e625576603.pdf 5e683ac978fc3ef6396d7ac66b5dad7f PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. much higher. Frank and I made a cement post this morning and Dad. did some more work at the culvert in the lane before the rain. This after noon Dad. and Frank fixed up the wire fence around the barnyard and put a barbed wire on the top of it and through the middle of it. I spent the after noon hunting up data in my diarys where with to make a herd record. About five I went back to the gully after the cows but I only got the three we milk and the calves. Daisy May was up having had a red bull calf this morning. They took Jack Martin's young stock back to Ben Ivey's gully this after noon and as they were right down with our cattle along the lane fence Dad. was afraid our cattle would break through our old barbed wire so I went back again to get the rest of them. I had an old rubber coat on but I got soaked as I was back in part of the heavy storm. Thursday June 7th Frank, Enah, the baby and I went down town this morning in the waggon this morning, we took our lumber for the harness cupboard doors back down to Emery to change it for stuff that would not waste but Emery told Frank that for making doors with matched lumber it didn't matter about short pieces being put in without any thing to nail to as long as they weren't https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/b71e1ae5f68c3febaa4c4de5eb026c98.pdf ba14073b9dc6712f6eae321fd09560dc PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Saturday June 9th Frank and I went down to Aunty's as soon as we could get started this morning and got the grass that old Reed cut out in front on the road and we cut a lot more and brought it home in the waggon box for the horses. It was after eleven when we got home so I started to cut the lawn and finished it after dinner Frank helped Dad. (who has been working at the mudhole in the lane all day) till I got through with the lawn and then he and I went back and stretched a barbed wire along John Wess' line from the wheat to within a panel and a half of the little block of woods. We then came up and went over to the stump for a swim. It was the first of the season for us and I found the water pretty cold, so didn't stay in long. Dad. had a bad headache and felt sick just before tea to-night. Frank went down town to-night. It has been a very hot and sultry day. Sunday June 10th Frank and I started out for Sunday school but Frank saw Ben Ivey and wanted to see him so by the time he left there we were too late. We picked Dick up at the bank and we all three went to church and got nicely settled in the back seat when Aunty Alice came in and made us go up to the front. After church Mrs. Johnson invited me over there to dinner with Marj. and some young Omstead who is a Hamilton https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/0552c230af1e6c94f4d1c1ec0ae934c7.pdf 70922bee8933a3232cad2b24c627ff9d PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Alice and came back after dinner. Enah and the baby went down with him and he left them at Mrs. Woodson's on his way back as she arrived here Saturday. I spudded thistles in the peas this morning, there are not many of them but they are in one or two patches through the field. Dad. ditched and went back to see if Ivey's line fence in the gully was alright. He went out and gathered up the coils of barbed wire along the road and as Tom was just coming back with the cream can while he was out there he brought them up for him. Dad. and I had our lunch alone and after in we went back with a couple of coils of barbed wire and finished stretching it on John Wess' line, we also put in a post along the fence between the wheat and pasture field Dad. turned the cattle in on that field this morning. It was about half past four when we got back to the house but as Frank was home and had things ready he and I made another post. Ham Thompson was in to-night to get some lime sulphur and told me he wanted to spray to-morrow. Fine and hot to-day. Tuesday June 12th I went up to Ham's about half past seven this morning and was up there till the middle of the after noon and we got all over the orchard both sides The wind wasn't very strong but we didn't make https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/3867081ae244f76c095711dc801dfbcd.pdf 542f3c62a7e29df2b377347a24bff44d PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Wednesday June 13th We sprayed what we could of the orchard this morning and as it was rather late when we got every thing ready we didn't finish till nearly noon. The wind was a little too strong to go all around the tree but we got most of the blossoms I think but if it changes in a day or two we will go over them again. This after noon Dad. had to go up to George Duncan's raising and he got back in as I was finishing milking. Frank and I spent most of the after noon fixing Jack Martin's and Ben Ivey's fence along the road so that the lambs couldn't get in. We fixed their's instead of our own so that the lambs can pasture on the road. We drove in a lot of stakes and stapled the bottom wire of the fence to the stakes and also banked sod up in several places so that the little fellows can't push under. When we got through we went through the mangels with Belle and the cultivator and also took it out to the old garden but there wasn't much stuff up enough out there to do anything. Jonas was in to-night and got a setting of eggs. Very hot day. Thunder storm to-night. Thursday June 14th Frank and I cut a bushel of seed potatoes this morning https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/76444e09608d2f436d45ac39322de401.pdf c48e7597a0f81c3c3d7cc50a092f7533 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. didn't try to come up it but went home around by town and it was after twelve when we got home. We didn't do much else this after noon but set out 100 tomato plants which took just about all there were in the cold frame. I went down town to-night and after going up to see Marj. for a little while I went down to Aunty's where there was a little party going on in honor of Mr. & Mrs. Gordon who are here at Mrs. Skey's. It has been cold again to-day and cloudy this after noon. Looks rainy Saturday June 16th Frank has been over at Ben's all day helping him get his tomato plants out. He has had two or three men from the greenhouse and Bob. Leitch's team in the fore noon but didn't get them quite all out He had to work the land up as he went along. I drove Enah down town to get some provisions, right after breakfast and when we got back I went through the mangels with the Buko. up close to the row's. I got them all done by noon. This after noon I cut all the lawn and took some eggs over to Jack Dad. spent the day hoeing his potatoes and working in his garden back of the old barn. George Clark and Booze were over with Barwell's dog this after noon he got run over yesterday and is in pretty bad shape but Dad. told him he might pull through. Frank went down town to-night. It has been another cold day but a little more sun. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/206266d6405caf8d2c51e2d323706940.pdf e0ca53bf882e4b10eaf97f6d614b471d PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. and although the storms all went over or around us we got just enough of them to drive us in but not to wet much We were entertained for about half an hour right after breakfast by Jack Robinson who came in to get a long tooth of his mare's filed down. He was giving us glowing accounts of the time he had in Saskatchewan last summer on "the boy's" ranch. When he left we all went out to the old garden to work at least all the rest but me and I started in to Bako the alfalfa but the rain drove us in and we didn't do much else but putter around before dinner. This after noon we tried it again but with the same results however we did get quite a little bit done. After tea Dad. and I hooked Queen up to the cart and I drove her down town and around the block, she went fine. While we were hooking her up she backed up and one wheel of the cart took the corner off our last cement post. It wasn't a very good one anyway and it was the thirteenth post made Tuesday June 19th I have been "Bukoing" alfalfa all day but am only about half way over the plot. The ground is pretty hard and the alfalfa very small so it is quite a job. Frank and Dad. finished hoeing the potatoes this morning and this after noon cultivated every thing they could with Belle. Frank half soled a pair of his boots before tea. It has been sunny and hot all day and a thunder storm to-night but not much rain https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/5cc4b2cd145df25160b9f4d3a10d1d98.pdf dde496f91c7214da18ff7bdb6b72d374 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. This after noon we started to haul manure on the corn ground but owing to delays only got out three loads. Frank did the driving and had Belle for third horse and as she hasn't been doing any thing lately was balky and caused a lot of trouble. Then Billy Mills was in for a long time. He brought our disks back and borrowed our corn marker. I didn't help Dad. and Frank much but hoed in my alfalfa most of the after noon. To-night Dad. & Enah went down to a party at Aunty Alice's and Frank and I watched Tid. They were very late getting started as they had to wait till he went to sleep and as he had slept all the after noon he was in no hurry about it. Frank went in and lay on the bed beside him and I read all I could find in the "Globe" on the conscription debate and then went to sleep in the chair. Sunny but cool breeze. Thursday June 21st Dad. and Frank have hauled manure all day and I have hoed alfalfa. The ground is very hard in spots which makes it a slow and tedious job but the hoe does much better work now that the Buko, in fact the latter wouldn't work at all in some of the hard spots. We let the sheep in for about an hour to-day at noon on the oats in the plum orchard. One of the old turkey hens has reappeared and has been wandering about the yard here for the last two days. We don't know https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/f613ff00a0e28a5acd3c2176b1f81c9c.pdf b86ae02bfe625789bcae92f3e304aa74 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Saturday June 23rd Dad. and Frank hauled manure this morning but didn't get so many out as they were cleaning out the box stall. The last load they put around the tomato plants in the old garden. I cut lawn till about eleven and then went and helped them get the hay out of the lane that Frank cut the other day. Just before dinner it commenced to rain and kept it up pretty much all the after noon. It was a nice gentle rain and will do a lot of good as the ground was getting pretty well baked after the heavy rains of a week ago. Frank and I made another post this after noon but didn't do much else and Dad. chored around. Frank and I went down town to-night and I got my hair cut. I took some eggs over to Jack. Sunday June 24th By the time Frank and I got chores done and got through monkeying around among other things looking at the marten's nests in the bird house, (there are three of them) it was too late to go to Sunday school but we went down to church. Dick and Aunty came over to dinner. Dick and Frank went down soon after dinner and Dad. drove Aunty down about four. Enah and I had a piano and horn concert and I went down to Aunty's to tea. Aunty Alice and I went to church to-night. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/b0e8f9ec158981073fedfc0f62ba448e.pdf 1094832c3e825783196dc207f9cf0577 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. and then it was most decidely wet as we had a very heavy thunder storm and it was rainy and sunny by turns all day. Frank and I didn't know whether to go down and get a load of slabs an run chances of getting wet or whether to stay home and make a post so we wound up by doing neither. Charlie Shand was in to tell us they were going to do road work next week, he had to go on over to Martin's, Quanbury's and Fleming's so I rode around with him and asked Jack Martin if I could ship my eggs with his and he said I could. I went down town to-night and had some strawberries at Miss Martin's. Wednesday June 27th Frank and I hauled two loads of slabs to-day one this morning and one this after noon, they were really only half loads as Hawey was charging two dollars a load and we thought we couldn't haul a big enough load for a whole one. When we came back this after noon we made another post. Kathleen Millman and her two friends Eva Williams or {Tow?} and Miss Kirtland were over this morning, they are here for a week staying at the Moon's. Dad. was up at Ham. Thompson's all morning with Daisy May looking at Hams. crops and stock. Dad. says he thinks he has a good crop of peas but they are not a patch on our Market. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/c3f5ee24cbf5ecf3052f2579e38667db.pdf b0fb22a4e876d12be64ebea32d3e69bd PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Friday June 29th I woke up about four this morning and heard the water running in on the kitchen floor like the water out of a spout so got up and put a pan under it and banged my eye on the door while I was at it. About six Dad. came and called Frank to go after the cows, he had been back to the end of the lane but the gully was flooded so he didn't go down. Frank put on part of a bathing suit and got them he had to wade in water up to his waist. It must have been a terrific rain but it cleared up early and has been windy and sunny all day and by to-night is pretty well dried off. Dad. Enah and the baby went down town this morning and have been gone all day. Dad was going up to see Mrs. Miller to see if he could sell John, Old Miller was down to-night but didn't say what he thought about her. Frank and I made a post this morning and this after noon after spudding the thistles in the oats on the knoll by the old well, we went back to look at the ginseng and Golden Seal. The old ginseng root was dead but Frank located three seedlings. His Golden Seal looks fine. The wheat is just coming in head and looks pretty tough some of it is no good at all, but the hay has picked up quite a lot. I went down to tea at Aunty's to-night and went down to the station to help Marj. meet Glad Law, but she didn't come. We saw the three girls down there https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/63002af8ee59952a74465a5a7f096f3f.pdf cc10a6f3a397bdcb5feb6125e75346e1 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Sunday July 1st It rained very hard again during the night and has been raining pretty much all day but cleared up enough for us all to get to church. As this is Canada's fiftieth birthday Mr. Johnson had a sermon or at least a compilation of historical facts and statistical figures supposed to be suitable to the occasion but as some of them were incorrect and the rest uninteresting no one seemed to appreciate it as being the proper celebration of the jubilee Dominion day. Dad. Enah and Tim. stayed down at Aunty's to dinner and Frank, Dick and I had dinner alone. Frank and Dick drove down right after dinner but I stayed home all the after noon. Dad. drove home about five and about six Ade. brought Enah, Frank and the baby home in the car. Ade stayed here to tea and took Frank & me back down town in the car. The road was in pretty bad shape for it. I went for a little walk with Marj. & Glad Law and then went down to Auntys and talked to Mr. & Mrs. Millman till bedtime. Nita. and Gwen. Canfield came in for a few minutes but except for passing them on the pier I didn't see any of the rest of the bunch. Dick came down before I left for a few minutes & Frank was with the crowd all the evening & didn't get home till after twelve. Warm after the rain but clearer to-night. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/6050c485d9adb06ebd3a02aac5e2d5b5.pdf 9cbbae02b0dea8c637c8d296eb8cda90 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. hardly any live ticks. We caught the old ram and Dad while examining him found some puss on his bag and after working it awhile got about a 1/2 cup full of matter out of it. We are afraid he may not be any good another year. When we got through with the sheep we hooked Queen up and Frank and I drove her around the block I went down to the "sheep pasture" for awhile to-night. Fine day. Old Mr. & Mrs. Miller were in to-night to look at John. Mrs. Miller would have bought her but the old man wanted to come down again and try milking her. Tupper was in for a few minutes, he has Fred Misner's cattle shut up in his stable, they have been running on the road lately and getting into everyone's crops, they were in our oats to-day. Tupper took them to pound the other day up to Jim. Waddle's but Jim said he was never sworn in poundkeeper so wouldn't accept them Tuesday July 3rd We three and the team have been doing road work all day to-day. They are on the side road between the top of the hill and our corner cleaning and scraping the ditches and piling it in the centre of the road. They expect the road machine to finish the job. It is making an awful mess of the road at present but will probably be good for it in the end. I went down town to-night and went up to see Huby. Fine and cool. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/d37c24f09b75f7de52b0ab1196739dda.pdf 27acd0f800bbd1116414b46c6bb0d3d1 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. manure on in with corn and the rest of the piece with buckwheat. We won't expect any corn off it of course but will get some good fodder if all's well. Dad. and I took John up to the Miller's this morning and then Dad. took Enah down town and I thinned a few mangles before dinner. This after noon Dad. and I cultivated the mangels and potatoes and hoed some more. Dick and Dess came over about five and were here all the evening. It has been fine, sunny & not too hot. Friday July 6th Frank has been plowing all day and Dad. and I have been hoeing potatoes. Aunty and Aunty Alice came over to-night for a little while with all tney could carry of the where with all to celebrate Dad's birthday to-morrow Dad. drove them home. Lila was over for a few minutes, the results of the H.S. exams were in the "Maple Leaf" to-day and her name headed the list and she took honors. Still fine and not hot. Saturday July 7th I went down to the mill first thing this morning and got a supply of chicken feed. I was staggered when Ross Smith told me my account down there was over $130. after all that I have paid them was taken off. When I got home I took a couple https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/27cdc811ce2610d13cf8c39e94086442.pdf c2593724b808af0ab54f3a988da4b88f PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. I went to sleep on the sofa soon after tea and some time before midnight was sufficiently aroused by<s>t</s> a clap of thunder to stagger off to bed being aware at the time of a stream of water coming through the kitchen ceiling into a pan that had been put under it early in the evening. About two o'clock my dreams were again broken by hearing Dad. & Enah bailing out the kitchen. Dad. informed me that the storm was terrible and with that comforting knowledge I continued to slumber peacefully till about seven, when I got up donned a bathing suit and went after the cows. There was not as much water in the gully as I expected although it had been high but had run off. Frank got home just as I got out. We did up the chores and Frank and I went down to church Dad. drove us to the sidewalk. Dad and Enah & Tid drove down to Aunty Alice's for dinner, we went down there after church intending to take Joe home but as they didn't get down till just dinner time we stayed and went home after dinner and did up the chores. We were to have been down again at five but by the time we got thing's done it was six when we got down and Dad. Enah & Tim were having tea down there They went home as soon as they had tea and Frank and I had ours then went to church with Aunty & Aunty Alice. After church I went up to see Marj. I didn't know she was https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/2ceac8b2fa3d1544d5bd17ce5a8026ba.pdf 1b88a4aa0aa553ab2cd934dbeb42436c PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Tuesday July 10th Frank and I went down town this morning with Joe and Belle in the waggon I took the three crates of old hens over to Jack and got $32.86 for them not a dollar apiece. We went on down town as Frank had to take his bank book to the Post Office to be fixed up. Granddaddy sent it to him Monday and he found he had thirty dollars in the Post Office savings bank that he didn't know any thing about. Granddaddy had opened the account long ago and the other day had intended to draw it out and invest it in a war bond for Frank but found Frank had to draw it himself so sent the book to him and asked him to buy a war bond, so I guess he will. We got some grass when we got home that Dad. had cut. He told us some young Andrews from Renton had been in while we were gone to ask about a ram lamb. This after noon Dad. & Enah drove out to Trinder's to get a case of strawberries but they didn't get them. I went over to Jack's and settled up with him he gave me a check for $37.93 Then Frank and I made another post. To-night I went down to see Marj. Glad. Law and the two Walker girls were there. Marj. has been having an awful time with her throat but it is better to-night. Essie informed me the relapse was due to the talking she did Sunday night while I was there, but Marj. said it was from being out on Sunday. I went https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/12678e96b5a0321a0014d02528dc6bb8.pdf 1c3e66842267c3367dd84e32bdfffa14 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Thursday July 12th I hung around for about an hour this morning waiting for Enah to get ready to go down town then I drove her with the baby down and they have been down all day. I came home with some two inch nails to finish making the lamb creep. The town appeared to be full of Orangemen this morning and they were to say the least a "seedy" looking crowd. They didn't "walk" till this after noon but they were all bedecked with their gorgeous orange & blue collars and badges which did not accord well with the rest of their apparel which was in most cases faded, baggy and soiled. They all looked to be of the same tribe from the old men who shambled around the streets in bunches and looked as if they were regretting the days when the 12th of July was celebrated in a wet Ontario to the young bucks, who in the first flush of their pride in their membership of the Orange Lodge betrayed by their appearance that their idea of legitimate happiness was to prance around the streets on a gala day arrayed in their Sunday clothes and to smoke cigars or eat ice cream cones & popcorn with their best girls. Of course there were mothers & children intersperced through the crowd all no doubt imbued with the same spirit of patriotism and religion which inspired their fathers, husbands and elder brothers. Right after dinner https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/ebe79f2e6a64e572df3b7461aa71cee3.pdf 18962e7fcac1099d2b73e9ac5b2930e8 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. her. Lila was over for a few minutes but didn't stay long. To-night Frank and I walked down town. I met Marj. up town and she and I went down to Mrs. Perry's to say good-bye to her but she wasn't home so we went down to Aunty's. Aunty & Aunt Ida were over Brant Hill but Aunty Alice was home. Marj. says her throat is much better and intends to leave for Toronto in the morning Friday July 13th Frank went over to pick strawberries this morning but about ten o'clock Enah saw his bees swarming so I went over to tell him, he said first he would let them go till noon and then try to find the queen and kill<s>e</s> her so that they would all go back to the hive but when I got home they had settled in two clusters and Dad. was very much afraid they would leave so I went back again to get Frank. Dad. thought he had better hive them as the season is late and they ought to do well from now on. However he hadn't any thing ready and at noon the Quanbury's came in after a piece of ice and Art told him to hive both bunches separately as there would be a queen in each, it was what he called a swarm and an afterswarm. He hadn't enough frames for both hives so he took some out of the super of the old hive. When he got things ready he put one of my chicken house cotton-frames down under the cluster and the hive on it and then cut the branch off that they were clustered https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/c2b4837e66a20f06f2330c47d66d4888.pdf abe322f68e688c7ab96c298bb6eda933 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. dinner. Dad. was out digging ditches around his potatoes to drain the water off and Frank had put a handle in the round point shovel. This after noon Frank went down town to get some supplies for his beehives, he came back about four and got dressed up and went down again <s>till</s> tea tea and was down all evening He wanted to get down before the Post Office closed so that he could get his check for the savings account and buy a $25.00 war bond. Dad. and I sat around reading for quite awhile after dinner and then took Joe and Belle & the waggon and went and got the grass that Dad. cut in the corner field the other day. When we came in I finished cutting the lawn. To-night Dad. Enah & the baby drove down town to get some supplies. Sunny & hot after noon Sunday July 15th Frank and I walked down to church this morning and Aunty & Dick came back with us to dinner. Lloyd Ryerse came in driving right after dinner and he and Frank drove out to the England's. Dick rode with them as far as the corner but was back in about five minutes in the Millman's car with Ade, Kathleen, Paddy, Skinny and {Gwen?} Canfield. The four of them came up from Toronto last night without sending any word and went to the dance. Ade evidently left early and went down to Aunty's intending to get lodging there for the night but they had gone to bed so he slept https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/1e196711daffedcb6cc90de6f817191c.pdf e6d77a7dad437e128534037de7f775ef PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. in the latters car. They brought Boy over, stone dead and wanted Dad. to see if he could tell what killed him. Huby said he was with him down at Hobbe's boat about a quarter after seven and that was the last he saw him till about a quarter to eight where he found him dead, so he must have died quickly and there was no sign of struggle nor he was not stretched out with his head back like they are when they get strychine neither was there any indication of a blow or that he had been shot; so Dad. couldn't tell what he had got. Huby brought an old sandwich over which he found near him but Dad. didn't think that had anything to do with it. It is too bad as Huby just had him nicely trained and said he wouldn't take a hundred dollars for him. We did all we could in Simcoe (but couldn't get any rock salt nor queen excluders) and got back about two o'clock. We didn't do much after we had our dinner but I blocked up all the holes I could find in the old chicken yard and this after noon & to-night caught about two dozen of the biggest cockrels and shut them in there. Dad. says Hec. Henderson was over to-day as one of the committee they have in town to help the farmers out and urge them to grow more wheat next year Dad. told him we could get on all right and would put in (number obscured} acres of wheat if the weather would let us. Fine but looked rainy {word obscured} https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/5d8d32c275dc6567d2c4fb870ad6cba9.pdf deeef7c877b3b9b3d85a33deb5109412 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Wednesday July 18th Frank and I made the other door for the harness cupboard this morning but didn't get them put on. I then hooked up Belle and Queen to the waggon and Frank and I went down to the mill and got a bag of mixed chop to crate fatten chickens. We went out and got the waggon box full of grass when we got home. We got Ben Ivey's cultivator as we went past and this after noon Dad and I cultivated the mangels except the far edge where it was too wet and we also went through the potatoes in the old garden. We took Ben's cultivator as it is a straight toothed one and goes throw the earth with out throwing it at all as ours does. When we got through with that Frank and I hoed potatoes till six and Dad. paris-greened a lot of them. To-night Dad and Enah went down town to get some provisions and Lloyd Ryerse came up to see Frank so I went with them back to Ben's cherry orchard where we tested a good many of the trees but didn't find any real sweet cherries but a good many real sour ones. When we got back I picked out most of the biggest cockrels I could find and put 14 in the fattening crate. Fine & clear to-day. Thursday July 19th Frank has been plowing all day on the side hill next the woods. Dad. w<s>h</s>ent the first round with him and then came https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/db219e7b99fe2dd26b5d76e448df9eba.pdf 531c33caafb5900db90b5ca4e0da0bc4 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Saturday July 21st Dad. plowed all morning and Frank and I hoed and cultivated potatoes. Right after dinner Dad. went back to the gully to bring up Maple Hill Nellie as he noticed this morning that she was going to calve soon. He had hardly got back there when Whit Dixon came over after the steer, so I went back to get him and Dad. and I brought all the cattle up and left Maple Hill Nellie all alone as she was to far gone to move. We got the steer loaded with out much trouble and then went back to Nellie she had moved from up in the curve in the bottom of the hills opposite the mound to way down in the lower half of the gully and calved while we were back there with her. Dad. helped a little. It was a dandy big red and white heifer. We left it back there all night as Nellie is very nervous. Frank raked up the hay this after noon and then came up here to put some more frames in his beehives. Dad. and I when we got through admiring the calf cocked hay till six and then we all three <s>came</s> went after tea and finished cocking just as it got too dark to see. Frank and I went down town to-night and I got my hair cut and about eleven o'clock went down to the swimming hole at the dam with, Carl Coleman, {Kindree?}, Clare Deal, Woodyer and Frank and had a good swim. The I.O.D.E. had a masquerade dance in the pavilion to-night Frank went over to watch it for awhile. Fine and hot all day. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/e2e79a30cb83a4e1697bd96a27555dab.pdf 2c7a218be0d5dd6c6342d7b6d66de408 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. operate with them in taking off the pea crop. Charlie {put?} his team on our mower and mowed the piece east of the ditch while the other four of us followed the mower and kept the swath out of his way and bunched it. He got that piece down about nine o'clock and then we loaded up both our rack and theirs and Charlie & Frank took them down We hooked up Joe & Belle to the mower when they left and I started to cut the other side of the ditch while Dad. and Art. kept it out of my road. I didn't finish till after dinner, Frank and Charlie took all that was left down in two more loads but Charlie had about two tons on, he put all he could on to draw out of the field and then finished the load with what he could draw in a couple of waggon loads. When they went down with the two last loads Dad. Art. and I hooked to the waggon and went out and started to cut Charlie's. I cut till about five when the boys came back with the waggons but Charlie said they were filling up down at the factory so they couldn't haul any down to-night. We put the big team on the mower and Dad. went home with the little team and the waggon. The rest of us stayed till nearly half past six but as there was about an hour's cutting yet, we quit and Frank Art and I went home. Charlie stayed to monkey with his bees https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/67bae3e89aae1d4cf364fff123160383.pdf c2f16df979f441788da554fd198ea934 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Wednesday July 25th Dad. plowed all morning and I finished cutting the five-acre field east of the lane and went about two rounds on the ten-acre corner field. Frank turned out the cocks in the five acre field as they were pretty wet in the bottom. He then hoed till noon. This after noon the Quanbury's brought our rack back and took their own and Dad. and I hauled in a couple of small loads with Joe & Belle and put them off with the hay fork in the big barn. We couldn't haul big loads as it was too soft in front of the barn doors. Frank cut with the big team in the corner field but was bothered a lot with the mower. He will have to go to Simcoe and get a new boxing for the pitman rod as the old one has cut out so there is too much play. Art. & Charlie were in to-night to tell us Art's peas will be ready to cut to-morrow. Hot but breezy Thursday July 26th We put in a great night last night trying vainly to sleep. I didn't undress completely but just flopped on the bed and when Frank came home from town he woke me up. Dad was running around trying to get cool and I was about melted so went and lay on the front step for awhile. Frank tried the hammok and Dad. the sofa in the hall. They eventually did go to sleep but https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/94f22470caf9c44a3a4754f4454c9eb2.pdf 388c58e36bd4bc285e0ac8834e7b567a PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. chased his bees till they lit on the willow in Pickford's gully and then he came back and got his outfit and went out on his bicycle and hived them. To-night I went down to see Mr. Browne and it was twelve o'clock when I got home. Hot but nice breeze Friday July 27th Frank went to Simcoe this morning by the seven o'clock car and got a new boxing for the mower and came back at nine. Dad. and I were out at Art's all morning and we got the east side hill off. We took it in two loads by hauling small jags off the hills with the little rack and piling them on the big rack which was at the top of the west hill on the level and then evening up the loads afterwards. It was nearly one when we got home so we left the big rack in front of our lane till after dinner and Frank took it down to the factory. When he got back he cut a few more rounds with the mower which worked better but the first round the new boxing got very hot. Frank thinks the knives need sharpening. Dad. and I cocked up all the after noon and got all that was raked cocked up. Cooler to-day. Big rain out north yesterday Saturday July 28th Frank and I sharpened the mower knives this morning https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/a0178150fb7d7d5eac22614c1bba4a2f.pdf 9066e88ca564f7f2290be88b68ebb367 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. We all lay around all the after noon out on the lawn and let out tongues {lap?} out as it was terribly hot in spite of the fact that there was a good breeze. About five o'clock Aunty, Walter, Elsie and Dick started to walk down town as they wanted to stop in at Mrs. Battersby's and Mrs. Woodson's on their way. We had tea as soon as they left and did chores. Enah put the baby to sleep and she and Dad drove down to church, Frank and I stayed home & slept. Monday July 30th Frank mowed in the corner field all morning and for an hour or two after dinner but his knives got so dull he had to stop so he went down town and got a carborundum stone as well as some other things and came back and sharpened up his knives and raked up all that was fit He went out after tea as it was moon light and finished cutting. Dad. cultivated his potatoes in the old garden and put paris green on them. He had to go back after dinner to finish the job. I cut lawn most of the morning. It was an awful job as it has got too long and it was suffocatingly hot I nearly got bushed two or three times, however I got all over it but in some places it looks more as if it had been chewed off by a horse with only two teeth than as if it https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/000889f1937341be3900b2c04315bdf0.pdf d14ff0edc6638ac9e50c8d4aad0d62e5 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. this after noon, as we expect to haul peas again to-morrow {Name?} was over to-night and says they are so rushed down there he would like us to just haul half of them to-morrow and the others the next day. Dad. and I mowed away a lot of the hay this morning while Frank was raking and Dad. dug some post holes along by his potatoes as we want to let the sheep in on the pea stubble as soon as we get the peas off so will have to fence in the potatoes. To-night Dad. and I drove Queen down town and she went fine, we passed and were passed by automobiles at which she never looked, we drove up to Huby's and down to Aunty's and Dad settled up with Mr. Bagley. Wednesday August 1st Charlie and Art came over this morning and we cut half of the Market Garden Peas and Charlie and Frank each took a load down about eleven o'clock we won't take the rest down till to-morrow morning. Before dinner Dad. and I got the wire over from the orchard to put up along the potatoes. This after noon we hauled three loads of hay off the corner field. To-night Dad Enah and Tim drove out to the Shands. Frank went down town to get some cow spray and I went to bed, being very tired. Hot but breezy. Another big British & French drive has begun in Flanders. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/947cc8caa77ee64b7c0c4ef69c96acae.pdf b42ed1c0ebc35697d928d4a4e3f82d74 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Friday August 3rd Dad. and I hauled in all day but only got in five loads there is still half a load in the field. We didn't get out till rather late this morning as we had to bolt a piece on to the front ladder of the rack which is cracked. Frank cut till about four o'clock and then raked up what he cut this morning. He is cutting in the 8 acre feild between Ivey's line and the lane and just south of the gully. Quite cool all day nice to work Saturday August 4th Things have gone rather slowly to-day. We started put off the load that was on the barn floor this morning but the third lift one of the strands in the big rope cut right out and we had to quit. It is cutting on the spring in the car. Tom Cawley came over to borrow the binder as Jack's isn't working right and it was getting pretty late in the morning when he left. Dad. and I then went out and cocked up most of what Frank raked last night. After dinner we went out and Dad. got Art Quanbury to come over and see if he could fix our car for us so that it wouldn't cut and Art cut the end off the spring, we didn't want to put it up in the barn again as we want the next lot of hay to go in the horse stable. We pitched the last lift that was on the waggon off by hand and Frank and I went https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/2f45c7aa537f2679d03a02dd1a679e89.pdf c582105bab8a476c9ec120e7de684257 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. {Pencil sketch of a woodland scene} Drawn from Nature. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/6f65cdb83623b70f73329f0da0f9e60c.pdf c9877b6db52cfb518b2cca8c6ff2a58f PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Monday August 6th We all went out and cocked up this morning and finished the field by about eleven, we then came up and put the car up in the horse stable mow and Frank put a roller out of the old lawn mower on the outside of the barn just below the hole that the big rope goes out to keep it from scrubbing on the ends of the boards. This after noon we hauled in four loads but left the last one standing at the end of the horse stable. To-night Frank and I took Queen around the block past John Wess's. Rained a very small shower last night and looked rainy this morning, but cleared. Tuesday August 7th We just got in three loads of hay this morning as the mow is getting full now and it takes time to get up to mow it. This after noon we got a load and a half of good hay and put it in the horse stable but the last load we got composed mostly of couch grass, so we hauled it in to the barn and left it to put in the bottom of the bay and {over?} rails to put the wheat on. We got through early and Dad and I took Queen around the block, we took the {obscured word} with us. It has been cloudy and cool all day and this after noon there was too much wind to load hay https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/7478e9b4b15be7a91d6dc8b1cc24c1a9.pdf bf12675b7aaa32388636cf4e185738ea PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. after noon. Dad. cut my four wheat plots and the barley this after noon with Alfred's cradle, the emmer plot is not ripe yet. He bound them and shocked them up to I guess the barley was to short and thin to bind. I cut hay with Frank most of the after noon Cool and cloudy all day looked very much like rain. Thursday August 9th Frank and I cut with two teams all day and got all the grass cut between the oats and the plowing along the side road and I took Jack's mower home. Dad. gathered up my barley to-day and hoed in the old garden besides doing some other chores. Lila was over this after noon. Quite cool all day, tried to rain a little {obscured word} after dinner. It is two or three days since I wrote this so I forget. Frank started to rake the hay he cut first right after dinner but the rain stopped him so he only got about two rounds cut and then helped me mow till we finished the piece. Dad. cocked up all the after noon. Friday August 10th Aunty came over before seven this morning with Mr. {name obscured} and was here all morning but walked back with the baby about three o'clock. I raked hay all morning and https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/8163465dcd677abe0884b0f910025443.pdf 557e061a814ab9831bb7e8bf4108cbb6 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. stop to look for the cause of the pounding in the {obscured word} which Cawley said he noticed the last after noon {he?} used it. They couldn't find it so Dad. went all the way up to John Wes's barn to ask him about it and he said he thought they would find it was the spring that holds the trip that was broken as his did the same last week. Sure enough that was the trouble so they {took?} the spring out of John's binder and it went alright but it kept them from getting any cut to speak of all morning. It went pretty well all the after noon and the only reason Frank didn't get more cut was owing to lack of speed on old Nellie's part. Sunny and warm to-day Saturday August 11th I took Joe down to Joe Howel's first thing this morning and had her shod but as he couldn't go at her for an hour or so it was about eleven o'clock when I got home. I spent most of the time down at Aunty's. I took Joe & Nellie as soon as I got home and went out and started to rake up the rest of the hay. Frank had Harry & Belle all day on the binder and finished cutting the wheat about seven o'clock. I raked hay all the after noon and finished the field about six. Dad. cocked up till about five https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/df4b71c5238300f8e674d5f94b8acead.pdf ad8b4116dca22e2982f45dfe31474d71 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. got down to the house Mr. & Mrs. Passmore were there. Frank came in just after they left and drove home with me. Fine & warm Monday August 13th We all three got out pretty early and started to cock the hay. It was very dark and about ten o'clock started to rain. It didn't rain hard and we worked for another hour but then had to stop as it was getting too {obscured word} Frank and Dad. mowed away the hay in the horse stable and then took Mary away before dinner while I pained letters on my chicken box. Frank and Dad. went back at the hay soon after dinner and worked all the after noon but didn't quite finish. I slew my twelve milk fed chickens and Enah picked the pin feathers out of them. I tried to stick {obscured word} in the brain but don't believe I hit the right spot with any of them so I hit them all a clip in the head with a club and that seemed to work just about as well, some of them tore pretty badly so I suppose I will be docked on that. We worked quite late to-night getting them all trimmed and put on the shaping board to cool. Dick was over to tea, he just got notice to-day to report in Winnipeg as soon as possible so is leaving here on Thursday. We hope it will be a good thing for him but hate to see him go https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/6a0431e8845d61516dab2f1fc33964d3.pdf 5e29b64477b5a29df22c8f55206fdc93 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. getting so full. Frank went down to Sam's right after dinner and was down there all the after noon. Dad. & I got in two more jags and put them in the horse stable and Enah came out and told me when to trip. We threw one good big load and left it on the barn floor. To-night we all went down to Aunty's to see<s>d</s> Dick this being his last night here. Huby was there, raising cain and {making?}the baby wild. Win has gone into the bank to try it This was her first day. Frank and I rode down with Martin in his new car. Cloudy this morning but hot this {obscured word} Thursday August 16th Frank went over and borrowed Jack Martin's waggon this morning so that we could haul wheat with {obscured word} teams as it is so far back to go with one waggon. Dad. & I pitched of the load of hay by hand into the east end {obscured word} We thought we could do it quicker than changing the {obscured word}Enah and the baby went back with us and Enah picked berries while we were loading up. It was rather late when we got started so we just made one trip this morning and {we} couldn't take very big loads as the sheaves are pretty {obscured word} in the butts yet. Frank had the old team and Jack's {obscured word} wheeled waggon and when Dad. {illegible} the wheel before https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/0004a7a00ec5208c0ce4edd64953da5b.pdf 5139eb1ce494bb15be4e131714c2b558 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. We had to put very small ones on Pickford's waggon as the front axle was cracked and it is an old ramshackle affair anyway. Frank had to be very careful going downhill as there was a rivet in the bolster stake that caught under the rim of the front wheel. It was late when we got through and there are still three or four loads back there. Aunty was over this after noon for a few minutes with a card from Dick saying he had reached Roy's safely. Quite cold wind but fair to-day Saturday August 18th We pitched off the two loads of wheat that were on the barn floor first thing and Frank took Pickford's waggon home and Dad. and I hauled in with the big team and our own waggon. We thought there would only be two loads and that it would only take till about noon to get it but instead there were three big loads and seven shocks which we had to make another trip after all it was seven o'clock before we got them unloaded. Frank spent the day fixing the reel rods on the binder and mowing away the hay in the horse stable as we think we can get another load in there. Enah and Tid. were down town all the after noon and got home just as Dad. was about to start after them at dark. Not so cold to-day. Sunny https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/8a7bd0ce335630be7fbe7ece15507c4e.pdf 4771b289e60d120cd8f9b5001f4f62cb PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Tuesday August 21st Frank cut oats all day and finished the last of them to-night soon after six. Dad. and I hauled a small load of hay and put it in the horse stable and then got a good sized load and hauled it in on the barn floor and changed the car from the horse stable to the barn. We started to put the load off after dinner but the latch in the gate at the peak of the barn wasn't properly caught and and when the first lift went up it came down and bent so that I had to go up and take the whole gate down and let Dad. straighten it before we could go on. It took most of the after noon and we only got in one more load Frank didn't have quite enough of our own binder twine to finish so Dad. went over to borrow some from Billy Mills but he was just out and said Cawley had gone to the barn to hook up and go down and get some, so Dad. chased after Cawley but he had gone so I went over to Pickford's and was lucky enough to get a ball, his last one. Enah and the baby were down town this after noon. Aunty got a telegram from Dick yesterday saying he had been shipped on out to Cadillac Sask. {Saskatchewan}. We sent away the application for the lamb's registration to-day. Cool breezy & cloudy. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/b872ba9528f2035d803fc26562f1f8b6.pdf 4371813baf0d3b0c5fee3bd194790bd9 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. but cooled off and there was more breeze this after noon I didn't do much this morning but clean out the colony house and trim and train up my Dorothy Perkins rose which is growing so fast I can't keep up with it. It nearly covers the east end of the house now. Dad. and Frank shocked up a few oats but got soaked and as the ground was dry under the sheaves they left them This after noon being the day set for Boughner Picnic Dad. the baby and I drove down town and Frank walked down after he had looked through his bees and found there was no honey. Dad. had promised Tid. to take him fishing and he had been making all sorts of plans and building on it, but when they got down to Aunty's, Dad. suggested they go down and see "The City of Dover" come in, so we went down to the dock. Aunty and Frank came too and Dad. Frank and the baby went in to the fish shanty where they saw a big snapping turtle so that seemed to take the place of going fishing. Frank and I got a canoe and went for an hour's paddle up creek and didn't upset as we rather expected as neither of us knew much about it, Frank never having been in one before. Dad. & the baby went home but Frank and I stayed down at Auntys for tea and all the evening. We spent most of the time looking at copys of Fa's old letters and trying to find Cadillac on the map https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/79fdfc60406da6fb49b6b3d34962220a.pdf 6c914a8d16f3f0e74f6a2c32fd981c1e PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. the temperature and it was very strong and from the west I worked with a coat on all day and was not too warm. This morning we shocked up the rest of the oats which were still pretty wet except where the wind & sun had hit them. It was nearly eleven when we got through with them but we put off the load of hay that was on the barn floor and got a load in before dinner which was about one o'clock. This after noon we finished hauling the hay in three pretty good sized loads. The baby came out and rode in on the last load, the promise of which has kept him out of the field for the past week or two. Frank went down town to-night Sunday August 26th Enah and I drove down to church this morning and Frank walked down. Aunty Alice came over with us to dinner. She walked back soon after dinner and Dad. Enah and the baby went for a drive down the lake shore and wound up at Aunty's where they stayed to tea. I read, slept and wrote to Dick this after noon and Frank fixed his wheel and visited with Lloyd Ryerse most of the after noon and then went back to Ben Ivey's gully prospecting for butter nuts and sent the cows up. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/fc75412a9250f574e5bcc9ea7e2462a6.pdf 2f93493f2ed1d0c5db62ddf231c2e45f PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. barn roof and make a couple of hog troughs. We wanted to get slabs but he couldn't let us have any. When we got home I went down to the mill and got some rolled oats for the sheep. This after noon Dad. and I put the doors on the harness cupboard but couldn't finish as we found we only had enough screws for three hinges instead of four. Frank put wire in his bee hive frames. About five o'clock Dad. went down to the mill and paid Charlie Ivey part of his account as Neil Elliott was in yesterday morning and gave him a check for Bobbie but said not to bring her down for two weeks. Enah and I printed pictures to-night Wednesday August 29th It rained most of the morning and I didn't do any thing much but read and try to trim a couple of the ram lambs Enah's friend Mr. Hall walked over in the pouring rain this morning and stayed to dinner. It cleared up about {obscured word} and Pickford came over to see if we would help him thrash this after noon as Sam couldn't do any thing with Al Boughner's alsike stack and said he would thresh Pickford out this after noon, however they didn't get moved down till about five o'clock so didn't thresh any to-day but Pickford was up to-night to see if two of us would go down in https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/61e458c352ff960d09dafbec9ad0a827.pdf 5260a5eec760e1bd0c8c91f9264063d5 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Friday August 31st Dad. plowed all day over on the side hill by the woods and got quite a bit turned over. After I did chores I unloaded the waggon load of wood that he brought up yesterday and then went up and set up the oats that had been laid down Some of them were very wet but none sprouted to speak of. When I got through I started to flail out my winter barley and finished cleaning it up after dinner. About three o'clock I hooked Joe & Belle to the disk and started on the pea ground. I think it will work up nicely. I quit early and Enah and I went down at seven o'clock and had a ride on the "City of Dover" as she ran out to-night instead of Tuesday night when it rained. It was a lovely night to-night and we had a very nice ride Lila and Dess were with us. Dad. was about half the night doing chores as Mr. & Mrs. Smythe came over to see the stock They have just got word within the last day or two that young Ernest Quanbury Chris's second son has been killed in action. It is just about a year ago now that Henry his brother died of his wounds. The Canadians are in heavy action these days around the coal pits of Lens and they are steadily pushing the German's out of the city. Conscription is now on the Canadian statute books having been passed by the Senate yesterday or to-day. Sunny & breezy & cool https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/cc7ef111f49399632562bf859b365418.pdf 7585211ae8c7830ab2d43fa5438a3a10 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. I went down to Aunty's just at noon and stayed to dinner and after dinner pruned a few of the old branches out of the barbery bush for Aunty. I got home about three o'clock and got most of the lawn cut over here. Lila was over here to dinner. Dad. plowed all the after noon and Frank made a couple of hog troughs. Dad. plowed up a nest of rabbits this after noon. He killed two of them with the plow but brought two live ones home. They are only a few days old and I am afraid they won't live. Sunny but cool. Sunday September 9th Enah and I drove down to church this morning and Aunty came back with us to dinner. Frank spent the morning in trying out some new kind of solder he got at the exhibition which is applied like sealing wax and Dad. did chores and shocked up the twelve oat shocks. Aunty says he shocked more than the oats. I started to read after dinner but went to sleep almost immediately and slumbered peacefully till Aunty was ready to go down town and then I went down there to tea and to church with Aunty & Aunty Alice. After church I went home with Marj. who has changed her place of abode from the Bagley's to Miss Kerny's. I wrote Dick a short note when I got home. Frank and Enah walked down to church to-night. Fine, cloudy & cool. Feels like frost to-night Monday September 10th Frank and I took Bobbie down to the car this morning. Frank led her and I drove in the buggy. Neil wasn't around but we left Bobbie in the pen, one pig was the only other occupant of the pen. We went around by the station and got a poultry crate which Frank got from Silverwood's to ship his ducks in. We saw Huby and he said there was a heavy white frost down at the station but no sign of it at his place. When we got home Frank sorted out the ducks he wanted to keep and let them loose and I raked up the lawn. After dinner I took Belle & Queen and went back and disked on the back field where Dad. had been plowing all morning and Dad. finished plowing the field and started in to harrow it. It is going to work up fine. Mrs. Tupper came past this after noon and said Clem. wanted one of us to go and help thrash this after noon, as it was then about four o'clock and the machine wasn't there yet, we didn't think they would do much but I told her to go up and get Frank, so she did and Frank was over there helping Tupper till after tea. The machine just got there at dark. He wants two of us to help him to-morrow. According to today's paper the Russians are cutting up rusty again Korniloff is leading a revolt against Kerensky at the Provisional Government and marching with his troops away from the battle front. Cold wind all day & to-night. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/c6681e9fbf13dc8c3f041ea303034538.pdf 1af178c50b6ea76cf560d213ca2c9b26 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Thursday September 6th Dad. plowed all day to-day and got on well. This morning Frank & I hooked Queen up and drove down town to get his suitcase which he checked the other day and which didn't come and when we got back we drove down to Bruce's to get a set of double harness which Bruce told Dad. about a couple of months ago and which he said he wanted ten dollars for, we found Mr. Smith down there but Bruce had gone up to Hammond's to get some seed wheat. Mr. Smith gave us the harness however and it looks like a very strong one, there were no collars and only one crupper and one bridle check but the back bands and traces look<s>e</s> especially strong. Queen went fine but the roads were bad as it rained hard during the night and we didn't get back till about half past one. It was pretty well on in the after noon when we got through dinner and chores but I took Joe & Belle and disked on the pea stubble and by six got all over it. Frank patched at the barn roof which he started at yesterday. Aunty Alice came over to tea and I walked down with her to-night. Poor Art Quanbury is having a very bad attack of his old trouble this week he was taken sick Monday and Charlie said to-night he was no better. Fine and cool. Friday September 7th I disked with Queen and Belle all day on the pea stubble and got pretty well over it lengthways of the field I was going crossways before. Frank plowed all day and Dad. was down town all day working in the garden down home. Enah went down town this after noon but missed Dad. and he had to go back after her but met her before he got very far. It began to drizzle rain about four o'clock and was raining quite hard by six. We quit early. I was about frozen when I got in and spent the evening reading "Saturday Nights" which Enah brought home all except Frank who was figuring out how much more it cost to farm with horses instead of tractors. He & Dad. are in a cronic state of argument on the subject. Saturday September 8th It rained hard last night and Dad. thought it was too wet to work on the land this morning. We puttered around and did odd jobs among which were the lancing of an absess on the fat ewe's jaw and the filing of old Nellie's teeth. About eleven I shaved and went down town to to have Bill look at my tooth which has been bothering me a lot the last couple of days. He said there was nothing wrong with it that he could see but that I might have caught cold in it. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/d11912e57654711fc69d9ee1eb907802.pdf 22ec682ba51de486ba8cdf9991f3b3e5 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. as before I got all the chores done and they take quite awhile to do alone. Ham Thompson came in to look at the stock and just as he left old Mrs. Davidson, Julien the Pole and some fair damsel unknown to me came over with a little two year old Percheron filly which they said Dad. had told Aunty they could turn out here to pasture so I put her in the stable till we could put her with our colts. After I did have my lunch and was in the house reading Mrs. Lawrie and Edith came over but when the found Enah wasn't home they didn't come in Dad. and the baby walked home about five and left Enah down town to have tea with Aunt Ida as Aunty and Aunt Alice drove up to St. John's with Harvey Skey and his mother to a memorial service for the two Quanbury boys. I helped do up the chores and drove down town about eight o'clock I went for a walk with Marj. Glad. & Miss Law from Ingersol who is a cousin of Glad's. Then I went down and drove Enah home. Monday September 3rd <u>Labor Day</u> Dad. plowed all day but as he thought it would be too wet after last nights heavy rain to disk I weeded out mangels all morning and disked this after noon with Belle and Queen. Enah went down town this after noon. Fine day Tuesday September 4th I disked this morning on the pea stubble with Belle and Queen and quit about half past eleven and went up to Ham. Thompson's. Dad. plowed all morning and at noon had to go over to Joe Long's to see a horse of George Thompson's that had been cut on barbed wire. It was rather late when we got started after dinner but we went out and turned out the shocks of oats that were left in the field east of the orchard and then hauled in a load but didn't quite clear the field. Enah helped us put off the load that was on the barn floor and we left the one we hauled unloaded. We got through fairly early, and I went down after tea and met Frank. His train was just on time so we got home quite early. He had a great time at the Fair and can think of nothing else but a rein drive tractor which he saw down there. Fine & cool Wednesday September 5th We hauled in oats to-day and got them all in but twelve shocks. They didn't bulk up much I think there were only four loads on the six acre field. Frank and I went out after the last load about seven o'clock and it was eight when we got in, pitch dark and raining quite hard. Dad. came to meet us with the lantern. He milked while we were out. Cool. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/48fdcc1c58a6504d2c030f21f69e3ffa.pdf de5afc5b7ded044696504646b1fb01db PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Friday August 31st Dad. plowed all day over on the side hill by the woods and got quite a bit turned over. After I did chores I unloaded the waggon load of wood that he brought up yesterday and then went up and set up the oats that had been laid down Some of them were very wet but none sprouted to speak of. When I got through I started to flail out my winter barley and finished cleaning it up after dinner. About three o'clock I hooked Joe & Belle to the disk and started on the pea ground. I think it will work up nicely. I quit early and Enah and I went down at seven o'clock and had a ride on the "City of Dover" as she ran out to-night instead of Tuesday night when it rained. It was a lovely night to-night and we had a very nice ride Lila and Dess were with us. Dad. was about half the night doing chores as Mr. & Mrs. Smythe came over to see the stock They have just got word within the last day or two that young Ernest Quanbury Chris's second son has been killed in action. It is just about a year ago now that Henry his brother died of his wounds. The Canadians are in heavy action these days around the coal pits of Lens and they are steadily pushing the German's out of the city. Conscription is now on the Canadian statute books having been passed by the Senate yesterday or to-day. Sunny & breezy & cool. Saturday September 1st Dad. plowed all morning and I did chores and flailed out my emmer and sent off the report of it and the alfalfa experiment. This after noon I went down to Tom's and got the can of buttermilk, he had brought it as far as his place but his waggon broke down and he couldn't bring it any farther. Dad. turned out a few oat shocks while I was gone and when I got back we hauled in a good load, they might have been drier but weren't bad, we left the load on the barn floor. To-night I went down town and met Marj. & Glad. Law, they came up to-night. Bright, breezy and cool. Sunday September 2nd It began to rain early this morning and rained hard till church time and then cleared up and was sunny and hot this after noon but cold to-night. We all drove down to church this morning as Enah had to play. There were very few there and Dad. and I had to take up the collection. There was some blind man there and Mr. Browne got me to pilot him up to the communion rail. I went home to dinner to do chores and Dad. Enah and the baby stayed down at Aunty's. I didn't get in till nearly half past three to get my lunch. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/2401b98da5ab22b16e082e9f923e89e5.pdf 9c17bd272c830dfe1e4a75e87b766e9f PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. down town to-night. Frank and I walked. Frank, Enah and the baby went up to the Sunday school but Dad. visited with Aunty Alice and Aunt Ida. Aunty was up at the Johnsons tending George who has the whooping cough while his father and mother were at the Sunday school. I went up to Andrew Innes's and got a pair of rubber boots and then took a little chicken up to Cousin Loll and by the time I had visited with her for half an hour it was too late to go to the {illegible}. Thursday November 1st I spent most of the morning doing chores and getting things ready for to-night as I expected to be up at Ham's this after noon with Frank helping him fill his silo. Dad. plowed all day. We went up right after dinner but Ham said it was too wet and didn't expect us up. It snowed quite a lot during the night and as his corn was all down in sheaf it would have been nasty handling. We came home and hooked Joe & Belle to the waggon and went down to Art Ryerse's where we borrowed their root pulper. Lloyd told Frank the other day we could have it for all winter as they have no roots this year. To-night I went down town and after coming over to Silverthorne's with Marj. went to the show. Friday November 2nd Dad. and Frank were in the back field all day plowing and shovelling out ditches. I did all the chores up this morning. Aunty came over at noon and this after noon I went back down town with her and got my bank order from Waller's cashed and got some groceries. My arm has been pretty sore today and I gave it a long soaking again to-night. It has broken out in little blisters around the original spot and is quite badly swollen. To-night Chris Quanbury came over and got twenty pullets for which he paid me $0.50 apiece and four smaller pullets and a cockrel which I got $1.00 apiece for. I have decided to sell off the whole bunch except maybe ten or a dozen and pay Charlie Ivey (or try to) last winter's feed bill with what I receive for them as if I keep them and buy feed again this winter as I would have to I would be farther in the hole than ever even if they laid exceedingly well. Frank and I helped Chris take the bunch down to his place on wheelbarrows. Sunny and snow nearly gone but freezing in shade. Saturday November 3rd My arm was very sore again this morning so I https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/1c2f2a647f3c1e97edf7a83175bf9efd.pdf e5528343d0c8c4c75d378eb66c1cff71 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. dinner we sacked up nine bags of oats and Frank took them to the mill and got part of them chopped and part rolled. While he was gone Dad. and I cleaned out the stables which were not cleaned yesterday. The mud makes it an awful job. When he got back they hauled up the wood they cut from the oak and we took all the mangels that were up and in piles into the drive house where they can dry off and not be in such danger of freezing. Dad. went back early to-night after the cows and found the four turkey's which disappeared from their roosting place in the gully three or four weeks ago. He of course brought them up and they roosted to-night in the orchard. Enah had a queer visitor just before tea to-night. A young fellow who seemed too cold, sleepy or stupid to carry on much conversation came and asked for some thing to eat and sat for half an hour hovering over the stove. While there she managed to find out from him that he had tramped from Dunnville and was on his way to Simcoe to be examined. He dozed most of the time he was in here but between yawns he told Enah that he had been picking fruit most of the summer and that he didn't like the cold and wanted to go to Florida to pick oranges, but if he was fit for Military Service, would not be able to cross the line, hence his desire to be examined. He left here in time to catch the seven o'clock car and offered to pay for his supper. It has been cloudy, muddy and raw with spitting snow storms. Wednesday October 31st This has been a most miserable day. Raw and cloudy with quite a heavy snowfall which by to-night has covered every thing. It froze the ground quite hard last night so is very muddy. Dad. plowed all morning and I cleared up the shingles back of the woodshed and put the best of them in the woodshed. Frank chopped up the blocks they cut off the oak yesterday. Ham Thompson came down with his ten ewes to put with our ram and borrowed our waggon and rack to haul corn in to-morrow and he wants Frank and me to go up to-morrow after noon to help him fill his Silo. This after noon I just did up the chores and then walked back to where Frank was plowing and found Dad. over talking to John Wess. I went over there for a few minutes and then we came up early so that we could go down to the Hallowe'en party in the Sunday school. Just about tea time Bert Thompson came over and got his heifer. We all went https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/1f6d126c6f7aeaa33d96d7a92e00ee81.pdf 8235ab3ff94e73ad5aa961f073af414c PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Saturday October 27th Dad. and Frank were back over the gully all morning & most of the after noon one plowing and the other cleaning out ditches. I spent most of the morning fixing the fence around the old well as the sheep have taken to wandering around it and we were afraid one of them might get in. I did chores most of the after noon. It was a beautiful morning but it began to rain soon after dinner and it rained steadily but not hard till after tea and then it poured nearly all night. Dad. and Frank got soaked. Lila was over for awhile this morning. Sunday October 28th Frank went down to Sunday school this morning and I went down a little later but was too late to go to Sunday school so went up to the bank and woke Clark up and got him to go to church. Aunty walked over with us to dinner and we found Charlie & Flossie Shand here. They had started to church but they have the road past Penman's barricaded so were too late and came in here. This after noon I took Marj. for a drive up around by Lynn Valley. I went down town again to-night and went over to the Moore's. {Larry?} Skey preached in our church to-night but I was too late to go. Clark told me this morning that he has been moved to Ottawa and is leaving to-morrow so I went up to-night for a minute to say goodbye to him. Cool & cloudy to-day. Mild night. Monday October 29th It has rained nearly all day steadily, it began last night and is still at it to-night. I spent the day killing my crate fattened chickens and it took me just about all day. Enah picked the pin feathers out for me. I made a pretty good job of them, I stuck nearly all of them in the brain and tore them very little. Dad. did chores and read to the baby most of the day. This after noon Frank went over to Mrs. Robert John Watson's sale and got soaked to the hide. Tuesday October 30th I took my box of crate fed chickens down this morning and expressed them to Waller's. I didn't do much more this morning after I got home as it was nearly noon. Dad. and Frank cut blocks off the old oak all morning. After https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/ce5fef5f6da4a3364c4fde05ec622f0d.pdf 1fcb48d443bbe020bdb2cf0db9242513 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Wednesday October 24th It has rained steadily all day and all evening. I haven't done any thing to speak of but my arm has been a lot better I didn't soak it to-day but bathed it well a couple of times. Dad. and Frank put a great fix on the back of the stove with a piece of tin and some stove cement. It doesn't smoke now and the water in the reservoir warms up quickly. I pasted a few snapshots in my new album this after noon and also shaved and went down to Aunty's to tea. Marj. was there too so we had a very nice evening. They had a letter from Quint down there saying that straw mattresses & blankets had been issued so that he thinks he will be in England all winter. Thursday October 25th I came home as soon as I had breakfast this morning. I did a few chores this morning and then drove down town and got some groceries and went up around by Ham Thompson's to ask him about forming a Farmer's Club for co-operative marketing and buying. This after noon I cleaned out the colony house. Dad. did chores all morning and plowed this after noon. Mr. Flemming came in this morning to get one of us to help him thrash this after noon so Frank went down. Winnie came over to tea to-night and I walked down town with her and stopped in for awhile at Aunty's on my way home. I had a letter from Dick to-day saying he had registered at the Post Office for service. We don't just understand how he came to do it as he said before that he had sent his medical sheet to the Head Office where they would apply for exemption for him. It was cloudy and raw this morning but sunny this after noon & clear to-night. Friday October 26th Dad. and Frank went up on the nine o'clock car this morning to the Principal Plowing match at Oak Park Farm near Paris, they were up all day coming home at five but all the prizes had been awarded yesterday so Dad. didn't see what he most wanted to, the plowmen with their teams. The tractors were working to-day so Frank was satisfied but from what they say their work didn't show up very well beside the horses'. I went down to Flemming's and thrashed all morning and for half an hour after dinner and have been doing chores all after noon. My arm doesn't feel any the worse. I caught 38 chickens to-night in the outside little coop and put them in the colony house. Nice day. Rainy night. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/ac8bdd1cf5b132e1c9f78f16d3a9db4f.pdf 2322616fd97f5120d930c432f97d6cb4 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. streaks running up towards my elbow. He told me to go home and soak it for an hour in hot water and then put some lotion on it which he gave me, so I started for home but met Dad. Enah & the baby driving to church and Dad. told me to go to Aunty's and he came right down after leaving Enah at church and he got the water hot there on the gas much quicker than we could have at home. I soaked it for a good hour and it took the pain out a lot. I stayed there to dinner and tea. This after noon I went up to see Marj. but she had gone up to the Davises for dinner so I missed her. I knocked around with Charlie Quanbury all the after noon and to-night went to church with Aunty and then over with Marj. It was nearly twelve when I got home but I had to light a fire and soak my arm again as the Dr. told Aunty after church that I had better if the red streaks were still up the arm. Dad. & Enah both came out in their night apparel & hung around till I got through. Fine day but raw. Monday October 22nd I haven't done any thing in the way of work all day. I soaked my arm for an hour or more this morning and for a little while this after noon. This after noon I went down town and sent in my claim for exemption and then went down to show my arm to Dr. Cook. He said it was coming all right and opened it up more puting his probe down to the bone. I then went up and had my hair cut. Dad. plowed all day and Frank did chores Enah went down to Aunty's to tea and went up to Simcoe with the Hobbes to sing with the massed choirs of the deanery at the Deanery Meeting. Jack Martin brought her home. Tuesday October 23rd I haven't done much again to-day. I soaked my arm again this morning and this after noon drove down town to get some coal oil and came around by the mill and got a bag of bran. It rained all day so Dad. and Frank couldn't do much outside but Frank fixed the new trough in the pig pen and arranged the swinging door over it so that it would work easily and save him climbing over it every time he feeds the pigs. I stopped in at Aunty Alice's on my way down and she had just had a back tooth out. Dad. spent most of the day doing chores and ditching and this after noon he went over with me and took Jim Rosses chickens over to Jack Martin's and he shipped them for us https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/0a878bc82a317b270c2390324f1834a4.pdf 94e94ada0cd4c010aaece1c1c3ba25cf PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Thursday October 18th I have planted ginseng all day and to-night counted the seeds I had left and just have 565 so I will soon be through the job. If the seeds all grow and the plants live and the Chinese keep on wanting ginseng roots I should make some money in six or seven years provided some one doesn't steal them. Frank and Dad. got started plowing to-day in the back field by the bush. Dad. ran out the ditches and struck out a couple of times and Frank threw out the sods and this after noon plowed. This was Frank's birthday. Rained a little. Friday October 19th It rained steadily all morning and has been raw cloudy and windy all the after noon. I spent the morning writing in this and to Douglas. Dad. read to the baby and Frank went back to the gully and caught a rabbit in one of his muskrat traps. He skinned it but found so many dubious looking spots on it that he decided to use it for bait instead of eating it. This after noon I went back and planted 328 more seeds and will plant the 239 I have left up here some place in a box. Dad. went over to Jack Martin's this after noon to see if he could get a box to ship 6 pullets to Jim Ross. Saturday October 20th I drove down town this morning to get some groceries and to see if McEwen came down on the nine car, but he didn't show up all day. Frank and I picked apples the rest of the day and Dad. plowed. We got just two trees stripped clean but they were the heaviest laden with fruit I think. Frank went down town to-night and heard that young Henry I forget his first name was killed the other day when he fell of some engine at the gas well where he was working. Charlie Quanbury was in to borrow the straw knife this morning. He was up to be examined yesterday and was classed A.2. which is very queer as he has a very bad throat but he went to Simcoe and said they marked him A2 before they had him half examined. Joe Thompson & George Clark are both A2 but Charlie Ferris was thrown out. Froze last night raw & windy all day. Sunday October 21st Frank went down to Sunday school this morning but I had to spend so much time bathing my arm that I didn't get down. I walked down in time for church but went around to see Dr. Cook first to show him my arm as it was badly swollen this morning and red https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/820b1f8b9f74fa4e54786a0ee6da8099.pdf 86d6249d67d07edd25166f85b290056e PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Tuesday October 16th I have been planting ginseng all day again to day and am just nicely started. I had no idea it would be such a long job and I am very thankful that I only bought half a pound of seed instead of a pound as I at first intended and as the doctor wanted me to. I am planting every seed separately and about three or four inches apart in rows six or eight inches apart and as there are supposed to be four thousand of them in half a pound I can't expect to do it in no time. Dad. and Frank felled the big oak just at noon. It was a big job as its diameter was nearly equal to the length of the saw It will make a lot of fire wood but it was time it was cut as the heart of the trunk and the limbs was all punk, and it had got past being very pretty. Enah was down town all day and the baby was at Aunty's Enah was up helping at the banquet which the Board of Trade gave to a large deputation of businessmen representing all the towns and cities within reach of the L.E.& N. and {G.H.& P.?} railways. They had a very successful day and everybody spread themselves to entertain them and they donated $100.00 to be divided equally between the Red Cross & the I.O.D.E. McEwen sent our ram to-day and the Dominion Express Co. brought it right over to the farm. Enah and the baby stayed down to tea and Dad. & Frank & I drove<s>d</s> down afterwards to go to the Jubilee Singers concert in the town hall. I hadn't intended going but Dad. wanted me to go down and telephone McEwen and tell him the ram came and ask him when he would be down to look at the ram's lambs so I did and found out he couldn't be down before Saturday. I stayed and talked to Bab. for awhile and then went down to the show, just as I got to the town hall corner Tip Varey came out and gave me a ticket, he said he was just looking for some one to give it to. The hall was packed. Nice day. Wednesday October 17th I have been planting ginseng all day. Dad. and Frank spent most of the morning cutting a block off the old oak and splitting it up. This after noon they trimmed up the ewes and would have started plowing but it rained so they didn't. Dave. Ward was in to look at the lambs to-day & Gid. McHoy & Everett were in yesterday but of course we can't sell them till McEwen sees them. I went down to-night to see Marj. The grass was wet but thanks to the new rubbers which Aunty Alice gave me I didn't get wet. It froze hard last night. Nice morning but wet this after noon. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/57b2e50a63a3aa5053a831f56d1b9ea8.pdf 20b16e2352ecd1caa2a5f56e49f0b5b3 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. south west wind and when Dad. got home at three o'clock he found one of Mrs. Jim. Low's apple trees blown down across Aunty's lane so he had to chop it up before he could get out with Joe & the buggy. They had a letter from Dick to-day and he said that Head Office had told him to be examined and send his papers to Winnipeg for them to apply for exemption for him. He was marked A2 which is the highest he could get without military training, but he thinks he will be exempted. He hadn't intended applying for himself. Saturday October 13th After I got home and got my clothes changed this morning Dad. & I picked up the apples in the orchard which yesterdays high wind blew down, while Frank went to the mill with some oats to chop. This after noon Dad. and I pulled a few rows of mangels while Frank went back after the chop and when He got back He and Dad. went over to Tupper's and got some mow {illegible} I pulled another row or two of mangels but Dad. thought I had better not pull many as we would not be able to cover them all to-night. I went back to the woods for a little while. Edmond England was in to-night to have Dad look at his horse which was lame. Fair to-day but rather cold. Sunday October 14th Enah Frank and I drove down to church this morning and I walked home with Aunty Alice who came over here to dinner. This after noon Aunty and I drove up to Vittoria and I got a half pound of ginseng seeds from Dr. McInnes for which I paid him five dollars. We got home about half past six and came around by Port Ryerse. To-night I went down town and met Marj. & Glad. coming out of church, we went up to the Law's for awhile. Young Ivan who enlisted about a couple of months ago is home on his last leave and expects to leave Hamilton for Halifax on Wednesday. It was raining quite hard when I started home so I stayed all night at Aunty's. Frank was down also as he is going to help them pack up a box of stuff for Walter in the morning. Monday October 15th Aunty got up early this morning and called me so that I got home before Dad. was up, as it was still wet I put on Roy's rubber boots and some old clothes but it turned out a nice day. I have been back in the woods all day planting ginseng seed. Dad. and Frank started to cut down the old oak at the south east corner of the lawn. It was dying anyway https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/3bdcf6b72ceac38258499dbe14849472.pdf fcae0d0df37da31e1f72639ef2ceebed PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. apply for exemption from military service. I went right over to the Armouries from the car to get an early place in the line but we had to wait about an hour before the doctors began examining. When they did start they told us to be ready for them so as not to keep them waiting and accordingly we all stripped to a most distressing state of complete nakedness and lined up ready to go through the test. There were about twenty five of us when they started and more kept coming. Some of the boys were cold and put their coats on while they waited, when they came to me I first got on a set of scales and one doctor weighed and measured me in different ways & also tested my eyes, another fellow listened at my heart and lungs and asked me if I had ever had any trouble with my feet or legs so I told him about my knee. He pinched it and said it was a bog spavin and I had better blister it, he then sent me over to a third doctor and he said the same thing, that I had better fire it. I said I didn't think much of firing spavins but he told me he had a little mare once which sprung a couple of {jacks?} and he took them off where upon another doctor began inquiring of him as to the whereabouts of some "little sorrel". Eventually he let me go saying I would have to be put in Class E as my knee couldn't be depended on. I said I hated to be put down so low and he said he could put me in C which is for service in Canada but that E was where I should be so I said that if any trouble arose in Canada I would go anyway and so he said "That's the way to talk". It makes me feel rather down in the mouth to think I am physically unfit but I suppose oughtn't to as they said I was in good shape every other way. I believe I have been half hoping all along that there might be a chance of me becoming a soldier yet but now I know that there is nothing left but "The cool sequestered vale of life" for me and of course in a way it is a satisfaction to know just where I am and what I have to plan for. I was just too late when I got to the L.E.& N. station to catch the four o'clock car so I prowled around town till six and came down with Dr. Cook who had come as far as Brantford from Toronto in his Ford but had got so cold & wet that he left the car in a garage and took the radial. Aunty Alice was waiting for me at the station and said I was to stay there all night as it was such a rotten night. There was a strong https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/6e9c1ca538c9fd7f736de7a19bb62034.pdf d9c493ba211c8e084886a8d7276e94df PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. about all of Class A being called out before any were exempted. I also went around to Moore's studio while I was up there. We went back to the Fair Grounds about half past three and watched a couple of horse races and then went over to the sheep pen where we found Dad. waiting for us. He had intended going back on the car but thought he was too late so we loaded the sheep up and he and Frank drove home, and I started out to walk although I believe If I had gone a little earlier I could have caught the car as it was late, however I got a ride from just out of Simcoe nearly to the Half-Way-House with some old {Oaks?} and then I walked to about Duncan's orchard when Johnnie Walker picked me up. I got home about half past six and Dad. and Frank about an hour later. Cloudy & Raw. Thursday October 11th I went down this morning to dig Aunty Alice's potatoes for her but didn't quite finish the job. Dad. & Enah came down to Mrs. Dillon's funeral and Dad. had to be bearer. Frank came down a little later with Ben's rack and he and I went up and got a load of old shingles from Cousin Willie's barn. Enah's sister Mrs. Johnson came over to tea and to stay all night. Lovely day, rain to-night. Friday October 12th Dad. and I had planned to go up to McEwen's by the seven car this morning and from there to the Caledonia Fair via Brantford but when Dad. got up at five it was pouring rain and had been all night so we decided not to go to the Fair and as it rained steadily but not hard all day we were glad we did. We thought however we had better go to McEwen's, as he had four yearling rams which he said he might sell any day and we have come to the conclusion that we can't depend on our old fellow. We drove down and left Joe in the barn and took the nine o'clock car intending to get back home at one o'clock but when we got up there we got talking to McEwen and looking at the sheep and the car went back before we knew it so we had to wait there till two and have dinner there. We spoke for one of his yearling rams which he wants sixty five dollars for, but we thought he was a dandy except for some little stubs of horns and a rather big ear but he is big and low down. We left McEwen's at two o'clock and Dad. took the car home but I thought since I was so near I would go on into Brantford and be examined as I have to be anyway some time within the next month, before I https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/d7237d6017ce088bd8f6fc12c3ddfa4c.pdf 45607643de6b3aef8a8d718d2961a6fe PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. take all the prizes. The Shepherd invited Frank to sleep in his boxcar to-night so I guess he will. I just did up the horses when I got home and Dad. and I had tea alone and were just ready to start after Enah & the baby when they came along. Enah had come down on the seven o'clock car. Miss Morgan & Mrs. Brent were on the car and they told her that Mrs. Dillon died this morning in the Brantford hospital while undergoing an operation. I walked down town and went up to see Marj. for awhile and stayed all night at Aunty's. Nice day but raw. Wednesday October 10th I got of on the seven o'clock car this morning for Simcoe and found Frank prowling around the sheep pen at the Fair Grounds waiting for some place to open up so that he could get breakfast. Neither of us got very far away from the sheep till they were judged about ten o'clock. I tried to give them a little fixing up first but didn't make much difference in their looks. Lloyd-Jones man was trimming at his all the time and so were some fellows with Oxfords. Lloyd-Jones was the only other exhibitor of Shrops. Old Billy Beattie was the judge and we were most agreeably surprised when he gave us three second prizes and two third. Lloyd-Jones got all the firsts but still we thought we did very well considering it was the first time we ever showed. Our little loose fleeced ram lamb took second prize from one of Lloyd-Jones, but he didn't bring out one of his ram lambs. Our ewe lamb didn't get a prize and neither did one of the yearling ewes on account of some dark wool on her head, all the others got something. After they were judged Frank and I took in a little of the Fair and also a little dinner which we took standing up. About two o'clock we went down town as I wanted to find out if I could be examined for Military Service in Simcoe, but no board has been appointed yet. The only man I could find (after going to the Armouries and the Court House) who kenw any thing about it was George McKie and he is on <s>one of</s> the exemption tribunal for the North Riding. He told me I would probably be exempted on account of being a farmer, as he thought the only farmers who would be taken were those who have started farming within the last two months and those on farms which are overmanned. From what he said I think Charlie Quanbury must have been mistaken https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/c3790745e0b37143572231dc1bba4c2e.pdf d556c1eb51da028dd9733a4318441cd7 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. froze hard last night, so I went out and finished plowing the headland at the north end of the field while Dad. went over and doctored up the cow. I brought the team up when I finished plowing but didn't get any more done at the sheep before noon. This after noon Dad. worked on the land and Frank and I continued to trim sheep. I trimmed our loose fleeced ram lamb and made a wonderful difference in his looks but I am afraid his fleece is too poor. Cool. Wednesday October 3rd It has rained steadily all day and we were very glad to have it as the land is very hard and dry and lots of the wheat we sowed last week has not sprouted yet. Frank and I spent the whole day nearly with the sheep washing their necks & briskets where the oil was on the wool. Dad. fixed a pen over in the barn for the pure bred calf. This was the day of old Monteith's sale but we thought they would postpone it on account of the weather but we saw several buggies go past on the way home from it and Tom. told us to-morrow morning (I havent written this for some time) that there was a good crowd and the cattle in fact every thing sold very well. Thursday October 4th Frank and I washed up a few more sheep this morning and this after noon he and I fixed the wire across the gap going from the wheat field behind the barn into the hay stubble. Dad. cleaned out some of the ditches in the wheat. About four o'clock I took Joe down town and had her shoe put on as she broke one some way. I called for Aunty at Mrs. Battersby's on my way home and she came over here to tea. After tea it began to rain and was a nasty night so Dad. drove Aunty & me down as far as Mr. Fleming's and we walked the rest of the way. I went over to Miss McQueen's with Marj. and stayed all night at Aunty's. Cloudy & raw all day Friday October 5th Dad. worked on the wheat ground this after noon and thinks it will be ready to sow to morrow. He took down the stove pipe off the kitchen stove this morning and cleaned it out When I got home this morning Frank and I picked the King's and got about two bushels and then Frank went to the mill and got some of our oats rolled. This after noon we trimmed sheep and to-night I caught about 45 nice pullet<s>t</s>s and shut them up in winter quarters. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/1184b285a9c342e3196196d4d91ed42b.pdf 34a4b3792b95e7f874675bdde831d674 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Saturday October 6th Dad. worked on the wheat ground all day and got it drilled this after noon, there is just about three acres of it Frank and I cleaned up seed for him this morning and were at that nearly all the fore noon. This after noon Marj. and I went to Vittoria after chestnuts but didn't get any as they were not ripe yet and do not seem to be very well filled anyway. We went up to Dunkin's and he filled out an application blank for me to get the yearling ewe registered. He showed me his stock while Marj. was in getting warm. I stayed to tea at the Moore's and didn't get home till long after nine. Roy & Rebecca came up to-day on the three o'clock car to stay over Monday it being Thanksgiving day. It has been cloudy with a raw north wind all day. Sunday October 7th I was the only one from this house to go to church this morning and I drove down and brought Rebecca home with me while Roy & Aunty walked over Aunty Alice didn't feel like coming. This after noon I went down to the Moore's and had tea at Aunty's. Aunty and I went to church to-night and I went up afterward's to see Huby. Frank walked down to church and he & I went home to-gether. Jack Martin started teaching Sunday school again. Monday October 8th Dad. went out first thing this morning to run some furrows in the wheat and then he, Enah and the baby went down to Aunty's for dinner and to spend the after noon. Frank and I spent most of the day putting what we considered the finishing touches on our sheep. Still pretty raw but rather sunny. Tuesday October 9th The Quanbury boys brought their waggon in this morning and left it for us to take the sheep to Simcoe and they took our old one with them. Just as they left Jack Highland drove in and left the sacks for the bluegrass and we bagged it up and Frank and I took it down this morning to the car. We took the baby with us and left him at Aunty's for the after noon as Enah went to the Simcoe Fair with the James'. Frank and I didn't get started for Simcoe till about half past two as we had to load the sheep after dinner and as we had to walk all the way it was nearly five when we got there. I left Frank and the sheep up there and left the Fair Grounds at a quarter past five and was home here at half past six. I had Joe & Belle. Lloyd Jones shepherd had quite a flock of Southdowns and Shrops up there and as they were trimmed up to the queen's taste and in good shape I suppose they will https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/e8cd3ca19ada6ee3ef8cfb3c9532e598.pdf 81e91dfd0d26306ae8ae9be19abe2f20 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Sunday September 30th Enah and I drove down to church this morning and Frank walked down. Enah stayed down to dinner and to-night to tea as she had to go to Vittoria with the choir and to play in church to-night. The held Harvest thanksgiving services both here & in Vittoria to-day. Mr. Millman came up the other night and Ade. Orm. & Kathleen all came up in the car this morning to take Paw & Mrs. Millman home. This after noon Frank and I went down town. Kathleen and I went up to call on the Harry Moon's. Harry was lying on the sofa but the doctor told him he would have to stay in the house another week. His boils are pretty well healed but they have his lung straped in so that he can't breathe through it. Ade & Orm walked over here to the farm to see Dad. and Paw took all the rest for a ride in the car. I came home to tea but Frank stayed down Just before we had tea All the Millman's but Mrs. came over here in the car. I rode down with them about eight and after waiting for about <s>enough</s> half an hour for Mr. Farney to get through talking went up to Miss Martin's with Marj. and her. I called in at Aunty's on my way home but they had taken Enah and Frank home. It has been cloudy raw and windy all day and feels like frost to-night. Monday October 1st Dad. sowed my experimental plots of wheat this morning and I disked them in. We then hooked on the plow but before we got out all the Millman's came over to say good-bye to us and were here for half an hour or so. Dad. then went out to try plowing the rest of the strip along the side road that Frank started in the spring for corn. He plowed all the after noon and said it was very hard but could be plowed. This after noon Frank and I went down town and sold five baskets of tomatoes and got a load of shingles off Cousin Willie's barn roof. Windy & rather cool but sunny Tuesday October 2nd We got the ewes all over in the barn this morning and picked out seven that we thought were worthy of a place in the Simcoe show ring, two aged ewes three shearlings and two ewe lambs, we separated them and put the rest back in the orchard. Dad then went out to finish plowing and Frank and I started to trim the show sheep. Jack Martin's man came over to get Dad. to go and look at one of Jack's Jerseys which had got bloated up on the frozen clover as it https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/23e584acc2dbdd61192e03ef04aab3f5.pdf 9fe15c5dae3901886ccddcb89c557630 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. to meet Aunty & Mrs. Millman who came up from Toronto to-night. Dad. and I met them at the station. We saw the Quanbury boys on our way home out experimenting with Charlie's tractor which he has concocted out his gasoline engine and an old mower and scrap iron. It seemed to be running all right on the road. Fine and dry. Wednesday September 26th I spent most of the day cleaning out the chicken house and getting it ready to put in the pullets. Frank picked and sorted tomatoes and this after noon harrowed on the wheat ground after Dad. who was disking. He disked on the pea stubble all day. The Quanbury boys were over this after noon to clean up a load of oats. To-night Mr. & Mrs. Colin McNellige & Miss Shand were over to spend the evening. Fine day, the ground is very dry. Thursday September 27th Frank and I have been over at Jack Martin's thrashing wheat all day and are not half through yet. The stacks are tough and the separator was stopped a good part of the time. The tough sheaves were very hard on the cylinder teeth. Dad. worked on the pea stubble all day and got started to drill about five o'clock. Frank and I came home to tea as we thought he would want to drill late but he stopped at six thinking we would stay to tea. I went to the picture show to-night with Marj. Nice day. Elgitha calved back in the gully to-night and the calf died. Friday September 28th We have been thrashing all day to-day again and are still at it. It went slower to day than yesterday. We only thrashed 90 bushels this morning. We moved down to Cawley's barn to-day but the stacks down there seem to be in just as bad shape. Dad. finished drilling the field to-day and Frank went over to help him drill the grassy piece west of the ditch. Lea Marshall came after him - Dad - this afternoon to go down to Bruce Smith's to see a colt he has down there. Enah and the baby went down with them in the car. Cloudy all day, rained a little last night. Saturday September 29th We finished thrashing at Jack's about four o'clock to-day The oats and barley came through a little faster but the spring wheat was in bad shape. In the three days we thrashed 976 bushels of stuff. Dad. ran out the furrows in the wheat field to-day and did a few other chores. Looks rainy to-day. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/3c90861dfd06ffa28486e0439ce04264.pdf c3e14fe26a01ed84fe1a0144df4671b7 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. At last I came to the conclusion that the thing must be decided in some way so I resolved to let the results of the battle of Verdeen which was then at its height be the judge. If the Germans broke through to Paris I would enlist. If the French were strong enough to hold them back I would stay home. Dad. said this was a fair proposition, as the Germans are still outside the defence of Verdeen I am still on the farm. Whether I did right or not I don't know, it is for those higher up in authority to judge but I do know that I have done what I thought was the best and have not suffered any uneasiness since I eliminated sentiment from the case. Now that conscription is coming in force all responsibility is lifted and if they tell me I am to stay on the farm it will be a satisfaction to know I have done right but if they tell me I must go to the front I will do it without any shame for having stayed away so long. I must say I do not feel the same eager desire to go that I once did and will not be sorry if I am exempted but at the same time want to go if I am really needed. The boys at the front have got to be reinforced no matter what else happens and we haven't the time to haggle over technicalities in our constitution to deside whether or not we have the right to enforce conscription. It may be bordering on Prussianism but we must have the men and as a last resort I think are justified in adopting some of the German methods in order to cope with them. All this is a little outside my usual diary writing but these are unusual times and in future years when time has harrowed over and smoothed our memories I want to remember how keenly we feel all these things now. Tuesday September 25th In some way or other I have missed one day altogether and wote under the heading of Monday all the doings of to-day so I will now write Monday's record under today's heading. Dad. and I finished hauling out manure this morning. We cleaned the shed and covered the field. Enah and Frank went out to the Shand's to take Flossie some tomatoes and then went down town. This after noon Dad. disked. I flailed out some of my wheat and Frank rode down to John Watt's to see if he could get some second cut clover that he is just putting up and then he and I went after it. We just got a little to feed the ram lambs and traded a bag of oats for it. To-night I went down town and got my hair cut and Dad. Enah & the baby and I went to Aunty Alices https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/0323790eca40622753f22cffafe0474a.pdf 621e80b4fc80eda3745cc17a9330f371 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. and stoops to the barbarous position of a beligerent she is leaving nothing undone in the way of preparation for military efficiency. It is very inspiring to hear the Yankees talk of how they are "wielding the sword of liberty and democracy to annihilate a war-mad tyrant whose atrocious deeds of barbarism have shocked their refined natures and provoked their holy wrath It is a little hard for me to understand just why the sword of liberty and democracy was allowed to hang rusting over in Uncle Sam's chim<s>b</s>ney corner for two years and a half before his refined nature was shocked or his holy wrath provoked, because to the rest of the world the deeds committed by the war mad-tyrant early in the war such as the violation of Belgian neutrality and the wholesale murder of non-combatants, American women and children included, were just as atrocious as the destruction of U.S. shipping, however Uncle Sam is into the scrap now and every one is glad of it because if he never fires a shot off he can be very useful to the Allies in other ways, not the least of which will be the rounding up of the hordes of German spies within his borders. It is rather out of place for me to be looking critically at the motives for other country's actions when our own government in all its branches seems to be so rotten with party politics. An election is in sight and both parties seem far more interested in it now than the outcome of the war. The Grits spend all their time hunting up mud to throw at the Government and the Tories are exerting all their energies making plots by which they can remain in power. Parliament had prorogued and Borden has gone fishing but they did pass the Military Service Act by which it looks as if conscription would soon be enforced. That to my mind was the proper thing to do, for the voluntary system is certainly dead even if the Government did kill it and it was inefficent any way. It was based too much on sentiment and not reason. I have found out from my own experience that in a case like this sentiment is no use. Before a year ago last spring I was so tossed by the crossing winds of sentiment on the sea of indecision as to my course of action that I came nearly being wrecked on the rocks of lunacy. The lightship of duty was only a spot light which added confusion to the scene for it would first throw its lustre on the military troopship with the recruiting officers calling for more soldiers and then on the harbor of Home with Dad's pleadings and the athorities calling for greater production. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/2d0d6517b9018e7856220d4912852f62.pdf 83c9dbf7ba68207a0b11cd462ca18e9b PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. down to the last notch; so although it is very dry it chewed it up considerably, Dad. spent most of the day flailing out my three varietys of wheat; and I helped him clean it. The Imperial Amber was the nicest and best sample with the Banatka next best. Frank did odd jobs and went down town. Sunny, no wind, no clouds and quite hot. Froze last night. Now that we are well started on the fourth year of the war, it is just as hard to say when it will end as ever. All the talk of Germany's degeneration and being at the end of her resources in men, money and food is beginning to be looked on as foolish gossip especially since the U.S. Ambassador has come home and told the public that Germany's total losses in men is only about 3 million out of the 12 she called out with 400 thousand coming of military age every year, and that there was no chance of starving her out as the non-combatant population is making the home country as well as the conquered territory produce more than ever before. On the other had there seems to be no fear of her being victorious for the Allies with their unlimited resources are becoming stronger every day. They are on the offensive on nearly every front and are able to hold most of the gains they make in their various drives, not only that but if there is <s>only</s> any truth whatever in the reports we get the Allies seem to be able through the efficiency of their artillery and aerial scouts to make important advances with the minimum of loss among their own men but at the same time inflict heavy losses on the enemy both in the first drive and in the repeated counter-attacks which invariably follow an Allied drive. Then too, the Germans although not demoralized do not seem to be able to put the same force into their offensives as they did in the early days of the war. A recent example of this was in Russia where conditions are bordering on civil war most of the time. The Germans were within reach of Riga and the Russian troops instead of offering resistance marched away from that part of the battle line in revolt under Korniloff against their own Government under Kerensky. If that had happened two years ago the Germans would have been in Petrograd now, but in some way Kerensky checked the revolt and the Russians went back to the front and the Germans are not yet in possession of Riga and it doesn't look as if they would be. It seems that by next year Germany must give up all hopes of victory, for now that the U.S. has come down off her lofty seat of super-civilization where she was "too proud to fight" as Wilson said https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/4651dbb0cb614eab787ad62de1df06a6.pdf 0443d35c9c1e29e24ed231344254f7d7 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. and did a few odd jobs and I disked on the pea stubble all morning. I would have gone thrashing instead of Dad. but I had promised to go up creek with Marj. this after noon and Dad. said as it was such a nice day I had better not postpone it so he went instead. They got through soon after dinner. I quit a little before noon so got down town fairly early but we had to go and hunt Jake Eyers up to get a boat as he was up digging potatoes and Marj. had to stop to express a basket of plums home which she picked at Miss McQueen's this morning, so it was about half past two when we left. We went up as far as we could row and had a dandy time getting back about half past five. I took a couple of pictures of Marj. It wasn't at all hot in fact some times when the sun went under a cloud or the breeze caught us it was rather chilly. I stayed to tea and all night at Aunty's Alice's. I was up town for a half an hour or so after tea and saw Brierly. Mrs. Barwell, Cousin Clair and Cousin Loll were down at Aunty Alice's for a rubber of bridge. Cold east wind this morning but sunny and warmer later. Sunday September 23rd I went home this morning right after breakfast and changed my clothes and then Dad. & Tid drove me down again to church. Dad. had to go over to Kolbes pig pens in the marsh to see a sick pig. He says the place over there is a fright. Ducks and chickens are so dirty they can't grow and the ducks won't go into the creek. The pigs with their mothers have had nothing to eat but fish and are not growing a bit. When I got home from church Frank informed me that all the rest of the family had gone to Caledonia with Ham Thompson to see Douglas. After dinner Frank went back to the gully and got some butter nuts, and I sat around and read and wrote in this. Mr. & Mrs. John Shand came to call but didn't stay when they found the folks away and Winnie was over for a little while, she wanted an impression of the crest to put on a signet ring. Frank and I did up all the chores and Frank went down to church I went down a little later and got home about eleven. Dad. Enah and Tid. got home about eight after having had a fine time down at Douglas's. I saw Hugh Bannister this morning for a few minutes, he has just got back from France having been on an American transport taking supplies to the U.S. troops. He has been pretty much all over the world since he left here 2 1/2 years ago. Lovely day. Monday September 24th I disked all day on the wheat ground to day and had the disks https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/48bd49f6d53f19a0fc29504e2cd316b9.pdf 1c8d3db1ffd18c1cd8f2026c64be9bfe PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. manure all day but only got out eleven loads. It was an unlucky day from the start. The trouble began before. Dad. left when Frank started out with the first load some thing, we think it was the end of the whipple-tree caught one of the rods at the side of the spreader and bent it so that it threw the section of gear that lifts the tailboard up against the other gear and we had to take it out and straighten it. Then when he got out in the field with the load he offended Belle in some unknown way and she balked and after losing considerable time with her we had to take her off and put Joe in her place. This was before Dad. left but he didn't have time to monkey with her. This after noon Paton came in with a mare that he said had swallowed an apple and was choking and I had to lose another half hour with him. I never saw Dad. treat a choking animal so didn't know just what to do but I ramed the probang down her neck as far as I could and that seemed to ease her. He left her here till Dad. got home when she appeared to be all right. About this time Frank began to feel squeamish in his stomach and although he was able to haul out a few more loads he didn't feel much like pitching on so didn't. He must have had too much of his own cooking I guess for although he helped me do up all the chores he was quite sick this evening and again during the night. Dad. got home about five but didn't "peel off" his good clothes as I had a card from Enah to-day saying she would be home to-night so Dad. went down to meet her. It was after dark when I got everything done and I had to do some tall foraging to find sustenance enough in the house to keep the breath of life within me. I was very thankful Frank was sick and couldn't eat for our store of provisions had dwindled down to scant rashion for<s>e</s> one, however by rumaging around in the stale bread crock where I found two or three crusts that were not mouldy and cleaning up some left over apple sauce and nibbling a slice or two of old cheese I managed to collect enough nourishment to maintain existence till Enah got home when I was able to supplement my supper with some sandwichs from Enah's lunch box. They had tea down at Aunty Alice's. Dad. and Enah both report that nearly all the corn they saw in their travels a few miles north of here is ruined by frost. Saturday September 22nd Dad. went down to Sam's to thresh this morning and Art Quanbury drove down with him. Frank felt pretty sick but poked around https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/e44eb633f3909e27dc48a8fd735b0a01.pdf eecc88d9cd5bbf509e58e3eb5a7d51da PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. the couker, one of the ten looked very small an thin after he was plucked so I gave him to Aunty Alice and she said he was all right. Dad. and I were up till eleven o'clock picking out pin feathers while Frank write a letter to Enah Wednesday September 19th I packed up my nine chickens first thing this morning and took them down to the Dominion Express office and shipped them to Waller's, Toronto. I never shipped there before but he proved all right as I got my returns on Friday and he gave me 26 cts per lb which was a cent more than he quoted. They were a nicer looking lot than the ones I sent to Barron as I had stuck most of them in the brain, had torn them very little and only broke a couple of wings. I had larger sheets of parchment paper to wrap them in too and so made a much neater looking package. I stayed down long enough for Joe Howell to put a shoe on Josie. Dad. and Frank were hauling manure from the cow stable shed when I got back but they had cleaned up a lot of seed wheat for Mr. Flemming This after noon we hooked Joe and Queen to the disks and I went over the part of the pea stubble which Dad. has manured. I guess it was the first time we have ever had five of our own horses working at the same time. I quit early and went down to tea at Aunty Alice's and afterwards went to the picture show with Marj. and saw "Snow white" which was acted truer to the old story than any of them I have ever seen. I stayed all night with Aunty Alice. Another fine day. Thursday September 20th I cut the lawns down at Aunty Alice's before I came home this morning and Dad. and Frank were out at the manure. I saw Uncle Ward on my way home and he told me he was going to walk over here to find out whether or not Dad. could act as bearer at Mrs. Boughner's funeral to-morrow, she having died yesterday, so when I got home and told Dad. he despatched Frank on his wheel to find out the details and to save Uncle Ward the walk. We hauled out manure all day. Aunty Alice came over this after noon and did up the house chores and boiled us some potatoes and made a pudding. Friday September 21st Dad. and I helped us put on a couple of loads this morning and then had to go as he had to go down town this morning and get his hair cut and stayed at Aunty Alice's to dinner then went from there to the funeral. Frank and I hauled https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/5c68390b006c5db03605f1d9f9a55784.pdf 9f14ae0ea5a1fad32495eb1ef7ac780d PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. of bachelor existance. Frank went down town to-night and stayed all night at Aunty Alice's. Lovely day. Sunday September 16th Dad. and I did did up the chores and partook of a cold and lonely breakfast after which I went down to church. Dad was home alone at dinner time and I don't believe he ate any as Frank and I stayed down at Aunty Alice's to dinner and had a good one. We came home right after and I hooked up Queen and took Marj. for a drive up into civilized borders of Charlotteville where we nearly got lost. Frank went down to Sam Law's and found that we could look for them to pull in here early to-morrow after noon. Dad. after entertaining Jim Waddle for an hour or so drove with him down town and stayed to tea at Aunty Alice's. Frank and I did chores after which I ate one hard biscuit and went down town and went up to Miss Martin's with Marj. after church and Frank went to bed. Fine and sunny day. Quite hot. Fly's bad. Monday September 17th Dad.and I hauled out what little manure we could this morning from around the old stack bottom, we got out I think nine loads. Frank cleaned up the barn and granarie's and just before noon went down and got Aunty Alice to come over and do things up in the house and prepare the supper for the threshers, they arrived about two o'clock and threshed all the oats out that were over the granary, there is my load of O.A.C. 72 to thresh yet. We got about 330 bushels which was not what we expected at harvest time but equal to any that has been threshed around here To-night I drove Aunty Alice down as far as the bridge. She simply would not allow me to drive her any farther for poor Joe might be frightened. Another fine day. Tuesday September 18th We threshed till noon and then finished with fifty bushels from my load of O.A.C. 72 and about 117 bushels of nice wheat from the 12 acres, to-gether with a pile of bluegrass which Jack Highland has since bought for 16 dollars. I went down about ten and got Aunty Alice who had to do some tall surrying to have dinner in time but she managed alright. After dinner Alfred Ryerse came up with his bags to get nine bushels of our Plymouth wheat for seed so he Dad. and Frank cleaned it up to-gether with our own seed and I spent the after noon killing my crate fattened chickens. I killed ten leaving the one with https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/2cf7e69356439443b055e3750f9b35e4.pdf 4b49947ed31f367b05df3205c896f2af PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. We had to take it over to Clarence Welsh's to weigh it and left it in the field on our way home it was about two o'clock when we got to the house. Dad. went back with the big team and started drilling right after dinner and when I had my dinner I took Joe and Belle back and started harrowing but changed team's with Dad. later and he finished drilling the field about dark while I brought the old team up as old Nellie was so tired she could hardly walk. Fine day Friday September 14th Dad. took Belle & Queen back this morning and harrowed over the field that he drilled yesterday and I disked on the pea stubble with the big team. Frank had to go down town Enah's brother and all his family and Fred Johnson came down in their car from Courtright yesterday and came over here this morning. Jean & Adelina stayed here to dinner. This after noon Frank and I had to go over to Ben Ivey's to help thrash Quanbury's oat stack and were over there all the after noon having tea at the Quanbury's. Dad. ran out the furrows in the wheat this after noon. Enah is getting ready to-night to go to Courtright with her brother to-morrow, they were in again to-night for a while. Tid says he doesn't want to go away but he got resigned to his fate before they left. Another fine day. Saturday September 15th The principal event of to-day was the departure of Enah and the baby for Courtright with the James'. The baby seemed quite happy in the excitement of going in the car but it wouldn't have taken much coaxing to keep him home, however it has since transpired that he was quite contented and happy during his sojourn and the constant opportunity of ac<s>c</s>ess to new and wonderful sights and things of interest such as the big boats on the river and the magic performances of machinery in his uncle's tin-shop, afforded, - warded off any attacks of homesickness which under other circumstances he might have suffered from. I didn't do any thing much all day but wash the buggy and go down town with Frank to get a ton of soft coal for which we paid the exhorbitant price of ten dollars. Dad. finished cleaning out the ditches over in the back wheat field and he and Frank hauled up the planks and sleepers of Ivey's bridge which last spring's {illegible} deposited in our gully. The planks we want to have handy to support the thrashing engine on the barn floor and they will be ready for Ivey's any time they take the trouble to come and get them but the sleepers which were cedar railroad ties, they sawed and split up for use during our coming week https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/dbe36b3d254e88cc561129ec01ef95dd.pdf 41039f3f4e46cfd3431473105ba08fc4 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Tuesday September 11th Charlie and Art Quanbury drove in this morning on their way out to Tupper's so I rode out with them. This is the first day Art. has been out of bed since he was taken sick a week or more ago, so I think he is plum crazy but maybe not. Frank rode down town on his wheel to tell Aunty Alice that we would likely not be able to attend her theatre party to-night if we had to thrash late and he rode on out to Tupper's on his wheel. I went over to Charlie's place with the boys and helped them put on a load of wheat out of Charlie's barn as they wanted to thrash a load for seed. They thrashed it first and then started at Tupper's out of the field. He hadn't a sheaf in the barn. I hauled in with Tupper's team and waggon all day, and we worked till after six. The wheat was in awful shape but the oats weren't so bad. He got 416 bushels alto-gether and 44 of them were wheat. Fairly cool but sunny all day. Wednesday September 12th Dad. and I worked both teams on the land this morning and Frank patched at the stable roof. Aunty came over at noon to tell us she was going to Toronto in the morning to help Vernon christen the baby. Bill. Philips came in just after dinner to get Dad. to go up and see Miss McCoy's cow and while Dad. was gone Bill helped Frank and me put off the load of oats that was on the rack and get the twelve shocks out in the field and the wheat of my plots. Dad. got back just as we got in and said he had told Miss McCoy to send to Simcoe for Bert or Anderson. It is now over a week since I have made an entry in this book so that the records for the week following this will be brief and their accuracy and completeness may suffer somewhat from the effacing effect that time has on my memory. To-night I went down town and spent an enjoyable evening at "Uncle" Hughie Moore's, where I have since learned that I revised Miss Kerney's former impression of my character as she had formed the opinion that I was a "solemn appearin' boy". I spent the night at Aunty's to help her get to the station in the morning. Thursday September 13th Aunty got off this morning and had Mrs. Gordon for company all the way to Toronto. I went to the station with her and carried her suitcases, she took one full of vegetables to Roy & Vernon. When I got home I hunted up some bags and Frank and I took Joe and Belle on the waggon out to Bob. Ross's and got 17 bus {bushels} of seed wheat. Bob. was hauling in oats but Frank {illegible} his hay but on a load and he and I cleaned up the wheat. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/7da035dbe026cea38a57de1c2697fc18.pdf 4ba15e123f27cfda2d7d6bc5120ff973 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. {This is a repeat of Index page 110} https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/69bb26f166f191c3a28c63f197258602.pdf bd84cf80c142af4d244dd3345988adfb PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. soaked it for an hour or more. The original spot seems to be healing nicely but the numerous breakings out around it are getting very sore. Dad. and Frank dug potatoes all morning and I went out for about an hour before noon to help them. Two of Ham Thompsons kids were down this morning to say that Ham was going to fill his silo this <s>morning</s> after noon so Frank and I went up after dinner. We were up there till after dark and then had tea up there but didn't finish the job as the corn was so wet it kept plugging up the blower so that they had to take the curved pipe and the distributor off. I worked in the field for an hour or so loading {stacks?} but my arm got so sore I had to come up and trade jobs with Tige McBride who was tramping in the silo. Old Mr. Miller was in there too. I didn't mind that job at all. On our way home Frank & I stopped in at the mill and got a bag of crate fattening mixture for another bunch of cockrels which I shut up last night but Tom had been here and said he couldn't get me any buttermilk. Dad. and I went out to-night and caught all the pullets we could find as Chris told Dad. to-day that he would be over Monday to take all that were any good for Jack and that he would give me 25 cts per lb for them. Fine day. Sunday November 4th All the household but me went to church this morning and as I had to soak my arm again I didn't get down till half past eleven and then went down to the doctor's. He dressed it again and gave me a hyperdemic for some reason or other and told me the new breakings out were infections from the original sore. It was very painful this after noon but principally around the spot where he inserted the needle. I went down to Aunty's for dinner and stayed there all day and all night I went up to see Marj. this after noon but she was up at the Bagley's as old Mrs. Hall just died and they wanted her to be at the door. Marj. was home after tea so I spent the evening with her. A goodly portion of the Bawlby family came down to Aunty's this after noon for an hour or so. Aunty Alice was over here to dinner and Enah came down town with her this after noon and took the five o'clock car for Simcoe to sing with a few others in the Dover choir at Trinity church where the Bishop of {illegible} was preaching. There was no service in our church to-night on account of his being in Simcoe and Aunty, Aunty Alice and Winnie went up on the seven car to hear him https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/d11722dd90b28db092d6d158a5558fcf.pdf 5d052d92e445cf8c7ccd4844009843db PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Monday November 5th I had breakfast at Aunty's this morning and came home right after, but in accordance with the doctor's advice and the feeling of my arm have done no manual labor all day. I soaked my arm for an hour this morning and again to-night and Enah wrapped it up the way Dr. Cook did. This after noon I rode down to the mill with Tom. and paid Charlie Ivey 57 dollars on the account but was surprised to find that there is still over 73 dollars to pay. Chris came over this morning and picked out all the pullets and old hens that were any good and Jack paid me 17 dollars for them 18 pullets & 3 old hens. The government tractor a "Bull" is plowing over at Ben Ivey's to-day but is doing awful work. Frank plowed all morning and he and Dad. have been digging potatoes this after noon. They got them all in that they have dug to-night and were very agreeably surprised at the quantity as well as quality and size of the potatoes, very few were damaged with the frost. There are still four rows to be dug. To-night Dad. and Enah went down to Aunty's to celebrate Aunty Alice's birthday. Huby and Aunty Maude were there as well as the John Shand's. Froze hard. Lovely day. Tuesday November 6th I soaked my arm again this morning and then went down town to show it to the doctor. He didn't lance the sore's this time as I expected but sterilized each one of them by poking a wire with cotton balling soaked with full strength carbolic acid into the heads of them and working it around. It made me squirm somewhat as the carbolic burned. I stayed at Aunty's to dinner and left on the one o'clock car for Simcoe. I went up and collected our prize money, eight dollars, and took Frank's and my own shoes to be half soled. I then went over to the Court House to what was supposed to be a meeting of Unionists to select a Union Candidate for the Union Government but I found it composed pretty largely of good or at least dyed-in-the-wool tories with a sprinkling of Grits. About all they did and under the circumstances I guess it was the best they could do was to pass a resolution authorizing the executive of the Conservite party in Norfolk to select twelve men representing different parts of the county, to meet twelve men selected in the same way by the Liberal's and between them they are to arrange a convention of delegates representing each party equally and they are to select a Union candidate https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/4ebda82ad625b0e387fe4f4eed247dbe.pdf 69331b819e2edc0825ba83965fe581c1 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. All the party men wanted to pick out their man to-day or at least not accept H.P. Innes's resignation and got to the Grits and tell them to pick out their man or else consent to the Torie's man but the fellows who wanted to be square opposed that proposition as what they are afraid of is that we will have two Union candidates one Grit and one Tory opposing each other and then a Laurier Liberal will work in as a farmer's man or some thing else and win the election, which of course would not be what Norfolk wants as Laurier still stands by his referendum scheme and his first act should he be elected would be to stop the working of the Military Service Act. John Wess was over this morning to ask Dad. & Frank to help him thrash to-morrow as there is another machine on the back road and he can't get hands. Dad. & Frank finished harvesting the potato crop to-day and pulled a few more mangels. Lovely day. Wednesday November 7th I have done nothing in the shape of work all day. Dad. & Frank went over to John Wesses to help him thrash this morning and Frank has been over all day but Dad. came home right after dinner. He didn't feel very well for awhile after he got back but feels all right to-night. He did chores and pulled a couple of more rows of mangels. I went down town this after noon and showed the doctor my arm which he said was doing well. I stayed to tea and spent the evening at Aunty's. Dad. came down after tea with a basket of the biggest of our potatoes (and there are some huge ones) for Aunty Alice to take down to show Roy on Saturday. He also brought down their milk as we are letting them have milk now three times a week. There was considerable excitement created to-day but the appearance of an aeroplane, the first one I think ever seen in this neighbourhood. Dad. told us about him first at noon as they had seen him over at John Wesses flying quite low. Then I saw him again this after noon but a long way off flying north east evidently for Toronto. It seems the aviator was a French-Canadian from Camp Borden and had got lost in a fog up around Lake Simcoe coming down here instead of Toronto & mistaking Lake Erie for Ontario. He almost landed in the school yard at noon or near noon and they let all the kids out to see him. He couldn't land https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/8edd3349f5ccfa13f8b5e5fc94522fb6.pdf 067bea7452662c3753c36ef0af49e7c8 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. in such a small space, however and went up to Holloway's place this side of Lynn Valley where he lit and went into Simcoe for gasoline They said he knew very little about his engine. A good proportion of the town saw him and heard him as he flew right down over the pond. It has been freezing hard the last few nights but the days have been mild and sunny, to-day especially nice. Thursday November 8th Although my arm has felt a good deal better to-day I have done nothing whatever to use it. Frank went back to John Wesses and thrashed till noon when they finished and he plowed all the after noon. Dad. did chores and sawed up some wood this morning and this after noon pulled up some more mangels besides doing chores. I helped Dad. saw up one limb of the old oak with one hand this morning and then went a walk back to the woods. I went to sleep before noon and was too lazy to get up to eat. This after noon I drove Enah & Tid down town and came home by the mill where I got a 40 lb. bag of oatmeal. To-night I went down town to see Marj. It has been a beautiful day and not freezing as hard to-night. Friday November 9th Frank went out with the Quanbury boy's early this morning and was out there till noon helping them thrash at Charlie's place. The job only lasted a couple of hours but I guess they didnt get started on time. Dad. plowed all morning and I didn't do any thing much but kill a couple of old hens for Enah and a cockrel for Aunty Alice to take to Roy to-morrow. This after noon Dad. and Frank got up the rest of the mangels except a few small ones and put them all in the drive house. I helped them a little, pulling. Pickford came in to ask Dad. to go over in the morning to operate on a couple of calves. He had been in Brantford to-day with Mrs. Pickford who has something wrong with her eye and has to go up every so often from now on to a specialist. Pickford was telling us that he has it figured out that it is going to cost him nearly fifty dollars, which fact I am afraid is causing him considerable distress. Art & John Quanbury came in with a load of oats to clean up and told Dad. that Jim Bannister had brought word at noon that Harry Ansley had had a stroke and was very low. Aunty came over just as they left and confirmed the news of https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/d0b8615ba125dec640627bf1cdadbac7.pdf 4d2c5cb0a025aaede3040d14f6f9c658 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. dangerous condition but said he had not had a stroke but sort of convulsions and they think the trouble <s>was</s> is from his spine. The latest news to-night is that he is resting quietly having had theree convulsions, the first one before noon and lasting nearly an hour, the other two being lighter. I went down town to-night with Aunty Alice's milk and Roy's chicken and stayed all night so that I could help Aunty Alice get to the train in the morning. The war news to-day is bad, another revolution is taking place in Petrograd. Kerensky has fled to regions unknown and the revolutionists are demanding a separate peace with Germany. Prospects on the Italian battle front are not <s>showing</s> brightening yet either. The Italian army is still retreating from the immense hordes of Astro-Germans who have crossed the Tagliamento river and claim the capture of 250'000 prisoners and 2300 guns. The Italians claim that Cadorna's main army retreated unmolested and taking up defensive positions along the Piave river where strong British & French reinforcements are now massing and where it is hoped a decided stand will be taken as Venice is only fifteen miles behind this line and it is feared a further advance by the enemy would be liable to cause panic among the people who are already shaken but who are cheered by the presence of British & French aid in great strength from the Western front. If the fighting spirit of the Italians is still strong it is thought by some that an allied victory here is possible, and would mean disaster for the Central Powers who it is believed made this big drive partly in the hopes of demanding peace. The British forces under General Allenby are making headway against the Turks in Palestine having taken Gaza and closing in on Jerusalem. The Canadians are also doing fine work in France. Saturday November 10th I went up to the Tibbets as soon as I had breakfast this morning and Cousin Willie told me that they had had no call during the night so thought Harry Ansley was about the same. It was just about seven when I got back but as Aunty Alice was already we went down to the station and when she got in the car I came back. I came home almost as soon as the train went out. Frank plowed all morning and helped Dad. saw off and up another https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/ffa4646580614b0f7ce80b717fc5fcd1.pdf 35314fa6d80d0862f679e0fea7a14377 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. oak limb. This after noon Frank went to Simcoe to get the shoes I left up there to be fixed and to see Rus Lampkins about the windmill as some thing has gone wrong with it, I don't know just what. Dad. didn't get back to plow as there were so many chores to do and he helped me sort some of the potatoes. Frank came down to the five car and went down town again to-night. Another beautiful day. Sunday November 11th Enah and I drove down to church this morning leaving Dad. Frank and the baby to get dinner. Frank I think spent the morning fixing the windmill following the instructions he got from Rus Lampkins yesterday. Aunty & Aunt Ida came over here to dinner I went down town right after dinner and Marj. and I went for a walk. She has a bad cold so didn't go to church at all to-day, she had an awful time with her cold yesterday but feels better to-day. I stayed up there to tea and for the evening. Rus. Skey was over here to tea and Dad. has been giving me very amusing accounts of his future dreams of leaving the bank which he has always detested and finishing his medical course coming to Dover and fixing up the old home putting in the remainder of his life (he figures he would have at least fifteen years for it) in scientific research practising on the Turkey Point decendants, gratis. He was also reviewing with Dad. the pugilistic incidents of their school days dwelling with special pride and joy upon the day he licked Bev. Powell. It has been a beautiful day, very warm & not freezing to-night. Monday November 12th Dad. & Frank both went back this morning one to plow and one to ditch. I had to go over and chase the sheep out of Jack Martin's field as they have discovered the way over and are determined to go. About nine o'clock there was a great commotion caused by the blowing of the factory, Canning factory and other whistles We thought there must be a fire so I hurried down as far as Uncle Ward's but every thing was quiet and undisturbed by then down town. There was a flag up on the factory and Uncle Ward had no idea what had caused the row. Aunty Lucy suggested news of victory while we thought possibly the completion of the dam (which is not yet completed) was responsible but later in the day we found out that at nine o' https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/3d10a19d1ed9879402e4de098d5a3900.pdf 1a64b3387c9f179c1a1a065a9a098686 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. clock this morning the books are open for subscriptions to the new "Victory Loan" and all sorts of means are being resorted to to bring it to the attention of the public, this being one of them. I stayed talking to Uncle Ward till I nearly froze and when I came home found Frank sorting potatoes so helped him till noon. This after noon I intended going down to the doctor's again but Dad. wanted me to write to Dick so by the time I got that done it was pretty late and Enah said I might as well wait till after tea and then take Aunty's milk down so I did. I also took a basket of apples over to Marj. as she told me yesterday she had hardly tasted one all fall, she wasn't home to-night having taken Miss Kelly to the picture show. I went around to the doctors and got another bottle of dope and he burned out a couple more spots I stayed down all night at Aunty's. Dad. plowed this after noon and Frank pulled some more turnips. Raw East wind to-day & cloudy but clear to-night. Tuesday November 13th I came home about eight this morning and helped Frank bag up some oats to take down to be chopped. We took Belle and Queen and as they haven't been out for about a month were feeling pretty gay. Queen especially. It was about eleven when we started and they told us down there that we could get the grist in half an hour so we drove down town and got my box from Waller's and a bag of salts getting back about noon. Dad. plowed all morning. This after noon Frank went <s>down</s> back and plowed and Dad. and I spent most of the <s>morning</s> after noon cutting a block off the butt of the old oak. I went over to Ben's for a little while just before dark to see the tractor. It is plowing deeper than it did at first but has to make very wide {illegible} and leaves the ground very uneven. Cart. Bawlby was finishing up after it and had a big job as the pesky thing doesn't pretend to go straight. Cart. didn't think Ben was going to gain much in time or money by using it and then as he says it is only half plowed. Frank went down town to-night for a little while, there was a meeting in the town hall to-night to put the terms of the Victory Loan before the public. Froze hard last night but has been a nice day. Wednesday November 14th Enah, Tim and I went down town this morning and stayed at Aunty's to dinner. I went up again to the doctors and he punctured three more spots one a great big one like a blister and my hand is pretty sore to-night. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/c0fa163cf42fb4a468003396f5cc07b0.pdf 6576e3d56f781b65f234c9874bf4c5ff PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. I got some carbolic acid to heal any spots that come myself from now on. I went up and got Aunty's mail right after dinner <s>but</s> and then came home but didn't do any work all the after noon. Enah and the baby stayed down till after dark. Dad. & Frank plowed and did chores all day and finished the back field to-night. They had a couple of rag-men for dinner to-day who presented them with a tin pail in payment. Word came on Saturday that poor old Skelly Long had been killed in action and to-day Enah heard that Fred George had got a bullet through the head. Thursday November 15th My arm has been pretty painful all day and I have been in the house nearly all day. Frank and Dad. spent the morning running out ditches in the fifty acre sod field east of the lane and Dad. just got started to plow it this after noon when Alan Law came to get him to cut the lump off old Ben's stifle. He was down there till nearly dark but they couldn't operate on Ben and will have to throw him. McEwen came in on the one o'clock car to look at the ram lambs but he said they were too small for him and advised us to keep four of them over, he bought the two best ones for twenty dollars apiece and we have to ship them to-morrow. Dad. took Aunty's milk down to her to-night. Cloudy, rainy & raw all day. Friday November 16th Dad. and Frank crated up the two ram lambs this morning and Frank and I took them down to the station and Dad. went out and plowed. When we got back I went over to John Wesse's to see how he was, he was plowing but his breath was pretty short. I then went over to Tupper's and bought a heifer from him. Frank said he would go in on the speculation with me. She is rather small but in good shape and due to calve in April. Tupper said he would take my note for 11 mos. at 5% and he taxed me sixty five dollars for her. I stayed there to dinner and went down to Frank Ryerse's with him after dinner. Sam had just pulled in there to thrash. I got a couple of boxes of Chamberlain salve from Mrs. Ryerse and then came over to Law's with Alan and he drove me home. He took Dad. back with him and they threw old Ben but didn't operate as Dad. said it would be a painful operation and they were not sure it would cure him so they thought as he was so old it wasn't worth it. Aunty and Aunt ida were over here to dinner and walked over and back. I went down to Aunty's for tea and went to the picture-show with Marj. but it was a miserable show. My arm is still pretty bad. I put Chamberlain salve on it this after noon. Fair day. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/d6ea6fe387916fef4528174e6513d7db.pdf 355a076d9378b3002a16860cb6f49f68 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Saturday November 17th I didn't get home very early this morning as I went up town first and got some long envelopes to send McEwen's pedigrees up in. Just as I climbed Martin's fence Dad. was starting out with Harry & Belle, he had been out and plowed eight rounds in an hour with Harry and Queen and was now going to shake the keen edge off Belle. This after noon he plowed with Belle & Queen to-gether and they did fine. Frank worked Harry & Nellie. I fixed up McEwen's pedigrees and made out a promisary note for $25 for him and also made application for the pedigree of the yearlin ewe that is not registered yet. When Jim came at noon with the mail I ordered a postal note from him to pay for the pedigree and was fool enough not to think what I was doing and gave him McEwen's address instead of the "Live Stock Records at Ottawa so had to hike down to the post office and tell Cousin Willie to fix it when Jim came in. When I got home I walked out to Wilbur Ryerse's where Sam & Alan are thrashing and told Alan that he was welcome to old Dave if he wanted to come and get him to plow with in place of old Ben. so he said he would come up and get him. He says he would buy a new horse if he was sure of not being called up for service but he thinks he will be when {illegible} is called. Lovely day. Sunday November 18th None of us went to church this morning, I would have gone but took so long to fix my arm. I went down to see Marj. this after noon and stayed at Aunty's for tea then went to church alone this evening. Aunty didn't go to church to-night as she didn't like to leave Aunt Ida alone. Marj. and I went over to the McQueen's after church. They were rather upset over at the Moore's this after noon by the news of the death of Mat. Hudson down the lake shore Miss Herny informerd uncle Hughie one day last week that there would be a death in the family as she heard the death bell ringing in her ears. Huby & Mr. Lawrie were over here this after noon. Cloudy and raw all day. Rained a little, milder to-night. Bill Law arrived home from the war last night with just one leg. Monday November 19th I got home about half past nine this morning and found Dad. and Frank cutting more off the old oak. I got my old clothes on and about eleven walked out to the Shand's and had dinner with Willie & Winnie and then walked down to the cheese factory & paid Lea Marshall $7.40 for a year's buttermilk. Dad. and Frank were over helping Art Quanbury thrash this after noon till about five. Enah and the baby were down town all day. Charlie Shand doesn't know yet whether he will get exemption or not. Cloudy & raw but fine. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/46695df6d0c432df095fc735efcb7c61.pdf cbe39dd18d5e5e2f6bd29c3848ce6383 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Tuesday November 20th I didn't do any thing all morning but sit around and read "Saturday Nights". This after noon I went down and got my hair cut. Enah went down as far as Uncle Ward's to find out the particulars of Mrs. Schofield's funeral, she having died suddenly yesterday. Dad. and Frank plowed with both teams to-day but took quite awhile doing chores. The nominations for the federal elections were yesterday and it looks as if there was going to be quite a fight. In Norfolk, however, Innes withdrew at the last minute so that leaves Charlton, Liberal Unionist against Wallace, Laurier man. Cloudy & damp. Charlie Quanbury got word to-day that his claim for exemption has been refused. Wednesday November 21st Dad. and Frank plowed this morning and Frank this after noon but Dad. had to act as bearer at Mrs. Scoffield's funeral if he had been home they would have finished the oat stubble I sat around the house all day as I have a new boil on my knee which makes it pretty sore. Bruce was around this after noon soliciting subscriptions to the Victory Loan but we were unable to invest. I went down town to-night to see Marj. and stayed at Aunty's all night. Cloudy & raw. Thursday November 22nd I went down to get a fish for Aunty before I came home this morning and got home about ten. Dad. and Frank were cutting a block off the oak tree, they didn't plow any to-day as it rained or drizzled all the time. It turned colder towards night & snowed. I sat around the house all day as my knee was very sore and swollen, the spot on it seems just like the ones on my arm. Charlie and Art Quanbury were cleaning up wheat most of the day with our mill. Charlie's throat is in bad shape, he announces his intention of starting revolution. He's peeved. Friday November 23rd I have sat around the house and read "The Illiad" and "Titus Andronicus" all day to-day. It was frozen too hard to plow and has been very cold and windy all day. There is a half covering of snow on everything. Dad. & the baby went down to Aunty's this morning to bank up the house and stayed down to dinner. Frank got the apples down cellar this morning. This after noon they did chores. Enah walked down town this after noon to get some provisions. War news lately might be worse. British made a big drive the other day and took about 9000 prisoners. It was a complete surprise as no artillery were used to open the way. The tanks went first and broke the barbed wire. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/70b2b0259fd5575bc9c5a3341e765716.pdf d23339598261a085df5cef90e0cbd990 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Saturday November 24th It froze very hard last night and has not thawed at all to-day. The wind was from the north all day and it has been cold enough for mid-winter although sunny. I sat around the house most of the day although my knee was very much better. Dad. and Frank spent the day getting wood amd doing chores. Alfred was in this after noon for quite awhile and paid Dad. the balance on the seed wheat. Frank went down town to-night. Sunday November 25th Enah, Dad, Tid. and I walked to church this morning but found a notice on the door saying there would be no service owing to the lack of gas, so I went to the Catholick church and the others went to the Presbyterian. I came home to dinner and Frank and I had it alone as the rest stayed down at Aunty's. I went back down town right after dinner and spent the after noon with Marj. had tea at Aunty's and went up to Miss Martin's with Marj. after tea but found she had gone to a service they held in the Sunday school with Cousin Willie presiding as Mr. Johnson is in Stratford. Aunty & Aunt Ida went to service to-night and said cousin Willie gave a very nice address. I went down there early and stayed all night. Froze hard again last night. Monday November 26th I spent most of the day killing and fixing up my 12 crate fattened cockrels. I am afraid they will niot bring as much as I have had very little milk for them and have not looked after them as I should have. It is still frozen up tight so FDad and Frank have been doing chores all day and this after noon they put the mangels down the cellar. They have been in the drive house but were not frozen. Enah was over at the Quanbury's this after noon and said there was quite a crowd skating on the pond. Tom. was in this morning and said John Watt's little shack burned down last night and people were lblaming him for it as old Jim McQueen was going to move into it to-day. It has been sunny but frosty to-day. Tuesday November 27th Frank and I went down with my chickens this morning which I shipped to Waller's and got the cellar window which has been at Mr. Jame's all fall owing to our forgetfulness. When we got home we went over to Tupper's and got our heifer getting back about noon. I had a bad cold anyway and the morning's operations knocked me out. I huddled over the stove all after noon, didn't want any tea and went to bed about seven o'clock. Dad. went down to-night and got leave from Clayton Ansley to do as he liked with old Nellie & the heifer. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/32421e2a258208d37473aca90e20d26c.pdf f0451faac42b0184b2d9cb8bc6ccef5d PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Wednesday November 28th Dad. and Frank got some more wood from the old oak this morning and this after noon started to clean up the wheat. Lloyd Ryerse came up with his ferret this after noon and after helping awhile to clean up wheat he and Frank went after rabbits but didn't see any. Dad. went over to John Wess's to see how he was to-day. He feels pretty well as long as he keeps still but can't do any work. {Com.?} is home now. This after noon I wnt down town stayed at Aunty's to tea went up to see Marj.and stayed at Aunty's all night. Milder but still frozen up. Thursday November 29th I have been down at Aunty's all day. I went down to the station this morning to meet Aunty Alice who came home on the eleven o'clock train. This after noon I went up after Aunty's mail and then made three trips up to Col. Smith's after "Saturday Evening Posts" and "Country Gentleman's". He had a big pile of them and didn't want to destroy them so said we could have them. I left them at Aunty Alice's till we can get them in the buggy. Dad. and Frank finished cleaning up the wheat to-day. It held out pretty well with the machine. Dad. went down to see Aunty Alice to-night. Much softer. Freezing to-night. Friday November 30th Dad. and Frank hauled the wheat down to the mill this morning in two loads I went down with them on the second load. Dad. was well pleased with the way the wheat turned out. He didn't expect it would more than pay the bill at the mill but there were about 57 1/2 bushels and Charlie gave him $2.09 for it so there was about $44.00 coming to him after the account was paid. This after noon Dad. and the baby drove down to take Aunty Alice up to the cemetry but it rained so hard they didn't go. Frank went down to the mill again this after noon to get some feed. They took down some oats this morning and got part of them chopped and traded part off for shorts & feed flour. Rained most of the day. Saturday <s>November</s> December 1st Frank and I drove Belle and Queen to Simcoe this morning after the bbl. {barrel} of coal oil which Dad. ordered a week or so ago. We borrowed Mr. Flemming's democrat. Dad. only ordered 25 gallons but we had to take a 45 gal. bbl as there were no others. However it is two or three cents cheaper than we can get it here and is supposed to be better. Dad. Enah and the baby went down town this morning and did some shopping and Dad. drove Aunty Alice up to the cemetry. I didn't do any thing https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/eb62e422a32128d0be7b83fbbc018d24.pdf 2c4732f17deaa0e89cf710a64ac65d6b PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. in particular this after noon, and Dad. & Frank just did chores. I gave my arm a good soaking before tea to-night. It is pretty sore again but there is only one big spot left to break on it. It seems to take a very long time to come to a head. Cold wind with snow all day. Freezing hard again to-night. Sunday December 2nd I was the only one of this family who went to church this morning and I was very late as we were late getting up. I came home to dinner but went down town right after and this after noon walked round the hill with Marj. after which we paid Miss McQueen a short visit. I had tea at Aunty's and to-night we went to church to hear the Bishop and see the confirmation ceremony. The church was packed and we had to get a few more seats from the Sunday school. There were about 22 candidates for confirmation, five of them coming from Vittoria. I stayed at Aunty's all night. Nice day but freezing. Monday December 3rd I hung around down at Aunty's this morning till about ten o'clock expecting Dad. down to go and see Niel Elliott about buying Harry Ansley's heifer, but as he didnt come Aunty & Aunty Alice thought I had better go down and see Niel myself so I did. He was down at the coal office weighing hogs and asked me to take his horse up town to Hec's barn so I did and while I was gone Dad. came and went down also to see Niel and so I am afraid may have given him the impression that we had some thing here we were anxious to sell. Dad. went on up town and got his hair cut so I came home. This after noon I went down again to get an order from Waller's cashed and stayed to tea at Aunty's Mrs. Jackson from Port Rowan landed in there to stay all night having come in on the five o'clock car, and she made herself very entertaining by her enlivening conversation which during tea time consisted chiefly <s>with</s> of accounts of the Port Rowan Christian Scientists and their doings. it is quite evident that they hold a very low place in her estimation. After tea I went up to hear Charlton, Rowell and a Mr. Starr president of the Toronto Conservative Association speak on behalf of the Union Government. I have heard from several sources that Rowell was a very forceful speaker but I couldn't see anything much in what he said and I think if any one changed their views on the situation <s>last</s> to-night, their conversion would be credited to Mr. Starr, who I thought was good. Cloudy & cold. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/2ceb2e9d131e411babc0feeec5e0ea69.pdf ba5485a7bfe01bd20ed21129a5516477 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Tuesday December 4th I haven't done any thing in particular to-day, just sat around and read and husked a few hickory nuts. Dad. and Frank did chores and this after noon Frank went over to help Charlie Quanbury thrash seed. They didn't get started very early so didn't finish to-night. To-night Frank went down to a Red Cross dance in the town hall Dad. got the storm windows down and put some of them on. Raw. Wednesday December 5th Frank went out to help Charlie thrash first thing this morning and Dad. after he had done up the chores went over to help Pickford saw wood as he has Ot. Collins engine & saw there to-day. Dad. only stayed a few minutes as Frank got there soon after he did having finished thrashing at Charlie's. He stayed there the rest of the day and Dad. did chores. I didn't do much but my arm is I think "on the mend" as the big lump that has been so bad has at last broken and there are no signs of any more bad ones coming. I went down to tea at Aunty's to-night and afterwards up to see Marj. Frank & Enah came down after tea to attend one a Political meeting held by Wallace (Laurier man. or at least independant opposition) and the other choir practice. Roy came in on the seven o'clock car to stay for the night, going to Brantford in the morning. Thursday December 6th Frank has been over at Pickford's thrashing all day. Dad. went down right after breakfast to see Roy but just saw him for a minute. He found out that there was a car of coal in and that he could get some if he went down, so he came right home, harnessed the old team and got a ton. It began to look as if there wasn't going to be any for us this winter as very little came in and people who have had orders for a long time were served first, but now they expect there will be plenty in a week or so. Andrew Innes went over to Buffalo on behalf of the town and arranged for Kolbe to get it. I read most of the after noon but helped Dad. unload the coal and just as we got through Ham. Thompson came over after his ewes so it was nearly dark when we got them loaded. Enah went over to the McPherson's this after noon to teach Cecil a song for a Methodist concert. Dock Abbot got home from the front last night and there is great rejoicing down at Tom's Alan says he looks fine except for the deep cut in his face on account of which he is home and will have to go back for more treatment at the hospital, but all the grim yarns that were going around a few months ago about him being dumb and blind were false although for awhile he was in danger of losing one eye. Cloudy cold & raw. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/35aa878e7ebba0aa0c34fbcadfbc6325.pdf 2734a732a69fbb1dd44501fa30c699c9 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Friday December 7th Frank thrashed all morning at Pickford's and got home soon after dinner. Dad. did chores this morning and went down to the mill in the buggy after some feed flour. Aunty Alice walked over to dinner. This after noon Dad. and Frank went out to Bob. Ross's sale and didn't get back till dark. They left before it was over and didn't buy anything everything went high. Tid and I walked down as far as Mr. Battersby's with Aunty Alice and then went for a walk through the "Sheep Pasture". Freezing all day but sunny and nice. Saturday December 8th We took the four head of cattle which Dad. sold to Niel Elliottt on Monday down this morning with out any trouble. There was the <s>three</s> two year old heifer and the two black yearlings and Harry Ansley's black heifer which Dad. could only get $25.00 for. He got $165.00 for our three which he figured as $80.00 for the two year old $45.00 for the yearling steer and $40.00 for the yearling heifer. He and Frank went up town to get the money and pay up various debts and I waited for them at Aunty's They didn't get down there will about noon so I didn't go home with them but waited for dinner and went up town and got Aunty's mail this after noon. I came right home then but didn't do much this after noon but a few chores, my arm is very much better and I think I can work with it now as there is no sign of any more spots and the old ones are all healing Dad. got the colts up this after noon as there is a terrific blizzard raging. It was bad this morning but is much worse this after noon and every thing is full of snow. Enah was to have collected for the Navy this after noon but couldn't go out. Yesterday's and today's papers are full of the news of the awful explosion in Halifax caused by a munition ship blowing up. Nearly the whole city is wrecked and there are at least 2000 people killed, some put it at 3000 while about every second person in the city is injured. To make things worse to-day's papers say there is a fierce blizzard raging down there. Sunday December 9th It was very cold and windy this morning and the snow was drifting badly, it kept increasing till this after noon there was one of the worst snow storms and most blinding blizzards I every saw, at this time of year anyway. I was still at it to-night but I think had stopped snowing but was freezing very hard. I was the only one left the farm to-day. Dad. and Frank spent the day doing chores and making the animals https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/11acce868165f46eaf32dfc58a937917.pdf fe6eaf7c2073cc5e6ef10adf98f419b6 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. as comfortable as possible. I went down first thing this morning and shovelled Aunty's snow for them and had breakfast down there. By the time I got home and got dressed up it was too late to go to church but I went right down after dinner and took Aunty's & Elva's cream down. I went around to see Marj. but couldn't find her as she had gone down to Patterson's for dinner and from there over to Mrs. Perry's. I stayed to tea at Aunty's and went up after tea when I found Marj. home. I didn't go to church but I think they had service in the Sunday school. Monday December 10th I shovelled all the snow and opened the rain barrels down at Aunty's this morning and got home about ten o'clock Frank and I spent the rest of the morning putting the poles we got from Tupper ac<s>c</s>ross the bent in the old barn and covering them with straw to make a warm pen for the ram lambs and the young calves when they come. This after noon Frank went down to fix Aunty's cellar windows and Enah went out collecting for the Navy. I read most of the after noon but helped do chores and dug a snow house in a snow drift for the baby It has been very cold and windy all day and the snow was drifting badly but it did not snow any more Tuesday December 11th Frank and I spent most of the morning digging out the lane, there never was more snow in it since we have been over here. Tom came up this morning with butter and Dad drove up as far as Duncan's with him to see a lame horse which Annie told him about yesterday. Dad. and I just did chores this after noon and I read the papers, the mail trains didn't get through yesterday so we had both papers to-day. The most important news is that Jerusalem has surrendered to the British. Frank went down town this after noon and took the crosscut saw down to Uncle Wards and learned how to sharpen it. Enah made butter to-day. I spent the evening drawing a picture of a {puppy?} from the cover of "The Country Gentleman". Sunny & cold. Wednesday December 12th Young Gamble from the Lower Hotel came over this morning to get Dad. to go down and look at their cow which had milk fever so he did after a good deal "cussin". Frank & I did chores till he got back and then we got the bob-sleigh out of the barn and went down to Coleman's after a hog crate. It was after noon when we got back. Right after dinner we loaded old Gladys in the hog crate https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/baa95cd05f44f8ab822afca3f0bab589.pdf 5ef9231dc142256600cb2037110fb2da PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. and took her to the slaughter house where Karl killed her for us. Frank stayed there the rest of the after noon to watch him. I took the hog crate back down town and then came home with the team. Dad. Enah & the baby drove down town in the cutter soon after I got back and brought Marj. back with them to tea. She was here all evening and I drove her home about half past ten. Nice winter day. Thursday December 13th Frank and I with the baby drove down to the slaughter house first thing this morning and got the remains of poor old Gladys and Dad. spent the rest of the morning cutting her up. Frank and I then went down town and around by the mill where we got a couple of bags of feed. It snowed hard all the after noon and we didn't do any thing much. Arthur Preston was over for quite a visit and told us that he had got a circular saying that there would be a meeting to-night to make more arrangement for Neff's Short Course this winter so Frank and I went down and Neff gave us each a route to canvass to create a little enthusiam over the course. Much milder to-night. Friday December 14th We have just done chores to-day and this after noon Dad. Tid and I drove Queen down town for exercise. Frank and I went down to a Union Government meeting to-night which was pretty good but late. Proff Law of Knox College & Frank Ried were the speakers. Cold and clear to-day, very frosty to-night. Saturday December 15th Did chores most of the day. Frank and I drove Queen down town this after noon and went down to Aunty's to tea to-night & spent the evening. Very cold. Sunday December 16th I went down alone to church this morning and just sat around the house all the after noon till it was time to do chores. Went down to-night and spent the evening with Marj. Monday December 17th Dad. and I drove out to Wiggin's this morning and Dad. voted for me as he said he wouldn't vote at all himself but as I was entitled to a vote but through neglect was not on the list he would mark the ballot the way I wanted it which was of course for Charlton & Union Government. Dad's finger is very painful and he can't do a thing with it. To-night Frank and I went down to hear the returns. Union Government is safe. Charlton got bigger majority than Wallace did https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/50eef980325018f01a5b6cdba93f8a53.pdf 5e8bdb782bb355e45de978b4859ee9f4 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Monday December 31st When two weeks ago I discovered that I had only three pages left in this book I decided to wait till now and make a summary of the principal events of the old year's last couple of weeks instead of making three line entries for each day. About a month ago I started to condense my entries to an average of half a page a day and if there had been as I counted on three hundred pages, I would have been alright but it was not till I got this near the end that I found it fell short. Frank and I have had the chores to do ever since I wrote last as Dad's finger is still very sore. For four nights it was so painful that he couldn't sleep a wink and on the 19th he went down to Dr. Cook who was out of town so he went over to the old Dr. Toole who has just come to town and he diagnosed it as a felon and lanced it. Since then he has not suffered such awful pain with it, but it has been very sore and has been discharging a little every day till yesterday. My arm is aparently alright again and except for a toothache which I had for a couple of days before Christmas the rest of us have been able to work & in fine shape. All our snow and good sleighing went off with a thaw we had about the 20th but it froze up right away again and the last week it has been very cold one night going down to 14° below zero. Before the sleighing went Frank and I got around on our two routes canvassing for the Short Course. I went down the third concession from our side road to the town line and back on the fourth and Frank had up the Gravel and Radical roads part way and in to the farms on the lake front. The day <s>I</s> we went on my beat it was a beautiful sunny day and the sleighing fine, we did up the morning chores before we left, stayed at Bruce's to dinner and got back in time to do the night chores. Dad. let the colts out and put the cows in at noon.We got one or two to promise they would come but the majority of them were too busy but said they would like to come in when they could. We went on Frank's beat the next fore noon and met with about the same success. That afternoon I drove Dad. Enah Aunty & the baby out to Mrs. Jim. Waddle's reception, in the bobsleighs. It was not such a nice day and the sleighing was going fast. Christmas day we all went down to church in the morning which was not the usual Christmas service The church was undecorated and the choir & congregation were small. Harry Moon seems to have dropped out https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/158885c7dc7c31af377f44f045f34aeb.pdf 6bff20d51673bab4ec1882cd294c5810 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. of church life since Mr. Johnson made his election remarks in the pulpit the day before election. Christmas night we had a great dinner & tree over here, fifteen of us partaking of it, all from Aunty's, all from Huby's and all from the James. The roads were bare and icy and our horses unshod or smooth shod so that Dad. had to get Faulkner to bring over the ones who couldnt walk over and young Geordie came after them very early so that the evening was too short. Aunty Alice not being content with receipting my note to her on my birthday last summer gave me the cash to pay Douglas's note which comes due on the sixth. Frank and I haven't got very much work other than chores done lately so we have not been getting up before seven or half past but we did get over one load of hay over to the old barn for the cows and got the bent in the west end of the barn covered over with rails and straw and a fairly warm pen made in there for Frank's heifer which is due to calve in a day or two. We went skating two nights last week down on the creek with the Ryerse's and England's and to-night Enah and I printed pictures. I was just undressing when the Old Year left. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary Collection Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Theobald "Toby" Barrett Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Courtesy of Archival and Special Collections, University of Guelph Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1911-1925 Language A language of the resource English Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 20th Century, Norfolk County, Woodhouse Township, Ontario Table Of Contents A list of subunits of the resource. Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary & Transcription, 1911 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary & Transcription, 1913 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary & Transcription, 1914 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1915 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1916 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1917 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary & Transcription, 1918 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1919 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1920-1921 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1921 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1925 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1925-1926 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1926-1927 Medium The material or physical carrier of the resource. Scanned Manuscript Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1917 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Theobald "Toby" Barrett Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Courtesy of Archival and Special Collections, University of Guelph Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1917 Language A language of the resource English Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 20th Century, Norfolk County, Woodhouse Township, Ontario Date Created Date of creation of the resource. January 2, 1917 Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary Collection Medium The material or physical carrier of the resource. Scanned Manuscript UG Transcription Progress Scripto transcription progress In Progress Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>{Inside front cover - blank}</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>{Blank page}</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Tuesday January 2nd</p> <p>Just did chores this morning and Frank and Dad cleaned out the hog pen and I cleaned out the first pen in the chicken house. Enah went down town this after noon and we didn’t do any thing much outside. Mr. &amp; Mrs. Harvey Shand came in for a few minutes to ask me about shipping some live chickens to Silverwoods. To night Frank and I went down town to get our hair cut but as there was skating on the pond Frank went there and I went down to the station on a chance of seeing Marj. and she came home. I went up with her for a few minutes and when I got down town the barber shops were closed. I found Joe up in the pool room and made further arrangements concerning the dance Thursday night but it is so much milder to-night I am afraid the sleighing will be spoiled, in which case we won’t go. He &amp; I both went home with Bob. and then I went down to Aunty’s they were all up at the Hardings' but left a note saying they would be back at ten so I sat down and went to sleep till they came home. There is a report around that Herb. Brooks, Sam George and Charlie Cawley were all killed the same day and before they had been in the trenches {illegible} but most people think it is false as there has been no word officialy.</p> <p>Wednesday January 3rd</p> <p>We tied Bobbie up again this morning and Dad filed down his {this sentence is incomplete}</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>so to-night I went down to go although I know I was getting a cold but I saw Joe and he said the dance had been cancelled on account of the roads so I went down to Aunty's for a few minutes and then started to go to the club but changed my mind and went in to see Zeitha, she and I had a game of chess which she beat and I got home a little before twelve feeling rotten with a cold. Very mild &amp; soft. Winnie was over all the after noon and Frank went down with her and went skating</p> <p>Friday January 5th</p> <p>I felt pretty bad with my cold to-day and didn't get up till about nine o'clock and didn't do any thing in particular all day but as it rained nearly all day there wasn't much to do any way. It cleared up to-night and I went down to see Marj. for a little while Mrs Moon and Mrs. Misner were there. Mrs. Moon had a letter from Laura reading it aloud. She is at Malta now. I came back to Auntys and stayed all night. Miss Harding is staying there for a few days now</p> <p>Saturday January 6</p> <p>I didn't get up till late this morning and had breakfast at Aunty's Dick and I went down and tried the creek after breakfast and it seemed pretty fair. I stopped in at Jack Martin's to see about getting some roosters and he said he would get some ready for Dad. &amp; Frank to get as I expect to go to Guelph on Monday.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>{This is a repeat of the previous page.}</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>{Toby's father picks up the diary writing}</p> <p>Monday, January 8th</p> <p>I was up at 4-45 this morning, and the others were up soon after to give Toby an early start for Guelph. Frank walked down with him and when he came home he told us that Tobe missed his car and went down to Aunties it was most provoking, however, I went down at noon to go to the station with {illegible?} and she told me that Tobe had gone on the 9 O'Clock car. Frank and I cut a little wood, (oak limbs) in the morning in the after noon we did little but chores. {Vie?} and Arthur were over this afternoon. Frank has gone skating tonight. Lovely day but windy.</p> <p>Tuesday, January 9th</p> <p>Frank and I put the partition in the old barn nothing of importance happened. Tom came for the cream. Frank has gone down to get his hair cut tonight. It has been mild and cloudy all day rained and snowed a little this morning</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Friday, January 12th</p> <p><br />Frank and I hoped to get the last of the old trees down home cut to-day but did not manage it. It was so late when we got all the chores done we thought we would have an early dinner and go immediately after, but Art Quanbury came after me to look at his heifer then when we got down town we could not get a ladder. While we were there John H. McBride came to see me and we came home with him. Just as we had finished tea Guy Tuple came for me. This has been the coldest day so far this Winter 20° below, not so cold tonight. We had a fine letter from Tobe to day and the card we should have received on Tuesday. Frank feels miserable tonight lower back.</p> <p>Saturday, January 13th</p> <p>Frank is about all in. He did go over to Bens and fed the chickens but he feels pretty tough. I was doing chores most of the day. Hubert come over this afternoon with old Nig. We put him to sleep Hubert stayed to tea and he and the baby had</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Monday, January 15,</p> <p>When I went out in the kitchen this morning I saw that the poor plants had caught it. They were frozen stiff. I went out as soon as I had the fires going well and fed everything. Frank said he thought he felt a little better and would get up as soon as it got a little warm. He has been better today walked over as far as Jack Martins to get the roosters but Jack did not have them ready and said to come at 3 O'Clock, so I went over and got a couple. It is not so cold tonight but cold enough.</p> <p>Tuesday, January 16th</p> <p>Nothing much to report today. Frank felt much better and did quite a lot of the chores. I went down home this morning for a few minutes. Mrs. Quanbury was over this after noon and Lloyd Ryerse was here this evening. It has been cold all day and is cold tonight. They are cutting ice we will have to get our ice house ready.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>was too bad to attempt to go down to the Reids the crazy things were expecting to go. Frank has gone down town tonight to tell them we cant get out of our lane. Dick came over about 5 O'Clock he expects to go to New York on Saturday he only stayed a little while as he wanted to get the snow {shovel} for Auntie before dark. {Toby's stepmother picks up the diary writing} Heard from Toby today He is having a good time altho' kept pretty busy.</p> <p>Friday, January 19th</p> <p>We got up a little earlier this morning as Frank wanted to go after the buttermilk. He got started about 12.30 and went by way of town to see if the coal was in and it was not so went on to the factory. He had not been gone long when Tom came with the buttermilk so Frank had his trip for nothing. If he had only known, he could have taken a load of ice to Lea Marshal as they were drawing that day but Tom had forgotten to tell us. Very cold.</p> <p>Saturday, Jan. 20th.</p> <p>I started Friday's diary for today as we did not get up any earlier yesterday but did today so Frank got off this morning at 9:30 instead of yesterday.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>this morning and Dad, Tim and I went to church. There was no fire on account of the shortage of gas so Mr. Johnson, very wisely, omitted the sermon so we got home fairly early. Dad and Frank spent most of the afternoon doing chores. Dad went down town about 4.30 to shovel the snow for Aunty Alice so stayed for tea and I guess went to church. Cold and stormy all day. Mrs. Nells died yesterday</p> <p>{Toby's father picks up the diary writing}</p> <p>Monday, January 22nd</p> <p>I did not get up very early this morning as I did not sleep very well last night it blew so terribly that I could not sleep it rained very hard for a little while too then turned colder and put a crust of ice all over the snow. As soon as we had things fed Frank and I went down home in the sleighs, stopped at Jack Martins and got a crate to send some eggs in to Roy I cleaned the paths for the girls and then we came home as we could not get any ice as no one was there this forenoon it was too stormy I went down to the mail box as soon as Roy came and the first thing I saw was that Will Macdonald was</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>and a bag of shorts, then down after Hattie. and baby. Charlie Butler was in to ask me about a horse that had been kicked and I gave him the certificate for his ram and his ear label. It has been a beautiful day. Thawing in the sun.</p> <p>Thursday, January 25th</p> <p>Frank and I were going to kill the crate fed chickens today. We did kill 4 but it has been a very rough day a regular blizzard, so we got very little done but the chores. The wind has died down and it is cold tonight.</p> <p>Friday, January 26th</p> <p>Frank and I cleaned out the box stalls this forenoon, hauling the manure out on the old garden. Harry Ansley was over to see if we would take his cow and calf for a month while he is away. It has been a cold day with a high west wind, tonight is clear, calm, and cold. Frank has gone down to the dance in the hall. Tim's cold is pretty bad.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>gave Loll a pair, sold one to cousin Clare a pair to Rev J.H. Johnson and the remaining 5 to Henderson. I gave the cows and calves a good oiling, after dinner Frank and I covered the ice with sawdust. It has been a very disagreeable day drizzling rain nearly all day and spoiling the sleighing.</p> <p>Tuesday, January 30th</p> <p>Did not get much done today but chores Hattie washed and baked bread, she and Frank went down town to see the Simcoe dramatic club perform. Tim and I kept house and went to bed early. It has been a beautiful day. Heard from Tobe.</p> <p>Wednesday, January 31st</p> <p>I drove down before breakfast, took Alice to the station and went around by Pickfords on my way home as Auntie told me he was very miserable. I asked Mrs Pickford if she would like me to take the doctor out and she seemed grateful for my offer</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Friday, February 2nd</p> <p>Frank took a couple of sacks of grain to the mill this morning to have it chopped but did not wait for it, after dinner I went down to see how poor old Dave is, they seem to have very little hope for his recovery. I think this has been the coldest day yet there has been and is such a wind. I went in to Clares for a few minutes the gas was very poor and there was quite a skimming of ice in the tank in her cellar and the water pipes were freezing.</p> <p>Saturday, February 3rd</p> <p>When I got up this morning I found things in the pantry frozen up tight. I was afraid they would be suffering down home so I walked down at noon but they were comfortable. Frank went down this after noon. The wind still blows a gale and it is colder than get out. We have been able to keep pretty comfortable in spite of weather except at breakfast this morning it was outrageous cold. 28 eggs today.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>{Toby's stepmother takes up the diary writing}</p> <p>Thursday February. 8th</p> <p>Tobe did not arise very early this morning as he was very tired. He did not do much but rest all until about four o'clock. He then drove down town. It snowed pretty much all day but was not cold. Harry and Frank drove down after tea and brought Aunts Ida, Nese, and Alice over also {Mard?} Sovereign. The Shand family with Miss Grey arrived later and we spent the evening in music. Mr. Shand brought his violin and Charlie his mouth organ and an "Octo-something" I forget what he called it but it made sweet music all the same. It was about 1.30 a.m. when they left.</p> <p>Friday February 9th</p> <p>It was late when we got up this morning as none of us got to bed until after three o clock, so we did not have breakfast until 10 oclock. The boys went up to Mr. Cantelon’s and got a load of gravel then we had lunch. They have both gone down town to a dance in the town hall. It has been very cold all day today. Marjorie Clarke has the measles.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>{Toby takes up the diary writing}</p> <p>business from A. to Z. Mr. Marcellus, his assistant was a younger man I think a graduate of the College and also very good natured with a pleasant manner. Between them they made the course very interesting for us with their lectures and general discussions. The lectures lasted from about 9 to 4 and before and after them we had to tend to incubators feed {pens?} of laying hens and bunches of fattening cockrels. Our incubators, all hatched about the same about {0° 9 %?} and they told us we had set a record for Short Course students for hatching At the end of the course we all had to kill and pluck our fattened birds. There were several evening lectures at the College and various subjects pertaining to Agriculture and I attended most of them. Other evenings I spent in different ways going to the show once, skating twice, often spending the time at the boarding house singing with my room mate Charlie Gray while Edna the landlady's daughter played for us. The last week I was up there I visited several of the sons-in law of the family and one night went to a country dance in a sleigh load composed of the church club of which Edna was a member The people were all very kindhearted and it did me good to be amongst them. I went from Guelph to Toronto when the course was over and went down with Hunter &amp; Fred {Presant?}. I saw Fred again in Toronto and spent the best part of a day with him but</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>season, and I told him I would see if I could get any one up here to handle him, as I would like very much to see one brought into this district. Aunty Alice and I got home on Wednesday night, after having a tedious journey and a long wait in Jarvis and I was very glad to get home. Frank and Dick met us at the station and Enah was down town and we drove home but upset in the lane, no one was hurt but Joe was frightened and broke the harness a little. The sky in the north-west was all aglow when we got in as that night the big Lithographing works in Simcoe burned down with a quarter of a million dollar loss Enah has written this up for the last few days since I got back as I have not got into the way of it yet, as she said we went to the old country dance in the town hall last night but I went first to see Marj. who has the measles - and then over to club. That was really enough for me as I have not been to bed before midnight for a week but I went on over to the dance and kept on my feet till about four o'clock then I sat down and began to feel sleepy so I came home and got to bed by five. Frank stayed till they wound up and got home about an hour later, consequently neither of us got up very early, however we managed to get another load of gravel hauled from Cantelon's and I took ten doz. eggs over to Jack Martin and he paid me 48. cts a dozen for them, three cts. over the market price. I went to bed early to-night.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>till after three, the train was so late. When we did get out Frank &amp; I went down and got some groceries and 20 bags of cement which we didn't pay for, but we thought we would soon need it if we got making posts and {Clare?} Deal said the next lot they got in would be dearer and he didn't know how soon they would be getting any more. About 18° below zero last night and very cold all day.</p> <p>Tuesday February 13th</p> <p>Right after breakfast this morning Dad. Frank and I went over to Ben Ivey's and got a pretty good big load of rails. After dinner Frank and I went up and got another load of gravel. There were four other teams up there but we managed to get a load in a new place after one of the teams pulled out. it is getting almost to dangerous up there to take chances as the bank is undermined all around and is liable to fall in any time. We were working Harry &amp; Nellie all day so to-night Frank took Joe &amp; Belle to take a load to Jarvis to a dance. It was a sort of rotten night but he promised to take them. It is not so cold to-day but raw &amp; blustery</p> <p>Wednesday February 14th</p> <p>Frank got home a little after six this morning and just changed his clothes and went to work without a wink of sleep, but was pretty drowsy at teatime and went right to bed after tea</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>she would get him to call up the Quanbury's to-night. I was there quite awhile talking to Charlie who is home again in bed with the quinzy. They also got playing the new Victrola for me. Winnie was over to tea and she and Frank have just gone down town Frank is going to Club if there is any. Pommers got caught in the wire fence this morning and cut his hind leg pretty badly and is very sore on it. Another lovely day but not enough wind to {power?}</p> <p>Friday Februrary 16th</p> <p>We took another load of manure down to Aunty's this after-noon. We didn't get it loaded till noon. Frank's throat was sore so he didn't stay out long. Aunty and Aunty Alice rode over as far as Mrs. Battersby's with us they were going to see Miss Phipps. I went down there to tea to-night and after tea went up town to see Marj. and then up to Huby's didn't get home till quite late very nasty blustery morning with a lot of snow but quite a nice mild after noon and night.</p> <p>Saturday February 17th</p> <p>Les Dunkin telephoned the Quanbury's that if I wanted to buy seed corn I would have to get it either yesterday morning or this morning. I went up this morning. I got two bushels of</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>and Frank had quite a bad cold. Aunty and Dick came over to dinner. While we were at dinner John Wess came over to get Dad to look at one of his mares, Mildred I think as she had taken a chill so Dad. and Frank went over with him and were gone most of the after noon. Elva, Said. Davis, Pansy Fischer and Mr. Bloodsworth all came over this after noon. While they were here Aunty and I went down town. I stayed down there for tea. Aunty Maude and Lila came in on their way home from Aunt Lucy's and they stayed to tea. None of us went to church. I went up to see Marj. but found that she had gone up to Miss Martin's for tea so I went up there and came home with her. Fram. Walker drove Aunty and me over this morning and informed us that they had a baby boy, his wife being at Mrs. Lawson's. They are very much grieved down home at the loss of their big black cat. He has been missing for two days and Jim. Mummery told Aunty this morning there was a cat down by the engine bridge, ran over. So I went down before tea to-night and identified him it was Tom all right. He had been cut right in two. He always was terrified of the train. On my way back there were a lot of kids sleigh riding down the hill in front of Ed's barn and accross the creek and one of them lent me his sleigh and I had a ride down the first one I've had down that hill for a long time. Beautiful day but colder to-night</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Wednesday February 21st</p> <p>It is still to icy to take a team out so we have done nothing but chores all day and sit around the house a good part of the time. Lila came over this morning and was over most of the day as there is no school, they can't get any coal. Tom. was in this morning and took the butter milk can he also went up to the mill for us and got some chop and chicken feed. Will Wright was in this morning to see Dad. about a cow and came back after him to-night about six and Dad. went up with him. I cleaned the separator out this morning and we started separating the milk to-night as we get enough to make it worth while now that John's calf is gone. Enah and I went down to church to-night, it being Ash Wednesday After church I went with Marj. down to Bessie Patterson's and was there for the rest of the evening. Enah stayed to choir practice and then went down to Aunty's to wait for me. Sunny, freezing in shade.</p> <p>Thursday February 22nd</p> <p><br />Haven't done any thing much all day but choies and I cleaned out the chicken dropping boards this after noon. Took 8 doz. eggs over to Jack this morning. Alan Law and Tom brought the butter milk up and Alex Jameison was in for a long visit at noon. I sent in a list of sheep owners around here to the Live Stock Branch. Sunny and milder to-day.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Saturday February 24th</p> <p>I went out this morning and pruned the Northern Spy tree but as the wind kept getting stronger I didn't tackle another tree as it wasn't warm enough out there although sunny I then started to help Dad. clean out the pen in the sheep barn where John and her calf were. While we were at it Frank who had gone down town after some groceries came back with Aunty Alice so we didn't do much else while she was here but she went back soon after dinner. Frank got a three cornered file down town and has been sharpening all the saws and making a pretty good job of it too. Enah expected Zeitha over this afternoon to practice a song she is going to sing in Church to-morrow but she didn't come. She expects to go to the other side next week. Nice day but cloudy this after noon and much colder to-night</p> <p>Sunday February 25th</p> <p>Frank and I were too late getting up to get to Sunday school this morning but we went to church. We all intended to go as we thought Zeitha was going to sing but Dad. and the baby were too late. Enah got in about 11.30. Dad. Enah and the baby stayed down at Aunty's for dinner. {Dick?} also stayed there. Frank and I came home to do chores and had dinner alone. Frank went skating this after noon</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>thinks it is high time Dick got a raise, as Dick himself is getting dissatisfied and would like to move some where else. Mr. Hobbes spoke as if he couldn't get along with out him and wouldn't hear of him being moved but said the financial condition of the bank was such that he couldn't expect more wages just now. He praised Dick up highly and said he had never had a bad report, but he doesn't seem to believe in telling Dick this. He, Dad, also got his hair cut and got home before me. I was talking to Ham. Thompson abput joining the Norfolk Fruitgrowers Association and he said if one of us came up and helped him spray he would lend us his spray outfitt. Zeitha was just leaving here when I got home so I said good bye to her. She is going on Wednesday to Philadelphia or near there. To-night I went down again and took Marj. to the picture show to se Mary {Pickford?}</p> <p>Tuesday February 27th</p> <p>I didn't do much this morning but wash out the incubators and get the lamps cleaned up. Dad. &amp; Frank finished cleaning out the pen in the barn where John &amp; her calf were. This after noon Dad. did up the chores while Frank and I got on a load of hay out of Preston's barn for Bob Ivey. Frank borrowed Art Quanbury's team to haul</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>went up to Cousin Clare's to tea. To-night Aunty and I went to church where Aunty Alice Joined. Enah was also down and stayed to choir practice and I met her at Aunty's. Huby and Aunty Maude were down there. A very nice sunny day but sharp.</p> <p>Thursday March 1st</p> <p>I spent most of the morning getting the incubators in shape to start. I lit the lamps in both of them. Dad. went down to Aunty's for dinner as Aunty left to-night for Toronto. She is going down for a couple of weeks to celebrate Rebecca's birthday. I didn't do much this after noon but went down and prowled around in Dicky Steven's orchard for awhile. To-night we all went over to the Quanbury's as they have been inviting us for quite awhile to come over and hear their new Victrola. Just as we were coming out the lane we heard voices down the road and waited to see who it was. It turned out to be Dick &amp; Dess who had been out for a walk and were coming to the farm but they came over with us to the Quanbury's but Dick had to leave before us as he promised Aunty Alice to stay down there to-night. It has been a very nice sunny day but with a raw wind.</p> <p>Friday March 2nd</p> <p>We haven't done much but chores to-day. Frank and I</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>some provisions. I killed and picked a young cockrel that was out there for dinner. Tonight Frank has gone down to stay all night with Aunty Alice. Nice sunny day.</p> <p>Sunday March 4th</p> <p>I didn't get chores done in time to get down to Sunday school but drove Enah down to church. Aunty Maude was in church and asked me to drive her over to Aunt Lucy's so I did and then came back and drove Aunt Ida over here while Frank &amp; Aunty Alice walked over. Dick was over to dinner too. About four I drove Aunt Ida back down town and Aunty Alice walked. She said she would rather walk than drive. She stopped in at Uncle Wards on her way down and Aunty Maude came down with her. I let Aunty Maude Ida out at Allan's corner and took Aunty Maude in and drove her home. I drove in the buggy the roads are mostly pretty bare but icy in spots which made it hard for Josie as her shoes are smooth. I walked down to tea and went to church alone to-night. After chuch I went for a very short walk with Marjorie and then went up to see Cousin Loll. I called in at Aunty Alice's on my way home. Winnie was going to stay there all night. It has been getting much colder all day to-day and is snowing quite hard to-night with a strong north east wind.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>{This is a repeat of the previous page}</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Tuesday March 6th</p> <p>We started to chop open the big barn doors going into the barnyard this morning so that we could get in with the sleigh to haul out the manure that was in Johns pen but when we got the doors opened we were interupted by Tommy Jackson who brought over his mare, the same one that Lorne had over last year, to have her teeth filed down. She was a very mean brute to handle and took all {illegible} of us She struck Dad. once in the head with her head and hurt his nose quite badly. Tommy thought our flock of sheep was improving in type. This after noon we loaded on the manure and Frank and I took it down to Aunty Alice's. When we got back Dad. &amp; Frank put what little there was left in the pen on the sleigh and Dad. and I took it out to the old garden. We also hauled the hay for the horse stable and cows over with the Sleighs. Froze hard last night but sunny &amp; mild to-day.</p> <p>Wednesday March 7th</p> <p>We cleaned out the sheep barn to-day. The first load we took down to Aunty Alice and the rest we put on the old garden. I think there were five loads altogether. We found the floor in very bad shape under it. In two or three places it went right through. Enah went down town</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Friday March 9th</p> <p>Dad's tooth ached badly last night so after we got the chores done this morning he went down to have it out, so I went down with him in the cutter and took Mr. Hobbes his three old hens. I went down to Aunty Alice's and waited there for Dad. He didn't come for about two hours and I had my dinner down there, he had to wait but got his tooth pulled. It is sore to-night more from the stuff Bill injected than anything. Lila came over with us as there is no High school this after noon Mr. Barron having gone away. This after noon Frank and I went down to the mill and as they had some {corn?} in I got four bags of it. To-night Frank has gone down to Club. Enah and "Aunt Annie" went over to Mrs. Battersby this after noon. Ada. told Dad. this morning that Alan tells in his last letter home that he saw fifteen dead children, killed from eating poisoned candies which were dropped from a German Zeppelin flying over one of the small French towns behind the trenches. I don't know whether that convinced Dad. that the Germans are any thing short of savages compared with the Allies in their tactics or not, as he always refuses to believe any such stories {unless?} hear of them through other sources. It has been fairly sunny to-day but a cold raw wind all day.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>but we went to a recruiting meeting in the town hall after church. One returned soldier spoke and a chaplain and although there was nothing wrong with what they said, I think a good many people are getting sick of recruiting meetings as it seems as if the Government was wasting valuable time and money on them with very small results while if men are so urgently needed it would only take the scratch of a pen to enforce the Militia Act, and they would have all the men in the country to do as they needed with. Very mild and muddy.</p> <p>Monday March 12th</p> <p>Frank went over this morning to see Taylor and ask him about his bees. I tested out my eggs and only took 35 out of the big machine and 23 out of the other. The big one had 135 in it and the little one 63 so I thought that was pretty good. This after noon Dad. and Frank fixed up a pen for the lambing ewes in the barn. I didn't do anything in particular. Enah, "Aunt Annie" and the baby went calling To-night I went down to see Marj. for a little while and then down to Aunty Alice's where I ran into a small bridge party and incidentally a feast of cake and sandwiches. Cousin Clare. was going</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Wednesday March 14th</p> <p>It snowed, rained and froze during the night and has been a miserable rainy fore noon, and although it did not rain after dinner. It has been dull and very windy with the wind off the lake. We just did chores this morning but this after noon Frank and I went down town with Harry and Belle and the waggon and I got some lumber to make a couple of chicken coops to put old hens with chickens in. To-night Enah and I went down to church and I walked up with Marj. and Miss Martin afterwards.</p> <p>Thursday March 15th</p> <p>I have spent most of the day working on one of my hen coops but did not finish, Dad. and the baby went down to Aunty Alice's to dinner so Frank and I did up the cow stables this afternoon. Enah went down to see Mr. and Mrs Alfred Ryerse this after noon. Windy and cloudy all day.</p> <p>Friday March 16th</p> <p>After I did chores this morning I worked at my chicken coop. Dad. lit a fire in the smoke house. Tom came in walking, and said he had been sick all week and that the butter milk can was still at the factory, so</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Sunday March 18th</p> <p>I got ready to go to Sunday school this morning but as I saw I would be late I didn't go down but Enah and I walked down to church. Frank went down too but didn't go to Sunday school Dick came over with us to dinner but Aunty had a stiff neck so didn't come. I went down with Dick about four o'clock and went to Aunty's for tea. Cliff Lees was there all the after noon and they were all tired out listening to him. Aunty and I went to church to-night and after church Marj. and I walked up to Miss Martins. She lent me her "Mr. Britling see it through" which Aunty Alice has been going to get for me to read. Cloudy windy and raw.</p> <p>Monday March 19th</p> <p>Dad. and the baby went down to-day to help Aunty Alice clean up the garden. They were down there all day. Besides doing a few chores I took 10 doz. eggs over to Jack and worked a little more at my chicken coop. Frank had to go over to help Billy Mills put on and off a load of hay which Ben Ivey bought from Jack Martin. Ben sold all his own. Great war news to-day British and French have advanced on an 80 mile front to a distance in some places of 10 and 12 miles. I think though the Germans retired with out much fighting, but Bapaume is taken, and it must be a sign of the Germans weakening</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>to look at the wheat. It is very brown but it is not heavy and seems to be alive still. To-night Enah, Frank and I drove down to church and Frank went to the show afterwards. It has been a lovely day. We still have the sow that Colin Ryerse brought in here last night. It went past here in the after noon with a couple of fellows who were driving some stock down the road and we thought it belonged to them but Colin said it went into their place and the fellows didn't bother with it and as they were afraid it might hurt the sheep Colin chased it back up here, thinking may be it was old Gladys. She is a nice looking white sow &amp; in good shape</p> <p>Thursday March 22nd</p> <p>This morning we did chores and I started to build another chicken coop. Frank is making a bird house to attract some blue martins to build as they are supposed to eat up house flys. We also took some pictures this morning one of the ram and one of Elgitha. This after noon Frank and Dad. went down home to cut the last of the locust trees in front of the house but I don't think they had much luck. I worked on my chicken coops and painted the one. Old Bill Roberts came in and claimed the lost sow. He said he would be after her to-morrow. It has been a beautiful, mild spring day.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>and then Frank and I took Harry and Belle and went down and got some more. Frank got his flats which Emery cut out for him for making bee hive supers. This after noon we took the little chickens out of the incubator and put them up in the loft under the four hens, two of which acted as if they would be very good mothers and two were cross but we covered the latter up with horse blankets and are hoping they will be all right in the morning. We only got 60 chicks out of the incubator which was pretty poor but the hens only hatched four. We put the unhatched eggs from the hens in the incubator. After we got them tended to I took a walk down to Dicky Stevens orchard. Young Awde and Ferris were fishing on the point and had three little horned ace and the ice isn't out of the pond at all below Goosey. It has been a bright sunny day a little windy.</p> <p>Sunday March 25th</p> <p>On account of having the little chickens to tend to this morning I didn't get down to Sunday school but Drove Enah down to church. We took Belle as Joe had her eye all swelled up this morning. Frank went down to Sunday school and Dick and Aunty Alice were over to dinner. Dick went down town soon after dinner and Frank went with him Aunty Alice went down about four o'clock and</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>we put the bobsleighs away in the barn. I took six more chickens out of the incubator and as two more were dead this morning I think that makes sixty eight I have now They are all under three hens. I cleaned out the machine and set it again right away with 140 eggs. Old Bill Roberts came at last to-day noon after his sow. She seemed perfectly willing to follow him home behind the buggy This after noon Dad. and Frank fixed a fence accross the yard this side of the plum orchard so that he could put his two bee hives out with out the old ram bothering them. They were all flying to-day. We put them out to-night. I worked on my chicken coop. Beautiful day, fairly hot. Lila was over after school to say that a man would be down home to-morrow noon to cut the telegraph wires so that they could fell the locust tree across the track, so they will have to go down.</p> <p>Tuesday March 27th</p> <p>The weather turned up side down during the night and has been cloudy, rainy, snowy, windy, muddy and rottenly raw all day. Dad. Frank and the baby went down in the waggon this morning in the midst of one of the heaviest showers to lay low the last of the locusts down home, and in spite of the weather, the man was there to cut the wires and</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Wednesday March 28th</p> <p>Frank went down early this morning to take a file to Uncle Ward to point up the crosscut saw, they left it there yesterday but Uncle Ward told me last night he had no file. Dad. and I took Frank's heifer up to Ham. Thompson's Ham wasn't home but we had a look at all the stock being showed around by old {Name?}. He entertained us by accounts of his experiences on big estates where stock was kept in the Old Country, but owing to his dialect I don't know which part of England it belonged to, we could only understand about half of it. It was getting near noon when we got home but Dad. went right down to help Frank saw up the locust tree. They were down all the after noon and when Dad. came home he had an awful headache but it was better after tea. I just did chores this after noon. There was no service to-night as Mr. Johnson thinks he is getting the measles. Tim has been busy all day making Jennie Millers out of plasticene and shooting them with his pop gun. Cloudy with raw wind all day.</p> <p>Thursday March 29th</p> <p>The Ben Ivey family is in the throes of moving, Ben having bought (so rumour they says) Cliff McBain's house over on</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>and Sam. Butler's barn. Art Quanbury came through just before tea and said it had blown his barn about five feet back and racked it considerably, while his little 8 x 12 shack was turned completely over on its roof. To-day it has been sunny but raw and windy.</p> <p>Friday March 30th</p> <p>Frank has been helping Ben all day again and to-night I guess has him pretty well moved. Art Quanbury came in this morning before we had breakfast to see if he could get one of us to help him straighten his barn out so I told him I would go as soon as I could but as the first pair of lambs arrived this morning, and we had to trim the wool around the ewe's (Lop Ear's) bag it was pretty late when I got to Art's. However Tupper, {Trum?} Walker and John Quanbury were there and there wasn't much for me to do any way. I stood around and visited with them till noon and by that time they had the posts all jacked about plumb so we didn't have to go back this after noon I guess Art isn't going to try to move it back where it was This after noon Dad. and I took the black heifer up to Ham. Thompson's. Ham wasn't home. Winnie was over to tea and after tea Dad. and I walked down with her. Dad. {took?}</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>moved up to the farm but broke the doubletrees on the skid before we got it into place. Frank joined us about four o'clock and we got his pump up and broke the pipe off at the {sucker?} while we were at it. Charle Quanbury came home this morning Another lamb arrived late to-night No 4 ewe. Very mild to-night.</p> <p>Sunday March April 1st</p> <p>Frank and I went down to Sunday school this morning but as Mr. Johnson has the measles there was no church so Marjorie and I went for a walk up the beach.It was a lovely morning cloudy and foggy after the rain but very mild and spring like. Aunty and Frank went to the Presbyterian church. As Aunty was coming over to dinner I went down to the house and waited for her till church was out. It began to rain before she came and has kept it up steadily all the after noon and evening, but Aunty came over and went down just before tea. I went to sleep on the sofa for most of the after noon and read all evening. Enah was reading "Sudden Jim" out loud at the same time, so I got it and "Mr. Britling" a little mixed up. Another pair of lambs arrived about tea time to-night. One of the three year old ewes that has lost her tag. It has since transpired that she was No. 5.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>well. She only had one. This after noon Dad. went down to Cooper's and I cleaned out the bay in the east end of the sheep barn while Frank fixed a place where we could let the ewes with the oldest lambs into it. Alan Law came in with the cream slip but didn't bring the cans back. As soon as Dad. got back I went down town to get my hair cut but as I didn't get down till nearly six I didn't go up town but had tea at Aunty's and went up right after tea, then I went up to see Marj. Dad. came down after tea to put their carpet down for them down home as they have started house cleaning. I took three more chicks out of the little machine to-day and set it again, one of the chicks died. Pickford was over this morning he wants Dad to go down and look at a lame horse he has down there. Mr. Duncan was also in this after noon and wants him to go up there to see a lame horse. It has been a very nice day and the mud is drying up fast.</p> <p>Wednesday April 4th</p> <p>Dad drove Enah and the baby down town this morning and went from there up to Duncan's. He got back about one o'clock and Enah and Tid were down all day. Frank and I pruned apple trees this morning. Dad. got a letter from Douglas to-day saying they were going to ship the heifer to-day, so Frank went right down after dinner to see if she came on the morning freight.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Thursday April 5th</p> <p>Dad. and I went down as soon as we got up this morning to get the heifer. We picked Frank up at Aunty Alice's, he had been at the dance all night but had his clothes changed They were up down there had had toast and coffee ready for us Dad. had some but I didn't feel very well so didn't partake. We got the heifer with out help or trouble and she came home like a lamb. We didn't put her in the cow stable as it is so boggy at the door but tied her in the bay. It began to rain soon after we got home and has kept it up all day steadily, Gus. came over to renew the insurance application and Frank and I thought as we couldn't do any thing else we would go fishing as Frank has been at me for the last two weeks to go. We put on old clothes and went down to Pickford's to borrow his net. He went with us and we went all the way down to Art. Ryerse's and fished up to the culvert. They held the net and I "rallied" as Pickford calls it, but we never got a bite. We saw one. We got home about noon and changed all our clothes and I had all the fishing I wanted I felt rotten as my old rubbers leaked so and I had to wade through the creek occasionally and the water was sickeningly cold. This after noon we went to sleep after reading the paper and I slept all the after noon. I spent the evening drawing. It was snowing to-night.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>and added his testimony to Dad's advice on the favorability of turning out foundered pigs. Ham had a look at all the stock and was showing us his predigrees for his sheep and asking about them. It was about noon when he left. This after noon I started to rake up the rubbish under the old willow tree. Dad. and Frank did chores. Frank walked down to the mill and got a little chop and went down early to tea at Aunty Alices. It froze hard last night and although sunny it has been a cold windy day.</p> <p>Sunday April 8th</p> <p>Frank and I got an early start and went down to Sunday school and then to church. It being Easter Sunday there was a pretty good-sized congregation and we were rather late getting out, Dad. came down as far as Aunty's with the baby I guess he was too late to come to church and he waited there and went home with Enah, Dick went over with Frank but I stayed down town to dinner. After dinner Aubrey and I had a game of chess and then after Frank had come down again, Gladys, Aubrey, Frank and I went for a walk up the beach. Frank and I came home to tea but went down afterwards. Enah went down to church but we were too late. I went for. a walk with Marj. after church and went down to Aunty's for awhile before I came home with Enah and Frank</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Tuesday April 10th</p> <p>I didnt get up till after seven this morning, and didn't do much all morning. Aunty was here for breakfast but went down right after. Uncle Ward walked over and was here for a good part of the morning, he wanted to know what time Colin McNeillige's sale started this after noon. Aubrey Billings came over to dinner and this after noon he, Frank and I walked over to the sale and were there all the after noon, we didn't get anything I bid on the heavy set of harness but Jack King got it for 31 dollars. I got a ride home with Sam Law and the boys walked down the track. Frank went down town to-night but the rest of us went to bed early. It froze harder than ever last night but has not been quite so cold to-day but the wind was very raw. The paper to-day says the Canadians and British captured the Vimy ridge and gathered in about 6000 prisoners in a big offensive where they advanced two or three miles on a front of twelve miles.</p> <p>Wednesday April 11th</p> <p>This morning we moved all the little chickens out into the run this side of the plum orchard and it has been a lovely day for them Sunny and very mild. Dad. Enah and the baby all went down to Aunty's</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>I went down to a party of Win's in Ada's ballroom. I was pretty late getting there and felt tired and sleepy when I left home, but got rather braced up down there. We had to say good bye to the Billing's to-night as they are going to-morrow morning, we were all very sorry to see them go. It looked very rainy early this morning but cleared off into a beautiful mild fore noon but this after noon it clouded up again and the wind veered to the north and got very cold and is freezing to-night.</p> <p>Friday April 13th</p> <p>Dad. got up early this morning and went down to see the Billings off. He had breakfast down there. We were rather late getting the chores done up but when we did we ear marked all the lambs and put the association number in the ears of last year's lambs. We were just going to mark the little lambs the way we did last year with lampblack and oil on their sides but Frank had been readin in Kleinheintz's book that they couldn't be too young to have the ear tags put in so we thought we would try it. It saves going over them twice and the lampblack and oil makes bad spots in the fleece but we hated to do it to the little fellows. We did the last five after dinner. About four o'clock</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>P.S. Mathew's came over this after noon and got Harry Ansley's cow and Mr. Bagley was over this morning and got a setting hen.</p> <p>a complete surprise. They caught Mr. Shand out in the barn cleaning up seed, he hadn't heard the first few rigs come in and he told Dad. that he had no idea there was going to be a funeral there to-day, that if they had given him any idea of it, he would have tried to have the corpse ready. Flossie said she had an awful time yesterday keeping enough stuff in the house for the occasion as they were supposed to have been all moved down town to-day. There were about sixty people there and they had a very nice time. Dad. had to make an after dinner speech and to play a game of six handed pedro but otherwise spoke as if he enjoyed himself. Frank and I did up the cow stables when we got through reading the paper which wasn't very early and then Frank went over to ask Ben Ivey about some rails, he said he would be right back but stayed to help Ben load his hog pen on to his dray. I went up to Ham Thompsons to ask him about getting spray material as I had a card to day from the Norfolk Fruit Grower's Ass'n saying their warehouse in Simcoe would only be open on certain days. Ham wasnt home having gone down to Bruce Ball's sale. Frank went down town to-night. The wind got around a little more to the west to-day but it has been cloudy and raw and is snowing quite hard to-night.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>sowing clover seed on the wheat and got over the twelve acres. The wheat certainly looks sick but it is still alive. In a few places it was heaved and a few small patches killed out. Frank took Alfred's spear back to him this morning and went by way of the creek. He went up along Robert John's creek and came back along Charlie McQueens and got three or four more pike and some suckers so he presented Alfred with some of them. This after noon he made a cold frame for Enah to put her cabbage plants in, we will use the storm windows for the top. After I did up the cow stables I walked up to Ham Thompson's again. He said I would need a barrel of Lime Sulphur but that I should have ordered it beforehand so I got Art Quanbury to telephone up to-night to see if I could get it. Art. Pickford, Tupper and Jack Martin were all on the land to-day. Jack's men were drillng this after noon on the side hills. Frank thinks we can start to-morrow. Wind still in the north but milder.</p> <p>Tuesday April 17th</p> <p>Frank got out at seven with the team this morning and has been disking all day on the west half of the field east of the orchard. Dad. relieved him this after noon while he came in and looked through</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>price it is. He got 12 1/2 cts for them, but I don't know what they weighed. This after noon I cleaned out the colony house and did a little clearing up around it. I want to put the last batch of chicks in it. Wind in south much milder.</p> <p>Wednesday April 18th</p> <p>Frank has worked on the land all day. He cross disking all morning and part of the after noon and then harrowed. About five Dad. took the drill out with Belle &amp; Joe and drilled in all that was worked up. He sowed my three bushels of O.A.C. 72 oats on this side of the field and only sowed about two bushels of the others as he sowed mine thinly He sowed clover seed with the oats. This morning he and I treated 8 bushels of oats with formalin for smut, we spread it on the barn floor and sprinkled the grain. We also gave the sick lamb another dose of oil and some more injections but it was no good. She died this after noon. We also put three of the hens with chicks in the colony house. Huby was over for a few minutes this after noon. Very sunny and warm all day with a light thunder shower to-night which ought to do the wheat a lot of good if it doesn't get cold after it. Bill {George?} went past to-night just as the storm was coming up and as he said he could see "a bit at all" I lent him the lantern.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Friday April 20th</p> <p>it rained another little shower this morning so we have done nothing on the land to-day. Frank went down to Aunty's again this morning and helped them down there in the garden nearly all day, he got home about four. Dad. and I did chores and Dad. finished the cold frame and this after noon he and Enah planted it out with tomato and cabbage plants. I spent most of the day raking up the lawn and looking after the little chickens. I went down town early this after noon to have Dr. Lemmon look at my tooth, the one he filled last has been aching a little the last few days, but he said there was nothing wrong with it unless I had caught a little cold in it. I had tea at Aunty's, Aunty Alice is tired out but delighted at the progress of her work in the garden. Tonight Marj. and I went to the picture show which was pretty poor, I thought. Tom brought back the lantern that Bill {Tearque?} borrowed the other night all shined up and a new globe in it. I guess it was never so clean before.Lila came over this after noon while I was down town to get a job for the summer and in that way earn her certificate at school. It is a rather poor idea I think but they are all going to try it and she of course was very excited with the expectation but I was very sorry to hear when I got home that Dad. had dashed cold water on her hopes and wouldn't give her</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Dad. cultivated with the Spring-tooth and the big team on the other half of the field east of the orchard this after noon Cloudy and a coolvbreeze to-day with a little drizzle this after noon.</p> <p>Sunday April 22nd</p> <p>I didn't get up this morning till half past seven although I thought I was getting up at half past six so I coudn't get things done in time to get down to Sunday school. Frank went down and I drove Enah down to church. Aunty came over with us after church and Cousin Clare walked over to dinner Dick was over too. Soon after dinner I drove Dick down town and then took Marj. and Miss Acheson (Kaufman's milliner) for a drive We went down the Lake Shore and up Mud Street. The rest of the family all went back to the gully and got some wild flowers except Frank who went down to the Ryerse's. It was six o'clock before I got home so by the time I got chores done it was too late to go to church but I went down after church and Marj. and I went up to Miss Martin's and got my lettuce seed. We also stopped it at Miss McQueen's for a few minutes. I called in at Aunty's on my way home and gave Aunty Alice a pinch of my lettuce seed. It has been a beautiful day although a little windy. They have had the town flag up to-day to commemorate the second anniversary of St. Julien.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Wednesday April 25th</p> <p>Dad. and Frank worked both teams all day and Dad. finished drilling the field this morning. They got it harrowed over after the drill and the ditches run out Frank got nearly all over the six acre field west of the old garden with the disks and Dad. got it partly harrowed. I took twenty one chicks out of the little incubator this morning and put them under one of the old hens that was brooding parts of the last batch and gave her bunch to the other three hens. I didn't have a fresh setting hen but that worked all right. I set both incubators again with 220 eggs. I did chores and painted my second chicken coop as it was to windy to do much else. Very windy and cloudy with an intermittent drizzle all after noon. Thunder to-night</p> <p>Thursday April 26th</p> <p>It has been too wet to work on the land to-day, there was a heavy thunder storm last night and it has been drizzling every now and then to-day. This morning Frank and I went down in the waggon and got fifty tile for the ditch. I have been digging to drain the border on the east side of the lawn where I want to set out a hedge. I put</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Friday April 27th</p> <p>Frank has been disking all day cross ways on the six acre field this side of the old garden and got nearly all over it. Dad. spent the morning working at the mud hole in the lane and got it pretty well filled up for the present He just used the wheelbarrow this morning and got all the earth he wanted right in the lane. I cleaned up some more of the lawn and burned the two big heaps of rubbish down on the road that were the accumulation of two years from down under the willow tree. This after noon I did chores and Dad. and I treated four more bags of oats, there is just one bag left untreated as we may not need to sow it and if it is treated we wouldn't want to feed it. I let the three hens loose that were in the colony house this after noon and chased all the chicks out doors but I am afraid it was too cold for them as I found two or three dead ones. I suppose they had got lost from the others. To-night I went down town to see Marj. She had just been down at Dr. Cooks and Mrs. Cook had told her that poor little Orin England was killed to-day out at Shand's school house when the old wall of the old school house fell on him. They were tearing it down and he was playing inside when it fell, they had left it to-day with just the two walls standing. I got my hair cut before I came home. Fine but a cold northwest wind.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>over the report he had been able to make of the Easter vestry meeting which revealed an extraordinary improvement in the churches finances that he could not refrain from reading his report from the pulpit (I had been figuring on reading it during the sermon and for that reason had resisted the temptation to do so during the first lesson) and enlarging on every item. Aunty was very grieved that the subject should have been delivered from the pulpit as a sermon with a Biblical text as a title and so was I especially after the first half hour of it, for it seemed as if he couldn't come to a full stop. He commended the congregation for their loyalty to the church and their liberality in paying up. He held up John Walkers name as one worthy of the greatest honor and his generosity beyond words when he gave two nights proceeds at the picture show to the coffers of the church. Mrs. Jesse Thompson, we were led to believe, was a saint (I suppose in disguise) and I expect to see her next Sunday with a made-to-order halo from Eaton's, because she was the organizer and is the leader of that noble band of maidens the "Willing Workers" which provided the "caskets" for the choir. Dr. Cook and Mr. Hobbes deserved our deepest gratitude for the manner in which they had conducted themselves as wardens. Poor Mr. Hobbes hung his head in</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Miss McQueen. It was drizzling when I started home so I went down and spent the night at Aunty's.</p> <p>Monday April 30th</p> <p>I got home this morning just as the family were at breakfast. Frank disked on the pea ground all morning and said it worked fine. Dad. trimmed up all the ewes and I spent the morning with him although I didn't do much to help. We also docked the two last lambs. This after noon Dad. and Frank went out to England's to Orin's funeral and Dad. took Enah and the baby down town and called for them on his way home. Enah wanted to practice a duet with Mr. Johnson. I sowed a few lbs of clover seed on the oats at the road end of the field as Dad. didn't have quite enough seed to go over it all when he drilled it. I also sowed about four lbs of rape seed on the plum orchard and I think I got it on a little too thick. Alan Law brought back the manure spreader. I gave Tom Abbot a setting of eggs to-night It is the only way I can pay him for hauling the butter milk. Art. Quanbury was in to-night to ask about his new lamb. Milder but cloudy</p> <p>Tuesday April May 1st</p> <p>Frank drove Dad. down to catch the nine o'clock car for Simcoe</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>{This is a repeat of the previous page}</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Bluffs for shelter. They made Dover harbor some time this after noon. They had been telephoning from here all day but couldn't get any trace of them. I suppose they went around the Point before day light and the Lifesaving crew didn't see them. Frank and I didn't get home till noon as we stopped in at Aunty's for awhile. This after noon we didn't do any thing but chores and sit around. Frank fixed or tried to fix his wheel. To-night I went down to see Marj. it being one of Essie's nights at the show and as it was nasty walking stayed down at Aunty's all night.</p> <p>Wednesday May 2nd</p> <p>I got up this morning before Aunty &amp; Aunty Alice not knowing that they weren't up and sat around for about half an hour reading Beltane the Smith which I borrowed from Marj. last night. Ont my way home I stopped in at the Quanburys and found Art. had fixed the post mould up yesterday afternoon and as he and Charlie were just ready to go up to Ben's to plow. (They are putting in stuff on shares) Charlie took the post mould home for me and gave me a ride with it. Bob Davis was in for a few minutes this morning, and said he hadn't sold his house so couldn't handle the Throughbred but if he was able to he would like to take him. Frank and I went over to John Wes's this morning to get a few final instructions</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>came back he made some more staples and straightened out a rod or two for the posts. Right after dinner Frank and I spread the manure on the old garden and Dad. came out and tried to plow it but he couldn't with the plow he had so he came up and tried to plow the headland of the pea ground along Ivey's fence but he couldn't work it either so he didn't get any plowed. Jim Bannister came in on his way home from his mail route to have Dad. look at his horse which had gone staggery this side of Art. Walker's and he had had to leave him at Bill Donald's and get Bill to drive him along the rest of the route. Fra k and I made another post this after noon. Sunny to-day but windy and cold.</p> <p>Friday May 4th</p> <p>Dad. plowed the headlands on the pea ground this morning Frank covered the garden back of the shop with manure out of the box stalls in the stable and I hammered out some more reinforcements and raked some of the earth into the trench where I dug the ditch. This after noon I harrowed the six acres north of the orchard where Dad sowed the oats last Saturday and which we never got harrowed again. It worked very nicely this after noon and I think most of the oats are covered now that the drill didn't cover. Frank finished disking the</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>stayed down there to tea but went for a walk before tea down to the lake and up to Huby's. I found Huby planting potatoes. Cousin Clare was at Aunty's to tea. Aunty and I went to church to-night. After church Marj. and I walked up with Miss Martin. George Duncan came after Dad. this after noon to go and take a calf from a heifer but he got back before six. I don't know where Frank went to but I suppose back in the gully. It has not been much milder to-day and cloudy with an occasional drizzle.</p> <p>Monday May 7th</p> <p>Frank went down to Aunty's right after breakfast and has been down all day helping in the garden. He didn't get home till quite awhile after dark. Dad. has been ditching most of the day in the different fields. I spent the morning filling in the border bed along the chicken run fence with compost and earth. This after noon I levelled off the heap of clay in the drive house and made another fence post in there and mixed the cement on the floor of Billy's box stall. That took me about all the after noon. To-night I put the saddle on Queen and took her around the block. She went fine. Frank was telling us that Dave Low got a letter from Billy to-day from the hospital where he says he will have to be for three months. He said that he and young</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>and ploughed a couple of furrows to plant potatoes. It is such a rich piece of ground that he thought it would be a great place for the Irish Cobblers he got from Art Quanbury. He also started to plow the garden back of the shop where we want to put mangels. He got it about half plowed. The manure on it makes it hard as he has to stop every round and rake it into the furrow, it is pretty wet too. I took Queen for another ride to-night. I started to go down the mill hill but she was afraid to go through the bad mud hole so I didn't make her but rode her down to Aunty's and back. We painted pictures to-night. It has been a nice day but looks rainy. Froze last night.</p> <p>Wednesday May 9th</p> <p>Frank and I among a few chores got another cement post made this morning and Dad. finished plowing the garden. This after noon Frank disked on the pea ground till about four o'clock and then the rain drove him in. I got the cutter out and started to clean it and Dad. went back to see Charlie Quanbury who was working back in Ben Ivey's orchard to see if he could borrow Ben's little disks and put Belle and Queen on them. Charlie told him to hook on to Ben's springtooth so we harnessed the team but Alan Law came in to have Dad. look at old Ned's mouth and before we recovered from his attack Bob. Law</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Friday May 11th</p> <p>Dad. harrowed and rolled the garden back of the shop this morning and this after noon went over my acre of alfalfa plot with the springtooth but he and Frank have worked the rest of the day on the pea ground and think it will be fit to drill to-morrow if all's well. Aunty and Aunty Alice came over about eleven o'clock and stayed to dinner and tea. Aunty Alice brought us over a pound of mangle seed half a pound each of red and yellow variety's so this after noon I went over and borrowed Quanburys seed drill and Aunty Alice and I sowed them all on the garden back of the shop we just had enough seed to go over it except for two rows of potatoes next the orchard fence which I planted this morning. They were Irish Cobblers. Aunty and Aunty Alice brought Frank and me each a dandy pair of gloves. Win. came over to tea to-night, she won a two dollar prize on her composition on "The High school boy &amp; the labor shortage" that wasn't just the title but it was the subject. To-night Enah and Aunty and Aunty Alice went over to Mrs. Battersby's on their way home and Win and I went straight down town. I went in to see Marj. and as she had just got some trailing Arbutus from home we took a bunch of it down to Aunty. Billy Laings came into the Bagley's before we left with some chicken feed and we had to entertain him till Mrs. Bagley came home and relieved us. Billy was in a very {illegible}</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Sunday May 13th</p> <p>Frank and I didn't get ready int time to get to Sunday school this morning but we went down to church. Frank had to see Ben Ivey and as he was working over here we went around this way. Aunty came over with us for dinner. This after noon Dad. Dick and the baby went down to the gully. Frank went down to the Ryerse's and Enah, Aunty and I started down to look through the {Dicky?} Stevens orchard but we met Jim Waddle on the way out to the farm so Enah went back with him but Aunty and I went on and went all over the place. Jim Waddle and the girls were still here when we got back and when Aunty and I left for town. I went down with Aunty for tea and went to church with Aunty and Aunty Alice. Much warmer but breezy.</p> <p>Monday May 14th</p> <p>I was just getting ready to go to Ham's after the sprayer this morning when he and his man brought it down He said his trees were out too for now for the second spray so as he was coming down town any way he brought it down to us. We got the orchard and all the plum &amp; cherry trees sprayed by about five o'clock this after noon. We used nearly two tanks of spray but didn't put the second on nearly as thick as the first. To-night my two year old heifer</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>think it will last now. Before it broke every time after it had been in about a month. Karl Coleman came in while we were at it and helped us. He wanted to ask Dad. about a bloated lamb. I went over this morning and got some bone meal at Jack Martin's and Quanbury's seed drill to sow my alfalfa. After I got it Cawley and Chris both told me that Jack wanted to use it this after noon to sow mangels but he hadn't said anything to Quanbury's about it. Frank gave the acre a final harrowing and rolled it while I was gone and I started in to sow it before dinner. It took me till about five o'clock to get it done I got the three pounds on the acre but had to open the drill up to a larger hole for the last nine rows and I am a little afraid it didn't sow evenly. Dad. finished plowing the garden to-day and worked it up and ran out the ditches in the last drilled oat field and the pea ground. Frank and Enah started to sow the garden this after noon. I set out some dahlia and gladiolus to-night. Much warmer and very smoky. It looks like rain.</p> <p>Thursday May 17th</p> <p>Dad. and I took the four old hens which we put eightysix chicks out of the incubator under last night and put them in three coops in this end of the old hen house and in the other new coop outdoors. As soon as we got that done I went</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>down town and Marj. and I went up to the Radial to meet Mrs. Bagley who has been at some missionary conference in St Cathrines for a week. Poor old Dr. Jolly died this morning. He had a stroke the night before last and got delirious and while trying to induce Mrs. Bell to let him go downstairs he fainted or had another stroke and fell backwards all the way downstairs.</p> <p>Saturday May 19th</p> <p>Frank went over to Evans this morning with the plow shear to have it sharpened and Dad. plowed while he was gone. When he came back he plowed and Dad. and I stretched the wire along the posts we put in yesterday. We just had John Wess little wire stretchers and had to pull to each post as we went along so didn't get it very tight. While we were at it a fellow came in and introduced himself as Mr. Ferguson and said he had our application for a drainage survey and had come to do it. So we went out with him before dinner. This after noon he and I did the job. We staked out the runways first and then he took the levels. He will send us a blueprint when he gets back to the O.A.C. The holes at the north end of the field will drain easily into the gully but we couldn't drain the ones this way without making an eight or ten feet</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Monday May 21st</p> <p>I was up at five o'clock this morning for a change but didn't get much done. About nine o'clock I drove Mr. Ferguson up to young Bobbie Leith's which was his next job and when I got home went over to Mrs. Battersbys and got some rhubarb and some flag roots, which I set out this after noon. I didn't do much but putter around this after noon one job being to get the hop poles put up. Dad. set out about a hundred cabbage plants this after noon and nearly froze as there was a cold rain. Frank set thirty three duck eggs in the little incubator to-day. I read "Beltane the Smith" till about one o'clock to-night. It has been cold with an east wind all day and steady rain all the after noon &amp; to-night.</p> <p>Tuesday May 22nd</p> <p>Old Mr. Miller came after Dad. to-day before breakfast as his cow was sick so Dad. went up after breakfast. Just as he was going out of the lane George Duncan met him as he had a mare in trouble so Dad. was gone till noon. Frank and I made a cement post. Frank Ryerse was in to tell us the Government traction plow was at his place and to ask us if we wanted any plowing done but we are afraid our ground is too wet. This after noon we moved the three cement posts we had made out of the drive house and Frank and Dad. cut up some apple</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>town I ran across Harry Moon trying to put in a block of the pavement over his tile drain so I helped him till dark, then I met Bab. going up to Ben Ivey's with a telephone message so went up with her and then went down to Aunty's for awhile. It has been a miserable day. Cold, cloudy and drizzly also windy</p> <p>Thursday May 24th {Sketch of a Union Jack flag}</p> <p>It has been a rotten day. Cold windy and drizzling rain most of the time. We puttered around all morning. Frank started to clean out the shop and I took some eggs over to Jack Martin and he paid me Dad. has been digging ditches all day and feels about as blue as a sick fish over the weather. Right after dinner Frank and I made another cement post and then I went down to Miss Martin's to get my hollyhocks, she gave a baket full of stuff, besides hollyhocks were asters, snapdragons, nicotina and a few seedling dahlias. I set most of them out when I got home I stopped in at Aunty's for a few minutes on my way home. Although there were a few fishers went down the road to-day according to the annual custom, they were very few and the old creek was not bristling with fish poles from Art. Ryerse's to Coleman's point as it would have been if it had been a sunny day as it generally is. Hollie's ad. in the "Maple Leaf" is changed again. It is now "Wanted - Boys under 81 to make themselves generally useless about the fish house"</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>out to the plum orchard. Dad. then drove Enah and the baby down town and got back about six while Frank and I planted a few onion sets and a few potatoes in the old garden besides making afew observations on the actions of an old bee who appeared to be blind in one eye and to weak to fly and on a pair of humming birds out in the current bushes in the old garden. Frank went down town after tea. Winnie and Olive Ward were over this after noon to tell me that Mrs. Smythe had invited Aunty herself Winnie and me out there to dinner to-morrow but I said I couldn't go so maybe Frank will go instead. It has been sunny and warm all day but rained a little to-night.</p> <p>Sunday May 27th</p> <p>Frank and I went down for Sunday school this morning but as it was after ten when we got to Main St. we went down to the lake instead and circled around in time for church Dad. Enah and the baby came down to church. Dad. expected to hear Mr. Browne preach but Mr. Johnson announced that he would preach to-night. It was raining when we got out of church so Frank Aunty and Win didn't go to the Smythe's as they had intended (They were going up on the radial) but Frank and Win stayed down at Aunty's to dinner. Dick was over here when we got home. Dad had to go out to Charlie Teiple's to see a colt this after noon and</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Tuesday May 29th</p> <p>We started on the rest of the sheep this morning alone and the first one seemed too wet to shear. Dad let them all out for a few minutes last night and the first thing they did was to go across the ditch and it was too swollen for the planks to go over it so consequently a good many of them got in. However we caught a drier one and I had it nearly sheared when Art. came. I didn't make a very good job of it as I didn't have the knives tight enough. About eleven o'clock I went down town to get some coal oil and on up to the mill for flour and chicken feed. The hill down here at Preston's where they have put the big stones is so bad I had to go both ways by town and was so delayed that I didn't get home till after one. Billy Mills stopped me to ask about Ben Ivey's line fences as Jack is going to turn cattle back there in Ben's gully. Cawley stopped me to ask about the same thing Uncle Ward nailed me and I had to go down to Aunty's. Aunty Alice is going to Toronto in the morning. Art. left at eleven o'clock and we finished the sheep at four o'clock this after noon. I sheared the last one, so we all are pretty fair at the job now. Counting the tags we had 195 lbs of wool taking the aggregate of the individual fleece weighs according to the spring scales. To-night I went down to Aunty Alice's with some eggs and cream for Roy. Raining this morning but cleared off with fine day, warmer.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>business and how Ansley through mismanagement was losing thousands of dollars, for Frank contended that it was just as easy to make money as it was to lose it. He also informed us that Ansley was the best man to work for that ever lived. To-night I went down to church and went up to Huby's for awhile. I telephoned Ham Thompson from there to see if the car for the wool was at the L.E. &amp; N. siding and he said it was but that he hadn't been able to get Neff all day to find out for sure if we should ship to-morrow. Edmond England wants to ship with us but hasn't sheared yet and he thought it wouldn't matter for a day or two. I came home around by the L.E. &amp; N. station but the agent had left so I didn't find out any more. It has been hot and sultry Looks very rainy</p> <p>Thursday May 31st</p> <p>Frank went down this morning to tell Art. Ryerse that the car was there to ship the wool and while he was gone Dad. and I sewed up the wool sack and put the tags on it. Young Jack Maxwell came over to get Dad. to go over to John Robert John's to look after a cow. He said he had been working over there all Spring and that poor old Robert John is just about dead. Art. &amp; Lloyd came back with Frank with their wool and scales and they weighed our wool and took it down to the car. Frank and I</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>did not break under the jaw. Dad. calls it bastard strangles. We stayed long enough for him to have a good look at Queen as the object of our trip was partly to try to sell her. We went from there on down to Jimmy Horn's and took them the pedigree for the ram they got last fall. We were there about an hour as Dad. wanted to have a talk to the old man. While we were gone Frank went down to Art. Ryerse's and paid him for the freight on the wool as Art lent us the money yesterday. He also made a bee hive out of a nail keg to put up in the gully to see if he can catch another swarm and he put the supers on his two hives up here and got stung once.</p> <p>This after noon we made another post but didn't get much else done Dad. did some plastering in the kitchen Enah is house cleaning. To-night I went down town to see Marj. for a little while. Roy came to-night on the seven o'clock car from Simcoe, he was up there on business and will stay here till Sunday night any way. Aunty Alice with Vernon and Rebecca came up on the early Grand Trunk train and got here soon after Roy. Warm &amp; breezy.</p> <p>Saturday June 2nd</p> <p>Dad. and the baby drove down town this morning and were down all day. Dad. has been promising Aunty to go down for a long time to fix up her bay window bed and trim the walk</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Dick and Dess came over to see the little pigs. Not long after that Dad. Enah and the baby drove home and Aunty and Roy came over to tea Rebecca having come with Dad. Dick and Dess didn't stay long. To-night I went down town but none of us went to church to-night. I went up to Miss. Martin's where I found Marj. &amp; Mr. &amp; Mrs. McQueen. They had been in Grimsby all day and had come back on the seven o'clock car. They had intended going down with Jack Walker but it was such a nasty morning Jack didn't go so they went by radial and had a fine after noon. They went down principally to see peach blossoms but they weren't out yet and the cherry &amp; apples were gone but they had a good time. I stopped in at Auntys for an hour or so on my way home. Rainy &amp; very windy this morning but lovely by evening.</p> <p>Monday June 4th</p> <p>After I did chores this morning I planted out some gladioli and some mignonette &amp; Hollyhock seed. Aunty gave me the seeds and the hollyhocks were grown at Mt. Vernon and supposed to be some thing extra. Bert Thompson came over with a yearling heifer which he turned out here to pasture. I put in the rest of the day spudding thistles in the oats. Frank was down town getting Joe shod this morning and when he came back he cultivated mangels with the "Buko" as Aunty Alice calls the</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>much higher. Frank and I made a cement post this morning and Dad. did some more work at the culvert in the lane before the rain. This after noon Dad. and Frank fixed up the wire fence around the barnyard and put a barbed wire on the top of it and through the middle of it. I spent the after noon hunting up data in my diarys where with to make a herd record. About five I went back to the gully after the cows but I only got the three we milk and the calves. Daisy May was up having had a red bull calf this morning. They took Jack Martin's young stock back to Ben Ivey's gully this after noon and as they were right down with our cattle along the lane fence Dad. was afraid our cattle would break through our old barbed wire so I went back again to get the rest of them. I had an old rubber coat on but I got soaked as I was back in part of the heavy storm.</p> <p>Thursday June 7th</p> <p>Frank, Enah, the baby and I went down town this morning in the waggon this morning, we took our lumber for the harness cupboard doors back down to Emery to change it for stuff that would not waste but Emery told Frank that for making doors with matched lumber it didn't matter about short pieces being put in without any thing to nail to as long as they weren't</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Saturday June 9th</p> <p>Frank and I went down to Aunty's as soon as we could get started this morning and got the grass that old Reed cut out in front on the road and we cut a lot more and brought it home in the waggon box for the horses. It was after eleven when we got home so I started to cut the lawn and finished it after dinner Frank helped Dad. (who has been working at the mudhole in the lane all day) till I got through with the lawn and then he and I went back and stretched a barbed wire along John Wess' line from the wheat to within a panel and a half of the little block of woods. We then came up and went over to the stump for a swim. It was the first of the season for us and I found the water pretty cold, so didn't stay in long. Dad. had a bad headache and felt sick just before tea to-night. Frank went down town to-night. It has been a very hot and sultry day.</p> <p>Sunday June 10th</p> <p>Frank and I started out for Sunday school but Frank saw Ben Ivey and wanted to see him so by the time he left there we were too late. We picked Dick up at the bank and we all three went to church and got nicely settled in the back seat when Aunty Alice came in and made us go up to the front. After church Mrs. Johnson invited me over there to dinner with Marj. and some young Omstead who is a Hamilton</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Alice and came back after dinner. Enah and the baby went down with him and he left them at Mrs. Woodson's on his way back as she arrived here Saturday. I spudded thistles in the peas this morning, there are not many of them but they are in one or two patches through the field. Dad. ditched and went back to see if Ivey's line fence in the gully was alright. He went out and gathered up the coils of barbed wire along the road and as Tom was just coming back with the cream can while he was out there he brought them up for him. Dad. and I had our lunch alone and after in we went back with a couple of coils of barbed wire and finished stretching it on John Wess' line, we also put in a post along the fence between the wheat and pasture field Dad. turned the cattle in on that field this morning. It was about half past four when we got back to the house but as Frank was home and had things ready he and I made another post. Ham Thompson was in to-night to get some lime sulphur and told me he wanted to spray to-morrow. Fine and hot to-day.</p> <p>Tuesday June 12th</p> <p>I went up to Ham's about half past seven this morning and was up there till the middle of the after noon and we got all over the orchard both sides The wind wasn't very strong but we didn't make</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Wednesday June 13th</p> <p>We sprayed what we could of the orchard this morning and as it was rather late when we got every thing ready we didn't finish till nearly noon. The wind was a little too strong to go all around the tree but we got most of the blossoms I think but if it changes in a day or two we will go over them again. This after noon Dad. had to go up to George Duncan's raising and he got back in as I was finishing milking. Frank and I spent most of the after noon fixing Jack Martin's and Ben Ivey's fence along the road so that the lambs couldn't get in. We fixed their's instead of our own so that the lambs can pasture on the road. We drove in a lot of stakes and stapled the bottom wire of the fence to the stakes and also banked sod up in several places so that the little fellows can't push under. When we got through we went through the mangels with Belle and the cultivator and also took it out to the old garden but there wasn't much stuff up enough out there to do anything. Jonas was in to-night and got a setting of eggs. Very hot day. Thunder storm to-night.</p> <p>Thursday June 14th</p> <p>Frank and I cut a bushel of seed potatoes this morning</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>didn't try to come up it but went home around by town and it was after twelve when we got home. We didn't do much else this after noon but set out 100 tomato plants which took just about all there were in the cold frame. I went down town to-night and after going up to see Marj. for a little while I went down to Aunty's where there was a little party going on in honor of Mr. &amp; Mrs. Gordon who are here at Mrs. Skey's. It has been cold again to-day and cloudy this after noon. Looks rainy</p> <p>Saturday June 16th</p> <p>Frank has been over at Ben's all day helping him get his tomato plants out. He has had two or three men from the greenhouse and Bob. Leitch's team in the fore noon but didn't get them quite all out He had to work the land up as he went along. I drove Enah down town to get some provisions, right after breakfast and when we got back I went through the mangels with the Buko. up close to the row's. I got them all done by noon. This after noon I cut all the lawn and took some eggs over to Jack Dad. spent the day hoeing his potatoes and working in his garden back of the old barn. George Clark and Booze were over with Barwell's dog this after noon he got run over yesterday and is in pretty bad shape but Dad. told him he might pull through. Frank went down town to-night. It has been another cold day but a little more sun.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>and although the storms all went over or around us we got just enough of them to drive us in but not to wet much We were entertained for about half an hour right after breakfast by Jack Robinson who came in to get a long tooth of his mare's filed down. He was giving us glowing accounts of the time he had in Saskatchewan last summer on "the boy's" ranch. When he left we all went out to the old garden to work at least all the rest but me and I started in to Bako the alfalfa but the rain drove us in and we didn't do much else but putter around before dinner. This after noon we tried it again but with the same results however we did get quite a little bit done. After tea Dad. and I hooked Queen up to the cart and I drove her down town and around the block, she went fine. While we were hooking her up she backed up and one wheel of the cart took the corner off our last cement post. It wasn't a very good one anyway and it was the thirteenth post made</p> <p>Tuesday June 19th</p> <p>I have been "Bukoing" alfalfa all day but am only about half way over the plot. The ground is pretty hard and the alfalfa very small so it is quite a job. Frank and Dad. finished hoeing the potatoes this morning and this after noon cultivated every thing they could with Belle. Frank half soled a pair of his boots before tea. It has been sunny and hot all day and a thunder storm to-night but not much rain</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>This after noon we started to haul manure on the corn ground but owing to delays only got out three loads. Frank did the driving and had Belle for third horse and as she hasn't been doing any thing lately was balky and caused a lot of trouble. Then Billy Mills was in for a long time. He brought our disks back and borrowed our corn marker. I didn't help Dad. and Frank much but hoed in my alfalfa most of the after noon. To-night Dad. &amp; Enah went down to a party at Aunty Alice's and Frank and I watched Tid. They were very late getting started as they had to wait till he went to sleep and as he had slept all the after noon he was in no hurry about it. Frank went in and lay on the bed beside him and I read all I could find in the "Globe" on the conscription debate and then went to sleep in the chair. Sunny but cool breeze.</p> <p>Thursday June 21st</p> <p>Dad. and Frank have hauled manure all day and I have hoed alfalfa. The ground is very hard in spots which makes it a slow and tedious job but the hoe does much better work now that the Buko, in fact the latter wouldn't work at all in some of the hard spots. We let the sheep in for about an hour to-day at noon on the oats in the plum orchard. One of the old turkey hens has reappeared and has been wandering about the yard here for the last two days. We don't know</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Saturday June 23rd</p> <p>Dad. and Frank hauled manure this morning but didn't get so many out as they were cleaning out the box stall. The last load they put around the tomato plants in the old garden. I cut lawn till about eleven and then went and helped them get the hay out of the lane that Frank cut the other day. Just before dinner it commenced to rain and kept it up pretty much all the after noon. It was a nice gentle rain and will do a lot of good as the ground was getting pretty well baked after the heavy rains of a week ago. Frank and I made another post this after noon but didn't do much else and Dad. chored around. Frank and I went down town to-night and I got my hair cut. I took some eggs over to Jack.</p> <p>Sunday June 24th</p> <p>By the time Frank and I got chores done and got through monkeying around among other things looking at the marten's nests in the bird house, (there are three of them) it was too late to go to Sunday school but we went down to church. Dick and Aunty came over to dinner. Dick and Frank went down soon after dinner and Dad. drove Aunty down about four. Enah and I had a piano and horn concert and I went down to Aunty's to tea. Aunty Alice and I went to church to-night.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>and then it was most decidely wet as we had a very heavy thunder storm and it was rainy and sunny by turns all day. Frank and I didn't know whether to go down and get a load of slabs an run chances of getting wet or whether to stay home and make a post so we wound up by doing neither. Charlie Shand was in to tell us they were going to do road work next week, he had to go on over to Martin's, Quanbury's and Fleming's so I rode around with him and asked Jack Martin if I could ship my eggs with his and he said I could. I went down town to-night and had some strawberries at Miss Martin's.</p> <p>Wednesday June 27th</p> <p>Frank and I hauled two loads of slabs to-day one this morning and one this after noon, they were really only half loads as Hawey was charging two dollars a load and we thought we couldn't haul a big enough load for a whole one. When we came back this after noon we made another post. Kathleen Millman and her two friends Eva Williams or {Tow?} and Miss Kirtland were over this morning, they are here for a week staying at the Moon's. Dad. was up at Ham. Thompson's all morning with Daisy May looking at Hams. crops and stock. Dad. says he thinks he has a good crop of peas but they are not a patch on our Market.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Friday June 29th</p> <p>I woke up about four this morning and heard the water running in on the kitchen floor like the water out of a spout so got up and put a pan under it and banged my eye on the door while I was at it. About six Dad. came and called Frank to go after the cows, he had been back to the end of the lane but the gully was flooded so he didn't go down. Frank put on part of a bathing suit and got them he had to wade in water up to his waist. It must have been a terrific rain but it cleared up early and has been windy and sunny all day and by to-night is pretty well dried off. Dad. Enah and the baby went down town this morning and have been gone all day. Dad was going up to see Mrs. Miller to see if he could sell John, Old Miller was down to-night but didn't say what he thought about her. Frank and I made a post this morning and this after noon after spudding the thistles in the oats on the knoll by the old well, we went back to look at the ginseng and Golden Seal. The old ginseng root was dead but Frank located three seedlings. His Golden Seal looks fine. The wheat is just coming in head and looks pretty tough some of it is no good at all, but the hay has picked up quite a lot. I went down to tea at Aunty's to-night and went down to the station to help Marj. meet Glad Law, but she didn't come. We saw the three girls down there</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Sunday July 1st</p> <p>It rained very hard again during the night and has been raining pretty much all day but cleared up enough for us all to get to church. As this is Canada's fiftieth birthday Mr. Johnson had a sermon or at least a compilation of historical facts and statistical figures supposed to be suitable to the occasion but as some of them were incorrect and the rest uninteresting no one seemed to appreciate it as being the proper celebration of the jubilee Dominion day. Dad. Enah and Tim. stayed down at Aunty's to dinner and Frank, Dick and I had dinner alone. Frank and Dick drove down right after dinner but I stayed home all the after noon. Dad. drove home about five and about six Ade. brought Enah, Frank and the baby home in the car. Ade stayed here to tea and took Frank &amp; me back down town in the car. The road was in pretty bad shape for it. I went for a little walk with Marj. &amp; Glad Law and then went down to Auntys and talked to Mr. &amp; Mrs. Millman till bedtime. Nita. and Gwen. Canfield came in for a few minutes but except for passing them on the pier I didn't see any of the rest of the bunch. Dick came down before I left for a few minutes &amp; Frank was with the crowd all the evening &amp; didn't get home till after twelve. Warm after the rain but clearer to-night.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>hardly any live ticks. We caught the old ram and Dad while examining him found some puss on his bag and after working it awhile got about a 1/2 cup full of matter out of it. We are afraid he may not be any good another year. When we got through with the sheep we hooked Queen up and Frank and I drove her around the block I went down to the "sheep pasture" for awhile to-night. Fine day. Old Mr. &amp; Mrs. Miller were in to-night to look at John. Mrs. Miller would have bought her but the old man wanted to come down again and try milking her. Tupper was in for a few minutes, he has Fred Misner's cattle shut up in his stable, they have been running on the road lately and getting into everyone's crops, they were in our oats to-day. Tupper took them to pound the other day up to Jim. Waddle's but Jim said he was never sworn in poundkeeper so wouldn't accept them</p> <p>Tuesday July 3rd</p> <p>We three and the team have been doing road work all day to-day. They are on the side road between the top of the hill and our corner cleaning and scraping the ditches and piling it in the centre of the road. They expect the road machine to finish the job. It is making an awful mess of the road at present but will probably be good for it in the end. I went down town to-night and went up to see Huby. Fine and cool.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>manure on in with corn and the rest of the piece with buckwheat. We won't expect any corn off it of course but will get some good fodder if all's well. Dad. and I took John up to the Miller's this morning and then Dad. took Enah down town and I thinned a few mangles before dinner. This after noon Dad. and I cultivated the mangels and potatoes and hoed some more. Dick and Dess came over about five and were here all the evening. It has been fine, sunny &amp; not too hot.</p> <p>Friday July 6th</p> <p>Frank has been plowing all day and Dad. and I have been hoeing potatoes. Aunty and Aunty Alice came over to-night for a little while with all tney could carry of the where with all to celebrate Dad's birthday to-morrow Dad. drove them home. Lila was over for a few minutes, the results of the H.S. exams were in the "Maple Leaf" to-day and her name headed the list and she took honors. Still fine and not hot.</p> <p>Saturday July 7th</p> <p>I went down to the mill first thing this morning and got a supply of chicken feed. I was staggered when Ross Smith told me my account down there was over $130. after all that I have paid them was taken off. When I got home I took a couple</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>I went to sleep on the sofa soon after tea and some time before midnight was sufficiently aroused byt a clap of thunder to stagger off to bed being aware at the time of a stream of water coming through the kitchen ceiling into a pan that had been put under it early in the evening. About two o'clock my dreams were again broken by hearing Dad. &amp; Enah bailing out the kitchen. Dad. informed me that the storm was terrible and with that comforting knowledge I continued to slumber peacefully till about seven, when I got up donned a bathing suit and went after the cows. There was not as much water in the gully as I expected although it had been high but had run off. Frank got home just as I got out. We did up the chores and Frank and I went down to church Dad. drove us to the sidewalk. Dad and Enah &amp; Tid drove down to Aunty Alice's for dinner, we went down there after church intending to take Joe home but as they didn't get down till just dinner time we stayed and went home after dinner and did up the chores. We were to have been down again at five but by the time we got thing's done it was six when we got down and Dad. Enah &amp; Tim were having tea down there They went home as soon as they had tea and Frank and I had ours then went to church with Aunty &amp; Aunty Alice. After church I went up to see Marj. I didn't know she was</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Tuesday July 10th</p> <p>Frank and I went down town this morning with Joe and Belle in the waggon I took the three crates of old hens over to Jack and got $32.86 for them not a dollar apiece. We went on down town as Frank had to take his bank book to the Post Office to be fixed up. Granddaddy sent it to him Monday and he found he had thirty dollars in the Post Office savings bank that he didn't know any thing about. Granddaddy had opened the account long ago and the other day had intended to draw it out and invest it in a war bond for Frank but found Frank had to draw it himself so sent the book to him and asked him to buy a war bond, so I guess he will. We got some grass when we got home that Dad. had cut. He told us some young Andrews from Renton had been in while we were gone to ask about a ram lamb. This after noon Dad. &amp; Enah drove out to Trinder's to get a case of strawberries but they didn't get them. I went over to Jack's and settled up with him he gave me a check for $37.93 Then Frank and I made another post. To-night I went down to see Marj. Glad. Law and the two Walker girls were there. Marj. has been having an awful time with her throat but it is better to-night. Essie informed me the relapse was due to the talking she did Sunday night while I was there, but Marj. said it was from being out on Sunday. I went</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Thursday July 12th</p> <p>I hung around for about an hour this morning waiting for Enah to get ready to go down town then I drove her with the baby down and they have been down all day. I came home with some two inch nails to finish making the lamb creep. The town appeared to be full of Orangemen this morning and they were to say the least a "seedy" looking crowd. They didn't "walk" till this after noon but they were all bedecked with their gorgeous orange &amp; blue collars and badges which did not accord well with the rest of their apparel which was in most cases faded, baggy and soiled. They all looked to be of the same tribe from the old men who shambled around the streets in bunches and looked as if they were regretting the days when the 12th of July was celebrated in a wet Ontario to the young bucks, who in the first flush of their pride in their membership of the Orange Lodge betrayed by their appearance that their idea of legitimate happiness was to prance around the streets on a gala day arrayed in their Sunday clothes and to smoke cigars or eat ice cream cones &amp; popcorn with their best girls. Of course there were mothers &amp; children intersperced through the crowd all no doubt imbued with the same spirit of patriotism and religion which inspired their fathers, husbands and elder brothers. Right after dinner</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>her. Lila was over for a few minutes but didn't stay long. To-night Frank and I walked down town. I met Marj. up town and she and I went down to Mrs. Perry's to say good-bye to her but she wasn't home so we went down to Aunty's. Aunty &amp; Aunt Ida were over Brant Hill but Aunty Alice was home. Marj. says her throat is much better and intends to leave for Toronto in the morning</p> <p>Friday July 13th</p> <p>Frank went over to pick strawberries this morning but about ten o'clock Enah saw his bees swarming so I went over to tell him, he said first he would let them go till noon and then try to find the queen and kille her so that they would all go back to the hive but when I got home they had settled in two clusters and Dad. was very much afraid they would leave so I went back again to get Frank. Dad. thought he had better hive them as the season is late and they ought to do well from now on. However he hadn't any thing ready and at noon the Quanbury's came in after a piece of ice and Art told him to hive both bunches separately as there would be a queen in each, it was what he called a swarm and an afterswarm. He hadn't enough frames for both hives so he took some out of the super of the old hive. When he got things ready he put one of my chicken house cotton-frames down under the cluster and the hive on it and then cut the branch off that they were clustered</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>dinner. Dad. was out digging ditches around his potatoes to drain the water off and Frank had put a handle in the round point shovel. This after noon Frank went down town to get some supplies for his beehives, he came back about four and got dressed up and went down again till tea tea and was down all evening He wanted to get down before the Post Office closed so that he could get his check for the savings account and buy a $25.00 war bond. Dad. and I sat around reading for quite awhile after dinner and then took Joe and Belle &amp; the waggon and went and got the grass that Dad. cut in the corner field the other day. When we came in I finished cutting the lawn. To-night Dad. Enah &amp; the baby drove down town to get some supplies. Sunny &amp; hot after noon</p> <p>Sunday July 15th</p> <p>Frank and I walked down to church this morning and Aunty &amp; Dick came back with us to dinner. Lloyd Ryerse came in driving right after dinner and he and Frank drove out to the England's. Dick rode with them as far as the corner but was back in about five minutes in the Millman's car with Ade, Kathleen, Paddy, Skinny and {Gwen?} Canfield. The four of them came up from Toronto last night without sending any word and went to the dance. Ade evidently left early and went down to Aunty's intending to get lodging there for the night but they had gone to bed so he slept</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>in the latters car. They brought Boy over, stone dead and wanted Dad. to see if he could tell what killed him. Huby said he was with him down at Hobbe's boat about a quarter after seven and that was the last he saw him till about a quarter to eight where he found him dead, so he must have died quickly and there was no sign of struggle nor he was not stretched out with his head back like they are when they get strychine neither was there any indication of a blow or that he had been shot; so Dad. couldn't tell what he had got. Huby brought an old sandwich over which he found near him but Dad. didn't think that had anything to do with it. It is too bad as Huby just had him nicely trained and said he wouldn't take a hundred dollars for him. We did all we could in Simcoe (but couldn't get any rock salt nor queen excluders) and got back about two o'clock. We didn't do much after we had our dinner but I blocked up all the holes I could find in the old chicken yard and this after noon &amp; to-night caught about two dozen of the biggest cockrels and shut them in there. Dad. says Hec. Henderson was over to-day as one of the committee they have in town to help the farmers out and urge them to grow more wheat next year Dad. told him we could get on all right and would put in (number obscured} acres of wheat if the weather would let us. Fine but looked rainy {word obscured}</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Wednesday July 18th</p> <p>Frank and I made the other door for the harness cupboard this morning but didn't get them put on. I then hooked up Belle and Queen to the waggon and Frank and I went down to the mill and got a bag of mixed chop to crate fatten chickens. We went out and got the waggon box full of grass when we got home. We got Ben Ivey's cultivator as we went past and this after noon Dad and I cultivated the mangels except the far edge where it was too wet and we also went through the potatoes in the old garden. We took Ben's cultivator as it is a straight toothed one and goes throw the earth with out throwing it at all as ours does. When we got through with that Frank and I hoed potatoes till six and Dad. paris-greened a lot of them. To-night Dad and Enah went down town to get some provisions and Lloyd Ryerse came up to see Frank so I went with them back to Ben's cherry orchard where we tested a good many of the trees but didn't find any real sweet cherries but a good many real sour ones. When we got back I picked out most of the biggest cockrels I could find and put 14 in the fattening crate. Fine &amp; clear to-day.</p> <p>Thursday July 19th</p> <p>Frank has been plowing all day on the side hill next the woods. Dad. whent the first round with him and then came</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Saturday July 21st</p> <p>Dad. plowed all morning and Frank and I hoed and cultivated potatoes. Right after dinner Dad. went back to the gully to bring up Maple Hill Nellie as he noticed this morning that she was going to calve soon. He had hardly got back there when Whit Dixon came over after the steer, so I went back to get him and Dad. and I brought all the cattle up and left Maple Hill Nellie all alone as she was to far gone to move. We got the steer loaded with out much trouble and then went back to Nellie she had moved from up in the curve in the bottom of the hills opposite the mound to way down in the lower half of the gully and calved while we were back there with her. Dad. helped a little. It was a dandy big red and white heifer. We left it back there all night as Nellie is very nervous. Frank raked up the hay this after noon and then came up here to put some more frames in his beehives. Dad. and I when we got through admiring the calf cocked hay till six and then we all three came went after tea and finished cocking just as it got too dark to see. Frank and I went down town to-night and I got my hair cut and about eleven o'clock went down to the swimming hole at the dam with, Carl Coleman, {Kindree?}, Clare Deal, Woodyer and Frank and had a good swim. The I.O.D.E. had a masquerade dance in the pavilion to-night Frank went over to watch it for awhile. Fine and hot all day.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>operate with them in taking off the pea crop. Charlie {put?} his team on our mower and mowed the piece east of the ditch while the other four of us followed the mower and kept the swath out of his way and bunched it. He got that piece down about nine o'clock and then we loaded up both our rack and theirs and Charlie &amp; Frank took them down We hooked up Joe &amp; Belle to the mower when they left and I started to cut the other side of the ditch while Dad. and Art. kept it out of my road.</p> <p>I didn't finish till after dinner, Frank and Charlie took all that was left down in two more loads but Charlie had about two tons on, he put all he could on to draw out of the field and then finished the load with what he could draw in a couple of waggon loads. When they went down with the two last loads Dad. Art. and I hooked to the waggon and went out and started to cut Charlie's. I cut till about five when the boys came back with the waggons but Charlie said they were filling up down at the factory so they couldn't haul any down to-night. We put the big team on the mower and Dad. went home with the little team and the waggon. The rest of us stayed till nearly half past six but as there was about an hour's cutting yet, we quit and Frank Art and I went home. Charlie stayed to monkey with his bees</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Wednesday July 25th</p> <p>Dad. plowed all morning and I finished cutting the five-acre field east of the lane and went about two rounds on the ten-acre corner field. Frank turned out the cocks in the five acre field as they were pretty wet in the bottom. He then hoed till noon. This after noon the Quanbury's brought our rack back and took their own and Dad. and I hauled in a couple of small loads with Joe &amp; Belle and put them off with the hay fork in the big barn. We couldn't haul big loads as it was too soft in front of the barn doors. Frank cut with the big team in the corner field but was bothered a lot with the mower. He will have to go to Simcoe and get a new boxing for the pitman rod as the old one has cut out so there is too much play. Art. &amp; Charlie were in to-night to tell us Art's peas will be ready to cut to-morrow. Hot but breezy</p> <p>Thursday July 26th</p> <p>We put in a great night last night trying vainly to sleep. I didn't undress completely but just flopped on the bed and when Frank came home from town he woke me up. Dad was running around trying to get cool and I was about melted so went and lay on the front step for awhile. Frank tried the hammok and Dad. the sofa in the hall. They eventually did go to sleep but</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>chased his bees till they lit on the willow in Pickford's gully and then he came back and got his outfit and went out on his bicycle and hived them. To-night I went down to see Mr. Browne and it was twelve o'clock when I got home. Hot but nice breeze</p> <p>Friday July 27th</p> <p>Frank went to Simcoe this morning by the seven o'clock car and got a new boxing for the mower and came back at nine. Dad. and I were out at Art's all morning and we got the east side hill off. We took it in two loads by hauling small jags off the hills with the little rack and piling them on the big rack which was at the top of the west hill on the level and then evening up the loads afterwards. It was nearly one when we got home so we left the big rack in front of our lane till after dinner and Frank took it down to the factory. When he got back he cut a few more rounds with the mower which worked better but the first round the new boxing got very hot. Frank thinks the knives need sharpening. Dad. and I cocked up all the after noon and got all that was raked cocked up. Cooler to-day. Big rain out north yesterday</p> <p>Saturday July 28th</p> <p>Frank and I sharpened the mower knives this morning</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>We all lay around all the after noon out on the lawn and let out tongues {lap?} out as it was terribly hot in spite of the fact that there was a good breeze. About five o'clock Aunty, Walter, Elsie and Dick started to walk down town as they wanted to stop in at Mrs. Battersby's and Mrs. Woodson's on their way. We had tea as soon as they left and did chores. Enah put the baby to sleep and she and Dad drove down to church, Frank and I stayed home &amp; slept.</p> <p>Monday July 30th</p> <p>Frank mowed in the corner field all morning and for an hour or two after dinner but his knives got so dull he had to stop so he went down town and got a carborundum stone as well as some other things and came back and sharpened up his knives and raked up all that was fit He went out after tea as it was moon light and finished cutting. Dad. cultivated his potatoes in the old garden and put paris green on them. He had to go back after dinner to finish the job. I cut lawn most of the morning. It was an awful job as it has got too long and it was suffocatingly hot I nearly got bushed two or three times, however I got all over it but in some places it looks more as if it had been chewed off by a horse with only two teeth than as if it</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>this after noon, as we expect to haul peas again to-morrow {Name?} was over to-night and says they are so rushed down there he would like us to just haul half of them to-morrow and the others the next day. Dad. and I mowed away a lot of the hay this morning while Frank was raking and Dad. dug some post holes along by his potatoes as we want to let the sheep in on the pea stubble as soon as we get the peas off so will have to fence in the potatoes. To-night Dad. and I drove Queen down town and she went fine, we passed and were passed by automobiles at which she never looked, we drove up to Huby's and down to Aunty's and Dad settled up with Mr. Bagley.</p> <p>Wednesday August 1st</p> <p>Charlie and Art came over this morning and we cut half of the Market Garden Peas and Charlie and Frank each took a load down about eleven o'clock we won't take the rest down till to-morrow morning. Before dinner Dad. and I got the wire over from the orchard to put up along the potatoes. This after noon we hauled three loads of hay off the corner field. To-night Dad Enah and Tim drove out to the Shands. Frank went down town to get some cow spray and I went to bed, being very tired. Hot but breezy. Another big British &amp; French drive has begun in Flanders.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Friday August 3rd</p> <p>Dad. and I hauled in all day but only got in five loads there is still half a load in the field. We didn't get out till rather late this morning as we had to bolt a piece on to the front ladder of the rack which is cracked. Frank cut till about four o'clock and then raked up what he cut this morning. He is cutting in the 8 acre feild between Ivey's line and the lane and just south of the gully. Quite cool all day nice to work</p> <p>Saturday August 4th</p> <p>Things have gone rather slowly to-day. We started put off the load that was on the barn floor this morning but the third lift one of the strands in the big rope cut right out and we had to quit. It is cutting on the spring in the car. Tom Cawley came over to borrow the binder as Jack's isn't working right and it was getting pretty late in the morning when he left. Dad. and I then went out and cocked up most of what Frank raked last night. After dinner we went out and Dad. got Art Quanbury to come over and see if he could fix our car for us so that it wouldn't cut and Art cut the end off the spring, we didn't want to put it up in the barn again as we want the next lot of hay to go in the horse stable. We pitched the last lift that was on the waggon off by hand and Frank and I went</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>{Pencil sketch of a woodland scene}</p> <p>Drawn from Nature.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Monday August 6th</p> <p>We all went out and cocked up this morning and finished the field by about eleven, we then came up and put the car up in the horse stable mow and Frank put a roller out of the old lawn mower on the outside of the barn just below the hole that the big rope goes out to keep it from scrubbing on the ends of the boards. This after noon we hauled in four loads but left the last one standing at the end of the horse stable. To-night Frank and I took Queen around the block past John Wess's. Rained a very small shower last night and looked rainy this morning, but cleared.</p> <p>Tuesday August 7th</p> <p>We just got in three loads of hay this morning as the mow is getting full now and it takes time to get up to mow it. This after noon we got a load and a half of good hay and put it in the horse stable but the last load we got composed mostly of couch grass, so we hauled it in to the barn and left it to put in the bottom of the bay and {over?} rails to put the wheat on. We got through early and Dad and I took Queen around the block, we took the {obscured word} with us. It has been cloudy and cool all day and this after noon there was too much wind to load hay</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>after noon. Dad. cut my four wheat plots and the barley this after noon with Alfred's cradle, the emmer plot is not ripe yet. He bound them and shocked them up to I guess the barley was to short and thin to bind. I cut hay with Frank most of the after noon Cool and cloudy all day looked very much like rain.</p> <p>Thursday August 9th</p> <p>Frank and I cut with two teams all day and got all the grass cut between the oats and the plowing along the side road and I took Jack's mower home. Dad. gathered up my barley to-day and hoed in the old garden besides doing some other chores. Lila was over this after noon. Quite cool all day, tried to rain a little {obscured word} after dinner. It is two or three days since I wrote this so I forget. Frank started to rake the hay he cut first right after dinner but the rain stopped him so he only got about two rounds cut and then helped me mow till we finished the piece. Dad. cocked up all the after noon.</p> <p>Friday August 10th</p> <p>Aunty came over before seven this morning with Mr. {name obscured} and was here all morning but walked back with the baby about three o'clock. I raked hay all morning and</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>stop to look for the cause of the pounding in the {obscured word} which Cawley said he noticed the last after noon {he?} used it. They couldn't find it so Dad. went all the way up to John Wes's barn to ask him about it and he said he thought they would find it was the spring that holds the trip that was broken as his did the same last week. Sure enough that was the trouble so they {took?} the spring out of John's binder and it went alright but it kept them from getting any cut to speak of all morning. It went pretty well all the after noon and the only reason Frank didn't get more cut was owing to lack of speed on old Nellie's part. Sunny and warm to-day</p> <p>Saturday August 11th</p> <p>I took Joe down to Joe Howel's first thing this morning and had her shod but as he couldn't go at her for an hour or so it was about eleven o'clock when I got home. I spent most of the time down at Aunty's. I took Joe &amp; Nellie as soon as I got home and went out and started to rake up the rest of the hay. Frank had Harry &amp; Belle all day on the binder and finished cutting the wheat about seven o'clock. I raked hay all the after noon and finished the field about six. Dad. cocked up till about five</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>got down to the house Mr. &amp; Mrs. Passmore were there. Frank came in just after they left and drove home with me. Fine &amp; warm</p> <p>Monday August 13th</p> <p>We all three got out pretty early and started to cock the hay. It was very dark and about ten o'clock started to rain. It didn't rain hard and we worked for another hour but then had to stop as it was getting too {obscured word} Frank and Dad. mowed away the hay in the horse stable and then took Mary away before dinner while I pained letters on my chicken box. Frank and Dad. went back at the hay soon after dinner and worked all the after noon but didn't quite finish. I slew my twelve milk fed chickens and Enah picked the pin feathers out of them. I tried to stick {obscured word} in the brain but don't believe I hit the right spot with any of them so I hit them all a clip in the head with a club and that seemed to work just about as well, some of them tore pretty badly so I suppose I will be docked on that. We worked quite late to-night getting them all trimmed and put on the shaping board to cool. Dick was over to tea, he just got notice to-day to report in Winnipeg as soon as possible so is leaving here on Thursday. We hope it will be a good thing for him but hate to see him go</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>getting so full. Frank went down to Sam's right after dinner and was down there all the after noon. Dad. &amp; I got in two more jags and put them in the horse stable and Enah came out and told me when to trip. We threw one good big load and left it on the barn floor. To-night we all went down to Aunty's to seed Dick this being his last night here. Huby was there, raising cain and {making?}the baby wild. Win has gone into the bank to try it This was her first day. Frank and I rode down with Martin in his new car. Cloudy this morning but hot this {obscured word}</p> <p>Thursday August 16th</p> <p>Frank went over and borrowed Jack Martin's waggon this morning so that we could haul wheat with {obscured word} teams as it is so far back to go with one waggon. Dad. &amp; I pitched of the load of hay by hand into the east end {obscured word} We thought we could do it quicker than changing the {obscured word}Enah and the baby went back with us and Enah picked berries while we were loading up. It was rather late when we got started so we just made one trip this morning and {we} couldn't take very big loads as the sheaves are pretty {obscured word} in the butts yet. Frank had the old team and Jack's {obscured word} wheeled waggon and when Dad. {illegible} the wheel before</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>We had to put very small ones on Pickford's waggon as the front axle was cracked and it is an old ramshackle affair anyway. Frank had to be very careful going downhill as there was a rivet in the bolster stake that caught under the rim of the front wheel. It was late when we got through and there are still three or four loads back there. Aunty was over this after noon for a few minutes with a card from Dick saying he had reached Roy's safely. Quite cold wind but fair to-day</p> <p>Saturday August 18th</p> <p>We pitched off the two loads of wheat that were on the barn floor first thing and Frank took Pickford's waggon home and Dad. and I hauled in with the big team and our own waggon. We thought there would only be two loads and that it would only take till about noon to get it but instead there were three big loads and seven shocks which we had to make another trip after all it was seven o'clock before we got them unloaded. Frank spent the day fixing the reel rods on the binder and mowing away the hay in the horse stable as we think we can get another load in there. Enah and Tid. were down town all the after noon and got home just as Dad. was about to start after them at dark. Not so cold to-day. Sunny</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Tuesday August 21st</p> <p>Frank cut oats all day and finished the last of them to-night soon after six. Dad. and I hauled a small load of hay and put it in the horse stable and then got a good sized load and hauled it in on the barn floor and changed the car from the horse stable to the barn. We started to put the load off after dinner but the latch in the gate at the peak of the barn wasn't properly caught and and when the first lift went up it came down and bent so that I had to go up and take the whole gate down and let Dad. straighten it before we could go on. It took most of the after noon and we only got in one more load Frank didn't have quite enough of our own binder twine to finish so Dad. went over to borrow some from Billy Mills but he was just out and said Cawley had gone to the barn to hook up and go down and get some, so Dad. chased after Cawley but he had gone so I went over to Pickford's and was lucky enough to get a ball, his last one. Enah and the baby were down town this after noon. Aunty got a telegram from Dick yesterday saying he had been shipped on out to Cadillac Sask. {Saskatchewan}. We sent away the application for the lamb's registration to-day. Cool breezy &amp; cloudy.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>but cooled off and there was more breeze this after noon I didn't do much this morning but clean out the colony house and trim and train up my Dorothy Perkins rose which is growing so fast I can't keep up with it. It nearly covers the east end of the house now. Dad. and Frank shocked up a few oats but got soaked and as the ground was dry under the sheaves they left them This after noon being the day set for Boughner Picnic Dad. the baby and I drove down town and Frank walked down after he had looked through his bees and found there was no honey. Dad. had promised Tid. to take him fishing and he had been making all sorts of plans and building on it, but when they got down to Aunty's, Dad. suggested they go down and see "The City of Dover" come in, so we went down to the dock. Aunty and Frank came too and Dad. Frank and the baby went in to the fish shanty where they saw a big snapping turtle so that seemed to take the place of going fishing. Frank and I got a canoe and went for an hour's paddle up creek and didn't upset as we rather expected as neither of us knew much about it, Frank never having been in one before. Dad. &amp; the baby went home but Frank and I stayed down at Auntys for tea and all the evening. We spent most of the time looking at copys of Fa's old letters and trying to find Cadillac on the map</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>the temperature and it was very strong and from the west I worked with a coat on all day and was not too warm. This morning we shocked up the rest of the oats which were still pretty wet except where the wind &amp; sun had hit them. It was nearly eleven when we got through with them but we put off the load of hay that was on the barn floor and got a load in before dinner which was about one o'clock. This after noon we finished hauling the hay in three pretty good sized loads. The baby came out and rode in on the last load, the promise of which has kept him out of the field for the past week or two. Frank went down town to-night</p> <p>Sunday August 26th</p> <p>Enah and I drove down to church this morning and Frank walked down. Aunty Alice came over with us to dinner. She walked back soon after dinner and Dad. Enah and the baby went for a drive down the lake shore and wound up at Aunty's where they stayed to tea. I read, slept and wrote to Dick this after noon and Frank fixed his wheel and visited with Lloyd Ryerse most of the after noon and then went back to Ben Ivey's gully prospecting for butter nuts and sent the cows up.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>barn roof and make a couple of hog troughs. We wanted to get slabs but he couldn't let us have any. When we got home I went down to the mill and got some rolled oats for the sheep. This after noon Dad. and I put the doors on the harness cupboard but couldn't finish as we found we only had enough screws for three hinges instead of four. Frank put wire in his bee hive frames. About five o'clock Dad. went down to the mill and paid Charlie Ivey part of his account as Neil Elliott was in yesterday morning and gave him a check for Bobbie but said not to bring her down for two weeks. Enah and I printed pictures to-night</p> <p>Wednesday August 29th</p> <p>It rained most of the morning and I didn't do any thing much but read and try to trim a couple of the ram lambs Enah's friend Mr. Hall walked over in the pouring rain this morning and stayed to dinner. It cleared up about {obscured word} and Pickford came over to see if we would help him thrash this after noon as Sam couldn't do any thing with Al Boughner's alsike stack and said he would thresh Pickford out this after noon, however they didn't get moved down till about five o'clock so didn't thresh any to-day but Pickford was up to-night to see if two of us would go down in</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Friday August 31st</p> <p>Dad. plowed all day over on the side hill by the woods and got quite a bit turned over. After I did chores I unloaded the waggon load of wood that he brought up yesterday and then went up and set up the oats that had been laid down Some of them were very wet but none sprouted to speak of. When I got through I started to flail out my winter barley and finished cleaning it up after dinner. About three o'clock I hooked Joe &amp; Belle to the disk and started on the pea ground. I think it will work up nicely. I quit early and Enah and I went down at seven o'clock and had a ride on the "City of Dover" as she ran out to-night instead of Tuesday night when it rained. It was a lovely night to-night and we had a very nice ride Lila and Dess were with us. Dad. was about half the night doing chores as Mr. &amp; Mrs. Smythe came over to see the stock They have just got word within the last day or two that young Ernest Quanbury Chris's second son has been killed in action. It is just about a year ago now that Henry his brother died of his wounds. The Canadians are in heavy action these days around the coal pits of Lens and they are steadily pushing the German's out of the city. Conscription is now on the Canadian statute books having been passed by the Senate yesterday or to-day. Sunny &amp; breezy &amp; cool</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>I went down to Aunty's just at noon and stayed to dinner and after dinner pruned a few of the old branches out of the barbery bush for Aunty. I got home about three o'clock and got most of the lawn cut over here. Lila was over here to dinner. Dad. plowed all the after noon and Frank made a couple of hog troughs. Dad. plowed up a nest of rabbits this after noon. He killed two of them with the plow but brought two live ones home. They are only a few days old and I am afraid they won't live. Sunny but cool.</p> <p>Sunday September 9th</p> <p>Enah and I drove down to church this morning and Aunty came back with us to dinner. Frank spent the morning in trying out some new kind of solder he got at the exhibition which is applied like sealing wax and Dad. did chores and shocked up the twelve oat shocks. Aunty says he shocked more than the oats. I started to read after dinner but went to sleep almost immediately and slumbered peacefully till Aunty was ready to go down town and then I went down there to tea and to church with Aunty &amp; Aunty Alice. After church I went home with Marj. who has changed her place of abode from the Bagley's to Miss Kerny's. I wrote Dick a short note when I got home. Frank and Enah walked down to church to-night. Fine, cloudy &amp; cool. Feels like frost to-night</p> <p>Monday September 10th</p> <p>Frank and I took Bobbie down to the car this morning. Frank led her and I drove in the buggy. Neil wasn't around but we left Bobbie in the pen, one pig was the only other occupant of the pen. We went around by the station and got a poultry crate which Frank got from Silverwood's to ship his ducks in. We saw Huby and he said there was a heavy white frost down at the station but no sign of it at his place. When we got home Frank sorted out the ducks he wanted to keep and let them loose and I raked up the lawn. After dinner I took Belle &amp; Queen and went back and disked on the back field where Dad. had been plowing all morning and Dad. finished plowing the field and started in to harrow it. It is going to work up fine. Mrs. Tupper came past this after noon and said Clem. wanted one of us to go and help thrash this after noon, as it was then about four o'clock and the machine wasn't there yet, we didn't think they would do much but I told her to go up and get Frank, so she did and Frank was over there helping Tupper till after tea. The machine just got there at dark. He wants two of us to help him to-morrow. According to today's paper the Russians are cutting up rusty again Korniloff is leading a revolt against Kerensky at the Provisional Government and marching with his troops away from the battle front. Cold wind all day &amp; to-night.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Thursday September 6th</p> <p>Dad. plowed all day to-day and got on well. This morning Frank &amp; I hooked Queen up and drove down town to get his suitcase which he checked the other day and which didn't come and when we got back we drove down to Bruce's to get a set of double harness which Bruce told Dad. about a couple of months ago and which he said he wanted ten dollars for, we found Mr. Smith down there but Bruce had gone up to Hammond's to get some seed wheat. Mr. Smith gave us the harness however and it looks like a very strong one, there were no collars and only one crupper and one bridle check but the back bands and traces looke especially strong. Queen went fine but the roads were bad as it rained hard during the night and we didn't get back till about half past one. It was pretty well on in the after noon when we got through dinner and chores but I took Joe &amp; Belle and disked on the pea stubble and by six got all over it. Frank patched at the barn roof which he started at yesterday. Aunty Alice came over to tea and I walked down with her to-night. Poor Art Quanbury is having a very bad attack of his old trouble this week he was taken sick Monday and Charlie said to-night he was no better. Fine and cool.</p> <p>Friday September 7th</p> <p>I disked with Queen and Belle all day on the pea stubble and got pretty well over it lengthways of the field I was going crossways before. Frank plowed all day and Dad. was down town all day working in the garden down home. Enah went down town this after noon but missed Dad. and he had to go back after her but met her before he got very far. It began to drizzle rain about four o'clock and was raining quite hard by six. We quit early. I was about frozen when I got in and spent the evening reading "Saturday Nights" which Enah brought home all except Frank who was figuring out how much more it cost to farm with horses instead of tractors. He &amp; Dad. are in a cronic state of argument on the subject.</p> <p>Saturday September 8th</p> <p>It rained hard last night and Dad. thought it was too wet to work on the land this morning. We puttered around and did odd jobs among which were the lancing of an absess on the fat ewe's jaw and the filing of old Nellie's teeth. About eleven I shaved and went down town to to have Bill look at my tooth which has been bothering me a lot the last couple of days. He said there was nothing wrong with it that he could see but that I might have caught cold in it.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>as before I got all the chores done and they take quite awhile to do alone. Ham Thompson came in to look at the stock and just as he left old Mrs. Davidson, Julien the Pole and some fair damsel unknown to me came over with a little two year old Percheron filly which they said Dad. had told Aunty they could turn out here to pasture so I put her in the stable till we could put her with our colts. After I did have my lunch and was in the house reading Mrs. Lawrie and Edith came over but when the found Enah wasn't home they didn't come in Dad. and the baby walked home about five and left Enah down town to have tea with Aunt Ida as Aunty and Aunt Alice drove up to St. John's with Harvey Skey and his mother to a memorial service for the two Quanbury boys. I helped do up the chores and drove down town about eight o'clock I went for a walk with Marj. Glad. &amp; Miss Law from Ingersol who is a cousin of Glad's. Then I went down and drove Enah home.</p> <p>Monday September 3rd Labor Day</p> <p>Dad. plowed all day but as he thought it would be too wet after last nights heavy rain to disk I weeded out mangels all morning and disked this after noon with Belle and Queen. Enah went down town this after noon. Fine day</p> <p>Tuesday September 4th</p> <p>I disked this morning on the pea stubble with Belle and Queen and quit about half past eleven and went up to Ham. Thompson's. Dad. plowed all morning and at noon had to go over to Joe Long's to see a horse of George Thompson's that had been cut on barbed wire. It was rather late when we got started after dinner but we went out and turned out the shocks of oats that were left in the field east of the orchard and then hauled in a load but didn't quite clear the field. Enah helped us put off the load that was on the barn floor and we left the one we hauled unloaded. We got through fairly early, and I went down after tea and met Frank. His train was just on time so we got home quite early. He had a great time at the Fair and can think of nothing else but a rein drive tractor which he saw down there. Fine &amp; cool</p> <p>Wednesday September 5th</p> <p>We hauled in oats to-day and got them all in but twelve shocks. They didn't bulk up much I think there were only four loads on the six acre field. Frank and I went out after the last load about seven o'clock and it was eight when we got in, pitch dark and raining quite hard. Dad. came to meet us with the lantern. He milked while we were out. Cool.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Friday August 31st</p> <p>Dad. plowed all day over on the side hill by the woods and got quite a bit turned over. After I did chores I unloaded the waggon load of wood that he brought up yesterday and then went up and set up the oats that had been laid down Some of them were very wet but none sprouted to speak of. When I got through I started to flail out my winter barley and finished cleaning it up after dinner. About three o'clock I hooked Joe &amp; Belle to the disk and started on the pea ground. I think it will work up nicely. I quit early and Enah and I went down at seven o'clock and had a ride on the "City of Dover" as she ran out to-night instead of Tuesday night when it rained. It was a lovely night to-night and we had a very nice ride Lila and Dess were with us. Dad. was about half the night doing chores as Mr. &amp; Mrs. Smythe came over to see the stock They have just got word within the last day or two that young Ernest Quanbury Chris's second son has been killed in action. It is just about a year ago now that Henry his brother died of his wounds. The Canadians are in heavy action these days around the coal pits of Lens and they are steadily pushing the German's out of the city. Conscription is now on the Canadian statute books having been passed by the Senate yesterday or to-day. Sunny &amp; breezy &amp; cool.</p> <p>Saturday September 1st</p> <p>Dad. plowed all morning and I did chores and flailed out my emmer and sent off the report of it and the alfalfa experiment. This after noon I went down to Tom's and got the can of buttermilk, he had brought it as far as his place but his waggon broke down and he couldn't bring it any farther. Dad. turned out a few oat shocks while I was gone and when I got back we hauled in a good load, they might have been drier but weren't bad, we left the load on the barn floor. To-night I went down town and met Marj. &amp; Glad. Law, they came up to-night. Bright, breezy and cool.</p> <p>Sunday September 2nd</p> <p>It began to rain early this morning and rained hard till church time and then cleared up and was sunny and hot this after noon but cold to-night. We all drove down to church this morning as Enah had to play. There were very few there and Dad. and I had to take up the collection. There was some blind man there and Mr. Browne got me to pilot him up to the communion rail. I went home to dinner to do chores and Dad. Enah and the baby stayed down at Aunty's. I didn't get in till nearly half past three to get my lunch.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>down town to-night. Frank and I walked. Frank, Enah and the baby went up to the Sunday school but Dad. visited with Aunty Alice and Aunt Ida. Aunty was up at the Johnsons tending George who has the whooping cough while his father and mother were at the Sunday school. I went up to Andrew Innes's and got a pair of rubber boots and then took a little chicken up to Cousin Loll and by the time I had visited with her for half an hour it was too late to go to the {illegible}.</p> <p>Thursday November 1st</p> <p>I spent most of the morning doing chores and getting things ready for to-night as I expected to be up at Ham's this after noon with Frank helping him fill his silo. Dad. plowed all day. We went up right after dinner but Ham said it was too wet and didn't expect us up. It snowed quite a lot during the night and as his corn was all down in sheaf it would have been nasty handling. We came home and hooked Joe &amp; Belle to the waggon and went down to Art Ryerse's where we borrowed their root pulper. Lloyd told Frank the other day we could have it for all winter as they have no roots this year. To-night I went down town and after coming over to Silverthorne's with Marj. went to the show.</p> <p>Friday November 2nd</p> <p>Dad. and Frank were in the back field all day plowing and shovelling out ditches. I did all the chores up this morning. Aunty came over at noon and this after noon I went back down town with her and got my bank order from Waller's cashed and got some groceries. My arm has been pretty sore today and I gave it a long soaking again to-night. It has broken out in little blisters around the original spot and is quite badly swollen. To-night Chris Quanbury came over and got twenty pullets for which he paid me $0.50 apiece and four smaller pullets and a cockrel which I got $1.00 apiece for. I have decided to sell off the whole bunch except maybe ten or a dozen and pay Charlie Ivey (or try to) last winter's feed bill with what I receive for them as if I keep them and buy feed again this winter as I would have to I would be farther in the hole than ever even if they laid exceedingly well. Frank and I helped Chris take the bunch down to his place on wheelbarrows. Sunny and snow nearly gone but freezing in shade.</p> <p>Saturday November 3rd</p> <p>My arm was very sore again this morning so I</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>dinner we sacked up nine bags of oats and Frank took them to the mill and got part of them chopped and part rolled. While he was gone Dad. and I cleaned out the stables which were not cleaned yesterday. The mud makes it an awful job. When he got back they hauled up the wood they cut from the oak and we took all the mangels that were up and in piles into the drive house where they can dry off and not be in such danger of freezing. Dad. went back early to-night after the cows and found the four turkey's which disappeared from their roosting place in the gully three or four weeks ago. He of course brought them up and they roosted to-night in the orchard. Enah had a queer visitor just before tea to-night. A young fellow who seemed too cold, sleepy or stupid to carry on much conversation came and asked for some thing to eat and sat for half an hour hovering over the stove. While there she managed to find out from him that he had tramped from Dunnville and was on his way to Simcoe to be examined. He dozed most of the time he was in here but between yawns he told Enah that he had been picking fruit most of the summer and that he didn't like the cold and wanted to go to Florida to pick oranges, but if he was fit for Military Service, would not be able to cross the line, hence his desire to be examined. He left here in time to catch the seven o'clock car and offered to pay for his supper. It has been cloudy, muddy and raw with spitting snow storms.</p> <p>Wednesday October 31st</p> <p>This has been a most miserable day. Raw and cloudy with quite a heavy snowfall which by to-night has covered every thing. It froze the ground quite hard last night so is very muddy. Dad. plowed all morning and I cleared up the shingles back of the woodshed and put the best of them in the woodshed. Frank chopped up the blocks they cut off the oak yesterday. Ham Thompson came down with his ten ewes to put with our ram and borrowed our waggon and rack to haul corn in to-morrow and he wants Frank and me to go up to-morrow after noon to help him fill his Silo. This after noon I just did up the chores and then walked back to where Frank was plowing and found Dad. over talking to John Wess. I went over there for a few minutes and then we came up early so that we could go down to the Hallowe'en party in the Sunday school. Just about tea time Bert Thompson came over and got his heifer. We all went</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Saturday October 27th</p> <p>Dad. and Frank were back over the gully all morning &amp; most of the after noon one plowing and the other cleaning out ditches. I spent most of the morning fixing the fence around the old well as the sheep have taken to wandering around it and we were afraid one of them might get in. I did chores most of the after noon. It was a beautiful morning but it began to rain soon after dinner and it rained steadily but not hard till after tea and then it poured nearly all night. Dad. and Frank got soaked. Lila was over for awhile this morning.</p> <p>Sunday October 28th</p> <p>Frank went down to Sunday school this morning and I went down a little later but was too late to go to Sunday school so went up to the bank and woke Clark up and got him to go to church. Aunty walked over with us to dinner and we found Charlie &amp; Flossie Shand here. They had started to church but they have the road past Penman's barricaded so were too late and came in here. This after noon I took Marj. for a drive up around by Lynn Valley. I went down town again to-night and went over to the Moore's. {Larry?} Skey preached in our church to-night but I was too late to go. Clark told me this morning that he has been moved to Ottawa and is leaving to-morrow so I went up to-night for a minute to say goodbye to him. Cool &amp; cloudy to-day. Mild night.</p> <p>Monday October 29th</p> <p>It has rained nearly all day steadily, it began last night and is still at it to-night. I spent the day killing my crate fattened chickens and it took me just about all day. Enah picked the pin feathers out for me. I made a pretty good job of them, I stuck nearly all of them in the brain and tore them very little. Dad. did chores and read to the baby most of the day. This after noon Frank went over to Mrs. Robert John Watson's sale and got soaked to the hide.</p> <p>Tuesday October 30th</p> <p>I took my box of crate fed chickens down this morning and expressed them to Waller's. I didn't do much more this morning after I got home as it was nearly noon. Dad. and Frank cut blocks off the old oak all morning. After</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Wednesday October 24th</p> <p>It has rained steadily all day and all evening. I haven't done any thing to speak of but my arm has been a lot better I didn't soak it to-day but bathed it well a couple of times. Dad. and Frank put a great fix on the back of the stove with a piece of tin and some stove cement. It doesn't smoke now and the water in the reservoir warms up quickly. I pasted a few snapshots in my new album this after noon and also shaved and went down to Aunty's to tea. Marj. was there too so we had a very nice evening. They had a letter from Quint down there saying that straw mattresses &amp; blankets had been issued so that he thinks he will be in England all winter.</p> <p>Thursday October 25th</p> <p>I came home as soon as I had breakfast this morning. I did a few chores this morning and then drove down town and got some groceries and went up around by Ham Thompson's to ask him about forming a Farmer's Club for co-operative marketing and buying. This after noon I cleaned out the colony house. Dad. did chores all morning and plowed this after noon. Mr. Flemming came in this morning to get one of us to help him thrash this after noon so Frank went down. Winnie came over to tea to-night and I walked down town with her and stopped in for awhile at Aunty's on my way home. I had a letter from Dick to-day saying he had registered at the Post Office for service. We don't just understand how he came to do it as he said before that he had sent his medical sheet to the Head Office where they would apply for exemption for him. It was cloudy and raw this morning but sunny this after noon &amp; clear to-night.</p> <p>Friday October 26th</p> <p>Dad. and Frank went up on the nine o'clock car this morning to the Principal Plowing match at Oak Park Farm near Paris, they were up all day coming home at five but all the prizes had been awarded yesterday so Dad. didn't see what he most wanted to, the plowmen with their teams. The tractors were working to-day so Frank was satisfied but from what they say their work didn't show up very well beside the horses'. I went down to Flemming's and thrashed all morning and for half an hour after dinner and have been doing chores all after noon. My arm doesn't feel any the worse. I caught 38 chickens to-night in the outside little coop and put them in the colony house. Nice day. Rainy night.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>streaks running up towards my elbow. He told me to go home and soak it for an hour in hot water and then put some lotion on it which he gave me, so I started for home but met Dad. Enah &amp; the baby driving to church and Dad. told me to go to Aunty's and he came right down after leaving Enah at church and he got the water hot there on the gas much quicker than we could have at home. I soaked it for a good hour and it took the pain out a lot. I stayed there to dinner and tea. This after noon I went up to see Marj. but she had gone up to the Davises for dinner so I missed her. I knocked around with Charlie Quanbury all the after noon and to-night went to church with Aunty and then over with Marj. It was nearly twelve when I got home but I had to light a fire and soak my arm again as the Dr. told Aunty after church that I had better if the red streaks were still up the arm. Dad. &amp; Enah both came out in their night apparel &amp; hung around till I got through. Fine day but raw.</p> <p>Monday October 22nd</p> <p>I haven't done any thing in the way of work all day. I soaked my arm for an hour or more this morning and for a little while this after noon. This after noon I went down town and sent in my claim for exemption and then went down to show my arm to Dr. Cook. He said it was coming all right and opened it up more puting his probe down to the bone. I then went up and had my hair cut. Dad. plowed all day and Frank did chores Enah went down to Aunty's to tea and went up to Simcoe with the Hobbes to sing with the massed choirs of the deanery at the Deanery Meeting. Jack Martin brought her home.</p> <p>Tuesday October 23rd</p> <p>I haven't done much again to-day. I soaked my arm again this morning and this after noon drove down town to get some coal oil and came around by the mill and got a bag of bran. It rained all day so Dad. and Frank couldn't do much outside but Frank fixed the new trough in the pig pen and arranged the swinging door over it so that it would work easily and save him climbing over it every time he feeds the pigs. I stopped in at Aunty Alice's on my way down and she had just had a back tooth out. Dad. spent most of the day doing chores and ditching and this after noon he went over with me and took Jim Rosses chickens over to Jack Martin's and he shipped them for us</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Thursday October 18th</p> <p>I have planted ginseng all day and to-night counted the seeds I had left and just have 565 so I will soon be through the job. If the seeds all grow and the plants live and the Chinese keep on wanting ginseng roots I should make some money in six or seven years provided some one doesn't steal them. Frank and Dad. got started plowing to-day in the back field by the bush. Dad. ran out the ditches and struck out a couple of times and Frank threw out the sods and this after noon plowed. This was Frank's birthday. Rained a little.</p> <p>Friday October 19th</p> <p>It rained steadily all morning and has been raw cloudy and windy all the after noon. I spent the morning writing in this and to Douglas. Dad. read to the baby and Frank went back to the gully and caught a rabbit in one of his muskrat traps. He skinned it but found so many dubious looking spots on it that he decided to use it for bait instead of eating it. This after noon I went back and planted 328 more seeds and will plant the 239 I have left up here some place in a box. Dad. went over to Jack Martin's this after noon to see if he could get a box to ship 6 pullets to Jim Ross.</p> <p>Saturday October 20th</p> <p>I drove down town this morning to get some groceries and to see if McEwen came down on the nine car, but he didn't show up all day. Frank and I picked apples the rest of the day and Dad. plowed. We got just two trees stripped clean but they were the heaviest laden with fruit I think. Frank went down town to-night and heard that young Henry I forget his first name was killed the other day when he fell of some engine at the gas well where he was working. Charlie Quanbury was in to borrow the straw knife this morning. He was up to be examined yesterday and was classed A.2. which is very queer as he has a very bad throat but he went to Simcoe and said they marked him A2 before they had him half examined. Joe Thompson &amp; George Clark are both A2 but Charlie Ferris was thrown out. Froze last night raw &amp; windy all day.</p> <p>Sunday October 21st</p> <p>Frank went down to Sunday school this morning but I had to spend so much time bathing my arm that I didn't get down. I walked down in time for church but went around to see Dr. Cook first to show him my arm as it was badly swollen this morning and red</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Tuesday October 16th</p> <p>I have been planting ginseng all day again to day and am just nicely started. I had no idea it would be such a long job and I am very thankful that I only bought half a pound of seed instead of a pound as I at first intended and as the doctor wanted me to. I am planting every seed separately and about three or four inches apart in rows six or eight inches apart and as there are supposed to be four thousand of them in half a pound I can't expect to do it in no time. Dad. and Frank felled the big oak just at noon. It was a big job as its diameter was nearly equal to the length of the saw It will make a lot of fire wood but it was time it was cut as the heart of the trunk and the limbs was all punk, and it had got past being very pretty. Enah was down town all day and the baby was at Aunty's Enah was up helping at the banquet which the Board of Trade gave to a large deputation of businessmen representing all the towns and cities within reach of the L.E.&amp; N. and {G.H.&amp; P.?} railways. They had a very successful day and everybody spread themselves to entertain them and they donated $100.00 to be divided equally between the Red Cross &amp; the I.O.D.E. McEwen sent our ram to-day and the Dominion Express Co. brought it right over to the farm. Enah and the baby stayed down to tea and Dad. &amp; Frank &amp; I droved down afterwards to go to the Jubilee Singers concert in the town hall. I hadn't intended going but Dad. wanted me to go down and telephone McEwen and tell him the ram came and ask him when he would be down to look at the ram's lambs so I did and found out he couldn't be down before Saturday. I stayed and talked to Bab. for awhile and then went down to the show, just as I got to the town hall corner Tip Varey came out and gave me a ticket, he said he was just looking for some one to give it to. The hall was packed. Nice day.</p> <p>Wednesday October 17th</p> <p>I have been planting ginseng all day. Dad. and Frank spent most of the morning cutting a block off the old oak and splitting it up. This after noon they trimmed up the ewes and would have started plowing but it rained so they didn't. Dave. Ward was in to look at the lambs to-day &amp; Gid. McHoy &amp; Everett were in yesterday but of course we can't sell them till McEwen sees them. I went down to-night to see Marj. The grass was wet but thanks to the new rubbers which Aunty Alice gave me I didn't get wet. It froze hard last night. Nice morning but wet this after noon.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>south west wind and when Dad. got home at three o'clock he found one of Mrs. Jim. Low's apple trees blown down across Aunty's lane so he had to chop it up before he could get out with Joe &amp; the buggy. They had a letter from Dick to-day and he said that Head Office had told him to be examined and send his papers to Winnipeg for them to apply for exemption for him. He was marked A2 which is the highest he could get without military training, but he thinks he will be exempted. He hadn't intended applying for himself.</p> <p>Saturday October 13th</p> <p>After I got home and got my clothes changed this morning Dad. &amp; I picked up the apples in the orchard which yesterdays high wind blew down, while Frank went to the mill with some oats to chop. This after noon Dad. and I pulled a few rows of mangels while Frank went back after the chop and when He got back He and Dad. went over to Tupper's and got some mow {illegible} I pulled another row or two of mangels but Dad. thought I had better not pull many as we would not be able to cover them all to-night. I went back to the woods for a little while. Edmond England was in to-night to have Dad look at his horse which was lame. Fair to-day but rather cold.</p> <p>Sunday October 14th</p> <p>Enah Frank and I drove down to church this morning and I walked home with Aunty Alice who came over here to dinner. This after noon Aunty and I drove up to Vittoria and I got a half pound of ginseng seeds from Dr. McInnes for which I paid him five dollars. We got home about half past six and came around by Port Ryerse. To-night I went down town and met Marj. &amp; Glad. coming out of church, we went up to the Law's for awhile. Young Ivan who enlisted about a couple of months ago is home on his last leave and expects to leave Hamilton for Halifax on Wednesday. It was raining quite hard when I started home so I stayed all night at Aunty's. Frank was down also as he is going to help them pack up a box of stuff for Walter in the morning.</p> <p>Monday October 15th</p> <p>Aunty got up early this morning and called me so that I got home before Dad. was up, as it was still wet I put on Roy's rubber boots and some old clothes but it turned out a nice day. I have been back in the woods all day planting ginseng seed. Dad. and Frank started to cut down the old oak at the south east corner of the lawn. It was dying anyway</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>apply for exemption from military service. I went right over to the Armouries from the car to get an early place in the line but we had to wait about an hour before the doctors began examining. When they did start they told us to be ready for them so as not to keep them waiting and accordingly we all stripped to a most distressing state of complete nakedness and lined up ready to go through the test. There were about twenty five of us when they started and more kept coming. Some of the boys were cold and put their coats on while they waited, when they came to me I first got on a set of scales and one doctor weighed and measured me in different ways &amp; also tested my eyes, another fellow listened at my heart and lungs and asked me if I had ever had any trouble with my feet or legs so I told him about my knee. He pinched it and said it was a bog spavin and I had better blister it, he then sent me over to a third doctor and he said the same thing, that I had better fire it. I said I didn't think much of firing spavins but he told me he had a little mare once which sprung a couple of {jacks?} and he took them off where upon another doctor began inquiring of him as to the whereabouts of some "little sorrel". Eventually he let me go saying I would have to be put in Class E as my knee couldn't be depended on. I said I hated to be put down so low and he said he could put me in C which is for service in Canada but that E was where I should be so I said that if any trouble arose in Canada I would go anyway and so he said "That's the way to talk". It makes me feel rather down in the mouth to think I am physically unfit but I suppose oughtn't to as they said I was in good shape every other way. I believe I have been half hoping all along that there might be a chance of me becoming a soldier yet but now I know that there is nothing left but "The cool sequestered vale of life" for me and of course in a way it is a satisfaction to know just where I am and what I have to plan for. I was just too late when I got to the L.E.&amp; N. station to catch the four o'clock car so I prowled around town till six and came down with Dr. Cook who had come as far as Brantford from Toronto in his Ford but had got so cold &amp; wet that he left the car in a garage and took the radial. Aunty Alice was waiting for me at the station and said I was to stay there all night as it was such a rotten night. There was a strong</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>about all of Class A being called out before any were exempted. I also went around to Moore's studio while I was up there. We went back to the Fair Grounds about half past three and watched a couple of horse races and then went over to the sheep pen where we found Dad. waiting for us. He had intended going back on the car but thought he was too late so we loaded the sheep up and he and Frank drove home, and I started out to walk although I believe If I had gone a little earlier I could have caught the car as it was late, however I got a ride from just out of Simcoe nearly to the Half-Way-House with some old {Oaks?} and then I walked to about Duncan's orchard when Johnnie Walker picked me up. I got home about half past six and Dad. and Frank about an hour later. Cloudy &amp; Raw.</p> <p>Thursday October 11th</p> <p>I went down this morning to dig Aunty Alice's potatoes for her but didn't quite finish the job. Dad. &amp; Enah came down to Mrs. Dillon's funeral and Dad. had to be bearer. Frank came down a little later with Ben's rack and he and I went up and got a load of old shingles from Cousin Willie's barn. Enah's sister Mrs. Johnson came over to tea and to stay all night. Lovely day, rain to-night.</p> <p>Friday October 12th</p> <p>Dad. and I had planned to go up to McEwen's by the seven car this morning and from there to the Caledonia Fair via Brantford but when Dad. got up at five it was pouring rain and had been all night so we decided not to go to the Fair and as it rained steadily but not hard all day we were glad we did. We thought however we had better go to McEwen's, as he had four yearling rams which he said he might sell any day and we have come to the conclusion that we can't depend on our old fellow. We drove down and left Joe in the barn and took the nine o'clock car intending to get back home at one o'clock but when we got up there we got talking to McEwen and looking at the sheep and the car went back before we knew it so we had to wait there till two and have dinner there. We spoke for one of his yearling rams which he wants sixty five dollars for, but we thought he was a dandy except for some little stubs of horns and a rather big ear but he is big and low down. We left McEwen's at two o'clock and Dad. took the car home but I thought since I was so near I would go on into Brantford and be examined as I have to be anyway some time within the next month, before I</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>take all the prizes. The Shepherd invited Frank to sleep in his boxcar to-night so I guess he will. I just did up the horses when I got home and Dad. and I had tea alone and were just ready to start after Enah &amp; the baby when they came along. Enah had come down on the seven o'clock car. Miss Morgan &amp; Mrs. Brent were on the car and they told her that Mrs. Dillon died this morning in the Brantford hospital while undergoing an operation. I walked down town and went up to see Marj. for awhile and stayed all night at Aunty's. Nice day but raw.</p> <p>Wednesday October 10th</p> <p>I got of on the seven o'clock car this morning for Simcoe and found Frank prowling around the sheep pen at the Fair Grounds waiting for some place to open up so that he could get breakfast. Neither of us got very far away from the sheep till they were judged about ten o'clock. I tried to give them a little fixing up first but didn't make much difference in their looks. Lloyd-Jones man was trimming at his all the time and so were some fellows with Oxfords. Lloyd-Jones was the only other exhibitor of Shrops. Old Billy Beattie was the judge and we were</p> <p>most agreeably surprised when he gave us three second prizes and two third. Lloyd-Jones got all the firsts but still we thought we did very well considering it was the first time we ever showed. Our little loose fleeced ram lamb took second prize from one of Lloyd-Jones, but he didn't bring out one of his ram lambs. Our ewe lamb didn't get a prize and neither did one of the yearling ewes on account of some dark wool on her head, all the others got something. After they were judged Frank and I took in a little of the Fair and also a little dinner which we took standing up. About two o'clock we went down town as I wanted to find out if I could be examined for Military Service in Simcoe, but no board has been appointed yet. The only man I could find (after going to the Armouries and the Court House) who kenw any thing about it was George McKie and he is on one of the exemption tribunal for the North Riding. He told me I would probably be exempted on account of being a farmer, as he thought the only farmers who would be taken were those who have started farming within the last two months and those on farms which are overmanned. From what he said I think Charlie Quanbury must have been mistaken</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>froze hard last night, so I went out and finished plowing the headland at the north end of the field while Dad. went over and doctored up the cow. I brought the team up when I finished plowing but didn't get any more done at the sheep before noon. This after noon Dad. worked on the land and Frank and I continued to trim sheep. I trimmed our loose fleeced ram lamb and made a wonderful difference in his looks but I am afraid his fleece is too poor. Cool.</p> <p>Wednesday October 3rd</p> <p>It has rained steadily all day and we were very glad to have it as the land is very hard and dry and lots of the wheat we sowed last week has not sprouted yet. Frank and I spent the whole day nearly with the sheep washing their necks &amp; briskets where the oil was on the wool. Dad. fixed a pen over in the barn for the pure bred calf. This was the day of old Monteith's sale but we thought they would postpone it on account of the weather but we saw several buggies go past on the way home from it and Tom. told us to-morrow morning (I havent written this for some time) that there was a good crowd and the cattle in fact every thing sold very well.</p> <p>Thursday October 4th</p> <p>Frank and I washed up a few more sheep this morning and this after noon he and I fixed the wire across the gap going from the wheat field behind the barn into the hay stubble. Dad. cleaned out some of the ditches in the wheat. About four o'clock I took Joe down town and had her shoe put on as she broke one some way. I called for Aunty at Mrs. Battersby's on my way home and she came over here to tea. After tea it began to rain and was a nasty night so Dad. drove Aunty &amp; me down as far as Mr. Fleming's and we walked the rest of the way. I went over to Miss McQueen's with Marj. and stayed all night at Aunty's. Cloudy &amp; raw all day</p> <p>Friday October 5th</p> <p>Dad. worked on the wheat ground this after noon and thinks it will be ready to sow to morrow. He took down the stove pipe off the kitchen stove this morning and cleaned it out When I got home this morning Frank and I picked the King's and got about two bushels and then Frank went to the mill and got some of our oats rolled. This after noon we trimmed sheep and to-night I caught about 45 nice pulletts and shut them up in winter quarters.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Saturday October 6th</p> <p>Dad. worked on the wheat ground all day and got it drilled this after noon, there is just about three acres of it Frank and I cleaned up seed for him this morning and were at that nearly all the fore noon. This after noon Marj. and I went to Vittoria after chestnuts but didn't get any as they were not ripe yet and do not seem to be very well filled anyway. We went up to Dunkin's and he filled out an application blank for me to get the yearling ewe registered. He showed me his stock while Marj. was in getting warm. I stayed to tea at the Moore's and didn't get home till long after nine. Roy &amp; Rebecca came up to-day on the three o'clock car to stay over Monday it being Thanksgiving day. It has been cloudy with a raw north wind all day.</p> <p>Sunday October 7th</p> <p>I was the only one from this house to go to church this morning and I drove down and brought Rebecca home with me while Roy &amp; Aunty walked over Aunty Alice didn't feel like coming. This after noon I went down to the Moore's and had tea at Aunty's. Aunty and I went to church to-night and I went up afterward's to see Huby. Frank walked down to church and he &amp; I went home to-gether. Jack Martin started teaching Sunday school again.</p> <p>Monday October 8th</p> <p>Dad. went out first thing this morning to run some furrows in the wheat and then he, Enah and the baby went down to Aunty's for dinner and to spend the after noon. Frank and I spent most of the day putting what we considered the finishing touches on our sheep. Still pretty raw but rather sunny.</p> <p>Tuesday October 9th</p> <p>The Quanbury boys brought their waggon in this morning and left it for us to take the sheep to Simcoe and they took our old one with them. Just as they left Jack Highland drove in and left the sacks for the bluegrass and we bagged it up and Frank and I took it down this morning to the car. We took the baby with us and left him at Aunty's for the after noon as Enah went to the Simcoe Fair with the James'. Frank and I didn't get started for Simcoe till about half past two as we had to load the sheep after dinner and as we had to walk all the way it was nearly five when we got there. I left Frank and the sheep up there and left the Fair Grounds at a quarter past five and was home here at half past six. I had Joe &amp; Belle. Lloyd Jones shepherd had quite a flock of Southdowns and Shrops up there and as they were trimmed up to the queen's taste and in good shape I suppose they will</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Sunday September 30th</p> <p>Enah and I drove down to church this morning and Frank walked down. Enah stayed down to dinner and to-night to tea as she had to go to Vittoria with the choir and to play in church to-night. The held Harvest thanksgiving services both here &amp; in Vittoria to-day. Mr. Millman came up the other night and Ade. Orm. &amp; Kathleen all came up in the car this morning to take Paw &amp; Mrs. Millman home. This after noon Frank and I went down town. Kathleen and I went up to call on the Harry Moon's. Harry was lying on the sofa but the doctor told him he would have to stay in the house another week. His boils are pretty well healed but they have his lung straped in so that he can't breathe through it. Ade &amp; Orm walked over here to the farm to see Dad. and Paw took all the rest for a ride in the car. I came home to tea but Frank stayed down Just before we had tea All the Millman's but Mrs. came over here in the car. I rode down with them about eight and after waiting for about enough half an hour for Mr. Farney to get through talking went up to Miss Martin's with Marj. and her. I called in at Aunty's on my way home but they had taken Enah and Frank home. It has been cloudy raw and windy all day and feels like frost to-night.</p> <p>Monday October 1st</p> <p>Dad. sowed my experimental plots of wheat this morning and I disked them in. We then hooked on the plow but before we got out all the Millman's came over to say good-bye to us and were here for half an hour or so. Dad. then went out to try plowing the rest of the strip along the side road that Frank started in the spring for corn. He plowed all the after noon and said it was very hard but could be plowed. This after noon Frank and I went down town and sold five baskets of tomatoes and got a load of shingles off Cousin Willie's barn roof. Windy &amp; rather cool but sunny</p> <p>Tuesday October 2nd</p> <p>We got the ewes all over in the barn this morning and picked out seven that we thought were worthy of a place in the Simcoe show ring, two aged ewes three shearlings and two ewe lambs, we separated them and put the rest back in the orchard. Dad then went out to finish plowing and Frank and I started to trim the show sheep. Jack Martin's man came over to get Dad. to go and look at one of Jack's Jerseys which had got bloated up on the frozen clover as it</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>to meet Aunty &amp; Mrs. Millman who came up from Toronto to-night. Dad. and I met them at the station. We saw the Quanbury boys on our way home out experimenting with Charlie's tractor which he has concocted out his gasoline engine and an old mower and scrap iron. It seemed to be running all right on the road. Fine and dry.</p> <p>Wednesday September 26th</p> <p>I spent most of the day cleaning out the chicken house and getting it ready to put in the pullets. Frank picked and sorted tomatoes and this after noon harrowed on the wheat ground after Dad. who was disking. He disked on the pea stubble all day. The Quanbury boys were over this after noon to clean up a load of oats. To-night Mr. &amp; Mrs. Colin McNellige &amp; Miss Shand were over to spend the evening. Fine day, the ground is very dry.</p> <p>Thursday September 27th</p> <p>Frank and I have been over at Jack Martin's thrashing wheat all day and are not half through yet. The stacks are tough and the separator was stopped a good part of the time. The tough sheaves were very hard on the cylinder teeth. Dad. worked on the pea stubble all day and got started to drill about five o'clock. Frank and I came home to tea as we thought he would want to drill late but he stopped at six thinking we would stay to tea. I went to the picture show to-night with Marj. Nice day. Elgitha calved back in the gully to-night and the calf died.</p> <p>Friday September 28th</p> <p>We have been thrashing all day to-day again and are still at it. It went slower to day than yesterday. We only thrashed 90 bushels this morning. We moved down to Cawley's barn to-day but the stacks down there seem to be in just as bad shape. Dad. finished drilling the field to-day and Frank went over to help him drill the grassy piece west of the ditch. Lea Marshall came after him - Dad - this afternoon to go down to Bruce Smith's to see a colt he has down there. Enah and the baby went down with them in the car. Cloudy all day, rained a little last night.</p> <p>Saturday September 29th</p> <p>We finished thrashing at Jack's about four o'clock to-day The oats and barley came through a little faster but the spring wheat was in bad shape. In the three days we thrashed 976 bushels of stuff. Dad. ran out the furrows in the wheat field to-day and did a few other chores. Looks rainy to-day.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>At last I came to the conclusion that the thing must be decided in some way so I resolved to let the results of the battle of Verdeen which was then at its height be the judge. If the Germans broke through to Paris I would enlist. If the French were strong enough to hold them back I would stay home. Dad. said this was a fair proposition, as the Germans are still outside the defence of Verdeen I am still on the farm. Whether I did right or not I don't know, it is for those higher up in authority to judge but I do know that I have done what I thought was the best and have not suffered any uneasiness since I eliminated sentiment from the case. Now that conscription is coming in force all responsibility is lifted and if they tell me I am to stay on the farm it will be a satisfaction to know I have done right but if they tell me I must go to the front I will do it without any shame for having stayed away so long. I must say I do not feel the same eager desire to go that I once did and will not be sorry if I am exempted but at the same time want to go if I am really needed. The boys at the front have got to be reinforced no matter what else happens and we haven't the time to haggle over technicalities in our constitution to deside whether or not we have the right to enforce conscription. It may be bordering on Prussianism but we must have the men and as a last resort I think are justified in adopting some of the German methods in order to cope with them. All this is a little outside my usual diary writing but these are unusual times and in future years when time has harrowed over and smoothed our memories I want to remember how keenly we feel all these things now.</p> <p>Tuesday September 25th</p> <p>In some way or other I have missed one day altogether and wote under the heading of Monday all the doings of to-day so I will now write Monday's record under today's heading. Dad. and I finished hauling out manure this morning. We cleaned the shed and covered the field. Enah and Frank went out to the Shand's to take Flossie some tomatoes and then went down town. This after noon Dad. disked. I flailed out some of my wheat and Frank rode down to John Watt's to see if he could get some second cut clover that he is just putting up and then he and I went after it. We just got a little to feed the ram lambs and traded a bag of oats for it. To-night I went down town and got my hair cut and Dad. Enah &amp; the baby and I went to Aunty Alices</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>and stoops to the barbarous position of a beligerent she is leaving nothing undone in the way of preparation for military efficiency. It is very inspiring to hear the Yankees talk of how they are "wielding the sword of liberty and democracy to annihilate a war-mad tyrant whose atrocious deeds of barbarism have shocked their refined natures and provoked their holy wrath It is a little hard for me to understand just why the sword of liberty and democracy was allowed to hang rusting over in Uncle Sam's chimbney corner for two years and a half before his refined nature was shocked or his holy wrath provoked, because to the rest of the world the deeds committed by the war mad-tyrant early in the war such as the violation of Belgian neutrality and the wholesale murder of non-combatants, American women and children included, were just as atrocious as the destruction of U.S. shipping, however Uncle Sam is into the scrap now and every one is glad of it because if he never fires a shot off he can be very useful to the Allies in other ways, not the least of which will be the rounding up of the hordes of German spies within his borders. It is rather out of place for me to be looking critically at the motives for other country's actions when our own government in all its branches seems to be so rotten with party politics. An election is in sight and both parties seem far more interested in it now than the outcome of the war. The Grits spend all their time hunting up mud to throw at the Government and the Tories are exerting all their energies making plots by which they can remain in power. Parliament had prorogued and Borden has gone fishing but they did pass the Military Service Act by which it looks as if conscription would soon be enforced. That to my mind was the proper thing to do, for the voluntary system is certainly dead even if the Government did kill it and it was inefficent any way. It was based too much on sentiment and not reason. I have found out from my own experience that in a case like this sentiment is no use. Before a year ago last spring I was so tossed by the crossing winds of sentiment on the sea of indecision as to my course of action that I came nearly being wrecked on the rocks of lunacy. The lightship of duty was only a spot light which added confusion to the scene for it would first throw its lustre on the military troopship with the recruiting officers calling for more soldiers and then on the harbor of Home with Dad's pleadings and the athorities calling for greater production.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>down to the last notch; so although it is very dry it chewed it up considerably, Dad. spent most of the day flailing out my three varietys of wheat; and I helped him clean it. The Imperial Amber was the nicest and best sample with the Banatka next best. Frank did odd jobs and went down town. Sunny, no wind, no clouds and quite hot. Froze last night. Now that we are well started on the fourth year of the war, it is just as hard to say when it will end as ever. All the talk of Germany's degeneration and being at the end of her resources in men, money and food is beginning to be looked on as foolish gossip especially since the U.S. Ambassador has come home and told the public that Germany's total losses in men is only about 3 million out of the 12 she called out with 400 thousand coming of military age every year, and that there was no chance of starving her out as the non-combatant population is making the home country as well as the conquered territory produce more than ever before. On the other had there seems to be no fear of her being victorious for the Allies with their unlimited resources are becoming stronger every day. They are on the offensive on nearly every front and are able to hold most of the gains they make in their various drives, not only that but if there is only any truth whatever in the reports we get the Allies seem to be able through the efficiency of their artillery and aerial scouts to make important advances with the minimum of loss among their own men but at the same time inflict heavy losses on the enemy both in the first drive and in the repeated counter-attacks which invariably follow an Allied drive. Then too, the Germans although not demoralized do not seem to be able to put the same force into their offensives as they did in the early days of the war. A recent example of this was in Russia where conditions are bordering on civil war most of the time. The Germans were within reach of Riga and the Russian troops instead of offering resistance marched away from that part of the battle line in revolt under Korniloff against their own Government under Kerensky. If that had happened two years ago the Germans would have been in Petrograd now, but in some way Kerensky checked the revolt and the Russians went back to the front and the Germans are not yet in possession of Riga and it doesn't look as if they would be. It seems that by next year Germany must give up all hopes of victory, for now that the U.S. has come down off her lofty seat of super-civilization where she was "too proud to fight" as Wilson said</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>and did a few odd jobs and I disked on the pea stubble all morning. I would have gone thrashing instead of Dad. but I had promised to go up creek with Marj. this after noon and Dad. said as it was such a nice day I had better not postpone it so he went instead. They got through soon after dinner. I quit a little before noon so got down town fairly early but we had to go and hunt Jake Eyers up to get a boat as he was up digging potatoes and Marj. had to stop to express a basket of plums home which she picked at Miss McQueen's this morning, so it was about half past two when we left. We went up as far as we could row and had a dandy time getting back about half past five. I took a couple of pictures of Marj. It wasn't at all hot in fact some times when the sun went under a cloud or the breeze caught us it was rather chilly. I stayed to tea and all night at Aunty's Alice's. I was up town for a half an hour or so after tea and saw Brierly. Mrs. Barwell, Cousin Clair and Cousin Loll were down at Aunty Alice's for a rubber of bridge. Cold east wind this morning but sunny and warmer later.</p> <p>Sunday September 23rd</p> <p>I went home this morning right after breakfast and changed my clothes and then Dad. &amp; Tid drove me down again to church. Dad. had to go over to Kolbes pig pens in the marsh to see a sick pig. He says the place over there is a fright. Ducks and chickens are so dirty they can't grow and the ducks won't go into the creek. The pigs with their mothers have had nothing to eat but fish and are not growing a bit. When I got home from church Frank informed me that all the rest of the family had gone to Caledonia with Ham Thompson to see Douglas. After dinner Frank went back to the gully and got some butter nuts, and I sat around and read and wrote in this. Mr. &amp; Mrs. John Shand came to call but didn't stay when they found the folks away and Winnie was over for a little while, she wanted an impression of the crest to put on a signet ring. Frank and I did up all the chores and Frank went down to church I went down a little later and got home about eleven. Dad. Enah and Tid. got home about eight after having had a fine time down at Douglas's. I saw Hugh Bannister this morning for a few minutes, he has just got back from France having been on an American transport taking supplies to the U.S. troops. He has been pretty much all over the world since he left here 2 1/2 years ago. Lovely day.</p> <p>Monday September 24th</p> <p>I disked all day on the wheat ground to day and had the disks</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>manure all day but only got out eleven loads. It was an unlucky day from the start. The trouble began before. Dad. left when Frank started out with the first load some thing, we think it was the end of the whipple-tree caught one of the rods at the side of the spreader and bent it so that it threw the section of gear that lifts the tailboard up against the other gear and we had to take it out and straighten it. Then when he got out in the field with the load he offended Belle in some unknown way and she balked and after losing considerable time with her we had to take her off and put Joe in her place. This was before Dad. left but he didn't have time to monkey with her. This after noon Paton came in with a mare that he said had swallowed an apple and was choking and I had to lose another half hour with him. I never saw Dad. treat a choking animal so didn't know just what to do but I ramed the probang down her neck as far as I could and that seemed to ease her. He left her here till Dad. got home when she appeared to be all right. About this time Frank began to feel squeamish in his stomach and although he was able to haul out a few more loads he didn't feel much like pitching on so didn't. He must have had too much of his own cooking I guess for although he helped me do up all the chores he was quite sick this evening and again during the night. Dad. got home about five but didn't "peel off" his good clothes as I had a card from Enah to-day saying she would be home to-night so Dad. went down to meet her. It was after dark when I got everything done and I had to do some tall foraging to find sustenance enough in the house to keep the breath of life within me. I was very thankful Frank was sick and couldn't eat for our store of provisions had dwindled down to scant rashion fore one, however by rumaging around in the stale bread crock where I found two or three crusts that were not mouldy and cleaning up some left over apple sauce and nibbling a slice or two of old cheese I managed to collect enough nourishment to maintain existence till Enah got home when I was able to supplement my supper with some sandwichs from Enah's lunch box. They had tea down at Aunty Alice's. Dad. and Enah both report that nearly all the corn they saw in their travels a few miles north of here is ruined by frost.</p> <p>Saturday September 22nd</p> <p>Dad. went down to Sam's to thresh this morning and Art Quanbury drove down with him. Frank felt pretty sick but poked around</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>the couker, one of the ten looked very small an thin after he was plucked so I gave him to Aunty Alice and she said he was all right. Dad. and I were up till eleven o'clock picking out pin feathers while Frank write a letter to Enah</p> <p>Wednesday September 19th</p> <p>I packed up my nine chickens first thing this morning and took them down to the Dominion Express office and shipped them to Waller's, Toronto. I never shipped there before but he proved all right as I got my returns on Friday and he gave me 26 cts per lb which was a cent more than he quoted. They were a nicer looking lot than the ones I sent to Barron as I had stuck most of them in the brain, had torn them very little and only broke a couple of wings. I had larger sheets of parchment paper to wrap them in too and so made a much neater looking package. I stayed down long enough for Joe Howell to put a shoe on Josie. Dad. and Frank were hauling manure from the cow stable shed when I got back but they had cleaned up a lot of seed wheat for Mr. Flemming This after noon we hooked Joe and Queen to the disks and I went over the part of the pea stubble which Dad. has manured. I guess it was the first time we have ever had five of our own horses working at the same time. I quit early and went down to tea at Aunty Alice's and afterwards went to the picture show with Marj. and saw "Snow white" which was acted truer to the old story than any of them I have ever seen. I stayed all night with Aunty Alice. Another fine day.</p> <p>Thursday September 20th</p> <p>I cut the lawns down at Aunty Alice's before I came home this morning and Dad. and Frank were out at the manure. I saw Uncle Ward on my way home and he told me he was going to walk over here to find out whether or not Dad. could act as bearer at Mrs. Boughner's funeral to-morrow, she having died yesterday, so when I got home and told Dad. he despatched Frank on his wheel to find out the details and to save Uncle Ward the walk. We hauled out manure all day. Aunty Alice came over this after noon and did up the house chores and boiled us some potatoes and made a pudding.</p> <p>Friday September 21st</p> <p>Dad. and I helped us put on a couple of loads this morning and then had to go as he had to go down town this morning and get his hair cut and stayed at Aunty Alice's to dinner then went from there to the funeral. Frank and I hauled</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>of bachelor existance. Frank went down town to-night and stayed all night at Aunty Alice's. Lovely day.</p> <p>Sunday September 16th</p> <p>Dad. and I did did up the chores and partook of a cold and lonely breakfast after which I went down to church. Dad was home alone at dinner time and I don't believe he ate any as Frank and I stayed down at Aunty Alice's to dinner and had a good one. We came home right after and I hooked up Queen and took Marj. for a drive up into civilized borders of Charlotteville where we nearly got lost. Frank went down to Sam Law's and found that we could look for them to pull in here early to-morrow after noon. Dad. after entertaining Jim Waddle for an hour or so drove with him down town and stayed to tea at Aunty Alice's. Frank and I did chores after which I ate one hard biscuit and went down town and went up to Miss Martin's with Marj. after church and Frank went to bed. Fine and sunny day. Quite hot. Fly's bad.</p> <p>Monday September 17th</p> <p>Dad.and I hauled out what little manure we could this morning from around the old stack bottom, we got out I think nine loads. Frank cleaned up the barn and granarie's and just before noon went down and got Aunty Alice to come over and do things up in the house and prepare the supper for the threshers, they arrived about two o'clock and threshed all the oats out that were over the granary, there is my load of O.A.C. 72 to thresh yet. We got about 330 bushels which was not what we expected at harvest time but equal to any that has been threshed around here To-night I drove Aunty Alice down as far as the bridge. She simply would not allow me to drive her any farther for poor Joe might be frightened. Another fine day.</p> <p>Tuesday September 18th</p> <p>We threshed till noon and then finished with fifty bushels from my load of O.A.C. 72 and about 117 bushels of nice wheat from the 12 acres, to-gether with a pile of bluegrass which Jack Highland has since bought for 16 dollars. I went down about ten and got Aunty Alice who had to do some tall surrying to have dinner in time but she managed alright. After dinner Alfred Ryerse came up with his bags to get nine bushels of our Plymouth wheat for seed so he Dad. and Frank cleaned it up to-gether with our own seed and I spent the after noon killing my crate fattened chickens. I killed ten leaving the one with</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>We had to take it over to Clarence Welsh's to weigh it and left it in the field on our way home it was about two o'clock when we got to the house. Dad. went back with the big team and started drilling right after dinner and when I had my dinner I took Joe and Belle back and started harrowing but changed team's with Dad. later and he finished drilling the field about dark while I brought the old team up as old Nellie was so tired she could hardly walk. Fine day</p> <p>Friday September 14th</p> <p>Dad. took Belle &amp; Queen back this morning and harrowed over the field that he drilled yesterday and I disked on the pea stubble with the big team. Frank had to go down town Enah's brother and all his family and Fred Johnson came down in their car from Courtright yesterday and came over here this morning. Jean &amp; Adelina stayed here to dinner. This after noon Frank and I had to go over to Ben Ivey's to help thrash Quanbury's oat stack and were over there all the after noon having tea at the Quanbury's. Dad. ran out the furrows in the wheat this after noon. Enah is getting ready to-night to go to Courtright with her brother to-morrow, they were in again to-night for a while. Tid says he doesn't want to go away but he got resigned to his fate before they left. Another fine day.</p> <p>Saturday September 15th</p> <p>The principal event of to-day was the departure of Enah and the baby for Courtright with the James'. The baby seemed quite happy in the excitement of going in the car but it wouldn't have taken much coaxing to keep him home, however it has since transpired that he was quite contented and happy during his sojourn and the constant opportunity of access to new and wonderful sights and things of interest such as the big boats on the river and the magic performances of machinery in his uncle's tin-shop, afforded, - warded off any attacks of homesickness which under other circumstances he might have suffered from. I didn't do any thing much all day but wash the buggy and go down town with Frank to get a ton of soft coal for which we paid the exhorbitant price of ten dollars. Dad. finished cleaning out the ditches over in the back wheat field and he and Frank hauled up the planks and sleepers of Ivey's bridge which last spring's {illegible} deposited in our gully. The planks we want to have handy to support the thrashing engine on the barn floor and they will be ready for Ivey's any time they take the trouble to come and get them but the sleepers which were cedar railroad ties, they sawed and split up for use during our coming week</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Tuesday September 11th</p> <p>Charlie and Art Quanbury drove in this morning on their way out to Tupper's so I rode out with them. This is the first day Art. has been out of bed since he was taken sick a week or more ago, so I think he is plum crazy but maybe not. Frank rode down town on his wheel to tell Aunty Alice that we would likely not be able to attend her theatre party to-night if we had to thrash late and he rode on out to Tupper's on his wheel. I went over to Charlie's place with the boys and helped them put on a load of wheat out of Charlie's barn as they wanted to thrash a load for seed. They thrashed it first and then started at Tupper's out of the field. He hadn't a sheaf in the barn. I hauled in with Tupper's team and waggon all day, and we worked till after six. The wheat was in awful shape but the oats weren't so bad. He got 416 bushels alto-gether and 44 of them were wheat. Fairly cool but sunny all day.</p> <p>Wednesday September 12th</p> <p>Dad. and I worked both teams on the land this morning and Frank patched at the stable roof. Aunty came over at noon to tell us she was going to Toronto in the morning to help Vernon christen the baby. Bill. Philips came in just after dinner to get Dad. to go up and see Miss McCoy's cow and while Dad. was gone Bill helped Frank and me put off the load of oats that was on the rack and get the twelve shocks out in the field and the wheat of my plots. Dad. got back just as we got in and said he had told Miss McCoy to send to Simcoe for Bert or Anderson. It is now over a week since I have made an entry in this book so that the records for the week following this will be brief and their accuracy and completeness may suffer somewhat from the effacing effect that time has on my memory. To-night I went down town and spent an enjoyable evening at "Uncle" Hughie Moore's, where I have since learned that I revised Miss Kerney's former impression of my character as she had formed the opinion that I was a "solemn appearin' boy". I spent the night at Aunty's to help her get to the station in the morning.</p> <p>Thursday September 13th</p> <p>Aunty got off this morning and had Mrs. Gordon for company all the way to Toronto. I went to the station with her and carried her suitcases, she took one full of vegetables to Roy &amp; Vernon. When I got home I hunted up some bags and Frank and I took Joe and Belle on the waggon out to Bob. Ross's and got 17 bus {bushels} of seed wheat. Bob. was hauling in oats but Frank {illegible} his hay but on a load and he and I cleaned up the wheat.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>{This is a repeat of Index page 110}</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>soaked it for an hour or more. The original spot seems to be healing nicely but the numerous breakings out around it are getting very sore. Dad. and Frank dug potatoes all morning and I went out for about an hour before noon to help them. Two of Ham Thompsons kids were down this morning to say that Ham was going to fill his silo this morning after noon so Frank and I went up after dinner. We were up there till after dark and then had tea up there but didn't finish the job as the corn was so wet it kept plugging up the blower so that they had to take the curved pipe and the distributor off. I worked in the field for an hour or so loading {stacks?} but my arm got so sore I had to come up and trade jobs with Tige McBride who was tramping in the silo. Old Mr. Miller was in there too. I didn't mind that job at all. On our way home Frank &amp; I stopped in at the mill and got a bag of crate fattening mixture for another bunch of cockrels which I shut up last night but Tom had been here and said he couldn't get me any buttermilk. Dad. and I went out to-night and caught all the pullets we could find as Chris told Dad. to-day that he would be over Monday to take all that were any good for Jack and that he would give me 25 cts per lb for them. Fine day.</p> <p>Sunday November 4th</p> <p>All the household but me went to church this morning and as I had to soak my arm again I didn't get down till half past eleven and then went down to the doctor's. He dressed it again and gave me a hyperdemic for some reason or other and told me the new breakings out were infections from the original sore. It was very painful this after noon but principally around the spot where he inserted the needle. I went down to Aunty's for dinner and stayed there all day and all night I went up to see Marj. this after noon but she was up at the Bagley's as old Mrs. Hall just died and they wanted her to be at the door. Marj. was home after tea so I spent the evening with her. A goodly portion of the Bawlby family came down to Aunty's this after noon for an hour or so. Aunty Alice was over here to dinner and Enah came down town with her this after noon and took the five o'clock car for Simcoe to sing with a few others in the Dover choir at Trinity church where the Bishop of {illegible} was preaching. There was no service in our church to-night on account of his being in Simcoe and Aunty, Aunty Alice and Winnie went up on the seven car to hear him</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Monday November 5th</p> <p>I had breakfast at Aunty's this morning and came home right after, but in accordance with the doctor's advice and the feeling of my arm have done no manual labor all day. I soaked my arm for an hour this morning and again to-night and Enah wrapped it up the way Dr. Cook did. This after noon I rode down to the mill with Tom. and paid Charlie Ivey 57 dollars on the account but was surprised to find that there is still over 73 dollars to pay. Chris came over this morning and picked out all the pullets and old hens that were any good and Jack paid me 17 dollars for them 18 pullets &amp; 3 old hens. The government tractor a "Bull" is plowing over at Ben Ivey's to-day but is doing awful work. Frank plowed all morning and he and Dad. have been digging potatoes this after noon. They got them all in that they have dug to-night and were very agreeably surprised at the quantity as well as quality and size of the potatoes, very few were damaged with the frost. There are still four rows to be dug. To-night Dad. and Enah went down to Aunty's to celebrate Aunty Alice's birthday. Huby and Aunty Maude were there as well as the John Shand's. Froze hard. Lovely day.</p> <p>Tuesday November 6th</p> <p>I soaked my arm again this morning and then went down town to show it to the doctor. He didn't lance the sore's this time as I expected but sterilized each one of them by poking a wire with cotton balling soaked with full strength carbolic acid into the heads of them and working it around. It made me squirm somewhat as the carbolic burned. I stayed at Aunty's to dinner and left on the one o'clock car for Simcoe. I went up and collected our prize money, eight dollars, and took Frank's and my own shoes to be half soled. I then went over to the Court House to what was supposed to be a meeting of Unionists to select a Union Candidate for the Union Government but I found it composed pretty largely of good or at least dyed-in-the-wool tories with a sprinkling of Grits. About all they did and under the circumstances I guess it was the best they could do was to pass a resolution authorizing the executive of the Conservite party in Norfolk to select twelve men representing different parts of the county, to meet twelve men selected in the same way by the Liberal's and between them they are to arrange a convention of delegates representing each party equally and they are to select a Union candidate</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>All the party men wanted to pick out their man to-day or at least not accept H.P. Innes's resignation and got to the Grits and tell them to pick out their man or else consent to the Torie's man but the fellows who wanted to be square opposed that proposition as what they are afraid of is that we will have two Union candidates one Grit and one Tory opposing each other and then a Laurier Liberal will work in as a farmer's man or some thing else and win the election, which of course would not be what Norfolk wants as Laurier still stands by his referendum scheme and his first act should he be elected would be to stop the working of the Military Service Act. John Wess was over this morning to ask Dad. &amp; Frank to help him thrash to-morrow as there is another machine on the back road and he can't get hands. Dad. &amp; Frank finished harvesting the potato crop to-day and pulled a few more mangels. Lovely day.</p> <p>Wednesday November 7th</p> <p>I have done nothing in the shape of work all day. Dad. &amp; Frank went over to John Wesses to help him thrash this morning and Frank has been over all day but Dad. came home right after dinner. He didn't feel very well for awhile after he got back but feels all right to-night. He did chores and pulled a couple of more rows of mangels. I went down town this after noon and showed the doctor my arm which he said was doing well. I stayed to tea and spent the evening at Aunty's. Dad. came down after tea with a basket of the biggest of our potatoes (and there are some huge ones) for Aunty Alice to take down to show Roy on Saturday. He also brought down their milk as we are letting them have milk now three times a week. There was considerable excitement created to-day but the appearance of an aeroplane, the first one I think ever seen in this neighbourhood. Dad. told us about him first at noon as they had seen him over at John Wesses flying quite low. Then I saw him again this after noon but a long way off flying north east evidently for Toronto. It seems the aviator was a French-Canadian from Camp Borden and had got lost in a fog up around Lake Simcoe coming down here instead of Toronto &amp; mistaking Lake Erie for Ontario. He almost landed in the school yard at noon or near noon and they let all the kids out to see him. He couldn't land</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>in such a small space, however and went up to Holloway's place this side of Lynn Valley where he lit and went into Simcoe for gasoline They said he knew very little about his engine. A good proportion of the town saw him and heard him as he flew right down over the pond. It has been freezing hard the last few nights but the days have been mild and sunny, to-day especially nice.</p> <p>Thursday November 8th</p> <p>Although my arm has felt a good deal better to-day I have done nothing whatever to use it. Frank went back to John Wesses and thrashed till noon when they finished and he plowed all the after noon. Dad. did chores and sawed up some wood this morning and this after noon pulled up some more mangels besides doing chores. I helped Dad. saw up one limb of the old oak with one hand this morning and then went a walk back to the woods. I went to sleep before noon and was too lazy to get up to eat. This after noon I drove Enah &amp; Tid down town and came home by the mill where I got a 40 lb. bag of oatmeal. To-night I went down town to see Marj. It has been a beautiful day and not freezing as hard to-night.</p> <p>Friday November 9th</p> <p>Frank went out with the Quanbury boy's early this morning and was out there till noon helping them thrash at Charlie's place. The job only lasted a couple of hours but I guess they didnt get started on time. Dad. plowed all morning and I didn't do any thing much but kill a couple of old hens for Enah and a cockrel for Aunty Alice to take to Roy to-morrow. This after noon Dad. and Frank got up the rest of the mangels except a few small ones and put them all in the drive house. I helped them a little, pulling. Pickford came in to ask Dad. to go over in the morning to operate on a couple of calves. He had been in Brantford to-day with Mrs. Pickford who has something wrong with her eye and has to go up every so often from now on to a specialist. Pickford was telling us that he has it figured out that it is going to cost him nearly fifty dollars, which fact I am afraid is causing him considerable distress. Art &amp; John Quanbury came in with a load of oats to clean up and told Dad. that Jim Bannister had brought word at noon that Harry Ansley had had a stroke and was very low. Aunty came over just as they left and confirmed the news of</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>dangerous condition but said he had not had a stroke but sort of convulsions and they think the trouble was is from his spine. The latest news to-night is that he is resting quietly having had theree convulsions, the first one before noon and lasting nearly an hour, the other two being lighter. I went down town to-night with Aunty Alice's milk and Roy's chicken and stayed all night so that I could help Aunty Alice get to the train in the morning. The war news to-day is bad, another revolution is taking place in Petrograd. Kerensky has fled to regions unknown and the revolutionists are demanding a separate peace with Germany. Prospects on the Italian battle front are not showing brightening yet either. The Italian army is still retreating from the immense hordes of Astro-Germans who have crossed the Tagliamento river and claim the capture of 250'000 prisoners and 2300 guns. The Italians claim that Cadorna's main army retreated unmolested and taking up defensive positions along the Piave river where strong British &amp; French reinforcements are now massing and where it is hoped a decided stand will be taken as Venice is only fifteen miles behind this line and it is feared a further advance by the enemy would be liable to cause panic among the people who are already shaken but who are cheered by the presence of British &amp; French aid in great strength from the Western front. If the fighting spirit of the Italians is still strong it is thought by some that an allied victory here is possible, and would mean disaster for the Central Powers who it is believed made this big drive partly in the hopes of demanding peace. The British forces under General Allenby are making headway against the Turks in Palestine having taken Gaza and closing in on Jerusalem. The Canadians are also doing fine work in France.</p> <p>Saturday November 10th</p> <p>I went up to the Tibbets as soon as I had breakfast this morning and Cousin Willie told me that they had had no call during the night so thought Harry Ansley was about the same. It was just about seven when I got back but as Aunty Alice was already we went down to the station and when she got in the car I came back. I came home almost as soon as the train went out. Frank plowed all morning and helped Dad. saw off and up another</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>oak limb. This after noon Frank went to Simcoe to get the shoes I left up there to be fixed and to see Rus Lampkins about the windmill as some thing has gone wrong with it, I don't know just what. Dad. didn't get back to plow as there were so many chores to do and he helped me sort some of the potatoes. Frank came down to the five car and went down town again to-night. Another beautiful day.</p> <p>Sunday November 11th</p> <p>Enah and I drove down to church this morning leaving Dad. Frank and the baby to get dinner. Frank I think spent the morning fixing the windmill following the instructions he got from Rus Lampkins yesterday. Aunty &amp; Aunt Ida came over here to dinner I went down town right after dinner and Marj. and I went for a walk. She has a bad cold so didn't go to church at all to-day, she had an awful time with her cold yesterday but feels better to-day. I stayed up there to tea and for the evening. Rus. Skey was over here to tea and Dad. has been giving me very amusing accounts of his future dreams of leaving the bank which he has always detested and finishing his medical course coming to Dover and fixing up the old home putting in the remainder of his life (he figures he would have at least fifteen years for it) in scientific research practising on the Turkey Point decendants, gratis. He was also reviewing with Dad. the pugilistic incidents of their school days dwelling with special pride and joy upon the day he licked Bev. Powell. It has been a beautiful day, very warm &amp; not freezing to-night.</p> <p>Monday November 12th</p> <p>Dad. &amp; Frank both went back this morning one to plow and one to ditch. I had to go over and chase the sheep out of Jack Martin's field as they have discovered the way over and are determined to go. About nine o'clock there was a great commotion caused by the blowing of the factory, Canning factory and other whistles We thought there must be a fire so I hurried down as far as Uncle Ward's but every thing was quiet and undisturbed by then down town. There was a flag up on the factory and Uncle Ward had no idea what had caused the row. Aunty Lucy suggested news of victory while we thought possibly the completion of the dam (which is not yet completed) was responsible but later in the day we found out that at nine o'</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>clock this morning the books are open for subscriptions to the new "Victory Loan" and all sorts of means are being resorted to to bring it to the attention of the public, this being one of them. I stayed talking to Uncle Ward till I nearly froze and when I came home found Frank sorting potatoes so helped him till noon. This after noon I intended going down to the doctor's again but Dad. wanted me to write to Dick so by the time I got that done it was pretty late and Enah said I might as well wait till after tea and then take Aunty's milk down so I did. I also took a basket of apples over to Marj. as she told me yesterday she had hardly tasted one all fall, she wasn't home to-night having taken Miss Kelly to the picture show. I went around to the doctors and got another bottle of dope and he burned out a couple more spots I stayed down all night at Aunty's. Dad. plowed this after noon and Frank pulled some more turnips. Raw East wind to-day &amp; cloudy but clear to-night.</p> <p>Tuesday November 13th</p> <p>I came home about eight this morning and helped Frank bag up some oats to take down to be chopped. We took Belle and Queen and as they haven't been out for about a month were feeling pretty gay. Queen especially. It was about eleven when we started and they told us down there that we could get the grist in half an hour so we drove down town and got my box from Waller's and a bag of salts getting back about noon. Dad. plowed all morning. This after noon Frank went down back and plowed and Dad. and I spent most of the morning after noon cutting a block off the butt of the old oak. I went over to Ben's for a little while just before dark to see the tractor. It is plowing deeper than it did at first but has to make very wide {illegible} and leaves the ground very uneven. Cart. Bawlby was finishing up after it and had a big job as the pesky thing doesn't pretend to go straight. Cart. didn't think Ben was going to gain much in time or money by using it and then as he says it is only half plowed. Frank went down town to-night for a little while, there was a meeting in the town hall to-night to put the terms of the Victory Loan before the public. Froze hard last night but has been a nice day.</p> <p>Wednesday November 14th</p> <p>Enah, Tim and I went down town this morning and stayed at Aunty's to dinner. I went up again to the doctors and he punctured three more spots one a great big one like a blister and my hand is pretty sore to-night.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>I got some carbolic acid to heal any spots that come myself from now on. I went up and got Aunty's mail right after dinner but and then came home but didn't do any work all the after noon. Enah and the baby stayed down till after dark. Dad. &amp; Frank plowed and did chores all day and finished the back field to-night. They had a couple of rag-men for dinner to-day who presented them with a tin pail in payment. Word came on Saturday that poor old Skelly Long had been killed in action and to-day Enah heard that Fred George had got a bullet through the head.</p> <p>Thursday November 15th</p> <p>My arm has been pretty painful all day and I have been in the house nearly all day. Frank and Dad. spent the morning running out ditches in the fifty acre sod field east of the lane and Dad. just got started to plow it this after noon when Alan Law came to get him to cut the lump off old Ben's stifle. He was down there till nearly dark but they couldn't operate on Ben and will have to throw him. McEwen came in on the one o'clock car to look at the ram lambs but he said they were too small for him and advised us to keep four of them over, he bought the two best ones for twenty dollars apiece and we have to ship them to-morrow. Dad. took Aunty's milk down to her to-night. Cloudy, rainy &amp; raw all day.</p> <p>Friday November 16th</p> <p>Dad. and Frank crated up the two ram lambs this morning and Frank and I took them down to the station and Dad. went out and plowed. When we got back I went over to John Wesse's to see how he was, he was plowing but his breath was pretty short. I then went over to Tupper's and bought a heifer from him. Frank said he would go in on the speculation with me. She is rather small but in good shape and due to calve in April. Tupper said he would take my note for 11 mos. at 5% and he taxed me sixty five dollars for her. I stayed there to dinner and went down to Frank Ryerse's with him after dinner. Sam had just pulled in there to thrash. I got a couple of boxes of Chamberlain salve from Mrs. Ryerse and then came over to Law's with Alan and he drove me home. He took Dad. back with him and they threw old Ben but didn't operate as Dad. said it would be a painful operation and they were not sure it would cure him so they thought as he was so old it wasn't worth it. Aunty and Aunt ida were over here to dinner and walked over and back. I went down to Aunty's for tea and went to the picture-show with Marj. but it was a miserable show. My arm is still pretty bad. I put Chamberlain salve on it this after noon. Fair day.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Saturday November 17th</p> <p>I didn't get home very early this morning as I went up town first and got some long envelopes to send McEwen's pedigrees up in. Just as I climbed Martin's fence Dad. was starting out with Harry &amp; Belle, he had been out and plowed eight rounds in an hour with Harry and Queen and was now going to shake the keen edge off Belle. This after noon he plowed with Belle &amp; Queen to-gether and they did fine. Frank worked Harry &amp; Nellie. I fixed up McEwen's pedigrees and made out a promisary note for $25 for him and also made application for the pedigree of the yearlin ewe that is not registered yet. When Jim came at noon with the mail I ordered a postal note from him to pay for the pedigree and was fool enough not to think what I was doing and gave him McEwen's address instead of the "Live Stock Records at Ottawa so had to hike down to the post office and tell Cousin Willie to fix it when Jim came in. When I got home I walked out to Wilbur Ryerse's where Sam &amp; Alan are thrashing and told Alan that he was welcome to old Dave if he wanted to come and get him to plow with in place of old Ben. so he said he would come up and get him. He says he would buy a new horse if he was sure of not being called up for service but he thinks he will be when {illegible} is called. Lovely day.</p> <p>Sunday November 18th</p> <p>None of us went to church this morning, I would have gone but took so long to fix my arm. I went down to see Marj. this after noon and stayed at Aunty's for tea then went to church alone this evening. Aunty didn't go to church to-night as she didn't like to leave Aunt Ida alone. Marj. and I went over to the McQueen's after church. They were rather upset over at the Moore's this after noon by the news of the death of Mat. Hudson down the lake shore Miss Herny informerd uncle Hughie one day last week that there would be a death in the family as she heard the death bell ringing in her ears. Huby &amp; Mr. Lawrie were over here this after noon. Cloudy and raw all day. Rained a little, milder to-night. Bill Law arrived home from the war last night with just one leg.</p> <p>Monday November 19th</p> <p>I got home about half past nine this morning and found Dad. and Frank cutting more off the old oak. I got my old clothes on and about eleven walked out to the Shand's and had dinner with Willie &amp; Winnie and then walked down to the cheese factory &amp; paid Lea Marshall $7.40 for a year's buttermilk. Dad. and Frank were over helping Art Quanbury thrash this after noon till about five. Enah and the baby were down town all day. Charlie Shand doesn't know yet whether he will get exemption or not. Cloudy &amp; raw but fine.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Tuesday November 20th</p> <p>I didn't do any thing all morning but sit around and read "Saturday Nights". This after noon I went down and got my hair cut. Enah went down as far as Uncle Ward's to find out the particulars of Mrs. Schofield's funeral, she having died suddenly yesterday. Dad. and Frank plowed with both teams to-day but took quite awhile doing chores. The nominations for the federal elections were yesterday and it looks as if there was going to be quite a fight. In Norfolk, however, Innes withdrew at the last minute so that leaves Charlton, Liberal Unionist against Wallace, Laurier man. Cloudy &amp; damp. Charlie Quanbury got word to-day that his claim for exemption has been refused.</p> <p>Wednesday November 21st</p> <p>Dad. and Frank plowed this morning and Frank this after noon but Dad. had to act as bearer at Mrs. Scoffield's funeral if he had been home they would have finished the oat stubble I sat around the house all day as I have a new boil on my knee which makes it pretty sore. Bruce was around this after noon soliciting subscriptions to the Victory Loan but we were unable to invest. I went down town to-night to see Marj. and stayed at Aunty's all night. Cloudy &amp; raw.</p> <p>Thursday November 22nd</p> <p>I went down to get a fish for Aunty before I came home this morning and got home about ten. Dad. and Frank were cutting a block off the oak tree, they didn't plow any to-day as it rained or drizzled all the time. It turned colder towards night &amp; snowed. I sat around the house all day as my knee was very sore and swollen, the spot on it seems just like the ones on my arm. Charlie and Art Quanbury were cleaning up wheat most of the day with our mill. Charlie's throat is in bad shape, he announces his intention of starting revolution. He's peeved.</p> <p>Friday November 23rd</p> <p>I have sat around the house and read "The Illiad" and "Titus Andronicus" all day to-day. It was frozen too hard to plow and has been very cold and windy all day. There is a half covering of snow on everything. Dad. &amp; the baby went down to Aunty's this morning to bank up the house and stayed down to dinner. Frank got the apples down cellar this morning. This after noon they did chores. Enah walked down town this after noon to get some provisions. War news lately might be worse. British made a big drive the other day and took about 9000 prisoners. It was a complete surprise as no artillery were used to open the way. The tanks went first and broke the barbed wire.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Saturday November 24th</p> <p>It froze very hard last night and has not thawed at all to-day. The wind was from the north all day and it has been cold enough for mid-winter although sunny. I sat around the house most of the day although my knee was very much better. Dad. and Frank spent the day getting wood amd doing chores. Alfred was in this after noon for quite awhile and paid Dad. the balance on the seed wheat. Frank went down town to-night.</p> <p>Sunday November 25th</p> <p>Enah, Dad, Tid. and I walked to church this morning but found a notice on the door saying there would be no service owing to the lack of gas, so I went to the Catholick church and the others went to the Presbyterian. I came home to dinner and Frank and I had it alone as the rest stayed down at Aunty's. I went back down town right after dinner and spent the after noon with Marj. had tea at Aunty's and went up to Miss Martin's with Marj. after tea but found she had gone to a service they held in the Sunday school with Cousin Willie presiding as Mr. Johnson is in Stratford. Aunty &amp; Aunt Ida went to service to-night and said cousin Willie gave a very nice address. I went down there early and stayed all night. Froze hard again last night.</p> <p>Monday November 26th</p> <p>I spent most of the day killing and fixing up my 12 crate fattened cockrels. I am afraid they will niot bring as much as I have had very little milk for them and have not looked after them as I should have. It is still frozen up tight so FDad and Frank have been doing chores all day and this after noon they put the mangels down the cellar. They have been in the drive house but were not frozen. Enah was over at the Quanbury's this after noon and said there was quite a crowd skating on the pond. Tom. was in this morning and said John Watt's little shack burned down last night and people were lblaming him for it as old Jim McQueen was going to move into it to-day. It has been sunny but frosty to-day.</p> <p>Tuesday November 27th</p> <p>Frank and I went down with my chickens this morning which I shipped to Waller's and got the cellar window which has been at Mr. Jame's all fall owing to our forgetfulness. When we got home we went over to Tupper's and got our heifer getting back about noon. I had a bad cold anyway and the morning's operations knocked me out. I huddled over the stove all after noon, didn't want any tea and went to bed about seven o'clock. Dad. went down to-night and got leave from Clayton Ansley to do as he liked with old Nellie &amp; the heifer.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Wednesday November 28th</p> <p>Dad. and Frank got some more wood from the old oak this morning and this after noon started to clean up the wheat. Lloyd Ryerse came up with his ferret this after noon and after helping awhile to clean up wheat he and Frank went after rabbits but didn't see any. Dad. went over to John Wess's to see how he was to-day. He feels pretty well as long as he keeps still but can't do any work. {Com.?} is home now. This after noon I wnt down town stayed at Aunty's to tea went up to see Marj.and stayed at Aunty's all night. Milder but still frozen up.</p> <p>Thursday November 29th</p> <p>I have been down at Aunty's all day. I went down to the station this morning to meet Aunty Alice who came home on the eleven o'clock train. This after noon I went up after Aunty's mail and then made three trips up to Col. Smith's after "Saturday Evening Posts" and "Country Gentleman's". He had a big pile of them and didn't want to destroy them so said we could have them. I left them at Aunty Alice's till we can get them in the buggy. Dad. and Frank finished cleaning up the wheat to-day. It held out pretty well with the machine. Dad. went down to see Aunty Alice to-night. Much softer. Freezing to-night.</p> <p>Friday November 30th</p> <p>Dad. and Frank hauled the wheat down to the mill this morning in two loads I went down with them on the second load. Dad. was well pleased with the way the wheat turned out. He didn't expect it would more than pay the bill at the mill but there were about 57 1/2 bushels and Charlie gave him $2.09 for it so there was about $44.00 coming to him after the account was paid. This after noon Dad. and the baby drove down to take Aunty Alice up to the cemetry but it rained so hard they didn't go. Frank went down to the mill again this after noon to get some feed. They took down some oats this morning and got part of them chopped and traded part off for shorts &amp; feed flour. Rained most of the day.</p> <p>Saturday November December 1st</p> <p>Frank and I drove Belle and Queen to Simcoe this morning after the bbl. {barrel} of coal oil which Dad. ordered a week or so ago. We borrowed Mr. Flemming's democrat. Dad. only ordered 25 gallons but we had to take a 45 gal. bbl as there were no others. However it is two or three cents cheaper than we can get it here and is supposed to be better. Dad. Enah and the baby went down town this morning and did some shopping and Dad. drove Aunty Alice up to the cemetry. I didn't do any thing</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>in particular this after noon, and Dad. &amp; Frank just did chores. I gave my arm a good soaking before tea to-night. It is pretty sore again but there is only one big spot left to break on it. It seems to take a very long time to come to a head. Cold wind with snow all day. Freezing hard again to-night.</p> <p>Sunday December 2nd</p> <p>I was the only one of this family who went to church this morning and I was very late as we were late getting up. I came home to dinner but went down town right after and this after noon walked round the hill with Marj. after which we paid Miss McQueen a short visit. I had tea at Aunty's and to-night we went to church to hear the Bishop and see the confirmation ceremony. The church was packed and we had to get a few more seats from the Sunday school. There were about 22 candidates for confirmation, five of them coming from Vittoria. I stayed at Aunty's all night. Nice day but freezing.</p> <p>Monday December 3rd</p> <p>I hung around down at Aunty's this morning till about ten o'clock expecting Dad. down to go and see Niel Elliott about buying Harry Ansley's heifer, but as he didnt come Aunty &amp; Aunty Alice thought I had better go down and see Niel myself so I did. He was down at the coal office weighing hogs and asked me to take his horse up town to Hec's barn so I did and while I was gone Dad. came and went down also to see Niel and so I am afraid may have given him the impression that we had some thing here we were anxious to sell. Dad. went on up town and got his hair cut so I came home. This after noon I went down again to get an order from Waller's cashed and stayed to tea at Aunty's Mrs. Jackson from Port Rowan landed in there to stay all night having come in on the five o'clock car, and she made herself very entertaining by her enlivening conversation which during tea time consisted chiefly with of accounts of the Port Rowan Christian Scientists and their doings. it is quite evident that they hold a very low place in her estimation. After tea I went up to hear Charlton, Rowell and a Mr. Starr president of the Toronto Conservative Association speak on behalf of the Union Government. I have heard from several sources that Rowell was a very forceful speaker but I couldn't see anything much in what he said and I think if any one changed their views on the situation last to-night, their conversion would be credited to Mr. Starr, who I thought was good. Cloudy &amp; cold.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Tuesday December 4th</p> <p>I haven't done any thing in particular to-day, just sat around and read and husked a few hickory nuts. Dad. and Frank did chores and this after noon Frank went over to help Charlie Quanbury thrash seed. They didn't get started very early so didn't finish to-night. To-night Frank went down to a Red Cross dance in the town hall Dad. got the storm windows down and put some of them on. Raw.</p> <p>Wednesday December 5th</p> <p>Frank went out to help Charlie thrash first thing this morning and Dad. after he had done up the chores went over to help Pickford saw wood as he has Ot. Collins engine &amp; saw there to-day. Dad. only stayed a few minutes as Frank got there soon after he did having finished thrashing at Charlie's. He stayed there the rest of the day and Dad. did chores. I didn't do much but my arm is I think "on the mend" as the big lump that has been so bad has at last broken and there are no signs of any more bad ones coming. I went down to tea at Aunty's to-night and afterwards up to see Marj. Frank &amp; Enah came down after tea to attend one a Political meeting held by Wallace (Laurier man. or at least independant opposition) and the other choir practice. Roy came in on the seven o'clock car to stay for the night, going to Brantford in the morning.</p> <p>Thursday December 6th</p> <p>Frank has been over at Pickford's thrashing all day. Dad. went down right after breakfast to see Roy but just saw him for a minute. He found out that there was a car of coal in and that he could get some if he went down, so he came right home, harnessed the old team and got a ton. It began to look as if there wasn't going to be any for us this winter as very little came in and people who have had orders for a long time were served first, but now they expect there will be plenty in a week or so. Andrew Innes went over to Buffalo on behalf of the town and arranged for Kolbe to get it. I read most of the after noon but helped Dad. unload the coal and just as we got through Ham. Thompson came over after his ewes so it was nearly dark when we got them loaded. Enah went over to the McPherson's this after noon to teach Cecil a song for a Methodist concert. Dock Abbot got home from the front last night and there is great rejoicing down at Tom's Alan says he looks fine except for the deep cut in his face on account of which he is home and will have to go back for more treatment at the hospital, but all the grim yarns that were going around a few months ago about him being dumb and blind were false although for awhile he was in danger of losing one eye. Cloudy cold &amp; raw.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Friday December 7th</p> <p>Frank thrashed all morning at Pickford's and got home soon after dinner. Dad. did chores this morning and went down to the mill in the buggy after some feed flour. Aunty Alice walked over to dinner. This after noon Dad. and Frank went out to Bob. Ross's sale and didn't get back till dark. They left before it was over and didn't buy anything everything went high. Tid and I walked down as far as Mr. Battersby's with Aunty Alice and then went for a walk through the "Sheep Pasture". Freezing all day but sunny and nice.</p> <p>Saturday December 8th</p> <p>We took the four head of cattle which Dad. sold to Niel Elliottt on Monday down this morning with out any trouble. There was the three two year old heifer and the two black yearlings and Harry Ansley's black heifer which Dad. could only get $25.00 for. He got $165.00 for our three which he figured as $80.00 for the two year old $45.00 for the yearling steer and $40.00 for the yearling heifer. He and Frank went up town to get the money and pay up various debts and I waited for them at Aunty's They didn't get down there will about noon so I didn't go home with them but waited for dinner and went up town and got Aunty's mail this after noon. I came right home then but didn't do much this after noon but a few chores, my arm is very much better and I think I can work with it now as there is no sign of any more spots and the old ones are all healing Dad. got the colts up this after noon as there is a terrific blizzard raging. It was bad this morning but is much worse this after noon and every thing is full of snow. Enah was to have collected for the Navy this after noon but couldn't go out. Yesterday's and today's papers are full of the news of the awful explosion in Halifax caused by a munition ship blowing up. Nearly the whole city is wrecked and there are at least 2000 people killed, some put it at 3000 while about every second person in the city is injured. To make things worse to-day's papers say there is a fierce blizzard raging down there.</p> <p>Sunday December 9th</p> <p>It was very cold and windy this morning and the snow was drifting badly, it kept increasing till this after noon there was one of the worst snow storms and most blinding blizzards I every saw, at this time of year anyway. I was still at it to-night but I think had stopped snowing but was freezing very hard. I was the only one left the farm to-day. Dad. and Frank spent the day doing chores and making the animals</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>as comfortable as possible. I went down first thing this morning and shovelled Aunty's snow for them and had breakfast down there. By the time I got home and got dressed up it was too late to go to church but I went right down after dinner and took Aunty's &amp; Elva's cream down. I went around to see Marj. but couldn't find her as she had gone down to Patterson's for dinner and from there over to Mrs. Perry's. I stayed to tea at Aunty's and went up after tea when I found Marj. home. I didn't go to church but I think they had service in the Sunday school.</p> <p>Monday December 10th</p> <p>I shovelled all the snow and opened the rain barrels down at Aunty's this morning and got home about ten o'clock Frank and I spent the rest of the morning putting the poles we got from Tupper accross the bent in the old barn and covering them with straw to make a warm pen for the ram lambs and the young calves when they come. This after noon Frank went down to fix Aunty's cellar windows and Enah went out collecting for the Navy. I read most of the after noon but helped do chores and dug a snow house in a snow drift for the baby It has been very cold and windy all day and the snow was drifting badly but it did not snow any more</p> <p>Tuesday December 11th</p> <p>Frank and I spent most of the morning digging out the lane, there never was more snow in it since we have been over here. Tom came up this morning with butter and Dad drove up as far as Duncan's with him to see a lame horse which Annie told him about yesterday. Dad. and I just did chores this after noon and I read the papers, the mail trains didn't get through yesterday so we had both papers to-day. The most important news is that Jerusalem has surrendered to the British. Frank went down town this after noon and took the crosscut saw down to Uncle Wards and learned how to sharpen it. Enah made butter to-day. I spent the evening drawing a picture of a {puppy?} from the cover of "The Country Gentleman". Sunny &amp; cold.</p> <p>Wednesday December 12th</p> <p>Young Gamble from the Lower Hotel came over this morning to get Dad. to go down and look at their cow which had milk fever so he did after a good deal "cussin". Frank &amp; I did chores till he got back and then we got the bob-sleigh out of the barn and went down to Coleman's after a hog crate. It was after noon when we got back. Right after dinner we loaded old Gladys in the hog crate</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>and took her to the slaughter house where Karl killed her for us. Frank stayed there the rest of the after noon to watch him. I took the hog crate back down town and then came home with the team. Dad. Enah &amp; the baby drove down town in the cutter soon after I got back and brought Marj. back with them to tea. She was here all evening and I drove her home about half past ten. Nice winter day.</p> <p>Thursday December 13th</p> <p>Frank and I with the baby drove down to the slaughter house first thing this morning and got the remains of poor old Gladys and Dad. spent the rest of the morning cutting her up. Frank and I then went down town and around by the mill where we got a couple of bags of feed. It snowed hard all the after noon and we didn't do any thing much. Arthur Preston was over for quite a visit and told us that he had got a circular saying that there would be a meeting to-night to make more arrangement for Neff's Short Course this winter so Frank and I went down and Neff gave us each a route to canvass to create a little enthusiam over the course. Much milder to-night.</p> <p>Friday December 14th</p> <p>We have just done chores to-day and this after noon Dad. Tid and I drove Queen down town for exercise. Frank and I went down to a Union Government meeting to-night which was pretty good but late. Proff Law of Knox College &amp; Frank Ried were the speakers. Cold and clear to-day, very frosty to-night.</p> <p>Saturday December 15th</p> <p>Did chores most of the day. Frank and I drove Queen down town this after noon and went down to Aunty's to tea to-night &amp; spent the evening. Very cold.</p> <p>Sunday December 16th</p> <p>I went down alone to church this morning and just sat around the house all the after noon till it was time to do chores. Went down to-night and spent the evening with Marj.</p> <p>Monday December 17th</p> <p>Dad. and I drove out to Wiggin's this morning and Dad. voted for me as he said he wouldn't vote at all himself but as I was entitled to a vote but through neglect was not on the list he would mark the ballot the way I wanted it which was of course for Charlton &amp; Union Government. Dad's finger is very painful and he can't do a thing with it. To-night Frank and I went down to hear the returns. Union Government is safe. Charlton got bigger majority than Wallace did</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Monday December 31st</p> <p>When two weeks ago I discovered that I had only three pages left in this book I decided to wait till now and make a summary of the principal events of the old year's last couple of weeks instead of making three line entries for each day. About a month ago I started to condense my entries to an average of half a page a day and if there had been as I counted on three hundred pages, I would have been alright but it was not till I got this near the end that I found it fell short. Frank and I have had the chores to do ever since I wrote last as Dad's finger is still very sore. For four nights it was so painful that he couldn't sleep a wink and on the 19th he went down to Dr. Cook who was out of town so he went over to the old Dr. Toole who has just come to town and he diagnosed it as a felon and lanced it. Since then he has not suffered such awful pain with it, but it has been very sore and has been discharging a little every day till yesterday. My arm is aparently alright again and except for a toothache which I had for a couple of days before Christmas the rest of us have been able to work &amp; in fine shape. All our snow and good sleighing went off with a thaw we had about the 20th but it froze up right away again and the last week it has been very cold one night going down to 14° below zero. Before the sleighing went Frank and I got around on our two routes canvassing for the Short Course. I went down the third concession from our side road to the town line and back on the fourth and Frank had up the Gravel and Radical roads part way and in to the farms on the lake front. The day I we went on my beat it was a beautiful sunny day and the sleighing fine, we did up the morning chores before we left, stayed at Bruce's to dinner and got back in time to do the night chores. Dad. let the colts out and put the cows in at noon.We got one or two to promise they would come but the majority of them were too busy but said they would like to come in when they could. We went on Frank's beat the next fore noon and met with about the same success. That afternoon I drove Dad. Enah Aunty &amp; the baby out to Mrs. Jim. Waddle's reception, in the bobsleighs. It was not such a nice day and the sleighing was going fast. Christmas day we all went down to church in the morning which was not the usual Christmas service The church was undecorated and the choir &amp; congregation were small. Harry Moon seems to have dropped out</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>of church life since Mr. Johnson made his election remarks in the pulpit the day before election. Christmas night we had a great dinner &amp; tree over here, fifteen of us partaking of it, all from Aunty's, all from Huby's and all from the James. The roads were bare and icy and our horses unshod or smooth shod so that Dad. had to get Faulkner to bring over the ones who couldnt walk over and young Geordie came after them very early so that the evening was too short. Aunty Alice not being content with receipting my note to her on my birthday last summer gave me the cash to pay Douglas's note which comes due on the sixth. Frank and I haven't got very much work other than chores done lately so we have not been getting up before seven or half past but we did get over one load of hay over to the old barn for the cows and got the bent in the west end of the barn covered over with rails and straw and a fairly warm pen made in there for Frank's heifer which is due to calve in a day or two. We went skating two nights last week down on the creek with the Ryerse's and England's and to-night Enah and I printed pictures. I was just undressing when the Old Year left.</p> </div> untranscribed https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/33431700dae090c857dc69631c89a47a.pdf 98e29c8b55f97cac495b47150133eea0 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. {FRONT COVER} DIARY.1919 T.B.Barrett Port Dover, Ontario Knockfierna.............. From January 1st 1919 to December 31st 1919 https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/3266e59aaea68801ecac276fbb1855f3.pdf 973fb03225e7a45870d2d612d958e6ed PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Wednesday January 1st 1919. I have had a feeling all day to-day as if I ought to have the blues, not exactly that I ought to have them but that it is queer that I haven't got them. That isn't the proper way to feel on New Year's day especially since every New Year's day for the last four years we have all thought that if the "damned" (thats what most of us thought allright even if we didn't say it) old war was over we would never feel blue again and neither we do at least I don't and don't intend to even although I have had to light the lamp this after noon to see to write, and though my gum boot which I wore a hole in the sole of on the hard frozen knobs of earth in the barn yard last week let in a pint of oozey mud and water around my foot so that it was just like an eel in a puddle all morning (I wore Dad's rubbers this after noon) and although that old brute of a Gladys acted just as stubborn as a pig can when we tried to load her into the crate this morning and I got mad enough to kill her and chased her around the yard till I was winded calling her names that wouldn't do for Sunday, and although I had to stand under the drip of the eave of the barn this after noon for about https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/2adf26634e83f0891bd1c2871b339a73.pdf 5919da1255636077be1915b7d6727ad5 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. ten minutes trying to unhook the chain which was just within an ace of unhooking but wouldn't come, and although instead of this being a nice, crisp, sunshiney, snowy sleigh bell jingling day, it has been a dark, muddy, drizzley, drippy, rainy rotten one with nothing more cheerful to look at than the mist and drizzle and nothing to hear but the darn ducks squawk and the dismal flapping of Enah's clothes which have been hanging on the line since Monday steadily getting wetter than when she put them there. Even in spite of all this, I haven't got the blues and upon a moment's thought realize that I would be a mighty ungrateful creature if I had, for in spite of all the weather there is an awful lot to be thankful for. The main part of the war is over and the boys are beginning to get back, some of them pretty badly shot up but others looking fine and all of them tickled pink to be home. Old Quint, who must have seen some hard fighting during the last summer and fall has got through without a scratch and writes most interesting letters from Belgium of the sights he sees there. Of course, Dad. had a letter from Dick to-day written on Christmas saying he was to sail for Siberia the next day so he is probably well out on the Pacific by this time and will maybe see action over there as the paper reports Canadian Artillery in the Arcangel region supporting Russian, American and Polish troops in attacks on the Bolsheviki, but then even though his future movements are in some ways so uncertain, it doesn't seem as if his stay in Russia will last as long as it might have if the Western Front was not peaceful and some reports say that men will not have to stay there more than a year unless they like, even although Canadian troops are still kept there, and even if he does see action over there after knowing of some of the marvelous escapes some of the boys in France have had, I can't help feeling that the same Power that pulled them through will also look after old Dick. These things as well as others keep my heart above my boot tops in spite of the depressing atmosphere. We did nothing in the way of celebration to-day. Frank and I had to take old Gladys down to Coleman's this morning and got pretty wet doing it. Dad. felt better this morning and went out and helped us load her but I'm afraid it didn't do him any good. To-night Frank and I went down town. Frank went up to Huby's. We intend to celebrate New Year's on Aunty's birthday. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/c3c563b8a2f2bdff96f7c32c6da82dcc.pdf 5f61c577f5af65c477aeb7640c633586 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Thursday January 2nd After I got the morning chores done up I went down town to send a money order to "The Breeder's Gazette" for a renewal of my subscription and also for some books for the J.F.I.A. for which Frank gave me a cheque. I didn't get back till noon. This after noon Charlie Quanbury came after Frank to help him take his calves out to {Lish?} Farr. who seems to be making a business of wintering cattle for people on his thrashed alsike. I didn't do any thing in particular but chores all the afternoon. To night I felt as if I was getting quite a cold so soaked my feet in hot water and went to bed rather early having spent the fore part of the evening reading "The Prince and the Pauper" which Aunt Ida gave me on Christmas. It has been a beautiful winter day, dull, frozen & not cold. Friday January 3rd This being Aunty's birthday we celebrated it over here by having the goose which Frank slew yesterday for dinner and accordingly Aunty, Aunty Alice, Aunt Ida and Marj. all came over to partake of it. Frank and I didn't do any thing but chores and visit. Marj. stayed to tea and for the evening but the rest of them went down before tea. Frank went down to the dance given by the Women's Institute to-night and I walked home with Marj. later. Dad. hasn't felt much better to-day. It has been a very nice day. Freezing hard to-night. Saturday January 4th Last night was the coldest we have had yet this winter, the mercury being at zero this morning, but it has been a nice day with quite a strong west wind. Dad. Enah and the baby went down town before dinner and stayed down all the afternoon. Frank and I just did chores and bagged up what apples were left out in the barn some of which were frozen like bricks. Frank hitched Mexico to the cart and we hauled them over to the house in it and put them down cellar. We spent most of the after noon in the house reading the mail. Chuck Harn was in for a few minutes with a petition to have The Marburg Station moved from where it is up to the Cheese Factory, so Frank and I signed it as we didn't care a cent where it was and thought they must want it changed. Saturday January 5th Frank went down to Sunday school and church this morning but I didn't get down on account of the chores. None https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/fe6009a0f4ea404b72c571da1eb053f3.pdf 3650b65f6a0536be10fc7954fafc50b1 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. of the rest of the family went down. I spent the after noon down at the Monteith's and came home to tea and to do chores. Lila was here to tea and She and I went down town right after tea as I wanted to get to church. We cut across the pond as there were a lot on it this after noon and I got my over coat full of pitch fork burrs getting up the hill. I went to church but was about half an hour late. I picked the burrs out of my over coat during the sermon. After church I went over and spent the evening with Marj. Tige McBride was down to-day to ask Frank and me to be bearers at Lee Boughner's funeral. He just home from France or England or where ever he was in the army the other day and died very suddenly yesterday. It hasn't been so cold to-day but freezing all day. Cloudy & breezy. Monday January 6th Frank and I spend most of our time these days just doing chores. I husked the rest of the corn we had up this morning and Frank and I got over some hay this afternoon. This was election day but Dad. didn't feel like going out to vote and I didn't want to take the time with the roads as rough as they are to drive way out to Wiggin's school house Jack Martin was in about four o'clock to get us to go out and vote for Hammond as he thought if he got in we might get the roads fixed up a little down in this end of the township. However we didn't go and Hammond got beaten by Gilbert by about 48 votes. In town R. M. Taylor beat Mat. Wilson for reeve and the council consists of Clare Deal, Jack Reynolds, Jim Bannister & Billy {Lamp?} I am afraid they are more inclined to be knockers than boosters but they may be all right. Enah and Tid went down to the Sunday school for tea to-night and for a concert afterwards in which all the kids took part. Frank went down after tea. Nice morning but rather blustery in after noon. Not cold. Tuesday January 7th We did all the chores up this morning so that we could go to Lee Boughner's funeral this after noon. Tom was over this morning greatly delighted at Hammond's defeat. Oscar Howden came in to drive him out to vote for Hammond but he walked out to Marburg so that he could vote as he pleased. We went up to the funeral this after noon and didn't put in such a bad time. Frank and I, Colin Lloyd, Tige and Lynn Waddle were bearers. Lynn would persist in expressing sentiments not suited to the https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/db46e7efbbeb8d03922821b6ff21254f.pdf 9c3e5c6377f46e9416e836a1f0a76e93 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. occasion which made it uncomfortable for the rest of us fellows during the service but we managed to pull through without disgracing ourselves and very unwillingly accepted the undertakers invitation to go in and have a look at Lee. Five returned soldiers came down from Simcoe to attend the funeral. They were a tough looking bunch. One had a glass eye and a stiff arm and another a game leg. They buried him in the Simcoe cemetry. I drove up with Lynn Waddle and Jack Maxwell. Lynn lit up his corn cob pipe just as we got started and and I don't think opened his mouth all the way up unless it was to make some coarse and ribald jest, one being that he thought Wess Boughner was damned stingy with his hard cider, as he hadn't offered us any. I came home with George Duncan as he was alone and could bring me closer to home. I transferred at his gate to Jack McBride's rig and when he turned in home I got in with Colin Ryerse & Frank and so got a ride home. To-night Frank and I went down to the J.F.I.A. and although we didn't have many out had a fairly good time. Everybody present performed in some way sang or read a poem out of my James Whitcomb Riley book it being Literary evening. We had some toast for refreshments. Very soft & mild. Snowing to-night. Wednesday January 8th Besides doing chores to-day Frank and I started to dig the straw out of the bottom of the west hay over in the old barn and put it up on the rails over head. Lorne Myers was in this morning to return Dad's probang. He borrowed it last night while we were down town to take a turnip out of his cow's throat. He wanted to know if we would like to try feeding some dried beet pulp as he was going to send for some so I told him to get us ten dollars's worth. To-night Frank and I went down town. I went over to the Monteith's for the evening. Frank intended to go to a soldier's concert which the I.O.D.E. were having but it was called off on account of the Holdin girls being sick, so he went up to Huby's and took Lila to the show. Aunty Alice sent to a Boston publishing Company for some plays for us to-night. A little colder to-day but nice. Thursday January 9th Frank and I finished covering the rails in the old barn with straw. We intended to get some more corn in and some hay over but the weather prevented us. It has been very blustery and blizzardy all day. It didn't snow any more but the high west wind kept what little had https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/06fb2f1cfd4274252583a702aa590f39.pdf c27624f75066185f80dfc01e20f4e79e PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. fallen in the air all day. It was quite mild this morning but the mercury has been dropping all day and stands at zero to-night. This after noon the J.F.I.A. books came from "The Breeder's Gazette" Company so I spent this after noon looking through them. Charlie Shand was over and he and Frank went down to the dam to see if they were going to put the bridge back in place, but something went wrong with their plans so they didn't move it. Friday January 10th It has been still very windy all day, the wind was worse than yesterday but it has been much milder and was barely freezing this after-noon. Just did chores this morning and this after noon went up to Mat. Wilson's to pay him for the apple-barrels I got last fall. Sam Law had been thrashing there but had to stop as the wind was blowing their belt into the wheel and fraying it. I went over to Ham Thompson's for awhile to look at his calves. Frank went over to Quanbury's as he had promised to help them haul hay but as he thought they didn't go after any as the wind was too strong. I went down town to-night. They had a small fire at the dam last night. Saturday January 11th Frank and I fed up the stock this morning and then went out and got a small jag of corn shocks Tom and his grandson young Murrey Simpson came over and got a little jag of hay on his one horse waggon This after noon Frank went out with John Quanbury to Charlie's place and helped him put on a load of hay I did chores and husked enough corn stalks to feed the cows to-night. Aunty came over this after noon to see how Dad. was and he and Tid. walked back with her and stayed down to tea. Frank went down town to-night and I oiled the chicken's legs. Not so windy a little colder. Saturday January 12th Frank went down to Sunday school and church this morning but I was doing chores till noon. Dad., Enah & Tid went down to Aunty's for dinner and Enah went to church. Frank Awde & Earl came to see Dad. just as I was going to eat and I left them here with Frank and went down town. I was down with Marj. all the after noon but came home to tea and do chores. I went down after tea but was too late to go to church. It has been mild and sunny to-day. Not much wind. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/8ce2f688273a2416bcfefa9b76110d05.pdf 6c5142b9237f5e65e1fd66da56fb1e99 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Monday January 13th Frank and I loaded up the oats we cleaned out of the little box-stall in the horse stable and took them down to be chopped. There were 17 bags but we thought we might as well take them down as empty part of them. The water was low down there so we had to leave the grist there. Dad. walked over to John Wess's this morning and stayed to dinner. He was pretty tired when he got back and he says John Wess is in pretty bad shape too. This after noon Frank finished mending the box stall door and I helped him hang it and then husked a little corn. About four o'clock we went down and got our chop. We traded some oats off for a bag of oil cake. To-night Frank went down town to ask Zeitha Barwell if she would go to Simcoe with him to-morrow night as the J.F.I.A. all intended going up to the Rink for a skate, but Tige and Albert were down to-night and thought we had better call it off as there would be no ice, so we are going to leave it till to-morrow and see if it gets colder. Very mild and soft all day. Tuesday January 14th Dad. Enah and Tid all went down to Aunty's for dinner to-day as it was Aunt Ida's birthday. Frank and I did chores all morning and I husked corn. Tige McBride came down after dinner to tell us that he called up Simcoe this morning and found out that there wouldn't be any ice so we went down to Lloyd's to tell him to arrange for some thing at the club. Tige let most of the fellows know by telephone that the meeting would be at the club. Frank and I did up the chores early and Dad. and Tid came home about half past four. Enah went up to St. John's with Aunty Maude to hear some W.A. workers from the West. She came back on the seven o'clock car. Marj. had promised to go to the rink with me so when I told her we were going to meet at the club she went over there. There were ten or a dozen of the boys out and about eight girls so we had a very good time playing games and a little dancing. Crosby and Alex England went down and borrowed a fiddle from the Slocomb's and Charlie Blake furnished the music. Soft all day, colder to-night. Wednesday January 15th Dad. felt much better to-day and helped us all day and we got in two loads of corn. The second one we https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/8431b557fb3401c971c1afe3d0fa2546.pdf 282581cdc4f00977e52f3ad6fa3af2da PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. got were little ones with not much corn in it so we brought them in to feed to the cows without husking. We had a visit from a pail pedlar and got three pails from him. To-night I went down to see Marj. for awhile. Mild but frozen. Thursday January 16th John Quanbury came over this morning before we through breakfast to get Frank to go and help him saw up part of the spruce tree which he cut down at Mrs. Battersby's about a month ago. The butt of it is a big log and John can't saw it alone. We had figured on getting in some more corn but Dad. and I put off what we brought in last night but didn't go after any more. Frank came in at noon and he and I got in a load this after noon. Dad. was very much annoyed not to be able to help us but Jackie Pickford came over for a visit and Dad. couldn't shake him he was here all the after noon. We didn't bring in a big load of corn as we don't pile it up on the rack but try to keep each shock seperate so that we won't pull them to pieces when we unload. We didn't unload it to-night but emptied the chop we got the other day into Ed's big bin as we saw one of the cats with a big rat and were afraid to leave it in the bags any longer. Frank and I had hoped to go for a skate to-night but it has been very soft all day and is barely freezing to-night so we stayed home and read over the Shakespeare plays which Aunty Alice got for us for a J.F.I.A. performance. Friday January 17th Frank went over to help John Quanbury again this morning. Dad. and I did chores and unloaded the corn Frank and I brought in yesterday. Aunty Alice came over to dinner. This after noon Dad. Frank and I put on a jag of hay to haul over to the old barn, we would have hauled more but McEwen came down to look at the sheep. He said he wanted to get some ewes for some fellow and asked me if I would take $35.00 apiece for the ewes we culled out and marked for sale in the fall, so I told him we would as the market seems very uncertain and we need the money. I am to call him up to-morrow night to find out whether it is a sale or not. He also offered me $15.00 apiece for the old ewes we sold to Niel Elliott, so I will have to find out from Niel whether he will let me off the deal. I https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/39ae93cf3f6ef9783e9858ae9c7da4a4.pdf 017e98a75b922e8e92a629812caf1f6a PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. tried to telephone him to-night but he wasn't home. Alan Law came in before McEwen left for Dad. to look at his mare. He is afraid she has an attack of asoturia. Enah went down town with Aunty Alice this after noon and had two teeth out. Frank went down to the Women's Institute dance to-night and I went skating on the pond I was surprised to find it so good as it has been very soft all day, but the ice was hard. Saturday January 18th Frank went over this morning and finished helping John Quanbury cut up the spruce tree. Dad. Tid and I drove down to Sam Law's and gave Alan's mare a ball, she didn't seem very sick. When we got back I went over to Martin's to see the bunch of chickens they had all ready to ship to Madison Square gardens this after noon. I also went down to Quanbury's to telephone Niel Elliott but he wasn't home. This after noon Dad. finished cleaning a couple of chickens he killed this morning and Frank finished making a crate to weigh sheep in. We then brought the scales over from the old barn and weighed the three ram lambs we sold to Niel. {Hray?} weighed 87 lbs and the other two 100 & 105. I went down town to-night and called up Niel and McEwen. Niel told me to go ahead and sell the old ewes if I could get any more out of them but when I got McEwen he told me he hadn't been able to see the man that he was buying for so said I hadn't better keep them on the chance of him taking them. I was in at Aunty's on my way home. Aunty is very grieved over the cutting down of the old poplar tree in front of the old Mrs. Bagley house. It was the largest tree of its kind I ever saw and one of the most beautiful trees in town. It is far older than any one living can remember and the trunk was sound as could be. The weather is still very mild and Spring like. Didn't freeze to-night. Sunday January 19th Frank went down to Sunday school and I went down to church this morning Dad. has fell well enough to do chores to-day. Enah was to have played the organ this morning but felt too sick. She has felt miserable since having her teeth out. Aunty came over to dinner with us. I went down town this after noon and Marj. and I went over to see Miss McQueen. Marj. & https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/3e797852a6baa757dc3b6fd7b95baa43.pdf f28f958253bba897199410c65705a435 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Essie went to Hamilton yesterday to see Robert Mantell in "The Merchant of Venice" and Marj. said it was great. I stayed down at Aunty's to tea and went to church with Aunty Alice. Spent the evening with Marj. Very mild. Feels like April instead of January. Monday January 20th Dad. went over to Flemming's this morning to thrash while Frank and I took our sheep down to Niel's. He made the two old ewe's weigh 30 lbs more than we did so we didn't lose anything by not letting McEwen have them after all. The lambs lost 10 lbs according to Niel going down but the five head brought us $67.00. We brought home a load of coal with us as one had just come in. It was chestnut and pea coal mixed so was not nearly as good as the last stove coal we got. Dad. stayed down to Flemming's to dinner and Frank went down to change places with him after dinner. There was a letter in the mail addressed to Mr. Barratt and Rush on it. We expected Dad. home any minute so put it away for him. He was about half an hour getting home and when he opened it found it was from Lloyd-Jones letting me to meet him as he was coming down on the 3 o'clock car, consequently I had to step lively to make the car. Dad. went back over to Flemming's to let Frank come home and seperate some of the smallest ewe lambs in case Lloyd-Jones wanted to buy any. I took him up to Ham's before I brought him over here and Ham sold him his two best ram lambs and his five ewe lambs. He then came over to our place and bought the five ewes we had picked out and begged so hard for some more that we picked out Nos. 2 & 3 four year old ewes of old Splitears and sold him the seven for $225.00. The little yearling the "baby" we considered worth $15.00 and the others $35.00 apiece I took Lloyd-Jones back to catch the five o'clock car. Frank didn't think it worthwhile going back to Flemming's so Dad. has thrashed nearly all day and feels pretty tired to-night. It has been a beautiful, mild Spring like day. Tuesday January 21st Frank went over to thrash again this morning and has been away all day. They finished at Flemming's before dinner and moved to Martin's where they had a https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/dc84529516bf2334b12dcf9a2f1c4cc2.pdf d9b479f42efc4e32d59eaf95840995ff PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. very steady run all the after noon. Frank says they will finish there in a couple of hours. Dad. and I went down this morning and got a load of soft coal. Dad. walked down and I had the coal on when he got down as he stopped in at Aunty's for awhile. I saw the station agent who told me we could have a car to-morrow after noon to ship the sheep but when we found the thrashers would be here so early we thought we had better put off the shipping a day so I saw the agent again to-night and he said it would suit him better not to let us have the car till Thursday. Enah went down to the dentist this after noon so I sent down all the certificates to be transferred with her to post. Dad. and I did chores this after noon and I unloaded the soft coal some of it at the barn to thrash with us and the rest of it in the wood shed. Frank and I went to J.F.I.A. to-night. We had a pretty fair crowd out and spent the evening deciding on a play to get up. We at last picked on Julius Caesar. There was a grand dance on in the hall to-night for the employees of the Foundation Company. Ham and I went up after the club to find the station agent as he was one of the guests, they were all up in the Red Cross rooms having supper. {illegible} Spring Wednesday January 22nd Frank went over to Martin's for a little while this morning and came back while they were putting through the chaff to help us get ready for them. They got over here and set up and thrashed about an hour before dinner and ran steadily all the after noon finishing up soon after five. We got about ten bushels of nice looking seed two bushels of which were from the chaff and may not be quite so heavy as the other. I didn't do very much as Tom came over and we had lots of help. Tom gave me four dollars which he got for the old hens and two dollars for eggs and this after noon I got a letter from Neff with a cheque in it for ten dollars to pay my expenses at Guelph and also my score cards. I went down to see Marj. to-night. Thursday January 23rd It was very misty this morning and soon turned to rain which kept up all day some times raining quite hard. Frank went over to Pickford's to see if they would thrash but neither Sam nor Alan put in an appearance. I drove down town before dinner to see where our car was to ship the sheep in and thought I would get Joe shod. I didn't have https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/d438c555bb02e71b3913bcc496c92c99.pdf 0629fa9c348a49a86a53e0c8b1db5b2c PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. time to get her shod before dinner so thought as I had her down and she was badly in need of it I had better have her shod after so I stayed at Aunty's to dinner and by the time I got home it was half past three. We then had to hurry to get the sheep loaded {illegible words} there and as it was Frank and I {illegible words} after six. Dad. went down with us and {illegible words} home. The sheep go out on a night {illegible words} morning and appeared to be {illegible words}. Friday January 24th Frank went down to Pickford's to thrash this morning {illegible words} as they started up about the middle of {illegible words}. They finished there this after noon and then moved down to {illegible} and thrashed him out in an hour or two and Frank didn't get back till dark. Dad. and I did chores and and Dad. battoned up the north end of the calve's pen. I started to read after dinner and went to sleep for quite awhile {illegible words} for awhile this after noon to get the number of the old ram Enah and Frank went down to the Library dance to-night & I went down town and went up to Miss Martin's with Marj. I went down to Aunty's and found Roy there. He came in on the nine o'clock car. I went up to the hall to call for Enah about half past eleven as she didn't want to stay too late. There was certainly a jamboree up there in the hallway was packed so full a fellow could hardly move and couldn't see across the room for smoke. Colder & windy. Saturday January 25th Dad. Frank and I have been hauling in corn all day we got in six rack loads averaging about ten shocks to the load and put it up over the granary where the clover seed was. We got some of the best corn in the field and some of it was very goodlooking. Roy came over to tea to-night and Dad. walked back with him to-night {illegible words} saw several little door mice in the corn field to-day. They are very pretty and unlike the field mice which always make for another shock cross-country when the shock they have been inhabiting is lifted off them and are generally caught by the dogs, the door mice always try to climb out of harm's reach. One of them ran up one of the spokes in the front wheel and sat on the front bolster of the waggon for a long time and a couple ran up the horse's legs. Beautiful Spring day again. Muddy this afternoon. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/98909713a79dcc0249ef1dfe28afb911.pdf acb46d5eb5b92cddfe92274463ce3c9a PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Sunday January 26th Frank went down to Sunday school this morning and Dad. Enah and Tid went down to church but I didn't go down as I didn't get the chores done in time. This after noon I went down town after Frank and I had our lunch, the rest of them stayed down at Aunty's for dinner. Marj. and I went down and called on the Bailies and then went over to the Paterson's but they weren't home so we walked up Main St. and met Miss Martin who was en route to the Sunday school to number some books in the library so we went down with her and helped her or at least Marj. did. We then went down to Aunty's to tea. Enah and Winnie were also there. They and Roy and Aunty went to church but Aunty Alice, Aunt Ida and Marj. & I didn't go. Beautiful day. West Wind. Monday January 27th We hauled in corn all day again to-day and got the field cleared this side of the potato ground. We also have the mow about full. Pickford came over this after noon and told us he had sold his best clover seed for twenty three dollars per bushel and his lower grade for twenty one. Edmonds bought it but didn't want to buy much. It is queer that it is so hard to sell and yet the price is so high. Another fine day. Muddy this after noon. Tuesday January 28th We hauled in another load of corn this morning from the north side of the potato patch but there was no room for it in the mow so we left it on the waggon. I went down to Aunty's for dinner and caught the one o'clock car for Simcoe to attend the annual meeting of the Norfolk Co-Operative Association. There was a good turnout and the report of the business done was very satisfactory for the first year. They had $1136.31 profit, $1000 of which they will divide among the members giving them 2 1/2% rebate on the business they did with the Association. Burnaby the President of the United Farmers of Ontario Co-Operative Co. was there and gave us a talk on organization I came home on the 7 o'clock car and had tea at Aunty's. Corby was at the station waiting around to go to the J.F.I.A. He had been in Simcoe but had driven his mother down to Dover and they had gone on home, so I invited him up to Aunty's for supper. He came. Frank came down and we https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/bcdd52875750267a8a75a8d2de307074.pdf fb80616d24be9e01ae51579de6af2e64 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. all went up to the club. There weren't many out but as our books came we went over the play and it sounded pretty fair. Dad. and Frank got another load of coal this after noon and hauled it over the new bridge, the first time any of us have driven over it. A little colder to-day. Cloudy. Wednesday January 29th Dad. and Frank went down to Sam Law's to thrash this morning and Frank was gone all day. Dad. got home soon after dinner. I first did chores this morning and husked some corn. This after noon I drove up to Ham Thompson's and got a Barred Rock cockrell to mate with my four pullets. I also stopped in at the mill and paid $25.00 on my account. I went down town to-night and Marj. and I went up to Miss Martin's. It has not been very cold to-day but a raw wind. March weather. Thursday January 30th I went over to Tupper's this morning to get him to come over and help us slay swine so he told Dad. he would come when we were ready to convert our two into pork. He was milking when I got there and I had to wait till he had breakfast so it was rather late when we got over here and got started and as a natural consequence long after noon when we finished. However we got the job done very well. Tupper brought over a little block and tackle outfit he had so that eliminated all heavy lifting to scald them or hang them up as we fixed up a scaffold and had a rail out of the upstairs door of the shop to hang them on and the barrel of water right under. They were a nice pair one dressed 232 lbs and the other 205 I think. Tupper had dinner here and we didn't do a thing till chore time but visit. He entertained us by relating anecdotes of folks up around the district between Simcoe and Waterford. He seems to know every one up there and has very funny stories to tell of all of them, and they lose nothing by him telling it either. Tom came in about half past four and got two or three bags of clover chaff for bedding. He also got my two cockrels which I sold him for a dollar apiece. I went down town to night and Frank and Enah and I went to hear Miss Wade at the Sunday school lecture on China. She was staying at Aunty's and we saw her afterwards down there. She was very interesting. Nice day. Freezing to-night. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/1450fc414775d76189957e3d4373e7eb.pdf 7f1e5f5d0efca6ec40a61a8cd48e2a02 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Friday January 31st Dad. spent all the morning and I think most of the after noon cutting up the pigs. Frank and I cut a piece off the straw stack and hauled it over to the horse stable. This after noon Frank went down to the Customs office to get his Roth Memory Course which he sent for the other day. I hooked up and went over to Lorne Myer's and to Lloyd Crysler's to get them to take part in Julius Caeser. I don't know whether they will or not as they both seemed loth to tackle it. I was at Lloyd's quite awhile visiting with him and Hannah and listening to their Pathé phonegraph. To-night Frank and I went down town. Frank went to the Women's Institute dance and I spent the evening at Monteith's. Ed. Moon was over here all the after noon. Windy and a little colder. Saturday February 1st Dad. put the pork in pickle this morning and was glad to find he could get it all in his barrel. Frank and I hauled a load of hay over to the old barn and put it off. This after noon we hauled in three more loads of corn and put two of them off over the west bay in the old barn on top of what we hauled first. The third load we left in the rack. Enah went down town this after noon and Dad. went down to-night to take Aunty a piece of pork. They had a letter from Quint saying that he hoped to be home by the end of March. Sunday February 2nd Frank went down to Sunday school this morning and Enah and I walked down to church. Aunty came over with Enah and Frank but I stayed down with Aunty Alice and Aunt Ida to dinner. This after noon Marj. and I went over to Miss McQueen's. I had tea at Aunty's and Aunty, Aunt Ida and I went to church. I spent the evening at the Monteith's. Lila was over here to tea with her eukalalie. Frank went down with her to-night and overtook me on my way home. Beautiful day, a little colder. Monday February 3rd We hauled in more corn to-day and got in the best of it. This after noon Dad. burned off the corner field as it burned so well while Frank and I were putting on the last load. We put on https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/9da2d37e8086db5964ef9655b698fdaf.pdf bdb2666ebcec214fd09fb095891cee4f PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. a big load and left it on the waggon. Ham Thompson was down this morning to see if I was going to Brantford to-morrow. We decided to go on the nine o'clock car. Frank went down town to-night to stay {words illegible} as he is going to leave for Toronto in the morning {words illegible} in the Sheep Breeder's meeting. Beautiful day very mild. Tuesday February 4th Ham, Frank and I all went up on the nine o'clock car this morning. We left Frank at {illegible} and the went to Hamilton by radial. Ham and I {words illegible} for Brantford at 10.45. There was quite a {illegible} on the train bound for the Lloyd Jones sale and they all got off at Mt. Vernon so we {piled off too?} and had to walk over a mile to the farm. We had dinner at Lloyd Jone's as soon as we got there. Ham {words illegible} in with a Mr. Gould from the American Sheep {Association?} and after dinner we had a look at all the prize winners and cups before we went out. He had quite a {words illegible} of them. The sale lasted all the after noon as the bidding was rather slow. There were few buyers and they didn't run things up all high. Our old ewes brought $40.00 apiece and the others ${34.00?} and $39. Six of them were sold in pairs but the little one was sold singly and brought $20.00 so he didn't make a very big profit on any of our stuff but one of Ham's ram lambs brought $48.00. He sold all his at $50.00 apiece but some of the ewes lambs didn't bring that much and the other ram just brought {illegible}. We hung around and nearly froze all the after noon and about four o'clock Mr. Gould struck out for Mt. Vernon to catch the train for Brantford, but we wanted to get our checks if possible from Lloyd-Jones before we left {illegible} waited as he promised to get us to Brantford in time to catch the six car, so we waited. The sale lasted right up to the minute we had to leave so we couldn't get our money and he sent us in to Brantford in his Ford. A fellow came with us who was very anxious to get a six o'clock train for Toronto but just about two miles out of Brantford we had a blowout, so had to stop to put on a new tire. The Toronto man hailed another car going in with a load so may have caught his train but ours had gone when we got to town so we had to wait for the eight o'clock car. We had a good supper which we were might glad to get at the Royal Café and then played a couple of games of Pool before the car came in. I saw https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/863428e965cf251dfc1fdccf468046fc.pdf 4ab4c9096ff7004e1b52c64757224f7a PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Mrs Dell on the car. She had been down at Cobury to see Roy and says he his just about alright again. We went up to the J.F.I.A. social evening. I stopped in at Aunty's first. We put in the time in the usual manner up there and I got home at three o'clock. Rained this morning. Freezing to-night. Wednesday February 5th Dad. and I did chores this morning but not much else. This after noon I went over to Lorne Myer's and got the beet pulp he ordered for us. It is queer looking stuff and very bulky. A cwt. bag being about as big as a bluegrass sack. We put a little of it to soak to feed the cows to-morrow. To-night I went down town and Marj. and I went skating, we called in and got Zeitha to go with us. Ed. Turner, Woodger, Leggit, Mr. Bagley & Essie were down there and as the ice was pretty good we had a good skate. It has been colder to-day, but fair. Thursday February 6th Dad. went down to Alfred's this morning to borrow the screens of his fanning mill which he uses to clean clover seed as we want to get ours cleaned up. Ham was talking to a fellow at the sale on Tuesday and he said they had no clover seed to sow up there and the Woodstock seed merchants were asking $32.00 a bushel for it. Ham told him he could get 100 bushels down this way for $25.00 or less so he took Ham's name and said he would put it up to his club and try to get them to give us an order. This after noon I went down town as notice of a registered letter came and as I suspected it was the pedigree for the sheep and found I was correct. I posted them again to Lloyd-Jones before I came home. To-night Enah and I went down to the hall to see the boys that are home from the front get their five dollar gold pieces or whatever the town was giving them. Ron. Taylor was doing the presenting and Mr. Johnson calling out the names of the men. Most of them had got their souvenir when we got there but we heard Ed Moon and Ed Turner make little speeches. They had a dance afterwards and we stayed till about midnight. Friday February 7th We didn't do any thing much to-day but chores and sit around and read. We heard last night that the Sloan's had got a letter from Willie posted at Tokio https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/87bcbf9f01f6e9e7f32a90d657042604.pdf 8db0af9cab82bce25e6979b395e62db6 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. so Dad. has been looking for one from Dick as we thought they were on the same boat but have found out since that Willie Sloan sailed about a week earlier than Dick. I went skating to-night and had a fine time. Miss McQueen went down and afterwards Marj. Ed. Turner and I went in to her place and had coffee & cake. As I was going through Martin's to-night I was very surprised to meet Frank he had come home on the seven o'clock car. He went home and then came down to the pond. Still fine and mild. Saturday February 8th We cleaned off the barn floor this morning and put our clover seed through the mill. It didn't clean out much and what seed went behind we put through again and will keep it to sow as there are no very bad weed seeds in it. We will have about six bushels or more to sell and plenty to sow. We also put through a sample of oats to take to Simcoe as Neff is buying seed oats for the Government at 80 cts per bushel to send out West and Johnson is handling them for 5 cts per bushel. The market price is about sixty cts. Frank and I went skating again to-night. The pond is great now up above where it was frozen before as it has risen and made new ice. It is still beautiful weather may be a little colder but very little. Sunday February 9th I actually got ready in time for Sunday school this morning and went down. I stayed at Aunty's for dinner and this after noon went up to see Marj. We sat around the house all the after noon as it was snowing hard when I went up. We went down to Aunty's for tea and Aunty Alice, Marj. and I all went to church Huby and Aunty Maude came back to Aunty's with us and we spent the evening there. It didn't snow much. Colder. Monday February 10th We spent the day hauling out clover chaff on the wheat to-day. We hauled it out on the rack and Frank and I pitched it off and spread it as well as we could and Dad. followed us and shook it out more, as we didn't want to get it on too thick. We got it all out and it covered two bands the full length of the feild and a piece at https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/5aadf36dd8d6ac3d45b9e21924c8a7b6.pdf 93c768e0571903351176f14eec3ad7b1 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. each end of the next two bands. We also got in another jag of corn. Charlie Munroe was in this morning and sold Dad. a piece of beef. Mr. & Mrs. Jim Waddle were in for a few minutes at noon. Dad. and Enah had intended to go out to see them to-night to ask them over to dinner on Thursday. They did go to-night any way. Frank went skating but I stayed home so that Tid wouldn't be alone he is asleep. Beautiful day. Mild. Frank told us when he got home about Toddy West, his little brother and Johnnie Miller being drowned in the lake this after noon. The little West fellow got in through the ice first and then Teddy tried to save him. He got in and Johnny tried to get him out. Young Gunton was with them and he yelled for help and Capt. McCauly & Ed Moon waded in and got them all out but although they worked on them for a couple of hours or more they couldn't save them. <s>Wednesday</s> Tuesday February 11th We got the spreader out this morning and have been hauling out manure from around the stack to too wheat all day and got out 12 loads. We were a little afraid to tackle it at first for fear the ground being so hard would do some damage to the spreader but it didn't seem to hurt it any. Mr. Nixon and Willie were in for a few minutes this after noon to look at the stack. Enah and Tid. drove Mexico down town after some coal-oil this after noon. To-night Frank and I went down to the J.F.I.A. but as usual there were very few there. Very mild all day looks like snow. Wednesday February 12th It snowed a little last night but soon melted off to-day as it has been very mild up around 40°. Frank and I hauled manure all day and got out 12 more loads. We started in on the pile at the horse stable this after noon. Dad. spent most of the day killing and picking the four ducks that were left to provide the dinner for Mr. & Mrs. Jim Waddle to-morrow night. To-night Enah, Frank and I went down to Aunty Alice's party. Lila, Winnie, Dess, Fraser, Marj. Zeitha, Bill {illegible} Tige McBride and Huby were all there, and Huby provided the principal entertainment naturally but Zeitha did some very nice singing for us and Bill performed on Lila's Ukalele. We also had various forms of guessing contests, the chief amusement derived from them were Huby's answers https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/8268cc862ac6850f0d4a78552c187818.pdf ad6438b5083eb351ecec711f705ff3a6 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Thursday February 13th Frank and I got out six more loads of manure this morning but quit early to go to Simcoe this after noon. We both went up and I went to the Co-operative meeting and Frank did shopping. He got some rock-salt & gut and got the harness we left at Church's. He said he couldn't fix it so we left it at Herb. Woods. We had an interesting meeting although there were not many out. Mr. Gordon from the Livestock branch was there to talk about shipping Livestock co-operatively and Mr. Kerr from P.E. Island told about their successful co-operative egg-marketing business down there. Prof Graham was also there but I didn't have time to wait till the meeting was over as Frank and I had to leave at four o'clock to get home in good time for supper. Dad. had most of the chores done when we got home. Mr. & Mrs. Jim Waddle were here to tea and spent the evening. Frank went down to a birthday party at Myrtle Greenbury's Very mild, roads in beautiful shape. Raining to-night. Friday February 14th It rained hard during the night so that we couldn't go on with the manure hauling. I took Daisy May over to Tupper's and while I was gone Alan Law came after Frank and the clippers to clip his horse. He was down there to dinner. This after noon Dad. and I drove down to Wess & George Fields to see their Shorthorns and were very agreeably surprised at the bunch we saw. They have seven or eight cows of very uniform type and all thick smoothe and low down. They had two very fine yearling heifers all of Scotch breeding. Their $500.00 Imported two-year bull is very smoothe and stylish looking but doesn't look as if he would make a very big bull. We went from there down to Blake's and I left some "Breeder's Gazettes" for Charlie to get pointers for his debate from. The roads were awful and consequently we were late getting home. We came up the Plank and through town as it was better than the back way. Frank and I went down town to-night. Frank went to the W.I. dance. Still mild but drizzly. Saturday February 15th We didn't do much to-day but chores. Frank and I husked some corn this morning and this after noon bagged up all the barley and oats that were left (about 10 bags) https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/0455972b274df342f4bbdd03bd8f7f8b.pdf e52007272d01e0daa7eb13c162da3737 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. to take to the mill but as it was so wet we didn't go. Dad. went down to Aunty's for tea to-night. Marion McLaughlin was over all the after noon playing with Tid. It has been colder to-day and snowed a little this after noon. Sunday February 16th Frank went to Sunday school this morning and I left here with the intention of going but when I got within sight of the town clock and found it to be a quarter after ten I decided to wait till church time so went back to Aunty's and read for awhile and then went to church, sat in the back seat with Frank, Lloyd Ryerse and a stranger and disgraced myself by going to sleep during the Litany dreaming of something funny and waking up laughing. I partook of dinner at Aunty's and also tea, accompanied Aunty to church this evening and spent the after noon and evening with Marj. at the Monteiths. Soft during day. Colder to-night. Monday February 17th I have put in a pretty idle day. This morning Frank and I went down to the mill this morning with the grain we bagged up on Saturday and from there on down town to the Widespread where I got my trap nest which Emery made for me. We got our chop on our way home.This after noon I just sat around and read. Dad. and Frank put on a load of hay and hauled it over to the horse stable. Enah and Tid drove Miss Phipps over to McPherson's for her to see a dinner-waggon Emery is making for her. To-night I went down to Aunty's for tea as she invited me to go to the picture show with her. Marj. was there too and we three went to see Margurite Clark in "The Seven Swans". It was about the prettiest and all-round nicest show I ever saw. Aunty is very distressed about my ribs hurting so much and thinks I should go to the doctor. Colder but fine all day. Snowing quite hard to-night. Tuesday February 18th I haven't done any thing in the shape of work to-day but this after noon went down and had the doctor examine my ribs where I hurt them a couple of weeks ago as the last few days they have pained considerably when I tried to work. He said the bone was not hurt but put some adhesive tape banadages around me which promise to be very uncomfortable. I got my hair cut and stayed at Aunty's to tea. Huby was there too as he came to take https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/b26b84fc3dd4c23fe52b4b28f9d3b5b2.pdf 57bb06b357caf2545c3560e69d7e1edd PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. a couple of pictures out of a tube which Quint sent to Aunty. Enah & Tid. drove Mexico down this after noon and Enah went to help her mother tend store as her father went to Hamilton to a trade banquet this after noon. Dad. and Frank spent most of the day doing chores and getting over some straw for the horse stable. Dad had a long, interesting and as it is the first one we have got since New Year's, very welcome letter from Dick. It was posted at Vladivostock and tells mostly of his trip across the Pacific. He went as we supposed on the S.S. Protosilous (or some such name) {Protesilaus} and although he was luckier than most in escaping sea-sickness, they had some very bad storms, and it was in a typhoon that the ship lost one of her propellers. She was a twin screw however, so could make port on her own steam. He had not seen much of the city when he wrote as they were quartered two miles out in barracks built by the Russians in the Russian - Japanese war. Typhus was prevalent in town so he didn't intend going in much. He said there was nothing to go in for any way as he couldn't talk to the shop-keepers and although there was a picture-show, it seldom ran for when it did there was not enough power left to run the street cars. I went up to the J.F.I.A. to-night and althoug we had a fair crowd out most of them couldn't wait but hiked for the dance in the hall which Jack Riddel & Pete Holmes the station agent are putting on to-night. We had a sort of debate on the Horse vs. Tractor and Frank had the best prepared lot of points in favor of the Tractor, but was the only one evidently who had put any time on it. I went back down to Aunty's after the meeting and found Dad. and Tid. there. Dad. having come down to go with Enah and Tid. to see the "Seven Swans". Dad told me to stay all night so that I could hook Mexico up for Enah in the morning as she stayed all night with her mother. The flags are floating at half-mast to-day in memory of Sir Wilfred, whose death was reported in to-day's papers. We all realize that with him Canada has lost the greatest orator and statesman of the day and that it may be years before Parliament has another man his equal. There has been quite a change in the weather lately and we are now having quite seasonable weather but not much snow. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/14f6ac7e5b2a612e8b14b851ac3ed868.pdf 0802ae09459165a44440fcd0d57c6468 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Wednesday February 19th I was spending a very enjoyable hour in bed this morning awake but, knowing I didn't have to get up till Aunty & Aunty Alice did, when Aunty came in with the alarming anouncement that she thought I had better stay in bed all day or at least till she went up and got the doctor and threatened to bring me my breakfast in bed. She had heard me cough as I have quite a cold and was afraid that I might contract pleurisy where my ribs were sore and maybe the flu so was quite worried. I did my best to allay her fear and did persuade her to let me get up and eat breakfast like a Christain but she was bound to go and interview the doctor. He said there was no danger what ever so that relieved her. I sat around there and read till about eleven when Enah came down. I hooked Mexico up for her and she drove home but I walked having had all the ride I wanted behind Mexico in his cart coming around the block. I didn't do much this after noon but sit around and read. Dad. and Frank hauled over another load of straw and put it off in the horse stable. Geordie Boughner was in looking at Dad's steers this after noon but didn't buy. We also had a visit from old Broadley and the famous Rachel. He was collecting stallion fees and after looking at Bell decided we owed him seven and a half although Dad. doesn't think she is in foal. However I paid him. He allowed seventy five cents a trip for his meals last summer, otherwise the fees would have been fifteen dollars. I went down town to-night and Aunty Alice gave me a ticket to Miss Crydon's music pupils' recital as the I.O.D.E. were selling the tickets to raise funds to buy a flag for the school-house Aunty Alice had bought two. She went with Cousin Loll and I went up to Monteith's and found Marj. had bought a ticket also so we started off for the concert. I considering it a treat for me and a Dutch treat for Marj. On the way down we thought better of it as no-body seemed to anticipate much of a concert and went down and spent a very nice evening at Miss McQueen's. I called in at Aunty's on my way home and Aunty Alice informed me that the concert was the worst she had ever experienced. It consisted chiefly of violin selections by Miss Crydons pupils and the fiddles were not in tune and the fiddlers couldn't play anyway. One lady recited and she stuttered. The best performer was a little Mitchell but her unlady like posture and fondness for chewing gum distressed Aunty Alice terribly. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/65da5672e3408874ad19691868344841.pdf 358031ff24362a75fa11faebab736ab4 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Thursday February 20th Dad and Frank hauled over another load of straw to the horse stable this morning and I helped them mow it away. I didn't do much though as the adhesive tape on by back and ribs makes the skin irritable and rather sore when I work. Aunty Alice came over for a little while after dinner but didn't stay long. Enah & Tid drove down town as Enah had to go to the dentist and Dad. and Frank went back and cut a little basswood along John Wess's line. I read all the after noon. The two books which should have come before with the ones we ordered for the J.F.I.A. came to-day, "Feeds & Feeding" and "The Road to Dumbiedykes". To-night Dad.& Enah after leaving Tid in care of the Sandman went down to call on the Pickford's and didn't get home till about midnight. Frank and I read till we got sleepy and then went to bed. Nice day. Friday February 21st Didn't do much but chores this fore noon & didn't do many of them. Dad. oiled the buggy and Frank went down town and borrowed Aunty Alice's fur coat to go to Walsh this after noon. He and I left here about half past twelve to go to a sale which we saw advertised down town and at which there was to be a pure-bred Shorthorn heifer sold. The place was about half a mile east of Walsh Methodist church and on the fifth concession of Charlotteville. We found the place without much trouble inquiring once at the half-way house and arrived just before the sale commenced about half past two. We found the cow we had come to see but found she was some of Charlie Dunkin's stock which he had neglected to keep registered so that she was ineligible. She was a very nice smoothe and deep three-year-old but was rather small and didn't show signs of being much of a milker so we decided that unless we could buy her for for less than $85.00 we would leave her and as Bill Bickler bid $87.00 on her we left her. The rest of the stock was very ordinary looking and so was the crowd, natives of the blow-sand all, and as we weren't enjoying ourselves particularly we left as soon as the cattle were sold and were home by about five. The roads weren't bad for the most part but we were soaked as it snowed steadily all the time and was very soft. It was an old fashioned snow-storm, great big flakes coming straight down. I went down town to-night. It is still very soft. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/35d2f4d70c7e7317b1e84e0bc8291a50.pdf e6bb2e7f49c60cedc1e7055a76b2e403 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Saturday February 22nd Dad. and Frank spent the morning remodeling the calf pen. They moved the bars back about six feet so that there will be room in front of them to tie Dad's steers and they intend taking the two heifer calves out from the rest. I intended going out to the Shand's with the bobsleighs after dinner to borrow their scale rack so that we could weigh the steers but by the after dinner the snow had all melted off so that I didn't go as I didn't want to take the waggon. I peeled the bandages of my ribs to-day as they were getting quite irritable. I havent felt any the worse for it. Very soft. Cloudy this after noon. Sunday February 23rd Frank went down to Sunday school this morning and I started but was so late I didn't go. We both went to church. I stayed at Aunty's to dinner and tea, went to church with Aunty Alice and spent the after noon and evening at the Monteiths. Rainy. Monday February 24th Dad. and Frank finished fixing over the calf pen this morning and we got Dad's steer in and tied him up. We put the young fellow we have had in beside him for awhile but they seemed disposed to fight so we seperated them again. I went over to Jack Martin's this morning to have my incubator thermometer tested and to invite Chris down to a band meeting which was called for to-night to reorganize. Clare Deal asked me to bring Chris down. This after noon Dad. and Frank went back and cut some more basswood and I put up some posts in the old barn to fix bars to so that we can have a couple of box stalls in the west bent for calves and freshening cows. To-night I went down to the band meeting and we had a very good turn-out of the old band boys and some new ones who were willing to join. The council was represented by R.M. Taylor. Clare Deal & Jack Reynolds. {Mid?} Thompson was appointed secretary and authorized to get some music and it was decided that we meet next Monday and collect all the instruments that can be located. Taylor promised all financial support needed. Dad. had another long letter from Dick to-day written just a month ago. Canadians are in action now in the Murman region & defeating Bolsheviki. Beautiful day. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/1269cdaf92cd5a118357c020aa9987ea.pdf 076459f33f205da9941ac3f4d8b6d096 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Tuesday February 25th Dad. and Frank went back to the bush this morning and cut basswood till noon. They didn't return after dinner on account of it looking so rainy. Dad. fixed up some cross partitions over in the barn to make boxstalls and Frank tried to get his forge going. I spent the day doing chores and cleaning out the chickens sheds and putting fresh straw in. To-night Frank and I went down to J.F.I.A. social evening. We had a good turn out of girls and the usual crowd of boys. Got home about two o'clock. Mild and rainy all day, snow & colder to-night. Wednesday February 26th After we did chores up this morning Dad. and Tid. went down to see how Aunty Alice was as she has been feeling quite sick. They stayed to dinner. I put some more brine in the pork barrel and then Frank and I sent out a bunch of cards to the J.F.I.A. members notifying them of the annual meeting next Tuesday. When Dad. got back we took Pommers out on the rein and found he hadn't forgotten any of his last winter's lessons. When we brought him in Dad. & I battened up part of the west end of the barn to make a boxstall suitable for Elgitha to inhabit. Enah drove down town with Mexico this after noon. I went down town to-night. It has been cold all day with a very cold west wind. It feels as if we were going to get our winter now but Dad. and Tid. saw a robin down near Woodson's this morning and Dad. & Frank saw a groundhog yesterday I set an incubator yesterday, the little one I got from Art. Thursday February 27th Dad. and Frank went back to the bush this morning and Dad. was back till noon. Frank came up early to get ready to go to Simcoe this after noon. Neff is having a short course to-day & to-morrow on the care of gasoline engines so Frank went up to it. I did chores this morning and took Pommers out for a little exercise. The road was too rough to let him trot and follow him so I took him in the corner field. I sat around most of the after noon & read. Marj. came over to tea and after tea the Ukelele Club came over to spend the evening, and of all the racket I ever heard, they made the most. I couldn't see or hear very much music about it though. No wind to-day but rather cold. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/ff014bbd835a03e2115f7d386fc73802.pdf ce1647370eb28154a0f1b6e9618a60bd PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Friday February 28th We haven't seen Frank all day. He stayed at Aunty's last night and went up to Simcoe on the nine car. He intended to see the hockey match at the rink to-night between Simcoe and Niagara Falls, come down on the eleven and go to the Women's Institute dance in the hall. Dad. & I just did chores this morning and I took Pommers out for a little more exercise. Dad. went back to the bush right after dinner. I went back about three o'clock but didn't do any thing. We did the chores up fairly early and to-night Marj. and I went to a concert in the Methodist church. It was put on by a travelling company comprising a pianist, vocalist, elocutionist and violinist. The pianist was a blind man and although he could play beautifully, it gave a fellow the "Willies" to look at him as he looked like a mechanical ghost. All the performers were very good but the violinist took my fancy. I almost wished she had been the whole show as I never heard any violin sound so sweet. I was in at Aunty's quite awhile on my way home as Roy was there having come in on the seven o'clock car to spend Sunday. Huby was down there when I went down with a medal which Lila had just received for a first prize on an essay she had written on the "Victory Loan". It has been very mild all day with a strong south wind. It rained hard this evening during the concert but had cleared off when I went home and the wind had gone around to the west getting stronger & colder. Saturday March 1st The advent of this March has been of the most approved lion-like type. It was a ferocious wind all night and morning and much colder although milder and <s>calmer</s> more calm this after noon. Frank got home some time before daylight and said he had seen the hockey match. We thought it would be too soft but he said they played a good game in spite of the water on the ice. The score was 8 - 5 in favor of the Falls. Dad. went over to Tupper's this morning so see his steers and was over there all morning. Tupper was showing him some great bargain he got in used uniforms up at {Brauk's?} Shoddy Mill so this after noon Frank rode his wheel up to see what he could do. He left his wheel up there https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/20b72b8e07ff5aa665a1e7e23e91d5bd.pdf 4611f1b8aca5e283d5444887a56f9fb4 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. to be overhauled and as he was too late for the five car walked home with his purchases getting here about half past six. He got a dandy officers greatcoat very little worn for $3.50 two or three pairs of riding breeches & slacks for $1.00 a pair, two tunics one of them a red Mounted Police one for $1.00 a piece two pairs of putties for 26 cts and a couple of caps thrown in for souvenirs. He says they have heaps of them up there but he didn't have time to pick over any more. The ones he got though are good all a little worn. I cleaned out the chicken pen this after noon where the roosters were as I may want it for little chickens soon. Sunday March 2nd Frank and I went to Sunday school this morning and I actually got there in good time. Enah drove down to church with Tid. and after church Marj. came home with them and the Mexico-cart outfit. Roy was in church and I walked home with him as he came over here to dinner. We sat around and visited all the after noon and Roy went down town before tea. Marj. stayed here to tea and didn't go to church to-night. Dad. went down this evening to see how Aunt Ida was as she has been pretty sick. I drove Marj. home a little late and then called for Dad. and drove him home. It has been a beautiful spring day. Monday March 3rd Dad. and I went up to Ham Thompson's this morning with Knockfierna and were up there till nearly noon looking at the stock which looks fine. This after noon Dad. and Frank went back to the bush. I took Pommers out on the line but he got away from me. He didn't do any thing mean but just got cantering faster than I could and as I couldn't stop long enough to brace myself to hold him I had to let go. He ran up and down the lane and got the lines plastered with mud but I didn't have much trouble catching him when I got up to him. Enah and Tid drove down town this after noon and stayed to tea at Huby's. Frank went down there to tea also and they all went to see Uncle Tom's Cabin to-night in the hall. I went down to the band meeting and left my horn there. We didn't do much at the meeting but spent most of the time watching the show It seemed to be a little better than the general run of shows but not much. It has been very mild all day. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/383a366be241c6ca64a64c7ce08d280e.pdf 683aa2c4457b7e879e373205e9a6af1c PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Tuesday March 4th Dad. and Frank took the team back to the bush this morning and brought up a load of wood at noon. They brought another one up this after noon. I drove down town this morning and got some coal oil and sent away to join the Sheep Breeder's and Shorthorn breeder's association. I didn't do much this after noon but read the paper and a few chores. Enah. drove down before tea and went to help at the Men's Banquet in the Sunday school. Frank went down there for his tea but I had mine at home as I don't like oysters and I didn't like the idea of going and eating and then leaving immediately as I would have to do in order to get to the J.F.I.A. in time. However on my way down I fell in with Jack Martin who insisted that I go over for a little while as he didn't want to go in alone so I did but didn't eat much and didn't stay long. The annual meeting of the J.F.I.A. was fairly successful. We had about ten or twelve out and they all promised to do their best to make things go next year and gave evidence of their good faith by consenting to try again to make our play a success. They wouldn't accept my resignation so I am still president. Frank was made secretary for life. Lloyd Ryerse was made vice-president and Tige, Charlie Blake & Charlie Shand were put on the Committee of Management which we propose to make a living thing out of this year. Charlie Blake proposed a scheme for organizing an orchestra claiming it could be done through a correspondence course. I think every one was rather doubtful, but we gave Charlie authority to get all the information he could on the subject. Neff was down and we arranged to put Corby and Frank in to hold up the honor of the club in a debate against the Courtland boys on the subject of the middle man. After we closed up our business several of the fellows went to the dance in the hall and I went over to the Sunday school again where things were just coming to a close. It has been very mild all day and to-night. Wednesday March 5th It was snowing this morning when we got up and has got a little colder to-day, freezing quite hard to-night. We did chores this morning and Whit and {Name?} came over to look at Dad's steers. Dad. asked Whit seventy-five dollars for the young fellow but Whit wouldn't https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/cd27973496884a8f204c8f317e94946a.pdf ffe12529f87703ef73e0fd6dd64aebcc PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. give him more than seventy so Dad. didn't sell. Frank and I bagged up some oats and Dad. wrote to Dick he heard from him yesterday and they have been quarintined for Spinal Meningitis and Spotted Fever. He said he had seen Billy Sloan who is stationed about five miles from where Dick is. This after noon Frank and I took the oats we bagged up down and had them chopped and drove down town to post Dad's letter. Frank saw Moses Fisher about fixing up his military overcoat and Moses said he could have it dyed and remodel it to make a good civilian coat for 3 or 4 dollars. Marj. came over after four to-night to return a sweater of Enah's and stayed to tea. I got ready to go with her to church to-night but it was seven o'clock when we got through tea and as she had to stop on her way down to pay Newman Silverthorne for lodge dues, we stayed here for the evening and guessed riddles. Thursday March 6th It froze pretty hard last night but has been a beautiful sunny day though wintry. Dad. and Frank hauled up two loads of wood with the sleighs this morning. There was just enough snow for the sleighs to slip, but it was too soft this after noon to try it. I did up the chores and took Pommers out for a little exercise before dinner. This after noon we hauled over a couple of loads of hay one to the horse stable and one to the old barn. Tom came in about six o'clock to-night and got a little jag of straw. To-night Frank went down to the Tom Marks show and I went up to see if Harry Moon could come any night next week to give us a little drill for our play. He was in Simcoe playing at the rink and will be three nights next week if it stays cold. I talked to Mrs. Moon for about an hour and a half and then went down to Aunty's for awhile.They are evidently having lively times at Ottawa these days. Sir Sam Hughes has been raving and tearing his hair metaphorically and actually weeping bitter tears of anguish over the foul administration of the Union Government and charging that the leaders of the Canadian forces caused needles slaughter of Canadian men last fall at Cambrai, Mons, simply to glorify themselves and through bullheadedness, but I think the public have more confidence in Sir Arthur Currie than old Sir Sam, and realize that he followed Pock's plan of conserving man-power at the expense of time. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/ef065df557d453cd3044335a3650eade.pdf f14051889c309333fa61860e5b502e5a PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Friday March 7th Frank and I hauled out three loads of manure this morning on the sleighs and spread it on last year's potato patch, one load was cleaned out of the calf pen. This after noon Dad. and Frank hauled up two more loads of wood in the waggon. I went over to Jack's and borrowed an egg tester and tested out my eggs. I took out 28 out of the seventy and broke one good one. To-night Frank and I went down town Frank went to the picture show to see "Intolerance" but as the engine broke down he didn't see it all as he didn't wait till it was fixed. I went over to the Monteith's, the old man is pretty sick. Tid. saw a robin on the lawn this afternoon. Froze pretty hard last night but sunny to-day. Saturday March 8th Dad. and Frank hauled up two or three more loads of wood in the waggon this morning while I did chores and took Pommers out for a little exercise. Charlie Quanbury came after Frank at noon to go and see some thing about his cattle out at Farr's as Farr had telephoned him and he was hauling ice and didn't want to quit, so Frank was out there all the after noon. Dad. hauled up one more load of wood alone as I waited around expecting Ham Thompson in as he told Dad. the other night that he was going to take his alsike to Jarvis to-day and would stop in for a sample of our clover seed to take to Harry Misner, however he didn't come. When Dad. came with the wood I took the team & waggon and went down to the mill and got a bag of oat-meal. I saw Art. Preston prowling around the place and thought he was one of the seventh-day Adventists as he had a beard on him like a Bolsheviki. I asked him if he had lost his razor but he said he had been sick again, and had been taking Russian Oil from Dr. Hicks, which I suppose accounts for his Bolshevist appearance. To-night Marj. and I went to the 'Gem" to see "Intolerance" It was certainly a wonderful picture especially the seige of Babylon. Frank went down to a birthday party at Bill Barwell's to-night. Raw east wind all day and snowing hard but getting softer when I came home to-night. Sunday March 9th The snow storm turned to rain before morning and it https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/b1cfff3f9a51f9b3fd6624a9fcb16d71.pdf ca56e7f83fd57ce7c2add0af9e9b344d PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. has been wet and slushy all day. There was a cold east wind this morning which later changed to the west. It is freezing a little to-night. Frank and I went down to Sunday school and I helped Miss Martin give out books. We went to church and Marj. and I went down to Aunty's to dinner and stayed there all the after noon and to tea. We went to church with Aunty Alice to-night and afterwards we went around to see how Miss McQueen was but the house was in darkness so we went on over to the Monteith's and stayed there. Monday March 10th I went out to the Shand's this morning and borrowed their scales and stock rack as Dad. wanted to weigh the steers. I went around by Lorne Meyer's and took the beet pulp bags back to him and as the roads were none too good I didn't get back home till one o'clock. Willie Shand had been here while I was gone and brought my incubator back. Frank went down town to get some postcards to notify the J.F.I.A. members of a lecture in the hall Wednesday night. He wrote them out over at the club and saw Tige and Albert and a few more to visit with so didn't get home till nearly two o'clock. He saw Fat. Turner down town who had just got home and Frank says looks fine having completely recovered from his wound. We weighed the steers after dinner and the smallest one weighed 815 and the old one 860 lbs. Frank and I then took the scales back to the Shands but we didn't take the rack home as we think we may be able to use it with our own scales and Charlie said they wouldn't be needing it for awhile. Enah went down town to an I.O.D.E. meeting this after noon. When Frank and I got home Ham Thompson was here getting a couple of bushels of clover seed for his own use and Will Wright had been in after a bushel. Dad sold it for $18.00 a bushel as that seems to be about all any one is getting now. Frank got a statement from the Department of Agriculture to-day of a sample he sent down and it graded no.1. there was very little bad seed in it. I stayed home to-night for a change as I didn't know whether there was to be a band meeting or not. Soft but raw wind. Tuesday March 11th Dad. went up to Miss McCoy's this morning to see a steer with a swollen jaw. Wess Boughner came after him https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/849170b74dc15f26cbfd16aae414a17e.pdf 6d1670af8cf99a19e976cd76acfc7bb5 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Frank and I did chores and husked a little corn. Alan Law came in here after dinner to see if we had sold our clover seed yet and showed us a card he had got Edmonds saying they were in the market again and for him to send up a sample of his seed. Alan had sold his to Fiss for $20.00 a bushel so Frank caught the 3 o'clock car and took a sample of ours to Edmonds and sold it for $21.00 a bushel. We have to take it up in the morning Dad. went down town to pay Clare Deal for the coal this after noon and Enah & Tid. drove down for some groceries. I read the paper, cleaned out a place in the cellar for my incubator and started to prune the raspberries but didn't get much done. Frank went down to Alfred's to-night to ask him if he wanted us to take his seed up for him to-morrow but he wasn't home nor at Art's nor Pickford's. Aunty & Dess had letters from Dick to-day and in Dess's said he thought they would be leaving for home about April. He told a very distressing story of the filth and poverty of Vladivostok. Nice day but rather cold west wind. Wednesday March 12th Frank went down to Alfred's this morning and got his two bushels of clover seed and while he was down there Dad. and I weighed up a bushel of ours for Will Wright and the balance just ammounted to a little over 3 1/2 bushels so we kept out the few pounds over that ammount and so just sold Edmonds the 3 1/2 bushels. Dad. went with us up to Miss McCoy's to see her steer. We met Will Wright on the road coming down here after his seed so we gave it to him. We then stopped in at Ham's and left the waggon there and borrowed his democrat. It was half past ten when we got started for Simcoe and the roads were rather sloppy but we got there and got our seed sold before noon. We didn't wait till one although Frank wanted to see Neff and get some mower supplies. We got the checkque cashed up there and we got home about half past two. We didn't do any thing but chores when we got home. Enah drove down town and stayed to tea and Frank and I went down after tea intending to go to church but found there wasn't any on account of Mr. Johnson being sick. Frank went to an agricultural lecture in the town hall and I went over to see Marj. It has been a very nice day but very windy and the wind has been getting worse all day https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/08804dba3e7df4363dae96e154a9661b.pdf 45dbd7372f19390901436abc026e6088 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Thursday March 13th We spent the morning cleaning up fifty bushels of oats for Will Wright. He came down and helped us. He paid Dad 60 cts a bushel for them. We didn't do much this after noon. I went over to Jack Martin's for awhile to ask Chris about my brooder but didn't get much satisfaction. I am afraid I will have a hard time getting it hot enough to be much use. Dad. and Frank fixed up some nests over in the shed for the geese to lay in as they have been laying under the hog-pen. To-night Frank and I went down to the club as I wanted to have a committee meeting to make plans for the coming year foolishly thinking that when we got just the committee there alone we could come to some definite arrangement to make a real life club which would make its activities aiming toward improvement felt in the community. They were all there except Tige. the best one of the bunch, but we might have well as stayed home for all the good we did. They would neither make suggestions themselves nor even give their opinion on any I made. What in thunder they want to have the club for is more than I can see. Darn them for a bunch of rubes. When we got home Frank went out to the stable to see if there were any lambs and was surprised to find two. He is sure they both belong to the same ewe but both ewes were taking a very maternal interest in them. He put on his old clothes and stayed with them till they got up and were nourished but I went to bed. I went down to see my incubator first and found all the eggs on the top of the machine. I took them out to cool and forgot them. They were cool alright and I suppose I can quit worrying about a brooder. It has been getting colder all day and to-night there is a strong wind. Friday March 14th There has been a high cold east wind all day to-day and we haven't done much outside. Dad. helped me get my big incubator down cellar this morning and I fixed it up and made a wire partition to fit in the little one to keep the eggs from the different hens seperate. Dad. took the pork out of the pickle and hung it in the smoke house and Frank repaired and oiled an old halter and the lines that Pommers dragged in the mud when he got away from me. Aunty came over to dinner and Enah and Tid. drove her home with Mexico about https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/672a55f0be9ddb840e65f69489e1cc2e.pdf 1e6d9ef14365d215539995f4ca073693 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. four o'clock. To-night Frank and I went down town. He went to a party at Ivey Howells and I went up to the Monteiths. There was supposed to be church again to-night but it was cancelled again. When I got home I wrote a letter to "The Farmer's Advocate" telling about the J.F.I.A. Saturday March 15th Young Albert McBride came in on horse-back this morning to ask Frank to go shooting with him so Frank rode up on his wheel. Dad. and I went back to the woods and got another load of wood. We got up with it about noon and it was raining quite hard. It rained all the after noon so we didn't do much but sit around and read. I went to sleep for the most of the after noon as I had a pain like the ones I had in the summer. We got another flock book to-day. Frank went down town to-night and I read all evening. There were two more lambs in the boxstall when Dad. went out this morning. Sunday March 16th It rained all morning but Frank and I walked down to Sunday school and church. I stayed down at Aunty's to dinner and tea but spent the after noon and evening at the Monteiths. The old man is in pretty bad shape and doesn't seem to be much better. Winnie was at Aunty's to tea to-night and she Aunty and I went to church. The flu is not over yet. Sweetmore died the other day while on a visit to the Falls and Dave. Smith about the first Dover man to return from the war died yesterday. Spring is in the air to-day. It cleared off after dinner and I walked down to the beach from Wedlake's this after noon. The piles of broken ice along the shore are just about washed away, the wind had a warm feel to it and there was a steamy mist out over the lake so that I couldn't tell where the horizon was. I went on out on the dock which is certainly in terrible shape. The end is all gone off the west pier and a great hole washed through the east pier. They have a carload or two of timber down there and are trying to patch it up, but to see that harbour now with six thousand dollars worth of timber looks to me like a harder "task <s>than</s> to prove" than to:- ... "Stop a stream with sand Or fetter flame with silken band. I came up the tack with Hughie Allen and the old red-winged black-birds were flying around in the marsh and to-night wen I came home I heard killdeer https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/581b2474a62cbcdd2cb62c81e656b8c2.pdf a4b6c2bfb853beb36d1d27198e37cdf7 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. {Sketch of a tree} Monday March 17th It has been very mild and muddy to-day and has rained a good deal of the time. Tupper was in for about an hour this morning visiting. I washed out my big incubator and started it going to-day and put the eggs in to-night. This after noon we weighed the steers again on our own scale. The little one just gained six lbs but the big fellow gained 24 lbs. We then hauled over a load of hay for the cattle... Frank went down to a St. Patrick's dance in the hall to-night but it was so rainy and muddy that I didn't go down to band practice and Frank said he doesn't think they had any. I read the "Breeders Gazette" most of the evening. Tuesday March 18th Dad. Enah and Tid all went down to Sam Law's to dinner to-day and spent most of the after noon down there. Frank went down to the mill after some bran for the sheep and I just did chores and sat around and read. Karl. Coleman was in this morning to look at Dad's steer and we sold him subject to Dad's approval for ninety dollars and he is to go a week from Thursday. Dad. was perfectly satisfied with the deal. I went down to see how Marj. was to-night as she had a very stiff neck but she was better and ironing a dress to go to Bessie's party to-morrow night. One egg is chipped and a chicken out in my incubator to-night so I didn't freeze them all the other day. Sam. Law told Dad. that they couldn't get a death certificate and in consequence couldnt bury Dan Smith, as the nurse he had being dissatisfied with Dr. Cooks treatment sent for Dr. Newel in Jarvis. He didn't come but sent some medicine and so neither doctor was there when he died and as Sam Law said they couldn't expect Dr. Cook to give the certificate when he didn't know what the other fellow had given to poison him, however, they got him buried all right to-day with a flag over him and with military honors. It has been raw and cloudy and terribly muddy to-day. Wednesday March 19th I helped Frank put on a load of hay this morning and while he and Dad. put if off in the horse stable I went over to Tupper's and borrowed a setting hen as there are three chickens out in the incubator and I am afraid there won't be many more. I was over there https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/9d34f74bebf95772c73a784bb6519661.pdf 78daf482dfed4079324962bbbbbd3681 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. till noon. This after noon I drove Enah down town and I got some coal oil and my hair cut. Enah stayed down to tea as Aunty Alice had a carpet rag bee this after noon Frank went to Billy Dixon's sale and bought a hay truck and a potato digger. Dad. had a busy after noon looking after Tid and a new heifer calf that came after dinner belonging to Young Bobbie. To-night Frank and I went down to church, and after church I went down to a party at Patterson's. There was a big crowd there about forty and they played Five Hundred. I was fortunate enough to get the booby prize. It has been a beautiful spring day but muddy. Thursday March 20th Dad. went down to Aunty's this morning and has been down all day tearing down the fence between Aunty's and Charlie Warren's. He got it all down and the boards piled up. I took six chickens out of the incubator this morning all that are going to hatch and put them under the hen I got from Tupper. I thought she was going to mother them well but before noon she killed four. The first two I found I thought she had stepped on unintentionally but the second two were picked in the head. I took the remaining two away from her and put them in a basket on the stove but I don't know what will become of them. I didn't do any thing much but chore around this morning and took my time at that. To tell the truth it was a beautiful day for "black-snaking." No wind, air warm and sunny, and a lazy drowsy sort of feeling over everything, both man & beast. This after noon I husked a little corn. Frank has been cleaning out the shop all day and by to-night it could be seen that he had started. It is "some" job. Charlie Shand was in for awhile this afternoon on his way down town. He came on horseback as the roads are a fright. Enah drove over to the McPherson this after noon and poor Mexico got stuck and broke a trace coming home. Frank and I went down to J.F.I.A. social evening to-night. We had no music as Charlie Blake had asked to be let off during Lent. Neff & Fleming were down and we played cards, Jacob & Rachel and had a spelling match. No body brought any milk so we took our coffee straight, at least I shoud say <u>they</u> did. Neff came down the Gravel in his Ford but <s>nearly</s> got stalled several times. We got home about three o'clock https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/f71a18dba38d47ed1b4d4b87c99b914a.pdf 1b811569e2f72f9b224d91d7cfa98d88 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Friday March 21st I spent the morning doing chores and trying to make my two young chickens comfortable. I put them in Dad's birdcage and hung it over the stove. I made a "hen" out of a strawberry basket lined with cloth. They seem comfortable while they are under it but don't know enough to go under of their own accord. Frank finished cleaning out the shop and started to make a whipple-tree for the disks. Dad. cut wood, the small pieces which he can chop with the axe. Frank went down to a party at Frances Slocomb's to-night. I went down town and called for Aunty Alice and Cousin Loll at Col. Smith's on my way home. Mild but a little colder wind than yesterday. Frogs singing to-night & last night. Saturday March 22nd Frank and I had to take Knockfierna up to Ham's this morning again. When we got home George Eagles was here to get Dad. to go up and lance the jaw of Miss McCoy's steer, so he went before dinner. This after noon Frank & Tid went back to the gully to spear pike as they are up in the creeks now. Frank said he saw five and speared one but the spear wouldn't hold them. It is an old four tined spear which the baby has been sharpening up for the last week or two and I guess has it so sharp it cuts right through them. Dad. sawed wood and I split it this after noon. I had a letter from the "Farmer's Advocate" saying my letter was satisfactory and that they would pay me the end of the month in which it was <s>written</s> published. Quite a cold wind to-day. Sunday March 23rd Frank and I went to Sunday school and church this morning and Enah came down to church. Aunty came over here to dinner with Enah and Frank but I stayed down with Aunty Alice and Aunt Ida. This after noon Marj. and I went for a walk down the beach after first getting a film and taking some pictures of the cat. We went down to Aunty's early in the after noon as Aunty Alice wanted to go up and see Huby and didn't want to leave Aunt Ida alone. We stayed down there to tea and entertained Aunt Ida while Aunty & Aunty Alice went to church by singing all the hymns we knew. Marj. played. Frank went down to Corby's this afternoon. Beautiful day, very warm. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/b2f527ca4b87f1543c628edcdede639e.pdf fa2ae34dac7b5a37ce83423f99be2b55 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Monday March 24th Dad. went up to Miss McCoy's this morning and Frank and I husked corn, we got into some nice stuff and got quite a pile husked. This after noon we weighed the steers again but before we watered them and one only gained one pound and the other four over last week's weights. Frank and the baby then went back to the gully to spear fish as they had borrowed Alfred's spear and came home with seven nice pike. The kid. was tickled to death. Dad. and I sawed and split wood and did chores. Frank and I both went down town to-night to stay all night so as to catch the train for Caledonia in the morning. Frank went to the dance but I went to bed early about 11.30. Another lovely day. Tuesday March 25th Aunty and I set the alarm clock last night and as neither of us knew just what time it was we set it early and set the alarm early so consequently were up about half an hour earlier than was necessary, but as it was such a lovely morning nobody objected. We found {Irvine?} Pow at the station bent on the same quest as ourselves so we had him for company all day. We found cars waiting for us at the Caledonia station, and they took us right out to the Moore farm which was just about a mile north of the town on the old Plank Road. We were surprised to see how dry and smooth the roads were down there and could hardly believe it when they told us that last week they were impassable. We had plenty of time to look over the cattle in the stable before the crowd got too thick, and we were certainly delighted with what we saw. The cows seemed to show much more of the beef type and build than dual purpose animals that I had in my mind's eye but their udders and Records of Performance showed that they were all very profitable dairy animals as well. About eleven o'clock lunch and coffee was served. Each lunch was done up in a seperate paper bag and consisted of a couple of sandwiches a piece of cheese a doughnut and a roll. The bags were all put in a big basket and every one just helped himself. There was another basket of cups which were filled with hot coffee when wanted by one of the half dozen girls that were mingled through the crowd with kettles of the beverage https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/31e5e566e317abd58fcffc6134544f8d.pdf 678055dba39a4ef581ecd63dfc2fadb6 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. The door yard was well filled with diners and as it was such a beautiful day, it proved very enjoyable as well as novel way of being fed. The simple cleaning up of paper bags and washing of cups must have been a much lighter task for the women folks than the washing of so many plates, saucers, knives, forks and other dishes and clearing away of tables and taking down of benches to say nothing of the sweeping up and setting things in order after the occupation of the house by such a horde of men as was assembled in the door yard that morning. Lunch being over we still had over an hour on our hands before the event started so we three took a stroll over the field to the big red basement barn of a neighbour. The barn looked to be the property of a prosperous man so we thought the cattle inside it would be worth looking at. We found it filled with grade Holsteins, the feeding and milking of which aparently took all of their young owner's time so that their rather unkempt appearance contrasted unfavorably with that of the herd we had just seen all groomed and cleaned and in every way made attractive looking. On our return we found the big tent which had been erected in case of bad weather had been taken down and was in a big heap under a tree so we three sat down on it to wait for the sale to commence. The warmth of the noonday sun, the drowsiness of the springtime air, the drone of conversation all around us, and the faint aroma of tobacco smoke, all had a very soothing effect and if it had not been for the constant chugging, honking and stopping of cars as they came up the lane and took their places in the orchard, and the cackling laugh of some fellow who with two or three others was perched on an old hayrack under an apple tree and aparently enjoying a very amusing conversation, we three should have gone to sleep. The crowd was continually gathering, the men were making some final preparations in the ring. A group of very small boys whom we guessed had been lured by the song sparrows, the sunshine and the crowd from the monotonous routine of the little school house up the road, came hurrying in and after trying several points of vantage around the ringside, decided that the apple tree over the auctioneer's stand was the ideal grandstand and acting on their decision perched themselves along the limbs. Here they https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/862a320eec1637743757f2782f020fb8.pdf 5ed4a7f58659e43fd2644c973374a9e1 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. stayed very well behaved till Capt. Robson mounted the auction box and beckoned them down whereupon they solemnly scrambled to earth again. We were soon aroused from our comfortable position by the observation that the crowd was closing around the ring. Different groups of men were carrying blocks and planks to make seats so we we decided that if we were to have the place at the ring that our early arrival deserved, we would have to do likewise. We did and got a seat opposite the auctioneer and were soon hemmed in by a big standing crowd behind us. After Hugh A. Scott, secretary of the Caledonian Shorthorn Breeders association and a neighbor of the late Mr. Moore had given a little address relating to the herd their excellence and the estimable character of Mr. Moore, the sale began. Burnfoot Grace was the first cow brought out. She was a nine year old roan squarely built with big frame and in calf to Burnfoot Chieftain the old herd sire. She went for $445.00 to A.D. Wallace, Toronto. We came to the conclusion right then that our chances for getting anything worth while there were pretty slim as we knew that every animal in the sale compared very favorably with this one and we didn't dare risk any more than half that sum, much as we would have liked to. We were not wrong in our conclusion as the bidding was keen on nearly all of them although only one went as high as $1000. She was a four year old cow with an R.O.P. 8147 lbs of milk testing 4.08 as a two year old. J.W. Carter of Ilderton bought her. The lowest price was $170 for a little bull calf. The average price for calves and everything was $440.16. The old bull Burnfoot Chieftain sold for $440.00 just $100. more than his this year's calf out of Burnfoot Lady one of the old good cows. Old Dairymaid the 12 year old foundation cow with a record of 13535 lbs and one-time Canadian champion sold for $350 but was not in calf and was in poor shape owing to a dose of blood-poisoning she got when she calved last time. All the cows were taken by Ontario buyers although there was at least one Americon there, but for some trouble over getting a tuberculin test they couldn't be taken across the line. We heard him say later that if it had not been for this trouble old Dairymaid and the other old cow Burnfoot Lady would never have stayed in Canada. After the sale we went back to Caledonia. Frank and I got a ride with Johnnie Walker a fellow I knew up in Guelph and who I see nearly every time I am around a https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/962c4d8cec93a1da0650bd7a9586f8d1.pdf 981bc03550513c6b91773495121dfd90 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. gathering of Shorthorn breeders and {Irvine?} got picked up by a car. We sat around the Union Hotel listening to this Yankee talking to some others who had been at the sale till six o'clock and then went up to the station getting some biscuits on our way to do instead of supper. The Dover train left at 6.40 and we got home about 8.30. Wednesday March 26th Frank and I bagged up some oats and the corn we husked the other day and took it to the mill. We left the grist there and went on down and got a small load of coal as the road down at the corner is pretty bad. Most of the roads have been scraped. We came home around by Munros corner. This after noon we took Shands rack for their scales home and came back by the mill and got our chop. I took the turnip seed Frank had cleaned up into Arthur Preston and he gave me some swede turnip seed for it. They are all sick again over there. Frank Enah and I went down to church to-night. It has been a very nice day Thursday March 27th It has been a very disagreeable day. Cold and drizzling rain most of the time. Dad. & Frank went over to Tupper's with Daisy May this morning and while they were gone Karl. Coleman came over and got the steer and gave me the money for him. I wrote letters to three different fellows this morning inquiring about bulls. Art Quanbury came after Dad this after noon to go and look after a ewe that was having a hard time lambing. Dad. was over there most of the after noon and said he was afraid the ewe would die. We heard later that she did and the lamb too. We didn't do anything much. Frank went down town to-night. Friday March 28th It froze hard last night and has been cold and very windy all day wind due north. We hauled over a load of hay this morning to the old barn. We wanted to get some to the horse stable but it was blowing too hard. Aunty Alice came over to dinner. Frank rode his wheel down town this after noon and got his hair cut. I just sat around and read most of the after noon. To-night Frank and Enah wrote cards to all the J.F.I.A. members notifying them that Mr. Duncan would be here Thursday night. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/96f03e94dbb78ad5a1d8b6063e481d28.pdf 278b60c016cc475c1779322d88855775 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Saturday March 29th It has been sunny to-day but the wind is still high and cold. We have spent the whole day doing chores and watching our herd and flock increase. Little No. 4 ewe had a big strong lamb with her when Dad. went out this morning and before noon No 33 had one. They were both big fat lambs but strong, but the event which will make this a red letter day in the annals of Knockfierna was the long-looked for arrival of Elgitha's calf. He too is a big strong bull and a fine roan. Elgitha is so wild no one can get within ten feet of her, but there is no necessity to as she and the calf are both all right. I hung around out in the barn till about four o'clock and then came in and got shaved and ready to take in Mrs. Smith's tea-party. It was a great success. She had nine boys there and Marj. & me. We helped her feed the bunch which included Isabel and then she the colonel and we two had our tea while the rabblement tore around in the other rooms. I went over to band practice for a little while after tea and Marj. shipped the boys off soon after I got back but we stayed for quite awhile listening to the Colonel talk. Sunday March 30th Frank. Tid. and I went down to Sunday school and church this morning. Enah went down to church and Aunty came over here to dinner with her. I stayed down at Aunty Alice's for dinner and tea. This after noon Marj. and I went for a walk but spent most of the after noon visiting. We stopped in at the Davis's to see if Said. had Marj's camera and as Said. had gone out for a walk with her beau who has just returned from the war, we stayed and talked to Mrs. Davis for awhile, we then went down and spent the rest of the after noon at Miss McQueen's. I went to church to-night with Aunty Alice and spent the evening up at the Monteith's. Aunty had a letter from Norah Hall and answering her question about the correct meaning of Knockfierna. She said the "Knock" was Anglesized and should be spelt "Cnoc" but meant a little hill, the whole word she thought would mean a grassy knoll more than a fairy knoll. However it applies just as well, maybe better to the mound as we never happened to catch any fairys there. Beautiful day. Monday March 31st Frank and I went down town in the waggon this morning https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/6cf012942c49fef3596c4c6a6301e15c.pdf b576eb25e9d0febc76ee7df94947e8b2 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. and got some old cherry logs over at Mr. Jame's. Frank got some boxes to feed the sheep in and I got a can of coal-oil. I saw {Mid.?} and Mr. Bagley go in to Arthur Anderson's so I went in to ask them where they were going to practice to-night as the Women's Institute are having a lecturer up in the room which we have been using and which is also their meeting place. They didn't know where we would meet but said it would be some place maybe in the Masonic hall if there was no fear of us "getting their goat". I found them back in the store rejoicing over a horn which was lost and is found. I think it was an alto which Jack Anderson had. Ed. Moon was in there and wanted to send over some beans to clean through the fanning mill so went down to the house with us to get them. This after noon Frank went down and got some posts at Jack Reynolds and when he came back Dad. went back to the back field with him and put them off. To-night Frank went down to the picture show and I went to band practice. We did have it in the Mason's room. Very cold north wind. Tuesday <s>March</s> April 1st I haven't done any thing much to-day but a few chores. I helped Frank bag up some oats this morning and he took them down to the mill to trade off for oil cake and bran for the sheep. He also went up to Billy Dixon's and got the hay truck and potato digger which he bought at the sale. This after noon he went down town to get Felix Perkins to come over and fix the pump at the windmill. We don't know what is wrong with it but Dad. went to turn the windmill in last night and the rod in the pump was jammed and wouldn't move. The wind was strong and before he knew what happened a piece snapped out of the middle of the jirk-rod. Felix said he would be over in the morning. Dad. Enah & Tid went down to tea at Aunty's to-night and then went to the picture show to see "Uncle Tom's Cabin". I went down and went with Marj. to the second show. It was pretty good. Margurite Clark played Eva and Topsy. Old no. 68 had a pair of lambs late this after noon. She had them in a very short time and none of us were out there. When Frank found them one was up. They were covered with dirt as they were born out in the shed. Wednesday April 2nd Tupper came in this morning and got Frank to https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/59ddd96f785d6163a73ad20fb71c98ee.pdf 56c702cc1be1e3eab586e4e93553efb0 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. go over and help him tear down his verandah. He was having a bee to tear down his verandah and build a garage out of it. Dad. and I helped Felix all morning who came over about ten o'clock. We got the pipes out as far down as the cylinder and found that what made it stick the other night was ice. The drain cock had got plugged in someway and it had frozen up. The sucker needed fixing anyway so we took it out. Frank got home soon after dinner and so I didn't help so much this after noon. We had to let the cows in the field to drink out of the ditch and I carried water from the ditch to the steer, Nellie & Elgitha. Wilbur Ryerse was over nearly all the afternoon. Dess was over for a little while. The assessor was here and Tom came after a jag of straw. Enah went down to church to-night but Frank and I didn't get ready in time but went down afterwards. I took my horn down to Harry Moon as he wanted to give Alf. Harvey & {Gint?} Rankin a little practice. Milder to-day. Tuesday April 3rd We didn't do much to-day except haul a couple of loads of hay over from the big barn. We put one in the old barn for the cows and one in the horse-stable. Colin Ryerse & Tige McBride were both in at different times for awhile. Enah went down town for dinner at her mother's. We put Martha in the box-stall in the horse-stable this afternoon and when Frank and I came home to nigh we found a red heifer calf with her not bigger than a fair-sized dog but all right. Frank and I went down to club to-night. We expected Duncan from Toronto down but he let Neff know that he couldn't come to Neff brought J. E. Johnson down and he gave us a little talk on Co-operation. Neff suggested we form a softball baseball team as the Courtland fellows were and we could meet them now and then in touring. Cloudy, mild, rain to-night. Friday April 4th Frank and I got off on the nine o'clock (new time) car this morning and spent the morning in Brantford. Mr. Cockshutt sent us out to his farm and the man showed us over the Shorthorns. He had one very nice young red bull but wanted $400.00 for him https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/fce6da1a2c238b62992f59e9914e6d74.pdf 57432c55ba7e09c2612fd00ab045cbbd PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. which was more than we could stand, but there was another roan one about seven months old which he only asked $120.00 for. We didn't like him quite so well and his mother didn't give a very big milk record but as all of his - Cockshutt's - stock is of such pure English breeding having come from the Rothschild estate and been line bred for generations, we thought he might make a great impression on our stock and be a good foundation to build up on. However we didn't buy him but thought we would ask Dad. about it and let him know later. We got home at two o'clock by our time. The time of the country is in a beautiful mix up now. The house {illegible} didn't the "Daylight Saving" law because the farmer's made such a howl about it last year, but the railways all adopted new time on the first of April claiming that as they had it on the other side it would cause no end of confusion and probably accidents at the border if they didn't have the same time as the American roads. The consequence is a muddle and no-one is any better of and most people are madder than ever at the farmer's and in this particular case I don't think any one can blame them. When we got up to Aunty's we found Roy there he had come on the car before we did. Old Phelix was here putting the little pump he made for the well at the windmill in at the house-well as the old chain there is just about rusted out. It looks queer there in place of the old bucket and chain well and reminds me of one of these walking sticks we find in the woods {pencil sketch of a walking stick}. Guy Tuple came after Dad. soon after we got home so we helped Phelix while Dad. went over there. I went down town to-night and went with Marj. & Miss Martin to the Presbyterian show in the hall. It was a bunch of middle aged women from Simcoe putting on "The Suffragette Convention" and I think was the poorest excuse for an entertainment that it has ever been my misfortune to attend. Mild, cloudy. Saturday April 5th I went down to Uncle Ward's this morning and borrowed a couple of setting hens from him and put them up over the hog pen and to-night put some eggs under them from the incubator so that they will be prepared to look after the chickens when they come out. When I came back https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/622d0eb1b7f91983a43a751f9ce0ca5e.pdf 9be28be2f0e6283f404c95d0e94b1c46 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. from Uncle Ward's, Tid and I burned the dead grass off the yard where I want to put the little chickens and then Frank and I put the association ear tags in the rams <s>lambs</s> yearlings. After dinner we put them in the yearling ewes and the private numbers in the lambs. Lila came over soon after dinner and Aunty Alice and Roy after that. We didn't do much but chores and visit the rest of the after noon. They all stayed to tea. Two more ewes lambed this after noon No. 40 & No 15 and another one to-night old Lop-ear. Frank went down town to-night and I think went to the show with Lila. I wrote to Cockshutt and told him to send down the little bull if he hadn't sold him as Dad. thought that as we couldn't very well lose anything on him it would be worth trying him to see what sort of impression he would make as well as purifying the blood of our stock. I went to bed early. It rained last night and has been cloudy but very mild all day. Sunday April 6th It was very showery all morning but was a beautiful after noon and is thundering and cloudy to-night. Frank went down to Sunday school this morning but I was too late getting ready as I spent considerable time with my setting hens. I went down to church though. Enah and Tid. also drove down. I stayed to dinner at Aunty's and this after noon Marj. and I went up the Radical Road in quest of pussy willows but didn't find many nice ones although there were plenty of no. 2's. We went through Duncan's woods and down to the beach. It was lovely up there and I was very glad to be without my overcoat. I think this is the most Spring like day we have had and the grass is beginning to show quite green. I had tea with Aunty Alice and Aunt Ida as Aunty & Roy had gone up to Huby's. Aunt Ida and I went to church to-night but were joined at the church by Aunty. I spent the evening up at the Monteiths and when I got home found Dad. & Frank out in the barn with the sheep. Old Split-ear had triplets to-day one of them with a twisted face which Dad. has in the house. Another ewe had a single lamb. Monday April 7th It rained a little more during the night but was sunny and quite hot and muggy all morning and a little cooler and cloudy this afternoon. We trimmed a lot https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/26c0157ba07ca876c7fd9b79ce71e4ee.pdf 5966f09b471bd43a289749c110cf1e4d PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. of the loose wool from around the bags of the ewes which have lambed to keep the lambs from getting wool-balls in their stomachs and Frank and I docked the six oldest lambs. We cleaned up the barn floor before dinner and got the fanning mill set ready to clean up the seed oats and Frank and I spent the after noon at it. We didn't get much done but put what we did do through twice and intend to run them through again. They are certainly heavy and when we put them in the big bags we got from the Canning Factory, they handle like wheat. Dad did chores and cut wood most of the day. I took a stroll over the wheat and and over to the garden this morning. The wheat looks fine and so do the strawberries. I went down to band practice to-night. We had a good one. Tuesday April 8th I went over to Quanbury's this morning and borrowed Arts toe-punch to mark my little chickens. The red hen over the hog pen hatched out five chicks from seven eggs. They are all from Hen no 74 one of the Wyandottes which started laying first and has laid more eggs than the rest. I want to keep her chicks seperate in case there is a good cockrel among them to breed. I put six eggs out of the incubator under one of the hens I got from Uncle Ward, but she didn't sit on them and they got cold. I put them under the red hen and one hatched. They were eggs from no 37 the best Plymouth Rock hen. I put nine eggs from the incubator under the other hen I got from Uncle Ward and she hatched eight chicks. They are from No 52. When I got that done, Frank and I put the ear labels in the rest of the lamb's ears. We cleaned up some more oats this after noon. Colin and Lloyd Ryerse came up this morning with their dehorners and took the spikes off the five steers. They are pretty sore to-night and are horrible looking objects as their heads are covered with blood, but they were getting too fond of using their horns which were nasty spikes on the oldest ones. We were to have gone up to Ham Thompson's to play baseball with the J.F.I.A. to-night but it was too wet. It was a nice morning but rained all the after noon and is colder. Wednesday April 9th I spent most of the morning getting my chickens out It was too wet to put them outside so I put them in https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/9eb008baeb51e637afdd190f6b552912.pdf b610fdb81327b3227ffb34f1f421595a PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. the unused end of the chicken house. I got them under two hens, one has twenty white ones and the other seventeen black ones. I only got twenty seven out of the incubator and two of them were cripples and had to be killed. Jessie had a nice red bull calf during the night and Dad has had a big job milking her as her bag is caked and and her hind teats very short. She gives a big mess of milk. There was also one more buck lamb this morning. Frank went down town and got three 16 foot Hemlock plank to make a bull pen as I got word from Cockshutt that he would ship the calf to-morrow. We cleaned up a few more oats this after noon but it was late when we got started so didn't get many put through Frank and I went down town to-night but were too late for church. Milder and rather cloudy to-day. Very muddy. Thursday April 10th It has been cloudy and drizzly but quite mild all day Frank and I went down with the team this morning and got a load of shingles Howey has just got a carload in and we thought that by taking them right off the car we would get them a little cheaper although they are dear enough there, five dollars a thousand. The car is on the canning factory siding as it is at last a much handier place to haul them from than Howey's yard. Dad. and Frank measured the roof and and figured it would take just about twenty-one thousand bring the cost up to $105.00 for shingles alone. We put on 42 bunches just half what we need on our first load and hauled it around by Mrs. Munroe's corner as we thought we couldn't get through with a load past Johnson's place, but decided that it wasn't any worse than from our corner on the side road down to the lane. Frank had his dinner early and rode his wheel down to the station to see if the freight on the L.E. & N. was in as we expected our bull on it, and they told him last night it was due about one o'clock new time. He came right back and told us that they had telephoned from Waterford saying that we could unload the bull at Main St. crossing if we were there between two & two-thirty when the train came in. However it didn't get in till just before the three o'clock car came so they backed the cars up on the siding and we unloaded the bull there. We had no trouble getting him off nor getting him home in the waggon and Dad. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/8fad31a1dd048b0197fadfc8a9f6ee69.pdf 75faba4f8664ea25f7a0e90a365c9d8e PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. is quite favorably impressed with his appearance. When we got "Moonshine" put away in his new quarters, Frank and I went down and got the rest of the shingles. Frank went dwn town to-night and sent Cockshutt a check for $150.00 for Moonshine. Aunty Alice lent him the money. Friday April 11th Frank went down to Aunty's this morning and was down most of the day fixing their fence between them and the Rankin's. Dad. and I spent the morning doing chores and I gave all the horses a good cleaning. This after noon I started to rake up the lawn and Dad. sawed wood. I measured up the bare spaces in the orchard and figured that we would need about two dozen trees to fill it up. While I was out there I saw a pair of ducks rise out of the water-holes and on taking a walk over saw to more pair rise. Niel Elliott was in to-night and Dad. sold him Daisy May. Dad. hadn't thought much of seliling her but Niel offered him $100.00 and said that was all he could possibly give but Dad. worked him to $120.00 so Dad. sold her. Frank and I went down town to-night & Frank went to the dance. Cloudy & cool. Saturday April 12th Tid. and I finished raking the lawn the other side of the ditch this morning. Right after dinner I went down to Uncle Ward's and ordered some apple trees. A man whom I suppose was Mr. Granton came in and started telling of his experiences in the West and it was three o'clock when I got home. I spent the rest of the after noon raking up the rest of the lawn. Frank went back to the gully this morning with Alfred's spear and got three pike one of them weighing four pounds. He took it down to Alfred. Lila came over this morning and has been practicing on the guitar all day and took it home with her this after noon. Dad. Frank and Tid went down town in the waggon this after noon to get the gutters for the roof and some coal oil. Dad. was going to get Cousin Willie to witness his signature on a proof of age form which Dick Frank & I have to send to our insurance companies but Cousin Willie was down at the dock and although Dad waited for him till five o'clock he didn't show up. Hugh didn't have the gutters cut out either. Still cloudy & rather cold wind. Frank saw first martin on the bird house to-day. Sunday April 13th Frank Tid and I went down to Sunday school this https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/93344a7a2d2c15c031b4931329af972f.pdf 00941a11c0011aa9f74ba2b6e163e5ab PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. morning and Enah came down to church. Marj. and I went down to Aunty's for lunch and about three o'clock went up to the Monteith's while I pumped some water for them up there and then we came over here to the farm and had tea. Dick {Fomsbe?} was over for awhile to see Dad. about a sick cow. Nice sunny day, cool wind. Monday April 14th Art. Quanbury came over about eight o clock this morning and we have been shingling all day and got the east side of the parlor roof on. We weren't looking for Art. till this after noon and were just ready to haul over a little hay but Frank hauled the rack over to the barn and then went down town and got the gutters from Hugh McQueen and Dad. and I hauled over a little jag of hay when he got back. Sam Law came up after dinner with his hammer and apron and said he heard us hammering so just came up to give us a hand. I suppose Tom has told him we were shingling. I went to band practise to-night. Tuesday April 15th Art. came over this morning and we shingled till noon and got about half of Dick's bed-room roof on but just at noon it began to rain and has kept it up all the after noon and evening. Snowdrop presented us with a black and white heifer calf this morning so it took considerable time after dinner to tend to her and do the other chores. We put some costic potash on the two youngest calves horns and Frank and I put up a lot of hay from the far bent in the big barn up over the sheep pen so that it will be handy to load when we can get the waggon over. It was cold this morning but about noon the wind veered a little more to the south east and it got a little milder. Dad. had to go up on the roof <s>this morning</s> to-night to stick some shingles over the bare spots where it was leaking. Wednesday April 16th It rained hard and steadily all morning and I think all night. It cleared off two or three times during the after noon but rained most of the time and is cloudy to-night. We haven't done any thing but chores all day and sit around and read. The ditch running through the sheep pasture is a regular river, and when Frank let them out at noon most of them plunged right through it as they have https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/a99b764a8a3ee7aabe9a2ea5c7fc6013.pdf 290f52f5d13839b6060b32ccb37d3595 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. been accustomed to do, never taking notice aparently that the bridge was gone. Most of the little lambs went too. Frank and I went down town to-night and I spent the evening over at the Monteith's. Marj. expects to go home to-morrow for the holidays. Aunty told us to-night that Mrs. J. S. Allen died very suddenly Monday night and Mrs. Fred Roleson died Tuesday, she had the flu and Mrs Allen had heart trouble. Lila is quite sick and twenty-five out of the High School are sick in the same way. Frank was up there to-night looking at all the fancy guns Quint sent home. Thursday April 17th Frank and I hauled over two more jags of hay one to the old barn and one to the horse stable. Charlie Munroe was over to see Dad. about a sick cow and Dad. spent most of the morning doing the chores over at the old barn. It takes about all of one man's time over there now to keep things done up right especially now that the yard is so muddy that a lot of them can't be turned out. It cleared off nicely this after noon and I cleaned out the colony house so that if we get a chance to shear sheep we can do it in there. Dad. went back and opened some ditches on the back field. Frank got the clippers oiled up. To-night Frank went down to the J.F.I.A. another social evening but I didn't go down. It will be Good Friday before they get out. Roy came up to-night. Cloudy this morning. Friday April 18th Art came over this morning and we shingled all day. Sam. came up this <s>morning</s> after noon and said he would be back to-morrow if it was nice. This being Good Friday Enah went down to church this morning. Dad. went down town to-night to see Roy but he wasn't home. Nice day. Saturday April 19th Art. and Sam both came over this morning and we got on well with the shingling. We now have just the north sides of the kitchen & dining room roofs to shingle. Dr. Cook was in at noon to-day and said that they all had the flu. over at Tupper's and intimated that some of us would have to go over to do the chores so Frank went over to-night. Tupper had the milking done when he got over there but he said he looked pretty sick and he thought should not have been out. Aunty and Roy came over https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/1e704c86e4aff17f83596a7298ae053c.pdf 73c1974746f405f86c1986beb5c360e2 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. this afternoon. Frank went down town to-night. Very nice day. Sunday April 20th This has not seemed very much like Easter to me and has been any thing but a day of rest. I went over to Tupper's about half past nine this morning after we had done our own chores and was all the morning over there. Tupper was lying in the lounge in the house and gave me instructions about feeding every thing which I found difficult to keep straight in my head but I followed them as well as I could and thought that as long as every thing got some thing to eat that they needn't worry. While I was over there Dr. Cook came and ordered Tupper to bed as he had quite a fever and told me to go down to Hanselman's and get a nurse there and bring her out to Tupper's. It was just twelve o'clock when I got home and all the family had gone down to church and as Dad. had Joe and the buggy I had to wait till he got home about half past one before I could go after the nurse. By the time I got her, took her out and got home again it was after three. Dad. and Frank were just having their lunch alone as Enah and Tid. had stayed down so that Enah could go to Mrs. Hobbes for after noon tea. I had my dinner and sat around for a half an hour or so and then went back to do Tupper's night chores. Nurse Little gave me some money to get her some beef and whisky so just as I got home about dark Dad. was starting off in the buggy to get Enah and I gave him the order and he managed to get the goods. Frank went down to the corner with him with a bag full of cats which he left in the pond. Dad. thought there were too many around and there is a very big family of little rabbits out now and he didn't want them killed. There are still two tabbys here each with a family of kittens. Enah got home soon after Dad. left. She had been in at Uncle Ward's and he had missed her. It rained this morning but was very nice after noon. Monday April 21st I went over to Tupper's right after breakfast this morning and it was after eleven when I got back so I didn't do much else this fore noon. Frank took a grist to the mill and went down to the Widespread to get the ridge boards but the engine down there was broken so he couldn't get them. Alan Law was past and was telling https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/9f5fb49578eaf8edabcebff0b114462e.pdf 16be47e0aff0c5824384968121238a4d PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. me Charlie Ivey's side of the story of Clarence Ferris getting fired down at the mill. Charlie bought the lot across from his house on purpose to preserve the big spruce trees along the road on the lot. After he bought it Clarence wanted to buy it from him and Charlie sold it to him on condition he would leave the trees but it was only a verbal agreement. Joe Long wanted the trees so Clarence let him cut them down although Charlie offered to buy them or the lot or another lot down town in order to keep them. If that is the case Clarence certainly deserved all he got because Charlie has treated him well. Karl Coleman was over this morning to look at the steer and told Dad he would give him 12 cts for him when he was ready in two or three weeks. Dad. took Daisy May down on Saturday to ship but Niel wasn't there and had left word at Henderson's that he didn't want her that day but Dad. had never got the word so was very peeved when he had to bring her home again. Karl told him he would make Niel buy her over again and if he didn't make a suitable offer that he himself would take her. This after noon Frank and I sheared one of the rams. I did the shearing and made a pretty messy looking job as I have forgotten how to hold them. We only did the one as Frank had to get to the mill after the chop. Dess came over with a letter from Dick. He enclosed a program of a concert he had been at put on by Austrian-Hungarian prisoners of war which were under Japanese control. I went back to Tupper's about five o'clock and got home about dark. I made arrangements with old Evans to do the chores in the morning. Frank went down to the Masonic dance to-night. Sunny and mild all day, cool breeze. We lost a fine big lamb to-day. Dad. opened him and found a big wool ball in his stomach. That is the second lamb that has died, one of Splitear's died Saturday, but it was never right. Tuesday April 22nd Frank and I got three rams sheared this morning. After dinner Dad. sheared one and then I sheared the old ram. We didn't have time to do any more as I went over to Tupper's about half past four. I rode Joe over and when I got there the cows and calves were all loose in the stable and so I didn't have to bring the cows in nor milk one of them and got home quite early. Dad. went back with the harrows this morning and went over the https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/09634a2248cf497a59f6b7c3d81cf844.pdf 4c7627e7b0fe3e8c5f5f34d00047687b PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. side hill and took the disks back late this afternoon, the discs cut down to the mud but the top works fine. I went down to band practice to-night. Very mild & fine. Wednesday April 23rd Frank and I sheared another ram this morning but it took quite awhile and we had to put on a load of straw to take over to the horse stable so we only got the one done. Dad. went back and disked the side hill this morning and drilled it in this after noon. It was a hard job he said drilling on the hill as several times he lost track of his drill mark. Dad. hauled our load of straw over to the horse stable and Frank and I put it off right after dinner and before Dad. went back to the field he hauled the rack over to the barn and Frank and I put on a load of hay. It was so late when we got it on that we didn't have time to shear another ram. Aunty Alice was over to dinner and Enah drove her down with Mexico this after noon. Enah got a lot of groceries which Melissa asked me to get and I drove over to Tuppers to do chores. It began to rain while I was over there and rained all evening. I went down and got my hair cut to-night and took my horn down to practice but it was so late when I got around that they were all through. I stayed all night down town as it was such a bad night. Very warm & sultry all day. Thursday April 24th I got home at six o'clock this morning and helped do chores. It turned cold during the night and has been cloudy, cold and a north wind all day and several times it has started to snow. I went up to Simcoe on the 11 o'clock car and went over to Slaght's office but was very disappointed to learn that nothing has been done about the "Sheep Pasture". Slaght is still sick and not expected back in the office for a month. I went in to see Neff for a few minutes he had a Mr. May in there who is going around organizing the county for Y.M.C.A. work. They said they were coming down to Dover this afternoon. Neff said that the Courtland boys would be down at the club to-night to give their debate and advised me to see Mr. Johnson and ask him to act as our judge as the Courtland boys were going to bring one down. When I got home Dad. & Frank where at Aunty's after the ridge-boards for the roof and as https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/85687c8d0572fe2b3f888bb5ae9f4f1a.pdf 11332c5b9cc9ef1cc8c84e582f9a2569 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. I had to go up town to get some bread for Tuppers I stayed down at Aunty's for dinner. After dinner I went up and asked Mr. Johnson to come over to the club to-night but he said he couldn't as there was a vestry meeting on and advised me to get Mr. Robertson so I got Tige to ask him. Soon after I got home Neff and Mr. May came over to look at my heifer and Frank's pigs that we are entering in the Profit Competitions and when they left it was time to go over to Tupper's. Gladys had fourteen pigs to-day. Dad. has two of them in the house but one is not going to live long. We had a great meeting at the club to-night. About six Courtland boys and as many girls came down and we had a good turnout of our own both boys and girls. Corby who was to have helped Frank out in the debate informed us at the eleventh hour that he couldn't come so Frank had to hold up our side alone, however he made a good job of it and the judges made it out a tie. One of the Courtland fellows did very well but the other wasn't so good. Mr. May acted as critic and then gave us a little talk on the Y.M.C.A. and invited us all to go to Simcoe to-morrow night to a meeting they are having to organize the county. After that we had some games and supper. We stayed for a long time after our visitors left and danced and cut up till a late hour. Ham had his phonograph down to furnish the music and Charlie Shand played his mouth organ. We think that will be our last meeting there. Friday April 25th It has been very cold and very windy all day and snowed to-night. We havent done very much but chores. Frank and I put up some hay ready to haul over to the horse stable but it was too windy to haul it. Niel Elliots nephew came over to ask Dad. to take Daisy May down this morning as they were going to drive a bunch to Jarvis. Dad. told him he was pretty sore at having to take her down and bring her home again last week and that now if Niel wanted her he could have her for $125.00 so I went over to Jack Martins as Niel was going to telephone there to say whether he would take her or not. Jack was very disturbed when he saw me as Niel had telephoned him early this morning to tell us to bring the cow down and Jack had promised to and then forgot. Neil called up soon https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/1f321ec46552f847af5f9052f24985d9.pdf e430e8bde5f123af163e229acb1a37aa PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. after I got there and said to bring her down so Frank and Dad. went right down with her. Niel was very apologetic and told Dad. that he wouldn't have blamed him if he had sold her, he thought that Dad. knew he didn't want the cow on Saturday. He is a great old bluffer. Frank went down to the Women's Institute dance tonight. Saturday April 26th The ground was covered with snow this morning nearly as much as was on the ground any time this winter. It turned sunny and soon melted off and is milder to-night. We hauled over the load of hay we put on yesterday to the horse stable this morning and this after noon we started to put on another load for the cows but Ham came down and wanted to have a horse clipped so we didn't get it over. I went over to Tuppers early and did the chores and got down to meet the 8.15 train which is due at 7.15 by our time. Marj. came back to-night Sunday April 27th Frank and I went down to Sunday school and church this morning and I stayed down at Aunty's to dinner. This after noon Marj. and I went up to Huby's for awhile as Marj. wanted to take Lila some maple sugar she brought from home. Lila was feeling much better. We went from there to Miss Martin's and I left Marj. there to have tea. I came home changed my clothes and rode over to Tupper's to do the chores. Tupper was feeling much better and came out to the barn for awhile but got severely reprimanded by the nurse for doing it. She told him he was a "bad naughty man". His improved health is making him wayward. The nurse let him out for an hour this morning to visit with Wilbur Ryerse and he and Wilbur got on the sunny side of the straw stack and he stayed out nearly all morning. I went back to Miss Martin's after tea as I couldn't get down before church was out. Enah and Tid. went for a drive with Mexico this after noon. Sunny, cool breeze. Monday April 28th Frank and I took a grist to the mill this morning and went from there down to the lake and got part of a load of sand and some plaster to plaster the ceiling in the spare room. We also got a barrel of salt. Ham Thompson came in after dinner with Hugh A. Scott, who came to https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/eed2ca0caae5ccb6e1b09833c0c244f6.pdf 1929757b07f9a41e37fc2fa70b69899f PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. look at the cattle. After he left Frank and I went to the mill and got our chop and I went over to Tuppers when I got home. Tupper was down town when I got there but came home before I left and said he thought he could manage his chores himself from now on. I borrowed a setting hen from him. To-night I went down to band practice. Al. Faulkner has been cutting up again. He got on a tear Saturday and went up Main St. in his car about dark at 40 or 50 miles an hour, ran into Bruce McQueen and his wife who were coming down in a buggy and hurt Mrs. McQueen very badly. Cloudy and cool. Tuesday April 29th Frank and I went to Simcoe this morning in the waggon and got four bags of Irish Cobbler potatoes for seed, {illegible}, oil cake, bran, & feed flour from Johnson. I went in to see Neff about my Dairy Profit competition and Frank went to get some ledger plates for the mower and some stumping powder but he couldn't get any. We had Joe & Queen and as Queen hasn't been out all winter we had to let her go pretty slowly and it was about three o'clock when we got home. Dad spent the day I think helping Enah house clean. Nice day, sunny, cool breeze. Wednesday April 30th Frank and I gathered up most of the shingles off the lawn this morning and put them in the wood shed and Enah raked it this afternoon. Dad tore off some more shingles from the north side of the dining room roof as Charlie said Art would be over this after noon and then he took the team back to harrow the side hill. Art. came after dinner and he and Frank shingled all the after noon. Dad. took the team back and finished harrowing the side hill and I cleaned out the cow stables and then went back and disked on top the hill and Dad. came up and helped shingle. It doesn't work too badly but looks like more rain to-night. Neff was on for a minute or two this morning and brought us some milk preserving tablets. I went down town to-night. Nice day and sunny but east wind. Thursday May 1st It has rained most of the day and so we have done no outside work at all. I spent most of the morning filling in my Dairy profit and egg sheets https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/648b871310f4d19469c257962c8386f3.pdf 74425f1dc8d7e88ee7b92b37b9ceccdc PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. for April as well as writing this and filling up crop reports for the Bureau of Statistics. Dad. went over to Art Quanbury's and helped him shear a sheep. I read and did chores this after noon. Frank cleaned out the drive house and Dad. made a wheelbarrow for Tid. and scraped plaster off the spare room ceiling. Charlie brought the clipping machine back this after noon and said Art. had all his sheep sheared. Friday May 2nd It was raining again this morning but cleared off soon and has been very windy all day. We couldn't do any thing on the land or the roof to-day. Frank finished cleaning out the stable and drive house and Dad. scraped the rest of the plaster of the spare room ceiling. I took the chickens out of the incubator this morning and had a much bigger hatch than I expected and so had no accomodation for them. I have 25 under the hen I got from Tupper but that is the limit of her capacity and I still have 14 in the machine. I tried putting them under the hen with the older chickens but she wouldnt own them so I am going to get a hen from Charlie Quanbury and try to make her own them. I spent most of the day when not with the chickens husking corn. Frank helped me this after noon and we got nearly all the corn that is left husked. Frank and I went down town to-night. Frank went to a party at Anna Holden's. Huby saw Less. Parish to-day who has just got home. He saw Quint two days before he left but he had lost some of his papers so couldnt sail with his battery which is now in Canada. Less says it may be a long time before he can get home and will have to be a {illegible}. Saturday May 3rd Art came over this morning to shingle and they tore all the shingles off the dining room side of the roof. It started to rain about noon but we kept right on shingling after dinner and finished that side about four o'clock the rain didn't ammount to much. I drove out to the Shand's this morning to see if we could get some seed barley from them and they said we could. Willie was drilling but the ground was pretty packed. I stopped in at Charlie Quanbury's on my way back and borrowed one of his hens. He had two with seven chickens apiece so he doubled them up and gave me one hen. I put the fourteen chickens with her out of the https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/4918dc675236c245ddcaac70a667973e.pdf 1db705a737d9ff017e0e427d2060caab PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. {Repeat of previous page}. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/9f6bc339e6c5db7f28337e635708435e.pdf c978fddc2bb1dcf5592707392fe63d3f PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. machine and she mothered them all right. Charlie was in this after noon on his way home and said it rained very hard out at his place. We did chores up fairly early and I went down to Aunty's to spend the evening. The two Miss Hardings and Miss Martin were there playing bridge. Marj. was there also and to wind up with we had a five handed game of Five Hundred. Rained again to-night. Sunday May 4th Frank Tid. and I went down to Sunday school and Church this morning. I stayed at Aunty's to dinner and went up to band practise this after noon. Enah and Tid. went down town as Enah had to practice for the mother's choir. They stayed down to tea at Aunty's but I came home and helped do chores. I went down town again this evening, got Mexico out of Aunty's barn and left him tied to a tree in front of Dick {Name?} for Enah and then I spent the evening at the Monteith's. The mother's choir was a great success. It rained hard during church but cleared up during the after noon but to-night there was a terrific thunder storm and I got caught in a heavy storm going home. Monday May 5th Frank Slocomb came over this morning and has been here the most of the day plastering the spare room ceiling and patching the parlor. Dad. and Frank have been helping him. I just did call chores and husked a little corn but got so sleepy doing that I had to quit. Dad. had a letter from George Pilley to-day dated at Toronto and saying he would be here to-morrow so Enah went down town this <s>night</s> after noon to get some paper to cover the new plastering. Frank went to a dance at Pete Holmes and I polished up my horn. Fine day. Tuesday May 6th Frank went down town this morning to see if Harry Dyer could come over to paper the parlor ceiling to-day but he couldn't so Frank got Jerry Burtch to say he would come to-morrow morning. I fixed up a chicken coop and moved my little chickens out this morning. Dad. did chores and helped Enah house clean and Frank and I sheared the last two rams before dinner. Ah! Dad. sheared the last one. Just after dinner Aunty Alice and George Pilley came over. We didn't know what train George https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/7c546600b9bcdfa20b8a094812984873.pdf 68dfdf1282a8fa62c361f1dde73cd5b3 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. would come on but he came at eleven and Aunty Alice met him. This after noon we sheared four of the yearling ewes. Tonight Enah, Frank and George went down to the memorial service in the church. Mr. Jeakins an ex-chaplin was down from Brantford and they unveiled the new altar in memory of the boys who were killed at the front. I was too late getting through to be in time for church but I went down and Marj. and I went and called on Belle Smith afterwards. Wednesday May 7th Frank went down with the waggon this morning and got Jerry Burtch and his outfit and he came over and papered the parlor ceiling in about an hour and a half and made a very slick job of it. Then Frank had to take him home again. We got two more ewes sheared this morning and Dad. sheared one with the handshears, but it was pretty dull. This after noon we sheared three more and got a little hay over to the horse stable and cow barn. Dad. put the parlor carpet down this after noon. I went down town to-night. George has been entertaining us with stories of his four years at the front. He was certainly lucky to come through it as well as he did. Rained a little this morning. Fine day. Thursday May 8th We started to shear sheep this morning and got one done (the last of the yearlings) when Art. came over wanting to shingle, so we went at it. George helped us and we finished the job to-night. Dad. and Art were till after six putting on the ridge boards but it is all done now except to clean up the mess. I had to go down to band practise to-night and had to leave all the milking to Dad. He didn't get through till nearly ten o'clock. I got a can of Brasso down town and after I got home worked till twelve o'clock polishing my horn and then didn't finish. Frank and George went down to see Ada. to-night. I saw Alan, Art. Munroe and Kilt Moore to-night. They all looked fine. Fine and warm this morning, but colder & rain to-night. Friday May 9th We bagged up a grist this morning and Frank took it down to the mill while Dad. and I started to put on a load of hay. When Frank got home he hauled it over to the horse stable and George, Frank and I put it off. Frank then went down to the mill after the chop and I put a little more polish on my horn and then https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/48ef8c467a716c9e16fdca3b1745a844.pdf 5db56a1282747b7337bb40f386605874 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. got ready to go down town. I got down there at half past one alright and at two o'clock sharp we started our parade. We marched up to the school house followed by the girl guides and all the school kids and then played marches or hymns and listened to speechs alternately. R.M. Taylor explained the idea of planting a memorial grove of elms. Jack Martin complimented the Women's Institute for taking up the work and mentioned something about the soil of Dover being very good for trees. Then the three preachers had a little to say. Mr. Robertson winding up with a prayer and the school kids sang "O, Canada" and "The Maple Leaf." Neff was down to supervise the setting of the first trees. Mrs. Bell as president of the W. I. planted the first tree and then the band marched the crowd back to town leaving Huby & Mr. Johnson to plant the rest of the fifty trees. I don't know how they made out. Frank and George went down town this after noon but were too late to see the ceremony. Enah and Tid. drove down also and I guess were late. I went in to see Punk McDonald for awhile this after noon. He has just got back from France and is staying at Mrs Lawson's. I went down town again to-night and Frank went to Craig Long's hard-time dance. George was going too but when the time came decided to go to bed instead. Rained a little this morning but fine & cool after noon. Saturday May 10th It has rained steadily all day to-day, not very hard much of the time but a very soaky, dismal drizzle. We sheared sheep in the shop all day and got six done. We carried them over from the barn in the crate and carried them back after they were sheared. Dad. helped us and did chores and George ironed off a whipple-tree, fixed the wool box, and put a latch on the door of the shop. To-night Frank, George and I went down to Aunty Alice's to spend the evening. Winnie, Lila, Dess, Fraser, Marj., Ada and Douglas Skey were all there and we had a lot of fun playing games such as consequences and making poetry. We had to make a verse answering a question and using a word that two others had written on a piece of paper, folded and passed on. Douglas drew for a question "Whether is the song of nightingale sweeter in the morning or the evening" and his word was "Word." Douglas wrote "The word of the bird is sweet." Aunty Alice said "Brevity is the soul of wit." We got home about midnight. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/48d9e527b9bd7c780a297c7e576bacc9.pdf 5f16f9d28ae577bf4a1dd6c731378188 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Sunday May 11th Frank and George went for a walk over Brant Hill this morning and I went to Sunday school but was very late as I cut my chin while shaving and couldn't stop the flow of gore for some time. When I got there {Name?} Ryerse was marking the book as Miss Martin didn't show up and I had to step lively to get the books dished out. I went to church and found George & Frank there. We three went to Aunty's for dinner. This after noon Marj. and I went up to Miss Martin's with the money we cleaned up at Sunday school and found her looking very tired and her father sick in bed. We didn't stay long as the Best's came up, but we spent the remainder of the after noon at Miss McQueen's. I came home to tea and to do chores and went down again after tea and spent the evening at the Monteith's. George & Frank went up to Huby's and to see Ada this after noon. Mrs Hobbes invited them there to tea with Ada. but Frank came home to do chores George went and after tea he and Ada went up to Waterford with Mr. & Mrs. Robertson from Toronto in their car. They went on to Brantford and Ada & George spent a little while with Ada's freinds in Waterford & came back on the car. Rained all day, drizzle Monday May 12th Karl. Coleman came over this morning and got the steer I went down with him and saw him weighed. He just came to 960. Dad. was very disappointed as he was expecting him to go at least 1000 but Karl told me to-night after he killed him that he had no fat inside at all. Frank & George sheared sheep while I was gone and I helped them the rest of the day. We got eight done and only have two more to do now. Old Broadley & Jason were here to dinner, the first trip of the season and old Broadley sheared one sheep for us after dinner. Frank Ryerse was in just after tea to-night to see Dad. about a horse that has the colic. I rode down town with him to band practise. Frank and George went to the picture show. Cloudy & cool this morning but cleared off. Tuesday May 13th We sheared the last two sheep this morning and got all the wool packed in the big sack. We hung it under the trap door in the ice house and Frank got in and tramped it. This after noon Dad. and Frank took it down and shipped it. Dad. stayed down to get his hair cut and walked home and brought Marj. over with him. Winnie & Dess. had https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/7fb47192c7a7700f046e3d487de8b348.pdf 5166b0f755441d5466cfee51d047d024 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. come over earlier. George and I cleared up some of the old shingles around the house this after noon and I cleaned out the cow stables. Dad. let the cattle back to the gully this after noon but as the fence isn't fixed yet into the field, they all got in, at least the cows did. The calves didn't go out of the lane. I went back after them about five and they were right back at the woods and the felt so fine to be out that I had to do considerable chasing to get them into the lane. Wednesday May 14th Frank and George went back to fix the fence in the gully this morning and about half past ten I went back to help them. I had been cleaning up shingles around the house before Dad. had to go (I wrote most of the foregoing while I was asleep, so quit and went to bed) down to Alex Jameson to see a sick horse. This after noon Tom came up to have Maude clipped and to get his fruit out of the cellar and they also clipped Mexico. He looks like a different horse. I spent the after noon gathering up shingles and got the worst of the job done. I went down town to-night. Frank also went down, calling some place I think. It has been warm and sunny to-day but looks rainy to-night. Thursday May 15th It was raining this morning so we didn't go back to the gully to fix fence but put on a small load of straw and hauled it over to the horse stable. We then put a small jag of hay in the horse stable. This after noon Enah and George & Tid. drove Mexico down town and Enah took George through the woollen mill. He was very interested in it. Dad. & Frank cleaned out the cellar this after noon and I cut and cleared up part of the lawn. We were to have gone up to Ham Thompson's to-night to play base-ball but Jack Martin came over and it was so late when we got through and a heavy fog that we thought it was no use going up. I went up for a little while though and some of the fellows were there. I rode Frank's wheel up but walked it most of the way home. Enah & I played duets on the piano & horn when I got back. Cloudy & drizzly this morning but fine after noon. Friday May 16th It was a little too wet this morning to finish cutting the lawn so I went out and staked out the places for the little trees in the orchard. I can get two dozen all but one in the bare space at the north end of the orchard https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/e9f2158f67d70ad9c1f5e1ce0cdfdece.pdf 02cf8e304774a26439043629dcaa6f27 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. and so can protect them by simply fencing them off and will not need to barricade them. It began to rain just about noon and has kept it up all the after noon increasing in violence till to-night every thing is flooded and it is pouring down. I didn't do any thing much this after noon. George & Frank spent the day building stancions for the calves out in the old barn. Dad. and Tid. drove down town this after noon, I think to settle up various accounts. George Frank and I went down to Ada's to-night to a little party Miss Beemer who has lately returned from France where she has been nursing was there and Bill & Zeitha Barwell, Douglas Skey, the two Miss Hardings and the Huby family. We danced and had a very nice time generally. Saturday May 17th It has been a cold drizzly day. George & Frank finished building the stancions for the calves and they made a grand job of it. I did a few chores and went over to Ivey's and got some more paeony roots. They are all coming up through the ploughing and I think they just intend to cultivate them all up and put oats there so I thought I would take what I wanted while I had the chance. Enah and George drove Mexico down town this after noon. I just puttered around and built a wren house. I got the cows up about 4.30 and left Dad. & Frank to do the chores and I went down to the Harding's for tea. Enah and George also came and Douglas Skey and Ada. We came home quite early. Sunday May 18th I went down to Sunday school with Tid. this morning and George & Frank went for a walk up the beach but we all went to church. Enah drove down to church and Ada came back with her to dinner. Marj. came over to dinner with me. We were very late getting through dinner as Mr. Johnson preached such a lengthy sermon on the subject of having his salary raised. We sat around for awhile after dinner and then George, Ada and Frank went down to Huby's for tea I didn't go down but helped do chores and Marj. stayed here to tea and we went down about ten o'clock. George & Frank stayed all night down at Aunty's so that George could get off easily on the 7.30 train in the morning. I went in on my way home but they had all gone to bed. It has been sunny & nice to-day. Cool breeze drying up the mud. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/f78d8c6480e0b049b8bc78bebd12b2d3.pdf c4765d6461651f670fcb7f380a77664e PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Monday May 19th I sowed clover seed on the wheat this morning and Dad. and Frank strung barbed wire along the top of the lane fence and straightened it up where the colts had broken it down. This after noon I raked up and cut the rest of the lawn and put my wren house up in the pear tree. Dad. & Frank kept on at the fence. Broadley & Jason were here to dinner. I Went down to band practice to-night. We are going out again on Friday to help the school kids celebrate Empire day. Fine day. Tuesday May 20th It poured rain early this morning and has been cloudy and wet all day but didn't rain much more. I took the hen I borrowed from Uncle Ward home this morning and stopped in for awhile at Quanbury's on my way back. Art was building a chicken coop & Charlie was remodelling his tractor. Dad. and Frank had gone back to the gully to fix fence when I got home as Charlie Butler had brought word that the cattle were on the road. I didn't do any thing much this after noon except write a couple of letters one to Cockshutt asking him to have the bulls pedigree hurried along and one to McEwen reminding him that we have some rams for sale. Dad. did chores and Frank pulled teasels on the road. Aunty came over about four o'clock and stayed to tea. Frank went down with her to-night. There is a great strike on now in Winnipeg and the city is almost completely isolated from the rest of the country as there is no mail telegraph or newspapers. From all accounts they have set up a regular Bolshevik rule except that there has been so far no rioting. It seems that the trouble is caused by certain employers refusing to negotiate with Labor officials outside their own employees and will not recognize the "One big Union". It is surprising and rather alarming to see what a strong undercurrent of straight Bolshevism there is in labor circles all over Canada. Another event of a very different nature is causing the world excitement, and that is the attempt of Aviator Hawker and his pilot Grieve to fly across the Atlantic. They left Sunday after noon in a little Sopwith biplane and expected to make the trip in 20 hours. Last night the evening papers said he https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/19b9ff9b85ca94332ce3df44ce9a048a.pdf b354dd62baa88458ee6029ebf030411d PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. had been sighted 400 or 500 miles off the coast of Ireland about nine o'clock yesterday morning, but the morning papers to-day contradicted that report and they said he had fallen into the sea some where near the Irish coast. To-night's papers however, seem to indicate that he is without doubt lost and they think he fell before he got very far from the Newfoundland coast. Hawker was an Australian, and his English rival for the honor to be the first to cross and win the $50,000 price offered by the London Times, started as soon as he saw Hawker leave but he had an accident before he got off the ground. Three U.S. Navy seaplanes left three or four days ago but they didn't attemp a non stop flight. Two of them got safely to the Azores and the third one was picked up some place. They had a row of ships across fifty miles apart for protection. Wednesday May 21st Frank and I were back in the gully fixing fence this morning. Dad. took us back in the waggon and then took the team back home. Old Evans came after him and took him out there to see one of his old horses which has the heaves or something. Frank and I went back to the gully after dinner but were only back a short time when it commenced to rain. We stayed till we got pretty well soaked and then came up and put on a change of raiment and I shaved. Dad. spent the after noon helping Enah house clean the clothes-room and getting ready to plaster the ceiling of it. To-night I went down town and spent the evening at the Monteiths. Thursday May 22nd I took Tupper's hen back home this morning and came back through the gully and helped Frank fix fence. We have been at that all day and are not through yet by any means but we are making a good job of it as we go I think. Dad. plastered the ceiling in the clothes room and helped Enah house clean all day. Frank went down town right after dinner and got our wool cheque cashed and got the pedigree for Moonshine which came registered. The advance payment on the wool was $105.00 I went down to band practice to-night and Frank went up to Ham Thompson's but it was too wet to play ball. Drizzled this morning but cleared off fine & warm. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/b04a470864b6dac734319f18d7a005c4.pdf 49f116ae6a82a95cd3a9c40a573b15cb PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Friday May 23rd I set out two little shrubs Tartarian Honeysuckle which Aunty sent over this morning and as I put them across the ditch and had to dig holes in the clay and fill in with other earth it took me quite awhile. I helped Dad. trim Maple Hil Nellie's & the bull's toe-nails Dad's lamb which has been sick for the last few days died this morning and Dad. opened him and found a growth on his bowels stuck fast to the ribs and on further examination found him full of tape worms. Tid. and I went down to Aunty's for dinner and I helped them put in some stakes for the peas. I went up town right after dinner to see what the band was going to do but it was raining quite hard at two o'clock so we couldn't march and it was no use going up to the school house as the kids couldn't have their sports. They were all crowed around the park under umbraellas so we all went down on the band stand and tore off a few selections. After we had been there about half an hour some one noticed a crape over on George Thompson's door. I suppose old Mrs Hambleton is dead so we thought we had better move. All the kids had gone up into the hall so we went up there and stayed for the rest of the after noon played a little, and listened to the usual run of speeches. Inspector Cook was the principal speaker and explained the formation of the Union Jack most of which was news to me but the kids seemed by the answers they gave to know all about it. The occasion for the celebration was the presentation by the I.O.D.E. to the school of a flag. Cousin Clare seemed to represent the former and handed a roll of bunting which I suppose was a flag to Mr. Johnson or Mr. Smith I forget which and Mr. Johnson mumbled out a prayer or so and that was about all the ceremony ammounted to. Tid. and I came home to tea and after we did chores I went down and spent the evening with Marj. R.M. Taylor proclaimed Monday as a holiday to celebrate Victoria Day instead of to-morrow. Mr. Watson announced to the kids that although it was a holiday in town they would have to go to school just the same on Monday, but Taylor wouldn't have it so and made it plain to everyone that Mr. Watson would have to observe his proclamation which brought him loud and prolonged cheers from the kids. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/0ce31829f1db362b51b23a4975f5cd7c.pdf 620ae03ab8cbd58133312c1469ea0adc PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Saturday May 24th Frank and I dosed all the lambs with worm tablets this morning and put the ear labels in the <s>the</s> three youngest. Auson Abbot came in and got the four pigs which Tom had bargained for and after we got him loaded up Fred Krell came after two bags of clover hay for his rabbits and he was here till nearly noon telling us all about the rabbit business. He has a bunch of Flemish Giants, and expects to raise some fancy show stock from them. This after noon Frank took Alfred's spear home and I cleaned out the cow stables and then we both fixed fence in the gully till chore time. Old Ed. Walker and Johnny Richardson came over to-night after their pigs. Gladys had them all out in the yard and her door came shut so that she couldnt get them in again and they were just like so many mud balls. Old. Walker wanted two boar pigs and Frank caught a boar first but old Johnny put it in his bag and then wouldn't trade it with old Walker for a sow as he thought it was a little bigger so we had to corner up another boar for old Walker and Gladys didn't like it a bit. We got them fixed up at last however and they drove off to-gether like a pair of kids with new pets to play with. Fine and rather sultry all day. Looks rainy. I polished my horn up again to-night. Frank told me when he came home that the youngest of the Zealand's William I think his name is, was drowned to-day just below the house. He and Billy Mill's little girl were playing on the boat house landing which has just been built and they both fell in. The Mills kid hung on to the landing till they got her out but the little boy was either hurt or too frightened and was drowned in about two feet of water. He was just five years old. Sunday May 25th Frank Tid. and I went down to Sunday school and Dad. and Enah went down to church this morning. Aunty came over here to dinner and I stayed down there. This after noon Marj. and I went to the woods and got some violets. We found Lila up there with Chum looking for dogwood. We then went up and saw Glad. Law who came up for the 24th. I came home to help do chores and went back about the time church was out Frank Ried was there telling of the work of the Y.M.C.A. Aunty Alice said she liked his address. Beautiful day. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/0cd3ae89b25ea6dad2bbc12e7e81c8f7.pdf 33ed8174b67143908b355353f7e28ce3 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Monday May 26th I spent most of the day cleaning up around the place. I cut the lawn this morning and this after noon cleaned up the shingles around under Dick's window. Dad. and Frank did chores & odd jobs. Frank took a grist to the mill and they hauled a jag of hay over to the horse stable. Enah went over to Mrs. Battersbys to after noon tea and came home with the information that Quint's name was amongst those of the troops just landed at Halifax so that naturally created considerable excitement as she said Aunty & Aunty Alice were quite sure he would be here to-night. We all went down to-night. I had to go to band practice but went down to the eight o'clock car but Quint didn't show up. I saw Win. and Lila and they were very surprised that we should be looking for him. Aunty was to have gone to London to-day but put it off till to-morrow in hope that Quint. would be home to-night. They had letters from Dick to-night and he hoped to sail on the "Empress of Russia" which is due at Vancouver in a day or two. This was a holiday in town to-day and they had great sports at the school house. Today's paper says Hawker & Grieve were picked up alive in mid ocean and are both alright. Tuesday May 27th Dad. went back this morning and got the disks and has put in most of the day working up the old garden. It is wet but so sandy that it doesn't matter. I spent the day taking the sod of a strip of the lawn where I want to plant my perennial border and resodding the square under Dick's window. Frank has been doing odd jobs. He treated some potatoes with formalin and dug up a lot of sow thistle in the meadow east of the orchard. He says there is quite a patch of it over by the sheep pasture fence. There were three or four little plants of it there last year but we thought we got every particle of it out, evidently it has fooled us. Frank went down to the dance to-night and I went down to see if old Quint came but he didn't. It has been a beautiful day & looks cleared up. Wednesday May 28th Dad. worked all morning harrowing the old garden and plowing furrows to plant potatoes. Frank and I cut up a bag of potatoes and planted them out there. This after noon Dad. took the disks back and worked on the back field next the woods. He said it didn't work https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/c909783486ed542942a7b65f6658d06a.pdf 54409a329cedac0a156224ba9a91eac6 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. too badly. Frank planted a lot more garden seed in the old garden and I spent most of the after noon taking a piece of chicken wire off the fence up by the hog pen where it was stretched on the other wire and put it across the end of the yard where I have the little chickens to try to keep them off the road and the lawn. Aunty Alice was over here to dinner and Enah drove her down town this after noon. Dad. & Enah went down to-night to see the Hobbes but they weren't home. Mrs. Hobbes has been moved and is going to leave Monday. Every one is very sorry about it. I went down to-night to a meeting that was called to discuss 1st of July celebrations, but as they didn't start the thing going till about nine o'clock I left and spent the eveing down at Aunty Alices. Marj. was down there acting as she said "watch dog" for Aunty Alice. They had a letter from Roy saying Quint was in Toronto. Thursday May 29th I went down right after breakfast this morning to get the little apple trees at Uncle Wards. I took Aunty Alice's quince tree down to her and planted it. I helped Uncle Ward take off a couple of upstairs storm windows as he can't climb on a ladder and then came right home with my trees and started to put them in. It took me nearly all day to put them in and mulch them and I have four to mulch yet. There were eighteen of them 12 of which were Snows, 4 Duchess one Spy which Aunty wanted us to put in for Tid. and one a new variety supposed to be all that its name implies, Delicious. Dad. went back with the team this morning and Frank went with him and between them they have worked all day on the back field. Dad. went over to John Wess's to see if he wanted his sheep sheared. He said he didn't know how he was going to get it done so Frank came up and got the machine and took it over. John Wess was working on the land but put the team in to help. Frank was over shearing till three o'clock and then Dad. went over and stayed to tea. Frank sheared five. Dad. three and Wilbur Ryerse was in at noon and did two, one in seven minutes. Frank and I did all the chores up to-night and then went up to Ham Thompson's to play baseball. It was pretty late when we got there and the boys had quit playing and Ham was knocking up flys. Mrs Thompson made us sandwiches. Dandy day. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/42e2f18a8c4aded9614969b87a9f1c40.pdf 5ecd65bc5592c7af0d90e6858ca0323c PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Friday May 30th Dad. has been disking all day on the back field. He got all over it lengthways this after noon and started disking crossways. I finished mulching the little trees this morning and set out some tomato plants that Aunty Alice gave Enah. I also dug around some of the little poplar trees along the side road. While I was at that Pickford saw me and haled me over to look at his sow and crops. I was over there till nearly noon. This after noon Frank and I went out to Shand's after our barley seed. They had it all cleaned so we weren't out there very long. When we got back we took the little team back to the field and I harrowed till five o'clock. It was very hot for them. I went down town to-night. Aunty got home from London to-night. Fine & very hot Saturday May 31st We have worked on the land all day but as we had old Pommers in all day we had to give it to him easy. Dad. put him and old Harry on the disks this morning and I went around with him for about an hour with the rope through the bit, but as he soon cooled down, we didn't bother with the rope but Dad. walked behind the disks all day. He got pretty well tired out but is big enough to stand it. I had Queen & Belle on the harrows for a little while before dinner and this after noon. Queen rammed into it all day and as it was very hot they were wringing wet to-night. After tea to-night I took the buggy down to the mill and washed it and then had a shower bath under the flume. Got home soon after ten. Frank went down town to-night and says Quint is not home yet. Sunday <s>May</s> June 1st Frank Tid. and I went down to Sunday school this morning and Enah drove down to church. This afternoon Marj. and I went for a drive down the Lake Shore with Queen. Dad. went down to Aunty's and Enah went down to see the Hobbes and then stayed to tea at her mother's. Frank went off on his wheel after dinner and didn't get home till about midnight. I think he was down at Dave Ward's. I helped Dad. do chores and then went down town for the evening. It was very hot to-day and the Lakeshore road was lined with cars and picnicers https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/ec531b4fe533d22ff6f80b7fde58c1c7.pdf 7ae42df789fad78945de882cbb83ce4f PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Monday June 2nd Dad. took Harry & Pommers back and disked all morning with them. I went back and helped him hook up and then came up and helped Frank mix the barley & oats for seed and treat it with formalin. That took us till about noon. Broadley & Jason were here for dinner and we didn't get a very early start this after noon. Dad. took the drill back with Harry & Joe and I took the seed with Belle & Queen and we let Pommers rest. Dad. started to drill and I harrowed ahead of him and we got over quite a little piece of ground. I went down to band practice to-night. Still very hot and dry. Tuesday June 3rd Dad. disked this morning and I harrowed. Dad. had Dave in with old Harry this morning and at first he went fine but after he got started he fought badly. Dad. put Joe & Harry on the drill this afternoon and got some more drilled but on account of the heat couldn't make much headway for fear of doing up the horses. I harrowed with Belle & Queen for awhile this afternoon but poor old Belle was fagged right out. They are soft any way not having had any work all spring and this awful heat they say is killing a good many of them where men are not careful. To-night Marj. and I went to the picture show which was very funny. Wednesday June 4th I haven't worked the team to-day at all as it is still very hot and Dad. thought it was unsafe to put Belle in. Dad. has been back all day with Joe and Harry. He finished disking & harrowing but didn't get it quite all drilled. I cut the lawn this morning and spent most of the after noon wheeling the compost heap out to where I want to put the perennial border. Frank did odd jobs in the garden and around the house. Enah and Tid. went down town to Aunty Alice's for tea. She had Dick, Mrs Dick (Molly) & Alan Tibbits down there for tea Dad. and I drove Queen down after tea and Dad went down there and came home with Enah and I went for a drive up the Radical Road with Marj. Frank was down town too and went up the creek. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/d1fbbe66b1cc06bfa64dd92c33427eef.pdf 54051460315b0fef7f437a07d92f808b PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Thursday June 5th Dad. took Joe and Harry back this morning and finished drilling the field and started harrowing. This after noon we both went back as Dad. had Pommers in intending to put him on the harrows but he seemed to be "feeling his oats" and showed several signs of misbehaviour so Dad. decided it would not be wise to hook him to the harrows so we hooked him to the <s>drill</s> disks and brought them up around by the road. A car passed us along by the corner field and he paid no attention to it till it got past and then he kicked three or four times and kicked so hard that he broke the end of his whippletree. I went over to Pickfords and borrowed a rope to tie the end of Harry's doubletree back and we got them up without any more mishaps. It started to rain soon after we got back and rained hard for awhile. When it was over Dad. and Frank went back and brought up the waggon and a couple of bags of oats which Dad. had left over. Arthur Preston was over during the rain and we sat out in the drive house discussing the League of Nations, Peace Conference, Winnipeg Strike and other little matters of equal unimportance. I oiled or at started to oil harness this morning. The pure bred calf got out of the barn this morning and we hunted high & low for him but couldn't find him till the rain came and scared him up out of the clover where he had been lying concealed only a few feet from where we had walked looking for him. We didn't go up to Ham's to-night. Friday June 6th Dad. went down to Aunty's this morning to trim up the walks and the lawn for them and was down all day. I spent the morning filling out applications for the registration of the lambs and three purebred calves, it took me till noon. This after noon I finished oiling the light harness. Frank worked over in the garden disking up the place where we want to set out the strawberries and he set out some tomato plants. Cooler. Old Quint got home last night. I saw him to-night. Bigger than ever. Saturday June 7th Dad. and Frank went back and ran out the ditches in the field Dad. has just sowed while I dug up part of my perennial bed. It is so late know that I guess I will have to just summer fallow it. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/16da3920079ea94da2ba7a41721de1e7.pdf 5419f8d6a0cfcfa96efe294861db6609 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. and possibly plant it in the fall. When they came up we went out and set out about 150 strawberry plants. We went back after dinner and set out the rest of the patch about 300 plants altogether. Frank and I put on a little jag of hay for the horse stable and Dad. cut some of the long grass around the shop. I had to quit early to get down and go with the band out on the "City of Dover" Holbe was opening the season by running free excursions out in the lake and Mid. invited the band to go along in the evening. We had two trips one at eight and one at nine. The first one we played up on deck but it got too dark to see so we had to go down below where they were lights but it didn't sound nearly so well as we were all boxed in. When we came off Mid treated us all to ice cream in at Alf's. Sunday June 8th Frank Tid. and I went down to Sunday school and Enah went down to church. Aunty Alice invited Marj. Tid & me there to dinner but Marj. and I came over here right after dinner and got Queen and went for a drive. We went out to Butler's to get my book & brushes which Willard brought home from Guelph last winter but no one was home so we drove on out and turned west at Mt. Zion church and travelled through country that was strange to me and the nicest looking territory we had seen any place this year. We came south through Lynn Valley and Marj. came back here to tea. We went back down town about ten o'clock and a little thunder shower came up but we took shelter on Charlie Ivey's verandah. Jack Paine was in for about an hour this morning Dad. said trying to coax some of us to go and shear his sheep. Mr. Millman was also over this after noon for awhile with Aunty & Aunty Alice & Tid. He brought Percy & his family up in the car yesterday. Percy has rented a cottage here for the summer. Monday June 9th We dipped the sheep this morning and it took us all the fore noon. It took quite awhile to rig up the tank and dripping board which we made out of the waggon box https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/848402e91f67b17f08273ce1217d9cfb.pdf f7d74a14cf7147dbf8b10a2a3e384afe PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. We put it in the east bay in the barn where the floor is about a foot and a half higher than the bottom of the bay and ran the sheep in from the barn floor to the tank and let them drip in the bay. Art Quanbury brought his over and we dipped them making 74 head all told. Old Broadley was here to dinner and we were a little late having it. Alan Law came over to borrow a spade after dinner to dig up some paeony roots so I went over with him and got a lot more roots as well as come larkspur. They are disking every thing up over there to sow oats. The grass is about a foot high and the field looks as about as green when they sow it as it does after its up and still they are hoping to get a catch of clover seed. It took me nearly all the after noon to dig them and set them out. Dad. went back and ran out some ditches in the back field and Frank worked in the garden. I went down to band practice to-night and Frank went down to the show. We both had a good swim at the bridge on our way home. Enah went down town this morning and sent away the applications for registration of the lambs & calves. We have decided to have a Dickens herd and call all the calves after Dickens characters and instead of having family names & numbers, we will call all calves belonging to one family, names from the same book. We called Nellie's calves Nancy and Oliver Twist and Elgitha's Wilkins Micawber. Tuesday June 10th We didn't get started very early this morning as we had a lot of puttering around to do. We had to put the waggon box back on the truck, we had used it as a dripping board yesterday while dipping and one of the ewes no 17 about the best one in the flock needed attention as she is very sick and we have no hope to-night for her recovery. We can't think what can ail her unless she got some of the dip inside her and is poisoned. Dad. was in the back field cleaning out to ditches all day and Frank and I hauled out manure with Harry & Joe and the waggon and spread it on the strip where we want to put roots and potatoes. We cleaned out the calf pen first and hauled it out. Marj. and I went to the show to-night. Fine, very dry, not so hot. Wednesday June 11th The sick ewe was considerably better this morning https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/665dd87300b62fdb905ab5d210678a70.pdf baca73a147480071433f2138df62eb3e PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. We were very agreeably surprised when we went out after breakfast and gave her a little help that she got up and stood on her feet. She then drank about a quart of water and has taken quite a lot of gruel during the day. She is very weak yet to-night but we now have great hopes for her recovery. We got Billy in the stable this morning and have had him tied up all day preparatory for giving him his first lesson. He fought hard while we were at dinner for he broke his halter but Dad. had a big rope around his neck so that he didn't get loose. Dad. let him back with the others to-night. We had Pommers in with Harry on the plow to-day plowing the root ground. All three of us went back with him and plowed a round or two before dinner. Frank held the plow, Dad drove. and I held the line in his bit rings in case of his cutting up. I didn't need to use it at all however so this after noon Dad. and I worked the outfitt and I plowed. Frank went to Simcoe to pay our insurance. To-night Marj. and I went for a drive with Queen. Mr. Johnson left three posters advertising the strawberry social up at the Smythes and we tacked them up at the mill & Edmund England's corner. Thursday June 12th Dad. and I finished plowing the root ground this morning with Harry & Pommers and Dad. disked it up with them this after noon. I spent the after noon cutting the lawn and washing Mexico's cart down at the mill. Frank went down to Alfred's this morning and brought the geese home as Colin was in last night to tell us they were there. He has been working in the garden most of the day. George and Miss Sutherland came to-night on the Hamilton train and Enah went down to meet them with Mexico. Hot day. Friday June 13th Dad. worked on the root ground all day with Harry and Joe. I cleaned out the bull's pen and did odd jobs this morning and Frank put a formalin solution in the dipping tank and treated the potatoes. He and I spent most of the after noon cutting them. Frank Faulkner was in this morning with a sick pig for Dad. to look at. It got as stiff as a board about every ten minutes. George & Miss Sutherland spent most of the after noon sleeping. I went down to see Marj. to-night. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/55b05b6b400cd2035547f2bb52dd1445.pdf dbf0531428cfae45f43de99ae6fbcf2b PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Saturday June 14th I got home this morning soon after midnight and found Dad. and Frank both asleep, dressed, and when Dad. woke up, he was very anxious about Belle. She had been in pain off and on during the evening but still showed no signs of foaling so he thought some thing must be wrong. I changed my clothes and lay down and about four Dad. called me as he had decided to make an examination. He did and said he was afraid there was no hope for the colt and very little for Belle. He then went to the house and called Frank to go down and get Bruce. While he was gone Belle lay down and in about ten minutes just after Dad. got back had a fine big colt and both he & she are doing fine. Dad. has christened him George Broadley. We planted the potatoes this morning. George and Miss Sutherland helped us. Just after dinner a heavy thunder storm came up. It didn't last long but a lot of water fell and there was a fierce little gale with it. It came out terribly sultry and hot after it. Frank and I hauled a little jag of straw over to the horse stable. We all went down town to-night but it was too hot to dance, we watched them. We three boys went for a swim on our way home. Sunday June 15th Frank, Tid and I went down to Sunday school and the rest except Dad. went down to church. I ran across Quint after church and we took a walk down to the beach. There were a lot in swimming. Quint was telling me that Alan & Dick Tibbitts intend to put up a hundred more bathing houses this week. Aunty and Aunty Alice came over here to dinner but left a lunch for me which I had alone down there. I spent the after noon with Marj. trying to find a cool spot. We didn't have much success but did get a shady & fairly breezy place over in Globe Park, where we camped with some books. The Millmans were over here and took Aunty, Aunty Alice, George & Miss Sutherland down to Auntys where they had tea. They came back after tea and took Dad. & Enah for a motor drive. Billy was with them and I guess kept them highly entertained. I came home to tea and helped do chores and went back again this evening. Frank went down to Wards on his wheel after supper. Monday June 16th I felt very lazy all morning and managed to keep from https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/29d0dc3fd45eb19724014f9ba1147d58.pdf 6be988ff2dbd0cdbfc7f391400964a59 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. any very strenuous labor. Dad. went out and disked harrowed and rolled the mangel ground with Harry & Pommers this morning and I think Frank helped him and also worked in the garden. I went down to the Quanbury's to borrow their seed drill but John said it was out at Charlie's place so I fooled around the pond awhile and then drove Joe out to Charlie's. He told me the drill was at Art's place so I went back and got it and by the time I got home it was noon. George & Miss Sutherland went down to Aunty's with Mexico to gather greens for dinner. We had dinner rather late and old Broadley was here. It rained again for a little while right after dinner so we didn't do any thing much for awhile. When it cleared off I went out and drilled in the mangel seed. I sowed two lbs. of seed on 8 or 9 rows and one row of turnip. Dad. cut the grass around the shop. I went down to band practice to-night and had a swim on my way home. After I got home and before I went to bed I was much surprised to see George and Miss Sutherland walk in as I thought all hands were asleep. They had been for a walk. We got some cider and sat up till a very late hour, quietly carousing. Tuesday June 17th I haven't done any thing much all day. Dad. & Frank plowed the old garden back of the shop and Dad. worked it this after noon. I worked a little on the lawn this morning and Miss Sutherland and I started to weed out the rose border. This after noon I helped Dad. hook Pommers up to the disks and helped unhook him. An old fellow named Culver from up near Simcoe was in with another Percheron stallion and wanted us to use him, but we told him we were using Jason. I shaved this after noon and spent quite awhile discussing various things with Marion. She reads Omar Khayyam to me and is very fond of it. I enjoy the poetry of it but argue with her on the philosophy of it, she however agrees with him but she is very nice to argue with. To-night we all went down to Mrs. Dick Tibbitt's "At Home" and according to the ladies who are capable of judging such matters it was very nice. To me the ice cream was nice, the conversation very gobbly and the temperature rather high but altogether I didn't put in such a bad time. George, Frank and Marion went out to hoe potatoes this after noon. Frank came in after cider and soon after George was the only man on the job. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/3045441dc27694decfdf1bddcb673b75.pdf acccd7139dc4520074a40283c0118aed PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Wednesday June 18th This has been a very lazy day for me. Dad. and I took Billy out this morning for a lesson on the reins and he did very well. The trailing after him seemed to give me a pain and it stayed with me all day. I just sat around from the time we came in till dinner time. Dad. went out to hoe in the garden but said he couldn't find the stuff that was up so he came in and read Whitcomb Riley to us. Frank went to Simcoe on the early car and got back about noon. He got a new horse collar and did some other purchasing. This after noon Frank & George hoed out in the garden. I slept for about an hour after dinner and then Dad. and I got out the cultivator and old Harry and cultivated the garden. Enah, Tid. & Marion went down to the Lake for a swim. Marion stayed at Aunty's for tea and George and I walked down after tea. Mrs. Millman & Billy were there for tea and Billy was reading them the manuscript of a book he is writing. It sounded very well written what I heard of it. Quint & Joe were working at the boat house and I went up town with them but spent the evening over at the Monteiths. Very hot still. Thursday June 19th Dad. and I gave Billy a little exercising this morning and then went and hoed in the garden till noon. George, Marion & Tid went to the Lake for a swim this morning. This after noon Frank and I went up to Jack McBrides and got a roll of wire fence and then over to Jack Martin's and borrowed his hog crate. We put a piece of the fence across the orchard just south of where the little trees are so that we can let the sheep in the south end of the orchard without them getting at the little trees. There is good pasture in there now. We all went down town to-night. I went to the band concert as we gave our first open air concert of the season to-night. The reeve treated us to ice cream afterwards and then I persuaded Harry Dyer to go up and cut my hair. The rest of the family spent the evening at the Barwell's I went over there about eleven o'clock just in time to get some ice cream and hear Billy Millman recite "David Lilly" and the "Highwayman" also the "Cremation of Sam McGee." George Frank and I went for a good swim at the dam on our way home. It has been hot but a nice breeze to-day. Rained a little. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/0c45fbd392cecefc15d6e54d1aed5b75.pdf 106e4b531c10735797f6c231f2212870 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Friday June 20th Frank and I had to go down to Clarence Finch's this morning with old Gladys. We stopped at Hallam's shop on our way home and got Tom's old democrat which he told us to bring over here if we wanted it. A heavy shower came up while we were there. Frank took shelter in the blacksmith shop but I didn't like to leave the team so when I got Tom's rig fastened I came home. This after noon Frank rolled the old garden and disked it. I shaved and read awhile after dinner and then went out and helped Dad. and Tid. pick the strawberries. They got quite a mess and we had them for tea. Enah, <s>Frank</s> <s>went</s> George and Marion went up to the Strawberry social at the Smythe's this after noon and Frank took Joe and went up about six. I went down and joined the band at half past seven and went up in Jim Bush's car. We had a very good time and the festival was a success in every way. They took in $220.00 or more. The band got all the strawberries and ice cream it could hold and then got treated to 2 1/2 % beer which had been ordered to sell at the soft drink booth but which had caused such a scandal amongst the pious folks that they had to take it in the house and hide it behind the sofa and subsequently feed it to the band. Poor band, it certainly is rotten stuff. I came home with Mr. Johnson and Bill Barwell. We were held up at the cemetry by another car stuck in the road so we went to look for some human bones which a couple of kids said they saw lying in the sand there beside the road. Mr. Johnson lit matches and I groped with my hand and sure enough found a skull. We overtook Mexico and his load coming around the hill so we all got home to-gether before twelve. Frank rolled in some time before morning having been down Mud Street. Saturday June 21st I raked up and cut the lawn this morning and Dad. and I gave Billy a little exercise. Tupper came in for a visit on his way home from the mill and stayed all morning. Frank and George took the mower to pieces and are going to put on new ledger plates. Frank went over to Tupper's this after noon and got an old binder tongue to make a new tongue for the rake. I didn't do any thing much but sit around and work a little at the perennial border. Dad. Paris-greened the potatoes. Enah, Marion & Tid. went down https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/152df8ccafe9c11702026ef37575502e.pdf f5a7d9b8182da410c588975b06ed282a PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. town this after noon. George spent the after noon writing letters. He received a packet of mail yesterday from Grand daddy with a telegram enclosed offering him a position as instrument man with a survey party going to Peace River at $100 a month. George thought that was "joke" but another epistle from Grand daddy informed him that he had answered the telegram saying he didn't think George would accept the position. George sent a wire right off yesterday contradicting that statement and this after noon wrote his father telling him that while it was perfectly alright to open his letters he did object to his answering them. To-night George Marion and I went for a drive. Dad. said he would like to see the skull I found so we went up and got it and brought it home. We then went on out through Lynn Valley. It was the first time they had had a ride behind Queen and it was quite a treat I think after Mexico. We had some music when we got home. Sunday June 22nd Frank Tid. and I went down to Sunday school and Enah George and Marion went down to church. I stayed at Aunty's for dinner. Mr. & Mrs. Millman were there and so was Tid. Frank came home to dinner but all the rest went down to the Harding's for their midday repast. I came home early and wrote to {Darrie?}. The rest came home fairly early and Alan, Dick & Mrs. Dick Tibbitts came over for tea. I left right after tea for Nanticoke as Marj. went down last night with {Warrie?} Banfield and I drove her home. It has been a lovely day with a fine cool breeze. Monday June 23rd Dad. had to go down to Sam Law's this morning and he drove George and Marion down town and they went up creek. He then drove Aunty down to Sam's with him. I hoed the strawberries and Frank took the mower guards down and had the new ledger plates riveted on. Broadley was here for two or three hours at noon as he had several customers, consequently we didn't get much done. Frank and George have the mower all fixed up ready for business and Frank got a couple of pieces of ash for the rake tongue. I went down to band practice to-night. We saw by to-day's paper that Dick is with the troops that landed in Canada on the Monteagle on Friday so we expect him home in two or three days. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/24661b29076f129837caee566a941cf9.pdf fa450d69313f7e04dfb1de7912a8109f PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Tuesday June 24th Dad. and I cultivated the old garden and the mangels out in the field this morning with old Harry. I went sound asleep after dinner and dozed off considerable time, all efforts to wake me proving futile so they say. I had some cider before dinner I don't know whether that was the cause of it or not, after I did wake up I helped George a little who has put in the day making a bigger doorway in the end of the horse stable loft to let the hay in. Marion and I then went out and picked some strawberries. Marj. came over to tea and spent the evening but I had to go to Woodhouse with the band as there was another strawberry social on up there. We had a good feed and I got home about half past eleven just as George and Maron were getting home with Mexico after having driven Marj. home. Harry Ansley died yesterday. Wednesday June 25th Dad. went down and got his hair cut this morning and this afternoon he and Enah went down to Harry Ansley's funeral. Frank and George put the shafts on the cart this morning and I spent most of the fore noon correcting the application that I had returned for the sheep registration's. It poured rain all the after noon so we didn't do any thing out-side Marion & I read all sorts of things this after noon, Irish History, Pope, Burns and the dictionary. George and Frank and Tid. played & read. Dad. saw in the paper to-day that the Siberian troops had reached Toronto so was quite sure of Dick being home to-night and drove down to meet him but he didn't come. I drove down with him as it was too wet for the band to go to Jack McBride's where we were booked to play for the Presbyterian strawberry social. I spent the evening over at the Monteith's and stayed all night at Aunty's. Thursday June 26th It has rained pretty much all day although there have been fine and sunny spaces between the showers. Dad. and I went out to set out some cabbage & tomato plants this morning but a big shower drove us in before we got much done. Marion came out to tell us that Aunty and Aunty Alice were over here. They stayed to dinner Dess had been down with a letter she received from Dick saying that he was in Toronto but would be unable https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/de550be67f34dbeeee3278b132f43144.pdf 1beb56c47e45dc597a545de1084c2b22 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. to reach home, he was afraid before Monday as he couldn't get his discharge right away. After dinner Dad. drove Aunty & Aunty Alice back down town and a big storm came up while <s>they</s> he was gone. I sat around and read and slept till it cleared off and then went out and worked a little more at the perennial border and Marion and I weeded out some more of the roses till it was time to go and get the cows. I went down to band concert to-night and all the rest were down town too. George, Enah and Marion were up at Ada's for awhile. Friday June 27th When Dad. went back for the cows this morning he found the whole bunch as well as the colts in on the oats. They had broken one of the bars and knocked the other one down. I went back with him after breakfast and helped him drive the colts out. When we came up we hooked up Pommers and old Harry and started plowing a piece along the road from in the sheep pasture for rape. He went very well and we plowed most of the day. Frank, George and Marion picked the strawberries this morning and picked 28 baskets. Frank set out the rest of the tomato and cabbage plants. Enah went down town this after noon I think to see if Mrs. Wilson wanted Mexico, but Clare Herring told her that Mrs. Wilson had gone to Toronto and left her dog here and he was amusing himself eating up the neighbor's chickens. To-night I went up to the Presbyterian strawberry social at Jack McBrides. The band I think walked up from town and I walked from here. They were about half through playing the second piece when I arrived. We were well fed and had a good time. I got a ride home with Frank & Jennie Wards. He was just starting to take her home when I came out the gate. I sent my horn down town with Pud. Slocombe. When I got home I found all the family in bed but Enah & Marion the latter was writing letters. I brought up some cider and cookies and after Enah left us and Marion finished her correspondence, she and I sat and read Omar Khayyam till Frank arrived. Very much cooler. Saturday June 28th The cattle were all in on the oats again this morning and I went back with Dad. and put them out. They had broken down a panel of fence over by the woods. George Frank and Marion went back and fixed it after breakfast. Dad. and I finished ploughing the rape ground and Dad. worked https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/8aa272da76f764b08cd38cb446ba97a3.pdf ab53c163102c9e1e740bd42473aaee5c PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. it down this afternoon. He also harrowed over the old garden back of the shop and sowed corn on it with the drill. I drove Aunty & Aunty Alice up to the cemetry this after noon and to-night went down to see Marj. Lovely day. When I got home to-night I was quite surprised <s>Sunday</s> to find Dad. talking to Dick in the kitchen the rest had all gone to bed. I thought as Dick didnt come up on the train he wouldn't be here but he came with Ade and a Mr. Meddlin in Ade's car. He has to go back to-morrow as he didn't get his discharge. I guess from all accounts they had lively times here to-night. Ade brought up a bottle of whiskey & one of port wine and they had finished a flask or so on the way up and on coming into the house. Mr. Meddlin began to to feel his oats. They all had a glass of wine around to celebrate Dick's homecoming and then one to celebrate Peace as the treaty was signed to-day although no body took much notice of it. Mr. Meddlin passed a glass of wine across the table to some one and George rescued it from going down the lamp chimney, then he (Meddlin) kissed Enah a couple of times telling her she shouldn't mind as he had brought her boy home. I guess she didn't. To wind up with as they were going out to the car he fell over himself and just about cracked his "bean." Sunday June 29th Ade and his pal were over before we were through milking this morning. They had been up since half past four and had had a swim and breakfast at Hec's then as no one down town was up came over here. Every thing here was in such a state of commotion owing to Dick's arrival home that none of us got down to church but just sat around and enjoyed life. I went down to Aunty's at twelve o'clock for dinner but they hadn't got home from church at half past twelve and as they told me to be at the band room at one o'clock I had some bread and butter and left without seeing them. I needn't have been so rushed as we didn't leave the band room till half past one and led the Oddfellows up Main St. in time to catch the two o'clock car. We all boarded the car and got off at Anderson's crossing walking from there over to the cemetry. The Oddfellows got all their graves decorated in time to catch the four o'clock car and we played hymns https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/5170600c5bae7b6b2cc9ee545e7e0cef.pdf fdc0220698ca5ea94fda037e3cb42649 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. while they were at it. I went over to the Monteith's as soon as we finished playing down town and got Marj. to come over to tea. We didn't get over till about six o'clock as we had to stop at Aunty's & Miss McQueen's for Marj. to say good-bye. She is going to the St. Catherines, Ridley College, Summer school to-morrow on the two car. Dick went back to Toronto at four o'clock to-day hoping to get his discharge to-morrow. We were rather late getting the chores done and the Millman family all came over in Ade's car just before tea. After tea Frank wanted to print some pictures so we all helped him but Marj. and I went home fairly early. It has been a very nice day & cool. Monday June 30th Dad. and I cultivated the mangels and potatoes in the field this morning and spent most of the after noon hoeing in the old garden. Frank went down town this morning to see about getting ladders for the rack. He left the pattern down with Reynolds months ago but they have never been finished. Reynolds told him he told Emery to make them Saturday, but Emery hadn't showed up this morning, he thought he was decorating Bert Thompson's car for tomorrow's parade. Frank mowed half of the field east of the orchard this after noon. We have decided to leave the field back of the barn for alsike. I went down to band practice to-night. Dick came in to Aunty's while I was there. He had just got in at eight o'clock and had his discharge in his pocket. He was a tickled boy. On my way home I stopped in and Quint and Hazel Dunkin were there Hazel was staying there all night. He had ridden down from Vittoria this after noon and was wearing riding breeches & putties and looked like the devil. Tuesday July 1st I spent most of the morning polishing my horn and the rest of the family doing chores and getting ready for a picnic down at the beach. Dick went down fairly early with Dad. and George, Marion and Enah went down a little later driving Mexico. Frank and I went down at noon. We had a fine spread just below Sovereens cottage, but I couldn't stay long as they told me to be at the band room at one o'clock. I spent the rest of the day with the band. We played for an hour or so on the bandstand and then went out for about half an hour on the https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/afe06ab6a30b1baad0927cb9fb263cd1.pdf ab7e6718164440c0042f4b720a63f4bf PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. "City of Dover". From there we went up to Buck's park and played one piece there before tea. I had tea at Aunty's and we spent the evening playing in Orchard Beach park. Nothing very exciting happened to-day. There was the usual run of sports, a baby show on the bandstand being the only think a little out of the ordinary. They had about 30 babies entered in it. Mrs. Percy Millman had hers there and asked me to hold it for her which I did for awhile. Chris Quanbury's baby took 1st prize. It was just hot enough to-day to bring the crowd in but not uncomfortable. I went over for a few minutes while we were waiting for the boat to see Alan & Dick Tibbits and Quint. Alan said they had had their bathing houses full up all the after noon. Quint only got his booth about half built and his ice cream didn't come but he seemed to be doing a good business selling soft drinks and cigarettes. Pete Holmes new casino opened to-day. <s>Tuesday</s> Wednesday July 2nd Frank was down town nearly all morning getting the rack fixed up and the new ladder put on. I raked up the hay that was cut and Dad cocked up. We both cocked up all the after noon and Frank cut the other half of the field. Enah drove George and Marion down to the station this morning and saw them off. They both seemed to hate to go and we were all very sorry to see them leave. This morning at breakfast we all found a little bottle of grape juice at our plates with an appropriate verse from Omar Khayyam in Marion's writing on each bottle, after we had emptied them I filled hers and mine up with hard cider and she took hers and I put mine away "Till we meet again". Dick has been down town all day ordering new clothes. Thursday July 3rd Dad. and I finished or nearly finished cocking up what was raked by noon and this after noon we started hauling in. Dick & Frank pitched on and I loaded. We got two loads in the barn from that field and then hauled in what was cocked up in the field we are leaving for alsike, about half a load there. We had it up by five o'clock and then I went back for the cows while the others pitched it off in the horse stable. Aunty & Aunty Alice were over to dinner. I was at band concert to-night https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/c9c405ec1ba6cb637d1d34a7f3364528.pdf ac0491927bfdca91c6ff738ad81b974d PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Friday July 4th We got out fairly early this morning and had one load on by about half past eight. We left in on the waggon till noon and I took the team and raked up what was cut. When I finished raking, Dad. and I took the load up and then cocked up. We finished cocking up by soon after dinner as there were the four of us at it. When we finished cocking up we started hauling again and got in three more loads and put them off. Dick went down town to-night and Frank went out to see Bill Sidway. He says he is improving very slowly. Saturday July 5th We established a record for ourselves to-day in hauling hay. We got out soon after seven and hauled in nine loads to-day and had the last one in the barn by about half past six. We would have had another in but the big rope broke again this morning where Lew Brock sliced it last year and that delayed us for some time. Frank found it would take too long to splice it again so we used the rope Roy sent up last fall. It is an older rope and not so big as our own but seems to work satisfactorily. It was about twice too long so we cut it. There are still about two or three loads left in the field. The boys went down town to-night but I didn't go. I intended to go for a swim after it got dark but I went to sleep and slept till too late. Hot. Sunday July 6th Frank and I and Tid. went to Sunday school and church this morning and Dad. and Enah went down to church. Dad. stayed down at Aunty's to dinner & for the after noon but Enah came home. I went down right after dinner with my horn as the band gave a sacred concert in the park to celebrate the peace thanksgiving which was appointed for to-day. I came home with Dad. about five o'clock after stopping in for a few minutes at Aunty's to see Louise who came up Friday. I slept most of the evening. Frank went down to Ward's and Dick has been down town all day. Cloudy and very much cooler all day. Monday July 7th Frank started cutting the 12 acres across the gully https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/a51d37b5b57a2ac6d9ba5c555755fca3.pdf 3bee1fb1e1fbae1f5a72ecbb3616636d PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. this morning and has been cutting all day. He raked up what he cut this morning before he quit to night. The cattle were in on the oats again this morning and Dad. had to fix the fence where they got in first thing this morning. I did a few odd jobs around here and then went out and started to eat & trim the mangels. Dad. came out with Belle before I got one line done and I helped him cultivate the mangels and part of the potatoes before dinner. Broadley was here for a long time to-day so Dad. didn't get out very early. I went back with Frank at noon as he took the rake back and wanted some help to get through the gates and then I started at the mangles again till Dad was ready to bring Belle out, then we finished cultivating the potatoes and went over to the garden and cultivated everyt hing we could there. Aunty was over at noon to help celebrate Dad's birthday. Dick went down with her after dinner to post a letter to McNab, his old bank manager out West, who wrote him the other day wanting him to come back at $1000 a year. Dick doesn't want to go back just yet. Soon after they left Dess came over and stayed till about 5 o'clock, then as Dick didn't come back she went down again. She evidently missed him down there for Dick. came home about seven o'clock having had his tea at Aunty's. He rode Frank's wheel back down town but didn't stay long. I went down to band practice to-night. We had a lot of new music and Ed. wasn't there. On my way home I met Cousin Clare escorted by Alan Tibbitts and Totie. Smith. They had been down at Aunty's. Totie informed me that there was some cake left so I went down and found Quint there demolishing the last piece of cherry pie and making alarming inroads into a chocolate cake, but I was in time to check his advance and save a couple of pieces. He had brought down a lot of sweet cherries from home so Aunty Alice give me some to bring home as I approached home I could hear great revelry and found the family engaged in song & dance in the parlor. The Shands had been here. Very nice day sunny but cool. Tuesday July 8th Frank went back this morning and continued to cut till about eleven o'clock when he broke the pitman rod on the mower and had to stop. He went up to https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/4504e82bd4702624faa2a36e0bb088ca.pdf 2bf29de2b1363df27b0e392f6493ed2e PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Simcoe on the 12 o'clock car and got a new one and also got Joe Howell to fix the old one, but he didn't get home in time to do any more cutting to-day. Dad. Dick and I wemt back this morning and cocked up what Frank raked yesterday. This after noon we hauled in what was left in the field east of the orchard and did it in two loads, but for some reason or other it took us about all the after noon. Getting it out of the little gully made it harder pitching and harder loading. Then the lift jammed once in the car but I got it loose by getting over on it and prying the latch off the gate. Cool day. Wednesday July 9th We took the rack to the back field this morning and brought a load up with us at noon. I raked all that was fit and Dad. & Dick cocked up. Frank fixed the pitman rod on the mower and after I finished raking, cut a few more rounds. This after noon we put off the load we hauled up and then went back and cocked up and Frank finished cutting. We didn't get back very early as we had to change the pulley to the other end of the barn and that delayed us a little. We brought up another load to-night. Louise came over here to dinner. Jim brought her over with the mail. Enah drove her down with Mexico this after noon. She can't walk very far yet since having the Flu. Dick Tibbitts was over for awhile at noon. He had some papers for Dad to sign. We three boys went for a swim at the bridge to-night. Fine and cool. Thursday July 10th We all went back this morning and Frank finished raking and then helped us cock up. We got it all up in cock by about eleven. Chris Quanbury came after Dad to go and look at Jack's lambs. One died yesterday and they thought two more were sick, they were not though Dad. said and the one that died had a big wool ball in its stomach which Dad. found when he opened it. This after noon I went up to Ham Thompson's to see a poultry culling demonstration. Ushay from the College was down and showed how to pick out the hens that hadn't layed much during the winter & spring by their yellow legs. Dad. and the boys got in two loads while I was gone but it was very windy and consequently hard to pitch https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/7fd58b931282add8f5b67f74d0ce9253.pdf 5baa49b28541f96235b8cddba91d88fe PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Ham. has a new hay loader and I drove the team for them while it put on one load. It took it up right up out of the swath as clean as a rake would. I went down to band concert to-night but the lights were so bad that we couldn't play more than about three pieces, however we went up to the band room and had a practice. Cool & windy. Friday July 11th We hauled hay all day off the back field and got in five loads. Frank loaded and I helped Dad. or Dick pitch on. We have about all the {illegible} of it now and put it in the barn, we will put the rest in the horse stable. Tom. told Dad. this morning that Reynold's drugstore was burned to the ground last night or at least this morning between three & four o'clock. He said the Orangemen had a meeting up above there last night so Dad. said of course they would be blamed for it as Taylor & Reynolds are both catholics. In spite of the high wind they saved all the houses near from the fire but the Chinese laundry shack was squashed flat when the wall of the store fell Dick spent the evening writing to various lady friends, he seems to have them in a string reaching half way round the earth now. Enah and Tid drove Mexico down to view the remains of the drugstore. Very cool. Saturday July 12th We hauled in all the hay from the back field in five loads to-day, the last load was a small one. The first load we put off in the barn but Dad. changed the car and we put the other four in the horse stable loft. It was a little after six when we got the last load off and then we went out and brought in the six cocks that were left at the end of the orchard, so that we have no cut hay our for our Sunday. Dick and Frank both walked down town to-night and I think went to the dance and I drove Queen down and back fast for exercise. Cloudy & quite cool. Looks a little like rain. Sunday July 13th Tid. and I went down to Sunday school this morning and the rest all came down to church except Frank who went back to the side hill field to hunt sow thistle. Mr. Johnson was away and a Mr. Tillet I think his name was took the service. He has lately come from Serbia and was appealing for https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/f8af8ba8f88dc8a27714fc5f7bbaa871.pdf 7943ec5c349ce1e4cb463dcb3e4c9638 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. the Serbian relief fund. He was a very poor speaker and looked any thing but starved as he says every one in Serbia is but made it clear that the kids over there were in pretty distressing straits and I think got quite a boodle for the fund. Dick and I stayed at Aunty's to dinner and I spent the whole after noon there visiting with Aunty, Aunty Alice & Louise. I came home in time to help do chores. Enah went down to tea and to play the organ to-night. Mr. Farney preached but Mr. Johnson got home in time to take the service. Dad. & Tid walked down after tea and came home with Enah & Frank went out to Bill Sidway's with some books. Very hot & dry, wind to-day. Monday July 14th Dad. and I spent most of the morning grinding mower knives but I went out about eleven and started to weed and thin mangels. I was at it all the after noon and to-night have four rows finished one was nearly done when I started. Frank cut the thistles in the orchard this morning and was delayed a little by one of the ledger plates springing and catching a section. This after noon he cut hay, timothy out east of the old garden. Dad. spent most of the after noon cutting thistles with the scythe along the fence in the corner field. Aunty was over for a few minutes before dinner with some raspberries they had picked down home. Dick was down town all the after noon and in bed all morning. Old Broadley was here for a long time at noon. This is his last trip. I went down to band practice to-night and went down to Pete Holmes casino afterwards where I found Dick & Quint. Frank was down town too and I had promised to meet him & go for a swim about half past eleven but when I got there we was in. I then waited for about half an hour for Dick and then went in just as he came. Cloudy & cool. Tuesday July 15th It rained a little spatter early this morning so as the alsike was tough enough to work at Frank cut for an hour or two this morning and then raked up the hay he <s>raked</s> cut yesterday. Dad. and I thinned out a few more mangels. This after noon Frank cut the rest of the hay between the old oat stubble and the ditch. Dad. Dick and I cocked up what he raked this morning. I went over to Jacks after we got it https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/f668f52aaedd2cd4939110b6a3a99092.pdf 85595d9fa4b506ea04822bc5a5e853c1 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. cocked up and borrowed a crate to ship some broilers. I thought I would have about a crate full but when Dad. and I caught them to-night I only got 13 that I thought were worth taking. Enah took Tid down to a picnic that Aunty had to-day for Mrs. Browne & the two kids. Enah went down after him again to-night. Quite cool and fresh breeze. Wednesday July 16th I took my broilers over to Jack's first thing this morning and left them for Jack Walker to call for. I shipped them to Mallen instead of Waller, Chris said he was pretty good. Frank finished cutting the alsike this morning and then raked up the rest of the hay that was cut. We ran the binder out and Frank cleaned it all up ready to start on the wheat this after noon. He cut this after noon but didn't quite finish. Dad. Dick and I cocked hay this morning and part of the after noon and when we finished started to shock up. Dick and I went down and got our hair cut to-night and then went with Dess down to Pete Holmes casino. I had one dance with Dess as I only had five cents and then I went over to Quint's shack and spent the rest of the evening with him getting home about twelve. Dad. announced his intention of calling us at four o'clock to-morrow to bunch up alsike and as I knew that if I once went to bed I would hate to get up at four so thought I would go at it while I was awake. I stuck at it till about half past two but finally got so tired and cold I had to come in. I went to sleep on the sofa with my clothes on. Omar Khayyam swallowed a rubber baloon & died to-day. Thursday July 17th Frank and Dad. went out at four o'clock this morning and bunched up a lot more alsike but I slept in till half past five. After the dew was off Dad. & Frank went through and pulled all the sourdock out of the alsike they could find and I shocked up the wheat that was cut. Frank came out about eleven and cut the rest of the wheat and Dad. & I shocked it up we got through a little after twelve. Dick, Frank and I hauled in a couple of loads of hay from east of the old garden this after noon and put it in the horse stable. Dad. cleaned out the bull pen. We all went down to the band concert to-night. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/26b65c4804d053ad6d70f7759776bff3.pdf ac0d13702051f283339a0af7902fcaa0 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Friday July 15th Frank went out last night after he got home and raked up all the alsike. Dad went out at four o'clock and bunched a lot of it and we all worked at it after breakfast till we got it done. It didn't shell very badly after it was dry. We hauled in one load before dinner but didn't put it off. This after noon we hauled in four more and put them off over the granary. Frank and I drove Queen out to Bill Sidway's to-night to take him a {husk?} he doesn't seem to be improving very fast. We got home about dark and then Frank, Dick and I went for a swim. It was fine. Fine day. Saturday July 19th We hauled in four more loads of alsike this morning besides a jag of couch grass which we threw in the bottom of the bay. We put all that we hauled this morning in the bay. This after noon we three boys went down town, the band played in the park as this was proclaimed a holiday by the King to celebrate peace. There was a big crowd in town but they were all down at the lake. I stayed down at Aunty's for tea. I recived a cheque for my broilers at 40 cts per lb. Sunday July 20th Frank Tid. and I went down to Sunday school this morning and Dad. & Enah went down to church. Huby and I took up the collection. Dad. & Enah stayed down town this after noon Enah & Tid stayed to tea and Dad. drove down after church for them, he came home at six and helped me do chores. Frank Dick and I had dinner to-gether and then Dick went down town but Frank and I stayed home all after noon. Monday July 21st We finished hauling the alsike in two loads this morning and then hauled two loads of wheat before dinner, but as we pulled in the barn with the second load it began to rain quite hard so we didn't get any more in to-day. This after noon I started down town to get my money order cashed but Dick overtook me on the wheel so I sent it down with him and I came home. Frank Dad and I cleaned up some oats as we want to put our next years seed away now as there will probably not be much next Spring. Old Alex Ross came in about five o'clock to see again https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/0bbeed35600751612b1e8f038ad54d3f.pdf 85515f38628c953cb44f3aa6e5e8fca3 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. about pasture for his horse and as he said his brother J.C. Ross from Jarvis was down town Dad. thought I had better drive down and ask him if he could tell us what was causing the wool to come off our sheep. I saw him but he couldn't tell me, he said it was like scab but with it they are itchy. I took my horn down, stayed at Aunty's for tea and went to band practice to-night. Dick was down there for tea too. Tuesday July 22nd It was still too wet to do any hauling this morning so Frank, Dick & I cleaned up some more oats and then put what we had cleaned through again so we think now we have enough for seed cleaned up. Dad. picked blackcurrants and hoed in the garden. This after noon we hauled in the rest of the wheat in three loads one of them a small one. To-night Dick & I drove Queen up to Buter's and I got my book & brushes. It was half past eight & just dark when we got there and Willard & his brother were coming in with a load of alsike. The two of them have taken off 95 acres of hay & alsike and have their whole 150 acres in crop. Frank rode his wheel up to Kelly's Wednesday July 23rd We hauled in the rest of the hay about four loads all but about 12 cocks from east of the old garden and we hauled one load of alsike from out there, there is also a little of it left. We put the hay in the horse stable and pitched the alsike off in the old barn. The bluegrass was hard to pitch and it took a long time to put on a load. Cruikshank & Harris, district agent for Massey Harris were in for about an hour after dinner trying to sell Dad. a fertilizer disc drill. Dad. said he wouldn't take a chance on it but Frank could if he liked so Frank signed their agreement. He is to pay $55 next March and $100 a year from then. To-night Frank rode Mexico down Mud. St. and Dick and I took some milk and cream down to Aunty's and then went for a swim. Thursday July 25th Frank started to cut the rest of the stuff out east of the old garden this morning but had a breakdown with the mower so didn't get any cut. Dad. cultivated the potatoes with Belle amd I thinned at the mangels all day, Dad. helping me this after noon. Dick had a headache this https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/7cdd6dd21808b896b64ffa8eb6ad04f7.pdf 63c508be67043368e2ee2a86550ebfb0 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. morning but got some stuff down town to fix it up. After dinner he and Frank went over to thrash at Jack's, they are thrashing out of the field so they had to take the team. Dad went over about 4.30 and took Dick's place and Dick went down town for tea. Karl. Coleman was over this after noon to look at Kate and was to make a dicker with Frank for her. I went down to band concert to-night. This being my birthday Aunty, Aunty Alice & Cousin Clare came over to dinner. I got a pair of low shoes, a shirt, a neck tie, a wash rag, a film and the "Literary Digest" for a year. Looked stormy and has been a hot dry wind. Friday July 25th I went over to Jack's this morning with Frank & the team and pitched on two or three loads till Dick came over then I went back and thinned more mangels. Dick & Frank have been thrashing all day and finished to-night Jack had 540 bushels from about 20 acres which was better than we thought judging from the fields near the road. I slept for about an hour this after noon & then Dad. and I went out and finished thinning the mangels & turnips. We then took a walk over to Art. Quanbury's to see if his sheep were affected with the same skin disease or whatever it is that ours are but they seemed to be alright. We thought if they were affected we could attribute it to the dip, but we can't make out at all what it is. We brought the cows up with us on our way home. Saturday July 26th Frank had to go down to Ryerse's to thrash this morning and has been down there all day. I put in most of the day hoeing potatoes but took a grist to the mill this morning and went after it again this after noon. Dad. helped me hoe potatoes and put the woodshed screen door on. Dick went down town this after and he and Dess went to Simcoe and stayed all night. It rained a little last night and they say hailed big stones out at Roy Hammonds. Sunday July 27th Frank Tid and I went to Sunday school and Dad. & Enah drove down to church. Tid. and I stayed at Aunty's to dinner and Tid stayed there all the after noon & to tea playing with Rebecca as she and Roy came up with the Millman's last night. I came home soon after https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/cd55724b18dff15d3dc3de91254d3ac7.pdf 2a1d75df396059201e827241ff67bd04 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. dinner and found Dad. and Enah asleep and Frank had gone down to the Cave with Lila, they stayed to tea down at the Ward's. Roy came over to the Woodsons with me and later came over here and stayed to tea Enah drove him home with Mexico about dark and brought Tid. back with her. Very hot & very windy. Monday July 28th Frank cut hay out by the side road all morning and Dad. and I hoed potatoes. This after noon Frank started to rake the hay and leave the patches of alsike. I went out when I thought he had enough raked to cock up but the wind was so strong I couldn't do any thing with it so I came back and started to hoe the potatoes. Dad. took the buggy down town after dinner as he thought one of the axles was sprung. He noticed it the other night when I was driving out and told me that the wheels didn't track. He took it to Joe Howell's and had him come out and look at it while Joe was trying to figure out what was the matter Alan Law who was in the shop burst forth in a loud peel of merriment and informed Dad that the wheels were changed and sure enough that proved to be the case, some one to play a trick, had changed the front and hind wheel on the offside and we had never discovered it it. I suppose it has been done when Frank had it at the garden party awhile ago. About five o'clock Dad. Enah and Tid started off for Charlotteville to pick Huckleberries as they had a card the other day from George Broadley inviting them up. Frank and I got the chores done up fairly well and then I went down to band practice. Aunt Nancy died last night. Aunt Ida is back. Tuesday July 29th Frank and I got up after five this morning and went out to see what we could do with the alsike patches. There was no dew but the stuff was tough. He decided to rake it up and I bunched a little and then went after the cows. Frank cooked some breakfast and went out to mow right after but I did chores in the house and barn. I washed up all the dishes and the seperator made the bed and swept out the kitchen. This took me the biggest part of the morning and then I went out to cock up but the wind was so strong I couldn't so I picked out some of the sour dock. Frank had to go thrashing down at Sam Law's this after noon so I took Harry & Queen and went out to finish https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/ab61de9ed2f66ee8614640f4c1765a16.pdf 1923f5171d82260cab27f6b472c340b9 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. mowing but spent most of the after noon tinkering with the mower. The brass boxing on the crank shaft got hot and I took it off a couple of times and then the knives gummed up so that I had to change them and had a very annoying time during which I said several bad words, and just got the thing ready to cut when the whistle blew, as I didn't know but what I would have to do all the chores alone I quit and went up but just as I got the team put away Dad. Enah & Tid got home. They had had a not altogether enjoyable trip, but got quite a lot of huckleberries. I guess Broadley's hospitality although genuine was very Charlottevillian and Mrs. Broadley or Rachel as Broadley proudly calls her is much fonder of plowing and working in the bush than she is of housekeeping. They were not the only guests for the night as Mr. & Mrs. Ed. Billington were also taking shelter under the same roof. Mrs. Billington used to be a Brook, Law's sister. Tid was sick all day and went to bed as soon as he got home and didn't wake up all evening. Dick was down town all after noon. Wednesday July 30th Frank went out before breakfast this morning while the alsike was tough and raked up all the hay & alsike that was cut. Dad, Frank, Dick and I cocked up all morning. This after noon Frank finished cutting and Dad, Dick & I cocked up. Then Dick & Frank went up and Frank brought the waggon out and when we <s>put</s> finished cocking up we put on a load and put it off in the horse stable. Dick went down town as he had an invitation to go to Simcoe with Helen Anderson and a party in the car. Cool and cloudy all day. Thursday July 31st It began to rain early this morning and rained steadily but quietly nearly all morning and part of the after noon. I helped Frank sharpen the binder & mower knives but spent most of the day reading writing and drawing. Frank tinkered around and put a board on the step of the woodshed door to keep the flies from coming under the screen. Dick spent the morning in bed and went down town this after noon. It stopped raining to-night but didn't clear off very well but we had a good band concert. I went around after it to the Barwell's to call for Aunty Alice who was there playing bridge. Huby moved down to the Tom Law house to-day. Bob got back from the West to-night. Mary Hodge is also home from France. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/940daff0feef66d3273db469263135c6.pdf 028e81ec159ff7c5bc65ee839fd77d99 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Friday August 1st It was too wet to work at the hay to-day so Dad. & Frank hauled out manure all day. Dick and I went back to set the fence posts across the side hill field from the woods to the gully as we want to get the cattle in where we cut the hay off as soon as possible. The ground was so hard we couldn't make much impression on it with the post auger but got one post set. We then went over to John Wess's to borrow his spud to loosen up the hard clay and were over there till noon, but this after noon we made better progress by using the spud and I think got six posts set. To-night Dick and I went down town as I wanted to try on a pair of low shoes at Caley's but they were closed up so we decided to go to the show. We were just a little early for the second show so went over to Pete Holmes where we ran across Bob & Dess, so we took them to the show with us. It was "The Heart of Humanity" a war picture showing just Canadian troops. It was very good but very sad and depicted some horrible examples of German brutality. Roy Dell was with us and could tell us about the places, such as Vimy Ridge Saturday August 2nd Tupper was in the other night and promised to come over and help us haul hay when we got ready so Frank went over last night to ask him to come to-day, we also got Jack to send Hanselman over and we put in quite a day hauling with two teams. We got all the hay in that was cut but there is still the alsike two or three loads out yet. We hauled in nine loads, which wasn't too bad, as we didn't start early or work late and the bluegrass is very slow to pitch being so short and heavy. Tupper took in too big a load once and broke the hoist rope a pulley and banged the end of the barn out. The boys went down town to-night. Cool and cloudy. Sunday August 3rd Frank Tid and I went down to Sunday school and the rest all came down to church. Dick Tid and I stayed at Aunty's for dinner and Aunty persuaded me to go up and see Miss Battersby after dinner to thank her for the wash rag she made me. I came home with Tid. about three o'clock and just as we got here we found Jim & Mrs. Waddle about to take Dad. & Enah for a joyride in their new https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/4c671787834e35240a0a02c7b3323ba9.pdf bfa73985a2bc1ea82e7f0b345782bf9b PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. car, so Tid went with them but I declined an invitation to go. Dad. didn't enjoy it much, they went way up into Charlotteville and very nearly collided with another fellow which scared them all prettty badly. They got home about five. It has been quite cool and rather cloudy. Monday August 4th First thing this morning Frank braced the plank in the peak of the big barn that has the gate on the track in it as he thought it being unbraced had some thing to do with the loads sticking. Dad. and I had to hold the ladder for him and it took quite awhile. Sam's whistle blew over at Pickford's before we finished and Frank and Dick went over there to thrash. Bruce Smith came in, in his new "Fliver" and we went back to the gully to look at Snowdrop. We brought her up and Bruce felt in her mouth and found a long tooth but they couldn't do anything without more instruments. It was nearly noon when he left. Byron & Fred Johnson were over here to dinner. We sat around for quite awhile after dinner talking to them and then Dad. and I put off the load of hay that was on the barn floor and went after a load of alsike. Dick and Frank got home from Pickford's in time to help us put it off and Dad. Frank and I went out after another load which we didn't put off. I went down to band practice to-night. There were not many out and Ed. & Harry Moon got into a quarrel over the town waterworks question and Ed. got mad and left saying he wouldn't sit and play with a man that talked such nonsense as Harry did. Ed. had been down at the meeting of the Board & Trade & Council and was pretty riled when he came up and when Harry started in to defend the Council for not doing any thing to hold the by-law for putting in the waterworks Ed. couldn't stand it. Frank and I came home to-gether we found Dick up and all indulged in some hard cider. Tuesday August 5th Dick has been down town all day, he went down to get his tooth fixed. Dad. Frank and I put off the load of alsike that was on the barn floor and brought another load in which was the last and which we left on the barn floor. Frank then started to cut the stuff on the old oat https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/e2369af59648ff89bdf2987f9b8908b1.pdf 5450dd417c19bc72c432dae93e95246c PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. stubble and finished it this after noon. It is no good mostly weeds but we are shy of feed so will save it. Dad. and I hoed the strawberries and then Arthur Preston came over and as it began to rain a little he and I spent the after noon in the drive house discussing various subjects, and he tried to convert me to his rather radical prohibition ideas. Dad. cut some thistles and went over to Martin's to return the ladder he borrowed. Didn't rain. Wednesday August 6th Frank raked up the stuff he cut yesterday, this morning I took the buggy over to John Evans this morning to see if he could set the tires and tighten the reins. He said he could but was too busy now but would do it if I would bring it over Monday. I then caught the ten o'clock car and went to Simcoe to see {Slaght?}. He advised me to make an offer of $2000 for Bronzie, which I decided to do after coming home and consulting Dad. and Aunty Alice. It is a pretty steep price but I need the place. This after noon Dad. Frank and I cocked up but didn't finish. Frank and I went down town to-night and went for a swim. Dick has been down all day. Very hot and looks rainy. Thursday August 7th We finished cocking up the hay this morning and then put off the load of alsike that was on the barn floor. It was too late to get in any hay before dinner but we hauled in four loads this after noon but didn't unload the last one. To-night I went down to band concert. Ed. was back on the job all right. Very hot and very windy to-day. Friday August 8th We hauled in three more loads of hay this morning and Dick helped us mow it away, there were just five more sling lifts out there besides one load of clover seed which seemed pretty well filled. We put the hay in with out much mowing and left the clover seed on the waggon in the old barn, we brought in some sival grass for bedding. Aunty & Rebecca came over this morning and Enah drove them home this evening. Frank ordered a ton of Basic Slag to try on the wheat this fall. Very cool and windy. Saturday August 9th Dad. Enah and Tid all struck off for Simcoe this morning Th had dinner with Mrs. Frank Bowlby and Louise https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/794e49f56395f50ee694e485496521ff.pdf b5a91ad57c0a4af2565340a151f8fae0 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. and this after noon took in the circus getting home about six o'clock. They said it was a good show and they had a fine time. Frank and I put in the whole day burning the old grass and weeds out around the old garden and went all over the field from the lane to the road and to the gully. We had to watch it carefully in the old timothy stubble as it ran very fast. Dick spent the morning in bed and then went down town. Frank and I went down to-night and I got a pair of shoes at Andrew's. Quite cold to-day. Sunday August 10th Frank Tim and I went down to Sunday school and Enah drove Mexico down to church. Rev. Ralph Moon preached but Mr. Johnson was there too. I stayed at Auntys for dinner and this after noon went with the band down to Kitchen's point where we gave a little concert mostly sacred to quite a large crowd, there is a big crowd mostly country people down there every Sunday after noon. I didn't get home till nearly six as Mr. Zealand showed Uncle Ward and me all over his place. Enah went down to play the organ to-night and Ed. Moon came over here and spent the evening. Cool but nice. Monday August 11th I went back after the cows this morning and found five of them over in Ivey's and had a bad time getting them out. After breakfast I took the buggy over to Evan's with Mexico and was over there all morning while he tightened the spokes and set the tires. Dad. and Frank cut the oats on the side hill and as they didn't want to leave till they could bring the binder up, we didn't have dinner till about two o'clock. This after noon I felt very tough with a sore throat and cold in my head so went to sleep on the sofa till tea time and went to bed right after tea. Frank went down to the mill with some oats for chop. To-night Dad. Enah & Tid. drove down town to take Aunty Alice's milk down. Cloudy & cool. Tuesday August 12th We put off the load of clover seed this morning, put a new reach in the waggon and Dad. and Frank hauled up a jag of oats before dinner and got the rest after dinner. There was barely one full sized load but they were quite heavy. I haven't done much all day, my throat is better but my head is water logged. Dad. Enah & Tid went down to the James' for tea this being {Eliss?} wedding anniversary. Frank went out to Bill Sidway's to-night. Cool & looked stormy. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/30d1e11b4f203454fa9f9b46360de966.pdf d5731d6c61c76a1cd018f63ea1cf15f6 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Wednesday August 13th Dad. Frank and I went back this morning and started to put up the old fence along the woods that has been down in the grass ever since we came over here. We found that most of it was good enough when put up on trees and stakes to turn cattle but in spots it was rusted out too badly to be any good and one place it was cut. Dad. felt very miserable all morning and this afternoon he didn't go out of the house. Frank and I went back after dinner and put up nearly all of the fence that was any good but we quit at four o'clock as Frank had to get ready to go down to Dave Ward's and take Jennie out to Quanbury's to a meeting of the Moonlight Riding Club. Dick came over to tell me that the band was going down to Nanticoke to a garden party but I thought my cold was still too bad to go so went to bed. Thursday August 14th It was very late this morning when we went back to work at our fence as it looked a little rainy and consequently we didn't finish it by noon but had about an hour's work after dinner, we opened the fence into the gully but didn't drive the cattle into their new pasture as we thought they would roam to the extreme limits of it and give us too long a tramp after theem. When we finished back there we put up a few posts along the top of the field east of the orchard and as soon as we can get a fence up there we will let the sheep in in that field. There was a picnic from Dover in Nanticoke this after noon and the band went down but I didn't go nor I didn't go down to band concert to-night although I guess I could have all right. Louise and Winnie were over here to tea and Enah drove them down after and went with them to the picture show. Friday August 15th Dad. and I went back this morning expecting to find the cows in their new pasture but instead found that they had broken the gully fence into the oats and tramped right through them to John Wess's line. Dad. went back after breakfast and fixed it up and put them in on the clover while Frank and I hauled manure. Then Dad. helped Frank at that and I spent the rest of the day getting the posts and wire ready to put along the top of the field east of the orchard for the sheep Dad. helped me put the wire up while Frank pitched https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/53a7dec81b27219edbc5aea8af6aee20.pdf 44d078cbc1a96d0ecda4f55d5ec36e62 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. on the last few loads alone. He hauled out 20 loads to-day Dad. and I didn't get the wire stretched very well but as long as it doesn't go right flat I think it will turn the sheep. It has been quite hot to-day. Dad. feels punk. Saturday August 16th Frank and I hauled manure all day but only got out about 17 loads. Niel Eliot was in for awhile this morning and Frank went back with him to show him Kate but he said she wasn't in shape yet to buy. This after noon we were driven in but quite a heavy thunder shower and it kept on raining pretty much till dark. Dad. has felt very miserable and weak to-day and has not been out of the house all day. Frank went down town to-night. Sunday August 17th We were greatly surprised this morning to find George in bed with Dick. He came up last night and came over with Frank after I was asleep. Ed. Turner has got him a good job as draughtsman on the Welland Canal. Dad. drove Tid and me down to Sunday school and the boys all came down to church. Dick and I stayed at Aunty's for dinner and I went with band and played sacred music in Powell park this after noon. George & Frank were down this after noon but came to tea and for the eveing I went down to see Quint for a few minutes and he gave me some ice cream to bring home. Pretty warm to-day, breeze. Monday August 18th Frank and I hauled manure to-day but only got out 13 loads as the rain this morning delayed us so that we only hauled 4 loads out before dinner. It rained again this after noon but not till we were just about to quit. I went down to band practice to-night so we quit at five. Dad. felt better to-day and he and Tid. went down to cut Aunty Alice's oats but they didn't get them cut on account of the rain. Quint took them out for a ride in his motor boat and they got home just in time for Dad. to help me milk. Some garden thief has been very active this last week, about 100 hills of potatoes were dug out of Ed. Moon's garden up on Main St and a lot of beets and carrots were taken from Mrs. Battersby's and Uncle Ward's gardens on Saturday night. Frank drove George down this morning and he got off on the 6.30 G.T.R. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/58354f8c430bab0891bd3bb203ed58da.pdf d84a8eb54e9a5c4067d2702b90883557 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Tuesday August 19th Frank and I hauled out 9 loads of manure this morning and got it all out of the shed at the cow stable but at noon we had a very heavy rain storm which put a stop to outside work for the rest of the after noon, it rained two or three times during the after noon. I read, slept and wrote to Vernon asking her if we could stay with her during The Exhibition. Frank & Tid went back to the gully. This morning Dad. went over to see how Mrs. John Wess was and Mrs. McCarter said she was doing well but in dangerous condition. Wednesday August 20th Frank and I hauled out manure all day and Dad. hoed over in the garden. This morning we put all the sheep in the barn and greased the backs of the ewes which have the wool off. We separated the ewes from the rams and lambs and put the latter back in the orchard and will have the ewes in the field till the lambs are weaned. Dick came home to-night, he has decided not to go to Midland. Thursday August 21st We hauled out a few loads of manure this morning but had to stop twice on account of the rain, however Frank said the field was covered although he would have put another load on if he had time. This after noon Frank drove Joe down and had her shoes set and had Dr. Cook look at his eye which has been very sore for two days. There are some sort of pimples under the eyelid. Dad. and I took Belle & Harry out to start plowing. Dad. struck out for a headland all around the field but old Belle was in no mood for work after her holiday and it took us about 3 hours to get once around the field. For the last stretch I brought out the cow sprayer and scared her into her collar by spraying at her from behind. Band concert to-night. This was supposed to be Boughner picnic day but for once it was a complete failure I suppose on account of the rain. Fine after noon. Friday August 22nd Frank and I hauled out manure to-day and got out {10?} loads. Frank hauled it out along the side road to-day. Dad. went down to Aunty's this morning and was down all day cutting the oats and fixing up the lawns & paths. Frank's eye is better but not well by any means. It has been a fine day sunny & breezy but not too hot. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/0350e6f496a43809fc83be003743189f.pdf ff5e4891d1214c3cdcfbe5f79c12c2b7 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Saturday August 23rd We are still at the manure and it is not out yet although the pile has dwindled considerably. Frank and I hauled out all day and Dad helped us put on some loads as he was cleaning out the little box-stall in the horse stable where Bill Philip's pig has been living. I went down town to-night with Frank and got my hair cut. We stopped in at Aunty's and were very much surprised to see Vernon & Mrs. Millman, they had come up in the car this afternoon. I went down to the Casino for awhile to look on and there was an awful jam there. I came home with Charlie Quanbury and as he had mentioned when commenting on the great reception His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales is getting in all the Canadian cities that he didn't believe in Royalty, I spent considerable time trying to prove to him that the King & his throne deserved more respect than that and that the British system of government was the nearest perfect of any nation on earth. Sunday August 24th Went to Sunday school and church this morning and so did all the rest of the family. Mr. Brand from Nanticoke took the services morning and evening. Dick and I stayed at Aunty's for dinner and I cut my oats. Vernon left on the four o'clock car so I waited till it went out and went down to the station to see her off then came home and did chores. Enah went down to church to-night. Frank went down to Ward's and I went down to the "sheep pasture, Bronzie". Quite warm, breezy. Monday August 25th Dad. Frank and Tid. went down to Aunty's this morning and got the oats that Dad. cut and we put them in the box stall. Frank will use them for bedding. I put in a post in the chicken yard to fix up a cross fence while they were gone. Dad. stayed down till noon to dig Aunty Alice's potatoes for her. Frank and I got out two loads of manure before dinner and nine I think this afternoon. I went down to band practice to-night. It has been quite cold and showery all day. Tuesday August 26th We expected to finish the manure to-day but although we hauled out 16 loads there is still a little left. Art Quanbury was in at noon to say that Neff had telephoned saying the Judging Competition would be Sept 3 & 4th. To-night Dad. & Enah went out to the Shands to see the Nixon's. I went down to Aunty's for awhile. Cool. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/b109fb7e3f40a40e39671013f43f6996.pdf 7c998958d3aeaa48b9db9621bdef39c1 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. {This entry is by Toby's father} cutting the East side of the field about 5 O'Clock and I got it all set up. Frank had a very sick turn just as he finished, so I brought the team up and he the cows. We did not get up much too soon for while I was milking we had a heavy rain, but it cleared up in time for Hattie to go down and meet George and Miss Sutherland. We all had tea when they got back, very cool. Sunday August 31st It was showery all morning nothing much but not nice to be out in. Hattie, George and Marion got ready for church but it rained when they were ready to start so they did not go and when it cleared off Dick and I drove Queen down with cream for Auntie and found out there was no service. Alice came over in the afternoon and stayed to tea Lila was over too. Dick came over in the morning having come up from Toronto last night by way of Gault. Cool and damp. Monday September 1st We were all up early this morning to get George, Marion and Frank off. Frank went down on the wheel. I drove the others down and got there Just in time to see the train move out. Marion ran and caught it, but as George could not she and Frank got off and went by way of Brantford. I came back home and by the time I got the cows up and milked and all the other chores done there was not much left of the forenoon. Enah and Tim drove over to Shands School house and Dick and I walked out, had a very nice time in spite of several light showers, but poor Mrs. {Hank?} Ryerse fell and broke her arm. Hattie and Dick went with her in Jack Walkers car to the doctors. There was a good number there in spite of the day being so showery It seems a long time to Thursday night and it is quite a grind going it single handed but I guess we will manage it. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/f0f7c9dac0b24d99b36eea9a3c3b82a5.pdf 9e2cb900205177a2114d6d13f1b03699 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. {This entry is by Toby's father} I did not manage to get much done today but the chores. I watered and fed the horses before it was good day light when I went in the stable after breakfast I saw poor Joe could not put her near hind foot on the floor on examining it I found a two inch nail in at the point of the frog and I had quite a time getting it out. I finally managed it with the hammer, she is very lame I had to take Harry and Queen to finish cutting the oats. Dick took the cows up for me. It has been fair and warmer to day. Wednesday September 3rd My troubles increased this morning when I found six head of cattle in the woods and it was late enough when I had <u>my</u> breakfast. Dick had to go to the dentists but he got home at noon and he and I went back after dinner and got the binder and it took us nearly all the afternoon to get it stored away. It has been fine and much warmer. {Toby takes up the entry again} Thursday September 4th Frank and I reached home to-night on the last car and were mighty glad to get back although we had a fine time in Toronto. Frank was sick to-day but felt better by the time we got home. I went in the beef cattle judging competition yesterday and did very poorly not getting in on the prize money at all. I judged Fruit and Vegetables to-day but don't know how I did. Frank was too sick to judge to-day but he judged sheep yesterday and I guess got something out of it. I spent most of the time taking in shows and at the Fair. Marj. was in Toronto last week and I went over to Hamilton on the boat with her on Monday, she went on to Dover from there. Fine weather Friday September 5th Dad. and I hauled oats off the back field to-day, we were late getting started as we had a lot to do and only got in four very small jags. We had to make them small as Belle was very much inclined to balk after her long holiday. We are stacking the oats outside I went down to see Marj. to-night. It has been quite hot all day. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/6cc1c0dbb0a537a9bfae38ce5afcc774.pdf 9b9c63568d5552f7516592759b378f76 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Saturday September 6th We finished hauling the oats & barley to-day but had quite a time doing it. Belle worked very nicely till the last two loads and then we put on pretty fair sized loads and the first one she balked on the hill when Dad locked the wheel but Dad. shoved it down on top of her so that she went off fairly well. The last load however was a real load and she stopped several times uninvited coming across the field but went off nicely when Dad. put a rope around her front fetlock. That little scheme failed to work however, when she felt the wheel lock on top of the hill but only seemed to make her worse. After working for quite awhile, Frank came back and he and Dad. by main force shoved the waggon down in spite of her. I then let her run to the top of the hill on the road and she went all right till we came to the barn. We had to haul this load in the barn as it only needed a few sheaves to finish the stack but she refused to go into the barn. All manner of persuasion failed to make her budge so Dad. tied her up solidly, took old Harry off and left her there till long after dark. We did the chores had tea and then took Harry out again and hooked him to the waggon and old Belle walked in without a word. Sunday September 7th Frank Tid and I went down to Sunday school this morning and Enah came down to church. Marj. and I stayed at Aunty's to dinner and came over here for tea Dad. & Enah were over at Mrs. Battersby's when we got here at a reception for Mr. & Mrs. Edwin Battersby who expect to go to Shanghai to live soon. Mr & Mrs Millman, Kathleen, Nita, {Tow?}, Jessie Kirtland and Quint all came over in the car to-night. Rather cloudy but close all day. Monday September 8th Frank and I went to Simcoe this morning to get the fertilizer drill that Frank bought. We had to go out around by Wiggin's as the Gravel Road into Simcoe is blocked. We got the drill and got home about three o'clock. I went in to see Slaght again. He was sick again but his son told me that they had heard from Thompson saying he didn't want to sell the "Bronzie" property till he had seen it. When we had dinner we put the load of oats off in the barn and Dad. and I took Pommers & Harry out for a while to get Pommers used to going. I went down to Fred Krell's to-night to get the address of a poultry farm. Very hot. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/dd35863d7bf87525aa15133060d9c390.pdf 735936c438eb99ff588250740771f13d PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Tuesday September 9th Frank took Joe down to have her front shoes set this morning and Dad. and I tried to plow out in the old corn stubble with Pommers & Harry but had to stop as the shear was too dull. The ground is very hard and the flies & heat drive poor Pommers about crazy. Dad. came up and ground down one of the cast shears on the grind stone and we went back after dinner and it went fine. It was much cooler this after noon too. Frank took a grist to the mill this after noon with Belle & Queen. Wednesday September 10th It rained most of the morning so we didn't do much. Alan & Sam who had their separator over at Ivey's intending to thrash out of the field to-day pulled it into our barn out of the rain and if all's well will thrash for us in the morning Alan brought the engine over this after noon. Some of the cattle got out on the road so Dad. went to put them in. This after noon Frank and I got half a ton of soft coal. Frank went to the Riding Club to-night at Lynn Valley and I went down town. Dick got tickets for himself and Dad. as he is leaving for the West to-morrow and wants Dad. to go to Toronto with him. Alan & Zeitha were over for awhile this after noon. Thursday September 11th We thrashed this morning but our granaries are in no danger of colapsing with their load. We have 10 bushels of wheat and 219 of oats & barley and pretty poor stuff at that. Sam moved from our place to Pickford's and from there to Alfred's and thrashed the three places out to-day. Frank went down to Pickford's and Alfred's to help. Dad. & Dick left for Toronto this morning. They were going by Galt. as Dick could get a ticket from here to Winnipeg going that way (all C.P.R.) for the same price as one from Toronto to Winnipeg. Dad. was very loth to go but we're hoping he will enjoy himself. Dick says he will have to stay till Saturday as he has arranged for him to come up with the Millman's in the car. After dinner I went back to fix a place in the fence on the side road where the cattle have been getting out, but found I couldn't do much alone as some wires were broken, It began to rain while I was back there and rained quite hard. When I got to the house I found Aunty Alice and Enah ready to start off in the pouring rain with Mexico & the cart. Aunty Alice https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/534b05521331dac819980cc55223f597.pdf 19474088955223c0a405a339e8ba932d PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. came over to help Enah and said they must get back to post a letter. I persuaded them to take the buggy. I cleaned up the barn floor till it was time to do chores and I got them done up in good time. Frank got home in time to do his. Mostly fine. Friday September 12th Frank and I went back first thing and fixed the fence up where the cattle escaped. We thought we wouldn't take chances trying to plow with Pommers and as the ground is so hard we didn't like to put Queen or Joe on and we were sure Belle would balk so we didn't try it at all. Old Ross came and got his horse yesterday or we would have tried him. He has led a miserable existance out here as Dave was very mean to him and wouldn't let him near the gully consequently he spent the whole time up in this front field where there wasn't a thing to eat and occasionally Dave would break in there and kick him around. Frank and I spent the day trimming up the sheep. We got the eight yearling rams looing a little better but didn't give them a thorough carding. We were greatly excited at noon by the appearance of six aeroplanes flying over the place to the west. One of them looked to fly directly over our heads and stood between the shop and the woodshed. They were in a sort of cross formation. One ahead, one behind and two on each wing. Just as they got nicely past we saw one circle and light. It looked as if it came down about at Ham. Thompson's and in a few minutes we saw Colin Ryerse going up the road on horseback, that put Frank in the notion so he jumped on his wheel and went up. He was gone for a couple of hours but he found the machine. It had run short of gasoline and had come down about three mile up the Gravel in one of By. William's field. Frank said the flock had started from Buffalo for Detroit and were Americans on their way to Texas for the winter.The one that came down was the one that was first in the race between Toronto & New York during the Exhibition. Mrs. Selby drove one of the aviators to Dover for gasoline and the other stayed by the machine and gave the crowd that gathered all this information. Frank said all the farmer's for miles around had left their teams to come and see it. He stayed till it went up and said it was very funny as they got young Lloyd Wooley to hold the tail down when they started the engine and he was pretty nervous and let go before he should have as he was under the ropes some way and https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/421a79fa0d9bd4309c867228776a5906.pdf bee02546bcbae9adcec6f07e8df5c555 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. was afraid of being caught. The wind caused by the motion of the propellor is enough to blow a man over almost he said. We did chores up fairly early and I went down town to-night. Aunty & Aunty Alice were looking for Walter & Elsie as they are at Roy's and spoke of coming up either Friday or Saturday and they thought Dad would come up with them but they didn't arrive. Saturday September 13th Frank and I spent most of the day hauling in the straw from around the bottom of the stack. We got about a load and a half and put it in the horse stable loft. It took a long time to pitch it on and we had to move the slings from the barn. Dad. got home while I was milking. He, Walter, Elsie & little John came up with the Millman's in the car. I guess Dad. had a pretty good time playing with the babies, Roy's & Walter's. Sunday September 14th Frank Tid. and I went to Sunday school and Dad. and Enah went down to church. Morton Brown preached. There was no service to-night. We all went down to see Elsie & John after church. Walter was in church with Aunty, but I was the only one who stayed to dinner. I spent the after noon up the beach with Marj. I came home about six and Frank and I did chores. Dad. Enah & Tid went down this after noon and stayed at Aunty's to tea. I went down after tea, but was late as Nellie and I had a {free?} fight, she scratched one of her teats and I couldn't milk her, she kicked milk all over me. Marj. was down at Aunty's so I went up with her and when I came back it was raining so I stayed down all night. Monday September 15th Dad. and I plowed with Pommers and Harry this morning and got along very well, although we struck an old post in the headland next the lane and broke both whipple-trees so had to put on the iron ones. This after noon Frank and I had to go down and help Sam Law thrash, we were down all the after noon and to supper. Walter, Elsie, John and Aunty Alice were all over here for dinner and this after noon. To-night I went down to band practice but there weren't many out. I was in at Aunty's for awhile on my way home. Fine, cool. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/3b9fad8af14ff0abd0a39d144d9f00fe.pdf ddda7014dd5c686d77f6bc0d712791dc PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Tuesday September 16th Dad. and I plowed all day and got enough done that Frank was able to bring Queen & Belle out and work on it this after noon, he rolled and disked it. We quit at five and all went down town to-night. Frank, Enah and I went to the picture show to see "Miss. Wiggs of the Cabbage Patch" which I didn't think much of and Dad. and Tid stayed at Aunty's to say good bye to Walter & Elsie. I went down on my way home to see them but they had just gone to bed. They are going in the morning. Wednesday September 17th We plowed all day again. Frank did odd jobs and waited all day for Belle to come up from the back field as she always has done as soon as the sun gets hot but she didn't come up for water till night so he couldn't work her, but he took Queen & Joe out late in the after noon and harrowed a little. I went down town to-night to telephone Archie McEwen and ask him what prospects there were for selling one sheep but he was in Toronto so I couldn't get him. I went over to Dyer's and got my hair cut and then came home and polished my horn a little. Cool breeze but sun hot and flies very bad. Cold nights. Thursday September 18th Dad. & I plowed this morning. Frank came out with Belle & Queen and hooked to the roller, they weren't going just to suit Dad so he took them and Frank plowed. Just at noon Dad. had a bad accident. The double-trees on the roller came off and the tongue dropped throwing him forward and scraping his shin badly on the brace of the roller tongue. He couldn't walk at first for the pain but for a wonder he didn't break his leg. He has to keep his leg up all the time as it pains very badly when he puts it down. Frank and I kept on plowing this after noon and to-night we all went down to the Horticultural show. Enah & Tid drove down and when they came home Frank went down I went with the band and we played. Friday September 19th Frank and I plowed all morning and this after noon till we finished the side of the potato patch, just as we finished a storm which had been threatening all the after noon broke and it poured rain soaking us We came up and both had a bath before <s>changing</s> putting on dry clothes. It rained all the rest of the day & https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/04098acdd3a072e248596e5ab52ab05d.pdf 6bd101f6cf9c1020458b2b0f9ba0a348 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. night and I didn't go back after the cows. Aunty came over this morning to see Dad. and stayed to dinner but got down town again before the rain. I went down to-night. Saturday September 20th Frank went to the mill this morning and took some oats and wheat down for grist. I harrowed with Pommers and Harry all morning andf this after noon till I finished the piece and then I started to disk. Frank brought the other team out and rolled this after noon. The ground works up fine since the rain which soaked right through. Dad. was able to walk a little to day with the aid of canes. Frank went down town to-night and telephoned McEwen. He said he would be down to look at the rams soon. Cool. Sunday September 21st It rained nearly all morning but Frank and I drove down to Sunday school and church. Enah was very sick yesterday all day and although she was "up and about" to-day she didn't feel like going out so there was no organist in church and consequently no music. I stayed down at Aunty's to dinner and spent the after noon and evening up at the Monteith's, coming home at tea-time to do chores. Ade Millman & his wife were up with the rest of the family in their cottage for over Sunday and they all came over here tihs morning in the rain but I didn't see them. Monday September 22nd Frank and I started in to plow on the other side of the potato patch this morning and have been at it all day getting on fairly well. Dad's leg felt quite a bit better to-day and he drove Mexico down town and stayed at Aunty's for dinner. I went down to band practice to-night. Tuesday September 23rd Frank and I plowed all day, we spent most of the fore noon striking out the rest of the piece and plowed four lands this after noon. Dad. walked out to the field this morning and said he felt well enough to disk if Belle came up, but she didn't come. I caught all my white chickens to-night and shut them up. I wanted to pick out the cockrels. Mrs. Millman, Nita, Kathleen, Orm & a Mr. Bowyer all came over in Orm's car tonight and we spent an hilarious evening. Cool. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/61a8cbac53474f4fa010044d2b6374e1.pdf f755f4a0886f96ec4b47398ba7543700 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Wednesday September 24th Frank and I plowed all day, we got rather a late start and didn't quite get to the gully fence, which we hoped to do by to-night, leaving just the triangle to plow off to-morrow, however Frank says we can do it by to-morrow noon if we get a good start in the morning. Dad. has disked all day and helped me milk to-night as his leg is a great deal better. I went down town to-night. Thursday September 25th We got a late start this morning as it rained or drizzled and threatened to rain for an hour or two but then cleared off and has been fine but a cold wind all day. Owing to the delay we didn't quite finish the field by noon as we had hoped. After dinner Frank and I went over to Jack's and cleaned up enough wheat for our seed and then came back and finished plowing. Dad. disked and harrowed all day and is pretty tired to-night. I am afraid it didn't do him any good. Friday September 26th This has been a most unsatisfactory day as we don't seem to have accomplished very much. I went out this morning and finished harrowing the piece this side of the mangolds with Harry and Pommers while Dad. and Frank went over to Jacks and got the wheat and brought it and the fertilizer out to the field. We then brought the new drill out which takes three horses so there was nothing else for me to do. Frank started to drill but we found the fertilizer was running out too fast but Frank didn't know how to change it so as we only got 8 or 10 rounds drilled before noon, he went out to the Shand's right after dinner to see how they worked theirs. Theirs wasn't working right either but they didn't know how to fix it. On his way home he ran across Bill Cruickshank fixing his car on the road so he brought him in. They fixed it to sow less fertilizer but they couldn't throw the fertilizer feed out of gear. They fiddled away for about an hour and after Bill left frank had to tie a string on the grain feed shaft to keep it from slipping cogs and altogether most of the day was spent in just monkeying. However Frank kept at it till he finished the piece but it was after dark. Enah went down to the Millman's to tea to-night and I went down after tea and spent the evening at the Monteith's. Dad. has felt pretty miserable all day. Fine & cool. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/24618fbde47338a7354222b85cbf3172.pdf 51b1aa515903e310fed192f26db718f2 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Saturday September 27th Dad. and I ran out the ditches this morning in the piece. Frank sowed with Harry & Pommers and Frank rolled the other piece down with Belle & Joe. This after noon I disked and Frank rolled and harrowed with Belle & Queen. Dad. spent the after noon cleaning out ditches. An aeroplane circled over the farm this after noon and Enah who was down town said it was taking passengers out from Simcoe charging $10.00 for a ten minute fly. Young Arthur McPherson was over here playing with Tid. all the after noon and stayed to tea. He started off very bravely after tea when it was quite dark to go home but sent word back by Tid who went a little way with him that he wished he had said he was scared so Tid called him back. He curled up on the sofa to wait till Frank was ready to take him home but by that time was so sound asleep that he stayed all night and Frank went to tell the folks. It certainly is an eerie spot past Preston's barn & Jonas' house after dark. Roy, Vernon and the children all came up with Mr. Millman in the car to-day. Sunday September 28th Frank and I went down to Sunday school and church this morning and I stayed down to dinner at Auntie's. Enah drove Mexico down and played the organ. This after noon Marj. and I went for a walk up the beach to the Chestnut opening. I came home to tea but was too late to do chores as I stopped in to say good bye to Roy who left at six o'clock. I went down again after tea and met the Millman's and Quint who were all coming over here to see Dad. He felt tired to-day and didn't go down at all. Beautiful day. Monday September 29th I finished disking the field lengthways this morning and then spent the rest of the day crossing it finishing it to-night. Dad. cleaned out ditches all day and Frank harrowed this morning but didn't bring the team out this after noon, I think he picked the big pears in front of the house. I went down to band practice to-night after which I went over to the Millman's for awhile. Kathleen was in the Lake when I got there. There was a man here from below Nanticoke to-day looking at the rams but he didn't buy as he wanted one registered in the American book. Fine day. Tuesday September 30th I went over to Charlie Quanbury's to thrash this morning https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/eb6bff8d3fabe413351e444e4c37c724.pdf a85d5c713f3515c926695559d6f4807f PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. We started about 9.30 and finished by noon. Dad. & Frank started to drill the other half of the field in and finished in the middle of the after noon. Then they ran out all the ditches before dark. I didn't do much this after noon but clean up a little and patch up the chicken yard fence. It was inclined to drizzle and was cold. The Millman's came over to-night to say good bye as they are leaving to-morrow. Nita was greatly excited over an adventure they had to-day. They were getting chestnuts from a tree along Farrar's place in Vittoria and a man shot at them. She was scared stiff and Aunty was with them and tried to keep Quint and Alan from getting their gun out of the car. Quint did get it however and pointed it at the man and he dusted for the barn in a hurry. Wednesday October 1st Mr. Fleming was in this morning for thrashing hands. He wanted two as Alfred is laid up with lumbago but the machine didn't get there till noon. Dad. Frank & I dug potatoes this morning. We used Frank's digger that he bought at Billy Dixon's sale and it worked pretty well when there were no weeds but where they were thick we had to use the plow. We got eight rows dug out of the twelve but couldn't dig the other four as they would be covered. Dad. dug the ones which we got from Quanbury and which we think are Rural New Yorkers by hand and got a bag full which we will save for seed. Dad. & Enah picked up most of the potatoes this after noon while Frank and I went thrashing. We thrashed wheat till about four o'clock and got 146 bushels and just as the mow waa emptied, the pan under the cylinder broke and Alan had to take it to town. We hung around for an hour expecting it to be fixed but as he didn't come back I came home. Frank stayed there to tea but they didn't thrash any more. I went down town to-night. Beautiful weather. Thursday October 2nd Frank and I went back to Fleming's and finished thrashing the grain, spring wheat and oats. We finished about half past ten and they put the oats through in a hurry. I was carrying away and part of the time couldn't keep the measures emptied fast enough to keep them from running over. When the finished the grain they pulled the clover mill into the barn and started on the https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/84bf605678e92444dce39288882191bc.pdf 696eacd5148060def9e4a4b9083b78bd PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. seed but Mr. Fleming said he wouldn't need both of us for that so I came home and took a stroll down through "Bronzie" where I found some fine pears. Right after dinner Art Quanbury came in to get me to go and help roof his barn so I was out there all the after noon, his father & Charlie were out too but we didn't get on very fast as the roofing was hard to put on. It is corrugated iron sheets that has been on some military camp building and Art bought it cheap. It will make a good roof but is much harder to handle than new stuff would be. Charlie painted it with some tar roofing preparation as we put it on. To-night I went down and the band played a few selections at the little ceremony they had to present McCauly with a parchment from the Humane Society for the attempt he made last winter to rescue the little boys in the lake. Beautiful day but very warm. Friday October 3rd Frank went back to Mr. Fleming's this morning and they finished thrashing there and then moved to Jack Martin and were there all day. Frank went there too. I waited around for the Quanbury boy's this morning but they didn't come so I went out with Dad. and we plowed out the last four rows of potatoes. I then went over to Mrs. Battersby's and asked John if the boys intended working on the roof and he said they did so I walked out. At noon Frank sent word over by Tid. for me to go over to Jack's but I didn't go thinking the boys would want me on the roof but when they didn't come I supposed they were helping Jack so I helped Dad. pick up potatoes and we got four bags. Saturday October 4th Frank took some stuff to the mill this morning and Dad. and I raked up the weeds off the potato ground. I also washed the buggy. When Frank came back we hauled up the potatoes and the plow and harrows and then took the plow out to the old garden and brought up what few mangolds were any good. This after noon Marj. and I went after chestnuts and had a great after noon. It was quite hot but fine. We got quite a lot of nuts and no-one chased us. Marj. brought a lunch so we had it by the Vittoria creek and got home about nine o'clock. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/b692c4d10a4645d21851e282c64daeeb.pdf 659f328cf7c988af32477bf4db499535 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Sunday October 5th As it was raining a littlle this morning Dad. drove Tid and me down to Sunday school and Frank rode his wheel. Dad. and Enah came down to church I stayed at Aunty's to dinner ansd spenrt the after noon with Marj. We went up to Miss Martin's and went to see the Patterson's but they weren't home. Dad took Vernon for a drive this after noon and left word at Aunty's that I needn't come home for tea so I didn't and went to church with Aunty Alice to-night It was raining when I started fir home so I turned in at Aunty's. I found Frank there too in bed. Monday October 6th Frank and I went home at half past five this morning and and made our departure so quietly that Aunty came down at six to call us. Sam and Alan Law were in while we were milking to see if we wanted to thrash our seed. They didn't want to thrash up the Gravel on account of Simcoe Fair. Dad. told them to come on down so they came about noon. Frank and I hauled in two loads of coal this morning and hunted up thrashing hands. We hauled a load of chestnut coal which was very poor looking stuff and as we had to take one third pea coal we took next time half a load of pea and half of soft. We thrashed all after noon and got the mow over the granary cleaned out and about four bags of seed. I went down to band practice to-night but there were so few there we didn't have any. Pete Holmes was having a dance in the hall so I went in and watched them for awhile. May Perry and Marj. came up while I was there to look on for awhile so I went home with them. There wasn't much of a crowd there. Tuesday October 7th We finished thrashing about ten o'clock and got out about seven bags and a half of seed. I got ready and went to Simcoe Fair on the twelve o'clock car but as it was the second day there wasn't much there. I saw Neff and a Mr. Manning a Y.M.C.A. man and had quite a talk with them. I came back at six with Vernon, Rebecca, Molly, Dick & Alan Tibbits. The Zealand's rowed me across the pond from Ivey's stop. Gypsy had eight puppies last night. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/9c5672071fd0387c701e76262752d1fb.pdf b8e6212254cbf1aa6fa59f9ef67a1a0e PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Wednesday October 8th We separated the ewe lambs from the rams this morning and put them with the old ewes. Midget who has not been well for a day or two died this morning and Frank skinned her. I started to shingle the chicken shed roof this morning and worked at it most of the day but didn't make much showing as it is a long roof. This was Vernon's birthday and they all came over here for dinner. Dad. hooked Joe up to Mexico's cart and brought Aunt Ida, Vernon and the two children over and Aunty & Aunty Alice walked. After dinner we went out and picked up hickory nuts for awhile. Frank went to the Simcoe Fair this after noon and got home at six, he said there wasn't much stock there. I went down town to-night. It froze quite hard last night.Only third white frost we have had. Thursday October 9th It turned much milder and rained all morning and has been cloudy all day. Frank and I husked hickory nuts most of the morning and this after noon went down and got a load of stove coal as Huby sent word over that it was in. To-night the "Moonlight Riding Club" to which Frank belongs spent their monthly meeting here. There were about a dozen of them and they seemed to have a pretty good time playing cards and with music. Friday October 10th Dad. Frank and I put the rails across the west bent in the old barn intending to move the alsike straw in and leave room for the calves underneath but by the time we got the rails in place the wind was so strong that we didn't attempt to move the straw. Dad. and Frank went out to clean out ditches in the wheat and I tried to pick the apples. There is only one tree in the orchard that has any number at all on and a there are a few basketfulls on the other trees. This after noon Frank took the old drill back which he has rigged up as a spring tooth cultivator and gave the potato ground a good sorting up. Aunty and Aunt Ella & Rebecca came over this after noon Aunt Ella was attending a W.A. conference in Hamilton and came up here on her way home for a very short visit. She is quite a wonderful old lady, over seventy. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/3a0c233dcfb7b81dc5210f04a5af177d.pdf 1bc331740821523455113777e67cc02f PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. and spry as a cricket. She walked up to see Miss Battersby this morning, over here and back this after noon and when I went down to-night she was up at church with Aunty Alice. She is very busy working on the Referendum just now and although she is a great temperance worker, she agrees with me that it would be a mistake to try to make prohibition too tight. Aunty Alice takes the same view of the case. Roy came up to-night to stay over Thanksgiving. Saturday October 11th It rained a little this morning and drizzled quite a lot. Dad. and I spent the fore noon rigging up box stalls over in the west bay of the old barn under the rails we put up yesterday. Frank cleaned out the fertilizer parts of his drill and put them away. We all three spent the after noon moving the thrashed alsike into the barn and putting it up on the rails, we got about half of it in. Gladys had {13?} pigs this afternoon, 3 died. Sunday October 12th Frank and I went down to Sunday school and Dad. Enah and Tid drove down to church. This was Thanksgiving service and they had the church very prettily decorated. Mr. Reford (I think that was the name) from Jarvis took the service. I stayed at Aunty's for dinner but came home for tea. I went up to the Davis' where Marj. had been for dinner and she and I walked around the hill stopping at Miss McQueen on our way back. I went down town to-night. Huby Roy and Vernon were all over this after noon. Fine day Monday October 13th Thanksgiving Day Dad. Frank and I spent the morning and part of the after noon moving the rest of the alsike straw into the barn. When we got it in I dug up the dahlia roots and Frank started to put the door of the barn back which was broken off when we were thrashing. Enah and Tid. have been down town all day visiting. I went down to-night to see if there was any band practice but there wasn't so I went down to Aunty's Huby and Aunty Maude were there playing bridge. They had nominations at Vittoria to-day and Jack withdrew and left it to Pratt and Cridland.Tupper was in this morning after thrashing hands. Lovely day https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/8bcdf49016b3a23ba4cf6560a25f687c.pdf 501dd2b4463fb9dd2087864b35e5891a PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. The paper to-day reports the wonderful recovery of two littlle girls in the Chicago hospital who were poisoned about two weeks ago by their crazy mother with bichloride of mercury. On Saturday Dr. Carter the specialist who has been working with them said there was no hope whatever for the eldest girl but to-day says that a real miracle has been performed and that they both will recover. Tuesday October 14th Dad. went over to Tupper's this morning and has been over there all day thrashing. Frank and I left for Simcoe first thing this morning and took the seed up. Frank stayed up there with it and had it cleaned but I came back with the team and got home about noon. I spent the after noon doing chores and put a few more shingles on the chicken house roof. Frank didn't get home till after dark. He got a check for about $2.40 for the alsike and there is about a bushel of red seed up there which they cleaned out but which they wouldn't buy on account of the dock seed in it, but as it is easy to get out of the field we thought we would sow it and sell a bushel of our red seed. Frank went down to-night to hear Cridland. Fine day rather cloudy. Wednesday October 15th I have been all day killing my crate fattened cockrels. I killed and picked the thirteen of them and finished soon after four. Dad. and Enah helped me take out the pin "feathers." I had to change all my apparel when I got through. Frank was all morning fixing up the fence along Iveys line and the front field and we put the rams in there & the ewes over in the orchard and field east of it as the rams got so that they wouldn't stay in there at all and this morning the homliest one of the bunch was in with the ewes. Dad. cleaned out ditches this morning. This after noon Frank went down to the dentist's and up creek after school and didn't get home till about seven o'clock. I went down town to-night. Pratt had a meeting to-night at which Dr. Annie Backhouse spoke, she was at Auntie's for tea. It is wonderful and sad the way a crook and liar like Pratt is known to be can wheedle public sentiment into thinking he is an honest man and worthy to be their representative in the House. Alan Tibbitts was over this morning to say good-bye, for he is leaving for Fort Francis this after noon to get there in time to vote. It has been a beautiful day. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/ae53444b1aee0c3d1af3f1bd5b5c62b2.pdf 827ee2dfdd60931e6801828a70f465c7 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Sunday October 19th Frank and I went down to Sunday school, they didn't have a regular lesson but got the children ready to go to church as this was Children's day. They had a good turn out and the choir which was composed solely of children was fine. Nancy Dyer sang a solo. Rev. Ralph Mason preached a fine sermon for the young ones and they never wriggled all through it. I stayed at Aunty's for dinner and this after noon Marj. and I walked up the beach. I came home for tea & went down again. Monday October 20th Dad. Enah and I spent most of the morning voting. I rode Joe out and Dad. and Enah drove Queen. There was a big crowd out at Wiggin's school house and we had to wait about an hour. We all voted for Cridland not that we wanted to see a United Farmer in but we wanted to kick Pratt out. I put three no's and a yes in the Referendum ballot, the yes being for the sale of booze through Government agencie's. Tupper was in and wanted to take Frank out to vote in Dick's name but Frank wouldn't go. This after noon Dad & Frank slew Bill Phillips the pig with the "pimple". He made a pretty fair carcas. I put a few more shingles on the chicken house and to-night I went down town and got my hair cut. Pat. had a big bulletin out in front of the store giving the returns as they came in. There was a big crowd and every one was surprised at the results. The Hearst Government is badly defeated and Hearst himself with four 4 of his ministers are not elected. The United Farmer's have 40 seats. Liberals 31 and Conservatives 28 Labor 11 & 1 independent. Pratt. was snowed right under. Cridland beating 'him' by about 1300. Port Rowan gave Pratt a majority of 45 but it was the only place. Dover went bone dry as well as all the country places. Four or five cities went wet. Tuesday October 21st We were supposed to go and help Ham Thompson fill silo to-day but it was raining when we got up and kept it up all morning. We didn't do any thing all day but sit around and read or write. I slept for awhile. Dad. went down to Aunty's this after noon. Frank and I went down to a J.F.I.A. meeting to-night. They appointed committee for next winter which I think will be a fizzle but I told them I was not going to do any more than president's duties. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/ccaaeb1e885939cc2f790eb14531971a.pdf e1de63e08294d0b9da30290075f5d269 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Wednesday October 22nd Frank and I went up to Ham's this morning to help him fill his silo and were there till about half past three when we got it full, they had a good run. I was in the silo all the time tramping. I think Dad. put the pork in pickle. I went down town to-night. Fine day. Thursday October 23rd Frank went over to Jack's to fill silo this morning and was over there till about three o'clock when they finished. I went out with Dad. this morning to help him get started plowing as Pommers was feeling pretty frisky. I spent the rest of the fore noon picking apples and only got about two basketsfull, they were so scattered on the trees. I went out after dinner and helped Dad. strike out and then came up and shingled. Dad. has had a very lame knee to-day. Friday October 24th Dad. has plowed all day, his knee was much better Frank & Tid. went down in the buggy this morning and got a few tile to fix the end of the tile drain out at the side road. This after noon he has done odd jobs. I have been shingling all day on the chicken house roof. Went down town to-night. Fine & mild. Saturday October 25th Dad. started to plow this morning and I did a little more shingling but early in the fore noon it started to rain and we had to quit. Dad. got soaked coming in from the field. Tom came in and he was pretty well drenched too. Frank went to Simcoe to get some plow shears. It rained pretty much all day. I didn't do a thing but sit around the house and read. Sunday October 26th Raining again this morning but not hard and Frank and I went down to Sunday school, the rest came down to church. I stayed at Aunty's for dinner and Marj. & I spent the after noon at Miss Martin's. I came home early and helped Dad. do chores as Frank was off at the Ward's with Gilly and Dad. Enah & Tid went down to a duck supper at Huby's. Rev. Skey was there. I had my tea alone and went down to church and spent the evening at the Monteith's. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/e5932561d1b096985a0d947d9995c382.pdf b114838ba193f8e29b8475759fbaabc4 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Monday October 27th It has been stormy all day and we haven't attempted to do any thing but chores except that Dad. and Frank went out and fixed the fence along the side road where the cattle broke through yesterday and got on Pickford's field. Young {Harn?} from Marburg was in this morning and bought a ram lamb for $22.00. He got him cheap but he drives a tight bargain and we needed the money. The lambs hind legs were a little crooked. Frank and I went down town to-night and I went to band practice but there were no cornets there so we didn't have any. I spent most of the evening down at Aunty's, they tried to teach me to play bridge. Tuesday October 28th It cleared off to-day and has been very windy & colder. Dad. plowed all day but said it was very stiff. Frank has done odd jobs. I started to go down town this morning but had such a pain I lay down and slept it off. I went down this after noon and got a pair of rubbers from the man who bought Andrew out. To-night Frank and I went down to a committee meeting of the J.F.I.A. in our Sunday school. Neff & Manning were down we had a fair meeting and arranged for a debate in two weeks Wednesday October 29th I went down this morning to help Uncle Ward pick apples (he asked me yesterday) and have been down there all day. I picked a fine lots of Spys all off one tree. I thought of going to Simcoe this after noon to see a poultry dressing demonstration but it was such a nice day I hated to quit picking so didn't go. Frank went over to Tupper's and picked a couple of bushels for ourselves. Tupper sold them to us for $1.25 a bushel. Dad. has been plowing all day. Zeitha & Molly were over this after noon after mushrooms. Enah went down this morning and took Vernon & the kids to the station as they went back to-day. Aunty Alice went to Brantford with them. I went down town to-night. Dad. & Frank spent the evening studying Dad's income tax report. Thursday October 30th It has been another rainy day and we have done very little Dad. has spent the entire day and evening figuring and filling out his income tax forms. Frank helping. They are very complicated. Frank went to the mill this after noon. I just read and chored around all day. Very mild. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/2bca509dd47bea6b274b7a18d06688c4.pdf 307e638594825e3a7d0ad15b1b6f4835 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Friday October 31st It rained again this morning but then looked as if it had cleared off till noon and Dad. went out to plow he ran out some ditches and Frank threw the sod out of them. I spent the morning pruning the raspberries. It started in to rain about noon and rained most of the after noon Frank went down to the dentists and I just did chores & sat around. I got four eggs to-day. My first pullet began to lay the day before yesterday. Frank went down to the Women's Institute Hallowe'en party in the Town Hall Saturday November 1st Dad. has plowed all day and Frank and I trimmed up all the ewes and marked all the long legged & long necked ones to sell if any one wants them. We culled out 13 altogether including one lamb. We valued the lot at about $400.00 but don't suppose we will have a buyer. It has been colder to-day and rather cloudy. Sunday November 2nd Frank Tid and I went down to Sunday school and Dad and Enah went down to church. Aunty came over with us to dinner and Dad. and Enah went back with her to tea and went to church to-night to hear Larry Skey, who preached. Frank and I put the ram in with the ewes and then drove out to see Bill Sidway for awhile. We did the chores and I went down and met Marj. who came in on the nine o'clock car. She has been in Toronto helping Clara Gorrie get married. Mid. Thompson gave me a dollar to-night for our Donnybrook trip. Fine day but quite cool. It is very cold out West. Dick said in his last letter that he went to work the other morning but couldn't do any thing as the ink was all frozen so the manager got him to go with him to play cards. Monday November 3rd One of our yearling rams has been breaking through the fence and getting with the ewe lambs so Frank made a poke for him this morning and we put it on. We spent most of the remainder of the day pulling mangolds and got four rows pulled and covered with leaves for the night. Dad. has been plowing all day. We had letters from McEwen and a Wm. Burtch on the same mail route as Archie https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/6b68efc11c7c03bf4b67084b5ee160e0.pdf fb847e47e9af1be3d20362ff51e33016 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. inquiring about the yearling rams to-day. Frank went down town to-night and telephoned Archie and he said he would be down with another man either to-morrow or Wednesday. Cloudy & cold east wind Tuesday November 4th Frank and I put the rams over in the colony yard this morning and trimmed up the lambs Dad. took the pork out of pickle and made fresh as he was afraid the first wasn't strong enough. He used a preserved egg to test the strength of it and is afraid that it floated in a weaker solution than a fresh one would have. About the time we finished the sheep it began to rain and kept it up till after dinner. I haven't done much all day except write out my side of the debate for the J.F.I.A. Frank has been working out in the barn tearing up the old floor and oiling the bobsleighs. Trum Walker was in for awhile. Wednesday November 5th Dad. has been plowing all day and Frank and I finished pulling the mangolds and got part of them piled and covered and part just covered with leaves to protect them from the frost till we can haul them in. Archie McEwen and Mr. Baily from Oak Park Farm, Paris. were down to look at the rams this after noon. Mr. Baily bought two which he thought were the best but we could only get $40.00 apiece out of them and McEwen didn't give us much hope of selling the rest although he said Mr. Burtch wanted some. We were rather disappointed about it. This was Aunty Alice's birthday and Enah and Tid went down and I sent her a dozen eggs. Charlie Blake was in to invite Frank and me down to a party at his place to-night. Frank went down but I went down town. Cloudy & cold wind. Thursday November 6th Dad. plowed all day and got on very well. I was getting ready to haul in the mangolds this morning and Frank was down getting nails to make sheep crates, when Chris Quanbury came over and told Enah there was a long distance call put in at his mother's for her, she went over but found it was for me from Brantford. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/f05b39e9fddf596d76157348fb8716b1.pdf 11d431ffa97b78a0a736079c76d69205 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. I waited over there a long time but couldn't get through. I was just going out the door having made an appointment for 12.30 when the call came and a woman's voice told me that Mr. Burtch had left on the 10 car and wanted me to meet him. The car was nearly due then so I ran home and hooked up Queen and drove down to the station. Huby went over to the station as the car was in and found out that Burtch had got off at Main St. and walked over having received directions from the conductor, so he was here before I was. He proved to be a very decent fellow but told us the ram market was all off this year and he didn't dare take any more rams off our hands than he knew he could place. He bought one for $30.00 and told us he would try to place the other five if we would let them go at $25.00 apiece. The long necked, parrot-mouthed fellow will have to be eaten I guess, and I don't know whether we will be able to sell any more lambs or not. Burtch helped us make a crate as he wanted the ram he bought shipped this after noon. He stayed to dinner and I drove him down to catch the one o'clock car. Then Frank and I crated up the ram and took him down to the after noon express. We got some lumber on our way home and by five o'clock had enough cut to make three more crates and had them partly put to-gether. The Quanbury's called Frank in on the way home as there was another phone call for us and he found it was Burtch wanting another ram to be shipped with Bailey's to-morrow. Frank finished putting the crates to-gether after tea to-night. Aunty Alice was over here to dinner. I went down to a card party at the Harry Moon's to-night. We played Five Hundred and had a very nice time Quint was there and won first gentleman's prize and Marj. won the Ladie's. Cloudy, raw. Friday November 7th Dad. has plowed all day. Frank and I crated up the three rams and got them off on the morning express. We hauled in one load of mangolds before dinner and three this after noon. We have them all in now except the piles. I went down town to-night and went over to Col. Smith's to call for Aunty Alice. Cold east wind, cloudy. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/65ff6dc0e35c71765b45f59c8531dca8.pdf 5706c1ac0666d4076667b929afd5614c PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Saturday November 8th Dad. plowed all day. Frank and I hauled in the rest of the mangolds this morning in two loads. We put one load in the cellar and left the other on the barn floor to feed up. It took us till noon to pile them all down cellar and clean up the cellar floor. Frank helped Dad. do some ditching this after noon and I did chores. I bedded down the cow stable and put the cows in for the night. Horn came and took his ram lamb this after noon. I went over to Quanbury's and telephoned Neff as he wrote me yesterday asking me if I could go to Toronto on Monday to help him fix up an exhibit for the Fruit & Flower Show. I'll go. Sunday November 9th Frank Tid and I went to Sunday School this morning and Enah came down to church. Tim. went to Huby's instead of going to church and he Quint & Huby went up the creek & stayed at Huby's to dinner. Marj. and I had dinner and spent the after noon at Aunty's, then we came over here for tea Quint and Tid came over with us. Zeitha came over to practise a song with Enah to sing to-morrow night when the Prince's flag is to be presented to the town and township for winning their objective in the Victory Loan. She wouldn't consent to stay to tea but after going down the road a little way on her way home she met Rex who scared her back and she stayed to tea and for the evening. I stayed at Aunty's all night to leave for Toronto in the morning. Monday November 10th I left on the 7 o'clock car this morning, left Brantwood at 10.17 and arrived at Roy's about noon. They hadn't received my card so were very surprised to see me. I went out to the Exhibition grounds right after dinner and was out there till six helping Neff get a little corner in the Transportation Building fixed up for the Norfolk exhibit, none of his stuff had come so we couldn't do much. I went back to Roy's at six for dinner and stayed there all the evening. It has been cloudy & rained a little. Tuesday November 11th I went out to the Horticultural Show at eight o clock this morning and was out there all day and evening coming in with Neff for dinner & supper at the Carls - https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/fca9fee66fb93f2d41904ce986028e30.pdf 8250b341ca281837148f3ccba90e5c69 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Rite. I fully intended going home to-night at six o'clock but as Neff was not nearly through I didn't like to leave him. We were out there till after ten to-night and then were not through. This was the anniversary of the signing of the armstice and it was supposed to be observed throughout the whole Empire by every one stopping work at eleven o'clock for two minutes, this was the King's request. We stopped work out at the Exhibition and then sang "God save the King." and I guess the same thing was done all over. To-night there was a reunion and banquet for some battalion at the Carls. Rite. and {illegible} in for all the racket they made. There was an open air dance and general celebration up on University Ave. to-night and there were a couple of aeroplanes flying around all illuminated. We went up to University Ave on our way home to-night but the dance was over with. Wednesday November 12th I didn't get up very early this morning and went down town till noon to get some things. I hurried through lunch at Roy's intending to leave for home at 1.20 but I didn't give myself time enough to get to the station and missed my train by about two minutes. I had a shave and hair cut and went back up to Roy's for about an hour and left on the 4 o'clock train, it was a slow one and I didn't get to Brantford till nearly seven so didn't get to Dover till nine. I went up to Aunty's for a minute or two and then up town to see Marj. Cold to-night. Thursday November 13th Charlie Quanbury was through here before daylight and before anyone but Dad. was up on his way to light a fire in the engine and he wanted one of us to go over and help him thrash his alsike. I went over about nine o'clock and we finished about 10.30. When I got back I helped Dad. throw out some ditches in the corner field till noon and Frank plowed in there all day. Dad. finished the other field while I was away. This after noon Dad. & Tid went down to Aunty's to bank up the house. I cleaned out the cow stable and spent most of the after noon cleaning out one end of the chicken shed and putting in fresh straw. It froze very hard last night and has been very cloudy and freezing quite hard all day. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/a1c6960b77752833293d943b3530961f.pdf c413fb106d17444a0b6c009b0798894f PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Friday November 14th It froze hard last night but Frank was able to plow and has been at it all day. I went back to the gully this morning and chopped a hole in the creek for the cattle to drink then I spent the rest of the morning moving the hay around in the horse stable so that we could put some straw up there. We wanted to move the stack or what is left of it in to-day but it was too windy. I didn't do any thing much all the after noon but a few chores. We put the cows all in this after noon as well as Wilkins Micawber Knocfierna and Nancy. Wyatt Waddle and a Frost & Wood agent were here this after noon to sell Dad. a mower. He said if they would alow him $40.00 on the old one he would get a new $90.00 one from them so they were going to try to deal it off. Enah went down town this after noon and sold four dozen eggs for me @ 65 cts. I got 16 eggs to-day. I went down town to-night and Frank went to a dance at Nanticoke. Saturday November 15th We spent most of the morning getting ready to haul straw we had to take the box off the waggon and put the rack on. We had quite a time with Wilkins Micawber who being homesick and lonesome for his ma was very persistent in his attempts to jump out of the pen, he did jump out once and we had to put another plank on. Another delay was caused by Ansin Abbott coming after his pigs. Dad. sold him the whole litter, nine, for forty dollars, one was a very runty one. We got two sling loads on and over to the horse stable before dinner but didn't put them off. We put them off after dinner and then while Frank went down town to send off an order to Eatons for a stove which we are getting for the dining room Dad. and I put on two more lifts and put them off in the horse stable. We had very poor luck putting it off as it was too short to lift. We then put on a fair sized load and hauled it in on the barn floor. Still cold but sunny, milder to-night. Sunday November 16th Frank Tid. and I went to Sunday school and Enah came down to church. I stayed at Aunty's for dinner and was there most of the after noon. Lila and I came over here about four o'clock, stayed to tea and went down again. I spent the evening with Marj. who had been in Vittoria with the Johnson's. Much milder https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/83ceb91d6a1bea862c8b96690a5d5695.pdf 99e29376cae2728c7b15526ee217f040 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Monday November 17th Frank plowed all day in the corner field. Dad. and I put off the load of straw that was on the barn floor and then started to move the stack in. We couldn't put it on the waggon as it was so windy but just shoved it in the door and piled it up on the barn floor. We got quite a little pile in by noon but Tupper was over and wanted one of us to help him thrash. Dad. went so that Frank and I could go down to a tea in the Sunday school to-night. I spent the after noon doing chores and I went down to the mill in the buggy to get some rolled oats and oil cake. 100 of oil cake cost me $4.75. I did the milking very early and Frank and I went down to the Sunday school a little after six but in time to get something to eat. Mr. Manning was there and a good turn out of boys and he addressed them on the organized Sunday School classes. Mr. Manning had to leave at seven o'clock so the meeting closed. I went up to Miss Martin's with Marj. and then went and got shaved and called for Enah at Aunty's about eight and we went up to a party at Ada's. We had a very nice time, there were only a few there, two tables playing bridge and Winnie. Jim Emmet & Miss Perry (Mrs. Freeman's sister) playing Rummy. Lovely day. Tuesday November 18th Frank has been over at Tupper's all day thrashing. Charlie Quanbury told me on his way to the farm that there was a telephone call for me so I went over and found it was Mr. Burtch who wanted me to ship the two best rams that were left. Dad. and I spent the rest of the morning building a rcate. We had one crate which Burtch had shipped back to us. We took the rams down to the station right after dinner and left them, then came home around by Aunty's, Harry Battersby rode over the hill with us to Mrs. Battersby's. When we got home we put more of the straw stack in the barn & got most of it in. It was a beautiful morning but turned colder this after noon and snowed quite hard for a short while. Wednesday November 19th Frank went over and thrashed at Tupper's all day and said they would have another half day of it but he said he wouldn't go back to-morrow as I want to go with Neff. He was down yesterday morning and said he was going to take the Courtland boys up to Burford & Paris to judge stock to-morrow and invited me to go along. Dad. and I ran out some ditches in the corner field this morning and https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/ed8ee0d0abcb4a6206970f6a0faeb49d.pdf 885d9cae7a9be74e6b54cd6466d26b3f PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Dad. plowed the rest of the day. I threw out ditches till noon and spent most of the after noon doing chores. I went down town to-night and stayed down. Cold west wind to-day. Thursday November 20th I went to Simcoe on the early car this morning and walked up to Neff's place, he was just getting the car out when I got there to take his brother up to their orchard. It was pretty frosty so I went back with them to his office and waited there till Neff got back. We started on our trip about eight and went to Mr. Knight's at Vanessa where we were supposed to meet the Courtland boys. We were there for a long time looking over his dual purpose shorthorns. He has some good milkers and his bull is out of Moore's old Dairymaid but all the stock was thin. At last when the boys didn't appear we went up to Vanessa and found them all waiting there as they had forgotten the name of the fellow we were to see. We didn't go back to Knight's as it was late but went on over to Burtch's at Mt. Pleasant. He has some fine Shrop. ewes and we had two good classes of judging. I saw one of the rams we shipped him and he gave me a checque for them. From there we went to Brantford & had dinner at our old chink cafe, it is a good place. After dinner we went over to Burford and were there quite awhile looking at Brethour's Yorkshires. He is fitting up a bunch to take to the International and certainly had some beauties at least if such an adjective can be applied to hogs they were when judged by their own standards. From Brethour's we went over to Gurney's at Paris and were there till dark looking at Belgians. We started right for home from Gurney's but Neff took a road he wasn't familiar with and just north of Scotland we struck an awful bit of trail going through a swampy piece of bush. We thought several times we were going to be stalled and there was no possible chance of turning around. Neff and I were ahead in his Ford and the other boys were following us in a McLaughlin & a Gray Dort. However we did get through it eventually and stopped at Scotland for Neff to fill his car with water, when the other boys came up there was some tall language used at Neff for taking then over such a road. That was the last we saw of them for they struck off west from Scotland on the Talbot road for Delhi while Neff and I came right down the town line to Simcoe. I had tea at Neff's https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/73642adedbde20f20dcf96b4e75c3462.pdf b9dfecb72ad7ac4354aa755503dc226a PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. place and then he drove me down to the L.E.& N. station where I caught the nine o'clock car. The weather couldn't have been nicer. Friday November 21st Dad. plowed all day and got on well. He was at it yesterday but it was frozen so hard he had a hard time Frank and I spent the morning throwing out ditches. This after noon we (Frank & I) went down town and got a load of coal as Huby sent a note over to say there was a car in. It is what they call washery not coal and is dull owing to the fact that it has been out in the weather for a year, it is also full of clinkers. Frank & I went down town to-night and he went to the Women's Institute dance in the hall. It has been milder & stormy looking. Saturday November 22nd Dad. was up at five o'clock this morning and so was in time to see Frank getting home from the dance. He just changed his clothes and went to work without any sleep. Dad. plowed all day and got a lot done as he had such a good start. Frank and I put up the straw that was on the barn floor this morning into the mow. This afternoon I did chores and we unloaded the coal we got yesterday. Frank went down town to-night and met George who came up from Allanburg to spend Sunday. Frank went to bed as soon as he got home. There was supposed to be an eclipse of the sun this morning but it was too cloudy to see it. Cloudy all day. Sunday November 23rd Frank and I went down to Sunday school and I alone went to church. Marj. came over here to dinner and we have all been home all after noon and evening. Frank, Tid and George went out for awhile with the rifle this after noon Quint came over here to tea and spent the evening. The Grand Trunk round house burned down last night and ruined the two engines. Fine but a rather cold wind. Monday November 24th Dad. has plowed all day and got on very well. Frank and I went down and got a load of soft coal this morning. We took George down with us and he left on the eleven o'clock car. We also took Gypsy down to Quint who is going to take her up to Bill Oakes at Turkey Point. Bill has charge of Dr. McInnes's "farm" there and goes halves with the https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/007b90119e271b5123aa62f77e0e309d.pdf 2e0792289db0e2a5b9cf85c45c31d952 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. doctor on the trapping and shooting. The doctor has gone to South America for the winter. Dad. suggested to Quint that he take Gyp. up there and put Tid. off by saying that Bill would train her and send her back. Tid was quite willing for her to go yesterday but as the hour of parting drew near he decided she shouldn't go. Frank took her however and Tid was overwhelmed with grief. This after noon I did chores and Frank let down the lane fence on the posts along the wheat so that the sheep couldn't get in and pulled what few turnips there were and then we went out with Joe & Queen and got them. Fine day. Tuesday November 25th Dad. was out at daybreak this morning and got in a good day's plowing. Frank and I spent the day doing odd jobs. We battened up Moonshine's stall this morning and Frank fixed the manger in the corner where he stood all summer and put Kate in so that he can feed her. He sold her to Karl the other day but he doesn't want to take her yet, so said he would pay for the chop she ate if Frank would feed her. I put tar paper around the little apple trees this after noon to protect them from the mice. Aunty Alice was over for a few minutes this morning and brought some salve for Tid's forhead. Frank and I went down to the J.F.I.A. social evening in the Sunday school to-night. There was a big turnout and we had quite an hilarious time much after the fasion of the ones we had last winter. It has been mild & cloudy and rather misty all day. Wednesday November 26th Dad. plowed from day light till dark and got a lot turned over. I spent nearly the whole day doing chores but went out for awhile and cleaned out a few ditches. Frank has felt rather tough all day with a pain but he did a little ditching and this after noon went down and helped Tige clean out the Sunday school. I went down to band practice, there were about half a dozen there and we sat around the stove talking about the income tax till about nine o'clock then I went downstairs and ran across Marj. so went up and spent the evening with her. I came back past the hall where there was a U.F.O. meeting going on so I asked Corby if they practised. He said they did a little and Clare Deal took my horn home. Cloudy & freezing raw east wind. Thursday November 27th https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/2d4892c77d7ed230c3e4bd138cf7884d.pdf dddf0b1a44a5594d77bfc8b29ab576fb PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Dad. plowed all day but as it has been freezing a little ever since yesterday it plowed pretty stiff and he didn't get quite so much done, however, he is just about to the old cherry tree so will soon be done. I cleaned a few ditches this morning but spent most of the day doing chores. Frank took some oats to the mill this morning but there wasn't enough water to chop it. I went down to Aunty's to tea to-night. Marj. was there and after tea she Aunty Alice & I went to see "Venus in the East" at the picture show. After the show Aunty Alice went to play bridge at Cousin Clare's and I called for her. Friday November 28th It froze hard last night and there was no chance of plowing and most of the morning was spent doing chores and gettin Enah & Tid. started off for Toronto. They went to Brantford on the eleven o'clock car and were going to take a train for Toronto from there after dinner.They drove Mexico down town and Dad. walked down, stayed to dinner and drove back this after noon. He said Tid. at the last minute was very loth to leave and seemed quite sick.They didn't know whether he was cold or excited, but they persuaded him to go as far as Brantford and then if he still felt sick he could come back, but as they haven't showed up I guess he recovered. This after noon Frank borrowed Jack Martin's hog crate and we weighed up his four hogs, they just averaged 200 lbs apiece. We did chores up early and I went to bed soon after tea and Frank went out to Bill Sidway's. Saturday November 29th Frank got breakfast this morning and right after breakfast Dad. left home and didn't show up till after dinner. He went down to Aunty's to clean up a little down there around the barn. Frank has been doing housework all day and I have been doing chores. It began to rain quite early this fore noon and has kept it up all day clearing off at night and a strong west wind taking its place by ten o'clock there was a regular hurricane blowing and it was increasing in violence. Frank went down town to-night and said when he got home that there were several trees blown down and the false front above the roof of Hugh McQueen's store had blown off. Sunday November 30th https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/d99056e721cbc0e731240f3511aaa95a.pdf edd1c79d5cfcc7eed358b898966644f6 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. The wind was still very high this morning and has abated very little by this evening but has not been so strong as it must have been during the night. We got off with very little damage. It blew the north doors off the old barn and two or three boards from the big barn and tipped over the "library." When Dad. got up the windmill had blown in gear and was going like mad. He ran out to shut it off with scarcely any clothes on and nearly froze. He found the barnyard half flooded. We heard later that the wind blew Edmond England's windmill down and the head of John Wess's. It wrecked the big drying kiln over at the brickyard and blew down a new building that Kolbe was just putting up. Frank & I went down to Sunday school and church this morning & stayed at Aunty's for dinner. This after noon I drove down to Nanticoke to bring Marj. home as she went down to the Banfield's Friday night. The roads were rather rough but it wasn't bad. I was bundled up so with Dad's fur coat I couldn't feel the wind. I took a fur coat of Aunty Alice's down for Marj. so she didn't get very cold. We got home soon after six. I came home and had tea and then went back down town again. Frank & Alex England went down Mud Street to-night. Monday December 1st We haven't done much but chores to-day, they take most of our time now that the cattle are all in. Dad. fixed the fence that the wind blew down and nailed on the boards that had blown off and we re-established parliament. Aunty came over and helped Frank get dinner but didn't stay long after dinner. I shifted the chickens around to-night. I put the old hens in where the roosters were and put all but two of them in the fattening crate. I left one in with the old hens and put the one that was so full of fight in with the pullets. Fine day, freezing all day, cloudy. Owing to the coal-miner's strike and the shortage of soft coal The G.T.R. has taken off 70 trains from Ontario lines, all our midday trains being included so that we don't get our mail till the day after it comes in now. Jim comes early. Tuesday December 2nd Did nothing but chores to-day. Dad. went down to Aunty's for dinner but came home right after and we brought the rams up and put them in the field back of the barn. It snowed last night and quite a bit this morning and to-night is 10° above zero. Frank and I went down town to-night. Lovely night but frosty. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/b423cb849c13cf258171f797265e5555.pdf 2907997db74fb8d071512128d3c1623e PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Wednesday December 3rd Have put in most of the day doing chores, but made a box this after noon to ship my pair of dressed cockrels up to the Winter Fair and Frank painted it for me. Tupper came over after dinner and took Dad. over with him to help him kill his old sow, so Dad. was over there all the after noon and to tea. He shouldn't have gone as his cold made him feel sick and he got cold over there. To-night I went down to band practice. Freezing all day and 8° above zero to-night. Thursday December 4th Aunty Alice came over to dinner to-day and thought Frank's housekeeping was splendid, if he keeps on he will make a fine wife for somebody someday. Besides the chores we managed to get time to put the old box stove out of the shop up in the dining room this morning and to-night Dad. has a fire in it and it is nice and warm. We ordered a Quebec Heater from Eaton's but it was too cold to wait for it to come. Dad. went over to John Wess's this after noon to ask him if he had any intentions of selling out but he wasn't home, both he & Mrs. McBride are in bad shape. I went down to the mill in the buggy after some chicken feed. Milder. Friday December 5th Dad. has done most of the chores to-day as I put in a lot of time killing and fixing up my cockrels which I am going to send up to the Guelph Winter Fair. I killed four and will take the two best and send them up. I had good luck killing and plucking them and as there were no pin feathers they looked very nice. I found the box I had made to ship them in was too small so I went over to Jack Martin's this after noon and got another. They were boxing up a shipment of chickens for Australia over there. I am going down town to-night. It has been milder but still freezing. Saturday December 6th I made another box to ship my cockrels in this morning and got them packed and shipped by this afternoon's express. Frank and I went down town in the waggon and got a bag of sugar whch Aunty ordered for us the other day and got some chop at the mill. Aunty Alice was over to dinner and most of the after noon darning socks for us. Snowed all after noon, milder. Sunday December 7th Frank and I went down to Sunday school and church and https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/79d480cac95f80d2b59194b368dc1754.pdf 7c0cd6c997209cab6bbf1bef0f11bc79 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. stayed at Aunty's for dinner. Frank went home right after dinner but I stayed down all afternoon and evening and had tea at Aunty's and went to church with Aunty Alice & Dad. I spent the after noon and evening with Marj. Dad. did all the chores and came down to Aunty's for tea. He took Molly for a sleigh drive this after noon but the cutter didn't slip very well. Fine day. Monday December 8th We haven't done much to-day but chores. Frank has been very busy all day getting the house slicked up in preparation for Enah's & Tid's homecoming to-night. He has made a fine housekeeper and cook but looks forward to chucking the job to-morrow. Dad. and I drove down town with the cutter as soon as we got the night chores done but had to wait around town for nearly an hour as the seven o'clock car was very late Enah & Tid were aboard and Dad drove them home and I walked. Frank had a good tea already for us when we got home and I was ready for it. Enah and Tid both had a good time in Toronto but were glad to be home. Tuesday December 9th It turned very mild during the night and rained all morning and has been very spring-like all day. I spent most of the day doing chores and Dad. and Frank fixed up a place to hang pigs as we expect to kill to-morrow. Frank and I went down to a J.F.I.A. meeting to-night in the Sunday school. It was supposed to be an agricultural evening and in the hands of that commitee but as Lloyd & George Ryerse were the only other members present we adjourned and Frank and I went down to Auntys for the remainder of the eveing. Wednesday December 10th We had intended butchering our hogs to-day but it was so cold and windy that Dad. decided not to. He went over to Tupper's to tell him so as Tupper was coming over to help. Dad. was over there most of the morning. Tupper told him that he had sold out to Tom Butler and his pal. Neil Elliot was in after dinner and bought Snowdrop for thirty dollars. I wernt down to band practice to-night. Very cold & windy, near zero. Thursday December 11th It was still very frosty this morning but the wind had died down so Tupper came over to slay our porkers. I didn't have much to do with the ceremony as I was https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/ecae8e033626a2ae8f3ef315b76dfd0e.pdf c4e15ce242799a6a182ed27743f4063e PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. busy doing chores. I did help a little after the pigs were scalded but couldn't work hard enough to keep warm, so quit. Right after dinner I took poor old Snowdrop down to the Dog's Nest where Neils man was to call for her. I didn't see him but tied her in the Gospel Hall shed and left her. I just did chores after I got home. They finished the pigs about three o'clock and the four of them hanging behind the shop make it look as if we wouldn't starve this winter anyway. Aunty. Marj. & Win all came over here to tea and we had the crate fattened roosters. Friday December 12th Dad. has put in the entire day dissecting the dead pigs and got through by to-night and has the woodshed piled full. I put in most of the day doing chores. Arthur Preston was over this afternoon and told us they were going to thin half the trees out of their orchard and that if we would clean them out we could have all the wood for doing it, so Dad. was higly pleased with the proposition. Jack Walker was over canvassing for subscriptions to a fund to buy a new organ for the church. I went down town to-night but it was raining when I came home so I stayed at Aunty's all night. Huby got moved to-day to their house up on St Andrew Street. Turned soft last night. Very mild all day. Saturday December 13th I did chores this morning and Dad. & Frank took Gladys down to Clarence Finch's. This after noon Frank and I hauled home a load of chestnut coal as Kolbe just got a car in and we put it in the old coldframe near the colony house as I intend to use it for a brooder. Dad. has been busy all after noon and evening putting the pork in the pickle. Colder. Sunday December 14th Frank and I went to Sunday school and church. Frank rode his wheel and took Tid. down on it but Tid. was so cold when they got to Aunty's that he stayed there till he got warm and then walked home. Marj. came over here to dinner to help eat spare ribs and she stayed all the evening. Enah went down to choir practice this after noon. Frank lit out for Mud Street after dinner and didn't get back till night Dad. and I did up the chores but didn't milk. Dad. went down after tea to see Aunty Alice as her cold was bad and she had a lame back. Very cold. Monday December 15th I went over to John Wess's this morning to inquire after them and John told me that Mrs. McBride was down in bed https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/3a9f788c95a07f023a5a9254c70c5b53.pdf 58f85f8ed66a74064d4669a79220f025 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. now and couldn't get up. It looks pretty tough for him and he is all alone with her, he himself is just able to limp around and do the chores, but he expects Cam. home this after noon. I went over to Jack Martin's for awhile when I got back from John Wess's to ask them about a stove brooder and Chris. told me that he might be able to get one for me from a man in Galt. I went to Simcoe on the one o'clock car and took my sample of milk to Neff and priced the brooders at Boyd's. The size Chris advised me to get cost $33.00. I came home on the 3 o'clock car. To-night Marj. and I went to the Methodist church to hear Capt. Martin give his lecture Jean Valjean. Frank and Lila were there but there was a very small crowd, the lecture was very good. Very cold & windy all day. Below zero to-night. Tuesday December 16th It was very cold this morning, below zero and a strong wind and although we were up fairly early it took us some time to thaw out and start to work. Frank went to prime the pump at the windmill this morning but the water froze immediately between the pump rod and the pump lead and as the windmill was in gear it broke the wooden jerk rod. Frank went over to Tupper's after breakfast to help him move some thrashed hay, but they didn't do much at it and Frank came home after dinner. I went down to Sam Law's to thrash this after noon. I didn't do very much as there was only a very little bit and Charlie Quanbury couldn't keep warm at it alone. We finished about four o'clock and then had supper. Sam got about three bags of seed. I went down town to-night. Wednesday December 17th Dad. and Frank went down to Preston's this morning and cut one of the trees. They were going back right after dinner but Frank fixed the jerk rod in the windmill first, and then Ham Thompson came after his {illegible}. Karl. Coleman also came and got Kate. Then Pickford and Tom. Butler came over and Pickford bought one of the yearling rams to kill. By the time they left it was too late to cut more wood so they just took the waggon down and hauled home what they cut. I went down to Aunty's to tea to-night. Marj. was there and she and Aunty went up to the Girls' Branch and I went to band practice. Neither of our meetings ammounted to much owing to lack of gas so Marj. and I went over to Miss McQueen's for awhile and then I spent the evening over at the Monteith's with her. I left my horn at Hec. Henderson's but when I went to get it the door was locked. Hasn't been above zero all day but clear & no wind. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/b3bccb0261b983bc32e6321b57dc0e64.pdf 08e19701e01c2a029ac25f34ecffd810 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Thursday December 18th Dad. and Frank went down and cut a couple more trees in Preston's orchard this morning. I didn't do much but hang around waiting for Pickford as we expected him over to get one of the yearling rams to kill. He didn't come however. As there was no wind to pump to-day we had to carry all the water for the stock and so we spent most of the after noon doing chores. Frank drove down town to get a lot of Christmas groceries and a box to send Elva one of the pups in. I went down town to-night to see if Marj. intended going home to-morrow. I didn't see her but found that school started again to-day so she won't be able to go till Saturday. School has been closed since Monday as some grater in the furnace had to be replaced and they just came yesterday. Friday December 19th Pickford and Tom. Butler came over and got the ram before we had breakfast this morning. The ram weighed 155 lbs and he gave us 8 cts a lb for him. Frank and I drove down town right after breakfast and shipped the pup to Elva by the L.E.& N. express. I stayed down at Aunty's all morning and chopped some wood for them to cook the spiced round. Frank and Dad. went down to Preston's this morning and sawed up some more apple wood and this after noon Frank went over to Tupper's and helped him put in the rest of his thrashed hay, while Dad. and I just did chores. To-night Frank and I went down town and I spent the evening with Marj. She is going home to-morrow. Frank went to the W.I. dance and is staying all night at Aunty's intending to go to Allanburg in the morning to spend Sunday with George. He had a letter from George saying that their office down there had been burned to the ground and Ed. Turner lost every thing he owned. It has been bitterly cold all week but is a little milder to-night. Saturday December 20th Dad. and I went down to Preston's this morning and sawed up a little more wood, and this after noon hauled a load home. Aunty was over to tea to-night as it was Tid's birthday. I went down with her and went up town for awhile to get some Christmas cards. Beautiful day but no wind to pump water. Sunday December 21st I went down to Sunday school and church but have been home all the after noon. Dad. and Enah went down this after noon to choir practice and Enah stayed down to tea and went with {Name?} https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/995c1d912073fb2df1873f6b836cc871.pdf 9ee36d086c12811cdc0f77bcc715fa19 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Walker to Hagersville to-night to hear an organ in the Methodist church there. It has been a beautiful day but no wind to pump water and we are at our wit's end to know what to do as we daren't take too much out of the well it is so low and the cistern is nearly empty and we can't pump enough by hand from the well at the windmill as something is wrong with the sucker and only the windmill will pump it. It has been much milder to-day & yesterday but by no means soft. Monday December 22nd Dad. spent most of morning drawing water out of the well at the windmill as there has been no wind to pump. I killed my five roosters. Bob Doherty was in this after noon and I promised him 12 of the lambs @ 14 cts a lb. To-night Enah and I went down to the confirmation service at which Lila was confirmed. Frank got home to-night. Mild but rather foggy all day. Tuesday December 23rd Frank and I took Dick's box down to the Express office this morning and then bagged up some oats and took them down to the mill. Al. Faulkner came over and got six of his geese and we kept two for our share. I went over to John Wess's this after noon and Frank and Tid got a Christmas tree. We went down to J.F.I.A. to-night but no-one was out. Wednesday December 24th Didn't do any thing very important this morning. Frank went down town on his wheel and got some cabbage at Uncle Ward's & took Cousin Loll one of the crate fattened cockrels. McEwen and a freind another McEwen were down this after noon and the other man bought two yearling ewes for $35.00 apiece. George came to-night. Christmas Day. We all went down to church this morning, spent most of the after noon doing chores and had dinner over here at night. Huby supplied the turkey. Dad. brought Aunt Ida over in the cart and the rest all walked over. All from Huby's, all from Aunty's and Cousin Clare made with ourselves a party of 15. We had a tree after dinner and every one got loaded with presents. It has been very cold all day, 8° below zero this morning. Friday December 26th Dad. hauled the two sleepers out of the big barn this morning and this after noon we cleaned the remains of the driveway floor out of it, so that now we can let the sheep in and drive in if we need to. We all went down to Aunty's to-night and had a fine evening. Much milder. George stayed down all night at Aunty's as he intends leaving in the morning. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/7eeb849281d94782ca8a4856537d2755.pdf 9430ca5c06743e628f8149f57b628df0 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Saturday December 27th Frank and I drove down in the waggon this morning and got some nails & lumber to make sheep crates and feeding racks and we spent most of the after noon making a couple of crates to ship McEwen's yearlings in. I worked all the evening at my show card course and got the first lesson fairly well done. It has been much milder to-day. Sunday December 28th Frank Tid. and I went down to Sunday school and Enah walked down to church. Aunty came over with us to dinner. Dad. had to draw up water for the cattle this after-noon as there wasn't wind enough to pump. Frank went skating this after noon and he and Alex England went off for a drive to-night. I spent the evening reading "An Irish Cousin", which Roy & Vernon sent me. Fine and cold. Monday December 29th First thing after breakfast this morning Frank & I took our two ewes down and shipped them by the 9.45 express to McEwen at Mt. Pleasant. We had to get some things up town and stopped at Aunty's for awhile so it was nearly noon when we got home. This after noon Frank went down and got a file and then took the cross-cut saw over to John Evans, who showed him how to sharpen it, and he brought it home all honed up in great shape. Dad. went over to see John Wess this after noon. Cam. told him that his mother had been very sick the other night and they were afraid she wouldn't pull through the night but she was a little better to-day. Cam. said he didn't know at all what his father intended to do and didn't like to ask him as he felt so upset. Dad. went down to see them at Aunty's to-night and I worked all evening at my show card course. It has not been so cold to-day and is stormy to-night. Tuesday December 30th Dad. decided this morning that as all conditions except the roads being so favorable we had better haul our ice now so Frank and I went down after a load as soon as we could while he cleaned out the ice house. The first load we put off outside as Dad. didn't have the ice house ready and we hauled another before dinner and put it in. Frank hauled three this after noon alone and I chinked them, while Dad. did the chores. It is beautiful ice https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/35bc02dd774897af521f559cfd2b3c48.pdf 9378c6928cd56d6a6de333be61164b00 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. clear and solid right through and the cubes just the right size to handle nicely. It is a little harder on the horses hauling it in the waggon especially as the roads are pretty rough it spots but it is nicer to unload. Very mild Wednesday December 31st We finished filling the ice house to-day, this being the earliest I think we have ever had it filled. Frank hauled three more loads this morning and we put the load that was outside in this after noon and then Frank wend down and hauled a load of saw-dust to pack it. He also saw old Felix Perkins who said he would be over in a couple of days to fix the pump as it isn't working at all satisfactorily. Frank and I went down town to-night. I thought there might be band practice but as there wasn't I went around to Harry Dyer's and got my hair cut. I was there till about 11 o'clock. Frank went to the W.I. dance and I went up about 11, but only went on the floor once with Dess. I spent the rest of the time with Bub. & Dess in the gallery watching the circus below which was just as much fun and far safer. I went home with the girls about one o'clock and then came on home, thus ushering in the year 1920. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary Collection Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Theobald "Toby" Barrett Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Courtesy of Archival and Special Collections, University of Guelph Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1911-1925 Language A language of the resource English Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 20th Century, Norfolk County, Woodhouse Township, Ontario Table Of Contents A list of subunits of the resource. Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary & Transcription, 1911 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary & Transcription, 1913 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary & Transcription, 1914 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1915 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1916 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1917 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary & Transcription, 1918 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1919 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1920-1921 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1921 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1925 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1925-1926 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1926-1927 Medium The material or physical carrier of the resource. Scanned Manuscript Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1919 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Theobald "Toby" Barrett Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Courtesy of Archival and Special Collections, University of Guelph Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1919 Language A language of the resource English Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 20th Century, Norfolk County, Woodhouse Township, Ontario Date Created Date of creation of the resource. January 1, 1919 Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary Collection Medium The material or physical carrier of the resource. Scanned Manuscript UG Transcription Progress Scripto transcription progress Done Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>{FRONT COVER}</p> <p>DIARY.1919</p> <p><br />T.B.Barrett</p> <p><br />Port Dover, Ontario</p> <p><br />Knockfierna..............</p> <p><br />From January 1st 1919 to December 31st 1919</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Wednesday January 1st 1919.</p> <p>I have had a feeling all day to-day as if I ought to have the blues, not exactly that I ought to have them but that it is queer that I haven't got them. That isn't the proper way to feel on New Year's day especially since every New Year's day for the last four years we have all thought that if the "damned" (thats what most of us thought allright even if we didn't say it) old war was over we would never feel blue again and neither we do at least I don't and don't intend to even although I have had to light the lamp this after noon to see to write, and though my gum boot which I wore a hole in the sole of on the hard frozen knobs of earth in the barn yard last week let in a pint of oozey mud and water around my foot so that it was just like an eel in a puddle all morning (I wore Dad's rubbers this after noon) and although that old brute of a Gladys acted just as stubborn as a pig can when we tried to load her into the crate this morning and I got mad enough to kill her and chased her around the yard till I was winded calling her names that wouldn't do for Sunday, and although I had to stand under the drip of the eave of the barn this after noon for about</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>ten minutes trying to unhook the chain which was just within an ace of unhooking but wouldn't come, and although instead of this being a nice, crisp, sunshiney, snowy sleigh bell jingling day, it has been a dark, muddy, drizzley, drippy, rainy rotten one with nothing more cheerful to look at than the mist and drizzle and nothing to hear but the darn ducks squawk and the dismal flapping of Enah's clothes which have been hanging on the line since Monday steadily getting wetter than when she put them there. Even in spite of all this, I haven't got the blues and upon a moment's thought realize that I would be a mighty ungrateful creature if I had, for in spite of all the weather there is an awful lot to be thankful for. The main part of the war is over and the boys are beginning to get back, some of them pretty badly shot up but others looking fine and all of them tickled pink to be home. Old Quint, who must have seen some hard fighting during the last summer and fall has got through without a scratch and writes most interesting letters from Belgium of the sights he sees there. Of course, Dad. had a letter from Dick to-day written on Christmas saying he was to sail for Siberia the next day so he is probably well out on the Pacific by this time and will maybe see action over there as the paper reports Canadian Artillery in the Arcangel region supporting Russian, American and Polish troops in attacks on the Bolsheviki, but then even though his future movements are in some ways so uncertain, it doesn't seem as if his stay in Russia will last as long as it might have if the Western Front was not peaceful and some reports say that men will not have to stay there more than a year unless they like, even although Canadian troops are still kept there, and even if he does see action over there after knowing of some of the marvelous escapes some of the boys in France have had, I can't help feeling that the same Power that pulled them through will also look after old Dick. These things as well as others keep my heart above my boot tops in spite of the depressing atmosphere. We did nothing in the way of celebration to-day. Frank and I had to take old Gladys down to Coleman's this morning and got pretty wet doing it. Dad. felt better this morning and went out and helped us load her but I'm afraid it didn't do him any good. To-night Frank and I went down town. Frank went up to Huby's. We intend to celebrate New Year's on Aunty's birthday.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Thursday January 2nd</p> <p>After I got the morning chores done up I went down town to send a money order to "The Breeder's Gazette" for a renewal of my subscription and also for some books for the J.F.I.A. for which Frank gave me a cheque. I didn't get back till noon. This after noon Charlie Quanbury came after Frank to help him take his calves out to {Lish?} Farr. who seems to be making a business of wintering cattle for people on his thrashed alsike. I didn't do any thing in particular but chores all the afternoon. To night I felt as if I was getting quite a cold so soaked my feet in hot water and went to bed rather early having spent the fore part of the evening reading "The Prince and the Pauper" which Aunt Ida gave me on Christmas. It has been a beautiful winter day, dull, frozen &amp; not cold.</p> <p>Friday January 3rd</p> <p>This being Aunty's birthday we celebrated it over here by having the goose which Frank slew yesterday for dinner and accordingly Aunty, Aunty Alice, Aunt Ida and Marj. all came over to partake of it. Frank and I didn't do any thing but chores and visit. Marj. stayed to tea and for the evening but the rest of them went down before tea. Frank went down to the dance given by the Women's Institute to-night and I walked home with Marj. later. Dad. hasn't felt much better to-day. It has been a very nice day. Freezing hard to-night.</p> <p>Saturday January 4th</p> <p>Last night was the coldest we have had yet this winter, the mercury being at zero this morning, but it has been a nice day with quite a strong west wind. Dad. Enah and the baby went down town before dinner and stayed down all the afternoon. Frank and I just did chores and bagged up what apples were left out in the barn some of which were frozen like bricks. Frank hitched Mexico to the cart and we hauled them over to the house in it and put them down cellar. We spent most of the after noon in the house reading the mail. Chuck Harn was in for a few minutes with a petition to have The Marburg Station moved from where it is up to the Cheese Factory, so Frank and I signed it as we didn't care a cent where it was and thought they must want it changed.</p> <p>Saturday January 5th</p> <p>Frank went down to Sunday school and church this morning but I didn't get down on account of the chores. None</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>of the rest of the family went down. I spent the after noon down at the Monteith's and came home to tea and to do chores. Lila was here to tea and She and I went down town right after tea as I wanted to get to church. We cut across the pond as there were a lot on it this after noon and I got my over coat full of pitch fork burrs getting up the hill. I went to church but was about half an hour late. I picked the burrs out of my over coat during the sermon. After church I went over and spent the evening with Marj. Tige McBride was down to-day to ask Frank and me to be bearers at Lee Boughner's funeral. He just home from France or England or where ever he was in the army the other day and died very suddenly yesterday. It hasn't been so cold to-day but freezing all day. Cloudy &amp; breezy.</p> <p>Monday January 6th</p> <p>Frank and I spend most of our time these days just doing chores. I husked the rest of the corn we had up this morning and Frank and I got over some hay this afternoon. This was election day but Dad. didn't feel like going out to vote and I didn't want to take the time with the roads as rough as they are to drive way out to Wiggin's school house Jack Martin was in about four o'clock to get us to go out and vote for Hammond as he thought if he got in we might get the roads fixed up a little down in this end of the township. However we didn't go and Hammond got beaten by Gilbert by about 48 votes. In town R. M. Taylor beat Mat. Wilson for reeve and the council consists of Clare Deal, Jack Reynolds, Jim Bannister &amp; Billy {Lamp?} I am afraid they are more inclined to be knockers than boosters but they may be all right. Enah and Tid went down to the Sunday school for tea to-night and for a concert afterwards in which all the kids took part. Frank went down after tea. Nice morning but rather blustery in after noon. Not cold.</p> <p>Tuesday January 7th</p> <p>We did all the chores up this morning so that we could go to Lee Boughner's funeral this after noon. Tom was over this morning greatly delighted at Hammond's defeat. Oscar Howden came in to drive him out to vote for Hammond but he walked out to Marburg so that he could vote as he pleased. We went up to the funeral this after noon and didn't put in such a bad time. Frank and I, Colin Lloyd, Tige and Lynn Waddle were bearers. Lynn would persist in expressing sentiments not suited to the</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>occasion which made it uncomfortable for the rest of us fellows during the service but we managed to pull through without disgracing ourselves and very unwillingly accepted the undertakers invitation to go in and have a look at Lee. Five returned soldiers came down from Simcoe to attend the funeral. They were a tough looking bunch. One had a glass eye and a stiff arm and another a game leg. They buried him in the Simcoe cemetry. I drove up with Lynn Waddle and Jack Maxwell. Lynn lit up his corn cob pipe just as we got started and and I don't think opened his mouth all the way up unless it was to make some coarse and ribald jest, one being that he thought Wess Boughner was damned stingy with his hard cider, as he hadn't offered us any. I came home with George Duncan as he was alone and could bring me closer to home. I transferred at his gate to Jack McBride's rig and when he turned in home I got in with Colin Ryerse &amp; Frank and so got a ride home. To-night Frank and I went down to the J.F.I.A. and although we didn't have many out had a fairly good time. Everybody present performed in some way sang or read a poem out of my James Whitcomb Riley book it being Literary evening. We had some toast for refreshments. Very soft &amp; mild. Snowing to-night.</p> <p>Wednesday January 8th</p> <p>Besides doing chores to-day Frank and I started to dig the straw out of the bottom of the west hay over in the old barn and put it up on the rails over head. Lorne Myers was in this morning to return Dad's probang. He borrowed it last night while we were down town to take a turnip out of his cow's throat. He wanted to know if we would like to try feeding some dried beet pulp as he was going to send for some so I told him to get us ten dollars's worth. To-night Frank and I went down town. I went over to the Monteith's for the evening. Frank intended to go to a soldier's concert which the I.O.D.E. were having but it was called off on account of the Holdin girls being sick, so he went up to Huby's and took Lila to the show. Aunty Alice sent to a Boston publishing Company for some plays for us to-night. A little colder to-day but nice.</p> <p>Thursday January 9th</p> <p>Frank and I finished covering the rails in the old barn with straw. We intended to get some more corn in and some hay over but the weather prevented us. It has been very blustery and blizzardy all day. It didn't snow any more but the high west wind kept what little had</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>fallen in the air all day. It was quite mild this morning but the mercury has been dropping all day and stands at zero to-night. This after noon the J.F.I.A. books came from "The Breeder's Gazette" Company so I spent this after noon looking through them. Charlie Shand was over and he and Frank went down to the dam to see if they were going to put the bridge back in place, but something went wrong with their plans so they didn't move it.</p> <p>Friday January 10th</p> <p>It has been still very windy all day, the wind was worse than yesterday but it has been much milder and was barely freezing this after-noon. Just did chores this morning and this after noon went up to Mat. Wilson's to pay him for the apple-barrels I got last fall. Sam Law had been thrashing there but had to stop as the wind was blowing their belt into the wheel and fraying it. I went over to Ham Thompson's for awhile to look at his calves. Frank went over to Quanbury's as he had promised to help them haul hay but as he thought they didn't go after any as the wind was too strong. I went down town to-night. They had a small fire at the dam last night.</p> <p>Saturday January 11th</p> <p>Frank and I fed up the stock this morning and then went out and got a small jag of corn shocks Tom and his grandson young Murrey Simpson came over and got a little jag of hay on his one horse waggon This after noon Frank went out with John Quanbury to Charlie's place and helped him put on a load of hay I did chores and husked enough corn stalks to feed the cows to-night. Aunty came over this after noon to see how Dad. was and he and Tid. walked back with her and stayed down to tea. Frank went down town to-night and I oiled the chicken's legs. Not so windy a little colder.</p> <p>Saturday January 12th</p> <p>Frank went down to Sunday school and church this morning but I was doing chores till noon. Dad., Enah &amp; Tid went down to Aunty's for dinner and Enah went to church. Frank Awde &amp; Earl came to see Dad. just as I was going to eat and I left them here with Frank and went down town. I was down with Marj. all the after noon but came home to tea and do chores. I went down after tea but was too late to go to church. It has been mild and sunny to-day. Not much wind.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Monday January 13th</p> <p>Frank and I loaded up the oats we cleaned out of the little box-stall in the horse stable and took them down to be chopped. There were 17 bags but we thought we might as well take them down as empty part of them. The water was low down there so we had to leave the grist there. Dad. walked over to John Wess's this morning and stayed to dinner. He was pretty tired when he got back and he says John Wess is in pretty bad shape too. This after noon Frank finished mending the box stall door and I helped him hang it and then husked a little corn. About four o'clock we went down and got our chop. We traded some oats off for a bag of oil cake. To-night Frank went down town to ask Zeitha Barwell if she would go to Simcoe with him to-morrow night as the J.F.I.A. all intended going up to the Rink for a skate, but Tige and Albert were down to-night and thought we had better call it off as there would be no ice, so we are going to leave it till to-morrow and see if it gets colder. Very mild and soft all day.</p> <p>Tuesday January 14th</p> <p>Dad. Enah and Tid all went down to Aunty's for dinner to-day as it was Aunt Ida's birthday. Frank and I did chores all morning and I husked corn. Tige McBride came down after dinner to tell us that he called up Simcoe this morning and found out that there wouldn't be any ice so we went down to Lloyd's to tell him to arrange for some thing at the club. Tige let most of the fellows know by telephone that the meeting would be at the club. Frank and I did up the chores early and Dad. and Tid came home about half past four. Enah went up to St. John's with Aunty Maude to hear some W.A. workers from the West. She came back on the seven o'clock car. Marj. had promised to go to the rink with me so when I told her we were going to meet at the club she went over there. There were ten or a dozen of the boys out and about eight girls so we had a very good time playing games and a little dancing. Crosby and Alex England went down and borrowed a fiddle from the Slocomb's and Charlie Blake furnished the music. Soft all day, colder to-night.</p> <p>Wednesday January 15th</p> <p>Dad. felt much better to-day and helped us all day and we got in two loads of corn. The second one we</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>got were little ones with not much corn in it so we brought them in to feed to the cows without husking. We had a visit from a pail pedlar and got three pails from him. To-night I went down to see Marj. for awhile. Mild but frozen.</p> <p>Thursday January 16th</p> <p>John Quanbury came over this morning before we through breakfast to get Frank to go and help him saw up part of the spruce tree which he cut down at Mrs. Battersby's about a month ago. The butt of it is a big log and John can't saw it alone. We had figured on getting in some more corn but Dad. and I put off what we brought in last night but didn't go after any more. Frank came in at noon and he and I got in a load this after noon. Dad. was very much annoyed not to be able to help us but Jackie Pickford came over for a visit and Dad. couldn't shake him he was here all the after noon. We didn't bring in a big load of corn as we don't pile it up on the rack but try to keep each shock seperate so that we won't pull them to pieces when we unload. We didn't unload it to-night but emptied the chop we got the other day into Ed's big bin as we saw one of the cats with a big rat and were afraid to leave it in the bags any longer. Frank and I had hoped to go for a skate to-night but it has been very soft all day and is barely freezing to-night so we stayed home and read over the Shakespeare plays which Aunty Alice got for us for a J.F.I.A. performance.</p> <p>Friday January 17th</p> <p>Frank went over to help John Quanbury again this morning. Dad. and I did chores and unloaded the corn Frank and I brought in yesterday. Aunty Alice came over to dinner. This after noon Dad. Frank and I put on a jag of hay to haul over to the old barn, we would have hauled more but McEwen came down to look at the sheep. He said he wanted to get some ewes for some fellow and asked me if I would take $35.00 apiece for the ewes we culled out and marked for sale in the fall, so I told him we would as the market seems very uncertain and we need the money. I am to call him up to-morrow night to find out whether it is a sale or not. He also offered me $15.00 apiece for the old ewes we sold to Niel Elliott, so I will have to find out from Niel whether he will let me off the deal. I</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>tried to telephone him to-night but he wasn't home. Alan Law came in before McEwen left for Dad. to look at his mare. He is afraid she has an attack of asoturia. Enah went down town with Aunty Alice this after noon and had two teeth out. Frank went down to the Women's Institute dance to-night and I went skating on the pond I was surprised to find it so good as it has been very soft all day, but the ice was hard.</p> <p>Saturday January 18th</p> <p>Frank went over this morning and finished helping John Quanbury cut up the spruce tree. Dad. Tid and I drove down to Sam Law's and gave Alan's mare a ball, she didn't seem very sick. When we got back I went over to Martin's to see the bunch of chickens they had all ready to ship to Madison Square gardens this after noon. I also went down to Quanbury's to telephone Niel Elliott but he wasn't home. This after noon Dad. finished cleaning a couple of chickens he killed this morning and Frank finished making a crate to weigh sheep in. We then brought the scales over from the old barn and weighed the three ram lambs we sold to Niel. {Hray?} weighed 87 lbs and the other two 100 &amp; 105. I went down town to-night and called up Niel and McEwen. Niel told me to go ahead and sell the old ewes if I could get any more out of them but when I got McEwen he told me he hadn't been able to see the man that he was buying for so said I hadn't better keep them on the chance of him taking them. I was in at Aunty's on my way home. Aunty is very grieved over the cutting down of the old poplar tree in front of the old Mrs. Bagley house. It was the largest tree of its kind I ever saw and one of the most beautiful trees in town. It is far older than any one living can remember and the trunk was sound as could be. The weather is still very mild and Spring like. Didn't freeze to-night.</p> <p>Sunday January 19th</p> <p>Frank went down to Sunday school and I went down to church this morning Dad. has fell well enough to do chores to-day. Enah was to have played the organ this morning but felt too sick. She has felt miserable since having her teeth out. Aunty came over to dinner with us. I went down town this after noon and Marj. and I went over to see Miss McQueen. Marj. &amp;</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Essie went to Hamilton yesterday to see Robert Mantell in "The Merchant of Venice" and Marj. said it was great. I stayed down at Aunty's to tea and went to church with Aunty Alice. Spent the evening with Marj. Very mild. Feels like April instead of January.</p> <p>Monday January 20th</p> <p>Dad. went over to Flemming's this morning to thrash while Frank and I took our sheep down to Niel's. He made the two old ewe's weigh 30 lbs more than we did so we didn't lose anything by not letting McEwen have them after all. The lambs lost 10 lbs according to Niel going down but the five head brought us $67.00. We brought home a load of coal with us as one had just come in. It was chestnut and pea coal mixed so was not nearly as good as the last stove coal we got. Dad. stayed down to Flemming's to dinner and Frank went down to change places with him after dinner. There was a letter in the mail addressed to Mr. Barratt and Rush on it. We expected Dad. home any minute so put it away for him. He was about half an hour getting home and when he opened it found it was from Lloyd-Jones letting me to meet him as he was coming down on the 3 o'clock car, consequently I had to step lively to make the car. Dad. went back over to Flemming's to let Frank come home and seperate some of the smallest ewe lambs in case Lloyd-Jones wanted to buy any. I took him up to Ham's before I brought him over here and Ham sold him his two best ram lambs and his five ewe lambs. He then came over to our place and bought the five ewes we had picked out and begged so hard for some more that we picked out Nos. 2 &amp; 3 four year old ewes of old Splitears and sold him the seven for $225.00. The little yearling the "baby" we considered worth $15.00 and the others $35.00 apiece I took Lloyd-Jones back to catch the five o'clock car. Frank didn't think it worthwhile going back to Flemming's so Dad. has thrashed nearly all day and feels pretty tired to-night. It has been a beautiful, mild Spring like day.</p> <p>Tuesday January 21st</p> <p>Frank went over to thrash again this morning and has been away all day. They finished at Flemming's before dinner and moved to Martin's where they had a</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>very steady run all the after noon. Frank says they will finish there in a couple of hours. Dad. and I went down this morning and got a load of soft coal. Dad. walked down and I had the coal on when he got down as he stopped in at Aunty's for awhile. I saw the station agent who told me we could have a car to-morrow after noon to ship the sheep but when we found the thrashers would be here so early we thought we had better put off the shipping a day so I saw the agent again to-night and he said it would suit him better not to let us have the car till Thursday. Enah went down to the dentist this after noon so I sent down all the certificates to be transferred with her to post. Dad. and I did chores this after noon and I unloaded the soft coal some of it at the barn to thrash with us and the rest of it in the wood shed. Frank and I went to J.F.I.A. to-night. We had a pretty fair crowd out and spent the evening deciding on a play to get up. We at last picked on Julius Caesar. There was a grand dance on in the hall to-night for the employees of the Foundation Company. Ham and I went up after the club to find the station agent as he was one of the guests, they were all up in the Red Cross rooms having supper. {illegible} Spring</p> <p>Wednesday January 22nd</p> <p>Frank went over to Martin's for a little while this morning and came back while they were putting through the chaff to help us get ready for them. They got over here and set up and thrashed about an hour before dinner and ran steadily all the after noon finishing up soon after five. We got about ten bushels of nice looking seed two bushels of which were from the chaff and may not be quite so heavy as the other. I didn't do very much as Tom came over and we had lots of help. Tom gave me four dollars which he got for the old hens and two dollars for eggs and this after noon I got a letter from Neff with a cheque in it for ten dollars to pay my expenses at Guelph and also my score cards. I went down to see Marj. to-night.</p> <p>Thursday January 23rd</p> <p>It was very misty this morning and soon turned to rain which kept up all day some times raining quite hard. Frank went over to Pickford's to see if they would thrash but neither Sam nor Alan put in an appearance. I drove down town before dinner to see where our car was to ship the sheep in and thought I would get Joe shod. I didn't have</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>time to get her shod before dinner so thought as I had her down and she was badly in need of it I had better have her shod after so I stayed at Aunty's to dinner and by the time I got home it was half past three. We then had to hurry to get the sheep loaded {illegible words} there and as it was Frank and I {illegible words} after six. Dad. went down with us and {illegible words} home. The sheep go out on a night {illegible words} morning and appeared to be {illegible words}.</p> <p>Friday January 24th</p> <p>Frank went down to Pickford's to thrash this morning {illegible words} as they started up about the middle of {illegible words}. They finished there this after noon and then moved down to {illegible} and thrashed him out in an hour or two and Frank didn't get back till dark. Dad. and I did chores and and Dad. battoned up the north end of the calve's pen. I started to read after dinner and went to sleep for quite awhile {illegible words} for awhile this after noon to get the number of the old ram Enah and Frank went down to the Library dance to-night &amp; I went down town and went up to Miss Martin's with Marj. I went down to Aunty's and found Roy there. He came in on the nine o'clock car. I went up to the hall to call for Enah about half past eleven as she didn't want to stay too late. There was certainly a jamboree up there in the hallway was packed so full a fellow could hardly move and couldn't see across the room for smoke. Colder &amp; windy.</p> <p>Saturday January 25th</p> <p>Dad. Frank and I have been hauling in corn all day we got in six rack loads averaging about ten shocks to the load and put it up over the granary where the clover seed was. We got some of the best corn in the field and some of it was very goodlooking. Roy came over to tea to-night and Dad. walked back with him to-night {illegible words} saw several little door mice in the corn field to-day. They are very pretty and unlike the field mice which always make for another shock cross-country when the shock they have been inhabiting is lifted off them and are generally caught by the dogs, the door mice always try to climb out of harm's reach. One of them ran up one of the spokes in the front wheel and sat on the front bolster of the waggon for a long time and a couple ran up the horse's legs. Beautiful Spring day again. Muddy this afternoon.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Sunday January 26th</p> <p>Frank went down to Sunday school this morning and Dad. Enah and Tid went down to church but I didn't go down as I didn't get the chores done in time. This after noon I went down town after Frank and I had our lunch, the rest of them stayed down at Aunty's for dinner. Marj. and I went down and called on the Bailies and then went over to the Paterson's but they weren't home so we walked up Main St. and met Miss Martin who was en route to the Sunday school to number some books in the library so we went down with her and helped her or at least Marj. did. We then went down to Aunty's to tea. Enah and Winnie were also there. They and Roy and Aunty went to church but Aunty Alice, Aunt Ida and Marj. &amp; I didn't go. Beautiful day. West Wind.</p> <p>Monday January 27th</p> <p>We hauled in corn all day again to-day and got the field cleared this side of the potato ground. We also have the mow about full. Pickford came over this after noon and told us he had sold his best clover seed for twenty three dollars per bushel and his lower grade for twenty one. Edmonds bought it but didn't want to buy much. It is queer that it is so hard to sell and yet the price is so high. Another fine day. Muddy this after noon.</p> <p>Tuesday January 28th</p> <p>We hauled in another load of corn this morning from the north side of the potato patch but there was no room for it in the mow so we left it on the waggon. I went down to Aunty's for dinner and caught the one o'clock car for Simcoe to attend the annual meeting of the Norfolk Co-Operative Association. There was a good turnout and the report of the business done was very satisfactory for the first year. They had $1136.31 profit, $1000 of which they will divide among the members giving them 2 1/2% rebate on the business they did with the Association. Burnaby the President of the United Farmers of Ontario Co-Operative Co. was there and gave us a talk on organization I came home on the 7 o'clock car and had tea at Aunty's. Corby was at the station waiting around to go to the J.F.I.A. He had been in Simcoe but had driven his mother down to Dover and they had gone on home, so I invited him up to Aunty's for supper. He came. Frank came down and we</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>all went up to the club. There weren't many out but as our books came we went over the play and it sounded pretty fair. Dad. and Frank got another load of coal this after noon and hauled it over the new bridge, the first time any of us have driven over it. A little colder to-day. Cloudy.</p> <p>Wednesday January 29th</p> <p>Dad. and Frank went down to Sam Law's to thrash this morning and Frank was gone all day. Dad. got home soon after dinner. I first did chores this morning and husked some corn. This after noon I drove up to Ham Thompson's and got a Barred Rock cockrell to mate with my four pullets. I also stopped in at the mill and paid $25.00 on my account. I went down town to-night and Marj. and I went up to Miss Martin's. It has not been very cold to-day but a raw wind. March weather.</p> <p>Thursday January 30th</p> <p>I went over to Tupper's this morning to get him to come over and help us slay swine so he told Dad. he would come when we were ready to convert our two into pork. He was milking when I got there and I had to wait till he had breakfast so it was rather late when we got over here and got started and as a natural consequence long after noon when we finished. However we got the job done very well. Tupper brought over a little block and tackle outfit he had so that eliminated all heavy lifting to scald them or hang them up as we fixed up a scaffold and had a rail out of the upstairs door of the shop to hang them on and the barrel of water right under. They were a nice pair one dressed 232 lbs and the other 205 I think. Tupper had dinner here and we didn't do a thing till chore time but visit. He entertained us by relating anecdotes of folks up around the district between Simcoe and Waterford. He seems to know every one up there and has very funny stories to tell of all of them, and they lose nothing by him telling it either. Tom came in about half past four and got two or three bags of clover chaff for bedding. He also got my two cockrels which I sold him for a dollar apiece. I went down town to night and Frank and Enah and I went to hear Miss Wade at the Sunday school lecture on China. She was staying at Aunty's and we saw her afterwards down there. She was very interesting. Nice day. Freezing to-night.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Friday January 31st</p> <p>Dad. spent all the morning and I think most of the after noon cutting up the pigs. Frank and I cut a piece off the straw stack and hauled it over to the horse stable. This after noon Frank went down to the Customs office to get his Roth Memory Course which he sent for the other day. I hooked up and went over to Lorne Myer's and to Lloyd Crysler's to get them to take part in Julius Caeser. I don't know whether they will or not as they both seemed loth to tackle it. I was at Lloyd's quite awhile visiting with him and Hannah and listening to their Pathé phonegraph. To-night Frank and I went down town. Frank went to the Women's Institute dance and I spent the evening at Monteith's. Ed. Moon was over here all the after noon. Windy and a little colder.</p> <p>Saturday February 1st</p> <p>Dad. put the pork in pickle this morning and was glad to find he could get it all in his barrel. Frank and I hauled a load of hay over to the old barn and put it off. This after noon we hauled in three more loads of corn and put two of them off over the west bay in the old barn on top of what we hauled first. The third load we left in the rack. Enah went down town this after noon and Dad. went down to-night to take Aunty a piece of pork. They had a letter from Quint saying that he hoped to be home by the end of March.</p> <p>Sunday February 2nd</p> <p>Frank went down to Sunday school this morning and Enah and I walked down to church. Aunty came over with Enah and Frank but I stayed down with Aunty Alice and Aunt Ida to dinner. This after noon Marj. and I went over to Miss McQueen's. I had tea at Aunty's and Aunty, Aunt Ida and I went to church. I spent the evening at the Monteith's. Lila was over here to tea with her eukalalie. Frank went down with her to-night and overtook me on my way home. Beautiful day, a little colder.</p> <p>Monday February 3rd</p> <p>We hauled in more corn to-day and got in the best of it. This after noon Dad. burned off the corner field as it burned so well while Frank and I were putting on the last load. We put on</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>a big load and left it on the waggon. Ham Thompson was down this morning to see if I was going to Brantford to-morrow. We decided to go on the nine o'clock car. Frank went down town to-night to stay {words illegible} as he is going to leave for Toronto in the morning {words illegible} in the Sheep Breeder's meeting. Beautiful day very mild.</p> <p>Tuesday February 4th</p> <p>Ham, Frank and I all went up on the nine o'clock car this morning. We left Frank at {illegible} and the went to Hamilton by radial. Ham and I {words illegible} for Brantford at 10.45. There was quite a {illegible} on the train bound for the Lloyd Jones sale and they all got off at Mt. Vernon so we {piled off too?} and had to walk over a mile to the farm. We had dinner at Lloyd Jone's as soon as we got there. Ham {words illegible} in with a Mr. Gould from the American Sheep {Association?} and after dinner we had a look at all the prize winners and cups before we went out. He had quite a {words illegible} of them. The sale lasted all the after noon as the bidding was rather slow. There were few buyers and they didn't run things up all high. Our old ewes brought $40.00 apiece and the others ${34.00?} and $39. Six of them were sold in pairs but the little one was sold singly and brought $20.00 so he didn't make a very big profit on any of our stuff but one of Ham's ram lambs brought $48.00. He sold all his at $50.00 apiece but some of the ewes lambs didn't bring that much and the other ram just brought {illegible}. We hung around and nearly froze all the after noon and about four o'clock Mr. Gould struck out for Mt. Vernon to catch the train for Brantford, but we wanted to get our checks if possible from Lloyd-Jones before we left {illegible} waited as he promised to get us to Brantford in time to catch the six car, so we waited. The sale lasted right up to the minute we had to leave so we couldn't get our money and he sent us in to Brantford in his Ford. A fellow came with us who was very anxious to get a six o'clock train for Toronto but just about two miles out of Brantford we had a blowout, so had to stop to put on a new tire. The Toronto man hailed another car going in with a load so may have caught his train but ours had gone when we got to town so we had to wait for the eight o'clock car. We had a good supper which we were might glad to get at the Royal Café and then played a couple of games of Pool before the car came in. I saw</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Mrs Dell on the car. She had been down at Cobury to see Roy and says he his just about alright again. We went up to the J.F.I.A. social evening. I stopped in at Aunty's first. We put in the time in the usual manner up there and I got home at three o'clock. Rained this morning. Freezing to-night.</p> <p>Wednesday February 5th</p> <p>Dad. and I did chores this morning but not much else. This after noon I went over to Lorne Myer's and got the beet pulp he ordered for us. It is queer looking stuff and very bulky. A cwt. bag being about as big as a bluegrass sack. We put a little of it to soak to feed the cows to-morrow. To-night I went down town and Marj. and I went skating, we called in and got Zeitha to go with us. Ed. Turner, Woodger, Leggit, Mr. Bagley &amp; Essie were down there and as the ice was pretty good we had a good skate. It has been colder to-day, but fair.</p> <p>Thursday February 6th</p> <p>Dad. went down to Alfred's this morning to borrow the screens of his fanning mill which he uses to clean clover seed as we want to get ours cleaned up. Ham was talking to a fellow at the sale on Tuesday and he said they had no clover seed to sow up there and the Woodstock seed merchants were asking $32.00 a bushel for it. Ham told him he could get 100 bushels down this way for $25.00 or less so he took Ham's name and said he would put it up to his club and try to get them to give us an order. This after noon I went down town as notice of a registered letter came and as I suspected it was the pedigree for the sheep and found I was correct. I posted them again to Lloyd-Jones before I came home. To-night Enah and I went down to the hall to see the boys that are home from the front get their five dollar gold pieces or whatever the town was giving them. Ron. Taylor was doing the presenting and Mr. Johnson calling out the names of the men. Most of them had got their souvenir when we got there but we heard Ed Moon and Ed Turner make little speeches. They had a dance afterwards and we stayed till about midnight.</p> <p>Friday February 7th</p> <p>We didn't do any thing much to-day but chores and sit around and read. We heard last night that the Sloan's had got a letter from Willie posted at Tokio</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>so Dad. has been looking for one from Dick as we thought they were on the same boat but have found out since that Willie Sloan sailed about a week earlier than Dick. I went skating to-night and had a fine time. Miss McQueen went down and afterwards Marj. Ed. Turner and I went in to her place and had coffee &amp; cake. As I was going through Martin's to-night I was very surprised to meet Frank he had come home on the seven o'clock car. He went home and then came down to the pond. Still fine and mild.</p> <p>Saturday February 8th</p> <p>We cleaned off the barn floor this morning and put our clover seed through the mill. It didn't clean out much and what seed went behind we put through again and will keep it to sow as there are no very bad weed seeds in it. We will have about six bushels or more to sell and plenty to sow. We also put through a sample of oats to take to Simcoe as Neff is buying seed oats for the Government at 80 cts per bushel to send out West and Johnson is handling them for 5 cts per bushel. The market price is about sixty cts. Frank and I went skating again to-night. The pond is great now up above where it was frozen before as it has risen and made new ice. It is still beautiful weather may be a little colder but very little.</p> <p>Sunday February 9th</p> <p>I actually got ready in time for Sunday school this morning and went down. I stayed at Aunty's for dinner and this after noon went up to see Marj. We sat around the house all the after noon as it was snowing hard when I went up. We went down to Aunty's for tea and Aunty Alice, Marj. and I all went to church Huby and Aunty Maude came back to Aunty's with us and we spent the evening there. It didn't snow much. Colder.</p> <p>Monday February 10th</p> <p>We spent the day hauling out clover chaff on the wheat to-day. We hauled it out on the rack and Frank and I pitched it off and spread it as well as we could and Dad. followed us and shook it out more, as we didn't want to get it on too thick. We got it all out and it covered two bands the full length of the feild and a piece at</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>each end of the next two bands. We also got in another jag of corn. Charlie Munroe was in this morning and sold Dad. a piece of beef. Mr. &amp; Mrs. Jim Waddle were in for a few minutes at noon. Dad. and Enah had intended to go out to see them to-night to ask them over to dinner on Thursday. They did go to-night any way. Frank went skating but I stayed home so that Tid wouldn't be alone he is asleep. Beautiful day. Mild. Frank told us when he got home about Toddy West, his little brother and Johnnie Miller being drowned in the lake this after noon. The little West fellow got in through the ice first and then Teddy tried to save him. He got in and Johnny tried to get him out. Young Gunton was with them and he yelled for help and Capt. McCauly &amp; Ed Moon waded in and got them all out but although they worked on them for a couple of hours or more they couldn't save them.</p> <p>Wednesday Tuesday February 11th</p> <p>We got the spreader out this morning and have been hauling out manure from around the stack to too wheat all day and got out 12 loads. We were a little afraid to tackle it at first for fear the ground being so hard would do some damage to the spreader but it didn't seem to hurt it any. Mr. Nixon and Willie were in for a few minutes this after noon to look at the stack. Enah and Tid. drove Mexico down town after some coal-oil this after noon. To-night Frank and I went down to the J.F.I.A. but as usual there were very few there. Very mild all day looks like snow.</p> <p>Wednesday February 12th</p> <p>It snowed a little last night but soon melted off to-day as it has been very mild up around 40°. Frank and I hauled manure all day and got out 12 more loads. We started in on the pile at the horse stable this after noon. Dad. spent most of the day killing and picking the four ducks that were left to provide the dinner for Mr. &amp; Mrs. Jim Waddle to-morrow night. To-night Enah, Frank and I went down to Aunty Alice's party. Lila, Winnie, Dess, Fraser, Marj. Zeitha, Bill {illegible} Tige McBride and Huby were all there, and Huby provided the principal entertainment naturally but Zeitha did some very nice singing for us and Bill performed on Lila's Ukalele. We also had various forms of guessing contests, the chief amusement derived from them were Huby's answers</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Thursday February 13th</p> <p>Frank and I got out six more loads of manure this morning but quit early to go to Simcoe this after noon. We both went up and I went to the Co-operative meeting and Frank did shopping. He got some rock-salt &amp; gut and got the harness we left at Church's. He said he couldn't fix it so we left it at Herb. Woods. We had an interesting meeting although there were not many out. Mr. Gordon from the Livestock branch was there to talk about shipping Livestock co-operatively and Mr. Kerr from P.E. Island told about their successful co-operative egg-marketing business down there. Prof Graham was also there but I didn't have time to wait till the meeting was over as Frank and I had to leave at four o'clock to get home in good time for supper. Dad. had most of the chores done when we got home. Mr. &amp; Mrs. Jim Waddle were here to tea and spent the evening. Frank went down to a birthday party at Myrtle Greenbury's Very mild, roads in beautiful shape. Raining to-night.</p> <p>Friday February 14th</p> <p>It rained hard during the night so that we couldn't go on with the manure hauling. I took Daisy May over to Tupper's and while I was gone Alan Law came after Frank and the clippers to clip his horse. He was down there to dinner. This after noon Dad. and I drove down to Wess &amp; George Fields to see their Shorthorns and were very agreeably surprised at the bunch we saw. They have seven or eight cows of very uniform type and all thick smoothe and low down. They had two very fine yearling heifers all of Scotch breeding. Their $500.00 Imported two-year bull is very smoothe and stylish looking but doesn't look as if he would make a very big bull. We went from there down to Blake's and I left some "Breeder's Gazettes" for Charlie to get pointers for his debate from. The roads were awful and consequently we were late getting home. We came up the Plank and through town as it was better than the back way. Frank and I went down town to-night. Frank went to the W.I. dance. Still mild but drizzly.</p> <p>Saturday February 15th</p> <p>We didn't do much to-day but chores. Frank and I husked some corn this morning and this after noon bagged up all the barley and oats that were left (about 10 bags)</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>to take to the mill but as it was so wet we didn't go. Dad. went down to Aunty's for tea to-night. Marion McLaughlin was over all the after noon playing with Tid. It has been colder to-day and snowed a little this after noon.</p> <p>Sunday February 16th</p> <p>Frank went to Sunday school this morning and I left here with the intention of going but when I got within sight of the town clock and found it to be a quarter after ten I decided to wait till church time so went back to Aunty's and read for awhile and then went to church, sat in the back seat with Frank, Lloyd Ryerse and a stranger and disgraced myself by going to sleep during the Litany dreaming of something funny and waking up laughing. I partook of dinner at Aunty's and also tea, accompanied Aunty to church this evening and spent the after noon and evening with Marj. at the Monteiths. Soft during day. Colder to-night.</p> <p>Monday February 17th</p> <p>I have put in a pretty idle day. This morning Frank and I went down to the mill this morning with the grain we bagged up on Saturday and from there on down town to the Widespread where I got my trap nest which Emery made for me. We got our chop on our way home.This after noon I just sat around and read. Dad. and Frank put on a load of hay and hauled it over to the horse stable. Enah and Tid drove Miss Phipps over to McPherson's for her to see a dinner-waggon Emery is making for her. To-night I went down to Aunty's for tea as she invited me to go to the picture show with her. Marj. was there too and we three went to see Margurite Clark in "The Seven Swans". It was about the prettiest and all-round nicest show I ever saw. Aunty is very distressed about my ribs hurting so much and thinks I should go to the doctor. Colder but fine all day. Snowing quite hard to-night.</p> <p>Tuesday February 18th</p> <p>I haven't done any thing in the shape of work to-day but this after noon went down and had the doctor examine my ribs where I hurt them a couple of weeks ago as the last few days they have pained considerably when I tried to work. He said the bone was not hurt but put some adhesive tape banadages around me which promise to be very uncomfortable. I got my hair cut and stayed at Aunty's to tea. Huby was there too as he came to take</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>a couple of pictures out of a tube which Quint sent to Aunty. Enah &amp; Tid. drove Mexico down this after noon and Enah went to help her mother tend store as her father went to Hamilton to a trade banquet this after noon. Dad. and Frank spent most of the day doing chores and getting over some straw for the horse stable. Dad had a long, interesting and as it is the first one we have got since New Year's, very welcome letter from Dick. It was posted at Vladivostock and tells mostly of his trip across the Pacific. He went as we supposed on the S.S. Protosilous (or some such name) {Protesilaus} and although he was luckier than most in escaping sea-sickness, they had some very bad storms, and it was in a typhoon that the ship lost one of her propellers. She was a twin screw however, so could make port on her own steam. He had not seen much of the city when he wrote as they were quartered two miles out in barracks built by the Russians in the Russian - Japanese war. Typhus was prevalent in town so he didn't intend going in much. He said there was nothing to go in for any way as he couldn't talk to the shop-keepers and although there was a picture-show, it seldom ran for when it did there was not enough power left to run the street cars. I went up to the J.F.I.A. to-night and althoug we had a fair crowd out most of them couldn't wait but hiked for the dance in the hall which Jack Riddel &amp; Pete Holmes the station agent are putting on to-night. We had a sort of debate on the Horse vs. Tractor and Frank had the best prepared lot of points in favor of the Tractor, but was the only one evidently who had put any time on it. I went back down to Aunty's after the meeting and found Dad. and Tid. there. Dad. having come down to go with Enah and Tid. to see the "Seven Swans". Dad told me to stay all night so that I could hook Mexico up for Enah in the morning as she stayed all night with her mother. The flags are floating at half-mast to-day in memory of Sir Wilfred, whose death was reported in to-day's papers. We all realize that with him Canada has lost the greatest orator and statesman of the day and that it may be years before Parliament has another man his equal. There has been quite a change in the weather lately and we are now having quite seasonable weather but not much snow.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Wednesday February 19th</p> <p>I was spending a very enjoyable hour in bed this morning awake but, knowing I didn't have to get up till Aunty &amp; Aunty Alice did, when Aunty came in with the alarming anouncement that she thought I had better stay in bed all day or at least till she went up and got the doctor and threatened to bring me my breakfast in bed. She had heard me cough as I have quite a cold and was afraid that I might contract pleurisy where my ribs were sore and maybe the flu so was quite worried. I did my best to allay her fear and did persuade her to let me get up and eat breakfast like a Christain but she was bound to go and interview the doctor. He said there was no danger what ever so that relieved her. I sat around there and read till about eleven when Enah came down. I hooked Mexico up for her and she drove home but I walked having had all the ride I wanted behind Mexico in his cart coming around the block. I didn't do much this after noon but sit around and read. Dad. and Frank hauled over another load of straw and put it off in the horse stable. Geordie Boughner was in looking at Dad's steers this after noon but didn't buy. We also had a visit from old Broadley and the famous Rachel. He was collecting stallion fees and after looking at Bell decided we owed him seven and a half although Dad. doesn't think she is in foal. However I paid him. He allowed seventy five cents a trip for his meals last summer, otherwise the fees would have been fifteen dollars. I went down town to-night and Aunty Alice gave me a ticket to Miss Crydon's music pupils' recital as the I.O.D.E. were selling the tickets to raise funds to buy a flag for the school-house Aunty Alice had bought two. She went with Cousin Loll and I went up to Monteith's and found Marj. had bought a ticket also so we started off for the concert. I considering it a treat for me and a Dutch treat for Marj. On the way down we thought better of it as no-body seemed to anticipate much of a concert and went down and spent a very nice evening at Miss McQueen's. I called in at Aunty's on my way home and Aunty Alice informed me that the concert was the worst she had ever experienced. It consisted chiefly of violin selections by Miss Crydons pupils and the fiddles were not in tune and the fiddlers couldn't play anyway. One lady recited and she stuttered. The best performer was a little Mitchell but her unlady like posture and fondness for chewing gum distressed Aunty Alice terribly.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Thursday February 20th</p> <p>Dad and Frank hauled over another load of straw to the horse stable this morning and I helped them mow it away. I didn't do much though as the adhesive tape on by back and ribs makes the skin irritable and rather sore when I work. Aunty Alice came over for a little while after dinner but didn't stay long. Enah &amp; Tid drove down town as Enah had to go to the dentist and Dad. and Frank went back and cut a little basswood along John Wess's line. I read all the after noon. The two books which should have come before with the ones we ordered for the J.F.I.A. came to-day, "Feeds &amp; Feeding" and "The Road to Dumbiedykes". To-night Dad.&amp; Enah after leaving Tid in care of the Sandman went down to call on the Pickford's and didn't get home till about midnight. Frank and I read till we got sleepy and then went to bed. Nice day.</p> <p>Friday February 21st</p> <p>Didn't do much but chores this fore noon &amp; didn't do many of them. Dad. oiled the buggy and Frank went down town and borrowed Aunty Alice's fur coat to go to Walsh this after noon. He and I left here about half past twelve to go to a sale which we saw advertised down town and at which there was to be a pure-bred Shorthorn heifer sold. The place was about half a mile east of Walsh Methodist church and on the fifth concession of Charlotteville. We found the place without much trouble inquiring once at the half-way house and arrived just before the sale commenced about half past two. We found the cow we had come to see but found she was some of Charlie Dunkin's stock which he had neglected to keep registered so that she was ineligible. She was a very nice smoothe and deep three-year-old but was rather small and didn't show signs of being much of a milker so we decided that unless we could buy her for for less than $85.00 we would leave her and as Bill Bickler bid $87.00 on her we left her. The rest of the stock was very ordinary looking and so was the crowd, natives of the blow-sand all, and as we weren't enjoying ourselves particularly we left as soon as the cattle were sold and were home by about five. The roads weren't bad for the most part but we were soaked as it snowed steadily all the time and was very soft. It was an old fashioned snow-storm, great big flakes coming straight down. I went down town to-night. It is still very soft.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Saturday February 22nd</p> <p>Dad. and Frank spent the morning remodeling the calf pen. They moved the bars back about six feet so that there will be room in front of them to tie Dad's steers and they intend taking the two heifer calves out from the rest. I intended going out to the Shand's with the bobsleighs after dinner to borrow their scale rack so that we could weigh the steers but by the after dinner the snow had all melted off so that I didn't go as I didn't want to take the waggon. I peeled the bandages of my ribs to-day as they were getting quite irritable. I havent felt any the worse for it. Very soft. Cloudy this after noon.</p> <p>Sunday February 23rd</p> <p>Frank went down to Sunday school this morning and I started but was so late I didn't go. We both went to church. I stayed at Aunty's to dinner and tea, went to church with Aunty Alice and spent the after noon and evening at the Monteiths. Rainy.</p> <p>Monday February 24th</p> <p>Dad. and Frank finished fixing over the calf pen this morning and we got Dad's steer in and tied him up. We put the young fellow we have had in beside him for awhile but they seemed disposed to fight so we seperated them again. I went over to Jack Martin's this morning to have my incubator thermometer tested and to invite Chris down to a band meeting which was called for to-night to reorganize. Clare Deal asked me to bring Chris down. This after noon Dad. and Frank went back and cut some more basswood and I put up some posts in the old barn to fix bars to so that we can have a couple of box stalls in the west bent for calves and freshening cows. To-night I went down to the band meeting and we had a very good turn-out of the old band boys and some new ones who were willing to join. The council was represented by R.M. Taylor. Clare Deal &amp; Jack Reynolds. {Mid?} Thompson was appointed secretary and authorized to get some music and it was decided that we meet next Monday and collect all the instruments that can be located. Taylor promised all financial support needed. Dad. had another long letter from Dick to-day written just a month ago. Canadians are in action now in the Murman region &amp; defeating Bolsheviki. Beautiful day.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Tuesday February 25th</p> <p>Dad. and Frank went back to the bush this morning and cut basswood till noon. They didn't return after dinner on account of it looking so rainy. Dad. fixed up some cross partitions over in the barn to make boxstalls and Frank tried to get his forge going. I spent the day doing chores and cleaning out the chickens sheds and putting fresh straw in. To-night Frank and I went down to J.F.I.A. social evening. We had a good turn out of girls and the usual crowd of boys. Got home about two o'clock. Mild and rainy all day, snow &amp; colder to-night.</p> <p>Wednesday February 26th</p> <p>After we did chores up this morning Dad. and Tid. went down to see how Aunty Alice was as she has been feeling quite sick. They stayed to dinner. I put some more brine in the pork barrel and then Frank and I sent out a bunch of cards to the J.F.I.A. members notifying them of the annual meeting next Tuesday. When Dad. got back we took Pommers out on the rein and found he hadn't forgotten any of his last winter's lessons. When we brought him in Dad. &amp; I battened up part of the west end of the barn to make a boxstall suitable for Elgitha to inhabit. Enah drove down town with Mexico this after noon. I went down town to-night. It has been cold all day with a very cold west wind. It feels as if we were going to get our winter now but Dad. and Tid. saw a robin down near Woodson's this morning and Dad. &amp; Frank saw a groundhog yesterday I set an incubator yesterday, the little one I got from Art.</p> <p>Thursday February 27th</p> <p>Dad. and Frank went back to the bush this morning and Dad. was back till noon. Frank came up early to get ready to go to Simcoe this after noon. Neff is having a short course to-day &amp; to-morrow on the care of gasoline engines so Frank went up to it. I did chores this morning and took Pommers out for a little exercise. The road was too rough to let him trot and follow him so I took him in the corner field. I sat around most of the after noon &amp; read. Marj. came over to tea and after tea the Ukelele Club came over to spend the evening, and of all the racket I ever heard, they made the most. I couldn't see or hear very much music about it though. No wind to-day but rather cold.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Friday February 28th</p> <p>We haven't seen Frank all day. He stayed at Aunty's last night and went up to Simcoe on the nine car. He intended to see the hockey match at the rink to-night between Simcoe and Niagara Falls, come down on the eleven and go to the Women's Institute dance in the hall. Dad. &amp; I just did chores this morning and I took Pommers out for a little more exercise. Dad. went back to the bush right after dinner. I went back about three o'clock but didn't do any thing. We did the chores up fairly early and to-night Marj. and I went to a concert in the Methodist church. It was put on by a travelling company comprising a pianist, vocalist, elocutionist and violinist. The pianist was a blind man and although he could play beautifully, it gave a fellow the "Willies" to look at him as he looked like a mechanical ghost. All the performers were very good but the violinist took my fancy. I almost wished she had been the whole show as I never heard any violin sound so sweet. I was in at Aunty's quite awhile on my way home as Roy was there having come in on the seven o'clock car to spend Sunday. Huby was down there when I went down with a medal which Lila had just received for a first prize on an essay she had written on the "Victory Loan". It has been very mild all day with a strong south wind. It rained hard this evening during the concert but had cleared off when I went home and the wind had gone around to the west getting stronger &amp; colder.</p> <p>Saturday March 1st</p> <p>The advent of this March has been of the most approved lion-like type. It was a ferocious wind all night and morning and much colder although milder and calmer more calm this after noon. Frank got home some time before daylight and said he had seen the hockey match. We thought it would be too soft but he said they played a good game in spite of the water on the ice. The score was 8 - 5 in favor of the Falls. Dad. went over to Tupper's this morning so see his steers and was over there all morning. Tupper was showing him some great bargain he got in used uniforms up at {Brauk's?} Shoddy Mill so this after noon Frank rode his wheel up to see what he could do. He left his wheel up there</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>to be overhauled and as he was too late for the five car walked home with his purchases getting here about half past six. He got a dandy officers greatcoat very little worn for $3.50 two or three pairs of riding breeches &amp; slacks for $1.00 a pair, two tunics one of them a red Mounted Police one for $1.00 a piece two pairs of putties for 26 cts and a couple of caps thrown in for souvenirs. He says they have heaps of them up there but he didn't have time to pick over any more. The ones he got though are good all a little worn. I cleaned out the chicken pen this after noon where the roosters were as I may want it for little chickens soon.</p> <p>Sunday March 2nd</p> <p>Frank and I went to Sunday school this morning and I actually got there in good time. Enah drove down to church with Tid. and after church Marj. came home with them and the Mexico-cart outfit. Roy was in church and I walked home with him as he came over here to dinner. We sat around and visited all the after noon and Roy went down town before tea. Marj. stayed here to tea and didn't go to church to-night. Dad. went down this evening to see how Aunt Ida was as she has been pretty sick. I drove Marj. home a little late and then called for Dad. and drove him home. It has been a beautiful spring day.</p> <p>Monday March 3rd</p> <p>Dad. and I went up to Ham Thompson's this morning with Knockfierna and were up there till nearly noon looking at the stock which looks fine. This after noon Dad. and Frank went back to the bush. I took Pommers out on the line but he got away from me. He didn't do any thing mean but just got cantering faster than I could and as I couldn't stop long enough to brace myself to hold him I had to let go. He ran up and down the lane and got the lines plastered with mud but I didn't have much trouble catching him when I got up to him. Enah and Tid drove down town this after noon and stayed to tea at Huby's. Frank went down there to tea also and they all went to see Uncle Tom's Cabin to-night in the hall. I went down to the band meeting and left my horn there. We didn't do much at the meeting but spent most of the time watching the show It seemed to be a little better than the general run of shows but not much. It has been very mild all day.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Tuesday March 4th</p> <p>Dad. and Frank took the team back to the bush this morning and brought up a load of wood at noon. They brought another one up this after noon. I drove down town this morning and got some coal oil and sent away to join the Sheep Breeder's and Shorthorn breeder's association. I didn't do much this after noon but read the paper and a few chores. Enah. drove down before tea and went to help at the Men's Banquet in the Sunday school. Frank went down there for his tea but I had mine at home as I don't like oysters and I didn't like the idea of going and eating and then leaving immediately as I would have to do in order to get to the J.F.I.A. in time. However on my way down I fell in with Jack Martin who insisted that I go over for a little while as he didn't want to go in alone so I did but didn't eat much and didn't stay long. The annual meeting of the J.F.I.A. was fairly successful. We had about ten or twelve out and they all promised to do their best to make things go next year and gave evidence of their good faith by consenting to try again to make our play a success. They wouldn't accept my resignation so I am still president. Frank was made secretary for life. Lloyd Ryerse was made vice-president and Tige, Charlie Blake &amp; Charlie Shand were put on the Committee of Management which we propose to make a living thing out of this year. Charlie Blake proposed a scheme for organizing an orchestra claiming it could be done through a correspondence course. I think every one was rather doubtful, but we gave Charlie authority to get all the information he could on the subject. Neff was down and we arranged to put Corby and Frank in to hold up the honor of the club in a debate against the Courtland boys on the subject of the middle man. After we closed up our business several of the fellows went to the dance in the hall and I went over to the Sunday school again where things were just coming to a close. It has been very mild all day and to-night.</p> <p>Wednesday March 5th</p> <p>It was snowing this morning when we got up and has got a little colder to-day, freezing quite hard to-night. We did chores this morning and Whit and {Name?} came over to look at Dad's steers. Dad. asked Whit seventy-five dollars for the young fellow but Whit wouldn't</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>give him more than seventy so Dad. didn't sell. Frank and I bagged up some oats and Dad. wrote to Dick he heard from him yesterday and they have been quarintined for Spinal Meningitis and Spotted Fever. He said he had seen Billy Sloan who is stationed about five miles from where Dick is. This after noon Frank and I took the oats we bagged up down and had them chopped and drove down town to post Dad's letter. Frank saw Moses Fisher about fixing up his military overcoat and Moses said he could have it dyed and remodel it to make a good civilian coat for 3 or 4 dollars. Marj. came over after four to-night to return a sweater of Enah's and stayed to tea. I got ready to go with her to church to-night but it was seven o'clock when we got through tea and as she had to stop on her way down to pay Newman Silverthorne for lodge dues, we stayed here for the evening and guessed riddles.</p> <p>Thursday March 6th</p> <p>It froze pretty hard last night but has been a beautiful sunny day though wintry. Dad. and Frank hauled up two loads of wood with the sleighs this morning. There was just enough snow for the sleighs to slip, but it was too soft this after noon to try it. I did up the chores and took Pommers out for a little exercise before dinner. This after noon we hauled over a couple of loads of hay one to the horse stable and one to the old barn. Tom came in about six o'clock to-night and got a little jag of straw. To-night Frank went down to the Tom Marks show and I went up to see if Harry Moon could come any night next week to give us a little drill for our play. He was in Simcoe playing at the rink and will be three nights next week if it stays cold. I talked to Mrs. Moon for about an hour and a half and then went down to Aunty's for awhile.They are evidently having lively times at Ottawa these days. Sir Sam Hughes has been raving and tearing his hair metaphorically and actually weeping bitter tears of anguish over the foul administration of the Union Government and charging that the leaders of the Canadian forces caused needles slaughter of Canadian men last fall at Cambrai, Mons, simply to glorify themselves and through bullheadedness, but I think the public have more confidence in Sir Arthur Currie than old Sir Sam, and realize that he followed Pock's plan of conserving man-power at the expense of time.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Friday March 7th</p> <p>Frank and I hauled out three loads of manure this morning on the sleighs and spread it on last year's potato patch, one load was cleaned out of the calf pen. This after noon Dad. and Frank hauled up two more loads of wood in the waggon. I went over to Jack's and borrowed an egg tester and tested out my eggs. I took out 28 out of the seventy and broke one good one. To-night Frank and I went down town Frank went to the picture show to see "Intolerance" but as the engine broke down he didn't see it all as he didn't wait till it was fixed. I went over to the Monteith's, the old man is pretty sick. Tid. saw a robin on the lawn this afternoon. Froze pretty hard last night but sunny to-day.</p> <p>Saturday March 8th</p> <p>Dad. and Frank hauled up two or three more loads of wood in the waggon this morning while I did chores and took Pommers out for a little exercise. Charlie Quanbury came after Frank at noon to go and see some thing about his cattle out at Farr's as Farr had telephoned him and he was hauling ice and didn't want to quit, so Frank was out there all the after noon. Dad. hauled up one more load of wood alone as I waited around expecting Ham Thompson in as he told Dad. the other night that he was going to take his alsike to Jarvis to-day and would stop in for a sample of our clover seed to take to Harry Misner, however he didn't come. When Dad. came with the wood I took the team &amp; waggon and went down to the mill and got a bag of oat-meal. I saw Art. Preston prowling around the place and thought he was one of the seventh-day Adventists as he had a beard on him like a Bolsheviki. I asked him if he had lost his razor but he said he had been sick again, and had been taking Russian Oil from Dr. Hicks, which I suppose accounts for his Bolshevist appearance. To-night Marj. and I went to the 'Gem" to see "Intolerance" It was certainly a wonderful picture especially the seige of Babylon. Frank went down to a birthday party at Bill Barwell's to-night. Raw east wind all day and snowing hard but getting softer when I came home to-night.</p> <p>Sunday March 9th</p> <p>The snow storm turned to rain before morning and it</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>has been wet and slushy all day. There was a cold east wind this morning which later changed to the west. It is freezing a little to-night. Frank and I went down to Sunday school and I helped Miss Martin give out books. We went to church and Marj. and I went down to Aunty's to dinner and stayed there all the after noon and to tea. We went to church with Aunty Alice to-night and afterwards we went around to see how Miss McQueen was but the house was in darkness so we went on over to the Monteith's and stayed there.</p> <p>Monday March 10th</p> <p>I went out to the Shand's this morning and borrowed their scales and stock rack as Dad. wanted to weigh the steers. I went around by Lorne Meyer's and took the beet pulp bags back to him and as the roads were none too good I didn't get back home till one o'clock. Willie Shand had been here while I was gone and brought my incubator back. Frank went down town to get some postcards to notify the J.F.I.A. members of a lecture in the hall Wednesday night. He wrote them out over at the club and saw Tige and Albert and a few more to visit with so didn't get home till nearly two o'clock. He saw Fat. Turner down town who had just got home and Frank says looks fine having completely recovered from his wound. We weighed the steers after dinner and the smallest one weighed 815 and the old one 860 lbs. Frank and I then took the scales back to the Shands but we didn't take the rack home as we think we may be able to use it with our own scales and Charlie said they wouldn't be needing it for awhile. Enah went down town to an I.O.D.E. meeting this after noon. When Frank and I got home Ham Thompson was here getting a couple of bushels of clover seed for his own use and Will Wright had been in after a bushel. Dad sold it for $18.00 a bushel as that seems to be about all any one is getting now. Frank got a statement from the Department of Agriculture to-day of a sample he sent down and it graded no.1. there was very little bad seed in it. I stayed home to-night for a change as I didn't know whether there was to be a band meeting or not. Soft but raw wind.</p> <p>Tuesday March 11th</p> <p>Dad. went up to Miss McCoy's this morning to see a steer with a swollen jaw. Wess Boughner came after him</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Frank and I did chores and husked a little corn. Alan Law came in here after dinner to see if we had sold our clover seed yet and showed us a card he had got Edmonds saying they were in the market again and for him to send up a sample of his seed. Alan had sold his to Fiss for $20.00 a bushel so Frank caught the 3 o'clock car and took a sample of ours to Edmonds and sold it for $21.00 a bushel. We have to take it up in the morning Dad. went down town to pay Clare Deal for the coal this after noon and Enah &amp; Tid. drove down for some groceries. I read the paper, cleaned out a place in the cellar for my incubator and started to prune the raspberries but didn't get much done. Frank went down to Alfred's to-night to ask him if he wanted us to take his seed up for him to-morrow but he wasn't home nor at Art's nor Pickford's. Aunty &amp; Dess had letters from Dick to-day and in Dess's said he thought they would be leaving for home about April. He told a very distressing story of the filth and poverty of Vladivostok. Nice day but rather cold west wind.</p> <p>Wednesday March 12th</p> <p>Frank went down to Alfred's this morning and got his two bushels of clover seed and while he was down there Dad. and I weighed up a bushel of ours for Will Wright and the balance just ammounted to a little over 3 1/2 bushels so we kept out the few pounds over that ammount and so just sold Edmonds the 3 1/2 bushels. Dad. went with us up to Miss McCoy's to see her steer. We met Will Wright on the road coming down here after his seed so we gave it to him. We then stopped in at Ham's and left the waggon there and borrowed his democrat. It was half past ten when we got started for Simcoe and the roads were rather sloppy but we got there and got our seed sold before noon. We didn't wait till one although Frank wanted to see Neff and get some mower supplies. We got the checkque cashed up there and we got home about half past two. We didn't do any thing but chores when we got home. Enah drove down town and stayed to tea and Frank and I went down after tea intending to go to church but found there wasn't any on account of Mr. Johnson being sick. Frank went to an agricultural lecture in the town hall and I went over to see Marj. It has been a very nice day but very windy and the wind has been getting worse all day</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Thursday March 13th</p> <p>We spent the morning cleaning up fifty bushels of oats for Will Wright. He came down and helped us. He paid Dad 60 cts a bushel for them. We didn't do much this after noon. I went over to Jack Martin's for awhile to ask Chris about my brooder but didn't get much satisfaction. I am afraid I will have a hard time getting it hot enough to be much use. Dad. and Frank fixed up some nests over in the shed for the geese to lay in as they have been laying under the hog-pen. To-night Frank and I went down to the club as I wanted to have a committee meeting to make plans for the coming year foolishly thinking that when we got just the committee there alone we could come to some definite arrangement to make a real life club which would make its activities aiming toward improvement felt in the community. They were all there except Tige. the best one of the bunch, but we might have well as stayed home for all the good we did. They would neither make suggestions themselves nor even give their opinion on any I made. What in thunder they want to have the club for is more than I can see. Darn them for a bunch of rubes. When we got home Frank went out to the stable to see if there were any lambs and was surprised to find two. He is sure they both belong to the same ewe but both ewes were taking a very maternal interest in them. He put on his old clothes and stayed with them till they got up and were nourished but I went to bed. I went down to see my incubator first and found all the eggs on the top of the machine. I took them out to cool and forgot them. They were cool alright and I suppose I can quit worrying about a brooder. It has been getting colder all day and to-night there is a strong wind.</p> <p>Friday March 14th</p> <p>There has been a high cold east wind all day to-day and we haven't done much outside. Dad. helped me get my big incubator down cellar this morning and I fixed it up and made a wire partition to fit in the little one to keep the eggs from the different hens seperate. Dad. took the pork out of the pickle and hung it in the smoke house and Frank repaired and oiled an old halter and the lines that Pommers dragged in the mud when he got away from me. Aunty came over to dinner and Enah and Tid. drove her home with Mexico about</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>four o'clock. To-night Frank and I went down town. He went to a party at Ivey Howells and I went up to the Monteiths. There was supposed to be church again to-night but it was cancelled again. When I got home I wrote a letter to "The Farmer's Advocate" telling about the J.F.I.A.</p> <p>Saturday March 15th</p> <p>Young Albert McBride came in on horse-back this morning to ask Frank to go shooting with him so Frank rode up on his wheel. Dad. and I went back to the woods and got another load of wood. We got up with it about noon and it was raining quite hard. It rained all the after noon so we didn't do much but sit around and read. I went to sleep for the most of the after noon as I had a pain like the ones I had in the summer. We got another flock book to-day. Frank went down town to-night and I read all evening. There were two more lambs in the boxstall when Dad. went out this morning.</p> <p>Sunday March 16th</p> <p>It rained all morning but Frank and I walked down to Sunday school and church. I stayed down at Aunty's to dinner and tea but spent the after noon and evening at the Monteiths. The old man is in pretty bad shape and doesn't seem to be much better. Winnie was at Aunty's to tea to-night and she Aunty and I went to church. The flu is not over yet. Sweetmore died the other day while on a visit to the Falls and Dave. Smith about the first Dover man to return from the war died yesterday. Spring is in the air to-day. It cleared off after dinner and I walked down to the beach from Wedlake's this after noon. The piles of broken ice along the shore are just about washed away, the wind had a warm feel to it and there was a steamy mist out over the lake so that I couldn't tell where the horizon was. I went on out on the dock which is certainly in terrible shape. The end is all gone off the west pier and a great hole washed through the east pier. They have a carload or two of timber down there and are trying to patch it up, but to see that harbour now with six thousand dollars worth of timber looks to me like a harder "task than to prove" than to:- ... "Stop a stream with sand Or fetter flame with silken band. I came up the tack with Hughie Allen and the old red-winged black-birds were flying around in the marsh and to-night wen I came home I heard killdeer</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>{Sketch of a tree}</p> <p>Monday March 17th</p> <p>It has been very mild and muddy to-day and has rained a good deal of the time. Tupper was in for about an hour this morning visiting. I washed out my big incubator and started it going to-day and put the eggs in to-night. This after noon we weighed the steers again on our own scale. The little one just gained six lbs but the big fellow gained 24 lbs. We then hauled over a load of hay for the cattle... Frank went down to a St. Patrick's dance in the hall to-night but it was so rainy and muddy that I didn't go down to band practice and Frank said he doesn't think they had any. I read the "Breeders Gazette" most of the evening.</p> <p>Tuesday March 18th</p> <p>Dad. Enah and Tid all went down to Sam Law's to dinner to-day and spent most of the after noon down there. Frank went down to the mill after some bran for the sheep and I just did chores and sat around and read. Karl. Coleman was in this morning to look at Dad's steer and we sold him subject to Dad's approval for ninety dollars and he is to go a week from Thursday. Dad. was perfectly satisfied with the deal. I went down to see how Marj. was to-night as she had a very stiff neck but she was better and ironing a dress to go to Bessie's party to-morrow night. One egg is chipped and a chicken out in my incubator to-night so I didn't freeze them all the other day. Sam. Law told Dad. that they couldn't get a death certificate and in consequence couldnt bury Dan Smith, as the nurse he had being dissatisfied with Dr. Cooks treatment sent for Dr. Newel in Jarvis. He didn't come but sent some medicine and so neither doctor was there when he died and as Sam Law said they couldn't expect Dr. Cook to give the certificate when he didn't know what the other fellow had given to poison him, however, they got him buried all right to-day with a flag over him and with military honors. It has been raw and cloudy and terribly muddy to-day.</p> <p>Wednesday March 19th</p> <p>I helped Frank put on a load of hay this morning and while he and Dad. put if off in the horse stable I went over to Tupper's and borrowed a setting hen as there are three chickens out in the incubator and I am afraid there won't be many more. I was over there</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>till noon. This after noon I drove Enah down town and I got some coal oil and my hair cut. Enah stayed down to tea as Aunty Alice had a carpet rag bee this after noon Frank went to Billy Dixon's sale and bought a hay truck and a potato digger. Dad. had a busy after noon looking after Tid and a new heifer calf that came after dinner belonging to Young Bobbie. To-night Frank and I went down to church, and after church I went down to a party at Patterson's. There was a big crowd there about forty and they played Five Hundred. I was fortunate enough to get the booby prize. It has been a beautiful spring day but muddy.</p> <p>Thursday March 20th</p> <p>Dad. went down to Aunty's this morning and has been down all day tearing down the fence between Aunty's and Charlie Warren's. He got it all down and the boards piled up. I took six chickens out of the incubator this morning all that are going to hatch and put them under the hen I got from Tupper. I thought she was going to mother them well but before noon she killed four. The first two I found I thought she had stepped on unintentionally but the second two were picked in the head. I took the remaining two away from her and put them in a basket on the stove but I don't know what will become of them. I didn't do any thing much but chore around this morning and took my time at that. To tell the truth it was a beautiful day for "black-snaking." No wind, air warm and sunny, and a lazy drowsy sort of feeling over everything, both man &amp; beast. This after noon I husked a little corn. Frank has been cleaning out the shop all day and by to-night it could be seen that he had started. It is "some" job. Charlie Shand was in for awhile this afternoon on his way down town. He came on horseback as the roads are a fright. Enah drove over to the McPherson this after noon and poor Mexico got stuck and broke a trace coming home. Frank and I went down to J.F.I.A. social evening to-night. We had no music as Charlie Blake had asked to be let off during Lent. Neff &amp; Fleming were down and we played cards, Jacob &amp; Rachel and had a spelling match. No body brought any milk so we took our coffee straight, at least I shoud say they did. Neff came down the Gravel in his Ford but nearly got stalled several times. We got home about three o'clock</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Friday March 21st</p> <p>I spent the morning doing chores and trying to make my two young chickens comfortable. I put them in Dad's birdcage and hung it over the stove. I made a "hen" out of a strawberry basket lined with cloth. They seem comfortable while they are under it but don't know enough to go under of their own accord. Frank finished cleaning out the shop and started to make a whipple-tree for the disks. Dad. cut wood, the small pieces which he can chop with the axe. Frank went down to a party at Frances Slocomb's to-night. I went down town and called for Aunty Alice and Cousin Loll at Col. Smith's on my way home. Mild but a little colder wind than yesterday. Frogs singing to-night &amp; last night.</p> <p>Saturday March 22nd</p> <p>Frank and I had to take Knockfierna up to Ham's this morning again. When we got home George Eagles was here to get Dad. to go up and lance the jaw of Miss McCoy's steer, so he went before dinner. This after noon Frank &amp; Tid went back to the gully to spear pike as they are up in the creeks now. Frank said he saw five and speared one but the spear wouldn't hold them. It is an old four tined spear which the baby has been sharpening up for the last week or two and I guess has it so sharp it cuts right through them. Dad. sawed wood and I split it this after noon. I had a letter from the "Farmer's Advocate" saying my letter was satisfactory and that they would pay me the end of the month in which it was written published. Quite a cold wind to-day.</p> <p>Sunday March 23rd</p> <p>Frank and I went to Sunday school and church this morning and Enah came down to church. Aunty came over here to dinner with Enah and Frank but I stayed down with Aunty Alice and Aunt Ida. This after noon Marj. and I went for a walk down the beach after first getting a film and taking some pictures of the cat. We went down to Aunty's early in the after noon as Aunty Alice wanted to go up and see Huby and didn't want to leave Aunt Ida alone. We stayed down there to tea and entertained Aunt Ida while Aunty &amp; Aunty Alice went to church by singing all the hymns we knew. Marj. played. Frank went down to Corby's this afternoon. Beautiful day, very warm.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Monday March 24th</p> <p>Dad. went up to Miss McCoy's this morning and Frank and I husked corn, we got into some nice stuff and got quite a pile husked. This after noon we weighed the steers again but before we watered them and one only gained one pound and the other four over last week's weights. Frank and the baby then went back to the gully to spear fish as they had borrowed Alfred's spear and came home with seven nice pike. The kid. was tickled to death. Dad. and I sawed and split wood and did chores. Frank and I both went down town to-night to stay all night so as to catch the train for Caledonia in the morning. Frank went to the dance but I went to bed early about 11.30. Another lovely day.</p> <p>Tuesday March 25th</p> <p>Aunty and I set the alarm clock last night and as neither of us knew just what time it was we set it early and set the alarm early so consequently were up about half an hour earlier than was necessary, but as it was such a lovely morning nobody objected. We found {Irvine?} Pow at the station bent on the same quest as ourselves so we had him for company all day. We found cars waiting for us at the Caledonia station, and they took us right out to the Moore farm which was just about a mile north of the town on the old Plank Road. We were surprised to see how dry and smooth the roads were down there and could hardly believe it when they told us that last week they were impassable. We had plenty of time to look over the cattle in the stable before the crowd got too thick, and we were certainly delighted with what we saw. The cows seemed to show much more of the beef type and build than dual purpose animals that I had in my mind's eye but their udders and Records of Performance showed that they were all very profitable dairy animals as well. About eleven o'clock lunch and coffee was served. Each lunch was done up in a seperate paper bag and consisted of a couple of sandwiches a piece of cheese a doughnut and a roll. The bags were all put in a big basket and every one just helped himself. There was another basket of cups which were filled with hot coffee when wanted by one of the half dozen girls that were mingled through the crowd with kettles of the beverage</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>The door yard was well filled with diners and as it was such a beautiful day, it proved very enjoyable as well as novel way of being fed. The simple cleaning up of paper bags and washing of cups must have been a much lighter task for the women folks than the washing of so many plates, saucers, knives, forks and other dishes and clearing away of tables and taking down of benches to say nothing of the sweeping up and setting things in order after the occupation of the house by such a horde of men as was assembled in the door yard that morning. Lunch being over we still had over an hour on our hands before the event started so we three took a stroll over the field to the big red basement barn of a neighbour. The barn looked to be the property of a prosperous man so we thought the cattle inside it would be worth looking at. We found it filled with grade Holsteins, the feeding and milking of which aparently took all of their young owner's time so that their rather unkempt appearance contrasted unfavorably with that of the herd we had just seen all groomed and cleaned and in every way made attractive looking. On our return we found the big tent which had been erected in case of bad weather had been taken down and was in a big heap under a tree so we three sat down on it to wait for the sale to commence. The warmth of the noonday sun, the drowsiness of the springtime air, the drone of conversation all around us, and the faint aroma of tobacco smoke, all had a very soothing effect and if it had not been for the constant chugging, honking and stopping of cars as they came up the lane and took their places in the orchard, and the cackling laugh of some fellow who with two or three others was perched on an old hayrack under an apple tree and aparently enjoying a very amusing conversation, we three should have gone to sleep. The crowd was continually gathering, the men were making some final preparations in the ring. A group of very small boys whom we guessed had been lured by the song sparrows, the sunshine and the crowd from the monotonous routine of the little school house up the road, came hurrying in and after trying several points of vantage around the ringside, decided that the apple tree over the auctioneer's stand was the ideal grandstand and acting on their decision perched themselves along the limbs. Here they</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>stayed very well behaved till Capt. Robson mounted the auction box and beckoned them down whereupon they solemnly scrambled to earth again. We were soon aroused from our comfortable position by the observation that the crowd was closing around the ring. Different groups of men were carrying blocks and planks to make seats so we we decided that if we were to have the place at the ring that our early arrival deserved, we would have to do likewise. We did and got a seat opposite the auctioneer and were soon hemmed in by a big standing crowd behind us. After Hugh A. Scott, secretary of the Caledonian Shorthorn Breeders association and a neighbor of the late Mr. Moore had given a little address relating to the herd their excellence and the estimable character of Mr. Moore, the sale began. Burnfoot Grace was the first cow brought out. She was a nine year old roan squarely built with big frame and in calf to Burnfoot Chieftain the old herd sire. She went for $445.00 to A.D. Wallace, Toronto. We came to the conclusion right then that our chances for getting anything worth while there were pretty slim as we knew that every animal in the sale compared very favorably with this one and we didn't dare risk any more than half that sum, much as we would have liked to. We were not wrong in our conclusion as the bidding was keen on nearly all of them although only one went as high as $1000. She was a four year old cow with an R.O.P. 8147 lbs of milk testing 4.08 as a two year old. J.W. Carter of Ilderton bought her. The lowest price was $170 for a little bull calf. The average price for calves and everything was $440.16. The old bull Burnfoot Chieftain sold for $440.00 just $100. more than his this year's calf out of Burnfoot Lady one of the old good cows. Old Dairymaid the 12 year old foundation cow with a record of 13535 lbs and one-time Canadian champion sold for $350 but was not in calf and was in poor shape owing to a dose of blood-poisoning she got when she calved last time. All the cows were taken by Ontario buyers although there was at least one Americon there, but for some trouble over getting a tuberculin test they couldn't be taken across the line. We heard him say later that if it had not been for this trouble old Dairymaid and the other old cow Burnfoot Lady would never have stayed in Canada. After the sale we went back to Caledonia. Frank and I got a ride with Johnnie Walker a fellow I knew up in Guelph and who I see nearly every time I am around a</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>gathering of Shorthorn breeders and {Irvine?} got picked up by a car. We sat around the Union Hotel listening to this Yankee talking to some others who had been at the sale till six o'clock and then went up to the station getting some biscuits on our way to do instead of supper. The Dover train left at 6.40 and we got home about 8.30.</p> <p>Wednesday March 26th</p> <p>Frank and I bagged up some oats and the corn we husked the other day and took it to the mill. We left the grist there and went on down and got a small load of coal as the road down at the corner is pretty bad. Most of the roads have been scraped. We came home around by Munros corner. This after noon we took Shands rack for their scales home and came back by the mill and got our chop. I took the turnip seed Frank had cleaned up into Arthur Preston and he gave me some swede turnip seed for it. They are all sick again over there. Frank Enah and I went down to church to-night. It has been a very nice day</p> <p>Thursday March 27th</p> <p>It has been a very disagreeable day. Cold and drizzling rain most of the time. Dad. &amp; Frank went over to Tupper's with Daisy May this morning and while they were gone Karl. Coleman came over and got the steer and gave me the money for him. I wrote letters to three different fellows this morning inquiring about bulls. Art Quanbury came after Dad this after noon to go and look after a ewe that was having a hard time lambing. Dad. was over there most of the after noon and said he was afraid the ewe would die. We heard later that she did and the lamb too. We didn't do anything much. Frank went down town to-night.</p> <p>Friday March 28th</p> <p>It froze hard last night and has been cold and very windy all day wind due north. We hauled over a load of hay this morning to the old barn. We wanted to get some to the horse stable but it was blowing too hard. Aunty Alice came over to dinner. Frank rode his wheel down town this after noon and got his hair cut. I just sat around and read most of the after noon. To-night Frank and Enah wrote cards to all the J.F.I.A. members notifying them that Mr. Duncan would be here Thursday night.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Saturday March 29th</p> <p>It has been sunny to-day but the wind is still high and cold. We have spent the whole day doing chores and watching our herd and flock increase. Little No. 4 ewe had a big strong lamb with her when Dad. went out this morning and before noon No 33 had one. They were both big fat lambs but strong, but the event which will make this a red letter day in the annals of Knockfierna was the long-looked for arrival of Elgitha's calf. He too is a big strong bull and a fine roan. Elgitha is so wild no one can get within ten feet of her, but there is no necessity to as she and the calf are both all right. I hung around out in the barn till about four o'clock and then came in and got shaved and ready to take in Mrs. Smith's tea-party. It was a great success. She had nine boys there and Marj. &amp; me. We helped her feed the bunch which included Isabel and then she the colonel and we two had our tea while the rabblement tore around in the other rooms. I went over to band practice for a little while after tea and Marj. shipped the boys off soon after I got back but we stayed for quite awhile listening to the Colonel talk.</p> <p>Sunday March 30th</p> <p>Frank. Tid. and I went down to Sunday school and church this morning. Enah went down to church and Aunty came over here to dinner with her. I stayed down at Aunty Alice's for dinner and tea. This after noon Marj. and I went for a walk but spent most of the after noon visiting. We stopped in at the Davis's to see if Said. had Marj's camera and as Said. had gone out for a walk with her beau who has just returned from the war, we stayed and talked to Mrs. Davis for awhile, we then went down and spent the rest of the after noon at Miss McQueen's. I went to church to-night with Aunty Alice and spent the evening up at the Monteith's. Aunty had a letter from Norah Hall and answering her question about the correct meaning of Knockfierna. She said the "Knock" was Anglesized and should be spelt "Cnoc" but meant a little hill, the whole word she thought would mean a grassy knoll more than a fairy knoll. However it applies just as well, maybe better to the mound as we never happened to catch any fairys there. Beautiful day.</p> <p>Monday March 31st</p> <p>Frank and I went down town in the waggon this morning</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>and got some old cherry logs over at Mr. Jame's. Frank got some boxes to feed the sheep in and I got a can of coal-oil. I saw {Mid.?} and Mr. Bagley go in to Arthur Anderson's so I went in to ask them where they were going to practice to-night as the Women's Institute are having a lecturer up in the room which we have been using and which is also their meeting place. They didn't know where we would meet but said it would be some place maybe in the Masonic hall if there was no fear of us "getting their goat". I found them back in the store rejoicing over a horn which was lost and is found. I think it was an alto which Jack Anderson had. Ed. Moon was in there and wanted to send over some beans to clean through the fanning mill so went down to the house with us to get them. This after noon Frank went down and got some posts at Jack Reynolds and when he came back Dad. went back to the back field with him and put them off. To-night Frank went down to the picture show and I went to band practice. We did have it in the Mason's room. Very cold north wind.</p> <p>Tuesday March April 1st</p> <p>I haven't done any thing much to-day but a few chores. I helped Frank bag up some oats this morning and he took them down to the mill to trade off for oil cake and bran for the sheep. He also went up to Billy Dixon's and got the hay truck and potato digger which he bought at the sale. This after noon he went down town to get Felix Perkins to come over and fix the pump at the windmill. We don't know what is wrong with it but Dad. went to turn the windmill in last night and the rod in the pump was jammed and wouldn't move. The wind was strong and before he knew what happened a piece snapped out of the middle of the jirk-rod. Felix said he would be over in the morning. Dad. Enah &amp; Tid went down to tea at Aunty's to-night and then went to the picture show to see "Uncle Tom's Cabin". I went down and went with Marj. to the second show. It was pretty good. Margurite Clark played Eva and Topsy. Old no. 68 had a pair of lambs late this after noon. She had them in a very short time and none of us were out there. When Frank found them one was up. They were covered with dirt as they were born out in the shed.</p> <p>Wednesday April 2nd</p> <p>Tupper came in this morning and got Frank to</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>go over and help him tear down his verandah. He was having a bee to tear down his verandah and build a garage out of it. Dad. and I helped Felix all morning who came over about ten o'clock. We got the pipes out as far down as the cylinder and found that what made it stick the other night was ice. The drain cock had got plugged in someway and it had frozen up. The sucker needed fixing anyway so we took it out. Frank got home soon after dinner and so I didn't help so much this after noon. We had to let the cows in the field to drink out of the ditch and I carried water from the ditch to the steer, Nellie &amp; Elgitha. Wilbur Ryerse was over nearly all the afternoon. Dess was over for a little while. The assessor was here and Tom came after a jag of straw. Enah went down to church to-night but Frank and I didn't get ready in time but went down afterwards. I took my horn down to Harry Moon as he wanted to give Alf. Harvey &amp; {Gint?} Rankin a little practice. Milder to-day.</p> <p>Tuesday April 3rd</p> <p>We didn't do much to-day except haul a couple of loads of hay over from the big barn. We put one in the old barn for the cows and one in the horse-stable. Colin Ryerse &amp; Tige McBride were both in at different times for awhile. Enah went down town for dinner at her mother's. We put Martha in the box-stall in the horse-stable this afternoon and when Frank and I came home to nigh we found a red heifer calf with her not bigger than a fair-sized dog but all right. Frank and I went down to club to-night. We expected Duncan from Toronto down but he let Neff know that he couldn't come to Neff brought J. E. Johnson down and he gave us a little talk on Co-operation. Neff suggested we form a softball baseball team as the Courtland fellows were and we could meet them now and then in touring. Cloudy, mild, rain to-night.</p> <p>Friday April 4th</p> <p>Frank and I got off on the nine o'clock (new time) car this morning and spent the morning in Brantford. Mr. Cockshutt sent us out to his farm and the man showed us over the Shorthorns. He had one very nice young red bull but wanted $400.00 for him</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>which was more than we could stand, but there was another roan one about seven months old which he only asked $120.00 for. We didn't like him quite so well and his mother didn't give a very big milk record but as all of his - Cockshutt's - stock is of such pure English breeding having come from the Rothschild estate and been line bred for generations, we thought he might make a great impression on our stock and be a good foundation to build up on. However we didn't buy him but thought we would ask Dad. about it and let him know later. We got home at two o'clock by our time. The time of the country is in a beautiful mix up now. The house {illegible} didn't the "Daylight Saving" law because the farmer's made such a howl about it last year, but the railways all adopted new time on the first of April claiming that as they had it on the other side it would cause no end of confusion and probably accidents at the border if they didn't have the same time as the American roads. The consequence is a muddle and no-one is any better of and most people are madder than ever at the farmer's and in this particular case I don't think any one can blame them. When we got up to Aunty's we found Roy there he had come on the car before we did. Old Phelix was here putting the little pump he made for the well at the windmill in at the house-well as the old chain there is just about rusted out. It looks queer there in place of the old bucket and chain well and reminds me of one of these walking sticks we find in the woods {pencil sketch of a walking stick}. Guy Tuple came after Dad. soon after we got home so we helped Phelix while Dad. went over there. I went down town to-night and went with Marj. &amp; Miss Martin to the Presbyterian show in the hall. It was a bunch of middle aged women from Simcoe putting on "The Suffragette Convention" and I think was the poorest excuse for an entertainment that it has ever been my misfortune to attend. Mild, cloudy.</p> <p>Saturday April 5th</p> <p>I went down to Uncle Ward's this morning and borrowed a couple of setting hens from him and put them up over the hog pen and to-night put some eggs under them from the incubator so that they will be prepared to look after the chickens when they come out. When I came back</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>from Uncle Ward's, Tid and I burned the dead grass off the yard where I want to put the little chickens and then Frank and I put the association ear tags in the rams lambs yearlings. After dinner we put them in the yearling ewes and the private numbers in the lambs. Lila came over soon after dinner and Aunty Alice and Roy after that. We didn't do much but chores and visit the rest of the after noon. They all stayed to tea. Two more ewes lambed this after noon No. 40 &amp; No 15 and another one to-night old Lop-ear. Frank went down town to-night and I think went to the show with Lila. I wrote to Cockshutt and told him to send down the little bull if he hadn't sold him as Dad. thought that as we couldn't very well lose anything on him it would be worth trying him to see what sort of impression he would make as well as purifying the blood of our stock. I went to bed early. It rained last night and has been cloudy but very mild all day.</p> <p>Sunday April 6th</p> <p>It was very showery all morning but was a beautiful after noon and is thundering and cloudy to-night. Frank went down to Sunday school this morning but I was</p> <p>too late getting ready as I spent considerable time with my setting hens. I went down to church though. Enah and Tid. also drove down. I stayed to dinner at Aunty's and this after noon Marj. and I went up the Radical Road in quest of pussy willows but didn't find many nice ones although there were plenty of no. 2's. We went through Duncan's woods and down to the beach. It was lovely up there and I was very glad to be without my overcoat. I think this is the most Spring like day we have had and the grass is beginning to show quite green. I had tea with Aunty Alice and Aunt Ida as Aunty &amp; Roy had gone up to Huby's. Aunt Ida and I went to church to-night but were joined at the church by Aunty. I spent the evening up at the Monteiths and when I got home found Dad. &amp; Frank out in the barn with the sheep. Old Split-ear had triplets to-day one of them with a twisted face which Dad. has in the house. Another ewe had a single lamb.</p> <p>Monday April 7th</p> <p>It rained a little more during the night but was sunny and quite hot and muggy all morning and a little cooler and cloudy this afternoon. We trimmed a lot</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>of the loose wool from around the bags of the ewes which have lambed to keep the lambs from getting wool-balls in their stomachs and Frank and I docked the six oldest lambs. We cleaned up the barn floor before dinner and got the fanning mill set ready to clean up the seed oats and Frank and I spent the after noon at it. We didn't get much done but put what we did do through twice and intend to run them through again. They are certainly heavy and when we put them in the big bags we got from the Canning Factory, they handle like wheat. Dad did chores and cut wood most of the day. I took a stroll over the wheat and and over to the garden this morning. The wheat looks fine and so do the strawberries. I went down to band practice to-night. We had a good one.</p> <p>Tuesday April 8th</p> <p>I went over to Quanbury's this morning and borrowed Arts toe-punch to mark my little chickens. The red hen over the hog pen hatched out five chicks from seven eggs. They are all from Hen no 74 one of the Wyandottes which started laying first and has laid more eggs than the rest. I want to keep her chicks seperate in case there is a good cockrel among them to breed. I put six eggs out of the incubator under one of the hens I got from Uncle Ward, but she didn't sit on them and they got cold. I put them under the red hen and one hatched. They were eggs from no 37 the best Plymouth Rock hen. I put nine eggs from the incubator under the other hen I got from Uncle Ward and she hatched eight chicks. They are from No 52. When I got that done, Frank and I put the ear labels in the rest of the lamb's ears. We cleaned up some more oats this after noon. Colin and Lloyd Ryerse came up this morning with their dehorners and took the spikes off the five steers. They are pretty sore to-night and are horrible looking objects as their heads are covered with blood, but they were getting too fond of using their horns which were nasty spikes on the oldest ones. We were to have gone up to Ham Thompson's to play baseball with the J.F.I.A. to-night but it was too wet. It was a nice morning but rained all the after noon and is colder.</p> <p>Wednesday April 9th</p> <p>I spent most of the morning getting my chickens out It was too wet to put them outside so I put them in</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>the unused end of the chicken house. I got them under two hens, one has twenty white ones and the other seventeen black ones. I only got twenty seven out of the incubator and two of them were cripples and had to be killed. Jessie had a nice red bull calf during the night and Dad has had a big job milking her as her bag is caked and and her hind teats very short. She gives a big mess of milk. There was also one more buck lamb this morning. Frank went down town and got three 16 foot Hemlock plank to make a bull pen as I got word from Cockshutt that he would ship the calf to-morrow. We cleaned up a few more oats this after noon but it was late when we got started so didn't get many put through Frank and I went down town to-night but were too late for church. Milder and rather cloudy to-day. Very muddy.</p> <p>Thursday April 10th</p> <p>It has been cloudy and drizzly but quite mild all day Frank and I went down with the team this morning and got a load of shingles Howey has just got a carload in and we thought that by taking them right off the car we would get them a little cheaper although they are dear enough there, five dollars a thousand. The car is on the canning factory siding as it is at last a much handier place to haul them from than Howey's yard. Dad. and Frank measured the roof and and figured it would take just about twenty-one thousand bring the cost up to $105.00 for shingles alone. We put on 42 bunches just half what we need on our first load and hauled it around by Mrs. Munroe's corner as we thought we couldn't get through with a load past Johnson's place, but decided that it wasn't any worse than from our corner on the side road down to the lane. Frank had his dinner early and rode his wheel down to the station to see if the freight on the L.E. &amp; N. was in as we expected our bull on it, and they told him last night it was due about one o'clock new time. He came right back and told us that they had telephoned from Waterford saying that we could unload the bull at Main St. crossing if we were there between two &amp; two-thirty when the train came in. However it didn't get in till just before the three o'clock car came so they backed the cars up on the siding and we unloaded the bull there. We had no trouble getting him off nor getting him home in the waggon and Dad.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>is quite favorably impressed with his appearance. When we got "Moonshine" put away in his new quarters, Frank and I went down and got the rest of the shingles. Frank went dwn town to-night and sent Cockshutt a check for $150.00 for Moonshine. Aunty Alice lent him the money.</p> <p>Friday April 11th</p> <p>Frank went down to Aunty's this morning and was down most of the day fixing their fence between them and the Rankin's. Dad. and I spent the morning doing chores and I gave all the horses a good cleaning. This after noon I started to rake up the lawn and Dad. sawed wood. I measured up the bare spaces in the orchard and figured that we would need about two dozen trees to fill it up. While I was out there I saw a pair of ducks rise out of the water-holes and on taking a walk over saw to more pair rise. Niel Elliott was in to-night and Dad. sold him Daisy May. Dad. hadn't thought much of seliling her but Niel offered him $100.00 and said that was all he could possibly give but Dad. worked him to $120.00 so Dad. sold her. Frank and I went down town to-night &amp; Frank went to the dance. Cloudy &amp; cool.</p> <p>Saturday April 12th</p> <p>Tid. and I finished raking the lawn the other side of the ditch this morning. Right after dinner I went down to Uncle Ward's and ordered some apple trees. A man whom I suppose was Mr. Granton came in and started telling of his experiences in the West and it was three o'clock when I got home. I spent the rest of the after noon raking up the rest of the lawn. Frank went back to the gully this morning with Alfred's spear and got three pike one of them weighing four pounds. He took it down to Alfred. Lila came over this morning and has been practicing on the guitar all day and took it home with her this after noon. Dad. Frank and Tid went down town in the waggon this after noon to get the gutters for the roof and some coal oil. Dad. was going to get Cousin Willie to witness his signature on a proof of age form which Dick Frank &amp; I have to send to our insurance companies but Cousin Willie was down at the dock and although Dad waited for him till five o'clock he didn't show up. Hugh didn't have the gutters cut out either. Still cloudy &amp; rather cold wind. Frank saw first martin on the bird house to-day.</p> <p>Sunday April 13th</p> <p>Frank Tid and I went down to Sunday school this</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>morning and Enah came down to church. Marj. and I went down to Aunty's for lunch and about three o'clock went up to the Monteith's while I pumped some water for them up there and then we came over here to the farm and had tea. Dick {Fomsbe?} was over for awhile to see Dad. about a sick cow. Nice sunny day, cool wind.</p> <p>Monday April 14th</p> <p>Art. Quanbury came over about eight o clock this morning and we have been shingling all day and got the east side of the parlor roof on. We weren't looking for Art. till this after noon and were just ready to haul over a little hay but Frank hauled the rack over to the barn and then went down town and got the gutters from Hugh McQueen and Dad. and I hauled over a little jag of hay when he got back. Sam Law came up after dinner with his hammer and apron and said he heard us hammering so just came up to give us a hand. I suppose Tom has told him we were shingling. I went to band practise to-night.</p> <p>Tuesday April 15th</p> <p>Art. came over this morning and we shingled till noon and got about half of Dick's bed-room roof on but just at noon it began to rain and has kept it up all the after noon and evening. Snowdrop presented us with a black and white heifer calf this morning so it took considerable time after dinner to tend to her and do the other chores. We put some costic potash on the two youngest calves horns and Frank and I put up a lot of hay from the far bent in the big barn up over the sheep pen so that it will be handy to load when we can get the waggon over. It was cold this morning but about noon the wind veered a little more to the south east and it got a little milder. Dad. had to go up on the roof this morning to-night to stick some shingles over the bare spots where it was leaking.</p> <p>Wednesday April 16th</p> <p>It rained hard and steadily all morning and I think all night. It cleared off two or three times during the after noon but rained most of the time and is cloudy to-night. We haven't done any thing but chores all day and sit around and read. The ditch running through the sheep pasture is a regular river, and when Frank let them out at noon most of them plunged right through it as they have</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>been accustomed to do, never taking notice aparently that the bridge was gone. Most of the little lambs went too. Frank and I went down town to-night and I spent the evening over at the Monteith's. Marj. expects to go home to-morrow for the holidays. Aunty told us to-night that Mrs. J. S. Allen died very suddenly Monday night and Mrs. Fred Roleson died Tuesday, she had the flu and Mrs Allen had heart trouble. Lila is quite sick and twenty-five out of the High School are sick in the same way. Frank was up there to-night looking at all the fancy guns Quint sent home.</p> <p>Thursday April 17th</p> <p>Frank and I hauled over two more jags of hay one to the old barn and one to the horse stable. Charlie Munroe was over to see Dad. about a sick cow and Dad. spent most of the morning doing the chores over at the old barn. It takes about all of one man's time over there now to keep things done up right especially now that the yard is so muddy that a lot of them can't be turned out. It cleared off nicely this after noon and I cleaned out the colony house so that if we get a chance to shear sheep we can do it in there. Dad. went back and opened some ditches on the back field. Frank got the clippers oiled up. To-night Frank went down to the J.F.I.A. another social evening but I didn't go down. It will be Good Friday before they get out. Roy came up to-night. Cloudy this morning.</p> <p>Friday April 18th</p> <p>Art came over this morning and we shingled all day. Sam. came up this morning after noon and said he would be back to-morrow if it was nice. This being Good Friday Enah went down to church this morning. Dad. went down town to-night to see Roy but he wasn't home. Nice day.</p> <p>Saturday April 19th</p> <p>Art. and Sam both came over this morning and we got on well with the shingling. We now have just the north sides of the kitchen &amp; dining room roofs to shingle. Dr. Cook was in at noon to-day and said that they all had the flu. over at Tupper's and intimated that some of us would have to go over to do the chores so Frank went over to-night. Tupper had the milking done when he got over there but he said he looked pretty sick and he thought should not have been out. Aunty and Roy came over</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>this afternoon. Frank went down town to-night. Very nice day.</p> <p>Sunday April 20th</p> <p>This has not seemed very much like Easter to me and has been any thing but a day of rest. I went over to Tupper's about half past nine this morning after we had done our own chores and was all the morning over there. Tupper was lying in the lounge in the house and gave me instructions about feeding every thing which I found difficult to keep straight in my head but I followed them as well as I could and thought that as long as every thing got some thing to eat that they needn't worry. While I was over there Dr. Cook came and ordered Tupper to bed as he had quite a fever and told me to go down to Hanselman's and get a nurse there and bring her out to Tupper's. It was just twelve o'clock when I got home and all the family had gone down to church and as Dad. had Joe and the buggy I had to wait till he got home about half past one before I could go after the nurse. By the time I got her, took her out and got home again it was after three. Dad. and Frank were just having their lunch alone as Enah and Tid. had stayed down so that Enah could go to Mrs. Hobbes for after noon tea. I had my dinner and sat around for a half an hour or so and then went back to do Tupper's night chores. Nurse Little gave me some money to get her some beef and whisky so just as I got home about dark Dad. was starting off in the buggy to get Enah and I gave him the order and he managed to get the goods. Frank went down to the corner with him with a bag full of cats which he left in the pond. Dad. thought there were too many around and there is a very big family of little rabbits out now and he didn't want them killed. There are still two tabbys here each with a family of kittens. Enah got home soon after Dad. left. She had been in at Uncle Ward's and he had missed her. It rained this morning but was very nice after noon.</p> <p>Monday April 21st</p> <p>I went over to Tupper's right after breakfast this morning and it was after eleven when I got back so I didn't do much else this fore noon. Frank took a grist to the mill and went down to the Widespread to get the ridge boards but the engine down there was broken so he couldn't get them. Alan Law was past and was telling</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>me Charlie Ivey's side of the story of Clarence Ferris getting fired down at the mill. Charlie bought the lot across from his house on purpose to preserve the big spruce trees along the road on the lot. After he bought it Clarence wanted to buy it from him and Charlie sold it to him on condition he would leave the trees but it was only a verbal agreement. Joe Long wanted the trees so Clarence let him cut them down although Charlie offered to buy them or the lot or another lot down town in order to keep them. If that is the case Clarence certainly deserved all he got because Charlie has treated him well. Karl Coleman was over this morning to look at the steer and told Dad he would give him 12 cts for him when he was ready in two or three weeks. Dad. took Daisy May down on Saturday to ship but Niel wasn't there and had left word at Henderson's that he didn't want her that day but Dad. had never got the word so was very peeved when he had to bring her home again. Karl told him he would make Niel buy her over again and if he didn't make a suitable offer that he himself would take her. This after noon Frank and I sheared one of the rams. I did the shearing and made a pretty messy looking job as I have forgotten how to hold them. We only did the one as Frank had to get to the mill after the chop. Dess came over with a letter from Dick. He enclosed a program of a concert he had been at put on by Austrian-Hungarian prisoners of war which were under Japanese control. I went back to Tupper's about five o'clock and got home about dark. I made arrangements with old Evans to do the chores in the morning. Frank went down to the Masonic dance to-night. Sunny and mild all day, cool breeze. We lost a fine big lamb to-day. Dad. opened him and found a big wool ball in his stomach. That is the second lamb that has died, one of Splitear's died Saturday, but it was never right.</p> <p>Tuesday April 22nd</p> <p>Frank and I got three rams sheared this morning. After dinner Dad. sheared one and then I sheared the old ram. We didn't have time to do any more as I went over to Tupper's about half past four. I rode Joe over and when I got there the cows and calves were all loose in the stable and so I didn't have to bring the cows in nor milk one of them and got home quite early. Dad. went back with the harrows this morning and went over the</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>side hill and took the disks back late this afternoon, the discs cut down to the mud but the top works fine. I went down to band practice to-night. Very mild &amp; fine.</p> <p>Wednesday April 23rd</p> <p>Frank and I sheared another ram this morning but it took quite awhile and we had to put on a load of straw to take over to the horse stable so we only got the one done. Dad. went back and disked the side hill this morning and drilled it in this after noon. It was a hard job he said drilling on the hill as several times he lost track of his drill mark. Dad. hauled our load of straw over to the horse stable and Frank and I put it off right after dinner and before Dad. went back to the field he hauled the rack over to the barn and Frank and I put on a load of hay. It was so late when we got it on that we didn't have time to shear another ram. Aunty Alice was over to dinner and Enah drove her down with Mexico this after noon. Enah got a lot of groceries which Melissa asked me to get and I drove over to Tuppers to do chores. It began to rain while I was over there and rained all evening. I went down and got my hair cut to-night and took my horn down to practice but it was so late when I got around that they were all through. I stayed all night down town as it was such a bad night. Very warm &amp; sultry all day.</p> <p>Thursday April 24th</p> <p>I got home at six o'clock this morning and helped do chores. It turned cold during the night and has been cloudy, cold and a north wind all day and several times it has started to snow. I went up to Simcoe on the 11 o'clock car and went over to Slaght's office but was very disappointed to learn that nothing has been done about the "Sheep Pasture". Slaght is still sick and not expected back in the office for a month. I went in to see Neff for a few minutes he had a Mr. May in there who is going around organizing the county for Y.M.C.A. work. They said they were coming down to Dover this afternoon. Neff said that the Courtland boys would be down at the club to-night to give their debate and advised me to see Mr. Johnson and ask him to act as our judge as the Courtland boys were going to bring one down. When I got home Dad. &amp; Frank where at Aunty's after the ridge-boards for the roof and as</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>I had to go up town to get some bread for Tuppers I stayed down at Aunty's for dinner. After dinner I went up and asked Mr. Johnson to come over to the club to-night but he said he couldn't as there was a vestry meeting on and advised me to get Mr. Robertson so I got Tige to ask him. Soon after I got home Neff and Mr. May came over to look at my heifer and Frank's pigs that we are entering in the Profit Competitions and when they left it was time to go over to Tupper's. Gladys had fourteen pigs to-day. Dad. has two of them in the house but one is not going to live long. We had a great meeting at the club to-night. About six Courtland boys and as many girls came down and we had a good turnout of our own both boys and girls. Corby who was to have helped Frank out in the debate informed us at the eleventh hour that he couldn't come so Frank had to hold up our side alone, however he made a good job of it and the judges made it out a tie. One of the Courtland fellows did very well but the other wasn't so good. Mr. May acted as critic and then gave us a little talk on the Y.M.C.A. and invited us all to go to Simcoe to-morrow night to a meeting they are having to organize the county. After that we had some games and supper. We stayed for a long time after our visitors left and danced and cut up till a late hour. Ham had his phonograph down to furnish the music and Charlie Shand played his mouth organ. We think that will be our last meeting there.</p> <p>Friday April 25th</p> <p>It has been very cold and very windy all day and snowed to-night. We havent done very much but chores. Frank and I put up some hay ready to haul over to the horse stable but it was too windy to haul it. Niel Elliots nephew came over to ask Dad. to take Daisy May down this morning as they were going to drive a bunch to Jarvis. Dad. told him he was pretty sore at having to take her down and bring her home again last week and that now if Niel wanted her he could have her for $125.00 so I went over to Jack Martins as Niel was going to telephone there to say whether he would take her or not. Jack was very disturbed when he saw me as Niel had telephoned him early this morning to tell us to bring the cow down and Jack had promised to and then forgot. Neil called up soon</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>after I got there and said to bring her down so Frank and Dad. went right down with her. Niel was very apologetic and told Dad. that he wouldn't have blamed him if he had sold her, he thought that Dad. knew he didn't want the cow on Saturday. He is a great old bluffer. Frank went down to the Women's Institute dance tonight.</p> <p>Saturday April 26th</p> <p>The ground was covered with snow this morning nearly as much as was on the ground any time this winter. It turned sunny and soon melted off and is milder to-night. We hauled over the load of hay we put on yesterday to the horse stable this morning and this after noon we started to put on another load for the cows but Ham came down and wanted to have a horse clipped so we didn't get it over. I went over to Tuppers early and did the chores and got down to meet the 8.15 train which is due at 7.15 by our time. Marj. came back to-night</p> <p>Sunday April 27th</p> <p>Frank and I went down to Sunday school and church this morning and I stayed down at Aunty's to dinner. This after noon Marj. and I went up to Huby's for awhile as Marj. wanted to take Lila some maple sugar she brought from home. Lila was feeling much better. We went from there to Miss Martin's and I left Marj. there to have tea. I came home changed my clothes and rode over to Tupper's to do the chores. Tupper was feeling much better and came out to the barn for awhile but got severely reprimanded by the nurse for doing it. She told him he was a "bad naughty man". His improved health is making him wayward. The nurse let him out for an hour this morning to visit with Wilbur Ryerse and he and Wilbur got on the sunny side of the straw stack and he stayed out nearly all morning. I went back to Miss Martin's after tea as I couldn't get down before church was out. Enah and Tid. went for a drive with Mexico this after noon. Sunny, cool breeze.</p> <p>Monday April 28th</p> <p>Frank and I took a grist to the mill this morning and went from there down to the lake and got part of a load of sand and some plaster to plaster the ceiling in the spare room. We also got a barrel of salt. Ham Thompson came in after dinner with Hugh A. Scott, who came to</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>look at the cattle. After he left Frank and I went to the mill and got our chop and I went over to Tuppers when I got home. Tupper was down town when I got there but came home before I left and said he thought he could manage his chores himself from now on. I borrowed a setting hen from him. To-night I went down to band practice. Al. Faulkner has been cutting up again. He got on a tear Saturday and went up Main St. in his car about dark at 40 or 50 miles an hour, ran into Bruce McQueen and his wife who were coming down in a buggy and hurt Mrs. McQueen very badly. Cloudy and cool.</p> <p>Tuesday April 29th</p> <p>Frank and I went to Simcoe this morning in the waggon and got four bags of Irish Cobbler potatoes for seed, {illegible}, oil cake, bran, &amp; feed flour from Johnson. I went in to see Neff about my Dairy Profit competition and Frank went to get some ledger plates for the mower and some stumping powder but he couldn't get any. We had Joe &amp; Queen and as Queen hasn't been out all winter we had to let her go pretty slowly and it was about three o'clock when we got home. Dad spent the day I think helping Enah house clean. Nice day, sunny, cool breeze.</p> <p>Wednesday April 30th</p> <p>Frank and I gathered up most of the shingles off the lawn this morning and put them in the wood shed and Enah raked it this afternoon. Dad tore off some more shingles from the north side of the dining room roof as Charlie said Art would be over this after noon and then he took the team back to harrow the side hill. Art. came after dinner and he and Frank shingled all the after noon. Dad. took the team back and finished harrowing the side hill and I cleaned out the cow stables and then went back and disked on top the hill and Dad. came up and helped shingle. It doesn't work too badly but looks like more rain to-night. Neff was on for a minute or two this morning and brought us some milk preserving tablets. I went down town to-night. Nice day and sunny but east wind.</p> <p>Thursday May 1st</p> <p>It has rained most of the day and so we have done no outside work at all. I spent most of the morning filling in my Dairy profit and egg sheets</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>for April as well as writing this and filling up crop reports for the Bureau of Statistics. Dad. went over to Art Quanbury's and helped him shear a sheep. I read and did chores this after noon. Frank cleaned out the drive house and Dad. made a wheelbarrow for Tid. and scraped plaster off the spare room ceiling. Charlie brought the clipping machine back this after noon and said Art. had all his sheep sheared.</p> <p>Friday May 2nd</p> <p>It was raining again this morning but cleared off soon and has been very windy all day. We couldn't do any thing on the land or the roof to-day. Frank finished cleaning out the stable and drive house and Dad. scraped the rest of the plaster of the spare room ceiling. I took the chickens out of the incubator this morning and had a much bigger hatch than I expected and so had no accomodation for them. I have 25 under the hen I got from Tupper but that is the limit of her capacity and I still have 14 in the machine. I tried putting them under the hen with the older chickens but she wouldnt own them so I am going to get a hen from Charlie Quanbury and try to make her own them. I spent most of the day when not with the chickens husking corn. Frank helped me this after noon and we got nearly all the corn that is left husked. Frank and I went down town to-night. Frank went to a party at Anna Holden's. Huby saw Less. Parish to-day who has just got home. He saw Quint two days before he left but he had lost some of his papers so couldnt sail with his battery which is now in Canada. Less says it may be a long time before he can get home and will have to be a {illegible}.</p> <p>Saturday May 3rd</p> <p>Art came over this morning to shingle and they tore all the shingles off the dining room side of the roof. It started to rain about noon but we kept right on shingling after dinner and finished that side about four o'clock the rain didn't ammount to much. I drove out to the Shand's this morning to see if we could get some seed barley from them and they said we could. Willie was drilling but the ground was pretty packed. I stopped in at Charlie Quanbury's on my way back and borrowed one of his hens. He had two with seven chickens apiece so he doubled them up and gave me one hen. I put the fourteen chickens with her out of the</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>{Repeat of previous page}.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>machine and she mothered them all right. Charlie was in this after noon on his way home and said it rained very hard out at his place. We did chores up fairly early and I went down to Aunty's to spend the evening. The two Miss Hardings and Miss Martin were there playing bridge. Marj. was there also and to wind up with we had a five handed game of Five Hundred. Rained again to-night.</p> <p>Sunday May 4th</p> <p>Frank Tid. and I went down to Sunday school and Church this morning. I stayed at Aunty's to dinner and went up to band practise this after noon. Enah and Tid. went down town as Enah had to practice for the mother's choir. They stayed down to tea at Aunty's but I came home and helped do chores. I went down town again this evening, got Mexico out of Aunty's barn and left him tied to a tree in front of Dick {Name?} for Enah and then I spent the evening at the Monteith's. The mother's choir was a great success. It rained hard during church but cleared up during the after noon but to-night there was a terrific thunder storm and I got caught in a heavy storm going home.</p> <p>Monday May 5th</p> <p>Frank Slocomb came over this morning and has been here the most of the day plastering the spare room ceiling and patching the parlor. Dad. and Frank have been helping him. I just did call chores and husked a little corn but got so sleepy doing that I had to quit. Dad. had a letter from George Pilley to-day dated at Toronto and saying he would be here to-morrow so Enah went down town this night after noon to get some paper to cover the new plastering. Frank went to a dance at Pete Holmes and I polished up my horn. Fine day.</p> <p>Tuesday May 6th</p> <p>Frank went down town this morning to see if Harry Dyer could come over to paper the parlor ceiling to-day but he couldn't so Frank got Jerry Burtch to say he would come to-morrow morning. I fixed up a chicken coop and moved my little chickens out this morning. Dad. did chores and helped Enah house clean and Frank and I sheared the last two rams before dinner. Ah! Dad. sheared the last one. Just after dinner Aunty Alice and George Pilley came over. We didn't know what train George</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>would come on but he came at eleven and Aunty Alice met him. This after noon we sheared four of the yearling ewes. Tonight Enah, Frank and George went down to the memorial service in the church. Mr. Jeakins an ex-chaplin was down from Brantford and they unveiled the new altar in memory of the boys who were killed at the front. I was too late getting through to be in time for church but I went down and Marj. and I went and called on Belle Smith afterwards.</p> <p>Wednesday May 7th</p> <p>Frank went down with the waggon this morning and got Jerry Burtch and his outfit and he came over and papered the parlor ceiling in about an hour and a half and made a very slick job of it. Then Frank had to take him home again. We got two more ewes sheared this morning and Dad. sheared one with the handshears, but it was pretty dull. This after noon we sheared three more and got a little hay over to the horse stable and cow barn. Dad. put the parlor carpet down this after noon. I went down town to-night. George has been entertaining us with stories of his four years at the front. He was certainly lucky to come through it as well as he did. Rained a little this morning. Fine day.</p> <p>Thursday May 8th</p> <p>We started to shear sheep this morning and got one done (the last of the yearlings) when Art. came over wanting to shingle, so we went at it. George helped us and we finished the job to-night. Dad. and Art were till after six putting on the ridge boards but it is all done now except to clean up the mess. I had to go down to band practise to-night and had to leave all the milking to Dad. He didn't get through till nearly ten o'clock. I got a can of Brasso down town and after I got home worked till twelve o'clock polishing my horn and then didn't finish. Frank and George went down to see Ada. to-night. I saw Alan, Art. Munroe and Kilt Moore to-night. They all looked fine. Fine and warm this morning, but colder &amp; rain to-night.</p> <p>Friday May 9th</p> <p>We bagged up a grist this morning and Frank took it down to the mill while Dad. and I started to put on a load of hay. When Frank got home he hauled it over to the horse stable and George, Frank and I put it off. Frank then went down to the mill after the chop and I put a little more polish on my horn and then</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>got ready to go down town. I got down there at half past one alright and at two o'clock sharp we started our parade. We marched up to the school house followed by the girl guides and all the school kids and then played marches or hymns and listened to speechs alternately. R.M. Taylor explained the idea of planting a memorial grove of elms. Jack Martin complimented the Women's Institute for taking up the work and mentioned something about the soil of Dover being very good for trees. Then the three preachers had a little to say. Mr. Robertson winding up with a prayer and the school kids sang "O, Canada" and "The Maple Leaf." Neff was down to supervise the setting of the first trees. Mrs. Bell as president of the W. I. planted the first tree and then the band marched the crowd back to town leaving Huby &amp; Mr. Johnson to plant the rest of the fifty trees. I don't know how they made out. Frank and George went down town this after noon but were too late to see the ceremony. Enah and Tid. drove down also and I guess were late. I went in to see Punk McDonald for awhile this after noon. He has just got back from France and is staying at Mrs Lawson's. I went down town again to-night and Frank went to Craig Long's hard-time dance. George was going too but when the time came decided to go to bed instead. Rained a little this morning but fine &amp; cool after noon.</p> <p>Saturday May 10th</p> <p>It has rained steadily all day to-day, not very hard much of the time but a very soaky, dismal drizzle. We sheared sheep in the shop all day and got six done. We carried them over from the barn in the crate and carried them back after they were sheared. Dad. helped us and did chores and George ironed off a whipple-tree, fixed the wool box, and put a latch on the door of the shop. To-night Frank, George and I went down to Aunty Alice's to spend the evening. Winnie, Lila, Dess, Fraser, Marj., Ada and Douglas Skey were all there and we had a lot of fun playing games such as consequences and making poetry. We had to make a verse answering a question and using a word that two others had written on a piece of paper, folded and passed on. Douglas drew for a question "Whether is the song of nightingale sweeter in the morning or the evening" and his word was "Word." Douglas wrote "The word of the bird is sweet." Aunty Alice said "Brevity is the soul of wit." We got home about midnight.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Sunday May 11th</p> <p>Frank and George went for a walk over Brant Hill this morning and I went to Sunday school but was very late as I cut my chin while shaving and couldn't stop the flow of gore for some time. When I got there {Name?} Ryerse was marking the book as Miss Martin didn't show up and I had to step lively to get the books dished out. I went to church and found George &amp; Frank there. We three went to Aunty's for dinner. This after noon Marj. and I went up to Miss Martin's with the money we cleaned up at Sunday school and found her looking very tired and her father sick in bed. We didn't stay long as the Best's came up, but we spent the remainder of the after noon at Miss McQueen's. I came home to tea and to do chores and went down again after tea and spent the evening at the Monteith's. George &amp; Frank went up to Huby's and to see Ada this after noon. Mrs Hobbes invited them there to tea with Ada. but Frank came home to do chores George went and after tea he and Ada went up to Waterford with Mr. &amp; Mrs. Robertson from Toronto in their car. They went on to Brantford and Ada &amp; George spent a little while with Ada's freinds in Waterford &amp; came back on the car. Rained all day, drizzle</p> <p>Monday May 12th</p> <p>Karl. Coleman came over this morning and got the steer I went down with him and saw him weighed. He just came to 960. Dad. was very disappointed as he was expecting him to go at least 1000 but Karl told me to-night after he killed him that he had no fat inside at all. Frank &amp; George sheared sheep while I was gone and I helped them the rest of the day. We got eight done and only have two more to do now. Old Broadley &amp; Jason were here to dinner, the first trip of the season and old Broadley sheared one sheep for us after dinner. Frank Ryerse was in just after tea to-night to see Dad. about a horse that has the colic. I rode down town with him to band practise. Frank and George went to the picture show. Cloudy &amp; cool this morning but cleared off.</p> <p>Tuesday May 13th</p> <p>We sheared the last two sheep this morning and got all the wool packed in the big sack. We hung it under the trap door in the ice house and Frank got in and tramped it. This after noon Dad. and Frank took it down and shipped it. Dad. stayed down to get his hair cut and walked home and brought Marj. over with him. Winnie &amp; Dess. had</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>come over earlier. George and I cleared up some of the old shingles around the house this after noon and I cleaned out the cow stables. Dad. let the cattle back to the gully this after noon but as the fence isn't fixed yet into the field, they all got in, at least the cows did. The calves didn't go out of the lane. I went back after them about five and they were right back at the woods and the felt so fine to be out that I had to do considerable chasing to get them into the lane.</p> <p>Wednesday May 14th</p> <p>Frank and George went back to fix the fence in the gully this morning and about half past ten I went back to help them. I had been cleaning up shingles around the house before Dad. had to go (I wrote most of the foregoing while I was asleep, so quit and went to bed) down to Alex Jameson to see a sick horse. This after noon Tom came up to have Maude clipped and to get his fruit out of the cellar and they also clipped Mexico. He looks like a different horse. I spent the after noon gathering up shingles and got the worst of the job done. I went down town to-night. Frank also went down, calling some place I think. It has been warm and sunny to-day but looks rainy to-night.</p> <p>Thursday May 15th</p> <p>It was raining this morning so we didn't go back to the gully to fix fence but put on a small load of straw and hauled it over to the horse stable. We then put a small jag of hay in the horse stable. This after noon Enah and George &amp; Tid. drove Mexico down town and Enah took George through the woollen mill. He was very interested in it. Dad. &amp; Frank cleaned out the cellar this after noon and I cut and cleared up part of the lawn. We were to have gone up to Ham Thompson's to-night to play base-ball but Jack Martin came over and it was so late when we got through and a heavy fog that we thought it was no use going up. I went up for a little while though and some of the fellows were there. I rode Frank's wheel up but walked it most of the way home. Enah &amp; I played duets on the piano &amp; horn when I got back. Cloudy &amp; drizzly this morning but fine after noon.</p> <p>Friday May 16th</p> <p>It was a little too wet this morning to finish cutting the lawn so I went out and staked out the places for the little trees in the orchard. I can get two dozen all but one in the bare space at the north end of the orchard</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>and so can protect them by simply fencing them off and will not need to barricade them. It began to rain just about noon and has kept it up all the after noon increasing in violence till to-night every thing is flooded and it is pouring down. I didn't do any thing much this after noon. George &amp; Frank spent the day building stancions for the calves out in the old barn. Dad. and Tid. drove down town this after noon, I think to settle up various accounts. George Frank and I went down to Ada's to-night to a little party Miss Beemer who has lately returned from France where she has been nursing was there and Bill &amp; Zeitha Barwell, Douglas Skey, the two Miss Hardings and the Huby family. We danced and had a very nice time generally.</p> <p>Saturday May 17th</p> <p>It has been a cold drizzly day. George &amp; Frank finished building the stancions for the calves and they made a grand job of it. I did a few chores and went over to Ivey's and got some more paeony roots. They are all coming up through the ploughing and I think they just intend to cultivate them all up and put oats there so I thought I would take what I wanted while I had the chance. Enah and George drove Mexico down town this after noon. I just puttered around and built a wren house. I got the cows up about 4.30 and left Dad. &amp; Frank to do the chores and I went down to the Harding's for tea. Enah and George also came and Douglas Skey and Ada. We came home quite early.</p> <p>Sunday May 18th</p> <p>I went down to Sunday school with Tid. this morning and George &amp; Frank went for a walk up the beach but we all went to church. Enah drove down to church and Ada came back with her to dinner. Marj. came over to dinner with me. We were very late getting through dinner as Mr. Johnson preached such a lengthy sermon on the subject of having his salary raised. We sat around for awhile after dinner and then George, Ada and Frank went down to Huby's for tea I didn't go down but helped do chores and Marj. stayed here to tea and we went down about ten o'clock. George &amp; Frank stayed all night down at Aunty's so that George could get off easily on the 7.30 train in the morning. I went in on my way home but they had all gone to bed. It has been sunny &amp; nice to-day. Cool breeze drying up the mud.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Monday May 19th</p> <p>I sowed clover seed on the wheat this morning and Dad. and Frank strung barbed wire along the top of the lane fence and straightened it up where the colts had broken it down. This after noon I raked up and cut the rest of the lawn and put my wren house up in the pear tree. Dad. &amp; Frank kept on at the fence. Broadley &amp; Jason were here to dinner. I Went down to band practice to-night. We are going out again on Friday to help the school kids celebrate Empire day. Fine day.</p> <p>Tuesday May 20th</p> <p>It poured rain early this morning and has been cloudy and wet all day but didn't rain much more. I took the hen I borrowed from Uncle Ward home this morning and stopped in for awhile at Quanbury's on my way back. Art was building a chicken coop &amp; Charlie was remodelling his tractor. Dad. and Frank had gone back to the gully to fix fence when I got home as Charlie Butler had brought word that the cattle were on the road. I didn't do any thing much this after noon except write a couple of letters one to Cockshutt asking him to have the bulls pedigree hurried along and one to McEwen reminding him that we have some rams for sale. Dad. did chores and Frank pulled teasels on the road. Aunty came over about four o'clock and stayed to tea. Frank went down with her to-night. There is a great strike on now in Winnipeg and the city is almost completely isolated from the rest of the country as there is no mail telegraph or newspapers. From all accounts they have set up a regular Bolshevik rule except that there has been so far no rioting. It seems that the trouble is caused by certain employers refusing to negotiate with Labor officials outside their own employees and will not recognize the "One big Union". It is surprising and rather alarming to see what a strong undercurrent of straight Bolshevism there is in labor circles all over Canada. Another event of a very different nature is causing the world excitement, and that is the attempt of Aviator Hawker and his pilot Grieve to fly across the Atlantic. They left Sunday after noon in a little Sopwith biplane and expected to make the trip in 20 hours. Last night the evening papers said he</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>had been sighted 400 or 500 miles off the coast of Ireland about nine o'clock yesterday morning, but the morning papers to-day contradicted that report and they said he had fallen into the sea some where near the Irish coast. To-night's papers however, seem to indicate that he is without doubt lost and they think he fell before he got very far from the Newfoundland coast. Hawker was an Australian, and his English rival for the honor to be the first to cross and win the $50,000 price offered by the London Times, started as soon as he saw Hawker leave but he had an accident before he got off the ground. Three U.S. Navy seaplanes left three or four days ago but they didn't attemp a non stop flight. Two of them got safely to the Azores and the third one was picked up some place. They had a row of ships across fifty miles apart for protection.</p> <p>Wednesday May 21st</p> <p>Frank and I were back in the gully fixing fence this morning. Dad. took us back in the waggon and then took the team back home. Old Evans came after him and took him out there to see one of his old horses which has the heaves or something. Frank and I went back to the gully after dinner but were only back a short time when it commenced to rain. We stayed till we got pretty well soaked and then came up and put on a change of raiment and I shaved. Dad. spent the after noon helping Enah house clean the clothes-room and getting ready to plaster the ceiling of it. To-night I went down town and spent the evening at the Monteiths.</p> <p>Thursday May 22nd</p> <p>I took Tupper's hen back home this morning and came back through the gully and helped Frank fix fence. We have been at that all day and are not through yet by any means but we are making a good job of it as we go I think. Dad. plastered the ceiling in the clothes room and helped Enah house clean all day. Frank went down town right after dinner and got our wool cheque cashed and got the pedigree for Moonshine which came registered. The advance payment on the wool was $105.00 I went down to band practice to-night and Frank went up to Ham Thompson's but it was too wet to play ball. Drizzled this morning but cleared off fine &amp; warm.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Friday May 23rd</p> <p>I set out two little shrubs Tartarian Honeysuckle which Aunty sent over this morning and as I put them across the ditch and had to dig holes in the clay and fill in with other earth it took me quite awhile. I helped Dad. trim Maple Hil Nellie's &amp; the bull's toe-nails Dad's lamb which has been sick for the last few days died this morning and Dad. opened him and found a growth on his bowels stuck fast to the ribs and on further examination found him full of tape worms. Tid. and I went down to Aunty's for dinner and I helped them put in some stakes for the peas. I went up town right after dinner to see what the band was going to do but it was raining quite hard at two o'clock so we couldn't march and it was no use going up to the school house as the kids couldn't have their sports. They were all crowed around the park under umbraellas so we all went down on the band stand and tore off a few selections. After we had been there about half an hour some one noticed a crape over on George Thompson's door. I suppose old Mrs Hambleton is dead so we thought we had better move. All the kids had gone up into the hall so we went up there and stayed for the rest of the after noon played a little, and listened to the usual run of speeches. Inspector Cook was the principal speaker and explained the formation of the Union Jack most of which was news to me but the kids seemed by the answers they gave to know all about it. The occasion for the celebration was the presentation by the I.O.D.E. to the school of a flag. Cousin Clare seemed to represent the former and handed a roll of bunting which I suppose was a flag to Mr. Johnson or Mr. Smith I forget which and Mr. Johnson mumbled out a prayer or so and that was about all the ceremony ammounted to. Tid. and I came home to tea and after we did chores I went down and spent the evening with Marj. R.M. Taylor proclaimed Monday as a holiday to celebrate Victoria Day instead of to-morrow. Mr. Watson announced to the kids that although it was a holiday in town they would have to go to school just the same on Monday, but Taylor wouldn't have it so and made it plain to everyone that Mr. Watson would have to observe his proclamation which brought him loud and prolonged cheers from the kids.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Saturday May 24th</p> <p>Frank and I dosed all the lambs with worm tablets this morning and put the ear labels in the the three youngest. Auson Abbot came in and got the four pigs which Tom had bargained for and after we got him loaded up Fred Krell came after two bags of clover hay for his rabbits and he was here till nearly noon telling us all about the rabbit business. He has a bunch of Flemish Giants, and expects to raise some fancy show stock from them. This after noon Frank took Alfred's spear home and I cleaned out the cow stables and then we both fixed fence in the gully till chore time. Old Ed. Walker and Johnny Richardson came over to-night after their pigs. Gladys had them all out in the yard and her door came shut so that she couldnt get them in again and they were just like so many mud balls. Old. Walker wanted two boar pigs and Frank caught a boar first but old Johnny put it in his bag and then wouldn't trade it with old Walker for a sow as he thought it was a little bigger so we had to corner up another boar for old Walker and Gladys didn't like it a bit. We got them fixed up at last however and they drove off to-gether like a pair of kids with new pets to play with. Fine and rather sultry all day. Looks rainy. I polished my horn up again to-night. Frank told me when he came home that the youngest of the Zealand's William I think his name is, was drowned to-day just below the house. He and Billy Mill's little girl were playing on the boat house landing which has just been built and they both fell in. The Mills kid hung on to the landing till they got her out but the little boy was either hurt or too frightened and was drowned in about two feet of water. He was just five years old.</p> <p>Sunday May 25th</p> <p>Frank Tid. and I went down to Sunday school and Dad. and Enah went down to church this morning. Aunty came over here to dinner and I stayed down there. This after noon Marj. and I went to the woods and got some violets. We found Lila up there with Chum looking for dogwood. We then went up and saw Glad. Law who came up for the 24th. I came home to help do chores and went back about the time church was out Frank Ried was there telling of the work of the Y.M.C.A. Aunty Alice said she liked his address. Beautiful day.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Monday May 26th</p> <p>I spent most of the day cleaning up around the place. I cut the lawn this morning and this after noon cleaned up the shingles around under Dick's window. Dad. and Frank did chores &amp; odd jobs. Frank took a grist to the mill and they hauled a jag of hay over to the horse stable. Enah went over to Mrs. Battersbys to after noon tea and came home with the information that Quint's name was amongst those of the troops just landed at Halifax so that naturally created considerable excitement as she said Aunty &amp; Aunty Alice were quite sure he would be here to-night. We all went down to-night. I had to go to band practice but went down to the eight o'clock car but Quint didn't show up. I saw Win. and Lila and they were very surprised that we should be looking for him. Aunty was to have gone to London to-day but put it off till to-morrow in hope that Quint. would be home to-night. They had letters from Dick to-night and he hoped to sail on the "Empress of Russia" which is due at Vancouver in a day or two. This was a holiday in town to-day and they had great sports at the school house. Today's paper says Hawker &amp; Grieve were picked up alive in mid ocean and are both alright.</p> <p>Tuesday May 27th</p> <p>Dad. went back this morning and got the disks and has put in most of the day working up the old garden. It is wet but so sandy that it doesn't matter. I spent the day taking the sod of a strip of the lawn where I want to plant my perennial border and resodding the square under Dick's window. Frank has been doing odd jobs. He treated some potatoes with formalin and dug up a lot of sow thistle in the meadow east of the orchard. He says there is quite a patch of it over by the sheep pasture fence. There were three or four little plants of it there last year but we thought we got every particle of it out, evidently it has fooled us. Frank went down to the dance to-night and I went down to see if old Quint came but he didn't. It has been a beautiful day &amp; looks cleared up.</p> <p>Wednesday May 28th</p> <p>Dad. worked all morning harrowing the old garden and plowing furrows to plant potatoes. Frank and I cut up a bag of potatoes and planted them out there. This after noon Dad. took the disks back and worked on the back field next the woods. He said it didn't work</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>too badly. Frank planted a lot more garden seed in the old garden and I spent most of the after noon taking a piece of chicken wire off the fence up by the hog pen where it was stretched on the other wire and put it across the end of the yard where I have the little chickens to try to keep them off the road and the lawn. Aunty Alice was over here to dinner and Enah drove her down town this after noon. Dad. &amp; Enah went down to-night to see the Hobbes but they weren't home. Mrs. Hobbes has been moved and is going to leave Monday. Every one is very sorry about it. I went down to-night to a meeting that was called to discuss 1st of July celebrations, but as they didn't start the thing going till about nine o'clock I left and spent the eveing down at Aunty Alices. Marj. was down there acting as she said "watch dog" for Aunty Alice. They had a letter from Roy saying Quint was in Toronto.</p> <p>Thursday May 29th</p> <p>I went down right after breakfast this morning to get the little apple trees at Uncle Wards. I took Aunty Alice's quince tree down to her and planted it. I helped Uncle Ward take off a couple of upstairs storm windows as he can't climb on a ladder and then came right home with my trees and started to put them in. It took me nearly all day to put them in and mulch them and I have four to mulch yet. There were eighteen of them 12 of which were Snows, 4 Duchess one Spy which Aunty wanted us to put in for Tid. and one a new variety supposed to be all that its name implies, Delicious. Dad. went back with the team this morning and Frank went with him and between them they have worked all day on the back field. Dad. went over to John Wess's to see if he wanted his sheep sheared. He said he didn't know how he was going to get it done so Frank came up and got the machine and took it over. John Wess was working on the land but put the team in to help. Frank was over shearing till three o'clock and then Dad. went over and stayed to tea. Frank sheared five. Dad. three and Wilbur Ryerse was in at noon and did two, one in seven minutes. Frank and I did all the chores up to-night and then went up to Ham Thompson's to play baseball. It was pretty late when we got there and the boys had quit playing and Ham was knocking up flys. Mrs Thompson made us sandwiches. Dandy day.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Friday May 30th</p> <p>Dad. has been disking all day on the back field. He got all over it lengthways this after noon and started disking crossways. I finished mulching the little trees this morning and set out some tomato plants that Aunty Alice gave Enah. I also dug around some of the little poplar trees along the side road. While I was at that Pickford saw me and haled me over to look at his sow and crops. I was over there till nearly noon. This after noon Frank and I went out to Shand's after our barley seed. They had it all cleaned so we weren't out there very long. When we got back we took the little team back to the field and I harrowed till five o'clock. It was very hot for them. I went down town to-night. Aunty got home from London to-night. Fine &amp; very hot</p> <p>Saturday May 31st</p> <p>We have worked on the land all day but as we had old Pommers in all day we had to give it to him easy. Dad. put him and old Harry on the disks this morning and I went around with him for about an hour with the rope through the bit, but as he soon cooled down, we didn't bother with the rope but Dad. walked behind the disks all day. He got pretty well tired out but is big enough to stand it. I had Queen &amp; Belle on the harrows for a little while before dinner and this after noon. Queen rammed into it all day and as it was very hot they were wringing wet to-night. After tea to-night I took the buggy down to the mill and washed it and then had a shower bath under the flume. Got home soon after ten. Frank went down town to-night and says Quint is not home yet.</p> <p>Sunday May June 1st</p> <p>Frank Tid. and I went down to Sunday school this morning and Enah drove down to church. This afternoon Marj. and I went for a drive down the Lake Shore with Queen. Dad. went down to Aunty's and Enah went down to see the Hobbes and then stayed to tea at her mother's. Frank went off on his wheel after dinner and didn't get home till about midnight. I think he was down at Dave Ward's. I helped Dad. do chores and then went down town for the evening. It was very hot to-day and the Lakeshore road was lined with cars and picnicers</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Monday June 2nd</p> <p>Dad. took Harry &amp; Pommers back and disked all morning with them. I went back and helped him hook up and then came up and helped Frank mix the barley &amp; oats for seed and treat it with formalin. That took us till about noon. Broadley &amp; Jason were here for dinner and we didn't get a very early start this after noon. Dad. took the drill back with Harry &amp; Joe and I took the seed with Belle &amp; Queen and we let Pommers rest. Dad. started to drill and I harrowed ahead of him and we got over quite a little piece of ground. I went down to band practice to-night. Still very hot and dry.</p> <p>Tuesday June 3rd</p> <p>Dad. disked this morning and I harrowed. Dad. had Dave in with old Harry this morning and at first he went fine but after he got started he fought badly. Dad. put Joe &amp; Harry on the drill this afternoon and got some more drilled but on account of the heat couldn't make much headway for fear of doing up the horses. I harrowed with Belle &amp; Queen for awhile this afternoon but poor old Belle was fagged right out. They are soft any way not having had any work all spring and this awful heat they say is killing a good many of them where men are not careful. To-night Marj. and I went to the picture show which was very funny.</p> <p>Wednesday June 4th</p> <p>I haven't worked the team to-day at all as it is still very hot and Dad. thought it was unsafe to put Belle in. Dad. has been back all day with Joe and Harry. He finished disking &amp; harrowing but didn't get it quite all drilled. I cut the lawn this morning and spent most of the after noon wheeling the compost heap out to where I want to put the perennial border. Frank did odd jobs in the garden and around the house. Enah and Tid. went down town to Aunty Alice's for tea. She had Dick, Mrs Dick (Molly) &amp; Alan Tibbits down there for tea Dad. and I drove Queen down after tea and Dad went down there and came home with Enah and I went for a drive up the Radical Road with Marj. Frank was down town too and went up the creek.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Thursday June 5th</p> <p>Dad. took Joe and Harry back this morning and finished drilling the field and started harrowing. This after noon we both went back as Dad. had Pommers in intending to put him on the harrows but he seemed to be "feeling his oats" and showed several signs of misbehaviour so Dad. decided it would not be wise to hook him to the harrows so we hooked him to the drill disks and brought them up around by the road. A car passed us along by the corner field and he paid no attention to it till it got past and then he kicked three or four times and kicked so hard that he broke the end of his whippletree. I went over to Pickfords and borrowed a rope to tie the end of Harry's doubletree back and we got them up without any more mishaps. It started to rain soon after we got back and rained hard for awhile. When it was over Dad. and Frank went back and brought up the waggon and a couple of bags of oats which Dad. had left over. Arthur Preston was over during the rain and we sat out in the drive house discussing the League of Nations, Peace Conference, Winnipeg Strike and other little matters of equal unimportance. I oiled or at started to oil harness this morning. The pure bred calf got out of the barn this morning and we hunted high &amp; low for him but couldn't find him till the rain came and scared him up out of the clover where he had been lying concealed only a few feet from where we had walked looking for him. We didn't go up to Ham's to-night.</p> <p>Friday June 6th</p> <p>Dad. went down to Aunty's this morning to trim up the walks and the lawn for them and was down all day. I spent the morning filling out applications for the registration of the lambs and three purebred calves, it took me till noon. This after noon I finished oiling the light harness. Frank worked over in the garden disking up the place where we want to set out the strawberries and he set out some tomato plants. Cooler. Old Quint got home last night. I saw him to-night. Bigger than ever.</p> <p>Saturday June 7th</p> <p>Dad. and Frank went back and ran out the ditches in the field Dad. has just sowed while I dug up part of my perennial bed. It is so late know that I guess I will have to just summer fallow it.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>and possibly plant it in the fall. When they came up we went out and set out about 150 strawberry plants. We went back after dinner and set out the rest of the patch about 300 plants altogether. Frank and I put on a little jag of hay for the horse stable and Dad. cut some of the long grass around the shop. I had to quit early to get down and go with the band out on the "City of Dover" Holbe was opening the season by running free excursions out in the lake and Mid. invited the band to go along in the evening. We had two trips one at eight and one at nine. The first one we played up on deck but it got too dark to see so we had to go down below where they were lights but it didn't sound nearly so well as we were all boxed in. When we came off Mid treated us all to ice cream in at Alf's.</p> <p>Sunday June 8th</p> <p>Frank Tid. and I went down to Sunday school and Enah went down to church. Aunty Alice invited Marj. Tid &amp; me there to dinner but Marj. and I came over here right after dinner and got Queen and went for a drive. We went out to Butler's to get my book &amp; brushes which Willard brought home from Guelph last winter but no one was home so we drove on out and turned west at Mt. Zion church and travelled through country that was strange to me and the nicest looking territory we had seen any place this year. We came south through Lynn Valley and Marj. came back here to tea. We went back down town about ten o'clock and a little thunder shower came up but we took shelter on Charlie Ivey's verandah. Jack Paine was in for about an hour this morning Dad. said trying to coax some of us to go and shear his sheep. Mr. Millman was also over this after noon for awhile with Aunty &amp; Aunty Alice &amp; Tid. He brought Percy &amp; his family up in the car yesterday. Percy has rented a cottage here for the summer.</p> <p>Monday June 9th</p> <p>We dipped the sheep this morning and it took us all the fore noon. It took quite awhile to rig up the tank and dripping board which we made out of the waggon box</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>We put it in the east bay in the barn where the floor is about a foot and a half higher than the bottom of the bay and ran the sheep in from the barn floor to the tank and let them drip in the bay. Art Quanbury brought his over and we dipped them making 74 head all told. Old Broadley was here to dinner and we were a little late having it. Alan Law came over to borrow a spade after dinner to dig up some paeony roots so I went over with him and got a lot more roots as well as come larkspur. They are disking every thing up over there to sow oats. The grass is about a foot high and the field looks as about as green when they sow it as it does after its up and still they are hoping to get a catch of clover seed. It took me nearly all the after noon to dig them and set them out. Dad. went back and ran out some ditches in the back field and Frank worked in the garden. I went down to band practice to-night and Frank went down to the show. We both had a good swim at the bridge on our way home. Enah went down town this morning and sent away the applications for registration of the lambs &amp; calves. We have decided to have a Dickens herd and call all the calves after Dickens characters and instead of having family names &amp; numbers, we will call all calves belonging to one family, names from the same book. We called Nellie's calves Nancy and Oliver Twist and Elgitha's Wilkins Micawber.</p> <p>Tuesday June 10th</p> <p>We didn't get started very early this morning as we had a lot of puttering around to do. We had to put the waggon box back on the truck, we had used it as a dripping board yesterday while dipping and one of the ewes no 17 about the best one in the flock needed attention as she is very sick and we have no hope to-night for her recovery. We can't think what can ail her unless she got some of the dip inside her and is poisoned. Dad. was in the back field cleaning out to ditches all day and Frank and I hauled out manure with Harry &amp; Joe and the waggon and spread it on the strip where we want to put roots and potatoes. We cleaned out the calf pen first and hauled it out. Marj. and I went to the show to-night. Fine, very dry, not so hot.</p> <p>Wednesday June 11th</p> <p>The sick ewe was considerably better this morning</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>We were very agreeably surprised when we went out after breakfast and gave her a little help that she got up and stood on her feet. She then drank about a quart of water and has taken quite a lot of gruel during the day. She is very weak yet to-night but we now have great hopes for her recovery. We got Billy in the stable this morning and have had him tied up all day preparatory for giving him his first lesson. He fought hard while we were at dinner for he broke his halter but Dad. had a big rope around his neck so that he didn't get loose. Dad. let him back with the others to-night. We had Pommers in with Harry on the plow to-day plowing the root ground. All three of us went back with him and plowed a round or two before dinner. Frank held the plow, Dad drove. and I held the line in his bit rings in case of his cutting up. I didn't need to use it at all however so this after noon Dad. and I worked the outfitt and I plowed. Frank went to Simcoe to pay our insurance. To-night Marj. and I went for a drive with Queen. Mr. Johnson left three posters advertising the strawberry social up at the Smythes and we tacked them up at the mill &amp; Edmund England's corner.</p> <p>Thursday June 12th</p> <p>Dad. and I finished plowing the root ground this morning with Harry &amp; Pommers and Dad. disked it up with them this after noon. I spent the after noon cutting the lawn and washing Mexico's cart down at the mill. Frank went down to Alfred's this morning and brought the geese home as Colin was in last night to tell us they were there. He has been working in the garden most of the day. George and Miss Sutherland came to-night on the Hamilton train and Enah went down to meet them with Mexico. Hot day.</p> <p>Friday June 13th</p> <p>Dad. worked on the root ground all day with Harry and Joe. I cleaned out the bull's pen and did odd jobs this morning and Frank put a formalin solution in the dipping tank and treated the potatoes. He and I spent most of the after noon cutting them. Frank Faulkner was in this morning with a sick pig for Dad. to look at. It got as stiff as a board about every ten minutes. George &amp; Miss Sutherland spent most of the after noon sleeping. I went down to see Marj. to-night.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Saturday June 14th</p> <p>I got home this morning soon after midnight and found Dad. and Frank both asleep, dressed, and when Dad. woke up, he was very anxious about Belle. She had been in pain off and on during the evening but still showed no signs of foaling so he thought some thing must be wrong. I changed my clothes and lay down and about four Dad. called me as he had decided to make an examination. He did and said he was afraid there was no hope for the colt and very little for Belle. He then went to the house and called Frank to go down and get Bruce. While he was gone Belle lay down and in about ten minutes just after Dad. got back had a fine big colt and both he &amp; she are doing fine. Dad. has christened him George Broadley. We planted the potatoes this morning. George and Miss Sutherland helped us. Just after dinner a heavy thunder storm came up. It didn't last long but a lot of water fell and there was a fierce little gale with it. It came out terribly sultry and hot after it. Frank and I hauled a little jag of straw over to the horse stable. We all went down town to-night but it was too hot to dance, we watched them. We three boys went for a swim on our way home.</p> <p>Sunday June 15th</p> <p>Frank, Tid and I went down to Sunday school and the rest except Dad. went down to church. I ran across Quint after church and we took a walk down to the beach. There were a lot in swimming. Quint was telling me that Alan &amp; Dick Tibbitts intend to put up a hundred more bathing houses this week. Aunty and Aunty Alice came over here to dinner but left a lunch for me which I had alone down there. I spent the after noon with Marj. trying to find a cool spot. We didn't have much success but did get a shady &amp; fairly breezy place over in Globe Park, where we camped with some books. The Millmans were over here and took Aunty, Aunty Alice, George &amp; Miss Sutherland down to Auntys where they had tea. They came back after tea and took Dad. &amp; Enah for a motor drive. Billy was with them and I guess kept them highly entertained. I came home to tea and helped do chores and went back again this evening. Frank went down to Wards on his wheel after supper.</p> <p>Monday June 16th</p> <p>I felt very lazy all morning and managed to keep from</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>any very strenuous labor. Dad. went out and disked harrowed and rolled the mangel ground with Harry &amp; Pommers this morning and I think Frank helped him and also worked in the garden. I went down to the Quanbury's to borrow their seed drill but John said it was out at Charlie's place so I fooled around the pond awhile and then drove Joe out to Charlie's. He told me the drill was at Art's place so I went back and got it and by the time I got home it was noon. George &amp; Miss Sutherland went down to Aunty's with Mexico to gather greens for dinner. We had dinner rather late and old Broadley was here. It rained again for a little while right after dinner so we didn't do any thing much for awhile. When it cleared off I went out and drilled in the mangel seed. I sowed two lbs. of seed on 8 or 9 rows and one row of turnip. Dad. cut the grass around the shop. I went down to band practice to-night and had a swim on my way home. After I got home and before I went to bed I was much surprised to see George and Miss Sutherland walk in as I thought all hands were asleep. They had been for a walk. We got some cider and sat up till a very late hour, quietly carousing.</p> <p>Tuesday June 17th</p> <p>I haven't done any thing much all day. Dad. &amp; Frank plowed the old garden back of the shop and Dad. worked it this after noon. I worked a little on the lawn this morning and Miss Sutherland and I started to weed out the rose border. This after noon I helped Dad. hook Pommers up to the disks and helped unhook him. An old fellow named Culver from up near Simcoe was in with another Percheron stallion and wanted us to use him, but we told him we were using Jason. I shaved this after noon and spent quite awhile discussing various things with Marion. She reads Omar Khayyam to me and is very fond of it. I enjoy the poetry of it but argue with her on the philosophy of it, she however agrees with him but she is very nice to argue with. To-night we all went down to Mrs. Dick Tibbitt's "At Home" and according to the ladies who are capable of judging such matters it was very nice. To me the ice cream was nice, the conversation very gobbly and the temperature rather high but altogether I didn't put in such a bad time. George, Frank and Marion went out to hoe potatoes this after noon. Frank came in after cider and soon after George was the only man on the job.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Wednesday June 18th</p> <p>This has been a very lazy day for me. Dad. and I took Billy out this morning for a lesson on the reins and he did very well. The trailing after him seemed to give me a pain and it stayed with me all day. I just sat around from the time we came in till dinner time. Dad. went out to hoe in the garden but said he couldn't find the stuff that was up so he came in and read Whitcomb Riley to us. Frank went to Simcoe on the early car and got back about noon. He got a new horse collar and did some other purchasing. This after noon Frank &amp; George hoed out in the garden. I slept for about an hour after dinner and then Dad. and I got out the cultivator and old Harry and cultivated the garden. Enah, Tid. &amp; Marion went down to the Lake for a swim. Marion stayed at Aunty's for tea and George and I walked down after tea. Mrs. Millman &amp; Billy were there for tea and Billy was reading them the manuscript of a book he is writing. It sounded very well written what I heard of it. Quint &amp; Joe were working at the boat house and I went up town with them but spent the evening over at the Monteiths. Very hot still.</p> <p>Thursday June 19th</p> <p>Dad. and I gave Billy a little exercising this morning and then went and hoed in the garden till noon. George, Marion &amp; Tid went to the Lake for a swim this morning. This after noon Frank and I went up to Jack McBrides and got a roll of wire fence and then over to Jack Martin's and borrowed his hog crate. We put a piece of the fence across the orchard just south of where the little trees are so that we can let the sheep in the south end of the orchard without them getting at the little trees. There is good pasture in there now. We all went down town to-night. I went to the band concert as we gave our first open air concert of the season to-night. The reeve treated us to ice cream afterwards and then I persuaded Harry Dyer to go up and cut my hair. The rest of the family spent the evening at the Barwell's I went over there about eleven o'clock just in time to get some ice cream and hear Billy Millman recite "David Lilly" and the "Highwayman" also the "Cremation of Sam McGee." George Frank and I went for a good swim at the dam on our way home. It has been hot but a nice breeze to-day. Rained a little.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Friday June 20th</p> <p>Frank and I had to go down to Clarence Finch's this morning with old Gladys. We stopped at Hallam's shop on our way home and got Tom's old democrat which he told us to bring over here if we wanted it. A heavy shower came up while we were there. Frank took shelter in the blacksmith shop but I didn't like to leave the team so when I got Tom's rig fastened I came home. This after noon Frank rolled the old garden and disked it. I shaved and read awhile after dinner and then went out and helped Dad. and Tid. pick the strawberries. They got quite a mess and we had them for tea. Enah, Frank went George and Marion went up to the Strawberry social at the Smythe's this after noon and Frank took Joe and went up about six. I went down and joined the band at half past seven and went up in Jim Bush's car. We had a very good time and the festival was a success in every way. They took in $220.00 or more. The band got all the strawberries and ice cream it could hold and then got treated to 2 1/2 % beer which had been ordered to sell at the soft drink booth but which had caused such a scandal amongst the pious folks that they had to take it in the house and hide it behind the sofa and subsequently feed it to the band. Poor band, it certainly is rotten stuff. I came home with Mr. Johnson and Bill Barwell. We were held up at the cemetry by another car stuck in the road so we went to look for some human bones which a couple of kids said they saw lying in the sand there beside the road. Mr. Johnson lit matches and I groped with my hand and sure enough found a skull. We overtook Mexico and his load coming around the hill so we all got home to-gether before twelve. Frank rolled in some time before morning having been down Mud Street.</p> <p>Saturday June 21st</p> <p>I raked up and cut the lawn this morning and Dad. and I gave Billy a little exercise. Tupper came in for a visit on his way home from the mill and stayed all morning. Frank and George took the mower to pieces and are going to put on new ledger plates. Frank went over to Tupper's this after noon and got an old binder tongue to make a new tongue for the rake. I didn't do any thing much but sit around and work a little at the perennial border. Dad. Paris-greened the potatoes. Enah, Marion &amp; Tid. went down</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>town this after noon. George spent the after noon writing letters. He received a packet of mail yesterday from Grand daddy with a telegram enclosed offering him a position as instrument man with a survey party going to Peace River at $100 a month. George thought that was "joke" but another epistle from Grand daddy informed him that he had answered the telegram saying he didn't think George would accept the position. George sent a wire right off yesterday contradicting that statement and this after noon wrote his father telling him that while it was perfectly alright to open his letters he did object to his answering them. To-night George Marion and I went for a drive. Dad. said he would like to see the skull I found so we went up and got it and brought it home. We then went on out through Lynn Valley. It was the first time they had had a ride behind Queen and it was quite a treat I think after Mexico. We had some music when we got home.</p> <p>Sunday June 22nd</p> <p>Frank Tid. and I went down to Sunday school and Enah George and Marion went down to church. I stayed at Aunty's for dinner. Mr. &amp; Mrs. Millman were there and so was Tid. Frank came home to dinner but all the rest went down to the Harding's for their midday repast. I came home early and wrote to {Darrie?}. The rest came home fairly early and Alan, Dick &amp; Mrs. Dick Tibbitts came over for tea. I left right after tea for Nanticoke as Marj. went down last night with {Warrie?} Banfield and I drove her home. It has been a lovely day with a fine cool breeze.</p> <p>Monday June 23rd</p> <p>Dad. had to go down to Sam Law's this morning and he drove George and Marion down town and they went up creek. He then drove Aunty down to Sam's with him. I hoed the strawberries and Frank took the mower guards down and had the new ledger plates riveted on. Broadley was here for two or three hours at noon as he had several customers, consequently we didn't get much done. Frank and George have the mower all fixed up ready for business and Frank got a couple of pieces of ash for the rake tongue. I went down to band practice to-night. We saw by to-day's paper that Dick is with the troops that landed in Canada on the Monteagle on Friday so we expect him home in two or three days.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Tuesday June 24th</p> <p>Dad. and I cultivated the old garden and the mangels out in the field this morning with old Harry. I went sound asleep after dinner and dozed off considerable time, all efforts to wake me proving futile so they say. I had some cider before dinner I don't know whether that was the cause of it or not, after I did wake up I helped George a little who has put in the day making a bigger doorway in the end of the horse stable loft to let the hay in. Marion and I then went out and picked some strawberries. Marj. came over to tea and spent the evening but I had to go to Woodhouse with the band as there was another strawberry social on up there. We had a good feed and I got home about half past eleven just as George and Maron were getting home with Mexico after having driven Marj. home. Harry Ansley died yesterday.</p> <p>Wednesday June 25th</p> <p>Dad. went down and got his hair cut this morning and this afternoon he and Enah went down to Harry Ansley's funeral. Frank and George put the shafts on the cart this morning and I spent most of the fore noon correcting the application that I had returned for the sheep registration's. It poured rain all the after noon so we didn't do any thing out-side Marion &amp; I read all sorts of things this after noon, Irish History, Pope, Burns and the dictionary. George and Frank and Tid. played &amp; read. Dad. saw in the paper to-day that the Siberian troops had reached Toronto so was quite sure of Dick being home to-night and drove down to meet him but he didn't come. I drove down with him as it was too wet for the band to go to Jack McBride's where we were booked to play for the Presbyterian strawberry social. I spent the evening over at the Monteith's and stayed all night at Aunty's.</p> <p>Thursday June 26th</p> <p>It has rained pretty much all day although there have been fine and sunny spaces between the showers. Dad. and I went out to set out some cabbage &amp; tomato plants this morning but a big shower drove us in before we got much done. Marion came out to tell us that Aunty and Aunty Alice were over here. They stayed to dinner Dess had been down with a letter she received from Dick saying that he was in Toronto but would be unable</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>to reach home, he was afraid before Monday as he couldn't get his discharge right away. After dinner Dad. drove Aunty &amp; Aunty Alice back down town and a big storm came up while they he was gone. I sat around and read and slept till it cleared off and then went out and worked a little more at the perennial border and Marion and I weeded out some more of the roses till it was time to go and get the cows. I went down to band concert to-night and all the rest were down town too. George, Enah and Marion were up at Ada's for awhile.</p> <p>Friday June 27th</p> <p>When Dad. went back for the cows this morning he found the whole bunch as well as the colts in on the oats. They had broken one of the bars and knocked the other one down. I went back with him after breakfast and helped him drive the colts out. When we came up we hooked up Pommers and old Harry and started plowing a piece along the road from in the sheep pasture for rape. He went very well and we plowed most of the day. Frank, George and Marion picked the strawberries this morning and picked 28 baskets. Frank set out the rest of the tomato and cabbage plants. Enah</p> <p>went down town this after noon I think to see if Mrs. Wilson wanted Mexico, but Clare Herring told her that Mrs. Wilson had gone to Toronto and left her dog here and he was amusing himself eating up the neighbor's chickens. To-night I went up to the Presbyterian strawberry social at Jack McBrides. The band I think walked up from town and I walked from here. They were about half through playing the second piece when I arrived. We were well fed and had a good time. I got a ride home with Frank &amp; Jennie Wards. He was just starting to take her home when I came out the gate. I sent my horn down town with Pud. Slocombe. When I got home I found all the family in bed but Enah &amp; Marion the latter was writing letters. I brought up some cider and cookies and after Enah left us and Marion finished her correspondence, she and I sat and read Omar Khayyam till Frank arrived. Very much cooler.</p> <p>Saturday June 28th</p> <p>The cattle were all in on the oats again this morning and I went back with Dad. and put them out. They had broken down a panel of fence over by the woods. George Frank and Marion went back and fixed it after breakfast. Dad. and I finished ploughing the rape ground and Dad. worked</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>it down this afternoon. He also harrowed over the old garden back of the shop and sowed corn on it with the drill. I drove Aunty &amp; Aunty Alice up to the cemetry this after noon and to-night went down to see Marj. Lovely day. When I got home to-night I was quite surprised Sunday to find Dad. talking to Dick in the kitchen the rest had all gone to bed. I thought as Dick didnt come up on the train he wouldn't be here but he came with Ade and a Mr. Meddlin in Ade's car. He has to go back to-morrow as he didn't get his discharge. I guess from all accounts they had lively times here to-night. Ade brought up a bottle of whiskey &amp; one of port wine and they had finished a flask or so on the way up and on coming into the house. Mr. Meddlin began to to feel his oats. They all had a glass of wine around to celebrate Dick's homecoming and then one to celebrate Peace as the treaty was signed to-day although no body took much notice of it. Mr. Meddlin passed a glass of wine across the table to some one and George rescued it from going down the lamp chimney, then he (Meddlin) kissed Enah a couple of times telling her she shouldn't mind as he had brought her boy home. I guess she didn't. To wind up with as they were going out to the car he fell over himself and just about cracked his "bean."</p> <p>Sunday June 29th</p> <p>Ade and his pal were over before we were through milking this morning. They had been up since half past four and had had a swim and breakfast at Hec's then as no one down town was up came over here. Every thing here was in such a state of commotion owing to Dick's arrival home that none of us got down to church but just sat around and enjoyed life. I went down to Aunty's at twelve o'clock for dinner but they hadn't got home from church at half past twelve and as they told me to be at the band room at one o'clock I had some bread and butter and left without seeing them. I needn't have been so rushed as we didn't leave the band room till half past one and led the Oddfellows up Main St. in time to catch the two o'clock car. We all boarded the car and got off at Anderson's crossing walking from there over to the cemetry. The Oddfellows got all their graves decorated in time to catch the four o'clock car and we played hymns</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>while they were at it. I went over to the Monteith's as soon as we finished playing down town and got Marj. to come over to tea. We didn't get over till about six o'clock as we had to stop at Aunty's &amp; Miss McQueen's for Marj. to say good-bye. She is going to the St. Catherines, Ridley College, Summer school to-morrow on the two car. Dick went back to Toronto at four o'clock to-day hoping to get his discharge to-morrow. We were rather late getting the chores done and the Millman family all came over in Ade's car just before tea. After tea Frank wanted to print some pictures so we all helped him but Marj. and I went home fairly early. It has been a very nice day &amp; cool.</p> <p>Monday June 30th</p> <p>Dad. and I cultivated the mangels and potatoes in the field this morning and spent most of the after noon hoeing in the old garden. Frank went down town this morning to see about getting ladders for the rack. He left the pattern down with Reynolds months ago but they have never been finished. Reynolds told him he told Emery to make them Saturday, but Emery hadn't showed up this morning, he thought he was decorating Bert Thompson's car for tomorrow's parade. Frank mowed half of the field east of the orchard this after noon. We have decided to leave the field back of the barn for alsike. I went down to band practice to-night. Dick came in to Aunty's while I was there. He had just got in at eight o'clock and had his discharge in his pocket. He was a tickled boy. On my way home I stopped in and Quint and Hazel Dunkin were there Hazel was staying there all night. He had ridden down from Vittoria this after noon and was wearing riding breeches &amp; putties and looked like the devil.</p> <p>Tuesday July 1st</p> <p>I spent most of the morning polishing my horn and the rest of the family doing chores and getting ready for a picnic down at the beach. Dick went down fairly early with Dad. and George, Marion and Enah went down a little later driving Mexico. Frank and I went down at noon. We had a fine spread just below Sovereens cottage, but I couldn't stay long as they told me to be at the band room at one o'clock. I spent the rest of the day with the band. We played for an hour or so on the bandstand and then went out for about half an hour on the</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>"City of Dover". From there we went up to Buck's park and played one piece there before tea. I had tea at Aunty's and we spent the evening playing in Orchard Beach park. Nothing very exciting happened to-day. There was the usual run of sports, a baby show on the bandstand being the only think a little out of the ordinary. They had about 30 babies entered in it. Mrs. Percy Millman had hers there and asked me to hold it for her which I did for awhile. Chris Quanbury's baby took 1st prize. It was just hot enough to-day to bring the crowd in but not uncomfortable. I went over for a few minutes while we were waiting for the boat to see Alan &amp; Dick Tibbits and Quint. Alan said they had had their bathing houses full up all the after noon. Quint only got his booth about half built and his ice cream didn't come but he seemed to be doing a good business selling soft drinks and cigarettes. Pete Holmes new casino opened to-day.</p> <p>Tuesday Wednesday July 2nd</p> <p>Frank was down town nearly all morning getting the rack fixed up and the new ladder put on. I raked up the hay that was cut and Dad cocked up. We both cocked up all the after noon and Frank cut the other half of the field. Enah drove George and Marion down to the station this morning and saw them off. They both seemed to hate to go and we were all very sorry to see them leave. This morning at breakfast we all found a little bottle of grape juice at our plates with an appropriate verse from Omar Khayyam in Marion's writing on each bottle, after we had emptied them I filled hers and mine up with hard cider and she took hers and I put mine away "Till we meet again". Dick has been down town all day ordering new clothes.</p> <p>Thursday July 3rd</p> <p>Dad. and I finished or nearly finished cocking up what was raked by noon and this after noon we started hauling in. Dick &amp; Frank pitched on and I loaded. We got two loads in the barn from that field and then hauled in what was cocked up in the field we are leaving for alsike, about half a load there. We had it up by five o'clock and then I went back for the cows while the others pitched it off in the horse stable. Aunty &amp; Aunty Alice were over to dinner. I was at band concert to-night</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Friday July 4th</p> <p>We got out fairly early this morning and had one load on by about half past eight. We left in on the waggon till noon and I took the team and raked up what was cut. When I finished raking, Dad. and I took the load up and then cocked up. We finished cocking up by soon after dinner as there were the four of us at it. When we finished cocking up we started hauling again and got in three more loads and put them off. Dick went down town to-night and Frank went out to see Bill Sidway. He says he is improving very slowly.</p> <p>Saturday July 5th</p> <p>We established a record for ourselves to-day in hauling hay. We got out soon after seven and hauled in nine loads to-day and had the last one in the barn by about half past six. We would have had another in but the big rope broke again this morning where Lew Brock sliced it last year and that delayed us for some time. Frank found it would take too long to splice it again so we used the rope Roy sent up last fall. It is an older rope and not so big as our own but seems to work satisfactorily. It was about twice too long so we cut it. There are still about two or three loads left in the field. The boys went down town to-night but I didn't go. I intended to go for a swim after it got dark but I went to sleep and slept till too late. Hot.</p> <p>Sunday July 6th</p> <p>Frank and I and Tid. went to Sunday school and church this morning and Dad. and Enah went down to church. Dad. stayed down at Aunty's to dinner &amp; for the after noon but Enah came home. I went down right after dinner with my horn as the band gave a sacred concert in the park to celebrate the peace thanksgiving which was appointed for to-day. I came home with Dad. about five o'clock after stopping in for a few minutes at Aunty's to see Louise who came up Friday. I slept most of the evening. Frank went down to Ward's and Dick has been down town all day. Cloudy and very much cooler all day.</p> <p>Monday July 7th</p> <p>Frank started cutting the 12 acres across the gully</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>this morning and has been cutting all day. He raked up what he cut this morning before he quit to night. The cattle were in on the oats again this morning and Dad. had to fix the fence where they got in first thing this morning. I did a few odd jobs around here and then went out and started to eat &amp; trim the mangels. Dad. came out with Belle before I got one line done and I helped him cultivate the mangels and part of the potatoes before dinner. Broadley was here for a long time to-day so Dad. didn't get out very early. I went back with Frank at noon as he took the rake back and wanted some help to get through the gates and then I started at the mangles again till Dad was ready to bring Belle out, then we finished cultivating the potatoes and went over to the garden and cultivated everyt hing we could there. Aunty was over at noon to help celebrate Dad's birthday. Dick went down with her after dinner to post a letter to McNab, his old bank manager out West, who wrote him the other day wanting him to come back at $1000 a year. Dick doesn't want to go back just yet. Soon after they left Dess came over and stayed till about 5 o'clock, then as Dick didn't come back she went down again. She evidently missed him down there for Dick. came home about seven o'clock having had his tea at Aunty's. He rode Frank's wheel back down town but didn't stay long. I went down to band practice to-night. We had a lot of new music and Ed. wasn't there. On my way home I met Cousin Clare escorted by Alan Tibbitts and Totie. Smith. They had been down at Aunty's. Totie informed me that there was some cake left so I went down and found Quint there demolishing the last piece of cherry pie and making alarming inroads into a chocolate cake, but I was in time to check his advance and save a couple of pieces. He had brought down a lot of sweet cherries from home so Aunty Alice give me some to bring home as I approached home I could hear great revelry and found the family engaged in song &amp; dance in the parlor. The Shands had been here. Very nice day sunny but cool.</p> <p>Tuesday July 8th</p> <p>Frank went back this morning and continued to cut till about eleven o'clock when he broke the pitman rod on the mower and had to stop. He went up to</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Simcoe on the 12 o'clock car and got a new one and also got Joe Howell to fix the old one, but he didn't get home in time to do any more cutting to-day. Dad. Dick and I wemt back this morning and cocked up what Frank raked yesterday. This after noon we hauled in what was left in the field east of the orchard and did it in two loads, but for some reason or other it took us about all the after noon. Getting it out of the little gully made it harder pitching and harder loading. Then the lift jammed once in the car but I got it loose by getting over on it and prying the latch off the gate. Cool day.</p> <p>Wednesday July 9th</p> <p>We took the rack to the back field this morning and brought a load up with us at noon. I raked all that was fit and Dad. &amp; Dick cocked up. Frank fixed the pitman rod on the mower and after I finished raking, cut a few more rounds. This after noon we put off the load we hauled up and then went back and cocked up and Frank finished cutting. We didn't get back very early as we had to change the pulley to the other end of the barn and that delayed us a little. We brought up another load to-night. Louise came over here to dinner. Jim brought her over with the mail. Enah drove her down with Mexico this after noon. She can't walk very far yet since having the Flu. Dick Tibbitts was over for awhile at noon. He had some papers for Dad to sign. We three boys went for a swim at the bridge to-night. Fine and cool.</p> <p>Thursday July 10th</p> <p>We all went back this morning and Frank finished raking and then helped us cock up. We got it all up in cock by about eleven. Chris Quanbury came after Dad to go and look at Jack's lambs. One died yesterday and they thought two more were sick, they were not though Dad. said and the one that died had a big wool ball in its stomach which Dad. found when he opened it. This after noon I went up to Ham Thompson's to see a poultry culling demonstration. Ushay from the College was down and showed how to pick out the hens that hadn't layed much during the winter &amp; spring by their yellow legs. Dad. and the boys got in two loads while I was gone but it was very windy and consequently hard to pitch</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Ham. has a new hay loader and I drove the team for them while it put on one load. It took it up right up out of the swath as clean as a rake would. I went down to band concert to-night but the lights were so bad that we couldn't play more than about three pieces, however we went up to the band room and had a practice. Cool &amp; windy.</p> <p>Friday July 11th</p> <p>We hauled hay all day off the back field and got in five loads. Frank loaded and I helped Dad. or Dick pitch on. We have about all the {illegible} of it now and put it in the barn, we will put the rest in the horse stable. Tom. told Dad. this morning that Reynold's drugstore was burned to the ground last night or at least this morning between three &amp; four o'clock. He said the Orangemen had a meeting up above there last night so Dad. said of course they would be blamed for it as Taylor &amp; Reynolds are both catholics. In spite of the high wind they saved all the houses near from the fire but the Chinese laundry shack was squashed flat when the wall of the store fell Dick spent the evening writing to various lady friends, he seems to have them in a string reaching half way round the earth now. Enah and Tid drove Mexico down to view the remains of the drugstore. Very cool.</p> <p>Saturday July 12th</p> <p>We hauled in all the hay from the back field in five loads to-day, the last load was a small one. The first load we put off in the barn but Dad. changed the car and we put the other four in the horse stable loft. It was a little after six when we got the last load off and then we went out and brought in the six cocks that were left at the end of the orchard, so that we have no cut hay our for our Sunday. Dick and Frank both walked down town to-night and I think went to the dance and I drove Queen down and back fast for exercise. Cloudy &amp; quite cool. Looks a little like rain.</p> <p>Sunday July 13th</p> <p>Tid. and I went down to Sunday school this morning and the rest all came down to church except Frank who went back to the side hill field to hunt sow thistle. Mr. Johnson was away and a Mr. Tillet I think his name was took the service. He has lately come from Serbia and was appealing for</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>the Serbian relief fund. He was a very poor speaker and looked any thing but starved as he says every one in Serbia is but made it clear that the kids over there were in pretty distressing straits and I think got quite a boodle for the fund. Dick and I stayed at Aunty's to dinner and I spent the whole after noon there visiting with Aunty, Aunty Alice &amp; Louise. I came home in time to help do chores. Enah went down to tea and to play the organ to-night. Mr. Farney preached but Mr. Johnson got home in time to take the service. Dad. &amp; Tid walked down after tea and came home with Enah &amp; Frank went out to Bill Sidway's with some books. Very hot &amp; dry, wind to-day.</p> <p>Monday July 14th</p> <p>Dad. and I spent most of the morning grinding mower knives but I went out about eleven and started to weed and thin mangels. I was at it all the after noon and to-night have four rows finished one was nearly done when I started. Frank cut the thistles in the orchard this morning and was delayed a little by one of the ledger plates springing and catching a section. This after noon he cut hay, timothy out east of the old garden.</p> <p>Dad. spent most of the after noon cutting thistles with the scythe along the fence in the corner field. Aunty was over for a few minutes before dinner with some raspberries they had picked down home. Dick was down town all the after noon and in bed all morning. Old Broadley was here for a long time at noon. This is his last trip. I went down to band practice to-night and went down to Pete Holmes casino afterwards where I found Dick &amp; Quint. Frank was down town too and I had promised to meet him &amp; go for a swim about half past eleven but when I got there we was in. I then waited for about half an hour for Dick and then went in just as he came. Cloudy &amp; cool.</p> <p>Tuesday July 15th</p> <p>It rained a little spatter early this morning so as the alsike was tough enough to work at Frank cut for an hour or two this morning and then raked up the hay he raked cut yesterday. Dad. and I thinned out a few more mangels. This after noon Frank cut the rest of the hay between the old oat stubble and the ditch. Dad. Dick and I cocked up what he raked this morning. I went over to Jacks after we got it</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>cocked up and borrowed a crate to ship some broilers. I thought I would have about a crate full but when Dad. and I caught them to-night I only got 13 that I thought were worth taking. Enah took Tid down to a picnic that Aunty had to-day for Mrs. Browne &amp; the two kids. Enah went down after him again to-night. Quite cool and fresh breeze.</p> <p>Wednesday July 16th</p> <p>I took my broilers over to Jack's first thing this morning and left them for Jack Walker to call for. I shipped them to Mallen instead of Waller, Chris said he was pretty good. Frank finished cutting the alsike this morning and then raked up the rest of the hay that was cut. We ran the binder out and Frank cleaned it all up ready to start on the wheat this after noon. He cut this after noon but didn't quite finish. Dad. Dick and I cocked hay this morning and part of the after noon and when we finished started to shock up. Dick and I went down and got our hair cut to-night and then went with Dess down to Pete Holmes casino. I had one dance with Dess as I only had five cents and then I went over to Quint's shack and spent the rest of the evening with him getting home about twelve. Dad. announced his intention of calling us at four o'clock to-morrow to bunch up alsike and as I knew that if I once went to bed I would hate to get up at four so thought I would go at it while I was awake. I stuck at it till about half past two but finally got so tired and cold I had to come in. I went to sleep on the sofa with my clothes on. Omar Khayyam swallowed a rubber baloon &amp; died to-day.</p> <p>Thursday July 17th</p> <p>Frank and Dad. went out at four o'clock this morning and bunched up a lot more alsike but I slept in till half past five. After the dew was off Dad. &amp; Frank went through and pulled all the sourdock out of the alsike they could find and I shocked up the wheat that was cut. Frank came out about eleven and cut the rest of the wheat and Dad. &amp; I shocked it up we got through a little after twelve. Dick, Frank and I hauled in a couple of loads of hay from east of the old garden this after noon and put it in the horse stable. Dad. cleaned out the bull pen. We all went down to the band concert to-night.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Friday July 15th</p> <p>Frank went out last night after he got home and raked up all the alsike. Dad went out at four o'clock and bunched a lot of it and we all worked at it after breakfast till we got it done. It didn't shell very badly after it was dry. We hauled in one load before dinner but didn't put it off. This after noon we hauled in four more and put them off over the granary. Frank and I drove Queen out to Bill Sidway's to-night to take him a {husk?} he doesn't seem to be improving very fast. We got home about dark and then Frank, Dick and I went for a swim. It was fine. Fine day.</p> <p>Saturday July 19th</p> <p>We hauled in four more loads of alsike this morning besides a jag of couch grass which we threw in the bottom of the bay. We put all that we hauled this morning in the bay. This after noon we three boys went down town, the band played in the park as this was proclaimed a holiday by the King to celebrate peace. There was a big crowd in town but they were all down at the lake. I stayed down at Aunty's for tea. I recived a cheque for my broilers at 40 cts per lb.</p> <p>Sunday July 20th</p> <p><br />Frank Tid. and I went down to Sunday school this morning and Dad. &amp; Enah went down to church. Huby and I took up the collection. Dad. &amp; Enah stayed down town this after noon Enah &amp; Tid stayed to tea and Dad. drove down after church for them, he came home at six and helped me do chores. Frank Dick and I had dinner to-gether and then Dick went down town but Frank and I stayed home all after noon.</p> <p>Monday July 21st</p> <p>We finished hauling the alsike in two loads this morning and then hauled two loads of wheat before dinner, but as we pulled in the barn with the second load it began to rain quite hard so we didn't get any more in to-day. This after noon I started down town to get my money order cashed but Dick overtook me on the wheel so I sent it down with him and I came home. Frank Dad and I cleaned up some oats as we want to put our next years seed away now as there will probably not be much next Spring. Old Alex Ross came in about five o'clock to see again</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>about pasture for his horse and as he said his brother J.C. Ross from Jarvis was down town Dad. thought I had better drive down and ask him if he could tell us what was causing the wool to come off our sheep. I saw him but he couldn't tell me, he said it was like scab but with it they are itchy. I took my horn down, stayed at Aunty's for tea and went to band practice to-night. Dick was down there for tea too.</p> <p>Tuesday July 22nd</p> <p>It was still too wet to do any hauling this morning so Frank, Dick &amp; I cleaned up some more oats and then put what we had cleaned through again so we think now we have enough for seed cleaned up. Dad. picked blackcurrants and hoed in the garden. This after noon we hauled in the rest of the wheat in three loads one of them a small one. To-night Dick &amp; I drove Queen up to Buter's and I got my book &amp; brushes. It was half past eight &amp; just dark when we got there and Willard &amp; his brother were coming in with a load of alsike. The two of them have taken off 95 acres of hay &amp; alsike and have their whole 150 acres in crop. Frank rode his wheel up to Kelly's</p> <p>Wednesday July 23rd</p> <p>We hauled in the rest of the hay about four loads all but about 12 cocks from east of the old garden and we hauled one load of alsike from out there, there is also a little of it left. We put the hay in the horse stable and pitched the alsike off in the old barn. The bluegrass was hard to pitch and it took a long time to put on a load. Cruikshank &amp; Harris, district agent for Massey Harris were in for about an hour after dinner trying to sell Dad. a fertilizer disc drill. Dad. said he wouldn't take a chance on it but Frank could if he liked so Frank signed their agreement. He is to pay $55 next March and $100 a year from then. To-night Frank rode Mexico down Mud. St. and Dick and I took some milk and cream down to Aunty's and then went for a swim.</p> <p>Thursday July 25th</p> <p>Frank started to cut the rest of the stuff out east of the old garden this morning but had a breakdown with the mower so didn't get any cut. Dad. cultivated the potatoes with Belle amd I thinned at the mangels all day, Dad. helping me this after noon. Dick had a headache this</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>morning but got some stuff down town to fix it up. After dinner he and Frank went over to thrash at Jack's, they are thrashing out of the field so they had to take the team. Dad went over about 4.30 and took Dick's place and Dick went down town for tea. Karl. Coleman was over this after noon to look at Kate and was to make a dicker with Frank for her. I went down to band concert to-night. This being my birthday Aunty, Aunty Alice &amp; Cousin Clare came over to dinner. I got a pair of low shoes, a shirt, a neck tie, a wash rag, a film and the "Literary Digest" for a year. Looked stormy and has been a hot dry wind.</p> <p>Friday July 25th</p> <p>I went over to Jack's this morning with Frank &amp; the team and pitched on two or three loads till Dick came over then I went back and thinned more mangels. Dick &amp; Frank have been thrashing all day and finished to-night Jack had 540 bushels from about 20 acres which was better than we thought judging from the fields near the road. I slept for about an hour this after noon &amp; then Dad. and I went out and finished thinning the mangels &amp; turnips. We then took a walk over to Art. Quanbury's to see if his sheep were affected with the same skin disease or whatever it is that ours are but they seemed to be alright. We thought if they were affected we could attribute it to the dip, but we can't make out at all what it is. We brought the cows up with us on our way home.</p> <p>Saturday July 26th</p> <p>Frank had to go down to Ryerse's to thrash this morning and has been down there all day. I put in most of the day hoeing potatoes but took a grist to the mill this morning and went after it again this after noon. Dad. helped me hoe potatoes and put the woodshed screen door on. Dick went down town this after and he and Dess went to Simcoe and stayed all night. It rained a little last night and they say hailed big stones out at Roy Hammonds.</p> <p>Sunday July 27th</p> <p>Frank Tid and I went to Sunday school and Dad. &amp; Enah drove down to church. Tid. and I stayed at Aunty's to dinner and Tid stayed there all the after noon &amp; to tea playing with Rebecca as she and Roy came up with the Millman's last night. I came home soon after</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>dinner and found Dad. and Enah asleep and Frank had gone down to the Cave with Lila, they stayed to tea down at the Ward's. Roy came over to the Woodsons with me and later came over here and stayed to tea Enah drove him home with Mexico about dark and brought Tid. back with her. Very hot &amp; very windy.</p> <p>Monday July 28th</p> <p>Frank cut hay out by the side road all morning and Dad. and I hoed potatoes. This after noon Frank started to rake the hay and leave the patches of alsike. I went out when I thought he had enough raked to cock up but the wind was so strong I couldn't do any thing with it so I came back and started to hoe the potatoes. Dad. took the buggy down town after dinner as he thought one of the axles was sprung. He noticed it the other night when I was driving out and told me that the wheels didn't track. He took it to Joe Howell's and had him come out and look at it while Joe was trying to figure out what was the matter Alan Law who was in the shop burst forth in a loud peel of merriment and informed Dad that the wheels were changed and sure enough that proved to be the case, some one to play a trick, had changed the front and hind wheel on the offside and we had never discovered it it. I suppose it has been done when Frank had it at the garden party awhile ago. About five o'clock Dad. Enah and Tid started off for Charlotteville to pick Huckleberries as they had a card the other day from George Broadley inviting them up. Frank and I got the chores done up fairly well and then I went down to band practice. Aunt Nancy died last night. Aunt Ida is back.</p> <p>Tuesday July 29th</p> <p>Frank and I got up after five this morning and went out to see what we could do with the alsike patches. There was no dew but the stuff was tough. He decided to rake it up and I bunched a little and then went after the cows. Frank cooked some breakfast and went out to mow right after but I did chores in the house and barn. I washed up all the dishes and the seperator made the bed and swept out the kitchen. This took me the biggest part of the morning and then I went out to cock up but the wind was so strong I couldn't so I picked out some of the sour dock. Frank had to go thrashing down at Sam Law's this after noon so I took Harry &amp; Queen and went out to finish</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>mowing but spent most of the after noon tinkering with the mower. The brass boxing on the crank shaft got hot and I took it off a couple of times and then the knives gummed up so that I had to change them and had a very annoying time during which I said several bad words, and just got the thing ready to cut when the whistle blew, as I didn't know but what I would have to do all the chores alone I quit and went up but just as I got the team put away Dad. Enah &amp; Tid got home. They had had a not altogether enjoyable trip, but got quite a lot of huckleberries. I guess Broadley's hospitality although genuine was very Charlottevillian and Mrs. Broadley or Rachel as Broadley proudly calls her is much fonder of plowing and working in the bush than she is of housekeeping. They were not the only guests for the night as Mr. &amp; Mrs. Ed. Billington were also taking shelter under the same roof. Mrs. Billington used to be a Brook, Law's sister. Tid was sick all day and went to bed as soon as he got home and didn't wake up all evening. Dick was down town all after noon.</p> <p>Wednesday July 30th</p> <p>Frank went out before breakfast this morning while the alsike was tough and raked up all the hay &amp; alsike that was cut. Dad, Frank, Dick and I cocked up all morning. This after noon Frank finished cutting and Dad, Dick &amp; I cocked up. Then Dick &amp; Frank went up and Frank brought the waggon out and when we put finished cocking up we put on a load and put it off in the horse stable. Dick went down town as he had an invitation to go to Simcoe with Helen Anderson and a party in the car. Cool and cloudy all day.</p> <p>Thursday July 31st</p> <p>It began to rain early this morning and rained steadily but quietly nearly all morning and part of the after noon. I helped Frank sharpen the binder &amp; mower knives but spent most of the day reading writing and drawing. Frank tinkered around and put a board on the step of the woodshed door to keep the flies from coming under the screen. Dick spent the morning in bed and went down town this after noon. It stopped raining to-night but didn't clear off very well but we had a good band concert. I went around after it to the Barwell's to call for Aunty Alice who was there playing bridge. Huby moved down to the Tom Law house to-day. Bob got back from the West to-night. Mary Hodge is also home from France.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Friday August 1st</p> <p>It was too wet to work at the hay to-day so Dad. &amp; Frank hauled out manure all day. Dick and I went back to set the fence posts across the side hill field from the woods to the gully as we want to get the cattle in where we cut the hay off as soon as possible. The ground was so hard we couldn't make much impression on it with the post auger but got one post set. We then went over to John Wess's to borrow his spud to loosen up the hard clay and were over there till noon, but this after noon we made better progress by using the spud and I think got six posts set. To-night Dick and I went down town as I wanted to try on a pair of low shoes at Caley's but they were closed up so we decided to go to the show. We were just a little early for the second show so went over to Pete Holmes where we ran across Bob &amp; Dess, so we took them to the show with us. It was "The Heart of Humanity" a war picture showing just Canadian troops. It was very good but very sad and depicted some horrible examples of German brutality. Roy Dell was with us and could tell us about the places, such as Vimy Ridge</p> <p>Saturday August 2nd</p> <p>Tupper was in the other night and promised to come over and help us haul hay when we got ready so Frank went over last night to ask him to come to-day, we also got Jack to send Hanselman over and we put in quite a day hauling with two teams. We got all the hay in that was cut but there is still the alsike two or three loads out yet. We hauled in nine loads, which wasn't too bad, as we didn't start early or work late and the bluegrass is very slow to pitch being so short and heavy. Tupper took in too big a load once and broke the hoist rope a pulley and banged the end of the barn out. The boys went down town to-night. Cool and cloudy.</p> <p>Sunday August 3rd</p> <p>Frank Tid and I went down to Sunday school and the rest all came down to church. Dick Tid and I stayed at Aunty's for dinner and Aunty persuaded me to go up and see Miss Battersby after dinner to thank her for the wash rag she made me. I came home with Tid. about three o'clock and just as we got here we found Jim &amp; Mrs. Waddle about to take Dad. &amp; Enah for a joyride in their new</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>car, so Tid went with them but I declined an invitation to go. Dad. didn't enjoy it much, they went way up into Charlotteville and very nearly collided with another fellow which scared them all prettty badly. They got home about five. It has been quite cool and rather cloudy.</p> <p>Monday August 4th</p> <p>First thing this morning Frank braced the plank in the peak of the big barn that has the gate on the track in it as he thought it being unbraced had some thing to do with the loads sticking. Dad. and I had to hold the ladder for him and it took quite awhile. Sam's whistle blew over at Pickford's before we finished and Frank and Dick went over there to thrash. Bruce Smith came in, in his new "Fliver" and we went back to the gully to look at Snowdrop. We brought her up and Bruce felt in her mouth and found a long tooth but they couldn't do anything without more instruments. It was nearly noon when he left. Byron &amp; Fred Johnson were over here to dinner. We sat around for quite awhile after dinner talking to them and then Dad. and I put off the load of hay that was on the barn floor and went after a load of alsike. Dick and Frank got home from Pickford's in time to help us put it off and Dad. Frank and I went out after another load which we didn't put off. I went down to band practice to-night. There were not many out and Ed. &amp; Harry Moon got into a quarrel over the town waterworks question and Ed. got mad and left saying he wouldn't sit and play with a man that talked such nonsense as Harry did. Ed. had been down at the meeting of the Board &amp; Trade &amp; Council and was pretty riled when he came up and when Harry started in to defend the Council for not doing any thing to hold the by-law for putting in the waterworks Ed. couldn't stand it. Frank and I came home to-gether we found Dick up and all indulged in some hard cider.</p> <p>Tuesday August 5th</p> <p>Dick has been down town all day, he went down to get his tooth fixed. Dad. Frank and I put off the load of alsike that was on the barn floor and brought another load in which was the last and which we left on the barn floor. Frank then started to cut the stuff on the old oat</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>stubble and finished it this after noon. It is no good mostly weeds but we are shy of feed so will save it. Dad. and I hoed the strawberries and then Arthur Preston came over and as it began to rain a little he and I spent the after noon in the drive house discussing various subjects, and he tried to convert me to his rather radical prohibition ideas. Dad. cut some thistles and went over to Martin's to return the ladder he borrowed. Didn't rain.</p> <p>Wednesday August 6th</p> <p>Frank raked up the stuff he cut yesterday, this morning I took the buggy over to John Evans this morning to see if he could set the tires and tighten the reins. He said he could but was too busy now but would do it if I would bring it over Monday. I then caught the ten o'clock car and went to Simcoe to see {Slaght?}. He advised me to make an offer of $2000 for Bronzie, which I decided to do after coming home and consulting Dad. and Aunty Alice. It is a pretty steep price but I need the place. This after noon Dad. Frank and I cocked up but didn't finish. Frank and I went down town to-night and went for a swim. Dick has been down all day. Very hot and looks rainy.</p> <p>Thursday August 7th</p> <p>We finished cocking up the hay this morning and then put off the load of alsike that was on the barn floor. It was too late to get in any hay before dinner but we hauled in four loads this after noon but didn't unload the last one. To-night I went down to band concert. Ed. was back on the job all right. Very hot and very windy to-day.</p> <p>Friday August 8th</p> <p>We hauled in three more loads of hay this morning and Dick helped us mow it away, there were just five more sling lifts out there besides one load of clover seed which seemed pretty well filled. We put the hay in with out much mowing and left the clover seed on the waggon in the old barn, we brought in some sival grass for bedding. Aunty &amp; Rebecca came over this morning and Enah drove them home this evening. Frank ordered a ton of Basic Slag to try on the wheat this fall. Very cool and windy.</p> <p>Saturday August 9th</p> <p>Dad. Enah and Tid all struck off for Simcoe this morning Th had dinner with Mrs. Frank Bowlby and Louise</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>and this after noon took in the circus getting home about six o'clock. They said it was a good show and they had a fine time. Frank and I put in the whole day burning the old grass and weeds out around the old garden and went all over the field from the lane to the road and to the gully. We had to watch it carefully in the old timothy stubble as it ran very fast. Dick spent the morning in bed and then went down town. Frank and I went down to-night and I got a pair of shoes at Andrew's. Quite cold to-day.</p> <p>Sunday August 10th</p> <p>Frank Tim and I went down to Sunday school and Enah drove Mexico down to church. Rev. Ralph Moon preached but Mr. Johnson was there too. I stayed at Auntys for dinner and this after noon went with the band down to Kitchen's point where we gave a little concert mostly sacred to quite a large crowd, there is a big crowd mostly country people down there every Sunday after noon. I didn't get home till nearly six as Mr. Zealand showed Uncle Ward and me all over his place. Enah went down to play the organ to-night and Ed. Moon came over here and spent the evening. Cool but nice.</p> <p>Monday August 11th</p> <p>I went back after the cows this morning and found five of them over in Ivey's and had a bad time getting them out. After breakfast I took the buggy over to Evan's with Mexico and was over there all morning while he tightened the spokes and set the tires. Dad. and Frank cut the oats on the side hill and as they didn't want to leave till they could bring the binder up, we didn't have dinner till about two o'clock. This after noon I felt very tough with a sore throat and cold in my head so went to sleep on the sofa till tea time and went to bed right after tea. Frank went down to the mill with some oats for chop. To-night Dad. Enah &amp; Tid. drove down town to take Aunty Alice's milk down. Cloudy &amp; cool.</p> <p>Tuesday August 12th</p> <p>We put off the load of clover seed this morning, put a new reach in the waggon and Dad. and Frank hauled up a jag of oats before dinner and got the rest after dinner. There was barely one full sized load but they were quite heavy. I haven't done much all day, my throat is better but my head is water logged. Dad. Enah &amp; Tid went down to the James' for tea this being {Eliss?} wedding anniversary. Frank went out to Bill Sidway's to-night. Cool &amp; looked stormy.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Wednesday August 13th</p> <p>Dad. Frank and I went back this morning and started to put up the old fence along the woods that has been down in the grass ever since we came over here. We found that most of it was good enough when put up on trees and stakes to turn cattle but in spots it was rusted out too badly to be any good and one place it was cut. Dad. felt very miserable all morning and this afternoon he didn't go out of the house. Frank and I went back after dinner and put up nearly all of the fence that was any good but we quit at four o'clock as Frank had to get ready to go down to Dave Ward's and take Jennie out to Quanbury's to a meeting of the Moonlight Riding Club. Dick came over to tell me that the band was going down to Nanticoke to a garden party but I thought my cold was still too bad to go so went to bed.</p> <p>Thursday August 14th</p> <p>It was very late this morning when we went back to work at our fence as it looked a little rainy and consequently we didn't finish it by noon but had about an hour's work after dinner, we opened the fence into the gully but didn't drive the cattle into their new pasture as we thought they would roam to the extreme limits of it and give us too long a tramp after theem. When we finished back there we put up a few posts along the top of the field east of the orchard and as soon as we can get a fence up there we will let the sheep in in that field. There was a picnic from Dover in Nanticoke this after noon and the band went down but I didn't go nor I didn't go down to band concert to-night although I guess I could have all right. Louise and Winnie were over here to tea and Enah drove them down after and went with them to the picture show.</p> <p>Friday August 15th</p> <p>Dad. and I went back this morning expecting to find the cows in their new pasture but instead found that they had broken the gully fence into the oats and tramped right through them to John Wess's line. Dad. went back after breakfast and fixed it up and put them in on the clover while Frank and I hauled manure. Then Dad. helped Frank at that and I spent the rest of the day getting the posts and wire ready to put along the top of the field east of the orchard for the sheep Dad. helped me put the wire up while Frank pitched</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>on the last few loads alone. He hauled out 20 loads to-day Dad. and I didn't get the wire stretched very well but as long as it doesn't go right flat I think it will turn the sheep. It has been quite hot to-day. Dad. feels punk.</p> <p>Saturday August 16th</p> <p>Frank and I hauled manure all day but only got out about 17 loads. Niel Eliot was in for awhile this morning and Frank went back with him to show him Kate but he said she wasn't in shape yet to buy. This after noon we were driven in but quite a heavy thunder shower and it kept on raining pretty much till dark. Dad. has felt very miserable and weak to-day and has not been out of the house all day. Frank went down town to-night.</p> <p>Sunday August 17th</p> <p>We were greatly surprised this morning to find George in bed with Dick. He came up last night and came over with Frank after I was asleep. Ed. Turner has got him a good job as draughtsman on the Welland Canal. Dad. drove Tid and me down to Sunday school and the boys all came down to church. Dick and I stayed at Aunty's for dinner and I went with band and played sacred music in Powell park this after noon. George &amp; Frank were down this after noon but came to tea and for the eveing I went down to see Quint for a few minutes and he gave me some ice cream to bring home. Pretty warm to-day, breeze.</p> <p>Monday August 18th</p> <p>Frank and I hauled manure to-day but only got out 13 loads as the rain this morning delayed us so that we only hauled 4 loads out before dinner. It rained again this after noon but not till we were just about to quit. I went down to band practice to-night so we quit at five. Dad. felt better to-day and he and Tid. went down to cut Aunty Alice's oats but they didn't get them cut on account of the rain. Quint took them out for a ride in his motor boat and they got home just in time for Dad. to help me milk. Some garden thief has been very active this last week, about 100 hills of potatoes were dug out of Ed. Moon's garden up on Main St and a lot of beets and carrots were taken from Mrs. Battersby's and Uncle Ward's gardens on Saturday night. Frank drove George down this morning and he got off on the 6.30 G.T.R.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Tuesday August 19th</p> <p>Frank and I hauled out 9 loads of manure this morning and got it all out of the shed at the cow stable but at noon we had a very heavy rain storm which put a stop to outside work for the rest of the after noon, it rained two or three times during the after noon. I read, slept and wrote to Vernon asking her if we could stay with her during The Exhibition. Frank &amp; Tid went back to the gully. This morning Dad. went over to see how Mrs. John Wess was and Mrs. McCarter said she was doing well but in dangerous condition.</p> <p>Wednesday August 20th</p> <p>Frank and I hauled out manure all day and Dad. hoed over in the garden. This morning we put all the sheep in the barn and greased the backs of the ewes which have the wool off. We separated the ewes from the rams and lambs and put the latter back in the orchard and will have the ewes in the field till the lambs are weaned. Dick came home to-night, he has decided not to go to Midland.</p> <p>Thursday August 21st</p> <p>We hauled out a few loads of manure this morning but had to stop twice on account of the rain, however Frank said the field was covered although he would have put another load on if he had time. This after noon Frank drove Joe down and had her shoes set and had Dr. Cook look at his eye which has been very sore for two days. There are some sort of pimples under the eyelid. Dad. and I took Belle &amp; Harry out to start plowing. Dad. struck out for a headland all around the field but old Belle was in no mood for work after her holiday and it took us about 3 hours to get once around the field. For the last stretch I brought out the cow sprayer and scared her into her collar by spraying at her from behind. Band concert to-night. This was supposed to be Boughner picnic day but for once it was a complete failure I suppose on account of the rain. Fine after noon.</p> <p>Friday August 22nd</p> <p>Frank and I hauled out manure to-day and got out {10?} loads. Frank hauled it out along the side road to-day. Dad. went down to Aunty's this morning and was down all day cutting the oats and fixing up the lawns &amp; paths. Frank's eye is better but not well by any means. It has been a fine day sunny &amp; breezy but not too hot.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Saturday August 23rd</p> <p>We are still at the manure and it is not out yet although the pile has dwindled considerably. Frank and I hauled out all day and Dad helped us put on some loads as he was cleaning out the little box-stall in the horse stable where Bill Philip's pig has been living. I went down town to-night with Frank and got my hair cut. We stopped in at Aunty's and were very much surprised to see Vernon &amp; Mrs. Millman, they had come up in the car this afternoon. I went down to the Casino for awhile to look on and there was an awful jam there. I came home with Charlie Quanbury and as he had mentioned when commenting on the great reception His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales is getting in all the Canadian cities that he didn't believe in Royalty, I spent considerable time trying to prove to him that the King &amp; his throne deserved more respect than that and that the British system of government was the nearest perfect of any nation on earth.</p> <p>Sunday August 24th</p> <p>Went to Sunday school and church this morning and so did all the rest of the family. Mr. Brand from Nanticoke took the services morning and evening. Dick and I stayed at Aunty's for dinner and I cut my oats. Vernon left on the four o'clock car so I waited till it went out and went down to the station to see her off then came home and did chores. Enah went down to church to-night. Frank went down to Ward's and I went down to the "sheep pasture, Bronzie". Quite warm, breezy.</p> <p>Monday August 25th</p> <p>Dad. Frank and Tid. went down to Aunty's this morning and got the oats that Dad. cut and we put them in the box stall. Frank will use them for bedding. I put in a post in the chicken yard to fix up a cross fence while they were gone. Dad. stayed down till noon to dig Aunty Alice's potatoes for her. Frank and I got out two loads of manure before dinner and nine I think this afternoon. I went down to band practice to-night. It has been quite cold and showery all day.</p> <p>Tuesday August 26th</p> <p>We expected to finish the manure to-day but although we hauled out 16 loads there is still a little left. Art Quanbury was in at noon to say that Neff had telephoned saying the Judging Competition would be Sept 3 &amp; 4th. To-night Dad. &amp; Enah went out to the Shands to see the Nixon's. I went down to Aunty's for awhile. Cool.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>{This entry is by Toby's father}</p> <p>cutting the East side of the field about 5 O'Clock and I got it all set up. Frank had a very sick turn just as he finished, so I brought the team up and he the cows. We did not get up much too soon for while I was milking we had a heavy rain, but it cleared up in time for Hattie to go down and meet George and Miss Sutherland. We all had tea when they got back, very cool.</p> <p>Sunday August 31st</p> <p>It was showery all morning nothing much but not nice to be out in. Hattie, George and Marion got ready for church but it rained when they were ready to start so they did not go and when it cleared off Dick and I drove Queen down with cream for Auntie and found out there was no service. Alice came over in the afternoon and stayed to tea Lila was over too. Dick came over in the morning having come up from Toronto last night by way of Gault. Cool and damp.</p> <p>Monday September 1st</p> <p>We were all up early this morning to get George, Marion and Frank off. Frank went down on the wheel. I drove the others down and got there Just in time to see the train move out. Marion ran and caught it, but as George could not she and Frank got off and went by way of Brantford. I came back home and by the time I got the cows up and milked and all the other chores done there was not much left of the forenoon. Enah and Tim drove over to Shands School house and Dick and I walked out, had a very nice time in spite of several light showers, but poor Mrs. {Hank?} Ryerse fell and broke her arm. Hattie and Dick went with her in Jack Walkers car to the doctors. There was a good number there in spite of the day being so showery It seems a long time to Thursday night and it is quite a grind going it single handed but I guess we will manage it.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>{This entry is by Toby's father}</p> <p>I did not manage to get much done today but the chores. I watered and fed the horses before it was good day light when I went in the stable after breakfast I saw poor Joe could not put her near hind foot on the floor on examining it I found a two inch nail in at the point of the frog and I had quite a time getting it out. I finally managed it with the hammer, she is very lame I had to take Harry and Queen to finish cutting the oats. Dick took the cows up for me. It has been fair and warmer to day.</p> <p>Wednesday September 3rd</p> <p>My troubles increased this morning when I found six head of cattle in the woods and it was late enough when I had my breakfast. Dick had to go to the dentists but he got home at noon and he and I went back after dinner and got the binder and it took us nearly all the afternoon to get it stored away. It has been fine and much warmer.</p> <p>{Toby takes up the entry again}</p> <p>Thursday September 4th</p> <p>Frank and I reached home to-night on the last car and were mighty glad to get back although we had a fine time in Toronto. Frank was sick to-day but felt better by the time we got home. I went in the beef cattle judging competition yesterday and did very poorly not getting in on the prize money at all. I judged Fruit and Vegetables to-day but don't know how I did. Frank was too sick to judge to-day but he judged sheep yesterday and I guess got something out of it. I spent most of the time taking in shows and at the Fair. Marj. was in Toronto last week and I went over to Hamilton on the boat with her on Monday, she went on to Dover from there. Fine weather</p> <p>Friday September 5th</p> <p>Dad. and I hauled oats off the back field to-day, we were late getting started as we had a lot to do and only got in four very small jags. We had to make them small as Belle was very much inclined to balk after her long holiday. We are stacking the oats outside I went down to see Marj. to-night. It has been quite hot all day.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Saturday September 6th</p> <p>We finished hauling the oats &amp; barley to-day but had quite a time doing it. Belle worked very nicely till the last two loads and then we put on pretty fair sized loads and the first one she balked on the hill when Dad locked the wheel but Dad. shoved it down on top of her so that she went off fairly well. The last load however was a real load and she stopped several times uninvited coming across the field but went off nicely when Dad. put a rope around her front fetlock. That little scheme failed to work however, when she felt the wheel lock on top of the hill but only seemed to make her worse. After working for quite awhile, Frank came back and he and Dad. by main force shoved the waggon down in spite of her. I then let her run to the top of the hill on the road and she went all right till we came to the barn. We had to haul this load in the barn as it only needed a few sheaves to finish the stack but she refused to go into the barn. All manner of persuasion failed to make her budge so Dad. tied her up solidly, took old Harry off and left her there till long after dark. We did the chores had tea and then took Harry out again and hooked him to the waggon and old Belle walked in without a word.</p> <p>Sunday September 7th</p> <p>Frank Tid and I went down to Sunday school this morning and Enah came down to church. Marj. and I stayed at Aunty's to dinner and came over here for tea Dad. &amp; Enah were over at Mrs. Battersby's when we got here at a reception for Mr. &amp; Mrs. Edwin Battersby who expect to go to Shanghai to live soon. Mr &amp; Mrs Millman, Kathleen, Nita, {Tow?}, Jessie Kirtland and Quint all came over in the car to-night. Rather cloudy but close all day.</p> <p>Monday September 8th</p> <p>Frank and I went to Simcoe this morning to get the fertilizer drill that Frank bought. We had to go out around by Wiggin's as the Gravel Road into Simcoe is blocked. We got the drill and got home about three o'clock. I went in to see Slaght again. He was sick again but his son told me that they had heard from Thompson saying he didn't want to sell the "Bronzie" property till he had seen it. When we had dinner we put the load of oats off in the barn and Dad. and I took Pommers &amp; Harry out for a while to get Pommers used to going. I went down to Fred Krell's to-night to get the address of a poultry farm. Very hot.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Tuesday September 9th</p> <p>Frank took Joe down to have her front shoes set this morning and Dad. and I tried to plow out in the old corn stubble with Pommers &amp; Harry but had to stop as the shear was too dull. The ground is very hard and the flies &amp; heat drive poor Pommers about crazy. Dad. came up and ground down one of the cast shears on the grind stone and we went back after dinner and it went fine. It was much cooler this after noon too. Frank took a grist to the mill this after noon with Belle &amp; Queen.</p> <p>Wednesday September 10th</p> <p>It rained most of the morning so we didn't do much. Alan &amp; Sam who had their separator over at Ivey's intending to thrash out of the field to-day pulled it into our barn out of the rain and if all's well will thrash for us in the morning Alan brought the engine over this after noon. Some of the cattle got out on the road so Dad. went to put them in. This after noon Frank and I got half a ton of soft coal. Frank went to the Riding Club to-night at Lynn Valley and I went down town. Dick got tickets for himself and Dad. as he is leaving for the West to-morrow and wants Dad. to go to Toronto with him. Alan &amp; Zeitha were over for awhile this after noon.</p> <p>Thursday September 11th</p> <p>We thrashed this morning but our granaries are in no danger of colapsing with their load. We have 10 bushels of wheat and 219 of oats &amp; barley and pretty poor stuff at that. Sam moved from our place to Pickford's and from there to Alfred's and thrashed the three places out to-day. Frank went down to Pickford's and Alfred's to help. Dad. &amp; Dick left for Toronto this morning. They were going by Galt. as Dick could get a ticket from here to Winnipeg going that way (all C.P.R.) for the same price as one from Toronto to Winnipeg. Dad. was very loth to go but we're hoping he will enjoy himself. Dick says he will have to stay till Saturday as he has arranged for him to come up with the Millman's in the car. After dinner I went back to fix a place in the fence on the side road where the cattle have been getting out, but found I couldn't do much alone as some wires were broken, It began to rain while I was back there and rained quite hard. When I got to the house I found Aunty Alice and Enah ready to start off in the pouring rain with Mexico &amp; the cart. Aunty Alice</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>came over to help Enah and said they must get back to post a letter. I persuaded them to take the buggy. I cleaned up the barn floor till it was time to do chores and I got them done up in good time. Frank got home in time to do his. Mostly fine.</p> <p>Friday September 12th</p> <p>Frank and I went back first thing and fixed the fence up where the cattle escaped. We thought we wouldn't take chances trying to plow with Pommers and as the ground is so hard we didn't like to put Queen or Joe on and we were sure Belle would balk so we didn't try it at all. Old Ross came and got his horse yesterday or we would have tried him. He has led a miserable existance out here as Dave was very mean to him and wouldn't let him near the gully consequently he spent the whole time up in this front field where there wasn't a thing to eat and occasionally Dave would break in there and kick him around. Frank and I spent the day trimming up the sheep. We got the eight yearling rams looing a little better but didn't give them a thorough carding. We were greatly excited at noon by the appearance of six aeroplanes flying over the place to the west. One of them looked to fly directly over our heads and stood between the shop and the woodshed. They were in a sort of cross formation. One ahead, one behind and two on each wing. Just as they got nicely past we saw one circle and light. It looked as if it came down about at Ham. Thompson's and in a few minutes we saw Colin Ryerse going up the road on horseback, that put Frank in the notion so he jumped on his wheel and went up. He was gone for a couple of hours but he found the machine. It had run short of gasoline and had come down about three mile up the Gravel in one of By. William's field. Frank said the flock had started from Buffalo for Detroit and were Americans on their way to Texas for the winter.The one that came down was the one that was first in the race between Toronto &amp; New York during the Exhibition. Mrs. Selby drove one of the aviators to Dover for gasoline and the other stayed by the machine and gave the crowd that gathered all this information. Frank said all the farmer's for miles around had left their teams to come and see it. He stayed till it went up and said it was very funny as they got young Lloyd Wooley to hold the tail down when they started the engine and he was pretty nervous and let go before he should have as he was under the ropes some way and</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>was afraid of being caught. The wind caused by the motion of the propellor is enough to blow a man over almost he said. We did chores up fairly early and I went down town to-night. Aunty &amp; Aunty Alice were looking for Walter &amp; Elsie as they are at Roy's and spoke of coming up either Friday or Saturday and they thought Dad would come up with them but they didn't arrive.</p> <p>Saturday September 13th</p> <p>Frank and I spent most of the day hauling in the straw from around the bottom of the stack. We got about a load and a half and put it in the horse stable loft. It took a long time to pitch it on and we had to move the slings from the barn. Dad. got home while I was milking. He, Walter, Elsie &amp; little John came up with the Millman's in the car. I guess Dad. had a pretty good time playing with the babies, Roy's &amp; Walter's.</p> <p>Sunday September 14th</p> <p>Frank Tid. and I went to Sunday school and Dad. and Enah went down to church. Morton Brown preached. There was no service to-night. We all went down to see Elsie &amp; John after church. Walter was in church with Aunty, but I was the only one who stayed to dinner. I spent the after noon up the beach with Marj. I came home about six and Frank and I did chores. Dad. Enah &amp; Tid went down this after noon and stayed at Aunty's to tea. I went down after tea, but was late as Nellie and I had a {free?} fight, she scratched one of her teats and I couldn't milk her, she kicked milk all over me. Marj. was down at Aunty's so I went up with her and when I came back it was raining so I stayed down all night.</p> <p>Monday September 15th</p> <p>Dad. and I plowed with Pommers and Harry this morning and got along very well, although we struck an old post in the headland next the lane and broke both whipple-trees so had to put on the iron ones. This after noon Frank and I had to go down and help Sam Law thrash, we were down all the after noon and to supper. Walter, Elsie, John and Aunty Alice were all over here for dinner and this after noon. To-night I went down to band practice but there weren't many out. I was in at Aunty's for awhile on my way home. Fine, cool.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Tuesday September 16th</p> <p>Dad. and I plowed all day and got enough done that Frank was able to bring Queen &amp; Belle out and work on it this after noon, he rolled and disked it. We quit at five and all went down town to-night. Frank, Enah and I went to the picture show to see "Miss. Wiggs of the Cabbage Patch" which I didn't think much of and Dad. and Tid stayed at Aunty's to say good bye to Walter &amp; Elsie. I went down on my way home to see them but they had just gone to bed. They are going in the morning.</p> <p>Wednesday September 17th</p> <p>We plowed all day again. Frank did odd jobs and waited all day for Belle to come up from the back field as she always has done as soon as the sun gets hot but she didn't come up for water till night so he couldn't work her, but he took Queen &amp; Joe out late in the after noon and harrowed a little. I went down town to-night to telephone Archie McEwen and ask him what prospects there were for selling one sheep but he was in Toronto so I couldn't get him. I went over to Dyer's and got my hair cut and then came home and polished my horn a little. Cool breeze but sun hot and flies very bad. Cold nights.</p> <p>Thursday September 18th</p> <p>Dad. &amp; I plowed this morning. Frank came out with Belle &amp; Queen and hooked to the roller, they weren't going just to suit Dad so he took them and Frank plowed. Just at noon Dad. had a bad accident. The double-trees on the roller came off and the tongue dropped throwing him forward and scraping his shin badly on the brace of the roller tongue. He couldn't walk at first for the pain but for a wonder he didn't break his leg. He has to keep his leg up all the time as it pains very badly when he puts it down. Frank and I kept on plowing this after noon and to-night we all went down to the Horticultural show. Enah &amp; Tid drove down and when they came home Frank went down I went with the band and we played.</p> <p>Friday September 19th</p> <p>Frank and I plowed all morning and this after noon till we finished the side of the potato patch, just as we finished a storm which had been threatening all the after noon broke and it poured rain soaking us We came up and both had a bath before changing putting on dry clothes. It rained all the rest of the day &amp;</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>night and I didn't go back after the cows. Aunty came over this morning to see Dad. and stayed to dinner but got down town again before the rain. I went down to-night.</p> <p>Saturday September 20th</p> <p>Frank went to the mill this morning and took some oats and wheat down for grist. I harrowed with Pommers and Harry all morning andf this after noon till I finished the piece and then I started to disk. Frank brought the other team out and rolled this after noon. The ground works up fine since the rain which soaked right through. Dad. was able to walk a little to day with the aid of canes. Frank went down town to-night and telephoned McEwen. He said he would be down to look at the rams soon. Cool.</p> <p>Sunday September 21st</p> <p>It rained nearly all morning but Frank and I drove down to Sunday school and church. Enah was very sick yesterday all day and although she was "up and about" to-day she didn't feel like going out so there was no organist in church and consequently no music. I stayed down at Aunty's to dinner and spent the after noon and evening up at the Monteith's, coming home at tea-time to do chores. Ade Millman &amp; his wife were up with the rest of the family in their cottage for over Sunday and they all came over here tihs morning in the rain but I didn't see them.</p> <p>Monday September 22nd</p> <p>Frank and I started in to plow on the other side of the potato patch this morning and have been at it all day getting on fairly well. Dad's leg felt quite a bit better to-day and he drove Mexico down town and stayed at Aunty's for dinner. I went down to band practice to-night.</p> <p>Tuesday September 23rd</p> <p>Frank and I plowed all day, we spent most of the fore noon striking out the rest of the piece and plowed four lands this after noon. Dad. walked out to the field this morning and said he felt well enough to disk if Belle came up, but she didn't come. I caught all my white chickens to-night and shut them up. I wanted to pick out the cockrels. Mrs. Millman, Nita, Kathleen, Orm &amp; a Mr. Bowyer all came over in Orm's car tonight and we spent an hilarious evening. Cool.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Wednesday September 24th</p> <p>Frank and I plowed all day, we got rather a late start and didn't quite get to the gully fence, which we hoped to do by to-night, leaving just the triangle to plow off to-morrow, however Frank says we can do it by to-morrow noon if we get a good start in the morning. Dad. has disked all day and helped me milk to-night as his leg is a great deal better. I went down town to-night.</p> <p>Thursday September 25th</p> <p>We got a late start this morning as it rained or drizzled and threatened to rain for an hour or two but then cleared off and has been fine but a cold wind all day. Owing to the delay we didn't quite finish the field by noon as we had hoped. After dinner Frank and I went over to Jack's and cleaned up enough wheat for our seed and then came back and finished plowing. Dad. disked and harrowed all day and is pretty tired to-night. I am afraid it didn't do him any good.</p> <p>Friday September 26th</p> <p>This has been a most unsatisfactory day as we don't seem to have accomplished very much. I went out this morning and finished harrowing the piece this side of the mangolds with Harry and Pommers while Dad. and Frank went over to Jacks and got the wheat and brought it and the fertilizer out to the field. We then brought the new drill out which takes three horses so there was nothing else for me to do. Frank started to drill but we found the fertilizer was running out too fast but Frank didn't know how to change it so as we only got 8 or 10 rounds drilled before noon, he went out to the Shand's right after dinner to see how they worked theirs. Theirs wasn't working right either but they didn't know how to fix it. On his way home he ran across Bill Cruickshank fixing his car on the road so he brought him in. They fixed it to sow less fertilizer but they couldn't throw the fertilizer feed out of gear. They fiddled away for about an hour and after Bill left frank had to tie a string on the grain feed shaft to keep it from slipping cogs and altogether most of the day was spent in just monkeying. However Frank kept at it till he finished the piece but it was after dark. Enah went down to the Millman's to tea to-night and I went down after tea and spent the evening at the Monteith's. Dad. has felt pretty miserable all day. Fine &amp; cool.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Saturday September 27th</p> <p>Dad. and I ran out the ditches this morning in the piece. Frank sowed with Harry &amp; Pommers and Frank rolled the other piece down with Belle &amp; Joe. This after noon I disked and Frank rolled and harrowed with Belle &amp; Queen. Dad. spent the after noon cleaning out ditches. An aeroplane circled over the farm this after noon and Enah who was down town said it was taking passengers out from Simcoe charging $10.00 for a ten minute fly. Young Arthur McPherson was over here playing with Tid. all the after noon and stayed to tea. He started off very bravely after tea when it was quite dark to go home but sent word back by Tid who went a little way with him that he wished he had said he was scared so Tid called him back. He curled up on the sofa to wait till Frank was ready to take him home but by that time was so sound asleep that he stayed all night and Frank went to tell the folks. It certainly is an eerie spot past Preston's barn &amp; Jonas' house after dark. Roy, Vernon and the children all came up with Mr. Millman in the car to-day.</p> <p>Sunday September 28th</p> <p>Frank and I went down to Sunday school and church this morning and I stayed down to dinner at Auntie's. Enah drove Mexico down and played the organ. This after noon Marj. and I went for a walk up the beach to the Chestnut opening. I came home to tea but was too late to do chores as I stopped in to say good bye to Roy who left at six o'clock. I went down again after tea and met the Millman's and Quint who were all coming over here to see Dad. He felt tired to-day and didn't go down at all. Beautiful day.</p> <p>Monday September 29th</p> <p>I finished disking the field lengthways this morning and then spent the rest of the day crossing it finishing it to-night. Dad. cleaned out ditches all day and Frank harrowed this morning but didn't bring the team out this after noon, I think he picked the big pears in front of the house. I went down to band practice to-night after which I went over to the Millman's for awhile. Kathleen was in the Lake when I got there. There was a man here from below Nanticoke to-day looking at the rams but he didn't buy as he wanted one registered in the American book. Fine day.</p> <p>Tuesday September 30th</p> <p>I went over to Charlie Quanbury's to thrash this morning</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>We started about 9.30 and finished by noon. Dad. &amp; Frank started to drill the other half of the field in and finished in the middle of the after noon. Then they ran out all the ditches before dark. I didn't do much this after noon but clean up a little and patch up the chicken yard fence. It was inclined to drizzle and was cold. The Millman's came over to-night to say good bye as they are leaving to-morrow. Nita was greatly excited over an adventure they had to-day. They were getting chestnuts from a tree along Farrar's place in Vittoria and a man shot at them. She was scared stiff and Aunty was with them and tried to keep Quint and Alan from getting their gun out of the car. Quint did get it however and pointed it at the man and he dusted for the barn in a hurry.</p> <p>Wednesday October 1st</p> <p>Mr. Fleming was in this morning for thrashing hands. He wanted two as Alfred is laid up with lumbago but the machine didn't get there till noon. Dad. Frank &amp; I dug potatoes this morning. We used Frank's digger that he bought at Billy Dixon's sale and it worked pretty well when there were no weeds but where they were thick we had to use the plow. We got eight rows dug out of the twelve but couldn't dig the other four as they would be covered. Dad. dug the ones which we got from Quanbury and which we think are Rural New Yorkers by hand and got a bag full which we will save for seed. Dad. &amp; Enah picked up most of the potatoes this after noon while Frank and I went thrashing. We thrashed wheat till about four o'clock and got 146 bushels and just as the mow waa emptied, the pan under the cylinder broke and Alan had to take it to town. We hung around for an hour expecting it to be fixed but as he didn't come back I came home. Frank stayed there to tea but they didn't thrash any more. I went down town to-night. Beautiful weather.</p> <p>Thursday October 2nd</p> <p>Frank and I went back to Fleming's and finished thrashing the grain, spring wheat and oats. We finished about half past ten and they put the oats through in a hurry. I was carrying away and part of the time couldn't keep the measures emptied fast enough to keep them from running over. When the finished the grain they pulled the clover mill into the barn and started on the</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>seed but Mr. Fleming said he wouldn't need both of us for that so I came home and took a stroll down through "Bronzie" where I found some fine pears. Right after dinner Art Quanbury came in to get me to go and help roof his barn so I was out there all the after noon, his father &amp; Charlie were out too but we didn't get on very fast as the roofing was hard to put on. It is corrugated iron sheets that has been on some military camp building and Art bought it cheap. It will make a good roof but is much harder to handle than new stuff would be. Charlie painted it with some tar roofing preparation as we put it on. To-night I went down and the band played a few selections at the little ceremony they had to present McCauly with a parchment from the Humane Society for the attempt he made last winter to rescue the little boys in the lake. Beautiful day but very warm.</p> <p>Friday October 3rd</p> <p>Frank went back to Mr. Fleming's this morning and they finished thrashing there and then moved to Jack Martin and were there all day. Frank went there too. I waited around for the Quanbury boy's this morning but they didn't come so I went out with Dad. and we plowed out the last four rows of potatoes. I then went over to Mrs. Battersby's and asked John if the boys intended working on the roof and he said they did so I walked out. At noon Frank sent word over by Tid. for me to go over to Jack's but I didn't go thinking the boys would want me on the roof but when they didn't come I supposed they were helping Jack so I helped Dad. pick up potatoes and we got four bags.</p> <p>Saturday October 4th</p> <p>Frank took some stuff to the mill this morning and Dad. and I raked up the weeds off the potato ground. I also washed the buggy. When Frank came back we hauled up the potatoes and the plow and harrows and then took the plow out to the old garden and brought up what few mangolds were any good. This after noon Marj. and I went after chestnuts and had a great after noon. It was quite hot but fine. We got quite a lot of nuts and no-one chased us. Marj. brought a lunch so we had it by the Vittoria creek and got home about nine o'clock.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Sunday October 5th</p> <p>As it was raining a littlle this morning Dad. drove Tid and me down to Sunday school and Frank rode his wheel. Dad. and Enah came down to church I stayed at Aunty's to dinner ansd spenrt the after noon with Marj. We went up to Miss Martin's and went to see the Patterson's but they weren't home. Dad took Vernon for a drive this after noon and left word at Aunty's that I needn't come home for tea so I didn't and went to church with Aunty Alice to-night It was raining when I started fir home so I turned in at Aunty's. I found Frank there too in bed.</p> <p>Monday October 6th</p> <p>Frank and I went home at half past five this morning and and made our departure so quietly that Aunty came down at six to call us. Sam and Alan Law were in while we were milking to see if we wanted to thrash our seed. They didn't want to thrash up the Gravel on account of Simcoe Fair. Dad. told them to come on down so they came about noon. Frank and I hauled in two loads of coal this morning and hunted up thrashing hands. We hauled a load of chestnut coal which was very poor looking stuff and as we had to take one third pea coal we took next time half a load of pea and half of soft. We thrashed all after noon and got the mow over the granary cleaned out and about four bags of seed. I went down to band practice to-night but there were so few there we didn't have any. Pete Holmes was having a dance in the hall so I went in and watched them for awhile. May Perry and Marj. came up while I was there to look on for awhile so I went home with them. There wasn't much of a crowd there.</p> <p>Tuesday October 7th</p> <p>We finished thrashing about ten o'clock and got out about seven bags and a half of seed. I got ready and went to Simcoe Fair on the twelve o'clock car but as it was the second day there wasn't much there. I saw Neff and a Mr. Manning a Y.M.C.A. man and had quite a talk with them. I came back at six with Vernon, Rebecca, Molly, Dick &amp; Alan Tibbits. The Zealand's rowed me across the pond from Ivey's stop. Gypsy had eight puppies last night.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Wednesday October 8th</p> <p>We separated the ewe lambs from the rams this morning and put them with the old ewes. Midget who has not been well for a day or two died this morning and Frank skinned her. I started to shingle the chicken shed roof this morning and worked at it most of the day but didn't make much showing as it is a long roof. This was Vernon's birthday and they all came over here for dinner. Dad. hooked Joe up to Mexico's cart and brought Aunt Ida, Vernon and the two children over and Aunty &amp; Aunty Alice walked. After dinner we went out and picked up hickory nuts for awhile. Frank went to the Simcoe Fair this after noon and got home at six, he said there wasn't much stock there. I went down town to-night. It froze quite hard last night.Only third white frost we have had.</p> <p>Thursday October 9th</p> <p>It turned much milder and rained all morning and has been cloudy all day. Frank and I husked hickory nuts most of the morning and this after noon went down and got a load of stove coal as Huby sent word over that it was in. To-night the "Moonlight Riding Club" to which Frank belongs spent their monthly meeting here. There were about a dozen of them and they seemed to have a pretty good time playing cards and with music.</p> <p>Friday October 10th</p> <p>Dad. Frank and I put the rails across the west bent in the old barn intending to move the alsike straw in and leave room for the calves underneath but by the time we got the rails in place the wind was so strong that we didn't attempt to move the straw. Dad. and Frank went out to clean out ditches in the wheat and I tried to pick the apples. There is only one tree in the orchard that has any number at all on and a there are a few basketfulls on the other trees. This after noon Frank took the old drill back which he has rigged up as a spring tooth cultivator and gave the potato ground a good sorting up. Aunty and Aunt Ella &amp; Rebecca came over this after noon Aunt Ella was attending a W.A. conference in Hamilton and came up here on her way home for a very short visit. She is quite a wonderful old lady, over seventy.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>and spry as a cricket. She walked up to see Miss Battersby this morning, over here and back this after noon and when I went down to-night she was up at church with Aunty Alice. She is very busy working on the Referendum just now and although she is a great temperance worker, she agrees with me that it would be a mistake to try to make prohibition too tight. Aunty Alice takes the same view of the case. Roy came up to-night to stay over Thanksgiving.</p> <p>Saturday October 11th</p> <p>It rained a little this morning and drizzled quite a lot. Dad. and I spent the fore noon rigging up box stalls over in the west bay of the old barn under the rails we put up yesterday. Frank cleaned out the fertilizer parts of his drill and put them away. We all three spent the after noon moving the thrashed alsike into the barn and putting it up on the rails, we got about half of it in. Gladys had {13?} pigs this afternoon, 3 died.</p> <p>Sunday October 12th</p> <p>Frank and I went down to Sunday school and Dad. Enah and Tid drove down to church. This was Thanksgiving service and they had the church very prettily decorated. Mr. Reford (I think that was the name) from Jarvis took the service. I stayed at Aunty's for dinner but came home for tea. I went up to the Davis' where Marj. had been for dinner and she and I walked around the hill stopping at Miss McQueen on our way back. I went down town to-night. Huby Roy and Vernon were all over this after noon. Fine day</p> <p>Monday October 13th Thanksgiving Day</p> <p>Dad. Frank and I spent the morning and part of the after noon moving the rest of the alsike straw into the barn. When we got it in I dug up the dahlia roots and Frank started to put the door of the barn back which was broken off when we were thrashing. Enah and Tid. have been down town all day visiting. I went down to-night to see if there was any band practice but there wasn't so I went down to Aunty's Huby and Aunty Maude were there playing bridge. They had nominations at Vittoria to-day and Jack withdrew and left it to Pratt and Cridland.Tupper was in this morning after thrashing hands. Lovely day</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>The paper to-day reports the wonderful recovery of two littlle girls in the Chicago hospital who were poisoned about two weeks ago by their crazy mother with bichloride of mercury. On Saturday Dr. Carter the specialist who has been working with them said there was no hope whatever for the eldest girl but to-day says that a real miracle has been performed and that they both will recover.</p> <p>Tuesday October 14th</p> <p>Dad. went over to Tupper's this morning and has been over there all day thrashing. Frank and I left for Simcoe first thing this morning and took the seed up. Frank stayed up there with it and had it cleaned but I came back with the team and got home about noon. I spent the after noon doing chores and put a few more shingles on the chicken house roof. Frank didn't get home till after dark. He got a check for about $2.40 for the alsike and there is about a bushel of red seed up there which they cleaned out but which they wouldn't buy on account of the dock seed in it, but as it is easy to get out of the field we thought we would sow it and sell a bushel of our red seed. Frank went down to-night to hear Cridland. Fine day rather cloudy.</p> <p>Wednesday October 15th</p> <p>I have been all day killing my crate fattened cockrels. I killed and picked the thirteen of them and finished soon after four. Dad. and Enah helped me take out the pin "feathers." I had to change all my apparel when I got through. Frank was all morning fixing up the fence along Iveys line and the front field and we put the rams in there &amp; the ewes over in the orchard and field east of it as the rams got so that they wouldn't stay in there at all and this morning the homliest one of the bunch was in with the ewes. Dad. cleaned out ditches this morning. This after noon Frank went down to the dentist's and up creek after school and didn't get home till about seven o'clock. I went down town to-night. Pratt had a meeting to-night at which Dr. Annie Backhouse spoke, she was at Auntie's for tea. It is wonderful and sad the way a crook and liar like Pratt is known to be can wheedle public sentiment into thinking he is an honest man and worthy to be their representative in the House. Alan Tibbitts was over this morning to say good-bye, for he is leaving for Fort Francis this after noon to get there in time to vote. It has been a beautiful day.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Sunday October 19th</p> <p>Frank and I went down to Sunday school, they didn't have a regular lesson but got the children ready to go to church as this was Children's day. They had a good turn out and the choir which was composed solely of children was fine. Nancy Dyer sang a solo. Rev. Ralph Mason preached a fine sermon for the young ones and they never wriggled all through it. I stayed at Aunty's for dinner and this after noon Marj. and I walked up the beach. I came home for tea &amp; went down again.</p> <p>Monday October 20th</p> <p>Dad. Enah and I spent most of the morning voting. I rode Joe out and Dad. and Enah drove Queen. There was a big crowd out at Wiggin's school house and we had to wait about an hour. We all voted for Cridland not that we wanted to see a United Farmer in but we wanted to kick Pratt out. I put three no's and a yes in the Referendum ballot, the yes being for the sale of booze through Government agencie's. Tupper was in and wanted to take Frank out to vote in Dick's name but Frank wouldn't go. This after noon Dad &amp; Frank slew Bill Phillips the pig with the "pimple". He made a pretty fair carcas. I put a few more shingles on the chicken house and to-night I went down town and got my hair cut. Pat. had a big bulletin out in front of the store giving the returns as they came in. There was a big crowd and every one was surprised at the results. The Hearst Government is badly defeated and Hearst himself with four 4 of his ministers are not elected. The United Farmer's have 40 seats. Liberals 31 and Conservatives 28 Labor 11 &amp; 1 independent. Pratt. was snowed right under. Cridland beating 'him' by about 1300. Port Rowan gave Pratt a majority of 45 but it was the only place. Dover went bone dry as well as all the country places. Four or five cities went wet.</p> <p>Tuesday October 21st</p> <p>We were supposed to go and help Ham Thompson fill silo to-day but it was raining when we got up and kept it up all morning. We didn't do any thing all day but sit around and read or write. I slept for awhile. Dad. went down to Aunty's this after noon. Frank and I went down to a J.F.I.A. meeting to-night. They appointed committee for next winter which I think will be a fizzle but I told them I was not going to do any more than president's duties.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Wednesday October 22nd</p> <p>Frank and I went up to Ham's this morning to help him fill his silo and were there till about half past three when we got it full, they had a good run. I was in the silo all the time tramping. I think Dad. put the pork in pickle. I went down town to-night. Fine day.</p> <p>Thursday October 23rd</p> <p>Frank went over to Jack's to fill silo this morning and was over there till about three o'clock when they finished. I went out with Dad. this morning to help him get started plowing as Pommers was feeling pretty frisky. I spent the rest of the fore noon picking apples and only got about two basketsfull, they were so scattered on the trees. I went out after dinner and helped Dad. strike out and then came up and shingled. Dad. has had a very lame knee to-day.</p> <p>Friday October 24th</p> <p>Dad. has plowed all day, his knee was much better Frank &amp; Tid. went down in the buggy this morning and got a few tile to fix the end of the tile drain out at the side road. This after noon he has done odd jobs. I have been shingling all day on the chicken house roof. Went down town to-night. Fine &amp; mild.</p> <p>Saturday October 25th</p> <p>Dad. started to plow this morning and I did a little more shingling but early in the fore noon it started to rain and we had to quit. Dad. got soaked coming in from the field. Tom came in and he was pretty well drenched too. Frank went to Simcoe to get some plow shears. It rained pretty much all day. I didn't do a thing but sit around the house and read.</p> <p>Sunday October 26th</p> <p>Raining again this morning but not hard and Frank and I went down to Sunday school, the rest came down to church. I stayed at Aunty's for dinner and Marj. &amp; I spent the after noon at Miss Martin's. I came home early and helped Dad. do chores as Frank was off at the Ward's with Gilly and Dad. Enah &amp; Tid went down to a duck supper at Huby's. Rev. Skey was there. I had my tea alone and went down to church and spent the evening at the Monteith's.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Monday October 27th</p> <p>It has been stormy all day and we haven't attempted to do any thing but chores except that Dad. and Frank went out and fixed the fence along the side road where the cattle broke through yesterday and got on Pickford's field. Young {Harn?} from Marburg was in this morning and bought a ram lamb for $22.00. He got him cheap but he drives a tight bargain and we needed the money. The lambs hind legs were a little crooked. Frank and I went down town to-night and I went to band practice but there were no cornets there so we didn't have any. I spent most of the evening down at Aunty's, they tried to teach me to play bridge.</p> <p>Tuesday October 28th</p> <p>It cleared off to-day and has been very windy &amp; colder. Dad. plowed all day but said it was very stiff. Frank has done odd jobs. I started to go down town this morning but had such a pain I lay down and slept it off. I went down this after noon and got a pair of rubbers from the man who bought Andrew out. To-night Frank and I went down to a committee meeting of the J.F.I.A. in our Sunday school. Neff &amp; Manning were down we had a fair meeting and arranged for a debate in two weeks</p> <p>Wednesday October 29th</p> <p>I went down this morning to help Uncle Ward pick apples (he asked me yesterday) and have been down there all day. I picked a fine lots of Spys all off one tree. I thought of going to Simcoe this after noon to see a poultry dressing demonstration but it was such a nice day I hated to quit picking so didn't go. Frank went over to Tupper's and picked a couple of bushels for ourselves. Tupper sold them to us for $1.25 a bushel. Dad. has been plowing all day. Zeitha &amp; Molly were over this after noon after mushrooms. Enah went down this morning and took Vernon &amp; the kids to the station as they went back to-day. Aunty Alice went to Brantford with them. I went down town to-night. Dad. &amp; Frank spent the evening studying Dad's income tax report.</p> <p>Thursday October 30th</p> <p>It has been another rainy day and we have done very little Dad. has spent the entire day and evening figuring and filling out his income tax forms. Frank helping. They are very complicated. Frank went to the mill this after noon. I just read and chored around all day. Very mild.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Friday October 31st</p> <p>It rained again this morning but then looked as if it had cleared off till noon and Dad. went out to plow he ran out some ditches and Frank threw the sod out of them. I spent the morning pruning the raspberries. It started in to rain about noon and rained most of the after noon Frank went down to the dentists and I just did chores &amp; sat around. I got four eggs to-day. My first pullet began to lay the day before yesterday. Frank went down to the Women's Institute Hallowe'en party in the Town Hall</p> <p>Saturday November 1st</p> <p>Dad. has plowed all day and Frank and I trimmed up all the ewes and marked all the long legged &amp; long necked ones to sell if any one wants them. We culled out 13 altogether including one lamb. We valued the lot at about $400.00 but don't suppose we will have a buyer. It has been colder to-day and rather cloudy.</p> <p>Sunday November 2nd</p> <p>Frank Tid and I went down to Sunday school and Dad and Enah went down to church. Aunty came over with us to dinner and Dad. and Enah went back with her to tea and went to church to-night to hear Larry Skey, who preached. Frank and I put the ram in with the ewes and then drove out to see Bill Sidway for awhile. We did the chores and I went down and met Marj. who came in on the nine o'clock car. She has been in Toronto helping Clara Gorrie get married. Mid. Thompson gave me a dollar to-night for our Donnybrook trip. Fine day but quite cool. It is very cold out West. Dick said in his last letter that he went to work the other morning but couldn't do any thing as the ink was all frozen so the manager got him to go with him to play cards.</p> <p>Monday November 3rd</p> <p>One of our yearling rams has been breaking through the fence and getting with the ewe lambs so Frank made a poke for him this morning and we put it on. We spent most of the remainder of the day pulling mangolds and got four rows pulled and covered with leaves for the night. Dad. has been plowing all day. We had letters from McEwen and a Wm. Burtch on the same mail route as Archie</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>inquiring about the yearling rams to-day. Frank went down town to-night and telephoned Archie and he said he would be down with another man either to-morrow or Wednesday. Cloudy &amp; cold east wind</p> <p>Tuesday November 4th</p> <p>Frank and I put the rams over in the colony yard this morning and trimmed up the lambs Dad. took the pork out of pickle and made fresh as he was afraid the first wasn't strong enough. He used a preserved egg to test the strength of it and is afraid that it floated in a weaker solution than a fresh one would have. About the time we finished the sheep it began to rain and kept it up till after dinner. I haven't done much all day except write out my side of the debate for the J.F.I.A. Frank has been working out in the barn tearing up the old floor and oiling the bobsleighs. Trum Walker was in for awhile.</p> <p>Wednesday November 5th</p> <p>Dad. has been plowing all day and Frank and I finished pulling the mangolds and got part of them piled and covered and part just covered with leaves to protect them from the frost till we can haul them in. Archie McEwen and Mr. Baily from Oak Park Farm, Paris. were down to look at the rams this after noon. Mr. Baily bought two which he thought were the best but we could only get $40.00 apiece out of them and McEwen didn't give us much hope of selling the rest although he said Mr. Burtch wanted some. We were rather disappointed about it. This was Aunty Alice's birthday and Enah and Tid went down and I sent her a dozen eggs. Charlie Blake was in to invite Frank and me down to a party at his place to-night. Frank went down but I went down town. Cloudy &amp; cold wind.</p> <p>Thursday November 6th</p> <p>Dad. plowed all day and got on very well. I was getting ready to haul in the mangolds this morning and Frank was down getting nails to make sheep crates, when Chris Quanbury came over and told Enah there was a long distance call put in at his mother's for her, she went over but found it was for me from Brantford.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>I waited over there a long time but couldn't get through. I was just going out the door having made an appointment for 12.30 when the call came and a woman's voice told me that Mr. Burtch had left on the 10 car and wanted me to meet him. The car was nearly due then so I ran home and hooked up Queen and drove down to the station. Huby went over to the station as the car was in and found out that Burtch had got off at Main St. and walked over having received directions from the conductor, so he was here before I was. He proved to be a very decent fellow but told us the ram market was all off this year and he didn't dare take any more rams off our hands than he knew he could place. He bought one for $30.00 and told us he would try to place the other five if we would let them go at $25.00 apiece. The long necked, parrot-mouthed fellow will have to be eaten I guess, and I don't know whether we will be able to sell any more lambs or not. Burtch helped us make a crate as he wanted the ram he bought shipped this after noon. He stayed to dinner and</p> <p>I drove him down to catch the one o'clock car. Then Frank and I crated up the ram and took him down to the after noon express. We got some lumber on our way home and by five o'clock had enough cut to make three more crates and had them partly put to-gether. The Quanbury's called Frank in on the way home as there was another phone call for us and he found it was Burtch wanting another ram to be shipped with Bailey's to-morrow. Frank finished putting the crates to-gether after tea to-night. Aunty Alice was over here to dinner. I went down to a card party at the Harry Moon's to-night. We played Five Hundred and had a very nice time Quint was there and won first gentleman's prize and Marj. won the Ladie's. Cloudy, raw.</p> <p>Friday November 7th</p> <p>Dad. has plowed all day. Frank and I crated up the three rams and got them off on the morning express. We hauled in one load of mangolds before dinner and three this after noon. We have them all in now except the piles. I went down town to-night and went over to Col. Smith's to call for Aunty Alice. Cold east wind, cloudy.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Saturday November 8th</p> <p>Dad. plowed all day. Frank and I hauled in the rest of the mangolds this morning in two loads. We put one load in the cellar and left the other on the barn floor to feed up. It took us till noon to pile them all down cellar and clean up the cellar floor. Frank helped Dad. do some ditching this after noon and I did chores. I bedded down the cow stable and put the cows in for the night. Horn came and took his ram lamb this after noon. I went over to Quanbury's and telephoned Neff as he wrote me yesterday asking me if I could go to Toronto on Monday to help him fix up an exhibit for the Fruit &amp; Flower Show. I'll go.</p> <p>Sunday November 9th</p> <p>Frank Tid and I went to Sunday School this morning and Enah came down to church. Tim. went to Huby's instead of going to church and he Quint &amp; Huby went up the creek &amp; stayed at Huby's to dinner. Marj. and I had dinner and spent the after noon at Aunty's, then we came over here for tea Quint and Tid came over with us. Zeitha came over to practise a song with Enah to sing to-morrow night when the Prince's flag is to be presented to the town and township for winning their objective in the Victory Loan. She wouldn't consent to stay to tea but after going down the road a little way on her way home she met Rex who scared her back and she stayed to tea and for the evening. I stayed at Aunty's all night to leave for Toronto in the morning.</p> <p>Monday November 10th</p> <p>I left on the 7 o'clock car this morning, left Brantwood at 10.17 and arrived at Roy's about noon. They hadn't received my card so were very surprised to see me. I went out to the Exhibition grounds right after dinner and was out there till six helping Neff get a little corner in the Transportation Building fixed up for the Norfolk exhibit, none of his stuff had come so we couldn't do much. I went back to Roy's at six for dinner and stayed there all the evening. It has been cloudy &amp; rained a little.</p> <p>Tuesday November 11th</p> <p>I went out to the Horticultural Show at eight o clock this morning and was out there all day and evening coming in with Neff for dinner &amp; supper at the Carls -</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Rite. I fully intended going home to-night at six o'clock but as Neff was not nearly through I didn't like to leave him. We were out there till after ten to-night and then were not through. This was the anniversary of the signing of the armstice and it was supposed to be observed throughout the whole Empire by every one stopping work at eleven o'clock for two minutes, this was the King's request. We stopped work out at the Exhibition and then sang "God save the King." and I guess the same thing was done all over. To-night there was a reunion and banquet for some battalion at the Carls. Rite. and {illegible} in for all the racket they made. There was an open air dance and general celebration up on University Ave. to-night and there were a couple of aeroplanes flying around all illuminated. We went up to University Ave on our way home to-night but the dance was over with.</p> <p>Wednesday November 12th</p> <p>I didn't get up very early this morning and went down town till noon to get some things. I hurried through lunch at Roy's intending to leave for home at 1.20 but I didn't give myself time enough to get to the station and missed my train by about two minutes. I had a shave and hair cut and went back up to Roy's for about an hour and left on the 4 o'clock train, it was a slow one and I didn't get to Brantford till nearly seven so didn't get to Dover till nine. I went up to Aunty's for a minute or two and then up town to see Marj. Cold to-night.</p> <p>Thursday November 13th</p> <p>Charlie Quanbury was through here before daylight and before anyone but Dad. was up on his way to light a fire in the engine and he wanted one of us to go over and help him thrash his alsike. I went over about nine o'clock and we finished about 10.30. When I got back I helped Dad. throw out some ditches in the corner field till noon and Frank plowed in there all day. Dad. finished the other field while I was away. This after noon Dad. &amp; Tid went down to Aunty's to bank up the house. I cleaned out the cow stable and spent most of the after noon cleaning out one end of the chicken shed and putting in fresh straw. It froze very hard last night and has been very cloudy and freezing quite hard all day.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Friday November 14th</p> <p>It froze hard last night but Frank was able to plow and has been at it all day. I went back to the gully this morning and chopped a hole in the creek for the cattle to drink then I spent the rest of the morning moving the hay around in the horse stable so that we could put some straw up there. We wanted to move the stack or what is left of it in to-day but it was too windy. I didn't do any thing much all the after noon but a few chores. We put the cows all in this after noon as well as Wilkins Micawber Knocfierna and Nancy. Wyatt Waddle and a Frost &amp; Wood agent were here this after noon to sell Dad. a mower. He said if they would alow him $40.00 on the old one he would get a new $90.00 one from them so they were going to try to deal it off. Enah went down town this after noon and sold four dozen eggs for me @ 65 cts. I got 16 eggs to-day. I went down town to-night and Frank went to a dance at Nanticoke.</p> <p>Saturday November 15th</p> <p>We spent most of the morning getting ready to haul straw we had to take the box off the waggon and put the rack on. We had quite a time with Wilkins Micawber who being homesick and lonesome for his ma was very persistent in his attempts to jump out of the pen, he did jump out once and we had to put another plank on. Another delay was caused by Ansin Abbott coming after his pigs. Dad. sold him the whole litter, nine, for forty dollars, one was a very runty one. We got two sling loads on and over to the horse stable before dinner but didn't put them off. We put them off after dinner and then while Frank went down town to send off an order to Eatons for a stove which we are getting for the dining room Dad. and I put on two more lifts and put them off in the horse stable. We had very poor luck putting it off as it was too short to lift. We then put on a fair sized load and hauled it in on the barn floor. Still cold but sunny, milder to-night.</p> <p>Sunday November 16th</p> <p>Frank Tid. and I went to Sunday school and Enah came down to church. I stayed at Aunty's for dinner and was there most of the after noon. Lila and I came over here about four o'clock, stayed to tea and went down again. I spent the evening with Marj. who had been in Vittoria with the Johnson's. Much milder</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Monday November 17th</p> <p>Frank plowed all day in the corner field. Dad. and I put off the load of straw that was on the barn floor and then started to move the stack in. We couldn't put it on the waggon as it was so windy but just shoved it in the door and piled it up on the barn floor. We got quite a little pile in by noon but Tupper was over and wanted one of us to help him thrash. Dad. went so that Frank and I could go down to a tea in the Sunday school to-night. I spent the after noon doing chores and I went down to the mill in the buggy to get some rolled oats and oil cake. 100 of oil cake cost me $4.75. I did the milking very early and Frank and I went down to the Sunday school a little after six but in time to get something to eat. Mr. Manning was there and a good turn out of boys and he addressed them on the organized Sunday School classes. Mr. Manning had to leave at seven o'clock so the meeting closed. I went up to Miss Martin's with Marj. and then went and got shaved and called for Enah at Aunty's about eight and we went up to a party at Ada's. We had a very nice time, there were only a few there, two tables playing bridge and Winnie. Jim Emmet &amp; Miss Perry (Mrs. Freeman's sister) playing Rummy. Lovely day.</p> <p>Tuesday November 18th</p> <p>Frank has been over at Tupper's all day thrashing. Charlie Quanbury told me on his way to the farm that there was a telephone call for me so I went over and found it was Mr. Burtch who wanted me to ship the two best rams that were left. Dad. and I spent the rest of the morning building a rcate. We had one crate which Burtch had shipped back to us. We took the rams down to the station right after dinner and left them, then came home around by Aunty's, Harry Battersby rode over the hill with us to Mrs. Battersby's. When we got home we put more of the straw stack in the barn &amp; got most of it in. It was a beautiful morning but turned colder this after noon and snowed quite hard for a short while.</p> <p>Wednesday November 19th</p> <p>Frank went over and thrashed at Tupper's all day and said they would have another half day of it but he said he wouldn't go back to-morrow as I want to go with Neff. He was down yesterday morning and said he was going to take the Courtland boys up to Burford &amp; Paris to judge stock to-morrow and invited me to go along. Dad. and I ran out some ditches in the corner field this morning and</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Dad. plowed the rest of the day. I threw out ditches till noon and spent most of the after noon doing chores. I went down town to-night and stayed down. Cold west wind to-day.</p> <p>Thursday November 20th</p> <p>I went to Simcoe on the early car this morning and walked up to Neff's place, he was just getting the car out when I got there to take his brother up to their orchard. It was pretty frosty so I went back with them to his office and waited there till Neff got back. We started on our trip about eight and went to Mr. Knight's at Vanessa where we were supposed to meet the Courtland boys. We were there for a long time looking over his dual purpose shorthorns. He has some good milkers and his bull is out of Moore's old Dairymaid but all the stock was thin. At last when the boys didn't appear we went up to Vanessa and found them all waiting there as they had forgotten the name of the fellow we were to see. We didn't go back to Knight's as it was late but went on over to Burtch's at Mt. Pleasant. He has some fine Shrop. ewes and we had two good classes of judging. I saw one of the rams we shipped him and he gave me a checque for them. From there we went to Brantford &amp; had dinner at our old chink cafe, it is a good place. After dinner we went over to Burford and were there quite awhile looking at Brethour's Yorkshires. He is fitting up a bunch to take to the International and certainly had some beauties at least if such an adjective can be applied to hogs they were when judged by their own standards. From Brethour's we went over to Gurney's at Paris and were there till dark looking at Belgians. We started right for home from Gurney's but Neff took a road he wasn't familiar with and just north of Scotland we struck an awful bit of trail going through a swampy piece of bush. We thought several times we were going to be stalled and there was no possible chance of turning around. Neff and I were ahead in his Ford and the other boys were following us in a McLaughlin &amp; a Gray Dort. However we did get through it eventually and stopped at Scotland for Neff to fill his car with water, when the other boys came up there was some tall language used at Neff for taking then over such a road. That was the last we saw of them for they struck off west from Scotland on the Talbot road for Delhi while Neff and I came right down the town line to Simcoe. I had tea at Neff's</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>place and then he drove me down to the L.E.&amp; N. station where I caught the nine o'clock car. The weather couldn't have been nicer.</p> <p>Friday November 21st</p> <p>Dad. plowed all day and got on well. He was at it yesterday but it was frozen so hard he had a hard time Frank and I spent the morning throwing out ditches. This after noon we (Frank &amp; I) went down town and got a load of coal as Huby sent a note over to say there was a car in. It is what they call washery not coal and is dull owing to the fact that it has been out in the weather for a year, it is also full of clinkers. Frank &amp; I went down town to-night and he went to the Women's Institute dance in the hall. It has been milder &amp; stormy looking.</p> <p>Saturday November 22nd</p> <p>Dad. was up at five o'clock this morning and so was in time to see Frank getting home from the dance. He just changed his clothes and went to work without any sleep. Dad. plowed all day and got a lot done as he had such a good start. Frank and I put up the straw that was on the barn floor this morning into the mow. This afternoon I did chores and we unloaded the coal we got yesterday. Frank went down town to-night and met George who came up from Allanburg to spend Sunday. Frank went to bed as soon as he got home. There was supposed to be an eclipse of the sun this morning but it was too cloudy to see it. Cloudy all day.</p> <p>Sunday November 23rd</p> <p>Frank and I went down to Sunday school and I alone went to church. Marj. came over here to dinner and we have all been home all after noon and evening. Frank, Tid and George went out for awhile with the rifle this after noon Quint came over here to tea and spent the evening. The Grand Trunk round house burned down last night and ruined the two engines. Fine but a rather cold wind.</p> <p>Monday November 24th</p> <p>Dad. has plowed all day and got on very well. Frank and I went down and got a load of soft coal this morning. We took George down with us and he left on the eleven o'clock car. We also took Gypsy down to Quint who is going to take her up to Bill Oakes at Turkey Point. Bill has charge of Dr. McInnes's "farm" there and goes halves with the</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>doctor on the trapping and shooting. The doctor has gone to South America for the winter. Dad. suggested to Quint that he take Gyp. up there and put Tid. off by saying that Bill would train her and send her back. Tid was quite willing for her to go yesterday but as the hour of parting drew near he decided she shouldn't go. Frank took her however and Tid was overwhelmed with grief. This after noon I did chores and Frank let down the lane fence on the posts along the wheat so that the sheep couldn't get in and pulled what few turnips there were and then we went out with Joe &amp; Queen and got them. Fine day.</p> <p>Tuesday November 25th</p> <p>Dad. was out at daybreak this morning and got in a good day's plowing. Frank and I spent the day doing odd jobs. We battened up Moonshine's stall this morning and Frank fixed the manger in the corner where he stood all summer and put Kate in so that he can feed her. He sold her to Karl the other day but he doesn't want to take her yet, so said he would pay for the chop she ate if Frank would feed her. I put tar paper around the little apple trees this after noon to protect them from the mice. Aunty Alice was over for a few minutes this morning and brought some salve for Tid's forhead. Frank and I went down to the J.F.I.A. social evening in the Sunday school to-night. There was a big turnout and we had quite an hilarious time much after the fasion of the ones we had last winter. It has been mild &amp; cloudy and rather misty all day.</p> <p>Wednesday November 26th</p> <p>Dad. plowed from day light till dark and got a lot turned over. I spent nearly the whole day doing chores but went out for awhile and cleaned out a few ditches. Frank has felt rather tough all day with a pain but he did a little ditching and this after noon went down and helped Tige clean out the Sunday school. I went down to band practice, there were about half a dozen there and we sat around the stove talking about the income tax till about nine o'clock then I went downstairs and ran across Marj. so went up and spent the evening with her. I came back past the hall where there was a U.F.O. meeting going on so I asked Corby if they practised. He said they did a little and Clare Deal took my horn home. Cloudy &amp; freezing raw east wind.</p> <p>Thursday November 27th</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Dad. plowed all day but as it has been freezing a little ever since yesterday it plowed pretty stiff and he didn't get quite so much done, however, he is just about to the old cherry tree so will soon be done. I cleaned a few ditches this morning but spent most of the day doing chores. Frank took some oats to the mill this morning but there wasn't enough water to chop it. I went down to Aunty's to tea to-night. Marj. was there and after tea she Aunty Alice &amp; I went to see "Venus in the East" at the picture show. After the show Aunty Alice went to play bridge at Cousin Clare's and I called for her.</p> <p>Friday November 28th</p> <p>It froze hard last night and there was no chance of plowing and most of the morning was spent doing chores and gettin Enah &amp; Tid. started off for Toronto. They went to Brantford on the eleven o'clock car and were going to take a train for Toronto from there after dinner.They drove Mexico down town and Dad. walked down, stayed to dinner and drove back this after noon. He said Tid. at the last minute was very loth to leave and seemed quite sick.They didn't know whether he was cold or excited, but they persuaded him to go as far as Brantford and then if he still felt sick he could come back, but as they haven't showed up I guess he recovered. This after noon Frank borrowed Jack Martin's hog crate and we weighed up his four hogs, they just averaged 200 lbs apiece. We did chores up early and I went to bed soon after tea and Frank went out to Bill Sidway's.</p> <p>Saturday November 29th</p> <p>Frank got breakfast this morning and right after breakfast Dad. left home and didn't show up till after dinner. He went down to Aunty's to clean up a little down there around the barn. Frank has been doing housework all day and I have been doing chores. It began to rain quite early this fore noon and has kept it up all day clearing off at night and a strong west wind taking its place by ten o'clock there was a regular hurricane blowing and it was increasing in violence. Frank went down town to-night and said when he got home that there were several trees blown down and the false front above the roof of Hugh McQueen's store had blown off.</p> <p>Sunday November 30th</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>The wind was still very high this morning and has abated very little by this evening but has not been so strong as it must have been during the night. We got off with very little damage. It blew the north doors off the old barn and two or three boards from the big barn and tipped over the "library." When Dad. got up the windmill had blown in gear and was going like mad. He ran out to shut it off with scarcely any clothes on and nearly froze. He found the barnyard half flooded. We heard later that the wind blew Edmond England's windmill down and the head of John Wess's. It wrecked the big drying kiln over at the brickyard and blew down a new building that Kolbe was just putting up. Frank &amp; I went down to Sunday school and church this morning &amp; stayed at Aunty's for dinner. This after noon I drove down to Nanticoke to bring Marj. home as she went down to the Banfield's Friday night. The roads were rather rough but it wasn't bad. I was bundled up so with Dad's fur coat I couldn't feel the wind. I took a fur coat of Aunty Alice's down for Marj. so she didn't get very cold. We got home soon after six. I came home and had tea and then went back down town again. Frank &amp; Alex England went down Mud Street to-night.</p> <p>Monday December 1st</p> <p>We haven't done much but chores to-day, they take most of our time now that the cattle are all in. Dad. fixed the fence that the wind blew down and nailed on the boards that had blown off and we re-established parliament. Aunty came over and helped Frank get dinner but didn't stay long after dinner. I shifted the chickens around to-night. I put the old hens in where the roosters were and put all but two of them in the fattening crate. I left one in with the old hens and put the one that was so full of fight in with the pullets. Fine day, freezing all day, cloudy. Owing to the coal-miner's strike and the shortage of soft coal The G.T.R. has taken off 70 trains from Ontario lines, all our midday trains being included so that we don't get our mail till the day after it comes in now. Jim comes early.</p> <p>Tuesday December 2nd</p> <p>Did nothing but chores to-day. Dad. went down to Aunty's for dinner but came home right after and we brought the rams up and put them in the field back of the barn. It snowed last night and quite a bit this morning and to-night is 10° above zero. Frank and I went down town to-night. Lovely night but frosty.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Wednesday December 3rd</p> <p>Have put in most of the day doing chores, but made a box this after noon to ship my pair of dressed cockrels up to the Winter Fair and Frank painted it for me. Tupper came over after dinner and took Dad. over with him to help him kill his old sow, so Dad. was over there all the after noon and to tea. He shouldn't have gone as his cold made him feel sick and he got cold over there. To-night I went down to band practice. Freezing all day and 8° above zero to-night.</p> <p>Thursday December 4th</p> <p>Aunty Alice came over to dinner to-day and thought Frank's housekeeping was splendid, if he keeps on he will make a fine wife for somebody someday. Besides the chores we managed to get time to put the old box stove out of the shop up in the dining room this morning and to-night Dad. has a fire in it and it is nice and warm. We ordered a Quebec Heater from Eaton's but it was too cold to wait for it to come. Dad. went over to John Wess's this after noon to ask him if he had any intentions of selling out but he wasn't home, both he &amp; Mrs. McBride are in bad shape. I went down to the mill in the buggy after some chicken feed. Milder.</p> <p>Friday December 5th</p> <p>Dad. has done most of the chores to-day as I put in a lot of time killing and fixing up my cockrels which I am going to send up to the Guelph Winter Fair. I killed four and will take the two best and send them up. I had good luck killing and plucking them and as there were no pin feathers they looked very nice. I found the box I had made to ship them in was too small so I went over to Jack Martin's this after noon and got another. They were boxing up a shipment of chickens for Australia over there. I am going down town to-night. It has been milder but still freezing.</p> <p>Saturday December 6th</p> <p>I made another box to ship my cockrels in this morning and got them packed and shipped by this afternoon's express. Frank and I went down town in the waggon and got a bag of sugar whch Aunty ordered for us the other day and got some chop at the mill. Aunty Alice was over to dinner and most of the after noon darning socks for us. Snowed all after noon, milder.</p> <p>Sunday December 7th</p> <p>Frank and I went down to Sunday school and church and</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>stayed at Aunty's for dinner. Frank went home right after dinner but I stayed down all afternoon and evening and had tea at Aunty's and went to church with Aunty Alice &amp; Dad. I spent the after noon and evening with Marj. Dad. did all the chores and came down to Aunty's for tea. He took Molly for a sleigh drive this after noon but the cutter didn't slip very well. Fine day.</p> <p>Monday December 8th</p> <p>We haven't done much to-day but chores. Frank has been very busy all day getting the house slicked up in preparation for Enah's &amp; Tid's homecoming to-night. He has made a fine housekeeper and cook but looks forward to chucking the job to-morrow. Dad. and I drove down town with the cutter as soon as we got the night chores done but had to wait around town for nearly an hour as the seven o'clock car was very late Enah &amp; Tid were aboard and Dad drove them home and I walked. Frank had a good tea already for us when we got home and I was ready for it. Enah and Tid both had a good time in Toronto but were glad to be home.</p> <p>Tuesday December 9th</p> <p>It turned very mild during the night and rained all morning and has been very spring-like all day. I spent most of the day doing chores and Dad. and Frank fixed up a place to hang pigs as we expect to kill to-morrow. Frank and I went down to a J.F.I.A. meeting to-night in the Sunday school. It was supposed to be an agricultural evening and in the hands of that commitee but as Lloyd &amp; George Ryerse were the only other members present we adjourned and Frank and I went down to Auntys for the remainder of the eveing.</p> <p>Wednesday December 10th</p> <p>We had intended butchering our hogs to-day but it was so cold and windy that Dad. decided not to. He went over to Tupper's to tell him so as Tupper was coming over to help. Dad. was over there most of the morning. Tupper told him that he had sold out to Tom Butler and his pal. Neil Elliot was in after dinner and bought Snowdrop for thirty dollars. I wernt down to band practice to-night. Very cold &amp; windy, near zero.</p> <p>Thursday December 11th</p> <p>It was still very frosty this morning but the wind had died down so Tupper came over to slay our porkers. I didn't have much to do with the ceremony as I was</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>busy doing chores. I did help a little after the pigs were scalded but couldn't work hard enough to keep warm, so quit. Right after dinner I took poor old Snowdrop down to the Dog's Nest where Neils man was to call for her. I didn't see him but tied her in the Gospel Hall shed and left her. I just did chores after I got home. They finished the pigs about three o'clock and the four of them hanging behind the shop make it look as if we wouldn't starve this winter anyway. Aunty. Marj. &amp; Win all came over here to tea and we had the crate fattened roosters.</p> <p>Friday December 12th</p> <p>Dad. has put in the entire day dissecting the dead pigs and got through by to-night and has the woodshed piled full. I put in most of the day doing chores. Arthur Preston was over this afternoon and told us they were going to thin half the trees out of their orchard and that if we would clean them out we could have all the wood for doing it, so Dad. was higly pleased with the proposition. Jack Walker was over canvassing for subscriptions to a fund to buy a new organ for the church. I went down town to-night but it was raining when I came home so I stayed at Aunty's all night. Huby got moved to-day to their house up on St Andrew Street. Turned soft last night. Very mild all day.</p> <p>Saturday December 13th</p> <p>I did chores this morning and Dad. &amp; Frank took Gladys down to Clarence Finch's. This after noon Frank and I hauled home a load of chestnut coal as Kolbe just got a car in and we put it in the old coldframe near the colony house as I intend to use it for a brooder. Dad. has been busy all after noon and evening putting the pork in the pickle. Colder.</p> <p>Sunday December 14th</p> <p>Frank and I went to Sunday school and church. Frank rode his wheel and took Tid. down on it but Tid. was so cold when they got to Aunty's that he stayed there till he got warm and then walked home. Marj. came over here to dinner to help eat spare ribs and she stayed all the evening. Enah went down to choir practice this after noon. Frank lit out for Mud Street after dinner and didn't get back till night Dad. and I did up the chores but didn't milk. Dad. went down after tea to see Aunty Alice as her cold was bad and she had a lame back. Very cold.</p> <p>Monday December 15th</p> <p>I went over to John Wess's this morning to inquire after them and John told me that Mrs. McBride was down in bed</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>now and couldn't get up. It looks pretty tough for him and he is all alone with her, he himself is just able to limp around and do the chores, but he expects Cam. home this after noon. I went over to Jack Martin's for awhile when I got back from John Wess's to ask them about a stove brooder and Chris. told me that he might be able to get one for me from a man in Galt. I went to Simcoe on the one o'clock car and took my sample of milk to Neff and priced the brooders at Boyd's. The size Chris advised me to get cost $33.00. I came home on the 3 o'clock car. To-night Marj. and I went to the Methodist church to hear Capt. Martin give his lecture Jean Valjean. Frank and Lila were there but there was a very small crowd, the lecture was very good. Very cold &amp; windy all day. Below zero to-night.</p> <p>Tuesday December 16th</p> <p>It was very cold this morning, below zero and a strong wind and although we were up fairly early it took us some time to thaw out and start to work. Frank went to prime the pump at the windmill this morning but the water froze immediately between the pump rod and the pump lead and as the windmill was in gear it broke the wooden jerk rod. Frank went over to Tupper's after breakfast to help him move some thrashed hay, but they didn't do much at it and Frank came home after dinner. I went down to Sam Law's to thrash this after noon. I didn't do very much as there was only a very little bit and Charlie Quanbury couldn't keep warm at it alone. We finished about four o'clock and then had supper. Sam got about three bags of seed. I went down town to-night.</p> <p>Wednesday December 17th</p> <p>Dad. and Frank went down to Preston's this morning and cut one of the trees. They were going back right after dinner but Frank fixed the jerk rod in the windmill first, and then Ham Thompson came after his {illegible}. Karl. Coleman also came and got Kate. Then Pickford and Tom. Butler came over and Pickford bought one of the yearling rams to kill. By the time they left it was too late to cut more wood so they just took the waggon down and hauled home what they cut. I went down to Aunty's to tea to-night. Marj. was there and she and Aunty went up to the Girls' Branch and I went to band practice. Neither of our meetings ammounted to much owing to lack of gas so Marj. and I went over to Miss McQueen's for awhile and then I spent the evening over at the Monteith's with her. I left my horn at Hec. Henderson's but when I went to get it the door was locked. Hasn't been above zero all day but clear &amp; no wind.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Thursday December 18th</p> <p>Dad. and Frank went down and cut a couple more trees in Preston's orchard this morning. I didn't do much but hang around waiting for Pickford as we expected him over to get one of the yearling rams to kill. He didn't come however. As there was no wind to pump to-day we had to carry all the water for the stock and so we spent most of the after noon doing chores. Frank drove down town to get a lot of Christmas groceries and a box to send Elva one of the pups in. I went down town to-night to see if Marj. intended going home to-morrow. I didn't see her but found that school started again to-day so she won't be able to go till Saturday. School has been closed since Monday as some grater in the furnace had to be replaced and they just came yesterday.</p> <p>Friday December 19th</p> <p>Pickford and Tom. Butler came over and got the ram before we had breakfast this morning. The ram weighed 155 lbs and he gave us 8 cts a lb for him. Frank and I drove down town right after breakfast and shipped the pup to Elva by the L.E.&amp; N. express. I stayed down at Aunty's all morning and chopped some wood for them to cook the spiced round. Frank and Dad. went down to Preston's this morning and sawed up some more apple wood and this after noon Frank went over to Tupper's and helped him put in the rest of his thrashed hay, while Dad. and I just did chores. To-night Frank and I went down town and I spent the evening with Marj. She is going home to-morrow. Frank went to the W.I. dance and is staying all night at Aunty's intending to go to Allanburg in the morning to spend Sunday with George. He had a letter from George saying that their office down there had been burned to the ground and Ed. Turner lost every thing he owned. It has been bitterly cold all week but is a little milder to-night.</p> <p>Saturday December 20th</p> <p>Dad. and I went down to Preston's this morning and sawed up a little more wood, and this after noon hauled a load home. Aunty was over to tea to-night as it was Tid's birthday. I went down with her and went up town for awhile to get some Christmas cards. Beautiful day but no wind to pump water.</p> <p>Sunday December 21st</p> <p>I went down to Sunday school and church but have been home all the after noon. Dad. and Enah went down this after noon to choir practice and Enah stayed down to tea and went with {Name?}</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Walker to Hagersville to-night to hear an organ in the Methodist church there. It has been a beautiful day but no wind to pump water and we are at our wit's end to know what to do as we daren't take too much out of the well it is so low and the cistern is nearly empty and we can't pump enough by hand from the well at the windmill as something is wrong with the sucker and only the windmill will pump it. It has been much milder to-day &amp; yesterday but by no means soft.</p> <p>Monday December 22nd</p> <p>Dad. spent most of morning drawing water out of the well at the windmill as there has been no wind to pump. I killed my five roosters. Bob Doherty was in this after noon and I promised him 12 of the lambs @ 14 cts a lb. To-night Enah and I went down to the confirmation service at which Lila was confirmed. Frank got home to-night. Mild but rather foggy all day.</p> <p>Tuesday December 23rd</p> <p>Frank and I took Dick's box down to the Express office this morning and then bagged up some oats and took them down to the mill. Al. Faulkner came over and got six of his geese and we kept two for our share. I went over to John Wess's this after noon and Frank and Tid got a Christmas tree. We went down to J.F.I.A. to-night but no-one was out.</p> <p>Wednesday December 24th</p> <p>Didn't do any thing very important this morning. Frank went down town on his wheel and got some cabbage at Uncle Ward's &amp; took Cousin Loll one of the crate fattened cockrels. McEwen and a freind another McEwen were down this after noon and the other man bought two yearling ewes for $35.00 apiece. George came to-night.</p> <p>Christmas Day.</p> <p>We all went down to church this morning, spent most of the after noon doing chores and had dinner over here at night. Huby supplied the turkey. Dad. brought Aunt Ida over in the cart and the rest all walked over. All from Huby's, all from Aunty's and Cousin Clare made with ourselves a party of 15. We had a tree after dinner and every one got loaded with presents. It has been very cold all day, 8° below zero this morning.</p> <p>Friday December 26th</p> <p>Dad. hauled the two sleepers out of the big barn this morning and this after noon we cleaned the remains of the driveway floor out of it, so that now we can let the sheep in and drive in if we need to. We all went down to Aunty's to-night and had a fine evening. Much milder. George stayed down all night at Aunty's as he intends leaving in the morning.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Saturday December 27th</p> <p>Frank and I drove down in the waggon this morning and got some nails &amp; lumber to make sheep crates and feeding racks and we spent most of the after noon making a couple of crates to ship McEwen's yearlings in. I worked all the evening at my show card course and got the first lesson fairly well done. It has been much milder to-day.</p> <p>Sunday December 28th</p> <p>Frank Tid. and I went down to Sunday school and Enah walked down to church. Aunty came over with us to dinner. Dad. had to draw up water for the cattle this after-noon as there wasn't wind enough to pump. Frank went skating this after noon and he and Alex England went off for a drive to-night. I spent the evening reading "An Irish Cousin", which Roy &amp; Vernon sent me. Fine and cold.</p> <p>Monday December 29th</p> <p>First thing after breakfast this morning Frank &amp; I took our two ewes down and shipped them by the 9.45 express to McEwen at Mt. Pleasant. We had to get some things up town and stopped at Aunty's for awhile so it was nearly noon when we got home. This after noon Frank went down and got a file and then took the cross-cut saw over to John Evans, who showed him how to sharpen it, and he brought it home all honed up in great shape. Dad. went over to see John Wess this after noon. Cam. told him that his mother had been very sick the other night and they were afraid she wouldn't pull through the night but she was a little better to-day. Cam. said he didn't know at all what his father intended to do and didn't like to ask him as he felt so upset. Dad. went down to see them at Aunty's to-night and I worked all evening at my show card course. It has not been so cold to-day and is stormy to-night.</p> <p>Tuesday December 30th</p> <p>Dad. decided this morning that as all conditions except the roads being so favorable we had better haul our ice now so Frank and I went down after a load as soon as we could while he cleaned out the ice house. The first load we put off outside as Dad. didn't have the ice house ready and we hauled another before dinner and put it in. Frank hauled three this after noon alone and I chinked them, while Dad. did the chores. It is beautiful ice</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>clear and solid right through and the cubes just the right size to handle nicely. It is a little harder on the horses hauling it in the waggon especially as the roads are pretty rough it spots but it is nicer to unload. Very mild</p> <p>Wednesday December 31st</p> <p>We finished filling the ice house to-day, this being the earliest I think we have ever had it filled. Frank hauled three more loads this morning and we put the load that was outside in this after noon and then Frank wend down and hauled a load of saw-dust to pack it. He also saw old Felix Perkins who said he would be over in a couple of days to fix the pump as it isn't working at all satisfactorily. Frank and I went down town to-night. I thought there might be band practice but as there wasn't I went around to Harry Dyer's and got my hair cut. I was there till about 11 o'clock. Frank went to the W.I. dance and I went up about 11, but only went on the floor once with Dess. I spent the rest of the time with Bub. &amp; Dess in the gallery watching the circus below which was just as much fun and far safer. I went home with the girls about one o'clock and then came on home, thus ushering in the year 1920.</p> </div> transcribed https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/3e49a268117a30bf36b4dbd6b5830904.pdf 12cef13ff6b4b15f8e96a3c457d2ee89 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. DIARY. 1920-21. T.B.Barrett, Port Dover, Ontario. Cnocfierna. From January 1st 1920 to April 15th 1921 https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/8f2d4886b294cbdd1142585952194b7d.pdf dd12ff1a2359008ed7f4b086febd8f0c PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. {Left page blank} Thursday January 1st 1920 The New Year found me leaning over the balcony in the gallery of the town hall with Bub. and Dess watching the noisy crowd of dancers below us with a certain ammount of amusement but with no desire to join them. My feet were too sore with chilblains to dance anyway, but Bub's society was just as congenial if not more so than any one else's there, in fact there were very few of my freinds there and the great majority I didn't even know, and judging from appearances am not at all particular about making their acquaintance. We soon became tired of our show and went home early. It is a long time since I have had a visit with Bub and our conversation had been mainly reminisent of our high school days of ten years ago. It sounds a long time but looks only a matter of a few months when the happenings of the interval are not considered. Certainly, though, those happening's have meant a great deal to the poor old world and I wonder what effect they will have on the history of the decade we are now beginning. Although the war has been over now for more than a year, the spirit of strife is still rampant in all countries and manifests itself in the strikes, riots and general restlessness <s>with</s> which all people have been suffering from. Up till now conditions don't show much sign of improvement but it must come to an end eventually, and I suppose, when the old world does get<s>ting</s> running smoothly again. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/eb6088786398108c187de61d1412e423.pdf ea4751278eed2ad297cfcae0bf84ff4d PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. it will be a better place for all classes to live. New Year's day has been cold and blustery and we haven't done any thing but the necessary chores and sit around the fire and read. To-night we all went down to Aunty's for tea and spent the evening. All from Huby's were there as well as Cousin Clare & Phoebe. We spent the evening with music and playing Guessing games which we always have a lot of fun at. Friday January 2nd It has been bitterly cold to-day, below zero with a strong west wind and we have done nothing but a few chores keep the fires going and read. To-night Enah Frank and I went down to a party at Ada's and had a very nice time. We played cards most of the evening. Most of the party were playing bridge but, Winnie Lila, Frank a Mr. Moore who is a freind of Zeitha's and a cousin of Mrs. Freeman's, and I played rummy and seven-up, and the phonograph, then Zeitha and later Quint joined us and we danced. Frank & Lila lit out for the Rebecca's dance in the hall about twelve o'clock. I stayed at Ada's and came home with Enah and Mrs. Jack Martin about one o'clock. Saturday, January 3rd We were very late having breakfast this morning and before we got at it Phil Shaver came after Dad. to go and dose one of his horses, so Dad. was over there till noon. I chored around most of the morning and Frank slept most of the day as he didn't get home from his dance till about four o'clock this morning. Dad. and I did up the chores early (and we have quit milking at night) and we both went down to Aunty's for tea. Quint was there and so were the Miss Hardings so Aunty had quite a birthday party. I left right after tea and went down to meet the seven o'clock car, as Marj. came in on it, so I spent the rest of the evening with her, she had a nice holiday at home <s>Su</s> Sunday, January 4th Frank Tid and I went down to sunday school and church this morning. I stayed down at Aunty's for dinner. This afternoon Marj. and I went over to see Miss McQueen and then went down to Aunty's where we stayed to tea. Aunty Alice Marj. and I went to church to-night. I got home about twelve o'clock and found Frank was not in yet. He was down at the Ward's and got home soon after I did. It has been very cold all day, but very little wind. Monday, January 5th Frank and I went down right after breakfast to get our long looked for stove. It was ordered from Eaton's on the 15th of November and just arrived on Saturday. We also got Marj's suitcase which she checked by Grand Trunk and took it up for her, and as we had to get some things up town it was after eleven when we got home, but we went down to the mill for some bran & chicken feed before dinner. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/d4742c6889544fd0c4d137e55f8e63e5.pdf 92ed39c4ede2f43a77ae594e2f258b73 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. We spent most of the after noon putting the new stove up and had a great fire until to-night. Bob. Dougherty was in just before two with some fellow called Slack to tell us he wanted the lambs on Saturday. He would have stayed to tea but Slack wouldn't wait for him and he was driving the car. Frank and I went down town to-night. Frank went to the dance and I went with the band to serenade the new council. Taylor beat poor old Walker badly so we went up to his place first and took him as well as all the rest of them by surprise. We went from there to John Harvey's where we got treated with wine and Lou's wedding cake. Then we went over to Perce Ryerse's but his wife informed us that he had gone down after some medicine for the baby. We played anyway and I don't know whether we killed the baby or not. Mr. Quinn's was our next stop and then we set out for Capt. P.C. Robinson's. We went to the house but Pauline said he had gone to lodge, so we started over there to "get his goat" but some body saw him headed down Main St. and at last "tried" him in his office at the Fish Shanty, so we gave him a couple of selections and then we dispersed. They all promised to give us all the financial assistance that was necessary next year and three of them gave us enough to buy some cigars with. Mid shoved the cash down and I don't know what became of it. Altogether we had a very nice time, but had to go in everywhere to thaw our horns out as it was a very frosty night & bright. Tuesday, January 6th Our windmill which has been the source of great tribulation to us all winter owing to its very unsatisfactory work refused to pump at all this morning, so Frank went down and got Felix to come over and he has been over all day. I should have said the pump was wrong instead of the windmill. We took the whole thing up and found that the bottom of the cylinder was a little loose which we supposed let air in and and caused the water to shoot out of the top of the pump the way it has been doing. The valves were also worn out so Felix put in new ones. We didn't finish till about five o'clock and then the wind had died down so that we couldn't get any water to-night and the cattle had to go without a drink all day. It was really not very cold to-day but felt raw especially working at the pump. It is a miserable job at any time but especially so at this time of year. Old Felix keeps at it though and he just celebrated his eightieth birthday on Saturday. To-night Enah and Tid went down to the Sunday school Christmas tree. I went down later but didn't go to the tree. I met Marj. after it was over and spent the evening with her. Wednesday, January 7th We put the doors on the barn this morning which blew off the night of the big wind. There were three off, the two in the peak and one little one down on the shed. This afternoon https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/bb470855860ad11708a6037e962476d6.pdf 4ed9043d9e3ee43c78bbc2d6b16958ee PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Dad. trimmed Mexico's feet which were in very bad shape. I didn't do much but chores. Old Felix & Harvey Perkins were over this after noon to sell Frank some shares in Peace River Oil Wells. Harvey is selling them & old Felix thinks he is going to be a millionaire as soon as they get the well finished they are boring at now. Frank took fifty shares, I think. I went down to Aunty's to tea to-night and went up at seven o'clock with the band to play at the Simcoe rink for two hockey matches. There were two car loads went up from here so the Dover {illegible}played. The band & the hundred or so routers must have had a good effect on the Dover boys as they trimmed Simcoe 7-2, and it was a good fast game too. The first match was between the "War Vetrans" and the "Wanderers". The Vets won that with a score of 6-3 I think. Then our boys played the "Canners" and it was a much better game. Harvey Lany played very well and shot several goals. Jack McDonald is very good too and a clean player. Old {Name} was playing back and not many got past him, he works hard and dodges around like a swallow. Young Bill Miller was rather rough and was on the fence about half the time. {Name} McDonald tended goal and once got a little excited and went into the corner after the puck and they shot a goal while he was out. We had a fine time and the band got invited up again on Friday night to play at an O.H.A. game between Ingersol & Woodstock. Mild & inclined to rain or mist to-day. Thursday January 8th I spent the morning to-day doing chores and Dad. threw in some more sawdust on the ice. Frank went down to the dentist's but I don't think got any thing done and has to go back to-morrow. This after noon we cleaned out the box stall in the horse stable and took out two big loads and spread them on the root ground. Frank went back this after noon and sowed 100 lbs of his basic slag on the gully hills to see what effect it has on pasture. I went down town to-night. Mild this morning but colder & windy to-night. Friday January 9th It has been very stormy (wind and snow) but not very cold all day but cleared off and quieted down to-night. We got all the outside stock except the two colts in the barn this morning. Billy & Dave can run in the shed. Frank had to go down to the dentist's this morning and was down till after dinner. Dad. went over to Quanbury's to get some more instructions about his dry salted bacon and I just did chores worked at my show-card lessons which I find very interesting and dozed all day. We did things up early to-night and I went down to Aunty's for tea. It had stopped snowing when I got there so I shovelled their snow for them. Marj. was there too and she & Aunty went up to their Bible Class after tea. I went to Simcoe with the band and we had a very good time. It was an O.H.A game between https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/d4d780683624a9cf570e3905e28f8281.pdf baa74718cff6d1bcfb0cdb9ed83587c5 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Simcoe and Woodstock, and the score was 8-5 in favor of Simcoe. The Woodstock boys put up a very good game and the score was 3-3 at the beginning of the last period when Simcoe got very energetic and Woodstocks best man who was playing back didn't seem to do as well and they lost 5 goals and only made 2. They have picked out three Dover men as spares on the Simcoe team and put Harvey Lany on to-night but whether from nervousness or not he didn't put up any thing like the game he did the other night so they soon took him off and didn't try {Name} or Joe. Saturday January 10th We were up early this morning and spent the whole fore-noon getting Dougherty's lambs off. We got the sleighs out and Frank started down to Pickford's after our stock rack but met him coming back with it. We then weighed the lambs up by pairs on our own scales and when we weighed them down at the car they came to exactly the same and Dougherty gave us 15 cts for the ewe lambs. We had to go to the planing mill and get him some shavings to bed the car with and had to go up town for some coal oil and then we got some shavings to bring home with us to put on the ice so it was about noon when we got here, our lambs came to about $177.00. We haven't done much all the after noon but chores. Frank went down town to-night and I worked at my show card work. Snowed more this morning, not cold. Sunday January 11th Dad. drove Tid, Frank and me down to Sunday school this morning and then came down after church and drove Aunty Marj. and Tid over here for dinner. Frank and I walked home. Frank walked out to Sidway's this after noon but I stayed home. Dad. drove Aunty home about four o'clock while I fed the cows. Marj. stayed to tea and I drove her home this evening. The cutter slides along but the road is bare in spots. W.F. Cockshutt M.P. gave an address on the Forward Movement in church this morning which was very good. Monday January 12th Frank left for Guelph to-day. He expects to be up there about a month taking short courses in Hock & Seed Judging and Tractors & machinery. He spent most of the morning getting packed up and I drove him down in the bob-sleigh to Aunty's where he stayed to dinner intending to leave on the one o'clock car, but it was so late that they cancelled it, and he and young Downs who is going to Guelph too, left on the three o'clock car, but he thought he could get over to Guelph from Galt some time to-night. Dad. and I hauled out manure to day from the Bull's pens. We got out three loads but didn't quite finish the pens. I went over to John Wess's this afternoon. Mrs McBride is very low. I saw Cam. and spoke to him about the place and he promised that if it was to be sold he would see that I got a chance at it. I went down town to-night. Milder https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/44da8f5ea03ea9f45a2b39cdcbe04cff.pdf 9a8a4862647b9fdb150f4eed31c6f1cf PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Tuesday January 13th It has been very stormy most of to-day and we didn't do anything outside but chores. I spent most of the forenoon getting my incubator ready to start and it has been heating up all day. I worked at my show card work for quite awhile this after noon. I went down to-night to a meeting in the Rectory to organize a canvassing campaign for the Forward Movement, but as Mr. Freeman was the only other one there we couldn't do much. Marj. had been there to tea so I went home with her. It has not been very cold but very blustery. Wednesday January 14th Dad. and I had to shovel out the lane this morning as yesterday's storm drifted it full. It was after eleven when we got finished and then I started out with Joe & Queen on the bob-sleighs to get Aunty Alice as we expected her over to dinner but I met her just outside the lane. This after noon Dad. drove Enah & Aunty Alice over to Mrs. McLaughlin's to play bridge and I did up the chores. I had a card from Mid. at noon saying the band was going to play at Simcoe to-night so I went down to Aunty's for tea. The cars were running an hour late so that it was after eight when we got to Simcoe. The Dover team played the Vetrans and they both put up a very good game. Dover winning score 4-3. We didn't leave Simcoe till 12 o'clock and the car was crowded as a great many had come up at five o'clock. Blustery day. Thursday January 15th It has been cold and stormy all day so we just did chores this morning. Dad. has been reading "Courtin' Christina" and "Wee McGreggor Enlists" and finished them to-day they are certainly very good. This after noon Dad. drove Enah & Tid down to the Pickford's and the Ryerse's to distribute some Forward Movement literature. I went down to a meeting in the Sunday school to-night Mr. Manning was there and a few boys but they didn't do much. I then went over to see Marj. for awhile and stayed all night at Aunty's in order to help Aunty Alice get started for Toronto in the morning as she is going down for a few days Friday January 16th Aunty Alice got off on the 7.20 G.T.R. this morning and I went to the station with her and then came home. We did up the chores and then Dad. and I went down and cut down a tree at Preston's. This after noon I took some oats to the mill and left them for chop and took Enah and Tid down to go to "Mickey" at the picture show. I then came home and did up a few chores and went down to Aunty's for tea and Marj. and I went to see "Mickey" to-night. after which we went into Miss McQueen's for a cup of tea. It was very stormy all after noon and evening but the picture show was packed for all three shows. People have certainly gone crazy over "Mickey". What there is in it, I don't know. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/ce69def204c922d42398d9a755cb18ba.pdf 15b57321a3b6ac1ce4b2de653d485239 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Saturday January 17th Dad. went down to Aunty's this morning to shovel their snow but John Shand had it done when he got down. I did chores and painted a little. Com & Billy McBride were in at noon to say that Mrs. John Wess died yesterday and to ask Dad. to be a bearer. This after noon I drove Enah down town and she got some flowers and we came home by the mill where I got the grist and some rolled oats. It has been sunny but very blustery & cold all day Sunday January 18th It was very cold and windy this morning and we were late getting through chores and I didn't get up very early. I was too late for Sunday school but went down to church. I was a little early and was sitting in the church when I heard the fire bell ring so ran out and saw them getting the engines out of the old jail. I followed the crowd up to L.G. Morgan's house where the smoke was pouring out all the windows. After considerable confusion in trying to find the fire they got the engines going at the north side of the house. I went inside but the smoke was almost suffocating. I ran across Harry Moon in there who told me that Mr. Morgan was dead and in the middle of a knot of men I saw his body His clothes were burned off down to his waist. His back was badly burned and his head all charred. It was a horrible sight but I don't believe he could have suffered very long. The fire was caused by him knocking over a coal oil stove in his room, an of course in the shape he was in he couldn't get out. He called Miss Morgan but she couldn't do any thing for the smoke. Val. Leaney saw the fire from his place and was there at once but L.G. was too far gone to be saved. Miss Newell is in a semi consious condition but very low having been badly suffocated. They managed to get the fire out without it spreading beyond the one room and every thing in it was burned. I went back to the church expecting to meet Aunty but the door was locked and I found they hadn't held service. I stayed at Aunty's to dinner and spent the after noon up at the Monteiths. I came home about five and helped do chores and then went down again & spent the evening with Marj. Very cold but not stormy to-night. Dad. went over to John Wess's this morning with the flowers. Monday January 19th Dad. and I spent the morning doing chores and shovelling out the lane which was drifted full. Just before dinner Dad. took Tid down to Aunty's where he stayed for the after noon while Dad. Enah and I went to Mrs. McBride's funeral. Dad. was one of the bearers and I drove him up to the cemetry. We let Enah out at the head of Main St. and got Tid & her on our way home. My feet got very cold so I walked home from town. Dess. was over. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/1d851652253489ee2a24ecb0526bdfc0.pdf 84d77ebf7f16dd21c119b083f667b33b PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. just before tea on her snowshoes, with a message for Dad. asking him to be bearer at Mr. Morgan's funeral to-morrow. There was another funeral to-day from down east some place. The two hearses went into the cemetry about the same time. I stayed home to-night and worked at my show card practice. Tuesday January 20th We did the chores up pretty well this morning and right after dinner Dad. Enah & Tid. drove down town. They put Queen in at Hec's. and left Tid with Aunty and Dad. went to Mr. Morgan's funeral. It was private so Enah didn't go. He was buried up at St. John's. I walked down town after dinner and went to the bank to deposit some money as I promised Boyd. I would send him a cheque when the brooder came. I then went to the station but it hasn't come yet. I was in the Custom House for awhile talking to Huby. He was giving me a long dissertation on the tribulations of his office owing to the constant revision of the ever-changing tariff, when a very seedy looking chap came in and rather sheepishly asked what was the duty on any thing imported from the States. Huby told him it made a great deal of difference what he was importing and when he aparently unwillingly confessed that it was an automobile Huby started in & told him first 30% then 7 1/2% then 10% of the duty paid value. The fellow looked rather dazed and reasoned that "they sure go for a feller". Huby figured it up to be well over $500.00 on $1000.00 so at last the fellow left after asking very particularly whether the Government got all that money or the fellow he bought his car from. He left rather crestfallen and I think was undecided whether to buy a car in Canada or not at all or wait till the War Debt was paid off or appeal to the A.F.O. of which organization I have no doubt he was a member. I got home before five and Dad. soon after me. Enah & Tid stayed down to tea. Dad. and I did chores and had a bite to eat & then walked down to see the Girl Guides concert which they put on for the relief of the Armenians. It was "Aunt Dinah's Quilting Party." Harry Moon coached them and they did very well. Ed. Gray & Hazel Ward. did especially well. The concert was over by half past nine and I spent the rest of the evening with Marj. Dad and Enah & Tid got a ride home with Pickford in his bob-sleigh. A very little milder with a sleet storm this after noon. Wednesday January 21st We were late getting out this morning and spent most of the morning doing chores I went down to the mill about noon to see if I could get some corn chop & bran but they haven't had enough water to run either chopper or mill so had nothing. I spent the whole after noon practising at my show card lessons and worked all evening at it too. Dad. went down to Aunty's for tea and spent the evening down there. Dover was to play the "Wanderers" in Simcoe to-night but as I didn't get any notice of the band going up I decided not to go as I wanted to work although I would have liked to have seen the game. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/ad6868d996362c6fd5da8861b0c9269f.pdf 3b5ee367cca03f295fba90e3cbc0ff87 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Thursday January 22nd Dad. Enah and Tid. drove down this morning to see if they wanted Enah to sit up with Miss Newell to-night but they asked her to stay this after noon so Dad. left her at the Johnston's and Tid at Aunty's and came home. This after noon he and I read the mail for quite awhile and then went over to John Wess's to see how he felt. He looks pretty tough. Dad. and I did the chores and then drove down to Aunty's where we all had tea and Dad. drove Enah and Tid home right after. Aunty heard from Aunty Alice to-day saying she was coming home to-night so I went to the station and met her. Huby was there too. I went up to see Marj. for a little while first, her throat has been very sore and she has not been at school all the after noon. Dover got trimmed last night by the "Wanderer's" 6-5. They say that the Dover boys got sore because Simcoe put on a professional and played a dirty game. Friday January 23rd Dad. and I drove down town this morning and got my stove brooder which came in by freight yesterday. We stopped for a minute at Aunty's to see Aunty Alice. We overtook Miss Phipps on her way down and took her down to the Johnston's to see Miss Newell. This after noon it became very stormy with an east wind. Dad. and I got hay enough over for night and then I did my show card lesson so that I could post it to-night. Dad. & Enah drove down town to bring Miss Phipps home as it had become so stormy, but they couldn't find her. Dad. did up the chores and I went down town before dark & had tea at Aunty's. I went up to see Marj. to-night, her throat was better. I stayed at Aunty's all night as the walking was a fright, drifts up to my knees but not very cold. Saturday January 24th I didn't get up very early this morning and after I breakfast I shovelled the snow and then went up town to inquire after Miss Newell, she is just about the same as nearly as I could make out from Mrs. Johnson. I also went up to Hugh McQueen's to get him to make me a chimbney for my brooder. It was after tea when I got home and didn't do much but shovell the snow out of the chicken houses before dinner. This after noon we sat around and read the mail for an hour or so and then Dad. and I got over enough hay to last us over Sunday and shovelled out the lane. Not quite so windy to-day but pretty cold. Sunday January 25th I walked down to Sunday school this morning and Dad. drove Enah down to church and then went home and drove back after her. We had a short service this morning as the church was cold and Mr. Johnston didn't preach a sermon but although the church wasn't much warmer to-night I thought he would never stop preaching about the Forward Movement and other https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/5c8a2079de79b6b6cf40bc62032e7ce2.pdf cf8be32f62f6cb63007cb42677996ba8 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. money they wanted to raise. I stayed at Aunty's for dinner and spent the after noon and evening with Marj. who is feeling much better. I came home to tea and walked down again in time for church. Alan Law gave me a ride out to the side road corner. 20° below last night. Monday January 26th I tested my eggs out this morning. It was too cold down cellar so I darkened the dining room and brought them up. I only got 28 fertile ones out of 155. I guess they must have been chilled. I unpacked my brooder but can't put it to-gether till I get my stove pipe from Hugh. I also put on a couple of panes of glass and puttyed up several others in a sash I want to use for my brooder house. Late this after noon Dad. and I & Tid. drove down town and got some coal oil. Dad. has had heartburn badly all day and has had to carry a lot of water to the stock as there was not wind enough to pump. It has been very mild barely freezing in the shade. To night I went down to the Sunday school where Mr. Manning and the officers of the Methodist "Square" put our boys through the first {legue?} of the initiation ceremony for Tuxis boys I then went over to Epworth League with Manning for awhile. Tuesday January 27th I spent most of the morning fitting the windows in the colony house besides doing a few odd jobs. This after noon Dad. Tid. and I drove down to Pickford's to invite them over here to-night to spend the evening. We then drove out to the Shands to inquire after Flossie who has had pleurisy. She is still in bed but a little better. To-night the whole Pickford family came over. Tom Butler was in Simcoe when they left but they put a note out for him telling him to follow them so he came down later. We had quite a time doing various tricks, had a little music and Tid. put on a magic lantern show. Much milder to-day, colder to-night. Wednesday January 28th Dad. went down to the Pickford's this morning to see if he could get Jackie to come up and have a look at the ram we want to kill. He is very thin but Pickford says they are deceiving and don't need to be very fat. He and Tom had gone down to get some stuff Tom bought at Porter's sale in Walpole, but Mrs. Pickford said she would send him up after dinner. He and Tom both came up and killed and dressed the sheep, but he was very thin. I don't know why he didn't get fatter as he has been getting grain but has been running out. I did a show card lesson this morning and this after noon drove Enah down town to go to the bridge-gang meet. I saw Quint down there and took him for a little spin around town. Mr. & Mrs. Jim Waddle were in and invited us all out there for dinner Friday night. I went down town to-night. Very frosty. Thursday January 28th Bob. Dougherty came in here last night and stayed all night with us and most of the morning. He was highly entertaining https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/2857ae4e76696097a9d4197514d59b51.pdf fe0db3f97c7203e92af1d7c5f0f3629a PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. but we didn't get much done while he was here. When he left John Quanbury came over to get Dad. to go and see his cow which is pretty sick. Dad. cut up the mutton before dinner. This after noon Dad. Enah & Tid drove down town and took Huby a piece of mutton as this was his birthday. I did another show card lesson and went down to Aunty's for tea. Huby & Aunty Maude were there. Winnie came over here for tea with Dad. & Enah. To-night Marj. & I went up to Miss. Martin's and I got my hair cut on my way home. Mild. Friday January 30th Dad. and I went down this morning and got a load of coal as there was a new car in and the coal looked and has proved to be of much better quality than any we have got so far. On our way home we met Jim. Waddle on his way over to tell us not to come out to-night as Mrs. Waddle was sick but to come Sunday night. This after noon we sat around and read quite awhile and then Dad. and Enah & Tid. drove down town to post a letter and I went over to Jack Martin's to ask them about buying baby chicks for broilers. I got a price list from a fellow in Toronto and the cheapest were $30.00 per 100 which Jack thought was pretty high for broiler chicks, but Chris offered to let me raise all of his Leghorns and to pay me broiler prices for them when they are ready to go so I think I will take his offer. He told me that band was going to Simcoe to-night to play at the rink so I went down to Aunty's for tea. Only a few of the band boys went up and it was very cold up in the rink, but it was a good game. Simcoe beat Paris 5-2 O.H.A. Saturday January 31st It was 20 below zero this morning and a strong east wind blowing which made it almost unbearable to be out. We just fed up the stock and haven't done a thing else all day but sit around the stove and read. We were greatly surprized to have Aunty Alice come over for dinner. She said yesterday she would come over if it was a nice day but we never expected her when it was so cold. She walked back this after noon as she wanted to stop it at Mrs. Battersby's for awhile. I went down town to-night to see how Marj's throat was, but she wasn't home so I suppose it must be better. The wind died down a little to-night but it is still very cold. I took a walk down to Pete Holmes' rink where they were staging a hockey match between Penman's & Knox Church but there were very few spectators and I thought it was too cold to watch them so I went down to Aunty's for awhile and then home. Sunday February 1st It was still cold this morning but has been a beautiful day and getting milder all day. I went down to Sunday school and church and stayed to dinner at Aunty's. Marj. and I went up to Miss Martin's for a little while this after noon and then I came home early. I stopped in at Newman Silverthorne's for awhile to pay Mr. Clarke's lodge dues. Marj. started over with them on Saturday but the weather stopped her when she got as far as Miss. McQueen's. Dad. Enah & Tid drove out to Jim Waddle's for dinner to-night and I went down to Aunty's for tea and https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/d8033cb8de3cac42124b26b48c298739.pdf 4314ea4bad12337ef66b494bf5074f9c PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. went to church with Aunty to-night then spent the evening with Marj. Monday February 2nd The old bear could have seen his shadow all day to-day if he came out of his log, he would also have got his feet wet as it has been a beautiful sunny, warm, spring-like day and thawing in the shade. I took a walk over to John Wess's this morning. Cam. was there and told me that he was coming back here to live as his father couldn't bear the thought of going to live in the city nor of selling the furniture and household effects that Mrs. McBride had bought when the first started. This after noon I went down to the mill and got some rolled oats and Dad. & Tid. went down to Preston's orchard for awhile.They found old Henry Misener in there cutting too so Arthur has evidently thought we weren't going to get all the trees cut but he didn't say anything about it. Enah took Mexico & the cutter and drove Mrs. Skey up to Miss. McCoy's this afternoon. Dad. took the pork out of the pickle to-day. This evening I went down as I thought the Tuxis boys were going to meet but they didn't as there was some arrangement about them going to Simcoe to play hockey. Tuesday February 3rd Dad. & I went down to Preston's this morning and got another tree down and partly brushed up. This after noon Dad. went down and finished trimming the tree and I drove down town in the cutter and got the chimney for my brooder that Hugh McQueen has been making for me. I did up the chores after I got home. I worked at my show card work to-night. Cloudy and colder Wednesday February 4th Dad. and I went down to the orchard again this morning and have been down there most of the day so got quite a lot done. Tupper was in at noon to ask me to be clerk at his sale which is due to come off on the 17th. Dad. commisioned him to get him a plug of tobacco which he was to leave in the mail box on but he never came back and caused Dad. several fruitless trips to the mail box. I went down town to-night. It has not been frosty to day but a raw east wind. Thursday February 5th Dad. and I went over to the orchard this morning and got a big tree next the hedge down. Old Harry Misener was there and he and I took our saw over to his place and he sharpened it up a little. He got word from some where that the Dover team beat the Vet's. last night 11-2. We didn't go back this after noon but Dad. helped me with my brooder house and put on the chimney. Billy Miller was over to-night and said Chris wasn't going to let me have any baby chicks now as he was getting orders for them. Tupper was in too and brought Dad's tobacco. Snowed a little. Friday February 6th This has been a beautiful day. Sunny & mild. Dad. and I https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/a6ece27a501ec4ef6ba62076e83c49f9.pdf 0dcf082ae1222b8a1fd550e8c63f613a PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. went down to the orchard and worked there all day. Old Henry Misener had Arnold Myers helping him and we gave them a hand to shove a tree over. It slipped on the stump and fell the opposite direction to the one they intended and Dad. & I had to step lively to get out of its road. Enah & Tid drove Mexico down with the cutter to-day, took Aunt Ida for a drive and brought Aunty over here to tea. She and I walked down to-night and I spent the evening with Marj. who had quite a bad fall yesterday. Saturday February 7th Dad. and I bagged up some oats this morning and I took them to the mill while he trimmed up some of the trees we had down. I left the grist and went back to the orchard and took a big load of blocks home, then went back and got the chopper This after noon we went back to the orchard and on our return found Frank here. He came in on the three o'clock car. Sunday February 8th Frank and I went down to Sunday school. There was no service in our church this morning but we all went to the Presbyterian were Jack Martin & some student held forth at great length on the Forward Movement. Mr. Robertson & Mr. Johnson are both sick.To-night there was a Unnion Service English & Presbyterian in our church and Cousin Willie gave a very nice address & the same Presbyterian studen spoke for a very long time but didn't say much The church was packed. They are about to launch the Forward Movement financial drive and that is the cause of all their activity. While they very emphatically testify that the financial drive is a very insignificant part of the Forward Movement in comparison to the spiritual impetus which they hope to wake up religion, it seems to me rather unfortunate that the financial should be the first to be brought to the notice of the general run of people, as it will give Skeptics plenty of grounds for their contention that it is merely a "money making game." I don't altogether sympathize with the business end of the affair for while I feel that money should be given with out stint to feed & clothe the starving people of Europe and to minister to the physical needs of all people in heathen lands. I can't feel that the real Spirit of Christianity is going to strengthened or increased by simply raising funds as Jack Martin said for such purposes as to increase the salaries of our ministers & missionarys in order that more young men will be attracted to the profession. I'm not a business man and may be that is the reason that but I don't like to hear people talk about putting the work of our church on a "business basis," but as that seems to be what they intend to do I hope I am wrong. Quint. Marj. & I had dinner at Aunty's. Marj. & I spent the after noon there but Quint went for a drive with Bill Oakes so he said, but I think if his statement were to be analyzed it would be found that he was speaking figuratively and Bill would be passed in https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/b999b4f63bc5049b1a049c73b3459dc9.pdf ffecb40ab79a052e042604f3c92cfdca PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. in the feminine gender. Dad. brought Enah & Tid. down to stay to tea about five o'clock and he drove Marj. home & then he and I came home helped Frank do up the chores and we all went down to church to-night. I spent the evening with Marj. Dad. & Enah & Tid. went out to the Shand's this afternoon to see how Flossie was, she is better, but Dad. was very surprised to hear that Fred Doane died very suddenly last night. Monday February 9th Dad. and Frank have been down in Preston's orchard all morning. I went down to Uncle Ward's this morning to ask him if he would like to go with Dad. out to Fred Doanes funeral. He hadn't heard that he was dead and was very surprised. He called up town and found that the funeral was to be at half-past two. I came home and practised a little at my show cards before dinner. This after noon Dad. & Uncle Ward went out to the funeral and Frank and I spent the after noon doing chores. We did things up early and went down to the men's banquet in the Sunday school. Dad. drove Enah down about four and then came home & stayed with Tid. We had a very nice time. Mr. Bose the Presbyterian student of yesterday, Dr. Maguire & Mr. Muir manager of the Roal Bank in Simcoe gave very nice addresses and as the men from Simcoe had to leave in time to catch the nine o'clock car, we were home early. Enah & I came home but Frank went to the U.F.O. & W.F.N.I. dance in the town hall. Rather cloudy but mild. I just took four chicks from the incubator, so I killed them, they were crippled. Tuesday February 10th Dad. & Frank were in the orchard all day to-day. I did chores & started a fire in my brooder just to see how it worked. It certainly warmed things up in the colony house. I spent quite a lot of the day working at my show-card lessons I went down town to-night and took Aunty Alice some eggs I went up to see Cousin Loll for awhile and then met Marj. & Miss Martin coming away from the Girl's auxillary meeting so I suggested that we go up to Miss Martin's and eat dough-nuts as she told us Sunday she had made some. We did and were up there till quite late and consumed large quantitys, at least I did. Aunty told me that Jack Martin had given $500.00 to the Forward Movement. Wednesday February 11th Dad. and Frank were down at Preston's all day. Frank took the saw down to Uncle Ward's this morning and got it set. I cleaned out the colony house this morning. This after noon George Fields was in for awhile to look at the cattle and seemed to take quite a fancy to Maple Hill Nellie. I think though that he was predjuiced in her favor because I told him she was a Pansy which is the cow his {trace} to but I remembered afterwards that I was mistaken as she {traces} to Louisa. I did some show card practising. Enah went to play bridge at Mrs. Battersby's. Jack Martin was in about six o'clock canvassing for the Forward Movement. Frank & I went down town to-night and Frank went to a U.F.O. meeting which he says is worse than the J.F.I.A. They https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/1314081f2bc198c9e0bb7ea361da8337.pdf 5fd97d94617fff12662bf9c06a12fbf1 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. wrangled all night trying to decide whether they wanted a car of wire or not and hadn't decided when they broke up. Harry Smith & Steve Powell who have been the hog-buyers are going to quit as the brethren are accusing them of making $50.00 on a car, so if things continue much longer in that direction, I imagine this U.F.O. club will find itself "on the rocks". I didn't go to Simcoe to-night although this was to be the final game of the series and the Dover team played the "Wanderers". I heard the last car come in and a great deal of cheering & racket going on with it but didn't see a soul to find out the result. I have since heard that Dover trimmed the Wanderers 13-6 and so have won the series. They say the Simcoe fellows played a very rough game and Harve Leany got knocked out. Thursday February 12th Frank promised the "Women's Institute" the other night to haul them a load of gravel to-day as they were having a bee hauling gravel to build a monument to the boys up near the grove of elms they planted. As Jack Martin had our sleighs hauling part of his chicken house up here from Fisherville, Frank went down and borrowed Mr. Flemmings. I went down to the orchard with Dad. This after noon Dad. & Frank went down there but it came up a very heavy & wet snowstorm so they didn't stay long. Frank & Tid. went down to Mrs. Freeman's & Molly's party and I worked at my show card lessons most of the after noon and evening. Very soft & cloudy. Mild all week. Friday February 13th Frank went down this morning and got another load of saw-dust to put on the ice and then came over to the orchard and got a big load of wood. Dad. & I trimmed up the tree they felled yesterday. This after noon Dad. & Frank worked in the orchard all the after noon and I went to the mill and got some rolled oats and got a small load of wood on the way home. Frank drove me down town to-night and he went down to Nanticoke I got my skates at Aunty's and went to hunt up some skating but couldn't find any so I ran across a bunch of fellows going to the Women's Institute masquerade dance so I went too and had a great time. Sunny & mild. Saturday February 14th Dad. & Frank worked in the orchard all morning. I went down to the mill and got a bag of bran and stopped in at the orchard and brought a load of wood home, unloaded it and got another load, but it was snowing hard and very soft. This after noon it was snowing so much that they didn't go back to the orchard but Dad. went down town and got his hair cut. I didn't do any thing much till about four o'clock when I started in at the chores but there had been no wind all day to pump so I waited till then in hopes that it would pump a little to let https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/0981509b98aa75fc8a8136b966bb7030.pdf f8491ecba07f4e014274f77eaa935535 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. the cattle out but it didn't so they had to go thirsty. It began to blow about six o'clock and has turned out quite blustery and much colder to-night. Dad. brought Marj. home with him to tea and Lila came over. Enah had asked Zeitha & Mr. Moore to come over but they didn't show up, we suppose the storm was too bad for Zeitha who has had a bad cold to be out. We spent the evening listening to Marj. & Enah play duets and then I drove the girls home. Aunty Maude asked Quint to go up town and get some meat this morning so Quint by way of celebrating St. Valentine's day brought home a couple of hearts. Then as he was to be alone for tea to-night Aunty Maude & Huby having been invited out and Winnie gone to Brantford Aunty Maude put a heart in the oven for him to keep warm but Quint came home and couldn't find it so didn't have any. Sunday February 15th It was very cold again this morning and a strong west wind which has kept up all day and night. No-body seems to relish this return of severe cold after the lovely winter weather we have been enjoying for the last couple of weeks. Frank & I went down to Sunday school & church but none of the rest came down. I had dinner and tea at Aunty's. I spent the after noon at the Monteiths. Quint was at Aunty's for tea and none of us went to church to-night, but I spent the evening with Marj. and then as the walking & weather was so disagreeable I stayed all night at Aunty's. Monday February 16th I shovelled Aunty's snow this morning and as they insisted on getting up and getting my breakfast I didn't get home very early. It didn't matter though as we have not tried to do any thing outside but chores. Dad. went down before dinner and stayed till about five o'clock to-night and went with Aunty Alice up to Cousin Loll's and over to Col. Smith's with Aunty Alice this after noon. Frank and I just sat around this after noon but Frank shovelled out the lane this morning but it will drift full again to-night. It was very cold last night and froze every thing in the kitchen and pantry. It is a little milder to-night but a regular blizzard is raging. The roads are blocked and there have been no {mails?} in all day. Jim came out with a magazine that evidently came Saturday but as he soon went back I suppose he couldn't get through the side road. Tuesday February 17th Blizzard still on and worse than ever but not very cold. Dad. went down town this morning to see how they all were but came home to dinner. I sat around and read or slept most of the day but this morning went over to Pickford's to see if they knew what Tupper was going to do about his sale. They didn't know so I went on over to Tupper's to make sure because as I promised him I would act as clerk I wanted to be certain. The walking was a fright and I was sure he wouldn't try to have it and I was right, so I spent the rest of the day painting and listening to Dad read "Huckleberry Finn". https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/a5a1867c8bf542adcb6f6f7004b950b9.pdf c496e5ce1d7aa4a037052e7b59e12548 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Wednesday February 18th The storm abated during the night and to-day has been sunny, still and cold. Dad. went down to Aunty's right after breakfast this morning and Frank and I dug the lane out and about eleven o'clock Frank drove Enah & Tid. down in the bobsleighs. They all stayed down to dinner. We just did chores Jim Bannister walked out with our mail this after noon, the first we have had this week. Tom. Butler & Arthur Pickford were in for a few minutes with the team Tom bought in Toronto. About half past four Frank drove down town and brought the family home. Frank and I went down town to-night. The hockey team was to have gone to Simcoe to play the Vetrans to-night but as no radials are running yet the game is postponed till Friday night. The first victim of the Flu around here for this year was young Billy Butler, Charlie's brother, who died the other day. Another rather surprising piece of news for the community was the wedding of Charlie Innes and Nellie Barber. Aparently they got into a great hurry at the last and as Mr. Johnson is sick drove up to St. John's on Tuesday during all the storm to have Mr. Ward perform the ceremony. Later - I have heard that, that last statement is incorrect. Charlie & Nellie had intended going to Mr. Ward to be married, he being an old freind of Nellie's but as it was so stormy they got Mr. Johnson out of bed to do the job. Miss Newell was telling Aunty about it and said they came up in {Name} Johnsons old covered bus and she thought it was the hearse coming. Thursday February 19th Dad. and Frank went down to the orchard to-day and to-night reported that they have just one more tree to cut. It was down to about 12° below zero this morning and has been cold but still & sunny all day. I didn't do any thing outside but chores. I read most of the morning and worked at my show card work this after noon. Tid was very busy all morning digging a snow house in a big drift out by the barn and I took some pictures of him at noon. To-night I went down to the Sunday school and we had a meeting of the Tuxis boys which was fairly successful. Friday February 20th Dad. and Frank went down to the orchard this morning and cut their last tree down and got it trimmed up this after noon. Dad. had to go down to Alfred's right after dinner to look at one of his cows' mouths as she can't eat properly. I did chores, read and worked at my show card lessons a little. Frank left here about five o'clock and took Hazel Ward home and spent the evening down there. I went down town to-night. I got word that the band was going to Simcoe with the hockey team but I didn't go with them although I would have liked to see the game. I think judging from the racket coming from the direction of the station that about half the town went up. I heard the car come in on my way home and heard a little cheering so imagined that the Dover boys had been victorious again, but Frank https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/3b13684ad4b377c9457e64edb94cbf4c.pdf c2e163a4ea18f8b55da2f523c751e4ee PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. informed me when he got home that he had just met Colin Ryerse who had told him that the Vetrans had won 6-4. I was very much surprised on my way down town to meet George who had come in at five o'clock and had tea at Aunty's. We expected him to-morrow night. Dad. had a letter from Dick to-day which has created a little excitement in the family circle as he told Dad. that he had run across a William Barrett out there who he thinks is the son of Fa's brother who left home at the time of the North & South war and was never heard of afterwards, and who has always supposed to have enlisted and been killed with out ever being married. This fellow told Dick that he had brothers by the names of Hugh, an old family name, and <s>George</s> Robert which was the name of the missing brother, also another named Charlie, one of these has recently died. Dick said this was a rather tough- ooking fellow owing to his need of a barber's service but that he had the large Barrett nose. If Dick has made no mistake it is quite a discovery, but it seems almost incredible that so large a branch of the family could have become so seperated for so many years, especially as there have been several attempts from this side to find traces of the lost brother and as Hugh & Fred Barrett (Aunt Ella's sons) have lived out in that vicinity for so many years. Way below zero this morning but lovely day. Saturday February 21st We haven't done very much to-day except chores. Dad. and I to George (Broadly) out on the halter for awhile this morning and gave him a good dusting with louse killer. Frank George (Pelly) and Tid shot and dressed a couple of rabbits this morning. I practised a little at my show cards lessons. This after noon all but Dad. and me went in the bobsleighs down town and got Ada Dess and Winnie and took them for a sleigh drive down to the butter factory where Enah got some butter. I was busy doing the chores so didn't go but read and slept for awhile. To-night Frank and George went down to Aunty's for tea and from there they intended going up to Ada's to spend the evening. I read "Much Ado about Nothing." Froze hard last night. Sunny day. Cold wind to-night. Sunday February 22nd Frank, George, Tid and I all went down to Sunday school this morning and much to my disgust they rung me in for opening the thing as Mr. Johnson is away. Morton {Brown?} took the service in church. Marj. came over here to dinner but through some misunderstanding George & Frank didn't come home but went with Ada to dinner and George brought Ada out here to tea to-night. Marj. and I went for a cutter ride this after noon and took Miss Martin. It was a beautiful after noon and we had a fine drive and nearly upset trying to pass Frank Ryerse on the side road back of Fleming's place. We lost one of Marj's new Christmas kid gloves but went back and found it where we met Frank Ryerse. I went to a meeting to-night that Frank Smith had to make plans for a big meeting Thursday. Went up to see Marj. for awhile afterwards. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/8cebf89a6edc35bb27edc17600f48477.pdf 6109fab087685b70f658b6f30c9c6c27 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Monday February 23rd Dad. and I got some hay over this morning to do to feed up to-night and Frank drove George down to catch the eleven o'clock car. We had an early dinner and I went over to Tupper's quite early but his sale didn't commence till long after the appointed time. There was quite a crowd but the bidding wasn't very keen but some of the stock sold very well. Jim Hodge was auctioneer and I was clerk. We got through with out being caught at making any mistakes and Tupper gave me two dollars for my services. Dad. & Frank were both over but went home before I did. To-night I went down town and had a meeting with the Tuxis boys and we initiated Bill Barwell. I then went over to the Monteith's and found Marj. all dressed up ready to go to the Library dance so we went over there and had a wild time till 1.30. It snowed all morning and has been cloudy but mild all day. Tuesday February 24th Frank and I went to Simcoe this morning and got four cwt of corn chop at the Co-Operative Store. We took Joe & Queen and didn't lose much time on the road. We also got our clover seed which has been at Edmond's since they cleaned it last fall. We saw Neff and Manning amd I took Neff up to the Air Line station to catch a train for Courtland. We got home about half past one and this after noon I took a sample of very nice white corn over to Jack Martin, Johnson just got it in and thought Jack would like to get some as he doesn't like to feed yellow corn to his exhibition stock, claiming it makes their plumage brassy. Jack thought it was fine looking corn. He asked me what I thought of the Forward Movement Campaign. The Bishop he said was highly delighted with Norfolk County as it was the first in the dioses to reach its objective. He said that the reports we heard were true concerning the Bishop offering Mr. Johnson two other churches and he wouldn't accept them. He is very annoyed at Mr. Johnson and Jack says the next one he refuses there is going to be trouble. I worked at show card lessons all evening. Fine, Cold. Wednesday February 25th We all three went down to Preston's orchard this morning and hauled three loads of wood. It was quite a job breaking a trail and digging out the piles of limbs as they were well covered with snow. This after noon Frank went down town to get his note to Massey Harris renewed or else to borrow some money to pay it and Dad. and I got over hay for to-night and did up the chores. To-night Dad. Enah & Tid went down to the Pork & Bean supper in the Methodist church and I went down to Aunty's for tea Marj. & Win were there to tea and this evening Marj. & Aunty bound a lot of old books. Frank stayed home alone. Fair day but very cold to-night. Thursday February 26th Dad. and Frank have been hauling wood all day although there was a biting north wind and Dad. froze his finger https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/a1c6928dc979629a681c853f542ea30a.pdf 73b45fc5f500220f89d3721961a95721 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. I carried over hay for the cattle this morning and this after noon went down to the Boy's Work conference in the Sunday school. Mr. Manning & a Mr. McLaren were down and we had a good turnout of boys. Mr. McLaren made things very interesting. We went over for supper at 6.15 to the Methodist Sunday school and after supper had some very rollicking songs and toasts. I had to respond to a toast on Boy's Work but Manning fixed me up a little speech which I got off fairly well. Marj. was there helping with the supper so I went home with her and stayed there for the rest of the evening. Dad. & Enah went over to a party at Jack Martin's. Freezing very hard to-night. Friday February 27th It was still very cold this morning and we decided it was much too cold to haul wood as Dad. & Frank nearly froze at the job yesterday. We sat around the house all morning and I did another show card lesson and also wrote down to Toronto to register as a C.S.E.I. Mentor. This after noon Frank and I got some hay over and went down to Aunty's for tea so that we could go to see the protested hockey match played off between Dover & the Vets. I hadn't had any intention of going but when the time came I couldn't resist the temptation, although I was too hard up to afford it. It was a fine game in every way. The referee saw every thing that happened and was absolutely impartial and both sides played for all they were worth but Dover just played in hard luck and got badly beaten 10-3. They made any amount of the prettiest shots at the Simcoe goal but the puck just simply wouldn't go in. They started off by scoring two goals in the first period. Then Joe Thompson made three or four very slick rushes and shots in the second period but couldn't score and in the last period they got one goal but Simcoe got five. However it was a fine game and nobody's fault. The Simcoe fellows put up the best game I have seen them play yet. There was an awful crowd went up from Dover, two cars packed, and they made racket enough to wake the dead. Three or four Doc. McQueen, Al. Faulkner, Hontzburger & Jim Brennen got very tight and when we arrived home went up the middle of Main St. Arm in arm advising the Doverites who had followed the team to Simcoe to "pack all their troubles in their old kit bag" and then challenging them with the question "Are we downhearted" whereat Dover would reply with one voice "NO!" I came with Karl Coleman who was very amused at the condition of Huntzberger and Harbach who have to take the L.E.& N. car out in the morning The former was just in good shape to put in a glorious night of it, but Harbach got so tight this after noon in anticipation of the game that Garnet his brother-in-law had to put him to bed and he couldn't go up. Karl didn't see Garnet on the car which caused him some concern as Garnet had some work to do in the morning Karl said he saw Garnet and two others lined up in the station but some body nudged one of them and they all stalked out, which is a sign these days that there is a battle some place accessible. Lloyd Wooley and old Broadley were in this after noon collecting https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/8f057e3df58302ef2f062cc87c47483a.pdf c5e6bbb61b746675397e3587be8b0db0 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. fees for old Jason and Broadley informed us that he has gone on a big 200 acre farm at Wycome and won't be down through here with Jason any more. The Tupper family were all here to tea and to spend the evening but I didn't see them. Saturday February 28th It snowed all day to-day but has been much milder till to-night when the wind started to get around to the north west again and it is freezing pretty hard. We didn't do any thing much but chores and sit around the house. I worked at my show card lessons & read. Sunday February 29th Frank and I went down to Sunday school and Church this morning but none of the rest came down. I stayed in town all day. Quint and I had dinner at Aunty's and I spent the after noon up at the Monteiths. Marj. and I went for a walk this after noon and called on the Patterson's. We then went down to Aunty's for tea and spent the evening there. Aunty & Aunty Alice went to church to-night and we stayed with Aunt Ida. Dad. & Enah drove up to see how Miss McCoy was this afternoon as she has had shingles badly Frank went out to Sidway's. Cold all day but sunny Monday <s>February</s> March 1st I had an argument with Quint yesterday about warm water freezing quicker than cold. I claimed that it wouldn't so this morning I tried it out. I took two pans the same size and put a pint of water in each, the temperature of the one was about 120° and the other about 30°. I put them both out in the woodshed and the cold water froze long before the other It had a good skimming of ice on it when the other was about 48 We haven't done anything much to-day. It has been a nice day and we would have hauled wood but Tom Butler wanted to borrow the sleighs to get some hay. Frank went over with him and helped put Pickford's rack on our sleighs. This after noon I walked down town and got my hair cut. I went around by the mill and put up a notice Neff sent of a Farmer's Institute meeting on Thursday. It has been a very nice day, not too cold. Tuesday March 2nd My throat has been very sore all day and I haven't done much outside. Frank went down to the sawmill this morning and got a load of sawdust to use for bedding in the horse stable. He also took a grist to the mill. He and Dad. hauled up a load of wood this after noon and Frank got his stuff at the mill. Dad. went down to Cousin Clare's to tea to-night and spent the evening. Enah and Tid drove Mexico down in the after noon and put him in John Shand's barn and they were at Cousin Clare's too. Frank and I kept house by ourselves. Edmond England left his horse in here while he went to help Dick Waddle drive a cow up from Pickford's which he bought at {Kinsula's?} sale to-day. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/ad4711fa7544b69161c476df990188cd.pdf ba0f0c530b0d0942dc5c24b6795d36b5 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Wednesday March 3rd My throat has been pretty sore all day and I haven't done much except a few chores and work at my show-cards. Dad. & Frank hauled wood all day and now have it all up but one load. To-night Frank and I went down to church and I went home with Marj afterwards I didn't intend to stay but she wanted me to help her fill out her report cards and then she made me let her swab my throat with some dope. Mild all day but freezing to-night. Thursday March 4th Dad. and Frank hauled up their last load of wood this morning there will be a little more from the dead limbs that have yet to be cut out. When that was unloaded we put a load of manure on the sleighs from the box stalls in the horse stable and after dinner Dad. & Frank took it down to Aunty's. Aunty Alice walked over here before dinner. She went over to Mrs. Battersby's from here. She knew I was going down to the boys' meeting to-night so asked me down to tea but I read for quite awhile after dinner so didn't get the chores done in time. Frank and I went down to-night and Frank went to a Agricultural meeting of Neff's in the hall. I went to the boys' meeting and then down to Auntys. Marj. was there and had been there to tea. Mr. & Mrs. Will Holden & Miss Buckwell were there playing bridge. I went up with Marj. and then as it was raining stayed at Auntys all night. Frank came home. Very soft & slushy. Raining to-night. Friday March 5th I woke up about half past three this morning and saw through Aunty's back hall window an awful fire so I got into my clothes as quickly as possible to go up to see it. I called Aunty & Aunty Alice and Aunty Alice thought at once that it was the Post Office block & found out that she was right. When I got up town the whole building was gone & just the flaming brick walls standing. They told me that not a thing was saved. I didn't stay up town long but went back to Aunty's and we had breakfast. Then Aunty Alice wanted to go up and see how Cousin Loll was so I walked up with her. We thought they would have taken her to Cousin Clare's but her house was dark so we went into the Freeman's which was lit up and found Cousin Loll & Willie & Dick & Mollie all in there. Cousin Loll was wrapped up in a quilt and said she had lost all her clothes but one stocking. Dick said the smoke was so bad he couldn't save a thing except a few clothes which he grabbed out of the bureau drawer and the hall rack. He tried to get the safe open to save what was in it but couldn't see to do it in the dark and there was no one to help him move it. The fire started in the back of Patterson's shed nobody knows how and young Johnnie Innes who is the night telephone operator gave the alarm but it was too far on when any one got there to stop it. I came home about six o'clock and found Dad. & Frank up. Dad. was terribly shocked at the news of the fire and went down town as soon as he got the chores done https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/e54cc1467aa99162faba43f8e64f5548.pdf b8db09928ef267de64fca2b2e5f8aeb0 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Frank also went down after dinner to hear a trial between Lloyd Crysler and Earl Long over some hay deal. Lloyd was the defendant and won the case. I did up the chores after dinner but felt pretty tough and when I got through I was afraid I was going to have an ear-ache so I curled up on the sofa for the rest of the day and Enah kept hot salt bags on my ear which staved off the pain pretty well and I went to bed soon after tea. Dad. came home early and he and Frank did all the chores. Dad. says they have opened the Post Office down in Harold Sloan's old ice cream parlor and Patterson is opening an store and telephone & telegraph office up in Coleman's little shack where Huby used to be. It was raining when I went up to the fire this morning but about five o'clock the wind switched around to the north-west and it got very cold and still is. Saturday March 6th I stayed in bed till noon to-day and have not been outside all day but to-night I feel better. It has been bitterly cold all day and windy. Dad. and Frank have down all the chores and Frank took Joe down town this after noon and had her shod. He also took down the bag of good clover seed to Harry Misener and he gave him $67.00 for it but didn't weigh it up then. Dad. went to the doctor yesterday to ask him about his arm as it has been paining him a lot lately. The doctor didn't know what it was but gave him some pills to take. Sunday March 7th Frank went down to Sunday school and church this morning but I have not been out of the house all day although I feel better. Aunty came over with Frank to dinner and was here all the after noon. Dad. went back with her to tea and I think he went up to see Cousin Loll to-night. Lloyd Ryerse came up just after dinner and he & Frank went over and spent the after noon at the England's. Still very cold. Monday March 8th I have been in the house all day again to-day but would have gone out if the weather had been decent but it has been very windy and blustery although not very cold. Dad. and Frank just did chores. I still have quite a cold in my head but my throat is much better. I spent the day reading "Troilus & Cressida" which I didn't care much for. It's representation of the Trojan war and the Grecian heroes was rather tame after the "Illiad". I went out this after noon to gather the eggs and found the two white roosters had got together and had a battle royal and were both about all in. The one that was with the pullets has died and the other one will come around I think. He is the one I was most particular about as his mother is 74 last year's best layer. He is the only rooster I have now as Dad. killed my Rock one the other day, he was sick. Tuesday March 9th This has been a beautiful Springlike day and sunny https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/9c3374a75554fde1b3ce99b594d2925d.pdf e6afc58c3a3dbd16c5593e70793ae80e PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. A great deal of snow has gone off and water is standing around everywhere. It grew very cloudy and looked like rain towards evening but the rain didn't come. I have been out a lot to-day and feel fine but as it is so wet there is nothing much but chores to do, they will begin to increase from now on however as when Frank went out this morning he found that two ewes had lambed one of Dad's ewes had two lambs and No 55 had one. It was a mild night and they are all right. The lambs are we suppose sired by the yearling that got in with the ewes two or three times last fall as old Archie was not put in till after the 1st of November. George Ryersie was in to-night to say the boys were having a meeting to-night but I didn't go down. Frank went down town with him. Wednesday March 10th It didn't freeze last night and has been very soft all day. We just did chores this morning and I painted a little. I got my lesson back to-day which I supposed was burned up with the Post Office. I had another one all ready to post. Tom. Butler was in and borrowed the sleighs to haul some oats. This after noon Frank went out to Lige Farr's sale. Farr was selling a lot of sheep and some stuff he didn't want. Frank said things went pretty well as they were not in very good shape. Dad. has felt very miserable all the after noon he thinks due to the pills Dr. Cook gave him. Enah has not been well either. Miss Phipps was over for awhile this after-noon. To-night Frank and I went down to church and I spent the evening with Marj. It was freezing slightly when I came home. Thursday March 11th There was another big ewe lamb belonging to No 15 when Frank went out this morning, they are all doing well. We did chores and I painted a little this morning. I also cleaned off the dropping boards in the hen houses as the frost was all out and they hadn't been cleaned all winter. I went down town this after noon and took 9 doz. eggs down, sold 4 doz to Aunty Alice and 5 doz to {Name?}. I stayed at Aunty's for tea and to-night went up to the Tuxis boy's social evening in the Sunday school and the Methodist boys were there and a lot of girls There must have been abut {40?}. They had quite an hilarious time and seemed to enjoy themselves. Marj. & Mrs. Cook were there and they engineered the eating part of the affair. Friday March 12th It rained during the night and every thing was flooded to-day but by opening up a few ditches a great deal was run off. Frank fixed up a pen for the ewes with lambs over in the barn. He cut through the hay on the east side of the floor and threw half of it up on the other half and made a nice light pen for the lambs we moved them in and they got very playful. Mrs. Tupper came after Frank this morning to get him to go out to https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/e7197886696a9a2facd62a94fe2f2517.pdf 6cbca8ea6b77eb24cdaa278f4761e201 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Villa Nova with Tupper to help him move his cattle. Tom Butler and his partner were in this after noon with the sleighs and said Tupper and Frank didn't get started till two o'clock so it would be late when they got out there. Frank didn't come back to-night. They say the water down along Shand's flat was up to a horse's belly on the road so they will have had a nice trip. Dad. and I cleaned out Moonshine's box-stall. I went down town to-night. Manning came down and we had a meeting with some of the boys from both squares to arrange about athletic activities for the summer. I spent the rest of the evening with Marj. and went over to call for Aunty Alice at Col. Smith's at eleven o'clock. Saturday March 13th It has been very windy and cold all day to-day and Dad. and I haven't done any thing but chores and sit around the house. Enah felt very miserable this after noon and had an earache. About six o'clock she and Tid got quite a scare as the chimbney or at least the soot in the stove pipe in the kitchen caught fire and filled the room with smoke. They called Dad. & me in from the barns but we couldn't find any trace of fire up in the garret or near the chimney so nothing serious happened. I didn't go down town to-night as it was a rotten cold night. Enah had hoped to take some things down to Cousin Loll's shower which they had for her but she couldn't go. Frank got home about eleven. He came down from Waterford on the car. He had a bad trip. Sunday March 14th Frank and I went down to Sunday school and church this morning and Aunty Alice came over here with Frank to dinner but I stayed down at Aunty's for both dinner and tea. Quint came down at noon and he and I went down to the creek for a little while after dinner to look at muskrat holes and then we went up town. He to Joe Thompson's and I spent the after noon with Marj. who was suffering from toothache. I went around before tea to ask after poor old Tom Abbott. Huby found him yesterday on the doorstep of the cobbler shop and he couldn't move or speak and is still only semiconscious. Huby & someone else got him up to Alex Simpson's They say there will not be much change till a day or two. Aunty and I went to church to-night. Mr. Base preached. Cold wind but feels like spring. Monday March 15th Frank and I went down to Preston's this morning and cut the dead wood out of about six or seven trees as it was part of our contract to cut the dead wood out of the tree next to the one we cut down. Dad. Enah & Tid went down town this morning and were down to dinner and all the after noon, and went to see Cousin Loll. Frank and I just did chores this after noon. Very mild and showery to-night. Tuesday March 16th Dad. noticed yesterday that Cnocfierna was not eating https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/fd9c067373350ac400563e81deabd7be.pdf aa098ab2d9fc5cdcf318df2de83ef66a PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. properly, so he and I tried to examine her mouth. We couldn't see much but he poked around with his float and knocked the cap off one of her teeth. He said he had never heard of a cow having capped teeth like colts but didn't see why they shouldn't have. To-night he found another one so we think that from now on she will be able to eat properly. Alan Law came in while we were out there and took Dad. down to look at a caulked hock on a new horse he bought last fall and which caulked itself running through a snow bank. Dad. was down there till noon. He has not felt very well this after noon. After I did up the after dinner chores I took a walk back to the woods and across Ivey's gully into Preston's woods. The snow is about all off the level now and just in the cuts and on the north side of hills are there banks left of honey combed dirty snow. I saw Old Walker and Benny & Charlie & Guy Tuple working up the big trees in Preston's which the big wind storm took down. Sunny & spring like but cold wind. Wednesday March 17th I haven't done much to-day but chores. Frank has been fixing up some old doubletree getting them ready for seeding. Dad. went over to Quanbury's this morning to see Charlie's cow which got into the chop the other day and has been bloated up ever since. He found Karl Coleman there skinning her. Poor Charlie does have tough luck. Dad. hasn't felt at all well all day to-day and his arm is paining him to-night again. Enah is feeling miserable too Frank and I did up the chores early to-night and Frank went down to Aunty's for tea. I went down right after tea and went with Aunty Alice to church to-night. After church Marj. and I went over to the entertainment put on by J.W. Bengough for the local post of the Grand Army of Canada. He was certainly amusing both as a cartoonist and talker. He drew a picture of old Fred over at the Dominion Hotel which was a very good likeness of him and which tickled the boys in the gallery immensley, he also made a {illegible} Irish {mug?} out of a potato and and English one out of a plum pudding and also a Scotch one out of a thistle. There was a dance after the show but we didn't stay. Thursday March 18th Dad. went over to see John Wess this morning and didn't get back till about two o'clock and hadn't had any dinner. Joh is over there all alone now as Cam. & his wife have gone back home to settle up their affairs before coming back here to look after John. Frank went down to the butter factory this morning to get some butter as no one has called since poor old Tom had the stroke. Cliff Loan told Frank they had no one yet to take Tom's place. This after noon Sam Law was in for quite awhile, he brought some puss he got out of his horse's back to show it to Dad. and ask him if it was joint water. Frank said https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/cd91c2003588965d0ad04f11c6581b62.pdf af7ab965fb82401f4a55778756b4a567 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Alan was going to Simcoe this after noon to hear Roy Haven tried for stealing oats from the Norfolk Milling Co. Frank & Tid spent most of the after noon clearing up the rubbish on the lawn under the old willow tree. I didn't do much but chores all day and painted a little. I went down to the Tuxis boys meeting to-night and was there till about 10.45 practising charting on {Hermon?} Cook and then only got him about half charted. I went from there down to Aunty's and stayed till about mid-night telling them about the Bengough concert. It has been sunny but rather raw to day. Friday March 19th Frank and I started to clean out the box stall where the steers have been all winter. We intended to haul it out to the field but it started to rain and by noon was raining quite hard so we just threw it in a pile outside the door. It turned colder about noon and to-night the ground is covered with snow again. I did chores and we cleaned out a little more this after noon but didn't finish. Frank notified all the J.F.I.A. members of the annual meeting. Dad hasn't done much all day and I think the rest his arm is getting is doing it good. I went down to band practise to-night. There were about 18 out including some new ones. Jim. Ryerse. Karl Lemmons and Joey Smith. We had a good practise and stayed there till half past ten. It is freezing quite hard to night. Saturday March 20th Frank and I finished clearing out the stall where the steers were this morning and hauled it out to the potato ground on the sleighs. There was just enough snow to make the first load slip but it was about gone when we took the last one out. Aunty was over here to dinner and she Enah and Tid. drove down town with Mexico this after-noon. Alan Law was up this morning to see Dad. again about his horse, so Dad. drove down this after noon. Frank and I just did chores. I painted to-night. Fine day, sunny Sunday March 21st Frank Tid. and I went down to Sunday school and Enah came down to church. Enah Tid. and I stayed at Aunty's for dinner and this after noon Enah went to choir practise and to after noon tea at the Barwell's. Marj. & I went for a walk this after noon and saw a robin & some red-winged black-birds. I have heard that robins have been around for some time but to-day was the first I saw one. Marj. and I went to Aunty's for tea and this evening entertained (?) Aunt Ida by singing hymns while Aunty and Aunty Alice went to church. Tid. stayed at Aunty's for tea but drove home with Enah right after. Mexico was in John Shand's barn. It has been fine and Springlike but with a raw west wind. Frank went over to see Tom. Butler and his pal this after noon https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/da164a470d06da2ae37bf52cba6d5fa5.pdf e0bc1daf748ad5590d71ffc40db08c14 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Monday March 22nd Frank has been down at Preston's all day trimming up the dead limbs. He also went over to Henry Miseners to see when they wanted to cut wood but Henry wasn't home. Dad. and I moved the bulls into the place where the steers were, where we can keep them clean. We took down the calf stancions and cleaned out the calves boxstall. To-night Frank and I went down to the annual meeting of the J.F.I.A. and there were just enough boys to form a quorum. Clarence Finch suggested that we dissolve the thing and use what money we had about $25.00 to buy some good agricultural book to put in the Library. Every one agreed to the proposal except Charlie Blake who didn't want to dissolve, however the motion carried. We were all surprised to-day by Frank and me receiving forty dollars apiece from Grand daddy from the sale of some property out there. It came just in time for me to get a new suit. The Northern Lights were wonderful to-night. Beautiful day. Tuesday March 23rd Frank gathered up all the saws he could find this morning and took them down to Dave Waddle's to sharpen them. Dave saw him the other night and invited him down so he was there to dinner. I went over to Preston's and took the dead wood out of the two trees that were left. This afternoon I drove out to Shand's and bargained for a couple of loads of hay, which we are to get as soon as we can manage it. I went from there down to the cheese factory and got some butter as no one is hauling yet in Tom's place The roads are very heavy although not deep and in some places quite dry, it was after six when I got home. I brought Cliff Lown up from the factory with me. I went down town to-night and spent the evening with Marj. Fine day. Wednesday March 24th I went down town first thing this morning and went to Tip's and tried on some ready-made suits. I picked on one $42.00 Navy Blue that suited me pretty well, but I told Harry I wouldn't decide till I went to Simcoe. I went up on the eleven o'clock car and went to see Neff about the books the J.F.I.A. want to donate to the Library. I then went over to Inscombe & Vance and they showed me a piece of Navy Blue Irish serge they call it which the fellow said they had cut a great many suits of and he said he would guarantee it to be fast dye and all wool so I ordered a suit of it at $55.00. It seemed pretty steep but I thought the guarantee was worth something. I came home on the express car and went up to tell Col. Smith who is Chairman of the Library Board about the books and so it was about five o'clock when I got home I found Frank was away as Edmond England had sent for him to help cut wood just after I left. To-night he & https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/f732288b1ea9b4d6a66dfda510ffd8aa.pdf ff97b99757ce312e145139f598777e5e PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. I went down town he went to church and I went to band practice. Aunty Alice went to Hamilton this morning to have her glasses changed and as Aunt Ida has been quite sick all day with a pain in her side I stayed down all night to-night. Another beautiful day, mild Thursday March 25th Frank and I went over to Henry Misener's this morning to help cut wood and were there till about four o'clock. We didn't get started very early as the cylinder of Edmond's gasoline engine was leaking and they had to take the head off and repack it, but we cut up a pile of wood when we did start. We had lots of help as besides ourselves and Henry & Edmond, there was Charlie McQueen, Guy Tuple, Dick Waddle & Tom Stone. They moved over and got set up at our place and we cut a little but Edmond & Henry wanted to get home so we quit early. I went down to the Tuxis boys meeting to-night and stopped in on my way down to ask Jack Martin to send over a man to help us in the morning. Frank went over to {Tom Butler's?} and one of them promised to come over and help. Quite hot to-day Friday March 26th It was colder and windy this morning and looked like rain but it didn't come and we got started before nine at our wood and finished the pile just at noon. Tom Butler and a man came over from Jack's which besides Henry & Edmond was all the help we had. After dinner we loaded up & moved over to Arthur Prestons. Frank and I went down there & helped but it didn't take much more than half an hour to saw Arthur's little pile up. Frank and I stayed down there for awhile talking to Arthur and then came home and did chores and I went down town to-night and about eleven went over to Col. Smith's and called for Aunty Alice. Trying hard to rain. Saturday March 27th We haven't done much all day but chores. Frank found two more lambs when he went out this morning one of them isn't much bigger than a red squirrel and is very weak but Dad. has it in the house feeding it from a spoon. Another ewe lambed a little later. This after noon Dad. went down to ask after old Tom, and said he was very low, and to-night when I went down I heard he was dead. Poor old Tom. we certainly are going to miss his visits and his wit, but maybe for him it would have been much harder to live and see the old lady suffer the way she is or to live with out her as she can't last much longer. I went down to Col. Smiths for tea to-night, Mrs Smith had her boys there and invited Marj. & me. Mr. & Mrs. Johnston were also there and we had a great time. I started for home quite early but stopped in at Frank Smiths and talked to him till near 12 o'clock Roy, Vernon & the children all came up to-day to stay till after Easter. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/50bdc4417b71204a735398944883942a.pdf 1c1fbaa37ae6325ceec58043782f8f57 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Sunday March 28th Frank Tid. and I went down to Sunday school and church this morning and Tid. and I stayed down to dinner. Enah has a bad cold and sore throat so didn't go down to church but went down this after noon to choir practice. Marj. & I went for a walk up the beach this after noon. The lake is lower than I ever saw it, the beach being from 40 to 70 ft wide in places. We also went around to Miss McQueen's for awhile and she gave us tea and cookies. Miss Martin was there, this being her birthday. Aunty Alice, Vernon and I went to church to-night and I spent the evening with Marj. Mr. Johnston announced a meeting to-morrow night to consider the question of whether to take the steeple down or not as since the sheeting blew off it last fall some of them have got it into their heads that it is unsafe. Col. Smith & Jack Martin seem to think that it will have to come down and as the idea of that church without the steeple seemed like a crime to me I climbed up this after noon and as far as I could see only the sills around the posts and the sheeting are a little rotten but perfectly solid and <s>as far as I</s><s> can see</s> it would cost much less to repair it than to take it down. To remove that steeple would not only destroy the beauty of the church which really is pretty but it would take away the most outstanding and picturesque feature of the town. Roy & Jack Walker looked at it too and came to the same conclusion as I did. Monday March 29th Dad. had to be a bearer at Mrs. Chapman's funeral to-day and as they brought her here he had to go down to meet the morning train at eleven. Frank drove him down and he stayed down to dinner. I didn't do much but a few chores and painted this after noon. Frank has been pretty busy with the sheep as several more ewes lambed to-day. To-night he went down to Aunty's for tea as they had invited him & Jennie Ward down there. Marj. came over here for tea. Fine day colder to-night. Tuesday March 30th We spent the morning doing up the chores. The lambs are coming thick and fast now and require considerable attention. This after noon Dad. and I went to old Tom's funeral. We took Tid. down and left him at Aunty's to visit with Rebecca while we drove up to the cemetry. Dad. went to the service at the house but I stayed out and held Joe. and talked to Alan Law. Alan misses Tom about as much as anyone but like old Tom himself he takes good care not to betray his feelings by his line of talk. To-night Frank and I went down town and I went around with Marj. but soon after we went in she was seized with a terrible toothache or neuralgia so I didn't stay long. Thank's to Roy's energy the result of last night's meeting was that Huby, Cousin Willie and Barwell were appointed as a committee to have Bill Rankin, Percy Ryerse & Jack Spain to look at the old steeple this morning which they did and https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/1bac78ae77d90485c9412caa14189c10.pdf e53bef708a35062583636b7f197274c7 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. came to the conclusion that it will not be necessary to tear it down. These three were all very anxious to have it left but Roy feels certain that if he had not urged them to go and had not examined the steeple himself that the outcome would have been that Jack Martin and a few others who don't care much would have just had it torn down to be done with it. Very mild, rained a little. Wednesday March 31st Frank and I have been down at Preston's all day burning brush and got the brush from 8 or 9 trees burned just by starting a fire over the stump and carrying to it. In this way we could burn the brush from several trees at once. Roy, Vernon, Aunty and the two children were over here to dinner. Aunty & Roy walked back early and wheeled Walter in a go-cart they had borrowed and Enah drove Vernon and Rebecca down about five o'clock. Frank had to go over to Jack Martin's to night to get instructions in doing the chores Billy Mills is sick with flu and Hanselman is leaving to day and going up to Jack Paine's place so they stuck for help and Frank is going over to help old Bill George out. Frank and I went down town to-night and I went to band practice. Thursday April 1st Frank was over at Jack's all morning. Dad. and I went down to Preston's this morning and burned some more brush. This after noon Frank and I went up to Ham Thompsons and got a small load of hay, as we are not going to have enough of our own to get us through. Frank got off on our way home to do up the chores at Jack's. I went down to the Tuxis boys meeting to-night. I expected Manning to be there but he had been down earlier and sent Neff down. Neff gave the boys a little talk. When it was over I went around to see Marj. her toothache was better. She intends leaving for home to-morrow for the holidays. It has been a beautiful day to-day. Bobbie calved to-day a red & white bull. Moonshine's first. Friday April 2nd Good Friday Dad. & I didn't go down to the orchard this morning as we had several jobs around here to do. We moved Bobbie and ear-marked a couple of the lambs. The old big bagged ewe had two lambs to-day but evidently has very little milk for them so Dad. brought one of them in the house and has been feeding from a bottle. Enah went down to church this morning and I painted a little. It rained quite hard about noon but soon cleared off and Dad. and I went down to the orchard and burned some more brush. It went all right once we got it started. Frank and Tid. went down to Alfreds and borrowed his fish spear and went back to spear pike but had no luck, although we have heard wonderful stories of the fish being caught in our gully this spring. Very mild all day but it has turned colder and windy to-night. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/635a71731d52e30188ea5b2e9172ad16.pdf 31a37adfdc872b04f2443619273f3b32 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Saturday April 3rd Dad. and I went down to the orchard this morning to burn brush but it was so windy Dad. and Arthur decided it would be dangerous to start a fire, so we came home and I walked down to the creamery to get some butter as we were right out. I went down to Ryerse's and then walked up along the creek to the second bridge. I saw several of the fellows back there working on the land either on the side hills or on the flats which dry out quickly on account of the gravel bottom. Roy Hammond was at the factory and he gave me a ride as far as his place on my way home. I came through Tom Butler's place and stopped to talk to them for awhile so it was after one o'clock when I got home. We didn't do any thing much this after noon as it was very cold and windy. Freezing to-night. Sunday April 4th Easter. (Martha's calf (bull) came to-day) I went down to Sunday school this morning and the rest went down to church except Frank who had to help old Bill George do chores over at Jack Martin's. Vernon came over here to dinner with Enah and Roy and I walked over after having dinner at Aunty Alice's. We didn't do any thing extraordinary for the rest of the day. Roy and Vernon left early in the after noon to go to Huby's for tea. Frank went down to the Ryerse's this after noon Lloyd & George have been sick and are not much better yet. Miserable cold raw day Monday April 5th Dad. & Tid went down first thing this morning to see Roy, Vernon & Aunty off as they thought they were going at nine o'clock, they didn't get away till eleven though Aunty went back with them to spend a week. It has been a miserable day with ice over every thing from last night's ice storm. To-night I went down to the Vestry meeting as I promised Mr. Johnston I would. He asked me to act as secretary for the meeting so I had to go over to the Rectory afterwards to copy in the minutes. I had intended getting my hair cut but Mrs. Johnston invited me to crackers, cheese & wine, and Mr. Johnston gave me a cigar so I sat there till too late to go to the barbers. They have had quite a day of it down there as Percy Dunkin & Miss Baugley were married to-day and they entertained the party at the Rectory. It was wine that Percy brought down that we were making merry with to-night. I stayed all night at Aunty Alice's as Aunty is away although Aunty Alice said she intended to stay alone, however she had the bed ready for me if I intended to stay. Cold. Tuesday April 6th Dad. and I did chores this morning and this after noon Frank and I went up to Ham Thompson's and got the rest of the hay that he said we could have https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/b870145a138f5178b37eac58d89b45f3.pdf fdc0c1586af0220672f56d46af4b08d6 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Frank stopped off at Jack's to do chores and Dad. and I put part of the load off in the horse stable, just as we were getting through the chores which was rather late George & Marion came in. They had come on the five o'clock car and had had tea with Aunty Alice. We were expecting them some time to-night as George sent a telegram. Miserable weather, snowing to-night. Wednesday April 7th We haven't done much but chores to-day and I have been working on the last lesson of my show card course. It is quite a long one and I want to finish it up this week if possible. Enah drove George & Marion down town with Mexico this afternoon and they got a suitcase which they had left down town. I went down to band practise to-night. I went around to Harry Dyer's first and got my hair cut. We hadn't a big crowd out as it was a rotten night freezing hard and {Grint?}, Mid. and Erney West are up the lake fishing. Bill Lemmons was in a exceptionally good humor though They say he is going to be married soon to Lou. Dixon but she hasn't got him yet. Cold and extremely rotten. Thursday April 8th Dad. George and I went down to Preston's this morning and burned some more brush. Henry was there burning his to-day. This after noon Dad. & I went down alone and finished burning ours. I went down to the Tuxis boy's meeting to-night we didn't have a regular meeting but the boys were making plans for their father & son banquet next Tuesday, we had a very short session and I got home early. It has been a nasty day. Sunny by "spells" and a snow storm every half hour. Friday April 9th Dad. George. Tid and I went down to the orchard this morning and helped Henry burn the rest of his brush. We got it all slicked up in fine shape before noon and Arthur complimented us on the thoroughness with which we did the job. George and I went over to see the old McQueen cemetry. I worked at my show card lessons this after noon. George went down town while Marion was asleep after dinner and invited Ada to go to the dance with him to-night. Marion went down town after him as soon as she woke up and brought him back for tea. After tea George left early to get Ada. and Frank, Enah and Marion went down later to a concert and dance put on by the Rebecca Lodge from Delhi. They said the dance was good but the concert was rotten. Dad. Tid and I stayed home and I worked at my show card lesson. A little milder but raw. Saturday April 10th Frank and I went out to the Shands this morning to https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/7cdfd1cac1fd8afb202a515153467145.pdf 012515121ea917340f3712e7bd3ce53e PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. get a load of hay which they promised us. We had to go over to Willie's place to get it and as we were going under their telephone wire which crossed the lane the back ladder of the rack caught it and broke off clean both legs. Frank and Charlie fixed it up but it took quite awhile and it was nearly noon by the time we left with our load, we took it down to Kolbe's to weigh it and as it was after twelve when we arrived there, the office was locked up and we had to wait for our weight till one o'clock, when Kolbe came along. I went over to Huby's for awhile as he stays at the office till one o'clock on Saturdays. It was pretty late when we got home with our load and didn't do much but chores after dinner after we had put off the load most of it in the horse stable. Dad. went over to Jack's in Frank's place this morning. Frank will be through over there to-morrow as Billy is feeling well enough to get out. I went down to the station to-night and met Marj. she came back on the Grand Trunk. Milder to-day. Sunday April 11th I went down to Sunday school this morning and Enah went down to church but none of the rest went down. I stayed at Aunty's for dinner and spent the after noon with Marj. part of it delivering maple sugar, she brought back a load of it from home and had to divide it up and give it away. We both came over here for tea and I helped Dad. milk, all the family except Dad. and Frank were out for a joy-ride in Joe Thompson's car, Quint came over here to dinner with Enah and Joe came over after dinner to get him so took them all for a drive up around by Simcoe. We all spent the evening here and Enah and Marion played duets. Tid went to bed early and was very quiet and seems to realize that to-night sees the close of the first epoch of his career, his childhood days are over, and to-morrow he will be a school-boy. Monday April 12th Dad. and Enah took Tid. down to school this morning and left him quite happy with Miss McQueen, who he fell in love with at first sight. Frank and I spent most of the morning clipping Mexico. It rained most of the after noon. Jim. Bannister came in right after dinner with the lower half of the circle of his buggy broken and had to borrow ours to go around the mail route. We didn't do any thing much this after noon but chores. Dad. drove after Tid. at four o'clock with Mexico and the cart. We were all home to-night. George & Marion intend to leave to-morrow and George is going West right away. Tuesday April 13th Dad. drove Tid down to school first thing this morning and as soon as he got back I drove George down https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/edc2f7eda21c5574c1343d60f958712a.pdf 0c34686630e76dea693b9edb6c933207 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. as he wanted to go and say good bye to the Harding's and Ada. Enah drove Marion down a little later with Mexico and they got off on the eleven car. I went down to Frank Smith's to ask him how the Father & Son banquet was progressing and he said all arrangements had been completed. This after noon Frank and I put the ear labels in the rest of the lambs. We both went down soon after six to the Father & Son banquet in the Methodist church and had a rattling good supper and as I had to leave at 8.20 to meet Aunty I got out of listening to most of the speeches. Bill Barwell & Joe Smith proposed toasts and were answered by Mr. Brand and a Mr. Neil who came with Manning, then a Mr. Dollar who I think is liable to succeed Mr. Brand in the Methodist pulpit this year. They were all pretty poor, but but Frank said that Taylor Statten who spoke for about an hour after I left was very good. The train got in about nine o'clock and I went up to the house with Aunty and then went up and spent the rest of the evening with Marj. Sunny and a little milder to-day. Wednesday April 14th Frank and I went to Simcoe this morning to get some feed at Johnson's. We borrowed Art. Quanbury's waggon as ours had the rack on it and as we went over there after it, we didn't get started till about ten o'clock. It was nearly noon when we got there so Frank took his wheel around to Ford's to be fixed and we took some bags up to Johnson's and then put the team in at Burt's and went and had dinner at Shaw's. It was four o'clock before we left Simcoe. I got my new suit and went to Slaght who didn't know any more about the Dickey Stevens place than he did last fall We couldn't get any bran or shorts anywhere up there but got our seed potatoes and some seed corn. It was nearly six when we got home. Dad. said Roy Hammond had been in to invite us all down to a U.F.O. social meeting to-night and hear a debate on the subject of an 8 hour day on the farm. I went down to band practise to-night and went to the U.F.O. meeting after it. The debate was just about over but we heard <s>the</s> a quartette composed of Frank Lemons, Fram. Walker, Mrs. Welch & Mrs. Roy Hammond sing and a violin duet. Then some old Frank Ryerson from Teeterville or some place made a long rambling agitating speech in which he made several comparisons between the poor down trodden farmer and the wealthy autocratic city-man all of which was bunk. He is a witty and comical old coon but a {rube?} in manners, looks and speech, but evidently a high man in U.F.O. circles. After this we had refreshments, which were good, and plentiful. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/2e33a5786de0bc8e0eaf7bb6baa52b5d.pdf d311a2a68f4fe9ceeac778294fef6f1b PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Thursday April 15th Dad went out to the corner field and tried to plow this morning but it was too wet and he had to come up. Frank and I cut the tails off 14 more lambs and then Frank drove Tid. down to school. I braided up the corn we got in Simcoe yesterday and hund it up in the drive house. It started to rain before noon and rained all the afternoon and night. Dad. went over to John Wesses this after noon and was there till after five. We did chores and puttered around. I went down town to-night to see if the Tuxis boys were going to meet but they didn't. I had on Frank's rubber boots so thought I would go home but I took a walk up to the Monteith's and saw Marj. near the door so knocked and she let me in. She got me old Monteith's slippers which nearly pinched my feet off and caused the old man considerable concern when he went to look for them later. Frank went down to a minstrel show composed of Simcoe Methodists in the town hall. Friday April 16th We started to fix up the lane a little this morning Dad. & Frank plowed three furrows on each side of it and I threw the sods out in the middle. A little before noon Tom. Butler came over after Dad. to go and see a ewe that was lambing so Dad. went over and didn't get back till after three and didn't have any dinner Frank worked a little more at the lane this after noon and fixed up a lamb creep. I spent most of the after noon doing chores. Wore my new suit down town to-night and they all said it looked fine. Nice day Saturday April 17th Dad. and I have spent most of the day piling wood and didn't quite finish but made things look quite a bit better than they did. Frank went down town this morning and up to Miss McCoy's where he found we could get two tons of hay for $25.00 a ton. He went out to Evans and got the wheel of the old waggon which he took out there the other day. Evans had put in a piece of a rim and two new spokes and only charged $2.50. Frank put it on the old waggon this after noon and went down town and got a load of sawdust to use in the horse stable for bedding. Dad. went down to see Aunty to-night. Very windy, mild. Sunday April 18th Tid and I went down to Sunday school this morning and Frank came down but was too late for sunday school and too early for church so went up the beach. I stayed at Aunty's for dinner and this after noon Marj. and I went over to Prestons & Ivey's woods and https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/cb27f258297172bebce3c9ef71356b8b.pdf 4dc107e0468e38c8004d59609ed4a6be PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. gathered a big bunch of may flowers. We came up through the gully to the house and found Aunty Alice here She went home before tea, but Marj. stayed here for the evening. Frank was over at the Sidway's and didn't get home till nearly seven but as I was home I helped Dad. do the chores. It has been a beautiful day, east breeze. Monday April 19th Frank and I went out to the Shand's first thing this morning and got another load of hay. They told us we could have enough to make up a ton but we put on as much if not more than we had last time and the last load weighed 1580, but Willie said they would call the two loads 3000 and only charged us $18.00 a ton for it. It was easily worth $25.00 according to what we would have to pay anywhere else. We put it all off in the horse stable and right after dinner we went up to Miss McCoy's and got a load. It took us quite awhile to put it on and coming out of the barn we had to make a very short turn and broke a trace but were able to shorten it and go on. We took it down and weighed it and it was 1910 but heavier hay. Fine day Tuesday April 20th We started work on the land to-day. I went out first thing and sowed the rest of the clover seed on the wheat and Frank went out and started disking along the side road. Dad. took Tid down to school and then went out with Belle & Queen with the harrows. Frank had Harry & Pommers and Pommers went off without a particle of trouble. They worked till about four o'clock when Frank came up to get the drill and seed as it looked so rainy we thought we had better put in what was worked up although Dad. didn't want to put it in without more work and without treating the seed. Just as Frank came up it started to rain and rained till five o'clock so nothing more could be done. I dug around some of the little trees in the orchard this morning and this after noon did chores and mixed barley & oats for seed. Frank and I went down town to-night. I met Marj. after their auxillary meeting was over and we went to the picture show. Wednesday April 21st Frank and I spent the day shearing sheep but only got six done. We were quite awhile getting the machine in order and haven't got our hand in very well yet. We couldn't find our wool box so couldn't tie up the fleeces Dad. went down to the butter factory this after noon to get some butter and didn't get back till after six He said the roads were a fright. They just scraped them before the rain. I went down to band practise to-night. Cnocfierna had a heifer calf to-night. Fine & warm. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/f3a7e006454bf3e5db83d7b79a929014.pdf d879330435925835f889fc19c61e1f5b PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Thursday April 22nd Frank took Tid. down to school this morning and went on down town to get some oil for the sheep clippers and to get me some developing supplies. He also went up to Ham Thompson's and found our wool box. Ham had borrowed it last year and had forgotten about it till he found it the other day cleaning out the drive house. I raked the lawn for awhile and then Dad. helped me shear a couple of sheep, but it hurt his arm to turn the machine. We sheared this after noon and got seven more done. Alan Law was in this morning and took the knives of the horse clippers up to be sharpened in Simcoe. Elva came over to dinner and Aunty Alice right after dinner and all the bridge club later in the after noon. Aunty Alice & Elva stayed to tea and I walked down with them after tea and went to the Tuxis boys meeting. It began to rain just after we left and we had a great old thunder storm. It was still raining a little when I started for home so I went in to Aunty Alice's for the night. Saw a pair of big blue martin's on the bird house to-day. Friday April 23rd This has been a miserable day, rained or drizzled nearly all the time with little patches of sunshine and rather chilly. Frank and I sheared seven more sheep. Dad. went up to see Ham Thompson's cattle this morning. I went down town to-night. Saturday April 24th Frank and I docked the rest of the lambs this morning and then sheared three more sheep before dinner. Aunty came over to dinner and this afternoon she Enah and Tid went back to the woods and got a lot of may flowers. Frank went to Simcoe this after noon and got his wheel and rode it home. It was rather late when we got through the noon chores so instead of shearing any more sheep, Dad. went out to clean out some ditches and I went down to "Bronzie" and got some cedar trees to set out for a hedge Enah. Tid. and Aunty drove down town and I went down and got some more little cedars and left them by Mrs. Battersby's mail box and Enah brought them home in the cart. I set some of them out to-night and heeled the rest of them in. Sunny but cold north wind Sunday April 25th Frank and I went down to sunday school this morning I was purposely late as I had a premonition that I might be requested to open Sunday school but when I got there I found that they had not yet started so sure enough Aunty Alice pounced on me and asked me to do the job. I thought there was only one effective way of getting out of it and convincing them that I absolutely and unconditionally refused to be let in https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/0c61e97646c168cdc4821eef08c8f65b.pdf 27fa7f633b75a445275afea7a0a686a8 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. for it so I made for the door and went down to the pier for half and hour. There were several fishing down there and they were hauling out perch at a great rate. I didn't have quite time enough after I got back to get all the books distributed. Mr. Johnson had a very bad cold and there was some talk of not having church so Marj. and I thought we would go up the beach, there was church however but we walked right past much to Aunty Alice's surprise, we thinking that the fewer Mr. Johnston had to speak to the easier it would be on his voice. I left Marj. at the Bagleys where she had dinner and spent the afternoon celebrating Mr. Bagley's birthday. I came home to dinner and this after noon went over to Tom Butler's with some tobacco Frank got for him. I also took a knife over to dock his lambs, but Art Quanbury had been over this morning and done that. I found Tom & Stevens in the house entertaining Bill Donald, Frank Lemons and Jack & Arthur Pickford, so I stayed for about an hour and imbibed cider with the company On my way home I came through the woods and dug up some may-flower roots to send to Dorrie. I helped Dad. do chores and went down town by after church. They had a long service. The oddfellows were all there and Mr. Farney preached to them. Frank has been down at the Ward's all after noon & evening. Fine day, cool Monday April 26th I went out first thing this morning to measure of a space in the field along the side road to put the Experimental Union plots. Then I came up and helped Frank bring out the old drill which he had rigged up as a broadcast seeder with Harry & Pommer while Dad. drove Tid to school. They had broken a cog in the feed drive gear of the drill so when we got out with it we found it wouldn't run as it would stop feeding when it came to the broken cog. We came up and put Queen with the team and hooked on to the big drill and Dad. & Frank went a few rounds with it but found the ground was too wet for it to work in the mud clogged up in the disks and half the seed didnt sow and it wouldn't cover well either. I opened up some ditches in the corner field This after noon Frank took the broken gear wheel to Simcoe but they were all too busy up there to fix it and the implement man didn't have one in stock but sent for one. Dad. and I took Pommers & Harry out to plow in the corner field and I went a few rounds with him but it was too wet to work well and the plow not being scoured pulled very hard, but Dad. kept at it till night and finished a land. I came up and set out the rest of my cedar hedge down to the ditch. I have some left though. Cold east wind and cloudy. Rain to-night. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/b3087f1b099e293da7f67eed684aa069.pdf 49a994b87b2170fd15f7c6af56b7b3de PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Tuesday April 27th It drizzled rain all morning so that we couldn't do anything outside. I worked in the shop making stakes for the experimental plots and fixing the milk stools. Frank went down to Alfred's and cleaned up some oats as we have to buy some for feed. This after noon it cleared off, the wind went from the east to west by the south and it got quite warm. We went back to the gully and fixed a little of the fence as there is enough pasture back there now to turn the steers back. I went down to-night. Wednesday April 28th We spent the day fixing fence back in the gully and think we have the old barricade patched up enough to hold the steers as we want to turn them out to-morrow. We <s>p</s>put most of the morning on the fence this side of the creek on Ivey's line. It was in awful shape so we took it all down, put in a couple more posts and stretched the barbed wire over again. It doesn't look very artistic but it is in a perpendicular position anyway, I went down to band practice to-night. Rotten day. Cloudy, windy, very cold & rainy. Tom Butler & his pal spent the evening over here to-night. They are getting tired of batching and have a chance to engage a young widow from near Simcoe as housekeeper, but don't know whether it would be strictly in accordance with the rules of society or not. Thursday April 29th Frank went out and harrowed this morning along the side road and Dad. plowed in the corner field. Frank thought the land worked pretty well so Dad. went on this after noon and sowed the rest of the barley & oats we had mixed up. He went over what he sowed the other day again. He couldn't start sowing till quite late as Jim who brought the spare part to the broadcast seeder couldn't find it when he brought the mail and so went all around his route and found it in the bottom of his box so then brought it out, he was in his car so went around fairly quickly. I measured out 250 lbs of manure this morning to put on one of my experimental plots and then went out and staked them out. I came up at four o'clock and did up the chores as Dad. worked pretty late. I went down to the Tuxis boys' meeting to-night after which I ran across Hazen and walked up to the radical track and back with him. We turned the steers out to-day. Friday April 30th Dad. worked on the land all day and got in four or five acres more. Frank and I treated what oats he sowed for smut this morning. We tried the dry treatment this time which is to spray the formalin on instead of sprinkling it. We use a much stronger solution, half in half and just use one https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/6a8fe171fd377ab9d0c68ac4bfdcd99f.pdf 7ad079e0f2fb94bf31cc1eb87449e28c PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. pint of the mixture to 25 bushels of grain. We did it in the granary instead of on the barn floor where there would have been a breeze and it nearly suffocated us. The fumes got in our eyes and noses even after we tied handkerchiefs over our mouths, but little by little we got the job done. We then took the sheep out to the corner field and Frank went on the land and worked. I sowed three of my experimental plots but will have to wait till I get the manure on the other one to sow it. I spent the after noon doing chores. We were very much surprised this morning when we went out to the cow stable to find a roan heifer calf behind Elgitha. She wasn't due till the 12th of May so we hadn't noticed her at all and she calved in the stanchions. We put her and the calf out back of the barn for to day and shut her in a box stall at night, she looks to have a good bag. We let the cows back to the gully for awhile this after noon. I went down town to-night. Fine but quite cool. Saturday May 1st It froze hard last night and has been cold quite uncomfortably so with a north west wind all day but it has been fine and Dad. and Frank have managed to finish that field out there, we think there must be about 14 acres in it. There are one or two holes with water in them that they had to leave, but Dad can sow a little closer to them by hand and Frank will cross harrow it Monday if it stays fine. We put it in in pretty rough shape just disked and harrowed it ahead of the <s>drill</s> seeder with out crossing. Dad. hates to put it in that way, but with the weather we have it seems like taking chances on not getting it in at all if we do it "a la" John Wess. This is the way Art Ryerse & Alf. Pow do it every year and they thrash some great crops. I have chored around all day cleaning out the calf pens and mulching the raspberries. Enah and Tid went down to John Watts' sale this after noon. Enah said there were very few there and things went for very little. She bought some chairs and rag mats, for a little over a dollar. John Watts is leaving as Sam & Alan have bought the farm. Sunday May 2nd Frank and I went down to Sunday school and Enah went down to church as she had to play the organ. Dad. went down to Aunty's for dinner. I came home for dinner and tea and spent the after noon and evening down town. I took 16 chick out from two hens to-day and put them in a little coop under one hen. Frank & Lloyd Ryerse went down the lake shore to-night to invite folks to the Butler's Stevens party to-morrow night. Fine day but cold wind. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/93c155706c7d9b99aef87486abe6076b.pdf e0839366698fed4d9a17972267f7e8ed PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Monday May 3rd Frank and I went up to Miss McCoy's this morning and got another load of hay. It was after noon by the time we got it home and off. Dad. harrowed crossways on what we sowed this morning and Frank finished harrowing it this after noon and started in disking the corner field. Dad. and I hauled out the manure I had weighed up for my plot and some more which we mulched some of the little poplars along the side road with. We then brought the plow out of the corner field and ran the ditches in the sowed piece and Dad. started to plow the head land in the corner field. Winnie came over to tea to go with me to the party to-night. Frank had arranged to take Kathleen Kinsular and Jennie Ward so he had to take them out first then come back and get Win & me. We had a very good time out there. Bobbie Mc.Milland was the orchestra and Fred Krill the master of ceremonies, there was a good crowd out there and lots to eat. Frank drove Win & me home about one o'clock and then went back after the other girl Thursday May 4th Frank and I had to go back to the back field first thing this morning to get the cattle out of the woods as they had knocked down and broken a bar. I then drove Win. down to the bank and when I got home Frank and I put on a load of manure and took it down to Aunty Alice. We brought home some posts from Jack Reynolds to put along the road for a fence. Dad. plowed the head land in the corner field this morning and he and Frank worked on it this after noon. We are going to work up just half of it for oats and put corn on the rest of it. I did chores and sowed my last experimental plot with oats. I went down town to-night. Wednesday May 5th Dad. & Frank worked on the corner field all day and hope to have it ready to drill by to-morrow after noon. I went out and burned some old rubbish in the corner field that had been along the old fence bottom, then I cleaned out some ditches in the sowed field. Frank and I treated some more oats this after noon and a little barley which Frank went down to the mill for. Remembering our last experience we were determined not to do the job in the granary again so we cleaned off the barn floor but that took a long time so that by the time we got done, there was no time to do any thing else much. Frank went out and sowed two kinds of Spring Wheat on the plots. I went down to band practice to-night. Aunty Alice was over here to tea. Fine & warm all day but it freezes every night. Thursday May 6th Dad. & Frank worked all morning on the corner field and drilled it in this after noon with the big drill. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/5c6ac5762d808f140a3a97763664250f.pdf 0893f0dbe7615ce83e26204ed1437f03 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Frank didn't finish till nearly dark. I sowed all the clover seed we had left on the side road field this morning, it went over about to the first water hole. I had dinner about ten o'clock and then went up to Charlie Trinders to see the Shorthorn sale of his & Ham Thompson's. I did think of going up on the eleven o'clock car but changed my mind and walked up through the Cedar Swamp and Dean's Hollow. It was a beautiful day for a walk and I just poked along and enjoyed myself. I got a ride home with Lloyd Crysler who had taken John Wess. Charlie Butler & Wilbur Ryerse up. The sale was very poor. Trinder's stuff was in poor shape and small and although Hams looked pretty nice the bidding was very slow and every thing went for grade prices or less. Lloyd Crysler & John Wess each bought a bull. I went down town to-night and ran races and jumped with the boys. Came home early & went to bed. Friday May 7th Frank had a couple of bags of seed left over last night when he got the piece sowed that was worked up so as it was treated we thought we had better sow it. Dad. has been working up five more lands all morning Frank drilled it in this after noon and then disked over the plowing that was left to keep it from getting too hard. We went down to Alfred's first thing this morning and got six more bags of oats for feed, we then went down to the mill and got four bags of some new feed mixture to feed the bulls. Then as the cattle were all in the back field again, we went back and put them out and stretched some more barbed wire. Frank came up and harrowed and I went over to ask Cam. McBride if he would like us to give him a day to-morrow he seemed very pleased at the prospect. He was just finishing up his field plowing and is afraid he won't get any more in. I went from there over to Charlie McQueen's to ask him if there would be any chance of renting his place this fall but he said he guessed not. This after noon I cleaned out a few ditches did chores and went over to ask Art Quanbury if he would rent Charlies place but he said not. I went down town to-night. Fine & warm. Saturday May 8th I went over to Cam McBride's first thing this morning with the harrows and was over there till nearly six harrowing. Cam. got his field in to-night with the broadcast seeder. I harrowed ahead of him and then went over it after him so harrowed the field nearly over twice. Charlie Munroe came over and harrowed too all the after-noon. I came home before tea much against Cam's & John Wess's wishes and forgot the halters and left them in the barn where the horses had been tied at noon. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/336acee5330aafa15a433307759f0174.pdf 515f5885ad5e2d142f61173882729c0d PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. so Frank rode over on his wheel to get them but found Charlie Munroe had put them on his horses so he had to wait till Charlie got through tea and had his there too. He worked up the garden to-day and his alfalfa plot. He & Dad. ran out the ditches in the corner field this morning but Dad. has felt so tough with a cold that he didn't do any thing this after noon. We were till after dark getting the chores all done, then Frank and I went down town. I got my hair cut and as I was so sleepy I went down to Aunty Alices and spent the night. Very hot this morning looked rainy Sunday May 9th Aunty Alice called me at five o'clock this morning and I went to sleep again but got away before half past five. Dad. was milking when I got home. Frank, Tid and I went down to Sunday school. Enah drove down to church. I stayed at Aunty Alices to dinner and this after noon Marj. & I walked over to Preston's woods and then over here to tea. Frank was down at the Ward's and Dad. was to sick with his cold and an awful headache to get up at all so I had all the chores to do. I drove Marj. down to-night. Fine day Monday May 10th Frank and I finished cleaning out the ditches in the corner field this morning and this after noon sheared four more sheep. Dad. has felt very little better and hardly went out of the house all day Tid's cold is worse too and he didn't go to school. It has been cloudy all day and rained a little this after noon. We need it badly. Frank found a lamb this morning with a big lump on its shoulder and Dad. lanced it, and got a lot of stuff out of it. I afterwards pulled a long piece of straw out of the wound which looked like a timothy head with all the seed hulls off it. Tuesday May 11th It rained most of the morning and must have rained a lot during the night. We needed it badly and it was a nice gentle rain. The sheep got wet during the night so we couldn't shear to-day. Frank went down town this morning to see about borrowing some money, he stayed at Aunty's to dinner and went to Simcoe this after noon to see about several items of business. He is full of business ideas these days and says he is going to make the farm hum and double production, so I tell him to "go to it". I spent the morning trying out different letterings on a memorial honor-roll for Mr. Johnson. It cleared off this after noon and I did chores and worked around out in front of the house. Alan Tibbets, Zeitha and little Helen were over this after noon and went back to the woods after flowers. Tom Butler & Stevens were in for awhile too. Frank and I went down town to-night. Dad. helped me do the night chores. Tid. feels rotten https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/422adad258c93e60d385a4314b647473.pdf 8313a68c477800a3a3f6a02cac55822a PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Wednesday May 12th Frank and I sheared the rest of the sheep to-day. We got five done this fore noon and the other two after dinner. Alex Jamieson was in and wanted us to go down and shear his but Frank told him we didn't have time but that he could borrow the machine if he wanted it. Dad. felt quite a lot better to-day and went down to Aunty's for dinner and was down town all the after noon. Tid has been in bed all day and to-night they have decided that he has the measles. I went down to band practice to-night. Fine but cold wind. Frosty. Thursday May 13th I spent the day putting in posts along the road so that we could stretch the fence along the front of field east of the orchard. The sheep are on it and with no fence up they wander up the road and pasture on Pickford's wheat, which hasn't grown any since last fall so doesn't need pasturing. Frank harrowed over the garden this morning and this after noon he and Dad. hauled manure out on it. Dad. was quite worried over Jessie all day as she wasn't progressing with calving very fast. He examined her to-night and as the calf's head was back he was afraid we were going to lose one or both but he managed to straighten it out and it came fine a big red heifer. I went down to a Tuxis boys' meeting and a {sidesmen's?} meeting afterwards. Very cold all day and cloudy. It can't aparently warm up. Friday May 14th It took me nearly all day to put in the two posts in the gully I dug long holes for them and nailed cross pieces on the bottom's and put stones on top of them so I don't think the wire will lift them. Frank and I strung the wire up to them to-night so that the sheep can't get out. They have taken to going up to Pickford's wheat so we have to keep them in as Pickford's wheat makes very poor pasture. Dad. and Frank hauled some more manure on the garden this morning and they disked it and spring toothed it this after noon. Frank also went over his alfalfa plot and Dad. plowed a little more of the corn ground in the corner field. I went down town to-night and met Marj. going to Aunty's with a basket which she had taken a kitten up home in so we spent the evening there. Huby Aunty Maude, Cousin Clare & Col. Smith were there playing bridge. Cloudy and very cold wind all day. Freezing hard to-night. Saturday May 15th Dad. and Frank and I worked all morning in the garden I cut up some of the small Irish Cobbler potatoes that were in the cellar and we planted four rows of them. Dad. and Frank planted a lot of small seeds. This after noon Frank and I took the little pigs down town and delivered them to their various purchasers. Bronzie Brock got one Art Webster one, Geordie Long two & Geordie Innes two. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/914ccb0687942f4a02bb9d896541a9bc.pdf c8a12df742b419c585b8904cb38983e4 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. We also took the wool down and put it on a freight car and got two bags of fertilizer that Frank got from Johnson to try out on Corn & potatoes. He wanted to go up to Miss McCoy's and get some hay this after noon but we didn't have time. We got some plank from Jack Reynold's to fix Joe's stall with. Dad. intended working in the garden this after noon but Lea Marshall came after him and he had to go down town to see a sick horse of Jack Richardson's. Frank went down town to-night and I started to do some show card work but went to sleep. Nice day. Sunday May 16th It froze a little last night again but has been a very nice day no wind and quite mild. Frank and I went down to Sunday school and church. This after noon Frank went over to Tom. Butler's and took Crusoe with him and left him there as Tom wanted a dog and we didn't want him. Jack Richardson came after Dad. to go down to Henderson's and give his horse some more attention and Dad. went from there down to Aunty's. I did chores and took some little chickens out this after noon. I only got two good ones out of the incubator and I think they will die but the old hen hatched eight. Lloyd Ryerse was in for quite awhile. I went down town to-night and met Marj. who has been in Waterford all day with Mrs. Wood and they came in on the nine car. Tid. feels quite a bit better to-day, but is well spotted up yet. Monday May 17th Frank and I went up to Miss McCoy's this morning and got another load of hay. Dad. spent most of the morning attending to Nellie who presented us with a big red bull calf this morning. This after noon Dad. finished plowing the corner field for corn and I cleaned up around the back yard. Frank hauled two loads of coal and a load of sawdust for bedding in the horse stable. There was a car of coal in and we thought we had better get some of it now and be sure of having it especially as the price is going up. To-night Frank & I went down to Mr. Freeman's to get lists of names to canvass for the steeple fund. It has been very warm all day and looks like rain. Tuesday May 18th Dad. went down to Aunty's this morning and was down all day trimming up the walks and fixing the fences. I spent the morning raking up the lawn but didn't quite finish. This afternoon I went out to the garden and sowed some more seeds. Frank worked on the corn ground all day. Alan Law was in at noon and borrowed the manure spreader. I went down town fairly early and got part of my canvassing done. Mrs. Martin was the only one I approached who refused to give at all and several gave me $5.00 I spent the evening with Marj. Very warm & cloudy. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/53b3c01beccdeb63c0b9093e69e66a42.pdf 597b343e77f321f512881495b8803a5b PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Wednesday May 19th Dad. went back to the gully after the cows this morning and found Mary with a big roan bull calf, we left her back there all day. Frank went over to Tom Butler's and sheared his sheep for him this morning. I planted some more seeds in the garden and Dad. worked on the corn ground. This after noon Frank and I hauled out some manure to put on a patch which Dad. wants to work up for strawberries. Bruce came after Dad. about three o'clock to go down to Bob. Dougherty's with him to see a mare so Frank and I worked on the corn ground I worked till Frank got the strawberry patch covered and then he took the team and I planted some more corn & my oats in the garden. I went down to band practice to-night. Fair and mild all day, sprinkled a little to-night. Thursday May 20th Dad. and I went back after Mary's calf this morning We had quite a time finding him as Mary had hidden him in the little gully running up into the field, and he lay there perfectly still with his head down as low as he could get it till I was just about on him. After quite a lot of trouble we got him up to the barn and I spent the rest of the day raking & cutting the lawns and got them all looking pretty nice. Dad. worked on the corner ground and Frank spring toothed the back field as we thought it would be a good idea to keep it loosened up till we get a chance to plow it for summer fallow. I went down to the Tuxis boys' meeting to-night and finished my collecting for the steeple, and got $46.00 promised Huby gave me five dollars. I went there last and stayed most of the evening, but called in at Aunty's on my way home where I found Cal. Smith, Cousin Loll & Mrs. Barwell playing bridge. Quint was there too. Very warm, shower to-night. Friday May 21st Dad. had to go down to Mr. Fleming's this morning as he had a new colt which he was afraid was not going to be able to suck but when Dad. got there it was all right. On his way home he saw Billy Mills who was very anxious to get Jack's sheep sheared so Dad. told him I would go over this afternoon. I spent the morning digging around my hedge. Dad. came home and plowed the strawberry patch and Frank went down to Sam Law's and got a few plants but not enough to fill the patch. I went over to Jack's with the clippers this after noon and sheared six of his sheep.They are much easier to shear than ours as there is no wool on their faces or the inside of their legs. Frank set out the strawberries this after noon and Dad. worked on the corn ground. I went down town to-night. Very warm. I saw kids in at the stump this after noon. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/8a8af0e7166b22701ecceeebb598cd92.pdf b61cae641de66bf5debba0787ff56551 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Saturday May 22nd I went over to Martin's first thing this morning and finished shearing the sheep. I got home about eleven and wheeled out a barrow load or two of manure to put around my hedge but as Frank had the seed potatoes all treated for scab and ready to cut, I cut them till noon. Dad. plowed the potato ground this morning and Frank treated the seed and helped Dad. fork the manure out of the road of the shear. This after noon Frank and I cut seed. It took us till after four as we cut it all. Dad. worked down the land and furrowed it out but we didn't get it all planted. We planted four rows and Frank put fertilizer on three of them and Dad. covered them. Fine and warm to-day Sunday May 23rd I went down to Sunday school this morning and Dad. Enah and Tid to church. Mr. Johnson dedicated the new memorial font this morning which Miss Buckwell put in the church in memory of her father & mother, and we had a baptismal service when five children were christened. This afternoon Mr. Johnson invited Marj. & me to go to Vittoria with him. He told Marj. to invite two more to make up a car load so she asked Miss McQueen and her mother. We had a very nice after noon and went to the woods up there while Mr. Johnson was at church. I came home and did chores and went down again to-night. Monday May 24th Dad. Frank and I finished planting the potatoes this morning and got in ten rows altogether running from the lane to Ivey's line. We finished about eleven and then Frank went over to Martin's and got some strawberry plants. I took the buggy down to the mill and washed the mud off it. This after noon Dad. & Frank set out the strawberry plants and put a ring in Moonshine's nose but I took a holiday to celebrate the Queen's birthday and Marj. and I went up the Radical road to look for Dogwood. We didn't find any but we dug up a lot of other roots and got some lovely violets. We also saw a scarlet tanager and an indigo bird neither of which had we ever seen before. We gave a lot of our roots to Miss McQueen on our way home and she gave me some out of her garden to set out over here. I brought Marj. over here to tea. Billy Mills was over after the corn-marker this morning and said the creek was lined with fishermen. It was cloudy all morning but a beautiful day. Tuesday May 25th Frank and I hauled manure all day to-day and got out 19 loads on the corn ground. I put in the time between loads mulching around the hedge and cherry trees in the lane. Dad. cleaned out the cellar and had a hard job. Neff and Manning were in this after noon. Neff is making arrangements for an https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/95c91ed81bc664b6caacf0a4f96633ea.pdf 412f7c175d436282e0a4d0fb93ea0b43 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. automobile trip down into New York State some time next month and wants to have a meeting in Simcoe to-morrow night to arrange the details. Frank said he would try to go up. I went down town to-night and Marj. and I went over to Miss McQueen's and I got some larkspur plants that they had got for me from Miss Martin's hot bed. Wednesday May 26th Frank and I hauled manure all day and finished covering the corn ground. I cut the lawn in between loads and got it all looking slick. Dad. did odd jobs and hoed over in the garden. Frank went to Neff's meeting to-night. He said they had about fifteen out representative of the different J.F.I.A's throughout the county and formed a sort of County association with a Vittoria boy as president and Bill Nixon as secretary. I went down to band practice to-night. Very hot to-day. Thursday May 27th Dad. worked on the corn ground all day. Frank went down town this morning and got some seed corn and this after noon he harrowed on the corn ground. I just did odd jobs and took my harness to pieces and rubbed it up a little. I took the back strap out of the saddle and couldn't get it back in again. I went down town to-night but none of the boys showed up. I did a show card lesson after I got home. Very hot, warm night. Friday May 28th Dad. worked on the corn ground all day. Frank worked most of the day but went up to Ham. Thompson's to see if he could come down and plant corn for us to-morrow but he said he couldn't come till next week so we will if all's well mark it and plant it by hand to-morrow. Tid and I drove Mexico down town this morning and I dug a patch for Aunty Alice to plant potatoes and some holes for squash and then went up to Mr. Johnson's and he gave me a lot of perenniels. We stayed at Aunty Alice's for dinner and came home right after and spent the rest of the afternoon setting out the things I got from Mr. Johnson. I went down town to-night and went to an athletic meeting in the town hall but as Ernie West Jackson, Frank Smith and Manning were the only ones there we didn't do any thing. I left at nine and went down to Aunty's for the rest of the evening. Marj. was there having had tea there. Turned cold during the night. Cold wind all day. Saturday May 29th Dad. marked the corn ground this morning and I went with him to pick up the ends of the marker on the turns. Frank rolled the field down ahead of us and then went around to Pickford's & Mr. Flemming's and borrowed their corn planters. Billy Mills came over after dinner and he Frank and I planted this after noon. We ran out of https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/d7dc12a7f31ba8ae620798c5ac965dc0.pdf 6a35f10f31fd612d2782566d99da2722 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. about five rows from the end so will have to leave that much till Monday. Dad. took Billy out this after noon with the bridle & surcingle on and did odd jobs. Aunty came over to tea and Dad. drove her home to-night. I read & painted a show card lesson. Quite cold this morning. Sunday May 30th Frank Tid and I went down to Sunday school and Enah drove down to church. She stayed down to dinner but the rest of us came home. Olive Ward saw Marj. yesterday and invited her, with Frank and me, down to their place this after noon. Frank had made arrangements to go some place with Lloyd Ryerse so he didn't go down but helped Dad. as much as he could with the chores and Marj. and I drove down after dinner and spent the after noon and evening there and had a very nice time {Leggit?} was down to tea too. We got home about 11.30 Beautiful day, nice breeze. Monday May 31st Dad. spent the day plowing and working up the patch back of the shop where we are going to try and raise some fodder corn this year. Frank went down town and got some more seed corn and planted it this afternoon I put up my wren house and watched a pair of orioles for awhile that are building out on the lawn. Henry Misener came over with some stumping powder to blast out the big rock out in the field by the side road as Frank had made arrangements with him Saturday night to do it. I went out with him and Frank came out when he got back from town. He put three sticks under the rock and cracked it up and heaved it up out of the ground pretty well. He made two more blasts or mud caps as he called them by just putting the dynamite on top of the rock and covering it over well with mud. He split up some of the big chunks that way but there are still some big pieces to handle. There will be about half a day's work hauling the chunks away and filling up the hole. Frank had him go down to the corner field and put a stick under the old stump. He split a piece off the side of it and loosened it up. I dug around the little apple trees this afternoon Tid went back to school to-day. Very hot. Tuesday June 1st Frank discovered Belle with a colt this morning When Dad. went out first he looked over in the field <s>with</s> at her, and she was standing in the corner aparently the same as yesterday, but Frank came out a few minutes later and saw a colt up with her. Dad. went over and found a fine bay filly which had evidently arrived in this country early in the night and every thing was all right. He calls it Rachel after Mrs. Broadley. We https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/31932e4c0719951b41a2006107b9b21a.pdf 0375bf7b6c67a5b18f44cbccd623e543 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. spent the fore noon hauling out manure on the mangel ground. We got it covered by noon, and took the pile away from back of the barn and cleaned out the pen in the barn where we had the bulls all winter. This after noon Dad. plowed the mangel ground this after noon but didn't quite finish Frank went down town on some of his business projects and I cut the lawn. Olive & Jonnie Ward were over here to tea. I went down town and spent the evening over at the Monteiths. I went down to the beach on my way home and it looked so nice I went for a swim. It has been very sultry and rather cloudy to-day but it won't rain. Wednesday June 2nd Clarence Finch and Dr. Duncombe from Waterford were in first thing this morning and castrated George for us. Just as they left Alex. Jamieson & his son came in, in a car to get Dad. to go down to see a sick ewe or an injured one. They took Tid down to school and the boy brought Dad. back. Rus. Lampkins & George Kirkwood came in just as Dad. got home to get some more of the boiler tubes. Rus. looked at the windmill and said the boxing would have to be re-bobbited again right away. Dad. went out and finished plowing the mangel ground. He didn't quite finish by noon and was most of the noon working it up. Frank harrowed the corn ground over with the little team and this after noon he went to the mill and got a couple of bags of chop for the bulls and went over to Quanbury's and got the little seed drill and then rolled down the mangel ground. I did a few odd jobs this morning and about eleven o'clock rode Frank's wheel down town and gave Aunty Alice an hour or two in the garden. She told me last night that Mr. Johnson had lent her a wheeled hoe but it was too hard for her work so I wheel-hoed every thing I could and made quite a showing. I came home about three o'clock and cut some more lawn. Pickford came over with some pumpkin seed and delayed me quite a lot. I went down to Band practice to-night and went down to Wood's to get some shoe polish and found Marj. there so Mrs. Wood told me to come back after practice I did and went home with Marj. Two of the three boats comprising Capt. Robinson's "navy" are in the harbor now. He is admiral and Captains, Bailie, McDonald and Cousins each have command of one boat. Fine and hot. Thursday June 3rd I spent the fore noon sowing mangel and turnip seed. I got in 10 1/2 rows of mangels and about 11 rows of turnips, running from the lane to Ivey's line. Frank took the spring tooth out and went over his alfalfa ground and helped Dad. saw up the old willow tree https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/3e89cd35a1ee2bbb989e55e66fcf41ce.pdf 9bffd64567d6ce8f218cdc924b266353 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. out in the wheat which blew down last fall and has been holding Ivey's fence down ever since. This morning Ivey's young cattle were in the wheat and got over the fence there so Dad. thought it had better be straightened up. He spent the fore noon and he and Frank all the after noon fixing Ivey's line fence in the gully from the south creek to the big elm by the mound. It was in very bad shape so they took it all down and put in a few posts and stretched it over again. I hoed the potatoes in the garden this after noon. They are just nicely up. Tid was home from school to-day as this is the King's birthday. He was back with Dad. and Frank this after noon and they discovered a crow's nest so Frank went up and took the four young ones which were just about big enough to fly and Dad. brought them all up to the house in his shirt and put them in his big bird cage. Tid is highly delighted of course. Enah wasn't home for tea as she went down to the deanery meeting. Quite cool. Friday June 4th We have spent the day weeding and hoeing in the garden. Most of the stuff is pretty well up now and needs cleaning out. This after noon Frank went out to Edmond England's to see a sheep dipping and castrating demonstration which Neff was putting on. I went down town to-night and called for Aunty Alice at Col. Smith's a little after eleven. They were having a little bridge party over there and I got there in time for the cake and wine. Quite a cold wind & cloudy Saturday June 5th Dad. Frank and I went out again to the garden this morning. Frank planted some beans and Dad. set out tomatoes while I hoed and weeded. We hadn't been there long when it commenced to sprinkle and it gradually increased in intensity until finally it was raining quite hard. Dad. and I stayed out till we got pretty wet setting out tomatoes, we then came up and Dad. and Frank spent the remainder of the fore noon putting a floor in Joe's stall and I painted a show card lesson. The rain kept up pretty well all day and night. I went to sleep this after noon and the others sat around the house. I painted some more to-night. Fine rain Sunday June 6th Frank Tid and I went to Sunday school this morning and Dad and Enah went down to church. Marj. and I stayed at Aunty's to dinner. Winnie was there too. Marj. Aunty Alice and I came over here to the farm this after noon and Winnie came over later for tea. We all went down town before dark as Aunty Alice wanted to get some cauliflower plants at the Quanbury's. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/482b97fd3664fcc0a89316e817b1c14c.pdf 2776b649d0d96fd81b7f7c48db918958 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Monday June 7th I drove down to Aunty's this morning and got the scythe as we have to start cutting grass for the stock, we are completely out of hay. I drove around by the school house and took Tid. down. Aunty gave me some forget me nots and peppers to set out so I set them out when I got home. Frank had to go with Sam Law this morning to help him take a couple of heifer's to Jarvis so he didn't get back till after dinner. He said they got down all right but when they got there the cattle ran through every back yard in Jarvis. Dad. worked up the strip we plowed for rape last year and this after noon he drilled it in with oats and vetch for sheep pasture. He also worked up and drilled the piece back of the shop with fodder corn. I cut a little grass this after nooon and just puttered around. Tuesday June 8th I went to Simcoe this morning on the nine o'clock car and went to see Slaght as Enah and Aunty noticed in the Maple Leaf that Kelly was asking for notification of claims against the estate of Susan Stevens and as they were all sure that was Dicky Stevens mother we thought that possibly the "sheep pasture" might be involved. However Slaght said it had nothing to do with it and that Thompson so far had done nothing. I came home at eleven and went up to Jim Moris's and had my hair cut. This after noon Frank and I hauled out manure, he and Dad. hauled out in the morning We didn't get very much done. There was a heavy thunder shower just after dinner but it only lasted a few minutes. When I got home from Simcoe I found Douglas here. He was in Jarvis so thought he would run up to look at the bulls. He stayed to dinner he thought the bulls were nice ones but at present he says there is no market for them whatever. I went down town to-night and on my way home had a wild goose chase up to the switch at Iveys being attracted by the bell on the car which Pete Furlong had in some way started going and couldn't stop till she rain out of air. Three or four other fellows ran down, their "missus" had waked them up and told them there was a fire. Hot after the rain. Wednesday June 9th I rode Belle up to Jim Waddle's this morning at seven o'clock and bred her to {Culver's?} horse. I was there for half an hour and Jim. was showing me Clara Belle and her colt from Hal. <s>He</s> It is a beauty. Frank had to go down to the mill for some feed and when he got back, we hauled out manure. It was https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/3214062e8d5bf10dd204001704edce02.pdf 1aa431c3852809aceaf6f5c51304d3d8 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. slow work hauling it out of the shed and as we were late getting started we didn't get much done. I went down to band practice to-night and we had a good one Thursday June 10th We were late getting started at the manure this morning as it takes a long time to cut grass for the bulls and do odd jobs. Frank gave us a demonstration of the English method of castrating lambs with his teeth this morning and that look a little time. We finished hauling out of the shed though and hauled a few loads from the yard. Dad. finished hoeing in the garden and hooked Joe up to the cultivator and went through it. When they came up they both had "tummy-aches" Enah got me some poppy and daisy roots at Miss Martin's this morning when she took Tid. to school and I set them out but I am afraid the poppy won't stand it. I went down to-night to see the Tuxis boys but they didn't show up. I went down to Aunty's and they were up at Miss Martin's with the Sunday school staff presenting her with a prayer book. They came home soon and said Aunty Maude was having a great deal of pain so I took up a bottle of stuff for her from Aunty. Huby had his two customs inspectors there entertaining them so I stayed till pretty late. Hot day Friday June 11th We decided to dip the sheep to-day so Frank spent most of the morning getting the tank ready the way they did over at the Englands. He sank it in the ground just inside the barn doors and rigged the waggon box with the sides on it for a draining pen<s>t</s>. He had Joe Howell make him a dipping hook. We got started to dip after eleven and were through by about half past twelve. We left them in the barn for an hour or so as they told Frank over there that turning them out in the sun immediately after dipping would blister them so I suppose that was the cause of our trouble last year. This after noon Frank and I hauled out a little more manure and Dad. went over to let the cattle into the back field and went on over to John Wess's. He and Cam were both at Turkey Point fixing up the House Boat which a bunch of those old sports back there have bought. Went down town to-night. Hot. Saturday June 12th Frank and I hauled out manure all morning but quit at noon as Dad. thought we had better start plowing the field on Monday and get in what we have manured. This after noon Dad. Frank & Tid went down town and cut the grass in front of Aunty's place and brought it over here. There was enough of it to last over Tuesday https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/ba1b53fd6bcc9acc58634df55d1c0b89.pdf 2c78d03d2c42e472f37a3514c5b833c7 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. I slept for about an hour after dinner and then started to cut lawn but as I had to file down one of the knives on the lawn mower I didn't finish. Dad's last crow died last night. He left the four of them out of the cage the other night and three of them left in the night This one was sick so couldn't go with the others. Hot, looks rainy. Sunday June 13th Frank Tid and I drove down to Sunday school & Dad. & Enah went down at church time. Enah went to church and Dad. went to see Aunty Maude, who is feeling quite a bit better. After church Marj. and I drove out to the Smythe's where we had dinner and spent a very nice after noon. We started for home about four o'clock but I just got Joe hooked up when a very heavy thunder storm came up and it just poured rain for about half an hour so I had to tie poor Joe to a tree and go in the house. It cleared up beautifully and we got home about half past five. Mr. Wilson (president of Mexico) was here when we got home so I drove him down to the side walk. I helped Dad. do up the chores after tea and Marj. and I drove down town about half past nine. We took some strawberries down to Aunty which Mrs. Smythe sent her. Frank has been making arrangements to go to New York State with Neff's party to-morrow in Irvin Pow's car Monday June 14th Frank left early this morning to go on Neff's trip through New York State. He was to meet Irvin Pow at the Winding Hill at a quarter to seven and as he hasn't been back all day I guess they got away. Lloyd Ryerse & Alex England were going in the same car and they were to meet the rest of the party at Renton or Jarvis. I spent most of the day filling in the missed hills of corn in the field and Dad. took up the dining room carpet for Enah who has the house all ripped up for house cleaning and spent the rest of the day cultivating. He took Mexico out this morning and cultivated what he could in the garden and a little of the corn with him but he was very ignorant and very slow so this after noon he took Belle, she resented leaving Rachel and so wasn't very interested in her work all the after noon but Dad. thinks she will be all right later on. I got through planting corn about four o'clock and then hoed a little in the garden. I went down to band practice to-night. When it was over I fell in with a bunch of the boys who were going down to Chiravaree Alan Law so I left my horn at Karl Colman's and went with them I went in Lloyd Crysler's car and so got a ride all the way home. We gave Alan a grand old serenade with bells, revolvers and an old steel saw which is kept for such occasions. Alan was prepared for us and treated us to wine, cider, beer and cigars. Every body was there. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/b873bd1ed039248b1cabcc33fad5367c.pdf 952949030a1ae8c8d338a3d34da8f4b4 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Tuesday June 15th Dad. put down the dining room carpet for Enah first thing this morning and then took Belle out and cultivated corn till noon. It looked so dark and rainy that we didn't get the team in to plow corn ground as we had intended. I hoed potatoes in the garden till nearly noon and then had to go back to put the cattle out of the back field. It sprinkled two or three times but didn't ammount to much. Dad. and I cultivated and hoed after dinner till about three o'clock when we saw a terrible storm coming up from the north so we went to the house. The storm rolled up pretty quickly and when it broke it was a fierce one and lasted till nearly six o'clock. It let up at intervals and in one of these Dad Dad. went after Tid. I painted a show card lesson. I went down town to-night with Cliff Lown who came in after tea with the cream can. It was raining again when I started for home so I stayed at Aunty's Wednesday June 16th I got home soon after 5.30 this morning and went back after the cows. After breakfast I felt rather tired from tramping around in the mud with Frank's rubber boots on. About ten o'clock I went down to have Dr. Lemmon look at my tooth which the filling came out of. He couldn't look at it till about noon and said he wouldn't have time to fix it till to-morrow after noon. I stayed at Aunty's to dinner and didn't go home till after two as it looked so rainy. I didn't do much all the after noon except try to put a handle on an umbrella of Marj's. To-night I went down to band practice. We had it over Ted. Nicol's new garage and it was fine. It certainly is an enormous place. Every one seems to be of the opinion that Ted will never get his money back. Rainy all day. Thursday June 17th It rained or drizzled nearly all day so we didn't do any thing outside. Dad. & Enah have been very busy house cleaning, papering & painting. I "messed about" and did a little printing. I went down town right after dinner and took my horn down to Ed's as he has some fine polish down there I made it look quite a lot better but it needs a lot more yet. I went up at three o'clock to Dr. Lemon's but he couldn't fix my tooth for another hour so I went down to the lake where I found Quint and Joe fixing up their bathing houses. I took the contract to paint some signs for them. I went over to Bill's about half past four and he filled my tooth. I then came home and did chores and after tea went down town again as I wanted to see the Tuxis boys about some skin game https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/4efe58f4e7af69437a05b51fef363fcf.pdf dab0cc7b4610e4e41c2971ab6a95a687 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. that Mr. Johnson wants them to run at the strawberry social. I was late getting down so missed them but met a couple of them later on the street. I went down to Aunty's where I found Marj. so walked home with her. Frank got home to-day noon from his trip & had a fine time. Friday June 18th Frank and I went down in the waggon this morning and I got the old Northern Crown Bank signs which Quint wanted me to paint over for them to put down at the beach. Frank had some other things to get and we came home by the mill and got some feed so it was nearly noon when we got home. It drizzled rain for quite awhile after dinner and was too wet to do any thing outside. I did some lettering. Frank cleaned up in the shop and Dad's time was taken up with Julien {Neins's} horse which had got something in it's foot and was quite lame. He went after him at four o'clock. It cleared off to-night and Marj. and I went up the Radical Road tacking up posters for the strawberry festival. I felt ashamed of myself all the time for helping to advertise the darned thing, but there is no use bucking it when the majority seem to think it is the proper thing. We went up to Port Ryerse and put up about fifteen posters on gates and posts and two on a water tank. We came home around by the Smythe's and returned some {ropes?} they lent us last week. Saturday June 19th It looked cleared off to-day and has been sunny and breezy Dad. & Frank started to plow the field east of the new meadow this morning for corn and Dad. has been at it all day but says it is pretty wet yet. I spent most of the morning cleaning out the bull's pen and doing odd chores and got started to cut the lawn. I finished it this after noon. Frank did odd jobs and mulched the little trees in the orchard. He and Tid. went fishing for a little while after dinner and Tid was in the seventh heaven over catching two carp. He brought them home and cleaned them all by himself and we all had to have a taste at tea time. Enah went down town. Sunday June 20th We all went down to church or sunday school this morning. Marj. Quint and I had dinner at Aunty's I went up town this after noon and the band played out in the park. We had a good concert and a full band. I came home soon after four and helped Dad. do chores It began to rain about five and kept it up all evening I went down town after tea and found Marj. in at the Wood's, we went up to the Monteith's and spent the evening. Frank went down to the Ward's on his wheel and I guess is stalled down there I stayed all night at Aunty's. Very windy & rather cold & a drizzly rain. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/08cffb29feff637b5cab933636186fd1.pdf c542521677667ebfec08cb8bcb4b84f4 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Monday June 21st It rained or threatened rain nearly all day so we didn't do very much Frank got home a little before noon He came up to town with the Ward girls when they came to school and Tom Butler brought him over here. Dad. and I did odd jobs and I worked at my show cards a little This after noon Frank painted the bob-sleighs and tidied up in the shop. I went down to band practice to-night. Tuesday June 22nd I went down when Dad. drove Tid. to school this morning and went down to the beach to paint the letters Quint wanted on their bathing houses, but when I got there George Holden told me he had just left so I went over to the pier and saw old Quint just out of earshot beyond the end of the pier in his little boat heading for Wooley's point or beyond up the lake. I went up to the Thompson's to see if I could get the key from Joe but he said the paint was all locked up in Quint's shack and he had the key. Joe seemed rather provoked at him for leaving as he said they expected a big picnic in on Saturday and didn't have any thing ready for it. I went up to Aunty's and cut their lawn and stayed to dinner. On my way home Mrs. Quanbury gave me a lot of aster plants so I spent most of the after noon setting them out. Dad. and Frank spent their day putting up the fence between the lane and the barn-yard and made a fine job of it. I stayed home to-night and painted show card lessons. Dad. took some milk down to Aunty's but they were all away. Fine, cool and windy Wednesday June 23rd I spent about an hour this morning cutting grass for the bulls and wheeling it up to the barn I got enough cut to last them all day. Dad. drove Tid. to school and then went out to the garden to hoe. It was dry enough only up on top of the knoll. I started to put in some temporary posts to divide the sheep pasture as we want to give the east side of it which has a lot of young clover on it a chance to grow up I just got started when a big rain storm came up and I had to quit. It poured rain for a couple of hours and there were two or three very sharp lightening flashes one of which killed a horse of Mr. Fleming's It cleared off this after noon but was too wet to do anything. I started to paint Quint's signboard but got the letters too big so will have to paint them out. Frank helped Enah house clean our room. I spent the evening with Marj. Thursday June 24th I spent quite awhile cutting grass for the bulls and Dad. and I took a look at our own and Ivey's wheat The Hessian Fly is working in ours a little and https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/d4e4585e88d969683ff8451814ceb22b.pdf 74a6e729ed05490fb7539e21d6ad8234 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. more still in Ivey's and they say some fields are nearly cut to pieces with it. Cruickshanks and a Massey Harris man came down this morning and Frank helped them fix the drill up in good running order. Hermon Cook & Gordon Zealand came over this morning to ask me about the peanut grab which they are to have charge of at the strawberry festival to-night and I gave Hermon a lot of my bird's eggs. He wanted to buy the whole bunch and offered me a dollar for them. This after noon Frank and I put up the fence through the field east of the orchard to keep the sheep off the east side of it and give it a chance to grow. Frank took it off the posts at the north end to run down through the centre. We made a rather sloppy job of it as the posts weren't in solid and we didn't half stretch it but it was the best we could do under the circumstances and I think it will hold the sheep Enah went down this after noon to the strawberry social and Tid went down there from school. We did the chores all up early and Dad. Frank and I drove down about seven. I went up to the band room but found no one there so thought they had gone over but they didn't start to gather till nearly eight, so we were rather late getting there. However we gave them quite a concert and they gave us a very good feed and treated us to cigars. Fine day but looked rainy. Friday June 25th We penned all the sheep this morning and went over them and took out the ones that looked unthrifty and shut them up in the box stall to starve before treating them for tapeworm. Frank then hooked to the mower and cut a strip of grass along each side of the road. Dad. helped him. Tom Butler was in for quite awhile. I worked for about half an hour more on Quint's sign before dinner. I spent about an hour after dinner getting hay for the bulls along the road where Frank cut it this morning. Frank put some more stakes in the sheep pasture fence and Dad. hoed in the garden which is still pretty wet. I went out to help him but Joe Thompson came over and wanted me to go down right away and paint some of the letters on the bathing house. He was very provoked at Quint who left last Tuesday for the Point and has not come back yet they still have quite a lot to do to get ready for business and expect picnics right along now. I went down and got New Bath Houses painted in big letters 18 inches high which could be seen from Main St. and promised Joe I would try to finish it to-morrow. I didn't get through till after five so I had to hurry as Aunty Alice had invited Marj. & me to tea I went home milked one cow and changed my clothes and got back down town in an hour but got a ride down with Jack Martin. Fine day and quite hot. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/a858bbb7bd6880ab8a25f2208f9cd122.pdf b06952a2b773292e3157ee2555c0d312 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Saturday June 26th I went down to the beach right after breakfast this morning and was down all day painting the letters on the bathing houses. I finished to-night and the boys seemed satisfied. Quint got back last night. His Yankee friends took their speedboat over to Erie and had her measured up for some race which they may enter later on. That was what kept them so long but Quint wasn't saying anything about it. Dad. has felt rather sick all day and didn't go out at all this afternoon till chore time. I got home in time to help do chores and then went down again after tea and spent the evening with Marj. Fine and hot. Sunday June 27th Frank Tid. and I went to Sunday school and I gave Frank instructions about running the library as Marj. is bound I am to take her class when she goes. I stayed for dinner at Aunty's and this after noon Marj. and I took a walk up the beach. We came over here for tea about five o'clock and I drove Marj. home to-night Frank went down to the Ward's with Charlie Blake and brought his wheel home which has been down there since last Sunday. Alex England rode in to-night. He was supposed to take Frank down to the Ward's this after noon but didn't show up. Monday June 28th Dad. and I took Belle out and cultivated the turnips and mangels this morning and then Dad. cultivated the potatoes alone while I came up to paint my sign I found Mexico caught in the orchard fence and had quite a time to get him out but with Enah's help managed to extricate him without much injury to him or the fence. I was all the after noon painting at Quint's sign and didn't quite finish Frank set his cultivator up this morning but thought there was a brace missing so couldn't try it out. Dad. plowed a little more out where we want to put corn. He said it was pretty wet still. Frank hoed for awhile in the garden this after noon. I went down town to-night to see Marj. I went down to "Porky" Marshall's to see about painting some letters for him on his shop but George Zealand had got the job. I was glad he had as I haven't got the time. Very hot to-day & to-night. Tuesday June 29th Dad. plowed all morning and intended to cultivate corn this after noon but just after dinner a terrific thunder storm broke loose which stopped him. It rained several short but very hard showers all the after noon and a terrible wind, so we didn't do any thing all the after noon but sit around. Dad. went out with https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/80ea2194b4e5d371b908a703cd92c02c.pdf 74b5d1be24f3914c5ecefb71338577d3 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. the cultivator but got caught in the rain. I finished painting the sign this morning and spent quite awhile talking to a representative of the Basic Slag people who came to look at the wheat. He admitted there wasn't any noticable change in the appearance of the fertilized & unfertilized and thought it must have been due to the dry weather. I cleaned out a row of mangels when he left. Frank has felt rather tough all day owing to an overdose of green peas he had last night over at Jack Martin's field where he picked some for Enah. I went down town to-night to see if by any chance <s>Wednes</s> the band was going to the Woodhouse social but just as I got to Aunty's it began to rain again and Marj. was there so I never went up town. On my way home to-night I fell in with the chiravaree brigade on their way to honor Dock McQueen who married Lilly Greenbury the other day. I went over with them but didn't go in. They didn't make any racket as Mrs. Alex Spain is about at death's door They told me the band stayed home. Wednesday June 30th Frank and I took Quints sign down to him this morning and then went up and got some things (a desk & some books) of Marj's. which she wanted stored at Aunty's for the summer. Frank took the team home and got some stuff at the mill and I went down to the beach to paint some more letters for Quint & Joe but they didn't have things ready so I couldn't. I stayed art Aunty's to dinner and went home right after. She gave me some pansy plants which I set out and I spent the rest of the after noon raking up the lawn which was very littered after yesterday's storm. Dad. worked in the garden all day and Frank fixed the bracing at the windmill and cut the grass around the little trees in the orchard this after noon. Marj. came over to tea. She has been very busy calling on all the folks in town and saying goodbye. She is leaving to-morrow and not coming back till I go and bring her I hope in October. Thursday July 1st I spent most of the morning doing chores and cutting the lawn but didn't finish. I went down a little before noon and had dinner at Aunty's. Right after dinner I went down to the lake and painted a direction sign for Quint and Joe and spent the remainder of the afternoon with the band. We played in Powel park till about four o'clock and then went over to Jimmy's where we were treated to ice-cream and from there we went down and had a trip out on the "City of Dover". We went home for supper after that and Bill said we were through as the committee told him we didn't need to play after five o'clock. Mr. Bagley however was https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/040bb5a8ce53228971069c68bd22eef7.pdf 9dcb847f6b29524775eeecd1060614c0 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. greatly incensed at the idea of not playing after tea on the 1st of July as he had never known of such a thing before so we came back for an hour and gave quite a little concert. {Doct.?} didn't show up though as he had a date with Lou. Dixon. Mid. & Harry Moon ran the thing. I didn't see much of what went on all day but they had a big baby show and Dover won first money in the baseball tournament and I guess the other sports were good. It was a fine day not to hot and yet warm enough for the boys at the beach to be pretty well patronized. Dad. didn't come down town all day but came down at night. I didn't go to see Marj. off to-night but the rest did Friday July 2nd Rus. Lampkins came down this morning and put a new top on the windmill as the boxings were getting badly worn on the old one. Dad plowed up the old strawberry patch in the garden and worked it down and this after noon cultivated corn. I raked up the hay Frank cut in the orchard and cocked it up this morning and cut a little more lawn. This after noon I cleaned out another row of mangels. Frank has felt pretty tough all day but tried his new cultivator out It doesn't go just right yet. Mr. & Mrs James, Elva and Brant were all over here for tea. Cloudy all day, warm. Saturday July 3rd I finished cutting the lawn this morning and spent the rest of the day thinning mangels. I just got two more rows done. Dad. set out cabbage plants all day so we should have a good supply of them. Frank still feels pretty tough and hasn't done any thing much all day. I did another show card lesson to-night but made a bad job of it. Hot this morning but very windy this after noon Sunday July 4th Frank Tid and I went down to Sunday school. Frank ran the library and I took Marj's class, but didn't feel as if I made much of a job of it. Dad. went down early this morning and drove Aunty & Aunty Alice up to the cemetry. I had dinner at Aunty's and this after noon went with the band up to the cemetry as this was the Oddfellow's decoration day. We went up on the three o'clock car and came back on the five. Dad. Enah and Tid drove down to-night and took Aunty Alice for milk. Frank and I went to bed early. Very cool. Ade & Percy Millman were over this morning for awhile. Monday July 5th I hoed mangels all day and just got two more rows done. Dad. and Frank spent the day cultivating corn Frank has had quite a time adjusting his two row cultivator. It seemed to pull very heavy and not dig in https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/691742bb3bc0c643f269e13e9f1163d0.pdf 650b63f850ad2db10b40c92358bf96ec PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. much but he put the big team on this after noon and I think got it working fairly well. They have got as far as our corner with Harry Misener's house. They have been over a week getting this far - from Renton.They can walk right along on the level but it took them all day to get up through our cut. It is a big frame two-story house and every one seems to think it will bother them getting it over the bridge. I went down to band practice to-night. We got paid two dollars apiece for playing on the 1st of July and the Council promised us 25 dollars a night for the summer playing Thursdays They wanted to go up to serenade Bill Wamsley but Mr. Bagley thought it would be a mistake for the band to go up and play good music as every body that got married in future would expect us out, so we didn't go Aunty told us to-night that Jack Martin has bought Mrs Battersbys place. Tuesday July 6th I thinned mangels all morning and most of the after noon but right after dinner Frank and I hauled in the hay that was cut in the orchard. We hauled it on the waggon and put one jag in for the bulls and one for the horses. Dad finished cultivating the corn and what stuff he could in the garden Frank disked up the strip Dad. plowed for corn and his alfalfa plot and sprayed the potatoes in the field. Dad. & I worked for awhile in the garden to-night. Cloudy and raining to-night. Wednesday July 7th It rained hard during the night but didn't flood things at all and there has been a gentle drizzle all morning clearing off at noon and coming out sunny & windy this after noon. Dad. and I spent the fore noon setting out cabbage plants. We put out about 300. We expected them all over from home to dinner as it was Dad's birthday They were going to have Mrs. John Walker bring them over in the car but as it rained she didn't come for them. Aunty Alice walked over and said Aunty & Aunt Ida couldn't come but I drove down and brought them over in the buggy and Enah took them back in the cart this after noon We just visited this after noon except Frank he fixed a piece of fence back in the gully and took some plank from back there and brought them up to floor Moonshine's stall which he cleared all out this morning. Arthur Preston was over for most of the after noon. To-night Tid and I went down to the "sheep pasture" for a walk and to see if Frank Awde's sweet cherries were ripe but there weren't any. Thursday July 8th Still thinning mangels. I got about two more rows done I think I made a little better time by hoeing them all out first and then weeding around each plant afterwards. Dad. & Enah worked in the garden all day & Frank harrowed and rolled the plowed strip for corn. We all went down to band concert to-night. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/e361c5766acb3783885eb8a65902f9f6.pdf 9d01592370cdfa04136ab2340cf947b3 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Friday July 9th I hoed mangels and turnips most of the day. I have all the mangels hoed now but have to thin the last row yet. The turnips are much bigger and are a nuisance to hoe out but I can make fairly good time at it if I dont stop to thin. I took about an hour off this morning and went over and hoed down three or four patches of perennill saw thistle in Ivey's meadow to keep them from going to seed and blowing on to our place. I went down to Bronzie for a little while from Ivey's. This after noon it started to rain about half past three and as it looked as if it was going to keep it up I came up to the house and painted a show card lesson. The rain didn't ammount to much but we had quite a heavy little shower about five. Frank planted the strip we had plowed with corn this morning and has been cutting thistles in the back field the rest of the day. There was an awful crop of them. Dad. & Enah worked all day till it commenced to rain in the garden. Elva & Brant came in about four o'clock on their way out to see {Vance?} Walker and took Enah and Tid out with them. Saturday July 10th I have still been pegging away at the turnips and mangels. I have the mangels all thinned now and have most of the turnips hoed but only a row and a half thinned. Dad. has been working all day in the garden pulling weeds. Frank finished cutting the thistles in the back field and started to cut the side hill which is mostly thistles and daisys but there is some blue grass on top. Tid went to a birthday party at Gertrude Silverthorne's this afternoon. He got an invitation the other day and has been worrying about it more or less ever since. He wanted to go but was scared to. However Enah managed to get him packed off hoping that Miss McQueen and John Harris Buck would be there. They weren't but he knew the ones that were there so had a good time. Fine day and not hot. Sunday July 11th We all went down to church and Tid. Frank and I went to Sunday school. I took the class but don't think I taught it any thing. I didn't feel as if I was. We all stayed at Aunty's for dinner and I came home right after to do chores. Mr. Zealand took me in to show me his garden so I didn't get home till nearly three. Dad. Enah and Tid came home about five. Frank rode his wheel down to the Wards and as it rained hard for about an hour at six o'clock, he evidently got stalled down there as he didn't show up all night. Cool. Monday July 12th Dad. started to plow the back field for summer https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/568967ce17a3d7f866f9eaa4bd34b6d1.pdf 2b00105bda7a7ab89319da6b95e8ed5a PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. fallow this morning and has been at it all day. I went back with him and helped him get started and from there walked over to Tom Butler's to try to induce him to buy Oliver at beef price but he said they only had two cows so didn't think they could afford to. I got talking and Mark put on some phonograph record so I didn't get back till dinner time. Frank rode his wheel home sometime during the forenoon. This after noon He finished cutting the side hill field and cut two rounds on the five acres next the lane. I hoed a couple more rows of turnips. Tid is having a great time trying to snare a ground hog back on the mound. He and Hubert Zealand seem to be in partnership on the business. I went down to band practice to-night. Fine day but cloudy. Tuesday July 13th Dad. cut thistles in the corn field this morning and plowed this after noon. Frank cut hay north of the orchard till ten o'clock, then went back and raked up the back field by noon I cut some of the lawn and did a few odd jobs this morning and then went out and finished hoeing the turnips and started to thin them. I intended to go back right after dinner and cock up the hay that Frank raked but a little shower came up and I couldn't do it till four o'clock and so didn't finish. I thinned turnips while I was waiting for it to dry. Frank went over to Lloyd Crysler's raising this after noon. It proved a sad affair for this community. Mr. Flemming was killed at it.They were rising the end bent of the barn and he was shoving on one post when the frame over-balanced and the end of the post on the sill slipped and fell back and either the girt or the brace caught him across the back and killed him almost instantly. Frank was in the same position at the other post but he realized the danger of the place and got to the outside of the post a little while before the frame fell. Mr. Flemming was such a rattling good man in every way that it seems mighty hard to lose him like that, but in reality it was a great way to go as they all say he never knew what hit him. Tom & Mark were over to-night and we had a little music. Cool & nice. Wednesday July 14th It rained this morning and I spent an hour or so working at my show card lessons which I finished to-night. Dad. did odd jobs around and Frank cleaned up the upstairs of the woodshed. Tom Butler was in for awhile to have Dad look at one of his horses which has a sore eye. It cleared up after dinner and Dad cultivated the garden and the potatoes & roots in the field. Tid. & I cut the lawn or part of it and Frank finished mowing the meadow north of the orchard. Karl bought the 5 steers to-night for $550.00. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/a0ed0fb0ff42f1dc22cece786dc8a742.pdf 10b51d851166793721915f93458b1537 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Thursday July 15th Frank cultivated the corn this morning and Dad hoed in the garden and I finished raking the lawn and hoed two rows and a half of potatoes in the field. Tid. went down to Aunty's for dinner and the rest of us all went to Mr. Flemming's funeral. There was about the biggest crowd there I ever saw at a funeral nearly everyone from around here and a great many from down east. Dad. was one of the bearers so went up with them. I drove up and took old Maneer up with me. We missed the procession as they went through town and we went by the mill. After the funeral Dad. and I drove home around by Jim Waddle's as Dad. wanted to see the {Hal.?} H. Colt but Jim had shipped the mare to Toronto to be bred. He was hauling in hay. It was after five when we got home. Frank had come home and raked up the first cut hay and was cocking up. Jack Ivey was over and wanted him to rake theirs up to-morrow. I went down to band concert to-night. Fine day but cold to-night. Friday July 16th Frank went to the mill before breakfast this morning and got some chop for the hogs & bulls. He and I dosed the lambs for tape-worm after breakfast and then he went over and raked up Ivey's hay for him. Dad. and I cocked up what was raked in the field north of the orchard and started in to cock up what was left in windrow across the gully Frank came back a little before noon and finished raking this field and we spent the after noon finishing across the gully and cocking up in this field. We went out after tea and cocked up some but didn't quite finish. Old Moonshine broke out of his pen this morning so Frank had to fix it up after dinner. He upset things in the barn and got into a bag of chop but I think spilled more than he ate. Cool wind all day & quite cold to-night. Saturday July 17th We hauled hay to-day from the field north of the orchard and would have cleared it if we had not had to put poles across in the big barn to build a mow, so that we could have the clover hay where we could get at it. We put one load in the horse stable and then had to change the car so that altogether we were delayed about two hours or more and only got in two loads this morning. We got in five this after noon. Mr. & Mrs. Millman, Percy & Kathleen all came up from Toronto to-day. Paw & Mrs Millman are staying at Aunty's They were over here for awhile after tea with Aunty Alice, Percy's wife, children & mother-in-law. Cool but fine. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/a2c39554dd3120b200e7060a1ac87508.pdf 0f6546c7f5816b07080c93f91e2eb57c PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Sunday July 18th It rained during the night and rained hard several times during the day and evening. It was so muddy and wet at Sunday school time that Frank Tid and I drove down and Dad. and Enah didn't go down to church. I walked down with Mr. Herring after church went in for a minute to see Cousin Clare. They have rented Mrs. {Lig?} Anderson's house for the summer and she busy as a nailer getting things settled I came home for dinner with Frank & Tid. as the walking was so bad. I spent the rest of the day reading and writing. Dad. went to sleep. Frank went back to the woods. Monday July 19th It was too wet to do any thing with the hay this morning and it was cloudy and drizzly till noon but came out clear & breezy after dinner. Dad. and Tid went down to Aunty's this morning and Dad. trimmed up the paths and cleared away a big limb which broke off the Newton pippin tree. They came back soon after dinner and Dad. worked in the garden this after noon. Frank and I changed the fence in the sheep pasture this morning and rolled it back from where we had it dividing the field to the original place for it from the orchard to the corner field. After that I set out some more cabbage plants in the garden & Frank helped Enah pick the cherries, there won't be so many of them as usual as the robins have taken a lot. This after noon Frank cut down the piece of grass between the old garden and where he drilled in the strip of corn. We had intended putting corn on it but it got too wet to plough it. It is mostly couch grass. I spent the after noon thinning turnips. Went to band practice to-night. Tuesday July 20th Frank worked most of the fore noon on his alfalfa plot and Dad. and I turned out the hay. It wasn't wet much except around the edges, the bluegrass across the gully we didn't have to turn out at all. Enah and Tid. went back to the woods to pick berries but didn't get very many. We saw Mark Stephens going to town after one of his applicants for housekeeper. They put an ad in the Globe. about a week ago and Mark says they have been reading applications for the job ever since, so he says there is going to be a steady procession of them now to look over the situation. We hauled in the rest of the hay north of the orchard in about three loads and left the last load on the waggon Then Frank raked up the other piece he cut while Dad. and I were doing the chores. Herb Gurr came over to play with Tid. this after noon and told us that Jane https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/614ce8c9c3822d7b5302a86cc813b1d9.pdf 5d244a835e5e88c0b1b41a76bb43fc11 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Zealand died about noon, Ada told me last night that she was threatened with diphtheria but I didn't know it was so serious. Cool and windy all day. Wednesday July 21st Dad. and I cocked up hay all morning while Frank cultivated the corn. We didn't quite finish by noon as it is mostly bluegrass and slow to handle. Jack Ivey was over and wanted Frank to go over and rake up some hay for them, so he went over after dinner. Neff was in with a Mr. Frances on their way down to Charlie Blake's to a poultry culling demonstration and wanted me to go but I didn't. They gave me a few pointers though on picking out the poor-laying old hens. Dad. and I finished cocking our field about four o'clock and Frank got home about the same time. We started to put off the load of hay that was on the barn floor but when we got three lifts off a heavy thunder shower came up and as Dad. didn't want to get the rope wet we didn't unload the last lift. I took Aunty's milk down to her to-night and got a few pointers on the Sunday school lesson got home about ten o'clock and culled out my hens before I went to bed. Thursday July 22nd It was too wet to do any haying to day so Dad. plowed all day and got quite a nice strip turned over. I thinned turnips and made Tid a milk stool this morning as he is learning to milk now. Frank took Joe down town and had her shod. He brought Mrs. Johnson from Courtright over to dinner and she was here all the after noon and to tea. This after noon I didn't do much went back with Frank to fix up the fence in the gully along the road but as we took Joe & Queen back with us I had to stay with them and let Frank do the fencing. He took one of the old snow barricades and put it up instead of the old gate which is pretty well broken to pieces. We all went down to-night and I went to band concert. Friday July 23rd Frank started to cultivate corn this morning and Dad. cut weeds along the fences and in the orchard I started cutting the lawn. Art Quanbury went by going to haul hay all alone. Dad. thought it would be too wet here to haul till noon so I rode Frank's wheel over to give Art a hand. We got part of a load on - all he could haul through his gully - when it started to rain He rough-locked the waggon going down the hill but it went a little too fast for the horses and they couldn't stop till the hind wheels were square in the ditch. They couldn't pull it out so Art had to go and get a spade and dig it out. By this time it was pouring rain and https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/d308c43c7a1f7161129b495681644054.pdf b60611991e6d80f5e7c97cb1d5b37cdb PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. we both got soaked to the hide before we got to the barn. We lay in the straw for about an hour and when it stopped raining came home. It was cold after the rain but this after noon came out sunny and warm. Dad. plowed. I finished cutting the lawn and Frank cleared things up over in the barn. Looks clear to-night. Saturday July 24th Frank finished cultivating the corn this morning and Dad. hoed thistles out in the corn field while I thinned some more turnips. Aunty was over for dinner by way of celebrating my birthday. After dinner Frank went and got some lime and bluestone to mix up a Bordeaux spray for the potatoes and Dad. and I hauled out a barrel of water to the potato patch for him. We then put on a load of hay and as Dad didn't want to climb way up into the peak of the barn without any hay in to change the pulley we tried putting it off with just the two pulleys and then with the peak pulley hooked on at the gable, the first scheme wouldn't work and the second time the hook pulled out so Frank climbed up to the peak and put the pulley up. Aunty went home before tea. Fine and quite cool. Sunday July 25th Frank Tid and I went to Sunday school and Dad. & Enah went down to church I stayed at Aunty's for dinner and most of the after noon and on my way home stopped at the Woodson's for about an hour. Several of them and two or three Zealand's were down at the pond fishing I just got home in time to help Dad. do chores. Enah stayed down at her father's all the after noon and Dad. and Tid. went after her this evening. Frank and Lloyd Ryerse went for a drive down to the Ward's. Poor Tom. Butler was over to-night in a bad state of blues He has got into a row with Pickford over something he told Pickford's sisters about Pickford's actions out here and which Mrs. Tuck who has just been over there evidently denied and told Pickford about it. Tom feels badly that Mrs. Pickford is down on him as he seems to think a lot of her and she has been very good to him. To add to his troubles Mark is getting sick of the job and wants to pull out and leave things. Monday July 26th We finished hauling what hay was cocked on this side of the gully this morning and there were only three more loads of it. At noon Frank changed the car to the horse stable and we hauled one load from across the gully. We didn't go back again as Harry Misener was moving the school-house in and we were afraid he would block the road between us and the barn, so Frank went to the mill and got some chop for the pigs and bulls and I went over to https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/c2d338652e623d181e8704f301ec5b47.pdf e829fe9f766d0b5c6800a359563d27df PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Jack's to borrow a crate to ship some old hens. Frank called and got it on his way home. Dad. hoed thistles in the corn. Later Frank drove down to get some gasoline for Gundry who has been working all day out here grading our road. Enah and Tid were down at Aunty's picking berries this morning. I went down to band practice to-night, very few out. Karl got the first of our steers this morning. Tuesday July 27th Frank and I took my old hens over to Jack Martin's this morning. There were just 16 of them and he gave me $23.00 for them after he weighed them up. He had promised some fellow a couple of dozen culls but hadn't culled his out so he said these would do as well. We hauled two more loads in this morning taking all the hay there was out. This after noon Dad. cultivated and hoed the potatoes and mangels and in the garden. I helped Frank grind a mower knife and then thinned some more turnips. Frank started to cut the rest of the hay on this sideoff the gully. Frank killed an old hen for Aunty Alice this <s>morning</s> evening and he took it down to her. Wednesday July 28th Frank cut hay all day. He finished all there was on this side of the gully before noon and after dinner I helped him grind a mower knife and he cut all the after noon on the 12 acre piece across the gully. Dad. hoed potatoes all morning and I hung around here till Karl Coleman came about ten o'clock and got Frank's steer which we shut in for him. I then went out and thinned turnips till noon. I finished there soon after dinner and then took the little team and raked up what Frank cut yesterday while Dad. cocked up. He and Frank cocked up some more after tea as it looks like rain to-night. I went down town with Aunty Alice's cream. Enah went over to call on Tom & Mark's house keeper and Mrs. Harvey Evans also Mrs. Cam McBride and Mrs. Ivey. Fine & warmer. Thursday July 29th Frank finished raking on this side of the gully this morning and then went over and raked up Ivey's and raked theirs up as Landon was over this morning to ask him. After dinner he went back and raked what was cut across the gully and then helped Dad. & me cock up. We cocked up all day and got nearly finished. It was quite windy this morning and very hard to cock as the bluegrass is so short and heavy. About five o'clock it began to rain and we had quite a sharp thunder storm. I went down to band concert to-night. Friday July 30th It was too wet early to haul hay or work at it so Dad. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/2efa5eded824758c17ff2ac42d03c59c.pdf cc7cd15d233831d095312cbb7dc9dc50 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. and I weeded at the potatoes one hoed while the other pulled weeds. We only had two rows to do by noon so this after noon we finished the job although it has been a good drying day and John Wess was hauling in this after noon, but Dad. thought our bluegrass would be all the better to cure a little longer in cock. Frank worked on his alfalfa ground and the strip of corn ground that the crows demolished the corn from all morning and this after noon got Art Quanbury's seed drill and sowed his alfalfa. Winnie was over to tea and I drove her home to-night. Saturday July 31st It rained quite hard again last night but Dad thought the hay was dry enough to haul before noon although it has been cloudy and trying to rain all day till about five o'clock when it cleared off and got quite cool. Dad. worked in the garden & cut thistles this morning and Frank sowed some buckwheat on the corn patch that the crows ate up and I cultivated my flower bed. About eleven we went out and put on a load of hay and this after noon Dad & I got in three more - Frank felt sick all the after noon but was able to stay up in the mow and tell us where to dump the hay. Aunty was over to tea to-night and Enah & Tid drove her home with Mexico. The end of July without one really hot day. Sunday August 1st Frank Tid. and I went down to Sunday school and Dad. and Enah went down to church and then out to the Smythe's for dinner and to spend the after noon. We three stayed at Aunty's for dinner. Tid stayed there all the after noon till Dad and Enah called for him. Frank rode his wheel down to the Ward's with Gilly and I came home to do the noon chores and stayed home the rest of the day. I had several callers, two with indisposed dogs requiring veterinary treatment and later Mrs. Brent & Eric came over. They never seem to strike here when Enah is home. I finished reading a book of E. Philips, Oppenheim's to-night, "The Great Impersonation". It was a good one. Cloudy and quite cold to-day. Monday August 2nd It rained again this morning so that we couldn't work at the hay all day. Dad. ploughed and this morning Frank and I hoed the strawberries and cabbages. Karl came over and got Charlie. I didn't do much this after noon but cut a little lawn and sit around Harry Misener was over and sold Dad. another ton of Bosie Hay although he admitted there was no difference to be seen the the fertilized & unfertilized wheat or potatoes nor pasture so far. Frank cultivated the little patch of corn and went down and got a load of sawdust. I went down to band practice to-night. Still very cool. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/9f6f7e97e815f674dee8645d3e9b44a8.pdf 2ff704571771b15ff6fed16ee3c631bc PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Tuesday August 3rd Frank and I went down this morning and got a load of soft coal to thrash with as Clare Deal told me last night that they had a load in and it seems to be rather scarce these days. We heard that Barwell had to buy the saw mill in order to get slabs to use on the tugs in place of coal. It is $15.00 per ton. We called at Mrs. Battersby's on our way down and took some books from there down to Aunty's which Miss Phipps wanted to send to the Sunday school library. We also took the cart wheels down and sent them to Brantford to be re-rubber-tired. Dad. cultivated with Belle while we were gone. We hauled in one load of hay before dinner and this after noon finished hauling all the hay this side of the gully in one load and a few cocks which we left on the waggon in the old barn to feed to the bulls. Frank went over and raked up Ivey's hay for them and Dad. and I went back and cocked up what there was on the other side of the gully. Beautiful day. Fine but not hot. Wednesday August 4th We started to cut the wheat to-day and were all day gering this side of the potatoes cut. It took most of the morning to get the binder out and oiled and in working order, then the horses were a terrible nuisance. We had Pommers, Joe & old Harry on before dinner but old Harry would not act his part at all. Frank didn't have a whip and Harry knew it. He would stand perfectly still every few minutes and nod his head. We took him off after dinner and put Queen in but going across the ditches made her mad and Frank had a hard time persuading her to go across the ends every time. Pommers worked fine. Aunty Maude went to Brantford yesterday and was operated on to-day for appendicitis. Dad. Enah and Tid went down to-night and Lila had had a telephone message from Dr. Hicks saying everything was satisfactory. Thursday August 5th We finished cutting & shocking up the wheat this morning. There wasn't much on the north side of the field but couch grass. We put the binder back in the woodshed after dinner Landon Ivey was in for quite awhile just after dinner. He wants a team to help thrash to-morrow whenever Sam gets there. He went up to Sid. Marsh's this after noon about four o'clock so won't be down here very early, likely. This after noon Dad. disked what he had plowed across the gully and Frank cut some more hay over there. I didn't do much but weed out some parsnips in the garden. I went down to band concert to-night. Stopped in at the Zealand's on my way down, they have offered me the use of their house for the winter. No more news of Aunty Maude. A red-haired heir to the house of Dillon arrived last night. Hot to-day & a hot night, the first. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/d00dddb9bae337ac3d47d766a775118b.pdf d19dc15bc3129c4bb3f1f3b0350d2dec PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Friday August 6th Dad. plowed this morning and Frank finished cutting the hay across the gully. He expected to have to go and help thrash at Ivey's this after noon but as the machine didn't pull in there till to-night. He raked the hay across the gully and Dad. and I cocked up what we could. I didn't do much this morning but a little hoeing in the garden. To-night we persuaded Dad & Enah to go up to the {Chataugay?} at Simcoe. There was a comedy "Nothing but the Truth" on and Dad. laughed so hard he was nearly sick. Frank Tid and I did up the chores and Frank took Aunty Alice's milk down and brought home an ice cream brick which we three demolished. Young Larry Skey came over this morning and borrowed Mexico for his father to go trout fishing. His father brought him back to-night after dark and I guess didn't have much of a day. He went to Port Ryerse in an hour and a quarter and caught about half a dozen trout. He said he didn't send Larry after Mexico but when he went to the trouble of getting him, he didn't like to disappoint him. Alan Law came in after dark and was so tired he could hardly stand up so borrowed the waggon with the rack on to ride home in. The other waggon still has the coal on it. Hot and Lazy all day. Looks rainy or else very dry Saturday August 7th Frank has been over at Ivey's with the team all day helping thrash, they didn't quite finish but could have easily if they had worked after six. Dad. and I cocked up hay in the back field all day and finished a little after five. We thought after dinner when we went back that we only had about a couple of hours work but there was more than we thought and as we didn't take any water back and it was very hot we were pretty dry when we came up. Enah & Tid went down to the lake this after noon and I was to meet Enah at the seven o'clock car and go to Simcoe to the musical {Chautaugua?} I went down but met Enah coming home as she decided not to go. I went on down town for the rest of the evening and got my hair cut. The Lavaltre came in to-night with a lot of Yankee nets and W. J. Thompson gave me a lot of herring that they took with the nets. Sunday August 8th Frank Tim and I went down to Sunday school and church. We had Mr. McDonald here in Mr. Johnson's place I stayed at Aunty's to dinner, Huby, Win. & Lila were also there. Win. went to Brantford this after noon to see Aunty Maude, who seems to be doing as well as can be expected after her operation. About three o'clock I went up to the stump and had a swim and then walked around the pond and lay around on Frank Awde's point till five o'clock. It was nice and cool there but https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/96b0ec412942bb398a430cd6eb40604b.pdf a9f582f59f0c6680073ded85ae9ab8f5 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. very hot every where else. We had tea before we milked and Enah went down to church and Dad. & Tid walked down to meet her when we got the chores done. Frank went over to call on Tom & Mark's housekeeper. Very hot. Monday August 9th It was raining this morning when we got up so as we couldn't do any thing outside I went to Simcoe to pay Cruickshanks my insurance and see Neff about selling the bulls, as I knew he would be connected with the campain on to do away with scrub sires, but when I got there I found it was Simcoe's civic holiday, Cruickshanks was at the {Point?}. Neff wasn't at the office but Manning was and said he would tell Neff. It poured rain while I was there so I stayed in the office with Manning till it was too late to catch the 11 o'clock car. I went up to Slaght's house and saw him for awhile but he didn't know any more. I came home at one o'clock and had a little dinner at Aunty's and then went up town to put some money in the bank. I didn't do much this after noon but work at my show-card lessons and to-night I went down to band practice. Frank and Dad. fixed the barn up ready to haul in. Frank went down town this morning and got some binder twine from Billy Lang and this afternoon Dad ploughed. Cloudy & rainy all day. Very sultry. Tuesday August 10th Dad. has ploughed all day and got a nice strip done. Frank and I went back this morning to straighten up the wheat shocks, but there weren't many down and the ones that were standing didn't seem very wet so we left them alone. We then went back to the gully and intended cutting across to Jack Paine's bridge for a swim but we saw Harvey Evans out all alone shocking up wheat which was all lyind down and soaking wet so we helped him till noon. This after noon I did a little more show card work then went out and hoed onions. Frank tried to drill in some rape between the corn rows but the little seeder wouldn't work, it was too wet, so then he took the roller back and rolled down what Dad has ploughed. Rus. Lampkins was in and got the rest of his boiler flues and a fellow who Rus. told me was Frank Schugler was in looking at the sheep. Hot. Wednesday August 11th Dad. ploughed all morning. Frank and I moved Moonshine over to the box stall in the horse-stable and cleaned out the place where he was so that we could haul wheat. About half past ten we went over to Mrs. Battersbys to help them move the big square piano but they weren't quite ready so I went down to the mill to pay up. Karl came and got my steer this morning and gave me https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/b93fedf1f074b9353ab40e4ea3294240.pdf 419d2d1d97ce4d1ae315a6aaee2434f4 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. $110.00 which I thought would square up but I was grieved to learn that I owed him $136.00. Frank went back home and turned out a load of wheat. We then went back to move the piano. We got Goodwin, Frank Awde & a new man from Jack Martin's and Mr. Bagley was there taking some wardrobes apart so we had lots of men but it was quite a lift. We couldn't get the legs off it so had to worm it through the doors. They are getting things ready for the sale over there. We didn't get back much before noon. After dinner we hauled in four jags of wheat. It was damp but we thought it would do. Landon Ivey wanted Frank to go over and rake the wheat stubble and we let him have the rake and Joe Long raked it. They finished thrashing to-day. Jack Martin is over at Syracuse with some chickens. They tell me he took one or two of my old hens over there to the show. Hot. Thursday August 12th We went out this morning and turned out all the wheat. We then went back across the gully and put on a load of the poorest hay which we spread on the rails over the bulls and over the granary. As there was a heavy fog and wet this morning, we didn't get started very early, so it was noon by the time we got our load off. This after noon we hauled in the wheat which was in fairly good shape to go in, we figured there were about seven decent sized loads although we made more trips to the field than that. There will be a lot of rakings. I went down to band concert to-night and the rest all went down to hear it. Roy & Vernon and the children are at Aunty's so we stayed there for quite awhile. Enah was over at Mrs. Battersby's sale all the after noon. It was a big sale and a big crowd. Tid. was down playing with Rebecca all the after noon and stayed down to tea. Very hot and muggy. Friday August 13th Frank went out and raked the wheat stubble this morning and we got a good sized load of rakings off it. It took longer to rake it than Dad had figured on so that we didn't have time to go back and get any hay before dinner but we got the wheat rakings in before noon. While Frank was at that Dad. and I put off the load of wheat that was in the barn and then as I had a pain in my tummy I lay down till we hauled in the rakings. We went back after dinner to haul hay. We got one load up and another half on when it began to rain. We came up with our half load but got drenched doing it. I spent the rest of the after noon painting show card practice and Frank washed out our wet clothes. Very warm to-day before and after the rain. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/1cb0cfa4d7f7cc44c1259684f16b01cb.pdf de7b40c24ac1b161eb5b1e7555da9146 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Saturday August 14th Dad. has plowed all day in the back field and has got past the niche in the fence so is on the short rounds. I didn't do much all day but cut a few thistles in the orchard and mow part of the lawn this after noon. Frank did a few odd jobs among which was patching the rooves of the old barn and horse stable. Tid. & Enah went down town. The Millman's arrived about eight o'clock having run into some bad roads. Mr. & Mrs. Millman Kathleen & {Tow?}. After they had tea, they all went down in the car and Enah & Frank went with them. I changed my clothes and walked down later and met the girls over at Pete Holmes' casino. We had a few dances but had more fun watching the antics of the others. The girls are staying at Percy's so Frank and I went around there with them and sat on the beach till about one o'clock. Mr. & Mrs. Millman are staying over here. Very hot. We thought we were going to get a real thunder storm to-day but didn't. Sunday August 15th Frank Tid and I went down to Sunday school and church and after church we found Dad. & Mr. Millman down at Aunty's with the car to take the whole family over here to dinner I walked as far as the bridge on my way home and then Charlie Shand picked me up and brought me all the way home. We had a great old dinner party. After dinner Roy, Rebecca and I went out and gathered some mushrooms which Roy said were good but which I always thought were toadstools. We sat around on the lawn trying without much success to be cool and about four o'clock Mr. Millman drove all but Dad. Tid & me down town. Frank had left before on his wheel to go down the Lake shore with the Ward's, he got back about dark. Mr. & Mrs. Millman & Enah came back for tea and we all spent the evening here. Very hot. Monday August 16th We were up early this morning and Mr. Millman went down about six o'clock to go over to Turkey Point with Roy & Percy to fish. He was gone all day and got about four or five bass and a pike or so. It rained again quite a little shower and was cloudy all morning so we couldn't do any thing with the crops. Dad. ploughed all day and Frank cleaned out the shop. I dug up some paeony roots over at Ivey's this morning and packed a box of them to send to Daerie. This after noon some Mr. Brooks from Brantford was down to look at the sheep, he may buy a few later on. Enah & Mrs. Millman went down town this after noon. Kathleen & Tow were over for a little while this morning and I drove them down town in the midst of a heavy shower. I went down to band practice to-night but there were very few out. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/2738057b199252e2ff5d139a2e72405c.pdf f335a5e42bf3060effb0a9eab817d3f1 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Tuesday August 17th The Millman's left for home this morning about 9 o'clock and took Enah with them to Brantford where she spent the after noon with Aunty Maude coming down on the five o'clock car, she said Aunty Maude was looking fine and expected to come home this week. Dad. Frank and I spent the remainder of the fore noon separating the ewes & lambs and marking the ewes we wanted to keep We picked out 13 of the ones we considered the best & the three best looking lambs, and we put the lambs and rams over in the front pasture west of the house and left the ewes in the orchard. This after noon we got the binder out and started to cut the barley in the corner field it is crinkled down and there is a lot of green stuff in it so it looks miserable, we didn't cut it out separately from the oats in the other end of the field but cut straight through. We didn't get much more than well started to-day as it was late when we got out. I went down town to-night with some cream for Aunty and spent most of the evening with Roy & Quint who were fitting a pipe in Quint's new launch. Cooler looks rainy. Wednesday August 18th We cut oats all day, finished the strip in the corner field and started in on the barley and oats along the side road, but still have the five or six loads in the corner field that were latest sowed to cut yet. Billy Mills came over after dinner and borrowed the rack to haul alsike. He delayed me quite a bit as I had to help him put off the hay that was on it. Roy was over for awhile this evening and spent the whole time trying to prove to Frank something about a kite he is making for Tid. but I guess he failed in the attempt. Cooler but looks rainy. Thursday August 19th Still cutting oats, got on fairly well to-day but have quite a strip to cut yet, nothing out of the ordinary happened. I went down to band concert to-night. Cool. Friday August 20th We finished cutting the oats to-day. It took longer to cut the piece with the water holes in it than it did the others as Frank had to cut around them so that by the time we got the five lands in the corner field cut and the binder loaded and put away it was about quitting time. Dad. and I kept them shocked up as they were cut. Fine day Saturday August 21st Dad. & Frank went after after a load of hay this morning while I killed a couple of chickens one for Mrs Bowlby https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/78a74da9173eea23bfde02a46fabbe84.pdf a1223ff815313a3ad8a07780615ba78f PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. and one for Aunty Alice. I also got some ice and put the car out of the horse stable. We hauled two loads this morning and one load of barley as we didn't have time to go after a load of hay before noon. This after noon we hauled two more loads of hay, there are still four or five loads back there I think. I went down to the dam at the grist mill to-night and had a good bath. It rained quite a shower. Hot but nice breeze to-day. Sunday August 22nd Frank, Tid. and I went down to Sunday school this morning and Dad. & Enah went to church. I was home all the after noon. Gordon Zealand, Oliver Mann, George Ryerse & young Aubrey Wilson came over to see my birds' eggs. Enah and Tid went for a drive and Frank went over to Tom Butler's. He & Mark went down to church to-night. Dad. Enah & Tid drove down to-night to see Roy as this was his birthday. Huby & Lila went to Brantford this after noon and brought Aunty Maude home, she is going to stay at Aunt Lucy's for awhile till she gets stronger, she has got on very well so far. Or, & his girl, Carlotta Turk, and Kathleen, Tow and two boys came in at noon for awhile. Very cool all day Monday August 23rd We finished hauling the hay from the back field to-day. We got two loads this morning and as we didn't have time before dinner to go back for another we penned the ewes and milked them all out. Then we hauled the remaining two this afternoon. Tupper was in for a few minutes this morning. I went down to band practice to-night. We have three engagements booked. Boughner picnic Thursday afternoon Simcoe Oddfellow's decoration Sunday and a garden party or some thing out at Jim Ross's Tuesday night. Roy went over to the Point to-day with Quint, Dad. {Name?} and Jack Ivey and just got back about ten o'clock Tuesday August 24th Dad. and I hauled in six bags of oats to-day from the corner field. Frank had to go down to Sam Law's to thrash and it made it very awkward pitching up into the mow and mowing away for just the two of us, so that we didn't get as much in as we otherwise would have. I took some milk down to Aunty's to-night and stayed most of the evening. Kathleen & Tow were there. I rode or tried to ride Frank's wheel but made a bad job of it. He took Queen and went for a drive to-night. Fair and not too hot. Wednesday August 25th We finished hauling in off the corner field first thing this morning. The barley that was left out there made https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/0215c84eb8f36c805d9682171df5b698.pdf ecdb2884135c74fc25e35f01f498f312 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. a big load and took a long time to pitch on and off. We got two loads of barley & oats off the long field before dinner and put them in the barn. Frank had to go over to Pickford's to thrash this afternoon so Dad and I hauled two loads of oats and started a stack as two can't unload now in the barn. It was slow work making the stack with just two. To-night Dad. Enah & Tid drove down with Aunty's milk and just as they got home Mr. Cantelon the artist rode in, he was here for a long time making a copy of a sketch Clarence did of the old Dog's Nest. He is very interested in anything pertaining to the early history of the country. Hot & looks dry Thursday August 26th Frank was over at Pickford's thrashing all <s>day</s> morning. Dad. and I hauled in three loads of oats and pitched two off on the stack and left one till after dinner. This after noon I went down to play in the band for Boughner picnic and Dad. & Frank hauled in two more loads of barley and oats. The Boughner picnic has degenerated in late years. There was not such a big crowd as usual in spite of the fact that it was a beautiful day. In olden days we used to see all roads into Dover lined with buggys and democrats at five a.m. but now every one comes in cars and they don't start till after dinner. We played to a rather small audience over in Bucks park till half past five. I stayed at Aunty's for tea and then went with Quint, Roy & Vernon out in the new boat. We picked Kathleen, Tow, Enah and Tid. up down at Barwell's fish shanty and we had a fine ride out in the lake, it was the fastest boat I was ever in. It was after eight when we got in but I got up to the bandstand before they started to play. This was I suppose our last concert for the season. I went over to Pete Holme's after band concert and from there went with Kathleen, Tow & Quint over to their cottage where we had some ice cream which Quint brought from his shack and cake & lemonade. Frank joined us later and we fooled around there half the night then I went for a dip in the lake and walked home in my bare feet. I changed my clothes went I got home as I didn't think it was worthwhile undressing. It was after three when I went to bed. Friday August 27th Dad. called me before daylight this morning and I went and helped him put the sheep out of the garden. They had gone through a hole in the fence that Belle had broken. They had got well filled up on clover but hadn't done much damage in the garden We finished hauling the oats to-day. It took us all https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/80ec92319cca7650a8bee0bc36608649.pdf 30ff7945c7aa1d933e1832a6bbd8fac8 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. day as finishing the stack took a lot of time. Kathleen and Tow were over to dinner to-day and Enah drove them down this after noon. Mr. & Mrs. Millman came up in the car to-night. They are all going home on Sunday Orm & Carlotta Turk came up too. Fine day pretty hot. Saturday August 28th I spent most of the fore noon cleaning out the flower border and setting out a little plant of bleeding heart and some iris which Mrs. Millman brought me. This afternoon I went over to Ivey's and dug up some more paeony roots and took a stroll over to Bronzie where I poked around for an hour or more. Dad. ploughed all day. Frank went down to Sam Law's this after noon and borrowed 30 bushels of oats which he took down to the mill and had chopped. Fine day not hot. Sunday August 29th Frank Tid and I went down to Sunday school & Dad and Enah drove down to church but Dad. couldn't go as he had forgotten the tie strap and couldn't tie Queen up. I had a very hurried lunch at Aunty's and went to Simcoe on the one o'clock car with the band as we were engaged to play for the Oddfellow's decoration day up there. We had to wait till three o'clock for the {Coutons?} the highest order of the Oddfellow's to come down from Brantford and then we marched out to the cemetry and were out there an hour or so. By the time we got through it was too late to catch the five o'clock car so we were treated to supper at the Battersby house and got home at seven. Beautiful day Monday August 30th Dad. ploughed all day but didn't quite finish the field. Frank patched the roof of the old barn this morning and I went up on the inside and shoved straws through to show him where the holes were. I went down town before dinner to see about getting some clothes. I wanted to get a second best suit and a light overcoat. Moses Fischer showed me some brown sample of a suit which he said would be $48.00. I went down to Tip's and bought a ready made for $25..00 It won't look as well as the other but seemed pretty good and I didn't feel as if I could afford to spend $22.00 on mere appearance. I also got Tip to send for some samples of tweed raincoats which he says are taking the place of fall overcoats. He had some there but they were all too short in the sleeves. I got a pair of shoes at Frank Smith's for $7.50. I had dinner at Aunty's and came home soon after and hoed a few strawberries. I stopped in for a few minutes to see Aunty Maude on my way home. Frank sowed some rape seed in the corn this afternoon but I am afraid it is too late for it to ammount to anything. I went down to band practice to-night. Fine & cool https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/b76b9dce14aa1b283e2b48f2bf5419b7.pdf 44be1c29ed3f279b07ed716934b46aa3 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Tuesday August 31st Frank was down at Dave Ward's last night and as Dave has his oats all out yet Frank promised to go down and help him get them in, so off he went this morning and I don't know when he will be back. Dad. ploughed this morning and I cut lawn and after dinner Dad. & I went out to the side road and got the snow fence that the township council or road officials put out there and brought it up and put it around the stack as the calves and sheep were rubbing and pulling at it. Dad. then went back to plough for a while and I wired the snow fence to-gether and didn't do any thing else much till chore time. To-night I went down and joined the band and we all went out to Jim Ross's to a Women's Auxillary garden party. It was very cold down there but we had a pretty good time. Their programme was so rotten it was funny. Tom Butcher of Nanticoke was the principal entertainer and he appears to be batty. Mrs. Hank Sinclair told fortunes and I think it was young Mason who had an old stove out under an apple tree frying hot dogs. He also sold ice cream but most people were too frozen to want to buy it. Wednesday September 1st Dad. finished ploughing and rolling the field this morning and I puttered around and hoed a little in the strawberries. This after noon we got the spreader out and hauled out three loads as it took a long time to get it oiled up and started and then some thing went wrong with the worm gear that turns the apron and it lifted itself out of the gear and didn't turn. Dad. tightened up a nut which we couldn't see would help it any but it worked all right afterwards. Jack Martin was in to-night to tell us that he was going to thrash to-morrow and wanted two men. Fine day & cool Thursday September 2nd Dad. and I hauled out <s>three or four</s> seven loads this morning but as the machine moved in to Jack's place before dinner we put the spreader in the shed at noon and went over there at one o'clock. They were thrashing oats out of the stack down at the {illegible} barn and had a good run but didn't quite finish. I stayed over there to tea but Dad. came home. It was pretty late when we got the chores done. Winnie was over here to tea. Fine Friday September 3rd We thrashed all day at Jack's to-day and are not quite through yet. We finished the oats and then moved up to the Mills barn and started thrashing wheat before dinner. Benny Walker and I carried away. Benny would carry away three bushels and then I'd carry three so we had a pretty fair time. I came home at noon to do chores and Dad. stayed over to dinner. Still a fine day. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/2af77aefcafd2294c1aaad8cae23c94f.pdf 58ec3fd54534e092aa8e5a86a4e26b93 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Saturday September 4th We finished thrashing at Martin's this morning about half past eight having about 400 bushels of wheat and 623 of oats. Dad and I came home by way of Jack Martin's to get his measuring chain but we couldn't find it. Sid. Goodwin showed his string of chickens that he is getting ready for the Syracuse Show. This after noon we hauled out a few more loads of manure. I went down town to-night and got my suit which they all thought looked all right. Frank came home some time during the night. Sunday September 5th Frank Tid and I went down to Sunday school and Enah came down to church. She and Tid. stayed all the after noon at her mothers as Elva & Brant were down for Labor Day to-morrow. I stayed for dinner at Aunty's and was down there all the after noon, went home about five and helped Dad. do chores. Frank seems pretty well tuckerd out. Dave must have worked him pretty hard and then he wound up by going to the dance. Mark. Stephens was in for awhile on his way down to church and he stopped in on his way back and we ate part of a water-melon that Enah got this afternoon up at Cantelon's. Monday September 6th This being Labor Day we didn't do any thing but chores this morning but as the water has had a very disagreeable taste and odour lately Dad. thought he would make an examination and much to our disgust discovered a rabbit floating in the water in an advanced stage of decomposition, with considerable manoevering he managed to dip it up with a pail. We imagine it must have fallen through the hole we left for ventilation although there has been a box over it. Enah and Tid. drove out to the school house to the Dolly Smith reunion and about noon Dad. and I walked out. Frank still feels tough so didn't go. We weren't there long before the bell rang for dinner and we went down into the basement and had a grand feed. After dinner we played baseball and had a very good time. Girls against the boys. I don't know who won but I think it was a large score in favour of neither. We played till about four o'clock when Mr. Bagley went inside to call the roll of "Aunt Dolly's" old pupils. Dad. and I walked home through John Wess's and found Mr. Lawrie and Hubert there trap shooting. It looked rainy this morning but was a fine day. Tuesday September 7th Dad. and I hauled out manure all day and got the yard nearly cleaned up. Frank hoed the strawberries and the weeds out of his alfalfa. He went down to see Colin Ryerse's new tractor this after noon. Colin has left his fifty dollars a week job in Chicago to come home and run a tractor. Aunty Alice was over to-day. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/8cc84e2197b6c0f6b51484b52da80b15.pdf dd3a7cd4c72be57f38a81b55b8f0d091 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Wednesday September 8th Dad. and I finished hauling out the manure to-day, we got all we could pitch out before dinner and after dinner we scraped up the stack bottom <s>and</s> in little piles and hauled it out it took a long time but made a good clean job. Dad. took the big team back and disked when we got through with that. I didn't do any thing but chores and a little painting for the rest of the after noon. Frank went to Simcoe this morning to order some photo-graphs of Dick from Moore as Dick wrote and asked for some. This after noon he took Queen & Joe and mowed the big weeds around the water holes that were left in the oat stubble. Old Jonas Green was here to tea to-night. He is thinking of coming back to Dover to work in the greenhouse but as usual doesn't know what to do with the old cow, the horse and the chickens and Sairy. I went down town to-night and got my hair cut. Fine day not hot. Thursday September 9th Dad. went down to Aunty's this morning to help them in the garden for a day. He trimmed the paths and dug some early Rose potatoes, Aunty Alice got five pounds of seed from Bruce's last Spring and to-day they dug seven baskets or two bushels and a third by measure. Frank disked on the back field this morning but it rained more or less all the after noon so he didn't go back after dinner. It was raining hard about four o'clock so I drove down after Tid. Enah had intended going down after him and staying for tea at Aunty's with Dad. but as it was such a wet night she didn't go down and I drove down and got Dad. After tea he and Enah drove down and Enah went to a Horticultural meeting with Aunty Alice. I spent the day doing chores clearing up the lawn and painting at show cards. Friday September 10th Dad. went down to Aunty's again to-day and put in another day in the garden. He weighed up the yield of Early Rose potatoes, the weighed 136 1/2 lbs. Frank worked on the land all day. I took Alfred's cradle back to him this morning and then went over and saw Colin Ryerse's tractor working, from there I went over to Frank Ryerse's to see if they wanted to buy one of the bulls. I came home along by the creek and roved down as far as Flemming's woods with young Philips. This after noon I didn't do any thing much but pick a basket of plums. Ethel Phipps was over here all the after noon. Tom Butler was over here all the evening I painted a show card lesson. Sultry. Saturday September 11th Dad. worked on the back field all day. Frank and https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/4588980bcc2d47f18fe459db8b69ec61.pdf 6b318eb56ab0895dc8f6fd33f4b22a42 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. I went down this morning and got the basic slag Dad. ordered from Harry Misener. Chris Quanbury had found the surveyor's chain and gave it to us so when we got home we started to measure up the farm. We spent the whole after noon at the job and got all the fields this side of the gully measured. Fine day but cool and windy Sunday September 12th My day commenced at two o'clock this morning when I was awakened by a fierce thunder storm raging I got up and looked around to see if any thing was hit by the lightning but couldn't see any thing so went back to bed. There were several thunder claps and flashes then that shook the house and not long after I heard a dog bark and a man whistle. I then got up and saw a big blaze over at Jack Martin's I called Dad. and Frank and we hurried over and found the implement shed just about gone. They had saved one or two pieces of machinery but Billy Mill's two pigs were burned. Luckily the wind kept the sparks away from the straw stack which was only a few yards away or the whole thing would have gone barn & all. Dad. and I. Art Quanbury & Sid Goodwin sat there with Billy till morning to watch it. About six o'clock we came home and I went back to get the cows but Dad. called to me when I got back there that the cows were all in the stable, we shut them in last night to feed them some corn and had forgotten to let them out again. Frank Tid and I went down to Sunday school and church. Mr. James came over here for dinner and this after noon the Jim Waddle's and Uncle Ward came in. Uncle Ward & Mr. James stayed to tea and Enah drove them down to-night with Mexico. Frank took Queen & the buggy and drove down to the Ward's. Billy Dixon's shed was burned last night too. Monday September 13th Frank and I finished measuring up the back fields this morning and this after noon Frank went up to Will. Wright's to help Alan & Sam with the engine. Dad. worked on the land all day and I went back this after noon and dug out a big stone that Dad. had run into with the plow I loosened it up and it was all Dad. and I could do to get it out of the hole. Mr. James was over again to dinner and Enah drove him down this after noon. I went down to band practice to-night. Mark came over to-night & borrowed the spreader. Tuesday September 14th I drove Tid down to school this morning as he was late getting up when I got home I did a few chores and went out to the garden to dig potatoes. I dug potatoes most of the day and got four bushels and haven't got half of the two outside rows dug yet. I have been https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/d407c06acf405be97b4aad1fb26b295a.pdf 7aee5d0a2dc8a8aced3ec3b5e23f0f0c PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. digging the two outside rows to see if there is any difference between the fertilized and unfertilized but I can't see a particle, they are all beauties and a lot of them. Dad. worked on the land all day and Frank has been off thrashing with Alan & Sam, he is having a beautiful time as Alan lets him run the engine I went down town to-night with Aunty Alice's milk. Wednesday September 15th It was very foggy this mornng and I didn't go out very early to dig potatoes but got four more bushels dug. I went back at noon and helped Dad. take the harrows back. Dad. worked on the land all day and Frank has been helping Alan & Sam. Fine day. Aunty Alice was over to tea to-night. Thursday September 16th Dad. finished fitting the wheat ground to-day and has it in fine shape. I finished digging the potatoes in the garden at noon and got 11 bushels. This after noon I went over to the Preston's and helped old Walker clean up 18 bushels of seed wheat for ourselves. Enah was down all day judging at the flower show. There was very little there considering the good year it was for every thing. I went down to-night and found the band playing up there so went back to Aunty's and got my horn. Fine & cold wind. Friday September 17th Dad. and Frank have been all day and part of the night putting in the wheat. They had to haul the Basic Slag back first thing this morning, then go over to Preston's and get the wheat, chain the drill to the back of the waggon and haul it around to the gully gate on the side road, take the wheat up and unload it and then go back after the drill so it was about eleven o'clock or after when they started to drill. It took two of them as the Slag is too heavy for one to handle alone and watch the team too. They kept at it till eight o'clock to-night but finished the field. I did a few odd jobs this morning and went back as soon as I had my dinner to watch the cattle out of the field while Dad. went up to get his and then I stayed back there with Frank when he came back till Dad. arrived. When I got up to the house I found two roots of Bleeding Heart that Marj. had sent me so I put them in and then hurried over to tell Arthur Pickford that the boys were going to leave Frank Smith's store at 5:30 to go for a camp fire trip but he had decided not to go. I also cut some corn for the cows and then got ready and went down town. I picked up Gordon Zealand on the way down, he had just come on the five o'clock car from Hamilton. He was the only one of our bunch that showed up and only four of the Methodists. Manning took us down the Lake Shore in his car and we built a big https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/769a36b21eca2dc7eb9777b1a1040023.pdf b647173f593e74b76389a97d9110fb13 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. fire in a ravine on the shore in front of Hurl. Powell's place. He came down and was for putting us out as he was afraid of the fire running up the gully, but we promised to watch it and put it out before we left so he let us stay. The boys visited a corn field on the way down and Manning brought a water melon and I had some sandwiches so we made out a pretty fair meal. Manning gave us a little talk on the stars and we got home about ten o'clock. Fine day fairly hot and windy Saturday September 18th Frank and I had to go over to Ern. Flemming's to thrash to-day and were over there all day, at least Frank was. I came home a little early as I was helping Wilbur Ryerse carry away oats and when the wheat commenced to come Ern could handle it alone so Ern. told me I could come home & get ready for the machine as they moved in here to-night. Dad. was running out land furrows in the back field all day. Ham Thompson was in and borrowed the drill. Fine day Sunday September 19th We all went to church this morning and Frank Tid and I went to Sunday school. Miss {Treneman?} sang a solo. Enah had to play as Mrs. Andrews is away so she stayed down all day. Dad. stayed down to dinner at Auntys, but Frank and I came home. I was home all the after noon but went down to-night with some eggs for Aunty Alice. We were much surprised this after noon when Mr. & Mrs. Millman drove in. They went on down to Aunty's and are staying there for a day or two. Mr. Millman is going to buy apples for his evapourator at Vittoria. Monday September 20th We thrashed all day to-day and got out about 830 bushels 100 of wheat 40 of barley and the rest oats and mixed grain. It wasn't as big a yield as I had looked for but the oats rolled out of the spout about 3 bushels per minute. It was very cloudy cold and drizzly all day and just as we finished began to rain so hard it threw the belt off. We only had five more sheaves to thrash, but they put it on again and we thrashed them. Tuesday September 21st We caught the lambs this morning and trimmed the wool out of their eyes as some of them couldn't see at all. This after noon Dad. and I went back and ran out the cross ditches in the back field. Frank had to go down to Art Ryerse's with Alan & Sam when they took the engine but they didn't thrash any to-day as they wanted to go to the school fair. I started to get ready to go down to that but about four o'clock Bob. Doherty and Webb. came in and stayed for an hour or so. Frank came home while they were here and we sold him all the lambs but four and the three old ewes, 13 cts for the good lambs 9 cts. for culls and 4 cts for the old ewes. Mr. Millman was in for a minute to-night with Aunty Maude & Aunt Ida. Fine day https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/328e810bce2c7d1079d1c57dffd399aa.pdf af2b249b59855a5160d3d4f78c1c44fd PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Wednesday September 22nd Frank has been away with Sam & Alan all day down at Art Ryerse's. Dad. and I took Sam's oats home first thing this morning and when we got back Rus. Lampkins was here to fix the pump so we worked with him till noon. He had to go home at noon to take his wife to Simcoe and he didn't get back till half past three. Dad. and I bagged up a grist and I took it down this after noon and when I got back Dad. & Rus had the pump back in the well. Rus. put in a new valve and sucker and now it works better than it ever did. Lovely day. It has been very dry now for a long time in spite of the fact that the New Moon has been perpendicular now for several months. This moth it was south of the line. {Wee sketch of the moon shape}. Thursday September 23rd Dad. & I spent the fore noon cleaning up around the stack. We put all the loose straw from the south side of the stack on the rack and hauled it in on the barn floor and carried it in from the north side. Then Dad. got up and put a better top on the stack as the wind was too strong the day we thrashed to make a neat job of it. This after noon we went back and cleaned some of the ditches in the wheat field but quit early and to-night I had a meeting with the boys. Hermon & Jonas were the only ones there, we figured on a programme for next month. Fine & hot. Friday September 24th I spent most of the morning doing chores but went back about eleven and cleaned some more ditches in the back field. Dad. took Tid to school and picked some tomatoes for Mrs. Law. This after noon he and I finished cleaning the ditches. Frank was with the thrashers all day. I did a couple of show card lessons to-night and Dad. Enah & Tid drove down with Aunty's milk. Very warm, tried to rain. Saturday September 25th Frank told us that Dougherty called him up yesterday and wanted to ship the lambs this morning so we had to get the waggon unloaded, it had some coal on it and get the sheep in and loaded. We took down about 16 of the best lambs the first load and when we got there found Dougherty wasn't there yet, but we unloaded them and Frank went back for another load. He put them all on but had to take four off at Martin's as they nearly smothered, so by the time they were all down there it was noon and about one when we got home. The lambs the good ones just averaged about 68 lbs apiece and the whole bunch came to about $242.00. This after noon Frank had to go and help Sam and Tid and I dug some paeony roots and took them down to Miss McQueen and Miss Monteith. To-night I went to town and charted Hermon Cook. I found Mark Stephens and his sister here when I got home. Fine day. Very hot. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/401d2521d893048dcc499c78ad7ca85b.pdf 21b7681390b89742c440a8911e4f312e PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Sunday September 26th This has been one of the hottest days we have had this year. Frank Tid and I went down to Sunday school and Dad. and Enah went to church. This was {Harvest?} Home service and they had the church looking very nice. Zeitha sang a solo. Doc. Lemmons & Lou. Dixon were supposed to sing a duet but Bill didn't show up. <s>Aunty came.</s> This after noon I went down to Bronzie as it was the only cool spot I could find. It was lovely down there on the point. I came home early and we did up the chores in good time. Mark and his sister and Winnie were here for tea and we all except Frank and Tid. went down to church to-night. Mr. Ward from St John's preached. After church we all went down to Aunty's and spent the evening Aunty Alice gave Mark a kitten which Miss Stephens took home in a basket and which howled terribly. Monday September 27th I fixed up the old corn house this morning and this after noon Dad. and I started to cut corn and got 28 shocks cut. Frank was away all day with Sam. and Alan. I went to band practice to-night. Tuesday September 28th Dad. and I cut corn all day and are nearly halfway across the field there are just ten rows of shocks in the field. Fine day, sunny with cool wind. Wednesday September 29th We cut corn all day. Jack Highland was past to-night about five o'clock and while Dad. was talking to him he heard a cow bawl so we went back to the gully and found Nancy calving. We gave her a little assistance and now have another red and white bull calf known as Bill Sykes Dad. and I drove down with milk for Aunty to-night and up around by Ham Thompson's as I wanted to see if he was going to Courtland to-morrow. Fine & cold. Thursday September 30th I caught the nine o'clock car this morning and went with Ham Thompson to Simcoe where Manning picked us up and drove us to Courtland. The had the township fair and school fair combined. I didn't do much but help Ham judge the school kid's chickens. We had a very nice time though. The fair didn't ammount to much as there was very little stock there and not much of anything else Dean Taylor and a couple of pals were there having a great time Manning drove Ham and me back. We had supper at his place and he drove us on down to Dover, as he was coming down to a meeting. Cloudy and cold all day. Raining to-night. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/4f714c84e8f14d46ef099e5ed49e1aa6.pdf bf3132d3b9f0b5081fae2271065043fa PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Friday October 1st It has rained steadily all day and has been very raw and cold. Tom. Butler came in on his way down town and he and Frank went over to look at the stuff Flemming has for sale and then he came back here and had dinner. I didn't do any thing much but a few chores. Frank went home with Tom this after noon and stayed there for tea and all night so that he could put a fire on in the engine in the morning to finish thrashing at Art Quanbury's. Miserable day but good for the wheat. Saturday October 2nd Dad. and Frank went over and finished thrashng at Art Quanbury's this morning. Dad. got home before dinner and Frank went on to Charlie Munroe's with the machine. I took Aunty's milk down this morning and on my way back stopped in at the Zealand's He showed me various things about the place and told me I could have the house any time I wanted it, so I told him that would be in about three weeks I hoped. Dad. and I dug a couple of rows of potatoes this after noon. I went down to meet the Tuxis boys to-night but Jonas was the only one out. Sunday October 3rd Frank, Tid and I went down to Sunday school and church and Enah came down to church. Aunty came back over here to dinner. It rained this morning a little and has been cloudy and cool all day. Tuesday October 12th I have some way got far behind in writing this and can't remember precisely what happened from day to day so will have to make a summary of last weeks events. I think we finished cutting the field corn Tuesday the fifth working at it Monday after noon & Tuesday. We cut the fodder corn Wednesday after noon and Thursday morning. There will be quite a lot of feed on it considering how late it was put in. We spent the rest of the time up till Wednesday noon digging potatoes. We just finished that job yesterday after noon and got nearly fifty bushels out of the patch in the field. We have them piled out in the field. Thursday after noon Dad. had to go to be bearer ar Mrs. Tommy Jackson's funeral and I went over to Ern. Flemming's sale. Friday Dad. and I were over at Tom & Mark's all day thrashing and finished up there Saturday fore noon, from there I went with Art Quanbury down to {Ausen?} Abbot's to look at an old house which Art wants to buy to tear down and use the stuff to build his new one. Dad. went over to John Wess's for a visit and stayed there to dinner. Frank thrashed with Sam Monday morning and then they quit till after Simcoe fair but Frank https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/6e2fae0824ab8890256a34981316fcb4.pdf fbd1dae80534b9954d4ad221b9b8f4b2 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. stayed with Sam till Tuesday night helping him shock up his corn. He went to the fair on Wednesday and has been sick ever since, he is just beginning to get around now. I stayed down at Aunty's for dinner on Sunday and Sunday afternoon Aunty Alice came over here with me and stayed to tea. Aunty went to Scotland this morning with Dick Tibbits to see Uncle Robuck. They had to come back on the L.E.&N. as Dick's car played out. The Bawlby's came down in the after noon and took Aunt Ida up with them for tea. Jack Martin was over here after tea to ask Dad. to go with him on Tuesday to a political meeting near Aylmer. Yesterday Frank took Joe down to be shod and brought Aunt Ida back with him to spend the day. It began to rain this after noon and we had quite a heavy thunder storm but it stopped before night. Dad. drove Aunt Ida home after tea. To-day I went over to the Zealand's to help him put on the storm window but he thought it was too warm yet, so I helped them make some cider Enah went over to get the curtains and wash them but as Mr. Zealand was away when she got there she didn't take them. Dad. went with Jack Martin to Straffordville and heard Mr. Meighen, but said they had a very tiresome day as they had to wait so long. I got some flower roots over at Mrs. Battersby's this after noon. Frank felt better and picked the King's. To-night I went down town to get my hair cut but couldn't get into any of the barber shops so went down to see Aunty Maude. It has been a very nice day. Wednesday October 13th Dad. and I walked back to the gully this morning to get a long pole that was back there for firewood and while we were back took a walk over to look at the wheat which is coming nicely since the rain and as we saw Cam McBride back plowing pea stubble went over and talked to him for awhile. Frank drove Tid. down to school. It was pretty late when we got back but Dad. castrated the four calves before dinner. The big roan bled quite a lot and to-night Dad. went to look at him but thought it had stopped pretty well, however he started up again during the night and bled to death. This after noon I went down town and got my hair cut and made the final preparations or purchases as to-morrow Aunty Alice and I leave D.O. for Haliburton where on Saturday Marj. and I are to be married. Wednesday November 8th There must of necessity be a considerable gap left in these records caused by the event predicted in the last entry. I was away in Haliburton https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/336bfdfc1e06165942f1859484f2b26f.pdf 10560991aa4079f70b3ee9bc67e9e286 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. and Bobcayceon for nearly two weeks and since coming back with Marj. have been so unsettled and having so much {illegible} getting our new nest feathered that I havent been able to get into my old habit of writing in my diary. There is not much use trying to record the events of the past few weeks as I don't know what has happened, all I know is that Marj. and I are married and have had a most happy time and that we are the luckiest pair alive as we are in our own house by ourselves for the winter and with the many things Marj. has had given to her and the things by the Zealand's which we may use, we seem to have every thing we want, we don't even have to pay rent for the place, which is very fortunate as being as poor as ever as far as cold cash is concerned. Mr. Zealand is still here during the day packing up fruit and making cider but he stays at night with Mr. Johnson and has his men at the Quanburys. He went to Hamilton last weekend and spent Saturday after noon giving away the fruit he had sent down. Besides the many things Marj. has had given to her privately we have had several more or less public donations. The second night we were back in Dover The band came over to the farm 17 strong with an extra to carry Karl's big drum, Karl himself being burdened with a dandy big leather rocking chair to present to us. We had a fine musical evening On Thursday November 4th we were invited to a meeting of the County J.F.I.A. at Mr. Neff's in Simcoe where we were presented with a beautiful table-cloth. Marj. says it is one of the finest she ever saw and that the like can't be bought new, this <s>one</s> being made before the war. The next night we were invited to the Sunday school where they had "kitchen shower" for Marj. and stocked her up with a fine lot of aluminum and pirex ware and rumors have reached us that the object of a combined visit of teachers on Tuesday night November 16th is to present Marj. with some forks. This is Monday the 15th and I have not had time to make an entry in this for about a week. This house keeping is very unsettling but it is a lot of fun. I am waiting now for Marj. to get dinner. I have just got of 12 bbl {barrels} of apples to Mr. Clarke which I spent considerable time last week and the week before getting ready for him. Frank and I got in the mangels and Dad. has got some plowing done. Our turnips are out yet and as we had a very cold snap (about 12° of frost) they are https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/091cc74b776e83aa8b9b4160ad7e3af5.pdf 4bcb89723099f37ddc42802400f2f42e PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. frozen stiff but it is beautiful again today so will be all right I think. We got in one load of corn stalks on Saturday and they are in good shape and there is some fine corn in them. I went up to a meeting of mentors which Manning called in Simcoe to-night and left Marj. here alone to go to bed early as she has a bad cold. Tuesday November 16th Just a month ago to-day that we were married and I am just beginning to get squared away to regular habits but we have had a good time. Marj's cold is very bad to-night, she feels quite sick I think. She got up early and has worked hard all day as she expected a joint attack from the school teacher's but Miss McQueen telephoned at the last minute that they couldn't come. Frank and I put off the load of corn stalks that we hauled in yesterday and then went down after a load of freight which just came in for Marj. It was all her things from home which her Dad. had packed and shipped to her. It made about a waggon load. I opened them for her at noon and she unpacked them and it was a very tiresome job but she was glad to get a lot of the things. This after noon Frank and I took some oats to the mill to be rolled. Dad. ploughed all day. Frank went down to stay at Aunty's to-night and is going with Neff on a judging trip to-morrow D.O. Still cold and east snow storm to-night. Wednesday November 17th I was up at 6.30 this morning and found a fierce east wind and snow storm raging but not very cold. We expected Frank who stayed at Aunty's all night back but he didn't come so we suppose he must have gone with Neff although we didn't think they could get through on account of the snow. I drove Tid. down to school and went on down town and got some meat and bread for Marj. Dad. and I threw the hay that was on the floor of the big barn up in the mow and let the calves in there for shelter. I didn't go over to the farm very early after dinner as I shovelled all the snow as Marj. was "receiving" Aunty Alice came over early and Enah was here. I husked some corn this after noon. Mark. came over for awhile and Dad. drove him down town with Queen and then he came back and stayed at his farm for tea. Aunty Alice had tea at our place, she being the first one to break bread with us in our own home. Much milder to-night. Thursday November 18th Frank didn't turn up all day but came home to-night and said they did go to London in Neff's car and saw the stock at Wildwood and Col. McEwen's. Dad. and I have just done chores all day. The snow and the frost make it impossible so far to do any thing with the turnips although it has thawed a great deal to-day and is not freezing as hard to-night. Enah had a tea party for Marj this afternoon https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/8028a21966695bb24d39e2c69e8ca2b3.pdf 5a13e1d3dc5189967e3788e3787dca50 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. and Dad. drove down and got Aunt Ida and brought her over. She stayed to tea. To-night Enah had to go down to practice with the "Sunny France" opera as Zeith got her to be their pianist so Marj. and I stayed with Tid till sh and Dad. got home about eleven Friday November 19th We haven't done much to-day but chores. Frank husked a nice lot of corn. This morning he and I took some barley down to the mill for chop but their chopper is out of order so we couldn't have it done. We got the rolled oats we left the other day and brought some potatoes down here for Marj. This was her day for receiving again and Aunty, Aunty Alice and Aunt Ida came over to help her. She had a host of callers too. Aunty stayed with us for tea. To-night we went to the Wilson McDonald concert "In Sunny France" on some complimentary tickets that Enah got. We all enjoyed it very much especially the dances by the little girls. Of course it was especially interesting to Dover folk as it was entirely written and composed by Wilson McDonald a brother of Daisys who had the honor of going to school here. He is very clever not only a poet and composer but an artist in certain lines. There were about fifty in the cast mostly Dover girls though some came down from Brantford. Saturday November 20th The frost being pretty well out of things we made a start at getting up the turnips. It was very muddy but we got about three loads pulled before dinner and this after noon we hauled them in and piled them in the barn to feed up right away To-night the four Tuxis boys came over and we had a very fair meeting. Cloudy and raw all day. Sunday November 21st Marj. and I went to Sunday school and church this morning. We have become established there as teachers I guess. She has Mrs. Smith's class and I have the Tuxis boys. We stayed to dinner at Aunty's and this after noon went up to see Miss Monteith and stopped in for a few minutes at the McQueen's. Cold wind. Monday November 22nd It was raining when we first went out this morning but it stopped early in the fore noon and has been cloudy and misty all day turning milder to-night. We got about three or four more loads of turnips up and started to pit them out in the field. Wilbur Ryerse was in this morning and got the ten little pigs for fifty dollars He liked the looks of Wilkins very much. Marj. wrote the greatest letter to Dorrie to-day, told her all the news in rhyme. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/045021f43aae5e83f38be6a2748b4f54.pdf c2ef03e540d04b9f45093ab77db368b3 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Tuesday November 23rd It has been a very dull damp dismal day sputting rain quite a lot, but we went out and pulled the rest of the turnips this forenoon and this after noon put them all in the pit and Dad. covered it, they appear to be all right in spite of their freezing but we don't know how they will keep. Oliver Mann came over to-night and I charted him. He charted up very well. Wednesday November 24th We put in the whole fore-noon just doing chores and puttering around. It was a very wet gloomy day. This after noon I stayed home and put on all the storm windows and it was quite a job to make them all fit. Marj. had a worse job as she was bound to wash them all thoroughly before I put them on, so was tired out to-night. Thursday November 25th Dad. ploughed all morning and got about half drowned wading through the mud-holes so this after noon Frank went out. This morning Frank went down to the mill to get the barley chop we took down on Friday but it wasn't done they not having got their chopper working right yet. He and I then went over to Jack Martin's and got his corn stalk chopping box and brought it over to chop stalks for the bulls as they don't eat them very well the other way. I spent the rest of the day doing chores and husking a little corn Winnie came over and spent the after noon sewing wth Marj. and stayed to tea. Still cloudy but not cold. Friday November 26th Marj. went over to the farm with me this morning & Dad. drove her down with Tid. to school and she invited Miss McQueen over here to tea. Old Gladys was on one of her periodical rampages and followed the buggy all the way to the corner and I suppose would have gone all the way to school with them if I had not cut across Ivey's and headed her off. She went down to Quanbury's and then home. I did chores all day & Frank ploughed. After dinner Marj. and I gathered up some russets and made a gallon or so of cider. Miss McQueen came over for tea and Dad. Enah and Tid came over and spent the evening. Frank had to go out to the school house. Saturday November 27th I just did chores to-day and Frank ploughed and Dad. cleaned some ditches. Lila was over here all the afternoon and to tea. The Tuxis boys were over to-night, after they left I rowed Lila across the pond, it was a lovely night. We haven't seen the sun all this week. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/5c42ca8a59321784bf8e11359342481a.pdf 50d11f7585d3fc24618875a3833789d0 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Sunday November 28th Marj. and I went to Sunday school and church and had dinner at Aunty's. Winnie was there to dinner and we stayed most of the after noon. We left our cat outdoors this morning and when we came home it was nowhere to be found. Mr & Mrs Jas. Smythe were at the farm when I went over and as Enah asked them for tea she sent Tid over to bring Marj. over so we were there all the evening. Mark Stepens and his brother who is going to technical school in Toronto were at the farm for dinner and To-night Tom came over. Sun out but cold Monday November 29th Frank ploughed all day and finished up out east of the old garden. Dad. went down this morning expecting that the body of Will McQuade would be in on the morning train but it wasn't and he waited till after dinner and Geo Thompson had no word of it, so Dad. went down and visited all the scenes of public improvement viz: the dock and the swing bridge. I did chores most of the day but this after noon took a walk back to look at the wheat which is doing fine and on over to see Art. Quanbury's new house, he was pulling up the studding. Marj. went down to sit with Aunt Ida this after noon. I had dinner at the farm Tuesday November 30th It froze hard last night but has been a beautiful day. Frank and Dad. started ploughing in the field north of the barn. I did chores and helped them <s>run</s> throw out some ditches. We each made one strike out. {Nancy?} was an awful mess. This after noon I husked some corn. Geo Thompson telephoned over to say Will McQuade's funeral would be to-morrow at one o'clock. To-night I went to a meeting in Simcoe of the County J.F.I.A. where we chewed the rag about a ploughing match next year and winter entertainment. I wouldn't have gone if it hadn't been for the table-cloth they gave us but that is the admiration of all who see it so I felt in duty bound. Marj. went down to Aunty's and waited till I got home. Some one went in to Val. Leany's house to-night between six & seven o'clock and robbed him of $800.00 cash and $500.00 in Victory Bonds. Val. was at the Point and Mrs. Leany had gone up street to get Mrs. Henry to come and stay with her all night. Jack Martin got home from the {illegible} Stole Fair to-night where he scooped everything in prizes. Wednesday December 1st It has been very dark and rained quite hard all day. Dad. went down this morning to attend Will McQuade's funeral but the body didn't come till one o'clock. Mary. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/f038c6c71b0e141f9dcbba932d0ac518.pdf 69ffaeeeaa68b988984c32f4d1cad3a9 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. and Annie Blaikie and Mary's husband were there. They took him to {illegible phrase} didn't get home till after four. Frank {illegible phrase} this morning but it rained too hard this after noon so he helped me husk corn. I just {illegible} and husked corn all day. Marj. was to have gone down to tea at Aunty's to-night and then go to a {illegible} meeting but she didn't feel very well & the weather was so bad, we stayed home. Thursday December 2nd Dad. ploughed all day and Frank threw out ditch this morning and this after noon he and I hauled in a load of cabbages from the garden, they don't seem to be hurt a bit with the frost. I took a crate over from Martin's this morning and put my 14 cockrels in it and took them over to Jack. He said he would look them over and settle up with me later. I took a little prowl along the pond and through Bronzie. Marj. has scurried around at a great rate this after-noon getting things slicked up for the teachers as Miss {Jonson} telephoned her the other day that they were coming over to-night but at the last minute she telephoned again that they were not coming. Marj. disgusted Friday December 3rd This was Marj's birthday and a beautiful day. Sunny and mild. I spent most of the morning doing chores and Frank and I unloaded the cabbages we hauled up yesterday. This after noon Frank and I hauled in the rest of the cabbages without trimming them. About four Frank took Mexico down to Marj. and she went on down town and got Miss McQueen and Tim and they all went over to the farm to tea, where we had a birthday party and some music this evening. Marj's Dad. sent her a brace of partridge and a piece of venison and she got a good many other things as well. Saturday December 4th It has been cloudy and rainy all day again but quite mild. I spent the whole fore noon doing chores. I cleaned out the calf pen which took quite awhile Dad. ploughed all day although it was pretty wet and Frank threw out ditches this morning and did odd jobs this after noon. He emptied the cider barrel into another one so that we can get it filled again. Old Gladys has been making raids on the shop where I have my chicken feed and has gained an entrance several times and torn two or three bags of feed all to pieces. I stayed home for awhile after dinner to paint a show card lesson but spoiled it. The boys three of them came over to-night but it was a very bad night some didn't expect the others out. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/be9ab256db096a27fa2afec749a46e94.pdf 21815730042fa55d20407638ae7c8dcb PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Sunday December 5th I got up at 9.30 this morning and went over to the farm before breakfast and then Marj. and I went down to Sunday school and Church. We came back for dinner which we had rather late and then we sat around for about an hour and read some of Wilson MacDonald's poems which I enjoyed very much. I went over to the farm about four to help do chores but as they were not expecting me there was nothing to do so back I came and Marj. and I went down to the Will Wood's for tea and spent the evening. We stopped in at Auntys for a few minutes on our way home. Dull cold, drizzly and windy to-day. Monday December 6th Dad. ploughed all day and {Frank?} rolled over. He was up early as the top {illegible phrase} off during the night and he got up before daylight to see if anything was hurt. Luckily nothing was. I spent the whole day doing chores and husking corn. Frank helped me husk corn and I helped him put the cabbages out of the waggon down cellar and we ran the waggon into the orchard. He wants to fill it and get another barrel of cider. Marj. & Enah went to a bridge party at the Harding's this afternoon I painted a lesson to-night. Dull and drizzly Tuesday December 7th Dad. ploughed all day. I did the chores up and then Frank and I picked up enough apples to make a barrel of cider. This after noon we husked corn. To-night they all came over here to tea from the farm and we had Marj's birthday present of partridge and venison which was delicious. Frank left right after tea to go out to a practice at Shands. Bright to-day but quite a cold wind. Auntie Alice came over at noon and brought Marj. some forks and spoons that Luby Williams sent her and this after noon the whole staff of teachers came over and presented her with half a dozen sterling forks dandies. Yesterday she got a very pretty {illegible} brass kettle on a stand & burner from Elsie & Walter. Wednesday December 8th It froze hard last night and has been freezing a little all day. Dad. finished the land he was ploughing but as the crust was so hard to turn he didn't strike out again. This after noon he covered the turnip pits more. Frank took the cider apples down this after noon and got the barrel and a 5 gal keg for Aunty filled. Marj. and I went down town to-night. She went to a Girl's Branch Meeting and I went to the to a meeting of the census committee but they didn't have it https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/b62caf6aeca5133841f0d1c4bc0cfe27.pdf cf4a07e70ff3059846ceab4d8f421ee3 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Thursday 9th December Dad. went down to Aunty's this morning and banked the house for them. After Frank and I got the chores done we went down to Uncle Ward's and hauled in his corn stalks for him and put them in the loft. This after noon Dad. Frank and I put some straw on the strawberries and and got in a few of our own corn stalks. To-night I started on another show card lesson and Marj. & I tried Zealand's mangle on some towels and things but it didn't work just right. At noon Marj. undertook to mend my pants and in order to accomplish her purpose with greater despatch and efficiency had me remove the torn garment and cover up on the lounge, all went lovely till in the midst of the performance in bounced the gas-man - much to the amusement of all present. We are being haunted by a black cat. He followed us home from the bridge last night, camped on our doorstep (metaphorically speaking) all night walked in this morning and made himself very much at home all day and in spite of being most inhospitably treated and spoken to by our cat curled himself up in the oven and went to sleep, he overstepped the line of newiness though and stole some thing so he has been ejected but is still clamouring at the windows and the {illegible} for admittance. Froze hard last night but has been a beautiful day. Friday December 10th I aroze at five this morning and finished the show card lesson I started last night and just as I finished I dropped a big blot of paint on it whereat I swore. It has snowed all day and has been very mild & wet so we couldn't do much outside. We spent the fore noon gathering up the corn that was husked over in the barn and carried it over and spread it out above the hog pen, there were about 30 bushel crates of it and we must have fed up about ten bushels. We also bagged up a grist before dinner and this afternoon Frank took it to the mill. He took some corn down too and had it chopped. Pickford was over this afternoon and Dad. and I didn't do much but chores. Marj. was down town this after noon. I started another lesson to-night. Saturday December 11th I spent nearly all day doing chores and husking corn. Frank and Tid shot rabbits off and on all day. Tid shot one himself and was tickled to death. I think they bagged seven all day. Tom Butler was over at noon and they put three wire rings in old Glady's snout and twisted them up as Gladys has been getting much too independent lately. Tom. stayed to dinner. Six of the boys came over to-night and we had a debate. Very mild and sunny https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/79d52a7478fb5ed87a2367e00b1a3bb2.pdf 89c87960b635a29b25beafff1afa851f PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Sunday December 12th Marj. and I went to church and Sunday school this morning and stayed at Aunty's for dinner. We came home fairly early after dinner and as it was such a beautiful day we just poked around the place. I in my shirt sleeves and bare headed as the weather was like April. I went over to the farm and helped do the chores and we stayed home all evening. Frank and Marj. were going down to Aunty's for tea to-night. Monday December 13th I got up about 4.30 this morning to work at my show cards but was rather late getting to the farm I did chores and put tar paper around most of my little apple trees. Dad. ploughed all day except for a while after dinner when Frank relieved him and he went down to Pickford's with a confirmation cup for Irene. Frank dug ditches and husked a little corn. I just did chores and husked corn this after noon and to-night I finished making a hopper for Zealand's chickens and helped Marj. make some Christmas candy It has been very mild but cloudy rained this after noon & to-night. Tuesday December 14th Dad. and Frank finished ploughing the field back of the barn to-day. Frank stayed all night over with Tom & Mark as it was pouring home when he started home. It has been very windy and cloudy all day and is getting colder to-night. I just did chores and husked a little corn. Marj. went down to a tea party at Aunty's this after noon and stayed there for tea to go to a Sunday school meeting afterwards so I stayed at the farm and went down to-night and met Marj. at Huby's. Enah stayed down too so Dad. went down and met her at Aunty's. Aunty Maude looks badly. Wednesday December 15th Marj. went over with me to the farm this morning to practice with Enah for a duet they are going to play at the concert out at the school house next week and we stayed there for dinner. The wind is still very high and it is colder and blizzardy so that we didn't try to do any thing but chores. Frank went down to Pickfords and helped them kill Pickfords old sow. Marj. was to have gone down to a Girls meeting to-night but decided not to go and Frank Smith telephoned over for me to go down to a meeting but I said I was too busy so stayed home and slept all evening. Thursday December 16th Dad. went down town this morning with Aunty's https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/e541190a3d37e3ce5eeba18e88a4e93d.pdf 0892fc6138855870b356e130d336066a PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. milk and took Tid. to school and when he came back we got in a small jag of corn stalks. Frank and I husked corn & did chores while he was away. Frank & Dad. have spent most of the after noon getting a place ready to kill a pig to-morrow. I just did chores which consisted principally of currying off the cows. To-night Allan {Wicher?} and his fond ma came over and I charted him for the Tuxis boys. Marj. went down to the Guild's bazaar this after noon. Froze quite hard last night. Not so windy to-day. Friday December 17th We killed a pig this morning at least Dad. killed it and Frank dressed it and I helped scald & scrape it. I spent most of the remainder of the day doing chores and husking corn. Dad. & Frank put some more covering on the turnip pit this after noon. To-night Marj. and I went down town and I got my hair cut and Marj. went to see Miss McQueen and waited for me at Aunty's. Froze all day to-day and there is a cold west breeze Saturday December 18th Froze hard last night and froze our outside cistern pump and drain pipe up. I did chores this morning and helped Frank husk some corn. I spent quite awhile after dinner trying to thaw out the pipes but without success. I met Dad. Enah and Tid. when I was on my way to the farm, they were going down town. Just did chores this after noon. The boys all came over to-night snd Marj. popped corn for them and we had some games Sunday December 19th Marj. and I went down to Sunday school and church and stayed at Aunty's for dinner. Quint was there and gave Marj. half a dozen lovely desert forks which he had got over in Erie. We came back early after dinner and Aunty Alice came over with us then she and I went right on over to the farm where she stayed to tea and I did chores. To-night we all went down to church as the Bishop was here holding confirmation service. I think there were eight confirmed. Monday December 20th I spent the morning and most of the afternoon doing chores and brushing off the cows. This after noon Dad. and Frank got in a fair sized jag of corn stalks. I helped them put the last of it on. This was Tid's birthday and he had quite a stack of presents. Billy Mills came over at noon and killed four of Mr. Zealand's ducks for me as he wrote up last week and asked me to have them sent down for Christmas. Marj. washed to-day https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/2d224b02bfe70ad04935fb198f2b6465.pdf 98aa8201ebfeb6c77290528e05a9d5f7 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Tuesday December 21st Did chores this morning and we went out and got in another load of corn stalks. Marj. went over to the farm with me this after noon and intended to practice her duet with Enah to play at the Shand's school concert to-morrow night but they decided that as Dad. was going to be chairman, they would get him to strike the duet off the programme. We stayed at the farm for tea. Tid. has a bad cold and cough so didn't go to school to-day. Wednesday December 22nd I spent most of the day just doing chores. Dad. went down town this morning and stayed to dinner and he and Aunty went up to Miss McQueen's closing concert at the school house this after noon. Marj. went up too. I walked down town with her at noon and helped her carry some parcels down that she was sending by post They said the concert was very funny but were very disappointed that Tid was too sick to go as he was on the programme for a mouth-organ solo, but his cold was too bad so he and Enah stayed home. I got a card from Mid. Thompson saying there was to be a band meeting to-night but Marj. telephoned him and told him I was going out to Shand's. Aunty & Marj. came over to the farm for tea and Aunty stayed all night to look after Tim while the rest of us went to the concert. Enah and Marj. drove Mexico out but Dad. Frank and I walked. It drizzled rain most of the day so the walking was fierce. We went straight back through John Wess's. The concert was fine. Frank was one of the main actors in the dialogue they had and did very well, but what was most comical was a frog song by a chorus of the school kids and they hopped up and off the stage dressed to represent frogs with green paper wrapped around them. There was a big crowd there considering the night, The weather doesn't seem to make much difference to our section. Thursday December 23rd We were very late getting up this morning as we were so sleepy after last nights performance. I didn't get over to the farm till about ten o'clock but didn't do much but chores and husk a little corn. Marj. went to Marion McLaughlin's birthday party this after noon and got home about seven o'clock with the greatest pailful of supper for me. A little bit of every thing they had at the party. She said there were twenty young ones there. Poor Tid was not able to go on account of his cold. Colder to-day https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/cb31acc3400525c18f469bae7430e0d9.pdf 5dab68549ce640a036888971321a9604 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Friday December 24th I spent the day doing chores and husking corn. Dad. went down town this morning and took a ham down for tomorrow's dinner and fixed up the big turkey that Huby provided for the feast. Frank took a pie over to Tom Butler and got a Christmas tree over there which he and Dave McBride took down this afternoon Marj. has been tearing around all day cleaning up the house and making preparations for Christmas Miss McQueen & her mother and Miss McNelly were over to-night just before tea and brought us a mince pie. To-night Marj. and I went down and played Santa Claus we called at the Bagleys's the Monteith's and the McQueen's where Marj. delivered home made Candy for Christmas - and we did some shopping and called at Aunty's for awhile. Christmas Day. I went over rather late this morning and did a few chores and then we all went down to church. Marj. and I came home and had a picnic lunch and spent a very happy after noon celebrating our first Christmas in our own home and packing up things to put on the tree. I went over and helped do chores and at six we all congregated at Auntys for Christmas dinner. Mr. Johnson brought Aunty Maude down in his car and she lay on the sofa and said she had a good time. Cousin Clare & Phoebe came down after dinner while we unloade the tree Marj. and I fared scrumptiously at the Christmas tree and we all had a lovely time Marj. gave me her present last night which was a pair of house shoes Beautiful day, cold & snowing to-night. Sunday December 26th Marj. and I were very late getting down to Sunday school this morning as we slept in. We went to church and came home for dinner. Aunty Maude & Huby were staying at Aunty's. We chored around all the after noon and I lit a fire in the grate. Glad Law came over for tea. I went over and helped do chores as Frank went down to the Ward's. We had a nice evening with Glad around our fireside and Marj. and I both walked home with her. The walking was fierce as it has snowed hard all the after noon. Very mild. Monday December 27th I arose and shovelled considerable snow before breakfast this morning. It had snowed a lot during the night and was very mild. The trees were all laden with heavy snow and this place in the grey light of early morning looked https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/697ef412ea0a5b47f7471f36711f9760.pdf 689fd271784aab55695a3f54f09626d0 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. as much like Fairyland as any poet ever dreamed, but it didn't last long as it thawed enough for the snow to drop from the branches. Dad. drove down town in the cutter this morning and shovelled Aunty's snow for them, he said the sleighing would have been good if there had not been some wheels out which spoiled it. He and Frank got the bob-sleighs out this after noon but didn't hook up to them. I did chores all day and wrapped tar paper around the rest of my little apple trees and laid down the Dorothy Perkins rose bush and covered it up. Marj. and I had a lovely evening at home to-night, she darning my socks and I reading to her from Jeffrey Farnol's "My Lady Caprice". She got a parcel from home to-day containing a pair of towells for her and two pair of Miss Bain knit socks for me and two soft collars from Dorrie. Dorrie sent her a cup and saucer a few days ago and with it a little bell from Miss Dover. Tuesday December 28th Frank and I went down town this morning in the bob-sleighs and got part of a load of soft coal and a barrel of salt. It was nearly noon when we came back so I stayed at home and put the storm window on the kitchen. It was a "heck" of a job and I just about froze at it. It is a very hard place to work being on the side of the kitchen facing the main part of the house which is barely two feet from it and in order to get in there I had to climb over the {illegible}-pipes which converge there before they enter the cistern. Then the window is so high that I had to stand on a rickety box to reach it. The storm sash that Mr. Zealand used was not meant for the window and had to be fitted in with other boards and as I didn't know the combination I made a queer looking job of it. Gordon Zealand & Aubrey Wilson came over at noon to get Gordon's gun, he is up for a day visiting Aubrey Frank drove down town this after noon to make some arrangements about an oyster supper that the Shand's school entertainers are holding to-night at Clarence Welsh's. He brought Aunty back to the farm with him to stay with Tim while they all went and Marj. and I went over and had tea and spent the evening with Aunty. Cold wind & freezing. Wednesday December 29th Frank and I bagged up a grist this morning and this after noon Frank took it down to the mill and went on down town and got a load of Nukol as Clare Deal sent over a sample of it with us https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/62dbeb4734eb84fd8226af6714c02b56.pdf bbd2425c7d66d5dbb78e48fc60974c84 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. yesterday and it looks to be very good fuel. I spent most of the day doing chores when I wasn't helping Frank. Dad feels tough with a bad cold. Thursday December 30th The top half of our straw stack slid off this morning but didn't hurt any thing. We didn't get any of it in as it looked all morning as if it was going to snow. I did chores most of the day. Frank and Dad. unloaded the Nukol and Frank went down to the mill and got his chop. George Duncan was in this morning to see if he could borrow a cutting box as his father-in-law had put a cedar rail through his and smashed it. He was telling them that his apples would average him over seven dollars a barrel this year while his Association wouldn't get that for their best ones. George sold his in England. Marj. and Enah were down at a party at Mrs. Barwell's this after noon. The boys came over to-night instead of New Year's. Hermon turned the lights out and they told ghost stories. Very mild. Friday December 31st It has been very mild and nice all day to-day so we got in most of the straw. Dad. & Frank put on a load this morning which we put off in the horse stable and this after noon we put one off in the horse stable and left another on the barn floor, there is still about a load out. We were disappointed that our big stack should be gone so soon but there was a layer of wheat straw full of bluegrass just low enough for the cattle to reach and they burrowed so that they wasted quite a lot of it. Niel Elliot was in this morning and we sold him the one ram lamb at 11 1/2 cts. a lb. Lambs are the only things that are worth any thing these days and they aren't worth much. Reg. Kent & Coswell were in this afternoon electioneering. Reg is running for township Councillor and Coswell & Chart Walley for reeve and they wanted us all to go out to Wiggin's and vote on Monday. Dad. mentioned some thing about the road in front of the place having some thing done to it and they were sure some thing should be done but of course couldn't promise that it would. Dad. said he was in the same position regarding voting. Marj. and I spent a quiet New Year's Eve to-night by ourselves and we are both agreed that it was the happiest one that either of us had ever spent. We didn't wait to see the Old Year out. While we look forward to the future with all faith for our happiness, we are sure that nothing in store for us can discount the deep deep joy that the latter part of this old year 1920 has brought to us both. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/feb8f9d06ade088893f11f05d6522748.pdf a6a9d5b2009cf220f05b8cdadacf2b9c PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. DIARY 1921 Lynnview T. B. Barrett. Port Dover. Ontario https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/92d41cd5f38cf140b74352d10ef28c75.pdf 3f5550b420d58304b80fba1959da2c2f PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Saturday January 1st I went over to the farm rather late this morning and chored around till noon. Dad. felt pretty tough with a cold and so did Enah. I didn't go back to the farm after dinner till chore time but Marj. and I celebrated New Year's by just staying home reading over our old letters to each other which have been acumulating now with steadily increasing rapidity for the last nine years until now they represent matter enough to fill a goodly volume and for us make the sweetest story ever read. It was a happy after noon, quiet enough with no New Year's callers except Herb. Cook who came with a bag of chicken feed and gloomy enough as far as the weather was concerned, but for Marj. & me snugly camped in our cosy little dining room surrounded by the doz<s>z</s>ens & dozens of wedding gifts (they total over a hundred) which form the nucleus of our new home, there was sunshine and music enough in our hearts as we lived over again the days when our love first came to us to make up for external conditions and I think we made an ideal start for the New Year & new life ahead of us by being exquisitely contented. I went over and did chores to-night. Winnie & Cecil were at the farm. Dad. called in this evening on his way down to see Aunty who has a very bad cold. Very mild & rainy Sunday January 2nd Marj. and I went to Sunday school and were late again as usual. I had quite a class of boys and we arranged to go for a walk this afternoon. Marj. & I had dinner of spiced round at Aunty's, & I came home right after and changed into my old raiment. The boys were on hand at two o'clock three of them armed with murderous looking knives. {Nancy?} Wilson having one about a foot & a half long with which he could hack down inch saplings with ease. He also had a bottle of cider sticking from his hip pocket in a most un-Sunday school boyish manner. We struck off cross country towards the lake, crossed the creek by the old French camp and went through Will Smith's place to the shore down it to the Wardell's then across to Johnnie Loan's & George Hammond's bush where we got a lot of winter green and then up the plank to the Dog's Nest and up our road home. All the boys covered with mud but as merry as possible. I went to the farm but Dad. had milked and was entertaining Chart. Wooley who was around soliciting votes. Marj. was home when I got home. She had gone up to the Bagley's this after noon. I felt rather tired to-night and went to sleep instead of helping Marj. with the dishes. We finished "My Lady Caprice". It has not been very cold to-day but cloudy & strong west wind https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/663d89f4eea9009b5721bb7a385f356a.pdf ac6fa3f25f317b5def61a2f8661911bd PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Monday January 3rd This has been a beautiful day. It froze a little last night but has been sunny and very mild and has felt just like Spring. Frank and I went down as soon as we got the chores done with Niel Elliot's ram lamb and a couple of bags of potatoes for Huby. We picked Marj. up on our way down and she took Aunty a little needle book which she had spent the morning making for her birthday and also a bunch of red berries which I found yesterday down the Plank Road. They are the same kind we got up in Haliburton and which they called Wahoo berries. Aunty was delighted with them as they make very pretty winter decorations and last for months. She said Huby got some once but she had never been able to find any since. We took the lamb over to the scales where as usual he weighed 10 lbs lighter than he did on our scales at home. We took Win up home and picked Marj. up on our way back not getting home till noon. Frank and I husked corn all the after noon and Dad. who still feels very tough with his cold drove Enah down town and shipped Dick's birthday box of apples and such, and they brought Tid. home. None of us went out to Wiggin's to vote and consequently Chart Wooley was defeated. I called up Jimmy Douglas at tea time and he told me the bull market was still very uncertain and slow but for me to hang on to them for a week or so and he would see if he could place them. To-night I went down to go with the band on our annual serenade of the council. Marj. went with me and stayed at Aunty's while I was gone. The Council all went in by acclaimation this year so they had time to prepare for us and we ate till we hurt. Reeve Taylor had a table set ready for us and we got oyster patties and coffee & cake there. Harry Misner also had a sit down banquet of oysters and coffee. J. C. Howey had some grand cider, smooth but with a kick. Capt. McCauley treated us with cake & coffee and Quinn passed around cigars as did McCauley & Taylor. Several of them gave Mid donations besides. Ed. made congratulatory speeches on behalf of the band at which all except Taylor seemed very much at a loss what to say back but the reeve replied in a very fitting way till Mrs Taylor told him to quit and let us eat. We had a great time and all came home sober about twelve. Marj. was still awake Tuesday January 4th It has been mild again all day to day and is not even freezing to-night. Frank had to go over to https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/8571911d9f601556e431acee8cab5572.pdf bdf2eb9f0e9e74cb2c0b4a29aea245de PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. help Tom Butler saw some wood this morning and was gone till after dinner. I spent the day doing chores and husking corn and helping Dad fix up the calf pens a little. Marj. has had a busy day washing and ironing and is pretty tired to-night. Aubrey Wilson came over to-night and I charted him for the Tuxis boys. Tid. was promoted to Miss Bests room to-day. He doesn't relish having to leave Miss McQueen Wednesday January 5th It has not been such a nice day to day. Cloudy with a raw wind but not very cold. It snowed quite awhile this morning but it didn't stay on the ground and it was raining a little this afternoon. I haven't done any thing but the ordinary chores all day. I felt miserable all morning with a pain in my eyes but had a sleep at noon and felt all right. Dad. and Frank spent the morning fixing a stall for Mexico in the drive house so that they can put Belle in his stall. The colt has never been weaned yet and Belle is looking very poor. Tid's nervous apprehension's at the thought of the change of teachers at school got the better of him this morning Dad. took him down but he hated so to go in that Dad. took him down to Aunty's where he stayed till noon and then went in a little more contented frame of mind. Thursday January 6th Did the ordinary round of chores to-day and gave Rachel a little brushing off. She seems inclined to be crabid but I think will be all right when she is handled a little more. Frank and I filled out applications for registering the three ewe lambs which we kept and had quite a time over it as two of them were not ear-marked and were we supposed by our own ram which broke in with the ewes. This after noon Dad. & Frank fixed the barn door that blew off some months ago and I husked a little corn. Marj. went down to the Sunday school tea this after noon and so did Enah & Frank. Tid. went from school so Dad. and I had tea by ourselves at the farm Mr. Zealand prepaid the express on ten boxes which came to-day. He told me I could use them for kindling. Friday January 7th I did chores and gave the colts a brushing down this morning and helped Dad. & Frank hang the door in the barn. Dad went down town with Aunty's milk before dinner. I was late getting over to the farm after dinner so just did chores. I got my show card lesson's back to day with only one o.k"d. To-night Marj. and I went down to see Aunty Maude. Huby & Quint had gone to Simcoe. Quint is applying for the custom's job that https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/801e99f851e5484850952d19d4d4f73b.pdf 3a2ac5356c902723e592600856465422 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. has just been vacated by {Name?} McCall. Charlie Quanbury is home now and has been helping Art shingle his house to-day. Jack Martin asked him when Art was going to be married but Charlie says he doesn't know any thing about Jack says that Alan. Law has the date set for the {20th?}. Charlie says that you can't buy a job in Buffalo and there are a great many out of work. It is the same all over. It is still very mild not freezing to-night. Saturday January 8th Marj. went over with me to the farm this morning and after I fed things up, she and I drove down to Will McNeily's I wanted to ask him if he wanted to buy a bull but he said he hadnt room for one just now. The roads were pretty tough and the sun was delightful but there was a little breeze and as Marj. just had an overcoat on over her house dress and no sweater she got pretty cold, and as we were late getting home she got hungry too so her "cordial draught was dashed with care. However she felt more like living when she had dinner and went to sleep and slept most of the after noon, we came home for tea and to-night the Tuxis boys came over and we had another debate. Frank helped Marj. judge it. Freezing a little harder to-night. Sunday January 9th Marj. and I went down to Sunday school and church and then went over to the farm for dinner. Aunty Alice went over there with us. She went home about four o'clock but Marj. and I stayed right there for tea and to spend the evening. The chickens here didn't get fed but when I went down after we got home I found they had laid five eggs and as there was a suspicion of a broken one on some of them we believe they must have laid six. Marj. was surprised and delighted. Dad. went down to church to-night before we had tea and went to see Aunty after church. He spent most of the after noon reading Tom Sawyer (which Rebecca sent to Tid for Christmas) to the family, but I started on another book - and went to sleep. Frank actually finished reading a book "The Hoosier Schoolmaster" and Quint was caught reading at one the other day. Something must be going to happen. I hope nothing awful. It has been a beautiful day a little colder but sunny Monday January 10th We hauled in a load of corn this morning and spent most of the after noon unloading it and husking some. I husked and Dad. & Frank unloaded. We have the one mow full now and when https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/45899bf19fa3323ee0c72722b5a4b5f3.pdf 1602b84cb0071e199d652e78eedb47fe PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. we get one more load in and leave it on the waggon we won't be able to haul any more till we thrash. Marj. and I went down town to-night and I went to band practice and she went to Miss McQueen's to wait for me. We had a fair practice {illegible} with although there weren't many out. Tim was home from school to-day as he isn't well in some way although he seems to feel all right. Another lovely day. Tuesday January 11th Pickford came over this morning and bought a ram to kill. Frank sold it to him for {6?} cts a lb so he got it for $6.90. We hauled in another load of corn this morning and were late pulling in with it. The mill has closed down now for a week or so they don't blow the whistle and we never know when noon is. Frank and I spent most of the afternoon husking corn. Marj. washed to day. Aunty Alice came over to-night before we finished tea and spent the evening or part of it with us. Another beautiful day. Wednesday January 12th I spent the fore noon doing chores and came home early for dinner and this after noon went up to the annual meeting of the Norfolk Co-Operative. They had a big meeting and gave back the notes that were given on the start and changed the company to a joint stock affair still to be run on a co-operative basis. A good many of them were very hard to convince that it was a good move as they were very prejudiced against joint stock companys, but as there will be no chance of anyone getting a controlling interest their being just one vote to a man irrespective of the number of shares he has and as the profits will still be divided according to the business done as before I thought it looked safe enough and Johnson says the advantages will be that he will get a higher rating than under the old system and as he had to borrow a certain ammount of capital to keep things going he might just as well be paying interest to the members as to outsiders. I took one share at ten dollars. I got a ride down with Ham. Thompson and went down to Aunty's for tea. Marj. and Lila were there Marj. had been at the bridge club at Mrs McLaughlin's and won the prize. To-night she and Aunty went up to the Girls auxillary meeting and I went up to Harry Dyer's and got my hair cut. Enah and Frank went to the U.F.O. concert and they put on the same performance as they had at the school house. We waited to come home with Enah so didn't get away till after mid-night. Colin Ryerse and Pickford came over and killed a ram for us this morning. He was a fine carcase. Colder to-day. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/4c759af447c54537de320988d648019b.pdf 667453051cbb1e5579b334f9edbe64a1 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Thursday January 13th We spent the morning doing chores and husking corn. This after noon Marj. and I went for a skate on the pond. It was fine but we didn't stay long as Marj's feet hurt her. She then went down town and I went over to the farm. Frank went over to Bill Donald's to see Sam Law, and ask him what he thought about having Henry Misener in to thrash our seed as he pulled in to Pickford's to-night and would likely do it but Sam didn't want {illegible} and said he would get around as soon as possible. He didn't like Henry encroaching on his territory anyway and said he had dropped a lot of his own customers to do it. It makes it inconvenient for us though as we can't get our corn in till our seed is thrashed and we stand {illegible} of having a blizzard come and tie things up. However I guess we will have to wait for {illegible}. Marj. was so tired to-night that we left the dishes and went to bed at half past seven. Colder to day but softer to-night. Friday January 14th Frank went over to Pickford's to-day to thrash and was there the best part of the day. Pickfords alsike wasn't paying for thrashing so he quit. He got about a bag of red seed. Sam. pulled in to Art Quanbury's to-day but Art didn't say any thing to us about going over there so we didn't go. Dad. & I spent the day doing chores & husking corn. To-night Marj. and I went down to peddle eggs get some groceries and wish Aunt Ida a happy birthday. She feels pretty tough. Dad. came down and Mr. Johnson was there. My cold felt pretty rotten to-night so Marj. dosed me with hot lemonade & ginger rubbed my nose with mentholatum and soaked my feet in hot water & mustard. It thawed and rained most of the day Colder to-night. Saturday January 15th We didn't get up very early this morning as my cold was rather bad. Tim came over before we had breakfast and had his with us and then went over to the farm with me. Dad & I husked a little corn this morning but Dad. thought it was bad for my cold so I didn't do any thing much this after noon. Frank and Tim went skating on the pond this after noon. It was the first time Tim ever had skates on but he got on pretty well. Aunty was over for dinner and Marj. went down with her this after noon. Uncle Ward was over for awhile at noon too. The boys were over to-night. My cold still feels rather tough. There is quite an epidemic of small-pox around the country and one or two cases in town https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/1bfe781ab6d99ecabba301eca301a2c8.pdf 6fcbc4b0492788a64b7dcd9fb6e3e716 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Sunday January 16th We were late getting around this morning so I didn't have time to do much over at the farm. Marj. and I went to Sunday school and church and Mrs. Johnson invited us to the rectory for dinner. She had to cook it after we got there so it was about three o'clock before we ate. Mr. Johnson didn't go to Vittoria this after noon as they have closed the church and every thing else all up there on account of the smallpox. We came home about four stopping in for a few minutes at Aunty's where Enah joined us. I went right on over to the farm and did chores. Cloudy and cold tonight. Monday January 17th Last night was the coldest night we have had yet. The thermometer registered 10° above zero but the high west wind made it feel much colder. We spent most of the fore noon after we did chores in hauling out 4 or 5 loads of strawy manure to cover the turnip pit a little more. We had to get over some hay for the cows as it was too cold to husk corn. Karl Coleman and Fred were over to look at the bulls but as they only offered me $70.00 for Oliver I thought I would keep him awhile on the chance of selling him for a bull Frank let his sheep out this morning. They have been out nearly every day and as there is no snow they goway out in the field north of the orchard and pick around all day. The two geese go with them and stay with them most of the time and come back with them at night. Frank saw one of the geese the other day go up to a sheep that was lying down and pick it on the nose till it got up and then squat down on the warm spot where the sheep had been. This after noon we didn't do any thing but chores at least I didn't. Dad. drove out to see how Harvey Shand was. He is in bad shape with the pleurisy. Enah went down to get a crown put on her tooth and Frank went to meet Tid. He took Tim's skates and brought him across the pond. I spent a half hour or so reading the paper. There is war now in the U.F.O. camp. Drury is proving too broad-minded a man to suit old J. J. Morrison. Drury realizes that a class organisation can't expect and shouldn't try to be the whole Government and is in favor of letting outsiders stand on the U.F.O. political platform, which Morrison resents bitterly To-night Marj. and I took Aunty Alice to the picture show to see "Everywoman" a sort of allegory which was very good and cleverly worked out. After the show I went up to band practice for awhile and called for Marj. at Aunty's. Cold all day. Windy https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/c15474679967ed18c3ef43bb07d85ce0.pdf 37b583ae011fc42a739d99f68ed8fd76 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Tuesday January 18th Last night the mercury reached the Zero mark and it has been pretty cold all day although sunny and no wind. It was too cold to husk corn so we didn't do anything all day but chores I didn't go over to the farm till about three o'clock this afternoon (I spent the fore noon there) and then just sat around and read the paper till chore time Dad. went down to Aunty's before dinner and this after noon he went over to see John Wess. To-night Marj. and I went to a small party at Cousin Clare's where we had a nice time and came home fairly early. Aunty Alice, Zeitha, Winnie, Lila, Julie Smith, Jack McDonald & Frank were the other guests. We came home across the pond and found the two bits of plank that had disappeared from the vicinity of the boat house on the far side of the pond being used for a seat around the bonfire. The pond was deserted so we brought them home. Marj. hasn't felt very well to-day and spent most of her time braiding rags to make a beautiful mat. She had Uncle Ward & Will Wood to call on her this after noon. Wednesday January 19th Marj. didn't feel very well this morning so I took her breakfast up to her in bed. It was the first time I had ever done such a thing but she said it was all right. I got some bread and butter and a shredded wheat biscuit and ate my breakfast with her. When I came home at noon she was still in bed so I guess had a good rest. It was pretty raw all day to-day so we didn't do much but chores. Dad. & I carried hay over from the big barn & we tacked some tar-paper on the north end of the barn outside along Moonshine's stall as it was pretty draughty in that corner. I didn't go over to the farm after dinner till late and then Marj. went with me and practiced till we got the chores done, when we came home had tea and spent the evening she making her mat and I reading aloud from "{illegible}" Thursday January 20th It turned very mild during the night and rained a little but has been a beautiful spring like day, sunny and mild with a little mild breeze. Frank went over to see Wilbur Ryerse this morning and he said he would come over to-morrow and slay our pigs We husked corn most of the day and got quite a lot done. To-night Marj. and I went to Auntys for tea. Marj. went down in the after noon a got a strainer to take to Laurel Misener's kitchen shower to-night She went up and called for Win to go to the shower. I went https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/b300b1b6f51665ccc0aa8a020336b5cd.pdf d6d19bf40d5b0431e3ce0869d1740f98 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. to sleep at Auntys till about half past nine and then went up to Huby's and waited for Marj. who came away from the shower early and we got home about half past ten. Tom Butler was in at noon and expressed his intention of going down and "beating the can off that amateur poet" meaning Wilson Macdonald because he imagined he had said some thing of an insulting nature about the Prince of Wales in order to make an impression on Zeitha. In reality all he said was that when the Prince was in Montreal he had seen McDonald do some of his conjuring tricks and was more taken with them than {illegible} Friday January 21st It has still been very mild all day and is barely freezing to-night but it has been cloudy & foggy and rained quite heavy showers several times. Wilbur came over this morning and killed the pigs and made a very good job of it which is quite natural as his "heart is in his work". Dad was watching the glint of satisfaction in his eye when he tried the hair and found he had made a good scald and the fond way in which he rubbed off the feet and legs, and said "Wilbur, I believe you like to butcher." Wilbur smiled in a good natured way and said candidly "Yes, I do." He & Frank did the actual killing, shooting them before sticking them. I don't think Wilbur imbibed of the blood, but so taken up is he with his art that he often does hold his cupped hands under the blood stream as it runs warm and gurgling out of a stuck beef or pig and then drink it down adding to the delight of it by getting as much as possible on his face. It was a nice pair of pigs one of them the sow being the nicest one so Dad. thought, that we have ever killed. We didn't do much this <s>morning</s> after noon but husk corn and do chores. To-night Marj. and I had an evening at home and to celebrate it we built a fire in the grate and I read Pickwick Papers out loud and slept at intervals and Marj. sewed at her mat, and then before we went to bed it was such a beautiful mild moon-light night we went for a walk down to the boat house. Saturday January 22nd I felt pretty tough all day to-day, my cold and sore throat made me feel rather miserable. I went over to the farm this morning and Frank and I loaded Billy Mills chopping box on the old waggon and took it home as he was over yesterday after it. We went on down town and got half a ton of soft coal Charlie & Art Quanbury went through just before https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/534e0f736484db9f7c34d8115f3a6cca.pdf 80b65fac34244d4cdca941971fe851b4 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. we left and as Charlie seemed in a purchasing mood and was very anxious to buy some thing Dad. sold him Dave and the pair of geese for $35.00. I didn't go back to the farm this after noon but lay around and slept. Marj. went over and told them I wouldn't be over. George Zealand called up about five o'clock and said he was going to be in town for a week and wanted to fix up the bedroom down stairs, so we said all right and he was over here for tea. The Tuxis boys came to-night and had a good time. Marj. went down town and back while they were here. Still mild & cloudy Sunday January 23rd I didn't go over to the farm this morning nor to church nor sunday school as I thought may be it would be good for my cold to stay in. Marj. went down and I did up the house chores. George got up about eleven and he and I walked down town. He said he was invited some place for dinner and expected to be at the Henry's for tea so we didn't see him again all day. Marj. and I had dinner at Aunty's. Quint. came in just as we were finished and we all stayed there most of the afternoon. Marj. and I came home about four, built a fire in the grate and had tea and spent the evening reading "Pickwick Papers" before we went to bed we went for a walk up around by Frank Awde's place. It was a beautiful moonlight night but was cold. Dad. came in just as we got home he had been down at Aunty's and only stayed a minute or two Monday January 24th Marj. thought I hadn't better go to work this morning so we didn't get up till about ten o'clock. George got up about the same time and had breakfast with us. Tim. came over for a few minutes while we were at it. George left right away and caught the 11 o'clock car for Simcoe as he wanted to see Bowden at the Business College for something. He called me up this evening saying he wouldn't be home till late and to leave the door unlocked. Ben Ivey called me up and later came over to see me to try to induce me to buy Lish Fair's farm that he just bought from Charlie Stitt. I went over to the farm this after noon and asked Dad. what he thought about it but he didn't think it would be wise as it would be too far away to work to-gether and he thought Fair wanted too much for it $5700 for fifty Ben said sixty acres, so Fair was in this after noon and we told him we didn't want it. Miss McQueen came over for tea to-night and spent the evening. Marj. went down at noon and invited her. Fine day, cold. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/f9024630df5c2e56642976a98c47cdf7.pdf 04b5ab98fb21b914f715f6374f7eaefc PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Tuesday January 25th Sam Law pulled in to Jack Martin's last night so I thought they would be thrashing and went over to the farm in good time. Mrs. Martin had breakfast ready for them at seven o clock but it was too cold or some thing and they didnt show up till the middle of the fore noon and didn't get set up till noon. Billy Mills jammed his finger blocking the clover mill last night so he couldn't do any thing. He asked me at noon if two of us could go over and I said we could but Dad. wanted to get some wood out of the orchard so Frank went over and he said they had enough men. Dad. and I got the wood and did chores To-night Marj. and I went skating for awhile It was a beautiful moon light night but there were very few on the pond and the ice was rough in spots. Wednesday January 26th Frank went over to help thrash at Martin's and when they blew the whistle Dad. went across thinking they needed more help but he found Charlie Quanbury and Sam standing around not doing any thing. Sam told him they just blew the whistle as they wanted more company, however he didn't stay. They finished the red seed this morning and started in on the alsike but it was no good so they quit and came over to our place and got set up by four o'clock. Pickford came over and we thrashed till dark. I went home for tea but to-night Marj. went down to the Girl's auxillary and I went out to Shand's with my horn to play in Frank Lemmon's orchestra. The roads were so rough Dad. advised me to walk so I did and it was a beautiful night. I didn't know what was going on out at Willie's till I got there and found that the {Deil of Eden?} branch of the Women's Institute were giving a grand oyster supper and everybody in the country more or else was there. We had a great feed first of all. I didn't take oysters but there was lots besides. The orchestra provided a good share of the music and their was a programme besides and Leo Mitchell & young Church were there with their fiddles and stayed for the dances. This was my first night off out with the orchestra which comprises seven pieces. Cam. McBride, violin. Mrs Frank Lemons, pianist. Karl Lemmon second cornet. Frank Lemmons solo cornet. Charlie Blake, clarionet. Jim Ryerse, alto, and myself base. They had easy Southwell music so I made out all right without having had any practice. I had two or three dances and I think caught more cold and came away when the thing broke up. I got home here about three o'clock and went to bed alone as Marj. stayed down town. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/f930eb48397778dcc03680a3e1a3358b.pdf c66c186dced26602990fa24a187a6711 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Thursday January 27th We finished thrashing by about eleven o'clock this morning and got about 3 bags of seed which we thought wasn't bad. Frank went down to Art Ryerse's to get his name on the petition that the J.F.I.A. is circulating to counteract the one that some sore heads around Simcoe have sent in to have Neff. dismissed. George & Lloyd signed it but told him not to go near Art. as he wasn't in a good humor. We didn't do much this after noon and to-night Marj. and I went down to meet a friend of hers, Mrs. Low a sister of Miss Daver's who lectures for the Women's Institute and has been in Simcoe this week. She came down on the seven o'clock car and went back on the nine. We didn't have time to bring her over here so took her to Aunty's. Marj. went down this after noon and went with Aunty Alice, Enah and Tim to the fifteen cent. leftover tea in the Methodist church. I had tea at Aunty's. Cold & cloudy Friday January 28th We were late getting up this morning but Frank and I managed to get on a load of corn before dinner. We put it off this after noon and got another one in leaving just two rows more to haul and we hauled a row to a load to-day, so will finish it to-morrow if all's well. To-night Essie & Woodyer came over here for tea, they had been skating on the pond. Essie had to leave right after tea to go to choir practice so she and Woodyer skated back across the pond. Woodyer was or proposed to be so full he could hardly wiggle and kept us in fits of laughter all the time by his nonsense. When they left Marj. and I went over to the farm and we all went down to the Pickfords to spend the evening. We had a very nice time down there except that as usual I went to sleep in my tracks. Dad. has been lame all day as he dropped the tongue of Sam's clover mill on his toe yesterday and it is very sore. He, Enah, Marj & Tid drove down to Pickfords in the cart with Mexico. Lovely day. Mild. Saturday January 29th This has been a beautiful spring like day, and Frank and I succeeded in getting all the corn in. One load this morning and the other which we left on the waggon this after noon. It took us till pretty late to get it. To-night the boys came over full force and had their social evening. They each brought enough to eat for the whole bunch so by the time they got their sandwichs eaten they couldn't hold any cake and Hermon who is a natural hoon boor attributed his inability to partake of a scrumptious cake that Mrs. Wilson sent over to its being no good. Darn them. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/f883d12e8b24a0ad9133c981f03234a0.pdf 2fcd26bb2e2d2aa3ed3d70099b1ecbde PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Sunday January 30th Marj. and I went down to Sunday school and church and as usual stayed at Aunty's for dinner. Quint & Frank were there too but they left soon after dinner Quint to go skating on the lake with Joe and Frank home Dad. and Enah drove down about four o'clock about the time we were leaving and they stayed here for a few minutes to meet Hugh Tibbits who is here for the week-end and was going down there. He is defending one of the big timber company's in this Government timber inquiry and expects to be here again I worked at Mr. Johnston's memorial scroll to-night. Monday January 31st It has been cold and raw all day with an east wind and we haven't done anything but chores, except this morning Dad. and Frank cut up an apple tree that was down in the orchard. I cleaned and curried for a long time at Rachel, she is in bad shape from rubbing herself. We just sat around this after noon till chore time. Mid. Thompson called up to say that they wanted the band to play a little at the hockey concert to-night so Marj. and I went down to Aunty's for tea. The band just played a little on the start. The concert which was all local talent was very good. It consisted of dances by little girls. Marie Mitchel who also played the violin Mary Clone and Agnes Sterling, reading by Lila, songs by Zeitha Charlie Nunn & a Mr. Hodgekins and a boxing contest between Charlie Warren and Capt. Robinson. It was rich, after the captains second had shaken a couple of rocks out of Charlie's gloves, he went at the captain who was very much overcome with mirth and and gave him an awful worrying, he would jump a couple of feet off the ground to hit the captain in the face and then drop down and run between his legs eventually he floored him and Manning who was refferee counted him out. Reeve Taylor was supposed to have drawn the tickets in the raffle for the picture that Harry Dyer painted and gave to the band but he was sick so the captain announced that as he had come "darn near" being reeve he would make the draw, he had Mary Crone to assist him and read the numbers as he had forgotten his glasses and Mrs. Billy Low held the lucky number and got the picture. Tuesday February 1st Frank took Tid across the pond this morning and went on down to see Val. Leany about getting ice. Val. said we could get it any https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/850f8e2c8c4d3340a752b41359af75c8.pdf d7519f1d7ea179717b6a3a953e312fa6 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. time so this morning Dad. cleaned out the ice house and Frank and I unloaded the corn stalks as we will have to put the box on the good waggon to haul ice. Clare Deal called Marj. up this morning and told her they had some brickettes down there which which we very much like Nukol tso his after noon Frank and I hauled a load home and didn't have time to get any ice. Billy McNeilly came in to-night and had a look at the bulls. I just about froze standing around talking to him and then he said he wouldn't be needing a bull for some time and maybe not at all. We got photographs of Dick to-day but we all think they are very poor and so does he. Marj. washed to day and to night I helped her do her chores and slept the rest of the evening in my chair. I felt tough and so did she. Martha presented us with a red bull calf to-day. We heard a racket in the stable about noon and went out to find it wallowing around in the dirt and Martha very anxious to get at it to wash it. Milder. Wednesday February 2nd It has been very cloudy all day and trying to snow but very little fell. There were a couple of streaks of sunshine that lasted for a minute or two each which would give the bear a chance to see his shadow. Frank has been hauling ice all day and we have five loads in now. We had no snow to chink it with this year so I don't know how it will keep. The pond is a busy place now. Two gasoline saws going which have taken the place of the old horse drawn markers. Val Leany is cutting on this side for anyone who wants it. Jack Waters is cutting back of Belbeck's place and loading it right on cars from the pond and Barwell is filling his big ice house. Marj. has been busy all day ironing and baking bread. This morning she was very blue about her batter it didnt bubble just right and she was sure it was no good. At noon it seemed to be rising well but she thought likely it would be sour. We had it for tea and she says it is the best she has made yet. I read Pickwick papers to her while she ironed to-night, then I had a shave and we went to bed early. Thursday February 3rd We finished hauling the ice to-day and it snowed and drifted enough during the night to chink it with snow. Frank and I unloaded the last load after dinner and then Frank took the tongs he had borrowed back to Val. and paid him for the ice https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/0a94ad266ba031f445a021d922087247.pdf 80a6839fa0125f09a18aa08c9301295d PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Dad. took Tid down to school and went on down town and spent this after noon visiting Aunty Maude and Joe Howell who fell and broke his knee-cap the other day. Tid refused to go to school as he was late so he went with him. Bill Barwell and Dess were over at the farm for quite awhile this after noon. Bill had the bank revolvers with him and we shot several posts out back of the barn full of holes. Odd bits of news come drifting in. Mrs. Jake Ayers is dead and Jake has sold out to Joe & Mid. Alan Law is now the legitimate father of a daughter, it having arrived very unexpectedly the other after noon when Mrs Law was all alone. She summoned Mrs. Glen Ryerse by putting a lighted lamp in the window facing their house. Friday February 4th This has been a beautifully mild day. I went over fairly early this morning to the farm and did chores all fore noon. Frank took a couple of axes down town and had them ground and this after noon he and I went back to the woods and cut some wood, we got quite a little pile and just cut the bass wood and poplar out of a little corner of the woods on the west line. To-night Mr. & Mrs. Bagley came over here for tea. Marj. went down to ask them this morning. Saturday February 5th I got up at 4.30 this morning as my showcard paper came yesterday and I want to finish my lessons. I got one more done. We spent the morning over at the farm doing chores and husking corn as it was pretty soft and muddy to go to the woods and mild enough to sit in the barn & husk. Dad. finished putting the sawdust back in the ice-house. Before dinner Frank took a grist down to the mill and went down this after noon and got it. I didn't do any thing but chores this after noon. I went up in the loft to husk corn but was so sleepy I went to sleep. To-night the boys all came over. Snowed a little. Sunday February 6th Marj. & I went down to church and sunday school this morning and stayed at Aunty's for dinner Quint was there too. We stayed most of the afternoon there and then came home and I went over to the farm to do chores. Frank was down at the Ward's so we had his chores to do too. I went to sleep after tea and slept all evening while Marj. read. Beautiful Spring day. Monday February 7th I got up at 4.30 this morning and got another showcard lesson about half done. Frank and I went back to the woods this morning and although it https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/eb44794b170d396d17d3ed28384c6f8c.pdf 312559d5eb3c338e25590e1eff6a0c87 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. snowed quite hard and we got pretty wet. This after noon Marj. and I went down town and I got some costic potash for the calf's horns and some louse killer to put on Belle & Rachel as they are badly infested. To-night I went to band practice and Marj. went down with me and went to Girls Auxillary. Mild. Tuesday February 8th It snowed enough yesterday to make the sleighs run so Frank and I hauled out manure all day and got about 8 or 9 loads out on the root ground. We cleaned out both box stalls & the calf pen and hauled five or six loads from the cow shed pile. Uncle Ward came over this morning for a visit and went home when I went at noon. Marj. came over after dinner and helped Tid. make valentines all the after noon. He has been quite sick with gripper or a very bad cold and doesn't go out of the house at all. Very soft Wednesday February 9th This was ash wednesday so Marj. went down to service at ten o'clock. Frank and I spent the fore noon back in the woods. When I got home at noon Marj. was preparing to receive the Banfield's as they were up at the dentist's and telephoned over that they would be here for dinner. They didn't get here till nearly one This after noon I didn't go back to the farm but took Ward through Jack Martin's {illegible} in which he seemed greatly interested. I also took him over to the farm and showed him the stock. We put his horse in Fleming's stable. They left before five and I went over to the farm and helped do chores. Aunty was over there for tea and went down with Dad and Enah when they went to {illegible} practice. Marj. & I went down to church to-night but I slept all through it. Very mild. Thursday February 10th Frank and I went back the woods again this morning. We are getting a fairly good sized pile of wood cut. This after noon I was late getting over and it turned rather raw so we husked corn. Marj. went down town this after noon and went calling but her foot was quite lame to-night, she slipped and hurt it last night. I went down to an extra band practice to-night to try out some new music and Marj. was too lame to go with me so she went to bed before I left. The wind was making such a racket on the east side of the house, she didn't want to sit down there. Cold to-night. Friday February 11th The wind kept up all night and it began to snow https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/4f4e306a7ad1ae83f3949443f8b4150a.pdf b665766d85de46c7279b9e99608f2ee4 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. before I came home last night and this morning there was quite a {words very faint}. It was not cold though. I went over to the farm and helped do the morning chores and then Dad said there was nothing much to be done outside {words very faint} came back home, which I did {words very faint} home not going over to do the chores to-night. Dad. walked over with me and went on down to Aunty's with some milk. I stayed in and fixed up Mr. Johnston's scroll and read all day. This after noon Frank and Dad. went by with Billy {words very faint} sleighs and Harry with him and later they came along with George. They said they had no trouble with them at all although Billy {words very faint} got away from them when the tongue hit him turning in the lane. They had to let him run up the lane and turned into the cornfield and turned around. George was very tame too much so in reality. He seems to lack ambition. I went out before six and shovelled the snow. Saturday February 12th This has been a beautiful day. The mercury went down to about 10° above zero during the night but it was bright sunny and no wind all day. This morning we hooked the colts up again and drove Billy out to Shand's corners. George we took down town. It was nearly noon when we started for town so I took my milk and jumped off here and stayed till after dinner. This after noon Dad. Enah and Tid drove out to the Shand's and Frank and I husked corn. The Tuxis boys came over to-night. Marj. went down town this morning and baked, swept scrubbed & darned. Sunday February 13th Marj. and I went down to Sunday school and church and for once were early for Sunday school. This was the tenth anniversary of Mr. Johnson's coming here so he told us and he announced his acceptance of the parish of Park Hill but didn't know exactly when he would move. He also reviewed the work of the church in the past ten years and tried to make out as far as facts and figures were concerned that the progress had been very satisfactory. We didn't stay at Aunty's to dinner as we had intended as the boys wanted me to go for a tramp with them this after noon and I came home to change my clothes. We went way up black creek back of Bill Watt's place some where the definite object of our trip was to get a knife of Oliver's which he & Wilson left sticking in a tree up there yesterday. Frank went with us. Zeith & Doc Lemmon's were over at the farm practicing Pinafore this after noon. I was tired to-night and we went to bed early. Another beautiful day. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/fd8afba806e1848745397fa842fe4d85.pdf 3e628c04ab0a9cda961b97b9c616d681 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Monday February 14th I got up at 5.30 this morning and as Marj. was not very well I took her breakfast up to bed to her and had a busy morning of it as I washed all of yesterday's dishes up. We had intended running a load of hay over to the horse stable this morning but as it was so windy Dad. thought we had better not so Frank and I husked a little corn and Dad. did chores and took Rachel out on the halter. This after noon we didn't do much but chores and hauled a sleigh load of hay over for Frank to use to-night. Marj. felt better to-night and we both went down town. She went to the girl's auxillary and I went to band practice after first taking the rough draft of the scroll I made for Mr. Johnston over to show it to him, and he approving it gave me the decorated parchment to fill out. He is getting all packed up ready to leave. Sunny and nice but raw wind. Tuesday February 15th This has been a beautiful day regular spring although not thawing much in the shade. We changed the waggon box from the sleighs to the waggon this morning and Frank went down after a load of {coal oil?}. Dad. & I took Billy & George out on the line {words very faint} lest old George got away from me and we had to put the little rope line under his chin. Aunty Alice & Miss Harding who is staying with Aunty now came over to the farm for dinner. This after noon we changed the waggon box again and put the rack on the waggon and put on a small load of hay which we hauled over to the horse stable. We were delayed a little once or twice so were a little late getting through. Tom & Mark were in to see about getting a horse clipped and Mark tells us he thinks he is going to sell out to some pal of Tom's. He says he has got so tired of hearing Tom tell him he is no good that he is going to leave. Tom says at times the "captain" is a cracker to work but other times he is no good at all and wont get up in the morning till nine o'clock and it was having a bad effect on him as he oft thought if Mark wouldn't get up it wasn't worth his while so some thing had to be done. Roy {Hammond?} was in too, to tell Frank they were not going to have a debate at the U.F.O. concert in Lynn Valley Thursday night. They had spoken of getting Frank & Lloyd Ryerse to take part in it, evidently not having any one in the U.F.O. ranks who could or would do it. Marj felt quite miserable at noon but went down town this after noon to sit with Aunt Ida while Aunty went to auxillary. She still felt rather poorly to-night and went to bed early. She got word that her aunt Mrs. Banfield and Mrs Doughty were coming up for dinner <s>to-day</s> to-morrow. Mrs. Smythe wants us to go up their for tea to-morrow night. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/d82c78973cb660d1b8a10de72b94dad9.pdf 2d8c313abfac43aa3f19848e70e2ec15 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Wednesday February 16th Dad. Frank and I {words very faint} to the horse stable this morning and didn't do much else but the chores. {words very faint} from Nanticoke came up to dinner to-day. {words very faint} Dick Doughtys. Dick and I went over to the farm after dinner had a look around & didn't do any thing else much as I had to come home early and get {words very faint} & go up to the Smythe's. When I got home I found Mr. Zealand here, he had come up to straighten up the church books. It was getting pretty {late by the time I got?} over to the farm and got Queen hooked up and just as I was ready to get into the buggy it began to pour rain. I didn't know just what to do but waited for ten or fifteen minutes and after it had rained a torrent or two and made a general mess of things it began to calm down and I started I picked Marj. up here and before we had gone far it had stopped altogether. We got up there about seven o'clock and had a very nice tea and spent the evening playing cards, chess & the phonograph. Freddy beat me to games of chess and the others seemed to be having a lot of of fun playing 5000 pedro. Pete {illegible} came over & Miss Gilbert the Doan's, Hallow school teacher boards there. We got home to the farm about {illegible} but by the time we got here and watched the fire that Mr. Zealand had built for awhile it was pretty late. Another spring day. Thursday February 17th I was rather late getting over to the farm this morning but we didn't do much anyway it was quite a lot colder and windy. Frank husked a little corn and I cleaned up the good harness as I got it wet last night Mr. Walker came over to sell some fence and kept Dad. entertained for awhile. This after noon Dad. Enah & Tid. went down town to see Vernon who came down from Brantford this after noon to see them before leaving for the South. Frank and I oiled the light double harness and visited with Mark who came in both on his way down & back from town. To-night I went down early to play with the band at the Methodist concert. I thought they only wanted to play before the thing started but they asked us to play during changes of scene so I waited for the first change and then came home as I told Marj. I wouldn't be late. Mr. Zealand is still here. Blustery freezing to-night Friday February 18th Marj. did not feel very well this morning so I got my breakfast but didn't call Mr. Zealand. I left a note for him telling where he could find something to eat. Marj. told me at noon that when she came down he had all the dishes washed and every thing slicked up. Frank and I spent most of the day back in the bush. Soon after I went https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/9097893772d68e4b47060d9f81ba0eed.pdf b617a252fb67ceb778ed670aa9a69a4d PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. back this after noon I cracked my axe handle so I just piled the wood that Frank cut. Tid went back with us and took his little one and worked like a nigger. Hazel Ward came over after school to-night to stay till Monday. After tea we had a fire in the fire-place and Mark came in to spend the evening and we had a fine time discussing poetry and eating pop-corn which Marj. popped. Beautiful day, freezing to-night. Saturday February 19th Dad. & Frank went back to the woods this morning and I went up to Ham Thompson's to see what he thought about forming breeder's club as I had a letter yesterday from the Association advising it for the purpose of marketing surplus stock and promising help. Ham thought it would be a good scheme. His stock looks fine. This after noon Frank Tid & I went back to the bush this after noon. Marj. & Hazel were very busy when I left making preparations for the girls auxillary which came over to sew this after noon Frank came over for tea and spent the evening. The boys all came over and I went down town with them and got my hair cut. Colder to-day & an east wind. Sunday February 20th Marj. Hazel and I went down to Sunday school & church and stayed at Aunty's for dinner. Quint & Tid. were there too and had a beautiful time teasing & fighting each other all the after noon. Tid. came home with us and went over to the farm with me. Mark came in to the farm on his way down to church had tea and Frank went down with him. Marj. Hazel and I spent the evening before our fireplace. Cold & raw east wind all day. Monday February 21st Frank and I have been back at the woods all day I spent most of the time clearing away the dead poplar at the west side of the bush. There is a lot of it in there. Tim went back with us this morning and worked away at a great rate. He and Frank went back to John Wess's to get a drink before dinner and brought back a lot of apples. Tom. Butler came in to the farm and stayed for dinner. This after noon Dad. & Tim set fire to the grass along the road and got a great scare over it as it ran into Ivey's wheat stubble and Dad. had a hard time getting it out and he was afraid of it spreading to the straw stack. Marj. and I went down to tea at Aunty's to-night then she and Aunty went to the Girls' auxillary and I went to band practice. There were very few there as Dover was up playing the Wanderers to-night. Cold all day but milder to-night. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/b658211695a827da5881699c4a9e1bb8.pdf 198c8c0b74b7c0f695162336caee5353 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Tuesday February 22nd Frank and I went back to the woods this morning but Frank had a headache and had to come up about 11 o'clock. I stayed there till noon cleaning out dead wood and have most of it cleared away now. This after noon Frank didn't feel like going back so I cleaned out the chicken house. Dad. didn't feel well either this after noon. Marj. washed this morning and went down town with Enah this after noon she felt pretty tired to-night. I did a show card lesson. Very mild. Wednesday February 23rd I got up before five this morning with the intention of working at show cards but when I looked out I saw snow all over every thing and thought there was a blizzard raging so went back to bed again thinking that we couldn't do any thing at the farm and I would have all day to work at show cards. I was very much surprised however to find when I went out that it was very soft and not very rough so when I got to the farm Dad said he thought we had better haul the turnips up from the pit while there was snow. It took us quite awhile to get ready as we had to move the calf pen and put him back of Wilkins then we put the turnips in a pile between Moonshine and the three heifers. We got one load before dinner and when we opened the pit found they had kept perfectly sound and were not a particle frozen the south side of the pit was not frozen under the manure. This after noon we got four more loads up and didn't have room for any more in the barn so left a load in the pit. Marj. went down and spent the after noon with the Wood's and I went down there for tea. She & I went to church and then went back to the Wood's for awhile after We then went down to Aunty's for awhile and came home with Dad. who had been up to see Aunty Maude They had intended going to Pinafore practice but there wasn't any. Turned colder this after noon & snowed more Thursday February 24th Dad. & Frank went back this morning and hauled up a couple of loads of wood while Tid. and I cleaned out the chicken house. This after noon I stayed home till about four and practised at my show cards. Dad. and Frank hauled another load of wood up and then got some hay over and covered the turnips a little more as the frost got at them a little last night. Winnie came over here this after noon for awhile and Mr. Zealand and Gordon came up to stay over the week-end. Gordon shot two sparrows and caught two more in the chicken house. Fine day, cold. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/44e91fba59588f3d60d3c5efe8e561a8.pdf ab0a4490b18bbb49ee11ecdd6fb00b11 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Friday February 25th Frank and I hauled out manure all day and got another strip of the potato ground covered. Dad. went down to Aunty's for dinner and went up and read to Aunty Maude this after noon. Marj. & Enah went over to Mrs. Quanburys where the Guild was meeting. Uncle Ward called up at noon and asked me to bring Mrs. Woodson's key over as some one had broken into the house so I went over and we boarded up the hole in her door where they broke the glass to get in. They had pulled things around pretty well but I don't know that any thing was stolen. Dad. & Tid heard that Miss Newell fell down this after noon and broke her hips and that {Linous?} McPherson died this morning. Colder to-day and blustery. Saturday February 26th It has been snowing pretty well all day and quite hard this after noon but it has been quite mild. I just did chores this morning and Dad. & Frank hauled up a couple of loads of wood. This after noon I didn't go back to the farm till about four as Marj. wanted me to wait till she went down town but when she saw how bad the storm was she decided not to go. Mr. Zealand has been wanting to go home all day but Gordon wanted to hunting this after noon with Mann & Nanny so they went to-night on the seven o'clock car. The boys all came over to-night except two and were covered with snow. Windy. Sunday February 27th Marj. and I went down to Sunday school and church this morning and Dad. came down and drove us over to the farm for dinner, at least he drove Marj. over but I stopped off here to shovel the snow. This after noon Marj. and I drove out to Frank Lemon's for orchestra practice. We took Frank as far as Bill Donald's and he went in there to see the girls and find out how old Bill was as he fell off the roof of the house last night and lit on his back on the cement step but didn't break any bones. We had quite a practice and didn't get home till nearly six, we have to play at a U.F.O. Concert on Tuesday night. Frank went down to Aunty's for tea with Mark and they went to church, so Dad. had most of the chores to do. Marj. & I spent the evening at the farm where I went to sleep. Very soft, sleighing no good. Monday February 28th Frank struck off for Simcoe with Lloyd Ryerse this morning to attend {--tractor} demonstration by moving pictures and as their dinner and tea were provided https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/59c4bd99862410a0513592b8b0aba27d.pdf a5a16d0dbf6f22392c00cfe6fcb1232f PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. for them by the tractor people he stayed {illegible} he and Lloyd went to Bill Donald's to spend the evening. I went down to a meeting in the Methodist church this morning when they discussed having a "Father & Son" banquet in April. This after noon I pruned an apple tree. Marj. and I went down to Girl's auxillary & band practice to-night. We had quite a flare-up between Harry Moon & Doc Lemmons to night. Harry is bound to play things the way he thinks they should be played instead of the way Doc. says, and to-night he got mad and used language which appeared to shock Mr. Bagley terribly. Tuesday March 1st This has been another beautiful Spring like day We just did chores and Frank and I pruned two or three more trees in the orchard. To-night Marj. and I went down to Auntys for tea, no it was last night we were there for tea. We went to the U.F.O. concert to-night. Marj. got a complimentary ticket. I played with the Lemmon's orchestra and we kicked up quite a racket, which the Unite Farmers of Woodhouse professed to enjoy by applauding. Bob Wilson an imported entertainer supplied the rest of the show, to-gether with a pianist, soloist and a little dancer. Frank went to the thing and he & Lloyd took the two Donald girls. The house wasn't filled but they had a fair crowd of farmers, very few town people were there. Wednesday March 2nd It was pouring rain this morning and has been to wet and sloppy to do much all day, although it cleared off nicely I went over and did chores this morning and then came home again and after dinner painted a show card lesson Dad. went down to Aunty's for dinner and this after noon went up and read to Aunty Maude. Marj. and I went down to church to-night. We got Mr. Zealands typewriter out to-day Thursday March 3rd My tooth ached a little during the night so I went down this morning and had Doc. Lemmons look at it. He said there was a big cavity in a Wisdom tooth so put in a temporary filling and said to come back in a day or two. Marj. went down with me and sold some eggs to Cousin Loll We stayed at Aunty's for dinner and I didn't get over to the farm till late and then helped Frank put on a load of hay. Frank went over to see if we could get some straw from Tom & Mark, & Tom told him to come and get a couple of loads for nothing. He says things seem to be going all right over there now. They paid Tupper his interest and Mark has borrowed sap buckets and a kettle and is going to make syrup. To-night I washed the dishes, oiled my boots and type wrote a letter to Douglas. Colder. Things are beginning to look a little like war again. The Germans are trying to whine out of paying their indemnitys and the Allies are not going to stand for it. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/588bcaa32259f9bcbc93350e0a31942f.pdf 352ff6cf6477f990b46c9b03edd82964 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Friday March 4th Frank and I put off the load of hay we put on yesterday. We took it over to the old barn for the cows. Then Dad. & Frank went over to Toms and got a load of straw. I just did chores and came home for dinner before they got back. They got home about one o'clock and we put it off into the horse stable. We didn't do anything else but chores as Dad. wanted to get down early to Pinafore practice. I separated my Plymouth Rock hens from the Wyandottes to-night as I think may be Jack will be wanting eggs soon now so it was after six when I got home. Marj. told me that the band was going up to play at the final hockey match between Dover & the Simcoe baseball team, but they hadn't sent me word. They called up in a few minutes but I said I wouldn't have time to get there. They called up again and said they were short handed so I hurried and dressed ate a bite or two of bread & jam and skiddooed over across the pond to catch the car. The game was pretty one sided as Dover piled up a score of 18-8 but we all had a good time as Dover wins the cup. I came back across the pond and found Dad. & Enah here They had hoped to have a good Pinafore practice but half their crowd was at this match so they were peeved, naturally. Marj. cooked some beefstake before we went to bed. Getting milder. Saturday March 5th I was late getting over to the farm this morning and spent most of the fore noon doing chores and making a trough for the chickens. When I got here Cnocfierna had presented us with a pure white bull calf. Dad. Frank & Tid. went over to Tom's this morning and got another big load of straw which we put off over the granary for the cows this after noon. Frank went down town when we got it off and Dad. & I just did chores Enah didn't feel well at all. Marj. had the girls over sewing for the {illegible} again this after noon and as it was such a stormy night, three of them stayed to tea. Irene Pickford Myrtle Greenbury & Eileen Cook. Arthur & Bobby Pickford drove over after Irene before she got through supper and Hermon brought wraps over for the other girls when he came for the Tuxis meeting, he Jonas Nanny & Oliver came It has been very mild & cloudy all day, began to rain about five Sunday March 6th Marj. and I went to church & Sunday school and went up for dinner and to spend the afternoon at the Bagley's. George & Mrs. Duncan were there too. Mr. Bagley was showing us the furniture he has been making which certainly looks fine. We were rather late getting home as we called in at Aunty's for a few minutes. To-night Mark came in to see us on his way back from church. It has been very mild but inclined to rain. Colder to-night https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/91d2fba87790a1a2ed0fc15071248790.pdf ea2f8c39c715d27dbc2414f69d14bea8 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Monday March 7th Snowed a little during the night but has been very soft all day and there was quite a thunder storm to-night. I did chores this morning and then went up to George Duncan's to see if I could get some setting hens. He said I could but wasn't very sure which ones were the best sitters so told me to come up again in a day or two. I didn't go back to the farm this after noon but went down town & Bill finished fixing my tooth. Marj. went down with me and we stayed at Aunty's for tea and then I went to band practice and Marj. went to the girls meeting. Dad. & Frank cleaned up the cellar & sorted the potatoes. It was pouring rain when we came home to-night. Tuesday March 8th This has been the most spring like day we have had but the mud is a fright. Dad. and I went out this morning and cleaned out the big ditch over east of the old garden. The frost was out of it in most places and we think it wont take much now to drain the big pond as soon as the water runs down so that we can see what we are doing. We just did chores this after-noon. Mr. Zealand came up again to-night. I went down to hear a Mr. Stansfield give a talk on his Y.M.C.A. work in India which was very interesting. Old Mrs. Martin had a slight stroke to-day Wednesday March 9th It poured rain all night and turned colder this fore noon ansd snowed a little then cleared up and is freezing to-night. I went over and did chores and then came home again as their was nothing else to do. Mr. Zealand had Skinner Manning here painting the boat when I got back and he also had Skinner pretty well painted inside. He gave me a nip of some thing which just about raised my hat. After dinner Marj. thought she would go down town and wanted me to stay here till she got away so I did. I then went over to the farm and did chores. Dad. & Tid went down right after dinner and Dad. waited till school was over to come home with Tid. Marj. and I went down to church to-night and brought Mr. Zealand's phonograph over from Mr. Johnson's. Mr. Zealand went down {town?} and bought some ham & jelly rolls for us this after noon and {illegible} a loaf of home-made bread from Mrs. Johnny Allan but couldn't for which Marj. was very thankful. She kept me up to-night till after eleven trying to lend me some money to buy land with. Thursday March 10th This has been a beautiful day and Dad. Frank and I went out and cleaned the big ditch out more and got it running pretty well. To-night about https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/0a718e76db6ffcae7ea70e811bab02a0.pdf 05d5aa99d116c06fb09d57b6dfc099f4 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. half past five I drove up to George Duncan's and got seven sitting hens. I didn't get back till nearly seven but Marj. came over to the farm for tea so we stayed there for the evening. Mr. Zealand I think went down and had tea with the Johnny Allen's. He just got home before we did and had a fire built in the grate for us so we had to go in there & visit before going to bed. He had a lot of fun at noon putting his white ducks in the pond. He has been pretty gay Friday March 11th We were late getting around this morning. I left Marj. in bed while I got Mr. Zealand some breakfast and then scooted for the farm. Dad. and I made the ditch a little deeper this morning and Frank went down to see how Aunty Maude was & to take Tim to school. After dinner I helped Mr. Zealand couple up his water pipes as he is very anxious to get his engine & pump going so that Marj. can have running water in the house, but I broke a piece of pipe and he couldn't get his engine going so we quit. I fed my sitting hens They seem likely to sit. Marj. went down to stay with Aunt Ida while Aunty & Aunty Alice were up with Aunty Maude & Cousin Clare. and we couldn't find Mr. Zealand when we got home so had tea & the evening to ourselves. He came in after we went to bed. He had been {illegible} Mrs. {Capt?} Johnny on his knee. Saturday March 12th Mr. Zealand got up before five this morning and when I came down was bound to visit so that I was late getting over to the farm again. I just helped Frank haul a couple of jags of hay over to the old barn & the horse stable and then came home to catch the one o'clock car for Simcoe. Mr. Zealand & Art Quanbury went on the same car to Hamilton Mr. Zealand had to borrow five dollars from Art to get home as we didn't have it to lend him. I went up and paid for the share in the Co-operative Co. got Adam Thompson's address from Slaght's office and then went to a meeting of sheep breeders that Neff notified me of. There were only about half a dozen of us there but Telfer gave us a very good talk on forming and organization for the purpose of improving our flocks & selling our surplus stock at a {illegible} advantage. I came home at five to find Marj. laid out on the sofa. She having fallen down stairs and bruised & skinned herself terribly but not seriously. I got a sort of tea ready & the boys came over to-night. Sunday March 13th Marj. felt too stiff & sore to get up this morning so had breakfast in bed and I went alone to sunday-school and church. I had her class in with mine and had an awful time with them. We had intended staying at Aunty's for dinner but https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/ccd9e1b0f71eab289b9535f2fee8f4a1.pdf fce0c0d7af64a15ee41ccf621a344364 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. I came home with a basket full of delicious provisions from there and found Enah had been over with some rice pudding and parsnips, so I lit a fire in the grate and Marj. got up and we had lunch in by the fireplace where we stayed all the after noon and had a lovely time coming to the conclusion that it was a good thing Marj. did fall down stairs. I went over to the farm about four but first went over to Mrs. Woodson's and took what phonograph records I could find there, just as I left Essie, Woodyer & Miss Jacques came in to see Marj. When I came home for tea Marj. had it all ready in by the fireplace so we had another delightful evening Mrs Woodson's records proved to be no good according to our tastes, but that didn't matter much. Cloudy, mild Monday March 14th Marj. had her breakfast in bed again this morning but got up about ten, she hasn't felt very well all this after noon as her heart was bothering her. I set the whole seven hens I got from George this morning putting 15 eggs under nearly every one so that they are covering over 100 eggs. I then went with Dad out to the big ditch and we deepened it three or four inches, we have the big lake nearly drained now. Frank went down town and got some nails this morning and this after noon he and Dad. fixed the barn where Moonshine poked a hole in it bigger than himself. I didn't get over till late as I washed the dished for Marj. shook the mats and wrote to Adam Thompson Esq. I took down some milk & eggs to Aunty right after tea but didn't stay to band practice as Marj. didn't feel like going down and I didn't want to leave her here alone all evening. Aunty Maude has not been so well the last few days and is getting very weak Cloudy & raw east wind all day but no frost. Tuesday March 15th I wore Mr. Zealand's rubber boots over this morning and Dad. and I let a lot of water off some of the smaller ponds that drain into the big one and the big ditch. Enah came in here at noon on her way down town and brought my show card lessons they had all passed but one so I did it again to-night. Marj. has felt better to-day and is not nearly so stiff. We just did chores this after noon. Lovely day, very mild. Wednesday March 16th Dad. went down to school with Tim this morning & went on down town to see how Aunty Maude was Frank went down to the mill and got some bags https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/dbd074e28c492c3dbfab4ef0e34c26bb.pdf 7c143e59bd729f3e786572041a7b289d PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. to put wheat in and he and I spent most of the fore noon cleaning up the barn floor and getting the fanning mill out to clean wheat. We just got started before dinner but put about ten bags through this after noon. I cleaned up a very nice sample. When I got home at noon I found Jack Walker had left a case of whiskey here for Mr. Zealand and right after dinner in walked that gentleman, he having come up to settle up some church affairs. I told him that his whiskey had come but that if he was going to have Skinner Manning & Dick Faulmsly around to drink it we would get out as I wouldn't leave Marj. alone here all day with them. He professed to think that I was objecting to the mere fact that there was whiskey in the house and said he would have it taken out but that he couldn't be dictated to as to who he should have around the place to work for him. Marj. and I went over to the farm for the after noon and for tea, we had intended to anyway, and we went down to church when Dad & Enah went to "Pinafore" practice. After we came home and went upstairs to-night we heard Mr. Zealand come in with some man but couldn't tell who. Thursd Thursday March 17th Mr. Zealand was up and gone when we came down stairs this morning but we were late getting down. He came in just before we had breakfast and seemed very cranky and gave me a great tirade about not keeping things clean around here. He was drunk so I didn't say much to him but he wouldn't have breakfast with us. He walked up as far as Martin's with me when I went to the farm and that is the last I saw of him but Marj. said he came in about 3 o'clock this after noon looking very mad and went out again. When I came home at six I found a note from him asking us to save their own eggs, and we noticed his suitcase was gone <s>but</s> so we concluded he had gone home but back he came about twelve o'clock after we had gone to bed. We finished cleaning up the wheat to-day and had just about 30 bags. To-night Marj. & I went up and spent the evening at the Quanbury's Charlie told me that he had tested out the eggs I sold him and they were no good. Nice day but cold wind. Friday March 18th We haven't done much at the farm to-day. Dad. cleaned out and fixed up the floor in Gladys's pen as she has it all torn to pieces and has another family due to arrive. Frank cleaned out some ditches this morning and went over to Tom Butler's this afternoon and made arrangements with Nate Butler who was out on https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/a7532ced96741ae247e9bb3817f6ffdd.pdf 779ff3e4f76779794dd7ec1e7a54769d PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. the side road with a gang to go and work on the road to-morrow for 35 cts per hour. They are cleaning out the ditch getting ready to scrape the road & grade it. I didn't do much but chores all day Mr. Zealand has been drunk all day so we didnt invite him in to dinner. He had Skinner Manning out in the shop with him all fore noon and they were cleaning up and throwing things around at a great rate. Marj. said he came back (he & Skinner went off down street about one o'clock) about five and was in a very good humor and said he would like to have tea with us so Marj. told him she would be glad to have him and said she was expecting Essie over where at he said he wouldn't stay but went and had another drink of cider and came out and said he was going down to the hotel to have the first meal he had had to-day, he then got mad and slammed the door without listening to Marj's. protestations. Essie came over to tea and I went over for a few minutes to Uncle Ward's to see about getting some eggs to set as I tested mine out this afternoon and they were no good. Lovely day Saturday March 19th I went in to Jack Martin's this morning and told him about the bad luck I had with the eggs so he told me to get a couple of roosters from him to-night. I went down to Uncle Ward's and got three settings from him. Marj. went down with me and when we came back we saw Mr. Zealand digging around his trees aparently sober and in a good humor. He had dinner with us and seemed all right, but by tea time he was pretty full again. He went off with his club bag after tea and said he might go back to Hamilton but he didn't. I just did chores this after noon and went over to Jack's to get my roosters but he hadn't had time to pick them out. Frank has been working on the road all day and wasn't home when I left to-night. I had to go home as the boys were coming over. Beautiful day, quite hot. Sunday March 20th I went over to the farm in good time this morning and when I got back found Mr. Zealand busily engaged in the garden putting Nitrate of Soda around his trees & roses. He told me that there was a preacher down town last night and he had been giving him some advice about speaking directly to the boys so I judged they had some fun with him. Marj. and I went down to Sunday school and I told him we wouldn't be back to dinner. We stayed at Aunty's for dinner and when Aunty came down from Huby's she said Aunty Maude was very much worse and wanted Dad. to come down and stay with Huby. Laurel Misner's husband drove to Turkey Point to get Quint this after noon. I did all the chores up over here and then went down to get Marj. I stopped in to change my clothes and Mr. Zealand was very busy putting mantels on the gas jets and trying to fix the pump https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/310186e645a7db6d83588ba55183f8ee.pdf 5d28d00782f1099e9ee4a298a6555b7a PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. He walked down town with me or at least wobbled down he was too drunk to walk straight. Marj. and I walked up home with Lila and then on around by the mill and stayed for awhile on the point. Mr. Zealand just got home as we did. Marj. set the table for breakfast and he sat there and tried to talk to me and told me not to get him any thing to eat as he wasn't hungry. We went to bed as soon as we could and he went in his room and got undressed and then began prancing around the house in his underwear. Back & forth from the pantry where the cider is to his bedroom where I think his whiskey is and then into the parlor and then we heard him at the stove in the kitchen. He would go and ring the telephone and then come back and pound away like a nailer at his typewriter, then put a record on the phonograph and then hike out to the kitchen again. Finally I went down pretending to get a drink and found him warming up beans in the frying pan. After another half hour of cooking beans, telephoning and typewriting going on I went down again to ask him when he was going to bed. He had his overcoat on over his underwear by this time and was eating his beans. He told me it was the first meal he had had for a long time and said if I didn't like him around the kitchen I could get out so I told him I would get out by to-morrow night. I was glad of the opportunity to tell him so as he was getting unbearable and Marj. was afraid of him. Monday March <s>19th</s> 21st This has been a day of confusion & turmoil for us. Marj. and I got up at five o'clock and she started in to pack upstairs and I went over to the farm to milk as Dad. stayed down all night. I left Frank to do everything else and came home as soon as I could to help Marj. I had told Mr. Zealand I would be out by to-night so I was determined to do it but it was a large contract. I got all our boxes into the kitchen and took the straw & paper out of them first thing and that gave the place a look of wild destruction, then we began emptying the cupboards and bookcases and packing them up any old way to get them packed but were careful enough with the dishes. Dad. came in on his way home about nine o'clock and wondered what had struck the place. We had breakfast about 10 o'clock and invited Mr. Zealand in to have some with us. He came and was in a very good humor but seems peeved at Marj. He blames her for making the fuss. He was around all day and every now and then would ask me how I was getting along He rang up Sidney McQueen about forty times during the day to see when he was going to send his groceries up. Dad. came in after dinner on his way down to get a tooth pulled and said they would come after a load of stuff as soon as he got back. Frank came with the rack about four o'clock and took about half the https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/564cacd055f0264e6356b6507a686be8.pdf e209e9f8c4dd7b5f77e1377f22baccaa PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. stuff. The roads up near the corner are very bad and poor little Joe & Harry had all they could draw They got there though and got back after the rest of the things so we did our stunt and got all cleared up & Marj. cleaned the house so that it looks a lot better than when we went into it. Our clock and some fine china that I didn't like to trust on the waggon I took over to Sid. Goodwin's to leave for a day or two. Mr. Zealand seemed a little short when I said good-bye to him but I am glad we are out of his way and every one else seems to think it was the only thing to do. Joe & Harry couldn't quite make the grade in the lane with the last load so we left it right there in front of the hall door and Frank and I unloaded it after tea. This place now has a very cluttered up look with boxes barrels, trunks & parcels all over the place. It was about nine o'clock when we got through milking and unloading and then I went down to band practice. It was pretty late to go but Mid. had called up and I said I would. He is leader now and Harry Moon secretary. Bill resigned and has gone back into the ranks. We had quite a time getting any practising done as there was a medicine show in the hall and the boys were all out seeing it every time we would stop to get our wind. Aunty Maude rallied a little last night and has seemed a little stronger to-day but not really better. Very mild all day but showery. Tuesday <s>20th</s> 22nd I didn't get up very early this morning and Marj. stayed in bed till nearly noon. I went down to Uncle Ward's and got enough eggs to put under therest of my setting hens and I calle din at Jack's and Chris got me a couple of roosters. We didn't do much but chores this after noon and started to straighten our stuff around alittle Wednesday March <s>21st</s> 23rd I just did chores this morning. Marj. & Enah washed and Frank went over to Pickford's to see if he would come over and saw wood for us to-morrow. We won't be able to get the rest up till after seeding so thought we would get what we have up cut. Gladys presented us with a pair of twins yesterday. This after noon we took the rack off and put the box on the waggon and Frank hauled down two loads (10 bags each) of wheat. It weighed up well and Stan. said it was a good sample. it is now worth $1.85. Dad. and I helped him load it and then Dad. helped me put Marj's trunks & barrels up over the wood shed. He went down town and stayed to tea and I went down after tea and went to church with her. It has been a beautiful Spring like day. Thursday March <s>22nd</s> 24th Arthur Anderson came over while we were at breakfast this morning to tell us that Aunty Maude was gone, so https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/c9a1145ff6a2535f119e6bd35f002505.pdf 918fbb882f3584faf14b4aedd710daaa PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Dad. went down as soon as he could get ready and was down nearly all day helping Huby & Quint make arrangements. He was pretty tired to-night as he said he was on his feet nearly all day and he, Quint & Huby walked home from the cemetery, they went up on the one o'clock car. He said Aunty Maude hadn't suffered a particle at the last but just slept away. Frank went down right after breakfast and got Pickford's engine & saw. Pickford & Arthur came back with him and we sawed the pile up easily before dinner. It looked a little rainy so Pickford wouldn't stay for dinner. This after noon Frank hauled the last load of wheat down and then went down in the buggy and got a bag of flour. Cloudy to-day and raining hard to-night. Friday March <s>23rd</s> 25th Dad. went down again this morning and Marj. went down to church and stayed down this after noon to sit with Aunt Ida while Aunty & Aunty Alice went out. Dad. brought Marj's old wheel over when he came at noon and gave it to Tid. for a prize for going to school till Easter. I spent the morning doing chores and this after noon cleaned up the grass a little out at the side of the house. Frank spent most of the after noon making Tid a blackboard which he had promised as part of the bribe to get Tid to go to school. Tid has had a great time with his wheel. When Marj. came home to-night she had to go through Sid Goodwin's place and back of Jack's long house as Mr. Zealand was standing out in his yard popping across the road with a 22 rifle as she thought at Jack's chickens and she was afraid to take chance at going in front of him. Saturday March <s>24th</s> 26th We didn't do any thing but chores this morning and had lunch early and went down at one o'clock to Aunty Maude's funeral. Dad. went down earlier. We had a short service at the house where just the family were then we men went to the church but Aunty and the rest didn't go. Marj. went to the church but didn't sit with us. The church was packed and a good many were standing up. There were cars enough to take us all up to the cemetry. Landon Ivey took Huby, Quint. Dad. and me and Frank & Mr. Kenedy and Uncle Ward went with Mid Thompson or Hank Sinclair. Erney Skey was over from Buffalo It was a beautiful day we didn't need our overcoats to drive up there and was fairly hot in the cemetry. Dad & I went down to Huby's with him & Quint for awhile and then went down to Aunty's. Marj. was there and Dad. said we might as well stay down to tea but he went <u>home</u> to do chores. Marj. & I went for a walk down to the pier and up to see Mrs. Harry Moon before tea. Huby & Quint. were at Aunty's for tea. Win & Lila were at Aunt Lucy's but came down right after. I went up and we had a Tuxis meeting in the Sunday school to night after which I got my hair cut at Harry Dyer's. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/12d41591954c775fadcbfee7cda0beb3.pdf 7d66707b3b2553e5e7c6a24b9edc4153 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Sunday March 27th Marj. Frank Tid. & I all went down to Sunday school & church and Enah drove Mexico down to church Dad. also went down but stayed down with Aunty Alice & Aunt Ida and didn't go to church. There was quite a big congregation for Easter. It was raining when we got out of cburch so I went up to the Bagley's to get Marj's umbrella which she left up there & Mr. Bagley insisted that I go out and see his library tables which are now finished. I met Marj. & Lila coming to meet me. We went down to Aunty's for dinner. Lila & Quint. were there but Huby, Win & Cecil Yerick went over to Aunt Lucy's. Mr. Jame's came over here to the farm for dinner Marj. & I came back about four o'clock it was raining quite hard then. We met George Zealand on the bridge and he asked me what had been the trouble before we left his father. He said his mother had been pretty worried over it but he knew that his Dad. was pretty hard to get on with and didn't blame us at all. It rained nearly all after noon & evening. Monday March 28th It was raining when we got up this morning and turned to snow later and has been getting colder, windier and rottener all day and has been about the worst day this winter. It feels worse any way after the beautiful weather we have been having. We didn't do any thing but chores to-day, but Frank and I had to get over a couple of jags of hay on the waggon to feed the cows & horses. To-night Marj. Frank and I went down town. Frank & I went to the Vestry meeting but I didn't stay long and went over to band practice. Marj. went to see Miss McQueen, she had intended going to Toronto with her to-morrow to see Clara who is home there for Easter but she got a letter from Mrs. Gorrie to-day <s>saying</s> asking her not to come till next week. It was freezing hard when we came home. Dad's ewe had a pair of lambs to-day one was dead and the other very weak. Tuesday March 29th It has been freezing all day in the shade to-day but is not quite so cold to-night. We haven't done anything but chores all day. Frank and I hauled a little hay on the waggon box over to the horse stable & cow stable. Dad went out and had a look at the ditch this morning and Frank took Joe down to have a shoe set which she pulled in the mud the other day. To-night Dad. Enah & Tid. went down to stay at Aunty's so as to be able to catch the early car easily in the morning, they are going up to-morrow to see Uncle Robuck. Frank went out to Bill Donald's so Marj. and I had the house to ourselves this evening. Wednesday March 30th Frank and I spent most of the forenoon doing chores. Colin Ryerse came through with a pike pole and talked https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/335b927e00c194732d733bc35fc098d4.pdf ba79adda6b2677a6b1f313fa6a5ff69b PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. for a long time. About eleven o'clock Frank and I hauled a jag of hay over to the horse stable and then took a small load of manure down to Uncle Ward and brought back some corn stalks. This after noon Frank went down to Buck's sale, rode Joe down, and said he would be back early to but Dave Ward got him to go down and fix his seperator and he didn't get back till about eight o'clock. I had to do his chores after dark. Marj. went down town this after noon and sold the eggs we took down the other day for 26 cts a dozen. I did chores most of the after noon but took about an hour off to walk down the road with her and around the sheep pasture and through Ivey's, their wheat & clover looks pretty well Lovely day Dad. Enah & Tid. got home about half past nine. Thursday March 31st Dad. has felt very miserable all day so didn't go out except to help me milk. It rained and snowed nearly all day any way so we didn't do any thing but chores. I spent most of the morning making a rough sketch of one of my new lessons in show cards. It is the final examination and very much more elaborate than the others. I have to get some mat. board to do them on. Marj. & I were going down town to-night to order it but I got a bad pain in my tummy so couldn't go down. Frank went down instead. Friday <s>March</s> April 1st Frank and I spent most of the day hauling manure down to Uncle Ward's. We hauled three more loads one a small one and brought back corn stalks on the empty waggon. Dad. hung the pork in the smoke-house this morning and started a fire. It took Frank and me a long time to put on a load as we cleaned out the box stalls in the <s>cow</s> horse stable.There were two more ewes out in the barn this morning each with a buck lamb. It has been fine to-day but a raw wind. Saturday April 2nd There were four more lambs this mornng when I went out one ewe had twins and two others had single lambs, one of the single ones wasnt as big as a small cat. It seems queer that there are so many single ones. We bagged up a grist for the mill this morning and hauled over a waggon box load of hay to the horse stable. This after noon Frank took the oats to the mill and went on down town and got the clover seed at Harry Misener's It cleaned up to nearly three bushels. He also got the maple syrup that Marj's Dad. sent to her. He got the chop on his way home. Dad. and I just did chores this after noon. The Tuxis boys four of them came over here to-night Mild and a strong south west wind all day which has dried up a great deal of mud on the roads & fields. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/cd74341c27ef8f656696e3e0eb9b867f.pdf 83987ec601d8d09a027ca1003b269926 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Sunday April 3rd Marj. Frank, Tid. & I went down to Sunday school this morning and Enah went down to church. Marj. & I stayed at Aunty's for dinner. Winnie, Lila. & Cecil Yeriks were there. Quint & Huby had gone to Turkey Point with Dad. Hamaker. This after noon Marj. & I went up to the Bagley's as Marj. wanted to tell Mr. Bagley to make her book case of cherry. Cecil told us that it could be polished up so well <s>and</s> to look like walnut and was not much dearer than pine. Mr. Bagley wasn't home so she gave Essie the instructions. We went down to Aunty's again for a minute or two and then over to the farm calling at Aunt Lucy's for Aunty Alice who had gone on ahead and who came over to the farm with us for tea. We found Mr. James here when we arrived. Marj. & I went back to the woods for about fifteen minutes before Dad. & I did chores. Frank was visiting out at Bill Donald's or some place so wasn't home for tea. Dad. Enah & Tid. drove Aunty Alice home with Mexico after tea. Very mild all day but a cool breeze. Monday April 4th Frank went down and gave Aunty Alice a day in the garden to-day, raking up and getting it ready for the Spring rush. Dad. & I took down the stove pipe from the kitchen stove this morning and cleaned it out as the stove has been smoking badly lately. Dad. spent the rest of the fore noon doing chores and I started to rake up the lawn. This after noon we went back & got the rest of the turnips in the pit. There was more than one load & we hauled them in two small loads as the ground was soft in spots. To-night Marj. & I went down town, she went to the Girl's Auxillary and then she and Aunty went up and said good bye to Miss Monteith as they are leaving for Toronto to-morrow. I went to band practice but there weren't a great many there and we quit early as some of them wanted to go to the big dance in {nicall's?} hall which Johnny Walker and several others are getting up for the organ fund. Marj. stayed at Aunty's all night so as to be there to stay with Aunt Ida to-morrow while Aunty & Aunty Alice go up to help Lila house clean. It has been quite hot to-day and things are drying fast. Tuesday April 5th I sowed clover seed on the wheat this morning. Frank helped me carry the seed back and then he went up and he & Dad. started to patch the roof of the shed at the big barn. I finished sowing about half past eleven and as I was very hot and thirsty went over to John Wess's to get a drink. I got a drink of water and Com. then treated me to a cup of cider which is beginning https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/1ed18792a56313130b9768643405206a.pdf c424de079483567f3ba0cc004a89ba31 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. to have a kick to it. I talked to Cam. till twelve and then wandered home. This after noon I intended to gather up and burn the rubbish of the lawn that I raked up yesterday and then prune apple trees but owing to interruptions I didn't get all the rubbish gathered up. Tom. & Mark came by first and I took Mark in to give him a drink of our cider and then started to talk to Alan Law who had to tell me all about the time he has rocking the baby. While I was at that the fire bell commenced to ring and Frank and I both hiked over to see where the blaze was. I went over to the Woodson's and climbed their windmill but as I couldn't see any of the town missing I came back Frank rode his wheel down and and reported that a cedar hedge at Perce. Kindry's had been on fire but that it had been extinguished before the fire brigade arrived at the spot. On his way home Jack Martin called to him to ask him if he could get a horse over here to take his express down to the 4.30 train so Sid & The Scotchman that was there last fall but who is not doing any thing much now came over to get old Harry. Sid. took him back but the Scotchman stayed here for a long time and visited. Then Tom & Mark came back (they are hauling oats to Jack Martin) and came in for more cider so that by the time they all left it was half past five and time to do chores. Marj. got home about seven o'clock having had her tea down town. I practised at my show cards to-night. It has been a beautiful day, it seems almost too hot for this time of year. Pickford has been working on his hills for the last two days and they say all the ones at Black Creek are on the land. Three more ewes lambed to-day two had single lambs and one had twins. They have been out in the orchard & the field east all day. Wednesday April 6th Dad. & Frank went back this morning and straightened up the gully fence a little and turned the yearlings and calves and Belle & the two colts. They never came up to-night so must be finding enough to eat back there. I pruned the spy tree & the king tree and cut a little out of some of the others I gave the two a good pruning and took a lot of wood out so that took me most of the day. I moved the old hen that hatched out two chickens down in the raspberry patch this morning. She & Gladys going in for twins seems comical but not very profitable. That is all the chickens I got out of a hundred eggs I set. Dad. & Frank did odd jobs this after noon. Frank burned grass & Dad. disked the lane. Enah & Marj. drove out to the Shand's this after noon. To-night Marj. Tid. and I went to the woods and didn't get back till after dark. It was a lovely https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/6fa3fa5be04b257b32f28484966cf1df.pdf 27526b7396eb3b6fa6f04e24971fba82 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. evening, warm enough for summer. We got a lot of lovely may flowers. Dad. & Enah went down to Pinafore practice & Frank went down town to see Lila and went up to the farewell tea the Guild put on for Mr. Johnson. Thry are a bunch of hypocrites all right. Tom was over this evening for quite awhile. Winnie is feeling quite sick and the doctor wrote to the bank saying she would have to be out for two weeks. Hot to-day <s>Wednesday</s> Thursday April <s>6</s> 7th Frank went down this morning to help Mr. Johnson load his stuff. He had several members of the congregation there to help him get moved out. He & Mrs. Johnson are going to stay at the Hardings till after Sunday. I went back to the gully right after breakfast to look at the colts and Marj. went with me so we took a little stroll up through Ivey's place on our way home. I pruned apple trees after I got back till noon and it was an ideal job for the morning. The sun was hot but not strong and there was a gentle breeze from the lake that was as refreshing as a drink of water. The birds were thick and sounded delightful and every now and then I would see the pale tinted flash of a blue-bird amongst the gray branches which with the rich green carpet below made the beauty of it all sort of thrill. The whole effect was to fill me with a sort of satisfied happiness which made me realize that farming is the best job on earth even if there is no more than a living to be made out of it. Dad. took Pommers & Harry out and did a little disking this morning but said it was not fit yet. This after noon Frank and I sheared the yearling ram that was in the barn and then we helped Dad. get hooked up to the disks with Billy & Harry. He went out more to get Billy working than anything and didn't stay long Billy went fine. Frank and I then sheared old Archie before it was time to do chores. To-night Marj. and I went down town she went to see Miss McQueen and I went to band practice. Mid. is getting so enthusiastic now he is leader that he wants practice twice a week. It was raining when we came home but warm. Friday April 8th It has rained pretty much and pretty hard all day. Frank and I shut up two or three sheep to shear but decided they would not shear very well so started to clean up seed oats. We worked at that most of the day and got nine or ten bags cleaned through twice. Dad. helped us part of the time did chores and went down after Tid. It has been quite warm and the grass & wheat has grown apace to-day. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/66c2834763d0263f93e3243dcb175889.pdf 6680eb67af011d91f42a54d36cbe76c2 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. <s>Monday</s> Saturday April 9th Dad. went down first thing this morning and brought Aunty over to play with Tid. They have been planning & plotting all week to go to the woods to-day but the best laid schemes of mice & men having a habit of going aglee at times they beguiled the time by playing Jack & school all morning and Tid. at least seemed to enjoy it, he spoke of going to the woods but Aunty assured him that it was too wet. Frank & I sheared the three yearling lambs to-day but didn't try to do any more as they didn't shear very easily. Frank telephoned Neff the other night and he sent down the wool sack and twine yesterday by express. Enah drove Aunty down town this after noon and Marj. got tea ready. I went down town to-night and had a meeting of the Tuxis boys. It has been fairly cleared up to-day but rained a few showers. Freezing to-night. Sunday April 10th Marj. didn't feel like walking down this morning so Frank Tid and I went to Sunday school and none of the others came down to church. This was Mr. Johnson's last Sunday. I had to go up to meet Frank Smith & Jack King about the father & son banquet on Thursday night and it was one o'clock when I got down to Aunty's. I hadn't intended staying but had told Frank he might as well but when I got down there they were just sitting down so I had dinner with them and came home immediately afterwards. Dad. & I did up the chores and then read for awhile this afternoon. Frank came home before tea but went out to the Sidway's after tea. Dad. went down to Aunty's this evening. Uncle Ward came over this morning to get ice to make an icepack for Ada who has been very sick with intense pain all night and is not much better to-day. They are afraid of appendicitus. Fair but cold wind. Freezing to-night. Monday April 11th While we were at breakfast this morning Palmer {illegible} came over to see if we wanted any turnips he has some pitted which he is selling for 10 cts a bushel so Dad. told him we would take a load. Frank and I spent quite a lot of time this fore noon docking the oldest lambs. I also took my little chickens out of the loft and put them out in the raspberry patch. There were 29 of them and I put them under two hens. Three hens hatched there and I put the third one in the chicken yard but she got out and to-night the three hens were mothering the batch between them but as they were quiet with each other I left them alone. Frank and I went over to Palmer's after dinner and got the turnips. His garden is above the brick yard and he was out there sowing onions. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/8797680e739425230705172971613276.pdf 859e17a1bfe8b0d91f6d9e6a90350fce PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Enah drove Marj. down and she left on the 4.30 for Toronto where she is going to visit the Garrie's & Clara for a week. Frank and I stopped at the Canning Factory and got the seed corn Frank contracted for and then we got the rest of the cornstalks at Uncle Ward's. It was chore time when we got home. I went down to band practice to-night. Ada was no better this morning and they were very anxious about her but she was better to-night. Dr. Hicks was down to consult with Dr. Cook and they decided an operation was not necessary now. Frank Smith and Manning were over this morning and got me to go over to Jack Martin's with them to ask <s>them</s> him to be toast master at the Father & Son banquet Thursday night. He said he couldn't. He collared me and wanted me to act as Vestry clerk and keep the church books for Barwell. I told him I didn't know anything about keeping books but he suggested that Marj. do that. I told him that Marj. and I had enough Sunday school work on our hands to take up all our spare time and that for the church's sake it would be far better to get some one else interested, but he wouldn't take no for an answer and told me how they were getting the church affairs on a business basis, which I hate and that they would pay me fifty dollars a year I told him if I did it at all I would do it for the sake of the church not for pay, which I think disappointed his business mind. I told him I would leave it to Marj. When I told her she was very decided against the proposal and said she would tell Jack some thing about the men down town who were doing nothing for the church. However when Jack ran out to speak to her this after noon as she was going past she consented. <s>Wednesd</s> Tuesday April 12th Frank and I took a couple of loads of manure down to Aunty's this morning, we took it out of the calf pen in the barn and it took longer to put on a load, it was noon when we got back with the second load. This after noon we took what was left in the calf pen out to the field and then came up and sheared a couple of ewes. Dad. did chores most of the day. Frank went down town to-night but I oiled my boots and went to sleep on the sofa. Wednesday April 13th Dad. drove Tid down to school this morning and went on down to Aunty's and gave them a day in the garden. Frank and I sheared sheep and did chores. We got seven sheared but were delayed this morning for an hour. I took 14 more chickens out of the loft and had to attend to them. Old Gladys and the twins got out a couple of times and we had to put her back. Then Tom Butler was in for awhile. Dad. and Enah went down to Pinafore practice to-night and Frank and I washed the dishes & put Tid. to bed. Warmer Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary Collection Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Theobald "Toby" Barrett Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Courtesy of Archival and Special Collections, University of Guelph Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1911-1925 Language A language of the resource English Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 20th Century, Norfolk County, Woodhouse Township, Ontario Table Of Contents A list of subunits of the resource. Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary & Transcription, 1911 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary & Transcription, 1913 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary & Transcription, 1914 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1915 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1916 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1917 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary & Transcription, 1918 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1919 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1920-1921 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1921 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1925 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1925-1926 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1926-1927 Medium The material or physical carrier of the resource. Scanned Manuscript Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1920-1921 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Theobald "Toby" Barrett Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Courtesy of Archival and Special Collections, University of Guelph Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource January 1, 1920 to April 15, 1921 Language A language of the resource English Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 20th Century, Norfolk County, Woodhouse Township, Ontario Date Created Date of creation of the resource. January 1, 1920 Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary Collection Medium The material or physical carrier of the resource. Scanned Manuscript UG Transcription Progress Scripto transcription progress Done Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>DIARY. 1920-21.</p> <p>T.B.Barrett,</p> <p>Port Dover, Ontario.</p> <p>Cnocfierna.</p> <p>From January 1st 1920 to April 15th 1921</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>{Left page blank}</p> <p>Thursday January 1st 1920</p> <p>The New Year found me leaning over the balcony in the gallery of the town hall with Bub. and Dess watching the noisy crowd of dancers below us with a certain ammount of amusement but with no desire to join them. My feet were too sore with chilblains to dance anyway, but Bub's society was just as congenial if not more so than any one else's there, in fact there were very few of my freinds there and the great majority I didn't even know, and judging from appearances am not at all particular about making their acquaintance. We soon became tired of our show and went home early. It is a long time since I have had a visit with Bub and our conversation had been mainly reminisent of our high school days of ten years ago. It sounds a long time but looks only a matter of a few months when the happenings of the interval are not considered. Certainly, though, those happening's have meant a great deal to the poor old world and I wonder what effect they will have on the history of the decade we are now beginning. Although the war has been over now for more than a year, the spirit of strife is still rampant in all countries and manifests itself in the strikes, riots and general restlessness with which all people have been suffering from. Up till now conditions don't show much sign of improvement but it must come to an end eventually, and I suppose, when the old world does getting running smoothly again.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>it will be a better place for all classes to live. New Year's day has been cold and blustery and we haven't done any thing but the necessary chores and sit around the fire and read. To-night we all went down to Aunty's for tea and spent the evening. All from Huby's were there as well as Cousin Clare &amp; Phoebe. We spent the evening with music and playing Guessing games which we always have a lot of fun at.</p> <p>Friday January 2nd</p> <p>It has been bitterly cold to-day, below zero with a strong west wind and we have done nothing but a few chores keep the fires going and read. To-night Enah Frank and I went down to a party at Ada's and had a very nice time. We played cards most of the evening. Most of the party were playing bridge but, Winnie Lila, Frank a Mr. Moore who is a freind of Zeitha's and a cousin of Mrs. Freeman's, and I played rummy and seven-up, and the phonograph, then Zeitha and later Quint joined us and we danced. Frank &amp; Lila lit out for the Rebecca's dance in the hall about twelve o'clock. I stayed at Ada's and came home with Enah and Mrs. Jack Martin about one o'clock.</p> <p>Saturday, January 3rd</p> <p>We were very late having breakfast this morning and before we got at it Phil Shaver came after Dad. to go and dose one of his horses, so Dad. was over there till noon. I chored around most of the morning and Frank slept most of the day as he didn't get home from his dance till about four o'clock this morning. Dad. and I did up the chores early (and we have quit milking at night) and we both went down to Aunty's for tea. Quint was there and so were the Miss Hardings so Aunty had quite a birthday party. I left right after tea and went down to meet the seven o'clock car, as Marj. came in on it, so I spent the rest of the evening with her, she had a nice holiday at home Su</p> <p>Sunday, January 4th</p> <p>Frank Tid and I went down to sunday school and church this morning. I stayed down at Aunty's for dinner. This afternoon Marj. and I went over to see Miss McQueen and then went down to Aunty's where we stayed to tea. Aunty Alice Marj. and I went to church to-night. I got home about twelve o'clock and found Frank was not in yet. He was down at the Ward's and got home soon after I did. It has been very cold all day, but very little wind.</p> <p>Monday, January 5th</p> <p>Frank and I went down right after breakfast to get our long looked for stove. It was ordered from Eaton's on the 15th of November and just arrived on Saturday. We also got Marj's suitcase which she checked by Grand Trunk and took it up for her, and as we had to get some things up town it was after eleven when we got home, but we went down to the mill for some bran &amp; chicken feed before dinner.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>We spent most of the after noon putting the new stove up and had a great fire until to-night. Bob. Dougherty was in just before two with some fellow called Slack to tell us he wanted the lambs on Saturday. He would have stayed to tea but Slack wouldn't wait for him and he was driving the car. Frank and I went down town to-night. Frank went to the dance and I went with the band to serenade the new council. Taylor beat poor old Walker badly so we went up to his place first and took him as well as all the rest of them by surprise. We went from there to John Harvey's where we got treated with wine and Lou's wedding cake. Then we went over to Perce Ryerse's but his wife informed us that he had gone down after some medicine for the baby. We played anyway and I don't know whether we killed the baby or not. Mr. Quinn's was our next stop and then we set out for Capt. P.C. Robinson's. We went to the house but Pauline said he had gone to lodge, so we started over there to "get his goat" but some body saw him headed down Main St. and at last "tried" him in his office at the Fish Shanty, so we gave him a couple of selections and then we dispersed. They all promised to give us all the financial assistance that was necessary next year and three of them gave us enough to buy some cigars with. Mid shoved the cash down and I don't know what became of it. Altogether we had a very nice time, but had to go in everywhere to thaw our horns out as it was a very frosty night &amp; bright.</p> <p>Tuesday, January 6th</p> <p>Our windmill which has been the source of great tribulation to us all winter owing to its very unsatisfactory work refused to pump at all this morning, so Frank went down and got Felix to come over and he has been over all day. I should have said the pump was wrong instead of the windmill. We took the whole thing up and found that the bottom of the cylinder was a little loose which we supposed let air in and and caused the water to shoot out of the top of the pump the way it has been doing. The valves were also worn out so Felix put in new ones. We didn't finish till about five o'clock and then the wind had died down so that we couldn't get any water to-night and the cattle had to go without a drink all day. It was really not very cold to-day but felt raw especially working at the pump. It is a miserable job at any time but especially so at this time of year. Old Felix keeps at it though and he just celebrated his eightieth birthday on Saturday. To-night Enah and Tid went down to the Sunday school Christmas tree. I went down later but didn't go to the tree. I met Marj. after it was over and spent the evening with her.</p> <p>Wednesday, January 7th</p> <p>We put the doors on the barn this morning which blew off the night of the big wind. There were three off, the two in the peak and one little one down on the shed. This afternoon</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Dad. trimmed Mexico's feet which were in very bad shape. I didn't do much but chores. Old Felix &amp; Harvey Perkins were over this after noon to sell Frank some shares in Peace River Oil Wells. Harvey is selling them &amp; old Felix thinks he is going to be a millionaire as soon as they get the well finished they are boring at now. Frank took fifty shares, I think. I went down to Aunty's to tea to-night and went up at seven o'clock with the band to play at the Simcoe rink for two hockey matches. There were two car loads went up from here so the Dover {illegible}played. The band &amp; the hundred or so routers must have had a good effect on the Dover boys as they trimmed Simcoe 7-2, and it was a good fast game too. The first match was between the "War Vetrans" and the "Wanderers". The Vets won that with a score of 6-3 I think. Then our boys played the "Canners" and it was a much better game. Harvey Lany played very well and shot several goals. Jack McDonald is very good too and a clean player. Old {Name} was playing back and not many got past him, he works hard and dodges around like a swallow. Young Bill Miller was rather rough and was on the fence about half the time. {Name} McDonald tended goal and once got a little excited and went into the corner after the puck and they shot a goal while he was out. We had a fine time and the band got invited up again on Friday night to play at an O.H.A. game between Ingersol &amp; Woodstock. Mild &amp; inclined to rain or mist to-day.</p> <p>Thursday January 8th</p> <p>I spent the morning to-day doing chores and Dad. threw in some more sawdust on the ice. Frank went down to the dentist's but I don't think got any thing done and has to go back to-morrow. This after noon we cleaned out the box stall in the horse stable and took out two big loads and spread them on the root ground. Frank went back this after noon and sowed 100 lbs of his basic slag on the gully hills to see what effect it has on pasture. I went down town to-night. Mild this morning but colder &amp; windy to-night.</p> <p>Friday January 9th</p> <p>It has been very stormy (wind and snow) but not very cold all day but cleared off and quieted down to-night. We got all the outside stock except the two colts in the barn this morning. Billy &amp; Dave can run in the shed. Frank had to go down to the dentist's this morning and was down till after dinner. Dad. went over to Quanbury's to get some more instructions about his dry salted bacon and I just did chores worked at my show-card lessons which I find very interesting and dozed all day. We did things up early to-night and I went down to Aunty's for tea. It had stopped snowing when I got there so I shovelled their snow for them. Marj. was there too and she &amp; Aunty went up to their Bible Class after tea. I went to Simcoe with the band and we had a very good time. It was an O.H.A game between</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Simcoe and Woodstock, and the score was 8-5 in favor of Simcoe. The Woodstock boys put up a very good game and the score was 3-3 at the beginning of the last period when Simcoe got very energetic and Woodstocks best man who was playing back didn't seem to do as well and they lost 5 goals and only made 2. They have picked out three Dover men as spares on the Simcoe team and put Harvey Lany on to-night but whether from nervousness or not he didn't put up any thing like the game he did the other night so they soon took him off and didn't try {Name} or Joe.</p> <p>Saturday January 10th</p> <p>We were up early this morning and spent the whole fore-noon getting Dougherty's lambs off. We got the sleighs out and Frank started down to Pickford's after our stock rack but met him coming back with it. We then weighed the lambs up by pairs on our own scales and when we weighed them down at the car they came to exactly the same and Dougherty gave us 15 cts for the ewe lambs. We had to go to the planing mill and get him some shavings to bed the car with and had to go up town for some coal oil and then we got some shavings to bring home with us to put on the ice so it was about noon when we got here, our lambs came to about $177.00. We haven't done much all the after noon but chores. Frank went down town to-night and I worked at my show card work. Snowed more this morning, not cold.</p> <p>Sunday January 11th</p> <p>Dad. drove Tid, Frank and me down to Sunday school this morning and then came down after church and drove Aunty Marj. and Tid over here for dinner. Frank and I walked home. Frank walked out to Sidway's this after noon but I stayed home. Dad. drove Aunty home about four o'clock while I fed the cows. Marj. stayed to tea and I drove her home this evening. The cutter slides along but the road is bare in spots. W.F. Cockshutt M.P. gave an address on the Forward Movement in church this morning which was very good.</p> <p>Monday January 12th</p> <p>Frank left for Guelph to-day. He expects to be up there about a month taking short courses in Hock &amp; Seed Judging and Tractors &amp; machinery. He spent most of the morning getting packed up and I drove him down in the bob-sleigh to Aunty's where he stayed to dinner intending to leave on the one o'clock car, but it was so late that they cancelled it, and he and young Downs who is going to Guelph too, left on the three o'clock car, but he thought he could get over to Guelph from Galt some time to-night. Dad. and I hauled out manure to day from the Bull's pens. We got out three loads but didn't quite finish the pens. I went over to John Wess's this afternoon. Mrs McBride is very low. I saw Cam. and spoke to him about the place and he promised that if it was to be sold he would see that I got a chance at it. I went down town to-night. Milder</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Tuesday January 13th</p> <p>It has been very stormy most of to-day and we didn't do anything outside but chores. I spent most of the forenoon getting my incubator ready to start and it has been heating up all day. I worked at my show card work for quite awhile this after noon. I went down to-night to a meeting in the Rectory to organize a canvassing campaign for the Forward Movement, but as Mr. Freeman was the only other one there we couldn't do much. Marj. had been there to tea so I went home with her. It has not been very cold but very blustery.</p> <p>Wednesday January 14th</p> <p>Dad. and I had to shovel out the lane this morning as yesterday's storm drifted it full. It was after eleven when we got finished and then I started out with Joe &amp; Queen on the bob-sleighs to get Aunty Alice as we expected her over to dinner but I met her just outside the lane. This after noon Dad. drove Enah &amp; Aunty Alice over to Mrs. McLaughlin's to play bridge and I did up the chores. I had a card from Mid. at noon saying the band was going to play at Simcoe to-night so I went down to Aunty's for tea. The cars were running an hour late so that it was after eight when we got to Simcoe. The Dover team played the Vetrans and they both put up a very good game. Dover winning score 4-3. We didn't leave Simcoe till 12 o'clock and the car was crowded as a great many had come up at five o'clock. Blustery day.</p> <p>Thursday January 15th</p> <p>It has been cold and stormy all day so we just did chores this morning. Dad. has been reading "Courtin' Christina" and "Wee McGreggor Enlists" and finished them to-day they are certainly very good. This after noon Dad. drove Enah &amp; Tid down to the Pickford's and the Ryerse's to distribute some Forward Movement literature. I went down to a meeting in the Sunday school to-night Mr. Manning was there and a few boys but they didn't do much. I then went over to see Marj. for awhile and stayed all night at Aunty's in order to help Aunty Alice get started for Toronto in the morning as she is going down for a few days</p> <p>Friday January 16th</p> <p>Aunty Alice got off on the 7.20 G.T.R. this morning and I went to the station with her and then came home. We did up the chores and then Dad. and I went down and cut down a tree at Preston's. This after noon I took some oats to the mill and left them for chop and took Enah and Tid down to go to "Mickey" at the picture show. I then came home and did up a few chores and went down to Aunty's for tea and Marj. and I went to see "Mickey" to-night. after which we went into Miss McQueen's for a cup of tea. It was very stormy all after noon and evening but the picture show was packed for all three shows. People have certainly gone crazy over "Mickey". What there is in it, I don't know.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Saturday January 17th</p> <p>Dad. went down to Aunty's this morning to shovel their snow but John Shand had it done when he got down. I did chores and painted a little. Com &amp; Billy McBride were in at noon to say that Mrs. John Wess died yesterday and to ask Dad. to be a bearer. This after noon I drove Enah down town and she got some flowers and we came home by the mill where I got the grist and some rolled oats. It has been sunny but very blustery &amp; cold all day</p> <p>Sunday January 18th</p> <p>It was very cold and windy this morning and we were late getting through chores and I didn't get up very early. I was too late for Sunday school but went down to church. I was a little early and was sitting in the church when I heard the fire bell ring so ran out and saw them getting the engines out of the old jail. I followed the crowd up to L.G. Morgan's house where the smoke was pouring out all the windows. After considerable confusion in trying to find the fire they got the engines going at the north side of the house. I went inside but the smoke was almost suffocating. I ran across Harry Moon in there who told me that Mr. Morgan was dead and in the middle of a knot of men I saw his body His clothes were burned off down to his waist. His back was badly burned and his head all charred. It was a horrible sight but I don't believe he could have suffered very long. The fire was caused by him knocking over a coal oil stove in his room, an of course in the shape he was in he couldn't get out. He called Miss Morgan but she couldn't do any thing for the smoke. Val. Leaney saw the fire from his place and was there at once but L.G. was too far gone to be saved. Miss Newell is in a semi consious condition but very low having been badly suffocated. They managed to get the fire out without it spreading beyond the one room and every thing in it was burned. I went back to the church expecting to meet Aunty but the door was locked and I found they hadn't held service. I stayed at Aunty's to dinner and spent the after noon up at the Monteiths. I came home about five and helped do chores and then went down again &amp; spent the evening with Marj. Very cold but not stormy to-night. Dad. went over to John Wess's this morning with the flowers.</p> <p>Monday January 19th</p> <p>Dad. and I spent the morning doing chores and shovelling out the lane which was drifted full. Just before dinner Dad. took Tid down to Aunty's where he stayed for the after noon while Dad. Enah and I went to Mrs. McBride's funeral. Dad. was one of the bearers and I drove him up to the cemetry. We let Enah out at the head of Main St. and got Tid &amp; her on our way home. My feet got very cold so I walked home from town. Dess. was over.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>just before tea on her snowshoes, with a message for Dad. asking him to be bearer at Mr. Morgan's funeral to-morrow. There was another funeral to-day from down east some place. The two hearses went into the cemetry about the same time. I stayed home to-night and worked at my show card practice.</p> <p>Tuesday January 20th</p> <p>We did the chores up pretty well this morning and right after dinner Dad. Enah &amp; Tid. drove down town. They put Queen in at Hec's. and left Tid with Aunty and Dad. went to Mr. Morgan's funeral. It was private so Enah didn't go. He was buried up at St. John's. I walked down town after dinner and went to the bank to deposit some money as I promised Boyd. I would send him a cheque when the brooder came. I then went to the station but it hasn't come yet. I was in the Custom House for awhile talking to Huby. He was giving me a long dissertation on the tribulations of his office owing to the constant revision of the ever-changing tariff, when a very seedy looking chap came in and rather sheepishly asked what was the duty on any thing imported from the States. Huby told him it made a great deal of difference what he was importing and when he aparently unwillingly confessed that it was an automobile Huby started in &amp; told him first 30% then 7 1/2% then 10% of the duty paid value. The fellow looked rather dazed and reasoned that "they sure go for a feller". Huby figured it up to be well over $500.00 on $1000.00 so at last the fellow left after asking very particularly whether the Government got all that money or the fellow he bought his car from. He left rather crestfallen and I think was undecided whether to buy a car in Canada or not at all or wait till the War Debt was paid off or appeal to the A.F.O. of which organization I have no doubt he was a member. I got home before five and Dad. soon after me. Enah &amp; Tid stayed down to tea. Dad. and I did chores and had a bite to eat &amp; then walked down to see the Girl Guides concert which they put on for the relief of the Armenians. It was "Aunt Dinah's Quilting Party." Harry Moon coached them and they did very well. Ed. Gray &amp; Hazel Ward. did especially well. The concert was over by half past nine and I spent the rest of the evening with Marj. Dad and Enah &amp; Tid got a ride home with Pickford in his bob-sleigh. A very little milder with a sleet storm this after noon.</p> <p>Wednesday January 21st</p> <p>We were late getting out this morning and spent most of the morning doing chores I went down to the mill about noon to see if I could get some corn chop &amp; bran but they haven't had enough water to run either chopper or mill so had nothing. I spent the whole after noon practising at my show card lessons and worked all evening at it too. Dad. went down to Aunty's for tea and spent the evening down there. Dover was to play the "Wanderers" in Simcoe to-night but as I didn't get any notice of the band going up I decided not to go as I wanted to work although I would have liked to have seen the game.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Thursday January 22nd</p> <p>Dad. Enah and Tid. drove down this morning to see if they wanted Enah to sit up with Miss Newell to-night but they asked her to stay this after noon so Dad. left her at the Johnston's and Tid at Aunty's and came home. This after noon he and I read the mail for quite awhile and then went over to John Wess's to see how he felt. He looks pretty tough. Dad. and I did the chores and then drove down to Aunty's where we all had tea and Dad. drove Enah and Tid home right after. Aunty heard from Aunty Alice to-day saying she was coming home to-night so I went to the station and met her. Huby was there too. I went up to see Marj. for a little while first, her throat has been very sore and she has not been at school all the after noon. Dover got trimmed last night by the "Wanderer's" 6-5. They say that the Dover boys got sore because Simcoe put on a professional and played a dirty game.</p> <p>Friday January 23rd</p> <p>Dad. and I drove down town this morning and got my stove brooder which came in by freight yesterday. We stopped for a minute at Aunty's to see Aunty Alice. We overtook Miss Phipps on her way down and took her down to the Johnston's to see Miss Newell. This after noon it became very stormy with an east wind. Dad. and I got hay enough over for night and then I did my show card lesson so that I could post it to-night. Dad. &amp; Enah drove down town to bring Miss Phipps home as it had become so stormy, but they couldn't find her. Dad. did up the chores and I went down town before dark &amp; had tea at Aunty's. I went up to see Marj. to-night, her throat was better. I stayed at Aunty's all night as the walking was a fright, drifts up to my knees but not very cold.</p> <p>Saturday January 24th</p> <p>I didn't get up very early this morning and after I breakfast I shovelled the snow and then went up town to inquire after Miss Newell, she is just about the same as nearly as I could make out from Mrs. Johnson. I also went up to Hugh McQueen's to get him to make me a chimbney for my brooder. It was after tea when I got home and didn't do much but shovell the snow out of the chicken houses before dinner. This after noon we sat around and read the mail for an hour or so and then Dad. and I got over enough hay to last us over Sunday and shovelled out the lane. Not quite so windy to-day but pretty cold.</p> <p>Sunday January 25th</p> <p>I walked down to Sunday school this morning and Dad. drove Enah down to church and then went home and drove back after her. We had a short service this morning as the church was cold and Mr. Johnston didn't preach a sermon but although the church wasn't much warmer to-night I thought he would never stop preaching about the Forward Movement and other</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>money they wanted to raise. I stayed at Aunty's for dinner and spent the after noon and evening with Marj. who is feeling much better. I came home to tea and walked down again in time for church. Alan Law gave me a ride out to the side road corner. 20° below last night.</p> <p>Monday January 26th</p> <p>I tested my eggs out this morning. It was too cold down cellar so I darkened the dining room and brought them up. I only got 28 fertile ones out of 155. I guess they must have been chilled. I unpacked my brooder but can't put it to-gether till I get my stove pipe from Hugh. I also put on a couple of panes of glass and puttyed up several others in a sash I want to use for my brooder house. Late this after noon Dad. and I &amp; Tid. drove down town and got some coal oil. Dad. has had heartburn badly all day and has had to carry a lot of water to the stock as there was not wind enough to pump. It has been very mild barely freezing in the shade. To night I went down to the Sunday school where Mr. Manning and the officers of the Methodist "Square" put our boys through the first {legue?} of the initiation ceremony for Tuxis boys I then went over to Epworth League with Manning for awhile.</p> <p>Tuesday January 27th</p> <p>I spent most of the morning fitting the windows in the colony house besides doing a few odd jobs. This after noon Dad. Tid. and I drove down to Pickford's to invite them over here to-night to spend the evening. We then drove out to the Shands to inquire after Flossie who has had pleurisy. She is still in bed but a little better. To-night the whole Pickford family came over. Tom Butler was in Simcoe when they left but they put a note out for him telling him to follow them so he came down later. We had quite a time doing various tricks, had a little music and Tid. put on a magic lantern show. Much milder to-day, colder to-night.</p> <p>Wednesday January 28th</p> <p>Dad. went down to the Pickford's this morning to see if he could get Jackie to come up and have a look at the ram we want to kill. He is very thin but Pickford says they are deceiving and don't need to be very fat. He and Tom had gone down to get some stuff Tom bought at Porter's sale in Walpole, but Mrs. Pickford said she would send him up after dinner. He and Tom both came up and killed and dressed the sheep, but he was very thin. I don't know why he didn't get fatter as he has been getting grain but has been running out. I did a show card lesson this morning and this after noon drove Enah down town to go to the bridge-gang meet. I saw Quint down there and took him for a little spin around town. Mr. &amp; Mrs. Jim Waddle were in and invited us all out there for dinner Friday night. I went down town to-night. Very frosty.</p> <p>Thursday January 28th</p> <p>Bob. Dougherty came in here last night and stayed all night with us and most of the morning. He was highly entertaining</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>but we didn't get much done while he was here. When he left John Quanbury came over to get Dad. to go and see his cow which is pretty sick. Dad. cut up the mutton before dinner. This after noon Dad. Enah &amp; Tid drove down town and took Huby a piece of mutton as this was his birthday. I did another show card lesson and went down to Aunty's for tea. Huby &amp; Aunty Maude were there. Winnie came over here for tea with Dad. &amp; Enah. To-night Marj. &amp; I went up to Miss. Martin's and I got my hair cut on my way home. Mild.</p> <p>Friday January 30th</p> <p>Dad. and I went down this morning and got a load of coal as there was a new car in and the coal looked and has proved to be of much better quality than any we have got so far. On our way home we met Jim. Waddle on his way over to tell us not to come out to-night as Mrs. Waddle was sick but to come Sunday night. This after noon we sat around and read quite awhile and then Dad. and Enah &amp; Tid. drove down town to post a letter and I went over to Jack Martin's to ask them about buying baby chicks for broilers. I got a price list from a fellow in Toronto and the cheapest were $30.00 per 100 which Jack thought was pretty high for broiler chicks, but Chris offered to let me raise all of his Leghorns and to pay me broiler prices for them when they are ready to go so I think I will take his offer. He told me that band was going to Simcoe to-night to play at the rink so I went down to Aunty's for tea. Only a few of the band boys went up and it was very cold up in the rink, but it was a good game. Simcoe beat Paris 5-2 O.H.A.</p> <p>Saturday January 31st</p> <p>It was 20 below zero this morning and a strong east wind blowing which made it almost unbearable to be out. We just fed up the stock and haven't done a thing else all day but sit around the stove and read. We were greatly surprized to have Aunty Alice come over for dinner. She said yesterday she would come over if it was a nice day but we never expected her when it was so cold. She walked back this after noon as she wanted to stop it at Mrs. Battersby's for awhile. I went down town to-night to see how Marj's throat was, but she wasn't home so I suppose it must be better. The wind died down a little to-night but it is still very cold. I took a walk down to Pete Holmes' rink where they were staging a hockey match between Penman's &amp; Knox Church but there were very few spectators and I thought it was too cold to watch them so I went down to Aunty's for awhile and then home.</p> <p>Sunday February 1st</p> <p>It was still cold this morning but has been a beautiful day and getting milder all day. I went down to Sunday school and church and stayed to dinner at Aunty's. Marj. and I went up to Miss Martin's for a little while this after noon and then I came home early. I stopped in at Newman Silverthorne's for awhile to pay Mr. Clarke's lodge dues. Marj. started over with them on Saturday but the weather stopped her when she got as far as Miss. McQueen's. Dad. Enah &amp; Tid drove out to Jim Waddle's for dinner to-night and I went down to Aunty's for tea and</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>went to church with Aunty to-night then spent the evening with Marj.</p> <p>Monday February 2nd</p> <p>The old bear could have seen his shadow all day to-day if he came out of his log, he would also have got his feet wet as it has been a beautiful sunny, warm, spring-like day and thawing in the shade. I took a walk over to John Wess's this morning. Cam. was there and told me that he was coming back here to live as his father couldn't bear the thought of going to live in the city nor of selling the furniture and household effects that Mrs. McBride had bought when the first started. This after noon I went down to the mill and got some rolled oats and Dad. &amp; Tid. went down to Preston's orchard for awhile.They found old Henry Misener in there cutting too so Arthur has evidently thought we weren't going to get all the trees cut but he didn't say anything about it. Enah took Mexico &amp; the cutter and drove Mrs. Skey up to Miss. McCoy's this afternoon. Dad. took the pork out of the pickle to-day. This evening I went down as I thought the Tuxis boys were going to meet but they didn't as there was some arrangement about them going to Simcoe to play hockey.</p> <p>Tuesday February 3rd</p> <p>Dad. &amp; I went down to Preston's this morning and got another tree down and partly brushed up. This after noon Dad. went down and finished trimming the tree and I drove down town in the cutter and got the chimney for my brooder that Hugh McQueen has been making for me. I did up the chores after I got home. I worked at my show card work to-night. Cloudy and colder</p> <p>Wednesday February 4th</p> <p>Dad. and I went down to the orchard again this morning and have been down there most of the day so got quite a lot done. Tupper was in at noon to ask me to be clerk at his sale which is due to come off on the 17th. Dad. commisioned him to get him a plug of tobacco which he was to leave in the mail box on but he never came back and caused Dad. several fruitless trips to the mail box. I went down town to-night. It has not been frosty to day but a raw east wind.</p> <p>Thursday February 5th</p> <p>Dad. and I went over to the orchard this morning and got a big tree next the hedge down. Old Harry Misener was there and he and I took our saw over to his place and he sharpened it up a little. He got word from some where that the Dover team beat the Vet's. last night 11-2. We didn't go back this after noon but Dad. helped me with my brooder house and put on the chimney. Billy Miller was over to-night and said Chris wasn't going to let me have any baby chicks now as he was getting orders for them. Tupper was in too and brought Dad's tobacco. Snowed a little.</p> <p>Friday February 6th</p> <p>This has been a beautiful day. Sunny &amp; mild. Dad. and I</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>went down to the orchard and worked there all day. Old Henry Misener had Arnold Myers helping him and we gave them a hand to shove a tree over. It slipped on the stump and fell the opposite direction to the one they intended and Dad. &amp; I had to step lively to get out of its road. Enah &amp; Tid drove Mexico down with the cutter to-day, took Aunt Ida for a drive and brought Aunty over here to tea. She and I walked down to-night and I spent the evening with Marj. who had quite a bad fall yesterday.</p> <p>Saturday February 7th</p> <p>Dad. and I bagged up some oats this morning and I took them to the mill while he trimmed up some of the trees we had down. I left the grist and went back to the orchard and took a big load of blocks home, then went back and got the chopper This after noon we went back to the orchard and on our return found Frank here. He came in on the three o'clock car.</p> <p>Sunday February 8th</p> <p>Frank and I went down to Sunday school. There was no service in our church this morning but we all went to the Presbyterian were Jack Martin &amp; some student held forth at great length on the Forward Movement. Mr. Robertson &amp; Mr. Johnson are both sick.To-night there was a Unnion Service English &amp; Presbyterian in our church and Cousin Willie gave a very nice address &amp; the same Presbyterian studen spoke for a very long time but didn't say much The church was packed. They are about to launch the Forward Movement financial drive and that is the cause of all their activity. While they very emphatically testify that the financial drive is a very insignificant part of the Forward Movement in comparison to the spiritual impetus which they hope to wake up religion, it seems to me rather unfortunate that the financial should be the first to be brought to the notice of the general run of people, as it will give Skeptics plenty of grounds for their contention that it is merely a "money making game." I don't altogether sympathize with the business end of the affair for while I feel that money should be given with out stint to feed &amp; clothe the starving people of Europe and to minister to the physical needs of all people in heathen lands. I can't feel that the real Spirit of Christianity is going to strengthened or increased by simply raising funds as Jack Martin said for such purposes as to increase the salaries of our ministers &amp; missionarys in order that more young men will be attracted to the profession. I'm not a business man and may be that is the reason that but I don't like to hear people talk about putting the work of our church on a "business basis," but as that seems to be what they intend to do I hope I am wrong. Quint. Marj. &amp; I had dinner at Aunty's. Marj. &amp; I spent the after noon there but Quint went for a drive with Bill Oakes so he said, but I think if his statement were to be analyzed it would be found that he was speaking figuratively and Bill would be passed in</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>in the feminine gender. Dad. brought Enah &amp; Tid. down to stay to tea about five o'clock and he drove Marj. home &amp; then he and I came home helped Frank do up the chores and we all went down to church to-night. I spent the evening with Marj. Dad. &amp; Enah &amp; Tid. went out to the Shand's this afternoon to see how Flossie was, she is better, but Dad. was very surprised to hear that Fred Doane died very suddenly last night.</p> <p>Monday February 9th</p> <p>Dad. and Frank have been down in Preston's orchard all morning. I went down to Uncle Ward's this morning to ask him if he would like to go with Dad. out to Fred Doanes funeral. He hadn't heard that he was dead and was very surprised. He called up town and found that the funeral was to be at half-past two. I came home and practised a little at my show cards before dinner. This after noon Dad. &amp; Uncle Ward went out to the funeral and Frank and I spent the after noon doing chores. We did things up early and went down to the men's banquet in the Sunday school. Dad. drove Enah down about four and then came home &amp; stayed with Tid. We had a very nice time. Mr. Bose the Presbyterian student of yesterday, Dr. Maguire &amp; Mr. Muir manager of the Roal Bank in Simcoe gave very nice addresses and as the men from Simcoe had to leave in time to catch the nine o'clock car, we were home early. Enah &amp; I came home but Frank went to the U.F.O. &amp; W.F.N.I. dance in the town hall. Rather cloudy but mild. I just took four chicks from the incubator, so I killed them, they were crippled.</p> <p>Tuesday February 10th</p> <p>Dad. &amp; Frank were in the orchard all day to-day. I did chores &amp; started a fire in my brooder just to see how it worked. It certainly warmed things up in the colony house. I spent quite a lot of the day working at my show-card lessons I went down town to-night and took Aunty Alice some eggs I went up to see Cousin Loll for awhile and then met Marj. &amp; Miss Martin coming away from the Girl's auxillary meeting so I suggested that we go up to Miss Martin's and eat dough-nuts as she told us Sunday she had made some. We did and were up there till quite late and consumed large quantitys, at least I did. Aunty told me that Jack Martin had given $500.00 to the Forward Movement.</p> <p>Wednesday February 11th</p> <p>Dad. and Frank were down at Preston's all day. Frank took the saw down to Uncle Ward's this morning and got it set. I cleaned out the colony house this morning. This after noon George Fields was in for awhile to look at the cattle and seemed to take quite a fancy to Maple Hill Nellie. I think though that he was predjuiced in her favor because I told him she was a Pansy which is the cow his {trace} to but I remembered afterwards that I was mistaken as she {traces} to Louisa. I did some show card practising. Enah went to play bridge at Mrs. Battersby's. Jack Martin was in about six o'clock canvassing for the Forward Movement. Frank &amp; I went down town to-night and Frank went to a U.F.O. meeting which he says is worse than the J.F.I.A. They</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>wrangled all night trying to decide whether they wanted a car of wire or not and hadn't decided when they broke up. Harry Smith &amp; Steve Powell who have been the hog-buyers are going to quit as the brethren are accusing them of making $50.00 on a car, so if things continue much longer in that direction, I imagine this U.F.O. club will find itself "on the rocks". I didn't go to Simcoe to-night although this was to be the final game of the series and the Dover team played the "Wanderers". I heard the last car come in and a great deal of cheering &amp; racket going on with it but didn't see a soul to find out the result. I have since heard that Dover trimmed the Wanderers 13-6 and so have won the series. They say the Simcoe fellows played a very rough game and Harve Leany got knocked out.</p> <p>Thursday February 12th</p> <p>Frank promised the "Women's Institute" the other night to haul them a load of gravel to-day as they were having a bee hauling gravel to build a monument to the boys up near the grove of elms they planted. As Jack Martin had our sleighs hauling part of his chicken house up here from Fisherville, Frank went down and borrowed Mr. Flemmings. I went down to the orchard with Dad. This after noon Dad. &amp; Frank went down there but it came up a very heavy &amp; wet snowstorm so they didn't stay long. Frank &amp; Tid. went down to Mrs. Freeman's &amp; Molly's party and I worked at my show card lessons most of the after noon and evening. Very soft &amp; cloudy. Mild all week.</p> <p>Friday February 13th</p> <p>Frank went down this morning and got another load of saw-dust to put on the ice and then came over to the orchard and got a big load of wood. Dad. &amp; I trimmed up the tree they felled yesterday. This after noon Dad. &amp; Frank worked in the orchard all the after noon and I went to the mill and got some rolled oats and got a small load of wood on the way home. Frank drove me down town to-night and he went down to Nanticoke I got my skates at Aunty's and went to hunt up some skating but couldn't find any so I ran across a bunch of fellows going to the Women's Institute masquerade dance so I went too and had a great time. Sunny &amp; mild.</p> <p>Saturday February 14th</p> <p>Dad. &amp; Frank worked in the orchard all morning. I went down to the mill and got a bag of bran and stopped in at the orchard and brought a load of wood home, unloaded it and got another load, but it was snowing hard and very soft. This after noon it was snowing so much that they didn't go back to the orchard but Dad. went down town and got his hair cut. I didn't do any thing much till about four o'clock when I started in at the chores but there had been no wind all day to pump so I waited till then in hopes that it would pump a little to let</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>the cattle out but it didn't so they had to go thirsty. It began to blow about six o'clock and has turned out quite blustery and much colder to-night. Dad. brought Marj. home with him to tea and Lila came over. Enah had asked Zeitha &amp; Mr. Moore to come over but they didn't show up, we suppose the storm was too bad for Zeitha who has had a bad cold to be out. We spent the evening listening to Marj. &amp; Enah play duets and then I drove the girls home. Aunty Maude asked Quint to go up town and get some meat this morning so Quint by way of celebrating St. Valentine's day brought home a couple of hearts. Then as he was to be alone for tea to-night Aunty Maude &amp; Huby having been invited out and Winnie gone to Brantford Aunty Maude put a heart in the oven for him to keep warm but Quint came home and couldn't find it so didn't have any.</p> <p>Sunday February 15th</p> <p>It was very cold again this morning and a strong west wind which has kept up all day and night. No-body seems to relish this return of severe cold after the lovely winter weather we have been enjoying for the last couple of weeks. Frank &amp; I went down to Sunday school &amp; church but none of the rest came down. I had dinner and tea at Aunty's. I spent the after noon at the Monteiths. Quint was at Aunty's for tea and none of us went to church to-night, but I spent the evening with Marj. and then as the walking &amp; weather was so disagreeable I stayed all night at Aunty's.</p> <p>Monday February 16th</p> <p>I shovelled Aunty's snow this morning and as they insisted on getting up and getting my breakfast I didn't get home very early. It didn't matter though as we have not tried to do any thing outside but chores. Dad. went down before dinner and stayed till about five o'clock to-night and went with Aunty Alice up to Cousin Loll's and over to Col. Smith's with Aunty Alice this after noon. Frank and I just sat around this after noon but Frank shovelled out the lane this morning but it will drift full again to-night. It was very cold last night and froze every thing in the kitchen and pantry. It is a little milder to-night but a regular blizzard is raging. The roads are blocked and there have been no {mails?} in all day. Jim came out with a magazine that evidently came Saturday but as he soon went back I suppose he couldn't get through the side road.</p> <p>Tuesday February 17th</p> <p>Blizzard still on and worse than ever but not very cold. Dad. went down town this morning to see how they all were but came home to dinner. I sat around and read or slept most of the day but this morning went over to Pickford's to see if they knew what Tupper was going to do about his sale. They didn't know so I went on over to Tupper's to make sure because as I promised him I would act as clerk I wanted to be certain. The walking was a fright and I was sure he wouldn't try to have it and I was right, so I spent the rest of the day painting and listening to Dad read "Huckleberry Finn".</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Wednesday February 18th</p> <p>The storm abated during the night and to-day has been sunny, still and cold. Dad. went down to Aunty's right after breakfast this morning and Frank and I dug the lane out and about eleven o'clock Frank drove Enah &amp; Tid. down in the bobsleighs. They all stayed down to dinner. We just did chores Jim Bannister walked out with our mail this after noon, the first we have had this week. Tom. Butler &amp; Arthur Pickford were in for a few minutes with the team Tom bought in Toronto. About half past four Frank drove down town and brought the family home. Frank and I went down town to-night. The hockey team was to have gone to Simcoe to play the Vetrans to-night but as no radials are running yet the game is postponed till Friday night. The first victim of the Flu around here for this year was young Billy Butler, Charlie's brother, who died the other day. Another rather surprising piece of news for the community was the wedding of Charlie Innes and Nellie Barber. Aparently they got into a great hurry at the last and as Mr. Johnson is sick drove up to St. John's on Tuesday during all the storm to have Mr. Ward perform the ceremony. Later - I have heard that, that last statement is incorrect. Charlie &amp; Nellie had intended going to Mr. Ward to be married, he being an old freind of Nellie's but as it was so stormy they got Mr. Johnson out of bed to do the job. Miss Newell was telling Aunty about it and said they came up in {Name} Johnsons old covered bus and she thought it was the hearse coming.</p> <p>Thursday February 19th</p> <p>Dad. and Frank went down to the orchard to-day and to-night reported that they have just one more tree to cut. It was down to about 12° below zero this morning and has been cold but still &amp; sunny all day. I didn't do any thing outside but chores. I read most of the morning and worked at my show card work this after noon. Tid was very busy all morning digging a snow house in a big drift out by the barn and I took some pictures of him at noon. To-night I went down to the Sunday school and we had a meeting of the Tuxis boys which was fairly successful.</p> <p>Friday February 20th</p> <p>Dad. and Frank went down to the orchard this morning and cut their last tree down and got it trimmed up this after noon. Dad. had to go down to Alfred's right after dinner to look at one of his cows' mouths as she can't eat properly. I did chores, read and worked at my show card lessons a little. Frank left here about five o'clock and took Hazel Ward home and spent the evening down there. I went down town to-night. I got word that the band was going to Simcoe with the hockey team but I didn't go with them although I would have liked to see the game. I think judging from the racket coming from the direction of the station that about half the town went up. I heard the car come in on my way home and heard a little cheering so imagined that the Dover boys had been victorious again, but Frank</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>informed me when he got home that he had just met Colin Ryerse who had told him that the Vetrans had won 6-4. I was very much surprised on my way down town to meet George who had come in at five o'clock and had tea at Aunty's. We expected him to-morrow night. Dad. had a letter from Dick to-day which has created a little excitement in the family circle as he told Dad. that he had run across a William Barrett out there who he thinks is the son of Fa's brother who left home at the time of the North &amp; South war and was never heard of afterwards, and who has always supposed to have enlisted and been killed with out ever being married. This fellow told Dick that he had brothers by the names of Hugh, an old family name, and George Robert which was the name of the missing brother, also another named Charlie, one of these has recently died. Dick said this was a rather tough- ooking fellow owing to his need of a barber's service but that he had the large Barrett nose. If Dick has made no mistake it is quite a discovery, but it seems almost incredible that so large a branch of the family could have become so seperated for so many years, especially as there have been several attempts from this side to find traces of the lost brother and as Hugh &amp; Fred Barrett (Aunt Ella's sons) have lived out in that vicinity for so many years. Way below zero this morning but lovely day.</p> <p>Saturday February 21st</p> <p>We haven't done very much to-day except chores. Dad. and I to George (Broadly) out on the halter for awhile this morning and gave him a good dusting with louse killer. Frank George (Pelly) and Tid shot and dressed a couple of rabbits this morning. I practised a little at my show cards lessons. This after noon all but Dad. and me went in the bobsleighs down town and got Ada Dess and Winnie and took them for a sleigh drive down to the butter factory where Enah got some butter. I was busy doing the chores so didn't go but read and slept for awhile. To-night Frank and George went down to Aunty's for tea and from there they intended going up to Ada's to spend the evening. I read "Much Ado about Nothing." Froze hard last night. Sunny day. Cold wind to-night.</p> <p>Sunday February 22nd</p> <p>Frank, George, Tid and I all went down to Sunday school this morning and much to my disgust they rung me in for opening the thing as Mr. Johnson is away. Morton {Brown?} took the service in church. Marj. came over here to dinner but through some misunderstanding George &amp; Frank didn't come home but went with Ada to dinner and George brought Ada out here to tea to-night. Marj. and I went for a cutter ride this after noon and took Miss Martin. It was a beautiful after noon and we had a fine drive and nearly upset trying to pass Frank Ryerse on the side road back of Fleming's place. We lost one of Marj's new Christmas kid gloves but went back and found it where we met Frank Ryerse. I went to a meeting to-night that Frank Smith had to make plans for a big meeting Thursday. Went up to see Marj. for awhile afterwards.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Monday February 23rd</p> <p>Dad. and I got some hay over this morning to do to feed up to-night and Frank drove George down to catch the eleven o'clock car. We had an early dinner and I went over to Tupper's quite early but his sale didn't commence till long after the appointed time. There was quite a crowd but the bidding wasn't very keen but some of the stock sold very well. Jim Hodge was auctioneer and I was clerk. We got through with out being caught at making any mistakes and Tupper gave me two dollars for my services. Dad. &amp; Frank were both over but went home before I did. To-night I went down town and had a meeting with the Tuxis boys and we initiated Bill Barwell. I then went over to the Monteith's and found Marj. all dressed up ready to go to the Library dance so we went over there and had a wild time till 1.30. It snowed all morning and has been cloudy but mild all day.</p> <p>Tuesday February 24th</p> <p>Frank and I went to Simcoe this morning and got four cwt of corn chop at the Co-Operative Store. We took Joe &amp; Queen and didn't lose much time on the road. We also got our clover seed which has been at Edmond's since they cleaned it last fall. We saw Neff and Manning amd I took Neff up to the Air Line station to catch a train for Courtland. We got home about half past one and this after noon I took a sample of very nice white corn over to Jack Martin, Johnson just got it in and thought Jack would like to get some as he doesn't like to feed yellow corn to his exhibition stock, claiming it makes their plumage brassy. Jack thought it was fine looking corn. He asked me what I thought of the Forward Movement Campaign. The Bishop he said was highly delighted with Norfolk County as it was the first in the dioses to reach its objective. He said that the reports we heard were true concerning the Bishop offering Mr. Johnson two other churches and he wouldn't accept them. He is very annoyed at Mr. Johnson and Jack says the next one he refuses there is going to be trouble. I worked at show card lessons all evening. Fine, Cold.</p> <p>Wednesday February 25th</p> <p>We all three went down to Preston's orchard this morning and hauled three loads of wood. It was quite a job breaking a trail and digging out the piles of limbs as they were well covered with snow. This after noon Frank went down town to get his note to Massey Harris renewed or else to borrow some money to pay it and Dad. and I got over hay for to-night and did up the chores. To-night Dad. Enah &amp; Tid went down to the Pork &amp; Bean supper in the Methodist church and I went down to Aunty's for tea Marj. &amp; Win were there to tea and this evening Marj. &amp; Aunty bound a lot of old books. Frank stayed home alone. Fair day but very cold to-night.</p> <p>Thursday February 26th</p> <p>Dad. and Frank have been hauling wood all day although there was a biting north wind and Dad. froze his finger</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>I carried over hay for the cattle this morning and this after noon went down to the Boy's Work conference in the Sunday school. Mr. Manning &amp; a Mr. McLaren were down and we had a good turnout of boys. Mr. McLaren made things very interesting. We went over for supper at 6.15 to the Methodist Sunday school and after supper had some very rollicking songs and toasts. I had to respond to a toast on Boy's Work but Manning fixed me up a little speech which I got off fairly well. Marj. was there helping with the supper so I went home with her and stayed there for the rest of the evening. Dad. &amp; Enah went over to a party at Jack Martin's. Freezing very hard to-night.</p> <p>Friday February 27th</p> <p>It was still very cold this morning and we decided it was much too cold to haul wood as Dad. &amp; Frank nearly froze at the job yesterday. We sat around the house all morning and I did another show card lesson and also wrote down to Toronto to register as a C.S.E.I. Mentor. This after noon Frank and I got some hay over and went down to Aunty's for tea so that we could go to see the protested hockey match played off between Dover &amp; the Vets. I hadn't had any intention of going but when the time came I couldn't resist the temptation, although I was too hard up to afford it. It was a fine game in every way. The referee saw every thing that happened and was absolutely impartial and both sides played for all they were worth but Dover just played in hard luck and got badly beaten 10-3. They made any amount of the prettiest shots at the Simcoe goal but the puck just simply wouldn't go in. They started off by scoring two goals in the first period. Then Joe Thompson made three or four very slick rushes and shots in the second period but couldn't score and in the last period they got one goal but Simcoe got five. However it was a fine game and nobody's fault. The Simcoe fellows put up the best game I have seen them play yet. There was an awful crowd went up from Dover, two cars packed, and they made racket enough to wake the dead. Three or four Doc. McQueen, Al. Faulkner, Hontzburger &amp; Jim Brennen got very tight and when we arrived home went up the middle of Main St. Arm in arm advising the Doverites who had followed the team to Simcoe to "pack all their troubles in their old kit bag" and then challenging them with the question "Are we downhearted" whereat Dover would reply with one voice "NO!" I came with Karl Coleman who was very amused at the condition of Huntzberger and Harbach who have to take the L.E.&amp; N. car out in the morning The former was just in good shape to put in a glorious night of it, but Harbach got so tight this after noon in anticipation of the game that Garnet his brother-in-law had to put him to bed and he couldn't go up. Karl didn't see Garnet on the car which caused him some concern as Garnet had some work to do in the morning Karl said he saw Garnet and two others lined up in the station but some body nudged one of them and they all stalked out, which is a sign these days that there is a battle some place accessible. Lloyd Wooley and old Broadley were in this after noon collecting</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>fees for old Jason and Broadley informed us that he has gone on a big 200 acre farm at Wycome and won't be down through here with Jason any more. The Tupper family were all here to tea and to spend the evening but I didn't see them.</p> <p>Saturday February 28th</p> <p>It snowed all day to-day but has been much milder till to-night when the wind started to get around to the north west again and it is freezing pretty hard. We didn't do any thing much but chores and sit around the house. I worked at my show card lessons &amp; read.</p> <p>Sunday February 29th</p> <p>Frank and I went down to Sunday school and Church this morning but none of the rest came down. I stayed in town all day. Quint and I had dinner at Aunty's and I spent the after noon up at the Monteiths. Marj. and I went for a walk this after noon and called on the Patterson's. We then went down to Aunty's for tea and spent the evening there. Aunty &amp; Aunty Alice went to church to-night and we stayed with Aunt Ida. Dad. &amp; Enah drove up to see how Miss McCoy was this afternoon as she has had shingles badly Frank went out to Sidway's. Cold all day but sunny</p> <p>Monday February March 1st</p> <p>I had an argument with Quint yesterday about warm water freezing quicker than cold. I claimed that it wouldn't so this morning I tried it out. I took two pans the same size and put a pint of water in each, the temperature of the one was about 120° and the other about 30°. I put them both out in the woodshed and the cold water froze long before the other It had a good skimming of ice on it when the other was about 48 We haven't done anything much to-day. It has been a nice day and we would have hauled wood but Tom Butler wanted to borrow the sleighs to get some hay. Frank went over with him and helped put Pickford's rack on our sleighs. This after noon I walked down town and got my hair cut. I went around by the mill and put up a notice Neff sent of a Farmer's Institute meeting on Thursday. It has been a very nice day, not too cold.</p> <p>Tuesday March 2nd</p> <p>My throat has been very sore all day and I haven't done much outside. Frank went down to the sawmill this morning and got a load of sawdust to use for bedding in the horse stable. He also took a grist to the mill. He and Dad. hauled up a load of wood this after noon and Frank got his stuff at the mill. Dad. went down to Cousin Clare's to tea to-night and spent the evening. Enah and Tid drove Mexico down in the after noon and put him in John Shand's barn and they were at Cousin Clare's too. Frank and I kept house by ourselves. Edmond England left his horse in here while he went to help Dick Waddle drive a cow up from Pickford's which he bought at {Kinsula's?} sale to-day.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Wednesday March 3rd</p> <p>My throat has been pretty sore all day and I haven't done much except a few chores and work at my show-cards. Dad. &amp; Frank hauled wood all day and now have it all up but one load. To-night Frank and I went down to church and I went home with Marj afterwards I didn't intend to stay but she wanted me to help her fill out her report cards and then she made me let her swab my throat with some dope. Mild all day but freezing to-night.</p> <p>Thursday March 4th</p> <p>Dad. and Frank hauled up their last load of wood this morning there will be a little more from the dead limbs that have yet to be cut out. When that was unloaded we put a load of manure on the sleighs from the box stalls in the horse stable and after dinner Dad. &amp; Frank took it down to Aunty's. Aunty Alice walked over here before dinner. She went over to Mrs. Battersby's from here. She knew I was going down to the boys' meeting to-night so asked me down to tea but I read for quite awhile after dinner so didn't get the chores done in time. Frank and I went down to-night and Frank went to a Agricultural meeting of Neff's in the hall. I went to the boys' meeting and then down to Auntys. Marj. was there and had been there to tea. Mr. &amp; Mrs. Will Holden &amp; Miss Buckwell were there playing bridge. I went up with Marj. and then as it was raining stayed at Auntys all night. Frank came home. Very soft &amp; slushy. Raining to-night.</p> <p>Friday March 5th</p> <p>I woke up about half past three this morning and saw through Aunty's back hall window an awful fire so I got into my clothes as quickly as possible to go up to see it. I called Aunty &amp; Aunty Alice and Aunty Alice thought at once that it was the Post Office block &amp; found out that she was right. When I got up town the whole building was gone &amp; just the flaming brick walls standing. They told me that not a thing was saved. I didn't stay up town long but went back to Aunty's and we had breakfast. Then Aunty Alice wanted to go up and see how Cousin Loll was so I walked up with her. We thought they would have taken her to Cousin Clare's but her house was dark so we went into the Freeman's which was lit up and found Cousin Loll &amp; Willie &amp; Dick &amp; Mollie all in there. Cousin Loll was wrapped up in a quilt and said she had lost all her clothes but one stocking. Dick said the smoke was so bad he couldn't save a thing except a few clothes which he grabbed out of the bureau drawer and the hall rack. He tried to get the safe open to save what was in it but couldn't see to do it in the dark and there was no one to help him move it. The fire started in the back of Patterson's shed nobody knows how and young Johnnie Innes who is the night telephone operator gave the alarm but it was too far on when any one got there to stop it. I came home about six o'clock and found Dad. &amp; Frank up. Dad. was terribly shocked at the news of the fire and went down town as soon as he got the chores done</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Frank also went down after dinner to hear a trial between Lloyd Crysler and Earl Long over some hay deal. Lloyd was the defendant and won the case. I did up the chores after dinner but felt pretty tough and when I got through I was afraid I was going to have an ear-ache so I curled up on the sofa for the rest of the day and Enah kept hot salt bags on my ear which staved off the pain pretty well and I went to bed soon after tea. Dad. came home early and he and Frank did all the chores. Dad. says they have opened the Post Office down in Harold Sloan's old ice cream parlor and Patterson is opening an store and telephone &amp; telegraph office up in Coleman's little shack where Huby used to be. It was raining when I went up to the fire this morning but about five o'clock the wind switched around to the north-west and it got very cold and still is.</p> <p>Saturday March 6th</p> <p>I stayed in bed till noon to-day and have not been outside all day but to-night I feel better. It has been bitterly cold all day and windy. Dad. and Frank have down all the chores and Frank took Joe down town this after noon and had her shod. He also took down the bag of good clover seed to Harry Misener and he gave him $67.00 for it but didn't weigh it up then. Dad. went to the doctor yesterday to ask him about his arm as it has been paining him a lot lately. The doctor didn't know what it was but gave him some pills to take.</p> <p>Sunday March 7th</p> <p>Frank went down to Sunday school and church this morning but I have not been out of the house all day although I feel better. Aunty came over with Frank to dinner and was here all the after noon. Dad. went back with her to tea and I think he went up to see Cousin Loll to-night. Lloyd Ryerse came up just after dinner and he &amp; Frank went over and spent the after noon at the England's. Still very cold.</p> <p>Monday March 8th</p> <p>I have been in the house all day again to-day but would have gone out if the weather had been decent but it has been very windy and blustery although not very cold. Dad. and Frank just did chores. I still have quite a cold in my head but my throat is much better. I spent the day reading "Troilus &amp; Cressida" which I didn't care much for. It's representation of the Trojan war and the Grecian heroes was rather tame after the "Illiad". I went out this after noon to gather the eggs and found the two white roosters had got together and had a battle royal and were both about all in. The one that was with the pullets has died and the other one will come around I think. He is the one I was most particular about as his mother is 74 last year's best layer. He is the only rooster I have now as Dad. killed my Rock one the other day, he was sick.</p> <p>Tuesday March 9th</p> <p>This has been a beautiful Springlike day and sunny</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>A great deal of snow has gone off and water is standing around everywhere. It grew very cloudy and looked like rain towards evening but the rain didn't come. I have been out a lot to-day and feel fine but as it is so wet there is nothing much but chores to do, they will begin to increase from now on however as when Frank went out this morning he found that two ewes had lambed one of Dad's ewes had two lambs and No 55 had one. It was a mild night and they are all right. The lambs are we suppose sired by the yearling that got in with the ewes two or three times last fall as old Archie was not put in till after the 1st of November. George Ryersie was in to-night to say the boys were having a meeting to-night but I didn't go down. Frank went down town with him.</p> <p>Wednesday March 10th</p> <p>It didn't freeze last night and has been very soft all day. We just did chores this morning and I painted a little. I got my lesson back to-day which I supposed was burned up with the Post Office. I had another one all ready to post. Tom. Butler was in and borrowed the sleighs to haul some oats. This after noon Frank went out to Lige Farr's sale. Farr was selling a lot of sheep and some stuff he didn't want. Frank said things went pretty well as they were not in very good shape. Dad. has felt very miserable all the after noon he thinks due to the pills Dr. Cook gave him. Enah has not been well either. Miss Phipps was over for awhile this after-noon. To-night Frank and I went down to church and I spent the evening with Marj. It was freezing slightly when I came home.</p> <p>Thursday March 11th</p> <p>There was another big ewe lamb belonging to No 15 when Frank went out this morning, they are all doing well. We did chores and I painted a little this morning. I also cleaned off the dropping boards in the hen houses as the frost was all out and they hadn't been cleaned all winter. I went down town this after noon and took 9 doz. eggs down, sold 4 doz to Aunty Alice and 5 doz to {Name?}. I stayed at Aunty's for tea and to-night went up to the Tuxis boy's social evening in the Sunday school and the Methodist boys were there and a lot of girls There must have been abut {40?}. They had quite an hilarious time and seemed to enjoy themselves. Marj. &amp; Mrs. Cook were there and they engineered the eating part of the affair.</p> <p>Friday March 12th</p> <p>It rained during the night and every thing was flooded to-day but by opening up a few ditches a great deal was run off. Frank fixed up a pen for the ewes with lambs over in the barn. He cut through the hay on the east side of the floor and threw half of it up on the other half and made a nice light pen for the lambs we moved them in and they got very playful. Mrs. Tupper came after Frank this morning to get him to go out to</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Villa Nova with Tupper to help him move his cattle. Tom Butler and his partner were in this after noon with the sleighs and said Tupper and Frank didn't get started till two o'clock so it would be late when they got out there. Frank didn't come back to-night. They say the water down along Shand's flat was up to a horse's belly on the road so they will have had a nice trip. Dad. and I cleaned out Moonshine's box-stall. I went down town to-night. Manning came down and we had a meeting with some of the boys from both squares to arrange about athletic activities for the summer. I spent the rest of the evening with Marj. and went over to call for Aunty Alice at Col. Smith's at eleven o'clock.</p> <p>Saturday March 13th</p> <p>It has been very windy and cold all day to-day and Dad. and I haven't done any thing but chores and sit around the house. Enah felt very miserable this after noon and had an earache. About six o'clock she and Tid got quite a scare as the chimbney or at least the soot in the stove pipe in the kitchen caught fire and filled the room with smoke. They called Dad. &amp; me in from the barns but we couldn't find any trace of fire up in the garret or near the chimney so nothing serious happened. I didn't go down town to-night as it was a rotten cold night. Enah had hoped to take some things down to Cousin Loll's shower which they had for her but she couldn't go. Frank got home about eleven. He came down from Waterford on the car. He had a bad trip.</p> <p>Sunday March 14th</p> <p>Frank and I went down to Sunday school and church this morning and Aunty Alice came over here with Frank to dinner but I stayed down at Aunty's for both dinner and tea. Quint came down at noon and he and I went down to the creek for a little while after dinner to look at muskrat holes and then we went up town. He to Joe Thompson's and I spent the after noon with Marj. who was suffering from toothache. I went around before tea to ask after poor old Tom Abbott. Huby found him yesterday on the doorstep of the cobbler shop and he couldn't move or speak and is still only semiconscious. Huby &amp; someone else got him up to Alex Simpson's They say there will not be much change till a day or two. Aunty and I went to church to-night. Mr. Base preached. Cold wind but feels like spring.</p> <p>Monday March 15th</p> <p>Frank and I went down to Preston's this morning and cut the dead wood out of about six or seven trees as it was part of our contract to cut the dead wood out of the tree next to the one we cut down. Dad. Enah &amp; Tid went down town this morning and were down to dinner and all the after noon, and went to see Cousin Loll. Frank and I just did chores this after noon. Very mild and showery to-night.</p> <p>Tuesday March 16th</p> <p>Dad. noticed yesterday that Cnocfierna was not eating</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>properly, so he and I tried to examine her mouth. We couldn't see much but he poked around with his float and knocked the cap off one of her teeth. He said he had never heard of a cow having capped teeth like colts but didn't see why they shouldn't have. To-night he found another one so we think that from now on she will be able to eat properly. Alan Law came in while we were out there and took Dad. down to look at a caulked hock on a new horse he bought last fall and which caulked itself running through a snow bank. Dad. was down there till noon. He has not felt very well this after noon. After I did up the after dinner chores I took a walk back to the woods and across Ivey's gully into Preston's woods. The snow is about all off the level now and just in the cuts and on the north side of hills are there banks left of honey combed dirty snow. I saw Old Walker and Benny &amp; Charlie &amp; Guy Tuple working up the big trees in Preston's which the big wind storm took down. Sunny &amp; spring like but cold wind.</p> <p>Wednesday March 17th</p> <p>I haven't done much to-day but chores. Frank has been fixing up some old doubletree getting them ready for seeding. Dad. went over to Quanbury's this morning to see Charlie's cow which got into the chop the other day and has been bloated up ever since. He found Karl Coleman there skinning her. Poor Charlie does have tough luck. Dad. hasn't felt at all well all day to-day and his arm is paining him to-night again. Enah is feeling miserable too Frank and I did up the chores early to-night and Frank went down to Aunty's for tea. I went down right after tea and went with Aunty Alice to church to-night. After church Marj. and I went over to the entertainment put on by J.W. Bengough for the local post of the Grand Army of Canada. He was certainly amusing both as a cartoonist and talker. He drew a picture of old Fred over at the Dominion Hotel which was a very good likeness of him and which tickled the boys in the gallery immensley, he also made a {illegible} Irish {mug?} out of a potato and and English one out of a plum pudding and also a Scotch one out of a thistle. There was a dance after the show but we didn't stay.</p> <p>Thursday March 18th</p> <p>Dad. went over to see John Wess this morning and didn't get back till about two o'clock and hadn't had any dinner. Joh is over there all alone now as Cam. &amp; his wife have gone back home to settle up their affairs before coming back here to look after John. Frank went down to the butter factory this morning to get some butter as no one has called since poor old Tom had the stroke. Cliff Loan told Frank they had no one yet to take Tom's place. This after noon Sam Law was in for quite awhile, he brought some puss he got out of his horse's back to show it to Dad. and ask him if it was joint water. Frank said</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Alan was going to Simcoe this after noon to hear Roy Haven tried for stealing oats from the Norfolk Milling Co. Frank &amp; Tid spent most of the after noon clearing up the rubbish on the lawn under the old willow tree. I didn't do much but chores all day and painted a little. I went down to the Tuxis boys meeting to-night and was there till about 10.45 practising charting on {Hermon?} Cook and then only got him about half charted. I went from there down to Aunty's and stayed till about mid-night telling them about the Bengough concert. It has been sunny but rather raw to day.</p> <p>Friday March 19th</p> <p>Frank and I started to clean out the box stall where the steers have been all winter. We intended to haul it out to the field but it started to rain and by noon was raining quite hard so we just threw it in a pile outside the door. It turned colder about noon and to-night the ground is covered with snow again. I did chores and we cleaned out a little more this after noon but didn't finish. Frank notified all the J.F.I.A. members of the annual meeting. Dad hasn't done much all day and I think the rest his arm is getting is doing it good. I went down to band practise to-night. There were about 18 out including some new ones. Jim. Ryerse. Karl Lemmons and Joey Smith. We had a good practise and stayed there till half past ten. It is freezing quite hard to night.</p> <p>Saturday March 20th</p> <p>Frank and I finished clearing out the stall where the steers were this morning and hauled it out to the potato ground on the sleighs. There was just enough snow to make the first load slip but it was about gone when we took the last one out. Aunty was over here to dinner and she Enah and Tid. drove down town with Mexico this after-noon. Alan Law was up this morning to see Dad. again about his horse, so Dad. drove down this after noon. Frank and I just did chores. I painted to-night. Fine day, sunny</p> <p>Sunday March 21st</p> <p>Frank Tid. and I went down to Sunday school and Enah came down to church. Enah Tid. and I stayed at Aunty's for dinner and this after noon Enah went to choir practise and to after noon tea at the Barwell's. Marj. &amp; I went for a walk this after noon and saw a robin &amp; some red-winged black-birds. I have heard that robins have been around for some time but to-day was the first I saw one. Marj. and I went to Aunty's for tea and this evening entertained (?) Aunt Ida by singing hymns while Aunty and Aunty Alice went to church. Tid. stayed at Aunty's for tea but drove home with Enah right after. Mexico was in John Shand's barn. It has been fine and Springlike but with a raw west wind. Frank went over to see Tom. Butler and his pal this after noon</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Monday March 22nd</p> <p>Frank has been down at Preston's all day trimming up the dead limbs. He also went over to Henry Miseners to see when they wanted to cut wood but Henry wasn't home. Dad. and I moved the bulls into the place where the steers were, where we can keep them clean. We took down the calf stancions and cleaned out the calves boxstall. To-night Frank and I went down to the annual meeting of the J.F.I.A. and there were just enough boys to form a quorum. Clarence Finch suggested that we dissolve the thing and use what money we had about $25.00 to buy some good agricultural book to put in the Library. Every one agreed to the proposal except Charlie Blake who didn't want to dissolve, however the motion carried. We were all surprised to-day by Frank and me receiving forty dollars apiece from Grand daddy from the sale of some property out there. It came just in time for me to get a new suit. The Northern Lights were wonderful to-night. Beautiful day.</p> <p>Tuesday March 23rd</p> <p>Frank gathered up all the saws he could find this morning and took them down to Dave Waddle's to sharpen them. Dave saw him the other night and invited him down so he was there to dinner. I went over to Preston's and took the dead wood out of the two trees that were left. This afternoon I drove out to Shand's and bargained for a couple of loads of hay, which we are to get as soon as we can manage it. I went from there down to the cheese factory and got some butter as no one is hauling yet in Tom's place The roads are very heavy although not deep and in some places quite dry, it was after six when I got home. I brought Cliff Lown up from the factory with me. I went down town to-night and spent the evening with Marj. Fine day.</p> <p>Wednesday March 24th</p> <p>I went down town first thing this morning and went to Tip's and tried on some ready-made suits. I picked on one $42.00 Navy Blue that suited me pretty well, but I told Harry I wouldn't decide till I went to Simcoe. I went up on the eleven o'clock car and went to see Neff about the books the J.F.I.A. want to donate to the Library. I then went over to Inscombe &amp; Vance and they showed me a piece of Navy Blue Irish serge they call it which the fellow said they had cut a great many suits of and he said he would guarantee it to be fast dye and all wool so I ordered a suit of it at $55.00. It seemed pretty steep but I thought the guarantee was worth something. I came home on the express car and went up to tell Col. Smith who is Chairman of the Library Board about the books and so it was about five o'clock when I got home I found Frank was away as Edmond England had sent for him to help cut wood just after I left. To-night he &amp;</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>I went down town he went to church and I went to band practice. Aunty Alice went to Hamilton this morning to have her glasses changed and as Aunt Ida has been quite sick all day with a pain in her side I stayed down all night to-night. Another beautiful day, mild</p> <p>Thursday March 25th</p> <p>Frank and I went over to Henry Misener's this morning to help cut wood and were there till about four o'clock. We didn't get started very early as the cylinder of Edmond's gasoline engine was leaking and they had to take the head off and repack it, but we cut up a pile of wood when we did start. We had lots of help as besides ourselves and Henry &amp; Edmond, there was Charlie McQueen, Guy Tuple, Dick Waddle &amp; Tom Stone. They moved over and got set up at our place and we cut a little but Edmond &amp; Henry wanted to get home so we quit early. I went down to the Tuxis boys meeting to-night and stopped in on my way down to ask Jack Martin to send over a man to help us in the morning. Frank went over to {Tom Butler's?} and one of them promised to come over and help. Quite hot to-day</p> <p>Friday March 26th</p> <p>It was colder and windy this morning and looked like rain but it didn't come and we got started before nine at our wood and finished the pile just at noon. Tom Butler and a man came over from Jack's which besides Henry &amp; Edmond was all the help we had. After dinner we loaded up &amp; moved over to Arthur Prestons. Frank and I went down there &amp; helped but it didn't take much more than half an hour to saw Arthur's little pile up. Frank and I stayed down there for awhile talking to Arthur and then came home and did chores and I went down town to-night and about eleven went over to Col. Smith's and called for Aunty Alice. Trying hard to rain.</p> <p>Saturday March 27th</p> <p>We haven't done much all day but chores. Frank found two more lambs when he went out this morning one of them isn't much bigger than a red squirrel and is very weak but Dad. has it in the house feeding it from a spoon. Another ewe lambed a little later. This after noon Dad. went down to ask after old Tom, and said he was very low, and to-night when I went down I heard he was dead. Poor old Tom. we certainly are going to miss his visits and his wit, but maybe for him it would have been much harder to live and see the old lady suffer the way she is or to live with out her as she can't last much longer. I went down to Col. Smiths for tea to-night, Mrs Smith had her boys there and invited Marj. &amp; me. Mr. &amp; Mrs. Johnston were also there and we had a great time. I started for home quite early but stopped in at Frank Smiths and talked to him till near 12 o'clock Roy, Vernon &amp; the children all came up to-day to stay till after Easter.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Sunday March 28th</p> <p>Frank Tid. and I went down to Sunday school and church this morning and Tid. and I stayed down to dinner. Enah has a bad cold and sore throat so didn't go down to church but went down this after noon to choir practice. Marj. &amp; I went for a walk up the beach this after noon. The lake is lower than I ever saw it, the beach being from 40 to 70 ft wide in places. We also went around to Miss McQueen's for awhile and she gave us tea and cookies. Miss Martin was there, this being her birthday. Aunty Alice, Vernon and I went to church to-night and I spent the evening with Marj. Mr. Johnston announced a meeting to-morrow night to consider the question of whether to take the steeple down or not as since the sheeting blew off it last fall some of them have got it into their heads that it is unsafe. Col. Smith &amp; Jack Martin seem to think that it will have to come down and as the idea of that church without the steeple seemed like a crime to me I climbed up this after noon and as far as I could see only the sills around the posts and the sheeting are a little rotten but perfectly solid and as far as I can see it would cost much less to repair it than to take it down. To remove that steeple would not only destroy the beauty of the church which really is pretty but it would take away the most outstanding and picturesque feature of the town. Roy &amp; Jack Walker looked at it too and came to the same conclusion as I did.</p> <p>Monday March 29th</p> <p>Dad. had to be a bearer at Mrs. Chapman's funeral to-day and as they brought her here he had to go down to meet the morning train at eleven. Frank drove him down and he stayed down to dinner. I didn't do much but a few chores and painted this after noon. Frank has been pretty busy with the sheep as several more ewes lambed to-day. To-night he went down to Aunty's for tea as they had invited him &amp; Jennie Ward down there. Marj. came over here for tea. Fine day colder to-night.</p> <p>Tuesday March 30th</p> <p>We spent the morning doing up the chores. The lambs are coming thick and fast now and require considerable attention. This after noon Dad. and I went to old Tom's funeral. We took Tid. down and left him at Aunty's to visit with Rebecca while we drove up to the cemetry. Dad. went to the service at the house but I stayed out and held Joe. and talked to Alan Law. Alan misses Tom about as much as anyone but like old Tom himself he takes good care not to betray his feelings by his line of talk. To-night Frank and I went down town and I went around with Marj. but soon after we went in she was seized with a terrible toothache or neuralgia so I didn't stay long. Thank's to Roy's energy the result of last night's meeting was that Huby, Cousin Willie and Barwell were appointed as a committee to have Bill Rankin, Percy Ryerse &amp; Jack Spain to look at the old steeple this morning which they did and</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>came to the conclusion that it will not be necessary to tear it down. These three were all very anxious to have it left but Roy feels certain that if he had not urged them to go and had not examined the steeple himself that the outcome would have been that Jack Martin and a few others who don't care much would have just had it torn down to be done with it. Very mild, rained a little.</p> <p>Wednesday March 31st</p> <p>Frank and I have been down at Preston's all day burning brush and got the brush from 8 or 9 trees burned just by starting a fire over the stump and carrying to it. In this way we could burn the brush from several trees at once. Roy, Vernon, Aunty and the two children were over here to dinner. Aunty &amp; Roy walked back early and wheeled Walter in a go-cart they had borrowed and Enah drove Vernon and Rebecca down about five o'clock. Frank had to go over to Jack Martin's to night to get instructions in doing the chores Billy Mills is sick with flu and Hanselman is leaving to day and going up to Jack Paine's place so they stuck for help and Frank is going over to help old Bill George out. Frank and I went down town to-night and I went to band practice.</p> <p>Thursday April 1st</p> <p>Frank was over at Jack's all morning. Dad. and I went down to Preston's this morning and burned some more brush. This after noon Frank and I went up to Ham Thompsons and got a small load of hay, as we are not going to have enough of our own to get us through. Frank got off on our way home to do up the chores at Jack's. I went down to the Tuxis boys meeting to-night. I expected Manning to be there but he had been down earlier and sent Neff down. Neff gave the boys a little talk. When it was over I went around to see Marj. her toothache was better. She intends leaving for home to-morrow for the holidays. It has been a beautiful day to-day. Bobbie calved to-day a red &amp; white bull. Moonshine's first.</p> <p>Friday April 2nd Good Friday</p> <p>Dad. &amp; I didn't go down to the orchard this morning as we had several jobs around here to do. We moved Bobbie and ear-marked a couple of the lambs. The old big bagged ewe had two lambs to-day but evidently has very little milk for them so Dad. brought one of them in the house and has been feeding from a bottle. Enah went down to church this morning and I painted a little. It rained quite hard about noon but soon cleared off and Dad. and I went down to the orchard and burned some more brush. It went all right once we got it started. Frank and Tid. went down to Alfreds and borrowed his fish spear and went back to spear pike but had no luck, although we have heard wonderful stories of the fish being caught in our gully this spring. Very mild all day but it has turned colder and windy to-night.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Saturday April 3rd</p> <p>Dad. and I went down to the orchard this morning to burn brush but it was so windy Dad. and Arthur decided it would be dangerous to start a fire, so we came home and I walked down to the creamery to get some butter as we were right out. I went down to Ryerse's and then walked up along the creek to the second bridge. I saw several of the fellows back there working on the land either on the side hills or on the flats which dry out quickly on account of the gravel bottom. Roy Hammond was at the factory and he gave me a ride as far as his place on my way home. I came through Tom Butler's place and stopped to talk to them for awhile so it was after one o'clock when I got home. We didn't do any thing much this after noon as it was very cold and windy. Freezing to-night.</p> <p>Sunday April 4th Easter.</p> <p>(Martha's calf (bull) came to-day) I went down to Sunday school this morning and the rest went down to church except Frank who had to help old Bill George do chores over at Jack Martin's. Vernon came over here to dinner with Enah and Roy and I walked over after having dinner at Aunty Alice's. We didn't do any thing extraordinary for the rest of the day. Roy and Vernon left early in the after noon to go to Huby's for tea. Frank went down to the Ryerse's this after noon Lloyd &amp; George have been sick and are not much better yet. Miserable cold raw day</p> <p>Monday April 5th</p> <p>Dad. &amp; Tid went down first thing this morning to see Roy, Vernon &amp; Aunty off as they thought they were going at nine o'clock, they didn't get away till eleven though Aunty went back with them to spend a week. It has been a miserable day with ice over every thing from last night's ice storm. To-night I went down to the Vestry meeting as I promised Mr. Johnston I would. He asked me to act as secretary for the meeting so I had to go over to the Rectory afterwards to copy in the minutes. I had intended getting my hair cut but Mrs. Johnston invited me to crackers, cheese &amp; wine, and Mr. Johnston gave me a cigar so I sat there till too late to go to the barbers. They have had quite a day of it down there as Percy Dunkin &amp; Miss Baugley were married to-day and they entertained the party at the Rectory. It was wine that Percy brought down that we were making merry with to-night. I stayed all night at Aunty Alice's as Aunty is away although Aunty Alice said she intended to stay alone, however she had the bed ready for me if I intended to stay. Cold.</p> <p>Tuesday April 6th</p> <p>Dad. and I did chores this morning and this after noon Frank and I went up to Ham Thompson's and got the rest of the hay that he said we could have</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Frank stopped off at Jack's to do chores and Dad. and I put part of the load off in the horse stable, just as we were getting through the chores which was rather late George &amp; Marion came in. They had come on the five o'clock car and had had tea with Aunty Alice. We were expecting them some time to-night as George sent a telegram. Miserable weather, snowing to-night.</p> <p>Wednesday April 7th</p> <p>We haven't done much but chores to-day and I have been working on the last lesson of my show card course. It is quite a long one and I want to finish it up this week if possible. Enah drove George &amp; Marion down town with Mexico this afternoon and they got a suitcase which they had left down town. I went down to band practise to-night. I went around to Harry Dyer's first and got my hair cut. We hadn't a big crowd out as it was a rotten night freezing hard and {Grint?}, Mid. and Erney West are up the lake fishing. Bill Lemmons was in a exceptionally good humor though They say he is going to be married soon to Lou. Dixon but she hasn't got him yet. Cold and extremely rotten.</p> <p>Thursday April 8th</p> <p>Dad. George and I went down to Preston's this morning and burned some more brush. Henry was there burning his to-day. This after noon Dad. &amp; I went down alone and finished burning ours. I went down to the Tuxis boy's meeting to-night we didn't have a regular meeting but the boys were making plans for their father &amp; son banquet next Tuesday, we had a very short session and I got home early. It has been a nasty day. Sunny by "spells" and a snow storm every half hour.</p> <p>Friday April 9th</p> <p>Dad. George. Tid and I went down to the orchard this morning and helped Henry burn the rest of his brush. We got it all slicked up in fine shape before noon and Arthur complimented us on the thoroughness with which we did the job. George and I went over to see the old McQueen cemetry. I worked at my show card lessons this after noon. George went down town while Marion was asleep after dinner and invited Ada to go to the dance with him to-night. Marion went down town after him as soon as she woke up and brought him back for tea. After tea George left early to get Ada. and Frank, Enah and Marion went down later to a concert and dance put on by the Rebecca Lodge from Delhi. They said the dance was good but the concert was rotten. Dad. Tid and I stayed home and I worked at my show card lesson. A little milder but raw.</p> <p>Saturday April 10th</p> <p>Frank and I went out to the Shands this morning to</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>get a load of hay which they promised us. We had to go over to Willie's place to get it and as we were going under their telephone wire which crossed the lane the back ladder of the rack caught it and broke off clean both legs. Frank and Charlie fixed it up but it took quite awhile and it was nearly noon by the time we left with our load, we took it down to Kolbe's to weigh it and as it was after twelve when we arrived there, the office was locked up and we had to wait for our weight till one o'clock, when Kolbe came along. I went over to Huby's for awhile as he stays at the office till one o'clock on Saturdays. It was pretty late when we got home with our load and didn't do much but chores after dinner after we had put off the load most of it in the horse stable. Dad. went over to Jack's in Frank's place this morning. Frank will be through over there to-morrow as Billy is feeling well enough to get out. I went down to the station to-night and met Marj. she came back on the Grand Trunk. Milder to-day.</p> <p>Sunday April 11th</p> <p>I went down to Sunday school this morning and Enah went down to church but none of the rest went down. I stayed at Aunty's for dinner and spent the after noon with Marj. part of it delivering maple sugar, she brought back a load of it from home and had to divide it up and give it away. We both came over here for tea and I helped Dad. milk, all the family except Dad. and Frank were out for a joy-ride in Joe Thompson's car, Quint came over here to dinner with Enah and Joe came over after dinner to get him so took them all for a drive up around by Simcoe. We all spent the evening here and Enah and Marion played duets. Tid went to bed early and was very quiet and seems to realize that to-night sees the close of the first epoch of his career, his childhood days are over, and to-morrow he will be a school-boy.</p> <p>Monday April 12th</p> <p>Dad. and Enah took Tid. down to school this morning and left him quite happy with Miss McQueen, who he fell in love with at first sight. Frank and I spent most of the morning clipping Mexico. It rained most of the after noon. Jim. Bannister came in right after dinner with the lower half of the circle of his buggy broken and had to borrow ours to go around the mail route. We didn't do any thing much this after noon but chores. Dad. drove after Tid. at four o'clock with Mexico and the cart. We were all home to-night. George &amp; Marion intend to leave to-morrow and George is going West right away.</p> <p>Tuesday April 13th</p> <p>Dad. drove Tid down to school first thing this morning and as soon as he got back I drove George down</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>as he wanted to go and say good bye to the Harding's and Ada. Enah drove Marion down a little later with Mexico and they got off on the eleven car. I went down to Frank Smith's to ask him how the Father &amp; Son banquet was progressing and he said all arrangements had been completed. This after noon Frank and I put the ear labels in the rest of the lambs. We both went down soon after six to the Father &amp; Son banquet in the Methodist church and had a rattling good supper and as I had to leave at 8.20 to meet Aunty I got out of listening to most of the speeches. Bill Barwell &amp; Joe Smith proposed toasts and were answered by Mr. Brand and a Mr. Neil who came with Manning, then a Mr. Dollar who I think is liable to succeed Mr. Brand in the Methodist pulpit this year. They were all pretty poor, but but Frank said that Taylor Statten who spoke for about an hour after I left was very good. The train got in about nine o'clock and I went up to the house with Aunty and then went up and spent the rest of the evening with Marj. Sunny and a little milder to-day.</p> <p>Wednesday April 14th</p> <p>Frank and I went to Simcoe this morning to get some feed at Johnson's. We borrowed Art. Quanbury's waggon as ours had the rack on it and as we went over there after it, we didn't get started till about ten o'clock. It was nearly noon when we got there so Frank took his wheel around to Ford's to be fixed and we took some bags up to Johnson's and then put the team in at Burt's and went and had dinner at Shaw's. It was four o'clock before we left Simcoe. I got my new suit and went to Slaght who didn't know any more about the Dickey Stevens place than he did last fall We couldn't get any bran or shorts anywhere up there but got our seed potatoes and some seed corn. It was nearly six when we got home. Dad. said Roy Hammond had been in to invite us all down to a U.F.O. social meeting to-night and hear a debate on the subject of an 8 hour day on the farm. I went down to band practise to-night and went to the U.F.O. meeting after it. The debate was just about over but we heard the a quartette composed of Frank Lemons, Fram. Walker, Mrs. Welch &amp; Mrs. Roy Hammond sing and a violin duet. Then some old Frank Ryerson from Teeterville or some place made a long rambling agitating speech in which he made several comparisons between the poor down trodden farmer and the wealthy autocratic city-man all of which was bunk. He is a witty and comical old coon but a {rube?} in manners, looks and speech, but evidently a high man in U.F.O. circles. After this we had refreshments, which were good, and plentiful.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Thursday April 15th</p> <p>Dad went out to the corner field and tried to plow this morning but it was too wet and he had to come up. Frank and I cut the tails off 14 more lambs and then Frank drove Tid. down to school. I braided up the corn we got in Simcoe yesterday and hund it up in the drive house. It started to rain before noon and rained all the afternoon and night. Dad. went over to John Wesses this after noon and was there till after five. We did chores and puttered around. I went down town to-night to see if the Tuxis boys were going to meet but they didn't. I had on Frank's rubber boots so thought I would go home but I took a walk up to the Monteith's and saw Marj. near the door so knocked and she let me in. She got me old Monteith's slippers which nearly pinched my feet off and caused the old man considerable concern when he went to look for them later. Frank went down to a minstrel show composed of Simcoe Methodists in the town hall.</p> <p>Friday April 16th</p> <p>We started to fix up the lane a little this morning Dad. &amp; Frank plowed three furrows on each side of it and I threw the sods out in the middle. A little before noon Tom. Butler came over after Dad. to go and see a ewe that was lambing so Dad. went over and didn't get back till after three and didn't have any dinner Frank worked a little more at the lane this after noon and fixed up a lamb creep. I spent most of the after noon doing chores. Wore my new suit down town to-night and they all said it looked fine. Nice day</p> <p>Saturday April 17th</p> <p>Dad. and I have spent most of the day piling wood and didn't quite finish but made things look quite a bit better than they did. Frank went down town this morning and up to Miss McCoy's where he found we could get two tons of hay for $25.00 a ton. He went out to Evans and got the wheel of the old waggon which he took out there the other day. Evans had put in a piece of a rim and two new spokes and only charged $2.50. Frank put it on the old waggon this after noon and went down town and got a load of sawdust to use in the horse stable for bedding. Dad. went down to see Aunty to-night. Very windy, mild.</p> <p>Sunday April 18th</p> <p>Tid and I went down to Sunday school this morning and Frank came down but was too late for sunday school and too early for church so went up the beach. I stayed at Aunty's for dinner and this after noon Marj. and I went over to Prestons &amp; Ivey's woods and</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>gathered a big bunch of may flowers. We came up through the gully to the house and found Aunty Alice here She went home before tea, but Marj. stayed here for the evening. Frank was over at the Sidway's and didn't get home till nearly seven but as I was home I helped Dad. do the chores. It has been a beautiful day, east breeze.</p> <p>Monday April 19th</p> <p>Frank and I went out to the Shand's first thing this morning and got another load of hay. They told us we could have enough to make up a ton but we put on as much if not more than we had last time and the last load weighed 1580, but Willie said they would call the two loads 3000 and only charged us $18.00 a ton for it. It was easily worth $25.00 according to what we would have to pay anywhere else. We put it all off in the horse stable and right after dinner we went up to Miss McCoy's and got a load. It took us quite awhile to put it on and coming out of the barn we had to make a very short turn and broke a trace but were able to shorten it and go on. We took it down and weighed it and it was 1910 but heavier hay. Fine day</p> <p>Tuesday April 20th</p> <p>We started work on the land to-day. I went out first thing and sowed the rest of the clover seed on the wheat and Frank went out and started disking along the side road. Dad. took Tid down to school and then went out with Belle &amp; Queen with the harrows. Frank had Harry &amp; Pommers and Pommers went off without a particle of trouble. They worked till about four o'clock when Frank came up to get the drill and seed as it looked so rainy we thought we had better put in what was worked up although Dad. didn't want to put it in without more work and without treating the seed. Just as Frank came up it started to rain and rained till five o'clock so nothing more could be done. I dug around some of the little trees in the orchard this morning and this after noon did chores and mixed barley &amp; oats for seed. Frank and I went down town to-night. I met Marj. after their auxillary meeting was over and we went to the picture show.</p> <p>Wednesday April 21st</p> <p>Frank and I spent the day shearing sheep but only got six done. We were quite awhile getting the machine in order and haven't got our hand in very well yet. We couldn't find our wool box so couldn't tie up the fleeces Dad. went down to the butter factory this after noon to get some butter and didn't get back till after six He said the roads were a fright. They just scraped them before the rain. I went down to band practise to-night. Cnocfierna had a heifer calf to-night. Fine &amp; warm.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Thursday April 22nd</p> <p>Frank took Tid. down to school this morning and went on down town to get some oil for the sheep clippers and to get me some developing supplies. He also went up to Ham Thompson's and found our wool box. Ham had borrowed it last year and had forgotten about it till he found it the other day cleaning out the drive house. I raked the lawn for awhile and then Dad. helped me shear a couple of sheep, but it hurt his arm to turn the machine. We sheared this after noon and got seven more done. Alan Law was in this morning and took the knives of the horse clippers up to be sharpened in Simcoe. Elva came over to dinner and Aunty Alice right after dinner and all the bridge club later in the after noon. Aunty Alice &amp; Elva stayed to tea and I walked down with them after tea and went to the Tuxis boys meeting. It began to rain just after we left and we had a great old thunder storm. It was still raining a little when I started for home so I went in to Aunty Alice's for the night. Saw a pair of big blue martin's on the bird house to-day.</p> <p>Friday April 23rd</p> <p>This has been a miserable day, rained or drizzled nearly all the time with little patches of sunshine and rather chilly. Frank and I sheared seven more sheep. Dad. went up to see Ham Thompson's cattle this morning. I went down town to-night.</p> <p>Saturday April 24th</p> <p>Frank and I docked the rest of the lambs this morning and then sheared three more sheep before dinner. Aunty came over to dinner and this afternoon she Enah and Tid went back to the woods and got a lot of may flowers. Frank went to Simcoe this after noon and got his wheel and rode it home. It was rather late when we got through the noon chores so instead of shearing any more sheep, Dad. went out to clean out some ditches and I went down to "Bronzie" and got some cedar trees to set out for a hedge Enah. Tid. and Aunty drove down town and I went down and got some more little cedars and left them by Mrs. Battersby's mail box and Enah brought them home in the cart. I set some of them out to-night and heeled the rest of them in. Sunny but cold north wind</p> <p>Sunday April 25th</p> <p>Frank and I went down to sunday school this morning I was purposely late as I had a premonition that I might be requested to open Sunday school but when I got there I found that they had not yet started so sure enough Aunty Alice pounced on me and asked me to do the job. I thought there was only one effective way of getting out of it and convincing them that I absolutely and unconditionally refused to be let in</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>for it so I made for the door and went down to the pier for half and hour. There were several fishing down there and they were hauling out perch at a great rate. I didn't have quite time enough after I got back to get all the books distributed. Mr. Johnson had a very bad cold and there was some talk of not having church so Marj. and I thought we would go up the beach, there was church however but we walked right past much to Aunty Alice's surprise, we thinking that the fewer Mr. Johnston had to speak to the easier it would be on his voice. I left Marj. at the Bagleys where she had dinner and spent the afternoon celebrating Mr. Bagley's birthday. I came home to dinner and this after noon went over to Tom Butler's with some tobacco Frank got for him. I also took a knife over to dock his lambs, but Art Quanbury had been over this morning and done that. I found Tom &amp; Stevens in the house entertaining Bill Donald, Frank Lemons and Jack &amp; Arthur Pickford, so I stayed for about an hour and imbibed cider with the company On my way home I came through the woods and dug up some may-flower roots to send to Dorrie. I helped Dad. do chores and went down town by after church. They had a long service. The oddfellows were all there and Mr. Farney preached to them. Frank has been down at the Ward's all after noon &amp; evening. Fine day, cool</p> <p>Monday April 26th</p> <p>I went out first thing this morning to measure of a space in the field along the side road to put the Experimental Union plots. Then I came up and helped Frank bring out the old drill which he had rigged up as a broadcast seeder with Harry &amp; Pommer while Dad. drove Tid to school. They had broken a cog in the feed drive gear of the drill so when we got out with it we found it wouldn't run as it would stop feeding when it came to the broken cog. We came up and put Queen with the team and hooked on to the big drill and Dad. &amp; Frank went a few rounds with it but found the ground was too wet for it to work in the mud clogged up in the disks and half the seed didnt sow and it wouldn't cover well either. I opened up some ditches in the corner field This after noon Frank took the broken gear wheel to Simcoe but they were all too busy up there to fix it and the implement man didn't have one in stock but sent for one. Dad. and I took Pommers &amp; Harry out to plow in the corner field and I went a few rounds with him but it was too wet to work well and the plow not being scoured pulled very hard, but Dad. kept at it till night and finished a land. I came up and set out the rest of my cedar hedge down to the ditch. I have some left though. Cold east wind and cloudy. Rain to-night.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Tuesday April 27th</p> <p>It drizzled rain all morning so that we couldn't do anything outside. I worked in the shop making stakes for the experimental plots and fixing the milk stools. Frank went down to Alfred's and cleaned up some oats as we have to buy some for feed. This after noon it cleared off, the wind went from the east to west by the south and it got quite warm. We went back to the gully and fixed a little of the fence as there is enough pasture back there now to turn the steers back. I went down to-night.</p> <p>Wednesday April 28th</p> <p>We spent the day fixing fence back in the gully and think we have the old barricade patched up enough to hold the steers as we want to turn them out to-morrow. We pput most of the morning on the fence this side of the creek on Ivey's line. It was in awful shape so we took it all down, put in a couple more posts and stretched the barbed wire over again. It doesn't look very artistic but it is in a perpendicular position anyway, I went down to band practice to-night. Rotten day. Cloudy, windy, very cold &amp; rainy. Tom Butler &amp; his pal spent the evening over here to-night. They are getting tired of batching and have a chance to engage a young widow from near Simcoe as housekeeper, but don't know whether it would be strictly in accordance with the rules of society or not.</p> <p>Thursday April 29th</p> <p>Frank went out and harrowed this morning along the side road and Dad. plowed in the corner field. Frank thought the land worked pretty well so Dad. went on this after noon and sowed the rest of the barley &amp; oats we had mixed up. He went over what he sowed the other day again. He couldn't start sowing till quite late as Jim who brought the spare part to the broadcast seeder couldn't find it when he brought the mail and so went all around his route and found it in the bottom of his box so then brought it out, he was in his car so went around fairly quickly. I measured out 250 lbs of manure this morning to put on one of my experimental plots and then went out and staked them out. I came up at four o'clock and did up the chores as Dad. worked pretty late. I went down to the Tuxis boys' meeting to-night after which I ran across Hazen and walked up to the radical track and back with him. We turned the steers out to-day.</p> <p>Friday April 30th</p> <p>Dad. worked on the land all day and got in four or five acres more. Frank and I treated what oats he sowed for smut this morning. We tried the dry treatment this time which is to spray the formalin on instead of sprinkling it. We use a much stronger solution, half in half and just use one</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>pint of the mixture to 25 bushels of grain. We did it in the granary instead of on the barn floor where there would have been a breeze and it nearly suffocated us. The fumes got in our eyes and noses even after we tied handkerchiefs over our mouths, but little by little we got the job done. We then took the sheep out to the corner field and Frank went on the land and worked. I sowed three of my experimental plots but will have to wait till I get the manure on the other one to sow it. I spent the after noon doing chores. We were very much surprised this morning when we went out to the cow stable to find a roan heifer calf behind Elgitha. She wasn't due till the 12th of May so we hadn't noticed her at all and she calved in the stanchions. We put her and the calf out back of the barn for to day and shut her in a box stall at night, she looks to have a good bag. We let the cows back to the gully for awhile this after noon. I went down town to-night. Fine but quite cool.</p> <p>Saturday May 1st</p> <p>It froze hard last night and has been cold quite uncomfortably so with a north west wind all day but it has been fine and Dad. and Frank have managed to finish that field out there, we think there must be about 14 acres in it. There are one or two holes with water in them that they had to leave, but Dad can sow a little closer to them by hand and Frank will cross harrow it Monday if it stays fine. We put it in in pretty rough shape just disked and harrowed it ahead of the drill seeder with out crossing. Dad. hates to put it in that way, but with the weather we have it seems like taking chances on not getting it in at all if we do it "a la" John Wess. This is the way Art Ryerse &amp; Alf. Pow do it every year and they thrash some great crops. I have chored around all day cleaning out the calf pens and mulching the raspberries. Enah and Tid went down to John Watts' sale this after noon. Enah said there were very few there and things went for very little. She bought some chairs and rag mats, for a little over a dollar. John Watts is leaving as Sam &amp; Alan have bought the farm.</p> <p>Sunday May 2nd</p> <p>Frank and I went down to Sunday school and Enah went down to church as she had to play the organ. Dad. went down to Aunty's for dinner. I came home for dinner and tea and spent the after noon and evening down town. I took 16 chick out from two hens to-day and put them in a little coop under one hen. Frank &amp; Lloyd Ryerse went down the lake shore to-night to invite folks to the Butler's Stevens party to-morrow night. Fine day but cold wind.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Monday May 3rd</p> <p>Frank and I went up to Miss McCoy's this morning and got another load of hay. It was after noon by the time we got it home and off. Dad. harrowed crossways on what we sowed this morning and Frank finished harrowing it this after noon and started in disking the corner field. Dad. and I hauled out the manure I had weighed up for my plot and some more which we mulched some of the little poplars along the side road with. We then brought the plow out of the corner field and ran the ditches in the sowed piece and Dad. started to plow the head land in the corner field. Winnie came over to tea to go with me to the party to-night. Frank had arranged to take Kathleen Kinsular and Jennie Ward so he had to take them out first then come back and get Win &amp; me. We had a very good time out there. Bobbie Mc.Milland was the orchestra and Fred Krill the master of ceremonies, there was a good crowd out there and lots to eat. Frank drove Win &amp; me home about one o'clock and then went back after the other girl</p> <p>Thursday May 4th</p> <p>Frank and I had to go back to the back field first thing this morning to get the cattle out of the woods as they had knocked down and broken a bar. I then drove Win. down to the bank and when I got home Frank and I put on a load of manure and took it down to Aunty Alice. We brought home some posts from Jack Reynolds to put along the road for a fence. Dad. plowed the head land in the corner field this morning and he and Frank worked on it this after noon. We are going to work up just half of it for oats and put corn on the rest of it. I did chores and sowed my last experimental plot with oats. I went down town to-night.</p> <p>Wednesday May 5th</p> <p>Dad. &amp; Frank worked on the corner field all day and hope to have it ready to drill by to-morrow after noon. I went out and burned some old rubbish in the corner field that had been along the old fence bottom, then I cleaned out some ditches in the sowed field. Frank and I treated some more oats this after noon and a little barley which Frank went down to the mill for. Remembering our last experience we were determined not to do the job in the granary again so we cleaned off the barn floor but that took a long time so that by the time we got done, there was no time to do any thing else much. Frank went out and sowed two kinds of Spring Wheat on the plots. I went down to band practice to-night. Aunty Alice was over here to tea. Fine &amp; warm all day but it freezes every night.</p> <p>Thursday May 6th</p> <p>Dad. &amp; Frank worked all morning on the corner field and drilled it in this after noon with the big drill.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Frank didn't finish till nearly dark. I sowed all the clover seed we had left on the side road field this morning, it went over about to the first water hole. I had dinner about ten o'clock and then went up to Charlie Trinders to see the Shorthorn sale of his &amp; Ham Thompson's. I did think of going up on the eleven o'clock car but changed my mind and walked up through the Cedar Swamp and Dean's Hollow. It was a beautiful day for a walk and I just poked along and enjoyed myself. I got a ride home with Lloyd Crysler who had taken John Wess. Charlie Butler &amp; Wilbur Ryerse up. The sale was very poor. Trinder's stuff was in poor shape and small and although Hams looked pretty nice the bidding was very slow and every thing went for grade prices or less. Lloyd Crysler &amp; John Wess each bought a bull. I went down town to-night and ran races and jumped with the boys. Came home early &amp; went to bed.</p> <p>Friday May 7th</p> <p>Frank had a couple of bags of seed left over last night when he got the piece sowed that was worked up so as it was treated we thought we had better sow it. Dad. has been working up five more lands all morning Frank drilled it in this after noon and then disked over the plowing that was left to keep it from getting too hard. We went down to Alfred's first thing this morning and got six more bags of oats for feed, we then went down to the mill and got four bags of some new feed mixture to feed the bulls. Then as the cattle were all in the back field again, we went back and put them out and stretched some more barbed wire. Frank came up and harrowed and I went over to ask Cam. McBride if he would like us to give him a day to-morrow he seemed very pleased at the prospect. He was just finishing up his field plowing and is afraid he won't get any more in. I went from there over to Charlie McQueen's to ask him if there would be any chance of renting his place this fall but he said he guessed not. This after noon I cleaned out a few ditches did chores and went over to ask Art Quanbury if he would rent Charlies place but he said not. I went down town to-night. Fine &amp; warm.</p> <p>Saturday May 8th</p> <p>I went over to Cam McBride's first thing this morning with the harrows and was over there till nearly six harrowing. Cam. got his field in to-night with the broadcast seeder. I harrowed ahead of him and then went over it after him so harrowed the field nearly over twice. Charlie Munroe came over and harrowed too all the after-noon. I came home before tea much against Cam's &amp; John Wess's wishes and forgot the halters and left them in the barn where the horses had been tied at noon.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>so Frank rode over on his wheel to get them but found Charlie Munroe had put them on his horses so he had to wait till Charlie got through tea and had his there too. He worked up the garden to-day and his alfalfa plot. He &amp; Dad. ran out the ditches in the corner field this morning but Dad. has felt so tough with a cold that he didn't do any thing this after noon. We were till after dark getting the chores all done, then Frank and I went down town. I got my hair cut and as I was so sleepy I went down to Aunty Alices and spent the night. Very hot this morning looked rainy</p> <p>Sunday May 9th</p> <p>Aunty Alice called me at five o'clock this morning and I went to sleep again but got away before half past five. Dad. was milking when I got home. Frank, Tid and I went down to Sunday school. Enah drove down to church. I stayed at Aunty Alices to dinner and this after noon Marj. &amp; I walked over to Preston's woods and then over here to tea. Frank was down at the Ward's and Dad. was to sick with his cold and an awful headache to get up at all so I had all the chores to do. I drove Marj. down to-night. Fine day</p> <p>Monday May 10th</p> <p>Frank and I finished cleaning out the ditches in the corner field this morning and this after noon sheared four more sheep. Dad. has felt very little better and hardly went out of the house all day Tid's cold is worse too and he didn't go to school. It has been cloudy all day and rained a little this after noon. We need it badly. Frank found a lamb this morning with a big lump on its shoulder and Dad. lanced it, and got a lot of stuff out of it. I afterwards pulled a long piece of straw out of the wound which looked like a timothy head with all the seed hulls off it.</p> <p>Tuesday May 11th</p> <p>It rained most of the morning and must have rained a lot during the night. We needed it badly and it was a nice gentle rain. The sheep got wet during the night so we couldn't shear to-day. Frank went down town this morning to see about borrowing some money, he stayed at Aunty's to dinner and went to Simcoe this after noon to see about several items of business. He is full of business ideas these days and says he is going to make the farm hum and double production, so I tell him to "go to it". I spent the morning trying out different letterings on a memorial honor-roll for Mr. Johnson. It cleared off this after noon and I did chores and worked around out in front of the house. Alan Tibbets, Zeitha and little Helen were over this after noon and went back to the woods after flowers. Tom Butler &amp; Stevens were in for awhile too. Frank and I went down town to-night. Dad. helped me do the night chores. Tid. feels rotten</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Wednesday May 12th</p> <p>Frank and I sheared the rest of the sheep to-day. We got five done this fore noon and the other two after dinner. Alex Jamieson was in and wanted us to go down and shear his but Frank told him we didn't have time but that he could borrow the machine if he wanted it. Dad. felt quite a lot better to-day and went down to Aunty's for dinner and was down town all the after noon. Tid has been in bed all day and to-night they have decided that he has the measles. I went down to band practice to-night. Fine but cold wind. Frosty.</p> <p>Thursday May 13th</p> <p>I spent the day putting in posts along the road so that we could stretch the fence along the front of field east of the orchard. The sheep are on it and with no fence up they wander up the road and pasture on Pickford's wheat, which hasn't grown any since last fall so doesn't need pasturing. Frank harrowed over the garden this morning and this after noon he and Dad. hauled manure out on it. Dad. was quite worried over Jessie all day as she wasn't progressing with calving very fast. He examined her to-night and as the calf's head was back he was afraid we were going to lose one or both but he managed to straighten it out and it came fine a big red heifer. I went down to a Tuxis boys' meeting and a {sidesmen's?} meeting afterwards. Very cold all day and cloudy. It can't aparently warm up.</p> <p>Friday May 14th</p> <p>It took me nearly all day to put in the two posts in the gully I dug long holes for them and nailed cross pieces on the bottom's and put stones on top of them so I don't think the wire will lift them. Frank and I strung the wire up to them to-night so that the sheep can't get out. They have taken to going up to Pickford's wheat so we have to keep them in as Pickford's wheat makes very poor pasture. Dad. and Frank hauled some more manure on the garden this morning and they disked it and spring toothed it this after noon. Frank also went over his alfalfa plot and Dad. plowed a little more of the corn ground in the corner field. I went down town to-night and met Marj. going to Aunty's with a basket which she had taken a kitten up home in so we spent the evening there. Huby Aunty Maude, Cousin Clare &amp; Col. Smith were there playing bridge. Cloudy and very cold wind all day. Freezing hard to-night.</p> <p>Saturday May 15th</p> <p>Dad. and Frank and I worked all morning in the garden I cut up some of the small Irish Cobbler potatoes that were in the cellar and we planted four rows of them. Dad. and Frank planted a lot of small seeds. This after noon Frank and I took the little pigs down town and delivered them to their various purchasers. Bronzie Brock got one Art Webster one, Geordie Long two &amp; Geordie Innes two.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>We also took the wool down and put it on a freight car and got two bags of fertilizer that Frank got from Johnson to try out on Corn &amp; potatoes. He wanted to go up to Miss McCoy's and get some hay this after noon but we didn't have time. We got some plank from Jack Reynold's to fix Joe's stall with. Dad. intended working in the garden this after noon but Lea Marshall came after him and he had to go down town to see a sick horse of Jack Richardson's. Frank went down town to-night and I started to do some show card work but went to sleep. Nice day.</p> <p>Sunday May 16th</p> <p>It froze a little last night again but has been a very nice day no wind and quite mild. Frank and I went down to Sunday school and church. This after noon Frank went over to Tom. Butler's and took Crusoe with him and left him there as Tom wanted a dog and we didn't want him. Jack Richardson came after Dad. to go down to Henderson's and give his horse some more attention and Dad. went from there down to Aunty's. I did chores and took some little chickens out this after noon. I only got two good ones out of the incubator and I think they will die but the old hen hatched eight. Lloyd Ryerse was in for quite awhile. I went down town to-night and met Marj. who has been in Waterford all day with Mrs. Wood and they came in on the nine car. Tid. feels quite a bit better to-day, but is well spotted up yet.</p> <p>Monday May 17th</p> <p>Frank and I went up to Miss McCoy's this morning and got another load of hay. Dad. spent most of the morning attending to Nellie who presented us with a big red bull calf this morning. This after noon Dad. finished plowing the corner field for corn and I cleaned up around the back yard. Frank hauled two loads of coal and a load of sawdust for bedding in the horse stable. There was a car of coal in and we thought we had better get some of it now and be sure of having it especially as the price is going up. To-night Frank &amp; I went down to Mr. Freeman's to get lists of names to canvass for the steeple fund. It has been very warm all day and looks like rain.</p> <p>Tuesday May 18th</p> <p>Dad. went down to Aunty's this morning and was down all day trimming up the walks and fixing the fences. I spent the morning raking up the lawn but didn't quite finish. This afternoon I went out to the garden and sowed some more seeds. Frank worked on the corn ground all day. Alan Law was in at noon and borrowed the manure spreader. I went down town fairly early and got part of my canvassing done. Mrs. Martin was the only one I approached who refused to give at all and several gave me $5.00 I spent the evening with Marj. Very warm &amp; cloudy.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Wednesday May 19th</p> <p>Dad. went back to the gully after the cows this morning and found Mary with a big roan bull calf, we left her back there all day. Frank went over to Tom Butler's and sheared his sheep for him this morning. I planted some more seeds in the garden and Dad. worked on the corn ground. This after noon Frank and I hauled out some manure to put on a patch which Dad. wants to work up for strawberries. Bruce came after Dad. about three o'clock to go down to Bob. Dougherty's with him to see a mare so Frank and I worked on the corn ground I worked till Frank got the strawberry patch covered and then he took the team and I planted some more corn &amp; my oats in the garden. I went down to band practice to-night. Fair and mild all day, sprinkled a little to-night.</p> <p>Thursday May 20th</p> <p>Dad. and I went back after Mary's calf this morning We had quite a time finding him as Mary had hidden him in the little gully running up into the field, and he lay there perfectly still with his head down as low as he could get it till I was just about on him. After quite a lot of trouble we got him up to the barn and I spent the rest of the day raking &amp; cutting the lawns and got them all looking pretty nice. Dad. worked on the corner ground and Frank spring toothed the back field as we thought it would be a good idea to keep it loosened up till we get a chance to plow it for summer fallow. I went down to the Tuxis boys' meeting to-night and finished my collecting for the steeple, and got $46.00 promised Huby gave me five dollars. I went there last and stayed most of the evening, but called in at Aunty's on my way home where I found Cal. Smith, Cousin Loll &amp; Mrs. Barwell playing bridge. Quint was there too. Very warm, shower to-night.</p> <p>Friday May 21st</p> <p>Dad. had to go down to Mr. Fleming's this morning as he had a new colt which he was afraid was not going to be able to suck but when Dad. got there it was all right. On his way home he saw Billy Mills who was very anxious to get Jack's sheep sheared so Dad. told him I would go over this afternoon. I spent the morning digging around my hedge. Dad. came home and plowed the strawberry patch and Frank went down to Sam Law's and got a few plants but not enough to fill the patch. I went over to Jack's with the clippers this after noon and sheared six of his sheep.They are much easier to shear than ours as there is no wool on their faces or the inside of their legs. Frank set out the strawberries this after noon and Dad. worked on the corn ground. I went down town to-night. Very warm. I saw kids in at the stump this after noon.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Saturday May 22nd</p> <p>I went over to Martin's first thing this morning and finished shearing the sheep. I got home about eleven and wheeled out a barrow load or two of manure to put around my hedge but as Frank had the seed potatoes all treated for scab and ready to cut, I cut them till noon. Dad. plowed the potato ground this morning and Frank treated the seed and helped Dad. fork the manure out of the road of the shear. This after noon Frank and I cut seed. It took us till after four as we cut it all. Dad. worked down the land and furrowed it out but we didn't get it all planted. We planted four rows and Frank put fertilizer on three of them and Dad. covered them. Fine and warm to-day</p> <p>Sunday May 23rd</p> <p>I went down to Sunday school this morning and Dad. Enah and Tid to church. Mr. Johnson dedicated the new memorial font this morning which Miss Buckwell put in the church in memory of her father &amp; mother, and we had a baptismal service when five children were christened. This afternoon Mr. Johnson invited Marj. &amp; me to go to Vittoria with him. He told Marj. to invite two more to make up a car load so she asked Miss McQueen and her mother. We had a very nice after noon and went to the woods up there while Mr. Johnson was at church. I came home and did chores and went down again to-night.</p> <p>Monday May 24th</p> <p>Dad. Frank and I finished planting the potatoes this morning and got in ten rows altogether running from the lane to Ivey's line. We finished about eleven and then Frank went over to Martin's and got some strawberry plants. I took the buggy down to the mill and washed the mud off it. This after noon Dad. &amp; Frank set out the strawberry plants and put a ring in Moonshine's nose but I took a holiday to celebrate the Queen's birthday and Marj. and I went up the Radical road to look for Dogwood. We didn't find any but we dug up a lot of other roots and got some lovely violets. We also saw a scarlet tanager and an indigo bird neither of which had we ever seen before. We gave a lot of our roots to Miss McQueen on our way home and she gave me some out of her garden to set out over here. I brought Marj. over here to tea. Billy Mills was over after the corn-marker this morning and said the creek was lined with fishermen. It was cloudy all morning but a beautiful day.</p> <p>Tuesday May 25th</p> <p>Frank and I hauled manure all day to-day and got out 19 loads on the corn ground. I put in the time between loads mulching around the hedge and cherry trees in the lane. Dad. cleaned out the cellar and had a hard job. Neff and Manning were in this after noon. Neff is making arrangements for an</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>automobile trip down into New York State some time next month and wants to have a meeting in Simcoe to-morrow night to arrange the details. Frank said he would try to go up. I went down town to-night and Marj. and I went over to Miss McQueen's and I got some larkspur plants that they had got for me from Miss Martin's hot bed.</p> <p>Wednesday May 26th</p> <p>Frank and I hauled manure all day and finished covering the corn ground. I cut the lawn in between loads and got it all looking slick. Dad. did odd jobs and hoed over in the garden. Frank went to Neff's meeting to-night. He said they had about fifteen out representative of the different J.F.I.A's throughout the county and formed a sort of County association with a Vittoria boy as president and Bill Nixon as secretary. I went down to band practice to-night. Very hot to-day.</p> <p>Thursday May 27th</p> <p>Dad. worked on the corn ground all day. Frank went down town this morning and got some seed corn and this after noon he harrowed on the corn ground. I just did odd jobs and took my harness to pieces and rubbed it up a little. I took the back strap out of the saddle and couldn't get it back in again. I went down town to-night but none of the boys showed up. I did a show card lesson after I got home. Very hot, warm night.</p> <p>Friday May 28th</p> <p>Dad. worked on the corn ground all day. Frank worked most of the day but went up to Ham. Thompson's to see if he could come down and plant corn for us to-morrow but he said he couldn't come till next week so we will if all's well mark it and plant it by hand to-morrow. Tid and I drove Mexico down town this morning and I dug a patch for Aunty Alice to plant potatoes and some holes for squash and then went up to Mr. Johnson's and he gave me a lot of perenniels. We stayed at Aunty Alice's for dinner and came home right after and spent the rest of the afternoon setting out the things I got from Mr. Johnson. I went down town to-night and went to an athletic meeting in the town hall but as Ernie West Jackson, Frank Smith and Manning were the only ones there we didn't do any thing. I left at nine and went down to Aunty's for the rest of the evening. Marj. was there having had tea there. Turned cold during the night. Cold wind all day.</p> <p>Saturday May 29th</p> <p>Dad. marked the corn ground this morning and I went with him to pick up the ends of the marker on the turns. Frank rolled the field down ahead of us and then went around to Pickford's &amp; Mr. Flemming's and borrowed their corn planters. Billy Mills came over after dinner and he Frank and I planted this after noon. We ran out of</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>about five rows from the end so will have to leave that much till Monday. Dad. took Billy out this after noon with the bridle &amp; surcingle on and did odd jobs. Aunty came over to tea and Dad. drove her home to-night. I read &amp; painted a show card lesson. Quite cold this morning.</p> <p>Sunday May 30th</p> <p>Frank Tid and I went down to Sunday school and Enah drove down to church. She stayed down to dinner but the rest of us came home. Olive Ward saw Marj. yesterday and invited her, with Frank and me, down to their place this after noon. Frank had made arrangements to go some place with Lloyd Ryerse so he didn't go down but helped Dad. as much as he could with the chores and Marj. and I drove down after dinner and spent the after noon and evening there and had a very nice time {Leggit?} was down to tea too. We got home about 11.30 Beautiful day, nice breeze.</p> <p>Monday May 31st</p> <p>Dad. spent the day plowing and working up the patch back of the shop where we are going to try and raise some fodder corn this year. Frank went down town and got some more seed corn and planted it this afternoon I put up my wren house and watched a pair of orioles for awhile that are building out on the lawn. Henry Misener came over with some stumping powder to blast out the big rock out in the field by the side road as Frank had made arrangements with him Saturday night to do it. I went out with him and Frank came out when he got back from town. He put three sticks under the rock and cracked it up and heaved it up out of the ground pretty well. He made two more blasts or mud caps as he called them by just putting the dynamite on top of the rock and covering it over well with mud. He split up some of the big chunks that way but there are still some big pieces to handle. There will be about half a day's work hauling the chunks away and filling up the hole. Frank had him go down to the corner field and put a stick under the old stump. He split a piece off the side of it and loosened it up. I dug around the little apple trees this afternoon Tid went back to school to-day. Very hot.</p> <p>Tuesday June 1st</p> <p>Frank discovered Belle with a colt this morning When Dad. went out first he looked over in the field with at her, and she was standing in the corner aparently the same as yesterday, but Frank came out a few minutes later and saw a colt up with her. Dad. went over and found a fine bay filly which had evidently arrived in this country early in the night and every thing was all right. He calls it Rachel after Mrs. Broadley. We</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>spent the fore noon hauling out manure on the mangel ground. We got it covered by noon, and took the pile away from back of the barn and cleaned out the pen in the barn where we had the bulls all winter. This after noon Dad. plowed the mangel ground this after noon but didn't quite finish Frank went down town on some of his business projects and I cut the lawn. Olive &amp; Jonnie Ward were over here to tea. I went down town and spent the evening over at the Monteiths. I went down to the beach on my way home and it looked so nice I went for a swim. It has been very sultry and rather cloudy to-day but it won't rain.</p> <p>Wednesday June 2nd</p> <p>Clarence Finch and Dr. Duncombe from Waterford were in first thing this morning and castrated George for us. Just as they left Alex. Jamieson &amp; his son came in, in a car to get Dad. to go down to see a sick ewe or an injured one. They took Tid down to school and the boy brought Dad. back. Rus. Lampkins &amp; George Kirkwood came in just as Dad. got home to get some more of the boiler tubes. Rus. looked at the windmill and said the boxing would have to be re-bobbited again right away. Dad. went out and finished plowing the mangel ground. He didn't quite finish by noon and was most of the noon working it up. Frank harrowed the corn ground over with the little team and this after noon he went to the mill and got a couple of bags of chop for the bulls and went over to Quanbury's and got the little seed drill and then rolled down the mangel ground. I did a few odd jobs this morning and about eleven o'clock rode Frank's wheel down town and gave Aunty Alice an hour or two in the garden. She told me last night that Mr. Johnson had lent her a wheeled hoe but it was too hard for her work so I wheel-hoed every thing I could and made quite a showing. I came home about three o'clock and cut some more lawn. Pickford came over with some pumpkin seed and delayed me quite a lot. I went down to Band practice to-night and went down to Wood's to get some shoe polish and found Marj. there so Mrs. Wood told me to come back after practice I did and went home with Marj. Two of the three boats comprising Capt. Robinson's "navy" are in the harbor now. He is admiral and Captains, Bailie, McDonald and Cousins each have command of one boat. Fine and hot.</p> <p>Thursday June 3rd</p> <p>I spent the fore noon sowing mangel and turnip seed. I got in 10 1/2 rows of mangels and about 11 rows of turnips, running from the lane to Ivey's line. Frank took the spring tooth out and went over his alfalfa ground and helped Dad. saw up the old willow tree</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>out in the wheat which blew down last fall and has been holding Ivey's fence down ever since. This morning Ivey's young cattle were in the wheat and got over the fence there so Dad. thought it had better be straightened up. He spent the fore noon and he and Frank all the after noon fixing Ivey's line fence in the gully from the south creek to the big elm by the mound. It was in very bad shape so they took it all down and put in a few posts and stretched it over again. I hoed the potatoes in the garden this after noon. They are just nicely up. Tid was home from school to-day as this is the King's birthday. He was back with Dad. and Frank this after noon and they discovered a crow's nest so Frank went up and took the four young ones which were just about big enough to fly and Dad. brought them all up to the house in his shirt and put them in his big bird cage. Tid is highly delighted of course. Enah wasn't home for tea as she went down to the deanery meeting. Quite cool.</p> <p>Friday June 4th</p> <p>We have spent the day weeding and hoeing in the garden. Most of the stuff is pretty well up now and needs cleaning out. This after noon Frank went out to Edmond England's to see a sheep dipping and castrating demonstration which Neff was putting on. I went down town to-night and called for Aunty Alice at Col. Smith's a little after eleven. They were having a little bridge party over there and I got there in time for the cake and wine. Quite a cold wind &amp; cloudy</p> <p>Saturday June 5th</p> <p>Dad. Frank and I went out again to the garden this morning. Frank planted some beans and Dad. set out tomatoes while I hoed and weeded. We hadn't been there long when it commenced to sprinkle and it gradually increased in intensity until finally it was raining quite hard. Dad. and I stayed out till we got pretty wet setting out tomatoes, we then came up and Dad. and Frank spent the remainder of the fore noon putting a floor in Joe's stall and I painted a show card lesson. The rain kept up pretty well all day and night. I went to sleep this after noon and the others sat around the house. I painted some more to-night. Fine rain</p> <p>Sunday June 6th</p> <p>Frank Tid and I went to Sunday school this morning and Dad and Enah went down to church. Marj. and I stayed at Aunty's to dinner. Winnie was there too. Marj. Aunty Alice and I came over here to the farm this after noon and Winnie came over later for tea. We all went down town before dark as Aunty Alice wanted to get some cauliflower plants at the Quanbury's.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Monday June 7th</p> <p>I drove down to Aunty's this morning and got the scythe as we have to start cutting grass for the stock, we are completely out of hay. I drove around by the school house and took Tid. down. Aunty gave me some forget me nots and peppers to set out so I set them out when I got home. Frank had to go with Sam Law this morning to help him take a couple of heifer's to Jarvis so he didn't get back till after dinner. He said they got down all right but when they got there the cattle ran through every back yard in Jarvis. Dad. worked up the strip we plowed for rape last year and this after noon he drilled it in with oats and vetch for sheep pasture. He also worked up and drilled the piece back of the shop with fodder corn. I cut a little grass this after nooon and just puttered around.</p> <p>Tuesday June 8th</p> <p>I went to Simcoe this morning on the nine o'clock car and went to see Slaght as Enah and Aunty noticed in the Maple Leaf that Kelly was asking for notification of claims against the estate of Susan Stevens and as they were all sure that was Dicky Stevens mother we thought that possibly the "sheep pasture" might be involved. However Slaght said it had nothing to do with it and that Thompson so far had done nothing. I came home at eleven and went up to Jim Moris's and had my hair cut. This after noon Frank and I hauled out manure, he and Dad. hauled out in the morning We didn't get very much done. There was a heavy thunder shower just after dinner but it only lasted a few minutes. When I got home from Simcoe I found Douglas here. He was in Jarvis so thought he would run up to look at the bulls. He stayed to dinner he thought the bulls were nice ones but at present he says there is no market for them whatever. I went down town to-night and on my way home had a wild goose chase up to the switch at Iveys being attracted by the bell on the car which Pete Furlong had in some way started going and couldn't stop till she rain out of air. Three or four other fellows ran down, their "missus" had waked them up and told them there was a fire. Hot after the rain.</p> <p>Wednesday June 9th</p> <p>I rode Belle up to Jim Waddle's this morning at seven o'clock and bred her to {Culver's?} horse. I was there for half an hour and Jim. was showing me Clara Belle and her colt from Hal. He It is a beauty. Frank had to go down to the mill for some feed and when he got back, we hauled out manure. It was</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>slow work hauling it out of the shed and as we were late getting started we didn't get much done. I went down to band practice to-night and we had a good one</p> <p>Thursday June 10th</p> <p>We were late getting started at the manure this morning as it takes a long time to cut grass for the bulls and do odd jobs. Frank gave us a demonstration of the English method of castrating lambs with his teeth this morning and that look a little time. We finished hauling out of the shed though and hauled a few loads from the yard. Dad. finished hoeing in the garden and hooked Joe up to the cultivator and went through it. When they came up they both had "tummy-aches" Enah got me some poppy and daisy roots at Miss Martin's this morning when she took Tid. to school and I set them out but I am afraid the poppy won't stand it. I went down to-night to see the Tuxis boys but they didn't show up. I went down to Aunty's and they were up at Miss Martin's with the Sunday school staff presenting her with a prayer book. They came home soon and said Aunty Maude was having a great deal of pain so I took up a bottle of stuff for her from Aunty. Huby had his two customs inspectors there entertaining them so I stayed till pretty late. Hot day</p> <p>Friday June 11th</p> <p>We decided to dip the sheep to-day so Frank spent most of the morning getting the tank ready the way they did over at the Englands. He sank it in the ground just inside the barn doors and rigged the waggon box with the sides on it for a draining pent. He had Joe Howell make him a dipping hook. We got started to dip after eleven and were through by about half past twelve. We left them in the barn for an hour or so as they told Frank over there that turning them out in the sun immediately after dipping would blister them so I suppose that was the cause of our trouble last year. This after noon Frank and I hauled out a little more manure and Dad. went over to let the cattle into the back field and went on over to John Wess's. He and Cam were both at Turkey Point fixing up the House Boat which a bunch of those old sports back there have bought. Went down town to-night. Hot.</p> <p>Saturday June 12th</p> <p>Frank and I hauled out manure all morning but quit at noon as Dad. thought we had better start plowing the field on Monday and get in what we have manured. This after noon Dad. Frank &amp; Tid went down town and cut the grass in front of Aunty's place and brought it over here. There was enough of it to last over Tuesday</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>I slept for about an hour after dinner and then started to cut lawn but as I had to file down one of the knives on the lawn mower I didn't finish. Dad's last crow died last night. He left the four of them out of the cage the other night and three of them left in the night This one was sick so couldn't go with the others. Hot, looks rainy.</p> <p>Sunday June 13th</p> <p>Frank Tid and I drove down to Sunday school &amp; Dad. &amp; Enah went down at church time. Enah went to church and Dad. went to see Aunty Maude, who is feeling quite a bit better. After church Marj. and I drove out to the Smythe's where we had dinner and spent a very nice after noon. We started for home about four o'clock but I just got Joe hooked up when a very heavy thunder storm came up and it just poured rain for about half an hour so I had to tie poor Joe to a tree and go in the house. It cleared up beautifully and we got home about half past five. Mr. Wilson (president of Mexico) was here when we got home so I drove him down to the side walk. I helped Dad. do up the chores after tea and Marj. and I drove down town about half past nine. We took some strawberries down to Aunty which Mrs. Smythe sent her. Frank has been making arrangements to go to New York State with Neff's party to-morrow in Irvin Pow's car</p> <p>Monday June 14th</p> <p>Frank left early this morning to go on Neff's trip through New York State. He was to meet Irvin Pow at the Winding Hill at a quarter to seven and as he hasn't been back all day I guess they got away. Lloyd Ryerse &amp; Alex England were going in the same car and they were to meet the rest of the party at Renton or Jarvis. I spent most of the day filling in the missed hills of corn in the field and Dad. took up the dining room carpet for Enah who has the house all ripped up for house cleaning and spent the rest of the day cultivating. He took Mexico out this morning and cultivated what he could in the garden and a little of the corn with him but he was very ignorant and very slow so this after noon he took Belle, she resented leaving Rachel and so wasn't very interested in her work all the after noon but Dad. thinks she will be all right later on. I got through planting corn about four o'clock and then hoed a little in the garden. I went down to band practice to-night. When it was over I fell in with a bunch of the boys who were going down to Chiravaree Alan Law so I left my horn at Karl Colman's and went with them I went in Lloyd Crysler's car and so got a ride all the way home. We gave Alan a grand old serenade with bells, revolvers and an old steel saw which is kept for such occasions. Alan was prepared for us and treated us to wine, cider, beer and cigars. Every body was there.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Tuesday June 15th</p> <p>Dad. put down the dining room carpet for Enah first thing this morning and then took Belle out and cultivated corn till noon. It looked so dark and rainy that we didn't get the team in to plow corn ground as we had intended. I hoed potatoes in the garden till nearly noon and then had to go back to put the cattle out of the back field. It sprinkled two or three times but didn't ammount to much. Dad. and I cultivated and hoed after dinner till about three o'clock when we saw a terrible storm coming up from the north so we went to the house. The storm rolled up pretty quickly and when it broke it was a fierce one and lasted till nearly six o'clock. It let up at intervals and in one of these Dad Dad. went after Tid. I painted a show card lesson. I went down town to-night with Cliff Lown who came in after tea with the cream can. It was raining again when I started for home so I stayed at Aunty's</p> <p>Wednesday June 16th</p> <p>I got home soon after 5.30 this morning and went back after the cows. After breakfast I felt rather tired from tramping around in the mud with Frank's rubber boots on. About ten o'clock I went down to have Dr. Lemmon look at my tooth which the filling came out of. He couldn't look at it till about noon and said he wouldn't have time to fix it till to-morrow after noon. I stayed at Aunty's to dinner and didn't go home till after two as it looked so rainy. I didn't do much all the after noon except try to put a handle on an umbrella of Marj's. To-night I went down to band practice. We had it over Ted. Nicol's new garage and it was fine. It certainly is an enormous place. Every one seems to be of the opinion that Ted will never get his money back. Rainy all day.</p> <p>Thursday June 17th</p> <p>It rained or drizzled nearly all day so we didn't do any thing outside. Dad. &amp; Enah have been very busy house cleaning, papering &amp; painting. I "messed about" and did a little printing. I went down town right after dinner and took my horn down to Ed's as he has some fine polish down there I made it look quite a lot better but it needs a lot more yet. I went up at three o'clock to Dr. Lemon's but he couldn't fix my tooth for another hour so I went down to the lake where I found Quint and Joe fixing up their bathing houses. I took the contract to paint some signs for them. I went over to Bill's about half past four and he filled my tooth. I then came home and did chores and after tea went down town again as I wanted to see the Tuxis boys about some skin game</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>that Mr. Johnson wants them to run at the strawberry social. I was late getting down so missed them but met a couple of them later on the street. I went down to Aunty's where I found Marj. so walked home with her. Frank got home to-day noon from his trip &amp; had a fine time.</p> <p>Friday June 18th</p> <p>Frank and I went down in the waggon this morning and I got the old Northern Crown Bank signs which Quint wanted me to paint over for them to put down at the beach. Frank had some other things to get and we came home by the mill and got some feed so it was nearly noon when we got home. It drizzled rain for quite awhile after dinner and was too wet to do any thing outside. I did some lettering. Frank cleaned up in the shop and Dad's time was taken up with Julien {Neins's} horse which had got something in it's foot and was quite lame. He went after him at four o'clock. It cleared off to-night and Marj. and I went up the Radical Road tacking up posters for the strawberry festival. I felt ashamed of myself all the time for helping to advertise the darned thing, but there is no use bucking it when the majority seem to think it is the proper thing. We went up to Port Ryerse and put up about fifteen posters on gates and posts and two on a water tank. We came home around by the Smythe's and returned some {ropes?} they lent us last week.</p> <p>Saturday June 19th</p> <p>It looked cleared off to-day and has been sunny and breezy Dad. &amp; Frank started to plow the field east of the new meadow this morning for corn and Dad. has been at it all day but says it is pretty wet yet. I spent most of the morning cleaning out the bull's pen and doing odd chores and got started to cut the lawn. I finished it this after noon. Frank did odd jobs and mulched the little trees in the orchard. He and Tid. went fishing for a little while after dinner and Tid was in the seventh heaven over catching two carp. He brought them home and cleaned them all by himself and we all had to have a taste at tea time. Enah went down town.</p> <p>Sunday June 20th</p> <p>We all went down to church or sunday school this morning. Marj. Quint and I had dinner at Aunty's I went up town this after noon and the band played out in the park. We had a good concert and a full band. I came home soon after four and helped Dad. do chores It began to rain about five and kept it up all evening I went down town after tea and found Marj. in at the Wood's, we went up to the Monteith's and spent the evening. Frank went down to the Ward's on his wheel and I guess is stalled down there I stayed all night at Aunty's. Very windy &amp; rather cold &amp; a drizzly rain.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Monday June 21st</p> <p>It rained or threatened rain nearly all day so we didn't do very much Frank got home a little before noon He came up to town with the Ward girls when they came to school and Tom Butler brought him over here. Dad. and I did odd jobs and I worked at my show cards a little This after noon Frank painted the bob-sleighs and tidied up in the shop. I went down to band practice to-night.</p> <p>Tuesday June 22nd</p> <p>I went down when Dad. drove Tid. to school this morning and went down to the beach to paint the letters Quint wanted on their bathing houses, but when I got there George Holden told me he had just left so I went over to the pier and saw old Quint just out of earshot beyond the end of the pier in his little boat heading for Wooley's point or beyond up the lake. I went up to the Thompson's to see if I could get the key from Joe but he said the paint was all locked up in Quint's shack and he had the key. Joe seemed rather provoked at him for leaving as he said they expected a big picnic in on Saturday and didn't have any thing ready for it. I went up to Aunty's and cut their lawn and stayed to dinner. On my way home Mrs. Quanbury gave me a lot of aster plants so I spent most of the after noon setting them out. Dad. and Frank spent their day putting up the fence between the lane and the barn-yard and made a fine job of it. I stayed home to-night and painted show card lessons. Dad. took some milk down to Aunty's but they were all away. Fine, cool and windy</p> <p>Wednesday June 23rd</p> <p>I spent about an hour this morning cutting grass for the bulls and wheeling it up to the barn I got enough cut to last them all day. Dad. drove Tid. to school and then went out to the garden to hoe. It was dry enough only up on top of the knoll. I started to put in some temporary posts to divide the sheep pasture as we want to give the east side of it which has a lot of young clover on it a chance to grow up I just got started when a big rain storm came up and I had to quit. It poured rain for a couple of hours and there were two or three very sharp lightening flashes one of which killed a horse of Mr. Fleming's It cleared off this after noon but was too wet to do anything. I started to paint Quint's signboard but got the letters too big so will have to paint them out. Frank helped Enah house clean our room. I spent the evening with Marj.</p> <p>Thursday June 24th</p> <p>I spent quite awhile cutting grass for the bulls and Dad. and I took a look at our own and Ivey's wheat The Hessian Fly is working in ours a little and</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>more still in Ivey's and they say some fields are nearly cut to pieces with it. Cruickshanks and a Massey Harris man came down this morning and Frank helped them fix the drill up in good running order. Hermon Cook &amp; Gordon Zealand came over this morning to ask me about the peanut grab which they are to have charge of at the strawberry festival to-night and I gave Hermon a lot of my bird's eggs. He wanted to buy the whole bunch and offered me a dollar for them. This after noon Frank and I put up the fence through the field east of the orchard to keep the sheep off the east side of it and give it a chance to grow. Frank took it off the posts at the north end to run down through the centre. We made a rather sloppy job of it as the posts weren't in solid and we didn't half stretch it but it was the best we could do under the circumstances and I think it will hold the sheep Enah went down this after noon to the strawberry social and Tid went down there from school. We did the chores all up early and Dad. Frank and I drove down about seven. I went up to the band room but found no one there so thought they had gone over but they didn't start to gather till nearly eight, so we were rather late getting there. However we gave them quite a concert and they gave us a very good feed and treated us to cigars. Fine day but looked rainy.</p> <p>Friday June 25th</p> <p>We penned all the sheep this morning and went over them and took out the ones that looked unthrifty and shut them up in the box stall to starve before treating them for tapeworm. Frank then hooked to the mower and cut a strip of grass along each side of the road. Dad. helped him. Tom Butler was in for quite awhile. I worked for about half an hour more on Quint's sign before dinner. I spent about an hour after dinner getting hay for the bulls along the road where Frank cut it this morning. Frank put some more stakes in the sheep pasture fence and Dad. hoed in the garden which is still pretty wet. I went out to help him but Joe Thompson came over and wanted me to go down right away and paint some of the letters on the bathing house. He was very provoked at Quint who left last Tuesday for the Point and has not come back yet they still have quite a lot to do to get ready for business and expect picnics right along now. I went down and got New Bath Houses painted in big letters 18 inches high which could be seen from Main St. and promised Joe I would try to finish it to-morrow. I didn't get through till after five so I had to hurry as Aunty Alice had invited Marj. &amp; me to tea I went home milked one cow and changed my clothes and got back down town in an hour but got a ride down with Jack Martin. Fine day and quite hot.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Saturday June 26th</p> <p>I went down to the beach right after breakfast this morning and was down all day painting the letters on the bathing houses. I finished to-night and the boys seemed satisfied. Quint got back last night. His Yankee friends took their speedboat over to Erie and had her measured up for some race which they may enter later on. That was what kept them so long but Quint wasn't saying anything about it. Dad. has felt rather sick all day and didn't go out at all this afternoon till chore time. I got home in time to help do chores and then went down again after tea and spent the evening with Marj. Fine and hot.</p> <p>Sunday June 27th</p> <p>Frank Tid. and I went to Sunday school and I gave Frank instructions about running the library as Marj. is bound I am to take her class when she goes. I stayed for dinner at Aunty's and this after noon Marj. and I took a walk up the beach. We came over here for tea about five o'clock and I drove Marj. home to-night Frank went down to the Ward's with Charlie Blake and brought his wheel home which has been down there since last Sunday. Alex England rode in to-night. He was supposed to take Frank down to the Ward's this after noon but didn't show up.</p> <p>Monday June 28th</p> <p>Dad. and I took Belle out and cultivated the turnips and mangels this morning and then Dad. cultivated the potatoes alone while I came up to paint my sign I found Mexico caught in the orchard fence and had quite a time to get him out but with Enah's help managed to extricate him without much injury to him or the fence. I was all the after noon painting at Quint's sign and didn't quite finish Frank set his cultivator up this morning but thought there was a brace missing so couldn't try it out. Dad. plowed a little more out where we want to put corn. He said it was pretty wet still. Frank hoed for awhile in the garden this after noon. I went down town to-night to see Marj. I went down to "Porky" Marshall's to see about painting some letters for him on his shop but George Zealand had got the job. I was glad he had as I haven't got the time. Very hot to-day &amp; to-night.</p> <p>Tuesday June 29th</p> <p>Dad. plowed all morning and intended to cultivate corn this after noon but just after dinner a terrific thunder storm broke loose which stopped him. It rained several short but very hard showers all the after noon and a terrible wind, so we didn't do any thing all the after noon but sit around. Dad. went out with</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>the cultivator but got caught in the rain. I finished painting the sign this morning and spent quite awhile talking to a representative of the Basic Slag people who came to look at the wheat. He admitted there wasn't any noticable change in the appearance of the fertilized &amp; unfertilized and thought it must have been due to the dry weather. I cleaned out a row of mangels when he left. Frank has felt rather tough all day owing to an overdose of green peas he had last night over at Jack Martin's field where he picked some for Enah. I went down town to-night to see if by any chance Wednes the band was going to the Woodhouse social but just as I got to Aunty's it began to rain again and Marj. was there so I never went up town. On my way home to-night I fell in with the chiravaree brigade on their way to honor Dock McQueen who married Lilly Greenbury the other day. I went over with them but didn't go in. They didn't make any racket as Mrs. Alex Spain is about at death's door They told me the band stayed home.</p> <p>Wednesday June 30th</p> <p>Frank and I took Quints sign down to him this morning and then went up and got some things (a desk &amp; some books) of Marj's. which she wanted stored at Aunty's for the summer. Frank took the team home and got some stuff at the mill and I went down to the beach to paint some more letters for Quint &amp; Joe but they didn't have things ready so I couldn't. I stayed art Aunty's to dinner and went home right after. She gave me some pansy plants which I set out and I spent the rest of the after noon raking up the lawn which was very littered after yesterday's storm. Dad. worked in the garden all day and Frank fixed the bracing at the windmill and cut the grass around the little trees in the orchard this after noon. Marj. came over to tea. She has been very busy calling on all the folks in town and saying goodbye. She is leaving to-morrow and not coming back till I go and bring her I hope in October.</p> <p>Thursday July 1st</p> <p>I spent most of the morning doing chores and cutting the lawn but didn't finish. I went down a little before noon and had dinner at Aunty's. Right after dinner I went down to the lake and painted a direction sign for Quint and Joe and spent the remainder of the afternoon with the band. We played in Powel park till about four o'clock and then went over to Jimmy's where we were treated to ice-cream and from there we went down and had a trip out on the "City of Dover". We went home for supper after that and Bill said we were through as the committee told him we didn't need to play after five o'clock. Mr. Bagley however was</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>greatly incensed at the idea of not playing after tea on the 1st of July as he had never known of such a thing before so we came back for an hour and gave quite a little concert. {Doct.?} didn't show up though as he had a date with Lou. Dixon. Mid. &amp; Harry Moon ran the thing. I didn't see much of what went on all day but they had a big baby show and Dover won first money in the baseball tournament and I guess the other sports were good. It was a fine day not to hot and yet warm enough for the boys at the beach to be pretty well patronized. Dad. didn't come down town all day but came down at night. I didn't go to see Marj. off to-night but the rest did</p> <p>Friday July 2nd</p> <p>Rus. Lampkins came down this morning and put a new top on the windmill as the boxings were getting badly worn on the old one. Dad plowed up the old strawberry patch in the garden and worked it down and this after noon cultivated corn. I raked up the hay Frank cut in the orchard and cocked it up this morning and cut a little more lawn. This after noon I cleaned out another row of mangels. Frank has felt pretty tough all day but tried his new cultivator out It doesn't go just right yet. Mr. &amp; Mrs James, Elva and Brant were all over here for tea. Cloudy all day, warm.</p> <p>Saturday July 3rd</p> <p>I finished cutting the lawn this morning and spent the rest of the day thinning mangels. I just got two more rows done. Dad. set out cabbage plants all day so we should have a good supply of them. Frank still feels pretty tough and hasn't done any thing much all day. I did another show card lesson to-night but made a bad job of it. Hot this morning but very windy this after noon</p> <p>Sunday July 4th</p> <p>Frank Tid and I went down to Sunday school. Frank ran the library and I took Marj's class, but didn't feel as if I made much of a job of it. Dad. went down early this morning and drove Aunty &amp; Aunty Alice up to the cemetry. I had dinner at Aunty's and this after noon went with the band up to the cemetry as this was the Oddfellow's decoration day. We went up on the three o'clock car and came back on the five. Dad. Enah and Tid drove down to-night and took Aunty Alice for milk. Frank and I went to bed early. Very cool. Ade &amp; Percy Millman were over this morning for awhile.</p> <p>Monday July 5th</p> <p>I hoed mangels all day and just got two more rows done. Dad. and Frank spent the day cultivating corn Frank has had quite a time adjusting his two row cultivator. It seemed to pull very heavy and not dig in</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>much but he put the big team on this after noon and I think got it working fairly well. They have got as far as our corner with Harry Misener's house. They have been over a week getting this far - from Renton.They can walk right along on the level but it took them all day to get up through our cut. It is a big frame two-story house and every one seems to think it will bother them getting it over the bridge. I went down to band practice to-night. We got paid two dollars apiece for playing on the 1st of July and the Council promised us 25 dollars a night for the summer playing Thursdays They wanted to go up to serenade Bill Wamsley but Mr. Bagley thought it would be a mistake for the band to go up and play good music as every body that got married in future would expect us out, so we didn't go Aunty told us to-night that Jack Martin has bought Mrs Battersbys place.</p> <p>Tuesday July 6th</p> <p>I thinned mangels all morning and most of the after noon but right after dinner Frank and I hauled in the hay that was cut in the orchard. We hauled it on the waggon and put one jag in for the bulls and one for the horses. Dad finished cultivating the corn and what stuff he could in the garden Frank disked up the strip Dad. plowed for corn and his alfalfa plot and sprayed the potatoes in the field. Dad. &amp; I worked for awhile in the garden to-night. Cloudy and raining to-night.</p> <p>Wednesday July 7th</p> <p>It rained hard during the night but didn't flood things at all and there has been a gentle drizzle all morning clearing off at noon and coming out sunny &amp; windy this after noon. Dad. and I spent the fore noon setting out cabbage plants. We put out about 300. We expected them all over from home to dinner as it was Dad's birthday They were going to have Mrs. John Walker bring them over in the car but as it rained she didn't come for them. Aunty Alice walked over and said Aunty &amp; Aunt Ida couldn't come but I drove down and brought them over in the buggy and Enah took them back in the cart this after noon We just visited this after noon except Frank he fixed a piece of fence back in the gully and took some plank from back there and brought them up to floor Moonshine's stall which he cleared all out this morning. Arthur Preston was over for most of the after noon. To-night Tid and I went down to the "sheep pasture" for a walk and to see if Frank Awde's sweet cherries were ripe but there weren't any.</p> <p>Thursday July 8th</p> <p>Still thinning mangels. I got about two more rows done I think I made a little better time by hoeing them all out first and then weeding around each plant afterwards. Dad. &amp; Enah worked in the garden all day &amp; Frank harrowed and rolled the plowed strip for corn. We all went down to band concert to-night.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Friday July 9th</p> <p>I hoed mangels and turnips most of the day. I have all the mangels hoed now but have to thin the last row yet. The turnips are much bigger and are a nuisance to hoe out but I can make fairly good time at it if I dont stop to thin. I took about an hour off this morning and went over and hoed down three or four patches of perennill saw thistle in Ivey's meadow to keep them from going to seed and blowing on to our place. I went down to Bronzie for a little while from Ivey's. This after noon it started to rain about half past three and as it looked as if it was going to keep it up I came up to the house and painted a show card lesson. The rain didn't ammount to much but we had quite a heavy little shower about five. Frank planted the strip we had plowed with corn this morning and has been cutting thistles in the back field the rest of the day. There was an awful crop of them. Dad. &amp; Enah worked all day till it commenced to rain in the garden. Elva &amp; Brant came in about four o'clock on their way out to see {Vance?} Walker and took Enah and Tid out with them.</p> <p>Saturday July 10th</p> <p>I have still been pegging away at the turnips and mangels. I have the mangels all thinned now and have most of the turnips hoed but only a row and a half thinned. Dad. has been working all day in the garden pulling weeds. Frank finished cutting the thistles in the back field and started to cut the side hill which is mostly thistles and daisys but there is some blue grass on top. Tid went to a birthday party at Gertrude Silverthorne's this afternoon. He got an invitation the other day and has been worrying about it more or less ever since. He wanted to go but was scared to. However Enah managed to get him packed off hoping that Miss McQueen and John Harris Buck would be there. They weren't but he knew the ones that were there so had a good time. Fine day and not hot.</p> <p>Sunday July 11th</p> <p>We all went down to church and Tid. Frank and I went to Sunday school. I took the class but don't think I taught it any thing. I didn't feel as if I was. We all stayed at Aunty's for dinner and I came home right after to do chores. Mr. Zealand took me in to show me his garden so I didn't get home till nearly three. Dad. Enah and Tid came home about five. Frank rode his wheel down to the Wards and as it rained hard for about an hour at six o'clock, he evidently got stalled down there as he didn't show up all night. Cool.</p> <p>Monday July 12th</p> <p>Dad. started to plow the back field for summer</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>fallow this morning and has been at it all day. I went back with him and helped him get started and from there walked over to Tom Butler's to try to induce him to buy Oliver at beef price but he said they only had two cows so didn't think they could afford to. I got talking and Mark put on some phonograph record so I didn't get back till dinner time. Frank rode his wheel home sometime during the forenoon. This after noon He finished cutting the side hill field and cut two rounds on the five acres next the lane. I hoed a couple more rows of turnips. Tid is having a great time trying to snare a ground hog back on the mound. He and Hubert Zealand seem to be in partnership on the business. I went down to band practice to-night. Fine day but cloudy.</p> <p>Tuesday July 13th</p> <p>Dad. cut thistles in the corn field this morning and plowed this after noon. Frank cut hay north of the orchard till ten o'clock, then went back and raked up the back field by noon I cut some of the lawn and did a few odd jobs this morning and then went out and finished hoeing the turnips and started to thin them. I intended to go back right after dinner and cock up the hay that Frank raked but a little shower came up and I couldn't do it till four o'clock and so didn't finish. I thinned turnips while I was waiting for it to dry. Frank went over to Lloyd Crysler's raising this after noon. It proved a sad affair for this community. Mr. Flemming was killed at it.They were rising the end bent of the barn and he was shoving on one post when the frame over-balanced and the end of the post on the sill slipped and fell back and either the girt or the brace caught him across the back and killed him almost instantly. Frank was in the same position at the other post but he realized the danger of the place and got to the outside of the post a little while before the frame fell. Mr. Flemming was such a rattling good man in every way that it seems mighty hard to lose him like that, but in reality it was a great way to go as they all say he never knew what hit him. Tom &amp; Mark were over to-night and we had a little music. Cool &amp; nice.</p> <p>Wednesday July 14th</p> <p>It rained this morning and I spent an hour or so working at my show card lessons which I finished to-night. Dad. did odd jobs around and Frank cleaned up the upstairs of the woodshed. Tom Butler was in for awhile to have Dad look at one of his horses which has a sore eye. It cleared up after dinner and Dad cultivated the garden and the potatoes &amp; roots in the field. Tid. &amp; I cut the lawn or part of it and Frank finished mowing the meadow north of the orchard. Karl bought the 5 steers to-night for $550.00.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Thursday July 15th</p> <p>Frank cultivated the corn this morning and Dad hoed in the garden and I finished raking the lawn and hoed two rows and a half of potatoes in the field. Tid. went down to Aunty's for dinner and the rest of us all went to Mr. Flemming's funeral. There was about the biggest crowd there I ever saw at a funeral nearly everyone from around here and a great many from down east. Dad. was one of the bearers so went up with them. I drove up and took old Maneer up with me. We missed the procession as they went through town and we went by the mill. After the funeral Dad. and I drove home around by Jim Waddle's as Dad. wanted to see the {Hal.?} H. Colt but Jim had shipped the mare to Toronto to be bred. He was hauling in hay. It was after five when we got home. Frank had come home and raked up the first cut hay and was cocking up. Jack Ivey was over and wanted him to rake theirs up to-morrow. I went down to band concert to-night. Fine day but cold to-night.</p> <p>Friday July 16th</p> <p>Frank went to the mill before breakfast this morning and got some chop for the hogs &amp; bulls. He and I dosed the lambs for tape-worm after breakfast and then he went over and raked up Ivey's hay for him. Dad. and I cocked up what was raked in the field north of the orchard and started in to cock up what was left in windrow across the gully Frank came back a little before noon and finished raking this field and we spent the after noon finishing across the gully and cocking up in this field. We went out after tea and cocked up some but didn't quite finish. Old Moonshine broke out of his pen this morning so Frank had to fix it up after dinner. He upset things in the barn and got into a bag of chop but I think spilled more than he ate. Cool wind all day &amp; quite cold to-night.</p> <p>Saturday July 17th</p> <p>We hauled hay to-day from the field north of the orchard and would have cleared it if we had not had to put poles across in the big barn to build a mow, so that we could have the clover hay where we could get at it. We put one load in the horse stable and then had to change the car so that altogether we were delayed about two hours or more and only got in two loads this morning. We got in five this after noon. Mr. &amp; Mrs. Millman, Percy &amp; Kathleen all came up from Toronto to-day. Paw &amp; Mrs Millman are staying at Aunty's They were over here for awhile after tea with Aunty Alice, Percy's wife, children &amp; mother-in-law. Cool but fine.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Sunday July 18th</p> <p>It rained during the night and rained hard several times during the day and evening. It was so muddy and wet at Sunday school time that Frank Tid and I drove down and Dad. and Enah didn't go down to church. I walked down with Mr. Herring after church went in for a minute to see Cousin Clare. They have rented Mrs. {Lig?} Anderson's house for the summer and she busy as a nailer getting things settled I came home for dinner with Frank &amp; Tid. as the walking was so bad. I spent the rest of the day reading and writing. Dad. went to sleep. Frank went back to the woods.</p> <p>Monday July 19th</p> <p>It was too wet to do any thing with the hay this morning and it was cloudy and drizzly till noon but came out clear &amp; breezy after dinner. Dad. and Tid went down to Aunty's this morning and Dad. trimmed up the paths and cleared away a big limb which broke off the Newton pippin tree. They came back soon after dinner and Dad. worked in the garden this after noon. Frank and I changed the fence in the sheep pasture this morning and rolled it back from where we had it dividing the field to the original place for it from the orchard to the corner field. After that I set out some more cabbage plants in the garden &amp; Frank helped Enah pick the cherries, there won't be so many of them as usual as the robins have taken a lot. This after noon Frank cut down the piece of grass between the old garden and where he drilled in the strip of corn. We had intended putting corn on it but it got too wet to plough it. It is mostly couch grass. I spent the after noon thinning turnips. Went to band practice to-night.</p> <p>Tuesday July 20th</p> <p>Frank worked most of the fore noon on his alfalfa plot and Dad. and I turned out the hay. It wasn't wet much except around the edges, the bluegrass across the gully we didn't have to turn out at all. Enah and Tid. went back to the woods to pick berries but didn't get very many. We saw Mark Stephens going to town after one of his applicants for housekeeper. They put an ad in the Globe. about a week ago and Mark says they have been reading applications for the job ever since, so he says there is going to be a steady procession of them now to look over the situation. We hauled in the rest of the hay north of the orchard in about three loads and left the last load on the waggon Then Frank raked up the other piece he cut while Dad. and I were doing the chores. Herb Gurr came over to play with Tid. this after noon and told us that Jane</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Zealand died about noon, Ada told me last night that she was threatened with diphtheria but I didn't know it was so serious. Cool and windy all day.</p> <p>Wednesday July 21st</p> <p>Dad. and I cocked up hay all morning while Frank cultivated the corn. We didn't quite finish by noon as it is mostly bluegrass and slow to handle. Jack Ivey was over and wanted Frank to go over and rake up some hay for them, so he went over after dinner. Neff was in with a Mr. Frances on their way down to Charlie Blake's to a poultry culling demonstration and wanted me to go but I didn't. They gave me a few pointers though on picking out the poor-laying old hens. Dad. and I finished cocking our field about four o'clock and Frank got home about the same time. We started to put off the load of hay that was on the barn floor but when we got three lifts off a heavy thunder shower came up and as Dad. didn't want to get the rope wet we didn't unload the last lift. I took Aunty's milk down to her to-night and got a few pointers on the Sunday school lesson got home about ten o'clock and culled out my hens before I went to bed.</p> <p>Thursday July 22nd</p> <p>It was too wet to do any haying to day so Dad. plowed all day and got quite a nice strip turned over. I thinned turnips and made Tid a milk stool this morning as he is learning to milk now. Frank took Joe down town and had her shod. He brought Mrs. Johnson from Courtright over to dinner and she was here all the after noon and to tea. This after noon I didn't do much went back with Frank to fix up the fence in the gully along the road but as we took Joe &amp; Queen back with us I had to stay with them and let Frank do the fencing. He took one of the old snow barricades and put it up instead of the old gate which is pretty well broken to pieces. We all went down to-night and I went to band concert.</p> <p>Friday July 23rd</p> <p>Frank started to cultivate corn this morning and Dad. cut weeds along the fences and in the orchard I started cutting the lawn. Art Quanbury went by going to haul hay all alone. Dad. thought it would be too wet here to haul till noon so I rode Frank's wheel over to give Art a hand. We got part of a load on - all he could haul through his gully - when it started to rain He rough-locked the waggon going down the hill but it went a little too fast for the horses and they couldn't stop till the hind wheels were square in the ditch. They couldn't pull it out so Art had to go and get a spade and dig it out. By this time it was pouring rain and</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>we both got soaked to the hide before we got to the barn. We lay in the straw for about an hour and when it stopped raining came home. It was cold after the rain but this after noon came out sunny and warm. Dad. plowed. I finished cutting the lawn and Frank cleared things up over in the barn. Looks clear to-night.</p> <p>Saturday July 24th</p> <p>Frank finished cultivating the corn this morning and Dad. hoed thistles out in the corn field while I thinned some more turnips. Aunty was over for dinner by way of celebrating my birthday. After dinner Frank went and got some lime and bluestone to mix up a Bordeaux spray for the potatoes and Dad. and I hauled out a barrel of water to the potato patch for him. We then put on a load of hay and as Dad didn't want to climb way up into the peak of the barn without any hay in to change the pulley we tried putting it off with just the two pulleys and then with the peak pulley hooked on at the gable, the first scheme wouldn't work and the second time the hook pulled out so Frank climbed up to the peak and put the pulley up. Aunty went home before tea. Fine and quite cool.</p> <p>Sunday July 25th</p> <p>Frank Tid and I went to Sunday school and Dad. &amp; Enah went down to church I stayed at Aunty's for dinner and most of the after noon and on my way home stopped at the Woodson's for about an hour. Several of them and two or three Zealand's were down at the pond fishing I just got home in time to help Dad. do chores. Enah stayed down at her father's all the after noon and Dad. and Tid. went after her this evening. Frank and Lloyd Ryerse went for a drive down to the Ward's. Poor Tom. Butler was over to-night in a bad state of blues He has got into a row with Pickford over something he told Pickford's sisters about Pickford's actions out here and which Mrs. Tuck who has just been over there evidently denied and told Pickford about it. Tom feels badly that Mrs. Pickford is down on him as he seems to think a lot of her and she has been very good to him. To add to his troubles Mark is getting sick of the job and wants to pull out and leave things.</p> <p>Monday July 26th</p> <p>We finished hauling what hay was cocked on this side of the gully this morning and there were only three more loads of it. At noon Frank changed the car to the horse stable and we hauled one load from across the gully. We didn't go back again as Harry Misener was moving the school-house in and we were afraid he would block the road between us and the barn, so Frank went to the mill and got some chop for the pigs and bulls and I went over to</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Jack's to borrow a crate to ship some old hens. Frank called and got it on his way home. Dad. hoed thistles in the corn. Later Frank drove down to get some gasoline for Gundry who has been working all day out here grading our road. Enah and Tid were down at Aunty's picking berries this morning. I went down to band practice to-night, very few out. Karl got the first of our steers this morning.</p> <p>Tuesday July 27th</p> <p>Frank and I took my old hens over to Jack Martin's this morning. There were just 16 of them and he gave me $23.00 for them after he weighed them up. He had promised some fellow a couple of dozen culls but hadn't culled his out so he said these would do as well. We hauled two more loads in this morning taking all the hay there was out. This after noon Dad. cultivated and hoed the potatoes and mangels and in the garden. I helped Frank grind a mower knife and then thinned some more turnips. Frank started to cut the rest of the hay on this sideoff the gully. Frank killed an old hen for Aunty Alice this morning evening and he took it down to her.</p> <p>Wednesday July 28th</p> <p>Frank cut hay all day. He finished all there was on this side of the gully before noon and after dinner I helped him grind a mower knife and he cut all the after noon on the 12 acre piece across the gully. Dad. hoed potatoes all morning and I hung around here till Karl Coleman came about ten o'clock and got Frank's steer which we shut in for him. I then went out and thinned turnips till noon. I finished there soon after dinner and then took the little team and raked up what Frank cut yesterday while Dad. cocked up. He and Frank cocked up some more after tea as it looks like rain to-night. I went down town with Aunty Alice's cream. Enah went over to call on Tom &amp; Mark's house keeper and Mrs. Harvey Evans also Mrs. Cam McBride and Mrs. Ivey. Fine &amp; warmer.</p> <p>Thursday July 29th</p> <p>Frank finished raking on this side of the gully this morning and then went over and raked up Ivey's and raked theirs up as Landon was over this morning to ask him. After dinner he went back and raked what was cut across the gully and then helped Dad. &amp; me cock up. We cocked up all day and got nearly finished. It was quite windy this morning and very hard to cock as the bluegrass is so short and heavy. About five o'clock it began to rain and we had quite a sharp thunder storm. I went down to band concert to-night.</p> <p>Friday July 30th</p> <p>It was too wet early to haul hay or work at it so Dad.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>and I weeded at the potatoes one hoed while the other pulled weeds. We only had two rows to do by noon so this after noon we finished the job although it has been a good drying day and John Wess was hauling in this after noon, but Dad. thought our bluegrass would be all the better to cure a little longer in cock. Frank worked on his alfalfa ground and the strip of corn ground that the crows demolished the corn from all morning and this after noon got Art Quanbury's seed drill and sowed his alfalfa. Winnie was over to tea and I drove her home to-night.</p> <p>Saturday July 31st</p> <p>It rained quite hard again last night but Dad thought the hay was dry enough to haul before noon although it has been cloudy and trying to rain all day till about five o'clock when it cleared off and got quite cool. Dad. worked in the garden &amp; cut thistles this morning and Frank sowed some buckwheat on the corn patch that the crows ate up and I cultivated my flower bed. About eleven we went out and put on a load of hay and this after noon Dad &amp; I got in three more - Frank felt sick all the after noon but was able to stay up in the mow and tell us where to dump the hay. Aunty was over to tea to-night and Enah &amp; Tid drove her home with Mexico. The end of July without one really hot day.</p> <p>Sunday August 1st</p> <p>Frank Tid. and I went down to Sunday school and Dad. and Enah went down to church and then out to the Smythe's for dinner and to spend the after noon. We three stayed at Aunty's for dinner. Tid stayed there all the after noon till Dad and Enah called for him. Frank rode his wheel down to the Ward's with Gilly and I came home to do the noon chores and stayed home the rest of the day. I had several callers, two with indisposed dogs requiring veterinary treatment and later Mrs. Brent &amp; Eric came over. They never seem to strike here when Enah is home. I finished reading a book of E. Philips, Oppenheim's to-night, "The Great Impersonation". It was a good one. Cloudy and quite cold to-day.</p> <p>Monday August 2nd</p> <p>It rained again this morning so that we couldn't work at the hay all day. Dad. ploughed and this morning Frank and I hoed the strawberries and cabbages. Karl came over and got Charlie. I didn't do much this after noon but cut a little lawn and sit around Harry Misener was over and sold Dad. another ton of Bosie Hay although he admitted there was no difference to be seen the the fertilized &amp; unfertilized wheat or potatoes nor pasture so far. Frank cultivated the little patch of corn and went down and got a load of sawdust. I went down to band practice to-night. Still very cool.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Tuesday August 3rd</p> <p>Frank and I went down this morning and got a load of soft coal to thrash with as Clare Deal told me last night that they had a load in and it seems to be rather scarce these days. We heard that Barwell had to buy the saw mill in order to get slabs to use on the tugs in place of coal. It is $15.00 per ton. We called at Mrs. Battersby's on our way down and took some books from there down to Aunty's which Miss Phipps wanted to send to the Sunday school library. We also took the cart wheels down and sent them to Brantford to be re-rubber-tired. Dad. cultivated with Belle while we were gone. We hauled in one load of hay before dinner and this after noon finished hauling all the hay this side of the gully in one load and a few cocks which we left on the waggon in the old barn to feed to the bulls. Frank went over and raked up Ivey's hay for them and Dad. and I went back and cocked up what there was on the other side of the gully. Beautiful day. Fine but not hot.</p> <p>Wednesday August 4th</p> <p>We started to cut the wheat to-day and were all day gering this side of the potatoes cut. It took most of the morning to get the binder out and oiled and in working order, then the horses were a terrible nuisance. We had Pommers, Joe &amp; old Harry on before dinner but old Harry would not act his part at all. Frank didn't have a whip and Harry knew it. He would stand perfectly still every few minutes and nod his head. We took him off after dinner and put Queen in but going across the ditches made her mad and Frank had a hard time persuading her to go across the ends every time. Pommers worked fine. Aunty Maude went to Brantford yesterday and was operated on to-day for appendicitis. Dad. Enah and Tid went down to-night and Lila had had a telephone message from Dr. Hicks saying everything was satisfactory.</p> <p>Thursday August 5th</p> <p>We finished cutting &amp; shocking up the wheat this morning. There wasn't much on the north side of the field but couch grass. We put the binder back in the woodshed after dinner Landon Ivey was in for quite awhile just after dinner. He wants a team to help thrash to-morrow whenever Sam gets there. He went up to Sid. Marsh's this after noon about four o'clock so won't be down here very early, likely. This after noon Dad. disked what he had plowed across the gully and Frank cut some more hay over there. I didn't do much but weed out some parsnips in the garden. I went down to band concert to-night. Stopped in at the Zealand's on my way down, they have offered me the use of their house for the winter. No more news of Aunty Maude. A red-haired heir to the house of Dillon arrived last night. Hot to-day &amp; a hot night, the first.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Friday August 6th</p> <p>Dad. plowed this morning and Frank finished cutting the hay across the gully. He expected to have to go and help thrash at Ivey's this after noon but as the machine didn't pull in there till to-night. He raked the hay across the gully and Dad. and I cocked up what we could. I didn't do much this morning but a little hoeing in the garden. To-night we persuaded Dad &amp; Enah to go up to the {Chataugay?} at Simcoe. There was a comedy "Nothing but the Truth" on and Dad. laughed so hard he was nearly sick. Frank Tid and I did up the chores and Frank took Aunty Alice's milk down and brought home an ice cream brick which we three demolished. Young Larry Skey came over this morning and borrowed Mexico for his father to go trout fishing. His father brought him back to-night after dark and I guess didn't have much of a day. He went to Port Ryerse in an hour and a quarter and caught about half a dozen trout. He said he didn't send Larry after Mexico but when he went to the trouble of getting him, he didn't like to disappoint him. Alan Law came in after dark and was so tired he could hardly stand up so borrowed the waggon with the rack on to ride home in. The other waggon still has the coal on it. Hot and Lazy all day. Looks rainy or else very dry</p> <p>Saturday August 7th</p> <p>Frank has been over at Ivey's with the team all day helping thrash, they didn't quite finish but could have easily if they had worked after six. Dad. and I cocked up hay in the back field all day and finished a little after five. We thought after dinner when we went back that we only had about a couple of hours work but there was more than we thought and as we didn't take any water back and it was very hot we were pretty dry when we came up. Enah &amp; Tid went down to the lake this after noon and I was to meet Enah at the seven o'clock car and go to Simcoe to the musical {Chautaugua?} I went down but met Enah coming home as she decided not to go. I went on down town for the rest of the evening and got my hair cut. The Lavaltre came in to-night with a lot of Yankee nets and W. J. Thompson gave me a lot of herring that they took with the nets.</p> <p>Sunday August 8th</p> <p>Frank Tim and I went down to Sunday school and church. We had Mr. McDonald here in Mr. Johnson's place I stayed at Aunty's to dinner, Huby, Win. &amp; Lila were also there. Win. went to Brantford this after noon to see Aunty Maude, who seems to be doing as well as can be expected after her operation. About three o'clock I went up to the stump and had a swim and then walked around the pond and lay around on Frank Awde's point till five o'clock. It was nice and cool there but</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>very hot every where else. We had tea before we milked and Enah went down to church and Dad. &amp; Tid walked down to meet her when we got the chores done. Frank went over to call on Tom &amp; Mark's housekeeper. Very hot.</p> <p>Monday August 9th</p> <p>It was raining this morning when we got up so as we couldn't do any thing outside I went to Simcoe to pay Cruickshanks my insurance and see Neff about selling the bulls, as I knew he would be connected with the campain on to do away with scrub sires, but when I got there I found it was Simcoe's civic holiday, Cruickshanks was at the {Point?}. Neff wasn't at the office but Manning was and said he would tell Neff. It poured rain while I was there so I stayed in the office with Manning till it was too late to catch the 11 o'clock car. I went up to Slaght's house and saw him for awhile but he didn't know any more. I came home at one o'clock and had a little dinner at Aunty's and then went up town to put some money in the bank. I didn't do much this after noon but work at my show-card lessons and to-night I went down to band practice. Frank and Dad. fixed the barn up ready to haul in. Frank went down town this morning and got some binder twine from Billy Lang and this afternoon Dad ploughed. Cloudy &amp; rainy all day. Very sultry.</p> <p>Tuesday August 10th</p> <p>Dad. has ploughed all day and got a nice strip done. Frank and I went back this morning to straighten up the wheat shocks, but there weren't many down and the ones that were standing didn't seem very wet so we left them alone. We then went back to the gully and intended cutting across to Jack Paine's bridge for a swim but we saw Harvey Evans out all alone shocking up wheat which was all lyind down and soaking wet so we helped him till noon. This after noon I did a little more show card work then went out and hoed onions. Frank tried to drill in some rape between the corn rows but the little seeder wouldn't work, it was too wet, so then he took the roller back and rolled down what Dad has ploughed. Rus. Lampkins was in and got the rest of his boiler flues and a fellow who Rus. told me was Frank Schugler was in looking at the sheep. Hot.</p> <p>Wednesday August 11th</p> <p>Dad. ploughed all morning. Frank and I moved Moonshine over to the box stall in the horse-stable and cleaned out the place where he was so that we could haul wheat. About half past ten we went over to Mrs. Battersbys to help them move the big square piano but they weren't quite ready so I went down to the mill to pay up. Karl came and got my steer this morning and gave me</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>$110.00 which I thought would square up but I was grieved to learn that I owed him $136.00. Frank went back home and turned out a load of wheat. We then went back to move the piano. We got Goodwin, Frank Awde &amp; a new man from Jack Martin's and Mr. Bagley was there taking some wardrobes apart so we had lots of men but it was quite a lift. We couldn't get the legs off it so had to worm it through the doors. They are getting things ready for the sale over there. We didn't get back much before noon. After dinner we hauled in four jags of wheat. It was damp but we thought it would do. Landon Ivey wanted Frank to go over and rake the wheat stubble and we let him have the rake and Joe Long raked it. They finished thrashing to-day. Jack Martin is over at Syracuse with some chickens. They tell me he took one or two of my old hens over there to the show. Hot.</p> <p>Thursday August 12th</p> <p>We went out this morning and turned out all the wheat. We then went back across the gully and put on a load of the poorest hay which we spread on the rails over the bulls and over the granary. As there was a heavy fog and wet this morning, we didn't get started very early, so it was noon by the time we got our load off. This after noon we hauled in the wheat which was in fairly good shape to go in, we figured there were about seven decent sized loads although we made more trips to the field than that. There will be a lot of rakings. I went down to band concert to-night and the rest all went down to hear it. Roy &amp; Vernon and the children are at Aunty's so we stayed there for quite awhile. Enah was over at Mrs. Battersby's sale all the after noon. It was a big sale and a big crowd. Tid. was down playing with Rebecca all the after noon and stayed down to tea. Very hot and muggy.</p> <p>Friday August 13th</p> <p>Frank went out and raked the wheat stubble this morning and we got a good sized load of rakings off it. It took longer to rake it than Dad had figured on so that we didn't have time to go back and get any hay before dinner but we got the wheat rakings in before noon. While Frank was at that Dad. and I put off the load of wheat that was in the barn and then as I had a pain in my tummy I lay down till we hauled in the rakings. We went back after dinner to haul hay. We got one load up and another half on when it began to rain. We came up with our half load but got drenched doing it. I spent the rest of the after noon painting show card practice and Frank washed out our wet clothes. Very warm to-day before and after the rain.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Saturday August 14th</p> <p>Dad. has plowed all day in the back field and has got past the niche in the fence so is on the short rounds. I didn't do much all day but cut a few thistles in the orchard and mow part of the lawn this after noon. Frank did a few odd jobs among which was patching the rooves of the old barn and horse stable. Tid. &amp; Enah went down town. The Millman's arrived about eight o'clock having run into some bad roads. Mr. &amp; Mrs. Millman Kathleen &amp; {Tow?}. After they had tea, they all went down in the car and Enah &amp; Frank went with them. I changed my clothes and walked down later and met the girls over at Pete Holmes' casino. We had a few dances but had more fun watching the antics of the others. The girls are staying at Percy's so Frank and I went around there with them and sat on the beach till about one o'clock. Mr. &amp; Mrs. Millman are staying over here. Very hot. We thought we were going to get a real thunder storm to-day but didn't.</p> <p>Sunday August 15th</p> <p>Frank Tid and I went down to Sunday school and church and after church we found Dad. &amp; Mr. Millman down at Aunty's with the car to take the whole family over here to dinner I walked as far as the bridge on my way home and then Charlie Shand picked me up and brought me all the way home. We had a great old dinner party. After dinner Roy, Rebecca and I went out and gathered some mushrooms which Roy said were good but which I always thought were toadstools. We sat around on the lawn trying without much success to be cool and about four o'clock Mr. Millman drove all but Dad. Tid &amp; me down town. Frank had left before on his wheel to go down the Lake shore with the Ward's, he got back about dark. Mr. &amp; Mrs. Millman &amp; Enah came back for tea and we all spent the evening here. Very hot.</p> <p>Monday August 16th</p> <p>We were up early this morning and Mr. Millman went down about six o'clock to go over to Turkey Point with Roy &amp; Percy to fish. He was gone all day and got about four or five bass and a pike or so. It rained again quite a little shower and was cloudy all morning so we couldn't do any thing with the crops. Dad. ploughed all day and Frank cleaned out the shop. I dug up some paeony roots over at Ivey's this morning and packed a box of them to send to Daerie. This after noon some Mr. Brooks from Brantford was down to look at the sheep, he may buy a few later on. Enah &amp; Mrs. Millman went down town this after noon. Kathleen &amp; Tow were over for a little while this morning and I drove them down town in the midst of a heavy shower. I went down to band practice to-night but there were very few out.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Tuesday August 17th</p> <p>The Millman's left for home this morning about 9 o'clock and took Enah with them to Brantford where she spent the after noon with Aunty Maude coming down on the five o'clock car, she said Aunty Maude was looking fine and expected to come home this week. Dad. Frank and I spent the remainder of the fore noon separating the ewes &amp; lambs and marking the ewes we wanted to keep We picked out 13 of the ones we considered the best &amp; the three best looking lambs, and we put the lambs and rams over in the front pasture west of the house and left the ewes in the orchard. This after noon we got the binder out and started to cut the barley in the corner field it is crinkled down and there is a lot of green stuff in it so it looks miserable, we didn't cut it out separately from the oats in the other end of the field but cut straight through. We didn't get much more than well started to-day as it was late when we got out. I went down town to-night with some cream for Aunty and spent most of the evening with Roy &amp; Quint who were fitting a pipe in Quint's new launch. Cooler looks rainy.</p> <p>Wednesday August 18th</p> <p>We cut oats all day, finished the strip in the corner field and started in on the barley and oats along the side road, but still have the five or six loads in the corner field that were latest sowed to cut yet. Billy Mills came over after dinner and borrowed the rack to haul alsike. He delayed me quite a bit as I had to help him put off the hay that was on it. Roy was over for awhile this evening and spent the whole time trying to prove to Frank something about a kite he is making for Tid. but I guess he failed in the attempt. Cooler but looks rainy.</p> <p>Thursday August 19th</p> <p>Still cutting oats, got on fairly well to-day but have quite a strip to cut yet, nothing out of the ordinary happened. I went down to band concert to-night. Cool.</p> <p>Friday August 20th</p> <p>We finished cutting the oats to-day. It took longer to cut the piece with the water holes in it than it did the others as Frank had to cut around them so that by the time we got the five lands in the corner field cut and the binder loaded and put away it was about quitting time. Dad. and I kept them shocked up as they were cut. Fine day</p> <p>Saturday August 21st</p> <p>Dad. &amp; Frank went after after a load of hay this morning while I killed a couple of chickens one for Mrs Bowlby</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>and one for Aunty Alice. I also got some ice and put the car out of the horse stable. We hauled two loads this morning and one load of barley as we didn't have time to go after a load of hay before noon. This after noon we hauled two more loads of hay, there are still four or five loads back there I think. I went down to the dam at the grist mill to-night and had a good bath. It rained quite a shower. Hot but nice breeze to-day.</p> <p>Sunday August 22nd</p> <p>Frank, Tid. and I went down to Sunday school this morning and Dad. &amp; Enah went to church. I was home all the after noon. Gordon Zealand, Oliver Mann, George Ryerse &amp; young Aubrey Wilson came over to see my birds' eggs. Enah and Tid went for a drive and Frank went over to Tom Butler's. He &amp; Mark went down to church to-night. Dad. Enah &amp; Tid drove down to-night to see Roy as this was his birthday. Huby &amp; Lila went to Brantford this after noon and brought Aunty Maude home, she is going to stay at Aunt Lucy's for awhile till she gets stronger, she has got on very well so far. Or, &amp; his girl, Carlotta Turk, and Kathleen, Tow and two boys came in at noon for awhile. Very cool all day</p> <p>Monday August 23rd</p> <p>We finished hauling the hay from the back field to-day. We got two loads this morning and as we didn't have time before dinner to go back for another we penned the ewes and milked them all out. Then we hauled the remaining two this afternoon. Tupper was in for a few minutes this morning. I went down to band practice to-night. We have three engagements booked. Boughner picnic Thursday afternoon Simcoe Oddfellow's decoration Sunday and a garden party or some thing out at Jim Ross's Tuesday night. Roy went over to the Point to-day with Quint, Dad. {Name?} and Jack Ivey and just got back about ten o'clock</p> <p>Tuesday August 24th</p> <p>Dad. and I hauled in six bags of oats to-day from the corner field. Frank had to go down to Sam Law's to thrash and it made it very awkward pitching up into the mow and mowing away for just the two of us, so that we didn't get as much in as we otherwise would have. I took some milk down to Aunty's to-night and stayed most of the evening. Kathleen &amp; Tow were there. I rode or tried to ride Frank's wheel but made a bad job of it. He took Queen and went for a drive to-night. Fair and not too hot.</p> <p>Wednesday August 25th</p> <p>We finished hauling in off the corner field first thing this morning. The barley that was left out there made</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>a big load and took a long time to pitch on and off. We got two loads of barley &amp; oats off the long field before dinner and put them in the barn. Frank had to go over to Pickford's to thrash this afternoon so Dad and I hauled two loads of oats and started a stack as two can't unload now in the barn. It was slow work making the stack with just two. To-night Dad. Enah &amp; Tid drove down with Aunty's milk and just as they got home Mr. Cantelon the artist rode in, he was here for a long time making a copy of a sketch Clarence did of the old Dog's Nest. He is very interested in anything pertaining to the early history of the country. Hot &amp; looks dry</p> <p>Thursday August 26th</p> <p>Frank was over at Pickford's thrashing all day morning. Dad. and I hauled in three loads of oats and pitched two off on the stack and left one till after dinner. This after noon I went down to play in the band for Boughner picnic and Dad. &amp; Frank hauled in two more loads of barley and oats. The Boughner picnic has degenerated in late years. There was not such a big crowd as usual in spite of the fact that it was a beautiful day. In olden days we used to see all roads into Dover lined with buggys and democrats at five a.m. but now every one comes in cars and they don't start till after dinner. We played to a rather small audience over in Bucks park till half past five. I stayed at Aunty's for tea and then went with Quint, Roy &amp; Vernon out in the new boat. We picked Kathleen, Tow, Enah and Tid. up down at Barwell's fish shanty and we had a fine ride out in the lake, it was the fastest boat I was ever in. It was after eight when we got in but I got up to the bandstand before they started to play. This was I suppose our last concert for the season. I went over to Pete Holme's after band concert and from there went with Kathleen, Tow &amp; Quint over to their cottage where we had some ice cream which Quint brought from his shack and cake &amp; lemonade. Frank joined us later and we fooled around there half the night then I went for a dip in the lake and walked home in my bare feet. I changed my clothes went I got home as I didn't think it was worthwhile undressing. It was after three when I went to bed.</p> <p>Friday August 27th</p> <p>Dad. called me before daylight this morning and I went and helped him put the sheep out of the garden. They had gone through a hole in the fence that Belle had broken. They had got well filled up on clover but hadn't done much damage in the garden We finished hauling the oats to-day. It took us all</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>day as finishing the stack took a lot of time. Kathleen and Tow were over to dinner to-day and Enah drove them down this after noon. Mr. &amp; Mrs. Millman came up in the car to-night. They are all going home on Sunday Orm &amp; Carlotta Turk came up too. Fine day pretty hot.</p> <p>Saturday August 28th</p> <p>I spent most of the fore noon cleaning out the flower border and setting out a little plant of bleeding heart and some iris which Mrs. Millman brought me. This afternoon I went over to Ivey's and dug up some more paeony roots and took a stroll over to Bronzie where I poked around for an hour or more. Dad. ploughed all day. Frank went down to Sam Law's this after noon and borrowed 30 bushels of oats which he took down to the mill and had chopped. Fine day not hot.</p> <p>Sunday August 29th</p> <p>Frank Tid and I went down to Sunday school &amp; Dad and Enah drove down to church but Dad. couldn't go as he had forgotten the tie strap and couldn't tie Queen up. I had a very hurried lunch at Aunty's and went to Simcoe on the one o'clock car with the band as we were engaged to play for the Oddfellow's decoration day up there. We had to wait till three o'clock for the {Coutons?} the highest order of the Oddfellow's to come down from Brantford and then we marched out to the cemetry and were out there an hour or so. By the time we got through it was too late to catch the five o'clock car so we were treated to supper at the Battersby house and got home at seven. Beautiful day</p> <p>Monday August 30th</p> <p>Dad. ploughed all day but didn't quite finish the field. Frank patched the roof of the old barn this morning and I went up on the inside and shoved straws through to show him where the holes were. I went down town before dinner to see about getting some clothes. I wanted to get a second best suit and a light overcoat. Moses Fischer showed me some brown sample of a suit which he said would be $48.00. I went down to Tip's and bought a ready made for $25..00 It won't look as well as the other but seemed pretty good and I didn't feel as if I could afford to spend $22.00 on mere appearance. I also got Tip to send for some samples of tweed raincoats which he says are taking the place of fall overcoats. He had some there but they were all too short in the sleeves. I got a pair of shoes at Frank Smith's for $7.50. I had dinner at Aunty's and came home soon after and hoed a few strawberries. I stopped in for a few minutes to see Aunty Maude on my way home. Frank sowed some rape seed in the corn this afternoon but I am afraid it is too late for it to ammount to anything. I went down to band practice to-night. Fine &amp; cool</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Tuesday August 31st</p> <p>Frank was down at Dave Ward's last night and as Dave has his oats all out yet Frank promised to go down and help him get them in, so off he went this morning and I don't know when he will be back. Dad. ploughed this morning and I cut lawn and after dinner Dad. &amp; I went out to the side road and got the snow fence that the township council or road officials put out there and brought it up and put it around the stack as the calves and sheep were rubbing and pulling at it. Dad. then went back to plough for a while and I wired the snow fence to-gether and didn't do any thing else much till chore time. To-night I went down and joined the band and we all went out to Jim Ross's to a Women's Auxillary garden party. It was very cold down there but we had a pretty good time. Their programme was so rotten it was funny. Tom Butcher of Nanticoke was the principal entertainer and he appears to be batty. Mrs. Hank Sinclair told fortunes and I think it was young Mason who had an old stove out under an apple tree frying hot dogs. He also sold ice cream but most people were too frozen to want to buy it.</p> <p>Wednesday September 1st</p> <p>Dad. finished ploughing and rolling the field this morning and I puttered around and hoed a little in the strawberries. This after noon we got the spreader out and hauled out three loads as it took a long time to get it oiled up and started and then some thing went wrong with the worm gear that turns the apron and it lifted itself out of the gear and didn't turn. Dad. tightened up a nut which we couldn't see would help it any but it worked all right afterwards. Jack Martin was in to-night to tell us that he was going to thrash to-morrow and wanted two men. Fine day &amp; cool</p> <p>Thursday September 2nd</p> <p>Dad. and I hauled out three or four seven loads this morning but as the machine moved in to Jack's place before dinner we put the spreader in the shed at noon and went over there at one o'clock. They were thrashing oats out of the stack down at the {illegible} barn and had a good run but didn't quite finish. I stayed over there to tea but Dad. came home. It was pretty late when we got the chores done. Winnie was over here to tea. Fine</p> <p>Friday September 3rd</p> <p>We thrashed all day at Jack's to-day and are not quite through yet. We finished the oats and then moved up to the Mills barn and started thrashing wheat before dinner. Benny Walker and I carried away. Benny would carry away three bushels and then I'd carry three so we had a pretty fair time. I came home at noon to do chores and Dad. stayed over to dinner. Still a fine day.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Saturday September 4th</p> <p>We finished thrashing at Martin's this morning about half past eight having about 400 bushels of wheat and 623 of oats. Dad and I came home by way of Jack Martin's to get his measuring chain but we couldn't find it. Sid. Goodwin showed his string of chickens that he is getting ready for the Syracuse Show. This after noon we hauled out a few more loads of manure. I went down town to-night and got my suit which they all thought looked all right. Frank came home some time during the night.</p> <p>Sunday September 5th</p> <p>Frank Tid and I went down to Sunday school and Enah came down to church. She and Tid. stayed all the after noon at her mothers as Elva &amp; Brant were down for Labor Day to-morrow. I stayed for dinner at Aunty's and was down there all the after noon, went home about five and helped Dad. do chores. Frank seems pretty well tuckerd out. Dave must have worked him pretty hard and then he wound up by going to the dance. Mark. Stephens was in for awhile on his way down to church and he stopped in on his way back and we ate part of a water-melon that Enah got this afternoon up at Cantelon's.</p> <p>Monday September 6th</p> <p>This being Labor Day we didn't do any thing but chores this morning but as the water has had a very disagreeable taste and odour lately Dad. thought he would make an examination and much to our disgust discovered a rabbit floating in the water in an advanced stage of decomposition, with considerable manoevering he managed to dip it up with a pail. We imagine it must have fallen through the hole we left for ventilation although there has been a box over it. Enah and Tid. drove out to the school house to the Dolly Smith reunion and about noon Dad. and I walked out. Frank still feels tough so didn't go. We weren't there long before the bell rang for dinner and we went down into the basement and had a grand feed. After dinner we played baseball and had a very good time. Girls against the boys. I don't know who won but I think it was a large score in favour of neither. We played till about four o'clock when Mr. Bagley went inside to call the roll of "Aunt Dolly's" old pupils. Dad. and I walked home through John Wess's and found Mr. Lawrie and Hubert there trap shooting. It looked rainy this morning but was a fine day.</p> <p>Tuesday September 7th</p> <p>Dad. and I hauled out manure all day and got the yard nearly cleaned up. Frank hoed the strawberries and the weeds out of his alfalfa. He went down to see Colin Ryerse's new tractor this after noon. Colin has left his fifty dollars a week job in Chicago to come home and run a tractor. Aunty Alice was over to-day.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Wednesday September 8th</p> <p>Dad. and I finished hauling out the manure to-day, we got all we could pitch out before dinner and after dinner we scraped up the stack bottom and in little piles and hauled it out it took a long time but made a good clean job. Dad. took the big team back and disked when we got through with that. I didn't do any thing but chores and a little painting for the rest of the after noon. Frank went to Simcoe this morning to order some photo-graphs of Dick from Moore as Dick wrote and asked for some. This after noon he took Queen &amp; Joe and mowed the big weeds around the water holes that were left in the oat stubble. Old Jonas Green was here to tea to-night. He is thinking of coming back to Dover to work in the greenhouse but as usual doesn't know what to do with the old cow, the horse and the chickens and Sairy. I went down town to-night and got my hair cut. Fine day not hot.</p> <p>Thursday September 9th</p> <p>Dad. went down to Aunty's this morning to help them in the garden for a day. He trimmed the paths and dug some early Rose potatoes, Aunty Alice got five pounds of seed from Bruce's last Spring and to-day they dug seven baskets or two bushels and a third by measure. Frank disked on the back field this morning but it rained more or less all the after noon so he didn't go back after dinner. It was raining hard about four o'clock so I drove down after Tid. Enah had intended going down after him and staying for tea at Aunty's with Dad. but as it was such a wet night she didn't go down and I drove down and got Dad. After tea he and Enah drove down and Enah went to a Horticultural meeting with Aunty Alice. I spent the day doing chores clearing up the lawn and painting at show cards.</p> <p>Friday September 10th</p> <p>Dad. went down to Aunty's again to-day and put in another day in the garden. He weighed up the yield of Early Rose potatoes, the weighed 136 1/2 lbs. Frank worked on the land all day. I took Alfred's cradle back to him this morning and then went over and saw Colin Ryerse's tractor working, from there I went over to Frank Ryerse's to see if they wanted to buy one of the bulls. I came home along by the creek and roved down as far as Flemming's woods with young Philips. This after noon I didn't do any thing much but pick a basket of plums. Ethel Phipps was over here all the after noon. Tom Butler was over here all the evening I painted a show card lesson. Sultry.</p> <p>Saturday September 11th</p> <p>Dad. worked on the back field all day. Frank and</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>I went down this morning and got the basic slag Dad. ordered from Harry Misener. Chris Quanbury had found the surveyor's chain and gave it to us so when we got home we started to measure up the farm. We spent the whole after noon at the job and got all the fields this side of the gully measured. Fine day but cool and windy</p> <p>Sunday September 12th</p> <p>My day commenced at two o'clock this morning when I was awakened by a fierce thunder storm raging I got up and looked around to see if any thing was hit by the lightning but couldn't see any thing so went back to bed. There were several thunder claps and flashes then that shook the house and not long after I heard a dog bark and a man whistle. I then got up and saw a big blaze over at Jack Martin's I called Dad. and Frank and we hurried over and found the implement shed just about gone. They had saved one or two pieces of machinery but Billy Mill's two pigs were burned. Luckily the wind kept the sparks away from the straw stack which was only a few yards away or the whole thing would have gone barn &amp; all. Dad. and I. Art Quanbury &amp; Sid Goodwin sat there with Billy till morning to watch it. About six o'clock we came home and I went back to get the cows but Dad. called to me when I got back there that the cows were all in the stable, we shut them in last night to feed them some corn and had forgotten to let them out again. Frank Tid and I went down to Sunday school and church. Mr. James came over here for dinner and this after noon the Jim Waddle's and Uncle Ward came in. Uncle Ward &amp; Mr. James stayed to tea and Enah drove them down to-night with Mexico. Frank took Queen &amp; the buggy and drove down to the Ward's. Billy Dixon's shed was burned last night too.</p> <p>Monday September 13th</p> <p>Frank and I finished measuring up the back fields this morning and this after noon Frank went up to Will. Wright's to help Alan &amp; Sam with the engine. Dad. worked on the land all day and I went back this after noon and dug out a big stone that Dad. had run into with the plow I loosened it up and it was all Dad. and I could do to get it out of the hole. Mr. James was over again to dinner and Enah drove him down this after noon. I went down to band practice to-night. Mark came over to-night &amp; borrowed the spreader.</p> <p>Tuesday September 14th</p> <p>I drove Tid down to school this morning as he was late getting up when I got home I did a few chores and went out to the garden to dig potatoes. I dug potatoes most of the day and got four bushels and haven't got half of the two outside rows dug yet. I have been</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>digging the two outside rows to see if there is any difference between the fertilized and unfertilized but I can't see a particle, they are all beauties and a lot of them. Dad. worked on the land all day and Frank has been off thrashing with Alan &amp; Sam, he is having a beautiful time as Alan lets him run the engine I went down town to-night with Aunty Alice's milk.</p> <p>Wednesday September 15th</p> <p>It was very foggy this mornng and I didn't go out very early to dig potatoes but got four more bushels dug. I went back at noon and helped Dad. take the harrows back. Dad. worked on the land all day and Frank has been helping Alan &amp; Sam. Fine day. Aunty Alice was over to tea to-night.</p> <p>Thursday September 16th</p> <p>Dad. finished fitting the wheat ground to-day and has it in fine shape. I finished digging the potatoes in the garden at noon and got 11 bushels. This after noon I went over to the Preston's and helped old Walker clean up 18 bushels of seed wheat for ourselves. Enah was down all day judging at the flower show. There was very little there considering the good year it was for every thing. I went down to-night and found the band playing up there so went back to Aunty's and got my horn. Fine &amp; cold wind.</p> <p>Friday September 17th</p> <p>Dad. and Frank have been all day and part of the night putting in the wheat. They had to haul the Basic Slag back first thing this morning, then go over to Preston's and get the wheat, chain the drill to the back of the waggon and haul it around to the gully gate on the side road, take the wheat up and unload it and then go back after the drill so it was about eleven o'clock or after when they started to drill. It took two of them as the Slag is too heavy for one to handle alone and watch the team too. They kept at it till eight o'clock to-night but finished the field. I did a few odd jobs this morning and went back as soon as I had my dinner to watch the cattle out of the field while Dad. went up to get his and then I stayed back there with Frank when he came back till Dad. arrived. When I got up to the house I found two roots of Bleeding Heart that Marj. had sent me so I put them in and then hurried over to tell Arthur Pickford that the boys were going to leave Frank Smith's store at 5:30 to go for a camp fire trip but he had decided not to go. I also cut some corn for the cows and then got ready and went down town. I picked up Gordon Zealand on the way down, he had just come on the five o'clock car from Hamilton. He was the only one of our bunch that showed up and only four of the Methodists. Manning took us down the Lake Shore in his car and we built a big</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>fire in a ravine on the shore in front of Hurl. Powell's place. He came down and was for putting us out as he was afraid of the fire running up the gully, but we promised to watch it and put it out before we left so he let us stay. The boys visited a corn field on the way down and Manning brought a water melon and I had some sandwiches so we made out a pretty fair meal. Manning gave us a little talk on the stars and we got home about ten o'clock. Fine day fairly hot and windy</p> <p>Saturday September 18th</p> <p>Frank and I had to go over to Ern. Flemming's to thrash to-day and were over there all day, at least Frank was. I came home a little early as I was helping Wilbur Ryerse carry away oats and when the wheat commenced to come Ern could handle it alone so Ern. told me I could come home &amp; get ready for the machine as they moved in here to-night. Dad. was running out land furrows in the back field all day. Ham Thompson was in and borrowed the drill. Fine day</p> <p>Sunday September 19th</p> <p>We all went to church this morning and Frank Tid and I went to Sunday school. Miss {Treneman?} sang a solo. Enah had to play as Mrs. Andrews is away so she stayed down all day. Dad. stayed down to dinner at Auntys, but Frank and I came home. I was home all the after noon but went down to-night with some eggs for Aunty Alice. We were much surprised this after noon when Mr. &amp; Mrs. Millman drove in. They went on down to Aunty's and are staying there for a day or two. Mr. Millman is going to buy apples for his evapourator at Vittoria.</p> <p>Monday September 20th</p> <p>We thrashed all day to-day and got out about 830 bushels 100 of wheat 40 of barley and the rest oats and mixed grain. It wasn't as big a yield as I had looked for but the oats rolled out of the spout about 3 bushels per minute. It was very cloudy cold and drizzly all day and just as we finished began to rain so hard it threw the belt off. We only had five more sheaves to thrash, but they put it on again and we thrashed them.</p> <p>Tuesday September 21st</p> <p>We caught the lambs this morning and trimmed the wool out of their eyes as some of them couldn't see at all. This after noon Dad. and I went back and ran out the cross ditches in the back field. Frank had to go down to Art Ryerse's with Alan &amp; Sam when they took the engine but they didn't thrash any to-day as they wanted to go to the school fair. I started to get ready to go down to that but about four o'clock Bob. Doherty and Webb. came in and stayed for an hour or so. Frank came home while they were here and we sold him all the lambs but four and the three old ewes, 13 cts for the good lambs 9 cts. for culls and 4 cts for the old ewes. Mr. Millman was in for a minute to-night with Aunty Maude &amp; Aunt Ida. Fine day</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Wednesday September 22nd</p> <p>Frank has been away with Sam &amp; Alan all day down at Art Ryerse's. Dad. and I took Sam's oats home first thing this morning and when we got back Rus. Lampkins was here to fix the pump so we worked with him till noon. He had to go home at noon to take his wife to Simcoe and he didn't get back till half past three. Dad. and I bagged up a grist and I took it down this after noon and when I got back Dad. &amp; Rus had the pump back in the well. Rus. put in a new valve and sucker and now it works better than it ever did. Lovely day. It has been very dry now for a long time in spite of the fact that the New Moon has been perpendicular now for several months. This moth it was south of the line. {Wee sketch of the moon shape}.</p> <p>Thursday September 23rd</p> <p>Dad. &amp; I spent the fore noon cleaning up around the stack. We put all the loose straw from the south side of the stack on the rack and hauled it in on the barn floor and carried it in from the north side. Then Dad. got up and put a better top on the stack as the wind was too strong the day we thrashed to make a neat job of it. This after noon we went back and cleaned some of the ditches in the wheat field but quit early and to-night I had a meeting with the boys. Hermon &amp; Jonas were the only ones there, we figured on a programme for next month. Fine &amp; hot.</p> <p>Friday September 24th</p> <p>I spent most of the morning doing chores but went back about eleven and cleaned some more ditches in the back field. Dad. took Tid to school and picked some tomatoes for Mrs. Law. This after noon he and I finished cleaning the ditches. Frank was with the thrashers all day. I did a couple of show card lessons to-night and Dad. Enah &amp; Tid drove down with Aunty's milk. Very warm, tried to rain.</p> <p>Saturday September 25th</p> <p>Frank told us that Dougherty called him up yesterday and wanted to ship the lambs this morning so we had to get the waggon unloaded, it had some coal on it and get the sheep in and loaded. We took down about 16 of the best lambs the first load and when we got there found Dougherty wasn't there yet, but we unloaded them and Frank went back for another load. He put them all on but had to take four off at Martin's as they nearly smothered, so by the time they were all down there it was noon and about one when we got home. The lambs the good ones just averaged about 68 lbs apiece and the whole bunch came to about $242.00. This after noon Frank had to go and help Sam and Tid and I dug some paeony roots and took them down to Miss McQueen and Miss Monteith. To-night I went to town and charted Hermon Cook. I found Mark Stephens and his sister here when I got home. Fine day. Very hot.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Sunday September 26th</p> <p>This has been one of the hottest days we have had this year. Frank Tid and I went down to Sunday school and Dad. and Enah went to church. This was {Harvest?} Home service and they had the church looking very nice. Zeitha sang a solo. Doc. Lemmons &amp; Lou. Dixon were supposed to sing a duet but Bill didn't show up. Aunty came. This after noon I went down to Bronzie as it was the only cool spot I could find. It was lovely down there on the point. I came home early and we did up the chores in good time. Mark and his sister and Winnie were here for tea and we all except Frank and Tid. went down to church to-night. Mr. Ward from St John's preached. After church we all went down to Aunty's and spent the evening Aunty Alice gave Mark a kitten which Miss Stephens took home in a basket and which howled terribly.</p> <p>Monday September 27th</p> <p>I fixed up the old corn house this morning and this after noon Dad. and I started to cut corn and got 28 shocks cut. Frank was away all day with Sam. and Alan. I went to band practice to-night.</p> <p>Tuesday September 28th</p> <p>Dad. and I cut corn all day and are nearly halfway across the field there are just ten rows of shocks in the field. Fine day, sunny with cool wind.</p> <p>Wednesday September 29th</p> <p>We cut corn all day. Jack Highland was past to-night about five o'clock and while Dad. was talking to him he heard a cow bawl so we went back to the gully and found Nancy calving. We gave her a little assistance and now have another red and white bull calf known as Bill Sykes Dad. and I drove down with milk for Aunty to-night and up around by Ham Thompson's as I wanted to see if he was going to Courtland to-morrow. Fine &amp; cold.</p> <p>Thursday September 30th</p> <p>I caught the nine o'clock car this morning and went with Ham Thompson to Simcoe where Manning picked us up and drove us to Courtland. The had the township fair and school fair combined. I didn't do much but help Ham judge the school kid's chickens. We had a very nice time though. The fair didn't ammount to much as there was very little stock there and not much of anything else Dean Taylor and a couple of pals were there having a great time Manning drove Ham and me back. We had supper at his place and he drove us on down to Dover, as he was coming down to a meeting. Cloudy and cold all day. Raining to-night.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Friday October 1st</p> <p>It has rained steadily all day and has been very raw and cold. Tom. Butler came in on his way down town and he and Frank went over to look at the stuff Flemming has for sale and then he came back here and had dinner. I didn't do any thing much but a few chores. Frank went home with Tom this after noon and stayed there for tea and all night so that he could put a fire on in the engine in the morning to finish thrashing at Art Quanbury's. Miserable day but good for the wheat.</p> <p>Saturday October 2nd</p> <p>Dad. and Frank went over and finished thrashng at Art Quanbury's this morning. Dad. got home before dinner and Frank went on to Charlie Munroe's with the machine. I took Aunty's milk down this morning and on my way back stopped in at the Zealand's He showed me various things about the place and told me I could have the house any time I wanted it, so I told him that would be in about three weeks I hoped. Dad. and I dug a couple of rows of potatoes this after noon. I went down to meet the Tuxis boys to-night but Jonas was the only one out.</p> <p>Sunday October 3rd</p> <p>Frank, Tid and I went down to Sunday school and church and Enah came down to church. Aunty came back over here to dinner. It rained this morning a little and has been cloudy and cool all day.</p> <p>Tuesday October 12th</p> <p>I have some way got far behind in writing this and can't remember precisely what happened from day to day so will have to make a summary of last weeks events. I think we finished cutting the field corn Tuesday the fifth working at it Monday after noon &amp; Tuesday. We cut the fodder corn Wednesday after noon and Thursday morning. There will be quite a lot of feed on it considering how late it was put in. We spent the rest of the time up till Wednesday noon digging potatoes. We just finished that job yesterday after noon and got nearly fifty bushels out of the patch in the field. We have them piled out in the field. Thursday after noon Dad. had to go to be bearer ar Mrs. Tommy Jackson's funeral and I went over to Ern. Flemming's sale. Friday Dad. and I were over at Tom &amp; Mark's all day thrashing and finished up there Saturday fore noon, from there I went with Art Quanbury down to {Ausen?} Abbot's to look at an old house which Art wants to buy to tear down and use the stuff to build his new one. Dad. went over to John Wess's for a visit and stayed there to dinner. Frank thrashed with Sam Monday morning and then they quit till after Simcoe fair but Frank</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>stayed with Sam till Tuesday night helping him shock up his corn. He went to the fair on Wednesday and has been sick ever since, he is just beginning to get around now. I stayed down at Aunty's for dinner on Sunday and Sunday afternoon Aunty Alice came over here with me and stayed to tea. Aunty went to Scotland this morning with Dick Tibbits to see Uncle Robuck. They had to come back on the L.E.&amp;N. as Dick's car played out. The Bawlby's came down in the after noon and took Aunt Ida up with them for tea. Jack Martin was over here after tea to ask Dad. to go with him on Tuesday to a political meeting near Aylmer. Yesterday Frank took Joe down to be shod and brought Aunt Ida back with him to spend the day. It began to rain this after noon and we had quite a heavy thunder storm but it stopped before night. Dad. drove Aunt Ida home after tea. To-day I went over to the Zealand's to help him put on the storm window but he thought it was too warm yet, so I helped them make some cider Enah went over to get the curtains and wash them but as Mr. Zealand was away when she got there she didn't take them. Dad. went with Jack Martin to Straffordville and heard Mr. Meighen, but said they had a very tiresome day as they had to wait so long. I got some flower roots over at Mrs. Battersby's this after noon. Frank felt better and picked the King's. To-night I went down town to get my hair cut but couldn't get into any of the barber shops so went down to see Aunty Maude. It has been a very nice day.</p> <p>Wednesday October 13th</p> <p>Dad. and I walked back to the gully this morning to get a long pole that was back there for firewood and while we were back took a walk over to look at the wheat which is coming nicely since the rain and as we saw Cam McBride back plowing pea stubble went over and talked to him for awhile. Frank drove Tid. down to school. It was pretty late when we got back but Dad. castrated the four calves before dinner. The big roan bled quite a lot and to-night Dad. went to look at him but thought it had stopped pretty well, however he started up again during the night and bled to death. This after noon I went down town and got my hair cut and made the final preparations or purchases as to-morrow Aunty Alice and I leave D.O. for Haliburton where on Saturday Marj. and I are to be married.</p> <p>Wednesday November 8th</p> <p>There must of necessity be a considerable gap left in these records caused by the event predicted in the last entry. I was away in Haliburton</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>and Bobcayceon for nearly two weeks and since coming back with Marj. have been so unsettled and having so much {illegible} getting our new nest feathered that I havent been able to get into my old habit of writing in my diary. There is not much use trying to record the events of the past few weeks as I don't know what has happened, all I know is that Marj. and I are married and have had a most happy time and that we are the luckiest pair alive as we are in our own house by ourselves for the winter and with the many things Marj. has had given to her and the things by the Zealand's which we may use, we seem to have every thing we want, we don't even have to pay rent for the place, which is very fortunate as being as poor as ever as far as cold cash is concerned. Mr. Zealand is still here during the day packing up fruit and making cider but he stays at night with Mr. Johnson and has his men at the Quanburys. He went to Hamilton last weekend and spent Saturday after noon giving away the fruit he had sent down. Besides the many things Marj. has had given to her privately we have had several more or less public donations. The second night we were back in Dover The band came over to the farm 17 strong with an extra to carry Karl's big drum, Karl himself being burdened with a dandy big leather rocking chair to present to us. We had a fine musical evening On Thursday November 4th we were invited to a meeting of the County J.F.I.A. at Mr. Neff's in Simcoe where we were presented with a beautiful table-cloth. Marj. says it is one of the finest she ever saw and that the like can't be bought new, this one being made before the war. The next night we were invited to the Sunday school where they had "kitchen shower" for Marj. and stocked her up with a fine lot of aluminum and pirex ware and rumors have reached us that the object of a combined visit of teachers on Tuesday night November 16th is to present Marj. with some forks. This is Monday the 15th and I have not had time to make an entry in this for about a week. This house keeping is very unsettling but it is a lot of fun. I am waiting now for Marj. to get dinner. I have just got of 12 bbl {barrels} of apples to Mr. Clarke which I spent considerable time last week and the week before getting ready for him. Frank and I got in the mangels and Dad. has got some plowing done. Our turnips are out yet and as we had a very cold snap (about 12° of frost) they are</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>frozen stiff but it is beautiful again today so will be all right I think. We got in one load of corn stalks on Saturday and they are in good shape and there is some fine corn in them. I went up to a meeting of mentors which Manning called in Simcoe to-night and left Marj. here alone to go to bed early as she has a bad cold.</p> <p>Tuesday November 16th</p> <p>Just a month ago to-day that we were married and I am just beginning to get squared away to regular habits but we have had a good time. Marj's cold is very bad to-night, she feels quite sick I think. She got up early and has worked hard all day as she expected a joint attack from the school teacher's but Miss McQueen telephoned at the last minute that they couldn't come. Frank and I put off the load of corn stalks that we hauled in yesterday and then went down after a load of freight which just came in for Marj. It was all her things from home which her Dad. had packed and shipped to her. It made about a waggon load. I opened them for her at noon and she unpacked them and it was a very tiresome job but she was glad to get a lot of the things. This after noon Frank and I took some oats to the mill to be rolled. Dad. ploughed all day. Frank went down to stay at Aunty's to-night and is going with Neff on a judging trip to-morrow D.O. Still cold and east snow storm to-night.</p> <p>Wednesday November 17th</p> <p>I was up at 6.30 this morning and found a fierce east wind and snow storm raging but not very cold. We expected Frank who stayed at Aunty's all night back but he didn't come so we suppose he must have gone with Neff although we didn't think they could get through on account of the snow. I drove Tid. down to school and went on down town and got some meat and bread for Marj. Dad. and I threw the hay that was on the floor of the big barn up in the mow and let the calves in there for shelter. I didn't go over to the farm very early after dinner as I shovelled all the snow as Marj. was "receiving" Aunty Alice came over early and Enah was here. I husked some corn this after noon. Mark. came over for awhile and Dad. drove him down town with Queen and then he came back and stayed at his farm for tea. Aunty Alice had tea at our place, she being the first one to break bread with us in our own home. Much milder to-night.</p> <p>Thursday November 18th</p> <p>Frank didn't turn up all day but came home to-night and said they did go to London in Neff's car and saw the stock at Wildwood and Col. McEwen's. Dad. and I have just done chores all day. The snow and the frost make it impossible so far to do any thing with the turnips although it has thawed a great deal to-day and is not freezing as hard to-night. Enah had a tea party for Marj this afternoon</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>and Dad. drove down and got Aunt Ida and brought her over. She stayed to tea. To-night Enah had to go down to practice with the "Sunny France" opera as Zeith got her to be their pianist so Marj. and I stayed with Tid till sh and Dad. got home about eleven</p> <p>Friday November 19th</p> <p>We haven't done much to-day but chores. Frank husked a nice lot of corn. This morning he and I took some barley down to the mill for chop but their chopper is out of order so we couldn't have it done. We got the rolled oats we left the other day and brought some potatoes down here for Marj. This was her day for receiving again and Aunty, Aunty Alice and Aunt Ida came over to help her. She had a host of callers too. Aunty stayed with us for tea. To-night we went to the Wilson McDonald concert "In Sunny France" on some complimentary tickets that Enah got. We all enjoyed it very much especially the dances by the little girls. Of course it was especially interesting to Dover folk as it was entirely written and composed by Wilson McDonald a brother of Daisys who had the honor of going to school here. He is very clever not only a poet and composer but an artist in certain lines. There were about fifty in the cast mostly Dover girls though some came down from Brantford.</p> <p>Saturday November 20th</p> <p>The frost being pretty well out of things we made a start at getting up the turnips. It was very muddy but we got about three loads pulled before dinner and this after noon we hauled them in and piled them in the barn to feed up right away To-night the four Tuxis boys came over and we had a very fair meeting. Cloudy and raw all day.</p> <p>Sunday November 21st</p> <p>Marj. and I went to Sunday school and church this morning. We have become established there as teachers I guess. She has Mrs. Smith's class and I have the Tuxis boys. We stayed to dinner at Aunty's and this after noon went up to see Miss Monteith and stopped in for a few minutes at the McQueen's. Cold wind.</p> <p>Monday November 22nd</p> <p>It was raining when we first went out this morning but it stopped early in the fore noon and has been cloudy and misty all day turning milder to-night. We got about three or four more loads of turnips up and started to pit them out in the field. Wilbur Ryerse was in this morning and got the ten little pigs for fifty dollars He liked the looks of Wilkins very much. Marj. wrote the greatest letter to Dorrie to-day, told her all the news in rhyme.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Tuesday November 23rd</p> <p>It has been a very dull damp dismal day sputting rain quite a lot, but we went out and pulled the rest of the turnips this forenoon and this after noon put them all in the pit and Dad. covered it, they appear to be all right in spite of their freezing but we don't know how they will keep. Oliver Mann came over to-night and I charted him. He charted up very well.</p> <p>Wednesday November 24th</p> <p>We put in the whole fore-noon just doing chores and puttering around. It was a very wet gloomy day. This after noon I stayed home and put on all the storm windows and it was quite a job to make them all fit. Marj. had a worse job as she was bound to wash them all thoroughly before I put them on, so was tired out to-night.</p> <p>Thursday November 25th</p> <p>Dad. ploughed all morning and got about half drowned wading through the mud-holes so this after noon Frank went out. This morning Frank went down to the mill to get the barley chop we took down on Friday but it wasn't done they not having got their chopper working right yet. He and I then went over to Jack Martin's and got his corn stalk chopping box and brought it over to chop stalks for the bulls as they don't eat them very well the other way. I spent the rest of the day doing chores and husking a little corn Winnie came over and spent the after noon sewing wth Marj. and stayed to tea. Still cloudy but not cold.</p> <p>Friday November 26th</p> <p>Marj. went over to the farm with me this morning &amp; Dad. drove her down with Tid. to school and she invited Miss McQueen over here to tea. Old Gladys was on one of her periodical rampages and followed the buggy all the way to the corner and I suppose would have gone all the way to school with them if I had not cut across Ivey's and headed her off. She went down to Quanbury's and then home. I did chores all day &amp; Frank ploughed. After dinner Marj. and I gathered up some russets and made a gallon or so of cider. Miss McQueen came over for tea and Dad. Enah and Tid came over and spent the evening. Frank had to go out to the school house.</p> <p>Saturday November 27th</p> <p>I just did chores to-day and Frank ploughed and Dad. cleaned some ditches. Lila was over here all the afternoon and to tea. The Tuxis boys were over to-night, after they left I rowed Lila across the pond, it was a lovely night. We haven't seen the sun all this week.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Sunday November 28th</p> <p>Marj. and I went to Sunday school and church and had dinner at Aunty's. Winnie was there to dinner and we stayed most of the after noon. We left our cat outdoors this morning and when we came home it was nowhere to be found. Mr &amp; Mrs Jas. Smythe were at the farm when I went over and as Enah asked them for tea she sent Tid over to bring Marj. over so we were there all the evening. Mark Stepens and his brother who is going to technical school in Toronto were at the farm for dinner and To-night Tom came over. Sun out but cold</p> <p>Monday November 29th</p> <p>Frank ploughed all day and finished up out east of the old garden. Dad. went down this morning expecting that the body of Will McQuade would be in on the morning train but it wasn't and he waited till after dinner and Geo Thompson had no word of it, so Dad. went down and visited all the scenes of public improvement viz: the dock and the swing bridge. I did chores most of the day but this after noon took a walk back to look at the wheat which is doing fine and on over to see Art. Quanbury's new house, he was pulling up the studding. Marj. went down to sit with Aunt Ida this after noon. I had dinner at the farm</p> <p>Tuesday November 30th</p> <p>It froze hard last night but has been a beautiful day. Frank and Dad. started ploughing in the field north of the barn. I did chores and helped them run throw out some ditches. We each made one strike out. {Nancy?} was an awful mess. This after noon I husked some corn. Geo Thompson telephoned over to say Will McQuade's funeral would be to-morrow at one o'clock. To-night I went to a meeting in Simcoe of the County J.F.I.A. where we chewed the rag about a ploughing match next year and winter entertainment. I wouldn't have gone if it hadn't been for the table-cloth they gave us but that is the admiration of all who see it so I felt in duty bound. Marj. went down to Aunty's and waited till I got home. Some one went in to Val. Leany's house to-night between six &amp; seven o'clock and robbed him of $800.00 cash and $500.00 in Victory Bonds. Val. was at the Point and Mrs. Leany had gone up street to get Mrs. Henry to come and stay with her all night. Jack Martin got home from the {illegible} Stole Fair to-night where he scooped everything in prizes.</p> <p>Wednesday December 1st</p> <p>It has been very dark and rained quite hard all day. Dad. went down this morning to attend Will McQuade's funeral but the body didn't come till one o'clock. Mary.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>and Annie Blaikie and Mary's husband were there. They took him to {illegible phrase} didn't get home till after four. Frank {illegible phrase} this morning but it rained too hard this after noon so he helped me husk corn. I just {illegible} and husked corn all day. Marj. was to have gone down to tea at Aunty's to-night and then go to a {illegible} meeting but she didn't feel very well &amp; the weather was so bad, we stayed home.</p> <p>Thursday December 2nd</p> <p>Dad. ploughed all day and Frank threw out ditch this morning and this after noon he and I hauled in a load of cabbages from the garden, they don't seem to be hurt a bit with the frost. I took a crate over from Martin's this morning and put my 14 cockrels in it and took them over to Jack. He said he would look them over and settle up with me later. I took a little prowl along the pond and through Bronzie. Marj. has scurried around at a great rate this after-noon getting things slicked up for the teachers as Miss {Jonson} telephoned her the other day that they were coming over to-night but at the last minute she telephoned again that they were not coming. Marj. disgusted</p> <p>Friday December 3rd</p> <p>This was Marj's birthday and a beautiful day. Sunny and mild. I spent most of the morning doing chores and Frank and I unloaded the cabbages we hauled up yesterday. This after noon Frank and I hauled in the rest of the cabbages without trimming them. About four Frank took Mexico down to Marj. and she went on down town and got Miss McQueen and Tim and they all went over to the farm to tea, where we had a birthday party and some music this evening. Marj's Dad. sent her a brace of partridge and a piece of venison and she got a good many other things as well.</p> <p>Saturday December 4th</p> <p>It has been cloudy and rainy all day again but quite mild. I spent the whole fore noon doing chores. I cleaned out the calf pen which took quite awhile Dad. ploughed all day although it was pretty wet and Frank threw out ditches this morning and did odd jobs this after noon. He emptied the cider barrel into another one so that we can get it filled again. Old Gladys has been making raids on the shop where I have my chicken feed and has gained an entrance several times and torn two or three bags of feed all to pieces. I stayed home for awhile after dinner to paint a show card lesson but spoiled it. The boys three of them came over to-night but it was a very bad night some didn't expect the others out.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Sunday December 5th</p> <p>I got up at 9.30 this morning and went over to the farm before breakfast and then Marj. and I went down to Sunday school and Church. We came back for dinner which we had rather late and then we sat around for about an hour and read some of Wilson MacDonald's poems which I enjoyed very much. I went over to the farm about four to help do chores but as they were not expecting me there was nothing to do so back I came and Marj. and I went down to the Will Wood's for tea and spent the evening. We stopped in at Auntys for a few minutes on our way home. Dull cold, drizzly and windy to-day.</p> <p>Monday December 6th</p> <p>Dad. ploughed all day and {Frank?} rolled over. He was up early as the top {illegible phrase} off during the night and he got up before daylight to see if anything was hurt. Luckily nothing was. I spent the whole day doing chores and husking corn. Frank helped me husk corn and I helped him put the cabbages out of the waggon down cellar and we ran the waggon into the orchard. He wants to fill it and get another barrel of cider. Marj. &amp; Enah went to a bridge party at the Harding's this afternoon I painted a lesson to-night. Dull and drizzly</p> <p>Tuesday December 7th</p> <p>Dad. ploughed all day. I did the chores up and then Frank and I picked up enough apples to make a barrel of cider. This after noon we husked corn. To-night they all came over here to tea from the farm and we had Marj's birthday present of partridge and venison which was delicious. Frank left right after tea to go out to a practice at Shands. Bright to-day but quite a cold wind. Auntie Alice came over at noon and brought Marj. some forks and spoons that Luby Williams sent her and this after noon the whole staff of teachers came over and presented her with half a dozen sterling forks dandies. Yesterday she got a very pretty {illegible} brass kettle on a stand &amp; burner from Elsie &amp; Walter.</p> <p>Wednesday December 8th</p> <p>It froze hard last night and has been freezing a little all day. Dad. finished the land he was ploughing but as the crust was so hard to turn he didn't strike out again. This after noon he covered the turnip pits more. Frank took the cider apples down this after noon and got the barrel and a 5 gal keg for Aunty filled. Marj. and I went down town to-night. She went to a Girl's Branch Meeting and I went to the to a meeting of the census committee but they didn't have it</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Thursday 9th December</p> <p>Dad. went down to Aunty's this morning and banked the house for them. After Frank and I got the chores done we went down to Uncle Ward's and hauled in his corn stalks for him and put them in the loft. This after noon Dad. Frank and I put some straw on the strawberries and and got in a few of our own corn stalks. To-night I started on another show card lesson and Marj. &amp; I tried Zealand's mangle on some towels and things but it didn't work just right. At noon Marj. undertook to mend my pants and in order to accomplish her purpose with greater despatch and efficiency had me remove the torn garment and cover up on the lounge, all went lovely till in the midst of the performance in bounced the gas-man - much to the amusement of all present. We are being haunted by a black cat. He followed us home from the bridge last night, camped on our doorstep (metaphorically speaking) all night walked in this morning and made himself very much at home all day and in spite of being most inhospitably treated and spoken to by our cat curled himself up in the oven and went to sleep, he overstepped the line of newiness though and stole some thing so he has been ejected but is still clamouring at the windows and the {illegible} for admittance. Froze hard last night but has been a beautiful day.</p> <p>Friday December 10th</p> <p>I aroze at five this morning and finished the show card lesson I started last night and just as I finished I dropped a big blot of paint on it whereat I swore. It has snowed all day and has been very mild &amp; wet so we couldn't do much outside. We spent the fore noon gathering up the corn that was husked over in the barn and carried it over and spread it out above the hog pen, there were about 30 bushel crates of it and we must have fed up about ten bushels. We also bagged up a grist before dinner and this afternoon Frank took it to the mill. He took some corn down too and had it chopped. Pickford was over this afternoon and Dad. and I didn't do much but chores. Marj. was down town this after noon. I started another lesson to-night.</p> <p>Saturday December 11th</p> <p>I spent nearly all day doing chores and husking corn. Frank and Tid shot rabbits off and on all day. Tid shot one himself and was tickled to death. I think they bagged seven all day. Tom Butler was over at noon and they put three wire rings in old Glady's snout and twisted them up as Gladys has been getting much too independent lately. Tom. stayed to dinner. Six of the boys came over to-night and we had a debate. Very mild and sunny</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Sunday December 12th</p> <p>Marj. and I went to church and Sunday school this morning and stayed at Aunty's for dinner. We came home fairly early after dinner and as it was such a beautiful day we just poked around the place. I in my shirt sleeves and bare headed as the weather was like April. I went over to the farm and helped do the chores and we stayed home all evening. Frank and Marj. were going down to Aunty's for tea to-night.</p> <p>Monday December 13th</p> <p>I got up about 4.30 this morning to work at my show cards but was rather late getting to the farm I did chores and put tar paper around most of my little apple trees. Dad. ploughed all day except for a while after dinner when Frank relieved him and he went down to Pickford's with a confirmation cup for Irene. Frank dug ditches and husked a little corn. I just did chores and husked corn this after noon and to-night I finished making a hopper for Zealand's chickens and helped Marj. make some Christmas candy It has been very mild but cloudy rained this after noon &amp; to-night.</p> <p>Tuesday December 14th</p> <p>Dad. and Frank finished ploughing the field back of the barn to-day. Frank stayed all night over with Tom &amp; Mark as it was pouring home when he started home. It has been very windy and cloudy all day and is getting colder to-night. I just did chores and husked a little corn. Marj. went down to a tea party at Aunty's this after noon and stayed there for tea to go to a Sunday school meeting afterwards so I stayed at the farm and went down to-night and met Marj. at Huby's. Enah stayed down too so Dad. went down and met her at Aunty's. Aunty Maude looks badly.</p> <p>Wednesday December 15th</p> <p>Marj. went over with me to the farm this morning to practice with Enah for a duet they are going to play at the concert out at the school house next week and we stayed there for dinner. The wind is still very high and it is colder and blizzardy so that we didn't try to do any thing but chores. Frank went down to Pickfords and helped them kill Pickfords old sow. Marj. was to have gone down to a Girls meeting to-night but decided not to go and Frank Smith telephoned over for me to go down to a meeting but I said I was too busy so stayed home and slept all evening.</p> <p>Thursday December 16th</p> <p>Dad. went down town this morning with Aunty's</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>milk and took Tid. to school and when he came back we got in a small jag of corn stalks. Frank and I husked corn &amp; did chores while he was away. Frank &amp; Dad. have spent most of the after noon getting a place ready to kill a pig to-morrow. I just did chores which consisted principally of currying off the cows. To-night Allan {Wicher?} and his fond ma came over and I charted him for the Tuxis boys. Marj. went down to the Guild's bazaar this after noon. Froze quite hard last night. Not so windy to-day.</p> <p>Friday December 17th</p> <p>We killed a pig this morning at least Dad. killed it and Frank dressed it and I helped scald &amp; scrape it. I spent most of the remainder of the day doing chores and husking corn. Dad. &amp; Frank put some more covering on the turnip pit this after noon. To-night Marj. and I went down town and I got my hair cut and Marj. went to see Miss McQueen and waited for me at Aunty's. Froze all day to-day and there is a cold west breeze</p> <p>Saturday December 18th</p> <p>Froze hard last night and froze our outside cistern pump and drain pipe up. I did chores this morning and helped Frank husk some corn. I spent quite awhile after dinner trying to thaw out the pipes but without success. I met Dad. Enah and Tid. when I was on my way to the farm, they were going down town. Just did chores this after noon. The boys all came over to-night snd Marj. popped corn for them and we had some games</p> <p>Sunday December 19th</p> <p>Marj. and I went down to Sunday school and church and stayed at Aunty's for dinner. Quint was there and gave Marj. half a dozen lovely desert forks which he had got over in Erie. We came back early after dinner and Aunty Alice came over with us then she and I went right on over to the farm where she stayed to tea and I did chores. To-night we all went down to church as the Bishop was here holding confirmation service. I think there were eight confirmed.</p> <p>Monday December 20th</p> <p>I spent the morning and most of the afternoon doing chores and brushing off the cows. This after noon Dad. and Frank got in a fair sized jag of corn stalks. I helped them put the last of it on. This was Tid's birthday and he had quite a stack of presents. Billy Mills came over at noon and killed four of Mr. Zealand's ducks for me as he wrote up last week and asked me to have them sent down for Christmas. Marj. washed to-day</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Tuesday December 21st</p> <p>Did chores this morning and we went out and got in another load of corn stalks. Marj. went over to the farm with me this after noon and intended to practice her duet with Enah to play at the Shand's school concert to-morrow night but they decided that as Dad. was going to be chairman, they would get him to strike the duet off the programme. We stayed at the farm for tea. Tid. has a bad cold and cough so didn't go to school to-day.</p> <p>Wednesday December 22nd</p> <p>I spent most of the day just doing chores. Dad. went down town this morning and stayed to dinner and he and Aunty went up to Miss McQueen's closing concert at the school house this after noon. Marj. went up too. I walked down town with her at noon and helped her carry some parcels down that she was sending by post They said the concert was very funny but were very disappointed that Tid was too sick to go as he was on the programme for a mouth-organ solo, but his cold was too bad so he and Enah stayed home. I got a card from Mid. Thompson saying there was to be a band meeting to-night but Marj. telephoned him and told him I was going out to Shand's. Aunty &amp; Marj. came over to the farm for tea and Aunty stayed all night to look after Tim while the rest of us went to the concert. Enah and Marj. drove Mexico out but Dad. Frank and I walked. It drizzled rain most of the day so the walking was fierce. We went straight back through John Wess's. The concert was fine. Frank was one of the main actors in the dialogue they had and did very well, but what was most comical was a frog song by a chorus of the school kids and they hopped up and off the stage dressed to represent frogs with green paper wrapped around them. There was a big crowd there considering the night, The weather doesn't seem to make much difference to our section.</p> <p>Thursday December 23rd</p> <p>We were very late getting up this morning as we were so sleepy after last nights performance. I didn't get over to the farm till about ten o'clock but didn't do much but chores and husk a little corn. Marj. went to Marion McLaughlin's birthday party this after noon and got home about seven o'clock with the greatest pailful of supper for me. A little bit of every thing they had at the party. She said there were twenty young ones there. Poor Tid was not able to go on account of his cold. Colder to-day</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Friday December 24th</p> <p>I spent the day doing chores and husking corn. Dad. went down town this morning and took a ham down for tomorrow's dinner and fixed up the big turkey that Huby provided for the feast. Frank took a pie over to Tom Butler and got a Christmas tree over there which he and Dave McBride took down this afternoon Marj. has been tearing around all day cleaning up the house and making preparations for Christmas Miss McQueen &amp; her mother and Miss McNelly were over to-night just before tea and brought us a mince pie. To-night Marj. and I went down and played Santa Claus we called at the Bagleys's the Monteith's and the McQueen's where Marj. delivered home made Candy for Christmas - and we did some shopping and called at Aunty's for awhile.</p> <p>Christmas Day.</p> <p>I went over rather late this morning and did a few chores and then we all went down to church. Marj. and I came home and had a picnic lunch and spent a very happy after noon celebrating our first Christmas in our own home and packing up things to put on the tree. I went over and helped do chores and at six we all congregated at Auntys for Christmas dinner. Mr. Johnson brought Aunty Maude down in his car and she lay on the sofa and said she had a good time. Cousin Clare &amp; Phoebe came down after dinner while we unloade the tree Marj. and I fared scrumptiously at the Christmas tree and we all had a lovely time Marj. gave me her present last night which was a pair of house shoes Beautiful day, cold &amp; snowing to-night.</p> <p>Sunday December 26th</p> <p>Marj. and I were very late getting down to Sunday school this morning as we slept in. We went to church and came home for dinner. Aunty Maude &amp; Huby were staying at Aunty's. We chored around all the after noon and I lit a fire in the grate. Glad Law came over for tea. I went over and helped do chores as Frank went down to the Ward's. We had a nice evening with Glad around our fireside and Marj. and I both walked home with her. The walking was fierce as it has snowed hard all the after noon. Very mild.</p> <p>Monday December 27th</p> <p>I arose and shovelled considerable snow before breakfast this morning. It had snowed a lot during the night and was very mild. The trees were all laden with heavy snow and this place in the grey light of early morning looked</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>as much like Fairyland as any poet ever dreamed, but it didn't last long as it thawed enough for the snow to drop from the branches. Dad. drove down town in the cutter this morning and shovelled Aunty's snow for them, he said the sleighing would have been good if there had not been some wheels out which spoiled it. He and Frank got the bob-sleighs out this after noon but didn't hook up to them. I did chores all day and wrapped tar paper around the rest of my little apple trees and laid down the Dorothy Perkins rose bush and covered it up. Marj. and I had a lovely evening at home to-night, she darning my socks and I reading to her from Jeffrey Farnol's "My Lady Caprice". She got a parcel from home to-day containing a pair of towells for her and two pair of Miss Bain knit socks for me and two soft collars from Dorrie. Dorrie sent her a cup and saucer a few days ago and with it a little bell from Miss Dover.</p> <p>Tuesday December 28th</p> <p>Frank and I went down town this morning in the bob-sleighs and got part of a load of soft coal and a barrel of salt. It was nearly noon when we came back so I stayed at home and put the storm window on the kitchen. It was a "heck" of a job and I just about froze at it. It is a very hard place to work being on the side of the kitchen facing the main part of the house which is barely two feet from it and in order to get in there I had to climb over the {illegible}-pipes which converge there before they enter the cistern. Then the window is so high that I had to stand on a rickety box to reach it. The storm sash that Mr. Zealand used was not meant for the window and had to be fitted in with other boards and as I didn't know the combination I made a queer looking job of it. Gordon Zealand &amp; Aubrey Wilson came over at noon to get Gordon's gun, he is up for a day visiting Aubrey Frank drove down town this after noon to make some arrangements about an oyster supper that the Shand's school entertainers are holding to-night at Clarence Welsh's. He brought Aunty back to the farm with him to stay with Tim while they all went and Marj. and I went over and had tea and spent the evening with Aunty. Cold wind &amp; freezing.</p> <p>Wednesday December 29th</p> <p>Frank and I bagged up a grist this morning and this after noon Frank took it down to the mill and went on down town and got a load of Nukol as Clare Deal sent over a sample of it with us</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>yesterday and it looks to be very good fuel. I spent most of the day doing chores when I wasn't helping Frank. Dad feels tough with a bad cold.</p> <p>Thursday December 30th</p> <p>The top half of our straw stack slid off this morning but didn't hurt any thing. We didn't get any of it in as it looked all morning as if it was going to snow. I did chores most of the day. Frank and Dad. unloaded the Nukol and Frank went down to the mill and got his chop. George Duncan was in this morning to see if he could borrow a cutting box as his father-in-law had put a cedar rail through his and smashed it. He was telling them that his apples would average him over seven dollars a barrel this year while his Association wouldn't get that for their best ones. George sold his in England. Marj. and Enah were down at a party at Mrs. Barwell's this after noon. The boys came over to-night instead of New Year's. Hermon turned the lights out and they told ghost stories. Very mild.</p> <p>Friday December 31st</p> <p>It has been very mild and nice all day to-day so we got in most of the straw. Dad. &amp; Frank put on a load this morning which we put off in the horse stable and this after noon we put one off in the horse stable and left another on the barn floor, there is still about a load out. We were disappointed that our big stack should be gone so soon but there was a layer of wheat straw full of bluegrass just low enough for the cattle to reach and they burrowed so that they wasted quite a lot of it. Niel Elliot was in this morning and we sold him the one ram lamb at 11 1/2 cts. a lb. Lambs are the only things that are worth any thing these days and they aren't worth much. Reg. Kent &amp; Coswell were in this afternoon electioneering. Reg is running for township Councillor and Coswell &amp; Chart Walley for reeve and they wanted us all to go out to Wiggin's and vote on Monday. Dad. mentioned some thing about the road in front of the place having some thing done to it and they were sure some thing should be done but of course couldn't promise that it would. Dad. said he was in the same position regarding voting. Marj. and I spent a quiet New Year's Eve to-night by ourselves and we are both agreed that it was the happiest one that either of us had ever spent. We didn't wait to see the Old Year out. While we look forward to the future with all faith for our happiness, we are sure that nothing in store for us can discount the deep deep joy that the latter part of this old year 1920 has brought to us both.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>DIARY 1921</p> <p>Lynnview</p> <p>T. B. Barrett.</p> <p>Port Dover.</p> <p>Ontario</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Saturday January 1st</p> <p>I went over to the farm rather late this morning and chored around till noon. Dad. felt pretty tough with a cold and so did Enah. I didn't go back to the farm after dinner till chore time but Marj. and I celebrated New Year's by just staying home reading over our old letters to each other which have been acumulating now with steadily increasing rapidity for the last nine years until now they represent matter enough to fill a goodly volume and for us make the sweetest story ever read. It was a happy after noon, quiet enough with no New Year's callers except Herb. Cook who came with a bag of chicken feed and gloomy enough as far as the weather was concerned, but for Marj. &amp; me snugly camped in our cosy little dining room surrounded by the dozzens &amp; dozens of wedding gifts (they total over a hundred) which form the nucleus of our new home, there was sunshine and music enough in our hearts as we lived over again the days when our love first came to us to make up for external conditions and I think we made an ideal start for the New Year &amp; new life ahead of us by being exquisitely contented. I went over and did chores to-night. Winnie &amp; Cecil were at the farm. Dad. called in this evening on his way down to see Aunty who has a very bad cold. Very mild &amp; rainy</p> <p>Sunday January 2nd</p> <p>Marj. and I went to Sunday school and were late again as usual. I had quite a class of boys and we arranged to go for a walk this afternoon. Marj. &amp; I had dinner of spiced round at Aunty's, &amp; I came home right after and changed into my old raiment. The boys were on hand at two o'clock three of them armed with murderous looking knives. {Nancy?} Wilson having one about a foot &amp; a half long with which he could hack down inch saplings with ease. He also had a bottle of cider sticking from his hip pocket in a most un-Sunday school boyish manner. We struck off cross country towards the lake, crossed the creek by the old French camp and went through Will Smith's place to the shore down it to the Wardell's then across to Johnnie Loan's &amp; George Hammond's bush where we got a lot of winter green and then up the plank to the Dog's Nest and up our road home. All the boys covered with mud but as merry as possible. I went to the farm but Dad. had milked and was entertaining Chart. Wooley who was around soliciting votes. Marj. was home when I got home. She had gone up to the Bagley's this after noon. I felt rather tired to-night and went to sleep instead of helping Marj. with the dishes. We finished "My Lady Caprice". It has not been very cold to-day but cloudy &amp; strong west wind</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Monday January 3rd</p> <p>This has been a beautiful day. It froze a little last night but has been sunny and very mild and has felt just like Spring. Frank and I went down as soon as we got the chores done with Niel Elliot's ram lamb and a couple of bags of potatoes for Huby. We picked Marj. up on our way down and she took Aunty a little needle book which she had spent the morning making for her birthday and also a bunch of red berries which I found yesterday down the Plank Road. They are the same kind we got up in Haliburton and which they called Wahoo berries. Aunty was delighted with them as they make very pretty winter decorations and last for months. She said Huby got some once but she had never been able to find any since. We took the lamb over to the scales where as usual he weighed 10 lbs lighter than he did on our scales at home. We took Win up home and picked Marj. up on our way back not getting home till noon. Frank and I husked corn all the after noon and Dad. who still feels very tough with his cold drove Enah down town and shipped Dick's birthday box of apples and such, and they brought Tid. home. None of us went out to Wiggin's to vote and consequently Chart Wooley was defeated. I called up Jimmy Douglas at tea time and he told me the bull market was still very uncertain and slow but for me to hang on to them for a week or so and he would see if he could place them. To-night I went down to go with the band on our annual serenade of the council. Marj. went with me and stayed at Aunty's while I was gone. The Council all went in by acclaimation this year so they had time to prepare for us and we ate till we hurt. Reeve Taylor had a table set ready for us and we got oyster patties and coffee &amp; cake there. Harry Misner also had a sit down banquet of oysters and coffee. J. C. Howey had some grand cider, smooth but with a kick. Capt. McCauley treated us with cake &amp; coffee and Quinn passed around cigars as did McCauley &amp; Taylor. Several of them gave Mid donations besides. Ed. made congratulatory speeches on behalf of the band at which all except Taylor seemed very much at a loss what to say back but the reeve replied in a very fitting way till Mrs Taylor told him to quit and let us eat. We had a great time and all came home sober about twelve. Marj. was still awake</p> <p>Tuesday January 4th</p> <p>It has been mild again all day to day and is not even freezing to-night. Frank had to go over to</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>help Tom Butler saw some wood this morning and was gone till after dinner. I spent the day doing chores and husking corn and helping Dad fix up the calf pens a little. Marj. has had a busy day washing and ironing and is pretty tired to-night. Aubrey Wilson came over to-night and I charted him for the Tuxis boys. Tid. was promoted to Miss Bests room to-day. He doesn't relish having to leave Miss McQueen</p> <p>Wednesday January 5th</p> <p>It has not been such a nice day to day. Cloudy with a raw wind but not very cold. It snowed quite awhile this morning but it didn't stay on the ground and it was raining a little this afternoon. I haven't done any thing but the ordinary chores all day. I felt miserable all morning with a pain in my eyes but had a sleep at noon and felt all right. Dad. and Frank spent the morning fixing a stall for Mexico in the drive house so that they can put Belle in his stall. The colt has never been weaned yet and Belle is looking very poor. Tid's nervous apprehension's at the thought of the change of teachers at school got the better of him this morning Dad. took him down but he hated so to go in that Dad. took him down to Aunty's where he stayed till noon and then went in a little more contented frame of mind.</p> <p>Thursday January 6th</p> <p>Did the ordinary round of chores to-day and gave Rachel a little brushing off. She seems inclined to be crabid but I think will be all right when she is handled a little more. Frank and I filled out applications for registering the three ewe lambs which we kept and had quite a time over it as two of them were not ear-marked and were we supposed by our own ram which broke in with the ewes. This after noon Dad. &amp; Frank fixed the barn door that blew off some months ago and I husked a little corn. Marj. went down to the Sunday school tea this after noon and so did Enah &amp; Frank. Tid. went from school so Dad. and I had tea by ourselves at the farm Mr. Zealand prepaid the express on ten boxes which came to-day. He told me I could use them for kindling.</p> <p>Friday January 7th</p> <p>I did chores and gave the colts a brushing down this morning and helped Dad. &amp; Frank hang the door in the barn. Dad went down town with Aunty's milk before dinner. I was late getting over to the farm after dinner so just did chores. I got my show card lesson's back to day with only one o.k"d. To-night Marj. and I went down to see Aunty Maude. Huby &amp; Quint had gone to Simcoe. Quint is applying for the custom's job that</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>has just been vacated by {Name?} McCall. Charlie Quanbury is home now and has been helping Art shingle his house to-day. Jack Martin asked him when Art was going to be married but Charlie says he doesn't know any thing about Jack says that Alan. Law has the date set for the {20th?}. Charlie says that you can't buy a job in Buffalo and there are a great many out of work. It is the same all over. It is still very mild not freezing to-night.</p> <p>Saturday January 8th</p> <p>Marj. went over with me to the farm this morning and after I fed things up, she and I drove down to Will McNeily's I wanted to ask him if he wanted to buy a bull but he said he hadnt room for one just now. The roads were pretty tough and the sun was delightful but there was a little breeze and as Marj. just had an overcoat on over her house dress and no sweater she got pretty cold, and as we were late getting home she got hungry too so her "cordial draught was dashed with care. However she felt more like living when she had dinner and went to sleep and slept most of the after noon, we came home for tea and to-night the Tuxis boys came over and we had another debate. Frank helped Marj. judge it. Freezing a little harder to-night.</p> <p>Sunday January 9th</p> <p>Marj. and I went down to Sunday school and church and then went over to the farm for dinner. Aunty Alice went over there with us. She went home about four o'clock but Marj. and I stayed right there for tea and to spend the evening. The chickens here didn't get fed but when I went down after we got home I found they had laid five eggs and as there was a suspicion of a broken one on some of them we believe they must have laid six. Marj. was surprised and delighted. Dad. went down to church to-night before we had tea and went to see Aunty after church. He spent most of the after noon reading Tom Sawyer (which Rebecca sent to Tid for Christmas) to the family, but I started on another book - and went to sleep. Frank actually finished reading a book "The Hoosier Schoolmaster" and Quint was caught reading at one the other day. Something must be going to happen. I hope nothing awful. It has been a beautiful day a little colder but sunny</p> <p>Monday January 10th</p> <p>We hauled in a load of corn this morning and spent most of the after noon unloading it and husking some. I husked and Dad. &amp; Frank unloaded. We have the one mow full now and when</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>we get one more load in and leave it on the waggon we won't be able to haul any more till we thrash. Marj. and I went down town to-night and I went to band practice and she went to Miss McQueen's to wait for me. We had a fair practice {illegible} with although there weren't many out. Tim was home from school to-day as he isn't well in some way although he seems to feel all right. Another lovely day.</p> <p>Tuesday January 11th</p> <p>Pickford came over this morning and bought a ram to kill. Frank sold it to him for {6?} cts a lb so he got it for $6.90. We hauled in another load of corn this morning and were late pulling in with it. The mill has closed down now for a week or so they don't blow the whistle and we never know when noon is. Frank and I spent most of the afternoon husking corn. Marj. washed to day. Aunty Alice came over to-night before we finished tea and spent the evening or part of it with us. Another beautiful day.</p> <p>Wednesday January 12th</p> <p>I spent the fore noon doing chores and came home early for dinner and this after noon went up to the annual meeting of the Norfolk Co-Operative. They had a big meeting and gave back the notes that were given on the start and changed the company to a joint stock affair still to be run on a co-operative basis. A good many of them were very hard to convince that it was a good move as they were very prejudiced against joint stock companys, but as there will be no chance of anyone getting a controlling interest their being just one vote to a man irrespective of the number of shares he has and as the profits will still be divided according to the business done as before I thought it looked safe enough and Johnson says the advantages will be that he will get a higher rating than under the old system and as he had to borrow a certain ammount of capital to keep things going he might just as well be paying interest to the members as to outsiders. I took one share at ten dollars. I got a ride down with Ham. Thompson and went down to Aunty's for tea. Marj. and Lila were there Marj. had been at the bridge club at Mrs McLaughlin's and won the prize. To-night she and Aunty went up to the Girls auxillary meeting and I went up to Harry Dyer's and got my hair cut. Enah and Frank went to the U.F.O. concert and they put on the same performance as they had at the school house. We waited to come home with Enah so didn't get away till after mid-night. Colin Ryerse and Pickford came over and killed a ram for us this morning. He was a fine carcase. Colder to-day.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Thursday January 13th</p> <p>We spent the morning doing chores and husking corn. This after noon Marj. and I went for a skate on the pond. It was fine but we didn't stay long as Marj's feet hurt her. She then went down town and I went over to the farm. Frank went over to Bill Donald's to see Sam Law, and ask him what he thought about having Henry Misener in to thrash our seed as he pulled in to Pickford's to-night and would likely do it but Sam didn't want {illegible} and said he would get around as soon as possible. He didn't like Henry encroaching on his territory anyway and said he had dropped a lot of his own customers to do it. It makes it inconvenient for us though as we can't get our corn in till our seed is thrashed and we stand {illegible} of having a blizzard come and tie things up. However I guess we will have to wait for {illegible}. Marj. was so tired to-night that we left the dishes and went to bed at half past seven. Colder to day but softer to-night.</p> <p>Friday January 14th</p> <p>Frank went over to Pickford's to-day to thrash and was there the best part of the day. Pickfords alsike wasn't paying for thrashing so he quit. He got about a bag of red seed. Sam. pulled in to Art Quanbury's to-day but Art didn't say any thing to us about going over there so we didn't go. Dad. &amp; I spent the day doing chores &amp; husking corn. To-night Marj. and I went down to peddle eggs get some groceries and wish Aunt Ida a happy birthday. She feels pretty tough. Dad. came down and Mr. Johnson was there. My cold felt pretty rotten to-night so Marj. dosed me with hot lemonade &amp; ginger rubbed my nose with mentholatum and soaked my feet in hot water &amp; mustard. It thawed and rained most of the day Colder to-night.</p> <p>Saturday January 15th</p> <p>We didn't get up very early this morning as my cold was rather bad. Tim came over before we had breakfast and had his with us and then went over to the farm with me. Dad &amp; I husked a little corn this morning but Dad. thought it was bad for my cold so I didn't do any thing much this after noon. Frank and Tim went skating on the pond this after noon. It was the first time Tim ever had skates on but he got on pretty well. Aunty was over for dinner and Marj. went down with her this after noon. Uncle Ward was over for awhile at noon too. The boys were over to-night. My cold still feels rather tough. There is quite an epidemic of small-pox around the country and one or two cases in town</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Sunday January 16th</p> <p>We were late getting around this morning so I didn't have time to do much over at the farm. Marj. and I went to Sunday school and church and Mrs. Johnson invited us to the rectory for dinner. She had to cook it after we got there so it was about three o'clock before we ate. Mr. Johnson didn't go to Vittoria this after noon as they have closed the church and every thing else all up there on account of the smallpox. We came home about four stopping in for a few minutes at Aunty's where Enah joined us. I went right on over to the farm and did chores. Cloudy and cold tonight.</p> <p>Monday January 17th</p> <p>Last night was the coldest night we have had yet. The thermometer registered 10° above zero but the high west wind made it feel much colder. We spent most of the fore noon after we did chores in hauling out 4 or 5 loads of strawy manure to cover the turnip pit a little more. We had to get over some hay for the cows as it was too cold to husk corn. Karl Coleman and Fred were over to look at the bulls but as they only offered me $70.00 for Oliver I thought I would keep him awhile on the chance of selling him for a bull Frank let his sheep out this morning. They have been out nearly every day and as there is no snow they goway out in the field north of the orchard and pick around all day. The two geese go with them and stay with them most of the time and come back with them at night. Frank saw one of the geese the other day go up to a sheep that was lying down and pick it on the nose till it got up and then squat down on the warm spot where the sheep had been. This after noon we didn't do any thing but chores at least I didn't. Dad. drove out to see how Harvey Shand was. He is in bad shape with the pleurisy. Enah went down to get a crown put on her tooth and Frank went to meet Tid. He took Tim's skates and brought him across the pond. I spent a half hour or so reading the paper. There is war now in the U.F.O. camp. Drury is proving too broad-minded a man to suit old J. J. Morrison. Drury realizes that a class organisation can't expect and shouldn't try to be the whole Government and is in favor of letting outsiders stand on the U.F.O. political platform, which Morrison resents bitterly To-night Marj. and I took Aunty Alice to the picture show to see "Everywoman" a sort of allegory which was very good and cleverly worked out. After the show I went up to band practice for awhile and called for Marj. at Aunty's. Cold all day. Windy</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Tuesday January 18th</p> <p>Last night the mercury reached the Zero mark and it has been pretty cold all day although sunny and no wind. It was too cold to husk corn so we didn't do anything all day but chores I didn't go over to the farm till about three o'clock this afternoon (I spent the fore noon there) and then just sat around and read the paper till chore time Dad. went down to Aunty's before dinner and this after noon he went over to see John Wess. To-night Marj. and I went to a small party at Cousin Clare's where we had a nice time and came home fairly early. Aunty Alice, Zeitha, Winnie, Lila, Julie Smith, Jack McDonald &amp; Frank were the other guests. We came home across the pond and found the two bits of plank that had disappeared from the vicinity of the boat house on the far side of the pond being used for a seat around the bonfire. The pond was deserted so we brought them home. Marj. hasn't felt very well to-day and spent most of her time braiding rags to make a beautiful mat. She had Uncle Ward &amp; Will Wood to call on her this after noon.</p> <p>Wednesday January 19th</p> <p>Marj. didn't feel very well this morning so I took her breakfast up to her in bed. It was the first time I had ever done such a thing but she said it was all right. I got some bread and butter and a shredded wheat biscuit and ate my breakfast with her. When I came home at noon she was still in bed so I guess had a good rest. It was pretty raw all day to-day so we didn't do much but chores. Dad. &amp; I carried hay over from the big barn &amp; we tacked some tar-paper on the north end of the barn outside along Moonshine's stall as it was pretty draughty in that corner. I didn't go over to the farm after dinner till late and then Marj. went with me and practiced till we got the chores done, when we came home had tea and spent the evening she making her mat and I reading aloud from "{illegible}"</p> <p>Thursday January 20th</p> <p>It turned very mild during the night and rained a little but has been a beautiful spring like day, sunny and mild with a little mild breeze. Frank went over to see Wilbur Ryerse this morning and he said he would come over to-morrow and slay our pigs We husked corn most of the day and got quite a lot done. To-night Marj. and I went to Auntys for tea. Marj. went down in the after noon a got a strainer to take to Laurel Misener's kitchen shower to-night She went up and called for Win to go to the shower. I went</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>to sleep at Auntys till about half past nine and then went up to Huby's and waited for Marj. who came away from the shower early and we got home about half past ten. Tom Butler was in at noon and expressed his intention of going down and "beating the can off that amateur poet" meaning Wilson Macdonald because he imagined he had said some thing of an insulting nature about the Prince of Wales in order to make an impression on Zeitha. In reality all he said was that when the Prince was in Montreal he had seen McDonald do some of his conjuring tricks and was more taken with them than {illegible}</p> <p>Friday January 21st</p> <p>It has still been very mild all day and is barely freezing to-night but it has been cloudy &amp; foggy and rained quite heavy showers several times. Wilbur came over this morning and killed the pigs and made a very good job of it which is quite natural as his "heart is in his work". Dad was watching the glint of satisfaction in his eye when he tried the hair and found he had made a good scald and the fond way in which he rubbed off the feet and legs, and said "Wilbur, I believe you like to butcher." Wilbur smiled in a good natured way and said candidly "Yes, I do." He &amp; Frank did the actual killing, shooting them before sticking them. I don't think Wilbur imbibed of the blood, but so taken up is he with his art that he often does hold his cupped hands under the blood stream as it runs warm and gurgling out of a stuck beef or pig and then drink it down adding to the delight of it by getting as much as possible on his face. It was a nice pair of pigs one of them the sow being the nicest one so Dad. thought, that we have ever killed. We didn't do much this morning after noon but husk corn and do chores. To-night Marj. and I had an evening at home and to celebrate it we built a fire in the grate and I read Pickwick Papers out loud and slept at intervals and Marj. sewed at her mat, and then before we went to bed it was such a beautiful mild moon-light night we went for a walk down to the boat house.</p> <p>Saturday January 22nd</p> <p>I felt pretty tough all day to-day, my cold and sore throat made me feel rather miserable. I went over to the farm this morning and Frank and I loaded Billy Mills chopping box on the old waggon and took it home as he was over yesterday after it. We went on down town and got half a ton of soft coal Charlie &amp; Art Quanbury went through just before</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>we left and as Charlie seemed in a purchasing mood and was very anxious to buy some thing Dad. sold him Dave and the pair of geese for $35.00. I didn't go back to the farm this after noon but lay around and slept. Marj. went over and told them I wouldn't be over. George Zealand called up about five o'clock and said he was going to be in town for a week and wanted to fix up the bedroom down stairs, so we said all right and he was over here for tea. The Tuxis boys came to-night and had a good time. Marj. went down town and back while they were here. Still mild &amp; cloudy</p> <p>Sunday January 23rd</p> <p>I didn't go over to the farm this morning nor to church nor sunday school as I thought may be it would be good for my cold to stay in. Marj. went down and I did up the house chores. George got up about eleven and he and I walked down town. He said he was invited some place for dinner and expected to be at the Henry's for tea so we didn't see him again all day. Marj. and I had dinner at Aunty's. Quint. came in just as we were finished and we all stayed there most of the afternoon. Marj. and I came home about four, built a fire in the grate and had tea and spent the evening reading "Pickwick Papers" before we went to bed we went for a walk up around by Frank Awde's place. It was a beautiful moonlight night but was cold. Dad. came in just as we got home he had been down at Aunty's and only stayed a minute or two</p> <p>Monday January 24th</p> <p>Marj. thought I hadn't better go to work this morning so we didn't get up till about ten o'clock. George got up about the same time and had breakfast with us. Tim. came over for a few minutes while we were at it. George left right away and caught the 11 o'clock car for Simcoe as he wanted to see Bowden at the Business College for something. He called me up this evening saying he wouldn't be home till late and to leave the door unlocked. Ben Ivey called me up and later came over to see me to try to induce me to buy Lish Fair's farm that he just bought from Charlie Stitt. I went over to the farm this after noon and asked Dad. what he thought about it but he didn't think it would be wise as it would be too far away to work to-gether and he thought Fair wanted too much for it $5700 for fifty Ben said sixty acres, so Fair was in this after noon and we told him we didn't want it. Miss McQueen came over for tea to-night and spent the evening. Marj. went down at noon and invited her. Fine day, cold.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Tuesday January 25th</p> <p>Sam Law pulled in to Jack Martin's last night so I thought they would be thrashing and went over to the farm in good time. Mrs. Martin had breakfast ready for them at seven o clock but it was too cold or some thing and they didnt show up till the middle of the fore noon and didn't get set up till noon. Billy Mills jammed his finger blocking the clover mill last night so he couldn't do any thing. He asked me at noon if two of us could go over and I said we could but Dad. wanted to get some wood out of the orchard so Frank went over and he said they had enough men. Dad. and I got the wood and did chores To-night Marj. and I went skating for awhile It was a beautiful moon light night but there were very few on the pond and the ice was rough in spots.</p> <p>Wednesday January 26th</p> <p>Frank went over to help thrash at Martin's and when they blew the whistle Dad. went across thinking they needed more help but he found Charlie Quanbury and Sam standing around not doing any thing. Sam told him they just blew the whistle as they wanted more company, however he didn't stay. They finished the red seed this morning and started in on the alsike but it was no good so they quit and came over to our place and got set up by four o'clock. Pickford came over and we thrashed till dark. I went home for tea but to-night Marj. went down to the Girl's auxillary and I went out to Shand's with my horn to play in Frank Lemmon's orchestra. The roads were so rough Dad. advised me to walk so I did and it was a beautiful night. I didn't know what was going on out at Willie's till I got there and found that the {Deil of Eden?} branch of the Women's Institute were giving a grand oyster supper and everybody in the country more or else was there. We had a great feed first of all. I didn't take oysters but there was lots besides. The orchestra provided a good share of the music and their was a programme besides and Leo Mitchell &amp; young Church were there with their fiddles and stayed for the dances. This was my first night off out with the orchestra which comprises seven pieces. Cam. McBride, violin. Mrs Frank Lemons, pianist. Karl Lemmon second cornet. Frank Lemmons solo cornet. Charlie Blake, clarionet. Jim Ryerse, alto, and myself base. They had easy Southwell music so I made out all right without having had any practice. I had two or three dances and I think caught more cold and came away when the thing broke up. I got home here about three o'clock and went to bed alone as Marj. stayed down town.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Thursday January 27th</p> <p>We finished thrashing by about eleven o'clock this morning and got about 3 bags of seed which we thought wasn't bad. Frank went down to Art Ryerse's to get his name on the petition that the J.F.I.A. is circulating to counteract the one that some sore heads around Simcoe have sent in to have Neff. dismissed. George &amp; Lloyd signed it but told him not to go near Art. as he wasn't in a good humor. We didn't do much this after noon and to-night Marj. and I went down to meet a friend of hers, Mrs. Low a sister of Miss Daver's who lectures for the Women's Institute and has been in Simcoe this week. She came down on the seven o'clock car and went back on the nine. We didn't have time to bring her over here so took her to Aunty's. Marj. went down this after noon and went with Aunty Alice, Enah and Tim to the fifteen cent. leftover tea in the Methodist church. I had tea at Aunty's. Cold &amp; cloudy</p> <p>Friday January 28th</p> <p>We were late getting up this morning but Frank and I managed to get on a load of corn before dinner. We put it off this after noon and got another one in leaving just two rows more to haul and we hauled a row to a load to-day, so will finish it to-morrow if all's well. To-night Essie &amp; Woodyer came over here for tea, they had been skating on the pond. Essie had to leave right after tea to go to choir practice so she and Woodyer skated back across the pond. Woodyer was or proposed to be so full he could hardly wiggle and kept us in fits of laughter all the time by his nonsense. When they left Marj. and I went over to the farm and we all went down to the Pickfords to spend the evening. We had a very nice time down there except that as usual I went to sleep in my tracks. Dad. has been lame all day as he dropped the tongue of Sam's clover mill on his toe yesterday and it is very sore. He, Enah, Marj &amp; Tid drove down to Pickfords in the cart with Mexico. Lovely day. Mild.</p> <p>Saturday January 29th</p> <p>This has been a beautiful spring like day, and Frank and I succeeded in getting all the corn in. One load this morning and the other which we left on the waggon this after noon. It took us till pretty late to get it. To-night the boys came over full force and had their social evening. They each brought enough to eat for the whole bunch so by the time they got their sandwichs eaten they couldn't hold any cake and Hermon who is a natural hoon boor attributed his inability to partake of a scrumptious cake that Mrs. Wilson sent over to its being no good. Darn them.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Sunday January 30th</p> <p>Marj. and I went down to Sunday school and church and as usual stayed at Aunty's for dinner. Quint &amp; Frank were there too but they left soon after dinner Quint to go skating on the lake with Joe and Frank home Dad. and Enah drove down about four o'clock about the time we were leaving and they stayed here for a few minutes to meet Hugh Tibbits who is here for the week-end and was going down there. He is defending one of the big timber company's in this Government timber inquiry and expects to be here again I worked at Mr. Johnston's memorial scroll to-night.</p> <p>Monday January 31st</p> <p>It has been cold and raw all day with an east wind and we haven't done anything but chores, except this morning Dad. and Frank cut up an apple tree that was down in the orchard. I cleaned and curried for a long time at Rachel, she is in bad shape from rubbing herself. We just sat around this after noon till chore time. Mid. Thompson called up to say that they wanted the band to play a little at the hockey concert to-night so Marj. and I went down to Aunty's for tea. The band just played a little on the start. The concert which was all local talent was very good. It consisted of dances by little girls. Marie Mitchel who also played the violin Mary Clone and Agnes Sterling, reading by Lila, songs by Zeitha Charlie Nunn &amp; a Mr. Hodgekins and a boxing contest between Charlie Warren and Capt. Robinson. It was rich, after the captains second had shaken a couple of rocks out of Charlie's gloves, he went at the captain who was very much overcome with mirth and and gave him an awful worrying, he would jump a couple of feet off the ground to hit the captain in the face and then drop down and run between his legs eventually he floored him and Manning who was refferee counted him out. Reeve Taylor was supposed to have drawn the tickets in the raffle for the picture that Harry Dyer painted and gave to the band but he was sick so the captain announced that as he had come "darn near" being reeve he would make the draw, he had Mary Crone to assist him and read the numbers as he had forgotten his glasses and Mrs. Billy Low held the lucky number and got the picture.</p> <p>Tuesday February 1st</p> <p>Frank took Tid across the pond this morning and went on down to see Val. Leany about getting ice. Val. said we could get it any</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>time so this morning Dad. cleaned out the ice house and Frank and I unloaded the corn stalks as we will have to put the box on the good waggon to haul ice. Clare Deal called Marj. up this morning and told her they had some brickettes down there which which we very much like Nukol tso his after noon Frank and I hauled a load home and didn't have time to get any ice. Billy McNeilly came in to-night and had a look at the bulls. I just about froze standing around talking to him and then he said he wouldn't be needing a bull for some time and maybe not at all. We got photographs of Dick to-day but we all think they are very poor and so does he. Marj. washed to day and to night I helped her do her chores and slept the rest of the evening in my chair. I felt tough and so did she. Martha presented us with a red bull calf to-day. We heard a racket in the stable about noon and went out to find it wallowing around in the dirt and Martha very anxious to get at it to wash it. Milder.</p> <p>Wednesday February 2nd</p> <p>It has been very cloudy all day and trying to snow but very little fell. There were a couple of streaks of sunshine that lasted for a minute or two each which would give the bear a chance to see his shadow. Frank has been hauling ice all day and we have five loads in now. We had no snow to chink it with this year so I don't know how it will keep. The pond is a busy place now. Two gasoline saws going which have taken the place of the old horse drawn markers. Val Leany is cutting on this side for anyone who wants it. Jack Waters is cutting back of Belbeck's place and loading it right on cars from the pond and Barwell is filling his big ice house. Marj. has been busy all day ironing and baking bread. This morning she was very blue about her batter it didnt bubble just right and she was sure it was no good. At noon it seemed to be rising well but she thought likely it would be sour. We had it for tea and she says it is the best she has made yet. I read Pickwick papers to her while she ironed to-night, then I had a shave and we went to bed early.</p> <p>Thursday February 3rd</p> <p>We finished hauling the ice to-day and it snowed and drifted enough during the night to chink it with snow. Frank and I unloaded the last load after dinner and then Frank took the tongs he had borrowed back to Val. and paid him for the ice</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Dad. took Tid down to school and went on down town and spent this after noon visiting Aunty Maude and Joe Howell who fell and broke his knee-cap the other day. Tid refused to go to school as he was late so he went with him. Bill Barwell and Dess were over at the farm for quite awhile this after noon. Bill had the bank revolvers with him and we shot several posts out back of the barn full of holes. Odd bits of news come drifting in. Mrs. Jake Ayers is dead and Jake has sold out to Joe &amp; Mid. Alan Law is now the legitimate father of a daughter, it having arrived very unexpectedly the other after noon when Mrs Law was all alone. She summoned Mrs. Glen Ryerse by putting a lighted lamp in the window facing their house.</p> <p>Friday February 4th</p> <p>This has been a beautifully mild day. I went over fairly early this morning to the farm and did chores all fore noon. Frank took a couple of axes down town and had them ground and this after noon he and I went back to the woods and cut some wood, we got quite a little pile and just cut the bass wood and poplar out of a little corner of the woods on the west line. To-night Mr. &amp; Mrs. Bagley came over here for tea. Marj. went down to ask them this morning.</p> <p>Saturday February 5th</p> <p>I got up at 4.30 this morning as my showcard paper came yesterday and I want to finish my lessons. I got one more done. We spent the morning over at the farm doing chores and husking corn as it was pretty soft and muddy to go to the woods and mild enough to sit in the barn &amp; husk. Dad. finished putting the sawdust back in the ice-house. Before dinner Frank took a grist down to the mill and went down this after noon and got it. I didn't do any thing but chores this after noon. I went up in the loft to husk corn but was so sleepy I went to sleep. To-night the boys all came over. Snowed a little.</p> <p>Sunday February 6th</p> <p>Marj. &amp; I went down to church and sunday school this morning and stayed at Aunty's for dinner Quint was there too. We stayed most of the afternoon there and then came home and I went over to the farm to do chores. Frank was down at the Ward's so we had his chores to do too. I went to sleep after tea and slept all evening while Marj. read. Beautiful Spring day.</p> <p>Monday February 7th</p> <p>I got up at 4.30 this morning and got another showcard lesson about half done. Frank and I went back to the woods this morning and although it</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>snowed quite hard and we got pretty wet. This after noon Marj. and I went down town and I got some costic potash for the calf's horns and some louse killer to put on Belle &amp; Rachel as they are badly infested. To-night I went to band practice and Marj. went down with me and went to Girls Auxillary. Mild.</p> <p>Tuesday February 8th</p> <p>It snowed enough yesterday to make the sleighs run so Frank and I hauled out manure all day and got about 8 or 9 loads out on the root ground. We cleaned out both box stalls &amp; the calf pen and hauled five or six loads from the cow shed pile. Uncle Ward came over this morning for a visit and went home when I went at noon. Marj. came over after dinner and helped Tid. make valentines all the after noon. He has been quite sick with gripper or a very bad cold and doesn't go out of the house at all. Very soft</p> <p>Wednesday February 9th</p> <p>This was ash wednesday so Marj. went down to service at ten o'clock. Frank and I spent the fore noon back in the woods. When I got home at noon Marj. was preparing to receive the Banfield's as they were up at the dentist's and telephoned over that they would be here for dinner. They didn't get here till nearly one This after noon I didn't go back to the farm but took Ward through Jack Martin's {illegible} in which he seemed greatly interested. I also took him over to the farm and showed him the stock. We put his horse in Fleming's stable. They left before five and I went over to the farm and helped do chores. Aunty was over there for tea and went down with Dad and Enah when they went to {illegible} practice. Marj. &amp; I went down to church to-night but I slept all through it. Very mild.</p> <p>Thursday February 10th</p> <p>Frank and I went back the woods again this morning. We are getting a fairly good sized pile of wood cut. This after noon I was late getting over and it turned rather raw so we husked corn. Marj. went down town this after noon and went calling but her foot was quite lame to-night, she slipped and hurt it last night. I went down to an extra band practice to-night to try out some new music and Marj. was too lame to go with me so she went to bed before I left. The wind was making such a racket on the east side of the house, she didn't want to sit down there. Cold to-night.</p> <p>Friday February 11th</p> <p>The wind kept up all night and it began to snow</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>before I came home last night and this morning there was quite a {words very faint}. It was not cold though. I went over to the farm and helped do the morning chores and then Dad said there was nothing much to be done outside {words very faint} came back home, which I did {words very faint} home not going over to do the chores to-night. Dad. walked over with me and went on down to Aunty's with some milk. I stayed in and fixed up Mr. Johnston's scroll and read all day. This after noon Frank and Dad. went by with Billy {words very faint} sleighs and Harry with him and later they came along with George. They said they had no trouble with them at all although Billy {words very faint} got away from them when the tongue hit him turning in the lane. They had to let him run up the lane and turned into the cornfield and turned around. George was very tame too much so in reality. He seems to lack ambition. I went out before six and shovelled the snow.</p> <p>Saturday February 12th</p> <p>This has been a beautiful day. The mercury went down to about 10° above zero during the night but it was bright sunny and no wind all day. This morning we hooked the colts up again and drove Billy out to Shand's corners. George we took down town. It was nearly noon when we started for town so I took my milk and jumped off here and stayed till after dinner. This after noon Dad. Enah and Tid drove out to the Shand's and Frank and I husked corn. The Tuxis boys came over to-night. Marj. went down town this morning and baked, swept scrubbed &amp; darned.</p> <p>Sunday February 13th</p> <p>Marj. and I went down to Sunday school and church and for once were early for Sunday school. This was the tenth anniversary of Mr. Johnson's coming here so he told us and he announced his acceptance of the parish of Park Hill but didn't know exactly when he would move. He also reviewed the work of the church in the past ten years and tried to make out as far as facts and figures were concerned that the progress had been very satisfactory. We didn't stay at Aunty's to dinner as we had intended as the boys wanted me to go for a tramp with them this after noon and I came home to change my clothes. We went way up black creek back of Bill Watt's place some where the definite object of our trip was to get a knife of Oliver's which he &amp; Wilson left sticking in a tree up there yesterday. Frank went with us. Zeith &amp; Doc Lemmon's were over at the farm practicing Pinafore this after noon. I was tired to-night and we went to bed early. Another beautiful day.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Monday February 14th</p> <p>I got up at 5.30 this morning and as Marj. was not very well I took her breakfast up to bed to her and had a busy morning of it as I washed all of yesterday's dishes up. We had intended running a load of hay over to the horse stable this morning but as it was so windy Dad. thought we had better not so Frank and I husked a little corn and Dad. did chores and took Rachel out on the halter. This after noon we didn't do much but chores and hauled a sleigh load of hay over for Frank to use to-night. Marj. felt better to-night and we both went down town. She went to the girl's auxillary and I went to band practice after first taking the rough draft of the scroll I made for Mr. Johnston over to show it to him, and he approving it gave me the decorated parchment to fill out. He is getting all packed up ready to leave. Sunny and nice but raw wind.</p> <p>Tuesday February 15th</p> <p>This has been a beautiful day regular spring although not thawing much in the shade. We changed the waggon box from the sleighs to the waggon this morning and Frank went down after a load of {coal oil?}. Dad. &amp; I took Billy &amp; George out on the line {words very faint} lest old George got away from me and we had to put the little rope line under his chin. Aunty Alice &amp; Miss Harding who is staying with Aunty now came over to the farm for dinner. This after noon we changed the waggon box again and put the rack on the waggon and put on a small load of hay which we hauled over to the horse stable. We were delayed a little once or twice so were a little late getting through. Tom &amp; Mark were in to see about getting a horse clipped and Mark tells us he thinks he is going to sell out to some pal of Tom's. He says he has got so tired of hearing Tom tell him he is no good that he is going to leave. Tom says at times the "captain" is a cracker to work but other times he is no good at all and wont get up in the morning till nine o'clock and it was having a bad effect on him as he oft thought if Mark wouldn't get up it wasn't worth his while so some thing had to be done. Roy {Hammond?} was in too, to tell Frank they were not going to have a debate at the U.F.O. concert in Lynn Valley Thursday night. They had spoken of getting Frank &amp; Lloyd Ryerse to take part in it, evidently not having any one in the U.F.O. ranks who could or would do it. Marj felt quite miserable at noon but went down town this after noon to sit with Aunt Ida while Aunty went to auxillary. She still felt rather poorly to-night and went to bed early. She got word that her aunt Mrs. Banfield and Mrs Doughty were coming up for dinner to-day to-morrow. Mrs. Smythe wants us to go up their for tea to-morrow night.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Wednesday February 16th</p> <p>Dad. Frank and I {words very faint} to the horse stable this morning and didn't do much else but the chores. {words very faint} from Nanticoke came up to dinner to-day. {words very faint} Dick Doughtys. Dick and I went over to the farm after dinner had a look around &amp; didn't do any thing else much as I had to come home early and get {words very faint} &amp; go up to the Smythe's. When I got home I found Mr. Zealand here, he had come up to straighten up the church books. It was getting pretty {late by the time I got?} over to the farm and got Queen hooked up and just as I was ready to get into the buggy it began to pour rain. I didn't know just what to do but waited for ten or fifteen minutes and after it had rained a torrent or two and made a general mess of things it began to calm down and I started I picked Marj. up here and before we had gone far it had stopped altogether. We got up there about seven o'clock and had a very nice tea and spent the evening playing cards, chess &amp; the phonograph. Freddy beat me to games of chess and the others seemed to be having a lot of of fun playing 5000 pedro. Pete {illegible} came over &amp; Miss Gilbert the Doan's, Hallow school teacher boards there. We got home to the farm about {illegible} but by the time we got here and watched the fire that Mr. Zealand had built for awhile it was pretty late. Another spring day.</p> <p>Thursday February 17th</p> <p>I was rather late getting over to the farm this morning but we didn't do much anyway it was quite a lot colder and windy. Frank husked a little corn and I cleaned up the good harness as I got it wet last night Mr. Walker came over to sell some fence and kept Dad. entertained for awhile. This after noon Dad. Enah &amp; Tid. went down town to see Vernon who came down from Brantford this after noon to see them before leaving for the South. Frank and I oiled the light double harness and visited with Mark who came in both on his way down &amp; back from town. To-night I went down early to play with the band at the Methodist concert. I thought they only wanted to play before the thing started but they asked us to play during changes of scene so I waited for the first change and then came home as I told Marj. I wouldn't be late. Mr. Zealand is still here. Blustery freezing to-night</p> <p>Friday February 18th</p> <p>Marj. did not feel very well this morning so I got my breakfast but didn't call Mr. Zealand. I left a note for him telling where he could find something to eat. Marj. told me at noon that when she came down he had all the dishes washed and every thing slicked up. Frank and I spent most of the day back in the bush. Soon after I went</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>back this after noon I cracked my axe handle so I just piled the wood that Frank cut. Tid went back with us and took his little one and worked like a nigger. Hazel Ward came over after school to-night to stay till Monday. After tea we had a fire in the fire-place and Mark came in to spend the evening and we had a fine time discussing poetry and eating pop-corn which Marj. popped. Beautiful day, freezing to-night.</p> <p>Saturday February 19th</p> <p>Dad. &amp; Frank went back to the woods this morning and I went up to Ham Thompson's to see what he thought about forming breeder's club as I had a letter yesterday from the Association advising it for the purpose of marketing surplus stock and promising help. Ham thought it would be a good scheme. His stock looks fine. This after noon Frank Tid &amp; I went back to the bush this after noon. Marj. &amp; Hazel were very busy when I left making preparations for the girls auxillary which came over to sew this after noon Frank came over for tea and spent the evening. The boys all came over and I went down town with them and got my hair cut. Colder to-day &amp; an east wind.</p> <p>Sunday February 20th</p> <p>Marj. Hazel and I went down to Sunday school &amp; church and stayed at Aunty's for dinner. Quint &amp; Tid. were there too and had a beautiful time teasing &amp; fighting each other all the after noon. Tid. came home with us and went over to the farm with me. Mark came in to the farm on his way down to church had tea and Frank went down with him. Marj. Hazel and I spent the evening before our fireplace. Cold &amp; raw east wind all day.</p> <p>Monday February 21st</p> <p>Frank and I have been back at the woods all day I spent most of the time clearing away the dead poplar at the west side of the bush. There is a lot of it in there. Tim went back with us this morning and worked away at a great rate. He and Frank went back to John Wess's to get a drink before dinner and brought back a lot of apples. Tom. Butler came in to the farm and stayed for dinner. This after noon Dad. &amp; Tim set fire to the grass along the road and got a great scare over it as it ran into Ivey's wheat stubble and Dad. had a hard time getting it out and he was afraid of it spreading to the straw stack. Marj. and I went down to tea at Aunty's to-night then she and Aunty went to the Girls' auxillary and I went to band practice. There were very few there as Dover was up playing the Wanderers to-night. Cold all day but milder to-night.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Tuesday February 22nd</p> <p>Frank and I went back to the woods this morning but Frank had a headache and had to come up about 11 o'clock. I stayed there till noon cleaning out dead wood and have most of it cleared away now. This after noon Frank didn't feel like going back so I cleaned out the chicken house. Dad. didn't feel well either this after noon. Marj. washed this morning and went down town with Enah this after noon she felt pretty tired to-night. I did a show card lesson. Very mild.</p> <p>Wednesday February 23rd</p> <p>I got up before five this morning with the intention of working at show cards but when I looked out I saw snow all over every thing and thought there was a blizzard raging so went back to bed again thinking that we couldn't do any thing at the farm and I would have all day to work at show cards. I was very much surprised however to find when I went out that it was very soft and not very rough so when I got to the farm Dad said he thought we had better haul the turnips up from the pit while there was snow. It took us quite awhile to get ready as we had to move the calf pen and put him back of Wilkins then we put the turnips in a pile between Moonshine and the three heifers. We got one load before dinner and when we opened the pit found they had kept perfectly sound and were not a particle frozen the south side of the pit was not frozen under the manure. This after noon we got four more loads up and didn't have room for any more in the barn so left a load in the pit. Marj. went down and spent the after noon with the Wood's and I went down there for tea. She &amp; I went to church and then went back to the Wood's for awhile after We then went down to Aunty's for awhile and came home with Dad. who had been up to see Aunty Maude They had intended going to Pinafore practice but there wasn't any. Turned colder this after noon &amp; snowed more</p> <p>Thursday February 24th</p> <p>Dad. &amp; Frank went back this morning and hauled up a couple of loads of wood while Tid. and I cleaned out the chicken house. This after noon I stayed home till about four and practised at my show cards. Dad. and Frank hauled another load of wood up and then got some hay over and covered the turnips a little more as the frost got at them a little last night. Winnie came over here this after noon for awhile and Mr. Zealand and Gordon came up to stay over the week-end. Gordon shot two sparrows and caught two more in the chicken house. Fine day, cold.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Friday February 25th</p> <p>Frank and I hauled out manure all day and got another strip of the potato ground covered. Dad. went down to Aunty's for dinner and went up and read to Aunty Maude this after noon. Marj. &amp; Enah went over to Mrs. Quanburys where the Guild was meeting. Uncle Ward called up at noon and asked me to bring Mrs. Woodson's key over as some one had broken into the house so I went over and we boarded up the hole in her door where they broke the glass to get in. They had pulled things around pretty well but I don't know that any thing was stolen. Dad. &amp; Tid heard that Miss Newell fell down this after noon and broke her hips and that {Linous?} McPherson died this morning. Colder to-day and blustery.</p> <p>Saturday February 26th</p> <p>It has been snowing pretty well all day and quite hard this after noon but it has been quite mild. I just did chores this morning and Dad. &amp; Frank hauled up a couple of loads of wood. This after noon I didn't go back to the farm till about four as Marj. wanted me to wait till she went down town but when she saw how bad the storm was she decided not to go. Mr. Zealand has been wanting to go home all day but Gordon wanted to hunting this after noon with Mann &amp; Nanny so they went to-night on the seven o'clock car. The boys all came over to-night except two and were covered with snow. Windy.</p> <p>Sunday February 27th</p> <p>Marj. and I went down to Sunday school and church this morning and Dad. came down and drove us over to the farm for dinner, at least he drove Marj. over but I stopped off here to shovel the snow. This after noon Marj. and I drove out to Frank Lemon's for orchestra practice. We took Frank as far as Bill Donald's and he went in there to see the girls and find out how old Bill was as he fell off the roof of the house last night and lit on his back on the cement step but didn't break any bones. We had quite a practice and didn't get home till nearly six, we have to play at a U.F.O. Concert on Tuesday night. Frank went down to Aunty's for tea with Mark and they went to church, so Dad. had most of the chores to do. Marj. &amp; I spent the evening at the farm where I went to sleep. Very soft, sleighing no good.</p> <p>Monday February 28th</p> <p>Frank struck off for Simcoe with Lloyd Ryerse this morning to attend {--tractor} demonstration by moving pictures and as their dinner and tea were provided</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>for them by the tractor people he stayed {illegible} he and Lloyd went to Bill Donald's to spend the evening. I went down to a meeting in the Methodist church this morning when they discussed having a "Father &amp; Son" banquet in April. This after noon I pruned an apple tree. Marj. and I went down to Girl's auxillary &amp; band practice to-night. We had quite a flare-up between Harry Moon &amp; Doc Lemmons to night. Harry is bound to play things the way he thinks they should be played instead of the way Doc. says, and to-night he got mad and used language which appeared to shock Mr. Bagley terribly.</p> <p>Tuesday March 1st</p> <p>This has been another beautiful Spring like day We just did chores and Frank and I pruned two or three more trees in the orchard. To-night Marj. and I went down to Auntys for tea, no it was last night we were there for tea. We went to the U.F.O. concert to-night. Marj. got a complimentary ticket. I played with the Lemmon's orchestra and we kicked up quite a racket, which the Unite Farmers of Woodhouse professed to enjoy by applauding. Bob Wilson an imported entertainer supplied the rest of the show, to-gether with a pianist, soloist and a little dancer. Frank went to the thing and he &amp; Lloyd took the two Donald girls. The house wasn't filled but they had a fair crowd of farmers, very few town people were there.</p> <p>Wednesday March 2nd</p> <p>It was pouring rain this morning and has been to wet and sloppy to do much all day, although it cleared off nicely I went over and did chores this morning and then came home again and after dinner painted a show card lesson Dad. went down to Aunty's for dinner and this after noon went up and read to Aunty Maude. Marj. and I went down to church to-night. We got Mr. Zealands typewriter out to-day</p> <p>Thursday March 3rd</p> <p>My tooth ached a little during the night so I went down this morning and had Doc. Lemmons look at it. He said there was a big cavity in a Wisdom tooth so put in a temporary filling and said to come back in a day or two. Marj. went down with me and sold some eggs to Cousin Loll We stayed at Aunty's for dinner and I didn't get over to the farm till late and then helped Frank put on a load of hay. Frank went over to see if we could get some straw from Tom &amp; Mark, &amp; Tom told him to come and get a couple of loads for nothing. He says things seem to be going all right over there now. They paid Tupper his interest and Mark has borrowed sap buckets and a kettle and is going to make syrup. To-night I washed the dishes, oiled my boots and type wrote a letter to Douglas. Colder. Things are beginning to look a little like war again. The Germans are trying to whine out of paying their indemnitys and the Allies are not going to stand for it.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Friday March 4th</p> <p>Frank and I put off the load of hay we put on yesterday. We took it over to the old barn for the cows. Then Dad. &amp; Frank went over to Toms and got a load of straw. I just did chores and came home for dinner before they got back. They got home about one o'clock and we put it off into the horse stable. We didn't do anything else but chores as Dad. wanted to get down early to Pinafore practice. I separated my Plymouth Rock hens from the Wyandottes to-night as I think may be Jack will be wanting eggs soon now so it was after six when I got home. Marj. told me that the band was going up to play at the final hockey match between Dover &amp; the Simcoe baseball team, but they hadn't sent me word. They called up in a few minutes but I said I wouldn't have time to get there. They called up again and said they were short handed so I hurried and dressed ate a bite or two of bread &amp; jam and skiddooed over across the pond to catch the car. The game was pretty one sided as Dover piled up a score of 18-8 but we all had a good time as Dover wins the cup. I came back across the pond and found Dad. &amp; Enah here They had hoped to have a good Pinafore practice but half their crowd was at this match so they were peeved, naturally. Marj. cooked some beefstake before we went to bed. Getting milder.</p> <p>Saturday March 5th</p> <p>I was late getting over to the farm this morning and spent most of the fore noon doing chores and making a trough for the chickens. When I got here Cnocfierna had presented us with a pure white bull calf. Dad. Frank &amp; Tid. went over to Tom's this morning and got another big load of straw which we put off over the granary for the cows this after noon. Frank went down town when we got it off and Dad. &amp; I just did chores Enah didn't feel well at all. Marj. had the girls over sewing for the {illegible} again this after noon and as it was such a stormy night, three of them stayed to tea. Irene Pickford Myrtle Greenbury &amp; Eileen Cook. Arthur &amp; Bobby Pickford drove over after Irene before she got through supper and Hermon brought wraps over for the other girls when he came for the Tuxis meeting, he Jonas Nanny &amp; Oliver came It has been very mild &amp; cloudy all day, began to rain about five</p> <p>Sunday March 6th</p> <p>Marj. and I went to church &amp; Sunday school and went up for dinner and to spend the afternoon at the Bagley's. George &amp; Mrs. Duncan were there too. Mr. Bagley was showing us the furniture he has been making which certainly looks fine. We were rather late getting home as we called in at Aunty's for a few minutes. To-night Mark came in to see us on his way back from church. It has been very mild but inclined to rain. Colder to-night</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Monday March 7th</p> <p>Snowed a little during the night but has been very soft all day and there was quite a thunder storm to-night. I did chores this morning and then went up to George Duncan's to see if I could get some setting hens. He said I could but wasn't very sure which ones were the best sitters so told me to come up again in a day or two. I didn't go back to the farm this after noon but went down town &amp; Bill finished fixing my tooth. Marj. went down with me and we stayed at Aunty's for tea and then I went to band practice and Marj. went to the girls meeting. Dad. &amp; Frank cleaned up the cellar &amp; sorted the potatoes. It was pouring rain when we came home to-night.</p> <p>Tuesday March 8th</p> <p>This has been the most spring like day we have had but the mud is a fright. Dad. and I went out this morning and cleaned out the big ditch over east of the old garden. The frost was out of it in most places and we think it wont take much now to drain the big pond as soon as the water runs down so that we can see what we are doing. We just did chores this after-noon. Mr. Zealand came up again to-night. I went down to hear a Mr. Stansfield give a talk on his Y.M.C.A. work in India which was very interesting. Old Mrs. Martin had a slight stroke to-day</p> <p>Wednesday March 9th</p> <p>It poured rain all night and turned colder this fore noon ansd snowed a little then cleared up and is freezing to-night. I went over and did chores and then came home again as their was nothing else to do. Mr. Zealand had Skinner Manning here painting the boat when I got back and he also had Skinner pretty well painted inside. He gave me a nip of some thing which just about raised my hat. After dinner Marj. thought she would go down town and wanted me to stay here till she got away so I did. I then went over to the farm and did chores. Dad. &amp; Tid went down right after dinner and Dad. waited till school was over to come home with Tid. Marj. and I went down to church to-night and brought Mr. Zealand's phonograph over from Mr. Johnson's. Mr. Zealand went down {town?} and bought some ham &amp; jelly rolls for us this after noon and {illegible} a loaf of home-made bread from Mrs. Johnny Allan but couldn't for which Marj. was very thankful. She kept me up to-night till after eleven trying to lend me some money to buy land with.</p> <p>Thursday March 10th</p> <p>This has been a beautiful day and Dad. Frank and I went out and cleaned the big ditch out more and got it running pretty well. To-night about</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>half past five I drove up to George Duncan's and got seven sitting hens. I didn't get back till nearly seven but Marj. came over to the farm for tea so we stayed there for the evening. Mr. Zealand I think went down and had tea with the Johnny Allen's. He just got home before we did and had a fire built in the grate for us so we had to go in there &amp; visit before going to bed. He had a lot of fun at noon putting his white ducks in the pond. He has been pretty gay</p> <p>Friday March 11th</p> <p>We were late getting around this morning. I left Marj. in bed while I got Mr. Zealand some breakfast and then scooted for the farm. Dad. and I made the ditch a little deeper this morning and Frank went down to see how Aunty Maude was &amp; to take Tim to school. After dinner I helped Mr. Zealand couple up his water pipes as he is very anxious to get his engine &amp; pump going so that Marj. can have running water in the house, but I broke a piece of pipe and he couldn't get his engine going so we quit. I fed my sitting hens They seem likely to sit. Marj. went down to stay with Aunt Ida while Aunty &amp; Aunty Alice were up with Aunty Maude &amp; Cousin Clare. and we couldn't find Mr. Zealand when we got home so had tea &amp; the evening to ourselves. He came in after we went to bed. He had been {illegible} Mrs. {Capt?} Johnny on his knee.</p> <p>Saturday March 12th</p> <p>Mr. Zealand got up before five this morning and when I came down was bound to visit so that I was late getting over to the farm again. I just helped Frank haul a couple of jags of hay over to the old barn &amp; the horse stable and then came home to catch the one o'clock car for Simcoe. Mr. Zealand &amp; Art Quanbury went on the same car to Hamilton Mr. Zealand had to borrow five dollars from Art to get home as we didn't have it to lend him. I went up and paid for the share in the Co-operative Co. got Adam Thompson's address from Slaght's office and then went to a meeting of sheep breeders that Neff notified me of. There were only about half a dozen of us there but Telfer gave us a very good talk on forming and organization for the purpose of improving our flocks &amp; selling our surplus stock at a {illegible} advantage. I came home at five to find Marj. laid out on the sofa. She having fallen down stairs and bruised &amp; skinned herself terribly but not seriously. I got a sort of tea ready &amp; the boys came over to-night.</p> <p>Sunday March 13th</p> <p>Marj. felt too stiff &amp; sore to get up this morning so had breakfast in bed and I went alone to sunday-school and church. I had her class in with mine and had an awful time with them. We had intended staying at Aunty's for dinner but</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>I came home with a basket full of delicious provisions from there and found Enah had been over with some rice pudding and parsnips, so I lit a fire in the grate and Marj. got up and we had lunch in by the fireplace where we stayed all the after noon and had a lovely time coming to the conclusion that it was a good thing Marj. did fall down stairs. I went over to the farm about four but first went over to Mrs. Woodson's and took what phonograph records I could find there, just as I left Essie, Woodyer &amp; Miss Jacques came in to see Marj. When I came home for tea Marj. had it all ready in by the fireplace so we had another delightful evening Mrs Woodson's records proved to be no good according to our tastes, but that didn't matter much. Cloudy, mild</p> <p>Monday March 14th</p> <p>Marj. had her breakfast in bed again this morning but got up about ten, she hasn't felt very well all this after noon as her heart was bothering her. I set the whole seven hens I got from George this morning putting 15 eggs under nearly every one so that they are covering over 100 eggs. I then went with Dad out to the big ditch and we deepened it three or four inches, we have the big lake nearly drained now. Frank went down town and got some nails this morning and this after noon he and Dad. fixed the barn where Moonshine poked a hole in it bigger than himself. I didn't get over till late as I washed the dished for Marj. shook the mats and wrote to Adam Thompson Esq. I took down some milk &amp; eggs to Aunty right after tea but didn't stay to band practice as Marj. didn't feel like going down and I didn't want to leave her here alone all evening. Aunty Maude has not been so well the last few days and is getting very weak Cloudy &amp; raw east wind all day but no frost.</p> <p>Tuesday March 15th</p> <p>I wore Mr. Zealand's rubber boots over this morning and Dad. and I let a lot of water off some of the smaller ponds that drain into the big one and the big ditch. Enah came in here at noon on her way down town and brought my show card lessons they had all passed but one so I did it again to-night. Marj. has felt better to-day and is not nearly so stiff. We just did chores this after noon. Lovely day, very mild.</p> <p>Wednesday March 16th</p> <p>Dad. went down to school with Tim this morning &amp; went on down town to see how Aunty Maude was Frank went down to the mill and got some bags</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>to put wheat in and he and I spent most of the fore noon cleaning up the barn floor and getting the fanning mill out to clean wheat. We just got started before dinner but put about ten bags through this after noon. I cleaned up a very nice sample. When I got home at noon I found Jack Walker had left a case of whiskey here for Mr. Zealand and right after dinner in walked that gentleman, he having come up to settle up some church affairs. I told him that his whiskey had come but that if he was going to have Skinner Manning &amp; Dick Faulmsly around to drink it we would get out as I wouldn't leave Marj. alone here all day with them. He professed to think that I was objecting to the mere fact that there was whiskey in the house and said he would have it taken out but that he couldn't be dictated to as to who he should have around the place to work for him. Marj. and I went over to the farm for the after noon and for tea, we had intended to anyway, and we went down to church when Dad &amp; Enah went to "Pinafore" practice. After we came home and went upstairs to-night we heard Mr. Zealand come in with some man but couldn't tell who.</p> <p>Thursd</p> <p>Thursday March 17th</p> <p>Mr. Zealand was up and gone when we came down stairs this morning but we were late getting down. He came in just before we had breakfast and seemed very cranky and gave me a great tirade about not keeping things clean around here. He was drunk so I didn't say much to him but he wouldn't have breakfast with us. He walked up as far as Martin's with me when I went to the farm and that is the last I saw of him but Marj. said he came in about 3 o'clock this after noon looking very mad and went out again. When I came home at six I found a note from him asking us to save their own eggs, and we noticed his suitcase was gone but so we concluded he had gone home but back he came about twelve o'clock after we had gone to bed. We finished cleaning up the wheat to-day and had just about 30 bags. To-night Marj. &amp; I went up and spent the evening at the Quanbury's Charlie told me that he had tested out the eggs I sold him and they were no good. Nice day but cold wind.</p> <p>Friday March 18th</p> <p>We haven't done much at the farm to-day. Dad. cleaned out and fixed up the floor in Gladys's pen as she has it all torn to pieces and has another family due to arrive. Frank cleaned out some ditches this morning and went over to Tom Butler's this afternoon and made arrangements with Nate Butler who was out on</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>the side road with a gang to go and work on the road to-morrow for 35 cts per hour. They are cleaning out the ditch getting ready to scrape the road &amp; grade it. I didn't do much but chores all day Mr. Zealand has been drunk all day so we didnt invite him in to dinner. He had Skinner Manning out in the shop with him all fore noon and they were cleaning up and throwing things around at a great rate. Marj. said he came back (he &amp; Skinner went off down street about one o'clock) about five and was in a very good humor and said he would like to have tea with us so Marj. told him she would be glad to have him and said she was expecting Essie over where at he said he wouldn't stay but went and had another drink of cider and came out and said he was going down to the hotel to have the first meal he had had to-day, he then got mad and slammed the door without listening to Marj's. protestations. Essie came over to tea and I went over for a few minutes to Uncle Ward's to see about getting some eggs to set as I tested mine out this afternoon and they were no good. Lovely day</p> <p>Saturday March 19th</p> <p>I went in to Jack Martin's this morning and told him about the bad luck I had with the eggs so he told me to get a couple of roosters from him to-night. I went down to Uncle Ward's and got three settings from him. Marj. went down with me and when we came back we saw Mr. Zealand digging around his trees aparently sober and in a good humor. He had dinner with us and seemed all right, but by tea time he was pretty full again. He went off with his club bag after tea and said he might go back to Hamilton but he didn't. I just did chores this after noon and went over to Jack's to get my roosters but he hadn't had time to pick them out. Frank has been working on the road all day and wasn't home when I left to-night. I had to go home as the boys were coming over. Beautiful day, quite hot.</p> <p>Sunday March 20th</p> <p>I went over to the farm in good time this morning and when I got back found Mr. Zealand busily engaged in the garden putting Nitrate of Soda around his trees &amp; roses. He told me that there was a preacher down town last night and he had been giving him some advice about speaking directly to the boys so I judged they had some fun with him. Marj. and I went down to Sunday school and I told him we wouldn't be back to dinner. We stayed at Aunty's for dinner and when Aunty came down from Huby's she said Aunty Maude was very much worse and wanted Dad. to come down and stay with Huby. Laurel Misner's husband drove to Turkey Point to get Quint this after noon. I did all the chores up over here and then went down to get Marj. I stopped in to change my clothes and Mr. Zealand was very busy putting mantels on the gas jets and trying to fix the pump</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>He walked down town with me or at least wobbled down he was too drunk to walk straight. Marj. and I walked up home with Lila and then on around by the mill and stayed for awhile on the point. Mr. Zealand just got home as we did. Marj. set the table for breakfast and he sat there and tried to talk to me and told me not to get him any thing to eat as he wasn't hungry. We went to bed as soon as we could and he went in his room and got undressed and then began prancing around the house in his underwear. Back &amp; forth from the pantry where the cider is to his bedroom where I think his whiskey is and then into the parlor and then we heard him at the stove in the kitchen. He would go and ring the telephone and then come back and pound away like a nailer at his typewriter, then put a record on the phonograph and then hike out to the kitchen again. Finally I went down pretending to get a drink and found him warming up beans in the frying pan. After another half hour of cooking beans, telephoning and typewriting going on I went down again to ask him when he was going to bed. He had his overcoat on over his underwear by this time and was eating his beans. He told me it was the first meal he had had for a long time and said if I didn't like him around the kitchen I could get out so I told him I would get out by to-morrow night. I was glad of the opportunity to tell him so as he was getting unbearable and Marj. was afraid of him.</p> <p>Monday March 19th 21st</p> <p>This has been a day of confusion &amp; turmoil for us. Marj. and I got up at five o'clock and she started in to pack upstairs and I went over to the farm to milk as Dad. stayed down all night. I left Frank to do everything else and came home as soon as I could to help Marj. I had told Mr. Zealand I would be out by to-night so I was determined to do it but it was a large contract. I got all our boxes into the kitchen and took the straw &amp; paper out of them first thing and that gave the place a look of wild destruction, then we began emptying the cupboards and bookcases and packing them up any old way to get them packed but were careful enough with the dishes. Dad. came in on his way home about nine o'clock and wondered what had struck the place. We had breakfast about 10 o'clock and invited Mr. Zealand in to have some with us. He came and was in a very good humor but seems peeved at Marj. He blames her for making the fuss. He was around all day and every now and then would ask me how I was getting along He rang up Sidney McQueen about forty times during the day to see when he was going to send his groceries up. Dad. came in after dinner on his way down to get a tooth pulled and said they would come after a load of stuff as soon as he got back. Frank came with the rack about four o'clock and took about half the</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>stuff. The roads up near the corner are very bad and poor little Joe &amp; Harry had all they could draw They got there though and got back after the rest of the things so we did our stunt and got all cleared up &amp; Marj. cleaned the house so that it looks a lot better than when we went into it. Our clock and some fine china that I didn't like to trust on the waggon I took over to Sid. Goodwin's to leave for a day or two. Mr. Zealand seemed a little short when I said good-bye to him but I am glad we are out of his way and every one else seems to think it was the only thing to do. Joe &amp; Harry couldn't quite make the grade in the lane with the last load so we left it right there in front of the hall door and Frank and I unloaded it after tea. This place now has a very cluttered up look with boxes barrels, trunks &amp; parcels all over the place. It was about nine o'clock when we got through milking and unloading and then I went down to band practice. It was pretty late to go but Mid. had called up and I said I would. He is leader now and Harry Moon secretary. Bill resigned and has gone back into the ranks. We had quite a time getting any practising done as there was a medicine show in the hall and the boys were all out seeing it every time we would stop to get our wind. Aunty Maude rallied a little last night and has seemed a little stronger to-day but not really better. Very mild all day but showery.</p> <p>Tuesday 20th 22nd</p> <p>I didn't get up very early this morning and Marj. stayed in bed till nearly noon. I went down to Uncle Ward's and got enough eggs to put under therest of my setting hens and I calle din at Jack's and Chris got me a couple of roosters. We didn't do much but chores this after noon and started to straighten our stuff around alittle</p> <p>Wednesday March 21st 23rd</p> <p>I just did chores this morning. Marj. &amp; Enah washed and Frank went over to Pickford's to see if he would come over and saw wood for us to-morrow. We won't be able to get the rest up till after seeding so thought we would get what we have up cut. Gladys presented us with a pair of twins yesterday. This after noon we took the rack off and put the box on the waggon and Frank hauled down two loads (10 bags each) of wheat. It weighed up well and Stan. said it was a good sample. it is now worth $1.85. Dad. and I helped him load it and then Dad. helped me put Marj's trunks &amp; barrels up over the wood shed. He went down town and stayed to tea and I went down after tea and went to church with her. It has been a beautiful Spring like day.</p> <p>Thursday March 22nd 24th</p> <p>Arthur Anderson came over while we were at breakfast this morning to tell us that Aunty Maude was gone, so</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Dad. went down as soon as he could get ready and was down nearly all day helping Huby &amp; Quint make arrangements. He was pretty tired to-night as he said he was on his feet nearly all day and he, Quint &amp; Huby walked home from the cemetery, they went up on the one o'clock car. He said Aunty Maude hadn't suffered a particle at the last but just slept away. Frank went down right after breakfast and got Pickford's engine &amp; saw. Pickford &amp; Arthur came back with him and we sawed the pile up easily before dinner. It looked a little rainy so Pickford wouldn't stay for dinner. This after noon Frank hauled the last load of wheat down and then went down in the buggy and got a bag of flour. Cloudy to-day and raining hard to-night.</p> <p>Friday March 23rd 25th</p> <p>Dad. went down again this morning and Marj. went down to church and stayed down this after noon to sit with Aunt Ida while Aunty &amp; Aunty Alice went out. Dad. brought Marj's old wheel over when he came at noon and gave it to Tid. for a prize for going to school till Easter. I spent the morning doing chores and this after noon cleaned up the grass a little out at the side of the house. Frank spent most of the after noon making Tid a blackboard which he had promised as part of the bribe to get Tid to go to school. Tid has had a great time with his wheel. When Marj. came home to-night she had to go through Sid Goodwin's place and back of Jack's long house as Mr. Zealand was standing out in his yard popping across the road with a 22 rifle as she thought at Jack's chickens and she was afraid to take chance at going in front of him.</p> <p>Saturday March 24th 26th</p> <p>We didn't do any thing but chores this morning and had lunch early and went down at one o'clock to Aunty Maude's funeral. Dad. went down earlier. We had a short service at the house where just the family were then we men went to the church but Aunty and the rest didn't go. Marj. went to the church but didn't sit with us. The church was packed and a good many were standing up. There were cars enough to take us all up to the cemetry. Landon Ivey took Huby, Quint. Dad. and me and Frank &amp; Mr. Kenedy and Uncle Ward went with Mid Thompson or Hank Sinclair. Erney Skey was over from Buffalo It was a beautiful day we didn't need our overcoats to drive up there and was fairly hot in the cemetry. Dad &amp; I went down to Huby's with him &amp; Quint for awhile and then went down to Aunty's. Marj. was there and Dad. said we might as well stay down to tea but he went home to do chores. Marj. &amp; I went for a walk down to the pier and up to see Mrs. Harry Moon before tea. Huby &amp; Quint. were at Aunty's for tea. Win &amp; Lila were at Aunt Lucy's but came down right after. I went up and we had a Tuxis meeting in the Sunday school to night after which I got my hair cut at Harry Dyer's.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Sunday March 27th</p> <p>Marj. Frank Tid. &amp; I all went down to Sunday school &amp; church and Enah drove Mexico down to church Dad. also went down but stayed down with Aunty Alice &amp; Aunt Ida and didn't go to church. There was quite a big congregation for Easter. It was raining when we got out of cburch so I went up to the Bagley's to get Marj's umbrella which she left up there &amp; Mr. Bagley insisted that I go out and see his library tables which are now finished. I met Marj. &amp; Lila coming to meet me. We went down to Aunty's for dinner. Lila &amp; Quint. were there but Huby, Win &amp; Cecil Yerick went over to Aunt Lucy's. Mr. Jame's came over here to the farm for dinner Marj. &amp; I came back about four o'clock it was raining quite hard then. We met George Zealand on the bridge and he asked me what had been the trouble before we left his father. He said his mother had been pretty worried over it but he knew that his Dad. was pretty hard to get on with and didn't blame us at all. It rained nearly all after noon &amp; evening.</p> <p>Monday March 28th</p> <p>It was raining when we got up this morning and turned to snow later and has been getting colder, windier and rottener all day and has been about the worst day this winter. It feels worse any way after the beautiful weather we have been having. We didn't do any thing but chores to-day, but Frank and I had to get over a couple of jags of hay on the waggon to feed the cows &amp; horses. To-night Marj. Frank and I went down town. Frank &amp; I went to the Vestry meeting but I didn't stay long and went over to band practice. Marj. went to see Miss McQueen, she had intended going to Toronto with her to-morrow to see Clara who is home there for Easter but she got a letter from Mrs. Gorrie to-day saying asking her not to come till next week. It was freezing hard when we came home. Dad's ewe had a pair of lambs to-day one was dead and the other very weak.</p> <p>Tuesday March 29th</p> <p>It has been freezing all day in the shade to-day but is not quite so cold to-night. We haven't done anything but chores all day. Frank and I hauled a little hay on the waggon box over to the horse stable &amp; cow stable. Dad went out and had a look at the ditch this morning and Frank took Joe down to have a shoe set which she pulled in the mud the other day. To-night Dad. Enah &amp; Tid. went down to stay at Aunty's so as to be able to catch the early car easily in the morning, they are going up to-morrow to see Uncle Robuck. Frank went out to Bill Donald's so Marj. and I had the house to ourselves this evening.</p> <p>Wednesday March 30th</p> <p>Frank and I spent most of the forenoon doing chores. Colin Ryerse came through with a pike pole and talked</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>for a long time. About eleven o'clock Frank and I hauled a jag of hay over to the horse stable and then took a small load of manure down to Uncle Ward and brought back some corn stalks. This after noon Frank went down to Buck's sale, rode Joe down, and said he would be back early to but Dave Ward got him to go down and fix his seperator and he didn't get back till about eight o'clock. I had to do his chores after dark. Marj. went down town this after noon and sold the eggs we took down the other day for 26 cts a dozen. I did chores most of the after noon but took about an hour off to walk down the road with her and around the sheep pasture and through Ivey's, their wheat &amp; clover looks pretty well Lovely day Dad. Enah &amp; Tid. got home about half past nine.</p> <p>Thursday March 31st</p> <p>Dad. has felt very miserable all day so didn't go out except to help me milk. It rained and snowed nearly all day any way so we didn't do any thing but chores. I spent most of the morning making a rough sketch of one of my new lessons in show cards. It is the final examination and very much more elaborate than the others. I have to get some mat. board to do them on. Marj. &amp; I were going down town to-night to order it but I got a bad pain in my tummy so couldn't go down. Frank went down instead.</p> <p>Friday March April 1st</p> <p>Frank and I spent most of the day hauling manure down to Uncle Ward's. We hauled three more loads one a small one and brought back corn stalks on the empty waggon. Dad. hung the pork in the smoke-house this morning and started a fire. It took Frank and me a long time to put on a load as we cleaned out the box stalls in the cow horse stable.There were two more ewes out in the barn this morning each with a buck lamb. It has been fine to-day but a raw wind.</p> <p>Saturday April 2nd</p> <p>There were four more lambs this mornng when I went out one ewe had twins and two others had single lambs, one of the single ones wasnt as big as a small cat. It seems queer that there are so many single ones. We bagged up a grist for the mill this morning and hauled over a waggon box load of hay to the horse stable. This after noon Frank took the oats to the mill and went on down town and got the clover seed at Harry Misener's It cleaned up to nearly three bushels. He also got the maple syrup that Marj's Dad. sent to her. He got the chop on his way home. Dad. and I just did chores this after noon. The Tuxis boys four of them came over here to-night Mild and a strong south west wind all day which has dried up a great deal of mud on the roads &amp; fields.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Sunday April 3rd</p> <p>Marj. Frank, Tid. &amp; I went down to Sunday school this morning and Enah went down to church. Marj. &amp; I stayed at Aunty's for dinner. Winnie, Lila. &amp; Cecil Yeriks were there. Quint &amp; Huby had gone to Turkey Point with Dad. Hamaker. This after noon Marj. &amp; I went up to the Bagley's as Marj. wanted to tell Mr. Bagley to make her book case of cherry. Cecil told us that it could be polished up so well and to look like walnut and was not much dearer than pine. Mr. Bagley wasn't home so she gave Essie the instructions. We went down to Aunty's again for a minute or two and then over to the farm calling at Aunt Lucy's for Aunty Alice who had gone on ahead and who came over to the farm with us for tea. We found Mr. James here when we arrived. Marj. &amp; I went back to the woods for about fifteen minutes before Dad. &amp; I did chores. Frank was visiting out at Bill Donald's or some place so wasn't home for tea. Dad. Enah &amp; Tid. drove Aunty Alice home with Mexico after tea. Very mild all day but a cool breeze.</p> <p>Monday April 4th</p> <p>Frank went down and gave Aunty Alice a day in the garden to-day, raking up and getting it ready for the Spring rush. Dad. &amp; I took down the stove pipe from the kitchen stove this morning and cleaned it out as the stove has been smoking badly lately. Dad. spent the rest of the fore noon doing chores and I started to rake up the lawn. This after noon we went back &amp; got the rest of the turnips in the pit. There was more than one load &amp; we hauled them in two small loads as the ground was soft in spots. To-night Marj. &amp; I went down town, she went to the Girl's Auxillary and then she and Aunty went up and said good bye to Miss Monteith as they are leaving for Toronto to-morrow. I went to band practice but there weren't a great many there and we quit early as some of them wanted to go to the big dance in {nicall's?} hall which Johnny Walker and several others are getting up for the organ fund. Marj. stayed at Aunty's all night so as to be there to stay with Aunt Ida to-morrow while Aunty &amp; Aunty Alice go up to help Lila house clean. It has been quite hot to-day and things are drying fast.</p> <p>Tuesday April 5th</p> <p>I sowed clover seed on the wheat this morning. Frank helped me carry the seed back and then he went up and he &amp; Dad. started to patch the roof of the shed at the big barn. I finished sowing about half past eleven and as I was very hot and thirsty went over to John Wess's to get a drink. I got a drink of water and Com. then treated me to a cup of cider which is beginning</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>to have a kick to it. I talked to Cam. till twelve and then wandered home. This after noon I intended to gather up and burn the rubbish of the lawn that I raked up yesterday and then prune apple trees but owing to interruptions I didn't get all the rubbish gathered up. Tom. &amp; Mark came by first and I took Mark in to give him a drink of our cider and then started to talk to Alan Law who had to tell me all about the time he has rocking the baby. While I was at that the fire bell commenced to ring and Frank and I both hiked over to see where the blaze was. I went over to the Woodson's and climbed their windmill but as I couldn't see any of the town missing I came back Frank rode his wheel down and and reported that a cedar hedge at Perce. Kindry's had been on fire but that it had been extinguished before the fire brigade arrived at the spot. On his way home Jack Martin called to him to ask him if he could get a horse over here to take his express down to the 4.30 train so Sid &amp; The Scotchman that was there last fall but who is not doing any thing much now came over to get old Harry. Sid. took him back but the Scotchman stayed here for a long time and visited. Then Tom &amp; Mark came back (they are hauling oats to Jack Martin) and came in for more cider so that by the time they all left it was half past five and time to do chores. Marj. got home about seven o'clock having had her tea down town. I practised at my show cards to-night. It has been a beautiful day, it seems almost too hot for this time of year. Pickford has been working on his hills for the last two days and they say all the ones at Black Creek are on the land. Three more ewes lambed to-day two had single lambs and one had twins. They have been out in the orchard &amp; the field east all day.</p> <p>Wednesday April 6th</p> <p>Dad. &amp; Frank went back this morning and straightened up the gully fence a little and turned the yearlings and calves and Belle &amp; the two colts. They never came up to-night so must be finding enough to eat back there. I pruned the spy tree &amp; the king tree and cut a little out of some of the others I gave the two a good pruning and took a lot of wood out so that took me most of the day. I moved the old hen that hatched out two chickens down in the raspberry patch this morning. She &amp; Gladys going in for twins seems comical but not very profitable. That is all the chickens I got out of a hundred eggs I set. Dad. &amp; Frank did odd jobs this after noon. Frank burned grass &amp; Dad. disked the lane. Enah &amp; Marj. drove out to the Shand's this after noon. To-night Marj. Tid. and I went to the woods and didn't get back till after dark. It was a lovely</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>evening, warm enough for summer. We got a lot of lovely may flowers. Dad. &amp; Enah went down to Pinafore practice &amp; Frank went down town to see Lila and went up to the farewell tea the Guild put on for Mr. Johnson. Thry are a bunch of hypocrites all right. Tom was over this evening for quite awhile. Winnie is feeling quite sick and the doctor wrote to the bank saying she would have to be out for two weeks. Hot to-day</p> <p>Wednesday Thursday April 6 7th</p> <p>Frank went down this morning to help Mr. Johnson load his stuff. He had several members of the congregation there to help him get moved out. He &amp; Mrs. Johnson are going to stay at the Hardings till after Sunday. I went back to the gully right after breakfast to look at the colts and Marj. went with me so we took a little stroll up through Ivey's place on our way home. I pruned apple trees after I got back till noon and it was an ideal job for the morning. The sun was hot but not strong and there was a gentle breeze from the lake that was as refreshing as a drink of water. The birds were thick and sounded delightful and every now and then I would see the pale tinted flash of a blue-bird amongst the gray branches which with the rich green carpet below made the beauty of it all sort of thrill. The whole effect was to fill me with a sort of satisfied happiness which made me realize that farming is the best job on earth even if there is no more than a living to be made out of it. Dad. took Pommers &amp; Harry out and did a little disking this morning but said it was not fit yet. This after noon Frank and I sheared the yearling ram that was in the barn and then we helped Dad. get hooked up to the disks with Billy &amp; Harry. He went out more to get Billy working than anything and didn't stay long Billy went fine. Frank and I then sheared old Archie before it was time to do chores. To-night Marj. and I went down town she went to see Miss McQueen and I went to band practice. Mid. is getting so enthusiastic now he is leader that he wants practice twice a week. It was raining when we came home but warm.</p> <p>Friday April 8th</p> <p>It has rained pretty much and pretty hard all day. Frank and I shut up two or three sheep to shear but decided they would not shear very well so started to clean up seed oats. We worked at that most of the day and got nine or ten bags cleaned through twice. Dad. helped us part of the time did chores and went down after Tid. It has been quite warm and the grass &amp; wheat has grown apace to-day.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Monday Saturday April 9th</p> <p>Dad. went down first thing this morning and brought Aunty over to play with Tid. They have been planning &amp; plotting all week to go to the woods to-day but the best laid schemes of mice &amp; men having a habit of going aglee at times they beguiled the time by playing Jack &amp; school all morning and Tid. at least seemed to enjoy it, he spoke of going to the woods but Aunty assured him that it was too wet. Frank &amp; I sheared the three yearling lambs to-day but didn't try to do any more as they didn't shear very easily. Frank telephoned Neff the other night and he sent down the wool sack and twine yesterday by express. Enah drove Aunty down town this after noon and Marj. got tea ready. I went down town to-night and had a meeting of the Tuxis boys. It has been fairly cleared up to-day but rained a few showers. Freezing to-night.</p> <p>Sunday April 10th</p> <p>Marj. didn't feel like walking down this morning so Frank Tid and I went to Sunday school and none of the others came down to church. This was Mr. Johnson's last Sunday. I had to go up to meet Frank Smith &amp; Jack King about the father &amp; son banquet on Thursday night and it was one o'clock when I got down to Aunty's. I hadn't intended staying but had told Frank he might as well but when I got down there they were just sitting down so I had dinner with them and came home immediately afterwards. Dad. &amp; I did up the chores and then read for awhile this afternoon. Frank came home before tea but went out to the Sidway's after tea. Dad. went down to Aunty's this evening. Uncle Ward came over this morning to get ice to make an icepack for Ada who has been very sick with intense pain all night and is not much better to-day. They are afraid of appendicitus. Fair but cold wind. Freezing to-night.</p> <p>Monday April 11th</p> <p>While we were at breakfast this morning Palmer {illegible} came over to see if we wanted any turnips he has some pitted which he is selling for 10 cts a bushel so Dad. told him we would take a load. Frank and I spent quite a lot of time this fore noon docking the oldest lambs. I also took my little chickens out of the loft and put them out in the raspberry patch. There were 29 of them and I put them under two hens. Three hens hatched there and I put the third one in the chicken yard but she got out and to-night the three hens were mothering the batch between them but as they were quiet with each other I left them alone. Frank and I went over to Palmer's after dinner and got the turnips. His garden is above the brick yard and he was out there sowing onions.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Enah drove Marj. down and she left on the 4.30 for Toronto where she is going to visit the Garrie's &amp; Clara for a week. Frank and I stopped at the Canning Factory and got the seed corn Frank contracted for and then we got the rest of the cornstalks at Uncle Ward's. It was chore time when we got home. I went down to band practice to-night. Ada was no better this morning and they were very anxious about her but she was better to-night. Dr. Hicks was down to consult with Dr. Cook and they decided an operation was not necessary now. Frank Smith and Manning were over this morning and got me to go over to Jack Martin's with them to ask them him to be toast master at the Father &amp; Son banquet Thursday night. He said he couldn't. He collared me and wanted me to act as Vestry clerk and keep the church books for Barwell. I told him I didn't know anything about keeping books but he suggested that Marj. do that. I told him that Marj. and I had enough Sunday school work on our hands to take up all our spare time and that for the church's sake it would be far better to get some one else interested, but he wouldn't take no for an answer and told me how they were getting the church affairs on a business basis, which I hate and that they would pay me fifty dollars a year I told him if I did it at all I would do it for the sake of the church not for pay, which I think disappointed his business mind. I told him I would leave it to Marj. When I told her she was very decided against the proposal and said she would tell Jack some thing about the men down town who were doing nothing for the church. However when Jack ran out to speak to her this after noon as she was going past she consented.</p> <p>Wednesd Tuesday April 12th</p> <p>Frank and I took a couple of loads of manure down to Aunty's this morning, we took it out of the calf pen in the barn and it took longer to put on a load, it was noon when we got back with the second load. This after noon we took what was left in the calf pen out to the field and then came up and sheared a couple of ewes. Dad. did chores most of the day. Frank went down town to-night but I oiled my boots and went to sleep on the sofa.</p> <p>Wednesday April 13th</p> <p>Dad. drove Tid down to school this morning and went on down to Aunty's and gave them a day in the garden. Frank and I sheared sheep and did chores. We got seven sheared but were delayed this morning for an hour. I took 14 more chickens out of the loft and had to attend to them. Old Gladys and the twins got out a couple of times and we had to put her back. Then Tom Butler was in for awhile. Dad. and Enah went down to Pinafore practice to-night and Frank and I washed the dishes &amp; put Tid. to bed. Warmer</p> </div> transcribed https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/1ebd39b50af74be76050dbc24194437b.pdf b0a7122fbee41a4c55ee1463b34ff72f PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. [Inside front cover] DIARY 1921 T.B. Barrett. Port Dover. Ontario Cnocfierna From April 16th 1921 to December 31st 1921 {A newspaper clipping is blocking the left side of the right hand page} April 16th, 1921 ...over this morning to help Pickford build...it started to rain soon after he left and ...all day so they couldn't work at the cellar...stayed over till afternoon visiting. We...thing over here but chores but sat...most of the time. To-night I went...boys meeting and then down to the train...The train was in at 9.30 and Marj & I...to stay all night as the walking was...turning colder to-night. {April} 17th ...before Sunday school this morning...I went straight there and to church...Bishop's secretary was preaching in Mr. ...as Marj knew him having made his...last summer at Lake Couchiching, we...him over to Jack Martin's where he...Jack's mother is sick again so...Frank stayed down at Aunty's to...I spent most of the after noon doing https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/e4919d32a6a7339e0090c3cf367bc0ce.pdf 356c2d53f8973eeb37dd75aee6042441 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. chores. Mark was in for a few minutes on his way down town and we had quite a heated discussion on prohibition Tomorrow, Ontario is to decide whether or not she will allow the importation of liquor and we all have our own ideas about it. Mark and I stick up for the rights of the individual on principle while the others are more practical and think the welfare of the state should be considered first. I'm no friend of booze but I feel that prohibition is more of a Prussian ideal than it is British but as most people think the other way I don't care. Dad. went down to night to see Aunt Ida who has been quite sick. It has been a miserable day, Snowed three or four inches last night and has been raw & rotten to-day. Monday April 18th Frank went down to Pickfords this morning and they finished building the cellar. I took some eggs over to Jack Martin and Dad took Tid. to school and brought Jack Walker back with him. Jack is canvassing the congregation to increase the revenue of the Church and is doing very well. This after noon Marj. and Enah drove down town and Marj. stayed down to tea and went to the Girl's auxillary to-night. I went down to band practice to-night and we came home to-gether. Aunt Ida was sitting up to-night but looks very sick. Elgitha dropped a roan heifer sometime during the night. Dad is going to try to milk her but she is pretty wild I have to stand and scratch her all the time Dad is working at her as she kicks with great force and no warning. Lovely day, sunny & mild but muddy. Tuesday, April 19th We bagged up some oats first thing this morning and Frank took them to the mill. Marj. and I pruned raspberry bushes till noon. This after noon Frank & I went down and got a load of sawdust to put in the ice house. Frank also got a couple of boards to make a little closet in our room. I saw Aunty down town and she says Aunt Ida is worse again. Dad went down to see her to-night and Enah went over to Uncle Ward's to see Ada who is improving. Dad had a letter from Dick to-day saying that he has been ordered to report at Montreal, but doesn't know what they intend doing with him there. The returns of the polling are not all in yet but so far there is over 100,000 majority for non-importation so I guess the drys have it. Dover went 150 maj. for it https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/3ca11153034b223ac0caf2414d68547b.pdf 361897ce2e3f586968d790fa1de7c334 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Wednesday April 20th We were all greatly surprised before breakfast this morning to see Dick coming through the field. We didn't think he would be able to pay us a visit on his way to Montreal but he landed in last night late and turned in at Aunty's. He came over early to tell us that Aunt Ida had died about five o'clock this morning. Aunty was alone with her. We were all shocked as we had no idea she was so far gone, the doctor was sure she would be around again. Dad went down with Dick right after breakfast and has been down all day. Enah went down this after noon. Dick didn't come back to-night. I spent the day doing chores and helping Marj. house clean our room. I made the closet thing for her but didn't get it put up. Charlie Blake came in at noon to borrow my brooder and his car got stuck in a mud puddle in the lane as he didn't have chains on and we were about an hour getting it out so didn't have dinner till late. Then Karl & Fred Coleman came in and were here quite awhile, they took the two year old ram for 8 cts a lb. and I sold them Oliver for 5 cts or fifty five dollars. It seems like giving him away as he is actually worth $150.00 for breeding, but no one wants him apparently. To-night I took a little stroll down to the pond but didn't stay long, very pretty moon & clouds. Warm all day & fine. Thursday April 21st Dad drove Tid down to school this morning and went on down town to get his hair cut and make final arrangements for Aunt Ida's funeral. He came back about eleven and brought Dick home with him for dinner. They drove down again about three and Dick left on the five car for Montreal. Frank and I spent the day doing chores and ploughing around in the mud. It has rained more or less all day. I finished fixing the clothes closet for Marj. Arthur & Bobbie Pickford came over to-night and bought Tid's pet lamb for a quarter. It was one of a pair whose mother wouldn't own it. Maple Hill Nellie had a nice roan bull calf arrive to-day, a fine one. Friday April 22nd We all went down early this morning to attend the service at Aunty's before they started for Port Rowan with Aunt Ida. Mr. Ward came down with the Bowlby's from St. John and had a prayer at 9 o'clock. Then Dad, Huby, Doc & {Name?} Bowlby went with the body to Port Rowan. They had Faulkner's team and double https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/4bdb61c4b30c607b9baecdc965dd0313.pdf f687b136e74c849944ef58cf39c97353 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. carraige. They had at first figured on going by motor but yesterday's rain put a stop to that plan. They had an awful trip especially after they struck the Port Rowan clay. They got back to town about nine o'clock to-night but Dad. didn't get home here till about 10.30 and was very stiff. Frank and I just did chores. It was a fine morning but rained most of the after noon and the mud is worse than ever Frank and I went down in the waggon at noon and got the bookcase that Mr. Bagley made for Marj. It was a dandy. This after noon Frank took the old waggon wheel out to John Evans to have a new tire put on. Mark was over and brough Enah a setting of eggs to put under her little black hen that is sitting out in the barn, but when I went to put them under I found she had one chicken hatched out. Saturday April 23rd It rained hard again during the night and has been very muddy and sloppy to-day. The barnyard is impassable. Dad. let Nellie out this morning and we shifted the calves arund put Bill in where she was and Martin's calf where Bill was after first castrating Bill & the white calf. Frank went down in the waggon to get some waste strips at the Widespread for kindling and Marj. went down town with him. Dad. & I just did chores. Wilbur Ryerse was in for awhile to see if he could borrow the dipping tank. To-night Dad. Enah and I went down town. They went to "Pinafore" practice and I went to the Tuxis boy's meeting and then up to Harry Dyer's & got my hair cut. Sunday April 24th Marj. Frank, Tid & I went down to sunday school & church Aunty & Aunty Alice came over here with us after church and stayed for the after noon and then after tea Dad. & Enah went down with them to church. Mr. Doherty was here again to-day Mr. Barwell gave Marj. & me the church books and all the money to count up and look after to-day and we spent most of the afternoon and evening working at them but Marj. got them all squared or balanced up properly. Beautiful day. Monday April 25th Frank and I finished shearing the sheep to-day. He got a new comb for the machine and it worked better but seemed to cut the sheep more. Some of them were very sticky and we were all day shearing the six of them. We were late getting started this morning as we were delayed https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/952043731184eb2510d65d38f27523ab.pdf d24def826601229259f46a6d2858d77a PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Wilbur Ryerse came in and offered me six cents a pound for Oliver if I would take him out to-morrow morning. I told him Karl had bought him for five but I would see him to-night and ask him if he would let me off. However Karl came after him while Wilbur was here and took him. It seemed a shame to see him going for that price as he looked nice when we took him out, but there was certainly no money in feeding him any longer. Marj. went down this after-noon and stayed to tea at Aunty's and then went up to the Girl's auxillary meeting. I went down to band practice. Hot. Tuesday April 26th Dad. took Tid. down to school this morning and then went down to Aunty's to give them a half a day in the garden. He got home about three o'clock. Frank and I docked the rest of the lambs and then helped Marj. & Enah take up the parlor carpet and beat it. We also took some pictures of house cleaning operations. Frank and I packed the wool before dinner and didn't have much trouble. This after noon Frank went over and sheared Tom's & Mark's sheep for them and I started to cut the lawn but didn't get much done. Arthur Preston was over this morning and he and I started to have a nice little discussion on the lack of data to prove the theory of evolution, which for a wonder neither of us believe in but Marj. cut it short by yelling at me to help house clean. Arthur said he had been at the same job himself. To-night Dad. & Enah went down to "Pinafore" practice and Marj. Frank and I put the books back in the bookcases. Our bookcase looks fine with all of Marj's books in it. It has been very hot to-day and feels very rainy. Wednesday April 27th I finished cutting the front lawn this side of the ditch this morning and started to rake up the willow twigs on the other side but it started to rain about noon and kept it up more or less heavily all the after noon so I didn't do any thing outside but chores after dinner except help Dad. doctor Nellie's calf's horns. Frank took the wool down this morning and shipped it and got another load of kindling at the Widespread. Dad. cleaned out the cellar. Dad. drove Enah down town this after noon and brought Tid. home. He helped me do chores and then drove down and met Enah at the Barwell's where they had tea and afterwards went to Pinafore practice. Rain cleared off to-night & cooler. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/088df3b627602637d72cb52c3f0f2ae8.pdf 13a6d91af315ff0974fb506d46f9505c PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Thursday April 28th We put the rack on the waggon this morning and Frank and I went over to Tom's & Mark's and got a small jag of straw. Dad. went over to John Wess's this morning and visited him till after noon. Frank and I put off the straw after dinner and then I finished raking up the lawn. Dad. helped me. To-night Marj. Frank and I went down to a Sunday school meeting to give Sam Morris who is going to act as superintendant some information Marj. and I then went to the concert which the Simcoe musical club put on for the benefit of the Y.M.C.A. work. I had to play in the band during intermission and before the show started. There was a very small crowd but the concert was good especially Zeitha's & Murray Dillon's performances It has been a lovely day. Friday April 29th I have felt very tough all day with a bad cold and haven't done any thing but help Dad. milk all day It was cold & rainy most of the day anyway. Dad. & Frank clipped Mexico this morning. Neff. Telfer and a Scotchman came down this morning and castrated 10 lambs. Dad & Enah went down to Pinafore practice to-night. Frank went down to Pickfords to see Irene and the rest of us went to bed. Saturday April 30th I haven't felt much better to-day and Dad. has felt about all in too with the same kind of cold and Enah stayed in bed till noon. Frank and I hauled over a small jag of hay in the waggon box to the barn & horse stable and we bagged up six bags of oats which Frank took down for a grist. They are going to close the mill down Monday for six weeks for repairs so they say. Frank went down town this after noon and got some clothes to rig Dad. out for "Pinafore". Oliver Mann & Nanny came through this after noon with a dandy coon which Nanny's dog had killed out in Shand's woods. They were here about an hour robbing all the sparrow's nests they could find. Tid. has had a great string of visitors to-day. Two Forrests & a Mertland were over this morning to catch rabbits but failed. Oral Misener was here for dinner and two of Ben Ivey's kids were over this after noon. Rus. Lampkins was in to look at the pump and Charlie Munroe came to ask Dad. about a sick horse. Frank went down to run the Tuxis boy's to-night as I felt to tough. Cool & Cloudy. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/40def161a2201a8ae673257ea6e31a1b.pdf b6bee50e63e959de15c442ba9cae3bff PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Sunday May 1st I didn't go to Sunday school this morning as my cold still feels rotten. Marj. Frank & Tid went down and I went over to see Jack Martin's deer which he got the other day to adorn the hillside at Mrs. Battersby's place. I took a walk around by the mill before I came home. Marj. & I spent most of the after noon counting the morning collection and trying to make the books balance. Cecil & Winnie came over about four o'clock and stayed to tea and spent the evening. Cecil is a {comical card all right?}. Frank went down on his wheel to-night and {got the?} evening collection after church and Marj. & I {worked?} at it till late and then I don't {words very faded...} came out {word faded}. We seemed to have 10 cts more money than we had {illegible}. Cloudy cold and threatening all day. Monday May 2nd Dad. went out down with Tid. this morning and cut the lawns down at Aunty's for them. Frank and I went over to Ivey's and put on what we thought to be half a ton of hay and put most of it off in the horse stable and the rest in the barn. It is very thistly but it will tide us over as we are right out. There are five or six loads of it over there and Landon told Frank to take what he wanted of it and give them what he thought was right. After dinner I went back to the woods and got a bass wood hop-pole Marj. was just starting down town to bank the church money when I got back and as her corn was hurting her I drove her down with Queen. Frank cleared a lot of the bush out of the orchard this after noon and burned it. I helped him when I got back. Dad. worked at the Income Tax Report all the after noon. Marj. stayed down to tea and went to the Girl's auxillary and after tea Dad. Enah & I went down to the "Pinafore" first dress rehearsal. Dad. wanted me to paint him up a little, and they all thought he was a horrible sight. Marj. came up to the hall and we watched them for awhile. They are all in a state of terrible anxiety as Ralph Rackstraw was at practice about half jagged and didn't know his part nor couldn't sing and they are afraid he will be full to the neck by to-morrow night. He & Lou. Dixon really did get married Saturday night. We all had doubts at the bottom of our hearts that she would ever hold him down to it but I guess she has him now for sure. Joe & Johnnie were married the same day. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/fa877c026988317bcfe2b08074e1d750.pdf ed31f9f0ac369021c0b0edb677408e68 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Tuesday May 3rd I havent done a great deal of any thing to-day except chores and odd jobs. Dad. has felt pretty tough all day and had to rest up for "Pinafore" to-night. Marj. has felt miserable all day. Frank went down town and got our tickets to "Pinafore" changed from to-night till to-morrow as we figured Marj. wouldn't feel like going to-night. He finished cleaning the brush out of the orchard this after noon and I helped him a little. To-night all but Marj. & me went to the concert and we went for a walk down to the pond and saw Jack's deer, the buck came up and licked Marj's hand. Frank took Irene Pickford down. Tid. went down to Aunty's from school and was to have gone to the show from there but he was sick all the afternoon in school and was too sick to go to-night. They brought him home with them and he has quite a fever. Pinafore went off fine. Ralph was in good shape and Dick Deadeye's horrible looks were very impressive. He won his bet with the Captain which was that he could make him laugh He accomplised the feat by hesitating in his dialogue with Capt. Corcoran to take an imaginary cud out of his mouth walk to the gunwale and toss it over board. Wednesday May 4th Frank disked on the field back of the barn all day to-day and says it went pretty well. Dad. disked, not Frank in the morning with Harry & Billy but they got Pommers in at noon and Frank took them. Dad. & Enah still feel pretty miserable with bad colds and are tired out. Tid doesn't seem any better and has pains in various parts of his anatomy. I spent most of the day raking up and cutting the grass back of the house and across the ditch. Marj. helped me this morning a little. I had a bad pain in my eyes all after noon but they were better to night. Frank stayed with Tim. to-night and the rest of us went to the show. They had another full house and it all went off fine. Marj. & Enah drove Mexico down and Dad. & Enah drove home. Marj. & I walked home as they stayed down to a supper which the I.O.D.E. promised for the officers & crew of "Pinafore" Fair & warm. Thursday May 5th Frank disked all day with Harry & Pommers and I harrowed with Joe & Queen and we are getting this field into pretty good shape although it doesn't work up https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/b82d701b4ca7eef1d6194408bab74598.pdf 395a2c42b0f9e26914eb1c27eb979f0c PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. as nicely as it would have if it had not had so many pounding rains on it and the grass had not got such a start. Billy Mills brought the broadcast seeder back this after noon and visited with Dad. for an hour or so. Walker & Wyat Waddle were in for awhile trying to sell Dad. some lightning rod. To-night Marj. and I went down to the teacher's meeting but were late and then I went to band practice and called for Marj. at Aunty's. Tid is still pretty sick and has quite a fever. Fine but nice cool breeze Friday May 6th Frank disked all morning and this after noon drilled the field. Dad. & I treated the seed oats with formalin and then Dad. started to harrow after the disks, and I was going to mow the lawn before dinner but Billy Mills came over and wanted the cultivator teeth changed to the hoes on the old drill so Frank did that for him and I harrowed while Dad. took his turn. I harrowed after dinner till I finished the field and then I cut the lawn. Frank drilled with the old drill. He had intend using the disk drill but as he would have had to wait till I got through harrowing to use Queen for the third horse. Fine day and quite hot. Saturday May 7th Frank started in disking the old corn stubble first thing this morning and I sowed clover seed on the field we finished yesterday and Dad. harrowed after me. When I finished sowing I went with Marj. over to Mrs. Battersby's to get some rhubarb and have a look at the deer. The buck has shed his horns. I then went out and uncovered two rows of the strawberrys before dinner. After dinner Dad. & Frank ran the ditches in the field back of the barn and I finished harrowing it from where Dad. left off and then went out and harrowed over the corn stubble. Frank finished disking it soon after they got the ditches run and then hooked on to Jack Martins spring tooth and got pretty well over it with it. It worked up pretty hard & lumpy in places and the grass is bad in a few spots but I guess we can make a fair seed bed out of it and it has never been ploughed. I went down to the Tuxis boys meeting to night & Marj. went with me down town, Zeitha was over for a few minutes this morning Fine & cooler Sunday May 8th Marj. Frank & I went down to sunday school and https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/8ccdb701b577a7b0002c911a998f1540.pdf daa4554b2fe1c17cabaae3acfd33f291 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. church this morning. Mr. Anderson of Huron College preached. Aunty, Aunty Alice & Quint came over with us for dinner and Quint went back about five but Aunty & Aunty Alice stayed to tea. Dad. & Enah went down to Church with Aunty Alice and Aunty stayed with us in case Tid wanted her till Enah got home from church & then she drove her down with Mexico. Mark was in this evening for awhile. Tid was up to-day but looks & feels pretty peaky yet. Frank was visiting various maidens all day. Monday May 9th Frank finished the field with the spring tooth this morning and then I took the roller out with the little team and smashed up some of the worst lumps. Frank followed me again with the spring tooth and this after noon Dad. took Billy & Harry out and disked, we think we will have it in shape to sow to-morrow after noon. Frank and I cleaned up some more seed oats this after noon. To-night Marj. & I went down town, she went to the Girls' auxillary and I went with the Band up to Doc. Lemmons. We took him up a wicker chair and spent a very nice evening. We played several pieces then he & Lou. sang & we all sang & had cake & coffee. Hot & dry wind. Tuesday May 10th Dad. finished disking this morning with Harry & Billy and Frank and I cleaned up some more seed and heated it and then took the little team and went over to Ivey's where we got another jag of hay. This after noon I harrowed over the field and Frank followed me with the drill and finished sowing by six. To-night Enah went down to a meeting of mason's wives to help figure out ways & means of entertaining 250 masonic visitors who are coming next week. Fine with dry wind. Wednesday May 11th Frank started disking the big field east of the old garden this morning and worked till noon. Then Dad. & he ran out the ditches in the corn stubble as it looked a little rainy and Dad went on disking this after noon with Harry & Billy. He came up at five to do chores but Frank took the team till six but didn't quite get over it, he has been getting good long days in lately, he gets his own breakfast and is out with his team by seven. Dad. and I cleaned ditches in the field back of the barn this a.m. and I finished this after noon. Marj. & I got some narcissus bulbs to-night down in the road by Mrs. Battersby's. Cold wind all day https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/862ca9a9e80b42c8833c492ca915c3b6.pdf b0816a983e807844f3e46ddd3af30314 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Thursday May 12th Frank has worked all day on the land and this after noon Dad. took Billy & Harry out and worked with him I set out the narcissus bulbs we got last night and when I got started I spent the remainder of the fore noon working at the flower border, dug up around some of the plants where it was very hard and planted some gladioli. Rus. Lampkins came down this morning and he & Dad. were all morning putting the new head on the pump at the house. Rus was here to dinner. This after noon I set three more hens and then went and cleaned the ditches in the corn stubble. To-night I went down to the Sunday school meeting and to band practice. Marj. had a cold so stayed home. Cold wind, threatening rain. Friday May 13th Dad. and Frank worked on the land this morning and Dad disked all the after noon. They are getting the big field in pretty fair shape. Frank put the little team on Jack's spring tooth this morning but didn't keep them at it very long. It was pretty heavy for them. I sowed the clover seed on the corn stubble this morning and Frank harrowed it in with out crossing the ditches that I cleaned out. He left a couple of places in the field across the ditches with out harrowing to see if there would be any difference in the catch, some claim that harrowing covers the seed too deeply. This after noon Frank and I cleaned up oats enough to sow the big field. We got Marj. to come out to the barn and mend bags for us, much to her annoyance as she wanted to make garments for the heathen. Enah & Tid. went down town. Frank went out at five and took the team and Dad. brought the cows up. It has looked very rainy all day but it didn't. Saturday May 14th Dad. disked crossways all morning on the big field and Frank and I treated the seed. I went out and harrowed for about an hour and then came up and helped Frank bag up the seed and we took it out to the field before dinner. Frank felt pretty tough this morning with a pain in his face which he thought was from a tooth but he felt quite sick at dinner and to-night we have decided he has the mumps which are very prevalent just now, he has been in bed all after noon and feels very miserable. Dad. drilled in as https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/3394070ecd3314355985c7d41e3f6e30.pdf 3537bc753f95936dcde2b165e8079f73 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. much of the field as we had ready this after noon which was about as far up as the mouth of the big ditch. I harrowed ahead of the drill till I got up that far and then I went up and started at the chores. Dad. didn't get up till pretty late and I had the milking nearly done. I didn't get down town till nine o'clock to-night and then Marj. who was waiting for me at Aunty's told me that she had told the boys I would be late so I didn't go up to the meeting at all. Very dry with a cold wind but sunny Sunday May 13th Marj. and I went down to Sunday school but didn't stay to church. Enah <s>came</s> went down and we came home to mind Frank who has developed a beautiful case of mumps and looks like a cartoon of a pork-packer. We drove Mexico home from Sunday school and Dad. & Tid drove him down again and they all stayed at Aunty's for dinner. Marj. and I had dinner by ourselves and then I did chores. I read for a little while & Marj. played and then we both went back after the cows. Dad. let them in the back field this morning so we had to go back to the woods after them and Marj. got a lovely bunch of wild phlox. Dad. & Tid came back before we got out of the field with them as they didn't know we were back there Marj. and I went down to church to-night. Mr. Edmonds from London preached and they had a male choir. Tom. Butler was here when we got home, we did up the books to-night. Quite cool. Monday May 16th Dad. and I worked on the land all day but couldn't get in such long hours as the chores take a long time with Frank laid off. Dad. drilled in the east side of the ditch and I harrowed ahead of him and finished harrowing what he drilled in on Saturday. Marj. went down town this afternoon and stayed to tea at Aunty's. I went down to band practice to-night. Charlie Blake brought us home in his car. He has to come around this way on account of the swing bridge being down. Joe Steele was in at noon with Wild Mayo the thoroughbred stallion of Sir Adam Beck's which Ed. Eaid is keeping this year. Froze last night. Cold wind & very dry all day Tuesday May 17th Dad. finished seeding to-day. He disked the little piece west of the ditch this morning and I harrowed it and https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/37a615371cadc7061a248b007e62640e.pdf 39d7d2cf942c7e2f0e19fd8a41baef55 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. he got started to drill it before dinner and finished soon after and then ran out the ditches. I harrowed after the drill but spent most of the day doing chores. Neff went by to-night. He says he has to go to Leeds County and is very sorry to leave Norfolk. Aunty & Aunty Alice were over for tea to-night and Enah drove them home and was going to see Miss Newell for her birthday. Froze harder last night did some damage Wednesday May 18th Dad. and Tid have been down at Aunty's nearly all day fixing up the paths and Tid. cut all the lawn. I was most of the morning doing chores but got in about an hour before dinner cleaning ditches and spent a couple or so at the job this afternoon and got quite a lot done. Marj. drove Mexico down town this afternoon and took some self seeded lettuce plants down to Miss McQueen. To-night she and I drove up to George Duncan's with Queen and I returned his hens We came back to town by the Radical road and picked up Miss McQueen and took her for a little drive through Doan's Hollow. Beautiful night, has looked rainy to-day. Miss McQueen gave Marj. a lovely plant of buttercup the large kind to-day and Dad. brought home some dahlias Thursday May 19th Dad. and I finished cleaning out the ditches this morning but were delayed doing chores and talking to Charlie Butler who was in to have Dad look at his mare's hock. We didn't finish the ditches till noon. We spent most of the after noon cleaning up the garden and burning the rubbish. We had hoped to start hauling manure on it but there was so much stuff that wouldn't flow under that Dad. thought we had better clean it up first, he trimmed the old blackcurrant bushes and they're in fine shape. To-night Marj. and I went down to the teacher's meeting and after that I went to band practice. Mr. Lawrie was up there I called at Aunty's for Marj. and Charlie Blake drove us home. Hot all day and looks dry again. Lovely night. Friday May 20th I spent most of the morning doing chores. Dad. had to be with Frank who begins to show slight signs of recovery but is very weak yet. About eleven Dad. & I went over to Ivey's and got a very small jag of hay which we put off in the horse stable and the barn after dinner and then got the spreader out and hauled out three loads of https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/e6f07b6af8cec1cdc684cb88fb9a3e7f.pdf 36ed447434b119383057b7d153aa3a98 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. manure on the garden. Jack Walker was over at noon & wanted Enah to go down and play for George Law's funeral at two o'clock so she went and then came home and did a lot of cooking for the Mason's big banquet to-night and took it down at six. Dad. went down about eight to come home with her. Lloyd Ryerse was in to-night to see Frank. Tid. and I went over to Ivey's and dug up a couple of paeony roots. Very hot all day. Getting very dry. Saturday <s>April</s> May 21st Dad. and I hauled manure all day and got the garden covered and the strip of mangle ground that Frank and I didn't finish. I spent most of the time between loads doing chores. Marj. & Tid. drove Mexico down town this after noon. I went down to the boys meeting to-night but didn't get there till eight and they had all gone. I saw several of them later & they told me they had been there. I went up street and talked to Mark for about an hour and then went over to Dyer's and got my hair cut. Mark went over there and waited for me and we walked home to-gether Tom & their new house-keeper were down at the show Sunday May 22nd Marj. & I went down to Sunday school and church and Enah went down to church and went to her mother's for dinner as Elva & Brant were down. They brought her home soon after dinner. We had a sick looking student take the service to-day. Just after dinner Ade Millman & his wife & her sister and brother in law drove in.They were headed for the beach hut it was looking like a bad thunder storm so they took shelter here. They went in the house but the minute they heard Frank had the mumps they fled as if the lions would bite them. Each family had a little girl and they were so afraid they would catch the mumps. It rained a little shower but soon dried off and they went on down town. Later Mr. Pickford, Irene & Mandie walked over and stayed till it was time to do chores. To-night Marj. wanted to go down and get the church money but it looked so rainy just as we were ready to start we didn't go and a great thunder storm set in. Monday May 23rd It rained very hard and for a long time during the https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/7f6844d0d83ae30bc1c71042183a4121.pdf 3b008fa4de6d1f760e3f2e9439603eba PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. night and it was too wet to do any thing in the garden this morning. Dad. opened some ditches in the oats that had been filled with the harrows or had not been deepened enough but said the fields were all drained very well. I spent most of the morning doing chores and planting some dahlias that Aunty sent over. This afternoon Dad started to plough the garden and I tried to cut the lawn I didn't finish and it was a hard job as it has been let get too long. Frank was out to-day wandering around a little he looks pretty peaked and has lost 15 lbs. Marj. went down town to see Glad. Law this after noon and stayed there to tea. I went down to band practice to-night and Charlie Blake drove us both home. Dad's back is lame Tuesday May 24th We didn't do any thing to celebrate to-day but there have been a great many cars going past all day carrying extra loads in the shape of fish poles & picnic baskets and to-night I heard fire-crackers popping It has not been a nice day for an outing at all, cloudy & a cold east breeze. Dad. finished plowing what was dry enough of the garden and this after noon we disked and harrowed it although it was too wet to work nicely. Marj. & I went down after breakfast and got the Early Rose seed potatoes at Aunty Alice's. Then I cut some more of the lawn when I got back. Frank <s>went</s> drove Joe down town and went to interview the doctor this afternoon, he got some pills and now feels happier. Aunty was over for a few minutes this after noon to tell us that Miss Minty who has been up at the Bowlby's and who was a great freind of Dad's in early days and who was to have come down here to spend the day to-morrow is not going to be able to come. Dad's back has been very lame Wednesday May 25th We didn't do any thing much this morning but cut a little wood. Jack McBride was in visiting for a long time and Dad's back was very lame this morning but is quite a lot better tonight. I went back about ten o'clock to bring Belle up to the orchard as she seemed a little uneasy this morning when I was after the cows, but when I got back there I found she had a fine big sorrel colt with her https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/a30cc271ce147551a683b1fdd26380ad.pdf 39f1af9f6285cd2b87fa24453ddfb1e8 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. he was all right and had evidently been born for some time. He got up when I went near and is very strong on his legs. This after noon Dad. Tid & I went back and fixed the fence up a little between the pasture & the wheat. We also put Iveys cattle all back and fixed the fence above the creek where they had walked under. Frank & Tid. drove Mexico down town this morning and Aunty & Aunty Alice invited Frank down there for a few days to recuperate, so this after noon Marj. drove him down and left him there. Rained in the night. Cloudy but warm to-day Thursday May 26th Dad. finished working up the garden this morning and got some of the potato furrows run out. He finished them right after dinner. I did chores most of the morning and treated the seed potatoes we got from Aunty Alice. This after noon Marj. & I cut them up and she & I planted them we had more than enough to plant the furrows Dad ran. Enah planted seeds all the after noon. Some Mr. Johnson was in this morning to talk up Wild Mayo, Sir Adam Beck's throughbred, and wants to get all the good typey mares for him they can as he says the saddle horse trade is becoming very brisk but the stock is hard to find. Col. McEwen was also in to look at Wilkins. Douglas had told him about him, he thought he was a nice bull but too thin for what he wanted. Marj. & I went down town to-night but were pretty late for the bible class. I went to band practice and Marj. went down to Aunty's where all of Huby's & Cecil were playing cards with Frank, who is being slowly won back to health. There was great excitement for a few minutes to-night when the fire bell rang and <s>all</s> half the town ran down to the lake where Hank Misener's cork house was on fire The fire brigade got it out with out much damage being done. Hank losing his corks. Cloudy but milder Friday May 27th Dad. and I went over to Ivey's this morning and got another little jag of hay to last us for awhile. This after noon Dad. harrowed down the garden & started to plough the mangle patch. Enah worked over in the garden most of the day. I chored around, moved 15 little chickens down out of the loft, planted the rest https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/31018b80c52f92c8fa516f4c3866190e.pdf 1d9aa5707844711460a657da3dd1d139 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. of the potatoes that were cut and Marj. and I took a walk around by Ivey's lane & woods when I went after the cows. I finished one of my final examination show card texts to-night. Nice day, cloudy but warm Saturday May 28th I did chores and odd jobs this morning one of which was to go out and level down the mound of earth that covered the turnip pit. Dad. is plowing the patch again for roots and the hole where the pit was & the mound had never been levelled. Dad plowed all day and nearly finished the piece. Ham Thompson was over for the wool-box but had to go on over to Tom's for it. Tom was in here at noon so stayed to dinner. I spent the after noon painting my show card examination over again but didn't get it to suit me quite as well as the first one. I went back after the cows about five o'clock and got caught in a terriffic downpour. It has felt like a thunder storm all day and it came. Dad. & I both got soaked. Enah was down town and got a little wet too. Frank was to have come home to-day but he decided it was too wet I went down to the Tuxis boys meeting to-night and was in at Aunty's for awhile. Hot & sultry all day Sunday May 29th Marj. has been under the weather to-day so Tid. & I went alone to Sunday school & I went to church. Quint hailed me on my way home to look at a game he is making to run this summer and he wants me to paint letters on it for him. I spent the after noon reading to Marj. who didn't get up till tea time and then went back to bed again right after. She helped me count the church money to-night in bed. Hot and heavy thunder showers all the afternoon Monday May 30th Yesterday's & last night's rain had every thing so soaked this morning that there was very little we could do. Dad. drove Tid. down to school and did odd jobs during the forenoon and this afternoon opened some ditches I went back to pull cockle in the wheat and got over four loads. I had a sort of grumbling stomach-ache all morning and it was worse after dinner so I didn't go back very early. I went up one load & then went over to John Wess's. A heavy thunder storm came up while I was there so I didn't leave till about five John Wess lent me an old overcoat to come home https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/fa1b16e0c1865abb9beb49fb92cfcf18.pdf 5df250f6da8edde04a1890db4f98d578 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. in and as I had my canvass shoes on I took them off and walked home bare footed. I met Dad. in the gully after the cows. We did chores up after tea and then Marj. and I worked till after eleven at the church books. She feels to-night as if she were getting the mumps. Very sultry. Tuesday May 31st I went back after the cows this morning and found the whole herd except Betsy & Agnes in the wheat, so I had to tramp through after them and as the wheat was laden with dew and a heavy mist that was just rising my trip was more like wading in the lake than any thing else I am sure I poured a pint of water out of each gumboot after I came out. The cows tramped the wheat and nipped of quite a lot of it. They had broken a wire in the old fence between it and the other back field. Dad. drove Tid. to school after breakfast and brought Frank home, he feels better but the doctor told him not to try to do any thing this week. Dad. & I went back before dinner and patched up the fence where the cows broke in and put in a couple of post and this after noon got a couple of rolls of wire to put along its border We got one roll from Jack McBride & one from old Walker the same kind of wire "Peerless". Jack McBride was in here at noon and brought the sheep clippers back. Marj. has been in bed all day and feels miserable. Her right jaw is slightly swelled and sore so we think it must be the mumps. Very hot & sultry but no rain. Wednesday June 1st Dad. & I have spent most of the day stringing up the new fencing along the old barbed wire fence. We couldn't make a very neat job of it stretching it with our hands but it will keep the cattle out of the wheat for the present. We have to go around the gully side of the field and do a little fixing yet. Aunty & Aunty Alice were over for tea to-night. Tid. seems quite delighted that Marj. has the mumps. They wont let him go to school and she can't give him lessons at home. Fair & cold north east wind. Looks clear. Thursday June 2nd Dad and I went back to finish patching the fence between the gully & the wheat and got started to burn https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/8f2c935277d4ed582750ed75188e57ac.pdf 5cd91ab0aeedfd6d932e75a0579e3088 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. the brush in the bush. It wouldn't burn very well so we didn't finish either job before dinner. After dinner Dad took the dining room carpet up for Enah and it was pretty late when we got back but we managed to finish the fence and got a hole burned in one side of the nearest brush pile which will let us get into the woods with the waggon to haul up the rest of our poles. Frank went to Simcoe this morning with Jack Martin to the Sunday school convention and was gone all day. Lila was over this after noon for awhile. Mark was in to-night for a few minutes and said he & Tom were coming over to give us a day plowing corn ground when we wanted them. He said Tom & the housekeeper had gone off driving and he never saw a happier looking pair. He wanted Dad to take him on a bet that they would be married by fall. Hot. Friday June 3rd I spent the fore noon cutting the lawn and didn't finish. It has got long again so is a hard job. Dad. sharpened the scythe, cut a lot of grass around the lane and went out and topped some of the thistles in the oats. This after noon he put the dining room carpet down. It started to rain soon after dinner and looked like a bad storm so I started at another show card and worked at it all the afternoon althought the storm didn't ammount to much and soon cleared off. Tom. was in this after noon and told them that he was pretty sure of marrying the housekeeper, he hasn't asked her yet but he doesn't think he will be turned down. Marj. got up this after noon. Very hot and sultry all morning but high wind & cold to-night. Saturday June 4th We put some seed potatoes in to heat for scab this morning as soon as we got up and then started to cut them right after breakfast, Frank and I cut them. Dad. went back to catch the horses but couldn't do it alone as Billy wouldn't let Pommers follow the others, so I went back with him and caught them. He went out and got about an hour's work in on the potato ground before noon. This after noon he furrowed it out and I planted five rows it was all I had time for. The boys were supposed to come over here for a picnic in the gully to-night but only two of them showed up. Marj. feels miserable again. She is afraid she got up too soon. Sunny but cold raw wind all day https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/c5bc28127b50dedd7213cd556f47c47f.pdf 08212d79e292fbca6a78da9cfda40659 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Sunday June 5th Frank and I drove down to Sunday school and Tid rode his wheel down. Frank stayed down at Aunty's to dinner and Dad. & Enah drove down this after noon and he drove home with Enah. Dad. walked back. I spent the afternoon reading "As you like it" to Marj. who feels very sick. She says she never was so sick in her life before. I am going to sleep on the sofa in the hall to-night. Sunny but cold wind. looks fair. Monday June 6th As we were completely out of wood Dad. & I had to go back this morning with the waggon and haul up a small load. We didn't get started very early and it spoiled the whole morning for us as it took quite a while going all the way back opening gates & fences getting around in the woods loading & unloading This after noon I planted the rest of the potatoes and Dad. harrowed them in and plowed in the furrows. He also worked down the rest of the patch for mangles. I went down to band practice to-night and went & saw Dr. Cook for Marj., she still feels miserable, but better than she did. Tuesday June 7th Tom & Mark came over this morning with their teams & plows and they & Dad. got in a full day plowing corn ground over between the oats in the long field & the side road.They got a lot of ground turned over but it is hard in spots and will take a lot of work. This morning I did up the chores and then took the little team out and rolled & harrowed the potato & mangle patch and started to sow mangles. I finished this afternoon getting in fifteen rows. About four o'clock I went out and started to roll down what they had plowed. We were pretty late getting throug chores as I didn't get the cows {before nor?} they stop plowing till after six. Marj felt better this morning but her head was aching badly again to-night. Frank feels better but the doctor told him to be very careful of his heart so he can't do a thing in the shape of work. Fine day not hot, looks like more rain. Sunday June 12th I have not had a chance to write in this all week as we have been trying to rush the corn ground https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/4633a5b6e0257fc71aedf050e64ab795.pdf d1c14d5e2025691da6756259555b5034 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. preparation along and it has absorbed all the spare minutes. Dad. has kept the plow going steadily and Friday night had about an acre to plow but Lloyd Ryerse told him tnat Colin was coming up with the tractor to finish it for him so Dad. got in a day disking yesterday. Colin came yesterday after noon and plowed till they had to stop for a thunder shower but finished all but what Dad. would have had to plow any way. I have kept rolling and harrowing after him with the little team, and the chores have kept me busy as we are out of hay now and have to forage grass for the stuff that is in with the scythe. Marj. has recovered sufficiently to go down to Aunty's to stay for a few days. I drove her down this morning when I went to Sunday school and went down again <s>last</s> to-night, she is feeling much better. Frank hasn't done any thing yet but feels well and thinks he will start working this week. Roy came to stay over to-day last night. He hates Detroit but is glad to be at work. Aunty is under the weather to-day with a bad tooth and Tid is in bed with what we thought was mumps although he seems all right to-night. The little romance which has been developing since Tom & Mark. employed their young housekeeper about three weeks ago was brought suddenly to a head on Thursday when Tom. married her. Thursday morning we saw both Tom & Mark in the field with their teams and later saw Tom's team standing idle and Tom going to town with Charlie Butler, about one o'clock Tom walked through here on his way home and told us he had got in with Charlie when he went past & gone down town to buy the licence having borrowed money enough from Mark, he couldn't get one in Dover so had to go to Simcoe after it. He told me and I fancy nearly every one else he met, to keep it under my hat but he was going to marry the little girl at four o'clock that after noon. Mr. Johnson (who was back this week to gather up some of his stuff) was coming out to do the trick and Totie Smith to help Mark witness it. Totie didn't get out though and Charlie Butler & Mark were the only others present at the ceremony. About five o'clock I saw Mr. & Mrs. Tom driving to Dover on their honeymoon to get some groceries, and both teams were at work again the next morning. Charlie Butler was around https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/66b8a2f7c9941e06531409d419002c87.pdf 98d1aa4550cfb1826b62291600d215c0 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. the next day warning all the neighbors out to a combined shower, "chivaree" and dance next Friday night. Dad. went down town this after noon to see Roy and I spent most of the after noon in the church books and then went down and took a walk over the back half of Flemming's place as it is for sale now separately. Monday June 13th Dad. has disked all day on the corn ground but didn't get a very early start as we had to go back and catch the horses. I spent most of the morning cutting the lawn and Frank and I seperated the lambs from the ewes and shut them up to starve them preparatory to dosing them for tapeworm. I rolled the corn ground this afternoon. Frank has been visiting blacksmiths trying to get one to shoe Joe. Hallam has a sore hand and can't & old John Evans won't. To-night I went down to band practice. Very windy and quite cool to-night. Tid is all right. Marj. just about well but Aunty's tooth is very bad. Monday June 20th Another week has rumbled along and fast and I don't seem to have had a minute's time to jot down the doings day by day so will have to lump it again. We have been very busy getting in our corn and I have been rising at half past four & five so hadn't much time in the mornings and as Marj. has been down at Aunty's all week I have spent my evenings going down to see her. Ham. Thompson came down and planted the corn for us on Thursday. Friday it rained and I spent the day painting at show cards. Dad. drove down in the after noon and brought Marj. home and to-night Friday we all went out to Tom's shower and dance where we had a great time. Frank cut half of his alfalfa and a little hay {illegible} but we have never done anything with it. Thursday night the band played in the park for the church garden party it was to have been at Jack Paine's but he is too sick to have it. Saturday I harrowed the corn ground and broke up a lot of the hard lumps which had softened with Friday's rain. Yesterday Dick came home for his holidays two weeks. Dad. stayed down yester afternoon with him and Marj. and I went for a drive. Saturday night I camped in the gully with the boys - never again! Hope https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/9449eff6c46feb69a90a0a4ba461612a.pdf ca834ca1e8427edb296d865f7d0cdfd0 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. I slept through most of the night but every now and again would wake up and hear the other fellows rampaging around the fire and some time about two o'clock they all went over and raided Art Quanbury's strawberry patch, I didn't know any thing about that till morning. To-day I rolled the corn ground in the fore noon and hoed mangles this after noon. Dad. brought Belle out and we cultivated them. John Wess & Mrs. Cam. came over for a visit so Dad. went up to see them and Frank and I finished cultivating. Enah's brother and her father & Adelena were over here for tea and I rode down with them after tea and went to band practice. Marj. went down to Aunty's for tea and Chris brought us both home in his new Dodge car. Tuesday June 21st I rode Frank's wheel out to Lloyd Chrysler's first thing this morning to ask him about the Fleming place He gave me Ern's address and said it was still for sale. When I came back Dad. and I hauled in a couple of jags of hay on the waggon box to feed up and then we went back to the woods and got a load of wood. This after noon we hauled in Frank's alfalfa and Dad. went down to the mill with Charlie to look at Herb's horse which he thinks is foundered. Frank cut the hay on the corner field to-day. To-night I went with the band to a garden party at Lamb's {corner?} and Dad. entertained Mr. Johnson from Sir Adam Beck's place and they had a great saddle horse pow-pow. Wednesday June 22nd I went out right after breakfast and harrowed over the corn ground again with the big team and finished about eleven. I then cut a little lawn before dinner All the rest of the family picked strawberries this morning and got 35 boxes and Dad. got a bad attack of heartburn from bending over and felt very miserable most of the day. Dick came over for dinner and he & I walked down afterwards and I went to paint some signs for Quint, he didn't have any ready but I painted out the old one. I came home and helped milk and then Marj. & I drove Mexico down with butter eggs & cream for Aunty Alice. Frank drove Queen down to the Ward's. I went for a swim. Hot & muggy. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/6d9fd86b0f2cb3fb9a14c0ec59ca2502.pdf 31b071429e72025b03ce1107c2c1292a PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Thursday June 23rd I hoed mangels this morning till nine o'clock and Frank hoed in the garden & Dad. did chores, by then the dew was off and we went out and shook up the hay where the alsike was heavy & green. Then Frank got the rake & raked the far side first and before dinner the heavy spots were fit to rake. Dad. & I cocked up for awhile before dinner and we all went at it this after noon and got it all up by to-night. Tom. Butler went by this morning with a load of pear and threw off a couple of forkfulls which were loaded. Dad. Tid & I shelled our hats full and took them up to the house for dinner and and Marj. came out with us and got two basketfulls more. To-night I went down to band practice & Marj. went with me & waited at Aunty's. Mr. & Mrs. MacElvie came to-day and are down at Aunty Alice's now. Chris gave us a ride down and all the way home in his car. Very hot. Friday June 24th Frank and I changed the rails and fixed up the bay over in the big barn to haul hay this morning and we moved the calves over there from the old barn. We hauled in one load of hay and pitched it off in the horse stable before dinner had an early dinner and hauled in three more this after noon, one we pitched off to feed to the bulls and the last one we left standing in the barn floor. Mrs. Walker brought Aunty Alice & the MacElvie's in for a few minutes this morning. They were just out seeing the town. Dad. & Enah went down to-night to see them and took Jack Martin down as they are both such admirers of Sir Arthur Meighen's & Mr. MacElvie has come direct from Parliament. Marj. & Frank went down to the Bible Society meeting to hear a native Chinaman Mr {Wang?} speak and Tid. & I stayed home to go to bed early. Dick was over for tea. Hot but nice breeze Sunday July 3rd Over a week this time without finding time to make an entry so will condense again. Saturday June 25th we finished hauling the hay that was cut and in the after noon I went to Simcoe to a Shorthorn meeting https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/9ea0f817e9b389bcd22845a160fad072.pdf 7301cb63be89a3f9276ed5fcfe53330e PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. while Dad. & Frank cultivated potatoes. Sunday was a very hot day, we all went to church & Dad stayed down and went down to the beach with Dick Marj. & I went for a drive in the evening. Sunday after noon was decoration day and the band went with the oddfellows to the cemetry. It rained a little Sunday night and Monday I went down to do some painting and got a couple of show cards to do for Ben Ivey which I worked at most of the day and sent down with Frank at night. Ben gave Frank a checque for $2.00 for them and to pay an old debt he had with Frank, he gave him at Frank's suggestion $3.00's worth of dance tickets I felt rather sick all day and went to bed early about ten o'clock we had a terriffic thunder storm which was followed by two or three more during the night. The thunder was deafening almost and a great deal of it. It drizzled nearly all Tuesday morning so I went down and with Aunty's help painted a very gaudy sign for Quint advertizing soft drinks. In the after noon I started at Ben's sign which he told me to go ahead at as he guessed Dyer didn't intend to do it. It was late when I got the scaffold fixed so I only got about an hour's work in on it. Frank cut some hay Monday after noon. Tuesday he & Dad. went up to Jack McBride's and got some fence & posts to put across the corner field to let the sheep in where the hay was taken off. Wednesday I was down town all day finished Ben's sign and got five dollars for it and got Quint's big game board all penciled out to paint. Thursday I went down and spent most of the day painting it but finished this after noon. Marj's father came in Wednesday night and she was with him most of the after noon. Dad. & Frank shocked up the hay to-day & Frank raked it. Friday was the great Dominion Day and there was a bigger crowd into Dover I think than ever before There must have been a thousand cars in town parked every where you looked and running all over, and the radial cars were packed. Frank Dad. & I cocked up the hay in the forenoon and Dad https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/32305b53f73c47a5e68fb331ff08db50.pdf bd94b6a673e0e3f0ed1cca9878cba4b8 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. took Aunty up to the dentist's. I was with the band all the afternoon and evening. We shifted around from Buck's to the dock and up to Powell park and in the evening played down on the end of the pier till the lake flies drove us out. The Galt Kiltie band was here too playing all after noon & evening. I didn't get a chance to hear them but Dad. thought they were fine. After we finished playing I ran across the family and later Marj. with her father, Mrs Bagley & Essie. We took a walk down to the beach and the crowd was dense in front of Ben's "Summer Garden" but the most amusing thing down there was to hear Quint & {Zeek?} and a little farther down Quint. yelling like crazy savages for people to try their luck at the games offering prizes of lucky ducks & Cupie {Kewpie} dolls and other things which really seems to prove that the world has gone "batty" for they seemed to get rid of an enormous quantity of hideous things. Dad. & I walked home and milked and I walked home at night and was glad to get here. Dad. was up at four o'clock this morning and after he helped me milk went up to help take Jack Paine's body to the station, the masons were looking after it and Charlie Ivey came after Dad. & brought him back They sent the body to Toronto on the 7.30 train. Sunday July 10th Another week gone and I have no time nor energy to write. We haven't done anything all week but work and work hard getting the hay on the field west of the lane and next the gully in. It was a very heavy piece we hauled twenty loads off it but of course it was bulky The other work is getting ahead of us. I got up at four o'clock a couple of mornings to hoe mangels but havent made much head way. The weather has been very hot and for a few days there was scarcely any wind but the last two or three days there was a very nice breeze, and Friday night & yesterday morning it rained luckily for us just after we finished our hay. Mr. Clarke has been over here most of the week but went to Nanticoke with Warrie Banfield yesterday. Cecil & Winnie were over for tea https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/bc39a1af540b5a3aed1dfd3d4966383b.pdf 9133e8b89502cb6847b08f47c426f0de PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Friday night. We let the sheep in on their new pasture yesterday after noon as Dad & Frank finished putting the fence up. Marj. & I found a cool spot down in McBain's orchard this afternoon & read "A Midsummer Night's dream" Monday July 11th Frank cut hay east of the lane this morning and then took the big team and cultivated corn this afternoon. Dad finished cutting the piece the width of the orchard east of the lane and then I started to rake, and got enough raked for a row of cocks around the field. I weeded mangles and dug a little in the flower bed this morning. To-night I went down to band practice. Still hot, a little breeze Sunday July 24th This being the 26th anniversary of the day on which I first condescended to partake of what this world had to offer in the way of a living and such a day being a fit occasion for making fresh starts and turning over new leaves, I think I will make one more try at writing this more regularly. Another factor influencing this resolution is a brand new non-leakable fountain pen which Marj. gave me this morning and which works beautifully. Another still is the fact that we are within sight of the end of haying and wheat harvest and I dont expect to be so rushed all day and tired in the evenings from now on. The week of July 11th we finished cutting all the wheat and hay and left it all in cock and shock for over Sunday. The first of the following week it rained and was cloudy & wet for two days so we didn't get any hauled but nothing was spoiled. Frank and I went back to set up the wheat shocks that were down and found that only the few that were flat had been wet through. We hauled hay Wednesday and Thursday of last week. Pickford wanted one of us to help him thrash out of the field on Saturday so he came over on Friday with his team and helped us haul wheat for the fore noon and all day we got in six loads not big ones as the wheat https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/9ecbf4e149df9be5b699f63fc93a3362.pdf 747e1e1ea6823412e21a68487253264f PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. was very heavy. Saturday Frank was over helping Pickford all day so Dad. and I finished hauling the hay and got one load of wheat up. We could unload the hay without mowing it as the last one put in, we put in the big barn in the empty bay. Mr. Clarke came back from Nanticoke on the 16th and came over here on the 19th. To-day Marj. Mr. Clarke & I drove down to church and we had chicken for dinner to celebrate. We three also went down this after noon and saw the deer. The buck has his horns back again now in the velvet and they look very sleek & fat. I culled out my chickens the other night and sold 17 all the white ones to Jack and Chris shipped six rocks to Toronto for me. I didn't get paid so I don't know how much I got. Monday July 25th To-day we finished hauling the wheat. Dad. & Frank hauled it up and while they were after loads Marj. and I weeded mangles and I helped them unload. This after noon Marj. and Enah went down to the first performance of the Chatauqua and Marj. and I went down to-night. The music was lovely. Tuesday July 26th Marj. and I finished weeding the mangles this morning and I drove her & her father down to catch the one o'clock car and they went to Brantford and Mr. Clarke stayed there to have Dr. Hicks examine him. I stayed down for the after noon and went to the Chautauqua and heard a man lecture on Soviet Russia, he was a prisoner there for some time and travelled over a good portion of it. I also got my hair cut and made arrangements with Ben Ivey to paint some more signs for him. George Zealand and I are to do it on Thursday if Ben gets the background painted. To night all the family but Marj. & I went to the Chautauqua to see Davis the magician which they enjoyed very much. Wednesday July 27th Marj. & I weeded two rows of potatoes this morning and Dad. & I we did some more this after noon Enah went to the Chautauqua and Marj. went and sat with Aunty and let Aunty https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/bb28450309cee935c31addb7fcad8aed.pdf 51fab4ca6651aea91b2d461620dfb1a7 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Alice go but they said the lecture was very poor and inclined to be coarse. We all went down to-night and saw the play "Contentment" by the John Qualen company the actors were very good but the play not up to much. Marj. telephoned Dr. Hicks and found out that her father will be operated on to-morrow morning. Mr. Bagley is going up. Thursday July 28th I went down this morning to paint Ben's sign but found out there had been a misunderstanding between Ben. & George Zealand and neither of them had painted the background so I told Ben I couldnt paint the sign, so I finished painting Quint's board instead and had dinner at Auntys I got home about five and found Dad. Enah & Tid had gone to the Chautauqua to hear the Ferguson light opera company which they enjoyed very much. Mr. Bagley came over as soon as he got home from Brantford at five o clock and told us that Mr. Clarke had come through his operation nicely but was very weak as he had been on the operating table for three hours. Marj. Enah & I went down and heard Hon. Percy Alden lecture on "The outlook in Europe, and Marj. & I thought it was fine although Enah & Frank who was there with Irene Pickford said they didn't care for him. Aunty Alice thinks Aunty is beginning to mend slightly, but she looks pretty sick. Friday July 29th Frank and I went over to Tom's & Mark's this morning where {plan?} was to thrash alsike out of the field and Dad went to Art Quanbury's where Sam was thrashing. Art finished before noon but we couldn't start till about eleven o'clock as the stuff was tough and it was a very cloudy & muggy morning. We thrashed till about half past two when a little shower came up and we had to quit for an hour, during that hour Tom & I went with Charlie Butler over to his place and got a jug of hard cider. We worked hard after that till about five when a real thunder shower came up and we all got pretty wet and had to quit for the day https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/0196ed84e00f9d39d2e5b818f2657782.pdf c8726bd470294b7c3c9b3790987aa930 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. We had tea over there and when we came home I drove down after tea and picked Marj. up, she had been at a party at Mrs. Freeman's and stayed down to telephone Dr. Hicks and found her Dad. was doing nicely. Saturday July 30th Frank went back to try to plow this morning but said it was very hard and the shear & coulter dull. Dad. weeded potatoes and I didn't do any thing much but clear up a little out in front of the house. Marj. went down town this after noon and stayed to tea. I drove down after tea and we went to the station and met Dorrie, the train was late and she was pretty tired. Dad. Frank and I weeded potatoes this after noon and got nearly three rows done. A little cooler lately with big winds Sunday July 31st The Pickford's had a family picnic down the Lake Shore to-day so of course Frank had to go along. Marj. Tim & I went to Sunday school and Enah & Dorrie drove down to church. Mr. Doherty preached. Dad. walked down to see Aunty and he, Enah & Tid went to Clair Herring's for lunch. Marj. & Dorrie took some sandwichs down and ate them at Aunty's after church & then went on the one o clock car to Brantford to see their father who is getting on as well as possibly. I came home & did chores and slept for most of the after noon. Enah stayed down to play again to-night as Mrs. Andrews is sick or something & Dad. drove Mexico home. Dad. Frank & I had tea together and then I took Mexico down so that Enah & the girls could all drive home. It gives me the willies to ride behind him he goes so slowly so I led him down as far as the Ivey's where I found Larry & Tid & Herby Zealand who jumped at the chance of driving him down. I found Marj. & Dorrie had come in on the five car, gone to the Bagley's for tea and from there to church and the Barwells were going to drive them home but Marj. was good enough to drive me home with Mexico instead of goin in the car. Cooler. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/f278a5e34edb25621742d5d8452d6f0d.pdf 4392547763b40f9be00d262845735f13 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Monday August 1st Tom came over this morning and said they would start thrashing about 10 o'clock so I counted all the church money right after breakfast and then Frank and I went over with the team. We started as soon as it was dry enough and had a steady run all day till about half past five to-night when a shower came up and we had to quit with 10 or 12 more loads in the field. We found Cecil & Winnie here when we got home and they stayed for the evening. Winnie expects to take a holiday trip to Montreal leaving to morrow. Marj. & Dorrie went back to the woods and picked a nice lot of blackberries. Dad. went down to tell Landon Ivey about the death of his cow. She died Saturday and had a piece of wire next her heart. Tuesday August 2nd It rained all the fore noon so we couldn't do anything outside. Dad. took some milk down to Aunty's and Frank and I sharpened the binder knives then Marj. & I finished making out the church quarterly statements and Dorris addressed envelopes for us. I also curried Elgitha while Dad. milked her, she gave her hind teat an awful scraping some way yesterday and is very touchy about having it milked. After dinner I drove Marj. & Dorrie down town. Marj. deposited the church money and then went down to sit with Aunty <s>Alice</s> while Aunty Alice went to a party at Miss Buckwell's. I drove her up there. I drove down again after tea and got the girls who had tea at Aunty's and we went to the picture show Wednesday August 3rd Frank cut the oats in the field north & west of the barnyard to-day, they feel like a very light crop and were down in a good many places. Marj. drove Dorrie down to catch the one o'clock car and she went up to see Mr. Clarke, she says he looks much better than he did on Sunday. Marj. brought Mrs. {C.G.D.?} Browne & her two kids home with her. To-night Marj. & I drove Queen down to band concert and we brought Dorrie home, she had stayed for tea at the Bagley's. Mr. Bagley treated us to ice-cream. I got {$5?} from the band to-night. Cooler. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/5bd6e2f360c8cfc9c2e43f366993a179.pdf 3be3c4b64b7ecb09e4143e53b06f710f PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Thursday August 4th Frank cut the oats on the old corn stubble finishing soon after dinner and got well opened up in the long field, he also cut his alfalfa with the binder. I helped Dad. shock up this morning but this after-noon went over and helped Tom & Mark thrash. We finished up over there about five and I came home for supper. Warrie Banfield & his family and his mother came in this morning and took Marj. & Dorrie up to Brantford with them, they filled the Ford pretty well, with five grown-ups & two kids but they got back safely about six had a fine day and found Mr. Clarke looking much better. Dad. has felt miserable all day but has been working Friday August 5th Frank finished cutting the oats to-day and we put the binder away for another year. It took him till about five o'clock to finish. Dad & I shifted the calves around this morning and then started to shock up. This after noon old Dougherty came over and followed us out to the field and stood around and chewed the rag half the after noon so that we didn't get much done & have about half the long field to shock up yet. Marj. & Dorrie went back to the woods to pick berries this afternoon and had a picnic down by the mound They invited me and I went back as soon as we were through milking Tid & Jackie {Cape?} also went back and joined the feast. Landon Ivey was over this morning and wanted a team to help them thrash their wheat {illegible} but Dad. got Pickford to go in our place Saturday August 6th We went out first thing this morning and hauled in the hay out of the orchard and put it over the granary {tied?} the rails to make a bottom for the oats. We then rolled oats for the rest of the after noon, we got in three loads of the field {illegible} the barn leaving about one load out there but it started to rain at noon and rained hard for awhile so we didn't get any more done but I painted a show card lesson. The last bunch I sent down all came back severely criticized. Marj. Dorrie and I had thought of going to the Picture show to-night but it rained again about five so we stayed home https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/3460777e6007091199cb35829fc3855f.pdf 863481acf120132439b4d2ffe014e254 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Sunday August 7th Marj. Dorrie and I drove down to Sunday school but as there was no one in sight to open it up Frank and I took a walk and Marj. had to do the job. Mr. Cornish the new minister came in late last night and was too tired to come. We didn't hear him as Marj. Dorrie and I struck off for Nanticoke right after Sunday school and spent the after noon at Warrie's place. We left Dorrie there to pay a few day's visit and Marj. and I came home in time to do chores. Dad. went down and stayed with Aunty to-night while Aunty Alice went to hear the new minister He made a favorable impression I think and there was a very large congregation at both services judging by the collection, which was the largest since Marj. & I have had the books. We did them up to-night as Bill Barwell brought over the evening receipts. The statements of arrears which we sent out probably had something to do with it but we got a total of $94.66 for the day. Mark was in for a short visit to-night. Frank drove Joe down to the {Cave?} to-night to see the folks before he leaves for the West. Cloudy & cooler Monday August 8th I spent most of the forenoon working out in front of the border and before noon I drove Marj. down town She did her banking and stayed at Aunty's for dinner and then went to Brantford on the one o'clock car to see her father, she says he looks much better, she came home at five and stayed at the Bagleys for tea. Dad. and I went out to Charlie Quanbury's this <s>morning</s> after noon and Dad. bought the old sow Schoolgirl?} for $40.00. We then came home and shocked a few oats up with the forks. Irene Pickford was here for tea, Frank brought her over. I went down to band practice to-night, Mid kept us there till nearly eleven. I then called for Marj. who was at the McQueens. Tuesday August 9th We didn't do much this morning but chores and put a ring on Wilkins Micawber's nose. We had a bad job at it and it took us a long time. Dave McBride came in and gave us a hand. He expects to leave for the West to-morrow with Frank. This after noon we shocked up some more of the oats. Frank has had https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/cb040b90d158a51bdc12228455da1e3b.pdf b23bfa80ea4ba3d22abf175e2538b31a PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. a busy day getting packed and ready and saying good-bye to all the neighbors. He stayed at the Pickfords for tea and Enah drove him down to-night. He is going to stay at Aunty's to-night and leave in the early car for Galt. Marj. & I went for a little walk to-night and were overtaken by the Doughty family who were bringing Dorrie back, they had been at Brantford. Wednesday August 10th It was rather late when we got the morning chores done up and then Dad. went over and got Bobbie Pickford to come & help us draw {our?} oats. We got in five loads all day and left the last one on the barn floor. There is still one load left in the corn stubble field. Marj. Dorrie and I went to band concert to-night. Fine & cool breeze. Thursday August 11th Bobbie came over again this morning and we started to build a stack. We got in two loads this morning and at noon Pickford and Arthur came over to help us. We got in four loads and then it started to rain and we had to quit. They weren't big loads but we could have finished I believe if it hadn't rained. Arthur Preston came over for a visit and went out with me. He & Pickford pitched on and they would pitch up about four or five sheaves at a time so all I could do was to climb on top of them and I didn't build much of a load. Arthur stayed and gave me some new points against the theory of evolution at which we both laugh. Arthurs latest find is some fellow sneering at theory by claiming that in the course of evolution all life should have disappeared from the earth during the development of the insect life as they being of a lower order than the birds which now it is claimed hold them in check would have destroyed all plant life and then starved to death thereby cutting short evolution in its earlier stages. I agreed with Arthur that that was very logical. Friday August 12th It rained more during the night so that we couldn't do much with the oats but Dad. & I drove down town and got the beaver-board from Reynolds to put https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/15f0071acb4d671ff9ca1dcb00f1a503.pdf 98ab8ebe6b73497333b5c47e876bcd3f PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. on the kitchen. We were down town till noon This afternoon we did up the chores and then went out and set up the last of the oats that were lying down. They weren't in bad shape either Perce Kind{--}'s boy came over to get three lambs which we promised him so we picked out the three biggest {illegible} lambs and weighed them up and the best one weighed 92 lbs. He is giving us 9 cts per lb. for them. We also caught one to kill for ourselves and Dad. got Pickford to come over to-night and do it and gave him a piece of it. It was a nice one too. Fine & cool. Saturday August 13th Cecil came over first thing this morning to put the beaver-board on and he and Dad. have been working at it about all day and got it all on but the kitchen is an awful looking place as it all has to be painted and papered yet. Bobbie Pickford came over about ten o'clock and he and I went out and turned out all the oats and hauled in one load before dinner and three more this after noon. He & Dad. hauled the last one and finished harvest. Dad. & Cecil helped us put the loads off. We didn't get through with the chores till long after dark. Winnie came over to tea and Mr. & Mrs. Millman came over after tea for awhile. They came up from Toronto in the car to-day. It has been fine and cool all day. Sunday August 14th Marj. Dorrie, Tid. and I went down to Sunday school and Dad. & Enah went down to church. Marj. Dorrie & I heard Mr. Cornish for the first time and liked him very much. The whole Millman family came in just after dinner on their way home. As soon as they left Marj. Dorrie and I went down and I went with the band and we gave the long suffering public a sacred concert in the park. Dorrie & Marj. called on Miss McQueen and then went to Aunty's for tea. I drove down and brought them home to-night. Monday August 15th Marj. was sick in bed all day. She & Dorrie had planned to go to Brantford this morning <s>but</s> and go to Miss McQueen's for tea to-night but instead https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/abef74f7ee357d8b8004e94cca9c773d.pdf 8f5bc0141b5a9d458345965d2635acde PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Dorrie went alone to Brantford this after noon & to Miss McQueens for tea. I drove her down to the car and brought her home to-night after band practice. Cecil has been over all day but hasn't been able to do much but paint the ceiling and put in some finishing nails as Reynolds hasn't got the stripping out yet. I havent done any thing much Tuesday August 16th I went down first thing this morning to get the stripping at the planing mill but it wasn't ready as Reynolds had promised it would be. Dad. and I went back before dinner and got one of the bolls of wire down and rolled that were between the wheat and pasture. This after noon Tid drove Marj. & Dorrie down and they stayed with Aunty while Aunty Alice went over to Mrs. Woodson's to play bridge. I drove down to-night and got them. Cecil has been over all day and they got the room papered and Cecil started to paint the lower part of the wall green and Enah finished it to-night after supper. I went to see Reynolds to-night and he said he would have the strips in the morning. Wednesday August 17th Tid. and I went down again this morning and they were at the strips when I got there so by waiting till nearly noon I got them. Marj. & Dorrie did up the church books and walked down to deposit the money and then rode home in the waggon. I spent the after noon applying filler that Cecil mixed up to the strips and Cecil at last got started putting them on, so the room commences to have a furnished appearance. I went down to band concert to-night and drove Cecil down with me. The girls had intended going down to Aunty's for tea but it rained hard all the after noon so they decided it was too wet and didn't go down at all. I found that their Uncle George had come in this morning and gone up to Brantford with Mr. Bagley this afternoon to see Mr. Clarke. and expected to see the girls to-night, but I told him they would be down in the morning. He is staying at the Bagleys. Mr. Bagley says Mr. Clarke will be able to come down to Friday and the girls are going up to come back with him. More rain to-night. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/92d31d0825003c3e8df93128479bdb15.pdf d27344fb2426dc94f2e403fa2408e22b PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Thursday August 18th The girls went down with Mexico first thing this morning and brought their Uncle George over and he was here for dinner and tea. Cecil came over and finished putting the stripping on the walls Dad. helping him. I started a show card this morning and worked at it off and on all day, but talked to Uncle George most of the fore noon. To-night Marj. Dorrie & Uncle George drove Joe down and I walked. Uncle George treated us all to the picture show which was very funny. We then took him up to the Bagley's where he spent the night. Friday August 19th I drove the girls down to the station this morning and then got Uncle George & Mr. Bagley and took them down to the station. The girls and Uncle George went to Brantford on the nine car to shop in Brantford and to bring Mr. Clarke down at five. I didn't do much all day. Cecil was over glueing up some chairs and he and Dad. & I went out and lined up the fence batten. This after noon Dad. and I went out and rolled the wire we had up to divide the sheep pasture from the oats and pulled the posts. I drove down to-night to bring Marj. & Dorrie home. Mr. Clarke was staying at the Bagley's for to-night. Mr. Bagley was to have met them at the Main St. stop with a car but went off with Mr. Bond and was eating musk melon up at {Mr.?} Dixon's where the car came in so Marj. had to go down town and get a car to go up from the garage to get here. Dad. who nearly fainted sitting up there waiting and scared poor Dorrie, but he feels pretty well to-night Saturday August 20th Cecil came over for awhile this morning and varnished the strips on the walls and ceiling. Dad. and I went out and put the iron posts in for the new fence. This after noon we took the waggon back and the plow to the back field and brought up the wooden posts that were there and then we hooked to the rack and hauled in Frank's alfalfa. To-night Marj. Dorrie and I went down town, they went in to see their Dad. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/0954cfe25544b0d7af9880a5279a0488.pdf 4235b1965584c02f2b0e919671a70a37 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. and then we went to get some {illegible} for sandwichs and to hunt up some body to take us to the band picnic on Monday. We went down to Ben's Summer Garden which was packed and there found Charlie Blake who had no one to take with him to the picnic and on that account had not intended going but he said he would take us, so Dorrie had a dance with him and then we came home rather late. Sunday August 21st Marj. Dorrie and I went to Sunday school and Dad. & Enah went down church. I walked home but Mr. Lamb drove Mr. Clarke over here after church in his car and the girls came over with him. We didn't do much but lie around this after noon except Marj. Dorrie, Tim & I went down to take a picture of Jack's deer. There was a great crowd down there looking at them. Enah went down town to tea as she had to play to day. Alan Law was in to-night to invite one of us down there to thrash to-morrow, which was rather provoking as Dad. had figured on plowing while I was at the band picnic, however I guess he will have to go to thrash Monday August 22nd We got every thing done up in good time this morning and Dad. started for Sam's and was down there all day Charlie Blake came along about 9.30 and picked Marj. Dorrie several baskets cameras coats my horn Marj's knitting & me and we set sail for Fisher's Glen. We called around at the town hall where the rest of the boys were congregated to see if there was any one else wanted to go with us. We found that Mrs. Doc. Lemmons had decided not to go on account of lack of accomodation so we went up there. She called the girls in to make sandwichs for her and after a great deal of flurry & fluster on their part and calm patient waiting on Charlie's & mine we got away and after a very nice drive arrived at the Glen first of all with Carl Colman hard on our trail. It was an ideal day and every body had a good time. I would have had a better time if they hadn't made me play baseball but as there was a great game scheduled between the heavy and light horns I had to take my place. We played about nine or ten innings with an indoor ball https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/307e21225ec0149306993c1cde0dc151.pdf e9dc4dae4aefc607855c5edb862ea607 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. and we got beaten 21-15. I guess I did considerably to help the light horns win but wasnt any worse than most of them. I made one home run caught a third man out when two others were on bases I was in the field . We played several times during the day so weren't left much to our own devices We had tea about five o'clock and got home by about half past six and all hands professed having had a good time. Dad. was milking but hadn't had his tea so I was on time to do my share of the chores, and every thing went fine. Tuesday August 23rd Dad. & I spent quite awhile doing chores this morning and then took the waggon back to the field and put on a jag of wood. We then ran out one of the ditchs back there and threw out the sods. Dad. cut it on both sides so it took quite awhile, just as we were coming out of the gully on to the road a bumblebee stung Dad. right over the eye and it has been very sore all day. We discovered they had a nest in the old gate post there. We thought we would have to go and help Pickford thrash this after noon but he came up at noon to tell us the machine would not be there till to-night, so we went back and nearly finished running out our ditchs this after noon Marj. & Dorrie went down town this afternoon and brought Glad Law over to tea with them Dorrie & I drove her home to-night. Fine & warm. Wednesday August 14th Dad. & I got things done up ready to go over to thrash at Pickford's this morning but could see that there was no machine there so we sawed a little wood while we were waiting for it to come and then as there was still no sign of it Dad. and Mr. Clarke drove down to see where it was Pickford said they had some tampering to do to the engine and wouldn't be up till after noon. They came at noon and Dad. and I were both over there till tea time. They finished and Pickford got about 270 bushels all told and his oats were very big. I got another show card lesson nearly done this morning while I was waiting. To-night I went https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/cbf51457af1fea6da415c342fba93ba6.pdf 8be1dc6742d9954052dfda42a1d2d0dd PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. down to band concert but as the Doughty's came in just before I left the girls didnt go with me but Dick Doughty took them down later and we walked home to-gether. By. Williams drove Harry & Lizzie Langs in to-night and they are coming over here for dinner to-morrow. Fine with nice breeze. Thursday August 25th Dad. and I went back this morning and finished throwing out the ditchs in this side of the back field and Dad. started to plow around the whole thing. I came up about eleven and soon after I came up By Williams brought the Lang's in so I took Harry around the farm and we came up with Dad at noon. This after noon we just visited till it was time for Dorrie to go to the train then she & Marj. drove down in the cart and took Dorrie's trunk with them. Harry & I walked down and I went to the station in time to say good-bye to Dorrie. Gosh I hated to see her leave. Enah drove Lizzie down with Joe & took her up town. Marj. & I met her at Aunty's and we drove Joe home. Mr. Bagley was over to see Mr. Clarke. Friday August 26th Dad. has been ploughing all day and going all the way around the two fields. It is very hard and a slow job. His coulter came off this morning and he had to change at town which took him a long time as the clevers were rusted. I dug post holes around the old garden and put posts in. I would have finished to-night but I struck a stone just at five o'clock and had to leave it. After dinner I drove Mr. Clarke down and left him at Uncle Ward's and went after him this evening. Enah went down to choir practice to-night and Dad. went down to see Aunty who is ever so much better. Dr. Cook had her & Aunty Alice over here for a drive this after noon. Saturday August 27th Dad. and I have been all day putting up the fence between the old meadow north of the old garden and the oat stubble, and around the north & west side of the garden so that the cows can't get in although there is precious little https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/073c5e7b1f14219da2e7d12bf98c3643.pdf 9b32b7b849f0513b8a149026d04026a6 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. there for them to destroy except a beautiful crop of weeds. There will be great pasture for the cows for awhile in the piece that we are fencing off as clover has come on fine since haying although it wasn't seeded. We had to go back to the gully after dinner for one of the 30 ft. rolls back there although we only had a few yards in the fence to finish. J.C. Ross was over this morning looking at the sheep, he is going down to judge at Toronto next week. Marj. drove her Dad down with Mexico & the buggy this after noon and left him at the Bagley's for a day or so I went down to-night and got my hair cut. Sunday August 28th Marj. Tid and I went down to Sunday school this morning and Dad. & Enah drove down to church. Marj. and I walked around by the Bagley's after church for a few minutes to see how Mr. Clarke was, he had been to the Presbyterian church with the Bagley's as they & the Methodists are havi{ng} Union services for a few weeks. Dad. brought Aunty & Aunty Alice over for dinner and took them home just before tea. Aunty is ever so much better but pretty weak yet. The {Warrie?} Banfields and Mrs. Banfield came up and were here for the after noon. I went to bed soon after tea. Bill Fallens barn with all his this years grain and 3 or 4 hundred bushels of old grain was burned yesterday afternoon They claim it was spontaneous combustion but Dad. snorts at the idea and says no barn was ever set on fire by that, through grain heating Monday August 29th It started to rain soon after breakfast this morning and we had a heavy thunder storm for most of the fore noon but it came out hot & sunny this after noon I spent the morning painting my last show card lesson and Marj. posted them this afternoon. Dad. wrote letters to Frank and Dick most of the morning. This after noon we separated the ewes & lambs and put the ewes across in the little front pasture. I worked all the after noon building a fence https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/d56a1451d83db9e83ba17dffa9f1889a.pdf 1426e823017080ed83b41fbe13adb5e5 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. and bars at the corner of the drive house. Dad. went back and ploughed for awhile he said it went quite a bit better at the bottom of the hill & in the low spots but up on top was as dry as ever I went down to band practice to-night. Tuesday August 30th The bandit hogs, the twin marauders who being spoiled children and allowed to follow their own sweet will ever since they nestled in their fond mother's arms (as it were) must now suffer for their sins by forfeiting their freedom. They have led a life of wickedness first robbing and plundering our crops which were near at hand, pillaging the oat field back of the barn and the strawberries and corn in the garden but not content with confining their operations to the limits of this place where they are tolerated, they were finally seized with the wanderlust and like pirates have been making daily forays into Jack Martin's clover and corn and at last into Billy Mill's garden where they ruthlessly destroyed the kids pop-corn. So a warrant for their imprisonment was carried out <s>last night</s> yesterday morning. Dad. shut them in their pen and thought he had them solid, but they are hardened criminals and did not hesitate to add to the crime of jail breaking to the long list of their evil deeds and to-night Billy Mills chased them home and in an indignant tone recounted their guilty charges so Dad. shut them up again this time right in the pen but this morning they were free once more so once more they were shut up with Gladys, and the door barred and nailed and it seems at last as if they were safely confined, but its hard to say. Dad went back and ploughed this morning and Tid. & I went out with Art Quanbury and brought old Schoolgirl home. I went off and forgot to turn out the windmill and Dad. had to come up to turn it out. Just before dinner Marj. and I drove up to Miss McCoy's to pay her for some hay and stopped in at the mill on our way home & got some shorts for the bandit hogs and some rolled oats and bran for the lambs. This after noon I drove Aunty over here to stay for a few days. It began to rain about five o'clock and we had a heavy thunder storm. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/70f3187e5ed15628812467637e8e7d65.pdf 17c8b65d7bf9b1b5728ddeb9509e8cee PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Wednesday August 31st It was pouring rain when I first got up this morning but cleared off and has been very hot and sultry all day. I haven't done a thing but chores all day. Dad. got a pretty good day in ploughing but the flies nearly drove the horses crazy. This after noon Marj. & I drove down town and brought Aunty Alice back with us to stay all night. I went down to band concert to-night. I got the cows up early and went down early and practiced "The Holy City" before the concert. Hal. Steele played it for cornet solo Thursday <s>August</s> September 1st This has been another very hot sultry day and has looked very rainy and thundery but did not rain. Dad. and I got all the ewes over in the colony yard this morning and milked out the ones that needed it. Art. Quanbury came in to invite us out to Charlie's to thrash this after noon. Dad. ploughed all day and I took Aunty Alice down this morning. I stayed there till noon and cut the lawn and dug some potatoes for her. This after noon I started for Charlies to thrash, but stopped at John Wesse for quite awhile as the machine wasn't at Charlie's yet. Cam. came up from the field to get a wire to poke out {the axle?} holes in his sulky plow, and invited me into the house where he treated me to a big piece of watermelon, and told me about the trials and triumphs of the Lemmon's orchestra. Mrs. Welsh has been doing her best to knock it because they wouldn't let Glen play his clarinet that he wouldnt practice on. It is going out now though to various engagements and charging so is doing fine. I got over to Charlies about the time the machine got there and we thrashed for about two hours. Charlies crop aggregated the magnificent total of 95 bushels 18 of which was good wheat the rest very poor oats & barley mixed. I drove down to-night and got Marj. who had been at Miss McQueens for tea and had gone afterwards to the Sunday school teacher's class which Mr. Cornish took and which she said she enjoyed very much as Mr. Cornish was so good. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/2c3346a7ae72392b0dd0a5f4eb0493b4.pdf 394e0d5cbe802ae54577143e162dbb38 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Friday September 2nd This ink seems to be getting redder all the time although it was blue when it was put in the pen. Dad. has ploughed all day and it has not been quite so hot. I went back this morning and ploughed a couple of rounds while he changed the coulter on the other plow. Marj. went down and had lunch with Aunty Alice and this after noon went to Simcoe to the Auxillary deanery meeting, she got home on the seven o'clock car. I went down this after to dig Aunty Alice's potatoes but as it was pretty late when I got the calves watered I didn't get many dug. I went for a swim before I came home. Quint has bought an old Ford car and is going around to the Hall fairs selling Hot Dogs. He went to Cayuga yesterday. Saturday September 3rd Dad. ploughed all day again and got quite a nice lot done. I spent most of the morning just doing chores. Aunty Alice came over this morning with the awful news that Cousin Loll was dead. She was as well this morning as she has been for a long time and was walking down the street with Cousin Clare who had gone over to ask her to go to Simcoe with her this after noon. They parted about opposite the Hoan's house and before Cousin Loll got to her own house, she fell. Mr. Bagley & Mr. Hoan were up at the corner and saw her lying on the grass so ran down but she was unconsious and died in a few minutes. Of course Aunty Alice and Aunty feel terribly. Enah drove Aunty down this after noon and she stayed down. Marj. & I drove Joe down and Marj. took the church money to the bank and I dug some more potatoes. At four o'clock I went for a swim with Tid. Sunday September 4th Marj. Tid and I went down to Sunday school & church and Dad & Enah went down to church. Dad. Enah & Tid stayed down at Aunty's for dinner and Enah stayed down for tea. Marj. & I came home and I did up the noon chores and we drove Queen down to meet the three o'clock car as Marj. expected her Dad on https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/a64c6369a4a095ff0279f84ac8b65e2f.pdf e757de6838f11d13eecef57a575530ce PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. it, he having gone to Waterford the other day to visit his sister. He didn't come on the three o'clock car so as it was too hot and the flies were too bad to keep Queen out till the five o'clock car came in, we came back home and read till five when we drove down and got him. We nearly had a mess up on the bridge coming home. We met Jack Walker in his car on the bridge and when I pulled Queen to the extreme edge to pass him, she caught sight of the water below or something rattled her so that she wouldn't pass the car and backed off the bridge, however she didn't do any damage and waited quietly till the car passed her. Dad. got home from town about the same time we did and Enah got a ride home after church. Very hot. Monday September 5th I went over to Art Quanbury's first thing this morning to thrash and as there were only five jags of oats it was only about an hour's run. Dad. ploughed all day and Tid. took Mr. Clarke down to spend the day with Uncle Ward. This after noon Marj. Tid and I went back in the waggon to get a load of wood, but as Marj. got jolted so she & Tid walked back through the gully and looked for mushrooms but didn't find any. To-night Marj. & I took some cream down to Aunty and called at Uncle Wards on our way home for Mr. Clarke. This was Labor Day and the reunion at the school house. We had intended going but didn't. Quite a sharp thunder shower at noon and hot & cloudy the rest of the day Tuesday September 6th Dad. ploughed all day and as it has been cooler he got quite a lot rolled over. I did up the chores this morning and then Mr. Clarke and I drove out to Art. Quanbury's to get a couple of <s>bushels</s> bags of old oats which Dad. bargained for this morning. We went all through Art's house which is going to be a dandy. This after noon I hadn't any thing in particular to do so I meandered down to the creek and wandered all over Flemming's place and then lay down under a tree for half an hour and wished I had money enough to buy the place. When I came back I went down to the mill to get a bag of flour for Enah https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/26c8761073b2aa37310fc7a1b9dbe3b9.pdf 1ac12e136f1551a21558abfdc920b63f PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Tim started back to school this morning and was very down in the mouth about it. He didn't expect to have to go this after noon but was disappointed and it was with a great deal reluctance that he was persuaded to go, but Enah drove him down in the cart. Marj. & her Dad were down town with Mexico most of this afternoon. Marj. & I did the church books to-night. Wednesday September 7th Dad. didn't get much ploughed this morning as the horses all went back to the gully last night and it took me an awful long time to catch them this morning, then Mark's brother was in for a few minutes to see us, he came up from Toronto to see Mark and was going back this morning. I just did chores this morning and this after noon we all went down to Cousin Loll's funeral. Bill Barwell took us down. They had a very short service at the house and another at the church. Mr. Cornish & Mr. Robertson both officiating. Quint was at the church & Dad. Huby, Quint and I went up to the cemetery. It was a terribly sad affair. Bill Barwell brought Enah and me home and I had the milking done when Dad. got home. He waited down to take Tim down to the dock to see the dredge work. Marj. & her Dad. stayed down at the Bagleys for tea and I went down to band concert to-night and brought them home. To-night was our last band concert. It is and has been very hot. Thursday September 8th Dad. has ploughed all day and has got over far enough to start ploughing off the little hill on this side. I did up the chores and then hooked up the little team to the waggon and took the harrows back and brought up a load of wood. This after noon I took the rollers back and rolled all the after noon. It was very hot and the flies nearly drove the little team crazy. It seemed like a crime to work them. Evans came over at noon & borrowed the drill to sow wheat this afternoon. Marj. and her father went down to Aunty's for tea to-night. They walked down after dinner. Marj. went to the Sunday school meeting to-night and I https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/30ce2f0963de2f60838001b0c5d25f0a.pdf 16a0be6a228f4cb39495cac82da59394 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. drove down as soon as I could after tea and Mr. Clarke and I went to the picture show which was rather funny and picked Marj up at Auntys after. Friday September 9th Jack Martin came over first thing this morning and told Dad. he wanted both of us to help thrash this after noon, so as Dad. thought we had better try to have them come here next in spite of the fact that we didn't get any manure out, he didn't go back to plough but spent the fore noon clearing up the barn. He asked Jack if we could have his waggon to go down and get a load of coal and Jack said that the box was on it, but when I went over I found the rack was on it and Billy wanted it to put between the two stacks to pitch into the machine from so he helped me take the rack off and put the box on and I got a load of coal but had to unload it again and take the waggon back. This after noon Dad. and I both went over but Dad. didn't have much to do and came home about four o'clock. We had a very slow run as the stuff was very tough and plugged up every little while. We didn't get both stacks quite thrashed out. Still very hot & sultry. Saturday September 10th I went over to thrash this morning and Dad. said he would go over as soon as they got started at the big barn. We finished the stack down at the Vyse place in about an hour and moved up to Billy's barn, but Sam got tinkering with the separator and found some thing wrong that he said would take him till noon to fix so Dad. & I came home about ten. We thought they would start up this after noon but kept waiting & watching all after noon and they didn't start so our day was wasted. Proper came over to get Dad. to look at his horse which Dad. says has lymphangitis. Sunday September 11th Marj. Tid and I drove down to Sunday school with https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/ff27db5a45757acee210351198889761.pdf 23b51fe9d075b9c8fe2212a52873fb83 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Joe this morning and Dad. Enah and Mr. Clarke drove Mexico to church at least Dad. rode as far as the corner and then walked down. It rained last night and the road was muddy. Cecil & Winnie were over for awhile this after noon and then they went with Marj. Mr. Clarke and I down to see the deer and we took a walk around Jack's place and peeked in the windows of the house to see the renovations. It looks very stylish with the hard wood floors and mahogany wood work, the dining room is all panelled in dark wood. We then wandered around the chicken yards awhile. Just as we got back Mr. Barwell drove the Tibbits in all but Dick & Molly. Little Tinker had a great time with Tid. riding on Mexico. Bill Barwell came over after tea to take Enah to church and brought her home after. Mrs. Andrew's has quit the organ so Enah had to play. Monday September 12th Mr. Clarke left for home to-day He intends making the trip in easy stages and get there the end of the week. Dad and I thrashed all day at Jack Martin's and finished up there a little after six o'clock. We were stopped quite often as the barley stack was very wet, but Sam got mad at Charlie who was feeding and gave him a calling down eventually and then Charlie was more careful but very peeved and never helped Sam move to night. Arthur Pickford and I carried away and had a very easy time all morning, but had to work a little harder this after noon when the burrs began to fill up. I got some hickory nuts this morning and we spent most of our time eating them and drawing pictures in the granary. Dad. came home at noon and did up the chores and we both came home before supper to-night as we wanted to get the milking done before Sam. moved over here. He came in just as we were finishing and by the time he got in the barn and left, it was about half past eight and we had to have our tea after that. Marj. went down town this after noon, stayed at Aunty's for tea and went to a girl's meeting to-night. I went down to come home with her. I intended to go to band practice to see what they decided about practising from now on, but it was so late when I got down that I didn't go, but heard since that we are going to take a rest for a week or so. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/dc1bfdae893b4cc0cd22d7981f783461.pdf e52d1e109e34d8fc68199ac0ceb4d793 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Tuesday September 13th We had a very steady run to-day, didn't have to stop at all except to change the table from one side to the other and once we had to wait for Alan to bring a tank of water. We finished up soon after dinner Arthur Pickford and I carried away and got 450 bushels of light oats which was all we looked for but the wheat was rather a disappointment as we only got 156 bushels. It looked like such a fine crop before it was cut that we thought it should have been good for at least 200 but there seemed to be a lot of shrunken wheat in it. We finished up about three o'clock and Dad. & I put the little jag of alfalfa that was on the rack in the barn. Sam. left the engine & machine here for a day or so as he wants to go home & put his wheat in. Wednesday September 14th Dad. ploughed all day, he didn't get started very early as it looked like rain but it didn't amount to anything. I took Tim. down to school this morning and went on down to Aunty's with some cream, she got me to go over to Uncle Ward's and get a couple of baskets of grapes for her. I spent most of the rest of the day moving in loose straw from around the stack into the barn and got quite a lot in. It was a beautiful moonlight night to night and Marj. & I went for a walk down to Mrs Battersby's place and sat around for awhile down there on the bank overlooking the pond. Thursday September 15th I drove Tim to school this morning took some cream to Aunty Alice and went around to the canning factory to show them an ear of our corn and find out if it was ready to pull. Woodyer hardly looked at it but said it was all right. I picked some ears last night and again this morning and was greatly distressed to find every ear had a kind of worm in them eating around the top of the ear. I asked Woodyer about them but he only said "You've got em too" so I guess they can them along with the corn. As soon as I got home I walked over to Charlie Butler's through Tom's & Mark's place and borrowed his waggon & corn https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/4f37fdb934aaa650c3ff7b140cacddd3.pdf a6b7062f731020aaf2c36e3a5339b717 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. rack, he said if I would bring our waggon over for him to use he could have his as long as we needed it. After dinner Dad. & I took the rack all but the bed piece off the waggon and then I went out and cut a couple of roads through the corn field Marj. had gone out right after dinner and started to pull ears, and Enah went out later, and they pulled about a load and left it in piles while I took the little team over to Charlie's to get the rack. I got back and started to load about four o'clock and quit soon after five although I didn't have quite a load on nor all that was pulled but it was getting fairly heavy for the little team to pull and so late I went with it. I found I had 1620 lbs of a load, and when I got to the factory I had to wait for three or four others to unload who were in ahead of me. Willard Butler came in after I did with a big load of over 2 tons. It was after dark when I got home but Dad had the milking done. He ploughed all the after noon, Friday September 16th They wouldn't let me haul any corn to the factory to-day as they are so filled up down there. Mr. Bond told me at first not to bring any down till Monday but when he saw that it was in nice shape to pull, he said Saturday. Dad ploughed all day and I did up the chores and then took the little team back and rolled what was ploughed except on the side hill. The flies were very bad and as I couldn't change the doubletree from the roller to the harrows, it being too thick for the clevice to go over it, I came up early and did up the chores. I had an awful scare to-night and Dad. had a narrow escape from being killed. He was milking Cnocfierna who <s>with</s> next to Bobbie stands next to the far wall of the cow stable. Bobbie's pin had come out of her stantion while I was milking her and she was standing loose. I had finished milking and was halfway across the barnyard when I heard a terrible commotion in the stable and Bobbie & Cnocfierna rushed out. Then I heard Dad. groaning terribly and I thought he was terribly hurt, but when I got to him he was leaning against the wall and covered with mud from head to foot. What https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/06048e246a36bd2d6b30e9a319afbdd6.pdf c7957da977279a391f839f4b71560c8f PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. had happened was that Bobbie had got frightened we suppose of Tim & young Charles Aikens who were playing up above in the loft, and backed out suddenly upsetting Dad. & his milk right back of Cnocfierna's heels and stepping on him as she went out. All that racket of course scared Cnocfierna and she surged back and broke her stancion and backed out right on top of poor Dad. I had been washing off their bag so the floor behind them was awfully mucky so that he was a terrible sight but fortunately not seriously hurt but pretty badly bruised. I stayed scared for a long time and when I saw Mr. Charles Aikens I told him to get off the place and stay off. Saturday September 17th It rained hard this morning so we didn't go to get a load of corn. It came out very hot after the rain and Dad. and I just did chores and odd jobs, one of which was to get the lambs in and trim them up. We took the team & waggon out to the corn field and got a lot of the stalks and picked up most of the piles of corn that were out there and brought them up here to feed. The bulls seemed to relish the stalks very much. Alan & Sam were up here most of the day tinkering at their seperator. Sunday September 18th We had quite an exciting time this morning by the woodshed chimney catching fire. I was getting ready for Sunday school when Marj came in and said the chimney smelt as if it was on fire but when she told the others they didn't pay any attention to her but in a few minutes Enah came in and called me in a very excited voice and I rushed out to find the woodshed black with smoke. I went upstairs and found every thing was all right up there. Enah put some salt on the fire and in a few minutes it died down and no damage was done. Marj. Tim and I went to Sunday school and Dad. & Enah drove down to church Dad. drove Aunty up to church, the first time she has been all summer but she was pretty tired afterwards. Marj. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/c8ff7055931f9ae670083f1fa5fa0583.pdf 435ce575a43526261298c79aa0a92ab5 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. and I stayed down at Aunty's for dinner and all the after noon. We came home about five and I helped do chores and Marj. got tea as Enah went down to play to-night. Quite a cold breeze all day. Saturday September 24th We have been so rushed this last week that I haven't had time or have been too tired to keep the old diary written up so will have to lump the weeks doings and by so doing can just about condense it to "Hauled corn". We have been at it every day but to-day and they wouldn't let us haul to-day as it would mean too big a pile to leave unhusked over Sunday There were two days when we only got down one load a day on account of rain but have hauled two every other day. Enah. Marj & I have been at it pretty steadily picking. Marj. has helped pick every load so far. Aunty Alice came over two days and helped us and got pretty tired. Win came over for a visit one day and we pressed her into the service & Dad picked quite a lot, but has been trying to get as much work as possible on the wheat ground. He finished ploughing the piece west of the little gully and isn't going to try to get any more than that in. I found I couldn't pull a big load out of the field with the little team as Queen wouldn't get down to it and pull like Joe, so I have them been hauling with Harry & Joe & Dad. has been disking & harrowing with Pommers and Queen and once or twice in order to get a real load we put Pommers and Harry on the waggon to haul the load up to the road and then changed Pommers for Joe to haul it to the factory and in spite of the fact that Charlie Butler told me the capacity of the waggon springs was 3000 lbs but that we couldn't overload them with that box we put on 3110 one load but we generally hauled about 2200 and two loads were as small as 1590 and 1640. The corn was coming in to the factory in great quantitys the early part of the week but not nearly so much to-day, and they hope to finish up Tuesday. The weather has been fine except for a couple of showers. No frost yet. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/fcd182a09c0f95abad2d62954d406aaa.pdf 8ad1b51f9cd73ef3c17f513e739d5c70 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Sunday September 25th It rained quite hard this morning for a short time so Marj. Tid. and I drove down to Sunday school in the buggy. Enah & Dad. drove Mexico down to church and Dad. drove Aunty up to church. Marj. and I didnt go to church but took Mexico home. We drove up to the Laws as Marj. wanted to see Essie and we went down to Auntys for awhile Aunty Alice was there getting dinner ready as Dad. Enah and Tid stayed there for dinner. I got all I could stand of riding in the cart with Mexico when we got across the bridge so I got out and walked home. Marj. and I had dinner by ourselves and just got through with it when Huby & Lila came over Huby was hungry after the walk so he had something to eat. After I got the bulls & calves watered we all went back to the gully to look for mushrooms and see the cattle & colts. We didnt find any mushrooms that were any good as someone had been there before us. Huby was greatly taken wih the colts. He & Lila just left before Dad. & Tid. got home and they of course were very disappointed to have missed him Tid especially. Enah didn't come home to tea but stayed at her mother's and played to-night in church. The Barwells brought her home afterwards Marj and I worked at the church books to night. We have to get the statements out this week so wanted to get every thing ready. Huby said he and Lila went to church this morning and Lila is very strict with him and gets mad if he doesn't behave himself but she started the talking this morning. They sang "For those in peril on the sea," and Lila asked Huby for whose benefit it was. Huby said "I don't know. The Harding girls were having a little sale yesterday. I guess its on that account." The Hardings did have a sale at which Enah bought half a dozen nice dining room chairs for 10 cts a piece. The Hardings have sold the place to Chart Wooley who is going to establish a dairy plant there and they are going out West to keep house for Harry. The cause of the hymn this morning was the Hobbs' departure for England yesterday. Fine, cool wind https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/122f935a9a9f919008248bfd82e1c72d.pdf 436cfd7b266ad5602106379f01a38a88 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Monday September 26th Dad. Enah. Marj. and I all went out to put on a big load this morning and took out Harry & Pommers. Marj. didn't feel at all well and had to quit before we got it on. We hauled it up to the drive house with the big team and then I hauled it down to the factory with Queen and Joe and Dad. went back to fill in his ditches with Harry & Pommers. He finished them and didn't get up till half past twelve for dinner. This after noon Marj. didn't go out to pick but Dad. Enah and I put on a big load, 3100. I was pretty late getting it unloaded and then I went up to the Hardings and got the chairs Enah bought at their sale, so I was quite late getting home. Marj. went down with me on the load and stayed at Aunty's for tea as she had to go to a girl's meeting to-night. I drove down after her to-night. Huby and Ada. were there at Aunty's so we stayed for quite awhile and talked or rather listened to Huby talk, and then we brought Ada as far as her place with us. Beautiful day. Tuesday September 27th We all four got out in the field this morning to pull corn as this was to be the last day they were going to take it at the factory and we wanted to haul as much as possible. Marj. felt better and wanted to be in on the finish. We put on what we thought was a good big load and hauled it out with Harry & Pommers and down town with Harry and Joe, but when I got down I found I didn't have on quite a ton and a half. Winnie came over for dinner and she helped pull this afternoon and we put on all that we could possibly stick for the last load and we nearly skinned the field all but a few hundred lbs at the far end and the crows had it pretty badly stripped. Marj. went down with me and saw Woodyer weigh it and it came to 3200, the biggest load of all making an aggregate of 16 tons 700 lbs. Marj. went up town to get a registered letter from Dorrie and I picked her up at Aunty's. Win. and Enah drove down in the cart and picked TId up. We are all glad the corn picking is done and think it did well. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/c47b87e29a3c4c4b3dae73cb21b8e18d.pdf 952a2ebca83a044ad359f915125ce774 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Wednesday September 28th Dad disked crossways all day on the wheat ground but didn't get all over it. He wants to harrow and roll it again before it is drilled I took the little team and Charlie Butler's waggon out and gathered up all the corn stalks that were cut along the roadways so that Bill wouldn't have to drive over them with the corn binder. I piled them along the fence between the corner field and the one the corn is in. This after noon I took the waggon back to Charlie & Marj. went with me to call on Mrs. Butler Charlie wasn't home when we got there but came while I was waiting for Marj. He talked to me for quite awhile and then had me tie the team up and go down to the flats where the corn field was and get some pumpkins to take home. When we came up he was bound I should sit down and hear a few records on the Victrola so we heard Humoresque which Charlie had bought on Mr. Tibbit's recomendation and which he didn't care for at all when he got it, but was getting to like it more the oftener he heard it. Cory said she liked it, she gets so tired of their silly pieces but she could never get tired of that one, then Charlie played one of his silly ones and then Nellie Gray sung by Alma Gluck. We didn't get home till five o'clock or after. There was a rag & bone man drove in just ahead of us and wanted to get enough straw to fill a tick I told him to help himself and he insisted on giving me a quarter for it. Marj. worked pretty steadily all morning and after she got home to-night on the quarterly statements for the church and got them pretty well finished. Thursday September 29th Bill Donald came in this morning on his way over to Jack Martin's to tell us that he would be here shortly after dinner to cut our corn, but he got through a little earlier than he expected at Jacks and came over here before dinner. Dad. went back to disk this morning and had a visit from John Wess who promised to come over this after noon and help him, he did come with his disks and three horses and they finished disking. I spent the fore-noon doing chores and cleaning https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/fa53db453c82b63c8675700aba74cbd8.pdf b13229f951d43303ceed38315d5c63d6 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. out the chicken house which I didn't quite finish. This after noon I was out in the cornfield with Bill all the after noon. I had to cut around a few places for him to get through and I had to throw the sheaves away from the headland so that he wouldn't turn on them. As soon as he got the field opened up so that he could use three horses, (he put old Harry in) I started to shock up. He stayed at it till nearly dark and got cut up past the water hole. He was in Brantford yesterday to see Seeley the rupture expert, and was so taken with his efficient methods and peculiar manners with his patients that he had to tell Dad. the whole tale including the most minute details, and then repeat it almost word for word to Wilbur Ryerse when he happened to go past this after noon so that delayed things a little. I had heard of Mr. Seeley before as Dad. consulted him once in Simcoe and told of his extremely rough and vulgar speech but also his frank kind-heartedness and his great knowledge of his business. He told Dad at that time there was only one smarter man at the business that he was and that was his father, but the old man has died since so he told Bill there was just one smarter man in the United States than he was and that was his brother. He knew enough to stay home and be satisfied with $30,000 a year while Seeley was fool enough to want $100,000 and run all over the continent to get it, and Bill judged by the way it was flowing his way yesterday he got it all right. We were surprised this after noon by a visit from Mr. & Mrs. Millman. Paw came up to see about getting apples for his evaporator in Vittoria. They stayed here for tea and went down after to see Aunty & Aunty Alice and brought Marj. back with them, she had been down for tea and to the teacher's meeting. The Millman's stayed here all night. Looks rainy. Friday September 30th It was very cloudy and threatening early this morning and about half past six Dad. noticed a perfect rainbow which seemed rather unusual but which we remembered was considered an omen for sailors to beware of a storm, but just barely before seven it began to drizzle. The rain https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/3aeef1db0dc1024f3ef2b3cbda2f782c.pdf d929c87c11abe76128aa1cf1e9415260 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. developed into quite a little storm and came at intervals all morning but cleared up pretty well this after noon, but for awhile after breakfast there was a regular hurricane. It seemed to blow from all quarters and created a great commotion but its fury didn't last long and soon quieted down to an ordinary high wind for the rest of the day. Mr. Millman left about ten o'clock when the storm was pretty well over and went up to Vittoria. Mrs. Millman went down to Aunty's and they stayed there to-night. Tim's delicate state of health prevented him from going out in the rain to-day so he has been home from school again all day. Dad decided we had better clean up our seed wheat this morning so cleaned out the barn and got the fanning mill working. Tom came over this morning to see if he could borrow the mill, the same idea having struck him, so Dad. told him to come over about four o'clock and we would be finished. However he and Mark came over right after dinner so they helped us put ours through and then took the mill, we just cleaned up 11 bags as we thought that would sow it. Bill Donald came back this after noon to cut corn and cut till dark, and has about 50 rows yet to cut. Gint Rankin came over this after noon with seven cats the kind they have at shows and offer premiums of good cigars for knocking one over, three throws for 10 cts. He wanted me to paint cat faces on them, so I got a picture of a cat and did my best, painted a face on both sides of each cat and soaked Yint $1.50. He seemed quite satisfied and started off for Langton where they are holding a fair to-morrow. Quint has been up in Kitchener all week where they were holding some sort of old boy's reunion. Quint is selling hot dogs & cupie dolls. Saturday October 1st Bill came over bright and early this morning to finish the corn and I went out with him and took old Harry out. He finished about ten o'clock and left his binder in the yard here as he drove over in his democrat and doesn't know where he will go next with the binder. He is bound to go to the telephone meeting this after noon. The telephone company here is about fixed. They got a grant from the Railway Board to raise their rent https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/fbf078b5d3b061380cef04fb180a0453.pdf 00247c09fa9f75964db1106383ce51df PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. and put on a five cent toll for tallking through different centrals, so nearly all the rural subscribers refused to pay and their 'phones have been taken out, and the subscribers are meeting this after noon. I shocked up as long as Bill was cutting and then came up and did chores till noon. Dad. went back this morning and rolled about half the field and started to harrow. This after noon he took four bags of seed and the drill back and put that much in. I harrowed what was rolled and then rolled a little more. Dad thought by getting that much in we could easily finish Monday. There has been a very high cold west wind all day. Sunday October 2nd Marj. Tim & I went down to Sunday school and then to church. Dad. & Enah drove down and drove Aunty up to church. Aunty and Aunty Alice came over here after church Aunty drove over with Dad. Enah & Aunty Alice walked with Marj. & me. Tid went around and got Huby and brought him over to dinner. We just sat around and visited all the after noon and Aunty Alice Marj. and I went and gathered up some hickory nuts. Huby had to go home early but Aunty & Aunty Alice stayed to tea and went down with the Barwells when they came after Enah to take her to church. Marj and I spent most of the evening looking at house plans as we are thinking of building one next Spring out under the hickory nut tree. Feels very much like Fall, high wind & cool. Monday October 3rd It rained a little this morning and threatened more so we were late getting back. I took the rest of the seed back and then finished rolling the field this after noon. I put on a jag of wood this morning and brought it up at noon. Dad. drilled nearly all day but couldn't quite finish the field as he ran out of seed. It will take about a bag and a half to finish the field and sow the headlands. Marj. went down to Aunty's for tea to-night and went to the girl's meeting afterwards. I walked down after tea and went up to as Mr. Cornish about the Tuxis Boys. He has never had any thing to do with them but said he would help me any way he could. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/6fcdd64858a2496b6e6c1fc958b405ae.pdf 813b32e2c5baf3e4f170a5e08d01effc PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Tuesday October 4th There was a white frost last night, we noticed it on the stable roof but nowhere else. It is the first we have seen although Bill Donald said he had seen it before at his place. There has been a very cold north wind all day and every now and then a driving little drizzle which didnt wet any thing but which was strong enough to make the sheep huddle in a bunch and the colts hump around with their backs to it. I went over to Tom & Mark's this morning to borrow a couple of bags of wheat. Dad thought that as they had the mill they would have some cleaned up, but they hadn't used it yet. They were both out working on their wheat ground but came in and cleaned up a couple of bags for me. I took it right to the back field and Dad. drilled it. I harrowed after the drill and this after noon Dad. ran out the ditches. Wednesday October 5th Marj and I struck off this morning on the nine o'clock car to take in the Simcoe Fair. We parted when we reached Simcoe and I went out to the Show Grounds to take part in a Judging Competition and Marj. went to see Miss Hogg and to get a pattern for a dress. We had three classes to judge, sheep, hogs & dair cattle and I didn't place any of them right according to the other judges so of course didn't get any thing. There were eight others judging. I saw Neff up there, he is here picking his apples. I went back to town at noon and met Marj. and we had lunch a very poor one as far as quality went but costly {illegible} down at Gettas' the Greek restaurant. Marj. also bought some cookies which we took to the park and devoured We then went out to the Fair again and poked around among the crowd all the after noon They had a big midway this year and we spent considerable time looking for Quint who was with Gint some where on the grounds with some sort of booth but we couldn't find them. We took a walk through the sheep pens and saw McEwen who told us that things were still pretty dull in the sheep business. There was a big exhibit of Shropshires this year {Belzner?} was there with quite a flock and so had Waterbury. Ham Thompson had https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/df6812c1db8f63cb09d4e1a70c6fd9a9.pdf 939fde053cf05e96dfc14716e783ee17 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. a few up and got 3rd on a ewe and he said she would have got first if she had been fitted. There was a big crowd around Mr. Cantelon's art exhibit and he was selling pictures right and left. When I was up this morning there was some fellow in there that asked me if Mr. Cantelon was dead. I said no that I had seen him that morning but what had caused the mans concern was a white slab that had been used last year in connection with the "Abolish the scrub bull" campaign that had the words "Gone but not forgotten" painted on it and last year had been stuck up over an imaginary grave. To-day they had it parked to be out of the way just at one end of Mr. Cantelon's exhibit. I told the man what it was, so he thought it ought to be turned around so went to do it and came back looking rather amused and whispered " Did you see what is on the other side of it." there lies the scrub Bull." so he didn't turn it, but this after noon there was a newspaper over it. Marj. and I didn't see much of the races and as she got pretty tired we left the grounds in lots of time to catch the five o'clock car and had to wait at the station for quite awhile. We went up to Aunty's when we got to Dover and as Marj felt too tired to walk home she stayed for tea and I drove down after her to-night. It was a fine day but there was a high rather cold wind. Thursday October 6th Dad. and I finished cleanin out the ditches in the wheat field to-day. He got some done yesterday and we worked at them this morning and finished this after noon. When we got these done we went out and tied the corn shocks at the end of the field that I had set up and put up quite a few more. When we came up to do chores we found Jack Quanbury & Gordon Steel staying around waiting for Tim to come home. He & Enah were down town and Marj. had gone down to the teacher's meeting. The boys told us that two fellows had been in in a car but they didn't know who they were but Enah said she had seen Ham Thompson down town and he told her he had been here. He wants a man to help fill silo in the morning I walked down to-night to come home with Marj. and as I was too late to go to the meeting I went up https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/ad2980d8db88f34527674075ea45a0b4.pdf bd10c586fe17d24f57be6f1c2b5aac6b PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. to see Perce Ryerse and got some estimates on building a house. I showed him some plans which Marj. got out of the Pictorial Review and he thought they were very good. We had rather picked on one small house plan which was arranged to save space and was about 20' x 20' on the ground Perce said that if I hauled all the gravel and material for it this winter, he thought he could put it up for between 12 & 15 hundred, in the spring. I went down to Aunty's and Marj. met me there, she had been at Miss McQueen's for tea. Fine but a raw wind. Friday October 7th It was raining first thing this morning so that I didn't go up to Ham's but Dad. and I intend driving up and seeing what they were going to do about silo-filling but just as we were ready to go it started in to rain again and has been raining all the after noon. I just did chores this morning and started to do the church books. I worked at them this after noon and practised painting a little. We did the chores up early and Marj. and I went to bed soon after tea to get warm as the house is chilly these days Saturday October 8th Dad. & I did up the chores this morning and then drove Queen up to Ham's. He said they were going to fill silo this after noon he thought if the machine got there. We drove down to Aunty's for a minute or two and I carried a couple of plants upstairs for them. They are expecting Walter and Elsie this after noon. Marj. and Tim drove Mexico down and Marj. deposited the church money. Dad. and I did up the chores before dinner and went back and closed the gaps into the wheat field. I went over to Jack's after dinner to see if Jack's men had gone up to Ham's and I ran across Sid and Else who didn't know but who talked chicken to me for a while, so by the time I got <s>started</s> up to Ham's they had started filling. I helped Frank Awde pitch on in the field but the cutter broke down and we were stopped for an hour or more, so didn't get one field quite cleared. It was a nasty day cold with driving little showers every now and then. Jack has sold 15 acres of the back end of the Flemming place to some McMullen another chicken man and they are moving him into the Johnson house this after noon although he intends to hibernate and build in the Spring on his own land. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/e02fe6d13b434366a25bca08fa38e58d.pdf 653a8cc6821b23922e661bf4e0d9cc78 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Sunday October 9th It rained hard again this morning and made things very sloppy but it cleared off about breakfast and has been sunny and windy all day but not cold. Marj. Tim and I drove Joe down to Sunday school and Dad. and Enah drove down to church with Mexico. Walter Elsie & John were in church. John is a great boy, very quiet, but not bashful and aparently very cheerful. Marj. & I drove home with Joe & Dad. & Tim with Mexico. Enah stayed at her mothers for dinner and went to Vittoria this after noon with the choir They went up to swell the musical part of the harvest home service which the Vittoria congregation held to-day. This after noon Dad. & Tim drove Queen down and took Walter for a short drive around town. Marj. & I went for a walk around by the Upper Pond where Marj. had never been before. We noticed Henry Misener had a nice lot of apples so went in to see if we could get some for Mr. Clark. Henry said we could. {Hazel?} is there with her twins so we had to have a look at them. They are rather a hard looking pair. The female twin doesn't seem to be doing very well for the feed it is getting. The Barwell's brought Enah home after church to-night. Monday October 10th It was raining hard when we got up this morning and has kept it up all morning. It cleared off this after noon pretty well. I spent most of the fore noon doing up the church books. Pickford was in to see if he could get a sheep from us to kill. Tom Butler was also here feeling very bue at their financial prospects. Tim couldn't go to school in the rain this morning so Dad drove him down this afternoon. Marj. went down to deposit the church money and stayed down to tea and went to the Girl's meeting to-night. She rode down with Pickford & Arthur who were taking some old hens down to ship and come in here to sell one to Enah. I rode with them as far as Billy Mills and found he had gone up to help fill silo so I started up. Dad. picked me up and we drove as far as the mill and met Billy & Frank Awde coming back as it was too wet to work. I puttered around doing chores and fixing the fence a little in the chicken yard and Dad. drove after Tim at four o'clock. We did the chores up early and to-night I drove down to bring Marj. home and we sat for quite awhile talking to Aunty, Aunty Alice and Elsie. Fine night but doesn't look clear yet. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/2c18255214f765fe2303a425c62d29b4.pdf ef9f2a1028ca3ca17544594fd653da49 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Tuesday October 11th I went up to Ham's this morning and we managed to get the silo filled to-day. We had to wait quite awhile this morning for them to get the machine started but then we had a fairly steady forenoon Frank Awde and I were pitching on in the field back by the woods so as there were four teams hauling they kept us pretty busy. It looked very black in the north when we went back after dinner and we just nicely got started to load when a terrific wind got up, it got very dark and eventually started to rain, we finished putting on a fair load and then we got under the waggon for shelter. Whiteside's scotchman was teamster and he turned his team with their backs to the storm. We sat there for some time but as it didn't show any signs of letting up we went up to the barn. I only had a sweater on for extra clothes so got pretty wet and pretty cold. We found the rest of the gang in the barn so we sat around in there till the rain was over. Then Billy Mills, Frank Awde and I went back for another load & just nicely got back when it started up again and rained fairly hard while we were loading. I had my coat on over my damp sweater and so it got soaked. When we came up that time Ham. took my sweater to the house to dry and brought me out a pea-jacket and in the meantime I lay down in the hay with bags around my shoulders. The sun was soon out and back we went again this time with two waggons and when we got them loaded, we had enough to fill the silo but I felt rather tough. To-night Dad. and Enah went over to a party at the Martin's and had a fine time. Dad. was greatly taken with the newly fixed house. Wednesday October 12th I intended going down and driving Tim to school this morning and then going on down and getting some lime to white wash the chicken house but Pickford & Arthur came in just as we were going to sit down to breakfast and I had to go and help him catch a ewe, as we promised him one to kill, we got a nice one, weighing 132 lbs and sold it to him for 5 cts a pound. Just as good a ewe as we sold two or three years ago for $35.00. That delayed me so that I couldn't go with Tim, so Dad. drove him to https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/ec50db85ac828dfb369053dc925dd9b8.pdf 9b6e68f5e08de737baf11eb1cbb3c14e PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. school and Marj. and I went down later in the waggon so that we could get Jack's sprayer on the way home. We had to get some things up town including a bottle of creatin to put in the whitewash and when we got down to the lake Clare Deal told us they had just sold the last bag of lime that if we had been there at nine o'clock we could have got some, however we met Chris. on the way over and he said they had some we could borrow. It was noon when we went in after the tank but I got {Name?} to help me load it. I felt tough after dinner for quite awhile in fact all the after noon but mixed up some whitewash and about four o'clock got Marj. to help me as Dad. had gone down after Tim. Marj. put on overalls and an old raincoat and came out but although I pumped and pumped nothing happened except that I kept feeling rottener and eventually we quit trying. Dad. tried to make it go but had no better luck than we did. Fine day. Thursday October 13th I thought I felt a little better this morning and went down to the corner with Dad. when he drove Tim to school and went down to Martin's to find out why the sprayer wouldn't work. I saw Chris. and he said it probably needed priming and explained how to do it. I came home and primed it and it did work all right then except that a lot of the juice came up through the pump at the piston rod. Dad. fixed that so that it ran back into the barrel so we didn't waste much. Dad. and I sprayed and mixed whitewash the biggest part of the day but we got all the chicken houses well sprayed and took the pump back. Marj. went to a party at Mrs. Jack Martin's this after noon at which Elsie won the bridge prize. Marj. went down to Aunty's for tea and then over to the teacher's meeting. I went down after tea intending to go to a special band practice they were having to get their lips up for Donnybrook Fair on Saturday, but by the time I got to Aunty's I felt too miserable to go on up. Walter came back to-day from Hamilton where he has been as lay delegate to the General Synod, but as he, Aunty Alice and Elsie were up at Cousin Bessie's I didn't see him as I felt to tough to wait and Marj. and I came home soon after she got down from bible class. Lovely day. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/c07f0dabbf7ba1d97b4eb4113994e905.pdf a89523e5733996a6fd9c63f88a4280c8 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Friday October 14th I haven't done any thing much all day except feel rather tough although not as tough as if I had moved around more. Marj. went down about eleven and brought Aunty, Aunty Alice and little John over in the cart and Walter and Elsie walked over and arrived at the same time. They were here most of the after noon and little John seemed to have a fine time seeing the little pigs and other animals and picking up <s>chestnu</s> hickory nuts. Aunty Alice went down a little earlier than the rest as they thought there was a possibility of Vernon coming but she didn't. Marj. took the others down before tea. It was a beautiful day, breezy but mild. Saturday October 15th I felt quite a lot better to-day but not quite up to the mark yet. We <s>didn't</s> got the sheep all up this fore-noon and picked out 11 of what we considered the best ewes and put them over in the other field with old Archie. We also picked out the six best ewe lambs and marked them. The others we will sell if we can, but the sheep market is very poor, in fact so is any livestock market, and buyers are scarce. This after noon Dad. and I went out and set up four more rows of corn shocks. I didn't work very hard at it The band went to Donnybrook Fair this after noon but I sent them word that I couldn't go. I went down to-night to a meeting of theTuxis boys but there were only three out, it being the first of the season. Walter Elsie and little John left to-day. Another beautiful day Sunday October 16th Marj. and I celebrated our first anniversary to-day. Enah made a double decked cake and stuck one candle in it. Tim. gave Marj. some handkerchiefs and Aunty and Aunty Alice gave her a box of notepaper this being a paper wedding day according to Aunty. We went to church and sunday school this morning and stayed at Aunty's for dinner and all the after noon. This was harvest home service in the church and they had it beautifully decorated Doc. and Mrs. Lemmon sang a duet. Mr. Cornish had sent out a circular letter containing an invitation to attend the service and to offer a thank https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/6d1966166148dc242611ba6e0f4e4c27.pdf c539567f2ac52a78cf386f02d292c465 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. offering which was to go towards wiring the church and Sunday school for Hydro. We didn't get one but several Methodists did, anyway the people responded very well. Marj. and I counted the money to-night and the special collection ammounted to $252.55 besides the regular collection in the duplex envelopes. They figure they will need 350 or $400 to wire the building, so they are going to spoil things by having a social to make up the necessary ammount. Bill Barwell took Enah down to church to-night and brought her home, soon after church Mark came in with his car and took Enah. Marj. & me for a drive to Simcoe and back. Monday October 17th Dad. and I finished shocking up the corn to-day. It has got pretty well bleached out from lying out to the weather so long but there is a lot of good feed in it yet. We expected to have to go over to help Jack fill his silo to-day but they never sent after us and they had a record run for over there, finishing up about five o'clock. We got through with the corn early and got the chores done early. Marj. went down town for tea and this evening went to the Girls' Auxillary. I went down to band practice but met the Tuxis boys first over in the sunday school to arrange for a feed next Saturday night. I also went over to see Mr. Cornish about it for awhile. His freind John Dunn was there and he said he would come over and help things along. Tuesday October 18th I told Dad. yesterday that Marj and I wanted to go after chestnuts some day as last year was the first we had missed a trip to Charlotteville in quest of nuts for seven years and the horoscope decreed that we should miss the seventh year as we had other nuts to crack and we explored the wilds of Haliburton instead, but we didnt want to miss again this year so Dad. suggested that we go to-day. Marj. made a lunch up and we set off with Joe and the old buggy, the same outfit we have always used and which has meant more downright good times and happiness to us two than all the super-sixes and baby-grands or tin-lizzies that were ever made meant to any one. In fact old Joe & that https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/b5ec39f225e56403b1ef98fac1b3ff8b.pdf d09bd79657d272f1a0ea645e7d6ecf26 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. old buggy seem so closley affiliated with that deep down happy spot, that we both know in our lives that it sometimes seems that if it had not been for them it would not be there, but this isn't writing diary. We set off at nine o'clock and wended our way to Normandale stopping on the Turkey Point road to eat our lunch. There were no chestnuts in sight there from the road, so we went back after dinner to a wood above Fisher's Glen that we noticed we could drive into and where we saw some trees. I missed the turn above Normandale and we drove through Spookey Hollow and there had to drive back again towards the Glen to find the woods. When we got there we found the trees in the woods were no good for nuts although there were piles of burrs under them where the squirrels had been working but in a field opposite were three old wrecks of trees and they proved a great find, their burrs were wide open and as there was a high wind the ground was thick with nuts and we soon got all we wanted. We came right home from there and got here before six. We had a fine time the best yet although the wind was strong and it threatened rain several times but merely threatened. Huby & his freind who is here taking his place while he takes a holiday, Mr. Farnsworth, were over here for tea and this evening Mr. Farnsworth entertained us with his singing. He had been telling Huby what a great singer he was especially for sacred music and Huby said he thought from what he told him he was a regular "Prima Donna". He told us during tea about his choir so we were looking for something wonderful however he didn't prove to be anything out of the common except that he had a rather harsh voice and no more expression than a fence post. Cecil, Winnie & Lila all came over for the evening. Mid Thompson came over in the midst of our concert and took Mr. Farnsworth down to clear the "Louise" as it was getting rather rough and she wanted to start for Buffalo, but he brought him back before long. Cecil and Dad. sang one of his songs "The Big Bass Viol" during his absence, better than he did. Wednesday October 19th Dad. and I didn't do much but chores this morning he went back and brought the team up but had https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/c5db33b0135ddef1e68d4d3642913a5f.pdf 1a977e90c509d51de2b7000b45fe0119 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. to make two trips as the colts and Pommers wouldn't follow the first time. He brought Belle up and we trimmed her feet. Bill Sidway came over after a ram, we only had one ram lamb left and Bill was rather dubious about taking him as he was small but a very blocky little fellow. We persuaded him to take him and try him so we caught him and shut him up as Bill didn't want to take him in the buggy so in about half an hour he was back with the waggon and a crate. He gave me $9 for him if he will do. This after noon Dad. got the mower out to cut down seed but it began to rain as he was hooking up that he had to come in and it rained hard nearly all the after noon. I spent most of the time lettering a card for Dad. to mount his 10 ct bet on that he won from Harry Moon at Pinafore concert. Thursday October 20th It was too wet to do much here this morning so we went down town to get a load of slates as Dad found out from {Draper?} that we could. Howey told us they were $1.50 a load so we hauled one load this morning and two more this after noon. Marj. went down with us this morning to get Molly to help her with the boys supper on Saturday night, she didn't come home for dinner so when we put on the first load this after noon I went down to Aunty's to see if she was expecting a ride home but she said she would walk. I waited there till I thought Dad. would be back for the next load and then went up, but he wasn't there yet so I went on over and talked to Quint for awhile. He was {siding?} the back wood shed. Huby went to Turkey Point for a day or two to-day. Dad. and I didn't get home till after five and then we noticed the horses in on the wheat so had to go back and put them out and it was well after dark when we got the milking done. We did the other chores after tea and spent about an hour sorting out the chickens after Dad. and Tid. helped me catch them. Cold & drizzly Friday October 21st I went over to Jack's this morning and sold him my cockrels, all he would give me was $2.00 apiece but I came home with a couple of crates and put in 26 some of which I thought he would cull out but he didn't although he said he thought he https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/dfa54102700e51f2d865e2c6a3b6c037.pdf a8d050bda78528d073544a347fbdebb4 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. would have to kill about half of them. He paid me for the old hens he got in July and for some eggs so I got a cheque for $83.1{4?}which I thought wasn't so bad. He gave me $1.20 apiece for the hens & 60 cts a doz for the eggs. I went on down town from there and got some chairs that Aunt Ida had promised to Enah and which were at Aunty's. This after noon Dad. and I had to go and fix a piece of fence that had either blown down or been pushed down between the gully & the new seeding on the wheat stubble and the cattle were all on there. We then took the waggon out and piled on all the loose corn stalks we could. Enah went down to the Cornish's for tea to-night and then to choir practice. Saturday October 22nd Dad. went down first thing this morning to get Joe shod. I was supposed to go out to Charlie Quanbury's to thrash at nine o'clock but as Hugh McQueen was coming over with the new stove I had to wait and help lift it in. It is a Doherty and looks like a fine one. I then went over to Charlie's and got there just as they were ready to start We thrashed his red seed about a bag out before dinner and started on the alfalfa. Chris came out in his car and took the gang all except Tom, Harvey Evans & me over to John Quanbury's for dinner and Charlie drove out again in the hay rack. We stopped off at home for dinner. We thrashed alfalfa which didn't ammount to much and five loads of alsike this after noon and finished about five o'clock. I came home and helped Dad. milk had a little tea and went down to the Tuxis boys supper. Marj. & Lila were there looking after things assisted by several of the boys. Mr. Cornish & John Dunn came in for tea Mr. Cornish spoke to the boys and Mr. Dunn played a little for us but they had to leave early to meet a freind. Manning came down about nine and kept things moving till about half past ten. By that time Marj. was so tired that we went down to Aunty's and stayed all night. They were in bed when we got there but got up to fix our bed. Pickford came over this after noon and killed a ewe for us. Irene was here for tea. I made Arthur hopping mad at me this after noon by getting into a scuffle with him and sitting on him & slapping him. I didn't mean to make him so sore but he swears {illegible} https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/c7ce7beaa2b457a58c43dab892ba37a0.pdf 4752131d71d0f3c81fe71e221b667094 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Sunday October 23rd I got up before five this morning and came home and did up the chores. Marj. stayed at Auntys for breakfast. As there was children's service in church to-day there was no regular Sunday school but they all met there and went over to the church. The choir consisted of children and Nancy Dyer sang a solo. Bill Barwell read the lesson and a couple of boys took up the collection In the midst of it Mr. Cornish christened Bill. Wamsley's baby. Marj. and I stayed at Aunty's for dinner to help celebrate Quint's birthday. Quint was there and had half a dozen very gaudy Cupie dolls with which he decorated the sideboard much to Aunty Alice's horror. He played his phonograph for us most of the after noon. We came home fairly early so as to get the chores done and let Dad. get away to attend church with the masons as they all went in a body to-night. Cecil and Winnie were over here to tea and spent the evening but left before Dad. & Enah got home. They went up to Doc. Lemmons to practice some song for the reception they are giving Mr. Cornish Tuesday night. Monday October 24th I started to dig potatoes this morning but about ten o'clock Dad. came out with the mower and wanted to trade jobs so I cut clover seed for the rest of the day and got the piece south of the mangels cut. Our old mower is pretty rattly and Frank had it wired up but it seemed to be getting looser so at noon we took it up and Dad. went down and borrowed {Proper's?} It went better although it had a broken section in it. Dad. got over two rows of potatoes dug but didn't pick them up as it doesn't feel like frost to-night. Marj. went down with the church money this after noon and stayed at Aunty's for tea and then went to the girls meeting I went down after tea and charted Andrew Lowe and then went to band practice. Nice day Tuesday October 25th I started to cut the piece of clover seed north of the mangles this <s>after noon</s> morning and nearly finished by noon. The old mower bothered considerably the first few rounds when the grass was tough and I couldn't get any speed out of the old team but Dad. got me a {goad} and things went much better after that. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/d3461680bd445dac727a5e2931563634.pdf a9c8b1091979ba2021cd8b0e5180644c PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. This after noon Dad. finished cutting the seed and Marj. and I picked up the potatoes that were dug. Mrs. Percy & Bessie Patterson were over to see Marj. this after noon but didn't. Mr. Johnson the horse enthusiast was also in to have a look at Josie. We were entertaining faint hopes that she might raise us another colt and Mr. Johnson was as anxious to see it aparantly as we were as he admires Joe's build so much, but it is beginning to look now as if our hopes were vain. Enah Marj. and I went down to the reception for Mr & Mrs Cornish to-night. The Sunday school was full to overflowing. Cousin Willie was chairman and he, Mr. Barwell, Jack Martin, Dr. Cook, Col. Smith, W.J. Thompson & Sam Morris all made rather silly speeches, the flattery of which must have made Mr. Cornish feel queer, he replied to them and didn't seem to be enjoying himself much. Then we had coffee & cake. Marj. and I took Mrs. Wood to the affair and afterwards Dick Tibbitts brought us home in his car. Mr. Farnsworth invited himself to sing and Molly & Doc. & Mrs. Lemmons also sang according to pre-arrangement though. Wednesday October 26th Dad. went down this morning and took Tid. to school then went on down to say good-bye to Aunty Alice who left on the nine o'clock car for Hamilton to stay for a couple of days with Cousin Clare Herring. Enah brought Aunty over here to-night to stay till Aunty Alice gets home. I raked up the clover seed that was cut first this fore noon and this after noon we bunched it and hauled one load in. It cleared about half the part that was raked up. Dad. had a lot of trouble this morning with a couple of yearlings that got through some way into the corn, he got them out of that but couldn't drive them into the gully or the lane. This after noon they were in the corn again and about four o'clock disappeared and we don't know where they are but think they are over at Pickford's. This after noon Billy & George got into the wheat and Dad. went over to put them out George attempted to jump the barbed wire caught on the top and threw himself scratching his breast quite badly and breaking the fence but Dad. said he wasnt really hurt much. Cold wind https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/2bc493faa14ba1a8fb3c0774d4f30de3.pdf d319b44a339b6505b818b4567b52825f PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Thursday October 27th Dad. & I went over to Pickfords first thing this morning and found our two yearlings were with his cattle so with his help we drove them down the road and into the gully. We then came home and put off the load of clover seed and got another one, all that was raked up, on and off before dinner. Joe Field was over to ask Dad about a sick cow but didnt delay much. I went out right after dinner and raked up the clover seed north of the mangels and Dad. came out when he got the chores done and cocked about half of it up. When I finished raking I hooked on to the waggon and we put on what Dad. had cocked which wasn't quite a load. It was about half past four when we got to the barn and then Marj. and I went down and got a lot of plants from Miss McQueen. They are getting all ready for their sale on Saturday. Marj. stayed at the Bagley's for tea and went to the Bible study class to-night. I went down after tea to chart a couple more boys but they didn't show up. Marj. and I went up to the Bagley's for awhile. It was very mild all day & raining to-night. Friday October 28th It didn't rain much last night but we couldn't do any thing with the clover seed so I went down and got a load of coal as Clare Deal sent word over yesterday that there was a car in. I went over first and saw Billy Mills and borrowed their waggon as we can't use our old one. I went on down and saw McMullen and he said he would be over next week to buy a couple of ewes. When I got down town nearly to the track I met Harve Leany and he told me I would have to go to the canning factory to weigh as the scales were broken at the coal office, that delayed things and I didn't get home till nearly noon. This after noon I went down and got another load and then took the waggon back. Pickford came over after dinner and got another ewe for $6.50. Aunty & Marj. planted out a lot of the things we got from Miss McQueen. This after noon they all went over to the Martins. Dad. and Enah went down to choir practice to-night and I spent part of the evening cutting an ugly face in a pumpkin for Tid's benefit. It has been a beautiful day, very mild, fog to-night. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/9d22b16ca70d6084f91c089c9fb97f54.pdf f52931d20e8485d1b2be268513dadcb9 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Saturday October 29th I took Aunty back home first thing this morning after breakfast as Aunty Alice came home on the 11 o'clock car and Aunty wanted to have the house warmed up when she got home. When I got home Dad. and I put off the load of clover seed that was on the barn floor and went out and got a small load of corn stalks. We gathered up all the loose ones and a couple of shocks that were down. We put them off before dinner. This after noon Dad went out and bunched up what was left of the clover seed. I helped him as soon as I got the chores done. We went out about four o'clock to load it. We cleared the field but it took a lot of running around and we didn't get in till nearly six. Marj. & Enah went down town this after noon and Marj. intended going to Miss McQueens sale but there was such a crowd she didn't go. I went down to a Tuxis meeting to-night and we initiated Andrew Lowe. I then went up to Harry Dyer's and got my hair cut. They say the mill (Penman's) is going to close for an indefinite time for lack of orders, so the shadow of events that destroys the world intrude even here. Business all over is in a chaotic state and it looks as though the world was in for hard times this winter. Sunday October 30th Marj. and I went to sunday school and church and Dad and Enah drove down to church. Aunty and Aunty Alice came over here for dinner but I drove them home before tea. Uncle Ward and Harry Moon were in for awhile this after noon. We did the chores up early and Marj and I went down to church to-night with the Barwell's when they came after Enah. John Dunn read the first lesson to-night and Bill Barwell the second and they did very well. Marj and I did the collection to night, but didnt enter it. It has been lovely weather this last week very mild & no frost to hurt yet Monday October 31st It rained a little during the night so Dad had to take Tid to school I did chores while he was gone and when he came back we put off the load of clover seed and took the rack off the waggon and put the box on, then before dinner we cleared out the cellar ready to put the mangles in. This after noon we hauled mangles and got in two loads, two rows to a load, but didnt put the last load off. Marj. went down town this afternoon https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/24734f6eedbf9a9686e3373b7dd3a598.pdf 314b796667bc727a536d601e2e9f8a4f PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. to bank the church money and intended going to a women's political meeting which was being held in Meighen's interests but she didnt find anyone to go with so stayed away. I went down to band practice to-night, there werent many out owing to Hallowe'en gathering I suppose. {Merit?} Walker was having a dance in the hall and there was a big crowd there. I went up to Cousin Bessie's to bring Aunty Alice home safely but we didn't run across any depredations. It was a year ago to-night that she nearly broke her neck on the fence across the sidewalk by John Shand's. It has been a beautiful day no wind and fairly hot. Tuesday November 1st There was a decided change in the weather during the night and it has rained steadily all day to-day with a high north & north east wind turning colder. Dad. took Tid to school this morning and I did chores and Marj & I trimmed the gladioli corms and got them ready to put away. Dad. cleaned up the barn floor and we put through a few oats before dinner and cleaned the dirt & a lot of the light oats out. They had quite a weight to them as if they had been through the mill. I didnt do any hing but chores this after noon. Alan Law came and got the clipping machine to clip one of his horses. Dad. took off the screen doors and put a fire in the hall stove as they expected Huby & Mr. Farnsworth Aunty & Aunty Alice over to-night but as it was such a bad night none of them came. Dad. went down at four o'clock and drove Tid. home. He went down to see if Aunty would come over and she was half inclined to but they both thought the weather was too bad. Marj. & I sat out in the hall all evening and enjoyed the coal stove warmth and I laid out a showcard lesson Wednesday November 2nd It froze quite hard during the night or this morning but the sun came up bright and it has been a fine day but a little colder than we have been having It was a little too wet to work at the roots first thing. Dad. drove Tid. to school while I was doing chores and then I went over to Henry Miseners to see if he had saved me the apples I had spoken for, but as I expected he hadn't and as https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/1b25de6560b439458e4c2bbe2f38a2e0.pdf 84794d4c2c5d27cbf79410698187b2c8 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. I think everyone elses apples are disposed of I am afraid I wont be able to get Mr. Clarke's barrels filled. We got notice yesterday that they had come Dad. put the load of mangles off while I was gone. This after noon Marj. and I went down town in the waggon right after dinner and got the barrels and the fleece of wool that {Name?} shipped to the exhibition and which won fifth prize. It has evidently been at the station for some time Marj. went on up town but I came straight home, stopping for a minute at Uncle Ward's to get some cabbage and help him retreive his gate which the boys had thrown into Down's orchard on Hallowe'en night. When I got home Dad. & I put on another load of mangles a small one and four bags of potatoes which he had bagged up and got them up and unloaded. Marj walked home. To-night we had a call from Mr. & Mrs. Tom. Butler. Thursday November 3rd Dad. didn't take Tid to school this morning and as soon as we got the chores done we went back and put on a load of mangels and got them off before dinner Marj. went down after the Hardings this morning and brought them over in the cart for dinner. They expect to leave soon for B.C. where they are going to keep house for Harry. It started in to rain soon after dinner and kept it up pretty much all the after noon so we didn't go back for another load. Dad drove Queen down after Tid and took the Miss Hardings with him. I didn't do much but a few chores and block the holes in the chicken yard and make a trough for them. Cold. Friday November 4th It started to rain soon after we got up this morning and has kept it up steadily all day, part of the time raining hard, but it has not been so cold and to night there is a very high wind. We havent done any thing outside to-day but chores and Dad. took and went after Tid. Marj. drove part way down town with Dad. and walked on down to see if she could get some apples from old Maneer for her Dad. She didn't see him but Miss Maneer told her she could. She walked home. I spent most of the day painting a show card lesson. Marj. spent the evening telling me Barnaby Rudge which she read the other day. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/b61c4061d94f9648d687712eaf38830d.pdf 30100f5445feaa5be6a213f213449961 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Saturday November 5th It has been cloudy and raw all day but didn't rain so Dad. and I got in two more loads of mangels and put them down cellar in pretty good shape. Marj. and Enah drove down with Mexico this after noon to wish Aunty Alice a happy birthday and Marj. stayed down and went to a tea party at Bessie Paterson's in Marj.'s honor. Mr. Cornish was over this after noon for a few minutes ro give Enah the numbers of two of Canon Scotts hymns which he wanted for the soldiers service tomorrow I went down to a Tuxis boys meeting and met Marj. at Huby's Aunty & Aunty Alice were there having been there for tea to celebrate Aunty Alice's birthday Sunday November 6th Marj. Tid and I went down to Sunday school and and Dad & Enah drove Queen down to church. It was supposed to be church parade for the vetrans and about 26 were in church but there should have been twice that number. Sam Morris got the thing up and invited them in an offhand way so that a great many didn't come. Marj. and I stayed at Aunty's for dinner and most of the after noon Glad Law invited us up there for tea so I went home early to do the chores up and Marj went and called on the McQueen's before she went to the Laws. Dad thought it would make the milking too early if we did it before tea so we let it go and didn't milk at all. Marj. and I had a very nice tea and evening at the Law's and then as it was raining hard when we came away we went down and stayed at Auntys all night. Cold & cloudy, snowed a little Monday November 7th I didn't get over till seven this morning, as I overslept, so by the time I got my clothes changed Dad. had finished milking. We got in two more loads of mangels to-day and there is still about one load out there. Enah has been down looking after her father all day as he has had a bad attack of neuralgia but is better to-day. This was Thanksgiving day and Tid has had Billy Cornish over all day to play with him. They make a lively pair and Marj. had a lot of fun with them. Nanny, Gordon Zealand and young Vallance https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/3547b77885bd393719ea06f6d85b1750.pdf 3e8e3e520ec00197c07c45728ae29e72 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. went through here to-night armed with shot-guns. They have spent what I suppose they call an ideal holiday unless it would have come nearer perfection if they had had more than the two rabbits which bulged the back of Nanny's coat to show for their tramp. Cloudy and raw. Tuesday November 8th Dad. took the big team and started to plough in the corner field this morning and I hooked the little team to the waggon and took Mr. Clarke's barrels down to old Maneer and he promised to ship them to-morrow. I left some oats at the mill for chop on my way down and went back that way to get them but had to wait a long time for them. When I got home I went out and got three shocks of corn (all I could pile on the waggon) and hauled them into the barn. It turned out a very rough after noon and Dad. and I just did chores. I had intended getting in the rest of the mangels but it started in to snow about noon and this after noon developed into a heavy snowfall and to-night the ground is covered several inches deep with it still storming. Marj went down with the church money soon after dinner and stayed at Aunty's for tea going to the girl's auxillary to-night. I walked down after tea and as it was such a stormy night we both stayed at Aunty's all night. Old Dover looks to-night like old Mrs. Newrich with a new set of jewels as she is gorgeously illuminated with the Hydro Electric which was turned on this after noon. It is hard to judge just how grand they are to-night as the snow makes the night quite bright any way, but it is like being in a lighted room in the immediate vicinity of the lights. They are placed high upon the poles and make the few gas lamps of which we were once so proud and which are now nearly all out of commission look like puny candles in comparison. That the latter are still lighted is a great source of grief to Aunty Alice who considers it a shameful waste of gas when it is so scarce. Dad found the black & white heifer out back of the barn with a calf this morning. Wednesday November 9th We are having an early taste of real winter weather, but are hoping it is only the squaw https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/9f49faefb2693a437ba10106937567d9.pdf 58cdc8945b126d108deaa2f00b9ffb0a PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. variety to be followed by the Indian Summer. It froze ice in the woodshed last night and we have been wading around in snow all day. It has been cloudy and either snowing or raining sleet all day so to-night the snow has a crust on it. I came home from Aunty's this morning about seven o'clock and shovelled their snow for them before I left. I was home in time to do chores. After breakfast I drove Tim to school and drove on down to Aunty's and picked Marj. up. We haven't done anything all day but chores but they have taken more time as we had to find everything. Pickford came in after dinner with our cream cheque as Lampkins forgot to leave it. We was telling Dad. that he had a fat cow to sell that would weigh about 1200 and he asked Neil Eliot $45 for her, but Neil told him he couldn't give half that and make any money on her. Probably he was lying but he didn't buy her. It seems rather tough when a couple of years ago she would have been worth well over $100. There is mighty little money in farming these days but still it is better than being out of a job in the city. There is no need to go hungry here. Mark was through here this after noon. He had been up home over Thanksgiving and left his Ford up there. He was moralizing as usual and informed me that happiness did not depend on external conditions but was a state of mind. Charlie Butler was happy because he was content to live on small means and keep a good driving horse, but what he (Mark) craved was excitement. I asked him why he didn't go to town and start something, but he said it was not vulgar rough-neck excitement he wanted but something refined and cultured, such as an afternoon tea. I told him I thought they were the tamest affairs I had ever attended, but he said no not where sparkling wits were matched and duets were fought by brains. Dad. and Enah went down to Auntys for tea to-night so Marj. Tid and I had the house to ourselves this evening. The Cornishs and Huby were down at Aunty's too. Thursday November 10th The sun came out beautifully this morning and warmed us up but it clouded up before noon. It has been very soft all day though and is trying to rain to-night. There is still snow all over and the walking is very bad while the roads are in some places next thing to impassable. Dad. drove Tid. to https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/2deef9a8717eb91125608a72dacc7b0d.pdf a440669fa003e4e563dc9bfad39695c5 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. school this morning then fed up the cattle and drove Enah down town to get some meat. I did chores and cleaned up the old barn floor. This after noon Enah and Marj. went to a party at Ada's, and Marj. went on down and had tea at Auntys then went with them to the Bible Class. Dad. and I hauled out the stuff I cleaned off the barn floor and dumped it in the lane then I went on out and got a shock of corn to feed to-night while Dad. went after Tid. Old Pommers got feeling gay when I was coming in with the corn and kicked over the tongue and skinned his leg a little. To-night I went down to band practice but went around to the Bible Class for a little while first. After band practice I went down to Aunty's where Marj. was waiting for me but as the walking was so bad and Marj. felt so miserable with her cold we stayed down there all night. Friday November 11th I came home early this morning and got here before Dad. had gone out to do chores. Marj. stayed down to go to the service Mr. Cornish held at a quarter to eleven to observe Armistice Day. She came home before dinner. Dad. and I spent the day doing chores and gathering up the snow fences to put around the stack but didn't have time to fasten them up. We also brought in some more corn stalks. Tid has a bad cold and didn't go to school to-day. To-night Dad and Enah went down to choir practice. The Washington Conference on the Limitation of Armaments is supposed to start to-day. There seem to be great differences of opinion regarding the outcome of it. In spite of the fact that Harding issued a warning not to expect too much right away, a great many people are looking forward to the millenium starting in right away. Mr. Cornish is very hopeful that some thing wonderful will come of it especially if the public aid with their prayers. There are others, skeptics, who try to point out that it is no new idea and that this conference will be as helpless to cope with the spirit of militarism as the others have been, while about all the hope that is held out by the Americans is the opinion that for now the only move will be to scrap the old types and obsolete warships but not make any changes https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/e8b26bd71aaa2c340eb52091a90d84b8.pdf ac66a6cf32825aeb7dece24568508133 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. in the present building programme, and the Japs British and Americans are building some ships which surpass anything yet planned in the way of deadly destructiveness. It seems to me that the most hopeful sign is fact that all the strongest nations are going to meet at one table and appear to have a desire for peace while I don't believe public sentiments were ever quite so much aroused and popular opinion more decidely opposed to preparations for war. Saturday November 12th Dad and I put the snow fences up around the stack this morning. Five of them didn't quite reach all the way around so Dad. made a short panel out of slabs and put in. If the cattle dont break them they should be plenty of protection and enable us to save the straw for most of the winter. This after noon I didn't do any thing much except chase the colts out of the orchard. They seem possessed to get in to some sort of mischief Dad. spent most of the after noon fixing the fence they broke between the horse stable and the barn. Marj. Enah & Tid walked down town this after noon. I went down to the Tuxis boys meeting to night and Oliver announced an impromptu debate. They chose the resolution that steel ships were better than wood and argued at great length on the subject finally winding up with a tie. Mild day but freezing hard to-night. Sunday November 13th It froze very hard last night but was a lovely morning. It soon clouded up and has been raw all day. To-night the wind has moved around to the south and is much softer but still raw We all went down to church this morning & Marj. Tid and I went to Sunday school. Marj & I came home for dinner, the others staying down at Auntys The Miss Hardings are down there and Aunty Alice thought it would be Dad's last chance to see them before they went west. I spent the whole after noon doing chores. Pickford was over this after noon and again later when Dad. was home. His mare has a touch of lymphangitis and he wanted to ask Dad. about her. Enah stayed down to tea to-night and Jack Walker brought her home after church. Mark was in to-night. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/598a4276df80a4fed626419fce4a652b.pdf 02913ed3b5490e9fffea0038e75bb9c2 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Monday November 14th Dad. drove Tid. down to school this morning and took Enah down to her father's. He has been quite sick with neuralgia and had to have a couple of {illegible} to-day. I spent most of the fore noon doing chores. Art. and Charlie Quanbury came over to borrow the waggon and hog rack. Dad. went out when he came home and bagged up some of the potatoes that were in the field in piles, and after dinner I went out with him and finished the job, then we got Charlie Quanbury to haul them up when he came back with the waggon Dad. drove down after Tid and Enah but Enah walked home before he found her. Marj. went down right after dinner and stayed at Auntys for tea & went to the Girls Auxillary to-night. I went down to band practice to-night and we both stayed at Auntys all night. The band boys got paid off for the summer concerts to-night. I drew nine dollars. Tuesday November 15th Dad drove Tid down this morning and I did chores About eleven o clock we went out with the team and put on a load of mangels we thought we could haul up all that were left out there in one load but found we couldn't so didn't haul a very big one this time and put it off before dinner. The parts of the mangels that stuck above ground have been frozen through but they seem fine. We don't know how they will keep so we put them in the barn to feed up right away. Marj. came home about eleven and Enah went down town right after dinner to see her father. Dad. had to go down to the bank to renew one of Frank's notes so he drove her down He got back as I was putting in the last of the second load of mangels so went up to the barn with me and then had to go after Tim I unloaded them. Enah had a letter from Marion Sutherland to-day, she is in Ireland. Much milder. Wednesday November 16th Dad got started ploughing again this morning and got in a fair day although he didn't get a very early start as the colts were over east of the orchard and we had to get them back. We turned them and the cattle on the field where the mangels were and the cattle have spent most of the time eating the mangel tops. I chased them off once but they wouldn't stay. It doesn't https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/d301adfaed5aea11ec8e541228d4f1d2.pdf 7a65e7cdd78f9b5666d2fc0b84290555 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. seem like very first class feed for them but maybe it wont hurt them. I spent most of the forenoon doing chores but went out about eleven and opened some ditches for Dad. and then came up and dug the dahlias. This afternoon I chored around and cleared up the dahlia tops and put the roots in a crate and went out and dug a few potatoes, besides doing a few other odd jobs. Marj. went down town this after noon and to-night feels tough with a headache. Much milder to-day. Sunny this morning, turning cloudy. Thursday November 17th We got a good early start this morning and Dad. got a good day's ploughing in. I did up the chores this morning and then went out and dug all the potatoes I could carry up in a bag and a pail. I couldn't dig any and leave them out there on account of the cows. There are a lot of nice ones out there but in places it is too wet to dig them and I am afraid they will rot. I didn't do any thing much this after noon but chores as it drizzled and rained most of the after noon. Marj went down town this after noon and I went down later and we had tea at Auntys. I was late for tea as just about dark Schyler brought two fellows in to buy sheep. It is so long since we have seen anyone on an errand of that kind that I felt very rejoiced and sold them eight seep at $10 apiece. The fellow was Death of the Syndicate farm at Simcoe. He wants them bred and I am to deliver them in a month. The price is low compared to former years but is away ahead of butcher's which is 3 cts per pound. To-night I went with Aunty, Aunty Alice & Marj. to the Bible Class.It was very interesting. Cousin Willie was there and he & Mr. Cornish held a long discussion afterwards concerning various points of belief which was also entertaining. Friday November 18th I got Dad's team harnessed for him before breakfast this morning but it started to rain soon after so he couldn't do any thing at the ploughing all day. We just did chores and odd jobs all day. We cleaned up a few oats this morning but didn't get at it this after noon. Tim. was sick in bed all day, and Dad. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/687ec5bebda340fc762683bdb43627dc.pdf 25cc1c1105b10d04807db988819fc1af PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. read to him quite awhile. Enah went over to Mrs. McLaughlin's to a bridge party this after noon and Marj. went over about five o'clock and had tea I went over about six with the lantern to meet them as it was very dark and waited out by the cook-house till the party was over. Saturday November 19th Dad. went out and ploughed this morning. I did up the chores and went out about ten o'clock to open some ditches in the corn field. I ploughed for Dad. while he went over to look at Pickford's mare This after noon it rained nearly the whole time Tom. Butler came through on his way to town and he helped us put the sheep in the colony yard and Dad. & I picked out the ones for Mr. Death. We could only get six young ewes from the ones we culled out so we had to put in a couple of our own flock and we put in the two old ones 17 & 18 which are good ones in to replace them. We got pretty wet working with them. Aunt Hattie from New York came this morning for a few days. Enah went down this after noon to see her. Marj. & I went down to-night. She went to Miss McQueen's & I to the Tuxis meeting. Sunday November 20th Marj and I went down to Sunday school & church and stayed for dinner at Aunty's. We came home soon after dinner so as to let Dad. go down to see Aunt Hattie but he thought it wasn't worthwhile so didn't go down till to-night. He and I had quite a time with Wilkins this after noon. The heavy chain that we had around his neck had worn or sunk right into his neck and sort of grown fast. It was a horrible mess and of course very sore and it was with great difficulty that we were able to hold him and get the chain out. Enah went down to church to-night. Fine & sunny but cold wind Monday November 21st Dad got in a good day ploughing to-day. I did up the chores this morning and then went back and dug all the best potatoes about two bags and got them pretty well all off the sand knoll. I brought one bag up in the wheel barrow but it was very heavy wheeling so I carried the next one upon my shoulders which was easier but it got pretty heavy before I reached the house. Enah wanted to go down to see https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/1ea0edf813dbabfb5cb3513d99e5953c.pdf 6a11bd279588b161dc2b37b68f6e646e PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Aunt Hattie before she left and show Tid. to her so I hooked Joe up for her this morning and she went down to dinner. Mexico is getting past the stage where he can lug the cart through the mud. Marj. went down right after dinner and stayed down to tea. I spent most of the after noon moving the hay back over in the big barn to fix a pen for the lambs which we want to put in and feed a little before we sell them. To-night I went down to band practice. It has been fine and mild to-day Tuesday November 22nd I was late getting up this morning and Dad. had the milking nearly done when I went out He felt very miserable he said and didn't eat any breakfast but went out to plough. I went out about ten o'clock when I got things done up and he felt worse so came up to the house and has hardly raised his head all day. He says all his bones ache and his head aches. I ploughed all day and learned more about the ancient art to-day than I ever did before. I made two strikes and two finishes and although they are anything but beautiful, they are my first attempts so there is some excuse. I did the chores up alone to-night and it was pretty late when I got through. Cloudy all day Wednesday November 23rd Dad. has been better to-day but hasn't felt like doing much although he helped me milk to-night. I got up at five this morning and was able to get a fair start at ploughing after doing up everything. I ploughed all day and I believe made a slight improvement in my work. Marj. went over to the Pickford's this afternoon and presented them with the two small kittens belonging to the house cat. I had to take time this morning to chase the ewes which we had west of the lane out of the field by the old garden as they have found holes under the gully fence to get through. At noon I had to chase old Gladys out of the corn field. She goes out there every day now and roots around the shocks for little ears. If she can't get out through the field she goes all the way around by the road. She has the fence at the north end of her yard broken down and we haven't had a chance to fix it yet. Cloudy & damp. Freezing all the after noon https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/265cc43d7fdaa498f8c936b730d6d031.pdf c6d92da7d4feee3f8568dc1bb4b602ea PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Thursday November 24th Dad. has felt much better to-day and would have ploughed this morning but it was such a miserable fore noon he didn't go out and we just did chores and odd jobs. The ground froze last night but turned softer in the night and rained or drizzled most of the morning. Dad went out and ploughed this after noon and I just did chores. Marj. went down this afternoon and stayed at Miss McQueen's for tea. I left Dad to do the milking to-night and went down to the Father & Son banquet in the Methodist church sunday school about six. I needn't have hurried as we didn't have tea till after seven and it was after ten when I got down to Aunty's to call for Marj. Capt Tom. Best of the Y.M.C.A. was the speaker. Friday November 25th This has been the nicest day we have had this month. It was mild and even sunny which is a rare treat these days. Dad. got a good day's ploughing in, at least to-gether we did for I went out when I got the chores done up this morning & ploughed till noon while Dad. came up to fix the fence where old Gladys gets out of her yard. Win. came over to see how the invalids were and stayed to dinner. She & Marj. went down town this after noon and Marj. went to the station and got an express parcel which she had sent to Eaton's for. I hooked up the little team and went down to the mill and got some corn, buckwheat & rolled oats for the chickens a bag of flour for the house and some heavy chop for the twin pigs. I was gone about an hour & did chores the rest of the time. Saturday November 26th This has been a miserable day, cloudy, cold and drizzly. The mud is getting fairly sickening. The cattle are in a bad plight as there is scarcely anything for them to eat in the pasture and the yard is too muddy feed them in or to draw feed through. I have spent most of the day trudging around in the mud doing chores. Dad. and I castrated the seven boar pigs this morning which was a job that should have been done before.This after noon Dad. walked down town to see sick folk. John Quanbury & Mr. James and Aunty who has had a bad cold and been quite sick https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/8474e4ebb4dfb9d3e19906171262e6bc.pdf a08d2cf12304f1fabbbec19a4caca6b2 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Jona was up to day to look at Wilkins & McMullen came over & picked out three ewes one of which was an old one which I sold him for $25.00 I went down to the Tuxis boy's meeting to-night although I didn't feel much like it. Marj. went down with me for the sake of the walk and waited for me at Aunty's. I went up for a little while to hear Hon. Hugh Guthrie speak in the interests of John Sutton who is running on the Government ticket against Alex Wallace who is U.F.O. candidate. Sunday November 27th I have felt rather tough all day and was glad I didn't have to work. Marj. & I went down to Sunday school and church. They made changes in the classes in Sunday school this being Advent Sunday & about half the school is dissatisfied over it. I got four of Mrs. Smith's oldest boys who didn't want to come nor were wanted very badly and it was the same with some of the other classes. Enah went down to church but Dad. stayed home with Tim who doesn't seem so well to-day. Marj. and I stayed at Aunty's for dinner and most of the after noon. Quint was there for dinner but left right afterwards. Enah went down to church to-night & Jack Walker brought her home in spite of the bad roads. Cloudy & raw. Monday November 28th I still didn't feel up to the mark to-day but managed to slop around and do chores all day but nothing else. Dad. ploughed and got in a fair day. Marj. went down town this after noon and stayed at Aunty's for tea and to-night went to Girls Branch but I didn't go down to band practice as I thought I would feel better if I stayed home, so Marj. stayed at Aunty's all night. Rotten day, raw east wind & cloudy. Tuesday November 29th We were late getting around this morning & were delayed before breakfast first by {Proper?} coming to borrow the waggon and then by Fred Krell coming to see if he could buy some mangels for his chickens Fred talked a blue streak on chickens for a quarter of an hour at least. Dad. just about finished the field to-night. He has about two furrows yet on the headlands but has to put shorter doubletrees on the plough to get up to the fences. I went down to Art Ryerse's this morning and got a piece of meat from a beef they killed the other day. I did chores all after noon. Milder to-day but cloudy. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/c93f3c0a8399c7e813b002657006af87.pdf cf36de069f83ad0086a1df260ec9c514 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Wednesday November 30th November left us with a smile which we are devoutly hoping will be caught by December as it comes in. This has been a very nice day above the mud level. It was cloudy this morning but the sun came out before noon and has been shining more or less steadily all day & the wind which was westerly although it had a tang to it was not cold. Dad. finished his field and ran the ditchs out in it and in the one east of the orchard at least part of them before dinner. This after noon he cleaned the ones he ran in the corner field and opened them through to the road and I threw the sods out of the two he ran out in the field east of the orchard. I spent the whole fore noon doing chores. Marj. went down town this after noon and stayed at Auntys for tea. I went down right after tea and foud Ada & Lila there also. We all went up to the Bible Class and from there all of us except Aunty went to the Picture show to see the "Charm School". Aunty Alice told Mr. Cornish that she would like to get away from the bible class by 8.30 (why she specified that hour I don't know as the first show isn't out till after nine) but she wanted to be on time. Mr. Cornish I think abreviated an interesting discussion and chalked Cousin Willie off from presenting all his views so that he could close sharp on the hour, the consequence was we saw about two reels of the first show and came out as soon as we got to the scene that was on the screen when we came in, then just as we all emerged from the show who should be coming up the street but Mr. Cornish with John Dunn & Mr. Gibbon. We smiled Thursday December 1st Dad. went out this morning and ran the rest of the furrows in the field east of the orchard and got started ploughing it this after noon. I did up some of the chores this morning but Art. Ryerse & Colin came up to look at Wilkins Micawber. Art wished he was a yearling so that he would be easier tamed. I told him I wished he had taken him when he was a yearling but that I thought he would be all right as soon as he got used to things, he is very nervous but not at all wicked. "Well" Art said. " I'll tell you what I'll do https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/a1ec49a85b6b59f0619cfc263dc676dc.pdf 92f08cbb40c7a4fa531ce7363a22e4cc PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. I'll take him down there and if he gets quiet so that we can handle him I'll give you your fifty dollars, but if not I'll just make it forty, because there's no use a-talkin'. I aint agoin to take no chances with an ugly bull and if he doesn't behave will just put a bullet through him." I told him we would take him down as I thought he would go better if there were no strangers around him. Art. said he just wished he felt like he used to and he'd just put a bridle on him and ride him down "and he'd go dont you never think he wouldn't." I went out and helped Dad. throw some sods out of the ditches he was running till he finished about eleven o'clock and then we came in and got old Wilkins. Dad. thought we had better take one of the cows along to keep him company so we took Jessie. The scheme worked fair. I led Jessie & Dad. had Wilkins with the stick & a rope in his nose ring. They both walked right along and we had no trouble whatever. We tied him up down there in a box stall where I think if they treat him decently he will be all right. We got home soon after twelve and found Aunty & Aunty Alice here for dinner. I went out this after noon and helped Dad. get his headlands struck out but spent most of the after noon doing chores. Phil Shaver came along and talked for quite awhile. He wanted to buy some little pigs, but didn't want eleven & Dad. doesn't want to sell part of his bunch & keep part, as whoever bought them would want to take their pick. Phil. didn't think he was asking too much. Fifty dollars for the 11, 2 mos. old. Aunty & Aunty Alice went back early this after noon & Marj. went part way with them. It has been another beautiful day. Fog this morning but sunny & mild. Friday December 2nd It rained pretty steadily all day and we have done nothing outside all day except what chores we had to. Dad and Enah drove down town this morning to get some coal oil and Dad. got his hair cut. I laid out a show card lesson while he was gone and practised a little at it. This after noon Dad. did go out and open up some ditches and had a wild chase after old Gladys who https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/676d609269f6d710fa6ecd00fac9a887.pdf b5f970b57a0af4647f3724d81fd0b8bf PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. was bound to get into the cornfield. Marj. went down town this after noon and stayed for tea at Miss McQueen's and then went over to the Bagley's. I went down after tea and got my hair cut and then went up to Percy Ryerse's to see if he had done any figuring on the house yet but he hadn't. I went into Mrs. Bagley's where I found Marj. We stayed there for awhile & then went down to Aunty's where a party was just breaking up so we partook of coffee & cake and got home about twelve o'clock. Saturday December 3rd Dad. ploughed to-day but didn't get a very early start and was bothered quite a lot to get his strikes in the right place as he can't see the old dead furrows. I went out after dinner and helped him measure off one & set stakes. I spent most of the fore noon doing chores as well as most of the after noon. I went over to Martin's this morning to see if I could pan off any more cockrels on Jack, but Sid & Else said he was pretty well loaded with them just now and Else advised me to wait awhile. He gave me his ideas concerning hens laying at this time of year and he thinks they should be shut right in now. He says the hens he is looking after are laying the best of any over there. Marj. went down to Auntys this after noon to celebrate her birthday. Aunty Alice was having a bridge party so it worked in very nicely. I went down to the Tuxis boys meeting to-night & thanks to Marj. thinking up some things for them to do we had a good meeting. I went in to Auntys and called for Marj. and had some party cake. It has been cloudy, windy & raw to-day. Sunday December 4th Marj. & I went to Sunday school and church this morning and went up to the Bagley's for dinner where we had spare ribs in honor of Marj's birthday. After dinner Mr. Bagley took me out to see his chickens and then we went down and had a look at the new rink, which has the roof and sides on now but has no grading done inside and to complete it, it should have about https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/b9feca7d61d667aeb4893f232cdc732c.pdf a78e771e442a2adf6291f0540a5196ff PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. 200 loads of earth in it yet, but as it is getting so late they will probably fill it with ice. Mr. Bagley and I then took a walk over to the greenhouse and saw their new office building which is a fine building and when they get their terraces all sodded will look very pretty down there. Marj. and I stopped in at Aunty's on our way home Aunty Alice was alone as Aunty had come over here to dinner with Enah We got home about five and Enah and Aunty were just going down for tea. Enah went to play at church to-night and Jack Walker brought her home after they had a Christmas practice Sunny but raw Monday December 5th When we got up this morning we found the ground well covered with snow and it has been snowing pretty much all day. Dad. and I haven't done any thing much except chores but now that the snow has come and all the stock has to be fed and stables cleaned, they take most of our time. We haven't got any of the young stock colts or sheep inside yet but feed them on the ground now that the snow makes it clean enough and the ground is partly frozen. Dad. went over to see John Quanbury this morning for a little while and thought he looked a little better but his voice is gone entirely. They told him over there that Charlie was in the doctor's office yesterday when Oliver Mann & young Percy Reed came in each with their right hand badly mutilated from playing with dynamite caps yesterday after noon They had been over at the brickyard and picked up some detonated caps which had been used for blasting over there and each one had a cap and was picking at it with a nail. Both caps exploded at once and consequently Olive thinks he will have to lose the end of his first finger and the first joint of his thumb while young Reed's first finger was blown off and Karl Coleman says it is sticking to a Hydro pole in front of the house. Both boys' right hands were wounded but they say they are both left handed. Marj. went down town this after noon and went to the Girl's meeting to-night. We got the night chores done up early so I went down town before six and stayed at Auntys for tea. After tea https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/16040bc2b5d9ff19481f0af09d70959a.pdf 5922c111bb1ac4dcf05433d272427199 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. I went up town with Aunty Alice & Marj. Aunty Alice went over to Cal. Smith's to play bridge. I went down to the Cooks for a few minutes. Young Doc. is in bed with a cold. From there I went down to the Mann's and took Oliver a couple of books from Aunty. I had arranged to meet him to-night anyway to chart him. I charted him although it wasn't very satisfactory as Nanny & young Reed were there. I went to band practice from there and after band practice which lasted till after 10.30 I went over to the Smith's to call for Aunty Alice as I had promised. We had coffee & cake after I got there so it was pretty late when we got back to Aunty's where Marj. was waiting for me and quite late when Marj. & I eventaully got home and she was pretty well tired out. Tuesday December 6th This was election day and I didn't vote. None of us in this household did. I was rather undecided about it but as the roads are so fierce and I was sure of losing my vote anyway and I was busy all day doing chores I didn't feel much like going out to Wiggins just to lose my vote. I went down to the mill this morning and got some more heavy chop for the pigs and some of Charlie Iveys new patent John S. Martin poultry mash. Marj. went down town this after noon and I walked over as far as Martin's with her but didn't see anyone but Else as I think they were all down voting. Dad. went down to see Aunty & Aunty Alice to-night but I didn't go down. He saw Jack Martin who told him that Wallace had beaten Sutton by about 500 which wasn't as big a majority as his freinds predicted. South Norfolk went fairly well Conservative and all the municipalitys except Waterford gave Sutton a Majority. Charlotteville was the only township that didn't vote U.F.O. The Conservatives got a bad beating in the house. Meighen himself and about half his cabinet was defeated and they only have about 50 seats left, five of the provinces not having a single {scored out word} Conservative seat in Quebec and Nova Scotia went solid Liberal so that King will have to form the next Government he having about 118 seats & Crearer 64 - Too Bad. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/f47128866932af840cd22df69d00e9f6.pdf b1692b49c09e25c3f84c4202a1bccf5b PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Tuesday December 13th Owing to procrastination, laziness & cold weather I will have to make a skip of a week but as there has been very little of any importance going on, I guess the future history of this 187 acres of the earth's surface won't suffer much. I have not been getting up so early this week so couldn't write before breakfast as I have been doing as it has been too miserable to do any thing but chores and nearly every day this last week we have just sat around for an hour or two after dinner and read. The weather has been rotten. Cloudy mostly and generally raw winds and terribly muddy. Dad. and I moved some rails over in the barn and covered them with straw and got in one small jag of corn stalks but the cornfield was so boggy we couldn't take a team on it for a real load. The snow that was on the ground early last week is all gone by now but to-day it is colder and there was a little flurry of snow last night. Jack McBride was in Saturday and bought the wether lambs for 9 cts a lb. and we took them down yesterday. They averaged about 84 lbs apiece & the nine of them brought $67.00. We brought home a little soft coal with us. This morning Dad & old Gladys went out to Welshs. Aunty Alice had a party last Wednesday & Dad. & Enah were down at it. Marj. & I were at Bible Class Thursday night & I went down to Tuxis meeting Saturday night and Marj. went up to the McQueens where I called for her. I went up Thursday night and asked Mr. Smith (W.H.) if he would give the boys a little talk next Saturday but he didn't promise definitely Sunday Aunty & Aunty Alice came over here for dinner & Cecil & Winnie were over for tea and spent the evening while Dad. & Enah went to church. Last night I went down to band practice & Marj. went to the Girls branch & we both had tea at Aunty's. Ed. Moon turned in his horn for Ira Ivey to take but Ira wanted mine as he didn't know how to get on to the other so I took the old B.B.b again it is the one I had in the first place and is the best horn. Marj. had to go to the dentists at ten o'clock this morning so we stayed down all night and I came home early this morning. Tid. has not been out of the house all week and doesn't feel very well yet. His neck has been swollen and he spent one or two https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/f2171bc20a0bc7b2b374c903a465ce6a.pdf bdd209bc18059e5d08b8497865c0e1c6 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. days in bed. Cecil brought him a {sand?} dumping machine Sunday which he has had a lot of fun from. Mrs. Cornish has been very ill all week and for a day or two they were very anxious about her but I think she is doing nicely now. Now that the federal elections are over, interest here is very keen over the next municipal council. Jack Martin is going to run for reeve in order to give the faction in town that wants to see progress a chance, he seems confident of success and surely ought to get in as his opponent is none other than Andrew Innes, who is making a general canvas of the town and whose only promise seems to be that he won't spend any money. Taylor seems to have dropped out of the scrap and will work for Andrew everyone supposes. Pickford was in this after noon and tells us that Bobbie has been expelled & Pickford is going to the next school board meeting to have it out with Mr. Watson. It seems Watson accused Bob. of laughing the other day and called him up to strap him Bob. said he was not guilty so instead of taking the strap walked out of the room & naturally was expelled but Pickford thinks he has a grievance so is taking the matter before the board. He said that when Bob. went back to get his books on Monday that he told Mr. Watson that he would leave it to the rest of the school whether or not he was laughing and Ralph Fisher said he hadn't seen him laugh when Mr. Watson questioned so Bob said something to Mr. Watson which ammounted to caling him a liar, before he went home. Pickford however went back and made Bob apologize for that Wednesday December 14th It was frozen up pretty solid this morning so after Dad and I got the chores done up we hooked Joe and Harry to the waggon and hauled up a small jag of corn stalks. We got it from the far end of the field and found the mice had cut about half the bands on the sheaves, I suppose to make nests of We just put on about three shocks and unloaded them before dinner piling them around back of Moonshine This after noon we went out and got a much bigger load and piled them on more carefully. There were not so many cut bands on them whether that was because there were not so many ears left on them or not I don't know. We did not unload it. Enah went down to a party at Mrs. Holden's this after noon https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/c9e314bd71cea46cd5f353c5ea1673db.pdf 2237fa00fa62fb9672c94cc933b5688d PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. and then went over to her mother's this evening as her sister Mrs. Johnson came down this after noon. After tea it was such a beautiful night full moon & still and frosty that Marj & I thought we would take a walk. We took Aunty's milk & cream down but they weren't home and {Else?} met Enah who told us they had gone up to Huby's. We had thought of going up there but Marj. remembered that Lila was having her literary club meet there to-night so we went up and spent the evening with Mrs. Harry Moon. Thursday December 15th Last night was the hardest frost we have had & it has been cloudy and frozen up all day but not much wind so not a bad day. It seems to be a little milder to-night. After we got things fed up this morning I went over to Frank Ryerse's to get Wilbur to kill pigs for us to-morrow. He & Dave McBride & Frank were all in the house at Frank's place. Wilbur said he had to kill a beef for Frank Lemmons in the morning but could do our job after dinner. I came home through Tom's & Mark's place and found them cutting down an old elm on Charlie Butler's line. It fell on top of their saw just as I came along so I stayed there till they got the saw loose and then they induced me to go up to the house and have some cider, so we went up there and chewed the rag over the election results for quite awhile. Tom said some fellow gave him $15.00 to vote for Sutton but he didn't go out as he wouldn't vote for a liberal and Truman Walker was up at one of Wallace's meetings and told them that a returned soldier got up and accused Wallace of saying in 1917 when he was running as a Laurier liberal, that if he was elected his police would be "Not another man, not another dollar for the war". and Wallace did not deny it, so Tom wouldn't vote for him nor Mark either. I told them I didn't believe Wallace did say such a thing in an open meeting or he would have been mobbed. Mark told me he knew the U.F.O. didn't buy any votes this election and he knew by Tom's experience that the other fellows did or tried to, but I suppose the U.F.O. were sure of their man as all the ones who would be liable to sell votes in former days are staunch members of the organization now. I just did chores this after noon. Marj. went down town and stayed for tea I went down after tea and we went to Jack Misner's https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/781eae91bbbfabe3c59824745b1af641.pdf 3b946594cc7ab789a71f163852d49ee7 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. lecture; which we enjoyed very much. I heard him before in Guelph but I didn't mind hearing him again. He is very illiterate but not in the least vulgar and although his humor would sound very silly from most people and his sentimental touchs soft, it seems to suit him very well. He couldn't read nor write till after he was grown up and his little boy got him to go to Sunday school but he has been well educated by experience & observation and what he has done with wild geese and other birds is wonderful. He is a philanthropist because although he gets help now from the Government for a long time protected the wild geese & ducks at his own expense and one year fed them 1500 bushels of corn. He showed us slides of his birds and his farm and must have it fixed up very nicely. He has a 2 1/2 acre ball ground just for the boys and Ty Cobb who was visiting the place one day told him he thought it was one of the nicest little diamonds he had ever seen, that pleased Jack very much. One fellow said to him once that the thought it was all very nice but could see where he was making it pay. Jack says that is how a lot of fellows value everything in dollars & cts, but he said I get my dividends in seeing the boys out there playin ball and knowing that they are going to be a lot better men than if I hadn't helped them along." He is evidently deeply religious and quotes Scripture for game laws and to prove his own observations. He is so sincere and so keenly interested in his peculiar vocation that his lecture in spite of his inelegant mode of expression is next thing to enthralling. Friday December 16th I spent most of the morning doing chores and Dad. got things ready to butcher the bandit hogs He had to go over to the Quanbury's to borrow a boiler so as to be sure of enough hot water. Wilbur and Dave McBride arrived right after dinner armed with rifle and knives and it wasn't long till they had two bandits hung by their heels behind the shop. Dad. cleaned out their pen yesterday and they broke out of their yard for the last time and now their evil career is ended. They were not at all fat but made fine carcasses one dressed https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/7317233e5198ca849249185360ef1b6f.pdf ab9a2cc6faedfd77f8343692489aeee8 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. 160 lbs & the other 166. It began to turn soft last night and this after noon was quite mild and very cloudy and about tea time began to rain so that the pigs didn't get chilled out very well. Dad. & I carried them into the shop to-night. Enah's sister Mrs. Johnson came over for dinner to-day and stayed all the after noon and for tea. To-night she Marj. and I went down town. Marj. had to go down & help the girls fill candy bags for the Sunday school Christmas tree, as they were having a practice in the Sunday school they worked at Frances Slocomb's. I went up with Mrs. Johnson and then went down to Aunty's where I went to sleep till Marj. came in and we came home. It was a fierce night for walking as the mud was awful but it was very mild. We made a great procession going down. Marj. had her flashlight and was going ahead and showing Mrs. Johnson the way while I brought up the rear with the Quanbury's boiler under my arm. It was pitch dark and when Mrs. Johnson went to step over the ditch in Jack's field she slipped and went down on her hands & knees in the mud. I went in to the Quanbury's for a minute. John has had a bad day of it. Saturday December 17th It has rained pretty steadily all day and is still at it to-night, so that the mud is getting as bad as ever again although the frost isnt quite out of the ground yet. I haven't done any thing but just the chores to-day and Dad has spent the whole time cutting up the pigs. It wasn't a very nice job as they didn't get hard at all. Marj. went down this after noon to see Miss McQueen and stayed up there to tea. They are all going to leave for California just as soon as school closes Marj. is going to miss them very much. I went down after tea to-night to the Tuxis meeting. Mr. Smith came but not many boys were out. However we all sat together around the stove in the back room and he gave them a fine talk and told them of a good many of his old pupils that have made names for themselves in various parts of the world. Marj. and I stayed at Aunty's all night as the walking was too bad for Marj. to attempt I got my foot soaked on the way down gettin across the ditch out here. Sunday December 18th Last night was a fierce night. I woke up https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/59bcba3834f5121d9349ae00aa999d84.pdf e5e878a1c42ed44d60fc51e655dca602 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. two or three times and heard the shutter banging and the wind howling furiously. Marj. Aunty & Aunty Alice didn't sleep much but it didn't keep me awake long at a time. I got up before six and came right home. The storm was raging wildly I thought the wind would blow me off the sidewalk and when I got up on the hill, it was stronger still and the snow drifting in clouds. It was not bitterly cold as the wind was from the south west. Dad. was up when I got home but not expecting me. I went out before daylight and discovered the door had blown off the hen house and it was full of snow. I went over to the old barn to get some chicken feed and saw that the end of the shed at the big barn was out of place and on further investigation I found that the whole roof except a piece at the west end was blown off the shed and a piece of the barn roof off too. It was an awful looking place.The debris was scattered all over especially loose shingles which were scatered in all parts of the barn yard and the sheeting & rafters were all down in the shed on top of the machinery. I expected to find some dead sheep but luckily not one of them was hurt and all the damage it did to the machinery was to break one shaft on the big drill and a slat in the apron of the manure spreader. We couldn't do any thing with it until the wind died down as we were afraid of something falling on our heads. We milked and after breakfast crawled under the wreck again to the barn and fed the calves which were in there with Mexico and threw some hay out in the yard for the young stock. We let the colts in out of the storm. I didn't try to get back down to Sunday school or church but Enah walked down to church and stayed down all day. I went down to Aunty's for dinner and Marj. and I came home soon after dinner Quint. and Win. were down at Aunty's & Quint said the storm wrought great havoc down at the beach. Their bathing houses are in ruins part of the building smashed to atoms with the ice which is piled several feet high on the beach, and part of it has been carried half way to the park fence by the water which was very high. He says the ice smashed one of the ice cream parlors down at the beach all to pieces and it is strewn along the beach all the way to the dock. Ben Ivey's dance hall is not hurt, it being too high above the water for the ice to harm it. When Marj. and I https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/3a962d396c0b3bd6247b0a74c70cd17b.pdf fc14d4f458eeb6a96f808f61eef59f47 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. got home we found W.J. Thompson here. He had come over to get Dad. to be Santa Claus at the Sunday-school Christmas Tree but Dad. told him he would have to stay home with Tid. and suggested Cecil to him as being equal to the job. We got the chores done up in fair time and Dad. went down to Aunty's for tea and then to church. The Bishop was here to-night and held Confirmation service. Cecil was one of the ones to be confirmed. Marj. Tid. & I stayed home The storm died down by noon and except for the wind was not a bad after noon at all. Monday December 19th The first thing Dad. & I did to-day after we got things fed up was to string a piece of wire from the barn to the horse stable to keep the animals from the yard from wandering around the wreckage and running nails in their feet. We had to put one post in to stiffen it. Dad. had to go out to the old garden to get a piece of wire. Lloyd Ryerse came in to see if Dad. would act as chairman at the Shand's school concert on Friday night. This after noon we spent most of the time gathering up rubbish from around the barn but didn't get much done except knock down the big piece of roof that was blocking the driveway and doorway into the barn and got the driveway cleared out so that we could get through without difficulty. I didn't go down to band practice to-night and Marj. didn't have her girl's meeting so I tried to blow my horn at home a little but couldn't seem to get the tone of it very well. It has been a nice day to-day, cold but sunny & not windy Tuesday December 20th We didn't do much except chores and a little more clearing up at the shed. Aunty and Aunty Alice came over for dinner to celebrate Tid's birthday and he was able to walk part way home with them. He is feeling a lot better. Marj. went down town with them and stayed to tea. Aunty Alice urged us to try to take Jack's lambs over to him this after noon so I went over to see if Billy had a place ready for them yet, but Jack had never mentioned them to him although he told us he would last week. Billy had to go over and interview Down's to see if he put the lambs in his shed and then he wanted me to help him take a heifer over here so by the time we got here it was too late to https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/01eeb3c18029910e8150d8194480b474.pdf 02cb19cd16479c13f45cbc8b1908f5c9 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. take the lambs. To-night Enah and I went down and met Aunty, Aunty Alice & Marj. at Aunty's and all went up to the Sunday school concert. The hall was full so we had to sit way back under the gallery. The concert proved a great success and the young ones all did their parts very well. Innes Coleman danced the Fisher's hornpipe beautifully and Agnes Sterling also danced well. The main part of the programme was a little play "The Sleeping Beauty" which went off very nicely. After all the concert they had the Christmas tree so it was pretty late when the thing broke up This has been a beautiful day sunny & quite mild. Wednesday December 21st We woke up this morning to find a decided change in the weather. The wind had changed around to the east and it was cold & raw & trying to snow. Dad. & I got the team out and loaded the lambs and took them down to Down's barn. Billy came down and helped us unload them. There were ten of them all the lambs we have left now are the six ewe lambs that we are going to keep. It was about noon when we got home and we did chores this afternoon. Thursday December 22nd I went down this morning to replenish our fuel supply with a load of coal as Geordie Tisdale sent word over the other day that we had better get down soon and take the load of chestnut he promised Dad. to save for him. Dad. started down with me but we met Billy Mills so Dad had to return with him. Joe weighed the waggon and informed me that I couldn't get any chestnut coal so I put on a load of stove. I went up to Aunty's and waited for Dad. who walked down and got a stick at the Widespread to make a stancion in the cow stable to replace the on Cnocfierna broke when she nearly finished Dad. We hauled up a small jag of corn stalks this after noon. Dad and Enah went down to choir practice to-night. Friday December 23rd We were late getting around this morning as indeed we have been for the last few weeks and I had just time enough to go down to the mill and get some chicken feed and low grade flour https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/2493860ca3a58bffbf67d754b6a36dae.pdf e3d60a8a9b7f78f25beea0031c7d555b PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. for Dad's little pigs and we werent able to get up a load of corn stalks as we had hoped as I had to get ready to catch the one o'clock car to attend a meeting of the Shorthorn Breeders in Simcoe. The meeting wasnt called till two o'clock so I had lots of time on my hands and prowled around looking in the store windows. I saw a large toy aeroplane in Fall's toy display and recognized it as the one Quint made last summer to run with his game and which he was not allowed to run at the fairs, it being too much of a gambling enterprize. I took my watch in to the jewelers and had it fixed so that it would run soberly instead of making an hour in about fifty four minutes. I also got a nice copy of "The Angelus" for Marj. for Christmas I was the first of the Shorthorn Breeders at Bramhill's office and it was some time before enough drifted in to warrant starting the meeting, however Ham, Lorne Forrest, and two fellows I didnt know Duckfoot and Blayney came in so we got started and then Charlie Dunkin and some Murphy from Walsingham arrived much later. Ham was president and Bramhill secretary and the discussion that followed consisted principally of Bramhill reading forms of bylaws and business {illegible} by other clubs and suggesting that we adopt them. Ham asking for the opinion of the assembly, me moving that all resolutions be adopted some one else seconding the motion and the rest signifying assent in the usual manner. Lorne Forest did make a few remarks about patronizing the shows more and also in his most oratorical style gave us his opinions in the same manner he did at a former meeting concerning the influence feed has in making animals either scrubs or pure breds (in appearance). Charlie Dunkin also made some sensible suggestions but the others might as well not have been there except to give formal authority for our actions. I came away before the rest in order to catch the five o'clock car but the business was about wound up. We formed an association named it The Norfolk Shorthorn Breeders Association adopted a set of bylaws decided to carry on an "Abolish the Scrub Bull" campain to organize a calf club and to ask the Dominion Shorthorn breeders for a grant for the County Fair. I got home in time to help Dad. milk. To-night Dad. and Enah went out to the Shand's school entertainment as https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/27577f0ebd8ec38fb9d80514b82a0a3f.pdf c7c6c43f98c7eaeb46b28bcdae86f063 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Dad. had to act as chairman and Enah had to play for them. They walked as the roads are so rough and I dont know what time they got home. Marj. and Tim hounded me into fixing their Christmas tree in place and then they decorated it, and they decorated the walls with the greens we three got last Wednesday down on Dicky {Name?} side hill Saturday December 24th Dad. and I managed to get in a small jag of corn stalks this morning and then we went down to Aunty's for dinner to meet Dick who came in on the one o'clock car. He was down till about four o'clock and then we did the chores up. Dick & Quint came over about six for tea but didn't stay long afterwards. Marj. and I went down town with them to-night as Marj. wanted to take some Christmas presents to the Bagleys, but we stopped in at Aunty's and while we were there Essie came down with some she wanted to leave there for Marj. so we didn't have to go up town. Dick and Quint went off but Marj. & I went home early Dick stayed down at Aunty's all night. Sunday December 25th Marj. and I went down to Sunday school this morning but were late. Everybody from our household came out to church but much to everyone's disappointment Mr. Cornish was not able to be out. He is evidently played out completely after all the work & worry he has had, but Mr. Cornish is able to be up and around. Cousin Willy took the service and John S. Martin gave a short address on the Christmas lesson and they had the Christmas music. Dad. Enah & Tid went around to the James' after <s>dinne</s> church for dinner and Marj. & I went down to Aunty's Dick was there too and before we got through Dess came in with something for Win. so she had a cup of coffee with us. I came home right after dinner and did up the chores. Dad. & Marj. came home about four and Enah & Tid about six. Marj. spent the evening fixing up candy boxes and decorations for to-morrow. Monday December 26th To-day we celebrated Christmas with festivities. Dad. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/d218c426435cbedcdb45ad36ff4f0a32.pdf 883dc6291652fb4e1cc6771daab95607 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. and I did up all the chores we could this forenoon and Dad. drove down in the cutter to fetch Mrs. James over. The sleighing wasn't much good but he got there. We had a gay old dinner party about two o'clock, seventeen of us all told sat down to demolish the big turkey Huby provided and a lovely haunch of venison that Marjs Dad. had sent her along with two brace of partridge (wer didnt have the partridge to day though) All from Huby's were over including Cecil. Mr. & Mrs. James, Elva & Brant & of course Aunty Aunty Alice & Dick. After dinner we stripped the Christmas tree and all drew a lot of nice presents I came out with new neckties, handkerchiefs {illegible} candies, Christmas number of "Life" and a renewal subscription to "The Literary Digest" which has lapsed since last summer although the magazine has kept coming We had to get at the night chores as soon as the tree was stripped and soon after we came in the party began to break up although most of them stayed till we had a little music & Cecil & Win stayed and played Parcheesi (an abominable game) with Tim & me till about nine o'clock, Dad. drove Mrs. James down and took Aunty & Aunty Alice as far as the sidewalk. He had hoped to go to Nomination meeting but thought it wasn't worthwhile This is the first Christmas Dick has been home for several years and there seems a touch of the romantic in the fact that we three boys the prototypes of the Q & T & D of the wondrous fairy tales that Aunty Alice used to create for us when the interior of the old garden fence was our world, are gathered at Christmas once more after the adventures that two of that trio have gone through. Since the days when barefooted skalleywags used roam the dense forest behind the barn and the wilderness beyond under the peppin tree, or swim in the beautiful green sea of Fa's silver beet bed, or work like navvies digging pits for some forgotten or never known reason in the garden or make mud pies for Taylor, or march on the warpath "<u>wearing</u>" our war-"hoops" which were formerly barrel hoops and at night run to the front gate when the seven o'clock train came past to wave at and be waved to by Mr. Young and then make futile resistance at having Aunty wash our feet & put us to bed but listen eagerly to the chapter she read & often beg for a second if it was about David, what varied https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/6a633e30c57d0551b7412ea57db51777.pdf 00dc451674229567c1da911b9e862741 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. experiences we have had. Q. & T. & D. of fairyland saw many thrilling scenes but fairyland is not the only country where thrilling things take place. During our school day period (during which none of us ever distinguished ourselves as scholars although by regular attendance and a reasonable share of brains we never failed many examinations but were eager to leave after a year or two at High School) the difference in our natures developed and became more manifest. I know I always held that I would be a farmer and my feeling was at a high pitch when Dad. bought Flossie. Ester Moon's Jersey cow for my benefit, and I used to rush home after four to clean out her stable and carry her off, or in the Spring I remember my back used to ache from digging my garden and of course the horses were always a great source of pleasure to me. Nothing in the form of sport could compare in my estimation to a ride on Josie although in those days I was quite incapable of managing her properly and she used to tear around town at a gay speed absolutely uncontrolled, with me on her back, but no harm ever came of it. I never played on a team game in my life never killed any thing with a gun except a {illegible} and never had a steady boy chum although I loved to skate & tramp through the woods, and swim and was on good terms with all the boys. Quint was more like me in his love for outdoors & the creek & woods but besides was a keen hunter & trapper. He was at one time one of the best if not the best shot in town, and his traps & night lines were the undoing of many a small inhabitant of the creek and marsh. Neither was he ever very proficient at organized play and enjoyed his own company as well as anyone else's. I used to love to tramp the countryside with him although never had any desire to use his gun and in spite of the fact that my excitement would grow tense when a rabbit or squirrel would present a good shot, I never had the hunter's joy or satisfaction at bagging it but would be filled with remorse at the sight of the little thing lying limp and bloody when a second before it was so full of activity and the joy of life. Quint was much more clever with tools than Dick or I and had an inventive and mechanical turn of mind. He used to like I did start a garden in the Spring but would stop tending to it before I got tired of mine, and I never remember him cutting the lawn of his own accord while I one time worked https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/6c283ff9805af49eb965acb9222e660d.pdf 95b721e46ad2edbaa1dae9256647b7a0 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. like a slave to get the patch of long grass in front of the gate on the street cut and levelled like other boulevards. Dick was very different from either of us. His chief delight was to play ball with a crowd of boys and always had some pal with him. For years he & Ferdie Wiser were inseperable companions. He was quicker at school and went farther in the High School than we did. He loved to read stories and to spend his money. One time some one gave him five cents so he posted right off to spend it. Aunty cautioned him not to spend it on anything foolish so he returned with a loaf of bread. He never cared for the tramps in the wood as much as Quint or I and I believe he was half afraid of the horses, unless they behaved themselves very seemly. He had the reputation for being a very slick diver and good swimmer, but was noted mostly for his neatness and for being particular to have his clothes just right. I was always an awful ragamuffin. He was a favorite with the girls and could always have a good time with them while I could only wish I could but could never think of any thing to do or say when I was with them and I don't believe Quint in those days had any use for them whatever. So there we stood as schoolboys with natures very different although we played in the same old garden learned the same lessons from the same teachers and were entertained by the same fairy tales. Since then old Dick has been trained as a Cavalry man and Artillery man riding on gun carriages at breakneck speed over the roughest of ground with the roughest of men. He has tended horses in the Veterinary corps and ridden all the way across Canada in a boxcar with horses for his sole companions, and enjoyed it. He has sailed across the Pacific Ocean and back in troopships of ancient design and has spent months as a soldier in one of the gruellest of foreign countries among people who for customs, manners & morals couldn't be very much different than we are if they tried. He has experienced all the peculiarities of life in a {Prairie?} Village and now finds himself where the commercial pulse of the Nation beats the hardest, the largest of our cities & in constant contact with men to whom world finance is an open book. He still sings and dances and talks the same as of yore but not so much and is gradually assuming the air & manner of a typical business man. Quint's life has been as varied as Dick's and more. For two years he was a sailor on the lakes running from Fort William & Montreal, then he started out to learn https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/cdb870bfe1c43a89757ba7b172e0ec8d.pdf dc2fe82ee60738de1b35b0bb5a680a19 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. the cotton-mill business in New Bedford, but as might have been expected his love of freedom revolted at that and he spent a few months with the gas drillers, then a soldier right through from the bell tents of Camplife to the dug-outs in the war zone, he has breathed the breath of battle and suffered the hardships of actual warfare. He has heard shells whistle and crash and machine guns (his own) rattle. He has seen men killed at their guns and has had his own companions blown to pieces by the same shell that by a miracle spared him. He can talk most interestingly on the manners of the people of France & England and tell more about the cities of Germany & Great Britain than most books. He has very keen powers of observation and as he has read very little his impressions & expressions are original and unconventional as indeed are all his activities. Because of that unconventionality he is held in disrepute by the good people of Dover although I must admire him for it at least I think I do, maybe I just admire him in spite of it. Of course I can't help agreeing with people when they shake their heads and say it is too bad Quintin is content to waste his time selling ice cream and tempting the public with cupie dolls to throw at stuffed cats instead of turning his time & talents to some account and yet I would hate to take him to task about it for he would argue "Why should I forgo the pleasures & freedom I now enjoy in order to be a slave so that when I am old I could say I know a good trade and have a little money in the bank for a rainy day. As it is I have more money to spend than you have and have some in the bank too besides running the chance of making more and my time is my own." I might as an older brother should call Quint aside and say, "You know, old boy, you shouldn't knock around with that bunch of toughs you do and you should leave the liquor business alone as it is now unlawful." but Quint would smile and politely undertake to prove to me the very obvious fact that although he has consorted with toughs more or less for the last ten years <s>and</s> he is far from being a tough himself, and as for the liquor business, according to his code of morals it is no crime to defy a law that he considers unjust and made by a fickle democracy that doesn't know its own mind for two years hand running. I know there are answers to these arguments but Quint. has his own ideas and as far as the fundamental principles of honor are concerned https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/555ccfda8c1bebea5431c150dc7b8749.pdf a48b1ebcda14b2ce8120c23956de8cec PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. I maintain that he is as true to them as any man in spite of anything that may have happened. He is not a tough in any sense of the word either in speech or habits and he can claim the admiration of the sternest of his accusers simply by his personality, polished manners suavity and ready flow of well thought out conversation. So much for Q & D, as for old Tobe he has "just plugged along through it all not a mile away from the high board fence of the old garden, a farmer just as he always said he would be, proud of the name and loving the profession, enjoying the music of the north west blast of January and the song of the first Rosingnol of Spring and the poetry of an aching back at sundown as well as a fresh cut meadow in the morning. I think that <s>his</s> what holds him to it, the music & poetry of it all certainly not the money he has made, although even there he can't complain he has always had plenty to eat, plenty to wear and a house over him which is more than the other two have had always. It is true of course that when his old pals were on the march to the call of the bugle, he often strained hard at the bit, but never kicked over the traces, but it is also true that while in the trenches of France or the barracks of Siberia the other boy's hearts were being excited by the world-old activities of war, in the shady byways of his own beloved country, old Tobe's soul was in transports of happiness from the still older activities of love, and in his one short trip to the hills & lakes of Haliburton, he drank deeper of the pure joy of life than they ever have or probably ever will, though they should go halfway round the earth & back. Saturday December 31st It is now four weeks since Christmas but I have dated this to wind up the records of 1921. Christmas excitement and disturbed conditions have prevented me from writing and so I will have to lump the doings of the week following the holiday and probably for January of 1922. The day following Christmas or rather the 26th day we celebrated I was about all in with a miserable cold and didn't do much that day <s>foll</s> after that Dad. went down with Dick who was here for dinner and stayed to tea with him at Aunty's. He left on the 7 o'clock car for Brantford where he boarded the Montreal train and was there Wednesday morning. Dad. & I have not done much all week but odd jobs and chores. We probably hauled a few cornstalks in and fed them https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/fa0f64c29727f8e2c49bf07411b96d8a.pdf 6d6ac6f2f9e44aa536220c184b2ad951 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. up but I don't think we did anything else in the way of teaming. McMullen was over on Tuesday and bought the two old ewes the only ones that were left. I told him there was every chance of them raising lambs this Spring but as they were so old I let him have them for $5.00 apiece. We did deliver Jack's lambs to him one day but I forget whether it was before or after the New Year. We took down what we thought were ten lambs but when I was looking up their numbers to have them registered I found one was a yearling. I went down to Jacks to investigate and sure enough found a yearling amongst them and she appears to be in lamb. I guess we will leave her there. It leaves one lamb not accounted for and the only thing I can imagine is that Dougherty got her last summer. Aunty & Aunty Alice were over here to dinner one day and on Friday morning left for Detroit to pay Roy & Vernon a month's visit. Quint. Huby Marj. & I were down to see them off on the nine o'clock car and were very pleased to be able to leave them in charge of a Mr. Well's, Walk's brother who was going right through to Windsor. Marj. and I went down there Thursday night and are now encamped there till they get back looking after the house for them and having a whale of a time. I have breakfast and tea down there with Marj. and stay here at the farm for dinner. John Quanbury who had steadily been going downhill for the last month or six weeks died on the 27th and was buried on the 30th. We were over at the funeral and Dad. was one of the bearers. His death was a sad blow for the family as they never suspected anything serious the matter with him till Dr. Toll told him when he quit work that there was a growth on his lungs for which nothing could be done. We are all waiting anxiously for the results of the election next Monday. At Nomination Jack Martin and Andrew Innes were put up for reeve and C.W. Barwell, Landon Ivey, Harry Misner, Capt. McCauly, Quinn & Jim Austin are running for councillors. Andrew is of course leading the old party of knockers and seems confident of winning probably counting the strength of his gang to be as great as in the days of Vyse. Jack is equally confident of success and with Barwell & Landon Ivey should make the best council for progress and good standing that Dover has had for a long time. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/967ad7ab1c3b21182eec062c7e19949f.pdf 02970b41a575ae70751923a595234a11 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. <table> <tr> <td>1911.</td> <td>Summary of the Diary.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>May 20th</td> <td>Spent first night on the farm. Bill Oakes preparing corn ground.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>" 26th</td> <td>Bill Donald & Charlie Butler gave a day on corn ground.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>" 30th</td> <td>Planted corn</td> </tr> <tr> <td>" 31st</td> <td>Bobby's "Taurus", first calf born on the place (in our day)</td> </tr> <tr> <td>June 12th</td> <td>Used cream separator for first time. Dad. at Flemming's barn (horse stable) raising.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>" 16</td> <td>Bill started to plough summer fallow</td> </tr> <tr> <td>" 17 & 19</td> <td>Had a bee to move the stable, old house & pig pen.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>" 22</td> <td>Holiday in town to celebrate the King's coronation.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>" 28</td> <td>Started haying in east corner field</td> </tr> <tr> <td>July 13</td> <td>Started wheat harvest. Terrible forest fires in north. many lives lost.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>" 15</td> <td>Dad cut alsike.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>" 24</td> <td>Got razor & shaving utensils for 16th birthday. Need whiskers</td> </tr> <tr> <td>" 25</td> <td>Dad got piano from Martin's. Winky Smith started painting house</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Aug 1</td> <td>Hamilton Asylum burned. 8 deaths.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>" 4</td> <td>Normal Entrance report out. Marj. Clarke (honors) Edna Sidway pass</td> </tr> <tr> <td>" 9</td> <td>Wyatt Person cut oats. Bill Oakes going west on Sat. 12th</td> </tr> <tr> <td>" 11</td> <td>Demolished old wooden trough at windmill, going to put in cement</td> </tr> <tr> <td>" 15</td> <td>Everybody except Andrew Innes in Simcoe to hear Sir Wilfred.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>" 17</td> <td>Big crowd went up on special train to Simcoe to hear Mr. Borden</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Aug 19</td> <td>Bougner Picnic roads full of rigs of all kinds.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>" 24</td> <td>Threshed and put the straw over the cow shed.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Sept 7</td> <td>Dad & I go to Exhibition. Every body talking reciprosity. Mostly against</td> </tr> <tr> <td>" 8</td> <td>We take the Woodson crowd out to Shand's in the waggon. Musical evening</td> </tr> <tr> <td>" 9</td> <td>Mr. Skey died this after noon.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>" 13</td> <td>Dad sowed wheat. I cut corn. Mercury down to freezing.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>" 15</td> <td>Letter from Aunty describing trip to Banff with Walter & Winnie</td> </tr> <tr> <td>" 21</td> <td>Charlton defeated McCall. Norfolk's luck to have wrong man in.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>" 25.</td> <td>Sowed second field of wheat. Dad. drilled & I harrowed.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>" 26</td> <td>Dad. went to Toronto & met Frank who came east with Rev. W. Taylor.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>" 27</td> <td>Tip Varey & Miss Langs married to-day.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>" 29</td> <td>Dad. thrashing at old Billy Cruise's</td> </tr> <tr> <td>" 30</td> <td>Dad. & I finished cutting the corn. Bill quit yesterday.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Mon. Oct. 2.</td> <td>Mrs Matthew Martin buried. Dad. & Frank interview Mr. Smith re school.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Thurs " 5</td> <td>Old Mr. McBride's (Jimmy?) funeral. Mrs. Ferris eloped & Mrs. Gerrard's husband returns, having another wife & five children.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Wed. " 12</td> <td>Hannah Flemming & Lloyd Chrysler married yesterday.</td> </tr> <tr> <td><s>Thurs</s> Fri " 13</td> <td>Bill Donald cut the buckwheat. Played Pit at Blaikies to-night.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Thur. " 19</td> <td>Dick. Frank & I drive Josie to Simcoe Fair. Aunty leaves Fort Sask. for Dover</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Fri. " 20</td> <td>The Miss Hardings. Mrs. Morgan & Miss Buckwell drove Isaac's pacer over to see us.</td> </tr> <table> https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/ddecd4212bf3548cde897500b66a4cf6.pdf 00f5fdc17f5c998e8673861a4a31a622 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. <table> <tr> <td>Wed. Nov 1</td> <td>Bill Cruise's sale.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Fri. Sat Nov 3&4</td> <td>Threshed buckwheat & alsike & oats. 70 bus bw, 4 bus. alsike @ $10.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Sun. " 5</td> <td>Church reopened. Pulpit. lectern & prayer desk dedicated to Bishop Baldwin. Mr. Skey & Fa. respectively</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Wed. " 15</td> <td>Snowed enough for bob sleighs. Cold.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Thurs. " 16</td> <td>Mickey Low was run over by freight train took leg off.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Mon. " 27</td> <td>Bought 4 ewe lambs from Carpenter for $6.00 apiece</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Mon. Dec 11</td> <td>A son born to the Emery McPherson's (Arthur I think)</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Fri Dec 29</td> <td>Mrs. Jim Allen's funeral.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Sat. " 30</td> <td>Went skating in the gully & found dandelions in bloom on a bank with south exposure.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>1912</td> <td></td> </tr> <tr> <td>Mon. Jan 1.</td> <td>Vyse elected reeve and New School by-law carried.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Wed. " 10</td> <td>Ice cutting on pond started. Trains blocked. My knee bad for week</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Sat. " 13</td> <td>22° below zero at 8 A.M.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Sat. " 20</td> <td>We hear spooks at the kitchen window</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Fri. " 26</td> <td>We finish chicken pen. Bruce Dell & Alma Ellis married last night.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Sat. Feb 3</td> <td>We get new milk cow & calf from Blaikie for $50.00 (Mully & June)</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Mon " 5</td> <td>Coldest winter in 50 years. Froze 5 inches in harbour since Sat.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Sun. " 18</td> <td>Mrs. Dunbar buried. Mr. Symington died of lockjaw to-day</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Wed. " 21</td> <td>We all went to the Quanbury's for tea. Charlie bound for Ft. William</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Fri. March 1</td> <td>Farewell address & presentation to Mr. Liddy.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Tue. " 19</td> <td>Walt Steele asked me to take a bass horn in the band.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Thurs. " 21</td> <td>Blaikey's sale. Frank had never seen an auction sale</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Fri. " 22</td> <td>We shovel out the cut on the side road. I get the horn. Dick a clarionet</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Thurs. Mar 28.</td> <td>Aunty sold the back lot to the Gas Co. to drill on</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Fri. April 5</td> <td>Good Friday. I saw & heard robins & frogs for first time.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Sun. " 7</td> <td>Cold easter. Turkey & Goose each lay first egg.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Mon. " 15</td> <td>Primus the first lamb born. - 16 - Titanic disaster.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Thurs. " 18</td> <td>Quint went on Vigilant to-night. Huby opposed to him starting on Friday.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Tues. " 23</td> <td>Roy married to-night.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Thurs. " 25</td> <td>Worked up the garden.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Sun. " 28.</td> <td>Went to Pete Boughner's for ringworm cure. Ed. Moon going to the Falls - Clifton House</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Fri. May 3.</td> <td>Started seeding - Roy & Vernon here.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Sun. " 5</td> <td>Swallows came down Cousin Bessie's chimney into room where Tiny was sick and covered the room with soot.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Wed. " 8. </td> <td>Turned out cows calves & colts.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Sat. " 18</td> <td>Ivey had a big gang setting out cherry trees.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Thurs. " 23</td> <td>Queen born</td> </tr> <tr> <td><s>Sun. " 26</td> <td>Peg-leg Hawn died. Ray Quanbury born</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Mon 27 - Wed 29</td> <td>Dick & Dad try their hands at diary writing. Neighbors help us sow corner field</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Fri. " 31</td> <td>Matthew Hodge sheared the sheep. Wm. Walker fenced plum orchard</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Tue June 11</td> <td>St. John's church burned this after noon</td> <tr> <td>Fri. " 14</td> <td>Drilled corn. Cattle broke out. Dick & I pursued them.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Wed. " 19</td> <td>Dad and I do statute labour</td> <tr> <td>Tues " 28</td> <td>We spud thistles in corner field. Enah has a ride in Martins auto</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Mon July 1</td> <td>Started haying. U.S. training ship Wolverine in harbour. John Gordons "City of Port Dover" big attraction. Blakey here to start work</td> <table> https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/f320d138134d19464d871e058c84051b.pdf b90886ddf4353c729516e67b08be8d37 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. <table> <tr> <td>Sat. July 27</td> <td>Coleman bought Rosy for $48.00 Water cold at the Stump.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Mon. " 29</td> <td>Person started to cut wheat. W. McQuade tries to sell Dad a "reaper"</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Mon. Aug. 5</td> <td>Tore down old horse stable. Murphy started ditching machine on Ivey place</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Mon. " 12</td> <td>Uncle Ward. came home from West. Has left Revillon Freres.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Sun " 18</td> <td>Harry Harding here for tea.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Tue. " 20</td> <td>Vyse baby (Frank?) born. - No probably Richard. -</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Thur. " 22.</td> <td>Started to cut barley. Blaikie & I thrash at Flemmings</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Tue. " 27</td> <td>Dick & I go to Exhibition. Dad. gets word from Aunty of Uncle Fred's death</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Sat. " 31</td> <td>Home from Toronto. Had big time with Lewis & Paul Lee Woodson 5¢ picture shows.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Mon. Sept 9</td> <td>Cut barley with mower, wet harvest. Mrs. Sandy Lawson died.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Mon " 16</td> <td>Threshed. 312 bus oats 305 wheat 118 barley. Tupper & Blakey on stack.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Wed. " 18</td> <td>The Will Warren's & Bessie from Colorado pay us a visit.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Wed. " 25</td> <td>Word comes here to Dr. Woodson that Vernon's father is dead.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Sat. " 28</td> <td>Dad. drilled wheat. Aunt Leena here.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Tues. Oct. 1st</td> <td>Started to cut corn and clover seed.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Thur " 3rd</td> <td>Blakey left for Alfred's. Dad paid him $65.00 for the summer.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Mon. " 14</td> <td>Dick started to work in the Bank.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Wed. Nov 20</td> <td>We all went out to John Shand's & ate up the Presbyterian bazaar cake</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Mon Dec 2</td> <td>Dick and Win confirmed.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Tue. " 3</td> <td>Fagan Shaw buried to-day died Sunday at Poorhouse</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Sun. " 15</td> <td>Jumbo Marshall died. Skating on the pond.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Fri. " 20.</td> <td>Huby. over here at 3 a.m. to announce Tim's arrival to Aunty.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>1913</td> <td></td> </tr> <tr> <td>Wed. Jan 1</td> <td>Dad & Aunty fear the worst for Dick. We find him in bed with Quint</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Mon. " 6</td> <td>Vyse beat J.R. Davis for reeve. C. Coleman, Henderson, J. Walker & Bill Langs. Council.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Wed. " 15</td> <td>Gladys Coleman married early this morning.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Thur. " 16</td> <td>Mrs. Jarley's wax-works. Hazen Waddle stars. I have a dancing lesson</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Tues Feb 4</td> <td>We bring our first pure bred sheep home from Charlie Dunkin's</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Fri. " 7</td> <td>Went by train to Simcoe to hockey match. Simcoe 8 Hamilton 3</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Wed. " 19</td> <td>Mrs. Crosbie Morgan died to-night. (Noted in diary on 20th)</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Mon. Mar. 3</td> <td>Rebecca born this afternoon.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Wed. Mar 5.</td> <td>Dad. & I meet Hanmer at Mrs. Schofield's. Mrs. McBain died</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Mon. " 10</td> <td>Alan Law & I drive to Jarvis and I smoke my first cigar</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Fri. " 21</td> <td>Good Friday. Devastating wind. Wrecked barns & windmills</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Mon. " 31</td> <td>Jonas Green, new neighbor. Bought bull calf from H. Thompson $55.00</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Wed. Apr. 2.</td> <td>Clara Tupper born yesterday. Tupper rather disinterested.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Fri. Apr 11</td> <td>Quint left for Pt Colbourne to work on a lake freighter.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Thur. " 17</td> <td>Dad. started to work on the land.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Tues. " 29</td> <td>Bought manure-spreader. Huby gets a job on new Canning Factory.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Thur. May 15.</td> <td>We got locked in the band room. Long Geordie Lang threatens suicide.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Fri. " 23</td> <td>T.A. Ivey defeats the school by-law by dirty work.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Wed. " 28</td> <td>Johnnie Walker's mother & old Mrs. Norquay died.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Mon. June 2</td> <td>Pommers born. We get J. Walker's Joce to work corn ground.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Fri. June 6</td> <td>Finished planting corn. Raising at Frank Ryerse's. Frost night before last.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Mon. " 9</td> <td>We get Walt McCall's sick colt. $25.00 cream che {cheque} for May from 3 cows & 2 heifers. Frost last night.</td> </tr> <table> https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/0ae4013ded33858dd19593c2bbe07d98.pdf bbb8bcbffa7cdd273887a69b70712d89 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. <table> <tr> <td>Wed. June 11</td> <td>Sold Taurus for $62 1/2. Walt's colt died. Tupper sheared the sheep</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Thur. " 12.</td> <td>Sold wool to Penmans @ 10 cts pound. Harry Dyar nearly killed in auto-wreck</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Tue. " 17</td> <td>Aunt Louise died this morning. Dad. & I do statute labour.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Sun. " 29</td> <td>Three barn fires up Radical road. Capture a suspected fire-bug.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Tue. July 1</td> <td>Get new roller. Val. Leaney arrests a motor cyclist. Simcoe man drops dead.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Thur. " 3</td> <td>Dad. started to cut hay.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Wed. " 16</td> <td>Dad. takes hay rack party to Shands. Win passed entrance - honours</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Fri. " 18</td> <td>Jim Low killed by Dave Turners engine. Frank failed in exams</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Wed. " 23</td> <td>Lila fell down the horse stable chute.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Thur. " 24</td> <td>Started to cut wheat.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Mon Aug 4</td> <td>Cut oats.</td> </tr> <tr> <td><s>Fri. & Sat " 8 & 9</s> Thur. & Fri " 7 & 8</td> <td>Aunty and I drive to Burford & back with Josie.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Wed. " 13</td> <td>Buck's Park bridge over road collapsed, some bad injuries</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Sun. " 24</td> <td>Tiddums christened. Huby studies service to act as God-father</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Mon. " 25</td> <td>Dad beats Taylor for trustee. Dick & I go to Glen in "Victoria". Mrs. Hobbe's picnic</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Sat. " 30</td> <td>Walter, Roy & Vernon come. Great mix up getting them all home.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Tue. Sept 2</td> <td>Cecil Lamb not expected to recover from typhoid fever</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Sun. " 7</td> <td>Dad. Aunty & Frank drive to Port Rowan</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Tue. " 9</td> <td>Aunty leaves for the West. Hard afternoon's thrashin at Tupper's</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Sun. " 14</td> <td>Tomato & corn leaves nipped with frost. Dave has alsike poisoning</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Wed. " 17</td> <td>Started to sow wheat but had to quit for rain</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Wed. " 24</td> <td>Thrashed 560 bus oats from 18 acres</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Thur. Sept. 25</td> <td>Jonas & I start cutting corn. Mrs. Dave Waddle died</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Sat. Sept. 27</td> <td>Hanmer 47 {illegible} died to-day after 2 days illness</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Thur Oct. 2.</td> <td>We get ram from Dunkin. Dad. plays pedro at John Quanbury's</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Wed. " 8</td> <td>Orpha Flemming & Wilbur Ryerse reported married.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Thur. " 23</td> <td>Mrs. Brierly buried.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Sat. " 25</td> <td>News arrives of birth of 2nd {Lyall?} boy. Agitation to close picture show.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Wed. Nov. 5</td> <td>Frank caught skunk & is nearly impossible to live with.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Thur. " 6</td> <td>Dad. took ram back to Dunkins & got imported one.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Fri. " 14</td> <td>Terrible storm on Upper Lakes. Many wrecks & great loss of life</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Fri. " 21</td> <td>Huby brings Bluch over to the farm.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Sat. " 22.</td> <td>Ed. Moon and I tear down the old windmill.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Thur. " 27</td> <td>Jack Phillips died last night from typhoid fever</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Mon. Dec 1</td> <td>We got word from Aunty that Uncle Hal. has had a stroke.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Sat. " 6</td> <td>I take over the chicken business from Frank, who prefers trapping</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Sun " 7</td> <td>Dick buys himself a $12.00 watch.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Tue. " 9</td> <td>Gint Rankin chivaried at Jim Low's lunch counter</td> </tr> <tr> <td>1914</td> <td></td> </tr> <tr> <td>Mon. Jan 5</td> <td>Vyse beat Ed. for reeve, council Sovereign, Taylor, Henderson and Laing. Hammond beat Atkins in township.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Tue. " 6</td> <td>Rus. Lampkin erected windmill.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Sat. " 10</td> <td>Thrashed alsike. Tiddums has whooping cough</td> </tr> </tr> <table> https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/f4188a4a756439e9e7e53936d06e2d9d.pdf e31cc7e878c23aa55fb58ec2f1bb2013 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. <table> <tr> <td>Mon. Jan 19</td> <td>Alan & I take seed to Jarvis. Sold alsike $8.00 & Red. $7.75</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Wed. " 21</td> <td>Mully had big red bull calf.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Sat. " 24</td> <td>McBain's auction sale.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Wed. " 28</td> <td>Alan filled our ice house.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Tue. Feb 3</td> <td>Winkey Smith buried to-day.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Thur. " 5</td> <td>I got the new "Library of Original sources"</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Fri. " 6</td> <td>Dad. sells his lots in town to Jim Caley.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Wed. " 18</td> <td>Knocked pigeon house of old chicken pen moving it out the lane</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Wed. " 25</td> <td>Old Split-ear had a fight with Frank's pig, which attacked her lamb</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Wed. Mar. 11</td> <td>Tiddums can walk alone. Inez Schram married. Eclipse of moon</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Tue. Apr. 7</td> <td>Rus. Gordon came to spend Easter</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Wed. " 15</td> <td>Got farm deeds from Reed. Crown deed given Colin McNeillege 1837.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Sat. " 18 </td> <td>Ray Lampkin died this morning.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Wed. " 22.</td> <td>Conon Hicks died yesterday. U.S. take Vera Cruz.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Fri. " 24</td> <td>Huby and I set fire to the woods accidentally.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Sat. " 25</td> <td>The "Maple Leaf" scores Vyse's administration.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Wed. " 29</td> <td>Enah went to Toronto to hear the new organ in St. Pauls</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Thur. " 30</td> <td>Got incubator and brooder from Jack Martin</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Thur. May 7</td> <td>Wilbur Ryerse's have a daughter. (Zeitha)</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Sat. " 9</td> <td>Huby planted Carolina poplars along side road and fence</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Tue. " 12.</td> <td>Very wet. Tom Abbott asks Dad. not to mention weather. He hears enough of it.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Mon " 18</td> <td>Started work on the land.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Tue. " 26</td> <td>Edna Sidway died.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Sat. May 30.</td> <td>New bridge over dam. Empress of Ireland sunk with 1000 passengers.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Wed. June 8</td> <td>Frank & I get skip of beer from Mrs. McPherson</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Sat. " 13</td> <td>Planted corn. Bill Oaks marked the field.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Tue. " 16</td> <td>Huby and I help to raise the roof of Tuppers barn.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Thur. " 18</td> <td>Had a visit from Col. McDonald.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Sat. " 20</td> <td>Dick gets home from a visit to Toledo</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Wed. " 24</td> <td>Sold Osprey to Lea Marshall for $132.50</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Mon. " 29</td> <td>Provincial election. Whitney government returned A.C. Pratt beat Andrew Innes by 130</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Wed. July 1</td> <td>Tiddums scalded his foot. I spent the day at home.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Fri. " 3</td> <td>Started cutting hay in the corner field.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Sat. " 4</td> <td>John Henry Butler died this morning.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Sun. " 5</td> <td>Topsy Walker came to play the organ without her hat so was sent back</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Sat. " 11</td> <td>Buildings at the brick yard burned to-night.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Mon. " 13</td> <td>Frank got word that he failed to pass Entrance.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Sat. " 18</td> <td>Cut wheat.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Sun. " 19</td> <td>I take Marj. Clarke for a drive</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Wed. " 22</td> <td>Jack McCurty cut his throat. Army worms doing great damage in counties north of here.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Thurs. " 30</td> <td>Austria has declared war with Servia & Belgrade is taken.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Sun. Aug. 2.</td> <td>Huby, Quint & I drive to Dr. McInnes ginseng farm & to Billington's</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Sat. " 22.</td> <td>Toronto regiments orderd to Valcartier. Fred. McDonald with 48th Highlanders. Byron Johnson with Chatam regiment</td> </tr> <table> https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/2b21f2b8c6020e089d7dcaf3e7190124.pdf 5c41a6470038f6b7d32f5863b6bd3cf5 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. <table> <tr> <td>Thurs. Aug 27.</td> <td>I play in the band for patriotic flag day sale.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Sat. " 29</td> <td>Veterinary Inspector pronounces Anthrax, cause of death of Bannister's & Quanbury's cows. Dad. disagrees.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Sun. Sept. 13</td> <td>We boys visit Exhibition. Dad. keeps diary while we are gone and has busy time with Anthrax reports on cattle</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Mon. " 14</td> <td>Looks as if war can't last long, Germans seem to be in flight.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Sat. " 19</td> <td>Drilled wheat on buck wheat stubble</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Fri. " 25</td> <td>Finished sowing wheat on alsike stubble.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Sun. " 27</td> <td>Frost night before last.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Wed. " 30</td> <td>Dad. sees Harry Harding off. He has been home all summer</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Thur. Oct 1</td> <td>Willie Nixon wins first prize on milk stool at School Fair</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Tue. " 6</td> <td>Frank and I finish cutting corn</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Thur. " 8</td> <td>Bess Perry & Patt married. Dad & I go to Dunkins for ram</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Sat. " 10</td> <td>Marj. and I go after chestnuts & run into thunder storm.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Sat. " 17</td> <td>Charlie Quanbury has bought the Lewis place by Shand's school</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Mon " 19</td> <td>Pud. Smythe and I go to Simcoe to drill with Capt. Simson's company</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Tue. " 20</td> <td>Dad. goes to Toronto to meet Aunty, Aunty Alice & Uncle Hal. (diary doesn't say)</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Thur. Nov. 5</td> <td>Henry Awde and I start building chicken shed.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Thur. Dec. 3</td> <td>No entries for 2 weeks. I had jaundice. Uncle Hal. died last Monday.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Sun. " 6</td> <td>Frank is confirmed to-night.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Sat. " 12</td> <td>Cousin Lizzie Hyde sends us a box of family treasurers.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Fri. " 25</td> <td>Nobody but Tiddums & Lila got Christmas presents. Ferdy Wiser here.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Wed. " 30</td> <td>Jean Davis married. Mrs. Jim Waddle died. Mr. Lemon buried Monday</td> </tr> <tr> <td>1915</td> <td></td> </tr> <tr> <td>Mon. Jan 4th</td> <td>Boughner in township. Local Option defeated in Simcoe</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Mon. " 11</td> <td>I got to Guelph. Quint to New Bedford. Bird Smith married.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Mon. " 18</td> <td>T.L. Gillies dropped dead.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Mon. Mar. 1</td> <td>Aunty and Aunty Alice leave for Fort Saskatchewan</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Fri. " 19</td> <td>Art. Ryerse reported to be on the land.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Thur. " 25</td> <td>Sam Jacques vs. Nicolls over a bottle of whiskey</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Mon. Apr. 5</td> <td>Easter Monday. Willard won big fight, (Johnson)</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Wed. " 7</td> <td>Dad. sowed oats in the little orchard.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Tues. " 27</td> <td>Dad. at Murdock vs Yeager Trial. First heavy Canadian casualties.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Wed. " 28</td> <td>Ade Millman and Ernie Skey both married to-day.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Thur. May 6</td> <td>Aunty and Aunty Alice arrive home from the West.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Fri. " 7</td> <td>Lusitania torpedoed in Irish Sea, 1500 drowned.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Mon. " 11</td> <td>Art Walker home from hospital. F. McDonald prisoner in Germany.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Sat. " 15</td> <td>Had to send my little chestnut tree back to the States</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Sun. " 16</td> <td>Ginger has a fine colt. (Billy)</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Fri. " 21</td> <td>Harry Smith on Wright place has horse killed by barbed wire fence.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Thur. " 27</td> <td>May Ivey has plural pneumonia, not expected to live.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Tue. June 1</td> <td>Dad sheared the last two sheep.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Fri. " 4</td> <td>Bill Oaks came out to mark corn ground. I started planting</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Mon. " 7</td> <td>I give Art Quanbury a day & we have dinner at Charlie's.</td> </tr> <tr> <td><s>Fri</s> Tues. " 8</td> <td>Sold the wool at Penman's for 20 cts a pound.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Fri " 11</td> <td>Mr. Billings died in Montreal.</td> </tr> <table> https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/67f8774cb07bc13dc9c5bc1324e0566a.pdf e76309f932df304c866b2a968451478f PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. <table> <tr> <td>Mon June 28</td> <td>Started cutting corner field.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Thur. July 1.</td> <td>Stretch fence along John Wess line this forenoon. Celebrate this after noon. Harry Moon & John Gorden bombard. Dardanelles</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Thur. " 15</td> <td>Frank passed entrance, so elated, he wants to go back to school</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Sat. " 17</td> <td>John R. Davis died very suddenly.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Mon. " 19.</td> <td>Staib. the station agent died yesterday.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Thur. " 22</td> <td>Huby has 200 names on Custom house petition. Quint. sick in New Bedford</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Mon. Aug 2nd</td> <td>Dad. started to cut wheat.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Wed " 4</td> <td>25 people killed in Erie by flood. 2000 homeless</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Fri. " 6</td> <td>We give old Bluch to Bob. Ross</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Sun. " 8</td> <td>Vyse tried to haul wheat to-day, but terrible storm prevented hailstones like wallnuts broke 10,000 panes in Ivey's greenhouses</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Fri. " 13</td> <td>Frank and I dig at big ditch in timothy field, we intend to tile</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Sat. " 14</td> <td>Hallam, new blacksmith. T.A. Ivey killed in Hamilton.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Fri. " 20</td> <td>Dad. away with Harry Ausley & Huby. Enah helps Frank & me haul barley.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Thur. " 26</td> <td>Huby starts to work at Customs Office. We cut locust tree at Huby's.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>{obscured text} " 27.</td> <td>Quint comes home from New Bedford.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>{obscured text} Sept 2.</td> <td>Finished cutting wheat. Badly sprouted due to wet weather.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>{obscured text} " 7</td> <td>Mrs. Harding died last night.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>{obscured text} " 8</td> <td>Ed. Turner died.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>{obscured text} " 16</td> <td>Huby has moved to Bill Slocombs house. Aunty & Aunty Alice down {home?}</td> </tr> <tr> <td>{obscured text} " 18</td> <td>Finished hauling & stacking oats from back fields</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Thur. Sept. 30</td> <td>Dad. summarizes 10 days events. I get sick thrashing @ Vyse's</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Fri. Oct 1</td> <td>Dad. finished drilling 4 acres of wheat.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Thur. " 7</td> <td>Dad. started ploughing and I cut corn.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Sat. " 9</td> <td>Orm Millman broke bone in his ankle while after nuts.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Mon. " 11</td> <td>Dolly Smith reunion at Shand's school.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Thurs. " 14</td> <td>Gordon McCall died of wounds overseas.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Fri " 15</td> <td>Aunty Alice gave me a lot of her books. Pope, Hone & Milton.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Wed. " 20</td> <td>Aunty Maude in Brantford hospital for operation.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Wed. " 27</td> <td>Three weddings to-day. Maime Shand, Ray Hammond, & Miss Bloxom.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Thur. Nov 25</td> <td>I go to Caledonia and buy Elgitha from Douglas for $180.00</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Fri. Dec 3</td> <td>Charlie Shand going out West.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Sat. " 4</td> <td>A.C. Pratt. organizing the 133rd.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Fri " 10</td> <td>Cecil Powell back home from the Front.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Wed. " 22</td> <td>Queen hooked on first time with Joe to bob sleighs</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Sat. " 25</td> <td>Had Christmas dinner at the James. Frank smokes strong cigar.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Sun. " 26</td> <td>Choir start wearing surplices</td> </tr> <tr> <td>1916</td> <td></td> </tr> <tr> <td>Mon. Jan. 3</td> <td>Walker beat Vyse. Council. Moon, Harry Smith, R. M Taylor, Matt. Wilson</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Mon. " 10</td> <td>Dickens night at A.Y.P.A. Aunty Maude & Cousin Willie take part</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Mon " 24</td> <td>E McPherson on to get signatures on a Total Prohibition petition</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Tue Feb 1</td> <td>Tige sick with the Grip.</td> </tr> </tr> <table> https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/7a20a1da75b4d9eb3cd17995d31cb8b6.pdf ef9e48e8cc5d613d0b857253476df9c9 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. <table> <tr> <td>Thur. Feb 3</td> <td>Mrs. Hodge died. Hammy Innes & Bill George enlist. Cliff Lees vs Penmans Lawsuit</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Sat " 5</td> <td>Parliament Bldg. at Ottawa burned. Seven people killed</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Mon " 7</td> <td>Minnie Misner leaving for Egypt as Red Cross nurse.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>" " 14</td> <td>18° below zero. Last of Dad's canarys gets killed.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Sat. " 19</td> <td>Took load to Simcoe rink with Faulkner's team. They nearly got away.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>" " 26</td> <td>Ed. Moon & Jonas Green latest 133rd recruits. French desperately defending Verdun.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Thur. Mar 2</td> <td>Dad. & Frank drive to Pt. Rowan for Aunt Ida's furniture</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Fri. " 3</td> <td>Bill Duncan buried. Row on between Pratt & officers of 133rd.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Mon " 6</td> <td>Frank gets geese from Faulkner to raise on shares.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Tue. " 7</td> <td>Jack Martin has bought Vyse out.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Wed " 8</td> <td>We get Clyde mare from Harry Ansley</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Thur. " 9</td> <td>Party at Quanbury's. Bad. blizzard. Start arranging for Mr. Smith's reunion</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Fri. " 10</td> <td>Quint quits mill in New Bedford. Huby hopes he will enlist.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Sat. " 11</td> <td>We walk to Lynn Valley to see fire - Edmund's grist mill.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Tue. " 14</td> <td>Glen Ryerse jacks up old shed roof.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Sat. " 18</td> <td>10° below zero. First robin.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Mon. " 20</td> <td>Dick to start sleeping at bank. Hazen leaving for Ottawa</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Fri. " 24</td> <td>Tommy Jackson has sold out to Frank Ryerse</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Sat. " 25</td> <td>Vyse's sale. Quint has signed up (with 133rd)</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Fri. " 30</td> <td>John Watt's sale. Johnny Loan & Ernie Hinds both sell out to enlist</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Wed. April 5</td> <td>Sam Law's farewell party.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Sat " 29</td> <td>Belle's twin colts born dead.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Mon. May 1</td> <td>Started to work on land - back side hill.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Sat. " 6</td> <td>Cattle turned out.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Tue. " 9</td> <td>Sold Ginger to an American.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Tue " 30</td> <td>Dad. nearly breaks his neck falling down woodshed stairs</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Thur Jan. 1</td> <td>Emery McPherson builds us a refrigerator</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Sat. June 3</td> <td>All but me go to circus in Simcoe. Heavy British naval loss.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Sun. " 4</td> <td>Dick & Dess visiting "Grandpa Mead" in Simcoe</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Tue " 6</td> <td>Kitchner drowned.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Fri. " 9</td> <td>Mr. Ashbow spends the night with us.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Sun. " 11</td> <td>Mr. Fleming's "Prince" breaks leg & has to be shot.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Sun " 18</td> <td>Robert John Watson's mother & Mrs. John Watts died.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Wed " 21</td> <td>Jack Martin's horse had tetanus. Joe Fields shot it.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Sun " 25</td> <td>Mr. Rennand, rector here 41 years ago, preached to-day.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Mon " 24</td> <td>Robert John Watson married.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Tue. " 27</td> <td>Mrs. W.H. Smith died this morning.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Thur " 29</td> <td>Barwell's horse ran across railway bridge ahead of train.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Sat. July 1</td> <td>Mr. Smith's reunion. Col. Pratt gets himself disliked</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Mon. " 3</td> <td>Started to plough for buckwheat. Very little seeding done. Wet Spring. We started to move Art. Quanbury's barn. Big Allied drive.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Thur " 6</td> <td>Frank starts to cut the corner field.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Fri " 21</td> <td>Mrs. Gus Smith killed on tracks</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Thur " 27</td> <td>Started cutting wheat</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Fri " 28</td> <td>Family all goes to Harry & Lizzy Langs silver wedding anniversary</td> </tr> <table> Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary Collection Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Theobald "Toby" Barrett Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Courtesy of Archival and Special Collections, University of Guelph Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1911-1925 Language A language of the resource English Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 20th Century, Norfolk County, Woodhouse Township, Ontario Table Of Contents A list of subunits of the resource. Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary & Transcription, 1911 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary & Transcription, 1913 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary & Transcription, 1914 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1915 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1916 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1917 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary & Transcription, 1918 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1919 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1920-1921 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1921 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1925 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1925-1926 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1926-1927 Medium The material or physical carrier of the resource. Scanned Manuscript Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1921 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Theobald "Toby" Barrett Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Courtesy of Archival and Special Collections, University of Guelph Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource April 16 to December 31, 1921 Language A language of the resource English Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 20th Century, Norfolk County, Woodhouse Township, Ontario Date Created Date of creation of the resource. April 16, 1921 Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary Collection Medium The material or physical carrier of the resource. Scanned Manuscript UG Transcription Progress Scripto transcription progress Done Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>[Inside front cover]</p> <p>DIARY 1921</p> <p>T.B. Barrett. Port Dover. Ontario</p> <p>Cnocfierna</p> <p>From April 16th 1921 to December 31st 1921</p> <p>{A newspaper clipping is blocking the left side of the right hand page}</p> <p>April 16th, 1921</p> <p>...over this morning to help Pickford build...it started to rain soon after he left and ...all day so they couldn't work at the cellar...stayed over till afternoon visiting. We...thing over here but chores but sat...most of the time. To-night I went...boys meeting and then down to the train...The train was in at 9.30 and Marj &amp; I...to stay all night as the walking was...turning colder to-night.</p> <p>{April} 17th</p> <p>...before Sunday school this morning...I went straight there and to church...Bishop's secretary was preaching in Mr. ...as Marj knew him having made his...last summer at Lake Couchiching, we...him over to Jack Martin's where he...Jack's mother is sick again so...Frank stayed down at Aunty's to...I spent most of the after noon doing</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>chores. Mark was in for a few minutes on his way down town and we had quite a heated discussion on prohibition Tomorrow, Ontario is to decide whether or not she will allow the importation of liquor and we all have our own ideas about it. Mark and I stick up for the rights of the individual on principle while the others are more practical and think the welfare of the state should be considered first. I'm no friend of booze but I feel that prohibition is more of a Prussian ideal than it is British but as most people think the other way I don't care. Dad. went down to night to see Aunt Ida who has been quite sick. It has been a miserable day, Snowed three or four inches last night and has been raw &amp; rotten to-day.</p> <p>Monday April 18th</p> <p>Frank went down to Pickfords this morning and they finished building the cellar. I took some eggs over to Jack Martin and Dad took Tid. to school and brought Jack Walker back with him. Jack is canvassing the congregation to increase the revenue of the Church and is doing very well. This after noon Marj. and Enah drove down town and Marj. stayed down to tea and went to the Girl's auxillary to-night. I went down to band practice to-night and we came home to-gether. Aunt Ida was sitting up to-night but looks very sick. Elgitha dropped a roan heifer sometime during the night. Dad is going to try to milk her but she is pretty wild I have to stand and scratch her all the time Dad is working at her as she kicks with great force and no warning. Lovely day, sunny &amp; mild but muddy.</p> <p>Tuesday, April 19th</p> <p>We bagged up some oats first thing this morning and Frank took them to the mill. Marj. and I pruned raspberry bushes till noon. This after noon Frank &amp; I went down and got a load of sawdust to put in the ice house. Frank also got a couple of boards to make a little closet in our room. I saw Aunty down town and she says Aunt Ida is worse again. Dad went down to see her to-night and Enah went over to Uncle Ward's to see Ada who is improving. Dad had a letter from Dick to-day saying that he has been ordered to report at Montreal, but doesn't know what they intend doing with him there. The returns of the polling are not all in yet but so far there is over 100,000 majority for non-importation so I guess the drys have it. Dover went 150 maj. for it</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Wednesday April 20th</p> <p>We were all greatly surprised before breakfast this morning to see Dick coming through the field. We didn't think he would be able to pay us a visit on his way to Montreal but he landed in last night late and turned in at Aunty's. He came over early to tell us that Aunt Ida had died about five o'clock this morning. Aunty was alone with her. We were all shocked as we had no idea she was so far gone, the doctor was sure she would be around again. Dad went down with Dick right after breakfast and has been down all day. Enah went down this after noon. Dick didn't come back to-night. I spent the day doing chores and helping Marj. house clean our room. I made the closet thing for her but didn't get it put up. Charlie Blake came in at noon to borrow my brooder and his car got stuck in a mud puddle in the lane as he didn't have chains on and we were about an hour getting it out so didn't have dinner till late. Then Karl &amp; Fred Coleman came in and were here quite awhile, they took the two year old ram for 8 cts a lb. and I sold them Oliver for 5 cts or fifty five dollars. It seems like giving him away as he is actually worth $150.00 for breeding, but no one wants him apparently. To-night I took a little stroll down to the pond but didn't stay long, very pretty moon &amp; clouds. Warm all day &amp; fine.</p> <p>Thursday April 21st</p> <p>Dad drove Tid down to school this morning and went on down town to get his hair cut and make final arrangements for Aunt Ida's funeral. He came back about eleven and brought Dick home with him for dinner. They drove down again about three and Dick left on the five car for Montreal. Frank and I spent the day doing chores and ploughing around in the mud. It has rained more or less all day. I finished fixing the clothes closet for Marj. Arthur &amp; Bobbie Pickford came over to-night and bought Tid's pet lamb for a quarter. It was one of a pair whose mother wouldn't own it. Maple Hill Nellie had a nice roan bull calf arrive to-day, a fine one.</p> <p>Friday April 22nd</p> <p>We all went down early this morning to attend the service at Aunty's before they started for Port Rowan with Aunt Ida. Mr. Ward came down with the Bowlby's from St. John and had a prayer at 9 o'clock. Then Dad, Huby, Doc &amp; {Name?} Bowlby went with the body to Port Rowan. They had Faulkner's team and double</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>carraige. They had at first figured on going by motor but yesterday's rain put a stop to that plan. They had an awful trip especially after they struck the Port Rowan clay. They got back to town about nine o'clock to-night but Dad. didn't get home here till about 10.30 and was very stiff. Frank and I just did chores. It was a fine morning but rained most of the after noon and the mud is worse than ever Frank and I went down in the waggon at noon and got the bookcase that Mr. Bagley made for Marj. It was a dandy. This after noon Frank took the old waggon wheel out to John Evans to have a new tire put on. Mark was over and brough Enah a setting of eggs to put under her little black hen that is sitting out in the barn, but when I went to put them under I found she had one chicken hatched out.</p> <p>Saturday April 23rd</p> <p>It rained hard again during the night and has been very muddy and sloppy to-day. The barnyard is impassable. Dad. let Nellie out this morning and we shifted the calves arund put Bill in where she was and Martin's calf where Bill was after first castrating Bill &amp; the white calf. Frank went down in the waggon to get some waste strips at the Widespread for kindling and Marj. went down town with him. Dad. &amp; I just did chores. Wilbur Ryerse was in for awhile to see if he could borrow the dipping tank. To-night Dad. Enah and I went down town. They went to "Pinafore" practice and I went to the Tuxis boy's meeting and then up to Harry Dyer's &amp; got my hair cut.</p> <p>Sunday April 24th</p> <p>Marj. Frank, Tid &amp; I went down to sunday school &amp; church Aunty &amp; Aunty Alice came over here with us after church and stayed for the after noon and then after tea Dad. &amp; Enah went down with them to church. Mr. Doherty was here again to-day Mr. Barwell gave Marj. &amp; me the church books and all the money to count up and look after to-day and we spent most of the afternoon and evening working at them but Marj. got them all squared or balanced up properly. Beautiful day.</p> <p>Monday April 25th</p> <p>Frank and I finished shearing the sheep to-day. He got a new comb for the machine and it worked better but seemed to cut the sheep more. Some of them were very sticky and we were all day shearing the six of them. We were late getting started this morning as we were delayed</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Wilbur Ryerse came in and offered me six cents a pound for Oliver if I would take him out to-morrow morning. I told him Karl had bought him for five but I would see him to-night and ask him if he would let me off. However Karl came after him while Wilbur was here and took him. It seemed a shame to see him going for that price as he looked nice when we took him out, but there was certainly no money in feeding him any longer. Marj. went down this after-noon and stayed to tea at Aunty's and then went up to the Girl's auxillary meeting. I went down to band practice. Hot.</p> <p>Tuesday April 26th</p> <p>Dad. took Tid. down to school this morning and then went down to Aunty's to give them a half a day in the garden. He got home about three o'clock. Frank and I docked the rest of the lambs and then helped Marj. &amp; Enah take up the parlor carpet and beat it. We also took some pictures of house cleaning operations. Frank and I packed the wool before dinner and didn't have much trouble. This after noon Frank went over and sheared Tom's &amp; Mark's sheep for them and I started to cut the lawn but didn't get much done. Arthur Preston was over this morning and he and I started to have a nice little discussion on the lack of data to prove the theory of evolution, which for a wonder neither of us believe in but Marj. cut it short by yelling at me to help house clean. Arthur said he had been at the same job himself. To-night Dad. &amp; Enah went down to "Pinafore" practice and Marj. Frank and I put the books back in the bookcases. Our bookcase looks fine with all of Marj's books in it. It has been very hot to-day and feels very rainy.</p> <p>Wednesday April 27th</p> <p>I finished cutting the front lawn this side of the ditch this morning and started to rake up the willow twigs on the other side but it started to rain about noon and kept it up more or less heavily all the after noon so I didn't do any thing outside but chores after dinner except help Dad. doctor Nellie's calf's horns. Frank took the wool down this morning and shipped it and got another load of kindling at the Widespread. Dad. cleaned out the cellar. Dad. drove Enah down town this after noon and brought Tid. home. He helped me do chores and then drove down and met Enah at the Barwell's where they had tea and afterwards went to Pinafore practice. Rain cleared off to-night &amp; cooler.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Thursday April 28th</p> <p>We put the rack on the waggon this morning and Frank and I went over to Tom's &amp; Mark's and got a small jag of straw. Dad. went over to John Wess's this morning and visited him till after noon. Frank and I put off the straw after dinner and then I finished raking up the lawn. Dad. helped me. To-night Marj. Frank and I went down to a Sunday school meeting to give Sam Morris who is going to act as superintendant some information Marj. and I then went to the concert which the Simcoe musical club put on for the benefit of the Y.M.C.A. work. I had to play in the band during intermission and before the show started. There was a very small crowd but the concert was good especially Zeitha's &amp; Murray Dillon's performances It has been a lovely day.</p> <p>Friday April 29th</p> <p>I have felt very tough all day with a bad cold and haven't done any thing but help Dad. milk all day It was cold &amp; rainy most of the day anyway. Dad. &amp; Frank clipped Mexico this morning. Neff. Telfer and a Scotchman came down this morning and castrated 10 lambs. Dad &amp; Enah went down to Pinafore practice to-night. Frank went down to Pickfords to see Irene and the rest of us went to bed.</p> <p>Saturday April 30th</p> <p>I haven't felt much better to-day and Dad. has felt about all in too with the same kind of cold and Enah stayed in bed till noon. Frank and I hauled over a small jag of hay in the waggon box to the barn &amp; horse stable and we bagged up six bags of oats which Frank took down for a grist. They are going to close the mill down Monday for six weeks for repairs so they say. Frank went down town this after noon and got some clothes to rig Dad. out for "Pinafore". Oliver Mann &amp; Nanny came through this after noon with a dandy coon which Nanny's dog had killed out in Shand's woods. They were here about an hour robbing all the sparrow's nests they could find. Tid. has had a great string of visitors to-day. Two Forrests &amp; a Mertland were over this morning to catch rabbits but failed. Oral Misener was here for dinner and two of Ben Ivey's kids were over this after noon. Rus. Lampkins was in to look at the pump and Charlie Munroe came to ask Dad. about a sick horse. Frank went down to run the Tuxis boy's to-night as I felt to tough. Cool &amp; Cloudy.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Sunday May 1st</p> <p>I didn't go to Sunday school this morning as my cold still feels rotten. Marj. Frank &amp; Tid went down and I went over to see Jack Martin's deer which he got the other day to adorn the hillside at Mrs. Battersby's place. I took a walk around by the mill before I came home. Marj. &amp; I spent most of the after noon counting the morning collection and trying to make the books balance. Cecil &amp; Winnie came over about four o'clock and stayed to tea and spent the evening. Cecil is a {comical card all right?}. Frank went down on his wheel to-night and {got the?} evening collection after church and Marj. &amp; I {worked?} at it till late and then I don't {words very faded...} came out {word faded}. We seemed to have 10 cts more money than we had {illegible}. Cloudy cold and threatening all day.</p> <p>Monday May 2nd</p> <p>Dad. went out down with Tid. this morning and cut the lawns down at Aunty's for them. Frank and I went over to Ivey's and put on what we thought to be half a ton of hay and put most of it off in the horse stable and the rest in the barn. It is very thistly but it will tide us over as we are right out. There are five or six loads of it over there and Landon told Frank to take what he wanted of it and give them what he thought was right. After dinner I went back to the woods and got a bass wood hop-pole Marj. was just starting down town to bank the church money when I got back and as her corn was hurting her I drove her down with Queen. Frank cleared a lot of the bush out of the orchard this after noon and burned it. I helped him when I got back. Dad. worked at the Income Tax Report all the after noon. Marj. stayed down to tea and went to the Girl's auxillary and after tea Dad. Enah &amp; I went down to the "Pinafore" first dress rehearsal. Dad. wanted me to paint him up a little, and they all thought he was a horrible sight. Marj. came up to the hall and we watched them for awhile. They are all in a state of terrible anxiety as Ralph Rackstraw was at practice about half jagged and didn't know his part nor couldn't sing and they are afraid he will be full to the neck by to-morrow night. He &amp; Lou. Dixon really did get married Saturday night. We all had doubts at the bottom of our hearts that she would ever hold him down to it but I guess she has him now for sure. Joe &amp; Johnnie were married the same day.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Tuesday May 3rd</p> <p>I havent done a great deal of any thing to-day except chores and odd jobs. Dad. has felt pretty tough all day and had to rest up for "Pinafore" to-night. Marj. has felt miserable all day. Frank went down town and got our tickets to "Pinafore" changed from to-night till to-morrow as we figured Marj. wouldn't feel like going to-night. He finished cleaning the brush out of the orchard this after noon and I helped him a little. To-night all but Marj. &amp; me went to the concert and we went for a walk down to the pond and saw Jack's deer, the buck came up and licked Marj's hand. Frank took Irene Pickford down. Tid. went down to Aunty's from school and was to have gone to the show from there but he was sick all the afternoon in school and was too sick to go to-night. They brought him home with them and he has quite a fever. Pinafore went off fine. Ralph was in good shape and Dick Deadeye's horrible looks were very impressive. He won his bet with the Captain which was that he could make him laugh He accomplised the feat by hesitating in his dialogue with Capt. Corcoran to take an imaginary cud out of his mouth walk to the gunwale and toss it over board.</p> <p>Wednesday May 4th</p> <p>Frank disked on the field back of the barn all day to-day and says it went pretty well. Dad. disked, not Frank in the morning with Harry &amp; Billy but they got Pommers in at noon and Frank took them. Dad. &amp; Enah still feel pretty miserable with bad colds and are tired out. Tid doesn't seem any better and has pains in various parts of his anatomy. I spent most of the day raking up and cutting the grass back of the house and across the ditch. Marj. helped me this morning a little. I had a bad pain in my eyes all after noon but they were better to night. Frank stayed with Tim. to-night and the rest of us went to the show. They had another full house and it all went off fine. Marj. &amp; Enah drove Mexico down and Dad. &amp; Enah drove home. Marj. &amp; I walked home as they stayed down to a supper which the I.O.D.E. promised for the officers &amp; crew of "Pinafore" Fair &amp; warm.</p> <p>Thursday May 5th</p> <p>Frank disked all day with Harry &amp; Pommers and I harrowed with Joe &amp; Queen and we are getting this field into pretty good shape although it doesn't work up</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>as nicely as it would have if it had not had so many pounding rains on it and the grass had not got such a start. Billy Mills brought the broadcast seeder back this after noon and visited with Dad. for an hour or so. Walker &amp; Wyat Waddle were in for awhile trying to sell Dad. some lightning rod. To-night Marj. and I went down to the teacher's meeting but were late and then I went to band practice and called for Marj. at Aunty's. Tid is still pretty sick and has quite a fever. Fine but nice cool breeze</p> <p>Friday May 6th</p> <p>Frank disked all morning and this after noon drilled the field. Dad. &amp; I treated the seed oats with formalin and then Dad. started to harrow after the disks, and I was going to mow the lawn before dinner but Billy Mills came over and wanted the cultivator teeth changed to the hoes on the old drill so Frank did that for him and I harrowed while Dad. took his turn. I harrowed after dinner till I finished the field and then I cut the lawn. Frank drilled with the old drill. He had intend using the disk drill but as he would have had to wait till I got through harrowing to use Queen for the third horse. Fine day and quite hot.</p> <p>Saturday May 7th</p> <p>Frank started in disking the old corn stubble first thing this morning and I sowed clover seed on the field we finished yesterday and Dad. harrowed after me. When I finished sowing I went with Marj. over to Mrs. Battersby's to get some rhubarb and have a look at the deer. The buck has shed his horns. I then went out and uncovered two rows of the strawberrys before dinner. After dinner Dad. &amp; Frank ran the ditches in the field back of the barn and I finished harrowing it from where Dad. left off and then went out and harrowed over the corn stubble. Frank finished disking it soon after they got the ditches run and then hooked on to Jack Martins spring tooth and got pretty well over it with it. It worked up pretty hard &amp; lumpy in places and the grass is bad in a few spots but I guess we can make a fair seed bed out of it and it has never been ploughed. I went down to the Tuxis boys meeting to night &amp; Marj. went with me down town, Zeitha was over for a few minutes this morning Fine &amp; cooler</p> <p>Sunday May 8th</p> <p>Marj. Frank &amp; I went down to sunday school and</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>church this morning. Mr. Anderson of Huron College preached. Aunty, Aunty Alice &amp; Quint came over with us for dinner and Quint went back about five but Aunty &amp; Aunty Alice stayed to tea. Dad. &amp; Enah went down to Church with Aunty Alice and Aunty stayed with us in case Tid wanted her till Enah got home from church &amp; then she drove her down with Mexico. Mark was in this evening for awhile. Tid was up to-day but looks &amp; feels pretty peaky yet. Frank was visiting various maidens all day.</p> <p>Monday May 9th</p> <p>Frank finished the field with the spring tooth this morning and then I took the roller out with the little team and smashed up some of the worst lumps. Frank followed me again with the spring tooth and this after noon Dad. took Billy &amp; Harry out and disked, we think we will have it in shape to sow to-morrow after noon. Frank and I cleaned up some more seed oats this after noon. To-night Marj. &amp; I went down town, she went to the Girls' auxillary and I went with the Band up to Doc. Lemmons. We took him up a wicker chair and spent a very nice evening. We played several pieces then he &amp; Lou. sang &amp; we all sang &amp; had cake &amp; coffee. Hot &amp; dry wind.</p> <p>Tuesday May 10th</p> <p>Dad. finished disking this morning with Harry &amp; Billy and Frank and I cleaned up some more seed and heated it and then took the little team and went over to Ivey's where we got another jag of hay. This after noon I harrowed over the field and Frank followed me with the drill and finished sowing by six. To-night Enah went down to a meeting of mason's wives to help figure out ways &amp; means of entertaining 250 masonic visitors who are coming next week. Fine with dry wind.</p> <p>Wednesday May 11th</p> <p>Frank started disking the big field east of the old garden this morning and worked till noon. Then Dad. &amp; he ran out the ditches in the corn stubble as it looked a little rainy and Dad went on disking this after noon with Harry &amp; Billy. He came up at five to do chores but Frank took the team till six but didn't quite get over it, he has been getting good long days in lately, he gets his own breakfast and is out with his team by seven. Dad. and I cleaned ditches in the field back of the barn this a.m. and I finished this after noon. Marj. &amp; I got some narcissus bulbs to-night down in the road by Mrs. Battersby's. Cold wind all day</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Thursday May 12th</p> <p>Frank has worked all day on the land and this after noon Dad. took Billy &amp; Harry out and worked with him I set out the narcissus bulbs we got last night and when I got started I spent the remainder of the fore noon working at the flower border, dug up around some of the plants where it was very hard and planted some gladioli. Rus. Lampkins came down this morning and he &amp; Dad. were all morning putting the new head on the pump at the house. Rus was here to dinner. This after noon I set three more hens and then went and cleaned the ditches in the corn stubble. To-night I went down to the Sunday school meeting and to band practice. Marj. had a cold so stayed home. Cold wind, threatening rain.</p> <p>Friday May 13th</p> <p>Dad. and Frank worked on the land this morning and Dad disked all the after noon. They are getting the big field in pretty fair shape. Frank put the little team on Jack's spring tooth this morning but didn't keep them at it very long. It was pretty heavy for them. I sowed the clover seed on the corn stubble this morning and Frank harrowed it in with out crossing the ditches that I cleaned out. He left a couple of places in the field across the ditches with out harrowing to see if there would be any difference in the catch, some claim that harrowing covers the seed too deeply. This after noon Frank and I cleaned up oats enough to sow the big field. We got Marj. to come out to the barn and mend bags for us, much to her annoyance as she wanted to make garments for the heathen. Enah &amp; Tid. went down town. Frank went out at five and took the team and Dad. brought the cows up. It has looked very rainy all day but it didn't.</p> <p>Saturday May 14th</p> <p>Dad. disked crossways all morning on the big field and Frank and I treated the seed. I went out and harrowed for about an hour and then came up and helped Frank bag up the seed and we took it out to the field before dinner. Frank felt pretty tough this morning with a pain in his face which he thought was from a tooth but he felt quite sick at dinner and to-night we have decided he has the mumps which are very prevalent just now, he has been in bed all after noon and feels very miserable. Dad. drilled in as</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>much of the field as we had ready this after noon which was about as far up as the mouth of the big ditch. I harrowed ahead of the drill till I got up that far and then I went up and started at the chores. Dad. didn't get up till pretty late and I had the milking nearly done. I didn't get down town till nine o'clock to-night and then Marj. who was waiting for me at Aunty's told me that she had told the boys I would be late so I didn't go up to the meeting at all. Very dry with a cold wind but sunny</p> <p>Sunday May 13th</p> <p>Marj. and I went down to Sunday school but didn't stay to church. Enah came went down and we came home to mind Frank who has developed a beautiful case of mumps and looks like a cartoon of a pork-packer. We drove Mexico home from Sunday school and Dad. &amp; Tid drove him down again and they all stayed at Aunty's for dinner. Marj. and I had dinner by ourselves and then I did chores. I read for a little while &amp; Marj. played and then we both went back after the cows. Dad. let them in the back field this morning so we had to go back to the woods after them and Marj. got a lovely bunch of wild phlox. Dad. &amp; Tid came back before we got out of the field with them as they didn't know we were back there Marj. and I went down to church to-night. Mr. Edmonds from London preached and they had a male choir. Tom. Butler was here when we got home, we did up the books to-night. Quite cool.</p> <p>Monday May 16th</p> <p>Dad. and I worked on the land all day but couldn't get in such long hours as the chores take a long time with Frank laid off. Dad. drilled in the east side of the ditch and I harrowed ahead of him and finished harrowing what he drilled in on Saturday. Marj. went down town this afternoon and stayed to tea at Aunty's. I went down to band practice to-night. Charlie Blake brought us home in his car. He has to come around this way on account of the swing bridge being down. Joe Steele was in at noon with Wild Mayo the thoroughbred stallion of Sir Adam Beck's which Ed. Eaid is keeping this year. Froze last night. Cold wind &amp; very dry all day</p> <p>Tuesday May 17th</p> <p>Dad. finished seeding to-day. He disked the little piece west of the ditch this morning and I harrowed it and</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>he got started to drill it before dinner and finished soon after and then ran out the ditches. I harrowed after the drill but spent most of the day doing chores. Neff went by to-night. He says he has to go to Leeds County and is very sorry to leave Norfolk. Aunty &amp; Aunty Alice were over for tea to-night and Enah drove them home and was going to see Miss Newell for her birthday. Froze harder last night did some damage</p> <p>Wednesday May 18th</p> <p>Dad. and Tid have been down at Aunty's nearly all day fixing up the paths and Tid. cut all the lawn. I was most of the morning doing chores but got in about an hour before dinner cleaning ditches and spent a couple or so at the job this afternoon and got quite a lot done. Marj. drove Mexico down town this afternoon and took some self seeded lettuce plants down to Miss McQueen. To-night she and I drove up to George Duncan's with Queen and I returned his hens We came back to town by the Radical road and picked up Miss McQueen and took her for a little drive through Doan's Hollow. Beautiful night, has looked rainy to-day. Miss McQueen gave Marj. a lovely plant of buttercup the large kind to-day and Dad. brought home some dahlias</p> <p>Thursday May 19th</p> <p>Dad. and I finished cleaning out the ditches this morning but were delayed doing chores and talking to Charlie Butler who was in to have Dad look at his mare's hock. We didn't finish the ditches till noon. We spent most of the after noon cleaning up the garden and burning the rubbish. We had hoped to start hauling manure on it but there was so much stuff that wouldn't flow under that Dad. thought we had better clean it up first, he trimmed the old blackcurrant bushes and they're in fine shape. To-night Marj. and I went down to the teacher's meeting and after that I went to band practice. Mr. Lawrie was up there I called at Aunty's for Marj. and Charlie Blake drove us home. Hot all day and looks dry again. Lovely night.</p> <p>Friday May 20th</p> <p>I spent most of the morning doing chores. Dad. had to be with Frank who begins to show slight signs of recovery but is very weak yet. About eleven Dad. &amp; I went over to Ivey's and got a very small jag of hay which we put off in the horse stable and the barn after dinner and then got the spreader out and hauled out three loads of</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>manure on the garden. Jack Walker was over at noon &amp; wanted Enah to go down and play for George Law's funeral at two o'clock so she went and then came home and did a lot of cooking for the Mason's big banquet to-night and took it down at six. Dad. went down about eight to come home with her. Lloyd Ryerse was in to-night to see Frank. Tid. and I went over to Ivey's and dug up a couple of paeony roots. Very hot all day. Getting very dry.</p> <p>Saturday April May 21st</p> <p>Dad. and I hauled manure all day and got the garden covered and the strip of mangle ground that Frank and I didn't finish. I spent most of the time between loads doing chores. Marj. &amp; Tid. drove Mexico down town this after noon. I went down to the boys meeting to-night but didn't get there till eight and they had all gone. I saw several of them later &amp; they told me they had been there. I went up street and talked to Mark for about an hour and then went over to Dyer's and got my hair cut. Mark went over there and waited for me and we walked home to-gether Tom &amp; their new house-keeper were down at the show</p> <p>Sunday May 22nd</p> <p>Marj. &amp; I went down to Sunday school and church and Enah went down to church and went to her mother's for dinner as Elva &amp; Brant were down. They brought her home soon after dinner. We had a sick looking student take the service to-day. Just after dinner Ade Millman &amp; his wife &amp; her sister and brother in law drove in.They were headed for the beach hut it was looking like a bad thunder storm so they took shelter here. They went in the house but the minute they heard Frank had the mumps they fled as if the lions would bite them. Each family had a little girl and they were so afraid they would catch the mumps. It rained a little shower but soon dried off and they went on down town. Later Mr. Pickford, Irene &amp; Mandie walked over and stayed till it was time to do chores. To-night Marj. wanted to go down and get the church money but it looked so rainy just as we were ready to start we didn't go and a great thunder storm set in.</p> <p>Monday May 23rd</p> <p>It rained very hard and for a long time during the</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>night and it was too wet to do any thing in the garden this morning. Dad. opened some ditches in the oats that had been filled with the harrows or had not been deepened enough but said the fields were all drained very well. I spent most of the morning doing chores and planting some dahlias that Aunty sent over. This afternoon Dad started to plough the garden and I tried to cut the lawn I didn't finish and it was a hard job as it has been let get too long. Frank was out to-day wandering around a little he looks pretty peaked and has lost 15 lbs. Marj. went down town to see Glad. Law this after noon and stayed there to tea. I went down to band practice to-night and Charlie Blake drove us both home. Dad's back is lame</p> <p>Tuesday May 24th</p> <p>We didn't do any thing to celebrate to-day but there have been a great many cars going past all day carrying extra loads in the shape of fish poles &amp; picnic baskets and to-night I heard fire-crackers popping It has not been a nice day for an outing at all, cloudy &amp; a cold east breeze. Dad. finished plowing what was dry enough of the garden and this after noon we disked and harrowed it although it was too wet to work nicely. Marj. &amp; I went down after breakfast and got the Early Rose seed potatoes at Aunty Alice's. Then I cut some more of the lawn when I got back. Frank went drove Joe down town and went to interview the doctor this afternoon, he got some pills and now feels happier. Aunty was over for a few minutes this after noon to tell us that Miss Minty who has been up at the Bowlby's and who was a great freind of Dad's in early days and who was to have come down here to spend the day to-morrow is not going to be able to come. Dad's back has been very lame</p> <p>Wednesday May 25th</p> <p>We didn't do any thing much this morning but cut a little wood. Jack McBride was in visiting for a long time and Dad's back was very lame this morning but is quite a lot better tonight. I went back about ten o'clock to bring Belle up to the orchard as she seemed a little uneasy this morning when I was after the cows, but when I got back there I found she had a fine big sorrel colt with her</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>he was all right and had evidently been born for some time. He got up when I went near and is very strong on his legs. This after noon Dad. Tid &amp; I went back and fixed the fence up a little between the pasture &amp; the wheat. We also put Iveys cattle all back and fixed the fence above the creek where they had walked under. Frank &amp; Tid. drove Mexico down town this morning and Aunty &amp; Aunty Alice invited Frank down there for a few days to recuperate, so this after noon Marj. drove him down and left him there. Rained in the night. Cloudy but warm to-day</p> <p>Thursday May 26th</p> <p>Dad. finished working up the garden this morning and got some of the potato furrows run out. He finished them right after dinner. I did chores most of the morning and treated the seed potatoes we got from Aunty Alice. This after noon Marj. &amp; I cut them up and she &amp; I planted them we had more than enough to plant the furrows Dad ran. Enah planted seeds all the after noon. Some Mr. Johnson was in this morning to talk up Wild Mayo, Sir Adam Beck's throughbred, and wants to get all the good typey mares for him they can as he says the saddle horse trade is becoming very brisk but the stock is hard to find. Col. McEwen was also in to look at Wilkins. Douglas had told him about him, he thought he was a nice bull but too thin for what he wanted. Marj. &amp; I went down town to-night but were pretty late for the bible class. I went to band practice and Marj. went down to Aunty's where all of Huby's &amp; Cecil were playing cards with Frank, who is being slowly won back to health. There was great excitement for a few minutes to-night when the fire bell rang and all half the town ran down to the lake where Hank Misener's cork house was on fire The fire brigade got it out with out much damage being done. Hank losing his corks. Cloudy but milder</p> <p>Friday May 27th</p> <p>Dad. and I went over to Ivey's this morning and got another little jag of hay to last us for awhile. This after noon Dad. harrowed down the garden &amp; started to plough the mangle patch. Enah worked over in the garden most of the day. I chored around, moved 15 little chickens down out of the loft, planted the rest</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>of the potatoes that were cut and Marj. and I took a walk around by Ivey's lane &amp; woods when I went after the cows. I finished one of my final examination show card texts to-night. Nice day, cloudy but warm</p> <p>Saturday May 28th</p> <p>I did chores and odd jobs this morning one of which was to go out and level down the mound of earth that covered the turnip pit. Dad. is plowing the patch again for roots and the hole where the pit was &amp; the mound had never been levelled. Dad plowed all day and nearly finished the piece. Ham Thompson was over for the wool-box but had to go on over to Tom's for it. Tom was in here at noon so stayed to dinner. I spent the after noon painting my show card examination over again but didn't get it to suit me quite as well as the first one. I went back after the cows about five o'clock and got caught in a terriffic downpour. It has felt like a thunder storm all day and it came. Dad. &amp; I both got soaked. Enah was down town and got a little wet too. Frank was to have come home to-day but he decided it was too wet I went down to the Tuxis boys meeting to-night and was in at Aunty's for awhile. Hot &amp; sultry all day</p> <p>Sunday May 29th</p> <p>Marj. has been under the weather to-day so Tid. &amp; I went alone to Sunday school &amp; I went to church. Quint hailed me on my way home to look at a game he is making to run this summer and he wants me to paint letters on it for him. I spent the after noon reading to Marj. who didn't get up till tea time and then went back to bed again right after. She helped me count the church money to-night in bed. Hot and heavy thunder showers all the afternoon</p> <p>Monday May 30th</p> <p>Yesterday's &amp; last night's rain had every thing so soaked this morning that there was very little we could do. Dad. drove Tid. down to school and did odd jobs during the forenoon and this afternoon opened some ditches I went back to pull cockle in the wheat and got over four loads. I had a sort of grumbling stomach-ache all morning and it was worse after dinner so I didn't go back very early. I went up one load &amp; then went over to John Wess's. A heavy thunder storm came up while I was there so I didn't leave till about five John Wess lent me an old overcoat to come home</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>in and as I had my canvass shoes on I took them off and walked home bare footed. I met Dad. in the gully after the cows. We did chores up after tea and then Marj. and I worked till after eleven at the church books. She feels to-night as if she were getting the mumps. Very sultry.</p> <p>Tuesday May 31st</p> <p>I went back after the cows this morning and found the whole herd except Betsy &amp; Agnes in the wheat, so I had to tramp through after them and as the wheat was laden with dew and a heavy mist that was just rising my trip was more like wading in the lake than any thing else I am sure I poured a pint of water out of each gumboot after I came out. The cows tramped the wheat and nipped of quite a lot of it. They had broken a wire in the old fence between it and the other back field. Dad. drove Tid. to school after breakfast and brought Frank home, he feels better but the doctor told him not to try to do any thing this week. Dad. &amp; I went back before dinner and patched up the fence where the cows broke in and put in a couple of post and this after noon got a couple of rolls of wire to put along its border We got one roll from Jack McBride &amp; one from old Walker the same kind of wire "Peerless". Jack McBride was in here at noon and brought the sheep clippers back. Marj. has been in bed all day and feels miserable. Her right jaw is slightly swelled and sore so we think it must be the mumps. Very hot &amp; sultry but no rain.</p> <p>Wednesday June 1st</p> <p>Dad. &amp; I have spent most of the day stringing up the new fencing along the old barbed wire fence. We couldn't make a very neat job of it stretching it with our hands but it will keep the cattle out of the wheat for the present. We have to go around the gully side of the field and do a little fixing yet. Aunty &amp; Aunty Alice were over for tea to-night. Tid. seems quite delighted that Marj. has the mumps. They wont let him go to school and she can't give him lessons at home. Fair &amp; cold north east wind. Looks clear.</p> <p>Thursday June 2nd</p> <p>Dad and I went back to finish patching the fence between the gully &amp; the wheat and got started to burn</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>the brush in the bush. It wouldn't burn very well so we didn't finish either job before dinner. After dinner Dad took the dining room carpet up for Enah and it was pretty late when we got back but we managed to finish the fence and got a hole burned in one side of the nearest brush pile which will let us get into the woods with the waggon to haul up the rest of our poles. Frank went to Simcoe this morning with Jack Martin to the Sunday school convention and was gone all day. Lila was over this after noon for awhile. Mark was in to-night for a few minutes and said he &amp; Tom were coming over to give us a day plowing corn ground when we wanted them. He said Tom &amp; the housekeeper had gone off driving and he never saw a happier looking pair. He wanted Dad to take him on a bet that they would be married by fall. Hot.</p> <p>Friday June 3rd</p> <p>I spent the fore noon cutting the lawn and didn't finish. It has got long again so is a hard job. Dad. sharpened the scythe, cut a lot of grass around the lane and went out and topped some of the thistles in the oats. This after noon he put the dining room carpet down. It started to rain soon after dinner and looked like a bad storm so I started at another show card and worked at it all the afternoon althought the storm didn't ammount to much and soon cleared off. Tom. was in this after noon and told them that he was pretty sure of marrying the housekeeper, he hasn't asked her yet but he doesn't think he will be turned down. Marj. got up this after noon. Very hot and sultry all morning but high wind &amp; cold to-night.</p> <p>Saturday June 4th</p> <p>We put some seed potatoes in to heat for scab this morning as soon as we got up and then started to cut them right after breakfast, Frank and I cut them. Dad. went back to catch the horses but couldn't do it alone as Billy wouldn't let Pommers follow the others, so I went back with him and caught them. He went out and got about an hour's work in on the potato ground before noon. This after noon he furrowed it out and I planted five rows it was all I had time for. The boys were supposed to come over here for a picnic in the gully to-night but only two of them showed up. Marj. feels miserable again. She is afraid she got up too soon. Sunny but cold raw wind all day</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Sunday June 5th</p> <p>Frank and I drove down to Sunday school and Tid rode his wheel down. Frank stayed down at Aunty's to dinner and Dad. &amp; Enah drove down this after noon and he drove home with Enah. Dad. walked back. I spent the afternoon reading "As you like it" to Marj. who feels very sick. She says she never was so sick in her life before. I am going to sleep on the sofa in the hall to-night. Sunny but cold wind. looks fair.</p> <p>Monday June 6th</p> <p>As we were completely out of wood Dad. &amp; I had to go back this morning with the waggon and haul up a small load. We didn't get started very early and it spoiled the whole morning for us as it took quite a while going all the way back opening gates &amp; fences getting around in the woods loading &amp; unloading This after noon I planted the rest of the potatoes and Dad. harrowed them in and plowed in the furrows. He also worked down the rest of the patch for mangles. I went down to band practice to-night and went &amp; saw Dr. Cook for Marj., she still feels miserable, but better than she did.</p> <p>Tuesday June 7th</p> <p>Tom &amp; Mark came over this morning with their teams &amp; plows and they &amp; Dad. got in a full day plowing corn ground over between the oats in the long field &amp; the side road.They got a lot of ground turned over but it is hard in spots and will take a lot of work. This morning I did up the chores and then took the little team out and rolled &amp; harrowed the potato &amp; mangle patch and started to sow mangles. I finished this afternoon getting in fifteen rows. About four o'clock I went out and started to roll down what they had plowed. We were pretty late getting throug chores as I didn't get the cows {before nor?} they stop plowing till after six. Marj felt better this morning but her head was aching badly again to-night. Frank feels better but the doctor told him to be very careful of his heart so he can't do a thing in the shape of work. Fine day not hot, looks like more rain.</p> <p>Sunday June 12th</p> <p>I have not had a chance to write in this all week as we have been trying to rush the corn ground</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>preparation along and it has absorbed all the spare minutes. Dad. has kept the plow going steadily and Friday night had about an acre to plow but Lloyd Ryerse told him tnat Colin was coming up with the tractor to finish it for him so Dad. got in a day disking yesterday. Colin came yesterday after noon and plowed till they had to stop for a thunder shower but finished all but what Dad. would have had to plow any way. I have kept rolling and harrowing after him with the little team, and the chores have kept me busy as we are out of hay now and have to forage grass for the stuff that is in with the scythe. Marj. has recovered sufficiently to go down to Aunty's to stay for a few days. I drove her down this morning when I went to Sunday school and went down again last to-night, she is feeling much better. Frank hasn't done any thing yet but feels well and thinks he will start working this week. Roy came to stay over to-day last night. He hates Detroit but is glad to be at work. Aunty is under the weather to-day with a bad tooth and Tid is in bed with what we thought was mumps although he seems all right to-night. The little romance which has been developing since Tom &amp; Mark. employed their young housekeeper about three weeks ago was brought suddenly to a head on Thursday when Tom. married her. Thursday morning we saw both Tom &amp; Mark in the field with their teams and later saw Tom's team standing idle and Tom going to town with Charlie Butler, about one o'clock Tom walked through here on his way home and told us he had got in with Charlie when he went past &amp; gone down town to buy the licence having borrowed money enough from Mark, he couldn't get one in Dover so had to go to Simcoe after it. He told me and I fancy nearly every one else he met, to keep it under my hat but he was going to marry the little girl at four o'clock that after noon. Mr. Johnson (who was back this week to gather up some of his stuff) was coming out to do the trick and Totie Smith to help Mark witness it. Totie didn't get out though and Charlie Butler &amp; Mark were the only others present at the ceremony. About five o'clock I saw Mr. &amp; Mrs. Tom driving to Dover on their honeymoon to get some groceries, and both teams were at work again the next morning. Charlie Butler was around</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>the next day warning all the neighbors out to a combined shower, "chivaree" and dance next Friday night. Dad. went down town this after noon to see Roy and I spent most of the after noon in the church books and then went down and took a walk over the back half of Flemming's place as it is for sale now separately.</p> <p>Monday June 13th</p> <p>Dad. has disked all day on the corn ground but didn't get a very early start as we had to go back and catch the horses. I spent most of the morning cutting the lawn and Frank and I seperated the lambs from the ewes and shut them up to starve them preparatory to dosing them for tapeworm. I rolled the corn ground this afternoon. Frank has been visiting blacksmiths trying to get one to shoe Joe. Hallam has a sore hand and can't &amp; old John Evans won't. To-night I went down to band practice. Very windy and quite cool to-night. Tid is all right. Marj. just about well but Aunty's tooth is very bad.</p> <p>Monday June 20th</p> <p>Another week has rumbled along and fast and I don't seem to have had a minute's time to jot down the doings day by day so will have to lump it again. We have been very busy getting in our corn and I have been rising at half past four &amp; five so hadn't much time in the mornings and as Marj. has been down at Aunty's all week I have spent my evenings going down to see her. Ham. Thompson came down and planted the corn for us on Thursday. Friday it rained and I spent the day painting at show cards. Dad. drove down in the after noon and brought Marj. home and to-night Friday we all went out to Tom's shower and dance where we had a great time. Frank cut half of his alfalfa and a little hay {illegible} but we have never done anything with it. Thursday night the band played in the park for the church garden party it was to have been at Jack Paine's but he is too sick to have it. Saturday I harrowed the corn ground and broke up a lot of the hard lumps which had softened with Friday's rain. Yesterday Dick came home for his holidays two weeks. Dad. stayed down yester afternoon with him and Marj. and I went for a drive. Saturday night I camped in the gully with the boys - never again! Hope</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>I slept through most of the night but every now and again would wake up and hear the other fellows rampaging around the fire and some time about two o'clock they all went over and raided Art Quanbury's strawberry patch, I didn't know any thing about that till morning. To-day I rolled the corn ground in the fore noon and hoed mangles this after noon. Dad. brought Belle out and we cultivated them. John Wess &amp; Mrs. Cam. came over for a visit so Dad. went up to see them and Frank and I finished cultivating. Enah's brother and her father &amp; Adelena were over here for tea and I rode down with them after tea and went to band practice. Marj. went down to Aunty's for tea and Chris brought us both home in his new Dodge car.</p> <p>Tuesday June 21st</p> <p>I rode Frank's wheel out to Lloyd Chrysler's first thing this morning to ask him about the Fleming place He gave me Ern's address and said it was still for sale. When I came back Dad. and I hauled in a couple of jags of hay on the waggon box to feed up and then we went back to the woods and got a load of wood. This after noon we hauled in Frank's alfalfa and Dad. went down to the mill with Charlie to look at Herb's horse which he thinks is foundered. Frank cut the hay on the corner field to-day. To-night I went with the band to a garden party at Lamb's {corner?} and Dad. entertained Mr. Johnson from Sir Adam Beck's place and they had a great saddle horse pow-pow.</p> <p>Wednesday June 22nd</p> <p>I went out right after breakfast and harrowed over the corn ground again with the big team and finished about eleven. I then cut a little lawn before dinner All the rest of the family picked strawberries this morning and got 35 boxes and Dad. got a bad attack of heartburn from bending over and felt very miserable most of the day. Dick came over for dinner and he &amp; I walked down afterwards and I went to paint some signs for Quint, he didn't have any ready but I painted out the old one. I came home and helped milk and then Marj. &amp; I drove Mexico down with butter eggs &amp; cream for Aunty Alice. Frank drove Queen down to the Ward's. I went for a swim. Hot &amp; muggy.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Thursday June 23rd</p> <p>I hoed mangels this morning till nine o'clock and Frank hoed in the garden &amp; Dad. did chores, by then the dew was off and we went out and shook up the hay where the alsike was heavy &amp; green. Then Frank got the rake &amp; raked the far side first and before dinner the heavy spots were fit to rake. Dad. &amp; I cocked up for awhile before dinner and we all went at it this after noon and got it all up by to-night. Tom. Butler went by this morning with a load of pear and threw off a couple of forkfulls which were loaded. Dad. Tid &amp; I shelled our hats full and took them up to the house for dinner and and Marj. came out with us and got two basketfulls more. To-night I went down to band practice &amp; Marj. went with me &amp; waited at Aunty's. Mr. &amp; Mrs. MacElvie came to-day and are down at Aunty Alice's now. Chris gave us a ride down and all the way home in his car. Very hot.</p> <p>Friday June 24th</p> <p>Frank and I changed the rails and fixed up the bay over in the big barn to haul hay this morning and we moved the calves over there from the old barn. We hauled in one load of hay and pitched it off in the horse stable before dinner had an early dinner and hauled in three more this after noon, one we pitched off to feed to the bulls and the last one we left standing in the barn floor. Mrs. Walker brought Aunty Alice &amp; the MacElvie's in for a few minutes this morning. They were just out seeing the town. Dad. &amp; Enah went down to-night to see them and took Jack Martin down as they are both such admirers of Sir Arthur Meighen's &amp; Mr. MacElvie has come direct from Parliament. Marj. &amp; Frank went down to the Bible Society meeting to hear a native Chinaman Mr {Wang?} speak and Tid. &amp; I stayed home to go to bed early. Dick was over for tea. Hot but nice breeze</p> <p>Sunday July 3rd</p> <p>Over a week this time without finding time to make an entry so will condense again. Saturday June 25th we finished hauling the hay that was cut and in the after noon I went to Simcoe to a Shorthorn meeting</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>while Dad. &amp; Frank cultivated potatoes. Sunday was a very hot day, we all went to church &amp; Dad stayed down and went down to the beach with Dick Marj. &amp; I went for a drive in the evening. Sunday after noon was decoration day and the band went with the oddfellows to the cemetry. It rained a little Sunday night and Monday I went down to do some painting and got a couple of show cards to do for Ben Ivey which I worked at most of the day and sent down with Frank at night. Ben gave Frank a checque for $2.00 for them and to pay an old debt he had with Frank, he gave him at Frank's suggestion $3.00's worth of dance tickets I felt rather sick all day and went to bed early about ten o'clock we had a terriffic thunder storm which was followed by two or three more during the night. The thunder was deafening almost and a great deal of it. It drizzled nearly all Tuesday morning so I went down and with Aunty's help painted a very gaudy sign for Quint advertizing soft drinks. In the after noon I started at Ben's sign which he told me to go ahead at as he guessed Dyer didn't intend to do it. It was late when I got the scaffold fixed so I only got about an hour's work in on it. Frank cut some hay Monday after noon. Tuesday he &amp; Dad. went up to Jack McBride's and got some fence &amp; posts to put across the corner field to let the sheep in where the hay was taken off. Wednesday I was down town all day finished Ben's sign and got five dollars for it and got Quint's big game board all penciled out to paint. Thursday I went down and spent most of the day painting it but finished this after noon. Marj's father came in Wednesday night and she was with him most of the after noon. Dad. &amp; Frank shocked up the hay to-day &amp; Frank raked it. Friday was the great Dominion Day and there was a bigger crowd into Dover I think than ever before There must have been a thousand cars in town parked every where you looked and running all over, and the radial cars were packed. Frank Dad. &amp; I cocked up the hay in the forenoon and Dad</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>took Aunty up to the dentist's. I was with the band all the afternoon and evening. We shifted around from Buck's to the dock and up to Powell park and in the evening played down on the end of the pier till the lake flies drove us out. The Galt Kiltie band was here too playing all after noon &amp; evening. I didn't get a chance to hear them but Dad. thought they were fine. After we finished playing I ran across the family and later Marj. with her father, Mrs Bagley &amp; Essie. We took a walk down to the beach and the crowd was dense in front of Ben's "Summer Garden" but the most amusing thing down there was to hear Quint &amp; {Zeek?} and a little farther down Quint. yelling like crazy savages for people to try their luck at the games offering prizes of lucky ducks &amp; Cupie {Kewpie} dolls and other things which really seems to prove that the world has gone "batty" for they seemed to get rid of an enormous quantity of hideous things. Dad. &amp; I walked home and milked and I walked home at night and was glad to get here. Dad. was up at four o'clock this morning and after he helped me milk went up to help take Jack Paine's body to the station, the masons were looking after it and Charlie Ivey came after Dad. &amp; brought him back They sent the body to Toronto on the 7.30 train.</p> <p>Sunday July 10th</p> <p>Another week gone and I have no time nor energy to write. We haven't done anything all week but work and work hard getting the hay on the field west of the lane and next the gully in. It was a very heavy piece we hauled twenty loads off it but of course it was bulky The other work is getting ahead of us. I got up at four o'clock a couple of mornings to hoe mangels but havent made much head way. The weather has been very hot and for a few days there was scarcely any wind but the last two or three days there was a very nice breeze, and Friday night &amp; yesterday morning it rained luckily for us just after we finished our hay. Mr. Clarke has been over here most of the week but went to Nanticoke with Warrie Banfield yesterday. Cecil &amp; Winnie were over for tea</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Friday night. We let the sheep in on their new pasture yesterday after noon as Dad &amp; Frank finished putting the fence up. Marj. &amp; I found a cool spot down in McBain's orchard this afternoon &amp; read "A Midsummer Night's dream"</p> <p>Monday July 11th</p> <p>Frank cut hay east of the lane this morning and then took the big team and cultivated corn this afternoon. Dad finished cutting the piece the width of the orchard east of the lane and then I started to rake, and got enough raked for a row of cocks around the field. I weeded mangles and dug a little in the flower bed this morning. To-night I went down to band practice. Still hot, a little breeze</p> <p>Sunday July 24th</p> <p>This being the 26th anniversary of the day on which I first condescended to partake of what this world had to offer in the way of a living and such a day being a fit occasion for making fresh starts and turning over new leaves, I think I will make one more try at writing this more regularly. Another factor influencing this resolution is a brand new non-leakable fountain pen which Marj. gave me this morning and which works beautifully. Another still is the fact that we are within sight of the end of haying and wheat harvest and I dont expect to be so rushed all day and tired in the evenings from now on. The week of July 11th we finished cutting all the wheat and hay and left it all in cock and shock for over Sunday. The first of the following week it rained and was cloudy &amp; wet for two days so we didn't get any hauled but nothing was spoiled. Frank and I went back to set up the wheat shocks that were down and found that only the few that were flat had been wet through. We hauled hay Wednesday and Thursday of last week. Pickford wanted one of us to help him thrash out of the field on Saturday so he came over on Friday with his team and helped us haul wheat for the fore noon and all day we got in six loads not big ones as the wheat</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>was very heavy. Saturday Frank was over helping Pickford all day so Dad. and I finished hauling the hay and got one load of wheat up. We could unload the hay without mowing it as the last one put in, we put in the big barn in the empty bay. Mr. Clarke came back from Nanticoke on the 16th and came over here on the 19th. To-day Marj. Mr. Clarke &amp; I drove down to church and we had chicken for dinner to celebrate. We three also went down this after noon and saw the deer. The buck has his horns back again now in the velvet and they look very sleek &amp; fat. I culled out my chickens the other night and sold 17 all the white ones to Jack and Chris shipped six rocks to Toronto for me. I didn't get paid so I don't know how much I got.</p> <p>Monday July 25th</p> <p>To-day we finished hauling the wheat. Dad. &amp; Frank hauled it up and while they were after loads Marj. and I weeded mangles and I helped them unload. This after noon Marj. and Enah went down to the first performance of the Chatauqua and Marj. and I went down to-night. The music was lovely.</p> <p>Tuesday July 26th</p> <p>Marj. and I finished weeding the mangles this morning and I drove her &amp; her father down to catch the one o'clock car and they went to Brantford and Mr. Clarke stayed there to have Dr. Hicks examine him. I stayed down for the after noon and went to the Chautauqua and heard a man lecture on Soviet Russia, he was a prisoner there for some time and travelled over a good portion of it. I also got my hair cut and made arrangements with Ben Ivey to paint some more signs for him. George Zealand and I are to do it on Thursday if Ben gets the background painted. To night all the family but Marj. &amp; I went to the Chautauqua to see Davis the magician which they enjoyed very much.</p> <p>Wednesday July 27th</p> <p>Marj. &amp; I weeded two rows of potatoes this morning and Dad. &amp; I we did some more this after noon Enah went to the Chautauqua and Marj. went and sat with Aunty and let Aunty</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Alice go but they said the lecture was very poor and inclined to be coarse. We all went down to-night and saw the play "Contentment" by the John Qualen company the actors were very good but the play not up to much. Marj. telephoned Dr. Hicks and found out that her father will be operated on to-morrow morning. Mr. Bagley is going up.</p> <p>Thursday July 28th</p> <p>I went down this morning to paint Ben's sign but found out there had been a misunderstanding between Ben. &amp; George Zealand and neither of them had painted the background so I told Ben I couldnt paint the sign, so I finished painting Quint's board instead and had dinner at Auntys I got home about five and found Dad. Enah &amp; Tid had gone to the Chautauqua to hear the Ferguson light opera company which they enjoyed very much. Mr. Bagley came over as soon as he got home from Brantford at five o clock and told us that Mr. Clarke had come through his operation nicely but was very weak as he had been on the operating table for three hours. Marj. Enah &amp; I went down and heard Hon. Percy Alden lecture on "The outlook in Europe, and Marj. &amp; I thought it was fine although Enah &amp; Frank who was there with Irene Pickford said they didn't care for him. Aunty Alice thinks Aunty is beginning to mend slightly, but she looks pretty sick.</p> <p>Friday July 29th</p> <p>Frank and I went over to Tom's &amp; Mark's this morning where {plan?} was to thrash alsike out of the field and Dad went to Art Quanbury's where Sam was thrashing. Art finished before noon but we couldn't start till about eleven o'clock as the stuff was tough and it was a very cloudy &amp; muggy morning. We thrashed till about half past two when a little shower came up and we had to quit for an hour, during that hour Tom &amp; I went with Charlie Butler over to his place and got a jug of hard cider. We worked hard after that till about five when a real thunder shower came up and we all got pretty wet and had to quit for the day</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>We had tea over there and when we came home I drove down after tea and picked Marj. up, she had been at a party at Mrs. Freeman's and stayed down to telephone Dr. Hicks and found her Dad. was doing nicely.</p> <p>Saturday July 30th</p> <p>Frank went back to try to plow this morning but said it was very hard and the shear &amp; coulter dull. Dad. weeded potatoes and I didn't do any thing much but clear up a little out in front of the house. Marj. went down town this after noon and stayed to tea. I drove down after tea and we went to the station and met Dorrie, the train was late and she was pretty tired. Dad. Frank and I weeded potatoes this after noon and got nearly three rows done. A little cooler lately with big winds</p> <p>Sunday July 31st</p> <p>The Pickford's had a family picnic down the Lake Shore to-day so of course Frank had to go along. Marj. Tim &amp; I went to Sunday school and Enah &amp; Dorrie drove down to church. Mr. Doherty preached. Dad. walked down to see Aunty and he, Enah &amp; Tid went to Clair Herring's for lunch. Marj. &amp; Dorrie took some sandwichs down and ate them at Aunty's after church &amp; then went on the one o clock car to Brantford to see their father who is getting on as well as possibly. I came home &amp; did chores and slept for most of the after noon. Enah stayed down to play again to-night as Mrs. Andrews is sick or something &amp; Dad. drove Mexico home. Dad. Frank &amp; I had tea together and then I took Mexico down so that Enah &amp; the girls could all drive home. It gives me the willies to ride behind him he goes so slowly so I led him down as far as the Ivey's where I found Larry &amp; Tid &amp; Herby Zealand who jumped at the chance of driving him down. I found Marj. &amp; Dorrie had come in on the five car, gone to the Bagley's for tea and from there to church and the Barwells were going to drive them home but Marj. was good enough to drive me home with Mexico instead of goin in the car. Cooler.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Monday August 1st</p> <p>Tom came over this morning and said they would start thrashing about 10 o'clock so I counted all the church money right after breakfast and then Frank and I went over with the team. We started as soon as it was dry enough and had a steady run all day till about half past five to-night when a shower came up and we had to quit with 10 or 12 more loads in the field. We found Cecil &amp; Winnie here when we got home and they stayed for the evening. Winnie expects to take a holiday trip to Montreal leaving to morrow. Marj. &amp; Dorrie went back to the woods and picked a nice lot of blackberries. Dad. went down to tell Landon Ivey about the death of his cow. She died Saturday and had a piece of wire next her heart.</p> <p>Tuesday August 2nd</p> <p>It rained all the fore noon so we couldn't do anything outside. Dad. took some milk down to Aunty's and Frank and I sharpened the binder knives then Marj. &amp; I finished making out the church quarterly statements and Dorris addressed envelopes for us. I also curried Elgitha while Dad. milked her, she gave her hind teat an awful scraping some way yesterday and is very touchy about having it milked. After dinner I drove Marj. &amp; Dorrie down town. Marj. deposited the church money and then went down to sit with Aunty Alice while Aunty Alice went to a party at Miss Buckwell's. I drove her up there. I drove down again after tea and got the girls who had tea at Aunty's and we went to the picture show</p> <p>Wednesday August 3rd</p> <p>Frank cut the oats in the field north &amp; west of the barnyard to-day, they feel like a very light crop and were down in a good many places. Marj. drove Dorrie down to catch the one o'clock car and she went up to see Mr. Clarke, she says he looks much better than he did on Sunday. Marj. brought Mrs. {C.G.D.?} Browne &amp; her two kids home with her. To-night Marj. &amp; I drove Queen down to band concert and we brought Dorrie home, she had stayed for tea at the Bagley's. Mr. Bagley treated us to ice-cream. I got {$5?} from the band to-night. Cooler.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Thursday August 4th</p> <p>Frank cut the oats on the old corn stubble finishing soon after dinner and got well opened up in the long field, he also cut his alfalfa with the binder. I helped Dad. shock up this morning but this after-noon went over and helped Tom &amp; Mark thrash. We finished up over there about five and I came home for supper. Warrie Banfield &amp; his family and his mother came in this morning and took Marj. &amp; Dorrie up to Brantford with them, they filled the Ford pretty well, with five grown-ups &amp; two kids but they got back safely about six had a fine day and found Mr. Clarke looking much better. Dad. has felt miserable all day but has been working</p> <p>Friday August 5th</p> <p>Frank finished cutting the oats to-day and we put the binder away for another year. It took him till about five o'clock to finish. Dad &amp; I shifted the calves around this morning and then started to shock up. This after noon old Dougherty came over and followed us out to the field and stood around and chewed the rag half the after noon so that we didn't get much done &amp; have about half the long field to shock up yet. Marj. &amp; Dorrie went back to the woods to pick berries this afternoon and had a picnic down by the mound They invited me and I went back as soon as we were through milking Tid &amp; Jackie {Cape?} also went back and joined the feast. Landon Ivey was over this morning and wanted a team to help them thrash their wheat {illegible} but Dad. got Pickford to go in our place</p> <p>Saturday August 6th</p> <p>We went out first thing this morning and hauled in the hay out of the orchard and put it over the granary {tied?} the rails to make a bottom for the oats. We then rolled oats for the rest of the after noon, we got in three loads of the field {illegible} the barn leaving about one load out there but it started to rain at noon and rained hard for awhile so we didn't get any more done but I painted a show card lesson. The last bunch I sent down all came back severely criticized. Marj. Dorrie and I had thought of going to the Picture show to-night but it rained again about five so we stayed home</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Sunday August 7th</p> <p>Marj. Dorrie and I drove down to Sunday school but as there was no one in sight to open it up Frank and I took a walk and Marj. had to do the job. Mr. Cornish the new minister came in late last night and was too tired to come. We didn't hear him as Marj. Dorrie and I struck off for Nanticoke right after Sunday school and spent the after noon at Warrie's place. We left Dorrie there to pay a few day's visit and Marj. and I came home in time to do chores. Dad. went down and stayed with Aunty to-night while Aunty Alice went to hear the new minister He made a favorable impression I think and there was a very large congregation at both services judging by the collection, which was the largest since Marj. &amp; I have had the books. We did them up to-night as Bill Barwell brought over the evening receipts. The statements of arrears which we sent out probably had something to do with it but we got a total of $94.66 for the day. Mark was in for a short visit to-night. Frank drove Joe down to the {Cave?} to-night to see the folks before he leaves for the West. Cloudy &amp; cooler</p> <p>Monday August 8th</p> <p>I spent most of the forenoon working out in front of the border and before noon I drove Marj. down town She did her banking and stayed at Aunty's for dinner and then went to Brantford on the one o'clock car to see her father, she says he looks much better, she came home at five and stayed at the Bagleys for tea. Dad. and I went out to Charlie Quanbury's this morning after noon and Dad. bought the old sow Schoolgirl?} for $40.00. We then came home and shocked a few oats up with the forks. Irene Pickford was here for tea, Frank brought her over. I went down to band practice to-night, Mid kept us there till nearly eleven. I then called for Marj. who was at the McQueens.</p> <p>Tuesday August 9th</p> <p>We didn't do much this morning but chores and put a ring on Wilkins Micawber's nose. We had a bad job at it and it took us a long time. Dave McBride came in and gave us a hand. He expects to leave for the West to-morrow with Frank. This after noon we shocked up some more of the oats. Frank has had</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>a busy day getting packed and ready and saying good-bye to all the neighbors. He stayed at the Pickfords for tea and Enah drove him down to-night. He is going to stay at Aunty's to-night and leave in the early car for Galt. Marj. &amp; I went for a little walk to-night and were overtaken by the Doughty family who were bringing Dorrie back, they had been at Brantford.</p> <p>Wednesday August 10th</p> <p>It was rather late when we got the morning chores done up and then Dad. went over and got Bobbie Pickford to come &amp; help us draw {our?} oats. We got in five loads all day and left the last one on the barn floor. There is still one load left in the corn stubble field. Marj. Dorrie and I went to band concert to-night. Fine &amp; cool breeze.</p> <p>Thursday August 11th</p> <p>Bobbie came over again this morning and we started to build a stack. We got in two loads this morning and at noon Pickford and Arthur came over to help us. We got in four loads and then it started to rain and we had to quit. They weren't big loads but we could have finished I believe if it hadn't rained. Arthur Preston came over for a visit and went out with me. He &amp; Pickford pitched on and they would pitch up about four or five sheaves at a time so all I could do was to climb on top of them and I didn't build much of a load. Arthur stayed and gave me some new points against the theory of evolution at which we both laugh. Arthurs latest find is some fellow sneering at theory by claiming that in the course of evolution all life should have disappeared from the earth during the development of the insect life as they being of a lower order than the birds which now it is claimed hold them in check would have destroyed all plant life and then starved to death thereby cutting short evolution in its earlier stages. I agreed with Arthur that that was very logical.</p> <p>Friday August 12th</p> <p>It rained more during the night so that we couldn't do much with the oats but Dad. &amp; I drove down town and got the beaver-board from Reynolds to put</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>on the kitchen. We were down town till noon This afternoon we did up the chores and then went out and set up the last of the oats that were lying down. They weren't in bad shape either Perce Kind{--}'s boy came over to get three lambs which we promised him so we picked out the three biggest {illegible} lambs and weighed them up and the best one weighed 92 lbs. He is giving us 9 cts per lb. for them. We also caught one to kill for ourselves and Dad. got Pickford to come over to-night and do it and gave him a piece of it. It was a nice one too. Fine &amp; cool.</p> <p>Saturday August 13th</p> <p>Cecil came over first thing this morning to put the beaver-board on and he and Dad. have been working at it about all day and got it all on but the kitchen is an awful looking place as it all has to be painted and papered yet. Bobbie Pickford came over about ten o'clock and he and I went out and turned out all the oats and hauled in one load before dinner and three more this after noon. He &amp; Dad. hauled the last one and finished harvest. Dad. &amp; Cecil helped us put the loads off. We didn't get through with the chores till long after dark. Winnie came over to tea and Mr. &amp; Mrs. Millman came over after tea for awhile. They came up from Toronto in the car to-day. It has been fine and cool all day.</p> <p>Sunday August 14th</p> <p>Marj. Dorrie, Tid. and I went down to Sunday school and Dad. &amp; Enah went down to church. Marj. Dorrie &amp; I heard Mr. Cornish for the first time and liked him very much. The whole Millman family came in just after dinner on their way home. As soon as they left Marj. Dorrie and I went down and I went with the band and we gave the long suffering public a sacred concert in the park. Dorrie &amp; Marj. called on Miss McQueen and then went to Aunty's for tea. I drove down and brought them home to-night.</p> <p>Monday August 15th</p> <p>Marj. was sick in bed all day. She &amp; Dorrie had planned to go to Brantford this morning but and go to Miss McQueen's for tea to-night but instead</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Dorrie went alone to Brantford this after noon &amp; to Miss McQueens for tea. I drove her down to the car and brought her home to-night after band practice. Cecil has been over all day but hasn't been able to do much but paint the ceiling and put in some finishing nails as Reynolds hasn't got the stripping out yet. I havent done any thing much</p> <p>Tuesday August 16th</p> <p>I went down first thing this morning to get the stripping at the planing mill but it wasn't ready as Reynolds had promised it would be. Dad. and I went back before dinner and got one of the bolls of wire down and rolled that were between the wheat and pasture. This after noon Tid drove Marj. &amp; Dorrie down and they stayed with Aunty while Aunty Alice went over to Mrs. Woodson's to play bridge. I drove down to-night and got them. Cecil has been over all day and they got the room papered and Cecil started to paint the lower part of the wall green and Enah finished it to-night after supper. I went to see Reynolds to-night and he said he would have the strips in the morning.</p> <p>Wednesday August 17th</p> <p>Tid. and I went down again this morning and they were at the strips when I got there so by waiting till nearly noon I got them. Marj. &amp; Dorrie did up the church books and walked down to deposit the money and then rode home in the waggon. I spent the after noon applying filler that Cecil mixed up to the strips and Cecil at last got started putting them on, so the room commences to have a furnished appearance. I went down to band concert to-night and drove Cecil down with me. The girls had intended going down to Aunty's for tea but it rained hard all the after noon so they decided it was too wet and didn't go down at all. I found that their Uncle George had come in this morning and gone up to Brantford with Mr. Bagley this afternoon to see Mr. Clarke. and expected to see the girls to-night, but I told him they would be down in the morning. He is staying at the Bagleys. Mr. Bagley says Mr. Clarke will be able to come down to Friday and the girls are going up to come back with him. More rain to-night.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Thursday August 18th</p> <p>The girls went down with Mexico first thing this morning and brought their Uncle George over and he was here for dinner and tea. Cecil came over and finished putting the stripping on the walls Dad. helping him. I started a show card this morning and worked at it off and on all day, but talked to Uncle George most of the fore noon. To-night Marj. Dorrie &amp; Uncle George drove Joe down and I walked. Uncle George treated us all to the picture show which was very funny. We then took him up to the Bagley's where he spent the night.</p> <p>Friday August 19th</p> <p>I drove the girls down to the station this morning and then got Uncle George &amp; Mr. Bagley and took them down to the station. The girls and Uncle George went to Brantford on the nine car to shop in Brantford and to bring Mr. Clarke down at five. I didn't do much all day. Cecil was over glueing up some chairs and he and Dad. &amp; I went out and lined up the fence batten. This after noon Dad. and I went out and rolled the wire we had up to divide the sheep pasture from the oats and pulled the posts. I drove down to-night to bring Marj. &amp; Dorrie home. Mr. Clarke was staying at the Bagley's for to-night. Mr. Bagley was to have met them at the Main St. stop with a car but went off with Mr. Bond and was eating musk melon up at {Mr.?} Dixon's where the car came in so Marj. had to go down town and get a car to go up from the garage to get here. Dad. who nearly fainted sitting up there waiting and scared poor Dorrie, but he feels pretty well to-night</p> <p>Saturday August 20th</p> <p>Cecil came over for awhile this morning and varnished the strips on the walls and ceiling. Dad. and I went out and put the iron posts in for the new fence. This after noon we took the waggon back and the plow to the back field and brought up the wooden posts that were there and then we hooked to the rack and hauled in Frank's alfalfa. To-night Marj. Dorrie and I went down town, they went in to see their Dad.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>and then we went to get some {illegible} for sandwichs and to hunt up some body to take us to the band picnic on Monday. We went down to Ben's Summer Garden which was packed and there found Charlie Blake who had no one to take with him to the picnic and on that account had not intended going but he said he would take us, so Dorrie had a dance with him and then we came home rather late.</p> <p>Sunday August 21st</p> <p>Marj. Dorrie and I went to Sunday school and Dad. &amp; Enah went down church. I walked home but Mr. Lamb drove Mr. Clarke over here after church in his car and the girls came over with him. We didn't do much but lie around this after noon except Marj. Dorrie, Tim &amp; I went down to take a picture of Jack's deer. There was a great crowd down there looking at them. Enah went down town to tea as she had to play to day. Alan Law was in to-night to invite one of us down there to thrash to-morrow, which was rather provoking as Dad. had figured on plowing while I was at the band picnic, however I guess he will have to go to thrash</p> <p>Monday August 22nd</p> <p>We got every thing done up in good time this morning and Dad. started for Sam's and was down there all day Charlie Blake came along about 9.30 and picked Marj. Dorrie several baskets cameras coats my horn Marj's knitting &amp; me and we set sail for Fisher's Glen. We called around at the town hall where the rest of the boys were congregated to see if there was any one else wanted to go with us. We found that Mrs. Doc. Lemmons had decided not to go on account of lack of accomodation so we went up there. She called the girls in to make sandwichs for her and after a great deal of flurry &amp; fluster on their part and calm patient waiting on Charlie's &amp; mine we got away and after a very nice drive arrived at the Glen first of all with Carl Colman hard on our trail. It was an ideal day and every body had a good time. I would have had a better time if they hadn't made me play baseball but as there was a great game scheduled between the heavy and light horns I had to take my place. We played about nine or ten innings with an indoor ball</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>and we got beaten 21-15. I guess I did considerably to help the light horns win but wasnt any worse than most of them. I made one home run caught a third man out when two others were on bases I was in the field . We played several times during the day so weren't left much to our own devices We had tea about five o'clock and got home by about half past six and all hands professed having had a good time. Dad. was milking but hadn't had his tea so I was on time to do my share of the chores, and every thing went fine.</p> <p>Tuesday August 23rd</p> <p>Dad. &amp; I spent quite awhile doing chores this morning and then took the waggon back to the field and put on a jag of wood. We then ran out one of the ditchs back there and threw out the sods. Dad. cut it on both sides so it took quite awhile, just as we were coming out of the gully on to the road a bumblebee stung Dad. right over the eye and it has been very sore all day. We discovered they had a nest in the old gate post there. We thought we would have to go and help Pickford thrash this after noon but he came up at noon to tell us the machine would not be there till to-night, so we went back and nearly finished running out our ditchs this after noon Marj. &amp; Dorrie went down town this afternoon and brought Glad Law over to tea with them Dorrie &amp; I drove her home to-night. Fine &amp; warm.</p> <p>Wednesday August 14th</p> <p>Dad. &amp; I got things done up ready to go over to thrash at Pickford's this morning but could see that there was no machine there so we sawed a little wood while we were waiting for it to come and then as there was still no sign of it Dad. and Mr. Clarke drove down to see where it was Pickford said they had some tampering to do to the engine and wouldn't be up till after noon. They came at noon and Dad. and I were both over there till tea time. They finished and Pickford got about 270 bushels all told and his oats were very big. I got another show card lesson nearly done this morning while I was waiting. To-night I went</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>down to band concert but as the Doughty's came in just before I left the girls didnt go with me but Dick Doughty took them down later and we walked home to-gether. By. Williams drove Harry &amp; Lizzie Langs in to-night and they are coming over here for dinner to-morrow. Fine with nice breeze.</p> <p>Thursday August 25th</p> <p>Dad. and I went back this morning and finished throwing out the ditchs in this side of the back field and Dad. started to plow around the whole thing. I came up about eleven and soon after I came up By Williams brought the Lang's in so I took Harry around the farm and we came up with Dad at noon. This after noon we just visited till it was time for Dorrie to go to the train then she &amp; Marj. drove down in the cart and took Dorrie's trunk with them. Harry &amp; I walked down and I went to the station in time to say good-bye to Dorrie. Gosh I hated to see her leave. Enah drove Lizzie down with Joe &amp; took her up town. Marj. &amp; I met her at Aunty's and we drove Joe home. Mr. Bagley was over to see Mr. Clarke.</p> <p>Friday August 26th</p> <p>Dad. has been ploughing all day and going all the way around the two fields. It is very hard and a slow job. His coulter came off this morning and he had to change at town which took him a long time as the clevers were rusted. I dug post holes around the old garden and put posts in. I would have finished to-night but I struck a stone just at five o'clock and had to leave it. After dinner I drove Mr. Clarke down and left him at Uncle Ward's and went after him this evening. Enah went down to choir practice to-night and Dad. went down to see Aunty who is ever so much better. Dr. Cook had her &amp; Aunty Alice over here for a drive this after noon.</p> <p>Saturday August 27th</p> <p>Dad. and I have been all day putting up the fence between the old meadow north of the old garden and the oat stubble, and around the north &amp; west side of the garden so that the cows can't get in although there is precious little</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>there for them to destroy except a beautiful crop of weeds. There will be great pasture for the cows for awhile in the piece that we are fencing off as clover has come on fine since haying although it wasn't seeded. We had to go back to the gully after dinner for one of the 30 ft. rolls back there although we only had a few yards in the fence to finish. J.C. Ross was over this morning looking at the sheep, he is going down to judge at Toronto next week. Marj. drove her Dad down with Mexico &amp; the buggy this after noon and left him at the Bagley's for a day or so I went down to-night and got my hair cut.</p> <p>Sunday August 28th</p> <p>Marj. Tid and I went down to Sunday school this morning and Dad. &amp; Enah drove down to church. Marj. and I walked around by the Bagley's after church for a few minutes to see how Mr. Clarke was, he had been to the Presbyterian church with the Bagley's as they &amp; the Methodists are havi{ng} Union services for a few weeks. Dad. brought Aunty &amp; Aunty Alice over for dinner and took them home just before tea. Aunty is ever so much better but pretty weak yet. The {Warrie?} Banfields and Mrs. Banfield came up and were here for the after noon. I went to bed soon after tea. Bill Fallens barn with all his this years grain and 3 or 4 hundred bushels of old grain was burned yesterday afternoon They claim it was spontaneous combustion but Dad. snorts at the idea and says no barn was ever set on fire by that, through grain heating</p> <p>Monday August 29th</p> <p>It started to rain soon after breakfast this morning and we had a heavy thunder storm for most of the fore noon but it came out hot &amp; sunny this after noon I spent the morning painting my last show card lesson and Marj. posted them this afternoon. Dad. wrote letters to Frank and Dick most of the morning. This after noon we separated the ewes &amp; lambs and put the ewes across in the little front pasture. I worked all the after noon building a fence</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>and bars at the corner of the drive house. Dad. went back and ploughed for awhile he said it went quite a bit better at the bottom of the hill &amp; in the low spots but up on top was as dry as ever I went down to band practice to-night.</p> <p>Tuesday August 30th</p> <p>The bandit hogs, the twin marauders who being spoiled children and allowed to follow their own sweet will ever since they nestled in their fond mother's arms (as it were) must now suffer for their sins by forfeiting their freedom. They have led a life of wickedness first robbing and plundering our crops which were near at hand, pillaging the oat field back of the barn and the strawberries and corn in the garden but not content with confining their operations to the limits of this place where they are tolerated, they were finally seized with the wanderlust and like pirates have been making daily forays into Jack Martin's clover and corn and at last into Billy Mill's garden where they ruthlessly destroyed the kids pop-corn. So a warrant for their imprisonment was carried out last night yesterday morning. Dad. shut them in their pen and thought he had them solid, but they are hardened criminals and did not hesitate to add to the crime of jail breaking to the long list of their evil deeds and to-night Billy Mills chased them home and in an indignant tone recounted their guilty charges so Dad. shut them up again this time right in the pen but this morning they were free once more so once more they were shut up with Gladys, and the door barred and nailed and it seems at last as if they were safely confined, but its hard to say. Dad went back and ploughed this morning and Tid. &amp; I went out with Art Quanbury and brought old Schoolgirl home. I went off and forgot to turn out the windmill and Dad. had to come up to turn it out. Just before dinner Marj. and I drove up to Miss McCoy's to pay her for some hay and stopped in at the mill on our way home &amp; got some shorts for the bandit hogs and some rolled oats and bran for the lambs. This after noon I drove Aunty over here to stay for a few days. It began to rain about five o'clock and we had a heavy thunder storm.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Wednesday August 31st</p> <p>It was pouring rain when I first got up this morning but cleared off and has been very hot and sultry all day. I haven't done a thing but chores all day. Dad. got a pretty good day in ploughing but the flies nearly drove the horses crazy. This after noon Marj. &amp; I drove down town and brought Aunty Alice back with us to stay all night. I went down to band concert to-night. I got the cows up early and went down early and practiced "The Holy City" before the concert. Hal. Steele played it for cornet solo</p> <p>Thursday August September 1st</p> <p>This has been another very hot sultry day and has looked very rainy and thundery but did not rain. Dad. and I got all the ewes over in the colony yard this morning and milked out the ones that needed it. Art. Quanbury came in to invite us out to Charlie's to thrash this after noon. Dad. ploughed all day and I took Aunty Alice down this morning. I stayed there till noon and cut the lawn and dug some potatoes for her. This after noon I started for Charlies to thrash, but stopped at John Wesse for quite awhile as the machine wasn't at Charlie's yet. Cam. came up from the field to get a wire to poke out {the axle?} holes in his sulky plow, and invited me into the house where he treated me to a big piece of watermelon, and told me about the trials and triumphs of the Lemmon's orchestra. Mrs. Welsh has been doing her best to knock it because they wouldn't let Glen play his clarinet that he wouldnt practice on. It is going out now though to various engagements and charging so is doing fine. I got over to Charlies about the time the machine got there and we thrashed for about two hours. Charlies crop aggregated the magnificent total of 95 bushels 18 of which was good wheat the rest very poor oats &amp; barley mixed. I drove down to-night and got Marj. who had been at Miss McQueens for tea and had gone afterwards to the Sunday school teacher's class which Mr. Cornish took and which she said she enjoyed very much as Mr. Cornish was so good.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Friday September 2nd</p> <p>This ink seems to be getting redder all the time although it was blue when it was put in the pen. Dad. has ploughed all day and it has not been quite so hot. I went back this morning and ploughed a couple of rounds while he changed the coulter on the other plow. Marj. went down and had lunch with Aunty Alice and this after noon went to Simcoe to the Auxillary deanery meeting, she got home on the seven o'clock car. I went down this after to dig Aunty Alice's potatoes but as it was pretty late when I got the calves watered I didn't get many dug. I went for a swim before I came home. Quint has bought an old Ford car and is going around to the Hall fairs selling Hot Dogs. He went to Cayuga yesterday.</p> <p>Saturday September 3rd</p> <p>Dad. ploughed all day again and got quite a nice lot done. I spent most of the morning just doing chores. Aunty Alice came over this morning with the awful news that Cousin Loll was dead. She was as well this morning as she has been for a long time and was walking down the street with Cousin Clare who had gone over to ask her to go to Simcoe with her this after noon. They parted about opposite the Hoan's house and before Cousin Loll got to her own house, she fell. Mr. Bagley &amp; Mr. Hoan were up at the corner and saw her lying on the grass so ran down but she was unconsious and died in a few minutes. Of course Aunty Alice and Aunty feel terribly. Enah drove Aunty down this after noon and she stayed down. Marj. &amp; I drove Joe down and Marj. took the church money to the bank and I dug some more potatoes. At four o'clock I went for a swim with Tid.</p> <p>Sunday September 4th</p> <p>Marj. Tid and I went down to Sunday school &amp; church and Dad &amp; Enah went down to church. Dad. Enah &amp; Tid stayed down at Aunty's for dinner and Enah stayed down for tea. Marj. &amp; I came home and I did up the noon chores and we drove Queen down to meet the three o'clock car as Marj. expected her Dad on</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>it, he having gone to Waterford the other day to visit his sister. He didn't come on the three o'clock car so as it was too hot and the flies were too bad to keep Queen out till the five o'clock car came in, we came back home and read till five when we drove down and got him. We nearly had a mess up on the bridge coming home. We met Jack Walker in his car on the bridge and when I pulled Queen to the extreme edge to pass him, she caught sight of the water below or something rattled her so that she wouldn't pass the car and backed off the bridge, however she didn't do any damage and waited quietly till the car passed her. Dad. got home from town about the same time we did and Enah got a ride home after church. Very hot.</p> <p>Monday September 5th</p> <p>I went over to Art Quanbury's first thing this morning to thrash and as there were only five jags of oats it was only about an hour's run. Dad. ploughed all day and Tid. took Mr. Clarke down to spend the day with Uncle Ward. This after noon Marj. Tid and I went back in the waggon to get a load of wood, but as Marj. got jolted so she &amp; Tid walked back through the gully and looked for mushrooms but didn't find any. To-night Marj. &amp; I took some cream down to Aunty and called at Uncle Wards on our way home for Mr. Clarke. This was Labor Day and the reunion at the school house. We had intended going but didn't. Quite a sharp thunder shower at noon and hot &amp; cloudy the rest of the day</p> <p>Tuesday September 6th</p> <p>Dad. ploughed all day and as it has been cooler he got quite a lot rolled over. I did up the chores this morning and then Mr. Clarke and I drove out to Art. Quanbury's to get a couple of bushels bags of old oats which Dad. bargained for this morning. We went all through Art's house which is going to be a dandy. This after noon I hadn't any thing in particular to do so I meandered down to the creek and wandered all over Flemming's place and then lay down under a tree for half an hour and wished I had money enough to buy the place. When I came back I went down to the mill to get a bag of flour for Enah</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Tim started back to school this morning and was very down in the mouth about it. He didn't expect to have to go this after noon but was disappointed and it was with a great deal reluctance that he was persuaded to go, but Enah drove him down in the cart. Marj. &amp; her Dad were down town with Mexico most of this afternoon. Marj. &amp; I did the church books to-night.</p> <p>Wednesday September 7th</p> <p>Dad. didn't get much ploughed this morning as the horses all went back to the gully last night and it took me an awful long time to catch them this morning, then Mark's brother was in for a few minutes to see us, he came up from Toronto to see Mark and was going back this morning. I just did chores this morning and this after noon we all went down to Cousin Loll's funeral. Bill Barwell took us down. They had a very short service at the house and another at the church. Mr. Cornish &amp; Mr. Robertson both officiating. Quint was at the church &amp; Dad. Huby, Quint and I went up to the cemetery. It was a terribly sad affair. Bill Barwell brought Enah and me home and I had the milking done when Dad. got home. He waited down to take Tim down to the dock to see the dredge work. Marj. &amp; her Dad. stayed down at the Bagleys for tea and I went down to band concert to-night and brought them home. To-night was our last band concert. It is and has been very hot.</p> <p>Thursday September 8th</p> <p>Dad. has ploughed all day and has got over far enough to start ploughing off the little hill on this side. I did up the chores and then hooked up the little team to the waggon and took the harrows back and brought up a load of wood. This after noon I took the rollers back and rolled all the after noon. It was very hot and the flies nearly drove the little team crazy. It seemed like a crime to work them. Evans came over at noon &amp; borrowed the drill to sow wheat this afternoon. Marj. and her father went down to Aunty's for tea to-night. They walked down after dinner. Marj. went to the Sunday school meeting to-night and I</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>drove down as soon as I could after tea and Mr. Clarke and I went to the picture show which was rather funny and picked Marj up at Auntys after.</p> <p>Friday September 9th</p> <p>Jack Martin came over first thing this morning and told Dad. he wanted both of us to help thrash this after noon, so as Dad. thought we had better try to have them come here next in spite of the fact that we didn't get any manure out, he didn't go back to plough but spent the fore noon clearing up the barn. He asked Jack if we could have his waggon to go down and get a load of coal and Jack said that the box was on it, but when I went over I found the rack was on it and Billy wanted it to put between the two stacks to pitch into the machine from so he helped me take the rack off and put the box on and I got a load of coal but had to unload it again and take the waggon back. This after noon Dad. and I both went over but Dad. didn't have much to do and came home about four o'clock. We had a very slow run as the stuff was very tough and plugged up every little while. We didn't get both stacks quite thrashed out. Still very hot &amp; sultry.</p> <p>Saturday September 10th</p> <p>I went over to thrash this morning and Dad. said he would go over as soon as they got started at the big barn. We finished the stack down at the Vyse place in about an hour and moved up to Billy's barn, but Sam got tinkering with the separator and found some thing wrong that he said would take him till noon to fix so Dad. &amp; I came home about ten. We thought they would start up this after noon but kept waiting &amp; watching all after noon and they didn't start so our day was wasted. Proper came over to get Dad. to look at his horse which Dad. says has lymphangitis.</p> <p>Sunday September 11th</p> <p>Marj. Tid and I drove down to Sunday school with</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Joe this morning and Dad. Enah and Mr. Clarke drove Mexico to church at least Dad. rode as far as the corner and then walked down. It rained last night and the road was muddy. Cecil &amp; Winnie were over for awhile this after noon and then they went with Marj. Mr. Clarke and I down to see the deer and we took a walk around Jack's place and peeked in the windows of the house to see the renovations. It looks very stylish with the hard wood floors and mahogany wood work, the dining room is all panelled in dark wood. We then wandered around the chicken yards awhile. Just as we got back Mr. Barwell drove the Tibbits in all but Dick &amp; Molly. Little Tinker had a great time with Tid. riding on Mexico. Bill Barwell came over after tea to take Enah to church and brought her home after. Mrs. Andrew's has quit the organ so Enah had to play.</p> <p>Monday September 12th</p> <p>Mr. Clarke left for home to-day He intends making the trip in easy stages and get there the end of the week. Dad and I thrashed all day at Jack Martin's and finished up there a little after six o'clock. We were stopped quite often as the barley stack was very wet, but Sam got mad at Charlie who was feeding and gave him a calling down eventually and then Charlie was more careful but very peeved and never helped Sam move to night. Arthur Pickford and I carried away and had a very easy time all morning, but had to work a little harder this after noon when the burrs began to fill up. I got some hickory nuts this morning and we spent most of our time eating them and drawing pictures in the granary. Dad. came home at noon and did up the chores and we both came home before supper to-night as we wanted to get the milking done before Sam. moved over here. He came in just as we were finishing and by the time he got in the barn and left, it was about half past eight and we had to have our tea after that. Marj. went down town this after noon, stayed at Aunty's for tea and went to a girl's meeting to-night. I went down to come home with her. I intended to go to band practice to see what they decided about practising from now on, but it was so late when I got down that I didn't go, but heard since that we are going to take a rest for a week or so.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Tuesday September 13th</p> <p>We had a very steady run to-day, didn't have to stop at all except to change the table from one side to the other and once we had to wait for Alan to bring a tank of water. We finished up soon after dinner Arthur Pickford and I carried away and got 450 bushels of light oats which was all we looked for but the wheat was rather a disappointment as we only got 156 bushels. It looked like such a fine crop before it was cut that we thought it should have been good for at least 200 but there seemed to be a lot of shrunken wheat in it. We finished up about three o'clock and Dad. &amp; I put the little jag of alfalfa that was on the rack in the barn. Sam. left the engine &amp; machine here for a day or so as he wants to go home &amp; put his wheat in.</p> <p>Wednesday September 14th</p> <p>Dad. ploughed all day, he didn't get started very early as it looked like rain but it didn't amount to anything. I took Tim. down to school this morning and went on down to Aunty's with some cream, she got me to go over to Uncle Ward's and get a couple of baskets of grapes for her. I spent most of the rest of the day moving in loose straw from around the stack into the barn and got quite a lot in. It was a beautiful moonlight night to night and Marj. &amp; I went for a walk down to Mrs Battersby's place and sat around for awhile down there on the bank overlooking the pond.</p> <p>Thursday September 15th</p> <p>I drove Tim to school this morning took some cream to Aunty Alice and went around to the canning factory to show them an ear of our corn and find out if it was ready to pull. Woodyer hardly looked at it but said it was all right. I picked some ears last night and again this morning and was greatly distressed to find every ear had a kind of worm in them eating around the top of the ear. I asked Woodyer about them but he only said "You've got em too" so I guess they can them along with the corn. As soon as I got home I walked over to Charlie Butler's through Tom's &amp; Mark's place and borrowed his waggon &amp; corn</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>rack, he said if I would bring our waggon over for him to use he could have his as long as we needed it. After dinner Dad. &amp; I took the rack all but the bed piece off the waggon and then I went out and cut a couple of roads through the corn field Marj. had gone out right after dinner and started to pull ears, and Enah went out later, and they pulled about a load and left it in piles while I took the little team over to Charlie's to get the rack. I got back and started to load about four o'clock and quit soon after five although I didn't have quite a load on nor all that was pulled but it was getting fairly heavy for the little team to pull and so late I went with it. I found I had 1620 lbs of a load, and when I got to the factory I had to wait for three or four others to unload who were in ahead of me. Willard Butler came in after I did with a big load of over 2 tons. It was after dark when I got home but Dad had the milking done. He ploughed all the after noon,</p> <p>Friday September 16th</p> <p>They wouldn't let me haul any corn to the factory to-day as they are so filled up down there. Mr. Bond told me at first not to bring any down till Monday but when he saw that it was in nice shape to pull, he said Saturday. Dad ploughed all day and I did up the chores and then took the little team back and rolled what was ploughed except on the side hill. The flies were very bad and as I couldn't change the doubletree from the roller to the harrows, it being too thick for the clevice to go over it, I came up early and did up the chores. I had an awful scare to-night and Dad. had a narrow escape from being killed. He was milking Cnocfierna who with next to Bobbie stands next to the far wall of the cow stable. Bobbie's pin had come out of her stantion while I was milking her and she was standing loose. I had finished milking and was halfway across the barnyard when I heard a terrible commotion in the stable and Bobbie &amp; Cnocfierna rushed out. Then I heard Dad. groaning terribly and I thought he was terribly hurt, but when I got to him he was leaning against the wall and covered with mud from head to foot. What</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>had happened was that Bobbie had got frightened we suppose of Tim &amp; young Charles Aikens who were playing up above in the loft, and backed out suddenly upsetting Dad. &amp; his milk right back of Cnocfierna's heels and stepping on him as she went out. All that racket of course scared Cnocfierna and she surged back and broke her stancion and backed out right on top of poor Dad. I had been washing off their bag so the floor behind them was awfully mucky so that he was a terrible sight but fortunately not seriously hurt but pretty badly bruised. I stayed scared for a long time and when I saw Mr. Charles Aikens I told him to get off the place and stay off.</p> <p>Saturday September 17th</p> <p>It rained hard this morning so we didn't go to get a load of corn. It came out very hot after the rain and Dad. and I just did chores and odd jobs, one of which was to get the lambs in and trim them up. We took the team &amp; waggon out to the corn field and got a lot of the stalks and picked up most of the piles of corn that were out there and brought them up here to feed. The bulls seemed to relish the stalks very much. Alan &amp; Sam were up here most of the day tinkering at their seperator.</p> <p>Sunday September 18th</p> <p>We had quite an exciting time this morning by the woodshed chimney catching fire. I was getting ready for Sunday school when Marj came in and said the chimney smelt as if it was on fire but when she told the others they didn't pay any attention to her but in a few minutes Enah came in and called me in a very excited voice and I rushed out to find the woodshed black with smoke. I went upstairs and found every thing was all right up there. Enah put some salt on the fire and in a few minutes it died down and no damage was done. Marj. Tim and I went to Sunday school and Dad. &amp; Enah drove down to church Dad. drove Aunty up to church, the first time she has been all summer but she was pretty tired afterwards. Marj.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>and I stayed down at Aunty's for dinner and all the after noon. We came home about five and I helped do chores and Marj. got tea as Enah went down to play to-night. Quite a cold breeze all day.</p> <p>Saturday September 24th</p> <p>We have been so rushed this last week that I haven't had time or have been too tired to keep the old diary written up so will have to lump the weeks doings and by so doing can just about condense it to "Hauled corn". We have been at it every day but to-day and they wouldn't let us haul to-day as it would mean too big a pile to leave unhusked over Sunday There were two days when we only got down one load a day on account of rain but have hauled two every other day. Enah. Marj &amp; I have been at it pretty steadily picking. Marj. has helped pick every load so far. Aunty Alice came over two days and helped us and got pretty tired. Win came over for a visit one day and we pressed her into the service &amp; Dad picked quite a lot, but has been trying to get as much work as possible on the wheat ground. He finished ploughing the piece west of the little gully and isn't going to try to get any more than that in. I found I couldn't pull a big load out of the field with the little team as Queen wouldn't get down to it and pull like Joe, so I have them been hauling with Harry &amp; Joe &amp; Dad. has been disking &amp; harrowing with Pommers and Queen and once or twice in order to get a real load we put Pommers and Harry on the waggon to haul the load up to the road and then changed Pommers for Joe to haul it to the factory and in spite of the fact that Charlie Butler told me the capacity of the waggon springs was 3000 lbs but that we couldn't overload them with that box we put on 3110 one load but we generally hauled about 2200 and two loads were as small as 1590 and 1640. The corn was coming in to the factory in great quantitys the early part of the week but not nearly so much to-day, and they hope to finish up Tuesday. The weather has been fine except for a couple of showers. No frost yet.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Sunday September 25th</p> <p>It rained quite hard this morning for a short time so Marj. Tid. and I drove down to Sunday school in the buggy. Enah &amp; Dad. drove Mexico down to church and Dad. drove Aunty up to church. Marj. and I didnt go to church but took Mexico home. We drove up to the Laws as Marj. wanted to see Essie and we went down to Auntys for awhile Aunty Alice was there getting dinner ready as Dad. Enah and Tid stayed there for dinner. I got all I could stand of riding in the cart with Mexico when we got across the bridge so I got out and walked home. Marj. and I had dinner by ourselves and just got through with it when Huby &amp; Lila came over Huby was hungry after the walk so he had something to eat. After I got the bulls &amp; calves watered we all went back to the gully to look for mushrooms and see the cattle &amp; colts. We didnt find any mushrooms that were any good as someone had been there before us. Huby was greatly taken wih the colts. He &amp; Lila just left before Dad. &amp; Tid. got home and they of course were very disappointed to have missed him Tid especially. Enah didn't come home to tea but stayed at her mother's and played to-night in church. The Barwells brought her home afterwards Marj and I worked at the church books to night. We have to get the statements out this week so wanted to get every thing ready. Huby said he and Lila went to church this morning and Lila is very strict with him and gets mad if he doesn't behave himself but she started the talking this morning. They sang "For those in peril on the sea," and Lila asked Huby for whose benefit it was. Huby said "I don't know. The Harding girls were having a little sale yesterday. I guess its on that account." The Hardings did have a sale at which Enah bought half a dozen nice dining room chairs for 10 cts a piece. The Hardings have sold the place to Chart Wooley who is going to establish a dairy plant there and they are going out West to keep house for Harry. The cause of the hymn this morning was the Hobbs' departure for England yesterday. Fine, cool wind</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Monday September 26th</p> <p>Dad. Enah. Marj. and I all went out to put on a big load this morning and took out Harry &amp; Pommers. Marj. didn't feel at all well and had to quit before we got it on. We hauled it up to the drive house with the big team and then I hauled it down to the factory with Queen and Joe and Dad. went back to fill in his ditches with Harry &amp; Pommers. He finished them and didn't get up till half past twelve for dinner. This after noon Marj. didn't go out to pick but Dad. Enah and I put on a big load, 3100. I was pretty late getting it unloaded and then I went up to the Hardings and got the chairs Enah bought at their sale, so I was quite late getting home. Marj. went down with me on the load and stayed at Aunty's for tea as she had to go to a girl's meeting to-night. I drove down after her to-night. Huby and Ada. were there at Aunty's so we stayed for quite awhile and talked or rather listened to Huby talk, and then we brought Ada as far as her place with us. Beautiful day.</p> <p>Tuesday September 27th</p> <p>We all four got out in the field this morning to pull corn as this was to be the last day they were going to take it at the factory and we wanted to haul as much as possible. Marj. felt better and wanted to be in on the finish. We put on what we thought was a good big load and hauled it out with Harry &amp; Pommers and down town with Harry and Joe, but when I got down I found I didn't have on quite a ton and a half. Winnie came over for dinner and she helped pull this afternoon and we put on all that we could possibly stick for the last load and we nearly skinned the field all but a few hundred lbs at the far end and the crows had it pretty badly stripped. Marj. went down with me and saw Woodyer weigh it and it came to 3200, the biggest load of all making an aggregate of 16 tons 700 lbs. Marj. went up town to get a registered letter from Dorrie and I picked her up at Aunty's. Win. and Enah drove down in the cart and picked TId up. We are all glad the corn picking is done and think it did well.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Wednesday September 28th</p> <p>Dad disked crossways all day on the wheat ground but didn't get all over it. He wants to harrow and roll it again before it is drilled I took the little team and Charlie Butler's waggon out and gathered up all the corn stalks that were cut along the roadways so that Bill wouldn't have to drive over them with the corn binder. I piled them along the fence between the corner field and the one the corn is in. This after noon I took the waggon back to Charlie &amp; Marj. went with me to call on Mrs. Butler Charlie wasn't home when we got there but came while I was waiting for Marj. He talked to me for quite awhile and then had me tie the team up and go down to the flats where the corn field was and get some pumpkins to take home. When we came up he was bound I should sit down and hear a few records on the Victrola so we heard Humoresque which Charlie had bought on Mr. Tibbit's recomendation and which he didn't care for at all when he got it, but was getting to like it more the oftener he heard it. Cory said she liked it, she gets so tired of their silly pieces but she could never get tired of that one, then Charlie played one of his silly ones and then Nellie Gray sung by Alma Gluck. We didn't get home till five o'clock or after. There was a rag &amp; bone man drove in just ahead of us and wanted to get enough straw to fill a tick I told him to help himself and he insisted on giving me a quarter for it. Marj. worked pretty steadily all morning and after she got home to-night on the quarterly statements for the church and got them pretty well finished.</p> <p>Thursday September 29th</p> <p>Bill Donald came in this morning on his way over to Jack Martin's to tell us that he would be here shortly after dinner to cut our corn, but he got through a little earlier than he expected at Jacks and came over here before dinner. Dad. went back to disk this morning and had a visit from John Wess who promised to come over this after noon and help him, he did come with his disks and three horses and they finished disking. I spent the fore-noon doing chores and cleaning</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>out the chicken house which I didn't quite finish. This after noon I was out in the cornfield with Bill all the after noon. I had to cut around a few places for him to get through and I had to throw the sheaves away from the headland so that he wouldn't turn on them. As soon as he got the field opened up so that he could use three horses, (he put old Harry in) I started to shock up. He stayed at it till nearly dark and got cut up past the water hole. He was in Brantford yesterday to see Seeley the rupture expert, and was so taken with his efficient methods and peculiar manners with his patients that he had to tell Dad. the whole tale including the most minute details, and then repeat it almost word for word to Wilbur Ryerse when he happened to go past this after noon so that delayed things a little. I had heard of Mr. Seeley before as Dad. consulted him once in Simcoe and told of his extremely rough and vulgar speech but also his frank kind-heartedness and his great knowledge of his business. He told Dad at that time there was only one smarter man at the business that he was and that was his father, but the old man has died since so he told Bill there was just one smarter man in the United States than he was and that was his brother. He knew enough to stay home and be satisfied with $30,000 a year while Seeley was fool enough to want $100,000 and run all over the continent to get it, and Bill judged by the way it was flowing his way yesterday he got it all right. We were surprised this after noon by a visit from Mr. &amp; Mrs. Millman. Paw came up to see about getting apples for his evaporator in Vittoria. They stayed here for tea and went down after to see Aunty &amp; Aunty Alice and brought Marj. back with them, she had been down for tea and to the teacher's meeting. The Millman's stayed here all night. Looks rainy.</p> <p>Friday September 30th</p> <p>It was very cloudy and threatening early this morning and about half past six Dad. noticed a perfect rainbow which seemed rather unusual but which we remembered was considered an omen for sailors to beware of a storm, but just barely before seven it began to drizzle. The rain</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>developed into quite a little storm and came at intervals all morning but cleared up pretty well this after noon, but for awhile after breakfast there was a regular hurricane. It seemed to blow from all quarters and created a great commotion but its fury didn't last long and soon quieted down to an ordinary high wind for the rest of the day. Mr. Millman left about ten o'clock when the storm was pretty well over and went up to Vittoria. Mrs. Millman went down to Aunty's and they stayed there to-night. Tim's delicate state of health prevented him from going out in the rain to-day so he has been home from school again all day. Dad decided we had better clean up our seed wheat this morning so cleaned out the barn and got the fanning mill working. Tom came over this morning to see if he could borrow the mill, the same idea having struck him, so Dad. told him to come over about four o'clock and we would be finished. However he and Mark came over right after dinner so they helped us put ours through and then took the mill, we just cleaned up 11 bags as we thought that would sow it. Bill Donald came back this after noon to cut corn and cut till dark, and has about 50 rows yet to cut. Gint Rankin came over this after noon with seven cats the kind they have at shows and offer premiums of good cigars for knocking one over, three throws for 10 cts. He wanted me to paint cat faces on them, so I got a picture of a cat and did my best, painted a face on both sides of each cat and soaked Yint $1.50. He seemed quite satisfied and started off for Langton where they are holding a fair to-morrow. Quint has been up in Kitchener all week where they were holding some sort of old boy's reunion. Quint is selling hot dogs &amp; cupie dolls.</p> <p>Saturday October 1st</p> <p>Bill came over bright and early this morning to finish the corn and I went out with him and took old Harry out. He finished about ten o'clock and left his binder in the yard here as he drove over in his democrat and doesn't know where he will go next with the binder. He is bound to go to the telephone meeting this after noon. The telephone company here is about fixed. They got a grant from the Railway Board to raise their rent</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>and put on a five cent toll for tallking through different centrals, so nearly all the rural subscribers refused to pay and their 'phones have been taken out, and the subscribers are meeting this after noon. I shocked up as long as Bill was cutting and then came up and did chores till noon. Dad. went back this morning and rolled about half the field and started to harrow. This after noon he took four bags of seed and the drill back and put that much in. I harrowed what was rolled and then rolled a little more. Dad thought by getting that much in we could easily finish Monday. There has been a very high cold west wind all day.</p> <p>Sunday October 2nd</p> <p>Marj. Tim &amp; I went down to Sunday school and then to church. Dad. &amp; Enah drove down and drove Aunty up to church. Aunty and Aunty Alice came over here after church Aunty drove over with Dad. Enah &amp; Aunty Alice walked with Marj. &amp; me. Tid went around and got Huby and brought him over to dinner. We just sat around and visited all the after noon and Aunty Alice Marj. and I went and gathered up some hickory nuts. Huby had to go home early but Aunty &amp; Aunty Alice stayed to tea and went down with the Barwells when they came after Enah to take her to church. Marj and I spent most of the evening looking at house plans as we are thinking of building one next Spring out under the hickory nut tree. Feels very much like Fall, high wind &amp; cool.</p> <p>Monday October 3rd</p> <p>It rained a little this morning and threatened more so we were late getting back. I took the rest of the seed back and then finished rolling the field this after noon. I put on a jag of wood this morning and brought it up at noon. Dad. drilled nearly all day but couldn't quite finish the field as he ran out of seed. It will take about a bag and a half to finish the field and sow the headlands. Marj. went down to Aunty's for tea to-night and went to the girl's meeting afterwards. I walked down after tea and went up to as Mr. Cornish about the Tuxis Boys. He has never had any thing to do with them but said he would help me any way he could.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Tuesday October 4th</p> <p>There was a white frost last night, we noticed it on the stable roof but nowhere else. It is the first we have seen although Bill Donald said he had seen it before at his place. There has been a very cold north wind all day and every now and then a driving little drizzle which didnt wet any thing but which was strong enough to make the sheep huddle in a bunch and the colts hump around with their backs to it. I went over to Tom &amp; Mark's this morning to borrow a couple of bags of wheat. Dad thought that as they had the mill they would have some cleaned up, but they hadn't used it yet. They were both out working on their wheat ground but came in and cleaned up a couple of bags for me. I took it right to the back field and Dad. drilled it. I harrowed after the drill and this after noon Dad. ran out the ditches.</p> <p>Wednesday October 5th</p> <p>Marj and I struck off this morning on the nine o'clock car to take in the Simcoe Fair. We parted when we reached Simcoe and I went out to the Show Grounds to take part in a Judging Competition and Marj. went to see Miss Hogg and to get a pattern for a dress. We had three classes to judge, sheep, hogs &amp; dair cattle and I didn't place any of them right according to the other judges so of course didn't get any thing. There were eight others judging. I saw Neff up there, he is here picking his apples. I went back to town at noon and met Marj. and we had lunch a very poor one as far as quality went but costly {illegible} down at Gettas' the Greek restaurant. Marj. also bought some cookies which we took to the park and devoured We then went out to the Fair again and poked around among the crowd all the after noon They had a big midway this year and we spent considerable time looking for Quint who was with Gint some where on the grounds with some sort of booth but we couldn't find them. We took a walk through the sheep pens and saw McEwen who told us that things were still pretty dull in the sheep business. There was a big exhibit of Shropshires this year {Belzner?} was there with quite a flock and so had Waterbury. Ham Thompson had</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>a few up and got 3rd on a ewe and he said she would have got first if she had been fitted. There was a big crowd around Mr. Cantelon's art exhibit and he was selling pictures right and left. When I was up this morning there was some fellow in there that asked me if Mr. Cantelon was dead. I said no that I had seen him that morning but what had caused the mans concern was a white slab that had been used last year in connection with the "Abolish the scrub bull" campaign that had the words "Gone but not forgotten" painted on it and last year had been stuck up over an imaginary grave. To-day they had it parked to be out of the way just at one end of Mr. Cantelon's exhibit. I told the man what it was, so he thought it ought to be turned around so went to do it and came back looking rather amused and whispered " Did you see what is on the other side of it." there lies the scrub Bull." so he didn't turn it, but this after noon there was a newspaper over it. Marj. and I didn't see much of the races and as she got pretty tired we left the grounds in lots of time to catch the five o'clock car and had to wait at the station for quite awhile. We went up to Aunty's when we got to Dover and as Marj felt too tired to walk home she stayed for tea and I drove down after her to-night. It was a fine day but there was a high rather cold wind.</p> <p>Thursday October 6th</p> <p>Dad. and I finished cleanin out the ditches in the wheat field to-day. He got some done yesterday and we worked at them this morning and finished this after noon. When we got these done we went out and tied the corn shocks at the end of the field that I had set up and put up quite a few more. When we came up to do chores we found Jack Quanbury &amp; Gordon Steel staying around waiting for Tim to come home. He &amp; Enah were down town and Marj. had gone down to the teacher's meeting. The boys told us that two fellows had been in in a car but they didn't know who they were but Enah said she had seen Ham Thompson down town and he told her he had been here. He wants a man to help fill silo in the morning I walked down to-night to come home with Marj. and as I was too late to go to the meeting I went up</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>to see Perce Ryerse and got some estimates on building a house. I showed him some plans which Marj. got out of the Pictorial Review and he thought they were very good. We had rather picked on one small house plan which was arranged to save space and was about 20' x 20' on the ground Perce said that if I hauled all the gravel and material for it this winter, he thought he could put it up for between 12 &amp; 15 hundred, in the spring. I went down to Aunty's and Marj. met me there, she had been at Miss McQueen's for tea. Fine but a raw wind.</p> <p>Friday October 7th</p> <p>It was raining first thing this morning so that I didn't go up to Ham's but Dad. and I intend driving up and seeing what they were going to do about silo-filling but just as we were ready to go it started in to rain again and has been raining all the after noon. I just did chores this morning and started to do the church books. I worked at them this after noon and practised painting a little. We did the chores up early and Marj. and I went to bed soon after tea to get warm as the house is chilly these days</p> <p>Saturday October 8th</p> <p>Dad. &amp; I did up the chores this morning and then drove Queen up to Ham's. He said they were going to fill silo this after noon he thought if the machine got there. We drove down to Aunty's for a minute or two and I carried a couple of plants upstairs for them. They are expecting Walter and Elsie this after noon. Marj. and Tim drove Mexico down and Marj. deposited the church money. Dad. and I did up the chores before dinner and went back and closed the gaps into the wheat field. I went over to Jack's after dinner to see if Jack's men had gone up to Ham's and I ran across Sid and Else who didn't know but who talked chicken to me for a while, so by the time I got started up to Ham's they had started filling. I helped Frank Awde pitch on in the field but the cutter broke down and we were stopped for an hour or more, so didn't get one field quite cleared. It was a nasty day cold with driving little showers every now and then. Jack has sold 15 acres of the back end of the Flemming place to some McMullen another chicken man and they are moving him into the Johnson house this after noon although he intends to hibernate and build in the Spring on his own land.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Sunday October 9th</p> <p>It rained hard again this morning and made things very sloppy but it cleared off about breakfast and has been sunny and windy all day but not cold. Marj. Tim and I drove Joe down to Sunday school and Dad. and Enah drove down to church with Mexico. Walter Elsie &amp; John were in church. John is a great boy, very quiet, but not bashful and aparently very cheerful. Marj. &amp; I drove home with Joe &amp; Dad. &amp; Tim with Mexico. Enah stayed at her mothers for dinner and went to Vittoria this after noon with the choir They went up to swell the musical part of the harvest home service which the Vittoria congregation held to-day. This after noon Dad. &amp; Tim drove Queen down and took Walter for a short drive around town. Marj. &amp; I went for a walk around by the Upper Pond where Marj. had never been before. We noticed Henry Misener had a nice lot of apples so went in to see if we could get some for Mr. Clark. Henry said we could. {Hazel?} is there with her twins so we had to have a look at them. They are rather a hard looking pair. The female twin doesn't seem to be doing very well for the feed it is getting. The Barwell's brought Enah home after church to-night.</p> <p>Monday October 10th</p> <p>It was raining hard when we got up this morning and has kept it up all morning. It cleared off this after noon pretty well. I spent most of the fore noon doing up the church books. Pickford was in to see if he could get a sheep from us to kill. Tom Butler was also here feeling very bue at their financial prospects. Tim couldn't go to school in the rain this morning so Dad drove him down this afternoon. Marj. went down to deposit the church money and stayed down to tea and went to the Girl's meeting to-night. She rode down with Pickford &amp; Arthur who were taking some old hens down to ship and come in here to sell one to Enah. I rode with them as far as Billy Mills and found he had gone up to help fill silo so I started up. Dad. picked me up and we drove as far as the mill and met Billy &amp; Frank Awde coming back as it was too wet to work. I puttered around doing chores and fixing the fence a little in the chicken yard and Dad. drove after Tim at four o'clock. We did the chores up early and to-night I drove down to bring Marj. home and we sat for quite awhile talking to Aunty, Aunty Alice and Elsie. Fine night but doesn't look clear yet.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Tuesday October 11th</p> <p>I went up to Ham's this morning and we managed to get the silo filled to-day. We had to wait quite awhile this morning for them to get the machine started but then we had a fairly steady forenoon Frank Awde and I were pitching on in the field back by the woods so as there were four teams hauling they kept us pretty busy. It looked very black in the north when we went back after dinner and we just nicely got started to load when a terrific wind got up, it got very dark and eventually started to rain, we finished putting on a fair load and then we got under the waggon for shelter. Whiteside's scotchman was teamster and he turned his team with their backs to the storm. We sat there for some time but as it didn't show any signs of letting up we went up to the barn. I only had a sweater on for extra clothes so got pretty wet and pretty cold. We found the rest of the gang in the barn so we sat around in there till the rain was over. Then Billy Mills, Frank Awde and I went back for another load &amp; just nicely got back when it started up again and rained fairly hard while we were loading. I had my coat on over my damp sweater and so it got soaked. When we came up that time Ham. took my sweater to the house to dry and brought me out a pea-jacket and in the meantime I lay down in the hay with bags around my shoulders. The sun was soon out and back we went again this time with two waggons and when we got them loaded, we had enough to fill the silo but I felt rather tough. To-night Dad. and Enah went over to a party at the Martin's and had a fine time. Dad. was greatly taken with the newly fixed house.</p> <p>Wednesday October 12th</p> <p>I intended going down and driving Tim to school this morning and then going on down and getting some lime to white wash the chicken house but Pickford &amp; Arthur came in just as we were going to sit down to breakfast and I had to go and help him catch a ewe, as we promised him one to kill, we got a nice one, weighing 132 lbs and sold it to him for 5 cts a pound. Just as good a ewe as we sold two or three years ago for $35.00. That delayed me so that I couldn't go with Tim, so Dad. drove him to</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>school and Marj. and I went down later in the waggon so that we could get Jack's sprayer on the way home. We had to get some things up town including a bottle of creatin to put in the whitewash and when we got down to the lake Clare Deal told us they had just sold the last bag of lime that if we had been there at nine o'clock we could have got some, however we met Chris. on the way over and he said they had some we could borrow. It was noon when we went in after the tank but I got {Name?} to help me load it. I felt tough after dinner for quite awhile in fact all the after noon but mixed up some whitewash and about four o'clock got Marj. to help me as Dad. had gone down after Tim. Marj. put on overalls and an old raincoat and came out but although I pumped and pumped nothing happened except that I kept feeling rottener and eventually we quit trying. Dad. tried to make it go but had no better luck than we did. Fine day.</p> <p>Thursday October 13th</p> <p>I thought I felt a little better this morning and went down to the corner with Dad. when he drove Tim to school and went down to Martin's to find out why the sprayer wouldn't work. I saw Chris. and he said it probably needed priming and explained how to do it. I came home and primed it and it did work all right then except that a lot of the juice came up through the pump at the piston rod. Dad. fixed that so that it ran back into the barrel so we didn't waste much. Dad. and I sprayed and mixed whitewash the biggest part of the day but we got all the chicken houses well sprayed and took the pump back. Marj. went to a party at Mrs. Jack Martin's this after noon at which Elsie won the bridge prize. Marj. went down to Aunty's for tea and then over to the teacher's meeting. I went down after tea intending to go to a special band practice they were having to get their lips up for Donnybrook Fair on Saturday, but by the time I got to Aunty's I felt too miserable to go on up. Walter came back to-day from Hamilton where he has been as lay delegate to the General Synod, but as he, Aunty Alice and Elsie were up at Cousin Bessie's I didn't see him as I felt to tough to wait and Marj. and I came home soon after she got down from bible class. Lovely day.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Friday October 14th</p> <p>I haven't done any thing much all day except feel rather tough although not as tough as if I had moved around more. Marj. went down about eleven and brought Aunty, Aunty Alice and little John over in the cart and Walter and Elsie walked over and arrived at the same time. They were here most of the after noon and little John seemed to have a fine time seeing the little pigs and other animals and picking up chestnu hickory nuts. Aunty Alice went down a little earlier than the rest as they thought there was a possibility of Vernon coming but she didn't. Marj. took the others down before tea. It was a beautiful day, breezy but mild.</p> <p>Saturday October 15th</p> <p>I felt quite a lot better to-day but not quite up to the mark yet. We didn't got the sheep all up this fore-noon and picked out 11 of what we considered the best ewes and put them over in the other field with old Archie. We also picked out the six best ewe lambs and marked them. The others we will sell if we can, but the sheep market is very poor, in fact so is any livestock market, and buyers are scarce. This after noon Dad. and I went out and set up four more rows of corn shocks. I didn't work very hard at it The band went to Donnybrook Fair this after noon but I sent them word that I couldn't go. I went down to-night to a meeting of theTuxis boys but there were only three out, it being the first of the season. Walter Elsie and little John left to-day. Another beautiful day</p> <p>Sunday October 16th</p> <p>Marj. and I celebrated our first anniversary to-day. Enah made a double decked cake and stuck one candle in it. Tim. gave Marj. some handkerchiefs and Aunty and Aunty Alice gave her a box of notepaper this being a paper wedding day according to Aunty. We went to church and sunday school this morning and stayed at Aunty's for dinner and all the after noon. This was harvest home service in the church and they had it beautifully decorated Doc. and Mrs. Lemmon sang a duet. Mr. Cornish had sent out a circular letter containing an invitation to attend the service and to offer a thank</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>offering which was to go towards wiring the church and Sunday school for Hydro. We didn't get one but several Methodists did, anyway the people responded very well. Marj. and I counted the money to-night and the special collection ammounted to $252.55 besides the regular collection in the duplex envelopes. They figure they will need 350 or $400 to wire the building, so they are going to spoil things by having a social to make up the necessary ammount. Bill Barwell took Enah down to church to-night and brought her home, soon after church Mark came in with his car and took Enah. Marj. &amp; me for a drive to Simcoe and back.</p> <p>Monday October 17th</p> <p>Dad. and I finished shocking up the corn to-day. It has got pretty well bleached out from lying out to the weather so long but there is a lot of good feed in it yet. We expected to have to go over to help Jack fill his silo to-day but they never sent after us and they had a record run for over there, finishing up about five o'clock. We got through with the corn early and got the chores done early. Marj. went down town for tea and this evening went to the Girls' Auxillary. I went down to band practice but met the Tuxis boys first over in the sunday school to arrange for a feed next Saturday night. I also went over to see Mr. Cornish about it for awhile. His freind John Dunn was there and he said he would come over and help things along.</p> <p>Tuesday October 18th</p> <p>I told Dad. yesterday that Marj and I wanted to go after chestnuts some day as last year was the first we had missed a trip to Charlotteville in quest of nuts for seven years and the horoscope decreed that we should miss the seventh year as we had other nuts to crack and we explored the wilds of Haliburton instead, but we didnt want to miss again this year so Dad. suggested that we go to-day. Marj. made a lunch up and we set off with Joe and the old buggy, the same outfit we have always used and which has meant more downright good times and happiness to us two than all the super-sixes and baby-grands or tin-lizzies that were ever made meant to any one. In fact old Joe &amp; that</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>old buggy seem so closley affiliated with that deep down happy spot, that we both know in our lives that it sometimes seems that if it had not been for them it would not be there, but this isn't writing diary. We set off at nine o'clock and wended our way to Normandale stopping on the Turkey Point road to eat our lunch. There were no chestnuts in sight there from the road, so we went back after dinner to a wood above Fisher's Glen that we noticed we could drive into and where we saw some trees. I missed the turn above Normandale and we drove through Spookey Hollow and there had to drive back again towards the Glen to find the woods. When we got there we found the trees in the woods were no good for nuts although there were piles of burrs under them where the squirrels had been working but in a field opposite were three old wrecks of trees and they proved a great find, their burrs were wide open and as there was a high wind the ground was thick with nuts and we soon got all we wanted. We came right home from there and got here before six. We had a fine time the best yet although the wind was strong and it threatened rain several times but merely threatened. Huby &amp; his freind who is here taking his place while he takes a holiday, Mr. Farnsworth, were over here for tea and this evening Mr. Farnsworth entertained us with his singing. He had been telling Huby what a great singer he was especially for sacred music and Huby said he thought from what he told him he was a regular "Prima Donna". He told us during tea about his choir so we were looking for something wonderful however he didn't prove to be anything out of the common except that he had a rather harsh voice and no more expression than a fence post. Cecil, Winnie &amp; Lila all came over for the evening. Mid Thompson came over in the midst of our concert and took Mr. Farnsworth down to clear the "Louise" as it was getting rather rough and she wanted to start for Buffalo, but he brought him back before long. Cecil and Dad. sang one of his songs "The Big Bass Viol" during his absence, better than he did.</p> <p>Wednesday October 19th</p> <p>Dad. and I didn't do much but chores this morning he went back and brought the team up but had</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>to make two trips as the colts and Pommers wouldn't follow the first time. He brought Belle up and we trimmed her feet. Bill Sidway came over after a ram, we only had one ram lamb left and Bill was rather dubious about taking him as he was small but a very blocky little fellow. We persuaded him to take him and try him so we caught him and shut him up as Bill didn't want to take him in the buggy so in about half an hour he was back with the waggon and a crate. He gave me $9 for him if he will do. This after noon Dad. got the mower out to cut down seed but it began to rain as he was hooking up that he had to come in and it rained hard nearly all the after noon. I spent most of the time lettering a card for Dad. to mount his 10 ct bet on that he won from Harry Moon at Pinafore concert.</p> <p>Thursday October 20th</p> <p>It was too wet to do much here this morning so we went down town to get a load of slates as Dad found out from {Draper?} that we could. Howey told us they were $1.50 a load so we hauled one load this morning and two more this after noon. Marj. went down with us this morning to get Molly to help her with the boys supper on Saturday night, she didn't come home for dinner so when we put on the first load this after noon I went down to Aunty's to see if she was expecting a ride home but she said she would walk. I waited there till I thought Dad. would be back for the next load and then went up, but he wasn't there yet so I went on over and talked to Quint for awhile. He was {siding?} the back wood shed. Huby went to Turkey Point for a day or two to-day. Dad. and I didn't get home till after five and then we noticed the horses in on the wheat so had to go back and put them out and it was well after dark when we got the milking done. We did the other chores after tea and spent about an hour sorting out the chickens after Dad. and Tid. helped me catch them. Cold &amp; drizzly</p> <p>Friday October 21st</p> <p>I went over to Jack's this morning and sold him my cockrels, all he would give me was $2.00 apiece but I came home with a couple of crates and put in 26 some of which I thought he would cull out but he didn't although he said he thought he</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>would have to kill about half of them. He paid me for the old hens he got in July and for some eggs so I got a cheque for $83.1{4?}which I thought wasn't so bad. He gave me $1.20 apiece for the hens &amp; 60 cts a doz for the eggs. I went on down town from there and got some chairs that Aunt Ida had promised to Enah and which were at Aunty's. This after noon Dad. and I had to go and fix a piece of fence that had either blown down or been pushed down between the gully &amp; the new seeding on the wheat stubble and the cattle were all on there. We then took the waggon out and piled on all the loose corn stalks we could. Enah went down to the Cornish's for tea to-night and then to choir practice.</p> <p>Saturday October 22nd</p> <p>Dad. went down first thing this morning to get Joe shod. I was supposed to go out to Charlie Quanbury's to thrash at nine o'clock but as Hugh McQueen was coming over with the new stove I had to wait and help lift it in. It is a Doherty and looks like a fine one. I then went over to Charlie's and got there just as they were ready to start We thrashed his red seed about a bag out before dinner and started on the alfalfa. Chris came out in his car and took the gang all except Tom, Harvey Evans &amp; me over to John Quanbury's for dinner and Charlie drove out again in the hay rack. We stopped off at home for dinner. We thrashed alfalfa which didn't ammount to much and five loads of alsike this after noon and finished about five o'clock. I came home and helped Dad. milk had a little tea and went down to the Tuxis boys supper. Marj. &amp; Lila were there looking after things assisted by several of the boys. Mr. Cornish &amp; John Dunn came in for tea Mr. Cornish spoke to the boys and Mr. Dunn played a little for us but they had to leave early to meet a freind. Manning came down about nine and kept things moving till about half past ten. By that time Marj. was so tired that we went down to Aunty's and stayed all night. They were in bed when we got there but got up to fix our bed. Pickford came over this after noon and killed a ewe for us. Irene was here for tea. I made Arthur hopping mad at me this after noon by getting into a scuffle with him and sitting on him &amp; slapping him. I didn't mean to make him so sore but he swears {illegible}</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Sunday October 23rd</p> <p>I got up before five this morning and came home and did up the chores. Marj. stayed at Auntys for breakfast. As there was children's service in church to-day there was no regular Sunday school but they all met there and went over to the church. The choir consisted of children and Nancy Dyer sang a solo. Bill Barwell read the lesson and a couple of boys took up the collection In the midst of it Mr. Cornish christened Bill. Wamsley's baby. Marj. and I stayed at Aunty's for dinner to help celebrate Quint's birthday. Quint was there and had half a dozen very gaudy Cupie dolls with which he decorated the sideboard much to Aunty Alice's horror. He played his phonograph for us most of the after noon. We came home fairly early so as to get the chores done and let Dad. get away to attend church with the masons as they all went in a body to-night. Cecil and Winnie were over here to tea and spent the evening but left before Dad. &amp; Enah got home. They went up to Doc. Lemmons to practice some song for the reception they are giving Mr. Cornish Tuesday night.</p> <p>Monday October 24th</p> <p>I started to dig potatoes this morning but about ten o'clock Dad. came out with the mower and wanted to trade jobs so I cut clover seed for the rest of the day and got the piece south of the mangels cut. Our old mower is pretty rattly and Frank had it wired up but it seemed to be getting looser so at noon we took it up and Dad. went down and borrowed {Proper's?} It went better although it had a broken section in it. Dad. got over two rows of potatoes dug but didn't pick them up as it doesn't feel like frost to-night. Marj. went down with the church money this after noon and stayed at Aunty's for tea and then went to the girls meeting I went down after tea and charted Andrew Lowe and then went to band practice. Nice day</p> <p>Tuesday October 25th</p> <p>I started to cut the piece of clover seed north of the mangles this after noon morning and nearly finished by noon. The old mower bothered considerably the first few rounds when the grass was tough and I couldn't get any speed out of the old team but Dad. got me a {goad} and things went much better after that.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>This after noon Dad. finished cutting the seed and Marj. and I picked up the potatoes that were dug. Mrs. Percy &amp; Bessie Patterson were over to see Marj. this after noon but didn't. Mr. Johnson the horse enthusiast was also in to have a look at Josie. We were entertaining faint hopes that she might raise us another colt and Mr. Johnson was as anxious to see it aparantly as we were as he admires Joe's build so much, but it is beginning to look now as if our hopes were vain. Enah Marj. and I went down to the reception for Mr &amp; Mrs Cornish to-night. The Sunday school was full to overflowing. Cousin Willie was chairman and he, Mr. Barwell, Jack Martin, Dr. Cook, Col. Smith, W.J. Thompson &amp; Sam Morris all made rather silly speeches, the flattery of which must have made Mr. Cornish feel queer, he replied to them and didn't seem to be enjoying himself much. Then we had coffee &amp; cake. Marj. and I took Mrs. Wood to the affair and afterwards Dick Tibbitts brought us home in his car. Mr. Farnsworth invited himself to sing and Molly &amp; Doc. &amp; Mrs. Lemmons also sang according to pre-arrangement though.</p> <p>Wednesday October 26th</p> <p>Dad. went down this morning and took Tid. to school then went on down to say good-bye to Aunty Alice who left on the nine o'clock car for Hamilton to stay for a couple of days with Cousin Clare Herring. Enah brought Aunty over here to-night to stay till Aunty Alice gets home. I raked up the clover seed that was cut first this fore noon and this after noon we bunched it and hauled one load in. It cleared about half the part that was raked up. Dad. had a lot of trouble this morning with a couple of yearlings that got through some way into the corn, he got them out of that but couldn't drive them into the gully or the lane. This after noon they were in the corn again and about four o'clock disappeared and we don't know where they are but think they are over at Pickford's. This after noon Billy &amp; George got into the wheat and Dad. went over to put them out George attempted to jump the barbed wire caught on the top and threw himself scratching his breast quite badly and breaking the fence but Dad. said he wasnt really hurt much. Cold wind</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Thursday October 27th</p> <p>Dad. &amp; I went over to Pickfords first thing this morning and found our two yearlings were with his cattle so with his help we drove them down the road and into the gully. We then came home and put off the load of clover seed and got another one, all that was raked up, on and off before dinner. Joe Field was over to ask Dad about a sick cow but didnt delay much. I went out right after dinner and raked up the clover seed north of the mangels and Dad. came out when he got the chores done and cocked about half of it up. When I finished raking I hooked on to the waggon and we put on what Dad. had cocked which wasn't quite a load. It was about half past four when we got to the barn and then Marj. and I went down and got a lot of plants from Miss McQueen. They are getting all ready for their sale on Saturday. Marj. stayed at the Bagley's for tea and went to the Bible study class to-night. I went down after tea to chart a couple more boys but they didn't show up. Marj. and I went up to the Bagley's for awhile. It was very mild all day &amp; raining to-night.</p> <p>Friday October 28th</p> <p>It didn't rain much last night but we couldn't do any thing with the clover seed so I went down and got a load of coal as Clare Deal sent word over yesterday that there was a car in. I went over first and saw Billy Mills and borrowed their waggon as we can't use our old one. I went on down and saw McMullen and he said he would be over next week to buy a couple of ewes. When I got down town nearly to the track I met Harve Leany and he told me I would have to go to the canning factory to weigh as the scales were broken at the coal office, that delayed things and I didn't get home till nearly noon. This after noon I went down and got another load and then took the waggon back. Pickford came over after dinner and got another ewe for $6.50. Aunty &amp; Marj. planted out a lot of the things we got from Miss McQueen. This after noon they all went over to the Martins. Dad. and Enah went down to choir practice to-night and I spent part of the evening cutting an ugly face in a pumpkin for Tid's benefit. It has been a beautiful day, very mild, fog to-night.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Saturday October 29th</p> <p>I took Aunty back home first thing this morning after breakfast as Aunty Alice came home on the 11 o'clock car and Aunty wanted to have the house warmed up when she got home. When I got home Dad. and I put off the load of clover seed that was on the barn floor and went out and got a small load of corn stalks. We gathered up all the loose ones and a couple of shocks that were down. We put them off before dinner. This after noon Dad went out and bunched up what was left of the clover seed. I helped him as soon as I got the chores done. We went out about four o'clock to load it. We cleared the field but it took a lot of running around and we didn't get in till nearly six. Marj. &amp; Enah went down town this after noon and Marj. intended going to Miss McQueens sale but there was such a crowd she didn't go. I went down to a Tuxis meeting to-night and we initiated Andrew Lowe. I then went up to Harry Dyer's and got my hair cut. They say the mill (Penman's) is going to close for an indefinite time for lack of orders, so the shadow of events that destroys the world intrude even here. Business all over is in a chaotic state and it looks as though the world was in for hard times this winter.</p> <p>Sunday October 30th</p> <p>Marj. and I went to sunday school and church and Dad and Enah drove down to church. Aunty and Aunty Alice came over here for dinner but I drove them home before tea. Uncle Ward and Harry Moon were in for awhile this after noon. We did the chores up early and Marj and I went down to church to-night with the Barwell's when they came after Enah. John Dunn read the first lesson to-night and Bill Barwell the second and they did very well. Marj and I did the collection to night, but didnt enter it. It has been lovely weather this last week very mild &amp; no frost to hurt yet</p> <p>Monday October 31st</p> <p>It rained a little during the night so Dad had to take Tid to school I did chores while he was gone and when he came back we put off the load of clover seed and took the rack off the waggon and put the box on, then before dinner we cleared out the cellar ready to put the mangles in. This after noon we hauled mangles and got in two loads, two rows to a load, but didnt put the last load off. Marj. went down town this afternoon</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>to bank the church money and intended going to a women's political meeting which was being held in Meighen's interests but she didnt find anyone to go with so stayed away. I went down to band practice to-night, there werent many out owing to Hallowe'en gathering I suppose. {Merit?} Walker was having a dance in the hall and there was a big crowd there. I went up to Cousin Bessie's to bring Aunty Alice home safely but we didn't run across any depredations. It was a year ago to-night that she nearly broke her neck on the fence across the sidewalk by John Shand's. It has been a beautiful day no wind and fairly hot.</p> <p>Tuesday November 1st</p> <p>There was a decided change in the weather during the night and it has rained steadily all day to-day with a high north &amp; north east wind turning colder. Dad. took Tid to school this morning and I did chores and Marj &amp; I trimmed the gladioli corms and got them ready to put away. Dad. cleaned up the barn floor and we put through a few oats before dinner and cleaned the dirt &amp; a lot of the light oats out. They had quite a weight to them as if they had been through the mill. I didnt do any hing but chores this after noon. Alan Law came and got the clipping machine to clip one of his horses. Dad. took off the screen doors and put a fire in the hall stove as they expected Huby &amp; Mr. Farnsworth Aunty &amp; Aunty Alice over to-night but as it was such a bad night none of them came. Dad. went down at four o'clock and drove Tid. home. He went down to see if Aunty would come over and she was half inclined to but they both thought the weather was too bad. Marj. &amp; I sat out in the hall all evening and enjoyed the coal stove warmth and I laid out a showcard lesson</p> <p>Wednesday November 2nd</p> <p>It froze quite hard during the night or this morning but the sun came up bright and it has been a fine day but a little colder than we have been having It was a little too wet to work at the roots first thing. Dad. drove Tid. to school while I was doing chores and then I went over to Henry Miseners to see if he had saved me the apples I had spoken for, but as I expected he hadn't and as</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>I think everyone elses apples are disposed of I am afraid I wont be able to get Mr. Clarke's barrels filled. We got notice yesterday that they had come Dad. put the load of mangles off while I was gone. This after noon Marj. and I went down town in the waggon right after dinner and got the barrels and the fleece of wool that {Name?} shipped to the exhibition and which won fifth prize. It has evidently been at the station for some time Marj. went on up town but I came straight home, stopping for a minute at Uncle Ward's to get some cabbage and help him retreive his gate which the boys had thrown into Down's orchard on Hallowe'en night. When I got home Dad. &amp; I put on another load of mangles a small one and four bags of potatoes which he had bagged up and got them up and unloaded. Marj walked home. To-night we had a call from Mr. &amp; Mrs. Tom. Butler.</p> <p>Thursday November 3rd</p> <p>Dad. didn't take Tid to school this morning and as soon as we got the chores done we went back and put on a load of mangels and got them off before dinner Marj. went down after the Hardings this morning and brought them over in the cart for dinner. They expect to leave soon for B.C. where they are going to keep house for Harry. It started in to rain soon after dinner and kept it up pretty much all the after noon so we didn't go back for another load. Dad drove Queen down after Tid and took the Miss Hardings with him. I didn't do much but a few chores and block the holes in the chicken yard and make a trough for them. Cold.</p> <p>Friday November 4th</p> <p>It started to rain soon after we got up this morning and has kept it up steadily all day, part of the time raining hard, but it has not been so cold and to night there is a very high wind. We havent done any thing outside to-day but chores and Dad. took and went after Tid. Marj. drove part way down town with Dad. and walked on down to see if she could get some apples from old Maneer for her Dad. She didn't see him but Miss Maneer told her she could. She walked home. I spent most of the day painting a show card lesson. Marj. spent the evening telling me Barnaby Rudge which she read the other day.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Saturday November 5th</p> <p>It has been cloudy and raw all day but didn't rain so Dad. and I got in two more loads of mangels and put them down cellar in pretty good shape. Marj. and Enah drove down with Mexico this after noon to wish Aunty Alice a happy birthday and Marj. stayed down and went to a tea party at Bessie Paterson's in Marj.'s honor. Mr. Cornish was over this after noon for a few minutes ro give Enah the numbers of two of Canon Scotts hymns which he wanted for the soldiers service tomorrow I went down to a Tuxis boys meeting and met Marj. at Huby's Aunty &amp; Aunty Alice were there having been there for tea to celebrate Aunty Alice's birthday</p> <p>Sunday November 6th</p> <p>Marj. Tid and I went down to Sunday school and and Dad &amp; Enah drove Queen down to church. It was supposed to be church parade for the vetrans and about 26 were in church but there should have been twice that number. Sam Morris got the thing up and invited them in an offhand way so that a great many didn't come. Marj. and I stayed at Aunty's for dinner and most of the after noon Glad Law invited us up there for tea so I went home early to do the chores up and Marj went and called on the McQueen's before she went to the Laws. Dad thought it would make the milking too early if we did it before tea so we let it go and didn't milk at all. Marj. and I had a very nice tea and evening at the Law's and then as it was raining hard when we came away we went down and stayed at Auntys all night. Cold &amp; cloudy, snowed a little</p> <p>Monday November 7th</p> <p>I didn't get over till seven this morning, as I overslept, so by the time I got my clothes changed Dad. had finished milking. We got in two more loads of mangels to-day and there is still about one load out there. Enah has been down looking after her father all day as he has had a bad attack of neuralgia but is better to-day. This was Thanksgiving day and Tid has had Billy Cornish over all day to play with him. They make a lively pair and Marj. had a lot of fun with them. Nanny, Gordon Zealand and young Vallance</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>went through here to-night armed with shot-guns. They have spent what I suppose they call an ideal holiday unless it would have come nearer perfection if they had had more than the two rabbits which bulged the back of Nanny's coat to show for their tramp. Cloudy and raw.</p> <p>Tuesday November 8th</p> <p>Dad. took the big team and started to plough in the corner field this morning and I hooked the little team to the waggon and took Mr. Clarke's barrels down to old Maneer and he promised to ship them to-morrow. I left some oats at the mill for chop on my way down and went back that way to get them but had to wait a long time for them. When I got home I went out and got three shocks of corn (all I could pile on the waggon) and hauled them into the barn. It turned out a very rough after noon and Dad. and I just did chores. I had intended getting in the rest of the mangels but it started in to snow about noon and this after noon developed into a heavy snowfall and to-night the ground is covered several inches deep with it still storming. Marj went down with the church money soon after dinner and stayed at Aunty's for tea going to the girl's auxillary to-night. I walked down after tea and as it was such a stormy night we both stayed at Aunty's all night. Old Dover looks to-night like old Mrs. Newrich with a new set of jewels as she is gorgeously illuminated with the Hydro Electric which was turned on this after noon. It is hard to judge just how grand they are to-night as the snow makes the night quite bright any way, but it is like being in a lighted room in the immediate vicinity of the lights. They are placed high upon the poles and make the few gas lamps of which we were once so proud and which are now nearly all out of commission look like puny candles in comparison. That the latter are still lighted is a great source of grief to Aunty Alice who considers it a shameful waste of gas when it is so scarce. Dad found the black &amp; white heifer out back of the barn with a calf this morning.</p> <p>Wednesday November 9th</p> <p>We are having an early taste of real winter weather, but are hoping it is only the squaw</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>variety to be followed by the Indian Summer. It froze ice in the woodshed last night and we have been wading around in snow all day. It has been cloudy and either snowing or raining sleet all day so to-night the snow has a crust on it. I came home from Aunty's this morning about seven o'clock and shovelled their snow for them before I left. I was home in time to do chores. After breakfast I drove Tim to school and drove on down to Aunty's and picked Marj. up. We haven't done anything all day but chores but they have taken more time as we had to find everything. Pickford came in after dinner with our cream cheque as Lampkins forgot to leave it. We was telling Dad. that he had a fat cow to sell that would weigh about 1200 and he asked Neil Eliot $45 for her, but Neil told him he couldn't give half that and make any money on her. Probably he was lying but he didn't buy her. It seems rather tough when a couple of years ago she would have been worth well over $100. There is mighty little money in farming these days but still it is better than being out of a job in the city. There is no need to go hungry here. Mark was through here this after noon. He had been up home over Thanksgiving and left his Ford up there. He was moralizing as usual and informed me that happiness did not depend on external conditions but was a state of mind. Charlie Butler was happy because he was content to live on small means and keep a good driving horse, but what he (Mark) craved was excitement. I asked him why he didn't go to town and start something, but he said it was not vulgar rough-neck excitement he wanted but something refined and cultured, such as an afternoon tea. I told him I thought they were the tamest affairs I had ever attended, but he said no not where sparkling wits were matched and duets were fought by brains. Dad. and Enah went down to Auntys for tea to-night so Marj. Tid and I had the house to ourselves this evening. The Cornishs and Huby were down at Aunty's too.</p> <p>Thursday November 10th</p> <p>The sun came out beautifully this morning and warmed us up but it clouded up before noon. It has been very soft all day though and is trying to rain to-night. There is still snow all over and the walking is very bad while the roads are in some places next thing to impassable. Dad. drove Tid. to</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>school this morning then fed up the cattle and drove Enah down town to get some meat. I did chores and cleaned up the old barn floor. This after noon Enah and Marj. went to a party at Ada's, and Marj. went on down and had tea at Auntys then went with them to the Bible Class. Dad. and I hauled out the stuff I cleaned off the barn floor and dumped it in the lane then I went on out and got a shock of corn to feed to-night while Dad. went after Tid. Old Pommers got feeling gay when I was coming in with the corn and kicked over the tongue and skinned his leg a little. To-night I went down to band practice but went around to the Bible Class for a little while first. After band practice I went down to Aunty's where Marj. was waiting for me but as the walking was so bad and Marj. felt so miserable with her cold we stayed down there all night.</p> <p>Friday November 11th</p> <p>I came home early this morning and got here before Dad. had gone out to do chores. Marj. stayed down to go to the service Mr. Cornish held at a quarter to eleven to observe Armistice Day. She came home before dinner. Dad. and I spent the day doing chores and gathering up the snow fences to put around the stack but didn't have time to fasten them up. We also brought in some more corn stalks. Tid has a bad cold and didn't go to school to-day. To-night Dad and Enah went down to choir practice. The Washington Conference on the Limitation of Armaments is supposed to start to-day. There seem to be great differences of opinion regarding the outcome of it. In spite of the fact that Harding issued a warning not to expect too much right away, a great many people are looking forward to the millenium starting in right away. Mr. Cornish is very hopeful that some thing wonderful will come of it especially if the public aid with their prayers. There are others, skeptics, who try to point out that it is no new idea and that this conference will be as helpless to cope with the spirit of militarism as the others have been, while about all the hope that is held out by the Americans is the opinion that for now the only move will be to scrap the old types and obsolete warships but not make any changes</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>in the present building programme, and the Japs British and Americans are building some ships which surpass anything yet planned in the way of deadly destructiveness. It seems to me that the most hopeful sign is fact that all the strongest nations are going to meet at one table and appear to have a desire for peace while I don't believe public sentiments were ever quite so much aroused and popular opinion more decidely opposed to preparations for war.</p> <p>Saturday November 12th</p> <p>Dad and I put the snow fences up around the stack this morning. Five of them didn't quite reach all the way around so Dad. made a short panel out of slabs and put in. If the cattle dont break them they should be plenty of protection and enable us to save the straw for most of the winter. This after noon I didn't do any thing much except chase the colts out of the orchard. They seem possessed to get in to some sort of mischief Dad. spent most of the after noon fixing the fence they broke between the horse stable and the barn. Marj. Enah &amp; Tid walked down town this after noon. I went down to the Tuxis boys meeting to night and Oliver announced an impromptu debate. They chose the resolution that steel ships were better than wood and argued at great length on the subject finally winding up with a tie. Mild day but freezing hard to-night.</p> <p>Sunday November 13th</p> <p>It froze very hard last night but was a lovely morning. It soon clouded up and has been raw all day. To-night the wind has moved around to the south and is much softer but still raw We all went down to church this morning &amp; Marj. Tid and I went to Sunday school. Marj &amp; I came home for dinner, the others staying down at Auntys The Miss Hardings are down there and Aunty Alice thought it would be Dad's last chance to see them before they went west. I spent the whole after noon doing chores. Pickford was over this after noon and again later when Dad. was home. His mare has a touch of lymphangitis and he wanted to ask Dad. about her. Enah stayed down to tea to-night and Jack Walker brought her home after church. Mark was in to-night.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Monday November 14th</p> <p>Dad. drove Tid. down to school this morning and took Enah down to her father's. He has been quite sick with neuralgia and had to have a couple of {illegible} to-day. I spent most of the fore noon doing chores. Art. and Charlie Quanbury came over to borrow the waggon and hog rack. Dad. went out when he came home and bagged up some of the potatoes that were in the field in piles, and after dinner I went out with him and finished the job, then we got Charlie Quanbury to haul them up when he came back with the waggon Dad. drove down after Tid and Enah but Enah walked home before he found her. Marj. went down right after dinner and stayed at Auntys for tea &amp; went to the Girls Auxillary to-night. I went down to band practice to-night and we both stayed at Auntys all night. The band boys got paid off for the summer concerts to-night. I drew nine dollars.</p> <p>Tuesday November 15th</p> <p>Dad drove Tid down this morning and I did chores About eleven o clock we went out with the team and put on a load of mangels we thought we could haul up all that were left out there in one load but found we couldn't so didn't haul a very big one this time and put it off before dinner. The parts of the mangels that stuck above ground have been frozen through but they seem fine. We don't know how they will keep so we put them in the barn to feed up right away. Marj. came home about eleven and Enah went down town right after dinner to see her father. Dad. had to go down to the bank to renew one of Frank's notes so he drove her down He got back as I was putting in the last of the second load of mangels so went up to the barn with me and then had to go after Tim I unloaded them. Enah had a letter from Marion Sutherland to-day, she is in Ireland. Much milder.</p> <p>Wednesday November 16th</p> <p>Dad got started ploughing again this morning and got in a fair day although he didn't get a very early start as the colts were over east of the orchard and we had to get them back. We turned them and the cattle on the field where the mangels were and the cattle have spent most of the time eating the mangel tops. I chased them off once but they wouldn't stay. It doesn't</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>seem like very first class feed for them but maybe it wont hurt them. I spent most of the forenoon doing chores but went out about eleven and opened some ditches for Dad. and then came up and dug the dahlias. This afternoon I chored around and cleared up the dahlia tops and put the roots in a crate and went out and dug a few potatoes, besides doing a few other odd jobs. Marj. went down town this after noon and to-night feels tough with a headache. Much milder to-day. Sunny this morning, turning cloudy.</p> <p>Thursday November 17th</p> <p>We got a good early start this morning and Dad. got a good day's ploughing in. I did up the chores this morning and then went out and dug all the potatoes I could carry up in a bag and a pail. I couldn't dig any and leave them out there on account of the cows. There are a lot of nice ones out there but in places it is too wet to dig them and I am afraid they will rot. I didn't do any thing much this after noon but chores as it drizzled and rained most of the after noon. Marj went down town this after noon and I went down later and we had tea at Auntys. I was late for tea as just about dark Schyler brought two fellows in to buy sheep. It is so long since we have seen anyone on an errand of that kind that I felt very rejoiced and sold them eight seep at $10 apiece. The fellow was Death of the Syndicate farm at Simcoe. He wants them bred and I am to deliver them in a month. The price is low compared to former years but is away ahead of butcher's which is 3 cts per pound. To-night I went with Aunty, Aunty Alice &amp; Marj. to the Bible Class.It was very interesting. Cousin Willie was there and he &amp; Mr. Cornish held a long discussion afterwards concerning various points of belief which was also entertaining.</p> <p>Friday November 18th</p> <p>I got Dad's team harnessed for him before breakfast this morning but it started to rain soon after so he couldn't do any thing at the ploughing all day. We just did chores and odd jobs all day. We cleaned up a few oats this morning but didn't get at it this after noon. Tim. was sick in bed all day, and Dad.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>read to him quite awhile. Enah went over to Mrs. McLaughlin's to a bridge party this after noon and Marj. went over about five o'clock and had tea I went over about six with the lantern to meet them as it was very dark and waited out by the cook-house till the party was over.</p> <p>Saturday November 19th</p> <p>Dad. went out and ploughed this morning. I did up the chores and went out about ten o'clock to open some ditches in the corn field. I ploughed for Dad. while he went over to look at Pickford's mare This after noon it rained nearly the whole time Tom. Butler came through on his way to town and he helped us put the sheep in the colony yard and Dad. &amp; I picked out the ones for Mr. Death. We could only get six young ewes from the ones we culled out so we had to put in a couple of our own flock and we put in the two old ones 17 &amp; 18 which are good ones in to replace them. We got pretty wet working with them. Aunt Hattie from New York came this morning for a few days. Enah went down this after noon to see her. Marj. &amp; I went down to-night. She went to Miss McQueen's &amp; I to the Tuxis meeting.</p> <p>Sunday November 20th</p> <p>Marj and I went down to Sunday school &amp; church and stayed for dinner at Aunty's. We came home soon after dinner so as to let Dad. go down to see Aunt Hattie but he thought it wasn't worthwhile so didn't go down till to-night. He and I had quite a time with Wilkins this after noon. The heavy chain that we had around his neck had worn or sunk right into his neck and sort of grown fast. It was a horrible mess and of course very sore and it was with great difficulty that we were able to hold him and get the chain out. Enah went down to church to-night. Fine &amp; sunny but cold wind</p> <p>Monday November 21st</p> <p>Dad got in a good day ploughing to-day. I did up the chores this morning and then went back and dug all the best potatoes about two bags and got them pretty well all off the sand knoll. I brought one bag up in the wheel barrow but it was very heavy wheeling so I carried the next one upon my shoulders which was easier but it got pretty heavy before I reached the house. Enah wanted to go down to see</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Aunt Hattie before she left and show Tid. to her so I hooked Joe up for her this morning and she went down to dinner. Mexico is getting past the stage where he can lug the cart through the mud. Marj. went down right after dinner and stayed down to tea. I spent most of the after noon moving the hay back over in the big barn to fix a pen for the lambs which we want to put in and feed a little before we sell them. To-night I went down to band practice. It has been fine and mild to-day</p> <p>Tuesday November 22nd</p> <p>I was late getting up this morning and Dad. had the milking nearly done when I went out He felt very miserable he said and didn't eat any breakfast but went out to plough. I went out about ten o'clock when I got things done up and he felt worse so came up to the house and has hardly raised his head all day. He says all his bones ache and his head aches. I ploughed all day and learned more about the ancient art to-day than I ever did before. I made two strikes and two finishes and although they are anything but beautiful, they are my first attempts so there is some excuse. I did the chores up alone to-night and it was pretty late when I got through. Cloudy all day</p> <p>Wednesday November 23rd</p> <p>Dad. has been better to-day but hasn't felt like doing much although he helped me milk to-night. I got up at five this morning and was able to get a fair start at ploughing after doing up everything. I ploughed all day and I believe made a slight improvement in my work. Marj. went over to the Pickford's this afternoon and presented them with the two small kittens belonging to the house cat. I had to take time this morning to chase the ewes which we had west of the lane out of the field by the old garden as they have found holes under the gully fence to get through. At noon I had to chase old Gladys out of the corn field. She goes out there every day now and roots around the shocks for little ears. If she can't get out through the field she goes all the way around by the road. She has the fence at the north end of her yard broken down and we haven't had a chance to fix it yet. Cloudy &amp; damp. Freezing all the after noon</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Thursday November 24th</p> <p>Dad. has felt much better to-day and would have ploughed this morning but it was such a miserable fore noon he didn't go out and we just did chores and odd jobs. The ground froze last night but turned softer in the night and rained or drizzled most of the morning. Dad went out and ploughed this after noon and I just did chores. Marj. went down this afternoon and stayed at Miss McQueen's for tea. I left Dad to do the milking to-night and went down to the Father &amp; Son banquet in the Methodist church sunday school about six. I needn't have hurried as we didn't have tea till after seven and it was after ten when I got down to Aunty's to call for Marj. Capt Tom. Best of the Y.M.C.A. was the speaker.</p> <p>Friday November 25th</p> <p>This has been the nicest day we have had this month. It was mild and even sunny which is a rare treat these days. Dad. got a good day's ploughing in, at least to-gether we did for I went out when I got the chores done up this morning &amp; ploughed till noon while Dad. came up to fix the fence where old Gladys gets out of her yard. Win. came over to see how the invalids were and stayed to dinner. She &amp; Marj. went down town this after noon and Marj. went to the station and got an express parcel which she had sent to Eaton's for. I hooked up the little team and went down to the mill and got some corn, buckwheat &amp; rolled oats for the chickens a bag of flour for the house and some heavy chop for the twin pigs. I was gone about an hour &amp; did chores the rest of the time.</p> <p>Saturday November 26th</p> <p>This has been a miserable day, cloudy, cold and drizzly. The mud is getting fairly sickening. The cattle are in a bad plight as there is scarcely anything for them to eat in the pasture and the yard is too muddy feed them in or to draw feed through. I have spent most of the day trudging around in the mud doing chores. Dad. and I castrated the seven boar pigs this morning which was a job that should have been done before.This after noon Dad. walked down town to see sick folk. John Quanbury &amp; Mr. James and Aunty who has had a bad cold and been quite sick</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Jona was up to day to look at Wilkins &amp; McMullen came over &amp; picked out three ewes one of which was an old one which I sold him for $25.00 I went down to the Tuxis boy's meeting to-night although I didn't feel much like it. Marj. went down with me for the sake of the walk and waited for me at Aunty's. I went up for a little while to hear Hon. Hugh Guthrie speak in the interests of John Sutton who is running on the Government ticket against Alex Wallace who is U.F.O. candidate.</p> <p>Sunday November 27th</p> <p>I have felt rather tough all day and was glad I didn't have to work. Marj. &amp; I went down to Sunday school and church. They made changes in the classes in Sunday school this being Advent Sunday &amp; about half the school is dissatisfied over it. I got four of Mrs. Smith's oldest boys who didn't want to come nor were wanted very badly and it was the same with some of the other classes. Enah went down to church but Dad. stayed home with Tim who doesn't seem so well to-day. Marj. and I stayed at Aunty's for dinner and most of the after noon. Quint was there for dinner but left right afterwards. Enah went down to church to-night &amp; Jack Walker brought her home in spite of the bad roads. Cloudy &amp; raw.</p> <p>Monday November 28th</p> <p>I still didn't feel up to the mark to-day but managed to slop around and do chores all day but nothing else. Dad. ploughed and got in a fair day. Marj. went down town this after noon and stayed at Aunty's for tea and to-night went to Girls Branch but I didn't go down to band practice as I thought I would feel better if I stayed home, so Marj. stayed at Aunty's all night. Rotten day, raw east wind &amp; cloudy.</p> <p>Tuesday November 29th</p> <p>We were late getting around this morning &amp; were delayed before breakfast first by {Proper?} coming to borrow the waggon and then by Fred Krell coming to see if he could buy some mangels for his chickens Fred talked a blue streak on chickens for a quarter of an hour at least. Dad. just about finished the field to-night. He has about two furrows yet on the headlands but has to put shorter doubletrees on the plough to get up to the fences. I went down to Art Ryerse's this morning and got a piece of meat from a beef they killed the other day. I did chores all after noon. Milder to-day but cloudy.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Wednesday November 30th</p> <p>November left us with a smile which we are devoutly hoping will be caught by December as it comes in. This has been a very nice day above the mud level. It was cloudy this morning but the sun came out before noon and has been shining more or less steadily all day &amp; the wind which was westerly although it had a tang to it was not cold. Dad. finished his field and ran the ditchs out in it and in the one east of the orchard at least part of them before dinner. This after noon he cleaned the ones he ran in the corner field and opened them through to the road and I threw the sods out of the two he ran out in the field east of the orchard. I spent the whole fore noon doing chores. Marj. went down town this after noon and stayed at Auntys for tea. I went down right after tea and foud Ada &amp; Lila there also. We all went up to the Bible Class and from there all of us except Aunty went to the Picture show to see the "Charm School". Aunty Alice told Mr. Cornish that she would like to get away from the bible class by 8.30 (why she specified that hour I don't know as the first show isn't out till after nine) but she wanted to be on time. Mr. Cornish I think abreviated an interesting discussion and chalked Cousin Willie off from presenting all his views so that he could close sharp on the hour, the consequence was we saw about two reels of the first show and came out as soon as we got to the scene that was on the screen when we came in, then just as we all emerged from the show who should be coming up the street but Mr. Cornish with John Dunn &amp; Mr. Gibbon. We smiled</p> <p>Thursday December 1st</p> <p>Dad. went out this morning and ran the rest of the furrows in the field east of the orchard and got started ploughing it this after noon. I did up some of the chores this morning but Art. Ryerse &amp; Colin came up to look at Wilkins Micawber. Art wished he was a yearling so that he would be easier tamed. I told him I wished he had taken him when he was a yearling but that I thought he would be all right as soon as he got used to things, he is very nervous but not at all wicked. "Well" Art said. " I'll tell you what I'll do</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>I'll take him down there and if he gets quiet so that we can handle him I'll give you your fifty dollars, but if not I'll just make it forty, because there's no use a-talkin'. I aint agoin to take no chances with an ugly bull and if he doesn't behave will just put a bullet through him." I told him we would take him down as I thought he would go better if there were no strangers around him. Art. said he just wished he felt like he used to and he'd just put a bridle on him and ride him down "and he'd go dont you never think he wouldn't." I went out and helped Dad. throw some sods out of the ditches he was running till he finished about eleven o'clock and then we came in and got old Wilkins. Dad. thought we had better take one of the cows along to keep him company so we took Jessie. The scheme worked fair. I led Jessie &amp; Dad. had Wilkins with the stick &amp; a rope in his nose ring. They both walked right along and we had no trouble whatever. We tied him up down there in a box stall where I think if they treat him decently he will be all right. We got home soon after twelve and found Aunty &amp; Aunty Alice here for dinner. I went out this after noon and helped Dad. get his headlands struck out but spent most of the after noon doing chores. Phil Shaver came along and talked for quite awhile. He wanted to buy some little pigs, but didn't want eleven &amp; Dad. doesn't want to sell part of his bunch &amp; keep part, as whoever bought them would want to take their pick. Phil. didn't think he was asking too much. Fifty dollars for the 11, 2 mos. old. Aunty &amp; Aunty Alice went back early this after noon &amp; Marj. went part way with them. It has been another beautiful day. Fog this morning but sunny &amp; mild.</p> <p>Friday December 2nd</p> <p>It rained pretty steadily all day and we have done nothing outside all day except what chores we had to. Dad and Enah drove down town this morning to get some coal oil and Dad. got his hair cut. I laid out a show card lesson while he was gone and practised a little at it. This after noon Dad. did go out and open up some ditches and had a wild chase after old Gladys who</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>was bound to get into the cornfield. Marj. went down town this after noon and stayed for tea at Miss McQueen's and then went over to the Bagley's. I went down after tea and got my hair cut and then went up to Percy Ryerse's to see if he had done any figuring on the house yet but he hadn't. I went into Mrs. Bagley's where I found Marj. We stayed there for awhile &amp; then went down to Aunty's where a party was just breaking up so we partook of coffee &amp; cake and got home about twelve o'clock.</p> <p>Saturday December 3rd</p> <p>Dad. ploughed to-day but didn't get a very early start and was bothered quite a lot to get his strikes in the right place as he can't see the old dead furrows. I went out after dinner and helped him measure off one &amp; set stakes. I spent most of the fore noon doing chores as well as most of the after noon. I went over to Martin's this morning to see if I could pan off any more cockrels on Jack, but Sid &amp; Else said he was pretty well loaded with them just now and Else advised me to wait awhile. He gave me his ideas concerning hens laying at this time of year and he thinks they should be shut right in now. He says the hens he is looking after are laying the best of any over there. Marj. went down to Auntys this after noon to celebrate her birthday. Aunty Alice was having a bridge party so it worked in very nicely. I went down to the Tuxis boys meeting to-night &amp; thanks to Marj. thinking up some things for them to do we had a good meeting. I went in to Auntys and called for Marj. and had some party cake. It has been cloudy, windy &amp; raw to-day.</p> <p>Sunday December 4th</p> <p>Marj. &amp; I went to Sunday school and church this morning and went up to the Bagley's for dinner where we had spare ribs in honor of Marj's birthday. After dinner Mr. Bagley took me out to see his chickens and then we went down and had a look at the new rink, which has the roof and sides on now but has no grading done inside and to complete it, it should have about</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>200 loads of earth in it yet, but as it is getting so late they will probably fill it with ice. Mr. Bagley and I then took a walk over to the greenhouse and saw their new office building which is a fine building and when they get their terraces all sodded will look very pretty down there. Marj. and I stopped in at Aunty's on our way home Aunty Alice was alone as Aunty had come over here to dinner with Enah We got home about five and Enah and Aunty were just going down for tea. Enah went to play at church to-night and Jack Walker brought her home after they had a Christmas practice Sunny but raw</p> <p>Monday December 5th</p> <p>When we got up this morning we found the ground well covered with snow and it has been snowing pretty much all day. Dad. and I haven't done any thing much except chores but now that the snow has come and all the stock has to be fed and stables cleaned, they take most of our time. We haven't got any of the young stock colts or sheep inside yet but feed them on the ground now that the snow makes it clean enough and the ground is partly frozen. Dad. went over to see John Quanbury this morning for a little while and thought he looked a little better but his voice is gone entirely. They told him over there that Charlie was in the doctor's office yesterday when Oliver Mann &amp; young Percy Reed came in each with their right hand badly mutilated from playing with dynamite caps yesterday after noon They had been over at the brickyard and picked up some detonated caps which had been used for blasting over there and each one had a cap and was picking at it with a nail. Both caps exploded at once and consequently Olive thinks he will have to lose the end of his first finger and the first joint of his thumb while young Reed's first finger was blown off and Karl Coleman says it is sticking to a Hydro pole in front of the house. Both boys' right hands were wounded but they say they are both left handed. Marj. went down town this after noon and went to the Girl's meeting to-night. We got the night chores done up early so I went down town before six and stayed at Auntys for tea. After tea</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>I went up town with Aunty Alice &amp; Marj. Aunty Alice went over to Cal. Smith's to play bridge. I went down to the Cooks for a few minutes. Young Doc. is in bed with a cold. From there I went down to the Mann's and took Oliver a couple of books from Aunty. I had arranged to meet him to-night anyway to chart him. I charted him although it wasn't very satisfactory as Nanny &amp; young Reed were there. I went to band practice from there and after band practice which lasted till after 10.30 I went over to the Smith's to call for Aunty Alice as I had promised. We had coffee &amp; cake after I got there so it was pretty late when we got back to Aunty's where Marj. was waiting for me and quite late when Marj. &amp; I eventaully got home and she was pretty well tired out.</p> <p>Tuesday December 6th</p> <p>This was election day and I didn't vote. None of us in this household did. I was rather undecided about it but as the roads are so fierce and I was sure of losing my vote anyway and I was busy all day doing chores I didn't feel much like going out to Wiggins just to lose my vote. I went down to the mill this morning and got some more heavy chop for the pigs and some of Charlie Iveys new patent John S. Martin poultry mash. Marj. went down town this after noon and I walked over as far as Martin's with her but didn't see anyone but Else as I think they were all down voting. Dad. went down to see Aunty &amp; Aunty Alice to-night but I didn't go down. He saw Jack Martin who told him that Wallace had beaten Sutton by about 500 which wasn't as big a majority as his freinds predicted. South Norfolk went fairly well Conservative and all the municipalitys except Waterford gave Sutton a Majority. Charlotteville was the only township that didn't vote U.F.O. The Conservatives got a bad beating in the house. Meighen himself and about half his cabinet was defeated and they only have about 50 seats left, five of the provinces not having a single {scored out word} Conservative seat in Quebec and Nova Scotia went solid Liberal so that King will have to form the next Government he having about 118 seats &amp; Crearer 64 - Too Bad.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Tuesday December 13th</p> <p>Owing to procrastination, laziness &amp; cold weather I will have to make a skip of a week but as there has been very little of any importance going on, I guess the future history of this 187 acres of the earth's surface won't suffer much. I have not been getting up so early this week so couldn't write before breakfast as I have been doing as it has been too miserable to do any thing but chores and nearly every day this last week we have just sat around for an hour or two after dinner and read. The weather has been rotten. Cloudy mostly and generally raw winds and terribly muddy. Dad. and I moved some rails over in the barn and covered them with straw and got in one small jag of corn stalks but the cornfield was so boggy we couldn't take a team on it for a real load. The snow that was on the ground early last week is all gone by now but to-day it is colder and there was a little flurry of snow last night. Jack McBride was in Saturday and bought the wether lambs for 9 cts a lb. and we took them down yesterday. They averaged about 84 lbs apiece &amp; the nine of them brought $67.00. We brought home a little soft coal with us. This morning Dad &amp; old Gladys went out to Welshs. Aunty Alice had a party last Wednesday &amp; Dad. &amp; Enah were down at it. Marj. &amp; I were at Bible Class Thursday night &amp; I went down to Tuxis meeting Saturday night and Marj. went up to the McQueens where I called for her. I went up Thursday night and asked Mr. Smith (W.H.) if he would give the boys a little talk next Saturday but he didn't promise definitely Sunday Aunty &amp; Aunty Alice came over here for dinner &amp; Cecil &amp; Winnie were over for tea and spent the evening while Dad. &amp; Enah went to church. Last night I went down to band practice &amp; Marj. went to the Girls branch &amp; we both had tea at Aunty's. Ed. Moon turned in his horn for Ira Ivey to take but Ira wanted mine as he didn't know how to get on to the other so I took the old B.B.b again it is the one I had in the first place and is the best horn. Marj. had to go to the dentists at ten o'clock this morning so we stayed down all night and I came home early this morning. Tid. has not been out of the house all week and doesn't feel very well yet. His neck has been swollen and he spent one or two</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>days in bed. Cecil brought him a {sand?} dumping machine Sunday which he has had a lot of fun from. Mrs. Cornish has been very ill all week and for a day or two they were very anxious about her but I think she is doing nicely now. Now that the federal elections are over, interest here is very keen over the next municipal council. Jack Martin is going to run for reeve in order to give the faction in town that wants to see progress a chance, he seems confident of success and surely ought to get in as his opponent is none other than Andrew Innes, who is making a general canvas of the town and whose only promise seems to be that he won't spend any money. Taylor seems to have dropped out of the scrap and will work for Andrew everyone supposes. Pickford was in this after noon and tells us that Bobbie has been expelled &amp; Pickford is going to the next school board meeting to have it out with Mr. Watson. It seems Watson accused Bob. of laughing the other day and called him up to strap him Bob. said he was not guilty so instead of taking the strap walked out of the room &amp; naturally was expelled but Pickford thinks he has a grievance so is taking the matter before the board. He said that when Bob. went back to get his books on Monday that he told Mr. Watson that he would leave it to the rest of the school whether or not he was laughing and Ralph Fisher said he hadn't seen him laugh when Mr. Watson questioned so Bob said something to Mr. Watson which ammounted to caling him a liar, before he went home. Pickford however went back and made Bob apologize for that</p> <p>Wednesday December 14th</p> <p>It was frozen up pretty solid this morning so after Dad and I got the chores done up we hooked Joe and Harry to the waggon and hauled up a small jag of corn stalks. We got it from the far end of the field and found the mice had cut about half the bands on the sheaves, I suppose to make nests of We just put on about three shocks and unloaded them before dinner piling them around back of Moonshine This after noon we went out and got a much bigger load and piled them on more carefully. There were not so many cut bands on them whether that was because there were not so many ears left on them or not I don't know. We did not unload it. Enah went down to a party at Mrs. Holden's this after noon</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>and then went over to her mother's this evening as her sister Mrs. Johnson came down this after noon. After tea it was such a beautiful night full moon &amp; still and frosty that Marj &amp; I thought we would take a walk. We took Aunty's milk &amp; cream down but they weren't home and {Else?} met Enah who told us they had gone up to Huby's. We had thought of going up there but Marj. remembered that Lila was having her literary club meet there to-night so we went up and spent the evening with Mrs. Harry Moon.</p> <p>Thursday December 15th</p> <p>Last night was the hardest frost we have had &amp; it has been cloudy and frozen up all day but not much wind so not a bad day. It seems to be a little milder to-night. After we got things fed up this morning I went over to Frank Ryerse's to get Wilbur to kill pigs for us to-morrow. He &amp; Dave McBride &amp; Frank were all in the house at Frank's place. Wilbur said he had to kill a beef for Frank Lemmons in the morning but could do our job after dinner. I came home through Tom's &amp; Mark's place and found them cutting down an old elm on Charlie Butler's line. It fell on top of their saw just as I came along so I stayed there till they got the saw loose and then they induced me to go up to the house and have some cider, so we went up there and chewed the rag over the election results for quite awhile. Tom said some fellow gave him $15.00 to vote for Sutton but he didn't go out as he wouldn't vote for a liberal and Truman Walker was up at one of Wallace's meetings and told them that a returned soldier got up and accused Wallace of saying in 1917 when he was running as a Laurier liberal, that if he was elected his police would be "Not another man, not another dollar for the war". and Wallace did not deny it, so Tom wouldn't vote for him nor Mark either. I told them I didn't believe Wallace did say such a thing in an open meeting or he would have been mobbed. Mark told me he knew the U.F.O. didn't buy any votes this election and he knew by Tom's experience that the other fellows did or tried to, but I suppose the U.F.O. were sure of their man as all the ones who would be liable to sell votes in former days are staunch members of the organization now. I just did chores this after noon. Marj. went down town and stayed for tea I went down after tea and we went to Jack Misner's</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>lecture; which we enjoyed very much. I heard him before in Guelph but I didn't mind hearing him again. He is very illiterate but not in the least vulgar and although his humor would sound very silly from most people and his sentimental touchs soft, it seems to suit him very well. He couldn't read nor write till after he was grown up and his little boy got him to go to Sunday school but he has been well educated by experience &amp; observation and what he has done with wild geese and other birds is wonderful. He is a philanthropist because although he gets help now from the Government for a long time protected the wild geese &amp; ducks at his own expense and one year fed them 1500 bushels of corn. He showed us slides of his birds and his farm and must have it fixed up very nicely. He has a 2 1/2 acre ball ground just for the boys and Ty Cobb who was visiting the place one day told him he thought it was one of the nicest little diamonds he had ever seen, that pleased Jack very much. One fellow said to him once that the thought it was all very nice but could see where he was making it pay. Jack says that is how a lot of fellows value everything in dollars &amp; cts, but he said I get my dividends in seeing the boys out there playin ball and knowing that they are going to be a lot better men than if I hadn't helped them along." He is evidently deeply religious and quotes Scripture for game laws and to prove his own observations. He is so sincere and so keenly interested in his peculiar vocation that his lecture in spite of his inelegant mode of expression is next thing to enthralling.</p> <p>Friday December 16th</p> <p>I spent most of the morning doing chores and Dad. got things ready to butcher the bandit hogs He had to go over to the Quanbury's to borrow a boiler so as to be sure of enough hot water. Wilbur and Dave McBride arrived right after dinner armed with rifle and knives and it wasn't long till they had two bandits hung by their heels behind the shop. Dad. cleaned out their pen yesterday and they broke out of their yard for the last time and now their evil career is ended. They were not at all fat but made fine carcasses one dressed</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>160 lbs &amp; the other 166. It began to turn soft last night and this after noon was quite mild and very cloudy and about tea time began to rain so that the pigs didn't get chilled out very well. Dad. &amp; I carried them into the shop to-night. Enah's sister Mrs. Johnson came over for dinner to-day and stayed all the after noon and for tea. To-night she Marj. and I went down town. Marj. had to go down &amp; help the girls fill candy bags for the Sunday school Christmas tree, as they were having a practice in the Sunday school they worked at Frances Slocomb's. I went up with Mrs. Johnson and then went down to Aunty's where I went to sleep till Marj. came in and we came home. It was a fierce night for walking as the mud was awful but it was very mild. We made a great procession going down. Marj. had her flashlight and was going ahead and showing Mrs. Johnson the way while I brought up the rear with the Quanbury's boiler under my arm. It was pitch dark and when Mrs. Johnson went to step over the ditch in Jack's field she slipped and went down on her hands &amp; knees in the mud. I went in to the Quanbury's for a minute. John has had a bad day of it.</p> <p>Saturday December 17th</p> <p>It has rained pretty steadily all day and is still at it to-night, so that the mud is getting as bad as ever again although the frost isnt quite out of the ground yet. I haven't done any thing but just the chores to-day and Dad has spent the whole time cutting up the pigs. It wasn't a very nice job as they didn't get hard at all. Marj. went down this after noon to see Miss McQueen and stayed up there to tea. They are all going to leave for California just as soon as school closes Marj. is going to miss them very much. I went down after tea to-night to the Tuxis meeting. Mr. Smith came but not many boys were out. However we all sat together around the stove in the back room and he gave them a fine talk and told them of a good many of his old pupils that have made names for themselves in various parts of the world. Marj. and I stayed at Aunty's all night as the walking was too bad for Marj. to attempt I got my foot soaked on the way down gettin across the ditch out here.</p> <p>Sunday December 18th</p> <p>Last night was a fierce night. I woke up</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>two or three times and heard the shutter banging and the wind howling furiously. Marj. Aunty &amp; Aunty Alice didn't sleep much but it didn't keep me awake long at a time. I got up before six and came right home. The storm was raging wildly I thought the wind would blow me off the sidewalk and when I got up on the hill, it was stronger still and the snow drifting in clouds. It was not bitterly cold as the wind was from the south west. Dad. was up when I got home but not expecting me. I went out before daylight and discovered the door had blown off the hen house and it was full of snow. I went over to the old barn to get some chicken feed and saw that the end of the shed at the big barn was out of place and on further investigation I found that the whole roof except a piece at the west end was blown off the shed and a piece of the barn roof off too. It was an awful looking place.The debris was scattered all over especially loose shingles which were scatered in all parts of the barn yard and the sheeting &amp; rafters were all down in the shed on top of the machinery. I expected to find some dead sheep but luckily not one of them was hurt and all the damage it did to the machinery was to break one shaft on the big drill and a slat in the apron of the manure spreader. We couldn't do any thing with it until the wind died down as we were afraid of something falling on our heads. We milked and after breakfast crawled under the wreck again to the barn and fed the calves which were in there with Mexico and threw some hay out in the yard for the young stock. We let the colts in out of the storm. I didn't try to get back down to Sunday school or church but Enah walked down to church and stayed down all day. I went down to Aunty's for dinner and Marj. and I came home soon after dinner Quint. and Win. were down at Aunty's &amp; Quint said the storm wrought great havoc down at the beach. Their bathing houses are in ruins part of the building smashed to atoms with the ice which is piled several feet high on the beach, and part of it has been carried half way to the park fence by the water which was very high. He says the ice smashed one of the ice cream parlors down at the beach all to pieces and it is strewn along the beach all the way to the dock. Ben Ivey's dance hall is not hurt, it being too high above the water for the ice to harm it. When Marj. and I</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>got home we found W.J. Thompson here. He had come over to get Dad. to be Santa Claus at the Sunday-school Christmas Tree but Dad. told him he would have to stay home with Tid. and suggested Cecil to him as being equal to the job. We got the chores done up in fair time and Dad. went down to Aunty's for tea and then to church. The Bishop was here to-night and held Confirmation service. Cecil was one of the ones to be confirmed. Marj. Tid. &amp; I stayed home The storm died down by noon and except for the wind was not a bad after noon at all.</p> <p>Monday December 19th</p> <p>The first thing Dad. &amp; I did to-day after we got things fed up was to string a piece of wire from the barn to the horse stable to keep the animals from the yard from wandering around the wreckage and running nails in their feet. We had to put one post in to stiffen it. Dad. had to go out to the old garden to get a piece of wire. Lloyd Ryerse came in to see if Dad. would act as chairman at the Shand's school concert on Friday night. This after noon we spent most of the time gathering up rubbish from around the barn but didn't get much done except knock down the big piece of roof that was blocking the driveway and doorway into the barn and got the driveway cleared out so that we could get through without difficulty. I didn't go down to band practice to-night and Marj. didn't have her girl's meeting so I tried to blow my horn at home a little but couldn't seem to get the tone of it very well. It has been a nice day to-day, cold but sunny &amp; not windy</p> <p>Tuesday December 20th</p> <p>We didn't do much except chores and a little more clearing up at the shed. Aunty and Aunty Alice came over for dinner to celebrate Tid's birthday and he was able to walk part way home with them. He is feeling a lot better. Marj. went down town with them and stayed to tea. Aunty Alice urged us to try to take Jack's lambs over to him this after noon so I went over to see if Billy had a place ready for them yet, but Jack had never mentioned them to him although he told us he would last week. Billy had to go over and interview Down's to see if he put the lambs in his shed and then he wanted me to help him take a heifer over here so by the time we got here it was too late to</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>take the lambs. To-night Enah and I went down and met Aunty, Aunty Alice &amp; Marj. at Aunty's and all went up to the Sunday school concert. The hall was full so we had to sit way back under the gallery. The concert proved a great success and the young ones all did their parts very well. Innes Coleman danced the Fisher's hornpipe beautifully and Agnes Sterling also danced well. The main part of the programme was a little play "The Sleeping Beauty" which went off very nicely. After all the concert they had the Christmas tree so it was pretty late when the thing broke up This has been a beautiful day sunny &amp; quite mild.</p> <p>Wednesday December 21st</p> <p>We woke up this morning to find a decided change in the weather. The wind had changed around to the east and it was cold &amp; raw &amp; trying to snow. Dad. &amp; I got the team out and loaded the lambs and took them down to Down's barn. Billy came down and helped us unload them. There were ten of them all the lambs we have left now are the six ewe lambs that we are going to keep. It was about noon when we got home and we did chores this afternoon.</p> <p>Thursday December 22nd</p> <p>I went down this morning to replenish our fuel supply with a load of coal as Geordie Tisdale sent word over the other day that we had better get down soon and take the load of chestnut he promised Dad. to save for him. Dad. started down with me but we met Billy Mills so Dad had to return with him. Joe weighed the waggon and informed me that I couldn't get any chestnut coal so I put on a load of stove. I went up to Aunty's and waited for Dad. who walked down and got a stick at the Widespread to make a stancion in the cow stable to replace the on Cnocfierna broke when she nearly finished Dad. We hauled up a small jag of corn stalks this after noon. Dad and Enah went down to choir practice to-night.</p> <p>Friday December 23rd</p> <p>We were late getting around this morning as indeed we have been for the last few weeks and I had just time enough to go down to the mill and get some chicken feed and low grade flour</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>for Dad's little pigs and we werent able to get up a load of corn stalks as we had hoped as I had to get ready to catch the one o'clock car to attend a meeting of the Shorthorn Breeders in Simcoe. The meeting wasnt called till two o'clock so I had lots of time on my hands and prowled around looking in the store windows. I saw a large toy aeroplane in Fall's toy display and recognized it as the one Quint made last summer to run with his game and which he was not allowed to run at the fairs, it being too much of a gambling enterprize. I took my watch in to the jewelers and had it fixed so that it would run soberly instead of making an hour in about fifty four minutes. I also got a nice copy of "The Angelus" for Marj. for Christmas I was the first of the Shorthorn Breeders at Bramhill's office and it was some time before enough drifted in to warrant starting the meeting, however Ham, Lorne Forrest, and two fellows I didnt know Duckfoot and Blayney came in so we got started and then Charlie Dunkin and some Murphy from Walsingham arrived much later. Ham was president and Bramhill secretary and the discussion that followed consisted principally of Bramhill reading forms of bylaws and business {illegible} by other clubs and suggesting that we adopt them. Ham asking for the opinion of the assembly, me moving that all resolutions be adopted some one else seconding the motion and the rest signifying assent in the usual manner. Lorne Forest did make a few remarks about patronizing the shows more and also in his most oratorical style gave us his opinions in the same manner he did at a former meeting concerning the influence feed has in making animals either scrubs or pure breds (in appearance). Charlie Dunkin also made some sensible suggestions but the others might as well not have been there except to give formal authority for our actions. I came away before the rest in order to catch the five o'clock car but the business was about wound up. We formed an association named it The Norfolk Shorthorn Breeders Association adopted a set of bylaws decided to carry on an "Abolish the Scrub Bull" campain to organize a calf club and to ask the Dominion Shorthorn breeders for a grant for the County Fair. I got home in time to help Dad. milk. To-night Dad. and Enah went out to the Shand's school entertainment as</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Dad. had to act as chairman and Enah had to play for them. They walked as the roads are so rough and I dont know what time they got home. Marj. and Tim hounded me into fixing their Christmas tree in place and then they decorated it, and they decorated the walls with the greens we three got last Wednesday down on Dicky {Name?} side hill</p> <p>Saturday December 24th</p> <p>Dad. and I managed to get in a small jag of corn stalks this morning and then we went down to Aunty's for dinner to meet Dick who came in on the one o'clock car. He was down till about four o'clock and then we did the chores up. Dick &amp; Quint came over about six for tea but didn't stay long afterwards. Marj. and I went down town with them to-night as Marj. wanted to take some Christmas presents to the Bagleys, but we stopped in at Aunty's and while we were there Essie came down with some she wanted to leave there for Marj. so we didn't have to go up town. Dick and Quint went off but Marj. &amp; I went home early Dick stayed down at Aunty's all night.</p> <p>Sunday December 25th</p> <p>Marj. and I went down to Sunday school this morning but were late. Everybody from our household came out to church but much to everyone's disappointment Mr. Cornish was not able to be out. He is evidently played out completely after all the work &amp; worry he has had, but Mr. Cornish is able to be up and around. Cousin Willy took the service and John S. Martin gave a short address on the Christmas lesson and they had the Christmas music. Dad. Enah &amp; Tid went around to the James' after dinne church for dinner and Marj. &amp; I went down to Aunty's Dick was there too and before we got through Dess came in with something for Win. so she had a cup of coffee with us. I came home right after dinner and did up the chores. Dad. &amp; Marj. came home about four and Enah &amp; Tid about six. Marj. spent the evening fixing up candy boxes and decorations for to-morrow.</p> <p>Monday December 26th</p> <p>To-day we celebrated Christmas with festivities. Dad.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>and I did up all the chores we could this forenoon and Dad. drove down in the cutter to fetch Mrs. James over. The sleighing wasn't much good but he got there. We had a gay old dinner party about two o'clock, seventeen of us all told sat down to demolish the big turkey Huby provided and a lovely haunch of venison that Marjs Dad. had sent her along with two brace of partridge (wer didnt have the partridge to day though) All from Huby's were over including Cecil. Mr. &amp; Mrs. James, Elva &amp; Brant &amp; of course Aunty Aunty Alice &amp; Dick. After dinner we stripped the Christmas tree and all drew a lot of nice presents I came out with new neckties, handkerchiefs {illegible} candies, Christmas number of "Life" and a renewal subscription to "The Literary Digest" which has lapsed since last summer although the magazine has kept coming We had to get at the night chores as soon as the tree was stripped and soon after we came in the party began to break up although most of them stayed till we had a little music &amp; Cecil &amp; Win stayed and played Parcheesi (an abominable game) with Tim &amp; me till about nine o'clock, Dad. drove Mrs. James down and took Aunty &amp; Aunty Alice as far as the sidewalk. He had hoped to go to Nomination meeting but thought it wasn't worthwhile This is the first Christmas Dick has been home for several years and there seems a touch of the romantic in the fact that we three boys the prototypes of the Q &amp; T &amp; D of the wondrous fairy tales that Aunty Alice used to create for us when the interior of the old garden fence was our world, are gathered at Christmas once more after the adventures that two of that trio have gone through. Since the days when barefooted skalleywags used roam the dense forest behind the barn and the wilderness beyond under the peppin tree, or swim in the beautiful green sea of Fa's silver beet bed, or work like navvies digging pits for some forgotten or never known reason in the garden or make mud pies for Taylor, or march on the warpath "wearing" our war-"hoops" which were formerly barrel hoops and at night run to the front gate when the seven o'clock train came past to wave at and be waved to by Mr. Young and then make futile resistance at having Aunty wash our feet &amp; put us to bed but listen eagerly to the chapter she read &amp; often beg for a second if it was about David, what varied</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>experiences we have had. Q. &amp; T. &amp; D. of fairyland saw many thrilling scenes but fairyland is not the only country where thrilling things take place. During our school day period (during which none of us ever distinguished ourselves as scholars although by regular attendance and a reasonable share of brains we never failed many examinations but were eager to leave after a year or two at High School) the difference in our natures developed and became more manifest. I know I always held that I would be a farmer and my feeling was at a high pitch when Dad. bought Flossie. Ester Moon's Jersey cow for my benefit, and I used to rush home after four to clean out her stable and carry her off, or in the Spring I remember my back used to ache from digging my garden and of course the horses were always a great source of pleasure to me. Nothing in the form of sport could compare in my estimation to a ride on Josie although in those days I was quite incapable of managing her properly and she used to tear around town at a gay speed absolutely uncontrolled, with me on her back, but no harm ever came of it. I never played on a team game in my life never killed any thing with a gun except a {illegible} and never had a steady boy chum although I loved to skate &amp; tramp through the woods, and swim and was on good terms with all the boys. Quint was more like me in his love for outdoors &amp; the creek &amp; woods but besides was a keen hunter &amp; trapper. He was at one time one of the best if not the best shot in town, and his traps &amp; night lines were the undoing of many a small inhabitant of the creek and marsh. Neither was he ever very proficient at organized play and enjoyed his own company as well as anyone else's. I used to love to tramp the countryside with him although never had any desire to use his gun and in spite of the fact that my excitement would grow tense when a rabbit or squirrel would present a good shot, I never had the hunter's joy or satisfaction at bagging it but would be filled with remorse at the sight of the little thing lying limp and bloody when a second before it was so full of activity and the joy of life. Quint was much more clever with tools than Dick or I and had an inventive and mechanical turn of mind. He used to like I did start a garden in the Spring but would stop tending to it before I got tired of mine, and I never remember him cutting the lawn of his own accord while I one time worked</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>like a slave to get the patch of long grass in front of the gate on the street cut and levelled like other boulevards. Dick was very different from either of us. His chief delight was to play ball with a crowd of boys and always had some pal with him. For years he &amp; Ferdie Wiser were inseperable companions. He was quicker at school and went farther in the High School than we did. He loved to read stories and to spend his money. One time some one gave him five cents so he posted right off to spend it. Aunty cautioned him not to spend it on anything foolish so he returned with a loaf of bread. He never cared for the tramps in the wood as much as Quint or I and I believe he was half afraid of the horses, unless they behaved themselves very seemly. He had the reputation for being a very slick diver and good swimmer, but was noted mostly for his neatness and for being particular to have his clothes just right. I was always an awful ragamuffin. He was a favorite with the girls and could always have a good time with them while I could only wish I could but could never think of any thing to do or say when I was with them and I don't believe Quint in those days had any use for them whatever. So there we stood as schoolboys with natures very different although we played in the same old garden learned the same lessons from the same teachers and were entertained by the same fairy tales. Since then old Dick has been trained as a Cavalry man and Artillery man riding on gun carriages at breakneck speed over the roughest of ground with the roughest of men. He has tended horses in the Veterinary corps and ridden all the way across Canada in a boxcar with horses for his sole companions, and enjoyed it. He has sailed across the Pacific Ocean and back in troopships of ancient design and has spent months as a soldier in one of the gruellest of foreign countries among people who for customs, manners &amp; morals couldn't be very much different than we are if they tried. He has experienced all the peculiarities of life in a {Prairie?} Village and now finds himself where the commercial pulse of the Nation beats the hardest, the largest of our cities &amp; in constant contact with men to whom world finance is an open book. He still sings and dances and talks the same as of yore but not so much and is gradually assuming the air &amp; manner of a typical business man. Quint's life has been as varied as Dick's and more. For two years he was a sailor on the lakes running from Fort William &amp; Montreal, then he started out to learn</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>the cotton-mill business in New Bedford, but as might have been expected his love of freedom revolted at that and he spent a few months with the gas drillers, then a soldier right through from the bell tents of Camplife to the dug-outs in the war zone, he has breathed the breath of battle and suffered the hardships of actual warfare. He has heard shells whistle and crash and machine guns (his own) rattle. He has seen men killed at their guns and has had his own companions blown to pieces by the same shell that by a miracle spared him. He can talk most interestingly on the manners of the people of France &amp; England and tell more about the cities of Germany &amp; Great Britain than most books. He has very keen powers of observation and as he has read very little his impressions &amp; expressions are original and unconventional as indeed are all his activities. Because of that unconventionality he is held in disrepute by the good people of Dover although I must admire him for it at least I think I do, maybe I just admire him in spite of it. Of course I can't help agreeing with people when they shake their heads and say it is too bad Quintin is content to waste his time selling ice cream and tempting the public with cupie dolls to throw at stuffed cats instead of turning his time &amp; talents to some account and yet I would hate to take him to task about it for he would argue "Why should I forgo the pleasures &amp; freedom I now enjoy in order to be a slave so that when I am old I could say I know a good trade and have a little money in the bank for a rainy day. As it is I have more money to spend than you have and have some in the bank too besides running the chance of making more and my time is my own." I might as an older brother should call Quint aside and say, "You know, old boy, you shouldn't knock around with that bunch of toughs you do and you should leave the liquor business alone as it is now unlawful." but Quint would smile and politely undertake to prove to me the very obvious fact that although he has consorted with toughs more or less for the last ten years and he is far from being a tough himself, and as for the liquor business, according to his code of morals it is no crime to defy a law that he considers unjust and made by a fickle democracy that doesn't know its own mind for two years hand running. I know there are answers to these arguments but Quint. has his own ideas and as far as the fundamental principles of honor are concerned</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>I maintain that he is as true to them as any man in spite of anything that may have happened. He is not a tough in any sense of the word either in speech or habits and he can claim the admiration of the sternest of his accusers simply by his personality, polished manners suavity and ready flow of well thought out conversation. So much for Q &amp; D, as for old Tobe he has "just plugged along through it all not a mile away from the high board fence of the old garden, a farmer just as he always said he would be, proud of the name and loving the profession, enjoying the music of the north west blast of January and the song of the first Rosingnol of Spring and the poetry of an aching back at sundown as well as a fresh cut meadow in the morning. I think that his what holds him to it, the music &amp; poetry of it all certainly not the money he has made, although even there he can't complain he has always had plenty to eat, plenty to wear and a house over him which is more than the other two have had always. It is true of course that when his old pals were on the march to the call of the bugle, he often strained hard at the bit, but never kicked over the traces, but it is also true that while in the trenches of France or the barracks of Siberia the other boy's hearts were being excited by the world-old activities of war, in the shady byways of his own beloved country, old Tobe's soul was in transports of happiness from the still older activities of love, and in his one short trip to the hills &amp; lakes of Haliburton, he drank deeper of the pure joy of life than they ever have or probably ever will, though they should go halfway round the earth &amp; back.</p> <p>Saturday December 31st</p> <p>It is now four weeks since Christmas but I have dated this to wind up the records of 1921. Christmas excitement and disturbed conditions have prevented me from writing and so I will have to lump the doings of the week following the holiday and probably for January of 1922. The day following Christmas or rather the 26th day we celebrated I was about all in with a miserable cold and didn't do much that day foll after that Dad. went down with Dick who was here for dinner and stayed to tea with him at Aunty's. He left on the 7 o'clock car for Brantford where he boarded the Montreal train and was there Wednesday morning. Dad. &amp; I have not done much all week but odd jobs and chores. We probably hauled a few cornstalks in and fed them</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>up but I don't think we did anything else in the way of teaming. McMullen was over on Tuesday and bought the two old ewes the only ones that were left. I told him there was every chance of them raising lambs this Spring but as they were so old I let him have them for $5.00 apiece. We did deliver Jack's lambs to him one day but I forget whether it was before or after the New Year. We took down what we thought were ten lambs but when I was looking up their numbers to have them registered I found one was a yearling. I went down to Jacks to investigate and sure enough found a yearling amongst them and she appears to be in lamb. I guess we will leave her there. It leaves one lamb not accounted for and the only thing I can imagine is that Dougherty got her last summer. Aunty &amp; Aunty Alice were over here to dinner one day and on Friday morning left for Detroit to pay Roy &amp; Vernon a month's visit. Quint. Huby Marj. &amp; I were down to see them off on the nine o'clock car and were very pleased to be able to leave them in charge of a Mr. Well's, Walk's brother who was going right through to Windsor. Marj. and I went down there Thursday night and are now encamped there till they get back looking after the house for them and having a whale of a time. I have breakfast and tea down there with Marj. and stay here at the farm for dinner. John Quanbury who had steadily been going downhill for the last month or six weeks died on the 27th and was buried on the 30th. We were over at the funeral and Dad. was one of the bearers. His death was a sad blow for the family as they never suspected anything serious the matter with him till Dr. Toll told him when he quit work that there was a growth on his lungs for which nothing could be done. We are all waiting anxiously for the results of the election next Monday. At Nomination Jack Martin and Andrew Innes were put up for reeve and C.W. Barwell, Landon Ivey, Harry Misner, Capt. McCauly, Quinn &amp; Jim Austin are running for councillors. Andrew is of course leading the old party of knockers and seems confident of winning probably counting the strength of his gang to be as great as in the days of Vyse. Jack is equally confident of success and with Barwell &amp; Landon Ivey should make the best council for progress and good standing that Dover has had for a long time.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p></p> <table> <tbody> <tr> <td>1911.</td> <td>Summary of the Diary.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>May 20th</td> <td>Spent first night on the farm. Bill Oakes preparing corn ground.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>" 26th</td> <td>Bill Donald &amp; Charlie Butler gave a day on corn ground.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>" 30th</td> <td>Planted corn</td> </tr> <tr> <td>" 31st</td> <td>Bobby's "Taurus", first calf born on the place (in our day)</td> </tr> <tr> <td>June 12th</td> <td>Used cream separator for first time. Dad. at Flemming's barn (horse stable) raising.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>" 16</td> <td>Bill started to plough summer fallow</td> </tr> <tr> <td>" 17 &amp; 19</td> <td>Had a bee to move the stable, old house &amp; pig pen.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>" 22</td> <td>Holiday in town to celebrate the King's coronation.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>" 28</td> <td>Started haying in east corner field</td> </tr> <tr> <td>July 13</td> <td>Started wheat harvest. Terrible forest fires in north. many lives lost.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>" 15</td> <td>Dad cut alsike.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>" 24</td> <td>Got razor &amp; shaving utensils for 16th birthday. Need whiskers</td> </tr> <tr> <td>" 25</td> <td>Dad got piano from Martin's. Winky Smith started painting house</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Aug 1</td> <td>Hamilton Asylum burned. 8 deaths.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>" 4</td> <td>Normal Entrance report out. Marj. Clarke (honors) Edna Sidway pass</td> </tr> <tr> <td>" 9</td> <td>Wyatt Person cut oats. Bill Oakes going west on Sat. 12th</td> </tr> <tr> <td>" 11</td> <td>Demolished old wooden trough at windmill, going to put in cement</td> </tr> <tr> <td>" 15</td> <td>Everybody except Andrew Innes in Simcoe to hear Sir Wilfred.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>" 17</td> <td>Big crowd went up on special train to Simcoe to hear Mr. Borden</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Aug 19</td> <td>Bougner Picnic roads full of rigs of all kinds.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>" 24</td> <td>Threshed and put the straw over the cow shed.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Sept 7</td> <td>Dad &amp; I go to Exhibition. Every body talking reciprosity. Mostly against</td> </tr> <tr> <td>" 8</td> <td>We take the Woodson crowd out to Shand's in the waggon. Musical evening</td> </tr> <tr> <td>" 9</td> <td>Mr. Skey died this after noon.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>" 13</td> <td>Dad sowed wheat. I cut corn. Mercury down to freezing.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>" 15</td> <td>Letter from Aunty describing trip to Banff with Walter &amp; Winnie</td> </tr> <tr> <td>" 21</td> <td>Charlton defeated McCall. Norfolk's luck to have wrong man in.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>" 25.</td> <td>Sowed second field of wheat. Dad. drilled &amp; I harrowed.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>" 26</td> <td>Dad. went to Toronto &amp; met Frank who came east with Rev. W. Taylor.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>" 27</td> <td>Tip Varey &amp; Miss Langs married to-day.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>" 29</td> <td>Dad. thrashing at old Billy Cruise's</td> </tr> <tr> <td>" 30</td> <td>Dad. &amp; I finished cutting the corn. Bill quit yesterday.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Mon. Oct. 2.</td> <td>Mrs Matthew Martin buried. Dad. &amp; Frank interview Mr. Smith re school.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Thurs " 5</td> <td>Old Mr. McBride's (Jimmy?) funeral. Mrs. Ferris eloped &amp; Mrs. Gerrard's husband returns, having another wife &amp; five children.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Wed. " 12</td> <td>Hannah Flemming &amp; Lloyd Chrysler married yesterday.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Thurs Fri " 13</td> <td>Bill Donald cut the buckwheat. Played Pit at Blaikies to-night.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Thur. " 19</td> <td>Dick. Frank &amp; I drive Josie to Simcoe Fair. Aunty leaves Fort Sask. for Dover</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Fri. " 20</td> <td>The Miss Hardings. Mrs. Morgan &amp; Miss Buckwell drove Isaac's pacer over to see us.</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <table> <tbody> <tr> <td>Wed. Nov 1</td> <td>Bill Cruise's sale.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Fri. Sat Nov 3&amp;4</td> <td>Threshed buckwheat &amp; alsike &amp; oats. 70 bus bw, 4 bus. alsike @ $10.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Sun. " 5</td> <td>Church reopened. Pulpit. lectern &amp; prayer desk dedicated to Bishop Baldwin. Mr. Skey &amp; Fa. respectively</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Wed. " 15</td> <td>Snowed enough for bob sleighs. Cold.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Thurs. " 16</td> <td>Mickey Low was run over by freight train took leg off.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Mon. " 27</td> <td>Bought 4 ewe lambs from Carpenter for $6.00 apiece</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Mon. Dec 11</td> <td>A son born to the Emery McPherson's (Arthur I think)</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Fri Dec 29</td> <td>Mrs. Jim Allen's funeral.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Sat. " 30</td> <td>Went skating in the gully &amp; found dandelions in bloom on a bank with south exposure.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>1912</td> <td></td> </tr> <tr> <td>Mon. Jan 1.</td> <td>Vyse elected reeve and New School by-law carried.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Wed. " 10</td> <td>Ice cutting on pond started. Trains blocked. My knee bad for week</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Sat. " 13</td> <td>22° below zero at 8 A.M.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Sat. " 20</td> <td>We hear spooks at the kitchen window</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Fri. " 26</td> <td>We finish chicken pen. Bruce Dell &amp; Alma Ellis married last night.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Sat. Feb 3</td> <td>We get new milk cow &amp; calf from Blaikie for $50.00 (Mully &amp; June)</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Mon " 5</td> <td>Coldest winter in 50 years. Froze 5 inches in harbour since Sat.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Sun. " 18</td> <td>Mrs. Dunbar buried. Mr. Symington died of lockjaw to-day</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Wed. " 21</td> <td>We all went to the Quanbury's for tea. Charlie bound for Ft. William</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Fri. March 1</td> <td>Farewell address &amp; presentation to Mr. Liddy.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Tue. " 19</td> <td>Walt Steele asked me to take a bass horn in the band.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Thurs. " 21</td> <td>Blaikey's sale. Frank had never seen an auction sale</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Fri. " 22</td> <td>We shovel out the cut on the side road. I get the horn. Dick a clarionet</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Thurs. Mar 28.</td> <td>Aunty sold the back lot to the Gas Co. to drill on</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Fri. April 5</td> <td>Good Friday. I saw &amp; heard robins &amp; frogs for first time.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Sun. " 7</td> <td>Cold easter. Turkey &amp; Goose each lay first egg.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Mon. " 15</td> <td>Primus the first lamb born. - 16 - Titanic disaster.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Thurs. " 18</td> <td>Quint went on Vigilant to-night. Huby opposed to him starting on Friday.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Tues. " 23</td> <td>Roy married to-night.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Thurs. " 25</td> <td>Worked up the garden.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Sun. " 28.</td> <td>Went to Pete Boughner's for ringworm cure. Ed. Moon going to the Falls - Clifton House</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Fri. May 3.</td> <td>Started seeding - Roy &amp; Vernon here.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Sun. " 5</td> <td>Swallows came down Cousin Bessie's chimney into room where Tiny was sick and covered the room with soot.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Wed. " 8.</td> <td>Turned out cows calves &amp; colts.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Sat. " 18</td> <td>Ivey had a big gang setting out cherry trees.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Thurs. " 23</td> <td>Queen born</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Sun. " 26</td> <td>Peg-leg Hawn died. Ray Quanbury born</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Mon 27 - Wed 29</td> <td>Dick &amp; Dad try their hands at diary writing. Neighbors help us sow corner field</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Fri. " 31</td> <td>Matthew Hodge sheared the sheep. Wm. Walker fenced plum orchard</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Tue June 11</td> <td>St. John's church burned this after noon</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Fri. " 14</td> <td>Drilled corn. Cattle broke out. Dick &amp; I pursued them.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Wed. " 19</td> <td>Dad and I do statute labour</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Tues " 28</td> <td>We spud thistles in corner field. Enah has a ride in Martins auto</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Mon July 1</td> <td>Started haying. U.S. training ship Wolverine in harbour. John Gordons "City of Port Dover" big attraction. Blakey here to start work</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <table> <tbody> <tr> <td>Sat. July 27</td> <td>Coleman bought Rosy for $48.00 Water cold at the Stump.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Mon. " 29</td> <td>Person started to cut wheat. W. McQuade tries to sell Dad a "reaper"</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Mon. Aug. 5</td> <td>Tore down old horse stable. Murphy started ditching machine on Ivey place</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Mon. " 12</td> <td>Uncle Ward. came home from West. Has left Revillon Freres.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Sun " 18</td> <td>Harry Harding here for tea.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Tue. " 20</td> <td>Vyse baby (Frank?) born. - No probably Richard. -</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Thur. " 22.</td> <td>Started to cut barley. Blaikie &amp; I thrash at Flemmings</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Tue. " 27</td> <td>Dick &amp; I go to Exhibition. Dad. gets word from Aunty of Uncle Fred's death</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Sat. " 31</td> <td>Home from Toronto. Had big time with Lewis &amp; Paul Lee Woodson 5¢ picture shows.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Mon. Sept 9</td> <td>Cut barley with mower, wet harvest. Mrs. Sandy Lawson died.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Mon " 16</td> <td>Threshed. 312 bus oats 305 wheat 118 barley. Tupper &amp; Blakey on stack.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Wed. " 18</td> <td>The Will Warren's &amp; Bessie from Colorado pay us a visit.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Wed. " 25</td> <td>Word comes here to Dr. Woodson that Vernon's father is dead.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Sat. " 28</td> <td>Dad. drilled wheat. Aunt Leena here.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Tues. Oct. 1st</td> <td>Started to cut corn and clover seed.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Thur " 3rd</td> <td>Blakey left for Alfred's. Dad paid him $65.00 for the summer.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Mon. " 14</td> <td>Dick started to work in the Bank.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Wed. Nov 20</td> <td>We all went out to John Shand's &amp; ate up the Presbyterian bazaar cake</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Mon Dec 2</td> <td>Dick and Win confirmed.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Tue. " 3</td> <td>Fagan Shaw buried to-day died Sunday at Poorhouse</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Sun. " 15</td> <td>Jumbo Marshall died. Skating on the pond.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Fri. " 20.</td> <td>Huby. over here at 3 a.m. to announce Tim's arrival to Aunty.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>1913</td> <td></td> </tr> <tr> <td>Wed. Jan 1</td> <td>Dad &amp; Aunty fear the worst for Dick. We find him in bed with Quint</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Mon. " 6</td> <td>Vyse beat J.R. Davis for reeve. C. Coleman, Henderson, J. Walker &amp; Bill Langs. Council.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Wed. " 15</td> <td>Gladys Coleman married early this morning.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Thur. " 16</td> <td>Mrs. Jarley's wax-works. Hazen Waddle stars. I have a dancing lesson</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Tues Feb 4</td> <td>We bring our first pure bred sheep home from Charlie Dunkin's</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Fri. " 7</td> <td>Went by train to Simcoe to hockey match. Simcoe 8 Hamilton 3</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Wed. " 19</td> <td>Mrs. Crosbie Morgan died to-night. (Noted in diary on 20th)</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Mon. Mar. 3</td> <td>Rebecca born this afternoon.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Wed. Mar 5.</td> <td>Dad. &amp; I meet Hanmer at Mrs. Schofield's. Mrs. McBain died</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Mon. " 10</td> <td>Alan Law &amp; I drive to Jarvis and I smoke my first cigar</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Fri. " 21</td> <td>Good Friday. Devastating wind. Wrecked barns &amp; windmills</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Mon. " 31</td> <td>Jonas Green, new neighbor. Bought bull calf from H. Thompson $55.00</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Wed. Apr. 2.</td> <td>Clara Tupper born yesterday. Tupper rather disinterested.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Fri. Apr 11</td> <td>Quint left for Pt Colbourne to work on a lake freighter.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Thur. " 17</td> <td>Dad. started to work on the land.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Tues. " 29</td> <td>Bought manure-spreader. Huby gets a job on new Canning Factory.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Thur. May 15.</td> <td>We got locked in the band room. Long Geordie Lang threatens suicide.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Fri. " 23</td> <td>T.A. Ivey defeats the school by-law by dirty work.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Wed. " 28</td> <td>Johnnie Walker's mother &amp; old Mrs. Norquay died.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Mon. June 2</td> <td>Pommers born. We get J. Walker's Joce to work corn ground.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Fri. June 6</td> <td>Finished planting corn. Raising at Frank Ryerse's. Frost night before last.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Mon. " 9</td> <td>We get Walt McCall's sick colt. $25.00 cream che {cheque} for May from 3 cows &amp; 2 heifers. Frost last night.</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <table> <tbody> <tr> <td>Wed. June 11</td> <td>Sold Taurus for $62 1/2. Walt's colt died. Tupper sheared the sheep</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Thur. " 12.</td> <td>Sold wool to Penmans @ 10 cts pound. Harry Dyar nearly killed in auto-wreck</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Tue. " 17</td> <td>Aunt Louise died this morning. Dad. &amp; I do statute labour.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Sun. " 29</td> <td>Three barn fires up Radical road. Capture a suspected fire-bug.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Tue. July 1</td> <td>Get new roller. Val. Leaney arrests a motor cyclist. Simcoe man drops dead.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Thur. " 3</td> <td>Dad. started to cut hay.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Wed. " 16</td> <td>Dad. takes hay rack party to Shands. Win passed entrance - honours</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Fri. " 18</td> <td>Jim Low killed by Dave Turners engine. Frank failed in exams</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Wed. " 23</td> <td>Lila fell down the horse stable chute.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Thur. " 24</td> <td>Started to cut wheat.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Mon Aug 4</td> <td>Cut oats.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Fri. &amp; Sat " 8 &amp; 9 Thur. &amp; Fri " 7 &amp; 8</td> <td>Aunty and I drive to Burford &amp; back with Josie.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Wed. " 13</td> <td>Buck's Park bridge over road collapsed, some bad injuries</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Sun. " 24</td> <td>Tiddums christened. Huby studies service to act as God-father</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Mon. " 25</td> <td>Dad beats Taylor for trustee. Dick &amp; I go to Glen in "Victoria". Mrs. Hobbe's picnic</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Sat. " 30</td> <td>Walter, Roy &amp; Vernon come. Great mix up getting them all home.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Tue. Sept 2</td> <td>Cecil Lamb not expected to recover from typhoid fever</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Sun. " 7</td> <td>Dad. Aunty &amp; Frank drive to Port Rowan</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Tue. " 9</td> <td>Aunty leaves for the West. Hard afternoon's thrashin at Tupper's</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Sun. " 14</td> <td>Tomato &amp; corn leaves nipped with frost. Dave has alsike poisoning</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Wed. " 17</td> <td>Started to sow wheat but had to quit for rain</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Wed. " 24</td> <td>Thrashed 560 bus oats from 18 acres</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Thur. Sept. 25</td> <td>Jonas &amp; I start cutting corn. Mrs. Dave Waddle died</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Sat. Sept. 27</td> <td>Hanmer 47 {illegible} died to-day after 2 days illness</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Thur Oct. 2.</td> <td>We get ram from Dunkin. Dad. plays pedro at John Quanbury's</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Wed. " 8</td> <td>Orpha Flemming &amp; Wilbur Ryerse reported married.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Thur. " 23</td> <td>Mrs. Brierly buried.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Sat. " 25</td> <td>News arrives of birth of 2nd {Lyall?} boy. Agitation to close picture show.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Wed. Nov. 5</td> <td>Frank caught skunk &amp; is nearly impossible to live with.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Thur. " 6</td> <td>Dad. took ram back to Dunkins &amp; got imported one.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Fri. " 14</td> <td>Terrible storm on Upper Lakes. Many wrecks &amp; great loss of life</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Fri. " 21</td> <td>Huby brings Bluch over to the farm.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Sat. " 22.</td> <td>Ed. Moon and I tear down the old windmill.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Thur. " 27</td> <td>Jack Phillips died last night from typhoid fever</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Mon. Dec 1</td> <td>We got word from Aunty that Uncle Hal. has had a stroke.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Sat. " 6</td> <td>I take over the chicken business from Frank, who prefers trapping</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Sun " 7</td> <td>Dick buys himself a $12.00 watch.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Tue. " 9</td> <td>Gint Rankin chivaried at Jim Low's lunch counter</td> </tr> <tr> <td>1914</td> <td></td> </tr> <tr> <td>Mon. Jan 5</td> <td>Vyse beat Ed. for reeve, council Sovereign, Taylor, Henderson and Laing. Hammond beat Atkins in township.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Tue. " 6</td> <td>Rus. Lampkin erected windmill.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Sat. " 10</td> <td>Thrashed alsike. Tiddums has whooping cough</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <table> <tbody> <tr> <td>Mon. Jan 19</td> <td>Alan &amp; I take seed to Jarvis. Sold alsike $8.00 &amp; Red. $7.75</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Wed. " 21</td> <td>Mully had big red bull calf.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Sat. " 24</td> <td>McBain's auction sale.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Wed. " 28</td> <td>Alan filled our ice house.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Tue. Feb 3</td> <td>Winkey Smith buried to-day.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Thur. " 5</td> <td>I got the new "Library of Original sources"</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Fri. " 6</td> <td>Dad. sells his lots in town to Jim Caley.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Wed. " 18</td> <td>Knocked pigeon house of old chicken pen moving it out the lane</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Wed. " 25</td> <td>Old Split-ear had a fight with Frank's pig, which attacked her lamb</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Wed. Mar. 11</td> <td>Tiddums can walk alone. Inez Schram married. Eclipse of moon</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Tue. Apr. 7</td> <td>Rus. Gordon came to spend Easter</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Wed. " 15</td> <td>Got farm deeds from Reed. Crown deed given Colin McNeillege 1837.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Sat. " 18</td> <td>Ray Lampkin died this morning.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Wed. " 22.</td> <td>Conon Hicks died yesterday. U.S. take Vera Cruz.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Fri. " 24</td> <td>Huby and I set fire to the woods accidentally.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Sat. " 25</td> <td>The "Maple Leaf" scores Vyse's administration.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Wed. " 29</td> <td>Enah went to Toronto to hear the new organ in St. Pauls</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Thur. " 30</td> <td>Got incubator and brooder from Jack Martin</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Thur. May 7</td> <td>Wilbur Ryerse's have a daughter. (Zeitha)</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Sat. " 9</td> <td>Huby planted Carolina poplars along side road and fence</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Tue. " 12.</td> <td>Very wet. Tom Abbott asks Dad. not to mention weather. He hears enough of it.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Mon " 18</td> <td>Started work on the land.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Tue. " 26</td> <td>Edna Sidway died.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Sat. May 30.</td> <td>New bridge over dam. Empress of Ireland sunk with 1000 passengers.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Wed. June 8</td> <td>Frank &amp; I get skip of beer from Mrs. McPherson</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Sat. " 13</td> <td>Planted corn. Bill Oaks marked the field.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Tue. " 16</td> <td>Huby and I help to raise the roof of Tuppers barn.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Thur. " 18</td> <td>Had a visit from Col. McDonald.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Sat. " 20</td> <td>Dick gets home from a visit to Toledo</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Wed. " 24</td> <td>Sold Osprey to Lea Marshall for $132.50</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Mon. " 29</td> <td>Provincial election. Whitney government returned A.C. Pratt beat Andrew Innes by 130</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Wed. July 1</td> <td>Tiddums scalded his foot. I spent the day at home.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Fri. " 3</td> <td>Started cutting hay in the corner field.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Sat. " 4</td> <td>John Henry Butler died this morning.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Sun. " 5</td> <td>Topsy Walker came to play the organ without her hat so was sent back</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Sat. " 11</td> <td>Buildings at the brick yard burned to-night.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Mon. " 13</td> <td>Frank got word that he failed to pass Entrance.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Sat. " 18</td> <td>Cut wheat.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Sun. " 19</td> <td>I take Marj. Clarke for a drive</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Wed. " 22</td> <td>Jack McCurty cut his throat. Army worms doing great damage in counties north of here.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Thurs. " 30</td> <td>Austria has declared war with Servia &amp; Belgrade is taken.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Sun. Aug. 2.</td> <td>Huby, Quint &amp; I drive to Dr. McInnes ginseng farm &amp; to Billington's</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Sat. " 22.</td> <td>Toronto regiments orderd to Valcartier. Fred. McDonald with 48th Highlanders. Byron Johnson with Chatam regiment</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <table> <tbody> <tr> <td>Thurs. Aug 27.</td> <td>I play in the band for patriotic flag day sale.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Sat. " 29</td> <td>Veterinary Inspector pronounces Anthrax, cause of death of Bannister's &amp; Quanbury's cows. Dad. disagrees.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Sun. Sept. 13</td> <td>We boys visit Exhibition. Dad. keeps diary while we are gone and has busy time with Anthrax reports on cattle</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Mon. " 14</td> <td>Looks as if war can't last long, Germans seem to be in flight.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Sat. " 19</td> <td>Drilled wheat on buck wheat stubble</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Fri. " 25</td> <td>Finished sowing wheat on alsike stubble.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Sun. " 27</td> <td>Frost night before last.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Wed. " 30</td> <td>Dad. sees Harry Harding off. He has been home all summer</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Thur. Oct 1</td> <td>Willie Nixon wins first prize on milk stool at School Fair</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Tue. " 6</td> <td>Frank and I finish cutting corn</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Thur. " 8</td> <td>Bess Perry &amp; Patt married. Dad &amp; I go to Dunkins for ram</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Sat. " 10</td> <td>Marj. and I go after chestnuts &amp; run into thunder storm.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Sat. " 17</td> <td>Charlie Quanbury has bought the Lewis place by Shand's school</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Mon " 19</td> <td>Pud. Smythe and I go to Simcoe to drill with Capt. Simson's company</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Tue. " 20</td> <td>Dad. goes to Toronto to meet Aunty, Aunty Alice &amp; Uncle Hal. (diary doesn't say)</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Thur. Nov. 5</td> <td>Henry Awde and I start building chicken shed.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Thur. Dec. 3</td> <td>No entries for 2 weeks. I had jaundice. Uncle Hal. died last Monday.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Sun. " 6</td> <td>Frank is confirmed to-night.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Sat. " 12</td> <td>Cousin Lizzie Hyde sends us a box of family treasurers.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Fri. " 25</td> <td>Nobody but Tiddums &amp; Lila got Christmas presents. Ferdy Wiser here.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Wed. " 30</td> <td>Jean Davis married. Mrs. Jim Waddle died. Mr. Lemon buried Monday</td> </tr> <tr> <td>1915</td> <td></td> </tr> <tr> <td>Mon. Jan 4th</td> <td>Boughner in township. Local Option defeated in Simcoe</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Mon. " 11</td> <td>I got to Guelph. Quint to New Bedford. Bird Smith married.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Mon. " 18</td> <td>T.L. Gillies dropped dead.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Mon. Mar. 1</td> <td>Aunty and Aunty Alice leave for Fort Saskatchewan</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Fri. " 19</td> <td>Art. Ryerse reported to be on the land.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Thur. " 25</td> <td>Sam Jacques vs. Nicolls over a bottle of whiskey</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Mon. Apr. 5</td> <td>Easter Monday. Willard won big fight, (Johnson)</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Wed. " 7</td> <td>Dad. sowed oats in the little orchard.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Tues. " 27</td> <td>Dad. at Murdock vs Yeager Trial. First heavy Canadian casualties.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Wed. " 28</td> <td>Ade Millman and Ernie Skey both married to-day.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Thur. May 6</td> <td>Aunty and Aunty Alice arrive home from the West.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Fri. " 7</td> <td>Lusitania torpedoed in Irish Sea, 1500 drowned.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Mon. " 11</td> <td>Art Walker home from hospital. F. McDonald prisoner in Germany.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Sat. " 15</td> <td>Had to send my little chestnut tree back to the States</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Sun. " 16</td> <td>Ginger has a fine colt. (Billy)</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Fri. " 21</td> <td>Harry Smith on Wright place has horse killed by barbed wire fence.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Thur. " 27</td> <td>May Ivey has plural pneumonia, not expected to live.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Tue. June 1</td> <td>Dad sheared the last two sheep.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Fri. " 4</td> <td>Bill Oaks came out to mark corn ground. I started planting</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Mon. " 7</td> <td>I give Art Quanbury a day &amp; we have dinner at Charlie's.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Fri Tues. " 8</td> <td>Sold the wool at Penman's for 20 cts a pound.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Fri " 11</td> <td>Mr. Billings died in Montreal.</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <table> <tbody> <tr> <td>Mon June 28</td> <td>Started cutting corner field.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Thur. July 1.</td> <td>Stretch fence along John Wess line this forenoon. Celebrate this after noon. Harry Moon &amp; John Gorden bombard. Dardanelles</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Thur. " 15</td> <td>Frank passed entrance, so elated, he wants to go back to school</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Sat. " 17</td> <td>John R. Davis died very suddenly.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Mon. " 19.</td> <td>Staib. the station agent died yesterday.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Thur. " 22</td> <td>Huby has 200 names on Custom house petition. Quint. sick in New Bedford</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Mon. Aug 2nd</td> <td>Dad. started to cut wheat.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Wed " 4</td> <td>25 people killed in Erie by flood. 2000 homeless</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Fri. " 6</td> <td>We give old Bluch to Bob. Ross</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Sun. " 8</td> <td>Vyse tried to haul wheat to-day, but terrible storm prevented hailstones like wallnuts broke 10,000 panes in Ivey's greenhouses</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Fri. " 13</td> <td>Frank and I dig at big ditch in timothy field, we intend to tile</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Sat. " 14</td> <td>Hallam, new blacksmith. T.A. Ivey killed in Hamilton.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Fri. " 20</td> <td>Dad. away with Harry Ausley &amp; Huby. Enah helps Frank &amp; me haul barley.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Thur. " 26</td> <td>Huby starts to work at Customs Office. We cut locust tree at Huby's.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>{obscured text} " 27.</td> <td>Quint comes home from New Bedford.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>{obscured text} Sept 2.</td> <td>Finished cutting wheat. Badly sprouted due to wet weather.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>{obscured text} " 7</td> <td>Mrs. Harding died last night.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>{obscured text} " 8</td> <td>Ed. Turner died.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>{obscured text} " 16</td> <td>Huby has moved to Bill Slocombs house. Aunty &amp; Aunty Alice down {home?}</td> </tr> <tr> <td>{obscured text} " 18</td> <td>Finished hauling &amp; stacking oats from back fields</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Thur. Sept. 30</td> <td>Dad. summarizes 10 days events. I get sick thrashing @ Vyse's</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Fri. Oct 1</td> <td>Dad. finished drilling 4 acres of wheat.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Thur. " 7</td> <td>Dad. started ploughing and I cut corn.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Sat. " 9</td> <td>Orm Millman broke bone in his ankle while after nuts.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Mon. " 11</td> <td>Dolly Smith reunion at Shand's school.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Thurs. " 14</td> <td>Gordon McCall died of wounds overseas.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Fri " 15</td> <td>Aunty Alice gave me a lot of her books. Pope, Hone &amp; Milton.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Wed. " 20</td> <td>Aunty Maude in Brantford hospital for operation.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Wed. " 27</td> <td>Three weddings to-day. Maime Shand, Ray Hammond, &amp; Miss Bloxom.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Thur. Nov 25</td> <td>I go to Caledonia and buy Elgitha from Douglas for $180.00</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Fri. Dec 3</td> <td>Charlie Shand going out West.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Sat. " 4</td> <td>A.C. Pratt. organizing the 133rd.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Fri " 10</td> <td>Cecil Powell back home from the Front.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Wed. " 22</td> <td>Queen hooked on first time with Joe to bob sleighs</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Sat. " 25</td> <td>Had Christmas dinner at the James. Frank smokes strong cigar.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Sun. " 26</td> <td>Choir start wearing surplices</td> </tr> <tr> <td>1916</td> <td></td> </tr> <tr> <td>Mon. Jan. 3</td> <td>Walker beat Vyse. Council. Moon, Harry Smith, R. M Taylor, Matt. Wilson</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Mon. " 10</td> <td>Dickens night at A.Y.P.A. Aunty Maude &amp; Cousin Willie take part</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Mon " 24</td> <td>E McPherson on to get signatures on a Total Prohibition petition</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Tue Feb 1</td> <td>Tige sick with the Grip.</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <table> <tbody> <tr> <td>Thur. Feb 3</td> <td>Mrs. Hodge died. Hammy Innes &amp; Bill George enlist. Cliff Lees vs Penmans Lawsuit</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Sat " 5</td> <td>Parliament Bldg. at Ottawa burned. Seven people killed</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Mon " 7</td> <td>Minnie Misner leaving for Egypt as Red Cross nurse.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>" " 14</td> <td>18° below zero. Last of Dad's canarys gets killed.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Sat. " 19</td> <td>Took load to Simcoe rink with Faulkner's team. They nearly got away.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>" " 26</td> <td>Ed. Moon &amp; Jonas Green latest 133rd recruits. French desperately defending Verdun.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Thur. Mar 2</td> <td>Dad. &amp; Frank drive to Pt. Rowan for Aunt Ida's furniture</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Fri. " 3</td> <td>Bill Duncan buried. Row on between Pratt &amp; officers of 133rd.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Mon " 6</td> <td>Frank gets geese from Faulkner to raise on shares.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Tue. " 7</td> <td>Jack Martin has bought Vyse out.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Wed " 8</td> <td>We get Clyde mare from Harry Ansley</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Thur. " 9</td> <td>Party at Quanbury's. Bad. blizzard. Start arranging for Mr. Smith's reunion</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Fri. " 10</td> <td>Quint quits mill in New Bedford. Huby hopes he will enlist.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Sat. " 11</td> <td>We walk to Lynn Valley to see fire - Edmund's grist mill.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Tue. " 14</td> <td>Glen Ryerse jacks up old shed roof.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Sat. " 18</td> <td>10° below zero. First robin.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Mon. " 20</td> <td>Dick to start sleeping at bank. Hazen leaving for Ottawa</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Fri. " 24</td> <td>Tommy Jackson has sold out to Frank Ryerse</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Sat. " 25</td> <td>Vyse's sale. Quint has signed up (with 133rd)</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Fri. " 30</td> <td>John Watt's sale. Johnny Loan &amp; Ernie Hinds both sell out to enlist</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Wed. April 5</td> <td>Sam Law's farewell party.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Sat " 29</td> <td>Belle's twin colts born dead.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Mon. May 1</td> <td>Started to work on land - back side hill.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Sat. " 6</td> <td>Cattle turned out.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Tue. " 9</td> <td>Sold Ginger to an American.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Tue " 30</td> <td>Dad. nearly breaks his neck falling down woodshed stairs</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Thur Jan. 1</td> <td>Emery McPherson builds us a refrigerator</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Sat. June 3</td> <td>All but me go to circus in Simcoe. Heavy British naval loss.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Sun. " 4</td> <td>Dick &amp; Dess visiting "Grandpa Mead" in Simcoe</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Tue " 6</td> <td>Kitchner drowned.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Fri. " 9</td> <td>Mr. Ashbow spends the night with us.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Sun. " 11</td> <td>Mr. Fleming's "Prince" breaks leg &amp; has to be shot.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Sun " 18</td> <td>Robert John Watson's mother &amp; Mrs. John Watts died.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Wed " 21</td> <td>Jack Martin's horse had tetanus. Joe Fields shot it.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Sun " 25</td> <td>Mr. Rennand, rector here 41 years ago, preached to-day.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Mon " 24</td> <td>Robert John Watson married.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Tue. " 27</td> <td>Mrs. W.H. Smith died this morning.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Thur " 29</td> <td>Barwell's horse ran across railway bridge ahead of train.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Sat. July 1</td> <td>Mr. Smith's reunion. Col. Pratt gets himself disliked</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Mon. " 3</td> <td>Started to plough for buckwheat. Very little seeding done. Wet Spring. We started to move Art. Quanbury's barn. Big Allied drive.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Thur " 6</td> <td>Frank starts to cut the corner field.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Fri " 21</td> <td>Mrs. Gus Smith killed on tracks</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Thur " 27</td> <td>Started cutting wheat</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Fri " 28</td> <td>Family all goes to Harry &amp; Lizzy Langs silver wedding anniversary</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </div> transcribed https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/a965f1b127c3797df368be39070e959f.pdf bdc80806b0c10303a5bf001fa3c9556b PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. DIARY 1925 T.B. Barrett Donnybrook. Port Dover Ontario From January 1st 1925 to November 15th 1925 https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/b51853c7e8e768de333eefbb8e61d4c7.pdf 26a927bc7919e26cf873889fcdb93f6b PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Thursday January 1st 1925 At the time of the Royal Winter Fair in Toronto last November Frank & Jonas sojourned for a few days in the city ostensibly to have a look at the fat cattle & high jumping hunters, but no doubt as far as Frank was concerned there was a fairer attraction than an attractive Fair. Whatever his prime motive was the point in this connection is that he brought home this book for me, and it resembles very closely the books that I was wont to keep diurnal records in prior to the War, but which up till now I have been unable to get. The possession of it inspires me to resume my old practice of diary writing and so I make a start with the New Year. We are still in the grip of a very cold snap which has lasted with scarcely a break now for about two weeks. The wind to-day was in the east but it has been fairly sunny. I have done very little all day but the chores, went over to Willie Shand's this morning to pay him for the sink we got from him last fall, and this after noon went over to the woods for awhile to find some fuel but didn’t have much luck. I started milking Mary to-day as Garnet Coleman came out yesterday & took the calf. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/48104fb094a3cc026d814fe0e57568d0.pdf 9034e0bc9e2fbfcc641aeaef02e39662 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Friday January 2nd We contemplated going to town to-day which would have necessitated my walking over home and getting Queen or the team, but the weather altered our plans. It was snowing hard when we got up this morning and had snowed hard during the night keeping it up till this after noon. It has been getting steadily milder all day and I think is almost thawing to-night. As we now have a nice lot of skim milk on hand I began feeding the cockrels out in the colony house their fattening mash and had to make a trough for them. They have just been getting grain and I am afraid lost flesh during the very cold weather of the last couple of weeks. I did some more fixing to my cow stable this afternoon, battoned up more of the cracks and put a window in. It was quite comfortable working bare handed which was a great relief. Mrs. Tupper and Clara were in to-night for a few minutes to return the little house scales which Mrs. Tupper borrowed a couple of weeks ago to weigh her geese. Must wash up the tea-dishes now and get after Rob. Roy. We are reading it aloud. Saturday January 3rd This has been a busy day for me. I did the morning chores as quickly as possible and started to walk over home but got a ride on a load of lumber from the Winding Hill. Dad. helped me harness & hook up the team (Queen and Joe) and we then loaded up my potatoes and buckwheat. Dad. & I both got potatoes from Jim Dixon and he left mine over there. It was noon when I got home and as Marj. was hoping to leave for town by one o'clock I fed the team and gobbled my dinner without much ceremony. Marj. fed the chickens while I unloaded the potatoes and emptied them into bushe {bushel} hampers down cellar. I unloaded the buckwheat before dinner. I then put the cows in and hooked up. It was nearly two by the time we started. We unloaded the kids at Aunty's by way of a birthday party for her and I drove Marj. up town, left Jim Dixon's bags at Walker Evans according to instructions and drove right back to Trum. Walker's where I loaded up five bags of wheat and took home. Neither Trum. nor the man were home but the boys were there and superintended the business. I unloaded the wheat and then hiked across to the woods where I found a little wood. Our nice little maple https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/8cbad2d5ffbd11936e38dadcffed4794.pdf 451a642f28c689c424530f2b6f0ea9d3 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. stick, but I had quite a job getting it, as it was green & heavy. I fell down with it once and got covered with snow getting out from under it, by the time I got my wood home & unloaded and the chickens fed it was nearly five so I then returned to town for the family. Frank was there too so he came home with us and took the team back. Snowed most of the day and is still mild. The sleighing is good. Sunday January 4th The peaceful and quiet observance of the Sabbath at Donnybrook to-day was uninterrupted by any excursions abroad on our part or visits from others. I just did what was necessary outside and this morning helped Marj. wash the dishes as she didn't feel very well, and she beguiled the time and lightened the task by reading Rob. Roy to me while I worked. We had a late breakfast and an early tea and dispensed with a middle meal and gained whatever energy such meal would have afforded us by napping. Marj. insists on my writing my share of the Christmas letters of thanks a task which has formerly devolved entirely on her so I spent about two hours this evening writing a note to Grand Daddy. Southwest wind - cloudy now but quite mild. Monday January 5th School opened again this morning and as I had a lot of snow shovelling to do over there I got around pretty early and did most of my morning chores by lantern light. I saw Mabel to-night and she said every pupil was on hand and glad to get back after their long holiday, owing to the measles. I had intended going over home, getting the team and getting a load of coal this morning but put it off till after dinner. When I got there I found Frank going off with the Pickfords to help them load straw or some thing so Dad. advised me not to take the team to-day as it would be so late before I could get out with the coal and back with the team, and they want Joe to-night as they are taking in the evangelical meetings of Mr. Robinson a friend of Mr. Cornish's. I borrowed his cutter and drove down town, posted some letters got a can of coal oil and went to interview Mr. Carpenter & Al. Faulkner about cutters which they had advertised for sale. Mr. Carpenter was in Port Ryerse voting I suppose but Dr. Bicknell said he didn't think he wanted to dispose of the cutter without selling his horse buggy and harness. Al. has sold one of his cutters and is keeping the other but has a pair of light bobs for sale, they have no shafts on them https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/e2bf63a0cdcd68a307a273f190c82ca4.pdf e2f8e229575b1c169ed8d324fbf0021c PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. though so that I don't think they would be much advantage to me as I don't want to hook up a team every time I go to town. I left my coal oil at the farm and walked home from there getting a ride from the Winding Hill with Billy Watson. It was rather late when I got the chores all done and as I was tired I didn't do anything all evening but snooze. I didn't go out to vote to-day as I had no way of getting there except walking and I didn't consider the election important enough to warrant that much exercise. Kent & Roy Misener are the apirants for the reeve's chair and though I would have supported Reg Kent had I voted I don't think it makes much difference. Misener was in to see Dad. soliciting his vote and using the argument that if he stayed "to home" the whole council would be up around Port Ryerse. Dad. told him he didn't care if they were in Kalamazoo for all the good they ever did him or the road past him which has had no permanent improvement made to it since he has lived on it in spite of the fact that he has paid taxes enough himself during that time to gravel it. Pickford was telling of a great time they had the other night, New Year's eve a man knocked at the door and when they opened it they discovered Ellis Ryerse supporting his wife who was in great distress and wanting to borrow Pickford's horse & cutter as they had had a breakdown in their car while on their way to Mrs. Lawson's. Pickford got them the cutter as fast as possible and they got down town just in time as twenty minutes later they had a new daughter. A great pity was that after all their trouble they couldn't have postponed the event for a few hours as it seems the Simcoe merchants are offering prizes to the first three babies born in Norfolk in 1925. Very mild & cloudy. Tuesday January 6th Those men, beloved of the Muses, who are capable of expressing in cadenced words fitting appreciations of all things beautiful are wont to find themes for their songs in the weather that does or should prevail between the Venal equinox and the first killing frost of Autum. Seldom do we hear a voice from Parnassus eulogizing the breath of January unless it be to try to work up a little sympathy for whatever merits a rigourous climate may have to "Stir the Viking blood," but this meets with little response and I admit deserves little. There are days never the less even at this season when the pallid face of Nature suggests a https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/bfbae43420e49e93a406d28cb92291b8.pdf 175026ee249723edcfb5d8322a2ae9a2 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. lethal slumber that have all the qualifications of the greener months besides a few peculiar to themselves to implant in a fellow that very happy sensation, the consious joy of being alive. Just such a day was this especially the fore noon of it. I was in an excellent position to enjoy it as I walked from here over home to meet Frank with my load of coal. There was not a breath of wind and the sun was not bright which would have been dazzling on that nights fresh snow, but diffused a genial comfort through the lightest of clouds & high floating wreaths of smoke. The northern part of the sky was blue, but not the steel blue of Winter but the soft hazy appearance of late Autum while the air might have been that of May except for a certain energizing zest to it not comparable to the chill of Spring nor its longrous warmth which has a tendency to promote lethargy. The roads are in excellint trim for sleighing and aparantly too deep for the pesky cars to spoil them. No mud of Spring, no bugs of Summer, no rush of work as in the Fall, if all Winter weather was like this, tourist resorts in the South would have to go out of business, but what makes this weather truly appreciated is that it is a very small nugget in a large rock of quartz and the realization that for all we know an 80 mile blizzard may be the programme for to-morrow. When I got to the Farm I found Frank had gone down for the coal and Dad. was preparing the scene for the execution of his pigs He was very distressed that I had walked over as he said Frank would go right out the side road with the coal and I would have to walk back. Frank however had forgotten to take a scoop shovel and remembering that I didn't have one came back by the farm with the coal so I rode out with him. He took the team right back so as to be on time to help with the pig killing this after noon. Pickford and Bob. are going to help. I spent the afternoon lining my chicken house with tar paper and at Marj’s suggestion shifting the roosts so that they are not in such a direct draft from the windows. Ina was here washing to-day and she walked home with Mabel who came over for awhile after school. Wednesday January 7th Another very mild day and so nice that Marj. wanted to go to town. I was anxious to finish fixing my chicken pen but as she was afraid we might not get another nice day this week, I told her that if she would go over and https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/715112373feb9d08c91263d37fd54700.pdf b313dd46c1c8075b5e488b8b770cf6ae PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. borrow the Lampkin's cutter and Florie we would go right after dinner. Marj. went over and made the necessary arrangements and Mrs. Lampkin offered to keep the baby. I worked at the chicken pen till noon then right after dinner we loaded Gay into the hand sleigh and I hauled her over, left her with Mrs. Lampkin and came back with Florie & the cutter for Marj. & the Niblits. It was cloudy when we started with a raw wind but thawing more than it has any day yet. We left Harry B. at Aunty's and I drove Marj. up to see Glad. Law who has been very much worse since Christmas. I then came back, put Florie in the barn, and went in and had a visit with Lila who has not been out of bed for the last few days although she feels pretty well. She has become fasinated by the much talked of and ridiculed cross- word-puzzles. Aunty & Aunty Alice are greatly elated after the courage & skill they displayed this morning in tracking down & killing a rat. They have suspected his presence for some time in the little room off the kitchen so this morning organized a hunting party. They searched through various boxes, boles, baskets, bags trunks, etcetera and finally unearthed their quarry ina valise through which he had chewed himself an entrance and also helped himself to pieces of all the contents for the construction of his nest. The prize discovered was only half won as the real chase began, and was carried on, in, out, between, under, over, across, through and “apast” every object in the room until finally they brought him to bay and Aunty Alice, with certainly more courage than a great many women and some men posess attacked him with the hammer. Her onslaught though feirce was not sufficient to mortally wound him nor to quell his cries, but as she had him pinned down she feared to risk his escape by raising the hammer for another blow so she called to Aunty to come to her rescue with another weapon. She knew the sickle was in the kitchen and thought it would do the deed but in the tense excitement of the moment could think of no other name for it but cutlass, for which she called. Aunty was at a loss to know where in their peaceful surroundings she could lay hands on a cutlass or any other bucaneering accouterment so failed to render the assistance so sorely needed. The case become desperate for although the croaking cries of the enemy betrayed the flitting of the vital spark, the strength of the hand that held the hammer was also waning and who could tell what reserves of strength might he mustered https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/b80b14c007ed2addf35c5407d11d71cc.pdf 1684f63da15d9aa0741cbb64c0a0bd7f PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. if that crushing weight were relaxed for a moment. Eventually Aunty came to the scene of action without arms or ammunition but relieved Aunty Alice of her hold on the prisoner while Aunty Alice went in search of the hatchet with which she presently returned and dealt the death blow almost severing the wicked head from the ugly body. No wonder they are exultant after having triumphed so gloriously over the forces of evil the perpetrator of nocturnal destruction and predatory invasion. They can now rest secure and happy in the memory of their hard fought but well won field. I walked over to Jim. Bannister to see a cutter which Mrs. Lampkin told me he had for sale but there was nobody home so we stopped on our way home and I asked Jim not to sell it until I had a look at it. Dad. drove Euah down and left her at Aunty’s while I was there. They are taking in the revival meetings regularly I think, Frank says they had a poor house the night of the hockey match but that was to be expected, the first intermediate O.H.A. game of the season. Dover beat Brantford. 6-5. It began to snow while we were away and kept it up all the after noon Big flakes of heavy snow coming straight down. We are certainly getting plenty of it this winter. It was dark by the time I got back to the Lampkin's with the horse and cutter after taking Marj. & the Niblits home and then I had to load Gay up and haul her home. It was still snowing hard but very mild and she seemed to thoroughly enjoy the trip I was afraid all the time she would pitch herself out and when we turned into our lane where the track was not beaten the fresh snow came to the top of her sleigh box, she gurgled with joy when she could stick her little mitts out and draw them through the soft snow until we got about half way up the lane either she gave a lurch or one runner went suddenly deeper but over the sleigh went and Gay went face down into a snow drift. I grabbed her up as fast as possible and tucked her under my arm, evidently none the worse, she seemed to take it as part of the fun. When we got to the house, she was as rosy, cosy and happy as any ten year old kid who has been jumping into snow banks. We put in an awful evening. Aunty Alice lent Marj. her new Sabitini book “The Gates of Doom" and we started to read it out loud but I couldn't keep awake so we both dozed for awhile and then Marj. went at her book alone and read the whole thing. We got to bed about half past two. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/ffaded82f18880cd632fcaa51801bdd4.pdf 58df57d595f17264895279257fc5c751 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Thursday January 8th I spent about two hours & a half in bed last night and consequently didn’t feel much like working to-day, so didn't do anything but the chores, it was a little too cold anyway to do Carpenter work in the chicken pen. It has been a beautiful sunny day but the wind was quite strong and sharp. I went over to the school house before we had breakfast and Willem Ryerse came back with me to look at the bull calf as he thought of buying him but he thinks he is too small for service now so I think he won’t take him. We were pretty late getting through breakfast and then we sat around the kitchen most of the fore noon while Marj. told me the story she read last night. This after noon I washed the dishes while she read a little more of Rob. Roy to me and to-night we went to bed right after tea, but by the time we got the kids settled it wasn't very early. Marj. got Gay a pair of stiff soled shoes yesterday & hopes she will soon walk alone with them. Friday January 9th It was a cold night and has been sharp to-day but a little wind and sunny so that it is ideal winter weather. I did chores most of the forenoon and this after noon walked down town to see Jim Bannister's cutter. I met John Patterson on the road with it and as he was driving out here partly to show me the cutter and partly to exercise his horse, he turned around and drove me into town. It is a shabby looking affair but seems perfectly sound and has new shoes on it which Jim says are worth four dollars so I don't think I lost anything by paying him ten dollars for it. I saw Dad. & Frank down town. Frank was all furred up in coon-skin ready to start for Selkirk with his theatrical troupe. I got my hair cut and walked back home getting here about seven. It was a beautiful night. Moonlight & snappy. I had tea which was all ready and did chores afterwards. Marj. has not felt well all day. The {Shaff?} boys brought down four loads (5 yards) of gravel for me to-day which I home to make a cow stable floor of when the frost goes out. Marj. says Gay is developing a temper like a yellow jacket with a sore corn. She let her feed herself pudding to-day and the performance was so comical Marj. couldnt refrain from laughing whereat, Miss Gay flew into a passion screamed & screeched and made a scene like a regular picture show lady. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/7b92f4b8d167c1511157c4ed801aeb27.pdf 9c1b866e8994c9758da9615be5db6f89 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Saturday January 10th This has been another beautiful day but is frosty to-night I puttered around at the chores this morning and tore down a big corn shock and got all the inside of it into the barn and stacked the outside along the chicken house to melt the snow & ice off it. Harry B was out with me and we disturbed the cosy winter quarters of several mice which interested him greatly. It seems sort of hard lines to turn them out in the cold after they had got fixed up so comfortably for the winter. The cats got some of them later I went over and swept the school house after dinner and while I was there Dad. & Tim came out in the bob-sleighs to get Queen’s harness. They came over to the school and I went back with them and waited at the farm while Dad. drove Queen & my cutter down to get Aunty Alice and Miss Grulnest, (the pianist of the evangelical company), whom he brought over for tea and then I drove my cutter straight home. Dover intermediate O.H.A. team went to Simcoe last night & beat them 8-0 Sunday January 11th We hurried around this morning doing the usual chores and getting dressed up leaving about noon to have dinner at the Bagley’s. It was very bright but a cold east wind. I left Marj. & the kids at the house, then drove down, and put Queen in Aunty’s barn. This after noon Mr. Bagley and I went to meeting Mr. Robinson was having in the town-hall for men only. I was averse to going but Mr. Bagley assured me we would be out early and so I couldn't very well get out of it. There was a good crowd there and Mr. Robinson spoke very well and as nicely as his subject permitted but as I heard it or read it all before and as far as I can see am in no position to either help or hinder his work, and as the hall was cold and as it was after five when we got out I was very sorry I went. I hurried back with Mr. Bagley and got my sweater and then hurried down to get Queen as it was getting very cold. Mrs. Bagley was going to get tea for us but I wouldn't wait but thought she would give Marj. a cup while I was gone but she didn't. We got home about six and I guess I was the coldest of the party but I got warmed up doing chores Monday January 12th It has been milder to-day but cloudy. I seem to have felt lazy and didn't do much but the chores, this https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/c69a0a598231f13938a378826b8b702a.pdf 9af263083f45e46d660016caa8e57149 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. fore noon I cut down the mate to the pine tree that I cut last winter just behind the barn. I have about seven pines on the hill north west of the barn and they are all beginning to die at the top. This tree was leaning very much towards the barnyard fence but I got the big hay rope out of the barn and tied it as far up the trunk as I could safely reach with my 18 ft. ladder and snubbed the other end to a tree down the bank hoping to be able to pull the pine away from the fence, however I chopped till it began to crack and before I could get down to pull it fell and of course went right across the fence smashing two or three of the old wires and cutting one strand of the rope where it pulled taut across the branch of a little ash tree. I didn't do much this afternoon but kill a little rooster for Marj. She went over to the school house after four and mailed Mabel over for dinner to-morrow and also swept. Thawing to-night. Tuesday January 13th Wilbur Ryerse was in this morning to ask me if he could have the bull calf for the summer for his keep, leaving me the option of selling him if I got a chance so I agreed. He give me two dollars to pay for his registration and said he would get him to-morrow. I spent most of the day fixing a hopper for the chickens. Ina was here washing and Mabel came over for dinner I drove Ina home to-night and went on down town to a horticultural society meeting but as Uncle Ward was sick, there was none. Quite mild Wednesday January 14th Wilbur came in this morning with his stock rack and we loaded the calf. I did up all the chores this morning and we all went down to Aunty's for dinner. After dinner Harry B & I went over to the farm and I filled out the application for the registration of the calf. Marj. did her buying and I drove back to Aunty’s and got her and we called in at the farm and picked up Harry B. Beautiful day but cold wind. Thursday January 15th Didn't do any thing much to-day but chores. It was very cold early this morning about the coldest night yet but was a beautiful day and is milder to-night. I sat around and we finished reading Rob. Roy. I did things up early to-night and got ready to go https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/f0303f50555626fbf072b82daf93feae.pdf f8e2dfb121a964d9cd9bc980b555a9f1 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. down to Mr. Robinson's {diocese? meeting. Dad. came over to stay with the kids. They were both in bed when he came and didn't wake up all evening. Marj. and I went down and had a very nice time. It was in the Presbyterian Church, we figured it was the first nocturnal sleigh ride we had ever had to-gether & it is the first time Marj. has been out at night since the Horticultural Show. I cut another small pine to-day Friday January 16th It has been thawing all day and snowed most of the day I did up the chores this morning and this after noon drove down to get some cow feed and rooster cheep at Billy Langs I found Billys shop full of customers but no Billy and as Andrew Low said he had been waiting for an hour for him I called up Tip Varey's to ask if they had seen him, they said there was a cemetry board meeting on so that accounted for his absence. Frank came along while I was waiting so I got him to help me bag up what I wanted and I then I drove him up town and home, we called in at Aunty's on our way. They are expecting Ray to-night. He is on his way to or from {a Con?}vention in Atlantic City and will be here till Sunday. Saturday January 17th Dad. & Enah drove over this morning and left Joe & their cutter and took Queen and my cutter as Dad. had arranged to take Miss Grunert for a drive this afternoon. We all got bundled up and drove down to Aunty's to see Ray We found Ray, Quint, Huby, Win & David all there when we arrived but we left the children and drove up town for a few provisions and Huby Win & David had left when we got back, but Frank was there. Presently Dad. drove up and then Frank who was with Bob. Pickford and his new old horse left. Dad. expected to find Enah but she wasn't there so he took Joe & his own cutter and went off to look for her. We left about five. Beautiful day Sunday January 18th Marj. didn't feel very well to-day and we were late getting around this morning, she wanted me to go to church but I couldn't get ready in time. I went over and swept out the school house and just as I got there Bill Donald & Lloyd Ryerse came to put a new elbow in the stove pipe and a new lock on the back door so I was over there quite awhile. I spent most of the after noon doing chores and washing dishes. Marj. read Jeffry Farnol books all day. Cloudy but not cold. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/1adadc47c9d8d96821254685c8dda688.pdf 3cab8533259017c145842670adbbe712 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Monday January 19th As soon as I did the chores this morning I {illegible} the {illegible} drain to see if I could discover the cause of the vile odour coming from the sink, and found that the end of the drain was frozen up. I worked at it for about an hour but without success as it was frozen well back into the tile and I couldn't get at it. The only way I could make any impression was with an old auger but it was a very slow job. I quit about eleven and started out to see about getting some wood out of {Pat?} Bowlby's bush which they are cutting off. It was such a lovely day that Marj. thought she would got too as she & the children needed fresh air. We drove around by the mill and as they were beginning to get cold, they got out at the Bagley's and waited there till I got back from the woods where I found they had plenty for sale. {It} was just about noon when we left town and we {dr}ove around by the farm as I wanted to see about {ge}tting the team and bob sleighs, so as they were just {rea}dy to sit down to dinner we stayed there. We came {ho}me soon after and I renewed my efforts to get the {illegible} open. I got the auger in as far as I could far {illegible} and then got Marj. to heat the poker and bring it to me as it would have cooled while I was getting over the fence. It was too small to do much good as it cooled before it melted much, but Marj. went out to the shed and found a big rod with a hook on the end of it and heated it. It worked. I melted in as far as it would while it was hot and then gave a few rams with it and burst through. The pent up water came out with a gush and I just had time to get to one side without getting wet. It ran for about ten minutes and I didn't wonder the sink smelled bad when I saw it. Marj. flushed it out with a zenoleum solution, and now the house reeks of that which is just about as disagreeable. Mabel came over to-night with a couple of arithmetic problems for Marj. to work out. Marj. was terribly distressed at first as she didn't see at a glance the solution and was afraid her mental foculties were deteriorating but she finally got them to her satisfaction. Tuesday January 20th First impressions of to-day were far from prepossessing as it looked as if we were booked for a north east blizzard. The wind was not high but it was snowing very vigourously if not furiously, the consequence https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/8c9f2e2495edaaaa73c614515b1226b5.pdf 114858ba252bf642e58a9d4510a75d94 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. was that I didn't do chores before daylight as I had intended as I thought the day would be too rough to go after wood, later in the fore noon, however, it stopped snowing and was not such a bad day as it wasn't very cold, so I hooked up and drove over home after first going up to Shand's and speaking for their wood rack. It was after eleven when I got over to the farm so it was too late to go to the woods before dinner but we went up this after noon with George & Pommers. Frank saw Draper and borrowed his wood rack so we didn't have to go out to Shands, we all three went up to the bush and found a very busy place. There was a big gang up there and the mill was going so there were some at it sawing, some piling lumber some chopping & sawing in the bush and Bill McDonald was snaking logs to the saw. It seems a great pity to me to see that fine piece of bush on the lake bank being cleared right off. Dad. had quite a time getting into the place where the wood was as they had the main track blocked with logs and George & Pommers are not used to ploughing around through deep snow and brush but they got there and I got a cord of hard maple for five dollars but there was a great deal of small branch wood mixed with it. I didn't speak for any more because Charlie Shand hinted this morning that they might want me to help them get their wood out and I think if they do I can get some from them. The Snider's from down the lake were up there getting wood and we had to wait after we got loaded for a while till they got the logs cleared out of the track. It was after four when we got back to the farm so we left the wood there and Dad. said he would bring it out in the morning. I drove around by the Donald's on my way home and told Ina not to come over to-morrow as we expect to go to town, she too was scared out of coming to-day owing to the ominous looks of the morning. I found Marj. pretty well fagged out when I got home as she had had a busy day and when she came in from feeding the chickens found the two kids in the coal pail. Harry B. taking it out and handing it to Gay who was eating a little of each piece and then throwing it on the floor, they were both as black as niggers when Marj. found them. Gay was proud as Punch of herself and Harry B made his usual remark on such occasions "Gay doo'at" The last day she left them to feed the chickens, she came in to find the kitchen floor littered with hay which they were busy pulling out of the seat of the old armchair https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/e956d9a0a87441926ace12166c786ea9.pdf 02596f3e7ba6821d4599a072a47af342 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Wednesday January 21st Dad and Frank brought the wood out this morning just as we were about ready to start for town. We went down to Aunty's for dinner and this after noon I went to the postponed annual meeting of the Horticultural Society, there were just a few there but enough to elect officers for next year. We put Jack King in as president in place of Mr. Aldried We got home about dark. It was cold but a beautiful day. Thursday January 22nd As soon as I got the Chores done up this morning which was not very early owing firstly to my neglecting to set the alarm clock and secondly to my being delayed by a visit from Bill Donald while I was at the school house, I went over to the farm and Frank and I returned Proper's wood rack with the little team before dinner. This after noon we drove down town and got Oliver Mann and his radio outfit and brought him out here to give us a concert. It was very blustery when we came out and the side road was quite badly drifted. Frank had dug out the drift at the top of the hill this morning, where he said Roy Hammond nearly tipped over a load of hay. Frank, Charlie Dixon and Fred Misener rode rails to hold it in the road from the top of the hill to the corner. Fred Misener told Frank that Jim Birdsell had been in to see me last night to ask about digging out the cut at Linsay's hill but hadn't done it because I wasn't home so I let the boys out of the gate and drove on up to Shand's to telephone him. I couldn't get him but left word for Charlie to tell him to go at it in the morning as it was blowing to hard to-day I also invited Charlie & Flossie down to hear the radio. Oliver & Frank were not long getting the stage set. They nailed a scantling on the shed and ran the aerial from it to the east gable of the house, grounded to the pump and ran the wires through the key hole in the north door, they were then ready to pick up messages from any station that was broadcasting They got a few from Buffalo in the after noon but there wasn't much on till after six o'clock. I did the chores up fairly early, and Ina, who was here all day and stayed for the concert, and I sat through tea with the earphones on our heads, listening to music https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/25e0886e53e1095be44d70775f8ff3fb.pdf 984ecf9aae8b14919eb143d617816f7b PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. weather reports and lectures from the U.S.A. Oliver's set is a small one, one tube, but he got messages from as far a way as Denver. There were just two pair of earphones so we took turns in listening and took them apart so that two could listen with one set by just using one ear. We clapped it on Harry B's ear once or twice and he seemed very much impressed. Charlie Shand came down for awhile and seemed to enjoy some candy that Marj. had made more than the radio which was not so new to him as it was to the rest of us, he having heard George Duncan's the other night. The music through it sounded very much like that of a phonograph to me and while the announcements were very distinct I couldn't understand any recitations I heard at all. I was glad to hear it for the novelty and marvel of it, for it truly is marvelous to have concrete proof that the voice of a man speaking a thousand miles away is carried here through the air and a simple little contrivance like this can pick it up. It makes a person realize that the laws of Nature are incomprehensible and unlimited and wonder what next the accumulating knowledge of man will reveal to his puny mind. The music seemed to get a little clearer as the evening went on and Oliver kept trying to get new stations, till I who had eaten too much candy was beginning to feel sick and Marj. and Ina were getting very tired. It was long after midnight when Oliver closed the thing up and disconected it and then I had to hook up and take Ina home. She was bound to walk but I wouldn't let her after keeping her here till that hour. We all drove to the Winding Hill and the boys walked on home from there. I got home and to bed somewhere about three o'clock feeling very sick and satisified to the satiation point with radio. Unlike Harvey Evans I don't feel that I would be any happier if I owned one I would much sooner save my money and buy a piano and give the kids music lessons, but I suppose they won't practice and will beg for a radio set. Friday January 23rd Last night was too much for me and I haven't done any thing all day but feel tough. I managed to get out this morning and feed the cows & horses and light the fire at the school house, but from then till noon I could https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/ba2e1fd8a39b1c20ccdf04bed49e4c73.pdf f82aec1ddb4d6aca339fa6c18a2cebf4 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. scarcely hold my head up I was so bilious. Marj. fed the chickens and got wood for the box stove and coal for the kitchen stove and by noon the nausea had left me so I went out and milked but I still felt very weak so I didn't do very much else and slept most of the after noon. Marj. made me some toast about five o'clock which was the first I had eaten all day and I felt a little better after that and did up the night chores. It has been a beautiful looking day but keen north wind Saturday January 24th This was the day when we were to have had presented to us the greatest and most talked of drama that can be normally produced on the celestial stage, - the total eclipse of the sun. The actors rehearsed their parts according to schedule, but alas, the producer, our old mother, drew a curtain on the first act and peevishly refused to raise it, until just as they made their farewell bow to the audience, so all we could do was imagine what was going on before our eyes but behind the scene. I don't now when I have been so disappointed as it has always been my desire to see a total eclipse and I have examined the patent medicine almanack when they first came for years to see if they promised one, until I had about come to the conclusion that one was never visible in this latitude, so that I was really about as excited when I read the announcement of this one as a kid is when he sees circus bills for his own town. The worst is, the astronomers tell us that the show won't be around here again for about 250 years and it seems very improbable that any of us will be here to see it then. There was a heavy bank of clouds across the eastern sky before daylight but they didn't reach to the horizon and I was in hopes that they would disperse as they sometimes do as the sun rose, but no such luck. The sun came up as bright and clear as it ever did but before I could detect a suspicion of a dint in its rim, it had slid behind the clouds and they were dense enough to completely hide it. Nothing happened till about nine o'clock when we could notice the darkness begin to grow denser. I got up to my picked observatory in the barn where there was a board off, thinking that there might be a slight exhibition of the terrifying and swift moving shadow, which I imagine would be like the childish nightmares I used to have of a https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/2e8ef1d82b01628456ec623402bc8008.pdf 45ed81278e308ed702b81f47be89140a PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. tiny thing like a grain of sand which would commence to grow with increasing speed unil it would engulf me and everything else, and I would wake up terrified. Another disappointing thing was the density of the darkness. I thought from what the papers said and from the stories I had heard of chickens going to roost that it became as dark as night and I thought when it was cloudy it would be pitch black, but it didn't get much darker if any than I have often seen it get in a summer thunder storm, and when it comes down to a show-down, for a magnificent & awe inspiring spectacle a real old-fashioned thunder-storm is pretty hard to beat. From my post in the barn I could see as far west as the old {Du Eau?} place which must me close to two miles away and I kept watching in that direction for the shadow bands Finally the western limit of my view grew dim and shortened and then the darkness settled on us in a jerky fashion, the pinky yellowish tinge which had been in the eastern sky ever since sunrise and which was not unnatural spread all around the horizon, but as I could see quite distinctly for at least a mile around me I kept expecting deeper shades to surround us until after the lapse of a few seconds I realized that it was getting lighter and that my last chance of seeing a total eclipse in this country was gone, so I got down disgustedly and went to the house for the milk pail, as I went past the chicken house I looked in and they were sitting around as they do any other day except a few that spend half their time on the roosts anyway. About ten o'clock I was plying the bucksaw on a stick of cord wood when out popped the sun bright as a dollar. I peered at it through the pin prick in my piece of card which I had prepared and could just see a tiny black arc in the gleaming circle which seemed to be laughing mockingly at my disgruntled looks and saying "Don't worry, you poor fish, it all happened, all right enough, but we weren't going to let a cheapskate like you see the show." I am anxious to see Monday's paper to see how Prof. Chant and his scientific associates down at "Long's Corner's" near Hamilton made out. They have been tramping around in the snow and half freezing to death in tents and shacks for a week or so preparing to take observations and photo-graphs of the thing so I hope they had better luck than we did or else had https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/e931edad1793b6c6e97707cb505c2eb3.pdf 6d114c118909a9426362fddfb317c2b0 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. an aeroplane handy, so that they could get above the clouds. Marj. hasn't felt very well to-day. I discovered that the chickens in both pens were eating eggs so this after noon we all drove down town and I got some oyster shell at Billy Langs. We drove around by the farm as Aunty told us that Dad. was quite sick with a cold. He was out but looked miserable. Brantford beat Dover here last night 7- 4. Milder Sunday January 25th We had a late breakfast and I spent most of the forenoon doing chores and helping Marj. This afternoon we all drove over to see Dad. for awhile, he feels pretty tough, we went on down town to post a letter and it was fairly late when we got home. Lovely day Monday January 26th It was raining first thing this morning amd had been thawing all night, the first thaw we have had since before Christmas, but it didn't last long. It began to snow before noon and has been snowing and getting colder all day. To-night the wind is from the north and it is very cold. I had to melt a hole in the mouth of the drain again this morning and I suppose it will freeze up again as the hole I melt is too small to stay open. I threw a wheel barrow load of manure on top of the hay that I covered over it the other day. This after noon I made a cut across my hay mow and pitched half of it over to get at more of my alfalfa for the cows. Mabel was in for a few minutes to-night. Marj. got very interested in a new word puzzle a series of which started in the Mail & Empire to-day. Tuesday January 27th Last night I am sure was the coldest night yet, the thermometer at the school house only went to zero when I put it outdoors this morning, but they told me down town that it was 10 below and didn't get up to zero all day. It was a bitter day as the wind was nor'east. I went over to the school house as early as I could see and put a fire on, and after doing what chores I had to I came in the house and put what quarter-round we had around the hose board in the kitchen, there wasnt enough of it to go all the way round. This after noon I had to go down to Billy Lang's for chop. It wasn't so bad going down but it was cold coming home. I took a https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/83ed92aed2daf717c17eb1b4c36a2598.pdf c9a3cf72aa68d19287032c353fd56786 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. dozen eggs down and got 45 cts for them at Sam's. I also took a letter down to post to Davie and had to go to the train with it {some?} little girls piled in the cutter on their way home from school so I told them if they would hold Queen for me while I went to the train I would drive them home, and when I came to fill my contract I discovered they lived way over Brant Hill. Queen got cutting up on the way back and I had to hold her in tightly and my fingers nearly perised. I stopped in at the farm on my way down and found Dad. feeling a little better. Enah asked me to get some oatmeal so I stopped on my way home and she lent me a pair of knitted mitts which I put on under my leather ones and kept my hands quite comfortable. I called in at Aunty's and found Win with Lila. Aunty Alice was at Mrs. McLaughlin's playing bridge and Aunty was at an Auxillary meeting in the Sunday school. I suppose the enjoyment each of them was getting made up for discomforts but it must have been a bitterly cold walk over the hill and surley the old schoolroom would be as cold as a barn to-day. Lila has been having a temperature every day lately but she said it was too cold to-day to raise a fever although she could have enjoyed. The poor kid, she certainly puts on a brave face. Win. had a clipping from the Family Herald & Weekly Star which someone had sent to Huby with an advertisement under the "Unclaimed Moneys" section advising any male issue of Mary Dick wife of William Barrett of Ireland 1760 and of Hugh Massy Barrett who is believed to have lived in Montreal in 1846 to communicate with some party, I forget the name, in England. As there can be no doubt that the Hugh Massey Barrett is our great grand-father, he having lived in Sorel about that time, we are all quite excited about it and Huby and Dad. will have to write. I don't know who Mary Dick was and sincerely hope no male issue of hers is in existence but there was someone of that name connected with the family and Aunty says Fa. always thought that it was a lawyer of that name that cabbaged all the money of the family. If so, here's hoping he took good care of it. Marj. & I sat around and stoked the fires till midnight but we cant get the house really warm. Marj. set bread last night but it didnt rise an inch all day, she put it in the oven to-night but the oven was too cold to bake it as I put an overdose of salt it I am afraid it won't make very good eating. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/0262f90fc173a46ba824dc92ba072c3a.pdf 58a7948e4a138d8edaeb2240c2a76bb7 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Wednesday January 28th Last night was the coldest yet some reports say it dropped to 14° below, and it has been cold all day although sunny The wind has been north east and east but to-night is swinging more to the south so I suppose will be warmer to-morrow. Marj. expected Ina to come to-day but she didn't show up. She was ready for her yesterday but wasn't surprised that she didn't come, but to-day was a {illegible} day except for the cold. I didn't do much all morning but chores but this after noon Marj. wanted some fresh air so we drove down town. The bread she made yesterday she decided wasn't fit to eat so we got a loaf down town and she set again to-night We left our {kids?} at the farm with Enah while we went down town. We called in at Aunty's for awhile and form {illegible}. She & Aunty Alice are quite confident that there will be something come of our fortune hopes. Aunty handed up a lot of papers and Aunty Alice drafted a couple of letters for Dad. & Huby to write giving a lot of information about the family and proof that they are the ones who are called for in the advertisement. Aunty Alice is going to help Quint write a letter to Archie Phipps asking him to make inquiries and give credentials for the family. Thursday January 29th We were late having breakfast to-day and I had to open the drain again so I didn't get much but chores done this fore noon.This afternoon I took my new hand saw and the old cross-cut over to Willie Shand's to have him sharpen them. Nobody was home over there so I left the saws and called in at Harvey's and told him I had left them. I then drove down to Wilbur's with the bull calf's registration certificate which came yesterday. Wilbur told me he would give me a load of straw if I would come and get it. On my way home I stopped in at {Trum's?} to settle up for the wheat I got from him but he wasn't home and the others didn't know how much it was. Ina was here to-day & Mabel came over after school to get a Sunday school paper and just as they were preparing to walk home Frank & Tim. came over to borrow Queen to haul ice to-morrow, so after partaking of cocoa & fresh currant bread they all drove off in the cutter. Frank says they heard from Dick to-day, who expects to be home for a few days before he leaves for Vancouver to take charge of the Foreign Exchange office there. That sounds like quite a raise. Marj. stuffed the old armchair full of hay this afternoon and recovered it. Much milder, wind stilll in the east, cloudy, snowing to-night. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/6cb57a38272ddf21711ad1bf98d8b368.pdf d55491ed993fe703c46d14744f15e5f9 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Friday January 30th Spent the fore-noon doing chores and got in a two or three day's supply of corn stalks. Marj. let Harry B out for awhile this morning just at recess so I took him over to where the boys & girls were sleigh riding down the little hill facing the school house. Stanton, Muriel and Clara and Helen Brown each gave him a ride down with them and he thought it was great sport although he wouldn't say a word over there. I went over to the farm this after noon to help them with the ice. Frank hauled five loads and was down after his sixth when I left and Alan Law brought a big load on his wide box that was half as big again as Frank's so that another half load to-morrow will finish. The ice is good but thin. What Frank hauled to-day was second cutting and he could put 19 cakes in the waggon box. I walked home about five, got a ride from the Winding Hill. Carl Lemmon picked me up at the gate going over and drove me right to Dad's corner. Much milder to-day but raw wind & blustery. Brantford beat Dover 10-3 the other night in Brantford so Dover is out of the running. Pickford is alone now as Bob left the other day and went to Detroit. Tupper has a new man. Saturday January 31st I did up all the chores this morning, Harry B came out and played for an hour or more with a gray squirrel skin that the cats had. I heard him laughing and chuckling to himself in the shed and I discovered he had this skin by the tail and was coaxing the kittens to grab at it and one of them was rolling on it which amused immensely. I was just getting ready to walk over home this after noon to get Queen & the cutter when the Lampkin's came in to invite us over there for dinner to-morrow. They were going to town but were pretty well loaded down so as our lane was badly drifted I walked down to the road where I got on Will {Name?} sleigh. He let me off at the Winding Hill as he was going after gravel and the Lampkin's picked me up on top of the hill. I rode with them to Dad's corner. It turned out a very rough after noon and the snow was drifting so badly in the cutter between Dad's & Pickford's that we couldn't see and there was a bad drift at the top of the hill and the road from there in was very heavy. I got Queen & drove on down town and took some cream & eggs to Aunty Alice and went on up town and got some meat. It seemed like a beautiful https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/1bc607bf65e117d9c328e1fe05ce9869.pdf 5975ed1cbd3eb665d55bd68d1334f773 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. day down town as it was quite mild & sunny & protected from the wind, but when I got out on the side road again it was a ripper, however I got home in good time and went over and swept out the school house before dark. Marj. made me have a bath to-night. Wind very strong but thawing to-night. Sunday February 1st We got things all done up this morning and drove over to the Lampkin's for dinner. As usual Mrs. Lampkin stuffed us with such rich food that we haven't felt the same since. I stalled on my piece of mince pie and didn't tackle a piece of her Christmas cake which looked to be the consistency of cheese, so of course was grieved but I told her I had been sick and didn't dare take chances. We sat around all the after noon talking about the neighbors. The activities of the kids fortunately side tracked Dave during the course of his usual discourse on his sojourn in Pilot Mound, "Manitoby" and he only got as far as the trip there & back, which is familiar enough now. Gay took two steps over there, Marj. says, I didn't see her. We got home about five o'clock and I did the chores before dark. Monday February 2nd I have fairly "waded through slaughter" to-day as I executed my 22 cockrels. I bled, stuck and picked 21 of them but the twenty second had his feet frozen and I thought he was sick so I just decapitated him and gave him to the cats. I am not as swift as some at the job as it kept me busy all day at least from about ten o'clock till six, and they are not all thoroughly picked yet as they nearly all have to be gone over for pin feathers. Marj. and I went over two or three to-night. Raw wind, cloudy Tuesday February 3rd I intended to pick at chickens all day to-day but didn't get many done. Ina was here washing and we had to open the drain again. This time after I got a hole poked through with the redhot iron I got some old pieces of pine root and built a fire over the mouth of the drain and that thawed it out pretty well. Marj. and Ina thought the house was on fire as the smoke drew all the way up through the drain and came up through the sink into the kitchen. The cellar was blue with smoke that proves that Rus Lampkins scheme for a trap doesn't work. I think the scheme is all right but he hasn't got bend enough in the https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/367883f328755be79141f40178bf976e.pdf df3fdd769898f93d2457680d38f89dd0 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. waste pipe. Fred Misener and Jim Birdsell were in for awhile to see about shovelling the snow on the road along by Fred's place and Lindsay's hill, so I told Jim to look after it and keep it open. It was nearly noon before I got at the chickens and I had to quit early this after noon to go over home and get my box to ship them in. I took one down to Aunty Alice as she had spoken for one. I found Frank down there trimming up the old horse chestnut tree which he & Dad. had felled this morning. I hate to see it go but it was getting to be too much shade for the garden and the roots were a nuisance. When I got home Marj. & Ina were having their tea so I had mine with them and then drove Ina home. I did the milking after I came home. Marj. and I picked chickens to-night till we were so tired we hated each other. Wednesday February 4th I got up at five this morning and went at the Chickens again and got them pretty well gone over before breakfast. Then we had to wash their feet and heads, weigh them and pack them. I was disappointed in the weights as there were only half a dozen went over five pounds. We packed them by themselves in a butterbox and put twelve that weight between four & five pounds in the regular box. I am hoping to get 25 and 28 cts for them as that is the price quoted in the paper. They were all nice and plump but were too small. Aunty Alice invited us down there for dinner so we tried to get around early but it was twelve o'clock before we could get started. I couldn't take the chickens with us so after dinner I got some feed at Billy Langs and took it home and brought the chickens back. I was held up on the side road as Billy Watson & Sid McBride were hauling wood and both loads upset. The track is cutting away and is about two feet high. I helped Sid load up as much as he wanted to take. Billy had just got loaded up when I came along, so by the time I got back to town with the chickens it was too late for them to go out to-night. Aunty Alice seemed to be about all in to-day worried and tired out. Lila was very sick, she caught the grip in some way and of course it goes very hard with her. She has been in bed now for over a month and seems to be going downhill, so no wonder Aunty Alice is discouraged about her. It looks hard. Dick wrote Dad. that his his leaving for home right away and doesn't have to report in Vancouver till March 1st. Getting this year's holidays now. Very mild and a beautiful day. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/b89bbad498f46c46b97f766c1a071467.pdf 887b99d53b90a96e44a0408e5320e9b2 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Dover was greatly excited over the news in to-day's paper that the Union Bank in Hamilton where Ada Sovereign is teller was robbed and Ada with another clerk who were alone in the bank were ordered at the points of revolvers to lie on their faces and then were roughly put into the vault and locked in. They were not there long as the manager soon came back and released them. The robbers only got $8 00. The papers are full enough of such happenings but that is about the closest it has ever come to Dover. Another choice bit of news is the announcement of Zeitha Barwell's & Alan Tibbett's engagement ,with the promise of a swell June wedding with all the trimmings. The old "Maple Leaf will be full of stale news this week. Thursday February 5th We were late getting up this morning but as soon as I could get around to it I drove over home and we put the light rack on the sleighs and Frank and I took Joe & Queen over to Wilbur's to get the load of straw he offered me for nothing. We found Wilbur in the house playing solitaire, but he came out and we went over to Frank's where the big wheat stack is. We weren't long putting on a small load as we didn't want to take any chances of upsetting and we got home here with it about one o'clock. We had dinner and then pitched it off over the granary. We had to move some hay first. Marj. was baking to-day but about four when we were ready to go back she put her bread in the pans to rise, bundled the kids up and went with us. Over there we transferred to the cutter and got back home about six and found the bread in nice condition to bake. Dad. went down town to meet Dick to-day who arrived on the one o'clock car with a {grand club back?} which the bank staff presented him with on his departure. Very mild and cloudy. Friday February 6th As the very mild weather was still here to-day, Marj. decided that she must can her beef which has been hanging out on the porch and was well thawed by this morning. It is such a sickening sort of job that I cut it up for her this morning. She put it in the jars after dinner and boiled it for five hours, but when taking it out of the boiler to-night, she found that several of the jars leaked at the top which was so https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/78ccfcca4004b7e98c56f5ab3eff38d3.pdf 08e034235683d7905413a30a9a67ed28 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. discouraging for her that she went to bed. She was tired out any way. It looks to me as if the fat that is in the jars would hermetically seal them, so that I don't see why it should matter if a little {cordial?} got in at the top. She had 11 pints of it. This after noon I cleaned out the pullets pen and put some fresh straw in and I cleaned out the old hen's pen after tea. It is so beautifully moon light, that it is really the best time to do it as it doesn't disturb the hens. Now that I have such nice straw on hand I didn't want to lose any time cleaning them out as they needed it. Harry B. was out all the after noon helping me. Harry Blake was in this after noon and left our assessment at $1000. Beautiful day, sunny and very mild. Saturday February 7th This has been another beautiful day, so mild it was fairly warm. Trum. Walker came in this morning while I was sitting around after breakfast reading and we settled up for the wheat I got it came to $19.80 He let me have the first lot at $1.35 as that is what he got for what he sold at that time and the rest at $1.60. although it is now at $1.80 and going up and he is still holding his. I did up the chores this morning, got in a supply of corn stalks and cleaned all the old rotten mangels and pumpkins out of the cellar. As it was such a beautiful day, I thought I would go down this after noon and get my hair cut so we all went but didn't get started very early. Marj. & the children waited for me at Aunty's while I went up town. {Jnir?} Morris's shop was full of girls but Bob Loney's was not so bad so I got through by half past five, but it made us late getting home. Lila was being kept very quiet to-day so they had to keep the kids in the kitchen till Dick came home and wanted to have a bath and then he occupied the kitchen. He & Quint, Ada, Alan & Zeitha were going to a party at the Freeman's Sunday February 8th I have been lately getting up at five o'clock in order to see that the fire is all right and to get a chance to look at the paper and write this while the house is quiet and I can keep awake, a thing that seems impossible after tea. This morning I was tired and Marj. kindly shut off the alarm clock so that I stayed in bed till six when I had to get up and dress the Niblits. I https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/88476697d146f5ab755edbd042c10421.pdf 7901a29a17ae70a96058b1326c0c95e5 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. thought as it was Sunday and we had agreed to stay home I would do up the chores early and spend the rest of the day in peace. Marj. was very tired so she stayed in bed till about half past eight and we had a very late breakfast so decided not to eat again till late afternoon when we had a bang-up chicken dinner I went over to the school house to sweep as soon as I got the chores done and was delighted to find my new number of the International Book Review in the mailbox (we had evidently missed it yesterday) and had visions of a glorious read this after noon. The first thing necessary was to get the kids to sleep, with Gay this was soon accomplished by taking her out in the sleigh for a little while. I then took the Niblits out while I did up some outside work, and came in and rocked him for some time. He showed sign's of departing to the Land of Nod but although sleepy he wouldn't let himself go, so I had to give that up. About this time Gay woke up so she had to be brought in out of her sleigh. I put her in Harry B's bed to play but she roared till we put her on the floor where she still roared, so then we all three, she Harry B & I pushed a chair around the kitchen for awhile till she got tired of that. About this time I thought I had better help Marj. wash dishes, she had been washing at them off & on all morning but there was still about a two foot stack of dirty ones. This done Marj. tired herself out trying to rock Harry B to sleep and I held Gay on my lap to keep her quiet. Marj's efforts proved futile and Harry B. made an attempt to get into my lap which made Gay furious, and she kicked and screamed like a little savage. We then went into the nursery and I gave her a walking lesson by standing her against the door and trying to get her to walk to me. She can balance herself alone standing and she did take one or two steps but is a little afraid to trust herself yet. I then made an abortive attempt to sketch some of their positions but they wouldn't stay still long enough so about four I went out to do chores We had tea about five and I milked afterwards and Marj. got them to bed in fairly good time. I got one or two articles read in my new magazine after tea but not many as Marj. thought we had better go to bed early. It has been a beautiful sunny day although very wet underfoot. We had a real thunder storm this morning about six but it didn't last long. Quite warm to-day. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/efa12186ac866bfdfdcb5968b814c929.pdf 89443db973fbd539a3dc8a1fb5dc1f0c PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Monday February 9th We had another thunder storm this morning and it has been raining a good part of the day but still very mild. It cleared off to-night but didn't freeze. I didn't do anything outside but chores but spent most of my time in the house painting some of the woodwork in the nursery that needed a second coat and I started to paint the woodwork in the dining room. I did the chores up early and to-night went down to accompany the band in serenading Jack Anderson. It was a beautiful night but the roads are bad. The snow is nearly all gone except in the track where it is deep and where the gravel is it is about bare. The water was beginning to come over the road in Dave's flats when I went down and seemed to be rising so I had apprehensions of having to swim home, however it had gone down again by that time. We had a great time down at Jack's. Mr. Bagley the Nestor of the band - made the presentation speech - as Ed. Steele placed before him a box that looked like a shoe box but had a label on it saying wedding cake. I didn't know what was coming as I hardly thought the boys would have chosen either footwear or eatables as a "token of their esteem" for Jack. but just as Mr. Bagley got out his jack-knife and cut the string, Bob. Smith apparently fearing that Bridgewater was going to get some credit which was due to himself, announced that Mr. Bagley had the wrong box. Jack & Mrs. Anderson were going to let him open it, but as he didn't I never found out what the box contained. Ed. Steele took it and made another search in the hall and brought forth a much larger box from which when after opening Mr. Bagley drew forth a little silver vessel with a wire netting top to it which was evidently meant for flowers. Mrs. Anderson exclaimed "How lovely, it will just match my candlesticks." Mr. Bagley rummaged some more amongst the tissue paper in the box and finaly produced a pair of candlesticks to match the other thing. Mrs. Anderson seemed very pleased and Jack made a thank-you speech and then passed around cigars and got out card tables. I don't know any more about playing cards than I do about playing golf, but as there were three of the boys wanting a game and needing a fourth I consented to take a hand at pedro if Mr. Bagley would coach me. He knows https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/19114e7c911ef824a2358a201c2939e9.pdf 957a0dfaa30bbe3084ab2b28e60e1988 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. how but it is against his principles (or else Essie won't let him) to play cards. However, it didn't seem to trouble his conscience any to play as long as I held the cards and threw them on the table, and finally I managed to get him to take them entirely and I left. We couldn't prevail on him though to partake of a little of the "Seagrams" coloured with sacramental wine which our hostess doled out to each of us, so Clare Deal and I drank his portion between us. We hadn't been playing long when there was a terriffic racket, guns & shouting with out and Jack's dog barking within. Jack went to the door and presently the kitchen was filled with about forty fishermen. They just stayed long enough to consume all the sandwichs that Jack had prepared for us. After I got tired of hearts & spades, I went out to see what was going on in the kitchen. I found Cecil (who has joined the band as a snare drummer) and Harry Moon replenishing the sandwich supply, Carl Coleman shaking hands with the dog's tail and George Hallam running around with a cup of hot water wanting to know where the cold water tap was, they were side by side but he had got the wrong one. Carl escorted me into the pantry where he assured me a "lady wanted to see me" and there I found the cause of all the merriment, the wine and whisky supply. As Carl introduced more of the boys to the "lady that wanted to see them", things became livelier and we certainly had a good time. No body got too hilarious Carl being the gayest of the bunch. He told me I could stay all night with him, if I couldn't get any farther and kept informing us of what a good-natured wife he had. We had refreshments and after playing a few more "noises" broke up the party some time after midnight. When I left, Hal. Steele and Carl were playing cornet & drum duets Hal. playing his favorite solos, My Task and My Rosary I don't know which one he was working at and I guess he didn't either. Mrs. Anderson was the only woman in the house, but she didn't seem to mind that. I went in to Aunty's to get my sweater and found Aunty Alice up. She was not going to bed on Lila's account. Poor Lila is very much worse. I got home with out any accidents and was rather surprised to find Marj. up. She had had a sleep and then spent the rest of the time sewing. Tuesday February 10th I spent most of my spare time to-day painting and got all the woodwork in the dining room https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/2c940754295e971dce6870c5426a1745.pdf 4816ec07a936dd1c32840eef89b2e168 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. except the north door which was covered with moisture given one coat and also painted the panel of {paper?} in the nursery which had never been done. I went out to the gully for awhile and tried to roll some of my logs into the creek which was running full and I thought might float the logs down to the far end of the gully where they would be easily loaded. I couldn't do much at it alone so thought I would go over to-night when I took Ina home and get Frank to come out to-morrow and help me. However while I was out doing chores Ina walked home so I didn't bother hooking up as I was rather tired after last night's performance. Mild. Wednesday February 11th We had another thunder storm this morning early and heavy fusilade of hail with it. It has been cloudy and disagreeable all day with several showers and is colder to-night. I didn't do much inside or out except chores and write a letter to Miss Bain, as Marj. had a letter from Phyl. yesterday, describing Dorrie's thrilling adventure which Miss Bain told us in a card she had had but didnt tell us the nature of it. She was alone in the office sitting by the coal stove when she fainted, fell against the stove and didn't come too till she was very badly burned. Phyl said she was getting along nicely but would not be able to go back to the office for a couple of weeks yet. Phyl thinks her faint was due to hunger as she says she doesn't eat enough breakfast Thursday February 12th It has been a little colder to-day but brighter. I didn't do anything much but chores and put up the blinds in the nursery for Marj. The hens are beginning to do pretty well now. We got 19 eggs yesterday & 17 to-day. Friday February 13th Frank came over this morning just as we finished breakfast to get Queen to get a load of coal. I had intended going over to the farm to see about getting a load for ourselves so we both went back as soon as I could get ready. We went down before dinner and got Dad's load. He was down at Aunty's and he and I went down after the coal while Frank went up town to get some groceries and sell six dozen eggs for us. We were late having dinner as it was late when we https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/7409e03d53d3fe140481e1d5ff7a985d.pdf 65824f2d4a31e0abfd76c68003bde552 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. got back with our load. Frank and I went down this after noon to get my load, and as I wanted to get some feed at Billy Langs and as we were delayed a little by helping Marjorie Gamble at the coal office try to figure out a Cross-word puzzle, and Frank forgetting his coat and having to go back to the coal shed for it from Aunty's it was fairly late when we got home. We put on a few chunks of the old horse chestnut tree at Aunty's and I brought some of them over here. Down at Aunty's they are very tired and very troubled. Poor Lila is sinking rapidly. She was delirious last night. To-day she was resting comfortably and slept most of the time. Her temperature <s>quickl</s> fluctuates quickly & sharply rising to 102° and then dropping to below normal. Dr Cook says this is due to the disease attacking new spots. He says the tuberculosis is now all through her system. He asked Aunty Alice if they would like another doctor. She said she was satisfied with him but asked him if he would like another. He said "I think the poor child has suffered enough at the hands of doctors." It is true and we can't help thinking "If only she had never gone to that Hospital." It is hard not to think bitterly of an institution which professes to do so much for the relief of suffering humanity and support its plea for public support by giving free treatment to ailing paupers and all sorts of human scum and yet will take the finest type of girls like Lila in the best of health and with overwork and lack of proper food allow them to become the victims of a preventable disease then operate on them for an experiment and finally send them home to die. It's hard to believe but it's true. Quint has been in Vittoria for a few days this week as old Mr. Farrar is very sick, and Miss Farrar is up there Mrs. Dunkin came up from Toronto to see her father and while she was here Top. died. Dick has been close at home though so has been a great help to Aunty & Aunty Alice. Saturday February 14th This has been another beautiful day, bright & very mild I went over to Willie Shand's this morning and got my saws which he had doctored up for me. I tried the crosscut out on the way back on one of my pines. I got it notched and sawed pretty well through before dinner but it was leaning a little away from where I wanted to fall it so I left it till after dinner and then wedged it over with an old axe head. I then went over and swept the school house. Harry B. went with me and amused himself by eating paints or crayons. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/7886bf82f56e1dc2a5b1a3aaaea43669.pdf ea315d2ef033e1b9686dd995117a9c11 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Sunday February 15th Marj. thought a good rest this morning would do her good so she stayed in bed till noon and I stayed in the house and read and herded the kids, just doing what chores I had to. I did the rest this after noon but we put in a very quiet day. The Lampkin's came over after tea to-night. Frank came over about eleven a.m. to tell us that poor little Lila has left us, she died about two o'clock this morning, consious I think up to the last but not suffering. It is nearly four years now since Aunty Maude went, Lila was then except for Tim the baby of our family, and so vivacious, active and aparantly strong, that little any of us thought, that she would be the first to join her mother. It seems hard to think that she, so young, so pretty and so very clever should be the first of her generation to experience the great adventure and to enter the shadowy boundaries of the mysterious unknown, and the sorrow for us who stand on this side and watch her bravely embark on that awful journey is piercing in its sadness and yet our pangs of grief are gently blended with a piercing sweetness which only grief can know, as we imagine the joy on that other side when, her journey ended, mother and daughter once again are in each other's arms. Monday February 16th I just did up the necessary chores this morning had an early dinner and walked over to the farm and got Queen and the cutter. Dad took her down to Hallam this morning and had him put on a shoe she had cast and then they had to use her with Joe to go out to Wilbur's and get their saw. I came home and drove Marj. down town leaving the children at Mrs. Lampkin's where they had a grand time. Marj. went to the doctor's and we met at Aunty's. Aunty Alice said they had both had a good rest and were feeling better. Cousin Phoebe and Miss Buckwell were there to receive callers and Aunty was lying down, more to be away from the confusion she said than because she didn't feel well. I met Dick up town doing some shopping for them and he went back to the house with me. Quint was up at Mr. Farrar's funeral. Poor old Quint has had a hard week of it. He didn't realize when he went to Vittoria early in the week nor till Dick telephoned him to come back that Lila was so seriously ill. Dick has had a sad holiday, but he has been a great help to Aunty & Aunty Alice and told Dad that as things turned out he would not have had his holidays at any other time. I signed my contract with the Canning Factory this after noon. Colder. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/ae4337cfdb5267fec2d3a6052113056c.pdf 0a3d82c95190cda72565df8cbbbcbe8d PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Tuesday February 17th I notched the biggest of the pines this morning but didn't take time to cut it down as it is slow work alone and I finished making a little grit & shell hopper for the chickens. Marj. lit Harry B out for a play and as I came into the house for some thing I saw him out back of the barn. I was only in the house a minute or two and when I went out he had disappeared, and after a short search I saw his little redcoat over in the school yard as he was climbing the hill. I went over and got him and had to laugh at the trail he made down the hill and across the little flat and into the school yard where the fence is down, the little pattern on the soles of his new rubbers looks so funny where he has walked across a piece of snowy field where there are no other tracks. It looks at a glance like the trail of some little animal, the spaces between the footprints about the same length as the footprints themselves. We had dinner early and I drove down right after to go to Lila's funeral. I got Uncle Ward and drove him down. We had a very short service at the house and then went to the church where there seemed to be a lot of people. Only the bearers, and Dad & Huby went up to the cemetry, not many have their cars out. Alfred Shubert, Dick Tibbetts and Ted. Nicolls drove us and Mr. Cornish up there, and Dave Ward must have gone up with Ted. Nic<s>h</s>olls as he was there but was walking home, and we picked him up. I was with Dad. Huby & Quint in Shubert's car. Quint. Dick. Frank. Karl. Cecil and I carried her and laid her beside her mother. It is sad, sad to think that, that was all I could do for her when I did so little when she was with us, but I like to think of the good time we had when she and I sat to-gether at Christmas dinner, I thought then she was getting better. We all went down to Aunty's when we came back from the cemetry but I didn't stay long. Quint's girl Miss Farrar was there and I met her for the first time. No-body says much about it but there seems to be no doubt about their engagement. I drove Uncle Ward home and got back here about half past four, so as I was hooked up started home with Ina but Bill & Mrs. Donald overtook us in a buggy at the corner so she transferred. Marj. & I nearly froze to-night as the coal fire went out and I had to go out about eleven o'clock and forage kindling for it. A very sad thing happened in town yesterday when Miss Hommer one of the primary teachers died after a very short illness of blood poisoning from an infected boil. She taught up till last week and I don't think they knew how serious her case was in time to send for her people who live up around Guelph or Kitchner. She was boarding at Mrs. Law's. Gay took several steps to-night. Much colder. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/87c3b71a6d1bd5f7e700c14fe7255bae.pdf 68004f3b141a1f7e76e055785a158dd7 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Wednesday February 18th I spent most of the fore noon cutting down another pine. It was leaning uphill towards the fence so I had to wedge it over. I haggled away at it till I got it teetering and then Marj. called me to dinner so I left it and when I came out after dinner it was down with its head in the creek, the way I wanted it to go. Dad. and Dick came out this after noon for a little while It is the first Dick has been out since he came home and he expects to leave on Saturday. Raw west wind. Thursday February 19th Frank came over this fore noon before I had the chores all done to go with me to a sale this after noon out at Bancroft's near Mt. Zion church. As we had lots of time I got him to help me fell the big pine which I ratched the other day. We had to wedge it over too and I broke the old axe head doing it but we got it over about where we wanted it. There was a squirrels nest in it and we saw the squirrel a grey one come out and run up towards the top when we started to drive the wedge He hung on like grim death till the tree started to gain momentum in its downward course when he took a flying leap of about 15 feet over into an ash where he was safe. It was a spectacular jump fit for a movie scene. We cut a little wood and as the sleighing is getting so poor we decided to take the buggy this after noon so started to oil it, but couldn't find the wrenchs. I knew the one for the inside nut was lost but thought perhaps the monkey wrench would loosen it. I could have sworn that the cap wrench was in the buggy but there was no sign of it, so Frank went over and borrowed Dave's while I did up the chores. Dave's wrench didnt fit very well and as we had so much trouble getting one wheel off we decided it didn't need oiling so let it go. We were afraid we would be late for the sale as it was one o'clock before we got started but we needn't have worried as Walsh spent about half the after noon selling a sleigh box full of junk. There was about the biggest line up of implements I ever saw at a sale, and they were all in good shape a lot of them new. I bid on the roller but it went up beyond what I thought was a bargain so I didn't get it. Neither of us bid on anything else. It must have been nearly five when we left and they weren't quite through with the machinery and had a fine bunch of Holsteins and several https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/6b3763bfc466e8bba9c4a4f3a8e12741.pdf cc9eec93e667deea03aa068c601de5cf PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. horses to sell so would be pretty late when they finished. We were rather chilly when we got back here but Marj. had just baked so we got warm filling up on Willie Grants. Frank walked home. Milder this morning but colder to-night. Friday February 20th As we wanted to have an early dinner and go to town this after noon I didn't do much this fore noon but chores We went to town in the buggy and it was a tight squeeze for all of us to get in and felt very uncomfortable after the roomy cutter. We took the egg crate and Harry B sat on it. I thought may be Dad. would want to get a load of silage this after noon but we saw him down town and he said to let it go till to-morrow, so we just stayed at Aunty's for awhile after getting our groceries. Dad. was down with a letter he had just received <s>from</s> in answer to the one he wrote concerning the "fortune". The letter to-day is perplexing & promising. It is from a firm of lawyers who say they have for many years been and still are the solicitors to the trustees of a fund to which they say they can help Dad. formulate and possibly prove a claim. They ask him to answer a good many questions concerning names, {there is a small multiplication sum written above this top line} dates of births & marriages & deaths of different members of the family and then the perplexing part of their letter is when they say "If you were born before a certain day in March 1858." Dad wasn't born till 1864 so we are trying to figure out just what difference that will make or how much depends on it. South west wind and very mild all day. Saturday February 21st It started to rain before day light this morning and has kept it up pretty much all day. It has taken nearly all the snow off except where there were very deep drifts and to-night the gully is running full and the water is going over the road by Dave's gate I went over this forenoon and swept out the school house and sat around over there for awhile reading a bulletin on protecting birds. This after noon I painted the north door in the dining room and puttied up a lot of nail holes in the woodwork. Quite mild. Sunday February 22nd Marj. repeated last Sunday's performance except that she got up for breakfast and then went back to bed and https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/4e98363584f8e7f635ab424f8d4007ef.pdf 680d2b5170533bc998a0037a4ae65db3 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. stayed till tea time. I spent the fore noon doing the dishes, playing with the kids and competing with Marj. in making tabloid puzzles. I had the laugh on her, she does the one that is in the paper every day and as a rule solves them in a minute or two so this morning she made one. I said any body could make one but she was of the opinion that she had done something very clever and that I couldn't do it, whereat I sat down and wrote one out that she couldn't solve at all and I had to tell her the answer. I then attempted to make a crossword puzzle but got stuck and she spent the remainder of the day composing a couple one of which she worked in the names Toby & T. Barrett and the other Toby Dick Quint. Frank, Tim, Harry & Marj, so I guess I'll have to admit she is smarter yet than I am. After I gave the children their dinners and got them to sleep, (I rocked Harry B and put Gay in bed with Marj. where she slept for awhile) I went out and did some chores, and then came in and read for awhile. I had a couple of pieces of bread & butter and some cheese during the after noon and Marj. got up in time to put the kids to bed to-night and we had tea fairly early. Harry B woke up this evening and I had to rock him for a long time. Marj. wrote Dorrie and we read "Two Gentlemen of Verona". Raw & cloudy, rained part of the day Monday February 23rd This was another rainy morning so after I got the chores done I prepared to do some more painting in the house, but I just got the nursery door painted when Frank appeared to help me cut up my pines and float the logs down the creek. It had stopped raining so we went out to try it. The creek was running over the flats so it was a good chance to try out the scheme. The first log we rolled in went about half way down the gully and then stranded but we thought possibly they might go right on down through Dave's place so we put it a long one, which we hoped to float down to the fence and make a boom, however it got in behind some trees just below the house and as it had started to rain again by this time Marj. called us in so we left it there till after dinner. While we were in the house I mixed up some Plaster Paris and filled up some of the cracks in the plaster & gyprock, which had been made at the time all the fixing was done last year. When we went out after dinner to get the boom log loose, we found something had given away up the creek and a lot of ice & debris had got in behind the log and jammed it so that we couldnt budge it. We then went up to the tree by Charlie Munro's fence and cut five 10 ft logs out of it, the first one we launched went farther https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/5407c6a2db878d7f959938c2409cb807.pdf 105933f10d248a73e17bc79dacda3162 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. down the creek than the others had gone but another got stuck near the long one: so Frank conceived the idea of making a raft out of three logs and riding down on it and loosening some of the others that were fast. I went up to the barn to get spikes and some pieces of scantling and discovered Mary & Bobbie in the barn. I had left them in the yard but as their stable door was swelled I couldn't fasten it shut and they had gone in and walked right through their stancions into the barn Mary had knocked over a bag of wheat and spilled a lot but I don't think had eaten much. I turned them out in the field. After we got the raft made and launched, we found it wouldn't hold us up so we had to take it to pieces and let the logs go separately. We then put in two logs from the big tree and by this time it was getting late so we went down along the creek and loosened up one or two that were stuck on this side. Frank had his rubber boots so could get at them better than I could. We didn't see any go down near the end of the gully but we were sure we put in 11 logs and when we went down could only count 10. I went down through Dave's as far as the culvert but couldn't locate the missing one, so we don't know whether it has gone on down through the woods or whether we made a mistake counting. Very mild, sunny for awhile this after noon but raining again to-night. Cistern full. Tuesday February 24th I went over to the farm this morning to help them get some silage at the factory but it was rather late when I got away as I did up the chores and shaved first. I took Harry B. with me and we got over about eleven. Dad. had gone down town with some milk for Aunty so we had to wait till he got back at noon to take the rack off the waggon and shift the box from the sleighs to the waggon. We harnessed the team and oiled my buggy. Frank and I went right after dinner but we went up town first to post some letters and I had to get coal oil, we then went to the station and got my box that the chickens were shipped in, from there to Bill. Langs where I got some chop and bran and then around to Aunty's for a few minutes; so by the time we got to the factory put our load on and home again and got it off it was five o'clock and nearly six before I got home with the Niblets who by then was fast asleep. Ina was here so she & Marj. had their tea while I was feeding up and milking and then I drove her home before I had tea. Another little delay I had this morning was to go down to the creek with the ladder in order to help the two Robinson kids across. They had struck out for school through the woods and I suppose followed the creek which they couldn't cross, down into this gully. Damp, dull mild https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/8d0c46783298c5723b8aa0b7f425d9be.pdf 886146d2dfb6eebddd86889d27f5c977 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Wednesday February 25th We formulated a plan this morning whereby we were to have an early lunch and leave immediately afterwards for town dropping Gay off at Mrs. Lampkin's. I was to leave Marj. & Harry B down town and go over to the farm and get the team there and get a load of silage for myself, then if there wasnt time to bring it out here leave it at the farm all night. However our arrangements went the way of other of "the best laid schemes of mice & men", this time the weather being the diverting agent. I went over to the Lampkin's and Mrs. Lampkin<s>s</s> quite joyfully agreed to keep the baby in spite of the fact that she had had a party last night which had not dispersed till two o'clock and that she was still lame & sore from a bad fall she had last Saturday. They have both had tumbles Dave fell a week ago yesterday and struck his head so that he was knocked senseless & remained dazed all day. Then on Saturday, the water was running so high over the road that Dave declared it impossible for him to reach the mail box and forbade her to attempt it. She however, was anxious to get the mail thinking there might be some word from Mrs. Schram who is sick in Hamilton, so while Dave was busy in the barn doing the evening chores, she started for the mail and got about halfway downhill when she slipped in the mud & fell, just in time for Dave to come to the back door & see her, so instead of sympathy she got scolded and told it served her right, which she thinks pretty hard after the way she played Good Samaritan to him. From there I followed the creek all the way through Shand's woods but couldn't locate my missing log. Just before dinner it began to rain and was soon raining quite hard and looked like an all afternoon shower so Marj. decided not to go to town but as she & the kids were all dressed up, she thought they would go over and pay Mrs Lampkin a visit anyway so I left them there and went on down town with 8 doz. eggs. I stopped in at the farm for awhile and went in to Aunty's to see when they could come out and they decided on Saturday, weather permitting I got the family on my way back & we got home about five. Thursday February 26th We woke up this morning to find that our beautiful Spring weather had taken leave of us. The mud had a https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/93518c596d60b88b152ea1b5ece7397e.pdf a10650cd494c3077b626fd8e0def20a9 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. thin frozen crust on it and it was snowing & blowing a regular blizzard. It came out fairly sunny for part of the day but there was a snow storm at intervals. The wind which came from the nor'west has been increasing in velocity all day and to-night appears to be trying to tear the house to pieces. It is also freezing hard to-night. I didn't do much outside the ordinary routine of chores this morning except climb up to the attic and get some things for Marj. which were stowed away and which she needs in preparing for Patricia's advent. I also moved a sitting hen from the chicken house to the colony house, where if she remains firm in her maternal intentions I intend to set her, and I got some earth into the house to prepare for planting tomato seeds. I intended going over to Cam. McBride's this after noon to get a setting of eggs but I went to sleep instead and didn't do anything all the after noon. It was too cold and rough anyway. Friday February 27th The wind has been very strong all day and bitterly cold. Every thing is frozen up tight again. It is not blowing so hard to-night but it is clear and frosty. I went over to Cam's this morning and got a dozen eggs and put them under the old hen, which seems to be sitting well in her new nest. I called in at the Lampkins on my way home to see how they felt. Mrs. Lampkin is pretty sore yet from her fall. She gave me a pound or so of home made sausage. I rocked the Niblets to sleep after dinner and went to sleep myself for about an hour, didn't do anything else but chores. Marj. has been busy slicking up the house in case Aunty & Aunty Alice come out to-morrow, but we had a card from them to-day saying they wouldn't come unless the weather moderated. We washed the whole day's dishes to-night. Saturday February 28th It was a bright morning and very little wind so I thought it would get warmer and accordingly went down to get Aunty & Aunty Alice. I found when I got out on the road though that the wind was still very keen in spite of it having gone to the south west. When I got down town they thought it was too cold and as neither of them are in a condition to resist taking cold, I didn't urge them at all. I went up town and got some groceries and got home about noon. I just did chores this afternoon. Mabel came in on her https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/578d6675808e0e16b499c94fd790904c.pdf 92583e57692920b7017de440b7e43076 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. way over to the school house where she had some work to do so I went over and put a fire on for her. About five o'clock {words are too faint to read} started to get sore so I {words are too faint to read} and get Dr. Lemmons to pull it out. I didn't {take?} time to hook up but walked into town and caught Bill {words are too faint to read} he was about to leave the office He went at my tooth but didn't make a very good job of it as the top all broke to pieces and he couldn't get a very good grip on the roots, he got one prong out but had to leave one in. He had to do a lot of prying and twisting so it hurt like the mischief although he shot a lot of dope into it first. Willard Butler picked me up just outside of town and gave me a ride {home?} so I was able to get the milking done before dark. I felt pretty tough to-night. Much milder to-night. Sunday March 1st Marj. and I just sat around to-day not doing much more than we had to although Marj. made a cake in case Aunty & Aunty Alice came out to-morrow. I felt pretty tough. My face wasn't so sore but I think the stuff he put in my tooth made me feel sick. It snowed all day and got very soft this after noon but turned colder late in the evening Monday March 2nd It froze very hard during the night and has been very cold all day with a nasty north west wind. I didn't do any thing but the chores, but spent most of the day nursing my face with the hot-water bottle We were very much surprised to see by to-day's paper that we had had an earthquake Saturday night. We didn't notice it here but several people in town felt it. Cousin Willie saw the brick wall in the house move, and Pickford felt it in bed. Down through Eastern Quebec some damage was done by it Tuesday March 3rd The wind was in the south west this morning and I thought it was a little milder, so I drove over to the farm in the cutter to see if I could get them to help me get some more wood while the snow was on the ground. Dad. was down at Uncle Ward's and Frank had to go to Pickford's to help him kill a pig this after noon so we didn't go after wood I went down town and got some stuff and came back to the farm for dinner and came home soon afterwards I took a note over to Ina Donald from Marj. telling https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/e415cd6a434be927aaeff8dbb1f39dd7.pdf bdedff012dd39c13f81435309a49af0c PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. her she could get along without her this week as I helped her do a little wash this morning. I planted my tomato seeds after I got home but I wished I hadn't gone out as my tooth was very sore and I think the cold drive was not good for it. Raw wind Wednesday March 4th I did chores and had breakfast this morning and then lay down with the hot water bottle on my face and slept till noon. I'm not used to having any thing much the matter with me and I make a big fuss over what some people wouldn't pay much attention to, but my sore face made me feel tough. It is better to-night but still pretty sore. I didn't do much this after noon but a few chores and wash the kitchen floor for Marj. Frank walked over to-night before tea to see what was wrong so I told them I would be over to-day to go after wood or else go down and get Aunty and Aunty Alice, and it turned out a beautiful mild day. Marj. wrote a note to them and we told Frank to tell Aunty & Aunty Alice that if it was fair I would go down in the morning after them. Marj. made a cake and some cookies to-day and set bread. I mixed it stiff for her to-night. Thursday March 5th This has been another beautiful day although what wind there was came from the east. I went down this fore noon and brought Aunty & Aunty Alice out. We had a lovely visit although my face was pretty sore all the afternoon They stayed to tea which we had early and I drove them down in time for the Lenten service to-night. Friday March 6th We all went down town for dinner to-day. The buggy wasn't quite so crowded going down as we took the egg crate last night. We didn't get down till noon and I took the eggs up after dinner. I just got 30 cts a dozen for them and Sam told me if I had been two hours earlier I would have got 32. Quint was at Aunty's for dinner and I walked up town with him, all the way up he was arguing against taking out Life Insurance. When I left him he went up to Dr McLaclin's and I went down to Sam's where I found Wiedreck the Canada Life agent so I sent him up to Dr. McLaclin's to interview Quint. Marj. took Harry B. up to see the doctor this after noon and he gave him a bottle of medicine to take. The Niblets is delighted and takes his dose with great gusto. Lovely day. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/d2f244d0e1d5f63958bdeba5eeecb341.pdf 9990777a8e353c268b84e688634f76a3 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Saturday March 7th My tooth hurt so after I went to bed that I made up my mind to go down and get Bill to get the other root out to-day. We didn't get up very early and I spent the fore noon doing chores and sweeping the school-house but went down right after dinner. Bill said at first he couldn't pull it as it was too sore yet to monkey with but when he looked at it he said the gum had receded more than he expected so he did pull it. It was painful but came out with one pull. I went down to Aunty's for awhile afterwards and lay down and they tied my face up to drive home. It was very painful again to-night just before I went to bed but I eased it with Sloan's liniment and the hot water bottle. I thought he put a piece of cotton batten in it and as he told me last week to be sure and take it out before I went to bed I fished and prodded around with a darning needle for this piece but couldn't find it and neither could Marj. so I don't know whether it is there or I swallowed it. Sunday March 8th My tooth has been pretty sore all day and as Marj. hasn't felt up to much we just sat around and read most of the time.Dad. & Enah came over this afternoon to see how I was. I did the chores up early what few I did and when I came in to-night my face hurt so that I couldn't or at least didn't try to eat any tea. I lay down with the hot weather bottle and went to sleep and it was still buzzing when I woke up so I went to bed with hot water bottle and Sloan's and had a comfortable night. Marj. gave me a sample of her painkiller pills. Raw, wind & cloudy. Monday March 9th I did up the chores this morning and then went down to the dentists to find out if he had left anything in my tooth. It was nearly noon when I got there and I found a note on the door saying "sickness" so I went down to Aunty's and had dinner and then walked up to Bill's house but although I rang twice no one answered. Frank was at Aunty's for dinner as he and Dad. had been cutting wood down there. He drove home with me. I left Harry B at the farm while I was in town. I got a bag of sugar at Sam's for $1.65. Ina came this morning to sojourn with us till after Patrick's arrival. Ada called for her to-night and they all went over to Tom Hosie's for the evening. Beautiful day, very mild. Flossie was down here this after noon. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/ee1d0b410de16f5f9851feea70325f87.pdf 03b202200d66904554c45e50419bcaaf PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Tuesday March 10th I spent most of the fore noon doing chores. I gave the horses a good cleaning and curried off the cows a little and cleaned out the chicken pens. The Niblets was out helping me until it began to rain. It proved to be only a short drizzly shower and then turned out a beautiful day so mild that it seems unseasonable. I made a saw-horse and buck sawed a little wood. We got a note through the mail from Aunty Alice saying she had got some oat chop and bran for me, so I went down after it and as it was such a beautiful day persuaded Marj. to go with me. The feed was in big bags so I couldn't bring quite all of it home. Aunty Alice happened to see Jack at the shop when she was going by so she ordered the feed with out taking my bags over. He told her his father was very sick. Some noble-minded citizen broke into the shop last night. This morning there was a robin in the crab-apple tree and I saw three over at the school-house and we saw blue-birds along the road when we were coming home this after noon. We had a heavy but short lived thunder storm to-night. Wednesday March 11th I started hauling out manure to-day. The ground was soft but as I was putting it on the strip of sod where the old strawberry patch was it wasn't too soft. Marj. told me at noon that we were right out of flour and Ina had to bake so I had to go down this afternoon. I worked till about three and finished covering the sod strip and then drove down in the buggy. The roads are bad but seemed a little better than yesterday. I didn't expect to be able to get in at Billy Lang's but Jack was there so I was able to get a cwt of our favorite brand "Thowbread" instead of a small sack of Eric Lily as I expected. I took Aunty Alice some eggs and she told me that Mrs. Schram is dying. Dr. George McBride came over Sunday from Grand Rapids to see her and says she has cancer and cannot live more than a few days, so evidently their famous "Made in Germany" doctor who was going to have her cured in six weeks was as far off the track as Drs. Cook & Hicks. Ina went home for this after noon and Marj. told her I would call for her but as I thought she and the flour would be quite a buggy load I brought the flour home first and went back after her and got the cream can & butter which was on Trum's stand. The wind is more in the north west to-night and it is getting colder. There has been a terrific blizzard in Manitoba, the worst they have had for years. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/e29c4d02eb8959d4172608ab595912b8.pdf e94b84f5334e2e269a217ea6f1576f5f PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Thursday March 12th It was frozen hard enough this morning so that I could haul manure on the old bean patch which was bare ground and I got quite a bit out by noon when it became to soft and the waggon cut through. Right after dinner Reg. Scott came over with his rifle to shoot some cats that Marj. wanted killed. He shot two of the half grown kittens but the third one and the yellow cat couldn't be found, and Marj. couldn't decide at the time which one of the black cats was the sick one so we didn't let him shoot either of them. It seemed like a murderous business but Marj. has been distressed all winter at the prospect of of supporting six cats four of which are feminine felines, as it is I think Reg killed the only two tom-kittens we had. I told Reg. I wouldn't do the job on a bet and he said he hated to himself but for the sake of a shot he would kill almost any thing. He is on the trail of a coon whose tracks he has seen along our creek but whose residence he can't locate. I burned some grass in the orchard this after noon and dug our parsnips, the frost seemed to be right out of the ground in the garden. Marj. & Harry B went over to the Lampkin's with the intention of staying to dinner but found Dave there alone as Mrs. Lambkin went to Hamilton yesterday to see Mrs. Schram. Marj. met Charlie Butler on her way home and he told her that Jim Birdsell died in his sleep last night. He was helping Shand's cut wood all day yesterday and went to bed apparently well, about half past two his wife was awakened by hearing him give two or three peculiar gasps and he died without ever waking up. Charlie didn't know whether Allie was home or not but she managed to get the Shand's wakeded up with the telephone. Reg. told me this after noon that both Mrs. Schram & Billy Langs died last night. Friday March 13th I hooked the team to the waggon and sallied forth this morning to get coal. It was a beautiful day when I left here. I had to go around by the farm to get the waggon box and when I arrived there I could find no sign of anyone around the place. I waited awhile to see if any of them would show up as I didn't want to tackle moving the box alone but as it neared noon I decided they must be down at Aunty's for dinner so I shifted the box alone, with out a great deal of difficulty By this time it was noon and I thought there was no use https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/5066136b3802f033dc17034d439aa0eb.pdf 7165945e22a679fab7c5b103cc2e3470 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. going down during the noon hour so I started to grease the waggon. I got one wheel done when Dad. & Frank came home, so we put the team in and Frank got dinner for the three of us. He had to go down to Pickford's to cut wood this afternoon. Just as I left for town it began to snow and the wind got up from the north east. Dad. lent me his mackinaw and I was glad of it before I got home. I got my coal and by the time I started home it was snowing hard and a horrible day. The snow was very wet and I got soaked. It was four o'clock before I got home and I put the team in and left my load on the waggon, and did chores up early. Art Quanbury stopped me on my way down this morning and asked me if I had heard Mrs. Tom Stone was dead. I said I knew she wasn't as no one had been after Ina. but it seems the report got around town by some one listening in on the telephone and hearing crookedly the name of Mrs. Tom. Schram. The report that Bill Langs is dead was false although he is in a very critical condition. Excitement over the family fortune is on the increase. Dad had another letter from the firm of lawyers Arnold & Henry White. They had not received his second one when they wrote. They said they had communicated with the vicars of every parish in Tipperary in order to get birth certificates of Fa and his brothers & sisters but so far none of them had been able to help them. One had suggested that the records might be in Dublin, but if so they were probably destroyed when the Four courts was destroyed by the rebels. They asked if Dad. was sure that his father was born at the home of his mother's aunt Lady Dunboyne as they cannot reconcile it with the peerage, so Dad. Aunty & Aunty Alice copied out every thing they could find bearing on the subject and sent it to them. It may be impossible to find birth certificates or records of Fa's family unless Aunt Ella has them in the old Family Bible. I met a man just as I was leaving the farm at noon inquiring about Dad's sorel colt. I think it was Charlie {Eaid?}, I directed him to Dad. but do not know the outcome of his visit. Saturday March 14th This has been a miserable day. It rained most of the forenoon which on top of yesterdays snow made things very sloppy. Later in the afternoon it got colder and snowed more. I had intended taking eggs down and getting groceries but when it turned out such https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/ef27fa2f39d3dda7a6d96af634615fb0.pdf b60d8b0256882d13943b0b713e86821d PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. a miserable day I stayed home. I thought likely too that Sam's store would be closed on account of his mother's funeral and I found afterwards that it was closed both yesterday & to-day. Jim Birdsel's funeral went by here about two o'clock. I didnt do much all day, sorted over the potatoes this morning and made a birdhouse this afternoon. The really big event of the day took place a little before midnight and was only a preliminary to Sunday's happenings. Marj. and I went to bed about half past eleven. Marj. had been feeling fine all day, but just as she got into bed she began to feel frightened and thought she should go down town. I persuaded her to wait and make sure and finally she went to sleep. Sunday March 15th Marj. was only asleep a few minutes when she woke up again and was very nervous, however it was such a nasty night and the roads were so bad we hated to take any chances so we waited awhile longer and I went to sleep for a short time, but somewhere around two o'clock she woked me and said we must go at once so we both hopped out and got dressed and I went out and hooked up. Marj came out and got in the buggy before I got Queen out of the stable and was feeling pretty miserable and of course was terribly nervous & frightened. The wind had gone down and was bright moonlight and as we were both too excited to be cold but the roads were very rough as it had frozen hard enough to make them bumpy but not hard enough to hold the buggy up when we got on the side. We had to drive very cautiously as too much bumping hurt Marj. When we arrived at Mrs. Lawson's we pounded several times on the door before she came but had no difficulty in waking the dog up and he made a terrible racket. Poor Mrs. Lawson came to the door fagged out and exclaimed "For the love of Mike" when she saw us, she had two babies there then and didn't want any more. It was just half past two when we got there. I went up directly from there and woke the doctor. He was dubious about coming as he said it wasn't time yet, but when I told him the symtoms he said he would be right down I then put Queen in the Auntys barn and waited around till the doctor came. I walked up to Main St. and watched till he came out of the house and then walked down with him https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/ca56dd6d14c3f6c4a436fee9872f930b.pdf c16e717a2a1f8004fbd78c789864a4b0 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. I went in with him and camped in the kitchen to wait developments. I heard the town clock strike four and soon after that Mrs. Lawson came down and announced the arrival of a girl and invited me up. I found Marj. feeling very pleased with herself at having got through the business with such despatch but they all seemed to be a little worried over a hemmorage. Marj. said the baby was born sometime before Mrs. Lawson went downstairs so it must have been before four. She was a monster tipping the beam at 12 lbs. The doctor went home about five but Mrs. Lawson stayed right with Marj. I stayed till about half past seven and then went over to break the news to Aunty & Aunty Alice and have breakfast. Aunty Alice had just come down in her night-dress to light the fire so while they were getting dressed I went up and woke Mrs. Hugh Allan up as Mrs. Lawson was tending to her other patients, Mrs. Woodyer and Mrs. McKenzie. I went home right after breakfast around by the farm to tell the news and got here about nine o'clock. Ina was up and had both the children dressed. They had both been good all night but Harry B didn't want to have breakfast without me. I did up all the chores and right after dinner we started out again. Ina went home for the afternoon and I took Harry B & his "trunk" and left him at the farm where he is to stay and I took Gay right on down town and left her at Aunty's for the afternoon. I then went over to Mrs.Lawson's where people seemed to be pouring in to see the various babies. Woodyer was at the door with a face like a full moon and a grin you could lie behind, he isn't proud of his boy "over nothin'". I went right up to Marj's room where I found Grace Allan. She was supposed to be kept very quiet and not move talk or laugh but Grace said she herself couldn't help talking and Marj. had to answer and as Grace's conversation consisted of every imaginable subject from her reformation of Hugh to her accounts of stealing onions from old Moneck, Marj. had to laugh too. The doctor came while I was there and I walked up town with him, he assured me Marj. was doing well. He is a busy man having had five babies to deliver since last Sunday. I went home about half past four and drove around by the Dionald's and got ha{y?}. Gay slept all the way in & back Bill was telling me about Roy Marshall who died very suddenly on Friday night, he has never been well since he got hurt last year at Charlie Dixon's. He was boarding at Jack Mason's when he died as his mother is sick in the Toronto hospital. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/5abc601af445e0fb4b0f34b3d3c8c720.pdf 2514767276509e1278773f19a1d02e43 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Monday March 16th I spent the forenoon doing chores and tinkering jobs such as fixing some more of my bird house. This after noon I drove down town and took the eggs and got a supply of groceries. I had 12 doz. eggs but they had dropped to 22 cts. so they didn't pay for the groceries. I went in to see Marj. who was feeling better. Aunty was over there holding babies for Mrs. Lawson. I stopped in to see Harry B. who is quite happy and enjoying life. I met Frank on the hill on my way in and it gave me a scare as I thought some thing had gone wrong but he was just going over to Tupper's to look at some hay. I was over at the Lampkin's for awhile this morning Cloudy & raw. Tuesday March 17th It was pouring rain early this morning and rained hard till about eleven when it cleared off and has been a very nice after noon. I wrote a letter to Grand.Daddy this morning announcing his lates great-grand daughter and then I washed the best of the parsnips as Sam. told me he would take some. I also took some down for Aunty, Mrs. Lawson & Grace Allan. Frank came over just as I was going out after dinner. He wanted the waggon to go down and get some fertilizer that he had ordered some time ago and that was down in the car, so we hooked up the team and took the parsnips in the waggon. We got the fertilizer without any trouble it was in a car out along the dock and I left the parsnips in at Sam's, he didn't know how much they would be worth. I stopped in on the way home to see Marj. and took her some shamrock that Frank brought over for her for St. Patrick's day. Aunty was sitting with her to-day. Dad. & Frank sheared the old ewe mother to the triplets which came Saturday, she is coming to her milk now. Wednesday Marching 18th It was a beautiful fore noon but too wet to do much but chores. I spent most of the morning curring the horses and trimming them up and tinkering at a martin house. As it was such a lovely day we thought it would be a good idea to take Gay out for an airing so I took her down town and Ina went home for the after noon. I left Gay at Aunty's and as she saw me coming from Mrs. Lawson's she came home to https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/637c519ef452a090a966fa22552dd1ae.pdf e62bebdcc493b5dde99585bd7fbf1ead PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. watch her as Aunty Alice was going up town. I went in to see Marj. for awhile and then went on up town and got my hair cut. I told Ina I would try to meet her at the Winding Hill at five o'clock but as I went around by the farm and the roads that way are so bad I didn't get home till nearly six. Just as Gay. and I started for home it began to rain and got colder so Dad. let me have his mackinaw. It turned out to be a very rough night with high wind and a terriffic downpour. Dad. & Frank hooked up Pommers & George to the big waggon & rack this morning and I don't know what all happened but they got away and tore out two or three fence posts in front of the house ran in to the corner of the house broke the tongue, reach, rack and the end off the double-tree and finally wound up over in Martin's field. Dad. got a nasty cut on his thumb but otherwise was not hurt. In order to tame the horses down a little, this after noon they hooked them to the bob-sleighs which they dragged out here through the mud and then got the waggon and went down after silage. Thursday March 19th A wild storm raged all the early part of last night and the wind was still strong and cold this morning with a drizzling rain for part of the time, it has been cloudy and raw all day. I walked down through their gully to the road when I first went out this morning and at that time there was very little water except in the channel of the creek which was high, but judging by appearances more water went through the gully last night that's at anytime so far this Spring. Five of my pine logs had floated off the place, two of them were just inside Dave's fence, two down near the culvert and one down in Shanbs's woods. The road in front of Dave's gate was washed bare off gravel and worse than that a regular canal had been cut along the east side eof the track making the road really dangerous. I called up Marston fence Shand's after breakfast, and offered to drive him out from Dover if he would come down but he said he would be down in a day or two when the roads settled. To-day's paper told of a terrible tornado which swept through several of the mid western States including Indianna & Illinois causing great loss of life & property. Over 800 people killed and over 2000 injured. I could https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/bb768e03822d501edfeb6807408c9b61.pdf 7e9275dd2e0d9b1d2270185c3c8263de PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. see no mention made of Bedford so suppose Roy & his family were not so near the devastated area which seems to have been a very narrow strip. I didn't do much but chores this forenoon and went over to the Lampkin's for a little while this after noon. I drove down town quite late in the afternoon and went to see Marj. for a short time and then went over to Billy Lang's shop and got a bag of oat chop from Jack who is at the shop every night after five. Friday March 20th As it was frozen this morning I thought I could get out a few more loads of manure but the sun soon got up strong and although I got two loads out the ground was too soft and the waggon cut in badly so I quit. I heard an engine going over in Willie Shand's woods so walked over to investigate and found Willie Shand, Will Cruise, Tom Aiken & Tom Stone doing a great business sawing wood with the saw frame outfit that Willie Shand & Will Cruise bought from Frank Shearer for fifty dollars. The two Willies were running the machine and the Tom's were skidding the logs. Willie was as delighted as a kid with a new toy and thinks the machine will soon pay for itself in the time it will save. Possibly so, but it appears to me that if he and Tom had spent the time it has taken to get the thing hauled into place and rigged up sawing wood they would have their wood all out by now, however Willie is getting a lot of fun out of it so I suppose it is all right. I cleaned out the colony house this after noon and tinkered around, but didn't go down town. The last two Fridays seem to testify to the truth of the proverb " Friday fairest or foulest." Last Friday was the worst day of the week and to day has been a beautiful day and I think easily the finest day. Saturday March 21st It was very cloudy this morning and looked so threatening that I decided to go down town before dinner and then I thought I would have more time to see Marj. I got down about eleven and took the eggs up town and got what groceries we needed. I went into the bank to see about borrowing enough money to pay Mrs. Lawson but Mr. Freeman was busy, so I didnt see him, later I saw Dad. and he said he could https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/d9a2771f9e823b4ca7bfa1082c7d2b8e.pdf db37a10d1d66286ac29f79b4d5dc727f PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. let me have the money as he has sold Rachel to Cameron {illegible} for $155.00 He asked Charlie Eaid that for her and although he liked her very much he didn't offer him that for her, but said he would so if he could mate her first. Quint. and I had dinner at Aunty's and then I went over and sat with Marj. till about two o'clock when I left to attend a Horticultural meeting at the Canning Factory. It lasted most of the afternoon. Young Jones was there and asked me to paint his name on his new truck. Dad. has had the most exciting news yet from the English lawyers. They are sending a man out to dig up the necessary information and instructed Dad. to cable them when he would meet their man whose name is Mr. Parks. Dad. cabled that he would meet him at Port Dover. They also said that the reason they asked whether Dad was born before 1858 was that it made the difference whether he would recieve a life interest or the capital sum which was a considerable ammount. Mr. Freeman to whom they showed the letter and asked for advice regarding the cable said that a "considerable ammount" to those people meant vastly more than it did to us and predicted that it would not be less than $200,000. That of course though is mere conjecture. The whole affair is beginning to make me feel queer. If it should come to nothing now, we are all going to be terribly disappointed, on the other hand I feel as though it is going to be a serious matter for us if immense wealth is suddenly dropped into our laps. It would be a great responsibility besides making us odiously notorious, and altogether change the whole course of our lives which in spite of financial pinches have for the most part been tranquil & happy ones. Sunday March 21st We got around early this morning and all left Donnybrook for the day. Ina went home and Gay and I went down town. We got down to Aunty's before Aunty Alice got home from Sunday school. She did not go to church so that she could look after Gay and let me go. I was a little late so sat in the back with Win. Dad. had Harry B. in the front seat with him and he was pretty good. Mr. Cornish had to stop during the reading of the first lesson to request the choir not to kick up such a racket turning pages and whispering. Frank was not in church as he & Jonas walked out to the England's for dinner. We took Harry B. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/3a2484143ca5f6368dd6182a5fc9ec0b.pdf da140c32542cb5c34d47bf9fdde41ed2 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. down to Aunty's for dinner so that he & Gay could have a romp to-gether. They were glad to see each other but were not at all demonstrative over it. I spent the after noon with Marj. and took Harry B. over with me for awhile. Aunty came over a little later and got him. He regards Baby {Hister?} as a great joke. Marj. is alone at Mrs. Lawson's now. Mrs . Woodyer left on Friday and Mrs. McKenzie to-day. I went home about five and went down to the McDonald's and got Ina. I picked Mabel up on the road and she went down with me and held Gay. It has been partly cloudy with a raw east wind all day. Monday March 23rd It was frozen this morning so I hauled out a couple more loads of manure but the sun soon got too hot and thawed the ground so that it wouldn't hold the waggon up I then took the waggon down in the orchard and gathered up the old brush that has been there since last Spring and piled it. I spent most of the after noon down there. I put 8 little chickens out with the old hen this morning, 10 hatched out of the twelve eggs and two died. I set 3 more hens to-night but didn't put eggs under them. It has been a beautiful day but with quite a sharp east wind. Tuesday March 24th I finished hauling out manure this morning on the piece west of the barn. I haven't it spread yet but it is piled up to the far end of the young orchard. I burned quite a lot of grass up there around the young trees. This after noon I went down to see Marj. and left Ina & Gay at Mrs Lampkin's for the after noon. Marj. had had a little fever again and Mrs. Lawson got the doctor to come down but she seemed to feel all right. Fine day rain to-night. Wednesday March 25th I went over and got three more settings of eggs from Mrs. McBride and set two of my hens, the third one showed signs of not wanting to sit so I shut her on the nest and didn't put the eggs under her till to-night. I spent the remainder of the fore noon trimming the young orchard and got it all gone over after a fashion. Willie Shand came over while I was there and said he was going to try ploughing with the tractor this afternoon on sod. They were ploughing with the grey team on corn stubble this <s>after no</s> morning I drove Ina and Gay down to the Donald's after dinner and I went on down to see Marj. I had told them https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/915d6e3ac2f093b86fdd663a9756c8c6.pdf 8587f45eccb623755a24b2c6b66610c2 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. I didn't think I would be down to-day but I wanted to know if Marj. was feeling better. I met Dad. & Frank at the factory with a load of pea silage which they were going to bring out to me but they said as I was not home they would take it home and bring me a load to-morrow. Marj. was feeling better. I called in to see Harry B. on my way home and he for the first time showed signs of wanting me to take him with me. Beautiful day again but quite a cold breeze. Thursday March 26th Ina took the carpet up out of the front room this morning and I beat it for her. I didn't get a very early start as I had to go over to the school house twice first to sweep and then to dust. I didn't get over last night and it was very dirty. Dad. and Frank came out quite early with a load of pea silage and when we unloaded it they hooked to the road scraper. We had to pound out the hammer strap before we could get the draw bolt through the doubletrees and as it was bad to use a smaller sized draw bolt. I went with them as far as Evan's and then came home to dinner. They intended to go to the town limits and back this after noon but for some reason didn't get back. This after noon I went down and started to paint Jone's name & business on his truck I took Ina & Gay up to spend the after noon with Winnie Shand and as it was after six wnen I got back for them, Ina was having tea and Winnie invited me in too, so it was after dark when we got home. Just as we left there we noticed a few flashes of lightening which increased in number & vividness as we got towards home and finally there commenced to be rumblings of thunder, by the time I got the chores all done, there was a full fledged thunder storm in progress. It soon passed over but rained more during the night. Lovely day, warm. Friday March 27th It was still cloudy and drizzly this morning and has been much cooler to-day with rain again to-night. After I did the chores I went down to finish Jone's sign. I drove in at the farm to see what happened to them yesterday and found that Frank had had to fix a culvert down near https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/5048a8aa43b266102f439eb6bfc19ee6.pdf a2350843b4a238febf567a0522aeb691 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Mrs. Monroe's corner as it had washed out under the road and Charlie Butler's horse had gone in and turned a complete summersault. He thought after last nights rain it might need some more fixing so I drove him back. Tupper came along while we were there and rode on into town with me. I got up to Jone's about 11 o'clock, had dinne there and finished the painting about four. He seemed well pleased and paid me $3. I went in for awhile on my way home to see Marj. Rained on my way home. Saturday March 28th Dad. & Frank brought the grader back yesterday but said they couldn't do the rest of the road so I went over right after breakfast and got Tom. Stone to hook to it and we made one round on the north end of the beat before dinner. Tom made the other round on the whole beat this after noon and had his man with him. I went down town and did the week's trading and spent quite a little time with Marj. The doctor was there and told her she would have to stay at Mrs. Lawson's another week. She is feeling better though. Cold north west wind all day. Snowing to-night. Sunday March 29th The ground was covered with snow this moring which has pretty well disappeared by to-night although it has been cloudy & raw with occasional snow flurries all day. Gay & I went down town this morning and Ina went home for the day. I got down for church and Aunty came home from Sunday school to be with Gay. I spent the after-noon with Marj. I had tea at Aunty's and called for Ina on the way home. She had tea at home. This was Mr. Robertson's last Sunday here. Monday March 30th As soon as I had breakfast and swept the school house I went back to the culvert beyond Fred Misner's and found Tom. Stone already at work. We worked at it all day and raised the tile at each end as they were much lower than the ones in the center which couldn't take as much water as they should. I called Marston up and he told me to do any thing that I thought needed doing, and to put the new tile in this culvert that were there but we didn't think there were enough of them. Ina told me this morning that she wouldn't be able to stay on after Easter. Cold, raw east wind, cloudy https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/f67abc410642541b542526ac6aacc68b.pdf 177f788fa9b859ad97ea0b82b57a500b PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Tuesday March 31st Tom. came over this morning to tell me he couldn't come on this fore noon as he had some work to do at his bridge. I attempted to paint my name on the mail-box but it was too cold so I quit. I took my shovel and new handle over to Evan's for him to put the handle in for me, but found he was sick in bed with bronchitis. I walked on over home and found Dad. & Frank giving the sorel filly the rudiments of education. They had a rope around her neck and were trying to get her into a stall to {tap?} her but she was determined not to go. She wrestled & tussled with the rope for about an hour reared pawed and threw herself and got in a steaming lather and finaly got quite quiet. Harry B and I had a great visit and he didn't want me to come away but I came home for dinner. This after noon Tom. & I scraped a ditch along north of the lane and scraped some of the gravel that washed off back on the flats. Just about quitting time a man came along and got Tom to go and haul a big truck out of the back field. East wind but sunny Wednesday <s>March</s> April 1st Tom and I put in the forenoon on the road cleaning out the mouth of the culvert that runs from Art Quanbury's woods into Dad's little gully and also scraping a ditch just north of the gully gate where the truck got in last night. We intended ditching the east side of the big hill this afternoon but it began to rain just after dinner and by the time we got down there was raining quite hard so we left Tom's plough at Evan's to have the coulter sharpened and came home. I packed 12 dozen eggs in the crate for Dorrie. I just had enough with to-day's gathering to fill it and have been saving since Saturday. About four I took them down and shipped them. I picked Frank up down town and he went to the station with me. I stopped in to see Marj. and she seems to be getting on all right. She was up out of bed twice to-day and on Friday if it is fine hopes to go over to Aunty's. Aunty Alice had a letter from Cousin Carrie enclosing one from Winnie Barrett (Anderson) who has been corresponding with the English lawyers and found out that a man is coming out. She evidently has renewed hopes of the fund being divided up, and Cousin Carrie appears provoked at her writing all about it to her and not to Dad. Cold east wind all day drizzling to-night. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/77d0bbbf23b408b6c816f9cd1de87e84.pdf 14bb27677347271bb12a16164dd3e6f9 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Thursday April 2nd It was drizzling this morning so we didn't try to do any road work and I spent the fore noon cutting and laying a strip of linoleum in the kitchen to fill in the little space where it was cut too short I didn't get the glue to stick very well where I put the old window blinds under the seam. I also painted a wash stand that Marj. wanted done. It has been out in the shed since last year and had chicken mites in it. I thought they would be all starved or frozen by now but when I put the chinamel on they swarmed out of the cracks so I set the thing outdoors. Tom. came this after noon and we went down to the hill. We first ploughed out a furrow from the top of the big hill along Dad's place & Martin's to the corner and came back on the other side Frank came along when we got to the corner and we put him to work throwing out the furrow so that we can plough another one back. We then started to plough a ditch on the east side of the hill but Tom. broke the end off his coulter in some unknown way so we couldn't use it. Evan's had just fixed it up for him. He went down town to see if he could get a new one but couldn't so we took it back to Evan's on our way home. We tried the scraper till it was time to quit but couldn't do much with it. We need another furrow ploughed and the clay is so stiff and mucky. I went over to the school house to sweep before I came in home and just as I got started a car got stuck solid at the corner of my place and the school yard. I went out and they asked me if I had a team but I told them I didn't think I could pull them out and sent them up to Shand's, so Charlie came back with his team and extricated them. It was nearly dark when I got home and as I did chores up first was very late when we "eventually " had tea. Beautiful day. Friday April 3rd Tom. & I put the forenoon in on the road. <s>Atlplast</s> At least we started out to but spent about the first two hours at Evan's shop as he was quite awhile shaping and fitting the coulter, but he made a good job of it. We ploughed another furrow into the one that Frank threw out yesterday and he came out and threw most of this one out. We then ploughed two more on the hill https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/b9e13b474f0dcb7854f6b534f8d81093.pdf ed9b34ed8626e44e5f3283b83c21ba2d PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. and started scraping. It worked a little better this morning partly because we worked from the bottom and Tom could hold the scraper in easier going up hill. Charlie Butler came along and told us Marston didn't know "nothing" about building roads and if we had the old system of statute labour the roads would be better than they are now, he thought we should have left this job till June when it would be dry and then scrape the ditch into the road instead of in a pile at the side. I didn't say anything but I felt like telling him that I expected if this June was any thing like other Junes lately we would all be too busy to do road work, and that there would be a hot lot of use piling mucky clay or dry clay either on top of a gravel road, and pretend to think it would improve it. I hurried and got ready after dinner and went down to help get Marj. moved. Ina went home and we left Gay with Mrs. Lampkin's to save me driving down to the Donald's. Dad. was to have come down to help me carry Marj. downstairs and I was afraid he would be there before I was but he didn't get down so Mrs. Lawson and I carried her down by making a cross-hands chair. We then loaded her and Dorothy Mary into the wheel-chair of Mrs. Lawsons and took her over to Aunty's. We met Dad. coming on the way over. He Enah & Harry B were all at Aunty's. Dad. had cut Harry B's hair and made him look like a real boy He was overjoyed to see Marj. Enah went up town and Zeitha came down to practice some Easter music so she & Dad. walked up to the church. I went up and got some groceries and then hung around at Aunty's for the rest of the after noon. Ina was at Mrs. Lampkin's when I called. Beautiful day, wind cold this afternoon. Saturday April 4th When Tom. came this morning he said the hills back at Lindsay's were getting hard and rough and thought we had better hook to the grader so we did but just got back to the Provincial road and back once this fore noon owing to several interruptions. Ernie Gurney came out first and told us all about the sale at Geo. Davidson's yesterday when Julian & the bailiff closed a chattel mortgage and sold him out. Then Nate Butler hailed us and told us all he knew about the road. Next we had to pull Billy McBride out of a mud-hole for which act of mercy he rewarded us a quarter apiece https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/46b06912ed5f48b2eb80f5168068c63a.pdf 00818b01010841e313f33deae61aa71d PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Finally as we were going down the hill just this side of the highway, old Matthias Shields or Shiltz or whatever his name is, came along in his big closed car and as I was driving and walking on the inside of the grader he was so close to me that it startled me and I jumped to the side so that the hind wheel of the grader caught me and ran over my foot. It knocked me down and the old man stopped his car and came back and regretted the incident but said he sounded his horn. The grader was making considerable noise on the gravelly road so that neither Tom nor I heard it. My foot hurt for awhile but doesn't hurt much to-night so I think it will be all right. We got back to Fred Misner's corner by noon and this after noon Tom sent his man, George, with the team as he wanted to go to town. George and I got one round in on the whole length of the beat from Dover to the town-line which leaves one round to be made yet on the south end. Fine all day but cold east wind this after noon. Sunday April 5th I went over to the Lampkin's first thing this morning to see how Dave was feeling as his legs were paining him a great deal yesterday and he couldn't get around on them at all. Mrs. Lampkin's said he suffered a great deal of pain in the night but was asleep when I went over. She had fed everything and milked and Reg. was coming over to water things so I didn't do any thing to help them. I went from there over to the school house and swept and then got ready and went down town. Ina went home and I took Gay down. I was in time for church but didn't go as Harry B. was at Aunty's and I thought I might as well have a little visit with the family. Marj. was feeling better but was rather disappointed to discover that Gay would have nothing to do with her and had apparently forgotten her entirely, and she took no notice of the baby either. Harry B however seems to be getting homesick and wants me to stay with him. Quint was down to dinner and Tim stayed till church was out and took Harry B outdoors where he and the Warren kids had a great time playing with horse chestnuts. Aunty took him down to Mrs. Battersby's this after noon and she gave him a neclace of spools with which he was hoping to have a lot of fun with Tom. He saw Margaret https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/a8fca227c8177c8bb274645b06669d17.pdf 73a5236e92b44af4b9134f5498eae61b PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. McIntosh down there and called her Mr. Battersby. We went home before five and I took him over to the farm as Enah wanted him home to get him ready for bed before church time. Tim & Frank were the only ones home and Tim said Dad. & Enah were up at St. John's I don't know what for unless to look at Great-Grandfather's tomb-stone. Dad. had another letter from England acknowledging his cable-gram and saying that Mr. Parks had booked his passage on the Montroyal which would sail on the 9th. I noticed in yesterday's paper that Lord Willingdon who is bringing the old French shield back to the city of Quebec fom the town of Hastings in England where it has been ever since Wolfe captured the citadel is sailing on the same boat. Froze hard, nice day cold wind. Monday April 6th Tom and I got in a full day on the road to-day without getting very much done, but it was a fine day and there was quite a traffic and many stopped to talk. We finished levelling this morning giving the bad ruts an extra lick and we worked at the ditch on the hill all after noon. Froze hard last night but fine day. Pickford says Guy Teeple was to start seeding to-day. Top is drying fast Tuesday April 7th Tom and I worked all day on the hill and called our job done although it doesn't look very neat, but we have a kind of ditch down each side of the road which lets the water run down instead of seeping into the road. Frank was out for awhile and threw the sods out of the rest of the ditch along the corner field. Pickford disked his hill to-day and it seemed to work up fine. He was telling us that Evan's man left yesterday. He wanted more than $10. a month, and Evans wouldn't give it as he had agreed to put in the year at that wage. Pickford had heard of Mrs. Evans giving John a drop of whisky when he had broncitis the other day and he was giving us his opinion of the damned hypocrites of prohibitionists in no uncertain terms. Fair & quite hot. Wednesday April 8th I went over to see how Dave was getting along first thing this morning. He has had a bad <s>day</s> {illegible} of it for the last week or so with his legs, but was going to get up to-day and go down to the doctor's. I went down town about half past ten and got Marj. & the baby. I took some eggs down to sell and some potatoes for https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/6d013623d3a3bbf17373c1aebd24ba24.pdf 256f4e33bd85423fa3f415269534c3c6 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Aunty Alice so as I had to go up town, we didn't get home till <s>about</s> after noon. Both Marj. & the baby stood the journey all right. Gay didn't seem to take very kindly to Dorothy Mary, and raised a row when Ina went to put her to sleep. It was such an unusual occourance that we decided it must have been caused by seeing D.M. asleep in her bed. I tried ploughing this after noon and it went very nicely but was plenty wet enough yet in places. Dad. & Frank came out on their way home with some oats that they got at Jack Mason's and Dad. wants me to take Queen over to-morrow so that he can take some Manure down to Aunty's. Cold east wind this am. Milder to-night. Thursday April 9th I went over to the farm first thing this morning and Dad and I got two loads of manure down to Aunty before noon. This after noon we hauled down one load and went over to the factory and got a load of pea straw for me. The stack is about gone. We changed teams at the farm and put Pommers and George on and Dad. hauled it out here. I drove Queen out on the buggy. I got a couple of little maple trees at Aunty's which I set out along the road. Frank was working with the tractor on the back field all day. Harry B was in great spirits and recited "Sing a Song of Sixpence" to me two or three times. This was the day when Mr. Parks was supposed to embark for Canada so I suppose if all's well we will know before very long whether or not we have a fortune and the extent of it. Very mild, threatening. Friday Aoril 10th Good Friday I plought all day and got a good share of the field turned over. I didn't get a very early start as it was raining early this morning and when I went out after breakfast just a drizzle that died off as soon as the sun came out. It was quite sultry this morning but there was a cool breeze this after noon. Nothing very exciting happened to-day. Marj. & the baby seem to be doing all right. I walked over to (Trum.} Walker's to get our butter which has been in the can on his stand since Wednesday, he forgot to bring it up with him. I stopped in at the Lampkin's on my way home and found Charlie & Carrie there. Charlie informed me that one of my pine logs is down in his flats so that accounts for the 11th one that I never could locate. He said another heavy freshet would take it it right into Black Creek. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/ebd84ed59cb912ca6dfa40691297db72.pdf c06149da0ba5608ff2c4befd344cb597 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Saturday April 11th I got around early this morning and got down town and went to Simcoe on the nine o'clock car. I visited Bramhill, Marston, Carter, and the Salvaton Army and finally telephoned Mrs. Porter, I asked all of them except Marston where I could get a girl to help in the house but there seem to be none available. Mrs. Porter said she had had very satisfactory girls from the Barnardo Homes in Toronto so I sent them a card when I got back to Aunty's. I came home on the 11 car and brought the wool sack and twine. When I took it in home Harry B. wanted so to come home with me that I brought him out for a visit and he was tickled pink to get home and to see Marj. I finished my ploughing this after noon. Fine day but cool wind. Sunday April 12th Easter Bill Donald came in quite early in the forenoon and took Ina home with him, so her sojourn with us has ended and although Marj. will miss her very much it is a relief to be alone in the house again. After considerable deliberation we decide the best course to pursue was to take Gay down to Aunty's for a while and Harry B. back to the farm and that would leave Marj. just the baby to look after and she could take her time to the house work. Ina is coming again to wash on Wednesday. This after noon I took Harry B back to the farm and although he wasn't enthusiastic about going he went quite cheerfully and then I went on down and proposed to Aunty & Aunty Alice our scheme for wishing Gay on them, they had suggested it though so they were quite agreeable and Aunty said she would see Mr. Cornish to-night and try to get him to bring her out to-morrow after Gay. Fine a.m. Cloudy raw p.m. Saturday April 18th Owing to working rather late at night and not getting up extra early mornings I have neglected making daily entries so must sum up in a general way the doings of the week. The major portion of my time has been taken up working on the pea ground I got in very nice shape and went down Friday morning and got my seed from the factory, and Dad came out late in the afternoon and started to drill it for me. He quit about six and I went on till nearly dark with Queen & Belle but by then saw that I wasn't going to have enough https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/cfd653e220de2ed9681ba05a6435a28c.pdf fe48e8fb54ca09d27927a78771956ea2 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. seed. I didn't know whether the drill was sowing to thick or whether there was more than 2 1/2 acres in the field so this morning I measured the field and found it was a scant 2 1/2 acres. The drill had nearly a bag of seed in it so I thought by shutting it down I could make it go over the field but it ran out when I just had about 2 rounds more to go, so I will have to leave that much till next week and get some more seed. I harrowed over what I had sowed and ran out the one long ditch & its one tributary. I had Dave's roller & harrows borrowed. Tuesday morning I went down to Sid's to have Queen shod as it rained a little Monday night and I thought was too wet to work on the land. Sid couldn't shoe her then as he was just starting out to post up Mrs. Marshall's sale bills so I drove out to Mattias Shiltz's to inquire about a girl that I heard was out there and that he was going to let go, but she was already spoken for. Ina came Wednesday to wash and Wednesday we got word from the Barnardo Home saying they had no girl available at present but advised us to send in an aplication to-gether with a fee of $3.00 and they would send one as soon as possible. Marj. filled up the application form but as we didn't have the $3.00 we didn't send it and to-day Mr. Carter telephoned down that there was an exceptionally bright looking Armenian girl 17 years old in Simcoe would go out for $3.00 a week, so I am to go up on Tuesday next to interview her. Marj. has got on very well all week with just the baby to look after. Gay has been good down at Aunty's, we went down town to-day and saw her. I brought Harry B over yesterday for Marj. to fit a coat on him that she was making and he is still here. Marj. thinks she can manage him now. Oliver Mann came over Tuesday afternoon and took down his radio aerial. I drove him back as I was going down to get some oat chop for the horses. Wednesday night I went down to band practice but got fooled again as there wasn't any. We have been watching the papers all week for the arrival of the Mont Royal which is supposed to have aboard her Mr. Parks and the news of the fortune. Dad. had a very nice personal handwritten letter from him this week saying he expected to sail on the 9th and would telegraph when he would arrive in Dover. The boat will dock at St. John and he said he would likely travel in the daytime as he wants to see the country https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/76abbdd7c00fa3bc2f2934053af2785b.pdf 545962a431b8ab91e44b62c92560b0bb PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. never having been to Canada before. He told Dad. that he would give him more details of the matter but that it was a long and complicated story and if he could get the proof he needed which he said he had very little doubt of, it would be as far as Dad was concerned a romance for he would be a very rich man. Marj. got word to-day from Mr. Stenson that they hoped to get Uncle George's affairs settled up very soon and that it would then be divided The weather all week has been for the most part dry cold and windy, although there was a shower Monday night & Tuesday night and Tuesday was quite warm and sultry. Friday was fairly warm but windy. Harry B. has come home with a very large repertoire of nursery rhymes which he recites when ever he has nothing else in particular to say. His favorite number is "Hing a hong of hic-huh", which he reels off at full length with great elecutionary expression and winds up dramatically snapping off his nose to illustrate the manner in which the maid lost hers. Sunday April 19th This has been a horrible day. It rained hard during the night and has been very cloudy with frequent showers and a few rolls of thunder all day together with a fierce north-east gale which is still raging to-night. We have had two fires going all day and then found it difficult to keep warm, in fact it wasn't as warm as it should have been when the baby had her bath to-night and she has seemed a little upset this evening from some cause or other, she is usually so good that we hardly know she exists. We got up very late this morning and just had two meals. I just did up the necessary chores and sat around the house for the rest of the time doing dishes, reading writing, snoozing & playing with H.B. Monday April 20th Frank came over soon after breakfast this morning to tell us that Mr. Parks sent a telegram last night to say that he would be in to day on the noon train from Hamilton. Aunty Alice walked over this morning before breakfast to tell Dad. I drove Frank home again and he went down town with me and I got another bushel of peas. We took Harry B with us and he came home again with me. This after noon Dave Lampkins and I drove out to Mrs. Marshalls https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/470e9f53429396e58dd7c9901be1d8f2.pdf 884862d6f193ed98b93216328c7c6f59 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. sale and I bought considerable stuff including a roller, set of harrows 17.50, hay 7.25, rope, double trees 2.25, high-chair .75, old table .10, patent bed 7.25 and some wood 1.25. Frank backed my note for 6 months. I went down to band-practice to-night and had a pretty good blow. I was the only bass there and we have a lot of heavy new music. Mr. Parks was at Aunty's when I went down. He was there for dinner and spent most of the after noon telling about the estate, and from what Quint told me, his story is more like a page from an Arabian Nights' Entertainment than cold facts & figures pertaining to us. Mr. Parks has no doubt what ever about Dad. being the legal heir and seems to have no doubt about him proving his claim although he says there are seven others in England who think they have a claim and they are wealthy & influential some of them peers. He said a rough estimate of the extent of the capital fund would be two and a half million dollars and that the annual income was about £20,000 after the 35% succession dues were subtracted. He had a book showing how it was all invested and it seems theres a thousand acres or so of land in Ireland and a block of land in the heart of London which is now under a sixty year lease. The leasee has built apartment houses on the land and they are yielding large rent and when the sixty years has expired they will come into the estate as well as the land. There is also a list of books pictures and plate 13 chests of it all valued at thousands of pounds. There is a list of securities a yard long including shares in the Bank of Ireland, Bank of England, various railway stocks and all manner of municipal & government bonds. We are all more or less excited over it of course but it is such a tremendous sum that we are dazed and don't begin to realize what it really means, and so far can't believe it is true, although Mr. Parks who appears to be very genial and talkative says that he is so sure that Dad. will get it that he is willing to advance him any money he needs now from his private account. Fine but very cold wind. I found Nellie with a heifer calf when I got home from the sale this after noon Tuesday April 21st I went to Simcoe on the nine car this morning to interview the Armenian that Mr. Carter telephoned https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/f5cb5ce877e95add9585fab8aa62914e.pdf 232bf7ac16d3211e440db10f4d37369c PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. us about. I went to his store and he went with me to the girls home. We saw her, her mother and her step-father, and after a great deal of jabbering in Armenian she agreed to come down and try it for a week and said she would meet us at 11.30 at Mr. Carter's store. I got my hair cut and sat in the Battersby House reading the paper till the appointed time and then went down to the store. There was no sign of the girl and we waited for quite awhile before she showed up and I was beginning to think she had changed her mind but finally she and her father came along. We talked to them for awhile there trying to persuade him to hire out for the summer to Shands, but from what we could gather, he doesn't want to work on a farm through the summer as he thinks he can get work in town. He can't speak English but seems to understand it a little. We came back to Dover on the one o'clock car and Aunty Alice gave me a lunch. Zedwi as she pronounces her name said she had had her dinner. It was getting on for two when we got out here and Azadouhy Sarkisian as she spells her name got more homesick the farther out we got. She thought we were miles & miles away from Simcoe although I told her that we were going nearer to it after we left Dover. I gave Queen time enough to eat and then went back to the farm and Frank & I took Joe & Queen and the hay rack and went down to Crosbie's after my stuff. We got it all loaded on to the rack and hitched the roller behind but found it was too much of a load for the hill. Some fellow hauled it up the hill in the lane for us and we left the Roller in front of Billy Watson's rather than try {Name} Lambert's hill. We got home with the rest of the stuff but had to unload some of the wood in the lane here as one wheel got in a rut. Frank took the team home and took the four sections of harrows that I bought over there and brought the three sections out here as that will be all I will want to haul with Belle & Queen. It was pitiful to-night to see poor little Azadouhy as she was so homesick she couldn't eat any tea and couldn't keep the tears back She wrote a letter to her mother this after noon and told her she would come home on Saturday, so I am afraid she will never stay with us, although we think we would like her very much, she seems very bright and quick to learn. Still very cold wind but {f...} https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/323e118e82bf9287098fdbec09798017.pdf 0da40a22355a5fe5474ffb5117f9b42a PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. I have let this lapse again for a week so these next few items will necessarily be brief and may be incomplete. Wednesday April 22nd I walked over home this morning to get Queen and Dad. wanted me to go down to Aunty's with him to get some wood and he wanted to take Joe & Queen so we didn't get home till noon as we had a little conversation with Mr. Parks who is at Aunty's most of the time working over the old papers. He had a stenographer there this morning and Aunty Alice was dictating to her. She is some friend of Quint's from Brantfield. Aunty Alice seems very much excited, worried and upset over the whole business. This afternoon I went up to Harvey Shand's right after dinner to tell him Herb. Brooks was up at Ham. Thompson's out of a job, then I came home and drilled in the rest of my peas and it took all of the bushel I got to do it. I took the drill back and came home and harrowed over the fresh drilled piece and took the harrows back to Dave, which made me rather late. Azadouhy seems to be getting more contented and likes the children. Much milder to-day. Thursday April 23rd Tom. Stone came into the school house while I was dusting this morning so I told him I wanted to scrape the road again. He was on his way to Jarvis but said he would come down after dinner. I spent the fore noon cleaning out the ditches in the pea field and about eleven went after my roller and brought it home. This after noon Tom. & I scraped the south end of the road and visited for a short time with old McPherson who was fishing at Biddy's Bend. Very warm. Friday April 24th Tom and I scraped the north end of the road this morning and had one round to make on Fred Misner's concession after dinner. Willard Butler is putting in the crop on the Henry Misner place. He & Charlie Challand have bought it from Julian for $2708 I heard. Azadouhy, Harry B and I went down town this after noon and did our trading and brought Gay home with us. Aunty and Aunty Alice hated to have her come away but they have enough to look after down there and they expected Roy to-night but he didn't come. Hot to-day https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/e9b7d3faeaf9c2646f61c9aa842f5b7f.pdf e5bf9f9f66411c20b83803be4283ddeb PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Saturday April 25th I spent the forenoon hoeing one row of strawberries they should have been all cleaned out last fall but I didn't get it done and there is a considerable amount of grass in them. This after noon I drove Azadouhy down to catch the car, she promised to come back on the one car Monday. I spent an hour or so down at Aunty's talking with Mr. Parks and looking over the lists of property of the Dick estate. Aunty Alice & I marked several books in the library which we thought would be worth sending out. Mrs. Sidney McQueen ran into Elden Crosbie's buggy to-night and smashed it up a little and the horse ran away free of the buggy, no one was hurt. Sunday April 26th Marj. & I took things easy this morning but got all the chores done and dressed up after dinner as I thought that Tom. Snowden passed me on the road yesterday and said they would be up to-day. They all came with Mr. & Mrs. Will Ward about the middle of the after noon. They hadn't been here long when Dad. & Mr. Parks drove over. Soon after that we were threatened with a thunder-storm so the Nanticoke folk left in rather a hurry but Dad. & Mr. Parks waited till it was over, it soon was and it came out nice after it although it rained more later on. It was cooler after it and the wind got around to the north east. Dad. said they intended going to Port Rowan to-morrow and asked me if I could go as I had said I would like to when they went. Monday April 27th Harry B and I went over to the farm as early as we could get away as Dad. said they wanted to start about nine. Harry B was spending the day with "Gran". Dad. said we were going up in Quint's old car as they couldn't get another and Quint has been getting his all fixed up at Mr. Park's expense or rather the estate's for such occasions as this. Quint & Mr. Parks drove over about 10.30 and we got to Port Rowan soon after noon, but stopped in St. Williams for quite awhile for Dad. & Mr. Parks to interview Dr. Andrew McInnes who knew Great Grandfather & Uncle Quintin well and is going to Simcoe on Friday to make an affadavit for them https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/81d38974000383ee04311859150148dc.pdf 990e5e4c299c5642ee7df8a835f0fb90 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. He had just heard from George Barret in California who said that he knew Dad. was the man they were after and hoped he would get a good fat slice of turkey out of it as he deserved it and he guessed he needed it. He told them about the time Uncle Joe married his sister and they all went up to Farm Leigh and celebrated for two days and three nights, but that was in the days when the best rye whiskey could be bought for 25 cts a gallon. We had dinner at the hotel in Port Rowan on Mr. Park's treat and then went to see Miss Wood and Mr. Jackson, who both remembered the old family well and were quite willing to make affadavits. Miss Wood also had the old church records kept by her father and his old diarys which told of several of the deaths, marriages and the christenings of Aunt Louisa's children. I think Mr. Parks considered it a very satisfactory trip. He will have to go up again when he gets his affadavits draughted out properly to haver them swear to them. We got back to the farm about six and Harry B and I came right home. Frank had gone down at noon and met Azadouhy and taken her out but I found her in a very worried mood. When she arrived home on Saturday, she found they had been threatening to arrest her step-father because he wasn't working on a farm and her brother was out of work too. She is bound to go back to-morrow to "explain" to her mother. I think she had an idea that Shands would give her father a job but they don't want him. Marj. got Mabel to drive her over to Tuppers after four to ask him but he didn't like the idea of a foreigner around. I went up to Shand's after tea and called up Carter and he said he would see Bramhill in the morning and that he was sure the fellow could get work. Azadouhy brought a lot of postcards of Constantinople which she showed us to-night. She said "Oh! dear, I do like that place." I asked her why her step-father ever left there if he liked it, and she said "He like it there, but oh the Turk her fight all the time. North east wind and much cooler to-day. Tuesday April 28th I told Dad I would go over to-day and help him get some hay and Azadouhy was determined to go back to Simcoe to "explain" she said to her https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/f6217cebc35fb3cea9aad41625ce9ece.pdf 4ce33d1db1033280b95675fa7225afd3 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. mother about getting work for her father. We did our best to persuade her to write instead but when Marj. asked her if she really thought she could be any help, and she answered "You bet your life," we thought we had better let her go, so I drove her down to catch the nine car and then I went over to Dad's. Ina was here before we left. Dad was busy writing to Aunt Ella when I got there and Enah wrote to Aunt Hattie and invited her over as Mr. Parks said he would sooner pay her fare over here than go to New York himself. We went over to Tuppers before dinner and got a load of hay and put part of it off in the horse stable and part in the barn. This after noon we ran out the ditches in the pea field and then hauled out a load or two of manure on the garden. Frank was ploughing all morning for Proper as Proper drilled in his peas for him yesterday. Frank and I went down town about five. Frank got some seed oats at Billy Langs and I was supposed to meet Azadouhy at the five car but it came in before we got started However we met Quint at the corner and he had Enah & Azadouhy with him and took her right on out home. Enah met her at the station. She told me to-night that she "fix things all right." She saw Bramhill and her father got work to morrow 10 miles from Simcoe but she didn't know where Wednesday April 29th I went over to the farm again this morning and helped Dad. get a couple more loads of manure out on the garden. I was there to dinner and then went down to get some corn meal at Billy Langs. I stopped in at Aunty's for a few minutes and got two more little maples to plant out. The after noon was pretty well worn out when I got home and then I went over to the Lampkin's to borrow the shovel to set out my trees. Still cold Thursday April 30th I spent most of the day fixing up some nests for {word cut off} setting hens as I have a lot of them and they should be {word cut off} I got 13 nests fixed. Quint & Roy came over for a very {word cut off} visit at noon. Roy came last night and can just stay {over?} to-day. Very cloudy and cold. Rained a little at intervals https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/93c9fd668f7ab25b12287a0e6b276785.pdf 8d21b5e8aa6264707dcbb1030d977ec2 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Friday May 1st I drove over to get some hatching eggs from Mrs. McBride this morning and was there quite awhile. She could only let me have four dozen and I wanted thirteen. I went from there over and got three more dozen from Mrs. Monroe. I spent most of the afternoon making a gate for the yard here so that I can straighten up the fence and yet have a way to drive in. Harry B & Zadouhy went over to the school house this afternoon to Arbour Day celebration. They had to celebrate inside as it has drizzled nearly all day and is still cold. The wind is now nor-west not east. Bobby had a heifer calf this after noon. Saturday May 2nd Tim came over this morning to get me to go over to help Frank as Dad. went to Port Rowan with Quint & Mr. Parks again. Miss Wood wrote and asked them up for dinner. I didn't get over in time to do much before dinner but right after we hooked up Joe & Queen and went down for some coal. I got the coal while Frank went up town and did the trading for both of us. We got back to the farm about four and then went over to Tupper's and got a small jag of hay. It was after six when we got back with it but as Dad. was home he helped Frank put it off and I came home. Zadouhy went down with the Lampkin's this afternoon and Marj. said she was quite peeved because Marj. wanted her to come back Sunday night instead of Monday. Very cold wind all day but milder to-night. Sunday May 3rd We got up late this morning and just did our usual chores in a leisurly way. We had such a late breakfast we didn't have dinner but gave the kids some & put them to sleep. I went to sleep for awhile and then Marj. made me get up and shave and proposed going over to see Winnie Shand. Just as we were starting out, the Doughty's & Mrs. Banfield drove so in so we didn't go. They hadn't been here long when Mrs. Martin and Mrs. McLaughlin came in, they brought Marj. two very nice little knitted jackets for the babies. We had tea as soon as they left and I helped Marj. get the kids to bed so was late getting through with my chores. It takes me quite awhile as I have to milk Bobbie out after I milk the others and feed Nellie's calf. Lovely day to-day in spite of cool wind. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/00c48b7b0756c8d106ff548fa2bfba3b.pdf a808dd5a066fc70c649c7ae0fb700d0f PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Monday May 4th It rained for about an hour this forenoon as well as during the night. While it was raining I patched up one of the old road danger signs which had got broken in some unaccountable way and then put in a post to hang my new gate on. I went down town right after dinner to see if Azadouhy came back but there was no sign of her. Marj. told her Saturday that she would like her to come back Sunday night and that if she came Monday she would have to walk out. She was quite peeved when she left Marj. said so we don't know what to think, whether she is not coming back or whether she thought it was too wet if she had to walk or whether she is too busy getting her father another job. I was down at Aunty's for awhile and by the time I got home the after noon was pretty well spent but I did put in a brace between the gate post & the gully fence. I got some brace wire in town Quint & Mr. Parks went to Windsor to-day to see Aunt Ella. It has been rather cloudy all the after noon and quite cold. It froze the night before last and will freeze again to-night. I don't know what effect it will have on the fruit blossoms as they are well advanced some of them. Tuesday May 5th I made a start this morning at ploughing the peice back of the barn where I hope to plant my small stuff I started on the old strawberry patch next the raspberries and it is quite heavy sod and had several furrows in and the old windrows of hay which we never did anything with so I made a terrible mess of it and rooted it up rather than ploughed it. Dad. came over just before noon to ask me if I could help him get a load of hay this after noon so I was over there all the after noon Frank was ploughing the corn stubble. It has been very raw and cold with showers at frequent intervals. Wednesday May 6th I went out to plough this fore noon but had to gather up some of the dead grass & burn it before I could do much, while I was at that it commenced to drizzle but I thought it would be a short shower so stayed out till it was raining hard and clouded up all over so brought the team in I had just nicely got in the house when the sun came out. I spent the rest of the morning at the fence. This after noon it was still threatening and showery so I didn't https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/3e761e61ec1767659e70b5e405ae1376.pdf c797957acadf94d12f31c3604f88d290 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. take the team out but spread the manure that was piled out there. I went down to band practice to-night Thursday May 7th I ploughed this morning and this after noon rolled down the peas and what I had ploughed and got in about an hour's ploughing afterwards Mabel came over to tea, and Marj. walked part way home with her to-night and called on the Lampkins on her way back. I was dead sleepy. Still very cold, cloudy and showery. Rotten weather Friday May 8th I walked over to Tom. Stone's this morning to see if I could get a load of hay. I found I could and could have Tom's waggon & rack to haul it on. When I got home I found Aunty Alice & Quint here but they only stayed a very few minutes. It was about 11 o'clock when I got back to Tom's with the team and by the time we put the rack on the waggon & Tom. had put on a load it was after noon. I didn't unload it till after dinner and it took me about an hour to do it alone as I had to get up quite often to mow away. After I got it off we all went down town. Harry B. had gone down before with Quint & Aunty Alice. We had quite a load coming home as we all five got packed into the buggy but we got here safely, we had to leave the coal oil can at Aunty's but Quint brought it over after tea. We stopped in at the farm and I got $10. from Dad. to pay for the hay. Dad. got some of his fortune in advance from Mr. Parks. It has been a beautiful sunny day but cool wind. Saturday May 9th I took Tom's waggon and rack home this morning and spent the rest of the day ploughing getting a fair piece turned over. I am now nearly up to where the young orchard starts. Marj. Harry B & Gay went down after the mail this after noon just as Mrs. Perry, Bess & the kids came along in their car so they had quite a visit down there. It has been another beautiful day. Sunday May 10th We just chored around this morning and I swept the school house out. This after noon I shaved https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/5541b3e41aef79b5e5e249b1f7231a77.pdf 384501c0120870dd147eaa61c967bb11 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. we all had a snooze and read for awhile, then when the kids woke up, we all went over to see the Lampkin's, it looked very much like rain when we left home and we wouldn't have ventured if it hadn't been that Mrs. Lampkin's is laid up with a sore ankle the result of her fall in the winter and she told Marj. the other day, she was getting so homesick to see "them young ones." Flossie was there and we stayed quite awhile, before we left the sun was shining and it turned out a beautiful evening. Monday May 11th I ploughed this morning and got up to the little orchard where it was very hard to make a good job as the little trees are so low, just about noon Queen's whiffletree caught on a tree and she broke a short tug, so this after noon I had to take it down to be fixed. I tried to rivet it in home but couldn't so took it to Bridgwater and he advised me to take it to Hallam and he made a strong fix of it by riveting an iron strap down each side which looped through the home ring. I didn't get home till five and then had to hurry through the chores and go over home and milk as Dad. went to Toronto with Mr. Parks & Quint this morning to see Cousin Carrie and what papers she had. He milked before he left. I went on down to band practice and when I got through Dad. & Enah were still at Aunty's waiting for Tim who had gone with Aunty Alice to the picture show. Dad. got home at nine. Quint & Mr. Parks stayed down to go over to Niagara Falls to-morrow. Mr. Parks says if he went home with out seeing the Falls he would never hear the end of it. Fine day. Tuesday May 12th I finished the ploughing to-day a little after dinner but made rather a poor job of it in among the little apple trees. I spent the afternoon harrowing and rolling the ploughed ground. The part where the beans were required very little work to put it in nice shape and by working a little late to-night I got six furrows run out all ready to plant potatoes. Marj. cut some to-night. Ina was here washing to-day. Fair & warm. Wednesday May 13th I planted two rows of Early Rose potatoes this morning. Aunty Alice gave me the seed. Marj. cut up https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/8fd8a8e351afa989a8a1c16daf902d7f.pdf 92adca9e0b3ade4e298706562a3f98e6 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. nearly a bushel of the potatoes we had in the cellar and which I think Jim. Dixon said were Green Mountain and I planted them. I hoed the first ones that I planted in but the ones I put in this after noon I ploughed in and then gave them a good harrowing. I went down to-night to Aunty's and copied out a letter and signed it for Mr. Parks which was to authorize Arnold & Henry White to act in my interest in the Quintin Dick Trust case. Lord Cloncurry versus Fenton and to say that I was the eldest son of W.H. Barrett's heir of Mary Dick and that I was agreeable to any thing Mr. Walter F. Parks said or did. It seems that this Fenton who is solicitor for the other hopeful heirs is also a beneficiary under the will and agent for the Irish properties, succeeding his father in that capacity. Mr. Parks says he is an Irishman & a fighter & may cause trouble, but thinks when he shows him how strong Dad's claim is, and proposes to him that he can still retain the agency for the Irish business if he doesn't cause trouble, he will not show opposition. I went up town and got a lot of garden seeds at Reynolds and then came back to Aunty's and had ice cream, this being Mr. Park's last night here. Miss. Greenor the typist they had was there too so we had quite a party. All were down from home. Thursday May 14th I spent most of the day putting in the garden out this side of the young orchard. I sowed my experimental plots of mangolds first and then drilled in the other seeds with Charlie Quanbury's seed drill which I have had since last year. I also planted corn & beans and dug and set out over a hundred strawberry plants. Cooler. Friday May 15th This morning I dug about 250 more strawberry plants and it took awhile as the ground was very hard and dry. I didn't get them all set out before noon so covered them up in the shade and this after noon we all went down town to do our trading and Marj. went to the doctor's to ask him a few things about the children. We were for some time at Aunty's. Quint and Mr. Parks left last night for Montreal and Aunty & Aunty Alice have been busy ever since trying to get the smell of tobacco smoke out of the house. Mr. Parks found out from the postmaster at Sorel that he could get the birth certificate of Uncle Massey Uncle Tom and Aunt Louisa from there so he had them sent to the Windsor Hotel in Montreal. He is going to Huntingdon to get an affadavit from Cousin Lizzie Hyde and from there https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/54cf16a25d34ee653ed360fe670544cf.pdf ce560afd488f13512c152eae5be28c7f PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. to New York to get Aunt Hattie affadavit, then he has some other business to attend to in Boston, where Quint is most anxious to accompany him and he hopes to sail for home from Montreal on the Montroyal which is due to leave on the 22nd a week from to-day. Lovely day. Sunset clear. Saturday May 16th I put out the rest of the strawberry plants I had dug this morning and now have three rows across the triangular patch set out. I then moved the old hut bed frame around by the rhubarb bed and this after noon filled it with earth and transplanted out a lot of tomato plants. I put it over a thick mat of couch grass and spread manure over the grass to kill it but not enough to make much heat. I also dug a little patch out there for Marj. to plant some radish & spinach seed. The cows got out a couple of times, the old rail fence along the edge of the woods from the orchard to Davy's line is getting pretty poor in spots. It has looked very dark and thundery nearly all day and did rain a little this after noon and to-night there was a heavy downpour, which was much needed. It has been warm and rather sultry all day. Sunday May 17th I put in rather a busy day and broke the Sabbath at several points, but as Aunty Alice presented me with a new spade on Friday I found many occasions to use it around the place. I also had to fix the fence where the cows got out which I did with some green basswood poles I cut. I also put a heavy one across the creek at Davy's line as Bobby has been in there a couple of times, and it seems rather a pity for her to be stuffing herself on his pasture when the poor old fellow is nearly breaking his neck every day trying to get his own cows down to the creek and back without them getting a bite of grass. I went over there for a short time to return his shovel. Mrs. Lampkin said she was much better and gave me a pie to bring home. This after dinner I swept out the school house an cleaned out the calf pen. I suppose my Sunday activities would probably shock, grieve or anger some of our Puritan citizens provided they knew of it, but I sometimes think that possibly they forget that the first part of the 4th commandment requires us to work six days & do all that there is to do, and as that with me at this time of year is a physical impossibility since I am not equipped with all the man-servants, maid-servants, cattle and strangers within the gates as it is implied were at the command of those under https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/accece0b867daffb0a82dfc57db103d9.pdf e1d7e5a784bc173d7c99493b03455809 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Moses' jurisdiction, I fail to see the enormity of the crime of doing a few odd jobs on Sunday. About four o'clock we all went down town as Marj. wanted to see Glad. Law Dr. Cook told her Glad. was going to Hamilton for treatment. We found when we got there that she had already left. We stopped in at the Bagley's for a few minutes and a few at Aunty's also at the farm where I arranged with Dad. & Frank to go over there to-morrow and shear sheep and let Frank plough corn ground, his own & mine. It has been getting colder all day and to-night when we came from town there was a very cold north wind. Monday May 18th It froze quite thick ice last night and has been quite cool all day but sunny. I went over to the farm this morning and we got seven sheep sheared. I did the shearing and Dad. turned the machine. Frank started to plough his corn ground this after noon. I went down to band-practice to-night. George Hallam came in just as we were about through to give Alex Spain some message and told him that Sam. Ross had just dropped dead. He had gone down as usual and brought mail up from the last train and put his horse away and gone in the house when he complained of a sharp pain and dropped dead. Tuesday May 19th Harry B and I were over at the farm all day again to-day and we finished shearing the sheep. Frank had sheared a couple when we got there and Dad. & I took turns with the other seven.They sheared one old ewe a month or so ago when she first had lambs. Soon after dinner Mr. Bagley, Marj. Gay & the baby all drove in in Mr. Bagley's new Star car. Ina didn't come to-day as Marj. had expected so she went up to the Shands and asked Mr. Bagley over the telephone if he could come out and take her down town. Frank went out with the tractor and plough just before dinner (he had to go down town first for oil) and he had the corn ground all ploughed when I got home to-night. He left the tractor here and is going to work up the piece north of the lane to-morrow with his spring tooth drags. Wednesday May 20th Dad. & Frank both came over this morning. Frank spent the fore noon going over the piece where I want to sow alfalfa and gave the couch grass a pretty good tearing up. Dad & I drove Josie over to Tom. Stone's to see if Dad. could get a load of hay. We took Harry B. & Gay with us. Gay went to sleep so we put her in Nina's charge and she slept all the time https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/e5870dc58c0967100328f0c29feeeb22.pdf e66fc8b41f68e6422ec7b18427f15aa0 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. we were there. Tom was at the back of the place fixing fence but came up and helped us put on a load of hay and agreed to haul it for Dad. after dinner. I started to roll down the freshly ploughed corn ground before dinner but didn't get much done. This after noon Frank and I both went back home, I drove Queen and we packed the wool and Dad. & I took it down to the station. Aunty & Aunty Alice came over to the farm after dinner and rode back with us on the wool sack. We had to stop at Uncle Ward's and wire up the waggon tongue as we noticed after we got started that the end of it was broken. It looks as if the tractor had gone over it. We saw Huby down at the station and he was telling us the trouble he had had with the inspector's. They accused him of being short of funds and Quint had to raise over $100. dollars for him on very short notice. He aparently didn't know that Quint borrowed it from Dad. Later they found they had made a mistake and told Huby they supposed he was agreeably surprised. Huby said not at all as he knew his books were all right. Huby said it was a hell of a rest he got, he was lucky they didn't arrest him and the expert who was here relieving left the books terribly muddled. He thinks they sent in a very bad report. By the time we stopped up town for some groceries and again at Billy Laings it was pretty late when we got back to the farm and later still when I got home. Sam Morris has let Cecil go from the printing office. Cecil ran a nail in his foot again last week and thought he had to stay home two or three days and nurse it so Sam. got peeved and fired him. Thursday May 21st I spent the day working on the corn ground. I finished rolling it then harrowed it lapping half and rolled it again. It seems to work up very nicely except down near the road where it is heavy red clay and very hard. Ina was here washing to-day and I drove her home to-night. Friday May 22nd Worked on the corn ground all day but didn't seem to get in a very good day. I disked it all lengthwise and got started crossing it. Marj. in a fit of house cleaning zeal took down the box stove pipe and we moved the stove back into the corner and Marj. covered it with a table cloth, so we are looking now for a cold snap. Fair and cool to-day. Saturday May 23rd Worked on the corn ground all day again. Finished cross https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/780781926c6c6115cc8df38919b28891.pdf c6297a78fb88c2d9e540c4dec85b90de PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. disking it harrowed it and rolled it. I was very disappointed in its appearance to-night as the disks pulled a lot of sods out along the finishes and the harrows raked a lot more out all over the field and it looks very fuzzy. The wind has been in the north and getting colder all day. I nearly perished on the roller late this after noon although I had my overcoat & mitts on. It has been thundering and threatening rain off and on all day. It did rain a little before dinner and I put the team in and made a couple of frames to tack screen on for the porch. I intended going to town to-night with eggs but the fireside was too cheerful to leave. Sunday May 24th This has been a miserable day. It was so cold that I put on a coal fire and we have lived shut in the kitchen all day and were none too warm at that. There was a very cold wind all day and this morning it snowed a little and has been cloudy all day. I just did the chores and sat around and wrote in this or read all day Marj. did the same and the kids tore around among us. We ate at intervals all day whenever we felt hungry and washed up the dishes to-night. Marj is reading Martin Chuzzelwit and we took turns reading it at each other. Monday May 25th I went over to the school house this morning and lit the fire and it was not till I began to wonder why no scholars were arriving that it dawned on me that it was a holiday. I did the same thing last Thanksgiving day. Before I left however Mabel and Muriel Monroe came and Mabel said she was going to have her Entrance Class. About this time I began to wonder if all the stores in town would be closed as I intended going down with the eggs and getting some oats at Billy Laings as I am right out. Marj. decided she would go with me so we all went and arrived at Aunty's in time for dinner. They had never dreamed of us coming in and had just painted the kitchen floor so in reality weren't very glad to see us although they said they were and insisted on our staying. Marj. and I went up before dinner but nearly all the stores were closed, but she got some groceries at W {illegible} Wicker's and some bread for Aunty Alice at Jimmie's and we took Mrs. Skey's eggs to her. We were very much astonished just as we were leaving there to see Miss Martin coming down the street so Marj. had quite a visit with her. She came up Saturday night and is going back to-night. We were down town most of the after noon. Aunty Alice took Gay & Harry B up to https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/2e5e17b5f00c8b7a2736c0b0f6b5e2d0.pdf f5fcdbd786997ac1c81d611a89fa526c PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Cousin Bessie's where they were much admired and Marj. went up to the Bagley's. The baby and I stayed at Aunty's. Aunty Alice got two letters from Mr. Park's, one written just as the boat was leaving asking her to ask Quint if he remembered where he last had his flask and if so to get it and keep it for him, and the second written on the boat and posted by the pilot to say that the steward or somebody had found the flask. We stopped in at the farm on our way home. Dad. & Frank were hauling out manure. He gave me $5.00 to give to Harvey Shand in payment for a jag of hay that he got there a year ago, so I walked up with it before tea. Not quite so cold but north wind and cloudy. Just as we were ready for bed to-night Harry B. gave two or three terrified yells and when Marj. picked him up he was in a shiver. Tuesday May 26th Harry B got into bed with us some time during the night and about 4.30 this morning Gay raised such a row that I had go and get her and put her in bed and as the baby had been there nearly all night, it was pretty filled with out me so I stayed up. I didn't gain much time though as I was so sleepy after dinner to-day that I lay down in the hay out in the barn and slept for I don't know how long. It froze very hard last night but has been a little milder to-day, but not warm by any means and quite cloudy. I spent the day disking on the field north of the lane. I didn't go all over it but got the worst of it gone over twice. The grass was pretty bad on the side hill. Ina was here all day. Harry B had another frightened & rather frightening shaking attack to-night. Wednesday May 27th I went out to look at the garden this morning and there was no sign of any thing up yet and a very hard crust on the ground so I took my little wheel hoe and went up and down each side of the rows to break the crust but I was afraid to break it right over the seeds. I then hoed another row of strawberries. About eleven I went down town as Dad. told me they would be through with the spreader to-day and if I would bring Queen over, he would come out with it and clean up my barnyard. I didn't get down soon enough to get all the things I wanted and get to Bill Laings before noon so I had dinner at Aunty's and got my hair cut right after I then went to Billy's and got some oats but by the time I got over home it was too late to take the spreader out. Carl Coleman and Billy Laings both mentioned hearing that Dad. had come in for $2 000 000 so I suppose it is all over town. Carl said he hoped it was true as there was no one he would sooner see get it. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/37dd132ce6a16db248a98300f02d2020.pdf a4fa82c8cf5a439555f7bf1db9adb989 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Thursday May 28th I got around in good time this morning and got over home soon after eight with Queen. We hooked up Queen, Joe & Pommers to the spreader and got six loads out before dinner. We only got about 14 loads out of the yard but by setting the spreader for 8 loads to the acre we got the field nearly covered. There is still a little left in the yard, but we didn't think it was enough for a load and I wanted a little any way to plant my melons & squash in. I went back with Dad. when he took the spreader and brought Queen home. Dad. says Pickford told Frank that Mrs. Leany told Alan Law that Dad. sailed for England on Monday and Henderson told Mrs. Brent that Dad. had come in for a title and a fortune, so it appears that Dover has some thing to talk about but we can't just figure out where they got it, as we have all kept quiet. It has been a little warmer to-day and didn't freeze last night. Friday May 29th This being Harry B's third birthday we celebrated the occasion with due ceremony. Marj. hustled and bustled and tore around all day yesterday and this morning baking cake, pies and bread and decorating the house and dressing up the kids so that every thing looked its best and the affair went off with great success. I got shaved up this morning and drove down for Aunty & Aunty Alice and Dad. & Enah drove out. Harry B and Gay had a fine time and so did the baby as Aunty or some body held her nearly all day. Aunty and Aunty Alice brought Harry B a beautiful little table and two little chairs and Gran. & Granddaddy brought him a lovely new hat. He also got a supply of stockings from Tim, Frank & David. Harry B. Gay Dad. & I all had a nice snooze this after noon which is a luxury for Dad. & me at any rate and the rest of them visited till about four when the party broke up. I drove Aunty & Aunty Alice home and went up to see Bill Lemmon as a tooth was sore all day but he said there was nothing much wrong with it but told me to come down in the morning and he would fill another one. Dad. & Enah took Harry B. & Gay home with them and I called for them on my way back. Beautiful day quite hot, rained last night Saturday May 30th I drove over and left Queen at the farm this morning as Dad. wanted her to put with Joe to https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/fe6a27c382f50cfd051e07c8e55ce216.pdf c4b2c42d4517f8da42f6320ef6ed5644 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. mark out the corn ground. They told me there that the band was going down to meet the "Colonial" which is the new passenger boat from Erie making its first trip to-day and which was due to arrive at noon. I went up to Bill's at ten as he told me yesterday but he had old Jack Cromwell in the chair and said he wouldn't be ready for me for another hour so I went down to Charlie Bridgewater's and he regaled me with tales of the war. I went back to the dentist at eleven but Bill said his wife wanted to go down and see the boat come in so I had better come back at two. I then went down to Aunty's & had dinner and then joined the band and went down to the dock to welcome the new boat, and when that affair was over Bill filled my tooth. It was rather late when I got over to the farm but Dad. had just finished marking and Frank had got a good start at planting. I helped him plant the rest and we finished soon after six and Harry B. & I came home. Sunday June 21st The past three weeks have been so crowded with activity that there has been little time and much less energy for recording it. The first week in June was the hottest on record for that time of year. It was next thing to unbearable in fact there were a good many fatal prostrations in the cities due to it. There was a good deal of breeze here all the time but it was of a hot drying nature that shriveled and blighted growth with its hot breath. It was so hot I hated to work the horses and didn't do much with them although I worked up the young orchard and hauled out the bottom of the old alfalfa stack to put around the little trees where I couldnt plough the sod down and I worked for a few hours one after noon on the summer fallow. Frank & I planted the corn on the 2nd of June. We would plant a few rows and then rest in the shade and drink cold water, on the 3rd Mr. Bagley came out and took Marj. & the children down town and Marj. had some work done at the dentists the 4th Marj. had Mrs. Dove come over and help her for the first. She liked her very much. the 5th I went over home and Dad. Frank & I got part of a load of old shingles that were ripped off the Sunday school. We also got a coal oil stove at Brogden's for $22.00 (a bargain) and some bread tickets from Dell's as Marj. bucks at https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/fce24af8d07064bf757253630f8c02e3.pdf fe3dd78a2369915fb5cbfb1b154a7764 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. baking this hot weather. 6th - Dad. & Frank piled up all the shingles at the Sunday school and I planted my pumpkin seed also some squash, cucumber water melon & musk melon and some more corn. 7th Sunday. We went down town and Marj. took Effie Davison a wedding present as She was marrying Jim Davidson the next Wednesday and they are both ex-pupils and favorites of Marj's. We called on the Pickford's on our way home. Monday 8th we cleaned up the shingles at the Sunday school, brought one load out here and the rest to the farm. (9th) Frank came out and we snaked the logs that were strewed around the gully into one place where they would be handy to load and got the four in Dave's place in a handy location and took two of them over home on the old waggon, got the other waggon there and went over to Charlie Butler's and got the log that had floated down into his gully and took the three of them to the mill. 10th I went over and asked Harvey Shand if I could borrow his low truck and logging bunks and got his permission to get my one log that drifted into his woods in the after noon we all went to town and Marj. went to a party at Bessie Patterson's in honor of Amy Turner who was married this last week to Parker. 11th I went up to Shands and got the waggon and Dad came over before I got back with it. He helped me load the biggest log and a couple of smaller ones and we took them as far as the farm before dinner. We had dinner alone as Frank & Enah were both in Simcoe. In the after noon we loaded the log in Shand's woods and two smaller ones and I took them down alone. It was late when I got home and Mrs. Dove who had been here all day was starting to walk home although she looked like a ghost and I don't believe she ever could have made it so I told her to wait and I drove her home as soon as I could get the harness changed on Queen. July 16th Thursday. Since I last wrote in this Mrs. Dove's affairs have come to a head. Marj. gathered from what she told her and from what Ina has told her that the old man Dove has been very hard with her. They are like nearly every one else around in debt and he thinks they all should work day and night and do without sufficient food and clothing https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/2e50258f1ff9c55621eff386130eae4c.pdf 4d2aa769a7dcda74723a8a375614338b PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. in order to pull themselves out of the hole She apparently thought the same but she hasn't the strength to stand it and he being large and strong as a bull and like a bull being rather thick headed and unsympathetic has become impatient with her, till she through lonliness, home-sickness and general downheartedness decided the other day to leave the Dove-cote and so packed her grip and while he was off in the field walked out and he doesn't know where she is but Nina Stone thinks she has gone to her cousin's at Oshawa to wait there till her mother sends her money enough to return to England. I got my logs sawed the week after I took them to the mill and got over 1 {M?} of very nice lumber and only had to pay $7.35 for having it sawed. Dad. helped me take my peas to the factory and Frank helped me with my alfalfa. I just had 2700 lbs of shelled peas which was a pretty poor crop, I think the hot dry weather forced them on to fast as the straw was very short and the pods small. The alfalfa looked to be as heavy as usual but it doesn't take up much space in the barn. The last week or two I have been over home most of the time. Dad. and I got one field of hay in about 10 loads and he has more cut. I would have been over there now but it rained a little this morning and would be too wet. We also got all their peas down and they were no better than mine in fact I believe they were worse. Frank has been under the weather for the past week and the doctor told him he had a slight touch of pleurisy and must keep quiet for a few days so that has put us back. Band concerts have started again and I was down last night. We had a big celebration and an enormous crowd here on the first and they want us to go to Nanticoke on Tuesday next to play at the old boy's reunion. We went for a moon light excursion on the Colonial one moonless night in June and had a very enjoyable time besides swelling the band funds considerably as they gave us part of the proceeds and there was a large crowd on board. Roy. Vernon and the children came up a little before Zeitha's wedding which was on the 27th of June and Roy was here till after the First, and is coming back for his holidays about the 1st of August. D.V. Vernon https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/f7ac90760640fe6a7e4cd31e07480e71.pdf 3b767229cb6fee85e83ce3d157fdb0f2 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. the kids and the car are staying here at Aunty's in the meantime. Zeitha's and Alan's wedding was one of the big "society" events of the age. Nothing approaching it in interest since Tiny's wedding which is close to 20 years ago. Marj. took it in and got Mr. Bagley to come out and get her and Bess. Patterson brought her home. I got out of going by having to stay home and mind the kids. They tried to concoct schemes whereby that necessity would be obviated, but I had another strong piece of defensive argument in the shape of a hole in the seat of my good pants, so consequently they decided the nuptials could be celebrated in my absence and still be just as valid and the matrimonial bond just as binding as if I was there along with the ninety nine other guests and the church full of interested populace to witness it and more over I got my hay raked. They all claimed they had a very nice time, the church was beautiful and the music entrancing and the joviality up at the house afterwards was immense, although as near as I could make out from Frank, Ade Millman was the only one had anything to drink and he had it beforehand. Dad. has been receiving three or four or more letters a week from Mr. Parks ever since he got home and they have all been encouraging and up to the 26th of June he had high hopes of getting the affair settled before the court rises at the end of July, but that day he had his third meeting with the master who said he wanted more affadavits from Dad. regarding us boys and Mr. Parks cabled Dad. that he would have to have another meeting on the 9th of July. Dad. got another cable after that meeting which read, "Progressing slowly, satisfactorily : No hope of settlement these sittings," which means that it will have to be held over now until October when the court next sits. Mr. Parks will be disappointed as he had the stage all set for Dad's arrival in England and was about to book his passage on the Mont Royal for August. He has seen Fenton & several others of the right heirs as he calls them and so far they have all seemed to be of his opinion about the legality of Dad's claim to the estate after they had seen the evidence. Mr. Parks doesn't think they will offer any opposition and Fenton said he wouldn't put up any money to fight it, and left Mr. Parks thanking him https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/5889b58b433178d4769852cd4780407e.pdf 453d1f02b10b9f64a4c2cc7b16519d0c PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. after Mr. Parks told him that Dad. would continue to engage him at a liberal salary provided he acted decently now. Mr. Parks also tactfully intimated to the solicitors for the rest of the bunch that it would be well worth their while not to kick up any rumpus. <s>Thursday</s> Friday July 17th I cultivated my potatoes first thing this morning and then Harry B and I went over home where I cocked hay all day. Dad. finished cutting the meadow along the side road and raked up what was cut. Frank felt well enough to cock up this after noon. Marj. Gay & the baby went over to Mrs. Lampkin's for dinner. Quint brought a sign over for me to fix up for him, he says he is embroiled in a price cutting war with Ben Ivey et al and has issued an ultimatum to them which if they don't accept he will cut prices himself to such an extent as to wreck things. David came over to the farm to-day with Dr. Cook, he is to stay there till after the arrival of his sister which is scheduled for any day now. Dad. had two long letters from Mr. Parks to-day saying that everything was still satisfactory and enclosing a letter written by Hugh Massey Barrett to Quintin Dick in 1842 in which he stated that his three eldest sons had served in the Rebellion of '37 & '38. This letter was in the possession of Lord Long and Mr. Parks said that the fact that he had not handed it in before would go against him with the judge. The signature on this letter corresponded exactly with exhibit 6 in E.L.B's affadavit. Partly cloudy and very much cooler. North west wind. Saturday July 18th I went over home again to-day. Dad. finished raking what he cut yesterday and <s>Dad</s> & Frank and I cocked up and got it nearly up by noon. This after noon Frank who seems to feel none the worse for his labour of yesterday finished cocking and Dad. & I hauled in the hay north of the old garden. There were not quite 2 loads. Harry B. was over playing with David all day. Tim looks after them and apparently enjoys their company very much and they are very good with him. Jack King came after Dad. to-day to ask him to be a bearer at Miss Shand's funeral. Fine with cool west breeze https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/c995a9e15457c807b55f57fab6f807b0.pdf 61a0e8eb8c2a1932728b872ae7a79a48 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Sunday July 19th Harry B. got me up a little after 4.30 this morning and as he got in our bed I though I might as well stay up, so I killed a hen that I shut up last night and had the milking done before six. I went at Quints sign before breakfast and again right after breakfast and worked at it till noon before I finished it. This after noon I shaved and lay around till about four and then we all went for a drive up the fourth concession and back the third We called in at the Smythe's but there was no one home except an eldery lady whom we did not know but who knew me when I was Harry B's size and who seemed very glad to see us and was delighted with the children, she was a very nice person to talk to and we learned later that she was Miss Walker, Mrs. Smythe's aunt. We stopped in too at Cam. McBride's and Marj. borrowed a couple more Saturday Evening Post's from Mrs. McBride. Herb. Law has been ploughing there for wheat. Hot, nice breeze Monday July 20th I went over home this morning with the team and waggon and Dad. & I took his yearling pig down & shipped him. He was a nice one and Jack McBride gave him full weight and allowed Dad. full price although he went 250 lbs. Dad. got over $31.00 for him, they were12.75, Dad. gave me $26.00 of it and I took it over and paid my bill at the planing mill We got back to the farm at noon and I came right on home. Frank cut the front field of wheat to-day with the tractor and had Tim on the binder to run the sheaf carrier. I guess that would be about all he would have to look after as the grain was so even. I went down to band practice to-night. Very hot, sultry. Tuesday July 21st We were late getting around this morning and I milked late purposely as I knew I would have to milk late to-night. I spent most of the forenoon cutting weeds that I couldnt get out with the mower the other day. Carl. Lemmons called for me at one o'clock and we went down and picked his Dad. up and then on to Nanti-coke where the Old Boys' Reunion was in full swing. We had a fine time down there as it was shady and they didn't work us too https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/43cabdb6867ea431b99fbba54a3c4175.pdf ac7e17130a49493b5d6cf280b86e2732 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. hard. There was a good crowd there and there was plenty of entertainment. The big attraction was a horse race at least it was for us as we all had money up We paid a quarter apiece for a chance without seeing the horses and if we drew the head horse won half a dollar. Frankie Lemmons and I each drew Oh! Min! and Oh! Min came in about 25 yards ahead so nothing would do but Frankie & I had to treat the band with the winnings, accordingly we pooled our half dollars and got a dollar's worth of 5 ct cigars and as the band was by no means full strength everybody got one, and I found two in my hat when I got home. We got a good supper of ham sandwichs and pie & cake but there was no cream or sugar for our tea. We played a few pieces after tea but quit before our time was up as it started to sprinkle, it had been threatening all day but by now it looked as if it meant business and it did. By the time we got started it was raining nicely and Carl. got off the clay roads before it began hard but after we struck Mud. Street it came down by the tub-full. We could hardly see out of the windshield and the road began to take on the appearance of a young river. Carl turned into the shed when we got to the Dog's Nest and we found Carl. Coleman in there ahead of us. He had Harry Moon Harvey {Bace?} & Kenneth Steele <s>in there ahead of</s> with him. There was another car and a pea waggon in there to besides Win Law & Geln Ryerse. We stayed there for about two hours and saw one of the heaviest downpours I ever saw accompanied by some very respectable thunder & lightening Several claps & flashes came almost simultaniously and almost blinded us. Carl Coleman & his bunch pulled out before we did and just as they left another downpour came, finally they all left but us and Jim Ryerse came in. He had been down at Billy Fallon's. I crawled in the car and went to sleep for awhile. About quarter to ten it just about quit raining so we came home. Carl. & I came up the Plank through town and Jim & Frankie went down the Marburg road and Frank walked home from Welsh's corner. I heard later that Jim had to leave his car in the road all night as he couldn't get up Charlie Dixon's hill but there were a good many others in the ditch all night too. Ina stayed here all night. Everybody was overjoyed to see the rain and it did very little if any damage https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/911119e7815e46a70914a3be49e232d8.pdf 3c2cc5bc24889d6a4bbf4e9da8d81203 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Wednesday July 22nd As it was much too wet to do anything much else to-day we all went to town. I took Ina down to Art. Quanbury's first. We got down town about the middle of the fore noon and as they rather expected us on account of the rain we stayed at Aunty's for dinner. I went up to Bill Lemmon's before dinner and he put another temporary filling in my tooth and after dinner I got my hair cut. Frank took Queen and the buggy and brought Will Cruise's short binder tongue for the tractor down to the Widespread for a pattern and had them cut one out for him. Quint was at Aunty's for dinner. Vernon has gone to Brantford for the rest of the week but Walter & Rebecca are still there. We got home about five o'clock and I did the chores up right away so as to be ready for Carl at seven o'clock. He Frank & Jim Ryerse came along before I had waited long and we went right up this road to Waterford. Mr. Bagley came in right after us and the rest of the boys came up on the radial. The concert went off without a hitch and we met the Waterford boys going and coming. I got home at eleven earlier than I usualy do from Dover Fine & cool. Thursday July 23rd As it was still too wet to-day to haul in anything over home I spent the day exploring among the weeds and discovering some of my garden. I got a lot of weeds slaughtered but didn't get a great deal of ground covered. Aunty & Aunty Alice Enah, Phoebe, Rebecca, Walter Tim & David all came out to-day for a picnic. They have been planning it ever since Vernon has been here with the car but as something has happened every week to prevent Marj. decided they had better not depend any longer on Vernon so asked Quint to bring them out which he did and had to make four trips to get them here and take them back. He didn't stay. We all had a fine picnic and the kids seemed to enjoy themselves. This evening Mr. & Mrs Bagley, Essie & a young damsel by the name of Helen Sanford from Buffalo came out for a very short visit. Mr. Bagley nearly had another accident. When he turned in our lane there was another car right behind him which not knowing he was going to turn attempted to pass just as Mr. Bagley pulled in front of him, however all he did was run into the mail box post and did no damage. Cool https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/0cebab947df2d1c2919a28e90be33f43.pdf ad527d11d4ce5c96c5d9c13d22bda744 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Friday July 24th I spent the day over home again. Dad. & Frank cut the barley yesterday so Frank and I shocked it up this morning while Dad. shook out the hay along the side road which he said was pretty badly soaked and blackened. This after noon he hauled the binder back across the gully for Frank to cut the wheat back there and Frank & Tim got started cutting. By the time they got the binder loaded and back there and up to the house again it was four o'clock so Dad. & I just got two loads of wheat off the front field and the last one we didn't haul in the barn. We had Dick McPherson helping in the mow. He was game although the sheaves weighed about as much as he did and he had to go through some awful contortions to move them.This was my 30th birthday and I am therefore richer by the possession of eleven dollars in cash, a pair of garters a film and a little gold horseshoe tie-pin with pearls in it which used to be Clarence's and which Aunty gave me, besides all kinds of good wishes and ice cream for dinner at noon and another dinner with some of Aunty Alice's new potatoes to-night. Fine, warm & nice breeze. Saturday July 25th Dad. & I hauled wheat all day but didnt quite clear the field. We got in seven good big loads and unloaded the one we put on last night. There are still about two loads out. It was certainly a fine stand of wheat, nothing in the bottom whatever, although the little alfalfa plants seem to be alive all over the field. Frank & Tim cut the back field. They hadn't quite finished when I left for home to-night but I suppose they did. Frank went over to Pickford's at noon and got him & Bob. to come over and cock up the hay along the side road that Dad. turned out. They were at it all the afternoon and finished it. Vernon & Aunty came over to the farm this morning to announce the arrival at 3 a.m. of Win's baby a nine pound boy. Vernon and Aunty and Rebecca came over here to-night to tell us that they would come out to-morrow if it was fine and take us all in to have Dorothy Mary christened. Cloudy and a little rain at noon, very threatening to-night. Sunday July 26th We started to get ready about six o'clock this morning https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/c108142bdc7a1e56c16a61354b1b86a3.pdf 838034d0b5a63e989b1024994b23061f PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. so by dint of much fussing & stewing and rushing and tearing around, we had the chores all done, breakfast over, dishes washed, kids washed, dressed, scolded and kept tolerably clean & tidy by eleven-thirty when Vernon arrived with the car to take us down to church. She was rather disappointed I think that we were ready as she thought she would be in time to help. We were in plenty of time and had to drive around town a lot to wait till church was out, and listen at the window to find out whether Mr. Cornish was through preaching or not. When we finally did go in most of the congregation departed and the christening ceremony went off very smoothly. Dorothy Mary didn't emit a whimper during the whole performance although Mr. Cornish fairly soused the water on her head, and she sat up on Vernons arm during the remainder of the service and gazed around the church looking very interested in what she saw. Harry B. & Gay were as quiet as mice. Harry B contentedly sucking his finger and holding his ear and Gay being a little too much amazed and all she saw to do anything rough. She was greatly admired by all who beheld her. Roy Vernon & Enah were god-parents and Vernon presented the baby with a very pretty little silver mug with her name & the date of her christening on it. We all stayed at Aunty's for dinner and all the after noon. The three kids and I all had a sleep and Marj. went over to Mrs. Lawson's to see the new baby & Win, Roy & Vernon drove us home just before tea. Mr. Lawrie died last night. Cool & cloudy Monday July 27th I was up before five this morning and got the cows up in a very subdued light. The sky was overcast but the natural shortening of daylight is becoming noticeable now anyway. I was hooked up ready to start for the farm by about half past seven when "down fell the pleasant rain" and continued to descend with varying degrees of volume for about an hour. I didn't unhook but sat out in the buggy and read the "Breeders Gazette" till it stopped and then went down town and got some groceries, coal oil & chicken feed and sold the eggs. I called in at the farm and Dad. thought we could haul wheat this after noon. I had to come home for dinner as I had a dozen Danish brown Leghorn eggs that Chris. gave me to put under hens and they are due to hatch Thursday so I didn't want to lose any time getting them under the sitting hens. I got back over home a little https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/3661c452513d5d93c90e672a4cbe4c72.pdf 8de61e2b3e62b72df4a46e4fb1dff1fc PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. two and we got in two loads of wheat in but another shower arrived just in time to prevent us getting the half load that is left in the field. Dad. has had several letters from Mr. Parks lately all assuring him that the fortune is now assured and it is only a matter of a few months when Dad. will be a millionaire, but its no use we can't realize it. Tuesday July 28th It started to rain before seven this morning and poured till about half past ten, then turned into a beautiful day with a cool breeze. I took the cream down to the corner and got pretty well soaked in spite of having my Hurly Hawkins rubber coat on. This after noon Marj. wanted to find out what Ina's plans were as this was her regular day but the rain prevented her coming, so we all drove over there and found she intended coming to-morrow and we then went on down town. Marj. just finished making a dress for Gay so she dressed her up in and took her down to show her off. Aunty was the only one home and she didnt seem to enthuse much over the dress. Marj. wasn't surprised however as she didn't like the colour of it herself but made it out of an old dress of her own. Wednesday July 29th I spent most of the fore noon fixing a coop to put my little chickens out in as they are starting to hatch and then hoed potatoes for about an hour before dinner. This after noon I drove over to see if the chickens over at Martin's were hatching and found they were, although the wyandottes set at the same time were not. Sid gave me the brown Leghorn chicks and I brought them home and put them under two hens. I had eight hatch out here from the eggs I brought home Monday so in all I had 37 chicks. I went down to band concert to-night. Thursday July 30th I went over home this morning to help them haul hay but we only got in about three loads. Dad. turned out a couple of loads this morning and Frank & I finished moving a fence to enlarge the boundary of the sheep pasture. My tooth was paining me before dinner but at noon I dug the temporary filling out and it felt better right away, but Dad. thought I had better go down this after noon and have it fixed up so I did and he and Frank hauled in a couple of loads by themselves so I wasn't very much help to them. We pitched one load off by hand in the horse stable. Breezy & sunny. Fine Hay day. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/63c283e46af51656952e578c4323194e.pdf afaf18aed75aa8cfc790f5de32d626a6 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. {This page, 92, and the following page, 93, display an original letter written to Toby from Mr. Parks. The original letter was folded in half and written on both sides. Toby inserted this letter into his diary. However when the letter was digitized it was laid out and copied across 2 pages which means the order of the letter has become out of sequence, i.e. Page 92 RHS; Page 93 LHS; Page 93 RHS and Page 92 LHS. The original letter is transcribed, below, in such a way as to make it clearer to the reader and is shown in its entirety.} 3 Moss Hall Crescent Finchley London N. 13 20th July 1925 My dear Toby, As I have written to all the other folks I thought I would drop you a line. Am awfully sorry that I could not get a final decesion these Sittings of the Court but I suppose it was too much to expect from the old Master. He has a good deal of authority & you have to humour these fellows if you want to get on as they can make things very unpleasant if you upset them. I have had one or two tussels with him but we are still very friendly. He wished me yesterday a pleasant holiday & said he was sorry he could not make his Certificate these Sittings but would do all he could to help next Sittings. He gave me an appointment on the 13th Oct, the day after he begins work again & another on the 24th when we hope to clear all questions up so that his Clerk can draw the Certificate which will be in favour of your Dad. He expressed his own satisfaction with the evidence but wants me to clear up one or two little things if I can. This I am now proceeding to do. There is no question as to the result & I want you to persuade your Father to take things quietly & not work so hard. I can let him have some money. I would suggest him employing a man to help him so that he can take things easier. I think you can safely reckon on having money for the new Barns so you can amuse yourselves in seeing what you will do to improve the houses & farms & keep an eye open to purchase more land if you want it. I expect your Father will now consider what he will do in the way of new Barns & house or alterations to the present one. You will all have to have things very nice but dont give up work as thats a source of health & pleasure when you have not to worry about want of money. You will have to come over with Mrs Barrett & see the old Country. Perhaps you would like to settle here but I expect the land of one's birth holds one. Well there is nothing to worry about & it is only a matter of time. Glad the Tree is flourishing Hope Mrs Barrett the children & you are all well & that poor old {Frank?} is better. Tell Tim to write to me & tell me how his stock is getting on Kindest regards to all Yours very sincerely Walter Parks https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/9f81a9c53bec8e12d7c46dc257323d92.pdf ab828ec4198464032c6190de9c1ee69f PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. {Please see the previous page, 92, for an explanation and transcription of the above letter.} https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/8cb8d076081586843691d061f080b6d9.pdf ceb501bde1f505c53e807a01a72db1bf PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Friday July 31st Dad and I finished hauling the hay to-day. I think we hauled in four loads. We put half of the last one in the big barn and the other half we pitched off in the old barn to cover the rails and top of the granary before putting the barley in. We also got in one good sized load of barley but didn't pitch it off. Frank came over here and ploughed the pea-stubble. He would have ploughed some on my alfalfa summer fallow but he put too much lubricating oil in his tractor and it didn't work right so that he was delayed. The summer fallow has been so neglected owing to my absence from here that it has grown thick with summer grass and thistles and ploughing again is the only remedy for it. I got home just about six and just as it began to rain hard. It has been very threatening all day with occasional sprinkles and an east wind and finally settled in to rain all night. Frank got pretty wet so changed in to some of my clothes and stayed all night. We had tea before I did the chores and sat around listening to a very comical story Marj. was reading from Saturday Evening Post called Sam in the Suburbs by P.G. Wodehouse that I did the milking in the dark as well as the rain. Saturday August 1st It was still raining this morning so we didn't get up very early. I milked and Frank took the cream to the corner before breakfast, after which he monkeyed with the governor on his tractor for awhile. Art Quanbury came over to return my brooder stove and hover. A little before noon Marj. & Frank drove down town and Marj. got some supplies and then dropped Frank at the farm. I gave the kids their dinner and put Gay to bed but Harry B wouldn't go to sleep. Marj. got home about one and we had dinner and sat around for awhile reading then Harry B and I went over to {Cour's?} and got a basket full of Astrakan apples. I put in the remainder of the after noon reading the paper and getting the broken axe handle out of the head and trying to dress down a new handle to go in but didn't finish. It cleared off this morning quite early and has been sunny & breezy since Sunday August 2nd This has been a beautiful day although quite hot. We didn't do anything much but what had to be done and sit around and read. Mrs. Smythe & Pud. came about four o'clock and stayed to tea. I had to go after the cows in the dark and hunted about an hour for them so was late milking. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/1fc91326b066d11d431f9fd5d954d40d.pdf 6fbc8826fd2335544ca14e3a014fc092 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Monday August 3rd I spent the fore noon harrowing the pea stubble that Frank ploughed on Friday, and got over it both ways lapping half one way so that now it is in fairly nice shape Frank came over about eleven and said that the barley would be dry enough to haul this after noon, he said that Jack's men and Harvey Evans were out first thing this morning hauling wheat but that it is soaking wet. Frank did some more monkeying with the tractor and stayed to dinner after which we drove over home. I helped them get in two good loads of barley and a small load and put them off and then I went down town to get my sweet clover seed while they went after the last load. It was six o'clock when I started for town but Harry Misener was home so I got my seed. Fair, clear & warm Tuesday August 4th I sowed the sweet clover seed on the pea-stubble this morning and harrowed it in. Frank came over about 9.30 and ploughed on the piece north of the lane till noon. This after noon I went back to the farm and took the team as Cecil was over there and by getting Pickford's rack and hauling with both teams we got in four loads. Cecil and Dad. turned it out this morning so it was in pretty good shape. We didn't expect to get any more than than in off the back field and wouldn't have got that much if Cecil hadn't been there. I left old Belle over there all night and drove Queen home to Dad's buggy. Ina, Marj. & the kids were having tea when I got home, so I tied Queen up and had mine and then drove Ina home. I had a letter from Dick to-day for my birthday and the old son-of-agun enclosed $25.00 Fine & warm. Wednesday August 5th I drove back to the farm first thing this morning and we hauled in the rest of the wheat off the back field Cecil stayed there all night and helped us all day. We had to make seven trips but the last two were small jags. Pickford wanted his waggon this after noon but we borrowed another from Martin's. While Frank was changing waggons at noon Dad. & I got up a load. I helped them put on the last load in the field and then walked home through Cam's place and did my chores. Frank brought Harry B. home https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/fea7dbc72670a88ef2ee65acec32e814.pdf 7917843261f2700d5b0a17af18f25b69 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. after tea as I had taken him over this morning and I drove back to band concert with him and put Queen in at Aunty's. I drove Frankie Lemmon part way home to-night as he didn't want to wait for Carl. who was going to the dance. Fine day & beautiful night. Thursday August 6th I spent most of the morning writing a letter to Dick but hoed for a short time in the potatoes. We got all ready to drive down town this after noon but just as we were ready to start Vernon came out and drove Marj. & the kids in I drove in with Queen as I wanted to take Dad's buggy back and get the waggon. I drove up town first and gave Dick's birthday present to Brogden, who it appears has sold out to a man from Guelph. I got all of Marj's groceries and then went back to the farm harnessed Queen & Belle and went over to Jack's and got the waggon. Chris wanted me to take out another batch of Leghorn eggs which are due to hatch on Monday and I also got six chicks that had hatched from the last batch after I got the other chicks, I went down to Billy Langs & got some oats and then drove home in the waggon. Vernon brought the rest of the family home after they had visited the church bazaar. Dad. started to cut hay in the corner field this morning and has it about half down and Frank & Tim have been cutting oats in the back field all day. Hot, threatened rain & sprinkled a little. Friday August 7th I took the team over to the farm this morning but was late getting over as Charlie Munroe's horses had broken a piece of the line fence down and one of them was in here with Belle & Queen was over there with his horses. It was very foggy this morning and I was quite awhile locating them and there was a longer time getting them sorted into their proper pastures and finally had to make an attempt at repairing the worthless old fence. I got over home about ten but the fog was so heavy it was too wet to work at the<s>y</s> hay earlier. I raked till noon while Dad. cut and I raked what he cut yesterday. This after noon I cocked up till Dad. finished cutting and then we both cocked up but it is such slow stuff to handle that we only got about half of it put up. Frank & Jim cut oats but didn't quite finish the back field. I walked home to-night so that the horses would be safe from mischief https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/b19133a0309f3f189ac39c7035ed5e93.pdf a9d6193e5ad47ce2b1e5fc680e137440 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Marj. got ready to go down and hear Mr. Hill the great English & Scotch evangelist which Mr. Robinson has here. Flossie told her this after noon that if they went they would call for her but they didn't call, so we supposed they worked late and Flossie must have been tired as he was at the Roy Hammond's garden party till one o'clock last night and down there again this morning to help clean up before Mrs. Roy was out of bed and she had been picking raspberries on the Wiggin's place all after noon. Saturday August 8th It rained in the night a little and has been muggy & damp all day, so that the hay didn't dry out at all. I walked over this morning and Dad. David & I drove down town as we each had to get some bread. Dad. & I cocked up the rest of the hay this after noon but decided it was too wet to rake. Frank & Tim cut the rest of the oats across the gully and Frank shocked some of them up Dad, Tim and I went for a swim just below Jack's place. I was going to bring the team home to-night, but Charlie Shand came along in the car just as I was ready to leave and so I rode home with him. Very hot and sultry and looks very much like a brewing storm. Sunday August 9th There was a regular deluge during the night and this morning the creek which which has been merely a chain of pools all summer was a turbid raging river. Fortunately the cows were on this side of it so I didn't have to swim it and to-night the water had gone down so that I could jump across. The calf was on the opposite shore this morning and made a comical crossing when she followed the cows up. She plunged straight into the flood aparently too inexperienced to know what the consequences would be as she made no hesitation whatever but went in over her head and presently emerged and clambered out a wetter and wiser calf. We haven't done anything much to-day but read and fool with the kids. I wrote to Mr. Parks this evening. It has been very hot and oppressive especially outdoors. Marj. has felt rather tough all day. Monday August 10th I didn't think there was any possibility of doing any thing with the hay to-day so I didn't go over but Dad. told me to-night that he raked and cocked some of it and would have done more of it hadn't looked so rainy and Frank shocked the oats. They wondered why I didn't https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/e5a8b836d4412ad15a09497aadabc9ec.pdf 7e69273c68fba90378e1a1d741e88762 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. go over. I got Eph. Innus who is painting the school-house to mix up some of my white lead and oil and I started painting the house but didn't get much done. I walked down to band practice to-night at least I walked as far as the farm and got a ride from there with Mr. Cornish but I walked home again. They are getting ready for the big street Carnival on Wednesday and I went up after band practice to get some make up stuff from Harry Moon. Hot and sultry. Tuesday August 11th I didn't get up as early as usual this morning and Frank and Ina were both here before we were through breakfast. Frank brought the waggon over to borrow some of my plank to lay down on the barn floor for the seperator as they expected to thrash to-morrow but Alan came up to-day to tell them they had changed their plans and were going to trash their own oats out of the field before they moved out. I took 16 chicks out from the setting hens and put them in a coop and then helped Frank get the plank. We called in at Tupper's and got my ladder which has been there ever since I picked his apples two years ago. Frank & I then went down to get a load of soft coal for the engine. We had to go out along the pier after it and while trying to make Joe & Queen turn around out there Queen gave a ram back into a car and smashed the cracked end on the old waggon tongue. We backed the waggon up to the coal pile by hand and nailed some old slabs on the tongue so managed to get home without trouble. This after noon Dad. & I cocked the rest of the hay which Dad. raked up this morning and got a load in which we put over the horse stable. Frank spent the after noon fixing up the barn floor and granaries and changed the car from the barn to the horse stable. I rode Queen home tonight and drove Ina home after tea, and then let Queen out but as she headed straight for the line fence I was afraid to leave her so brought her back. She was opposed to being caught and as it was dark when I went after her I ran into the barbed wire fence myself while I was manoeuvering to catch her and cut my arm We sat up till about midnight for Marj. to get my costume completed and she made a horrible looking pirate out of me. Fine and much cooler https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/225623ae42eacdc341e90964c7ecc6aa.pdf ba35988ac93c4d52da67e9f683bbfbfb PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Wednesday August 12th We all went down town this morning for Marj. to get her week's groceries. She thought Ina was coming and intended leaving Gay & the baby here with her but as she didn't show up we had to take the whole family with us. This after noon I cut the grass around the front of the house with the scythe and did the chores up early so as to get down to the carnival in good time but about four o'clock it began to drizzle and kept up with increasing force till far into the night so that all thought of carnival had to be abandoned. They made great preparations for it. Harry Moon and his gang were working tooth & nail this morning when we were down putting up a decorated stage and various booths and festoons but the rain was expected as there was an east wind all day. Thursday August 13th I was just getting ready to drive over home this morning to see what they were going to do when Frank came over to get me to thrash at Pickford's in Dad's place as he had to go down and have a tooth out, he said the machine had not moved up from Sam's yet so as I had promised Harry B. he could go with me I drove over home and then into Pickford's to see if he knew when the machine would be there and told him to have them whistle as soon as they arrived. I then came back home with Harry B. but as I came out of Pickford's lane I saw Sam & Alan at the top of Art's hill so I put Queen out and walked right back to Pickford's. They had started to thrash when I got back. I helped Frank & Bob bag up the grain and carry it to the granary. Billy Mills also helped when he arrived. The oats down in the now were pretty hot and we dumped them into all the bins & barrels around the place so as not to have too big a pile in one place and we bagged some of them up. I stayed for about an hour after dinner and then Dad. came over so I came home and started in early to do chores and prepare for the Carnival which was postponed till to-night. It looked very threatening again & about six o'clock poured rain but it cleared off again so I fixed up in my pirate costume & war paint, put Uncle William's old cutlass (which I borrowed from home) in my belt and sallied forth. I put Queen in at Aunties and Roy drove me up town in the car. They all thought I had a splendid costume and thought Marj. was due https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/1f9d9e12120e616e001002144711ff6e.pdf b0604c8b54fe14430edfc9dd223c0efc PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. a great deal of credit for rigging up so fine an outfit from such scanty material. I had on my everyday pants & an ordinary shirt, pants were rolled under and tied above my calves and my shirt was open at the neck and sleeves rolled up. A fancy handkerchief which had been part of a work bag was tied around my head and the mate to it which to make the work bag had a hole cut in the middle hund loosely around my neck with my head through the hole. Marj. arranged horse hair and curtain rings on an elastic band so that when I put it around my head I had wisps of coarse black hair a pigtail & ear rings to adorn my piratical visage. She cut the tops off an old pair of shoes and sewed on large cardboard buckles covered with tea lead and finally tied several coloured pieces of cloth around my waist for a sash. Then by blackening my eyebrows and adding some purpleish & red wax paint which Harry Moon gave me to my face, arms & legs, I think as far as appearance was concerned I was as repulsive as any buckaneer that ever sailed the Spanish Main. When I reached town I found the carnival in full swing Roy drove me up town in the car and later he, Vernon Aunty Alice, Rebecca & Walter came up Rebecca was in costume and got 1st prize for her class. I found the band and first of all we paraded all over town following the Fire Brigade and their equipment old and new, we then played a little more on the street and put our horns away in Coleman's house and spent the rest of the night with the crowd and let the jazz band & Hugh McPherson with his pipes do the rest. Enah played for Innes Coleman to dance several times and for some fellow to imitate Harry Lauder. Pete Shand & Bob. McPherson added considerably to the entertainment by their Scotch dancing & antics. There were thousands there and they were mostly sober and I think enjoyed themselves. They began to thin out fast after midnight and at three o'clock we started to take the stage to pieces There was a small crowd around and Frank Fields who was fairly well on seemed rather incensed that we were deliberately breaking up the show so early in the evening, but as it was it kept us going till nearly daylight. We had to put the piano back in the hall take all the stage scenery back to the hall, take all the seats back to the park and tear down the stage & booths and pile the lumber on the Widespread truck https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/096c3bd662a4985ad09941c2f9e70c50.pdf aa0af2a2d8a4b6d1eb947aac21b2b25c PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. We had a few delays. Robinson of "The Palms" invited us in there and treated us to all the 4 - 4 beer we could consume and we did our best to clean up some left over ice cream, pop. & buns. There wasn't a big gang wrecking a few of the band and a few others including Geo. Gamble, Al. Faulkner, Skinner and Shorty Patterson. I left when everything was done about half past four and as I thought there was no object in starting for home before daylight I lay down in the barn at Aunty's till then and had that much snooze, but I got home about six o'clock. Friday August 14th As soon as I got home I washed the make-up off had breakfast and milked and then drove over home to help thrash. They had started when I got there as it was a little after eight. Bob. Pickford and I carried away all day at last till they finished which was about three o'clock. There were about 225 bushels of wheat off the field back of the barn which would mean a yield of slightly over 40 bus. to the acre. The back field produced 180-odd bushels or about 20 to the acre but there was about 400 lbs of bluegrass seed from it There was not a particle of any thing but wheat in the front field. There were about 160 bushels of barley It was a pretty satisfactory thrashing and Dad. has a straw stack build higher than the barn. I don't know what he will do with the oat straw. Bob. Frank Tim and I went for a swim as soon as we finished and then Dad. and I put on a load of the loose straw around the bottom of the stack and I brought it home. Roy came over just as we got through and said he could take us to Simcoe in the morning. Fine & hot. Saturday August 15th I got up at five this morning to as to be ready when Roy called, and I had lots of time after I got ready to go down to the corner and get the cream can and sat for some little time under one of the maple trees on the road before they appeared. When they did come I found that the space reserved for me was what was left of the back seat after Enah & Vernon had sat on what they required which was considerable. However I sat several inches over on Enahs thigh and settled into place as we drove along. Dad. Roy & I went to Frank Reid's office directly and Dad. gave him a large budget of Mr. Park's https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/6e1c2f34ac367519189654099bcff3c3.pdf bedff4576ebd609d34c199b74d733dc1 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. letters to peruse in which he was deeply interested & amused at the points where Mr. Park's personality displayed itself. He of course had no advice to offer but said that as far as anyone could see, prospects were very good. Enah & Vernon spent the time shopping, and Vernon picked out a set of dishes for Aunty & Aunty Alice which Roy had to pass on & pay for and arrange for delivery after we left Frank Reid's with the consequence that we didn't get away from Simcoe till about one o'clock much to Roy's discomfort as he had promised Aunty Alice to be back by half past twelve. Dad. got off here with me and had dinner after which he helped me put the load of straw off and I went back home with him and took the waggon back and drove home in my buggy. Marston was in just after dinner and said he wanted me to get some gravel on the roads and cut the weeds so I saw Joe Breen to-night and he said he would start cutting weeds on Monday. Hot. Sunday August 16th Marj. & Harry B. drove down to church this morning but Harry B. had a sore throat and felt so tough that Marj. had to take him out of church. They went to the doctor's after service and got some medicine. They stayed at Aunty's for dinner and Frank drove them home about three o'clock. Harry B. seemed very much indisposed when he got home but had not been lying on the sofa long when he was kicking up his heels and seemed quite recovered. I just lay around all day, the baby slept nearly all the time Marj. was gone, and Gay. from the time she left till about one when I gave her, her dinner, the baby woke up then too but before I got the water hot to give her, her bottle, she was asleep again so I let her go. I didn't milk till after sundown to-night as it was so unbearably hot & sultry. Frank told me & then Carl. Coleman came out to-night while I was seperating to tell me to be ready to-morrow night and Carl. & Frankie Lemmons would call for me to go to Jarvis as all the band was going down to a Carnival they are having down there. Looks very like rain. Monday August 17th I went down town first thing this morning as the dew was too heavy to get at the hay early and I had to get coal oil. I stopped in at Aunty's and said goodbye https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/ad3333d070766a1f5e5abcf766586486.pdf c846613626e743b11a57c0ae6d45d0f2 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. before noon. Dad. drove over after dinner and helped me put the straw off. He said Frank was having trouble with the binder and had come over with Dad. to see Bill Donald and find out what was wrong. Dad. also wanted to find out from Bill how much gravel it took to build a water trough as Shoff has hauled him a couple of loads now. After we put the straw off and Dad. left I started to cut the alfalfa and got about 8 rounds cut but quit early and went down to band concert. I got a ride down with Charlie & Nellie Innes as they brought Lil. Ward otherwise known as Mrs. Leamon Turner out to see Marj. After band concert Harry Moon felt that it would be right & just to blow in the fifteen dollars which the band got for going to Jarvis as it was found money. They weren't engaged to go but their presence along with the rest of the Dover people turned the Jarvis carnival from a very tame affair into a great success so the committee forced them to accept the 3 x 5s. Cpnsequently we all repaired to Geo. Robinson's and had a glass of 4 - 4 after which Geo. treated us to another glass of the same. I rode home as far as the Winding Hill with the Lemmon's Carl. said he forgot all about going to Jarvis after he had decided himself not to go. Still very hot. Thursday August 20th I finished cutting the alfalfa this fore noon and got part way around the little timothy meadow by the school house with the scythe I don't know whether I will ever get it cut or not as it is so thick in the bottom I am sure I could not cut it with the mower and it will make a big job to do with a scythe. I went over to see Eph. Innes for a few minutes. He is nearly through painting the school house. They have had quite a time over it and now there is dissention in the section. Bill Donald got the paint in the first place with the sanction of the Board. and got white lead & oil and Eph put it on. Nothing was said until he got the belfry & the dormers on the north roof painted {illegible scored out} 2 coats and had to just about hang on with his teeth to do it, then Harvey Shand decided that he didn't like the white. Everybody else appeared to be satisfied but Harvey thought that clear white was awful and wanted some colour he didn't care what, so finally he went down town and got some more paint and poor old Eph had to go over it all again and now instead of fresh, clean, harmonious white the school is trimmed with yellow and an ugly dark brown consequently Bill Donald is mad at Harvey Shand. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/31d584897fc58e563cc7a5e2720bd248.pdf 2a4084ead37e4b382543c0037f35b3cf PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. This after noon we were preparing to go to town when a very heavy shower which lasted for about an hour prevented us. I went to sleep for awhile and about three o'clock when it had cleared off we set out for town. We left the children at Aunty's and Marj. & I had just nicely got up town when down came more rain I left Marj. in Coleman's and I drove around to Dick's barn and waited till it slackened a little, by that time Marj. had made her way to Sam Schram's and got her trading done so we went right to Aunty's. We just got in the barn when it started to rain harder than ever, so we stayed for tea at Aunty's and as it set in to be a wet night I came home and left all of them down there for the night. It spit rain all the way home and while I was doing the chores. It has been cooler all day. Friday August 21st I went back down to Aunty's for breakfast this morning and got there by half past seven but they had finished. Aunty Alice had got up early. I went up town right after breakfast to get my hair cut but Bobbie Leaney wasn't in his shop yet. I waited for about ten minutes and then went to the new man. I then went back and got the family and came home. Harry B and I then went over to Tom. Stone's, then Willie Shand's & finally Dove's to get a team to put on the road grader, so this after noon old Dove and I went one round full length of the beat at least as far back as Gifford's where they have gravelled to from the north. Marston is going to have trucks gravel it down this way two or three concessions with Townsend gravel and their own trucks. Fine day, cool breeze, feels like Fall. Saturday August 22nd I took the rack back over home this morning and brought the rake over here and raked my alfalfa and the weeds I cut several weeks ago back of the barn before dinner and this after noon cocked up my alfalfa. Ray came over with a fork to help me. Dad. & Frank were going to start shocking up oats. Dad. told me that Harvey Skey had been over to ask him about the fortune and had heard of it from his manager in Winnipeg Mr. Magahan who had gone over on the Mont Royal with Mr. Parks and Mr. Parks had "blabbed" absolutely everything he knew concerning it. Harvey had come straight to Dad https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/30edd5c934b53e68405c4e3b5e94dc5f.pdf af30c7017d3239dac9e0af6ba99eb288 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. when he got here as when he heard that Mr. Parks was to get such a large commission he was afraid he might be a crook, however when Dad. had showed him some of his recent letters he was reassured. It gave Dad a little uneasiness though to think that Mr. Parks would tell a total stranger so much but I suppose, he is so full of the subject that he can't think of anything else. Dad. was down at the bank the other day and found that Mr. Parks had put £100. to his credit just as a gift to be paid back "if & when". though he says now there is no if about it. Fine, warm. Sunday August 23rd We all went down town this morning and Marj. Harry B. and I went to church and Gay & Baby Sister stayed with Aunty. We had a New York preacher that none of us cared for much. Harry B was very good. We stayed at Aunty's for dinner and this after noon I drove out to Edmond England's funeral, and I never saw such a big one. There were over 100 cars. I tied Queen in McPherson's lane and Enah drove Dad. out and as there were so many cars she drove Joe home again, so he went home with me. Marj had all the kids over seeing Mrs. Lawson when I got back, Aunty was with them too. We came home before tea and as they were all asleep by the time we got home Marj. & I went out into the wilderness, which under happier circumstances might have been our garden and got a pailful of overgrown cucumbers, some corn and I dug a few potatoes. Fine and hot. Monday August 24th I took the rake back this morning and got the rack and Dad. and we hauled in the alfalfa. We were delayed quite awhile at the mill as Dad took some barley down to trade for some oat chop and Frank took a sample of wheat down which Charlie said was very nice. It was a great wheat year. Jim Waddle thrashed 1047 bushels the other day from 40 loads in 9 hours which the "Maple Leaf" said was a record run for Sam Law. Charlie Ivey said George Law told him he had the best crop of wheat this year he ever had or ever would have. Arthur Preston beguiled away the time talking to me while I waited at the mill & in the course of his conversation informed me https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/b080a6f9bfd06cd1ae5c2183a6bafea5.pdf 2c7b800d29c9b8cefd001b66a576a68d PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. quite seriously that I was a good judge of beauty or had been when I was married but if I would excuse him saying so it was more than my wife was, to which I heartily agreed. He is the limit. Dad. and I hauled the alfalfa in three jags & a lift but there wasn't more than two loads of it so maybe a good big load & a half, some of it wasn't fit to come in it was so green & tough but I thought it might better go in now than chance more rain on it. Dad. walked home and I drove down to-night to band practice. They are terribly upset down home over the news that came to-day that Mr. Millman is dead. He went up to Mitchell on Saturday alone on some business and was staying over Sunday with some friends up there. Sunday night while he was talking to them, he complained of a pain in his heart and died in a very few minutes. It is a terrible shock to us all and must be awful for Mrs. Millman. Still fine & warm. Tuesday August 25th I took the rack over home this morning and we got in 3 loads of oats from the back field. Dad. & Frank were down at the mill with some wheat when I got over there as it was too wet to do anything at the oats till about ten o'clock. I had to quit early as I went with the band to-night up to the Kiwanis kids camp, and played for them for an hour. Quint was over at noon to make arrangements with Dad. to go to Mr. Millman's funeral to-morrow. I walked home to-night from the back field and walked back to town and from the farm home again. Wednesday August 26th It looked so threatening and sprinkled a little that I didn't go over home till about ten o'clock and Frank was just coming into the back field when I got there. He had picked Elgie Cole up on the road so he helped us all day as Dad. left with Quint this morning on the nine car for Toronto. We just got in one load in before dinner but I helped them get two in and off this afternoon and they went back for another when I came home to get ready to go on the Colonial for the band's excursion. When I got here Marj. said Charlie Shand had come down and bought some tickets and said he would take her so I thought it was too good a chance for her to miss having an outing and I stayed home with the kids and she went with them. We also treated Ray & George https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/831db514dca8cc99f71269e94f82537c.pdf e23ba72224932aff4c99144a97b4859a PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. to the trip and Charlie took them down. I was over there telling them to watch for Charlie when Harvey & Mrs. Evans brought poor old Dove home, he went over there this morning to help them haul in oats & had worked all day and to-night fell off a load and struck his head & shoulders on the ground. He was badly shaken up and frightened and so was Mrs. Lampkins when she saw him. I spent a pleasant evening with the baby as she wouldn't sleep. I don't think there was any thing the matter with her but I had her up most of the time Marj. was away. Very hot & close all day, but much cooler to-night. Thursday August 27th Harry B. and I drove over home this morning and we hauled oats all day with two waggons as Cole was there and we got in 8 loads. We cleaned the back field in 6 and got a couple in off the field east of the old garden. Aunty, Aunty Alice & Phoebe were over there for dinner & tea and we stayed to tea. Dad. said he was very glad he went to Toronto yesterday as they all seemed so glad to see him. They all told him that a letter Aunty had written was the means of toning them all up. N.E. wind & cold. Friday August 28th We hauled oats all day with two waggons and cleaned the field east of the garden, there were 8 loads on it and we burned about a load that was principaly thistles. We got 3 loads in off the field west of the lane. I rode Queen home to-night and <s>home</s> after tea rode her down to a Horticultural meeting at which they decided to hold the Fair on the 14 & 15th of September. Fine & cool. Marj. had a visit from Mrs. Cam. McBride and picked about a bushel of beautiful looking crab apples. Saturday August 29th Harry B and I drove over to the farm this morning and got there just as they had the two last loads that were hauled last night pitched off. The boys helped them put them off. We got in four loads before dinner and I helped them put on two more after dinner and then I came home and got Marj. Gay & the baby and we went down town to do our trading. Enah & Harry B went down to see the deer and we picked him up on our way home after dark. There was one more load of oats out when I left but they got it in. I think that makes 32 loads in the barn and they would average good loads. Much warmer fine. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/1dd0047941de7cfa2a47456f7bd3ac1b.pdf 1a38ffff805ed81cf0b2b1b6d50a4df4 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Sunday August 30th It has been very hot and oppressive to-day and we have done very little but sit around. We just worked in two meals. I went out to the garden this morning and picked some cucumbers and dug some potatoes while Marj. was busy in the house. Late this after noon Harry B. and I walked over to see how poor old Mr. Lampkin was feeling. He is still very stiff and sore but thought he was better Monday August 31st I spent the whole day cleaning up the strawberry patch and then got very little more than a row cleaned as it is a slow job. Gibson was in this morning to renew my fire insurance policy. Mabel & her aunt were in late this after noon to see Marj. School starts again to-morrow. I have been working up a cold all day and feel like a boiled cabbage to-night. Hot Tuesday September 1st I have done a great deal of nothing to-day as I felt so tough with my cold. I went out and started to hoe strawberries this morning but the bending over seemed to make me sneeze, which I did to such an extent that I got dizzy. I lay around and slept most of the time but picked about a bushel & a half of crab apples. The tree is loaded this year and they are excellent quality sound & clean, all the fruit seems to be this year. Frank came over with his tractor and tried to plough the side hill by the school house but the summer grass balled up so on his skimmers that he couldn't do it. He ploughed the garden strip south of the house. Ina's "folks" called for her to-night on their way home from thrashing at Tom's and they told us that word had come this morning that the "Colonial" had burned to the water's edge at Crystal Beach and that there had been some fatalities. Beautiful day. Wednesday September 2nd I rode Queen over home this morning and brought Queen & Belle back with the waggon. I rolled down what Frank ploughed yesterday and disked what had been ploughed before, but it is so dry I hate to chance putting alfalfa seed on it. I went down to band concert to-night, the last one. It rained a little at intervals during the evening but I got home dry. Cloudy & cool all day. Flies are very bad. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/7243655e7d4897c457e23702a5b8813d.pdf 5f6c03bab5a5b078d1e2d0283657a1d6 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. [This page is a duplicate of yesterday's page 108.} https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/0f611f73ce5e6113b4d030528852fb31.pdf 573907a50646e1f564e13077a45a7e8b PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Thursday September 3rd We all went down town this morning and spent the day at Aunty's Dad. & I bailed out the old well at the Shanty door and they think when it fills again they will be able to use the water Quint was there for dinner and he helped us after dinner for awhile. Marj. went up town and got orders for some crab apples. Dad. & I also patched up the barn bridge a little. I went down to Carl. Ryerse's after dinner with Quint and blew in 30 cts. on a corn cob pipe and a package of tobacco so that I can now appease my occasional hankering for a smoke. Marj. went over to the Lampkin's for awhile to-night and I had to prance with the baby nearly the whole time she was gone. Cloudy this morning clearing & sultry this after noon. Friday September 4th I went down to Sid's this morning and got Queen shod I was there till noon as there were two others ahead of me This afternoon I finished cleaning out another row of strawberries and hoed out some of the couch grass in the summer fallow. Marj. did up tomatoes. Very hot & dry Saturday September 5th I swept the school house first thing this morning and spent most of the remainder of the day hoeing strawberries finishing the job about four o'clock. I then picked some crab apples at at her suggestion Marj. & Harry B took them down and delivered them to Mesdames Marr & Gilbert, who ordered them the other day. Hary B. got out and knocked at the doors so that Marj. didn't have to tie Queen up. Gay and I washed up the dinner dishes cleaned up the kitchen and amused the baby and were down at the mailbox when Marj. & H.B. drove home. An otherwise happy day was somewhat marred by Willie Shand bringing us a telephone message from Mrs. Smythe inviting us to their cottage for dinner to-morrow. Cloudy & cool most of the day. Sunday September 6th The folly of anticipating evils was exemplified to-day as attendance at Mrs. Smythe's dinner party proved to be impossible owing to the fact that it rained nearly all day not very hard but steadily, so we spent a very comfortable and leisurly day at home. I didn't even have to change my old clothes although Marj. did make me shave. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/aab20bc4a04aa108e21de3cabce932ec.pdf b08978027921373f3b7fd2b3e940b36a PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Monday September 7th Labour Day This being Labour Day I laboured at at a job that I have wanted to get at for a year, and now that I have started I will want to keep at it till I finish. I levelled down the pile of clay west of the kitchen and filled in the low places around the back door with it and I made an ash path from the kitchen door to the pump and got started on one to gate but haven't got the sod all cut out for it yet. There are still large heaps of clay south of the house and under the crab apple tree to be disposed of and I am anxious to get them levelled and seeded with lawn seed as at present the place looks like a mining shack or a shell crater but if it were trimmed up it would be an exceptionally pretty place, even now the vista that we see from the back door spreading out under the crab apple tree and the ash and disappearing gradually in the orchard is beautiful enough to make a fellow wish that Pegassus was not so particular who rode him. Mabel Mrs. Walker and Miss Cook all came up to-night and Mabel is staying all night. Marj. invited her when she thought she was going to be alone on account of my being with the Colonial excursion to Erie. Mostly cloudy & cooler. Tuesday September 8th I finished making the path to the gate this morning and dug potatoes and garnered various garden produce for dinner as Mabel came back for that. I picked the cucumbers which ranged in size from an inch long to that of a bologna sausage, in spite of Marj's assurances that as the seed was that of small pickling cucumbers they would not grow beyond the desired dimensions suitable for that purpose. Now when I bring her in a half a bushel of these cucumbrian monstrosities, she gnashes her teeth and hurls them at me. I also cut a water melon that looked ripe but when I dissected it I found it to be only pink in spots, however we ate the spots and they were delicious. This after noon I picked a few of the Bartlet pears and Dad. & Enah came over to get me to go thrashing tomorrow for a couple of hours at Art Quanbury's as Frank intends going to the Ex to-morrow with Jonas & Alex England. I got Dad. to help me fell the dead maple at the back door. Ina was here to-day. Mostly cloudy and sultry. Miss Battersby died last night. Wednesday September 9th I finished picking the pears and took two bushel hampers down and shipped one to Dorrie https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/cb31ea94e8e69240e5260f1877ecc3ec.pdf 943f0a627ddb7bc435f0b61afac1257b PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. and one to Phyl. I went down again to-night to the last band concert of the season. Ina was here again to-day ironing. Marj. got a cheque to-day for $250.00 as part of her share of Uncle George's estate. Frank left some time during last night for the fair and expected to get home some time during to-night. Threatening & hot. Thursday September 10th Dad. came over this morning to get some 14 ft boards to make the cribbing for his water trough but we could only find two long enough. He helped me saw up the butt of the maple tree and took Harry B & Gay back with him. I spent the remainder of the fore noon levelling clay and this after noon Marj. the baby and I drove down in the waggon. We left the baby at the farm and Dad. & I went down and got 5 bbls {barrels} of cement for the water trough and Marj. went up to the bank with her cheque. We waited till she got all through with her business & all came home in the waggon. Marj. went over to the Lampkin's to-night with some roses. Tim brought home all he could carry in his arms that he fished out of the pond by the greenhouse. Aunty & Aunty Alice are feeling very tired. Aunty Alice was up the other night with Miss Battersby. Very hot and sultry. Friday September 11th I rolled harrowed and disked the little piece of alfalfa ground along the lane to-day. It was very hot and sultry this after noon, the fore noon was not so bad. I spent about an hour or two after dinner cleaning up and cutting with the lawn mower the grass in front of the house so now have that corner of the yard looking as if it belonged to civilized people Marj. made twelve pints of tomato soup to-day and is all in. I had to parade around in my nightshirt last night and chase Bobbie back in the barn yard, she & Mary have been jumping the orchard fence regularly now for about 2 weeks every night and prowling around the door yard but last night Bobbie was determined to come in the house, she pushed the porch screen door open and upset a pail of potatoes and kicked up a great racket. Saturday September 12th It has rained or drizzled nearly all day so I haven't done much I spent the forenoon trying to paint SHANDS on some rubber balloons that Mabel wanted for her school fair but didn't make a very good job of it as they were hard to get in a good position. They had to be inflated to https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/0099c8760f8c8bdac4f6e0193feee085.pdf 4cd529a81089ccc32b850a53a0807d41 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. to paint as if they werent the letters would pale into illegible streaks when they were blown up, and as it is if they aren't kept with the air in them, when they collapse the paint shrivels and falls off. I didn't do much this after noon but rock Harry B who has a very bad cough and help Marj. wash the dishes, she spent the morning making cookies. I intended going down to help them get the rink in shape for the Horticultural Show but the rain prevented me. I went over to the school house about five and swept. I nailed the porch door up to-night as I had to get up three times last night to chase the cows away from it. Sunday September 13th It has rained all day till about four o clock. We have done nothing but sit around and for the most part try to amuse Harry B to keep him in bed as Marj. is worried about his cough and ulcerated throat He seems to feel pretty well and rebels at staying in bed but the air is so damp and raw. Marj. insisted on me telephoning the doctor about four but he said he had ashma too badly to come out so I hooked up and went in and he gave me some pills for Harry B. I didn't get home till after dark and as it was spitting rain again I didn't hunt for the cows. Monday September 14th I spent nearly all day getting some stuff ready for the Horticultural Show and about five o'clock took down a buggy load of squash, a basket each of crab apples and pears and 1 watermelon. I didn't get them entered till about seven o'clock and as I went up town after some bread and took Cousin Phoebe a few crab apples and called in at Aunty's and at the farm it was late when I got home. I had tea and then as the cows were all in the door yard I milked about ten o'clock. Harry B's cold is still bad and to-night the baby is quite sick, she hasn't been able to keep her food down and Marj. is worried about them both. Beautiful day, fine and cooler. Tuesday September 15th I went over this morning to help run the cement for Dad's new water trough. Ot. Collin's is building it and had every thing ready last night. It looked very threatening and had spinkled a little but as we were all there we thought we would tackle it although it is one of the most important features of water trough building that the work is all done at one time <s>before</s> as if one batch of cement is allowed https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/2240d684d54b49dddea5a8917c55a2fe.pdf 1333b530b547abad56a53127997ac95f PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. to set at all before the next is put on it will cause a crack in the wall and will leak. We just nicely got started to work when it started to rain and the harder we worked the harder it rained, but we stayed with it and finished a little after twelve. Ot had his boy with him so there were four of us to mix grout and Ot to tramp it in and put in the reinforcements while Dad & the boys were running in a batch Frank and I were carrying gravel & cement for the next one. We just mixed one bag at a time and it took 16 bags. We had the drivehouse door for a mixing board and as it sagged in the center it made a good one. We all got soaked of course but Dad & I didn't have coats on so we got an extra soaking and we had to work like niggers to keep from getting very cold: so to-night I feel pretty stiff. We went in the house, built a fire and changed our clothes as soon as we finished and Frank got dinner as Enah was down judging at the flower show. It stopped raining for awhile about the middle of the after noon and I came home about four. Marj. has had a busy day with Harry B & the baby sick, but the baby is better to-night. I should have gone down to the show to look after my stuff to-night but as it was raining about seven o'clock and was so dark & muddy and I felt so tough I didn't go, but we all went to bed as soon as possible Wednesday September 16th I went down to the rink this morning to see what had happened to my exhibits and discovered that due to lack of competition more than excellence I had got second prize on my crab apples and one on my water-melon, 60 cts for each. I got nothing on my squash but I sold two to Jack King for 50 cts and left four at Sam Schram's for him to sell if he could and gave a couple to Mr. Bagley. I also gave my pears to Mrs. McBride I had to deliver my crab apples to Landon Ivey's and Uncle Ward got me to take some grapes of his to Cecil Schram and Harry Ivey. They then collared me to help load benchs and tables and take them back from where they had been borrowed some to the town hall and some to Buck's Park, so that it was about two o'clock when I got home to dinner and this after noon I drove up to {Schoffs?} and got the time of the team hauling gravel for 2 weeks The baby doesn't seem to be just right yet and as there is an epidemic of her complaint and Cam. Culvers lost their baby Marj. is still worried. Very cloudy all day clearing this evening. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/e1413c021f63ebdcb9a6c5a81a4e8531.pdf ca40a38a06a61606b7420c1531e2ec15 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Thursday September 17th Dad. Frank and Aunty Alice all came over this morning with Tupper's flat rack to haul corn. I had a road cut through but as the dew was very heavy and as they had to go to the mill besides in to Tupper's for his rack, it was late in the forenoon before we got started and we worked till after noon putting on the load, so they stayed to dinner much against Aunty Alice's approval as they had told Enah they would be back for dinner. Ina was here too washing, so Marj. had quite a party. We all three went down to the factory with the corn but had to wait for some time to unload as things are jammed full down there. It is certainly a busy place just now. I walked home through {Con's?} and talked to him for awhile so that it was about six when I got home. I drove Ina home about nine o clock. Friday September 18th There was a heavy thunder storm early this morning so that every thing was too wet to do much to-day. Sam & Alan were thrashing over at Dove's this morning so I went over to see if he needed any more help but there were plenty of men. He tried to induce me to help Tom Aikens build the stack but it was a very dirty looking job so I told him I was afraid there wasn't room for more than one on the stack, which was true. I stuck around for awhile and then came home and spent the forenoon painting balloons for Mabel Frank came over after Aunty Alice's rubbers and stayed to dinner. We decided to go to town this afternoon as we had 14 dozen eggs to take down so we sent Frank over to the Lampkins to find out if she could keep Harry B & the baby for us and to signal us if she couldn't We drove in about three to find Frank, Trum. Walker and Bert all gathered to perform the last sad rites for poor old Florie. She had just died from a wound she gave herself the other day when she got caught in the fence. Mrs. Lampkin felt very badly as they had raised her and she was over twenty. We left the two kids and went down and did our trading and left Gay at the farm. Ot Collins was there taking the forms off the trough. Enah was sick with a cold. Archie McEwen had just been there with a French Canadian and bought the ram lambs for $16.00 apiece. Saturday September 19th I spent the day painting and got the priming coat https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/e364c0dec0c4f451c2f6c10d241cb400.pdf 45280b90f47dff0f65e894149c8a6284 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. on nearly all the new part of the house. I walked down town to-night and got my hair cut and was measured for my new suit at Moses Fisher's. Partly cloudy, fair and cool. Mabel was in to tell us they got 1st prize on their parade to-day. Sunday September 20th I spent most of the day helping Marj. washing dishes and {Fly-Toxing?} flies. About four o clock we all drove down town as Marj. wanted to take Harry B to the doctor as his throat still looks sore and she is worried about him, he looks so peaky. The doctor wasn't home so we went up to the Smiths to see Nellie as she & Bill and all the kids are here. We left there a little before six and went back to the doctors but he was still away so we came straight home as it was getting chilly. It has been almost unbearably hot and sultry in spite of a very high west gale. Monday September 21st I met Trum. Walker on my way over to sweep the school this morning and he told me that Mabel had called up the Shand's to say that she wouldn't be here to-day as Mildred is off again and they had to take her away. Marj. said Saturday when they were in that she knew Mildred was not right and Mabel was worried about her Dad. & Frank came over and we finished pulling the second roadway of corn but only had 2280 on. I went down with them to the factory and we did think of putting on a load over home this after noon but Bond said they didn't want any more as they were hung up for cans. I had dinner over there and walked home this afternoon and cut the other two roads through my corn. Very cold north west wind to-day. We thought it would freeze to-night so Marj. & I went out after tea and picked the ripe tomatoes and put papers over the nasturtiums in the window boxes. Tuesday September 22nd Dad. & Frank came over this morning and we put on a big load of corn and took it over as far as the farm where we had dinner. Dad. & I took it to the factory after dinner but there were several loads ahead of us so by the time we got home it was after four. Frank had cut a roadway and pulled some there but we thought it to late to take it down and they are so filled up down there that they don't want it in too fast. It didn't freeze last night but feels like it to-night. Fine but very cool. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/b363a236b37d7e0a57dedefaaebd1cf3.pdf 0cbc5972709f67baea3157e2811a9d56 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Wednesday September 23rd I pulled corn here and piled it this morning while Dad. & Frank put on a load over home and took it down. Frank came out here this after noon and put on what I had pulled and helped me finish the field. We got down there about five and didn't have to wait very long to get unloaded but it was dark when I got home. We just had 2380 on. The field didn't turn out nearly as well as I thought it would before we started. There is still a patch back of the barn but we will leave that for a day or two. The Bagley's were over this after noon to invite Marj. to a party there on Friday. Marj. canned corn to-day. Froze slightly last night, no damage. Fine & cool to-night. Thrusday September 24th Marj. & I spent about an hour this morning stretching a couple of pieces of short woven wire around the end of the orchard to prevent the cows from getting into the dooryard and from there anywhere else in the country. We thought we had a cow proof fence but when I got home to-night I found Mary out. The fence kept the other two in the orchard and Mary must have jumped it. I put her in the barnyard and then drove the other two around and by the time I got them there Mary had disappeared. It was dark then and Marj. wanted to have tea so I let her go and when I went out after tea I found the horse stable door which I must have left unbarred had blown open and Mary was in there with my good harness down and in an awful mess. I was mad enough to kill her. I went over home about 10 a.m. and Frank and I pulled and piled corn till noon and loaded it and took it down this after noon. We had quite a long wait to get unloaded so it was fairly late when I got home, but I met Roy Hammond on the Winding Hill with a big load when I was coming home. Quint took Dad. & Enah up to Coulborne to-day to see if Dad. could get a certified copy of Fa's marriage certificate, but their church records don't go back far enough. Dad. didn't think it was vitally important as Mr. Parks has the original but it is not certified Friday September 25th Went over home this morning and pulled corn & Dad. & Frank took it down this afternoon. I drove down in the buggy and got some groceries and came straight home but it was five o'clock when I got here. Mr. Bagley came out and took Marj. & the baby down to a https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/94f08c1e30d10b9f4afe05b8bebe9c14.pdf 5e17d9321f56ddedeb3d16b9c7bc89c2 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. party Essie was having for all her friends with babies. They left Harry B & Gay at Mrs. Lampkins. Mr. Bagley brought them home about dark. Fair and very cool all day. Saturday September 26th We thought that they would not allow us to haul corn in to the factory to-day, so Frank worked up his pea stubble and sowed it and I disked over my little summer fallow and the garden south of the house and also cut the lawn. About four o'clock we all drove down town and Marj. took Harry B to the doctor. He said he had tonsilitis and that we must be very careful of him. I noticed a few teams putting corn off at the factory when we went by this after noon but Frank was anxious to get his wheat in any way. Mabel had school to-day on account of not having it on Monday and this after noon Mrs. Walker brought some more balloons over for me to paint as Mabel has a chance to try for the phonograph which is first prize at the Simcoe Fair on Tuesday. Fine and warmer Sunday September 27th It rained a little this fore noon and we didn't get up early nor hurry much when we did get up so that it was about ten o'clock when we finished breakfast. I was sitting around reading and and playing with the kids and Marj. doing odd jobs around the house when Cory Butler appeared to spend the d{ay?} Charlie was out in the buggy but had been over to Mel's to buy little pigs and as he was in his old clothes had to go home to change. I drove over with him and viewed his recent achievements in cabinet making. Marj. managed to scare up a very respectable dinner and we had an enjoyable after noon during which I painted 12 more balloons for Mabel. They left about five and I helped Dave Lampkins chase two of his cows out of my corn as it had rained we got pretty wet doing it. Monday September 28th I didn't go over home to pull corn to-day as I thought that the very heavy rain we had during the night w{ould?} make the field too soft. Dad. & Frank did pull some though but didn't take the waggon out. I picked apples this morning. We have three or four trees with beau{tiful?} big sound apples and they are dropping. I don't know what to do with them but I hate to see them https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/02bf8298d8d7f5bb6fdf2dc4651095a6.pdf 1da879403fa1fa24b4825b0ebd6bd30e PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. waste so I picked a bushel or so off one tree and put them down cellar. I think they ar Colverts. This after noon I went up to Shoffs and got the time of the gravel teams for the last two weeks. I came back through town. I went down to band practice to-night. The band put in a tender to play at the Simcoe Fair but as they expected were turned down and Waterford has it for two days. Cloudy and cool. Tuesday September 29th I went over to the farm this morning but didn't get over very early as I had to fix up the fence again where Mary broke it down jumping it. We pulled a little more than what was pulled yesterday and took it down to the factory before dinner. Frank and I went down with it and had to wait for over an hour to get unloaded. It was three o'clock when we got out again after dinner but there was only half a roadway left so we pulled it. Tim came home from school this forenoon with a free ticket to the Fair so he and Dad. went up on the one o'clock car. I {to}ok Harry B over there with me. I drove Ina home {after?} tea to-night. Cloudy with cold north east breeze. Wednesday September 30th I cut a road through my little patch of corn back of the barn this morning and pulled one side of it. It was an awkward job as it was not planted in rows crosswise and the summer grass & thistles were very rank. Dad. & Frank came out after dinner and got it and I went down with them. Frank and I took it to the factory and Dad. stopped at the Woodson's to get some old boards out for us to load on. Mrs. Woodson told Aunty they could have it for firewood but Aunty said they didn't need it so told me to get it. There is a lot of good stuff for kindling in it. We had 1210 lbs of corn on which brings my total up to within 140 lbs of 6 tons. Dad. & I put the load of wood on and Frank went home to get fixed up to go to the Simcoe Fair to {night} with Miss Lundy, a girl he has picked up as a {sort?} of spare till Irene gets back from England I suppos{e.} I walked home from the farm and Dad. is going to bring the wood over when he takes the waggon home to Tupper Thursday October 1st I went over and lit the fire at the school house this morning forgetting that Tim had told me there {is?} https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/ea8a7442d0aa6478c187326226f25309.pdf b2a17773a2e58f4b81bafd590aebc395 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. to be no school to-day or to-morrow on account of teacher's convention. Dad. & Frank came over with the load of wood and said one of them would come out after dinner and drill my wheat in. We all went down to Aunty's for dinner but I came home right after and harrowed the field and Frank came out and drilled it and helped me run the ditches out. Marj. & the children stayed down for the after noon and Quint brought them home about five. Aunty came out with them. Dad got his affadavits concerning Dick's and Frank's birth certificates so had to go down and swear to them and post them this after noon. Lovely day, milder Friday October 2nd I cleaned out the cross ditches in my wheat this morning and about half past ten went down to Aunty's and got some raspberry roots. I stayed there to dinner and came home early after dinner and set out the raspberries. I got them all out just as it began to rain. I put them back of the barn just at the head of the wheat. It has been very dark and threatening all day and very much milder and we had quite a thunderstorm this after noon. Saturday October 3rd I spent nearly the whole day leveling down the big pile of earth south of the house and made a considerable hole in it but have about half of it to dispose of yet but I think I can get rid of it and the pile under the crab apple tree by filling in uneven and low spots around the yard. I went out to the shed this morning after the rake and heard what I thought was one of the little leghorn chickens cheeping as if it was caught some place, but on investigation found eight young rooks just hatched in a box of shav{ings?} up overhead, so I had to get them down and put them & their mother in a coop. I don't know what {will?} happen to them. The cows have been in the orchard all day and consequently have had very little to eat. They won't jump out the way they jump in unless {they want?} to but late this after noon managed to break down the fence into the yard so I put them right in the {word obscured} Sunday October 4th I got Marj. to go out and help me fix the fence that the cows broke after she got her dishes washed this morning and then we took a walk through https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/bbbd155397df7c95c803fb34fe211745.pdf 4498d23be50946090fe496fce46adde6 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. the gully. It was after noon before we got back and I let the cows out.They didn't come near the orchard all after noon. I sat around and read Herbert Spencer all the remainder of the day and didn't go to sleep in spite of the lack of moisture in my reading matter I felt rather tough around noon so Marj. didnt have dinner and we had a combination meal about four after which I felt better, shaved & milked. Cloudy & cold all day. Raining hard to-night. Monday October 5th I levelled down more earth this morning but we had an early dinner and all went down town {word obscured} after noon. Marj. wanted to take Harry B to the {do}ctor again for him to look at his throat and she wanted to get some groceries. We were disappointed again though in seeing the doctor as he was away and we entirely forgot the fact that this was Dover's civic holiday, so all the stores were closed. Marj. was able {to?} get into the drug-store and Billy Langs, who thinks that {an}other holiday this time of year after all the holidays there {ha}ve been during the summer is a farce. We went down to {word obscured} for awhile and came home about four. Fine but cold wind. Tuesday October 6th It has been cloudy and threatening rain all day but it didn't do much more than sprinkle every now and then till to-night when it rained hard. We decided we had better put the box-stove up as Aunty & Aunty Alice are coming out to-morrow if it is fine, so as Marj. wanted to trim the edges of the dining room oil-cloth and turn it around, we had to tee that room all up and neither of us got much else done except working in there, but we got the stove up and the dining room house cleaned, and I killed a chicken and went down to the corner for the cream-can Wednesday October 7th I spent most of the fore-noon doing odd jobs & chores. I ha{d} to straighten up another panel of fence that Mary went o{ver?} last night and I fly-toxed flies in the house for M{arj.?} and had a shave. There was no sign of Quint bringing Aunty & Aunty Alice out at 11 o'clock so I drove down {after?} them as that was the arrangement. Quint had gone to Pt. R{yerse?} and had not returned. This after noon I levelled a little m{ore?} earth and then we all went for a walk through the gully which is very pretty now, the grass is so green since the rains and the trees are just beginning to turn. Beautiful day, frost last night but no damage was done. Milder to-night. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/e3e7e933d118ec1e3bc9b58d677a68bd.pdf 2eaabfd84a377d408a0bc78974783b65 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Thursday October 8th I made an attempt this morning to patch the north side of the barn roof which has some very bad holes in it I got some of the worst covered up but couldn't make a very good job as I couldn't sit on the roof without sliding I had a rope over the peak and snubbed to a post but as I had to take one hand to hold it I couldn't do much with the other alone. Right after dinner I drove Aunty Alice {do}wn town, as Mrs. Skey had issued her an invitation to {a?} bridge party and she didn't dare refuse. I got some {co}al oil and flour and stopped in at the farm to see {if?} they had any word yet of Shoff & his corn binder but {they?} hadn't. I put the cows in when I got home and then {got?} ready to go down with Marj. to see the collection of {pi}ctures and have tea in the hall. I got my new suit from Fisher this afternoon. Mabel called for us after four and took us and her Aunt down and Aunty stayed here with the children. We had a very nice tea and the pictures were good but most of them were in a poor light. We got home about half past eight {or?} nine and Mabel & Mrs. Walker came on for awhile Aunty said the children had been very good and the baby slept till after they left. Sid told me to-day {that?} Norman Holden had the Customs Office. Friday October 9th This has been a most horrible day. It rained most of the night and all day till about four o'clock and there has been a cold north wind with it and part of the time snow. It has cleared off to-night and will freeze hard I think. I took Aunty home just before dinner as she had to go to look after some Auxillary business. It wasn't bad going in to town and we had waterproofs on but I just about froze coming home. We met Dad. coming out with the covered buggy to get Aunty. I didn't do any thing all after noon but sit around the stove and read. Saturday October 10th Sun-up to-day brought the sad revelation of our fi{rst?} killing frost and for the first one it was unusually severe. Water in a pail on the back porch was frozen and had not thawed a bit by noon, and the ground was so hard I could not dent it with my heel. {It?} has been mostly sunny all day but a biting blast from some arctic region in the north-west has made me {hunch?} my shoulders and shiver in spite of my arming my{self?} against it with my complete outfit of winter clot{hes?} https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/594c35846d79997f9e7df4d46685fba8.pdf 9a9d5938203084d497bc359f49128feb PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. I went out this morning to examine the pumpkins and squash and as far as I can tell they are not injured I brought them up to the house after dinner in the waggon and Marj. & I carried them into the house to-night. I hooked up the team after dinner and went down and got a couple of parcels at the station that had come for Marj. from Eaton's. I also got some lumber to board up the back porch. It is Marj's idea and she is footing the bill. Tim went down with me to watch the horses while I was in the station. It is milder to-night as the wind has gone down but it is freezing a little. Sunday October 11th It must have turned milder during the night as there was no sign of frost this morning. It has been cloudy with a raw wind all day and rain this afternoon Harry B. and I drove down this morning to take Mrs. Williams 3 doz. eggs. We just got there as she was leaving to catch the one car. She is so impressed with the real or imaginary quality of our eggs that she wants me to send her 12 dozen right away to Buffalo. I haven't done any thing else all day but read & do chores. Marj. feels quite miserable to-night with a pain in her "infernal regions." Monday October 12th Dug potatoes this morning and was disappointed at the turnout of the first row, but I am quite sure the rest of the patch will be better. I only got a little more than half a bushel. This after noon I had to go to Shoffs to get the road time, and as it seemed a beautiful fore-noon I persuaded Marj. to come too, but it clouded up soon after dinner and the wind was cold, however none of them seemed to mind it much. I dropped Ma{rj.?} and the children off at the Smythe's while I went on up to Schoff's and I stopped in for a short time at the {Smythe's?} on my way back. Mrs. Smythe seemed overjoyed to see me and invited us up a week from Sunday. Dave. Shoff {wasn't?} home so I didn't get my time but he is going to bring it {down?}. We came home through town by the Radical Road & st{opped?} at Aunty's for a few minutes getting home about five and picked up the potatoes I had dug. I walked in to town to-night to hear Mr. Stansell the Conservative member in the last house for Elgin and the nominee for the new riding of Norfolk & Elgin. Frank and I stopped in at Auntys on our way home and Bill Barwell drove us home. Mrs Barwell & Miss Cope were there playing bridge with Aunty A{lice?} & Quint and Bill came to get them so took us too. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/5451bd3052dd47cddc2cb2d042c4ca7d.pdf 6b651574cd56193e3c66be820e6052a1 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Tuesday October 13th I spent most of the day digging potatoes and have about one row to dig yet. They are not turning out anything like as well as I expected. Mr. Bagley & Essie came over this forenoon to pick the Tolman Sweets on shares. They picked about five bushels and left us three and there are a lot on the tree yet which Essie says they will come out and get another time. Beautiful day. Wednesday October 14th Bill Donald brought Ina over this morning, she was here yesterday but as there was so much ironing she promised Marj. another day to make up for the one she lost last week. I rode down to the corner with Bill to get my {cre}am can which I forgot yesterday. When I got back to the {g}ate Charlie Shand was just issuing from it with his ladder which I borrowed some time ago from the schoolhouse, so I helped Charlie carry it home. Harry Blake was at the schoolhouse putting up the revised voter's list for No 3 polling division. Young Shoff came to cut the corn about nine o'clock. Dad. brought the binder over and waited till he finished but as Shoff brought his team {he di}dn't have to move him to-night. He started to cut with Pommers, old Charlie & little Joe but Pom{mers?} had trouble with his wind so they had to put hi{s horse?} in instead. He was nearly all day cutting as I got {him?} to cut the little strip back of the barn and the sum{mer?} grass in it bothered a great deal. He brought down {the?} time of the gravel haulers so I made it up and sen{t} direct to Marston with the other brother who came {with?] this one for some thing. Dad. put on a load of c{ement?} and took it home to-night to fill in around the w{ater?} trough. I went as far as Evan's with him and {took?} my little plough over to have the shear sharpened {and?} the coulter set up. I drove Ina home to-night and intended going on down to band practice but it {started?} drizzling rain so I came home and washed the d{ishes?} Thursday October 15th I frogot to wake up this morning so got a very late {start?} but managed to get the nearly all the corn set up except {word is obscured} of the barn. I persuaded Marj. to come out and help me th{is?} morning and I washed the dishes for her this after noon {illegible} I lost time on the deal but it was such a beautiful day I knew she would enjoy being outdoors. I had to go over to Charlie Munroe's to get butter this after noon as I forgot to order it on Tuesday. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/5bb3fa0a2728ebc9560576a07475e077.pdf c32c5c6685e8b29ba3d7901e72b3fc3f PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Friday October 16th This being the 5th anniversary of our wedding, we all went down to Aunty's for dinner to celebrate it, and as it seems when people have been married for the length of time we have they are eligible for wooden wedding presents, the family presented us with a cord of stove wood and good hardwood at that. Dad. & Frank brought it out this morning just before we left for town. Quint and Frank were down for dinner. I spent most of the after noon in Bob Leaney's barber shop and we came home fairly early. Lovely day raining to-night. Saturday October 17th We have been celebrating again to-day over at the Farm this time in honor of our wedding & Frank's birthday (Which is tomorrow) combined. Quint brought Aunty & Aunty Alice over and we had a bang-up chicken dinner and just sat around this after noon except Quint, Frank & Tim who went shooting. Mr. Cornish came over about four o'clock to wonder what was going to be done about decorating the church for the Thanksgiving Service to-morrow, just why he came over to the Farm to wonder about it I didn't quite make out. We came home fairly early and I went over to Mrs. McBride's afterwards and got 5 doz. eggs for {illegible}. Cloudy & quite cool. Sunday October 18th We just puttered around all morning and this aft{er} noon I went over and swept the school house and then we all drove down to Aunty's as Marj. wanted to {word obscured} Aunty Alice a pattern. Dad. & Enah were there. We {didn't?} stay long. Froze hard last night very cloudy fore noon but nice Monday October 19th I went down town this morning to ship Mrs. W{illiams?} eggs to her and get some meat for dinner. I went to {the?} bank to revew the Mrs. Marshall sale note which {is?} due to-morrow and Fuernan asked me if I w{anted?} to borrow any more so I said if he had no {word obscured} I would take another hundred for a couple of mo{nths?} "Shure" he said "I'll let you have all you want {word obscured} prospects are useful anyway. I was late getting home {for?] dinner but Marj. couldn't have it till I came as {words obscured} meat but forgot to get bread so had to go over to Mrs {word obscured} and borrow a loaf. I spent the after noon making on {word obscured} shutters to enclose the porch. Ina was here to{day as?} she intends going to Simcoe to-morrow so {I drove?} her home after tea and went on down to band {practice?} Very high and cold gale from nor'west all day {word obscured} a little to-night and cold. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/059a6be7e525348d676d5a2040794e32.pdf af5f8e2ab46510fcd5b2ce4d2707d736 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Tuesday October 20th Dave Lampkins came over this morning to ask me if I would take Queen over to put with Dan. & help him haul in his corn stalks so I have been over there all day. He started out by hauling a load of about six shocks in on the stone boat but I persuaded him to hook to the waggon and then he wanted to only haul about {illegible} shocks to a load, but after dinner it was too windy for him up on the load so I loaded and kept him pitching till we had a decent load on and so we got the corn all in, but didn't unload the last load but I said I would help him with it in the morning. Marj. said when I got home that Charlie Shand was down this morning to tell me to go up and call up Marston, so I went up to-night but no-one was home at Harvey's so I didn't get him. Young Dove was in and said they had closed the pit to clean it. Still cold windy and cloudy. Miserable weather. Wednesday October 21st I went over and helped Dave unload his corn stalks this fore noon and then dug the rest of the potatoes. This after noon I set up the corn back of the barn and picked the Rebston pippins. Betsy Paterson and Amy <s>Harper</s> Parker were out this after noon to see Marj. I went up to Shand's again and called up Marston and he told me he had written me and wanted the teams all laid off. When I got his letter I discovered my services were no longer required but no explanation as to what was the matter. I am glad to be relieved of the job but don't like such a summary dismissal. Thursday October 22nd I picked about 5 bushels of russets this morning and just got about half of one tree picked but unless we c{an?} sell some soon I won't bother with any more as we {don't?} care much for them. This after noon I went up to {Shoff's?} and got the time for the teams up to when they we{re?] {laid?} off. I went around by town and got some gro{ceries?} Marj. intended going too but the wind was so cold {she?} was afraid to take the children out as they have ba{d} {word obscured} Friday October 23rd Dave Lampkin came over this morning before {word obscured} breakfast to ask me if I would help him {word obscured} his hay in. Evan's helped him get two {word obscured} yesterday but they didn't finish, so I told him I https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/cfe3e4b491053e3f4af31c7523d77b67.pdf 35666c4962ffc3658411d844a49a2580 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. would if I got home in time. I went over home as soon as I could which wasn't very early and on my way I took Harry B & Gay over to the Lampkins and Marj. went over later with the baby and stayed all after noon. Dad. & I went down to the box factory and got on a waggon load of ends and edgings. There is an enormous pile there that the boss told Dad. he could have for $10.00 and it looks to be worth the money. We had dinner over there Enah was down at her mother's who is in bad shape. We got out here with our load about three o'clock and after we put it off I harnessed Queen and went over to Dave's. We got a fair load of hay on but didn't quite clean the field so I left Queen there all night and told him I would be back in the morning. I then helped Marj. bring the children home by putting Gay in the buggy with the baby. They took some pushing up the hill. Fine day and much milder but east wind. Saturday October 24th I went over to Dave's this morning and helped him get the load off, he had half of it off alone, and we got {the?} rest of it in and pitched off. We also went over to Cam's and got a ladder that Cam. gave him. What he is going to do with it I don't know because he can't climb {word obscured} the only way he can elevate himself is to pull him{self?} up as he cant seem to lift his one foot at all, and {word obscured} to me dangerous for him to try to get off the ground. {word obscured} home about eleven and as we didn't have dinner {word obscured} I got about four bushels of Spys picked, there are {four?} or five bushels more on the tree and some of {word obscured} nice ones. It was raining by that time and ha{s} {word obscured} hard ever since. I helped Marj. wash the dishes {word obscured} dinner and then got mad at her because she {word obscured} at me so while I was trying to read so I went {word obscured} to the school-house and swept out. She said it {word obscured} good riddance and hasn't asked me to do {any?} thing since, consequently I had a peaceful {word obscured} after the dishes were washed. Much milder to-{day?} Sunday October 25th Our plans for going to the Smythe's were again {word obscured} by the weather as it has been a very disagreeable {word obscured} It was raining and very dark early in the fo{re-noon?]} and then the wind got around to the west and {word obscured} blowing hard all day and getting a little colder {word obscured} noon, the sun shone at intervals through the rifts of https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/3c0adedd556cb4d408af84e541e0af75.pdf c4dd7eeb90cacfd83c10675c13b65ff5 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. {word obscured} {?}ing clouds and would be immediately followed {word obscured} accompanied by driving showers more like {word obscured} than rain. I have sat around the house all {word obscured} {read?}ing, drawing and playing with the kids except {word obscured} {do?}ing the chores and going out every hour or so {word obscured} a basketfull of box-factory wood, with which {word obscured} kept both stoves stoked all day. It makes {word obscured} {qu?}ick hot fire but has to be watched closely {word obscured} replenished frequently. Marj. & Harry B started out {word obscured} four o'clock to go to wee Winnie Shand who has {word obscured} {re?}turned from the Simcoe Hospital. They just got {word obscured} when they met Dad. & Tim so came back with {word obscured} Dad. came over to tell me to go over home first thing {word obscured} morning as there was a load of chestnut coal in. {word obscured} said that Mrs. James is dying having been furiously {word obscured} so that it took four of them to keep her in bed. {word obscured} a cablegram yesterday from Mr. Parks saying that {word obscured} the Master's certificate and only awaits the judge's {word obscured}. Marj. & Harry B. went up to the Shand's when Dad. {word obscured} {a} nd got home about six. Winnie is doing well. {Mon}day October 26th {I?} went over home this morning about 8 o'clock but Dad. and I didn't get started down for the coal very {word obscured} he had a lot of chores to do. Enah has been down town {word obscured} mothers all night and Frank had to go thrashing at Martins. We went around by the mill {word obscured} a grist and I went to the Planing Mill and got {word obscured} storm sash and took them up to Hall to gla{?} {word obscured} as we were delayed a little down at the coal car {word obscured} McBride was telling us what a time they {word obscured} getting the voter's lists fixed up as they had {word obscured} on Jim Dixon looking after some of it but {word obscured} had stolen Jim's hounds and he was out with {word obscured} constable looking for them and neglecting the {word obscured} it was just noon when we got back to the f{arm?} we put the team in there and Dad. & I had {word obscured} It began to rain just about noon and soon turned {word obscured} snow and snowed hard all the after noon {word obscured} for awhile after dinner to see if it would slacken off but as it didn't I bundled up in Dad's mackinaw and came home with the coal. I had to move a whole pile of the old Sunday school shingles before I could unload the coal then I took the team back home and got Dads chop at the mill I was pretty cold and tired by the time I finally got home to stay. Mrs. James is still alive and the doctor says now she may live for quite awhile yet. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/b0f527846a5e1ff8be8dd6595440713b.pdf c6e6f1a247fbbbdf8e4e2d19eee90eb1 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. {Tuesd}ay October 27th {Trum?} Walker came in this morning to ask me if I {word obscured} {thrash?} for him to-day if he needed me. I told {word obscured} so young John came in to tell me to go over {word obscured} and Trum told me he had told George {word obscured} to tell me not to come so I came home again {word obscured} apples the rest of the day and got all my {word obscured}{p}icked about 12 bushels tree-run and some {word obscured} and some nice looking apples that {I don't?} {k}now the name of. Fine day but cool wind. {Wednes}day October 28th {It beg?}an to snow about day break this morning and {word obscured} up till after noon. It then partly cleared up but {word obscured} cold and is freezing hard to-night. The landscape {word obscured} a wintry aspect with all the beauty of fresh snow {word obscured} trees with the added colouring of the red green {word obscured} brown oak & beech leaves and a few yellow maples {word obscured} have not dropped yet; which with the after noon sun {word obscured} on and through it gave a picturesque effect that {word obscured} description. I spent the whole day cleaning and {word obscured} the storm windows. I took them down cellar to do. {word obscured} McDonald was in to-night to see if the road cheques had come yet and told me that he heard that {word obscured} had seen Dave & Kelly on the road and that their {gravel?} boxes wouldn't hold a yard of gravel and they {word obscured} supposed to draw 1 1/4 yds at a trip. Some say Tup{per?} {word obscured} the new foreman but Bill said he wasn't yet but they wan{ted?} {word obscured} Thursday October 29th As I hadn't heard anything from home since Monday {word obscured} to go over this morning to see if they were going to thrash {word obscured} so what arrangements we could make about votin{g} just as I was ready to start Jack & Albert McB{ride?} {word obscured} in with Dad. & Frank headed for the polls. Jack offer{ed?} {word obscured} the kids while Marj. went out and voted and Marj. {word obscured} surprise consented, so we four went with Albert {word obscured} marked our ballots for Stansell. There were {word obscured} voters out at Wiggin's so we weren't long gone {word obscured} been very successful with the children {word obscured} sober so drove carefully. Dad. told us {word obscured} died on Tuesday and was to be buried this after noon {word obscured} up my former plan of going down this fore noon after the storm windows and some groceries but thought I could get them this afternoon when I went to the funeral. It turned out a nice sunny day and Marj. said if Mrs. Lampkins was https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/c44523caeeba37d22c2a6790cbad2476.pdf dd393be6d5c6ad8577a4e7f04c1ad875 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. {word obscured} the kids she would go down with me and not {words obscured} go down to-morrow as we had intended. I went {words obscured} Mrs. Lampkin but she was going to Simcoe {word obscured} noon but just at noon Ina came in on her {word obscured} from the poll and said she would come to wash {word obscured} if it was a fine day so she stayed for the {word obscured} with the children and Marj. & I went to the {word obscured}. We got some groceries and sold our 4 1/2 doz {words obscured} customers at 50 cts a dozen and I got {words obscured} -sash at Hall's and left it down at Aunty's. {word obscured} home about five and I drove Ina home. {words obscured} I walked into town to hear election returns {words obscured} in till midnight, but the returns were of course {word obscured} complete when I left, but the Conservatives {words obscured} lead. Ontario & the Maritimes were almost solid {words obscured} wormed out 4 seats in Quebec but there was {word obscured} word from the West, so it is hard to say how {words obscured} stand ultimately. There were a good many polls {word obscured} from in Meighan's own riding at Portage la Prairie {word obscured} was behind about 300, and it looked when {word obscured} as if King was beaten in North York. We were getting {words obscured} Radio set in the Town Hall <s>all</s> at intervals {words obscured} street noises in Toronto around the Star office, and it was quite {evident?} Toronto was wild. The Q.O.R. band was out accompanied by a deafening din of cheering yelling & singing etc.The broadcaster described {word obscured} scene to us and said King St. West was {word obscured} with the biggest election crowd in History. Cloudy to-night but it has been sunny with a short {word obscured} Friday October 30th I spent the day cleaning out the chicken ho{use?} but didn't work very swiftly as I felt rather {word obscured} Dad. came over late this after noon to say the {word obscured} was over home ready to thrash in the morning {word obscured} up to Shands this after noon and called up {words obscured} in Simcoe to find out the latest election returns {word obscured} of them knew much more than what was in the {word obscured} was incomplete giving the Conservatives 112. Lib{erals?} {word obscured} others 9 with a good many places to hear from {word obscured} Meighan was elected in his own riding but {word obscured} of his ministers were defeated. Marj. went over {words obscured} Hallowe'en concert at the school house {word obscured} as a wich and tell fortunes. She made up {word obscured} fortunes beforehand. Cloudy and snow{y} https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/afa0a2b3923ec77d1d13abf8a2e882b5.pdf 6697b872bf1b27e29aa4ff715ad7c9ac PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. {Saturday} October 31st {words obscured} home first thing to thrash and we had {words obscured} run finishing about four o'clock. Bob. Pickford {words obscured} {ca}rried away 965 bushels most of it straight {words obscured} the field on the west side of the lane was partly {words obscured}. Dad. built another straw stack just west {words obscured} straw stack and he put some of the nicest {words obscured} in the mow over the granary. Ina was here {words obscured} I drove her home after tea and took Bill {words obscured} of my cockrels which he spoke for to mate {words obscured} hens. We weighed the two of them in a bag & {words obscured} 14 lbs. I had told him he could have them {words obscured} market price, but I hadn't figured on it being {words obscured} as 16 cts which he said was all they could get {words obscured} alive so I said that would be the price but {words obscured} me 18 so I got 1.25 apiece for them. The {words obscured}-day are still incomplete but the probable division {words obscured} the new House will be 117 Conservative 102 {words obscured} 22 Progressive 2 Labour & 1 Independant and Queen's {words obscured} I is tied.They are in a quandry as to how to proceed {words obscured} probable that King by uniting with the {words obscured} as long as he can which {words obscured} with the Opposition so strong. Sunday <s>October</s> November 1st This has been a beautiful genuine Indian Summer day. It froze quite hard last night but has been mild and sunny to-day, with a hazy smoky air. We all went for a walk in the gully this morn{ing} and Harry B & Gay had a fine time throwing {word obscured} in the water although Marj. nearly fainted every ti{me} {word obscured} went close enough to the creek to do it. This after {noon} we all drove down around by Marburg to {word obscured} Karl & Frankie about going to Mr. Bagley's {word obscured} to-morrow night. It was dark & quite chilly {words obscured} Monday November 2nd I went over home this morning and Frank & I {word obscured} Queen & old Charlie to the waggon and went {words obscured} We took a grist to the mill first and then went down to the station and got the baskets Dorrie sent for her apples and I got the storm windows that were at Aunty's besides doing other errands up town. It was after one o'clock when we got back to the farm for dinner and I went home right after with the waggon and then went back to the farm around by the mill and got Dad's chop. I then drove back here in the buggy. I did my chores as fast as https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/3e25ab6b474cefc77979b11aa4735e3b.pdf 0cc50308d9b6f0d2065466d324be6166 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. possible and drove back after tea to go with the band {words obscured} {Ba}gley's serenade. I called in at the farm for Aunty {words obscured} {Au}nty Alice who walked over this after noon. I found {words obscured} the band up in the room and Harry Moon gave {words obscured} for my share in last summer's activities {words obscured} up to Mr. Bagley's about nine o'clock and {word obscured} him by surprise when we started to play on the {words obscured}. We took Ed. Moon up with us to present him {words obscured} band's name with a gold headed cane with his {word obscured} and 50 years service engraved on it. He hardly {word obscured} what to say but was very pleased. He said he didnt {word obscured} because he wanted to but he made himself because {words obscured} he wasn't going justice to the horn. Mr. Smith {words obscured} and told us about the early days of the {word obscured} as he was a member 60 years ago. He said it {words obscured} about 1860 the same time that the town {word obscured} their town bell which is the same bell that is {words obscured} clock tower now. At that time Dover had several {word obscured} industries including a boot & shoe {word obscured} and a waggon factory, and the mecanics in them {words obscured} most of the band boys. He told us about {words obscured} Petit the world renowned cornetist who was {words obscured} here in Dover by one of the first leaders. Lovely day. Tuesday November 3rd I spent the day over at Trum. Walker's ploughing. He would have hired me for two or three days but I didn't want to take the time. Ina came to help Marj. {words obscured} this morning and is staying all night. Cecil Lam{pkin} {word obscured} after me to paint an enlarged label on one of their {words obscured} mash bags to take down to the Royal Fair but I {words obscured} I hadn't better take the time to do it. Another beauti{ful} {words obscured} Wednesday November 4th I went over home this fore noon to see if I could {word obscured} some of them to help me haul off my cornstalks {words obscured} & Enah were off looking for potatoes which are {words obscured} and going up in price and Frank was away {words obscured} tractor getting something done to it. I waited till {words obscured} home and read a batch of letters from Mr. Parks {words obscured} to get before the judge soon now and expects {words obscured} the judge wants an extended argument on {words obscured} He has a counsel appointed for me and {words obscured} it would be the duty of my counsel to {words obscured} breaking of it; but Mr. Parks instructed him {words obscured} not my wish and I had to write him {words obscured} him evidence in writing. He says the ship {words obscured} https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/aa10bd0f51e77caa6cec52165a308936.pdf 16f092a774746a2ab32b20c2ae75fa92 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. {words obscured} yet. This afternoon Dad. & I cleaned up the barn {words obscured} I telephoned Marston this morning to ask if he {word obscured} why the last road cheques hadn't come yet and {words obscured} they had gone through his office so I called up {word obscured} and he said they were mailed on Monday but they {word obscured} came again to-day so I don't know what to make {words obscured} {Ma}rston said when I asked him what the {word obscured} was down here that he just thought it was {words obscured} make a change and when pinned down said {words obscured} teams weren't making enough trips. Still fine & mild {Thursday} November 5th {words obscured} Aunty Alice's birthday and we had intended {word obscured} down but it has rained all day, a fine drizzle {words obscured} strong south west wind but not cold. I {words obscured} day painting storm windows in the cellar {words obscured} to sort out some apples for Dorrie. Ina has {words obscured} for three days and I drove her home to-night before {words obscured} & Marj. have the house spick & span, their most {spect}acular achievement having been the cleaning of the {word obscured} hands & pendulum of the clock but the treatment seems {words obscured} been too drastic as it has gone only spasmodically since. {words obscured} was held up <s>last night</s> night before last on her way home through the {words obscured} and robbed of $4.50 all she had with her Friday November 6th Dad. came over to-day with little Joe & old Charlie {words obscured} me haul in the corn stalks. We put part of them in {words obscured} and part in two big shocks back of the barn. {word obscured} got the ones that were on the strip out by Willie {word obscured} I started to make another shutter for the {words obscured} Dad. came this morning and I put the {words obscured} on the kitchen & nursery this after noon after {words obscured} washed the outside of the windows so was {words obscured} the others on although they should have had {words obscured} of paint. It has been another Indian Summer {words obscured} Saturday November 7th I did up all the chores this morning and {word obscured} out the school-house, then finished {words obscured} the porch that I started yesterday. It was {words obscured} and before noon began to rain and {words obscured} after noon and evening. We intended {words obscured} some groceries and when it began to {words obscured} but Marj. thought of telephoning so I {words obscured} and asked Jackson's to send what {words obscured} Aunty's, Marj. was nearly out of condensed {words obscured} as Monday will be a holiday didn't {words obscured} I spent most of the after noon out {words obscured} https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/a22a7e18454d80382de56eee36ff5963.pdf 4a95c21f0ffbc8859ef47a34ecc62540 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Sunday November 8th As we had to go down some time to-day to get our groceries at Aunty's and as the baby's cold is too bad for her to be taken out Marj. decided that Harry B and I ought to go to church. It was a very gloomy morning and I didn't think much of the idea but thought that by going before dinner I might have a peaceful after noon (vain & foolish hope) so we went. We put Queen in at Aunty's and were just starting down the lane when it began to snow hard. Harry B had no rubbers so instead of going to church we went in to the house and waited till they got home. They were rather late as Winnie's baby was christened, and when they discovered us, were very surprised and delighted and insisted on our staying to dinner. We didn't raise any objection as it was still snowing. It partly cleared up soon after dinner so we struck for home but stopped in at the farm for a few minutes where I got some wheat and read Mr. Parks last letter, he has sent Dad another £100. It was after four when we got home and as I had forgotten to borrow a loaf of bread down town I had to go over and get part of a one from Dave. He had very little on hand and Mrs. Lampkin is in Hamilton for Thanksgiving but he said he was sure he would have enough. I milked after tea and spent the evening reading the Talisman between snoozes. Windy and getting colder Monday November 9th I drove over home first thing this morning to {words obscured} double-trees which were on the waggon over there {words obscured} find either of my sets around here and Dad. {words obscured} sure that there was only one set of mine over there {words obscured} know what has become of the light set. Harry. {words obscured} went with me but has to bundle up well as it {words obscured} bitter north west wind. When I got home I drove {words obscured} and got a couple of bushels of corn which he {words obscured} for helping him and brought over some dahlia & {word obscured} roots to put in the cellar for them. I took the {words obscured} for about an hour before dinner and got {words obscured} plough in the strip of sod back of the barn. It {word obscured} all right but I was afraid the side hill would {words obscured} much frost in it. I tried it this after noon but {words obscured} rounds as I couldn't turn the long summer {words obscured}The ground was loose & wet and the stuff {words obscured} and shoved ahead of the coulter and would {words obscured} out so I quit trying to plough it and {words obscured} Bright & sunny all day but very cold wind. {words obscured} Marj. has felt very miserable all {words obscured} suffering for a week or so now {words obscured} pain across her abdomen. This was {words obscured} https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/96ee8a1b64831deccc6a1d465281b2de.pdf 3e20f85c8028b202140dc98922f3af2c PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. {Tuesday} November 10th {words obscured} over home this morning and Dad. & I went {words obscured} in the waggon and I got a cider barrel at Dell's {words obscured} got Dad's cider at Charlie Quanbury's. Frank took {words obscured} over yesterday. This after noon we went down to the {words obscured} and got a load of blocks and took them down {words obscured} We saw Mrs Lawrie on the street this morning. {words obscured} just come up for the day to visit old friends {words obscured} at Auntys for dinner and went back at 4 <s>3</s>. {words obscured} I walked home and got here about six and had {words obscured} home after tea. Much milder and very nice day. {Wednes}day November 11th {words obscured} to town to-day. Aunty wanted us to get down in {words obscured} the Armistice Day service in the church but {words obscured} make it, but got down about half past eleven. Marj. {words obscured} this after noon and called in on Cousin Bessie who {words obscured} a knitted sweater. I went up to Doc. Lemmon's {words obscured} another temporary filling in my tooth which made {words obscured} for the rest of the day. I then went up {words obscured} about an hour in the Library, the first time {words obscured} since they reopened it. Joe. Waldick dropped {words obscured} the fish shanties yesterday. Beautiful day, cool wind Thursday November 12th I had to go over home this morning to get a {words obscured} and as we forgot our meat yesterday I went on {word obscured} to Aunty's and got it. I helped Dad. get his cider {word obscured} on end and by the time I got home it was nearly {words obscured} and raining. It rained all the after noon and {word obscured} the night. I took the head out of the barrel I got {words obscured} and Marj. washed it out as well as she {words obscured} I washed the dishes. As it was such a bad {words obscured} sent me over to invite Mabel over for tea and {words obscured}. We had a hot supper of roast mutton {illegible} Mabel {words obscured} Friday November 13th There has been a strong westerly gale all day with {words obscured} rain most of the time. I spent the day sorting apples. I want to get Dorrie's ready to send to her as soon as possible. Mabel came back for dinner. Not much colder Saturday November 14th I ploughed to-day but didn't get started very early this morning, however I got all the sod I had turned under and the stubble is too wet I am afraid, although I made one strike-out in the corn stubble back of the https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/d89e885732d2e36cd842347885650398.pdf 13f6c3a1082f2f4fa816a222d32f0bfd PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. barn. I quit about four o'clock and killed and picked an old hen for to-morrow's dinner and it was long after dark when I got through with the chores Marj. and I were both dead-tired to-night. She hasn't been feeling at all well lately. I went down to the brow of the hill below the orchard and cut a poplar that I noticed had the top broken, and carried it up on my shoulder's and my back has ached ever since Sunday November 15th I didn't do any thing much to-day but a few chores inside the house and outside including sweeping out the school house and lay around most of the after noon. I was up with the kids three or four times during the night so didn't feel very energetic, but it was a horrible day anyway, cloudy and drizzly though not cold. Dad. came over late this after noon to tell me that Niel Elliot had offered him sixty dollars for old Elgitha but he thought may be Carl. would give more but if Niel sends over in the morning offering sixty-five he says he will have to take her down as he put that price on her. Poor old Elgitha, our first pure bred and we were proud of her, the herd shows her blood at a glance. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary Collection Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Theobald "Toby" Barrett Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Courtesy of Archival and Special Collections, University of Guelph Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1911-1925 Language A language of the resource English Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 20th Century, Norfolk County, Woodhouse Township, Ontario Table Of Contents A list of subunits of the resource. Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary & Transcription, 1911 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary & Transcription, 1913 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary & Transcription, 1914 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1915 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1916 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1917 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary & Transcription, 1918 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1919 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1920-1921 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1921 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1925 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1925-1926 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1926-1927 Medium The material or physical carrier of the resource. Scanned Manuscript Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1925 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Theobald "Toby" Barrett Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Courtesy of Archival and Special Collections, University of Guelph Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1925 Language A language of the resource English Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 20th Century, Norfolk County, Woodhouse Township, Ontario Date Created Date of creation of the resource. January 1, 1925 Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary Collection Medium The material or physical carrier of the resource. Scanned Manuscript UG Transcription Progress Scripto transcription progress Done Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>DIARY 1925</p> <p>T.B. Barrett</p> <p>Donnybrook. Port Dover Ontario</p> <p>From January 1st 1925 to November 15th 1925</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Thursday January 1st 1925</p> <p>At the time of the Royal Winter Fair in Toronto last November Frank &amp; Jonas sojourned for a few days in the city ostensibly to have a look at the fat cattle &amp; high jumping hunters, but no doubt as far as Frank was concerned there was a fairer attraction than an attractive Fair. Whatever his prime motive was the point in this connection is that he brought home this book for me, and it resembles very closely the books that I was wont to keep diurnal records in prior to the War, but which up till now I have been unable to get. The possession of it inspires me to resume my old practice of diary writing and so I make a start with the New Year. We are still in the grip of a very cold snap which has lasted with scarcely a break now for about two weeks. The wind to-day was in the east but it has been fairly sunny. I have done very little all day but the chores, went over to Willie Shand's this morning to pay him for the sink we got from him last fall, and this after noon went over to the woods for awhile to find some fuel but didn’t have much luck. I started milking Mary to-day as Garnet Coleman came out yesterday &amp; took the calf.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Friday January 2nd</p> <p>We contemplated going to town to-day which would have necessitated my walking over home and getting Queen or the team, but the weather altered our plans. It was snowing hard when we got up this morning and had snowed hard during the night keeping it up till this after noon. It has been getting steadily milder all day and I think is almost thawing to-night. As we now have a nice lot of skim milk on hand I began feeding the cockrels out in the colony house their fattening mash and had to make a trough for them. They have just been getting grain and I am afraid lost flesh during the very cold weather of the last couple of weeks. I did some more fixing to my cow stable this afternoon, battoned up more of the cracks and put a window in. It was quite comfortable working bare handed which was a great relief. Mrs. Tupper and Clara were in to-night for a few minutes to return the little house scales which Mrs. Tupper borrowed a couple of weeks ago to weigh her geese. Must wash up the tea-dishes now and get after Rob. Roy. We are reading it aloud.</p> <p>Saturday January 3rd</p> <p>This has been a busy day for me. I did the morning chores as quickly as possible and started to walk over home but got a ride on a load of lumber from the Winding Hill. Dad. helped me harness &amp; hook up the team (Queen and Joe) and we then loaded up my potatoes and buckwheat. Dad. &amp; I both got potatoes from Jim Dixon and he left mine over there. It was noon when I got home and as Marj. was hoping to leave for town by one o'clock I fed the team and gobbled my dinner without much ceremony. Marj. fed the chickens while I unloaded the potatoes and emptied them into bushe {bushel} hampers down cellar. I unloaded the buckwheat before dinner. I then put the cows in and hooked up. It was nearly two by the time we started. We unloaded the kids at Aunty's by way of a birthday party for her and I drove Marj. up town, left Jim Dixon's bags at Walker Evans according to instructions and drove right back to Trum. Walker's where I loaded up five bags of wheat and took home. Neither Trum. nor the man were home but the boys were there and superintended the business. I unloaded the wheat and then hiked across to the woods where I found a little wood. Our nice little maple</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>stick, but I had quite a job getting it, as it was green &amp; heavy. I fell down with it once and got covered with snow getting out from under it, by the time I got my wood home &amp; unloaded and the chickens fed it was nearly five so I then returned to town for the family. Frank was there too so he came home with us and took the team back. Snowed most of the day and is still mild. The sleighing is good.</p> <p><br />Sunday January 4th</p> <p>The peaceful and quiet observance of the Sabbath at Donnybrook to-day was uninterrupted by any excursions abroad on our part or visits from others. I just did what was necessary outside and this morning helped Marj. wash the dishes as she didn't feel very well, and she beguiled the time and lightened the task by reading Rob. Roy to me while I worked. We had a late breakfast and an early tea and dispensed with a middle meal and gained whatever energy such meal would have afforded us by napping. Marj. insists on my writing my share of the Christmas letters of thanks a task which has formerly devolved entirely on her so I spent about two hours this evening writing a note to Grand Daddy. Southwest wind - cloudy now but quite mild.</p> <p>Monday January 5th</p> <p>School opened again this morning and as I had a lot of snow shovelling to do over there I got around pretty early and did most of my morning chores by lantern light. I saw Mabel to-night and she said every pupil was on hand and glad to get back after their long holiday, owing to the measles. I had intended going over home, getting the team and getting a load of coal this morning but put it off till after dinner. When I got there I found Frank going off with the Pickfords to help them load straw or some thing so Dad. advised me not to take the team to-day as it would be so late before I could get out with the coal and back with the team, and they want Joe to-night as they are taking in the evangelical meetings of Mr. Robinson a friend of Mr. Cornish's. I borrowed his cutter and drove down town, posted some letters got a can of coal oil and went to interview Mr. Carpenter &amp; Al. Faulkner about cutters which they had advertised for sale. Mr. Carpenter was in Port Ryerse voting I suppose but Dr. Bicknell said he didn't think he wanted to dispose of the cutter without selling his horse buggy and harness. Al. has sold one of his cutters and is keeping the other but has a pair of light bobs for sale, they have no shafts on them</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>though so that I don't think they would be much advantage to me as I don't want to hook up a team every time I go to town. I left my coal oil at the farm and walked home from there getting a ride from the Winding Hill with Billy Watson. It was rather late when I got the chores all done and as I was tired I didn't do anything all evening but snooze. I didn't go out to vote to-day as I had no way of getting there except walking and I didn't consider the election important enough to warrant that much exercise. Kent &amp; Roy Misener are the apirants for the reeve's chair and though I would have supported Reg Kent had I voted I don't think it makes much difference. Misener was in to see Dad. soliciting his vote and using the argument that if he stayed "to home" the whole council would be up around Port Ryerse. Dad. told him he didn't care if they were in Kalamazoo for all the good they ever did him or the road past him which has had no permanent improvement made to it since he has lived on it in spite of the fact that he has paid taxes enough himself during that time to gravel it. Pickford was telling of a great time they had the other night, New Year's eve a man knocked at the door and when they opened it they discovered Ellis Ryerse supporting his wife who was in great distress and wanting to borrow Pickford's horse &amp; cutter as they had had a breakdown in their car while on their way to Mrs. Lawson's. Pickford got them the cutter as fast as possible and they got down town just in time as twenty minutes later they had a new daughter. A great pity was that after all their trouble they couldn't have postponed the event for a few hours as it seems the Simcoe merchants are offering prizes to the first three babies born in Norfolk in 1925. Very mild &amp; cloudy.</p> <p>Tuesday January 6th</p> <p>Those men, beloved of the Muses, who are capable of expressing in cadenced words fitting appreciations of all things beautiful are wont to find themes for their songs in the weather that does or should prevail between the Venal equinox and the first killing frost of Autum. Seldom do we hear a voice from Parnassus eulogizing the breath of January unless it be to try to work up a little sympathy for whatever merits a rigourous climate may have to "Stir the Viking blood," but this meets with little response and I admit deserves little. There are days never the less even at this season when the pallid face of Nature suggests a</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>lethal slumber that have all the qualifications of the greener months besides a few peculiar to themselves to implant in a fellow that very happy sensation, the consious joy of being alive. Just such a day was this especially the fore noon of it. I was in an excellent position to enjoy it as I walked from here over home to meet Frank with my load of coal. There was not a breath of wind and the sun was not bright which would have been dazzling on that nights fresh snow, but diffused a genial comfort through the lightest of clouds &amp; high floating wreaths of smoke. The northern part of the sky was blue, but not the steel blue of Winter but the soft hazy appearance of late Autum while the air might have been that of May except for a certain energizing zest to it not comparable to the chill of Spring nor its longrous warmth which has a tendency to promote lethargy. The roads are in excellint trim for sleighing and aparantly too deep for the pesky cars to spoil them. No mud of Spring, no bugs of Summer, no rush of work as in the Fall, if all Winter weather was like this, tourist resorts in the South would have to go out of business, but what makes this weather truly appreciated is that it is a very small nugget in a large rock of quartz and the realization that for all we know an 80 mile blizzard may be the programme for to-morrow. When I got to the Farm I found Frank had gone down for the coal and Dad. was preparing the scene for the execution of his pigs He was very distressed that I had walked over as he said Frank would go right out the side road with the coal and I would have to walk back. Frank however had forgotten to take a scoop shovel and remembering that I didn't have one came back by the farm with the coal so I rode out with him. He took the team right back so as to be on time to help with the pig killing this after noon. Pickford and Bob. are going to help. I spent the afternoon lining my chicken house with tar paper and at Marj’s suggestion shifting the roosts so that they are not in such a direct draft from the windows. Ina was here washing to-day and she walked home with Mabel who came over for awhile after school.</p> <p>Wednesday January 7th</p> <p>Another very mild day and so nice that Marj. wanted to go to town. I was anxious to finish fixing my chicken pen but as she was afraid we might not get another nice day this week, I told her that if she would go over and</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>borrow the Lampkin's cutter and Florie we would go right after dinner. Marj. went over and made the necessary arrangements and Mrs. Lampkin offered to keep the baby. I worked at the chicken pen till noon then right after dinner we loaded Gay into the hand sleigh and I hauled her over, left her with Mrs. Lampkin and came back with Florie &amp; the cutter for Marj. &amp; the Niblits. It was cloudy when we started with a raw wind but thawing more than it has any day yet. We left Harry B. at Aunty's and I drove Marj. up to see Glad. Law who has been very much worse since Christmas. I then came back, put Florie in the barn, and went in and had a visit with Lila who has not been out of bed for the last few days although she feels pretty well. She has become fasinated by the much talked of and ridiculed cross- word-puzzles. Aunty &amp; Aunty Alice are greatly elated after the courage &amp; skill they displayed this morning in tracking down &amp; killing a rat. They have suspected his presence for some time in the little room off the kitchen so this morning organized a hunting party. They searched through various boxes, boles, baskets, bags trunks, etcetera and finally unearthed their quarry ina valise through which he had chewed himself an entrance and also helped himself to pieces of all the contents for the construction of his nest. The prize discovered was only half won as the real chase began, and was carried on, in, out, between, under, over, across, through and “apast” every object in the room until finally they brought him to bay and Aunty Alice, with certainly more courage than a great many women and some men posess attacked him with the hammer. Her onslaught though feirce was not sufficient to mortally wound him nor to quell his cries, but as she had him pinned down she feared to risk his escape by raising the hammer for another blow so she called to Aunty to come to her rescue with another weapon. She knew the sickle was in the kitchen and thought it would do the deed but in the tense excitement of the moment could think of no other name for it but cutlass, for which she called. Aunty was at a loss to know where in their peaceful surroundings she could lay hands on a cutlass or any other bucaneering accouterment so failed to render the assistance so sorely needed. The case become desperate for although the croaking cries of the enemy betrayed the flitting of the vital spark, the strength of the hand that held the hammer was also waning and who could tell what reserves of strength might he mustered</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>if that crushing weight were relaxed for a moment. Eventually Aunty came to the scene of action without arms or ammunition but relieved Aunty Alice of her hold on the prisoner while Aunty Alice went in search of the hatchet with which she presently returned and dealt the death blow almost severing the wicked head from the ugly body. No wonder they are exultant after having triumphed so gloriously over the forces of evil the perpetrator of nocturnal destruction and predatory invasion. They can now rest secure and happy in the memory of their hard fought but well won field. I walked over to Jim. Bannister to see a cutter which Mrs. Lampkin told me he had for sale but there was nobody home so we stopped on our way home and I asked Jim not to sell it until I had a look at it. Dad. drove Euah down and left her at Aunty’s while I was there. They are taking in the revival meetings regularly I think, Frank says they had a poor house the night of the hockey match but that was to be expected, the first intermediate O.H.A. game of the season. Dover beat Brantford. 6-5. It began to snow while we were away and kept it up all the after noon Big flakes of heavy snow coming straight down. We are certainly getting plenty of it this winter. It was dark by the time I got back to the Lampkin's with the horse and cutter after taking Marj. &amp; the Niblits home and then I had to load Gay up and haul her home. It was still snowing hard but very mild and she seemed to thoroughly enjoy the trip I was afraid all the time she would pitch herself out and when we turned into our lane where the track was not beaten the fresh snow came to the top of her sleigh box, she gurgled with joy when she could stick her little mitts out and draw them through the soft snow until we got about half way up the lane either she gave a lurch or one runner went suddenly deeper but over the sleigh went and Gay went face down into a snow drift. I grabbed her up as fast as possible and tucked her under my arm, evidently none the worse, she seemed to take it as part of the fun. When we got to the house, she was as rosy, cosy and happy as any ten year old kid who has been jumping into snow banks. We put in an awful evening. Aunty Alice lent Marj. her new Sabitini book “The Gates of Doom" and we started to read it out loud but I couldn't keep awake so we both dozed for awhile and then Marj. went at her book alone and read the whole thing. We got to bed about half past two.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Thursday January 8th</p> <p>I spent about two hours &amp; a half in bed last night and consequently didn’t feel much like working to-day, so didn't do anything but the chores, it was a little too cold anyway to do Carpenter work in the chicken pen. It has been a beautiful sunny day but the wind was quite strong and sharp. I went over to the school house before we had breakfast and Willem Ryerse came back with me to look at the bull calf as he thought of buying him but he thinks he is too small for service now so I think he won’t take him. We were pretty late getting through breakfast and then we sat around the kitchen most of the fore noon while Marj. told me the story she read last night. This after noon I washed the dishes while she read a little more of Rob. Roy to me and to-night we went to bed right after tea, but by the time we got the kids settled it wasn't very early. Marj. got Gay a pair of stiff soled shoes yesterday &amp; hopes she will soon walk alone with them.</p> <p>Friday January 9th</p> <p>It was a cold night and has been sharp to-day but a little wind and sunny so that it is ideal winter weather. I did chores most of the forenoon and this after noon walked down town to see Jim Bannister's cutter. I met John Patterson on the road with it and as he was driving out here partly to show me the cutter and partly to exercise his horse, he turned around and drove me into town. It is a shabby looking affair but seems perfectly sound and has new shoes on it which Jim says are worth four dollars so I don't think I lost anything by paying him ten dollars for it. I saw Dad. &amp; Frank down town. Frank was all furred up in coon-skin ready to start for Selkirk with his theatrical troupe. I got my hair cut and walked back home getting here about seven. It was a beautiful night. Moonlight &amp; snappy. I had tea which was all ready and did chores afterwards. Marj. has not felt well all day. The {Shaff?} boys brought down four loads (5 yards) of gravel for me to-day which I home to make a cow stable floor of when the frost goes out. Marj. says Gay is developing a temper like a yellow jacket with a sore corn. She let her feed herself pudding to-day and the performance was so comical Marj. couldnt refrain from laughing whereat, Miss Gay flew into a passion screamed &amp; screeched and made a scene like a regular picture show lady.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Saturday January 10th</p> <p>This has been another beautiful day but is frosty to-night I puttered around at the chores this morning and tore down a big corn shock and got all the inside of it into the barn and stacked the outside along the chicken house to melt the snow &amp; ice off it. Harry B was out with me and we disturbed the cosy winter quarters of several mice which interested him greatly. It seems sort of hard lines to turn them out in the cold after they had got fixed up so comfortably for the winter. The cats got some of them later I went over and swept the school house after dinner and while I was there Dad. &amp; Tim came out in the bob-sleighs to get Queen’s harness. They came over to the school and I went back with them and waited at the farm while Dad. drove Queen &amp; my cutter down to get Aunty Alice and Miss Grulnest, (the pianist of the evangelical company), whom he brought over for tea and then I drove my cutter straight home. Dover intermediate O.H.A. team went to Simcoe last night &amp; beat them 8-0</p> <p>Sunday January 11th</p> <p>We hurried around this morning doing the usual chores and getting dressed up leaving about noon to have dinner at the Bagley’s. It was very bright but a cold east wind. I left Marj. &amp; the kids at the house, then drove down, and put Queen in Aunty’s barn. This after noon Mr. Bagley and I went to meeting Mr. Robinson was having in the town-hall for men only. I was averse to going but Mr. Bagley assured me we would be out early and so I couldn't very well get out of it. There was a good crowd there and Mr. Robinson spoke very well and as nicely as his subject permitted but as I heard it or read it all before and as far as I can see am in no position to either help or hinder his work, and as the hall was cold and as it was after five when we got out I was very sorry I went. I hurried back with Mr. Bagley and got my sweater and then hurried down to get Queen as it was getting very cold. Mrs. Bagley was going to get tea for us but I wouldn't wait but thought she would give Marj. a cup while I was gone but she didn't. We got home about six and I guess I was the coldest of the party but I got warmed up doing chores</p> <p>Monday January 12th</p> <p>It has been milder to-day but cloudy. I seem to have felt lazy and didn't do much but the chores, this</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>fore noon I cut down the mate to the pine tree that I cut last winter just behind the barn. I have about seven pines on the hill north west of the barn and they are all beginning to die at the top. This tree was leaning very much towards the barnyard fence but I got the big hay rope out of the barn and tied it as far up the trunk as I could safely reach with my 18 ft. ladder and snubbed the other end to a tree down the bank hoping to be able to pull the pine away from the fence, however I chopped till it began to crack and before I could get down to pull it fell and of course went right across the fence smashing two or three of the old wires and cutting one strand of the rope where it pulled taut across the branch of a little ash tree. I didn't do much this afternoon but kill a little rooster for Marj. She went over to the school house after four and mailed Mabel over for dinner to-morrow and also swept. Thawing to-night.</p> <p>Tuesday January 13th</p> <p>Wilbur Ryerse was in this morning to ask me if he could have the bull calf for the summer for his keep, leaving me the option of selling him if I got a chance so I agreed. He give me two dollars to pay for his registration and said he would get him to-morrow. I spent most of the day fixing a hopper for the chickens. Ina was here washing and Mabel came over for dinner I drove Ina home to-night and went on down town to a horticultural society meeting but as Uncle Ward was sick, there was none. Quite mild</p> <p>Wednesday January 14th</p> <p>Wilbur came in this morning with his stock rack and we loaded the calf. I did up all the chores this morning and we all went down to Aunty's for dinner. After dinner Harry B &amp; I went over to the farm and I filled out the application for the registration of the calf. Marj. did her buying and I drove back to Aunty’s and got her and we called in at the farm and picked up Harry B. Beautiful day but cold wind.</p> <p>Thursday January 15th</p> <p>Didn't do any thing much to-day but chores. It was very cold early this morning about the coldest night yet but was a beautiful day and is milder to-night. I sat around and we finished reading Rob. Roy. I did things up early to-night and got ready to go</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>down to Mr. Robinson's {diocese? meeting. Dad. came over to stay with the kids. They were both in bed when he came and didn't wake up all evening. Marj. and I went down and had a very nice time. It was in the Presbyterian Church, we figured it was the first nocturnal sleigh ride we had ever had to-gether &amp; it is the first time Marj. has been out at night since the Horticultural Show. I cut another small pine to-day</p> <p>Friday January 16th</p> <p>It has been thawing all day and snowed most of the day I did up the chores this morning and this after noon drove down to get some cow feed and rooster cheep at Billy Langs I found Billys shop full of customers but no Billy and as Andrew Low said he had been waiting for an hour for him I called up Tip Varey's to ask if they had seen him, they said there was a cemetry board meeting on so that accounted for his absence. Frank came along while I was waiting so I got him to help me bag up what I wanted and I then I drove him up town and home, we called in at Aunty's on our way. They are expecting Ray to-night. He is on his way to or from {a Con?}vention in Atlantic City and will be here till Sunday.</p> <p>Saturday January 17th</p> <p>Dad. &amp; Enah drove over this morning and left Joe &amp; their cutter and took Queen and my cutter as Dad. had arranged to take Miss Grunert for a drive this afternoon. We all got bundled up and drove down to Aunty's to see Ray We found Ray, Quint, Huby, Win &amp; David all there when we arrived but we left the children and drove up town for a few provisions and Huby Win &amp; David had left when we got back, but Frank was there. Presently Dad. drove up and then Frank who was with Bob. Pickford and his new old horse left. Dad. expected to find Enah but she wasn't there so he took Joe &amp; his own cutter and went off to look for her. We left about five. Beautiful day</p> <p>Sunday January 18th</p> <p>Marj. didn't feel very well to-day and we were late getting around this morning, she wanted me to go to church but I couldn't get ready in time. I went over and swept out the school house and just as I got there Bill Donald &amp; Lloyd Ryerse came to put a new elbow in the stove pipe and a new lock on the back door so I was over there quite awhile. I spent most of the after noon doing chores and washing dishes. Marj. read Jeffry Farnol books all day. Cloudy but not cold.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Monday January 19th</p> <p>As soon as I did the chores this morning I {illegible} the {illegible} drain to see if I could discover the cause of the vile odour coming from the sink, and found that the end of the drain was frozen up. I worked at it for about an hour but without success as it was frozen well back into the tile and I couldn't get at it. The only way I could make any impression was with an old auger but it was a very slow job. I quit about eleven and started out to see about getting some wood out of {Pat?} Bowlby's bush which they are cutting off. It was such a lovely day that Marj. thought she would got too as she &amp; the children needed fresh air. We drove around by the mill and as they were beginning to get cold, they got out at the Bagley's and waited there till I got back from the woods where I found they had plenty for sale. {It} was just about noon when we left town and we {dr}ove around by the farm as I wanted to see about {ge}tting the team and bob sleighs, so as they were just {rea}dy to sit down to dinner we stayed there. We came {ho}me soon after and I renewed my efforts to get the {illegible} open. I got the auger in as far as I could far {illegible} and then got Marj. to heat the poker and bring it to me as it would have cooled while I was getting over the fence. It was too small to do much good as it cooled before it melted much, but Marj. went out to the shed and found a big rod with a hook on the end of it and heated it. It worked. I melted in as far as it would while it was hot and then gave a few rams with it and burst through. The pent up water came out with a gush and I just had time to get to one side without getting wet. It ran for about ten minutes and I didn't wonder the sink smelled bad when I saw it. Marj. flushed it out with a zenoleum solution, and now the house reeks of that which is just about as disagreeable. Mabel came over to-night with a couple of arithmetic problems for Marj. to work out. Marj. was terribly distressed at first as she didn't see at a glance the solution and was afraid her mental foculties were deteriorating but she finally got them to her satisfaction.</p> <p>Tuesday January 20th</p> <p>First impressions of to-day were far from prepossessing as it looked as if we were booked for a north east blizzard. The wind was not high but it was snowing very vigourously if not furiously, the consequence</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>was that I didn't do chores before daylight as I had intended as I thought the day would be too rough to go after wood, later in the fore noon, however, it stopped snowing and was not such a bad day as it wasn't very cold, so I hooked up and drove over home after first going up to Shand's and speaking for their wood rack. It was after eleven when I got over to the farm so it was too late to go to the woods before dinner but we went up this after noon with George &amp; Pommers. Frank saw Draper and borrowed his wood rack so we didn't have to go out to Shands, we all three went up to the bush and found a very busy place. There was a big gang up there and the mill was going so there were some at it sawing, some piling lumber some chopping &amp; sawing in the bush and Bill McDonald was snaking logs to the saw. It seems a great pity to me to see that fine piece of bush on the lake bank being cleared right off. Dad. had quite a time getting into the place where the wood was as they had the main track blocked with logs and George &amp; Pommers are not used to ploughing around through deep snow and brush but they got there and I got a cord of hard maple for five dollars but there was a great deal of small branch wood mixed with it. I didn't speak for any more because Charlie Shand hinted this morning that they might want me to help them get their wood out and I think if they do I can get some from them. The Snider's from down the lake were up there getting wood and we had to wait after we got loaded for a while till they got the logs cleared out of the track. It was after four when we got back to the farm so we left the wood there and Dad. said he would bring it out in the morning. I drove around by the Donald's on my way home and told Ina not to come over to-morrow as we expect to go to town, she too was scared out of coming to-day owing to the ominous looks of the morning. I found Marj. pretty well fagged out when I got home as she had had a busy day and when she came in from feeding the chickens found the two kids in the coal pail. Harry B. taking it out and handing it to Gay who was eating a little of each piece and then throwing it on the floor, they were both as black as niggers when Marj. found them. Gay was proud as Punch of herself and Harry B made his usual remark on such occasions "Gay doo'at" The last day she left them to feed the chickens, she came in to find the kitchen floor littered with hay which they were busy pulling out of the seat of the old armchair</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Wednesday January 21st</p> <p>Dad and Frank brought the wood out this morning just as we were about ready to start for town. We went down to Aunty's for dinner and this after noon I went to the postponed annual meeting of the Horticultural Society, there were just a few there but enough to elect officers for next year. We put Jack King in as president in place of Mr. Aldried We got home about dark. It was cold but a beautiful day.</p> <p>Thursday January 22nd</p> <p>As soon as I got the Chores done up this morning which was not very early owing firstly to my neglecting to set the alarm clock and secondly to my being delayed by a visit from Bill Donald while I was at the school house, I went over to the farm and Frank and I returned Proper's wood rack with the little team before dinner. This after noon we drove down town and got Oliver Mann and his radio outfit and brought him out here to give us a concert. It was very blustery when we came out and the side road was quite badly drifted. Frank had dug out the drift at the top of the hill this morning, where he said Roy Hammond nearly tipped over a load of hay. Frank, Charlie Dixon and Fred Misener rode rails to hold it in the road from the top of the hill to the corner. Fred Misener told Frank that Jim Birdsell had been in to see me last night to ask about digging out the cut at Linsay's hill but hadn't done it because I wasn't home so I let the boys out of the gate and drove on up to Shand's to telephone him. I couldn't get him but left word for Charlie to tell him to go at it in the morning as it was blowing to hard to-day I also invited Charlie &amp; Flossie down to hear the radio. Oliver &amp; Frank were not long getting the stage set. They nailed a scantling on the shed and ran the aerial from it to the east gable of the house, grounded to the pump and ran the wires through the key hole in the north door, they were then ready to pick up messages from any station that was broadcasting They got a few from Buffalo in the after noon but there wasn't much on till after six o'clock. I did the chores up fairly early, and Ina, who was here all day and stayed for the concert, and I sat through tea with the earphones on our heads, listening to music</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>weather reports and lectures from the U.S.A. Oliver's set is a small one, one tube, but he got messages from as far a way as Denver. There were just two pair of earphones so we took turns in listening and took them apart so that two could listen with one set by just using one ear. We clapped it on Harry B's ear once or twice and he seemed very much impressed. Charlie Shand came down for awhile and seemed to enjoy some candy that Marj. had made more than the radio which was not so new to him as it was to the rest of us, he having heard George Duncan's the other night. The music through it sounded very much like that of a phonograph to me and while the announcements were very distinct I couldn't understand any recitations I heard at all. I was glad to hear it for the novelty and marvel of it, for it truly is marvelous to have concrete proof that the voice of a man speaking a thousand miles away is carried here through the air and a simple little contrivance like this can pick it up. It makes a person realize that the laws of Nature are incomprehensible and unlimited and wonder what next the accumulating knowledge of man will reveal to his puny mind. The music seemed to get a little clearer as the evening went on and Oliver kept trying to get new stations, till I who had eaten too much candy was beginning to feel sick and Marj. and Ina were getting very tired. It was long after midnight when Oliver closed the thing up and disconected it and then I had to hook up and take Ina home. She was bound to walk but I wouldn't let her after keeping her here till that hour. We all drove to the Winding Hill and the boys walked on home from there. I got home and to bed somewhere about three o'clock feeling very sick and satisified to the satiation point with radio. Unlike Harvey Evans I don't feel that I would be any happier if I owned one I would much sooner save my money and buy a piano and give the kids music lessons, but I suppose they won't practice and will beg for a radio set.</p> <p>Friday January 23rd</p> <p>Last night was too much for me and I haven't done any thing all day but feel tough. I managed to get out this morning and feed the cows &amp; horses and light the fire at the school house, but from then till noon I could</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>scarcely hold my head up I was so bilious. Marj. fed the chickens and got wood for the box stove and coal for the kitchen stove and by noon the nausea had left me so I went out and milked but I still felt very weak so I didn't do very much else and slept most of the after noon. Marj. made me some toast about five o'clock which was the first I had eaten all day and I felt a little better after that and did up the night chores. It has been a beautiful looking day but keen north wind</p> <p>Saturday January 24th</p> <p>This was the day when we were to have had presented to us the greatest and most talked of drama that can be normally produced on the celestial stage, - the total eclipse of the sun. The actors rehearsed their parts according to schedule, but alas, the producer, our old mother, drew a curtain on the first act and peevishly refused to raise it, until just as they made their farewell bow to the audience, so all we could do was imagine what was going on before our eyes but behind the scene. I don't now when I have been so disappointed as it has always been my desire to see a total eclipse and I have examined the patent medicine almanack when they first came for years to see if they promised one, until I had about come to the conclusion that one was never visible in this latitude, so that I was really about as excited when I read the announcement of this one as a kid is when he sees circus bills for his own town. The worst is, the astronomers tell us that the show won't be around here again for about 250 years and it seems very improbable that any of us will be here to see it then. There was a heavy bank of clouds across the eastern sky before daylight but they didn't reach to the horizon and I was in hopes that they would disperse as they sometimes do as the sun rose, but no such luck. The sun came up as bright and clear as it ever did but before I could detect a suspicion of a dint in its rim, it had slid behind the clouds and they were dense enough to completely hide it. Nothing happened till about nine o'clock when we could notice the darkness begin to grow denser. I got up to my picked observatory in the barn where there was a board off, thinking that there might be a slight exhibition of the terrifying and swift moving shadow, which I imagine would be like the childish nightmares I used to have of a</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>tiny thing like a grain of sand which would commence to grow with increasing speed unil it would engulf me and everything else, and I would wake up terrified. Another disappointing thing was the density of the darkness. I thought from what the papers said and from the stories I had heard of chickens going to roost that it became as dark as night and I thought when it was cloudy it would be pitch black, but it didn't get much darker if any than I have often seen it get in a summer thunder storm, and when it comes down to a show-down, for a magnificent &amp; awe inspiring spectacle a real old-fashioned thunder-storm is pretty hard to beat. From my post in the barn I could see as far west as the old {Du Eau?} place which must me close to two miles away and I kept watching in that direction for the shadow bands Finally the western limit of my view grew dim and shortened and then the darkness settled on us in a jerky fashion, the pinky yellowish tinge which had been in the eastern sky ever since sunrise and which was not unnatural spread all around the horizon, but as I could see quite distinctly for at least a mile around me I kept expecting deeper shades to surround us until after the lapse of a few seconds I realized that it was getting lighter and that my last chance of seeing a total eclipse in this country was gone, so I got down disgustedly and went to the house for the milk pail, as I went past the chicken house I looked in and they were sitting around as they do any other day except a few that spend half their time on the roosts anyway. About ten o'clock I was plying the bucksaw on a stick of cord wood when out popped the sun bright as a dollar. I peered at it through the pin prick in my piece of card which I had prepared and could just see a tiny black arc in the gleaming circle which seemed to be laughing mockingly at my disgruntled looks and saying "Don't worry, you poor fish, it all happened, all right enough, but we weren't going to let a cheapskate like you see the show." I am anxious to see Monday's paper to see how Prof. Chant and his scientific associates down at "Long's Corner's" near Hamilton made out. They have been tramping around in the snow and half freezing to death in tents and shacks for a week or so preparing to take observations and photo-graphs of the thing so I hope they had better luck than we did or else had</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>an aeroplane handy, so that they could get above the clouds. Marj. hasn't felt very well to-day. I discovered that the chickens in both pens were eating eggs so this after noon we all drove down town and I got some oyster shell at Billy Langs. We drove around by the farm as Aunty told us that Dad. was quite sick with a cold. He was out but looked miserable. Brantford beat Dover here last night 7- 4. Milder</p> <p>Sunday January 25th</p> <p>We had a late breakfast and I spent most of the forenoon doing chores and helping Marj. This afternoon we all drove over to see Dad. for awhile, he feels pretty tough, we went on down town to post a letter and it was fairly late when we got home. Lovely day</p> <p>Monday January 26th</p> <p>It was raining first thing this morning amd had been thawing all night, the first thaw we have had since before Christmas, but it didn't last long. It began to snow before noon and has been snowing and getting colder all day. To-night the wind is from the north and it is very cold. I had to melt a hole in the mouth of the drain again this morning and I suppose it will freeze up again as the hole I melt is too small to stay open. I threw a wheel barrow load of manure on top of the hay that I covered over it the other day. This after noon I made a cut across my hay mow and pitched half of it over to get at more of my alfalfa for the cows. Mabel was in for a few minutes to-night. Marj. got very interested in a new word puzzle a series of which started in the Mail &amp; Empire to-day.</p> <p>Tuesday January 27th</p> <p>Last night I am sure was the coldest night yet, the thermometer at the school house only went to zero when I put it outdoors this morning, but they told me down town that it was 10 below and didn't get up to zero all day. It was a bitter day as the wind was nor'east. I went over to the school house as early as I could see and put a fire on, and after doing what chores I had to I came in the house and put what quarter-round we had around the hose board in the kitchen, there wasnt enough of it to go all the way round. This after noon I had to go down to Billy Lang's for chop. It wasn't so bad going down but it was cold coming home. I took a</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>dozen eggs down and got 45 cts for them at Sam's. I also took a letter down to post to Davie and had to go to the train with it {some?} little girls piled in the cutter on their way home from school so I told them if they would hold Queen for me while I went to the train I would drive them home, and when I came to fill my contract I discovered they lived way over Brant Hill. Queen got cutting up on the way back and I had to hold her in tightly and my fingers nearly perised. I stopped in at the farm on my way down and found Dad. feeling a little better. Enah asked me to get some oatmeal so I stopped on my way home and she lent me a pair of knitted mitts which I put on under my leather ones and kept my hands quite comfortable. I called in at Aunty's and found Win with Lila. Aunty Alice was at Mrs. McLaughlin's playing bridge and Aunty was at an Auxillary meeting in the Sunday school. I suppose the enjoyment each of them was getting made up for discomforts but it must have been a bitterly cold walk over the hill and surley the old schoolroom would be as cold as a barn to-day. Lila has been having a temperature every day lately but she said it was too cold to-day to raise a fever although she could have enjoyed. The poor kid, she certainly puts on a brave face. Win. had a clipping from the Family Herald &amp; Weekly Star which someone had sent to Huby with an advertisement under the "Unclaimed Moneys" section advising any male issue of Mary Dick wife of William Barrett of Ireland 1760 and of Hugh Massy Barrett who is believed to have lived in Montreal in 1846 to communicate with some party, I forget the name, in England. As there can be no doubt that the Hugh Massey Barrett is our great grand-father, he having lived in Sorel about that time, we are all quite excited about it and Huby and Dad. will have to write. I don't know who Mary Dick was and sincerely hope no male issue of hers is in existence but there was someone of that name connected with the family and Aunty says Fa. always thought that it was a lawyer of that name that cabbaged all the money of the family. If so, here's hoping he took good care of it. Marj. &amp; I sat around and stoked the fires till midnight but we cant get the house really warm. Marj. set bread last night but it didnt rise an inch all day, she put it in the oven to-night but the oven was too cold to bake it as I put an overdose of salt it I am afraid it won't make very good eating.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Wednesday January 28th</p> <p>Last night was the coldest yet some reports say it dropped to 14° below, and it has been cold all day although sunny The wind has been north east and east but to-night is swinging more to the south so I suppose will be warmer to-morrow. Marj. expected Ina to come to-day but she didn't show up. She was ready for her yesterday but wasn't surprised that she didn't come, but to-day was a {illegible} day except for the cold. I didn't do much all morning but chores but this after noon Marj. wanted some fresh air so we drove down town. The bread she made yesterday she decided wasn't fit to eat so we got a loaf down town and she set again to-night We left our {kids?} at the farm with Enah while we went down town. We called in at Aunty's for awhile and form {illegible}. She &amp; Aunty Alice are quite confident that there will be something come of our fortune hopes. Aunty handed up a lot of papers and Aunty Alice drafted a couple of letters for Dad. &amp; Huby to write giving a lot of information about the family and proof that they are the ones who are called for in the advertisement. Aunty Alice is going to help Quint write a letter to Archie Phipps asking him to make inquiries and give credentials for the family.</p> <p>Thursday January 29th</p> <p>We were late having breakfast to-day and I had to open the drain again so I didn't get much but chores done this fore noon.This afternoon I took my new hand saw and the old cross-cut over to Willie Shand's to have him sharpen them. Nobody was home over there so I left the saws and called in at Harvey's and told him I had left them. I then drove down to Wilbur's with the bull calf's registration certificate which came yesterday. Wilbur told me he would give me a load of straw if I would come and get it. On my way home I stopped in at {Trum's?} to settle up for the wheat I got from him but he wasn't home and the others didn't know how much it was. Ina was here to-day &amp; Mabel came over after school to get a Sunday school paper and just as they were preparing to walk home Frank &amp; Tim. came over to borrow Queen to haul ice to-morrow, so after partaking of cocoa &amp; fresh currant bread they all drove off in the cutter. Frank says they heard from Dick to-day, who expects to be home for a few days before he leaves for Vancouver to take charge of the Foreign Exchange office there. That sounds like quite a raise. Marj. stuffed the old armchair full of hay this afternoon and recovered it. Much milder, wind stilll in the east, cloudy, snowing to-night.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Friday January 30th</p> <p>Spent the fore-noon doing chores and got in a two or three day's supply of corn stalks. Marj. let Harry B out for awhile this morning just at recess so I took him over to where the boys &amp; girls were sleigh riding down the little hill facing the school house. Stanton, Muriel and Clara and Helen Brown each gave him a ride down with them and he thought it was great sport although he wouldn't say a word over there. I went over to the farm this after noon to help them with the ice. Frank hauled five loads and was down after his sixth when I left and Alan Law brought a big load on his wide box that was half as big again as Frank's so that another half load to-morrow will finish. The ice is good but thin. What Frank hauled to-day was second cutting and he could put 19 cakes in the waggon box. I walked home about five, got a ride from the Winding Hill. Carl Lemmon picked me up at the gate going over and drove me right to Dad's corner. Much milder to-day but raw wind &amp; blustery. Brantford beat Dover 10-3 the other night in Brantford so Dover is out of the running. Pickford is alone now as Bob left the other day and went to Detroit. Tupper has a new man.</p> <p>Saturday January 31st</p> <p>I did up all the chores this morning, Harry B came out and played for an hour or more with a gray squirrel skin that the cats had. I heard him laughing and chuckling to himself in the shed and I discovered he had this skin by the tail and was coaxing the kittens to grab at it and one of them was rolling on it which amused immensely. I was just getting ready to walk over home this after noon to get Queen &amp; the cutter when the Lampkin's came in to invite us over there for dinner to-morrow. They were going to town but were pretty well loaded down so as our lane was badly drifted I walked down to the road where I got on Will {Name?} sleigh. He let me off at the Winding Hill as he was going after gravel and the Lampkin's picked me up on top of the hill. I rode with them to Dad's corner. It turned out a very rough after noon and the snow was drifting so badly in the cutter between Dad's &amp; Pickford's that we couldn't see and there was a bad drift at the top of the hill and the road from there in was very heavy. I got Queen &amp; drove on down town and took some cream &amp; eggs to Aunty Alice and went on up town and got some meat. It seemed like a beautiful</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>day down town as it was quite mild &amp; sunny &amp; protected from the wind, but when I got out on the side road again it was a ripper, however I got home in good time and went over and swept out the school house before dark. Marj. made me have a bath to-night. Wind very strong but thawing to-night.</p> <p>Sunday February 1st</p> <p>We got things all done up this morning and drove over to the Lampkin's for dinner. As usual Mrs. Lampkin stuffed us with such rich food that we haven't felt the same since. I stalled on my piece of mince pie and didn't tackle a piece of her Christmas cake which looked to be the consistency of cheese, so of course was grieved but I told her I had been sick and didn't dare take chances. We sat around all the after noon talking about the neighbors. The activities of the kids fortunately side tracked Dave during the course of his usual discourse on his sojourn in Pilot Mound, "Manitoby" and he only got as far as the trip there &amp; back, which is familiar enough now. Gay took two steps over there, Marj. says, I didn't see her. We got home about five o'clock and I did the chores before dark.</p> <p>Monday February 2nd</p> <p>I have fairly "waded through slaughter" to-day as I executed my 22 cockrels. I bled, stuck and picked 21 of them but the twenty second had his feet frozen and I thought he was sick so I just decapitated him and gave him to the cats. I am not as swift as some at the job as it kept me busy all day at least from about ten o'clock till six, and they are not all thoroughly picked yet as they nearly all have to be gone over for pin feathers. Marj. and I went over two or three to-night. Raw wind, cloudy</p> <p>Tuesday February 3rd</p> <p>I intended to pick at chickens all day to-day but didn't get many done. Ina was here washing and we had to open the drain again. This time after I got a hole poked through with the redhot iron I got some old pieces of pine root and built a fire over the mouth of the drain and that thawed it out pretty well. Marj. and Ina thought the house was on fire as the smoke drew all the way up through the drain and came up through the sink into the kitchen. The cellar was blue with smoke that proves that Rus Lampkins scheme for a trap doesn't work. I think the scheme is all right but he hasn't got bend enough in the</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>waste pipe. Fred Misener and Jim Birdsell were in for awhile to see about shovelling the snow on the road along by Fred's place and Lindsay's hill, so I told Jim to look after it and keep it open. It was nearly noon before I got at the chickens and I had to quit early this after noon to go over home and get my box to ship them in. I took one down to Aunty Alice as she had spoken for one. I found Frank down there trimming up the old horse chestnut tree which he &amp; Dad. had felled this morning. I hate to see it go but it was getting to be too much shade for the garden and the roots were a nuisance. When I got home Marj. &amp; Ina were having their tea so I had mine with them and then drove Ina home. I did the milking after I came home. Marj. and I picked chickens to-night till we were so tired we hated each other.</p> <p>Wednesday February 4th</p> <p>I got up at five this morning and went at the Chickens again and got them pretty well gone over before breakfast. Then we had to wash their feet and heads, weigh them and pack them. I was disappointed in the weights as there were only half a dozen went over five pounds. We packed them by themselves in a butterbox</p> <p>and put twelve that weight between four &amp; five pounds in the regular box. I am hoping to get 25 and 28 cts for them as that is the price quoted in the paper. They were all nice and plump but were too small. Aunty Alice invited us down there for dinner so we tried to get around early but it was twelve o'clock before we could get started. I couldn't take the chickens with us so after dinner I got some feed at Billy Langs and took it home and brought the chickens back. I was held up on the side road as Billy Watson &amp; Sid McBride were hauling wood and both loads upset. The track is cutting away and is about two feet high. I helped Sid load up as much as he wanted to take. Billy had just got loaded up when I came along, so by the time I got back to town with the chickens it was too late for them to go out to-night. Aunty Alice seemed to be about all in to-day worried and tired out. Lila was very sick, she caught the grip in some way and of course it goes very hard with her. She has been in bed now for over a month and seems to be going downhill, so no wonder Aunty Alice is discouraged about her. It looks hard. Dick wrote Dad. that his his leaving for home right away and doesn't have to report in Vancouver till March 1st. Getting this year's holidays now. Very mild and a beautiful day.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Dover was greatly excited over the news in to-day's paper that the Union Bank in Hamilton where Ada Sovereign is teller was robbed and Ada with another clerk who were alone in the bank were ordered at the points of revolvers to lie on their faces and then were roughly put into the vault and locked in. They were not there long as the manager soon came back and released them. The robbers only got $8 00. The papers are full enough of such happenings but that is about the closest it has ever come to Dover. Another choice bit of news is the announcement of Zeitha Barwell's &amp; Alan Tibbett's engagement ,with the promise of a swell June wedding with all the trimmings. The old "Maple Leaf will be full of stale news this week.</p> <p>Thursday February 5th</p> <p>We were late getting up this morning but as soon as I could get around to it I drove over home and we put the light rack on the sleighs and Frank and I took Joe &amp; Queen over to Wilbur's to get the load of straw he offered me for nothing. We found Wilbur in the house playing solitaire, but he came out and we went over to Frank's where the big wheat stack is. We weren't long putting on a small load as we didn't want to take any chances of upsetting and we got home here with it about one o'clock. We had dinner and then pitched it off over the granary. We had to move some hay first. Marj. was baking to-day but about four when we were ready to go back she put her bread in the pans to rise, bundled the kids up and went with us. Over there we transferred to the cutter and got back home about six and found the bread in nice condition to bake. Dad. went down town to meet Dick to-day who arrived on the one o'clock car with a {grand club back?} which the bank staff presented him with on his departure. Very mild and cloudy.</p> <p>Friday February 6th</p> <p>As the very mild weather was still here to-day, Marj. decided that she must can her beef which has been hanging out on the porch and was well thawed by this morning. It is such a sickening sort of job that I cut it up for her this morning. She put it in the jars after dinner and boiled it for five hours, but when taking it out of the boiler to-night, she found that several of the jars leaked at the top which was so</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>discouraging for her that she went to bed. She was tired out any way. It looks to me as if the fat that is in the jars would hermetically seal them, so that I don't see why it should matter if a little {cordial?} got in at the top. She had 11 pints of it. This after noon I cleaned out the pullets pen and put some fresh straw in and I cleaned out the old hen's pen after tea. It is so beautifully moon light, that it is really the best time to do it as it doesn't disturb the hens. Now that I have such nice straw on hand I didn't want to lose any time cleaning them out as they needed it. Harry B. was out all the after noon helping me. Harry Blake was in this after noon and left our assessment at $1000. Beautiful day, sunny and very mild.</p> <p>Saturday February 7th</p> <p>This has been another beautiful day, so mild it was fairly warm. Trum. Walker came in this morning while I was sitting around after breakfast reading and we settled up for the wheat I got it came to $19.80 He let me have the first lot at $1.35 as that is what he got for what he sold at that time and the rest at $1.60. although it is now at $1.80 and going up and he is still holding his. I did up the chores this morning, got in a supply of corn stalks and cleaned all the old rotten mangels and pumpkins out of the cellar. As it was such a beautiful day, I thought I would go down this after noon and get my hair cut so we all went but didn't get started very early. Marj. &amp; the children waited for me at Aunty's while I went up town. {Jnir?} Morris's shop was full of girls but Bob Loney's was not so bad so I got through by half past five, but it made us late getting home. Lila was being kept very quiet to-day so they had to keep the kids in the kitchen till Dick came home and wanted to have a bath and then he occupied the kitchen. He &amp; Quint, Ada, Alan &amp; Zeitha were going to a party at the Freeman's</p> <p>Sunday February 8th</p> <p>I have been lately getting up at five o'clock in order to see that the fire is all right and to get a chance to look at the paper and write this while the house is quiet and I can keep awake, a thing that seems impossible after tea. This morning I was tired and Marj. kindly shut off the alarm clock so that I stayed in bed till six when I had to get up and dress the Niblits. I</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>thought as it was Sunday and we had agreed to stay home I would do up the chores early and spend the rest of the day in peace. Marj. was very tired so she stayed in bed till about half past eight and we had a very late breakfast so decided not to eat again till late afternoon when we had a bang-up chicken dinner I went over to the school house to sweep as soon as I got the chores done and was delighted to find my new number of the International Book Review in the mailbox (we had evidently missed it yesterday) and had visions of a glorious read this after noon. The first thing necessary was to get the kids to sleep, with Gay this was soon accomplished by taking her out in the sleigh for a little while. I then took the Niblits out while I did up some outside work, and came in and rocked him for some time. He showed sign's of departing to the Land of Nod but although sleepy he wouldn't let himself go, so I had to give that up. About this time Gay woke up so she had to be brought in out of her sleigh. I put her in Harry B's bed to play but she roared till we put her on the floor where she still roared, so then we all three, she Harry B &amp; I pushed a chair around the kitchen for awhile till she got tired of that. About this time I thought I had better help Marj. wash dishes, she had been washing at them off &amp; on all morning but there was still about a two foot stack of dirty ones. This done Marj. tired herself out trying to rock Harry B to sleep and I held Gay on my lap to keep her quiet. Marj's efforts proved futile and Harry B. made an attempt to get into my lap which made Gay furious, and she kicked and screamed like a little savage. We then went into the nursery and I gave her a walking lesson by standing her against the door and trying to get her to walk to me. She can balance herself alone standing and she did take one or two steps but is a little afraid to trust herself yet. I then made an abortive attempt to sketch some of their positions but they wouldn't stay still long enough so about four I went out to do chores We had tea about five and I milked afterwards and Marj. got them to bed in fairly good time. I got one or two articles read in my new magazine after tea but not many as Marj. thought we had better go to bed early. It has been a beautiful sunny day although very wet underfoot. We had a real thunder storm this morning about six but it didn't last long. Quite warm to-day.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Monday February 9th</p> <p>We had another thunder storm this morning and it has been raining a good part of the day but still very mild. It cleared off to-night but didn't freeze. I didn't do anything outside but chores but spent most of my time in the house painting some of the woodwork in the nursery that needed a second coat and I started to paint the woodwork in the dining room. I did the chores up early and to-night went down to accompany the band in serenading Jack Anderson. It was a beautiful night but the roads are bad. The snow is nearly all gone except in the track where it is deep and where the gravel is it is about bare. The water was beginning to come over the road in Dave's flats when I went down and seemed to be rising so I had apprehensions of having to swim home, however it had gone down again by that time. We had a great time down at Jack's. Mr. Bagley the Nestor of the band - made the presentation speech - as Ed. Steele placed before him a box that looked like a shoe box but had a label on it saying wedding cake. I didn't know what was coming as I hardly thought the boys would have chosen either footwear or eatables as a "token of their esteem" for Jack. but just as Mr. Bagley got out his jack-knife and cut the string, Bob. Smith apparently fearing that Bridgewater was going to get some credit which was due to himself, announced that Mr. Bagley had the wrong box. Jack &amp; Mrs. Anderson were going to let him open it, but as he didn't I never found out what the box contained. Ed. Steele took it and made another search in the hall and brought forth a much larger box from which when after opening Mr. Bagley drew forth a little silver vessel with a wire netting top to it which was evidently meant for flowers. Mrs. Anderson exclaimed "How lovely, it will just match my candlesticks." Mr. Bagley rummaged some more amongst the tissue paper in the box and finaly produced a pair of candlesticks to match the other thing. Mrs. Anderson seemed very pleased and Jack made a thank-you speech and then passed around cigars and got out card tables. I don't know any more about playing cards than I do about playing golf, but as there were three of the boys wanting a game and needing a fourth I consented to take a hand at pedro if Mr. Bagley would coach me. He knows</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>how but it is against his principles (or else Essie won't let him) to play cards. However, it didn't seem to trouble his conscience any to play as long as I held the cards and threw them on the table, and finally I managed to get him to take them entirely and I left. We couldn't prevail on him though to partake of a little of the "Seagrams" coloured with sacramental wine which our hostess doled out to each of us, so Clare Deal and I drank his portion between us. We hadn't been playing long when there was a terriffic racket, guns &amp; shouting with out and Jack's dog barking within. Jack went to the door and presently the kitchen was filled with about forty fishermen. They just stayed long enough to consume all the sandwichs that Jack had prepared for us. After I got tired of hearts &amp; spades, I went out to see what was going on in the kitchen. I found Cecil (who has joined the band as a snare drummer) and Harry Moon replenishing the sandwich supply, Carl Coleman shaking hands with the dog's tail and George Hallam running around with a cup of hot water wanting to know where the cold water tap was, they were side by side but he had got the wrong one. Carl escorted me into the pantry where he assured me a "lady wanted to see me" and there I found the cause of all the merriment, the wine and whisky supply. As Carl introduced more of the boys to the "lady that wanted to see them", things became livelier and we certainly had a good time. No body got too hilarious Carl being the gayest of the bunch. He told me I could stay all night with him, if I couldn't get any farther and kept informing us of what a good-natured wife he had. We had refreshments and after playing a few more "noises" broke up the party some time after midnight. When I left, Hal. Steele and Carl were playing cornet &amp; drum duets Hal. playing his favorite solos, My Task and My Rosary I don't know which one he was working at and I guess he didn't either. Mrs. Anderson was the only woman in the house, but she didn't seem to mind that. I went in to Aunty's to get my sweater and found Aunty Alice up. She was not going to bed on Lila's account. Poor Lila is very much worse. I got home with out any accidents and was rather surprised to find Marj. up. She had had a sleep and then spent the rest of the time sewing.</p> <p>Tuesday February 10th</p> <p>I spent most of my spare time to-day painting and got all the woodwork in the dining room</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>except the north door which was covered with moisture given one coat and also painted the panel of {paper?} in the nursery which had never been done. I went out to the gully for awhile and tried to roll some of my logs into the creek which was running full and I thought might float the logs down to the far end of the gully where they would be easily loaded. I couldn't do much at it alone so thought I would go over to-night when I took Ina home and get Frank to come out to-morrow and help me. However while I was out doing chores Ina walked home so I didn't bother hooking up as I was rather tired after last night's performance. Mild.</p> <p>Wednesday February 11th</p> <p>We had another thunder storm this morning early and heavy fusilade of hail with it. It has been cloudy and disagreeable all day with several showers and is colder to-night. I didn't do much inside or out except chores and write a letter to Miss Bain, as Marj. had a letter from Phyl. yesterday, describing Dorrie's thrilling adventure which Miss Bain told us in a card she had had but didnt tell us the nature of it. She was alone in the office sitting by the coal stove when she fainted, fell against the stove and didn't come too till she was very badly burned. Phyl said she was getting along nicely but would not be able to go back to the office for a couple of weeks yet. Phyl thinks her faint was due to hunger as she says she doesn't eat enough breakfast</p> <p>Thursday February 12th</p> <p>It has been a little colder to-day but brighter. I didn't do anything much but chores and put up the blinds in the nursery for Marj. The hens are beginning to do pretty well now. We got 19 eggs yesterday &amp; 17 to-day.</p> <p>Friday February 13th</p> <p>Frank came over this morning just as we finished breakfast to get Queen to get a load of coal. I had intended going over to the farm to see about getting a load for ourselves so we both went back as soon as I could get ready. We went down before dinner and got Dad's load. He was down at Aunty's and he and I went down after the coal while Frank went up town to get some groceries and sell six dozen eggs for us. We were late having dinner as it was late when we</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>got back with our load. Frank and I went down this after noon to get my load, and as I wanted to get some feed at Billy Langs and as we were delayed a little by helping Marjorie Gamble at the coal office try to figure out a Cross-word puzzle, and Frank forgetting his coat and having to go back to the coal shed for it from Aunty's it was fairly late when we got home. We put on a few chunks of the old horse chestnut tree at Aunty's and I brought some of them over here. Down at Aunty's they are very tired and very troubled. Poor Lila is sinking rapidly. She was delirious last night. To-day she was resting comfortably and slept most of the time. Her temperature quickl fluctuates quickly &amp; sharply rising to 102° and then dropping to below normal. Dr Cook says this is due to the disease attacking new spots. He says the tuberculosis is now all through her system. He asked Aunty Alice if they would like another doctor. She said she was satisfied with him but asked him if he would like another. He said "I think the poor child has suffered enough at the hands of doctors." It is true and we can't help thinking "If only she had never gone to that Hospital." It is hard not to think bitterly of an institution which professes to do so much for the relief of suffering humanity and support its plea for public support by giving free treatment to ailing paupers and all sorts of human scum and yet will take the finest type of girls like Lila in the best of health and with overwork and lack of proper food allow them to become the victims of a preventable disease then operate on them for an experiment and finally send them home to die. It's hard to believe but it's true. Quint has been in Vittoria for a few days this week as old Mr. Farrar is very sick, and Miss Farrar is up there Mrs. Dunkin came up from Toronto to see her father and while she was here Top. died. Dick has been close at home though so has been a great help to Aunty &amp; Aunty Alice.</p> <p>Saturday February 14th</p> <p>This has been another beautiful day, bright &amp; very mild I went over to Willie Shand's this morning and got my saws which he had doctored up for me. I tried the crosscut out on the way back on one of my pines. I got it notched and sawed pretty well through before dinner but it was leaning a little away from where I wanted to fall it so I left it till after dinner and then wedged it over with an old axe head. I then went over and swept the school house. Harry B. went with me and amused himself by eating paints or crayons.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Sunday February 15th</p> <p>Marj. thought a good rest this morning would do her good so she stayed in bed till noon and I stayed in the house and read and herded the kids, just doing what chores I had to. I did the rest this after noon but we put in a very quiet day. The Lampkin's came over after tea to-night. Frank came over about eleven a.m. to tell us that poor little Lila has left us, she died about two o'clock this morning, consious I think up to the last but not suffering. It is nearly four years now since Aunty Maude went, Lila was then except for Tim the baby of our family, and so vivacious, active and aparantly strong, that little any of us thought, that she would be the first to join her mother. It seems hard to think that she, so young, so pretty and so very clever should be the first of her generation to experience the great adventure and to enter the shadowy boundaries of the mysterious unknown, and the sorrow for us who stand on this side and watch her bravely embark on that awful journey is piercing in its sadness and yet our pangs of grief are gently blended with a piercing sweetness which only grief can know, as we imagine the joy on that other side when, her journey ended, mother and daughter once again are in each other's arms.</p> <p>Monday February 16th</p> <p>I just did up the necessary chores this morning had an early dinner and walked over to the farm and got Queen and the cutter. Dad took her down to Hallam this morning and had him put on a shoe she had cast and then they had to use her with Joe to go out to Wilbur's and get their saw. I came home and drove Marj. down town leaving the children at Mrs. Lampkin's where they had a grand time. Marj. went to the doctor's and we met at Aunty's. Aunty Alice said they had both had a good rest and were feeling better. Cousin Phoebe and Miss Buckwell were there to receive callers and Aunty was lying down, more to be away from the confusion she said than because she didn't feel well. I met Dick up town doing some shopping for them and he went back to the house with me. Quint was up at Mr. Farrar's funeral. Poor old Quint has had a hard week of it. He didn't realize when he went to Vittoria early in the week nor till Dick telephoned him to come back that Lila was so seriously ill. Dick has had a sad holiday, but he has been a great help to Aunty &amp; Aunty Alice and told Dad that as things turned out he would not have had his holidays at any other time. I signed my contract with the Canning Factory this after noon. Colder.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Tuesday February 17th</p> <p>I notched the biggest of the pines this morning but didn't take time to cut it down as it is slow work alone and I finished making a little grit &amp; shell hopper for the chickens. Marj. lit Harry B out for a play and as I came into the house for some thing I saw him out back of the barn. I was only in the house a minute or two and when I went out he had disappeared, and after a short search I saw his little redcoat over in the school yard as he was climbing the hill. I went over and got him and had to laugh at the trail he made down the hill and across the little flat and into the school yard where the fence is down, the little pattern on the soles of his new rubbers looks so funny where he has walked across a piece of snowy field where there are no other tracks. It looks at a glance like the trail of some little animal, the spaces between the footprints about the same length as the footprints themselves. We had dinner early and I drove down right after to go to Lila's funeral. I got Uncle Ward and drove him down. We had a very short service at the house and then went to the church where there seemed to be a lot of people. Only the bearers, and Dad &amp; Huby went up to the cemetry, not many have their cars out. Alfred Shubert, Dick Tibbetts and Ted. Nicolls drove us and Mr. Cornish up there, and Dave Ward must have gone up with Ted. Nicholls as he was there but was walking home, and we picked him up. I was with Dad. Huby &amp; Quint in Shubert's car. Quint. Dick. Frank. Karl. Cecil and I carried her and laid her beside her mother. It is sad, sad to think that, that was all I could do for her when I did so little when she was with us, but I like to think of the good time we had when she and I sat to-gether at Christmas dinner, I thought then she was getting better. We all went down to Aunty's when we came back from the cemetry but I didn't stay long. Quint's girl Miss Farrar was there and I met her for the first time. No-body says much about it but there seems to be no doubt about their engagement. I drove Uncle Ward home and got back here about half past four, so as I was hooked up started home with Ina but Bill &amp; Mrs. Donald overtook us in a buggy at the corner so she transferred. Marj. &amp; I nearly froze to-night as the coal fire went out and I had to go out about eleven o'clock and forage kindling for it. A very sad thing happened in town yesterday when Miss Hommer one of the primary teachers died after a very short illness of blood poisoning from an infected boil. She taught up till last week and I don't think they knew how serious her case was in time to send for her people who live up around Guelph or Kitchner. She was boarding at Mrs. Law's. Gay took several steps to-night. Much colder.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Wednesday February 18th</p> <p>I spent most of the fore noon cutting down another pine. It was leaning uphill towards the fence so I had to wedge it over. I haggled away at it till I got it teetering and then Marj. called me to dinner so I left it and when I came out after dinner it was down with its head in the creek, the way I wanted it to go. Dad. and Dick came out this after noon for a little while It is the first Dick has been out since he came home and he expects to leave on Saturday. Raw west wind.</p> <p>Thursday February 19th</p> <p>Frank came over this fore noon before I had the chores all done to go with me to a sale this after noon out at Bancroft's near Mt. Zion church. As we had lots of time I got him to help me fell the big pine which I ratched the other day. We had to wedge it over too and I broke the old axe head doing it but we got it over about where we wanted it. There was a squirrels nest in it and we saw the squirrel a grey one come out and run up towards the top when we started to drive the wedge He hung on like grim death till the tree started to gain momentum in its downward course when he took a flying leap of about 15 feet over into an ash where he was safe. It was a spectacular jump fit for a movie scene. We cut a little wood and as the sleighing is getting so poor we decided to take the buggy this after noon so started to oil it, but couldn't find the wrenchs. I knew the one for the inside nut was lost but thought perhaps the monkey wrench would loosen it. I could have sworn that the cap wrench was in the buggy but there was no sign of it, so Frank went over and borrowed Dave's while I did up the chores. Dave's wrench didnt fit very well and as we had so much trouble getting one wheel off we decided it didn't need oiling so let it go. We were afraid we would be late for the sale as it was one o'clock before we got started but we needn't have worried as Walsh spent about half the after noon selling a sleigh box full of junk. There was about the biggest line up of implements I ever saw at a sale, and they were all in good shape a lot of them new. I bid on the roller but it went up beyond what I thought was a bargain so I didn't get it. Neither of us bid on anything else. It must have been nearly five when we left and they weren't quite through with the machinery and had a fine bunch of Holsteins and several</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>horses to sell so would be pretty late when they finished. We were rather chilly when we got back here but Marj. had just baked so we got warm filling up on Willie Grants. Frank walked home. Milder this morning but colder to-night.</p> <p>Friday February 20th</p> <p>As we wanted to have an early dinner and go to town this after noon I didn't do much this fore noon but chores We went to town in the buggy and it was a tight squeeze for all of us to get in and felt very uncomfortable after the roomy cutter. We took the egg crate and Harry B sat on it. I thought may be Dad. would want to get a load of silage this after noon but we saw him down town and he said to let it go till to-morrow, so we just stayed at Aunty's for awhile after getting our groceries. Dad. was down with a letter he had just received from in answer to the one he wrote concerning the "fortune". The letter to-day is perplexing &amp; promising. It is from a firm of lawyers who say they have for many years been and still are the solicitors to the trustees of a fund to which they say they can help Dad. formulate and possibly prove a claim. They ask him to answer a good many questions concerning names, {there is a small multiplication sum written above this top line} dates of births &amp; marriages &amp; deaths of different members of the family and then the perplexing part of their letter is when they say "If you were born before a certain day in March 1858." Dad wasn't born till 1864 so we are trying to figure out just what difference that will make or how much depends on it. South west wind and very mild all day.</p> <p>Saturday February 21st</p> <p>It started to rain before day light this morning and has kept it up pretty much all day. It has taken nearly all the snow off except where there were very deep drifts and to-night the gully is running full and the water is going over the road by Dave's gate I went over this forenoon and swept out the school house and sat around over there for awhile reading a bulletin on protecting birds. This after noon I painted the north door in the dining room and puttied up a lot of nail holes in the woodwork. Quite mild.</p> <p>Sunday February 22nd</p> <p>Marj. repeated last Sunday's performance except that she got up for breakfast and then went back to bed and</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>stayed till tea time. I spent the fore noon doing the dishes, playing with the kids and competing with Marj. in making tabloid puzzles. I had the laugh on her, she does the one that is in the paper every day and as a rule solves them in a minute or two so this morning she made one. I said any body could make one but she was of the opinion that she had done something very clever and that I couldn't do it, whereat I sat down and wrote one out that she couldn't solve at all and I had to tell her the answer. I then attempted to make a crossword puzzle but got stuck and she spent the remainder of the day composing a couple one of which she worked in the names Toby &amp; T. Barrett and the other Toby Dick Quint. Frank, Tim, Harry &amp; Marj, so I guess I'll have to admit she is smarter yet than I am. After I gave the children their dinners and got them to sleep, (I rocked Harry B and put Gay in bed with Marj. where she slept for awhile) I went out and did some chores, and then came in and read for awhile. I had a couple of pieces of bread &amp; butter and some cheese during the after noon and Marj. got up in time to put the kids to bed to-night and we had tea fairly early. Harry B woke up this evening and I had to rock him for a long time. Marj. wrote Dorrie and we read "Two Gentlemen of Verona". Raw &amp; cloudy, rained part of the day</p> <p>Monday February 23rd</p> <p>This was another rainy morning so after I got the chores done I prepared to do some more painting in the house, but I just got the nursery door painted when Frank appeared to help me cut up my pines and float the logs down the creek. It had stopped raining so we went out to try it. The creek was running over the flats so it was a good chance to try out the scheme. The first log we rolled in went about half way down the gully and then stranded but we thought possibly they might go right on down through Dave's place so we put it a long one, which we hoped to float down to the fence and make a boom, however it got in behind some trees just below the house and as it had started to rain again by this time Marj. called us in so we left it there till after dinner. While we were in the house I mixed up some Plaster Paris and filled up some of the cracks in the plaster &amp; gyprock, which had been made at the time all the fixing was done last year. When we went out after dinner to get the boom log loose, we found something had given away up the creek and a lot of ice &amp; debris had got in behind the log and jammed it so that we couldnt budge it. We then went up to the tree by Charlie Munro's fence and cut five 10 ft logs out of it, the first one we launched went farther</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>down the creek than the others had gone but another got stuck near the long one: so Frank conceived the idea of making a raft out of three logs and riding down on it and loosening some of the others that were fast. I went up to the barn to get spikes and some pieces of scantling and discovered Mary &amp; Bobbie in the barn. I had left them in the yard but as their stable door was swelled I couldn't fasten it shut and they had gone in and walked right through their stancions into the barn Mary had knocked over a bag of wheat and spilled a lot but I don't think had eaten much. I turned them out in the field. After we got the raft made and launched, we found it wouldn't hold us up so we had to take it to pieces and let the logs go separately. We then put in two logs from the big tree and by this time it was getting late so we went down along the creek and loosened up one or two that were stuck on this side. Frank had his rubber boots so could get at them better than I could. We didn't see any go down near the end of the gully but we were sure we put in 11 logs and when we went down could only count 10. I went down through Dave's as far as the culvert but couldn't locate the missing one, so we don't know whether it has gone on down through the woods or whether we made a mistake counting. Very mild, sunny for awhile this after noon but raining again to-night. Cistern full.</p> <p>Tuesday February 24th</p> <p>I went over to the farm this morning to help them get some silage at the factory but it was rather late when I got away as I did up the chores and shaved first. I took Harry B. with me and we got over about eleven. Dad. had gone down town with some milk for Aunty so we had to wait till he got back at noon to take the rack off the waggon and shift the box from the sleighs to the waggon. We harnessed the team and oiled my buggy. Frank and I went right after dinner but we went up town first to post some letters and I had to get coal oil, we then went to the station and got my box that the chickens were shipped in, from there to Bill. Langs where I got some chop and bran and then around to Aunty's for a few minutes; so by the time we got to the factory put our load on and home again and got it off it was five o'clock and nearly six before I got home with the Niblets who by then was fast asleep. Ina was here so she &amp; Marj. had their tea while I was feeding up and milking and then I drove her home before I had tea. Another little delay I had this morning was to go down to the creek with the ladder in order to help the two Robinson kids across. They had struck out for school through the woods and I suppose followed the creek which they couldn't cross, down into this gully. Damp, dull mild</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Wednesday February 25th</p> <p>We formulated a plan this morning whereby we were to have an early lunch and leave immediately afterwards for town dropping Gay off at Mrs. Lampkin's. I was to leave Marj. &amp; Harry B down town and go over to the farm and get the team there and get a load of silage for myself, then if there wasnt time to bring it out here leave it at the farm all night. However our arrangements went the way of other of "the best laid schemes of mice &amp; men", this time the weather being the diverting agent. I went over to the Lampkin's and Mrs. Lampkins quite joyfully agreed to keep the baby in spite of the fact that she had had a party last night which had not dispersed till two o'clock and that she was still lame &amp; sore from a bad fall she had last Saturday. They have both had tumbles Dave fell a week ago yesterday and struck his head so that he was knocked senseless &amp; remained dazed all day. Then on Saturday, the water was running so high over the road that Dave declared it impossible for him to reach the mail box and forbade her to attempt it. She however, was anxious to get the mail thinking there might be some word from Mrs. Schram who is sick in Hamilton, so while Dave was busy in the barn doing the evening chores, she started for the mail and got about halfway downhill when she slipped in the mud &amp; fell, just in time for Dave to come to the back door &amp; see her, so instead of sympathy she got scolded and told it served her right, which she thinks pretty hard after the way she played Good Samaritan to him. From there I followed the creek all the way through Shand's woods but couldn't locate my missing log. Just before dinner it began to rain and was soon raining quite hard and looked like an all afternoon shower so Marj. decided not to go to town but as she &amp; the kids were all dressed up, she thought they would go over and pay Mrs Lampkin a visit anyway so I left them there and went on down town with 8 doz. eggs. I stopped in at the farm for awhile and went in to Aunty's to see when they could come out and they decided on Saturday, weather permitting I got the family on my way back &amp; we got home about five.</p> <p>Thursday February 26th</p> <p>We woke up this morning to find that our beautiful Spring weather had taken leave of us. The mud had a</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>thin frozen crust on it and it was snowing &amp; blowing a regular blizzard. It came out fairly sunny for part of the day but there was a snow storm at intervals. The wind which came from the nor'west has been increasing in velocity all day and to-night appears to be trying to tear the house to pieces. It is also freezing hard to-night. I didn't do much outside the ordinary routine of chores this morning except climb up to the attic and get some things for Marj. which were stowed away and which she needs in preparing for Patricia's advent. I also moved a sitting hen from the chicken house to the colony house, where if she remains firm in her maternal intentions I intend to set her, and I got some earth into the house to prepare for planting tomato seeds. I intended going over to Cam. McBride's this after noon to get a setting of eggs but I went to sleep instead and didn't do anything all the after noon. It was too cold and rough anyway.</p> <p>Friday February 27th</p> <p>The wind has been very strong all day and bitterly cold. Every thing is frozen up tight again. It is not blowing so hard to-night but it is clear and frosty. I went over to Cam's this morning and got a dozen eggs and put them under the old hen, which seems to be sitting well in her new nest. I called in at the Lampkins on my way home to see how they felt. Mrs. Lampkin is pretty sore yet from her fall. She gave me a pound or so of home made sausage. I rocked the Niblets to sleep after dinner and went to sleep myself for about an hour, didn't do anything else but chores. Marj. has been busy slicking up the house in case Aunty &amp; Aunty Alice come out to-morrow, but we had a card from them to-day saying they wouldn't come unless the weather moderated. We washed the whole day's dishes to-night.</p> <p>Saturday February 28th</p> <p>It was a bright morning and very little wind so I thought it would get warmer and accordingly went down to get Aunty &amp; Aunty Alice. I found when I got out on the road though that the wind was still very keen in spite of it having gone to the south west. When I got down town they thought it was too cold and as neither of them are in a condition to resist taking cold, I didn't urge them at all. I went up town and got some groceries and got home about noon. I just did chores this afternoon. Mabel came in on her</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>way over to the school house where she had some work to do so I went over and put a fire on for her. About five o'clock {words are too faint to read} started to get sore so I {words are too faint to read} and get Dr. Lemmons to pull it out. I didn't {take?} time to hook up but walked into town and caught Bill {words are too faint to read} he was about to leave the office He went at my tooth but didn't make a very good job of it as the top all broke to pieces and he couldn't get a very good grip on the roots, he got one prong out but had to leave one in. He had to do a lot of prying and twisting so it hurt like the mischief although he shot a lot of dope into it first. Willard Butler picked me up just outside of town and gave me a ride {home?} so I was able to get the milking done before dark. I felt pretty tough to-night. Much milder to-night.</p> <p>Sunday March 1st</p> <p>Marj. and I just sat around to-day not doing much more than we had to although Marj. made a cake in case Aunty &amp; Aunty Alice came out to-morrow. I felt pretty tough. My face wasn't so sore but I think the stuff he put in my tooth made me feel sick. It snowed all day and got very soft this after noon but turned colder late in the evening</p> <p>Monday March 2nd</p> <p>It froze very hard during the night and has been very cold all day with a nasty north west wind. I didn't do any thing but the chores, but spent most of the day nursing my face with the hot-water bottle We were very much surprised to see by to-day's paper that we had had an earthquake Saturday night. We didn't notice it here but several people in town felt it. Cousin Willie saw the brick wall in the house move, and Pickford felt it in bed. Down through Eastern Quebec some damage was done by it</p> <p>Tuesday March 3rd</p> <p>The wind was in the south west this morning and I thought it was a little milder, so I drove over to the farm in the cutter to see if I could get them to help me get some more wood while the snow was on the ground. Dad. was down at Uncle Ward's and Frank had to go to Pickford's to help him kill a pig this after noon so we didn't go after wood I went down town and got some stuff and came back to the farm for dinner and came home soon afterwards I took a note over to Ina Donald from Marj. telling</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>her she could get along without her this week as I helped her do a little wash this morning. I planted my tomato seeds after I got home but I wished I hadn't gone out as my tooth was very sore and I think the cold drive was not good for it. Raw wind</p> <p>Wednesday March 4th</p> <p>I did chores and had breakfast this morning and then lay down with the hot water bottle on my face and slept till noon. I'm not used to having any thing much the matter with me and I make a big fuss over what some people wouldn't pay much attention to, but my sore face made me feel tough. It is better to-night but still pretty sore. I didn't do much this after noon but a few chores and wash the kitchen floor for Marj. Frank walked over to-night before tea to see what was wrong so I told them I would be over to-day to go after wood or else go down and get Aunty and Aunty Alice, and it turned out a beautiful mild day. Marj. wrote a note to them and we told Frank to tell Aunty &amp; Aunty Alice that if it was fair I would go down in the morning after them. Marj. made a cake and some cookies to-day and set bread. I mixed it stiff for her to-night.</p> <p>Thursday March 5th</p> <p>This has been another beautiful day although what wind there was came from the east. I went down this fore noon and brought Aunty &amp; Aunty Alice out. We had a lovely visit although my face was pretty sore all the afternoon They stayed to tea which we had early and I drove them down in time for the Lenten service to-night.</p> <p>Friday March 6th</p> <p>We all went down town for dinner to-day. The buggy wasn't quite so crowded going down as we took the egg crate last night. We didn't get down till noon and I took the eggs up after dinner. I just got 30 cts a dozen for them and Sam told me if I had been two hours earlier I would have got 32. Quint was at Aunty's for dinner and I walked up town with him, all the way up he was arguing against taking out Life Insurance. When I left him he went up to Dr McLaclin's and I went down to Sam's where I found Wiedreck the Canada Life agent so I sent him up to Dr. McLaclin's to interview Quint. Marj. took Harry B. up to see the doctor this after noon and he gave him a bottle of medicine to take. The Niblets is delighted and takes his dose with great gusto. Lovely day.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Saturday March 7th</p> <p>My tooth hurt so after I went to bed that I made up my mind to go down and get Bill to get the other root out to-day. We didn't get up very early and I spent the fore noon doing chores and sweeping the school-house but went down right after dinner. Bill said at first he couldn't pull it as it was too sore yet to monkey with but when he looked at it he said the gum had receded more than he expected so he did pull it. It was painful but came out with one pull. I went down to Aunty's for awhile afterwards and lay down and they tied my face up to drive home. It was very painful again to-night just before I went to bed but I eased it with Sloan's liniment and the hot water bottle. I thought he put a piece of cotton batten in it and as he told me last week to be sure and take it out before I went to bed I fished and prodded around with a darning needle for this piece but couldn't find it and neither could Marj. so I don't know whether it is there or I swallowed it.</p> <p>Sunday March 8th</p> <p>My tooth has been pretty sore all day and as Marj. hasn't felt up to much we just sat around and read most of the time.Dad. &amp; Enah came over this afternoon to see how I was. I did the chores up early what few I did and when I came in to-night my face hurt so that I couldn't or at least didn't try to eat any tea. I lay down with the hot weather bottle and went to sleep and it was still buzzing when I woke up so I went to bed with hot water bottle and Sloan's and had a comfortable night. Marj. gave me a sample of her painkiller pills. Raw, wind &amp; cloudy.</p> <p>Monday March 9th</p> <p>I did up the chores this morning and then went down to the dentists to find out if he had left anything in my tooth. It was nearly noon when I got there and I found a note on the door saying "sickness" so I went down to Aunty's and had dinner and then walked up to Bill's house but although I rang twice no one answered. Frank was at Aunty's for dinner as he and Dad. had been cutting wood down there. He drove home with me. I left Harry B at the farm while I was in town. I got a bag of sugar at Sam's for $1.65. Ina came this morning to sojourn with us till after Patrick's arrival. Ada called for her to-night and they all went over to Tom Hosie's for the evening. Beautiful day, very mild. Flossie was down here this after noon.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Tuesday March 10th</p> <p>I spent most of the fore noon doing chores. I gave the horses a good cleaning and curried off the cows a little and cleaned out the chicken pens. The Niblets was out helping me until it began to rain. It proved to be only a short drizzly shower and then turned out a beautiful day so mild that it seems unseasonable. I made a saw-horse and buck sawed a little wood. We got a note through the mail from Aunty Alice saying she had got some oat chop and bran for me, so I went down after it and as it was such a beautiful day persuaded Marj. to go with me. The feed was in big bags so I couldn't bring quite all of it home. Aunty Alice happened to see Jack at the shop when she was going by so she ordered the feed with out taking my bags over. He told her his father was very sick. Some noble-minded citizen broke into the shop last night. This morning there was a robin in the crab-apple tree and I saw three over at the school-house and we saw blue-birds along the road when we were coming home this after noon. We had a heavy but short lived thunder storm to-night.</p> <p>Wednesday March 11th</p> <p>I started hauling out manure to-day. The ground was soft but as I was putting it on the strip of sod where the old strawberry patch was it wasn't too soft. Marj. told me at noon that we were right out of flour and Ina had to bake so I had to go down this afternoon. I worked till about three and finished covering the sod strip and then drove down in the buggy. The roads are bad but seemed a little better than yesterday. I didn't expect to be able to get in at Billy Lang's but Jack was there so I was able to get a cwt of our favorite brand "Thowbread" instead of a small sack of Eric Lily as I expected. I took Aunty Alice some eggs and she told me that Mrs. Schram is dying. Dr. George McBride came over Sunday from Grand Rapids to see her and says she has cancer and cannot live more than a few days, so evidently their famous "Made in Germany" doctor who was going to have her cured in six weeks was as far off the track as Drs. Cook &amp; Hicks. Ina went home for this after noon and Marj. told her I would call for her but as I thought she and the flour would be quite a buggy load I brought the flour home first and went back after her and got the cream can &amp; butter which was on Trum's stand. The wind is more in the north west to-night and it is getting colder. There has been a terrific blizzard in Manitoba, the worst they have had for years.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Thursday March 12th</p> <p>It was frozen hard enough this morning so that I could haul manure on the old bean patch which was bare ground and I got quite a bit out by noon when it became to soft and the waggon cut through. Right after dinner Reg. Scott came over with his rifle to shoot some cats that Marj. wanted killed. He shot two of the half grown kittens but the third one and the yellow cat couldn't be found, and Marj. couldn't decide at the time which one of the black cats was the sick one so we didn't let him shoot either of them. It seemed like a murderous business but Marj. has been distressed all winter at the prospect of of supporting six cats four of which are feminine felines, as it is I think Reg killed the only two tom-kittens we had. I told Reg. I wouldn't do the job on a bet and he said he hated to himself but for the sake of a shot he would kill almost any thing. He is on the trail of a coon whose tracks he has seen along our creek but whose residence he can't locate. I burned some grass in the orchard this after noon and dug our parsnips, the frost seemed to be right out of the ground in the garden. Marj. &amp; Harry B went over to the Lampkin's with the intention of staying to dinner but found Dave there alone as Mrs. Lambkin went to Hamilton yesterday to see Mrs. Schram. Marj. met Charlie Butler on her way home and he told her that Jim Birdsell died in his sleep last night. He was helping Shand's cut wood all day yesterday and went to bed apparently well, about half past two his wife was awakened by hearing him give two or three peculiar gasps and he died without ever waking up. Charlie didn't know whether Allie was home or not but she managed to get the Shand's wakeded up with the telephone. Reg. told me this after noon that both Mrs. Schram &amp; Billy Langs died last night.</p> <p>Friday March 13th</p> <p>I hooked the team to the waggon and sallied forth this morning to get coal. It was a beautiful day when I left here. I had to go around by the farm to get the waggon box and when I arrived there I could find no sign of anyone around the place. I waited awhile to see if any of them would show up as I didn't want to tackle moving the box alone but as it neared noon I decided they must be down at Aunty's for dinner so I shifted the box alone, with out a great deal of difficulty By this time it was noon and I thought there was no use</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>going down during the noon hour so I started to grease the waggon. I got one wheel done when Dad. &amp; Frank came home, so we put the team in and Frank got dinner for the three of us. He had to go down to Pickford's to cut wood this afternoon. Just as I left for town it began to snow and the wind got up from the north east. Dad. lent me his mackinaw and I was glad of it before I got home. I got my coal and by the time I started home it was snowing hard and a horrible day. The snow was very wet and I got soaked. It was four o'clock before I got home and I put the team in and left my load on the waggon, and did chores up early. Art Quanbury stopped me on my way down this morning and asked me if I had heard Mrs. Tom Stone was dead. I said I knew she wasn't as no one had been after Ina. but it seems the report got around town by some one listening in on the telephone and hearing crookedly the name of Mrs. Tom. Schram. The report that Bill Langs is dead was false although he is in a very critical condition. Excitement over the family fortune is on the increase. Dad had another letter from the firm of lawyers Arnold &amp; Henry White. They had not received his second one when they wrote. They said they had communicated with the vicars of every parish in Tipperary in order to get birth certificates of Fa and his brothers &amp; sisters but so far none of them had been able to help them. One had suggested that the records might be in Dublin, but if so they were probably destroyed when the Four courts was destroyed by the rebels. They asked if Dad. was sure that his father was born at the home of his mother's aunt Lady Dunboyne as they cannot reconcile it with the peerage, so Dad. Aunty &amp; Aunty Alice copied out every thing they could find bearing on the subject and sent it to them. It may be impossible to find birth certificates or records of Fa's family unless Aunt Ella has them in the old Family Bible. I met a man just as I was leaving the farm at noon inquiring about Dad's sorel colt. I think it was Charlie {Eaid?}, I directed him to Dad. but do not know the outcome of his visit.</p> <p>Saturday March 14th</p> <p>This has been a miserable day. It rained most of the forenoon which on top of yesterdays snow made things very sloppy. Later in the afternoon it got colder and snowed more. I had intended taking eggs down and getting groceries but when it turned out such</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>a miserable day I stayed home. I thought likely too that Sam's store would be closed on account of his mother's funeral and I found afterwards that it was closed both yesterday &amp; to-day. Jim Birdsel's funeral went by here about two o'clock. I didnt do much all day, sorted over the potatoes this morning and made a birdhouse this afternoon. The really big event of the day took place a little before midnight and was only a preliminary to Sunday's happenings. Marj. and I went to bed about half past eleven. Marj. had been feeling fine all day, but just as she got into bed she began to feel frightened and thought she should go down town. I persuaded her to wait and make sure and finally she went to sleep.</p> <p>Sunday March 15th</p> <p>Marj. was only asleep a few minutes when she woke up again and was very nervous, however it was such a nasty night and the roads were so bad we hated to take any chances so we waited awhile longer and I went to sleep for a short time, but somewhere around two o'clock she woked me and said we must go at once so we both hopped out and got dressed and I went out and hooked up. Marj came out and got in the buggy before I got Queen out of the stable and was feeling pretty miserable and of course was terribly nervous &amp; frightened. The wind had gone down and was bright moonlight and as we were both too excited to be cold but the roads were very rough as it had frozen hard enough to make them bumpy but not hard enough to hold the buggy up when we got on the side. We had to drive very cautiously as too much bumping hurt Marj. When we arrived at Mrs. Lawson's we pounded several times on the door before she came but had no difficulty in waking the dog up and he made a terrible racket. Poor Mrs. Lawson came to the door fagged out and exclaimed "For the love of Mike" when she saw us, she had two babies there then and didn't want any more. It was just half past two when we got there. I went up directly from there and woke the doctor. He was dubious about coming as he said it wasn't time yet, but when I told him the symtoms he said he would be right down I then put Queen in the Auntys barn and waited around till the doctor came. I walked up to Main St. and watched till he came out of the house and then walked down with him</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>I went in with him and camped in the kitchen to wait developments. I heard the town clock strike four and soon after that Mrs. Lawson came down and announced the arrival of a girl and invited me up. I found Marj. feeling very pleased with herself at having got through the business with such despatch but they all seemed to be a little worried over a hemmorage. Marj. said the baby was born sometime before Mrs. Lawson went downstairs so it must have been before four. She was a monster tipping the beam at 12 lbs. The doctor went home about five but Mrs. Lawson stayed right with Marj. I stayed till about half past seven and then went over to break the news to Aunty &amp; Aunty Alice and have breakfast. Aunty Alice had just come down in her night-dress to light the fire so while they were getting dressed I went up and woke Mrs. Hugh Allan up as Mrs. Lawson was tending to her other patients, Mrs. Woodyer and Mrs. McKenzie. I went home right after breakfast around by the farm to tell the news and got here about nine o'clock. Ina was up and had both the children dressed. They had both been good all night but Harry B didn't want to have breakfast without me. I did up all the chores and right after dinner we started out again. Ina went home for the afternoon and I took Harry B &amp; his "trunk" and left him at the farm where he is to stay and I took Gay right on down town and left her at Aunty's for the afternoon. I then went over to Mrs.Lawson's where people seemed to be pouring in to see the various babies. Woodyer was at the door with a face like a full moon and a grin you could lie behind, he isn't proud of his boy "over nothin'". I went right up to Marj's room where I found Grace Allan. She was supposed to be kept very quiet and not move talk or laugh but Grace said she herself couldn't help talking and Marj. had to answer and as Grace's conversation consisted of every imaginable subject from her reformation of Hugh to her accounts of stealing onions from old Moneck, Marj. had to laugh too. The doctor came while I was there and I walked up town with him, he assured me Marj. was doing well. He is a busy man having had five babies to deliver since last Sunday. I went home about half past four and drove around by the Dionald's and got ha{y?}. Gay slept all the way in &amp; back Bill was telling me about Roy Marshall who died very suddenly on Friday night, he has never been well since he got hurt last year at Charlie Dixon's. He was boarding at Jack Mason's when he died as his mother is sick in the Toronto hospital.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Monday March 16th</p> <p>I spent the forenoon doing chores and tinkering jobs such as fixing some more of my bird house. This after noon I drove down town and took the eggs and got a supply of groceries. I had 12 doz. eggs but they had dropped to 22 cts. so they didn't pay for the groceries. I went in to see Marj. who was feeling better. Aunty was over there holding babies for Mrs. Lawson. I stopped in to see Harry B. who is quite happy and enjoying life. I met Frank on the hill on my way in and it gave me a scare as I thought some thing had gone wrong but he was just going over to Tupper's to look at some hay. I was over at the Lampkin's for awhile this morning Cloudy &amp; raw.</p> <p>Tuesday March 17th</p> <p>It was pouring rain early this morning and rained hard till about eleven when it cleared off and has been a very nice after noon. I wrote a letter to Grand.Daddy this morning announcing his lates great-grand daughter and then I washed the best of the parsnips as Sam. told me he would take some. I also took some down for Aunty, Mrs. Lawson &amp; Grace Allan. Frank came over just as I was going out after dinner. He wanted the waggon to go down and get some fertilizer that he had ordered some time ago and that was down in the car, so we hooked up the team and took the parsnips in the waggon. We got the fertilizer without any trouble it was in a car out along the dock and I left the parsnips in at Sam's, he didn't know how much they would be worth. I stopped in on the way home to see Marj. and took her some shamrock that Frank brought over for her for St. Patrick's day. Aunty was sitting with her to-day. Dad. &amp; Frank sheared the old ewe mother to the triplets which came Saturday, she is coming to her milk now.</p> <p>Wednesday Marching 18th</p> <p>It was a beautiful fore noon but too wet to do much but chores. I spent most of the morning curring the horses and trimming them up and tinkering at a martin house. As it was such a lovely day we thought it would be a good idea to take Gay out for an airing so I took her down town and Ina went home for the after noon. I left Gay at Aunty's and as she saw me coming from Mrs. Lawson's she came home to</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>watch her as Aunty Alice was going up town. I went in to see Marj. for awhile and then went on up town and got my hair cut. I told Ina I would try to meet her at the Winding Hill at five o'clock but as I went around by the farm and the roads that way are so bad I didn't get home till nearly six. Just as Gay. and I started for home it began to rain and got colder so Dad. let me have his mackinaw. It turned out to be a very rough night with high wind and a terriffic downpour. Dad. &amp; Frank hooked up Pommers &amp; George to the big waggon &amp; rack this morning and I don't know what all happened but they got away and tore out two or three fence posts in front of the house ran in to the corner of the house broke the tongue, reach, rack and the end off the double-tree and finally wound up over in Martin's field. Dad. got a nasty cut on his thumb but otherwise was not hurt. In order to tame the horses down a little, this after noon they hooked them to the bob-sleighs which they dragged out here through the mud and then got the waggon and went down after silage.</p> <p>Thursday March 19th</p> <p>A wild storm raged all the early part of last night and the wind was still strong and cold this morning with a drizzling rain for part of the time, it has been cloudy and raw all day. I walked down through their gully to the road when I first went out this morning and at that time there was very little water except in the channel of the creek which was high, but judging by appearances more water went through the gully last night that's at anytime so far this Spring. Five of my pine logs had floated off the place, two of them were just inside Dave's fence, two down near the culvert and one down in Shanbs's woods. The road in front of Dave's gate was washed bare off gravel and worse than that a regular canal had been cut along the east side eof the track making the road really dangerous. I called up Marston fence Shand's after breakfast, and offered to drive him out from Dover if he would come down but he said he would be down in a day or two when the roads settled. To-day's paper told of a terrible tornado which swept through several of the mid western States including Indianna &amp; Illinois causing great loss of life &amp; property. Over 800 people killed and over 2000 injured. I could</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>see no mention made of Bedford so suppose Roy &amp; his family were not so near the devastated area which seems to have been a very narrow strip. I didn't do much but chores this forenoon and went over to the Lampkin's for a little while this after noon. I drove down town quite late in the afternoon and went to see Marj. for a short time and then went over to Billy Lang's shop and got a bag of oat chop from Jack who is at the shop every night after five.</p> <p>Friday March 20th</p> <p>As it was frozen this morning I thought I could get out a few more loads of manure but the sun soon got up strong and although I got two loads out the ground was too soft and the waggon cut in badly so I quit. I heard an engine going over in Willie Shand's woods so walked over to investigate and found Willie Shand, Will Cruise, Tom Aiken &amp; Tom Stone doing a great business sawing wood with the saw frame outfit that Willie Shand &amp; Will Cruise bought from Frank Shearer for fifty dollars. The two Willies were running the machine and the Tom's were skidding the logs. Willie was as delighted as a kid with a new toy and thinks the machine will soon pay for itself in the time it will save. Possibly so, but it appears to me that if he and Tom had spent the time it has taken to get the thing hauled into place and rigged up sawing wood they would have their wood all out by now, however Willie is getting a lot of fun out of it so I suppose it is all right. I cleaned out the colony house this after noon and tinkered around, but didn't go down town. The last two Fridays seem to testify to the truth of the proverb " Friday fairest or foulest." Last Friday was the worst day of the week and to day has been a beautiful day and I think easily the finest day.</p> <p>Saturday March 21st</p> <p>It was very cloudy this morning and looked so threatening that I decided to go down town before dinner and then I thought I would have more time to see Marj. I got down about eleven and took the eggs up town and got what groceries we needed. I went into the bank to see about borrowing enough money to pay Mrs. Lawson but Mr. Freeman was busy, so I didnt see him, later I saw Dad. and he said he could</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>let me have the money as he has sold Rachel to Cameron {illegible} for $155.00 He asked Charlie Eaid that for her and although he liked her very much he didn't offer him that for her, but said he would so if he could mate her first. Quint. and I had dinner at Aunty's and then I went over and sat with Marj. till about two o'clock when I left to attend a Horticultural meeting at the Canning Factory. It lasted most of the afternoon. Young Jones was there and asked me to paint his name on his new truck. Dad. has had the most exciting news yet from the English lawyers. They are sending a man out to dig up the necessary information and instructed Dad. to cable them when he would meet their man whose name is Mr. Parks. Dad. cabled that he would meet him at Port Dover. They also said that the reason they asked whether Dad was born before 1858 was that it made the difference whether he would recieve a life interest or the capital sum which was a considerable ammount. Mr. Freeman to whom they showed the letter and asked for advice regarding the cable said that a "considerable ammount" to those people meant vastly more than it did to us and predicted that it would not be less than $200,000. That of course though is mere conjecture. The whole affair is beginning to make me feel queer. If it should come to nothing now, we are all going to be terribly disappointed, on the other hand I feel as though it is going to be a serious matter for us if immense wealth is suddenly dropped into our laps. It would be a great responsibility besides making us odiously notorious, and altogether change the whole course of our lives which in spite of financial pinches have for the most part been tranquil &amp; happy ones.</p> <p>Sunday March 21st</p> <p>We got around early this morning and all left Donnybrook for the day. Ina went home and Gay and I went down town. We got down to Aunty's before Aunty Alice got home from Sunday school. She did not go to church so that she could look after Gay and let me go. I was a little late so sat in the back with Win. Dad. had Harry B. in the front seat with him and he was pretty good. Mr. Cornish had to stop during the reading of the first lesson to request the choir not to kick up such a racket turning pages and whispering. Frank was not in church as he &amp; Jonas walked out to the England's for dinner. We took Harry B.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>down to Aunty's for dinner so that he &amp; Gay could have a romp to-gether. They were glad to see each other but were not at all demonstrative over it. I spent the after noon with Marj. and took Harry B. over with me for awhile. Aunty came over a little later and got him. He regards Baby {Hister?} as a great joke. Marj. is alone at Mrs. Lawson's now. Mrs . Woodyer left on Friday and Mrs. McKenzie to-day. I went home about five and went down to the McDonald's and got Ina. I picked Mabel up on the road and she went down with me and held Gay. It has been partly cloudy with a raw east wind all day.</p> <p>Monday March 23rd</p> <p>It was frozen this morning so I hauled out a couple more loads of manure but the sun soon got too hot and thawed the ground so that it wouldn't hold the waggon up I then took the waggon down in the orchard and gathered up the old brush that has been there since last Spring and piled it. I spent most of the after noon down there. I put 8 little chickens out with the old hen this morning, 10 hatched out of the twelve eggs and two died. I set 3 more hens to-night but didn't put eggs under them. It has been a beautiful day but with quite a sharp east wind.</p> <p>Tuesday March 24th</p> <p>I finished hauling out manure this morning on the piece west of the barn. I haven't it spread yet but it is piled up to the far end of the young orchard. I burned quite a lot of grass up there around the young trees. This after noon I went down to see Marj. and left Ina &amp; Gay at Mrs Lampkin's for the after noon. Marj. had had a little fever again and Mrs. Lawson got the doctor to come down but she seemed to feel all right. Fine day rain to-night.</p> <p>Wednesday March 25th</p> <p>I went over and got three more settings of eggs from Mrs. McBride and set two of my hens, the third one showed signs of not wanting to sit so I shut her on the nest and didn't put the eggs under her till to-night. I spent the remainder of the fore noon trimming the young orchard and got it all gone over after a fashion. Willie Shand came over while I was there and said he was going to try ploughing with the tractor this afternoon on sod. They were ploughing with the grey team on corn stubble this after no morning I drove Ina and Gay down to the Donald's after dinner and I went on down to see Marj. I had told them</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>I didn't think I would be down to-day but I wanted to know if Marj. was feeling better. I met Dad. &amp; Frank at the factory with a load of pea silage which they were going to bring out to me but they said as I was not home they would take it home and bring me a load to-morrow. Marj. was feeling better. I called in to see Harry B. on my way home and he for the first time showed signs of wanting me to take him with me. Beautiful day again but quite a cold breeze.</p> <p>Thursday March 26th</p> <p>Ina took the carpet up out of the front room this morning and I beat it for her. I didn't get a very early start as I had to go over to the school house twice first to sweep and then to dust. I didn't get over last night and it was very dirty. Dad. and Frank came out quite early with a load of pea silage and when we unloaded it they hooked to the road scraper. We had to pound out the hammer strap before we could get the draw bolt through the doubletrees and as it was bad to use a smaller sized draw bolt. I went with them as far as Evan's and then came home to dinner. They intended to go to the town limits and back this after noon but for some reason didn't get back. This after noon I went down and started to paint Jone's name &amp; business on his truck I took Ina &amp; Gay up to spend the after noon with Winnie Shand and as it was after six wnen I got back for them, Ina was having tea and Winnie invited me in too, so it was after dark when we got home. Just as we left there we noticed a few flashes of lightening which increased in number &amp; vividness as we got towards home and finally there commenced to be rumblings of thunder, by the time I got the chores all done, there was a full fledged thunder storm in progress. It soon passed over but rained more during the night. Lovely day, warm.</p> <p>Friday March 27th</p> <p>It was still cloudy and drizzly this morning and has been much cooler to-day with rain again to-night. After I did the chores I went down to finish Jone's sign. I drove in at the farm to see what happened to them yesterday and found that Frank had had to fix a culvert down near</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Mrs. Monroe's corner as it had washed out under the road and Charlie Butler's horse had gone in and turned a complete summersault. He thought after last nights rain it might need some more fixing so I drove him back. Tupper came along while we were there and rode on into town with me. I got up to Jone's about 11 o'clock, had dinne there and finished the painting about four. He seemed well pleased and paid me $3. I went in for awhile on my way home to see Marj. Rained on my way home.</p> <p>Saturday March 28th</p> <p>Dad. &amp; Frank brought the grader back yesterday but said they couldn't do the rest of the road so I went over right after breakfast and got Tom. Stone to hook to it and we made one round on the north end of the beat before dinner. Tom made the other round on the whole beat this after noon and had his man with him. I went down town and did the week's trading and spent quite a little time with Marj. The doctor was there and told her she would have to stay at Mrs. Lawson's another week. She is feeling better though. Cold north west wind all day. Snowing to-night.</p> <p>Sunday March 29th</p> <p>The ground was covered with snow this moring which has pretty well disappeared by to-night although it has been cloudy &amp; raw with occasional snow flurries all day. Gay &amp; I went down town this morning and Ina went home for the day. I got down for church and Aunty came home from Sunday school to be with Gay. I spent the after-noon with Marj. I had tea at Aunty's and called for Ina on the way home. She had tea at home. This was Mr. Robertson's last Sunday here.</p> <p>Monday March 30th</p> <p>As soon as I had breakfast and swept the school house I went back to the culvert beyond Fred Misner's and found Tom. Stone already at work. We worked at it all day and raised the tile at each end as they were much lower than the ones in the center which couldn't take as much water as they should. I called Marston up and he told me to do any thing that I thought needed doing, and to put the new tile in this culvert that were there but we didn't think there were enough of them. Ina told me this morning that she wouldn't be able to stay on after Easter. Cold, raw east wind, cloudy</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Tuesday March 31st</p> <p>Tom. came over this morning to tell me he couldn't come on this fore noon as he had some work to do at his bridge. I attempted to paint my name on the mail-box but it was too cold so I quit. I took my shovel and new handle over to Evan's for him to put the handle in for me, but found he was sick in bed with bronchitis. I walked on over home and found Dad. &amp; Frank giving the sorel filly the rudiments of education. They had a rope around her neck and were trying to get her into a stall to {tap?} her but she was determined not to go. She wrestled &amp; tussled with the rope for about an hour reared pawed and threw herself and got in a steaming lather and finaly got quite quiet. Harry B and I had a great visit and he didn't want me to come away but I came home for dinner. This after noon Tom. &amp; I scraped a ditch along north of the lane and scraped some of the gravel that washed off back on the flats. Just about quitting time a man came along and got Tom to go and haul a big truck out of the back field. East wind but sunny</p> <p>Wednesday March April 1st</p> <p>Tom and I put in the forenoon on the road cleaning out the mouth of the culvert that runs from Art Quanbury's woods into Dad's little gully and also scraping a ditch just north of the gully gate where the truck got in last night. We intended ditching the east side of the big hill this afternoon but it began to rain just after dinner and by the time we got down there was raining quite hard so we left Tom's plough at Evan's to have the coulter sharpened and came home. I packed 12 dozen eggs in the crate for Dorrie. I just had enough with to-day's gathering to fill it and have been saving since Saturday. About four I took them down and shipped them. I picked Frank up down town and he went to the station with me. I stopped in to see Marj. and she seems to be getting on all right. She was up out of bed twice to-day and on Friday if it is fine hopes to go over to Aunty's. Aunty Alice had a letter from Cousin Carrie enclosing one from Winnie Barrett (Anderson) who has been corresponding with the English lawyers and found out that a man is coming out. She evidently has renewed hopes of the fund being divided up, and Cousin Carrie appears provoked at her writing all about it to her and not to Dad. Cold east wind all day drizzling to-night.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Thursday April 2nd</p> <p>It was drizzling this morning so we didn't try to do any road work and I spent the fore noon cutting and laying a strip of linoleum in the kitchen to fill in the little space where it was cut too short I didn't get the glue to stick very well where I put the old window blinds under the seam. I also painted a wash stand that Marj. wanted done. It has been out in the shed since last year and had chicken mites in it. I thought they would be all starved or frozen by now but when I put the chinamel on they swarmed out of the cracks so I set the thing outdoors. Tom. came this after noon and we went down to the hill. We first ploughed out a furrow from the top of the big hill along Dad's place &amp; Martin's to the corner and came back on the other side Frank came along when we got to the corner and we put him to work throwing out the furrow so that we can plough another one back. We then started to plough a ditch on the east side of the hill but Tom. broke the end off his coulter in some unknown way so we couldn't use it. Evan's had just fixed it up for him. He went down town to see if he could get a new one but couldn't so we took it back to Evan's on our way home. We tried the scraper till it was time to quit but couldn't do much with it. We need another furrow ploughed and the clay is so stiff and mucky. I went over to the school house to sweep before I came in home and just as I got started a car got stuck solid at the corner of my place and the school yard. I went out and they asked me if I had a team but I told them I didn't think I could pull them out and sent them up to Shand's, so Charlie came back with his team and extricated them. It was nearly dark when I got home and as I did chores up first was very late when we "eventually " had tea. Beautiful day.</p> <p>Friday April 3rd</p> <p>Tom. &amp; I put the forenoon in on the road. Atlplast At least we started out to but spent about the first two hours at Evan's shop as he was quite awhile shaping and fitting the coulter, but he made a good job of it. We ploughed another furrow into the one that Frank threw out yesterday and he came out and threw most of this one out. We then ploughed two more on the hill</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>and started scraping. It worked a little better this morning partly because we worked from the bottom and Tom could hold the scraper in easier going up hill. Charlie Butler came along and told us Marston didn't know "nothing" about building roads and if we had the old system of statute labour the roads would be better than they are now, he thought we should have left this job till June when it would be dry and then scrape the ditch into the road instead of in a pile at the side. I didn't say anything but I felt like telling him that I expected if this June was any thing like other Junes lately we would all be too busy to do road work, and that there would be a hot lot of use piling mucky clay or dry clay either on top of a gravel road, and pretend to think it would improve it. I hurried and got ready after dinner and went down to help get Marj. moved. Ina went home and we left Gay with Mrs. Lampkin's to save me driving down to the Donald's. Dad. was to have come down to help me carry Marj. downstairs and I was afraid he would be there before I was but he didn't get down so Mrs. Lawson and I carried her down by making a cross-hands chair. We then loaded her and Dorothy Mary into the wheel-chair of Mrs. Lawsons and took her over to Aunty's. We met Dad. coming on the way over. He Enah &amp; Harry B were all at Aunty's. Dad. had cut Harry B's hair and made him look like a real boy He was overjoyed to see Marj. Enah went up town and Zeitha came down to practice some Easter music so she &amp; Dad. walked up to the church. I went up and got some groceries and then hung around at Aunty's for the rest of the after noon. Ina was at Mrs. Lampkin's when I called. Beautiful day, wind cold this afternoon.</p> <p>Saturday April 4th</p> <p>When Tom. came this morning he said the hills back at Lindsay's were getting hard and rough and thought we had better hook to the grader so we did but just got back to the Provincial road and back once this fore noon owing to several interruptions. Ernie Gurney came out first and told us all about the sale at Geo. Davidson's yesterday when Julian &amp; the bailiff closed a chattel mortgage and sold him out. Then Nate Butler hailed us and told us all he knew about the road. Next we had to pull Billy McBride out of a mud-hole for which act of mercy he rewarded us a quarter apiece</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Finally as we were going down the hill just this side of the highway, old Matthias Shields or Shiltz or whatever his name is, came along in his big closed car and as I was driving and walking on the inside of the grader he was so close to me that it startled me and I jumped to the side so that the hind wheel of the grader caught me and ran over my foot. It knocked me down and the old man stopped his car and came back and regretted the incident but said he sounded his horn. The grader was making considerable noise on the gravelly road so that neither Tom nor I heard it. My foot hurt for awhile but doesn't hurt much to-night so I think it will be all right. We got back to Fred Misner's corner by noon and this after noon Tom sent his man, George, with the team as he wanted to go to town. George and I got one round in on the whole length of the beat from Dover to the town-line which leaves one round to be made yet on the south end. Fine all day but cold east wind this after noon.</p> <p>Sunday April 5th</p> <p>I went over to the Lampkin's first thing this morning to see how Dave was feeling as his legs were paining him a great deal yesterday and he couldn't get around on them at all. Mrs. Lampkin's said he suffered a great deal of pain in the night but was asleep when I went over. She had fed everything and milked and Reg. was coming over to water things so I didn't do any thing to help them. I went from there over to the school house and swept and then got ready and went down town. Ina went home and I took Gay down. I was in time for church but didn't go as Harry B. was at Aunty's and I thought I might as well have a little visit with the family. Marj. was feeling better but was rather disappointed to discover that Gay would have nothing to do with her and had apparently forgotten her entirely, and she took no notice of the baby either. Harry B however seems to be getting homesick and wants me to stay with him. Quint was down to dinner and Tim stayed till church was out and took Harry B outdoors where he and the Warren kids had a great time playing with horse chestnuts. Aunty took him down to Mrs. Battersby's this after noon and she gave him a neclace of spools with which he was hoping to have a lot of fun with Tom. He saw Margaret</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>McIntosh down there and called her Mr. Battersby. We went home before five and I took him over to the farm as Enah wanted him home to get him ready for bed before church time. Tim &amp; Frank were the only ones home and Tim said Dad. &amp; Enah were up at St. John's I don't know what for unless to look at Great-Grandfather's tomb-stone. Dad. had another letter from England acknowledging his cable-gram and saying that Mr. Parks had booked his passage on the Montroyal which would sail on the 9th. I noticed in yesterday's paper that Lord Willingdon who is bringing the old French shield back to the city of Quebec fom the town of Hastings in England where it has been ever since Wolfe captured the citadel is sailing on the same boat. Froze hard, nice day cold wind.</p> <p>Monday April 6th</p> <p>Tom and I got in a full day on the road to-day without getting very much done, but it was a fine day and there was quite a traffic and many stopped to talk. We finished levelling this morning giving the bad ruts an extra lick and we worked at the ditch on the hill all after noon. Froze hard last night but fine day. Pickford says Guy Teeple was to start seeding to-day. Top is drying fast</p> <p>Tuesday April 7th</p> <p>Tom and I worked all day on the hill and called our job done although it doesn't look very neat, but we have a kind of ditch down each side of the road which lets the water run down instead of seeping into the road. Frank was out for awhile and threw the sods out of the rest of the ditch along the corner field. Pickford disked his hill to-day and it seemed to work up fine. He was telling us that Evan's man left yesterday. He wanted more than $10. a month, and Evans wouldn't give it as he had agreed to put in the year at that wage. Pickford had heard of Mrs. Evans giving John a drop of whisky when he had broncitis the other day and he was giving us his opinion of the damned hypocrites of prohibitionists in no uncertain terms. Fair &amp; quite hot.</p> <p>Wednesday April 8th</p> <p>I went over to see how Dave was getting along first thing this morning. He has had a bad day {illegible} of it for the last week or so with his legs, but was going to get up to-day and go down to the doctor's. I went down town about half past ten and got Marj. &amp; the baby. I took some eggs down to sell and some potatoes for</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Aunty Alice so as I had to go up town, we didn't get home till about after noon. Both Marj. &amp; the baby stood the journey all right. Gay didn't seem to take very kindly to Dorothy Mary, and raised a row when Ina went to put her to sleep. It was such an unusual occourance that we decided it must have been caused by seeing D.M. asleep in her bed. I tried ploughing this after noon and it went very nicely but was plenty wet enough yet in places. Dad. &amp; Frank came out on their way home with some oats that they got at Jack Mason's and Dad. wants me to take Queen over to-morrow so that he can take some Manure down to Aunty's. Cold east wind this am. Milder to-night.</p> <p>Thursday April 9th</p> <p>I went over to the farm first thing this morning and Dad and I got two loads of manure down to Aunty before noon. This after noon we hauled down one load and went over to the factory and got a load of pea straw for me. The stack is about gone. We changed teams at the farm and put Pommers and George on and Dad. hauled it out here. I drove Queen out on the buggy. I got a couple of little maple trees at Aunty's which I set out along the road. Frank was working with the tractor on the back field all day. Harry B was in great spirits and recited "Sing a Song of Sixpence" to me two or three times. This was the day when Mr. Parks was supposed to embark for Canada so I suppose if all's well we will know before very long whether or not we have a fortune and the extent of it. Very mild, threatening.</p> <p>Friday Aoril 10th Good Friday</p> <p>I plought all day and got a good share of the field turned over. I didn't get a very early start as it was raining early this morning and when I went out after breakfast just a drizzle that died off as soon as the sun came out. It was quite sultry this morning but there was a cool breeze this after noon. Nothing very exciting happened to-day. Marj. &amp; the baby seem to be doing all right. I walked over to (Trum.} Walker's to get our butter which has been in the can on his stand since Wednesday, he forgot to bring it up with him. I stopped in at the Lampkin's on my way home and found Charlie &amp; Carrie there. Charlie informed me that one of my pine logs is down in his flats so that accounts for the 11th one that I never could locate. He said another heavy freshet would take it it right into Black Creek.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Saturday April 11th</p> <p>I got around early this morning and got down town and went to Simcoe on the nine o'clock car. I visited Bramhill, Marston, Carter, and the Salvaton Army and finally telephoned Mrs. Porter, I asked all of them except Marston where I could get a girl to help in the house but there seem to be none available. Mrs. Porter said she had had very satisfactory girls from the Barnardo Homes in Toronto so I sent them a card when I got back to Aunty's. I came home on the 11 car and brought the wool sack and twine. When I took it in home Harry B. wanted so to come home with me that I brought him out for a visit and he was tickled pink to get home and to see Marj. I finished my ploughing this after noon. Fine day but cool wind.</p> <p>Sunday April 12th Easter</p> <p>Bill Donald came in quite early in the forenoon and took Ina home with him, so her sojourn with us has ended and although Marj. will miss her very much it is a relief to be alone in the house again. After considerable deliberation we decide the best course to pursue was to take Gay down to Aunty's for a while and Harry B. back to the farm and that would leave Marj. just the baby to look after and she could take her time to the house work. Ina is coming again to wash on Wednesday. This after noon I took Harry B back to the farm and although he wasn't enthusiastic about going he went quite cheerfully and then I went on down and proposed to Aunty &amp; Aunty Alice our scheme for wishing Gay on them, they had suggested it though so they were quite agreeable and Aunty said she would see Mr. Cornish to-night and try to get him to bring her out to-morrow after Gay. Fine a.m. Cloudy raw p.m.</p> <p>Saturday April 18th</p> <p>Owing to working rather late at night and not getting up extra early mornings I have neglected making daily entries so must sum up in a general way the doings of the week. The major portion of my time has been taken up working on the pea ground I got in very nice shape and went down Friday morning and got my seed from the factory, and Dad came out late in the afternoon and started to drill it for me. He quit about six and I went on till nearly dark with Queen &amp; Belle but by then saw that I wasn't going to have enough</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>seed. I didn't know whether the drill was sowing to thick or whether there was more than 2 1/2 acres in the field so this morning I measured the field and found it was a scant 2 1/2 acres. The drill had nearly a bag of seed in it so I thought by shutting it down I could make it go over the field but it ran out when I just had about 2 rounds more to go, so I will have to leave that much till next week and get some more seed. I harrowed over what I had sowed and ran out the one long ditch &amp; its one tributary. I had Dave's roller &amp; harrows borrowed. Tuesday morning I went down to Sid's to have Queen shod as it rained a little Monday night and I thought was too wet to work on the land. Sid couldn't shoe her then as he was just starting out to post up Mrs. Marshall's sale bills so I drove out to Mattias Shiltz's to inquire about a girl that I heard was out there and that he was going to let go, but she was already spoken for. Ina came Wednesday to wash and Wednesday we got word from the Barnardo Home saying they had no girl available at present but advised us to send in an aplication to-gether with a fee of $3.00 and they would send one as soon as possible. Marj. filled up the application form but as we didn't have the $3.00 we didn't send it and to-day Mr. Carter telephoned down that there was an exceptionally bright looking Armenian girl 17 years old in Simcoe would go out for $3.00 a week, so I am to go up on Tuesday next to interview her. Marj. has got on very well all week with just the baby to look after. Gay has been good down at Aunty's, we went down town to-day and saw her. I brought Harry B over yesterday for Marj. to fit a coat on him that she was making and he is still here. Marj. thinks she can manage him now. Oliver Mann came over Tuesday afternoon and took down his radio aerial. I drove him back as I was going down to get some oat chop for the horses. Wednesday night I went down to band practice but got fooled again as there wasn't any. We have been watching the papers all week for the arrival of the Mont Royal which is supposed to have aboard her Mr. Parks and the news of the fortune. Dad. had a very nice personal handwritten letter from him this week saying he expected to sail on the 9th and would telegraph when he would arrive in Dover. The boat will dock at St. John and he said he would likely travel in the daytime as he wants to see the country</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>never having been to Canada before. He told Dad. that he would give him more details of the matter but that it was a long and complicated story and if he could get the proof he needed which he said he had very little doubt of, it would be as far as Dad was concerned a romance for he would be a very rich man. Marj. got word to-day from Mr. Stenson that they hoped to get Uncle George's affairs settled up very soon and that it would then be divided The weather all week has been for the most part dry cold and windy, although there was a shower Monday night &amp; Tuesday night and Tuesday was quite warm and sultry. Friday was fairly warm but windy. Harry B. has come home with a very large repertoire of nursery rhymes which he recites when ever he has nothing else in particular to say. His favorite number is "Hing a hong of hic-huh", which he reels off at full length with great elecutionary expression and winds up dramatically snapping off his nose to illustrate the manner in which the maid lost hers.</p> <p>Sunday April 19th</p> <p>This has been a horrible day. It rained hard during the night and has been very cloudy with frequent showers and a few rolls of thunder all day together with a fierce north-east gale which is still raging to-night. We have had two fires going all day and then found it difficult to keep warm, in fact it wasn't as warm as it should have been when the baby had her bath to-night and she has seemed a little upset this evening from some cause or other, she is usually so good that we hardly know she exists. We got up very late this morning and just had two meals. I just did up the necessary chores and sat around the house for the rest of the time doing dishes, reading writing, snoozing &amp; playing with H.B.</p> <p>Monday April 20th</p> <p>Frank came over soon after breakfast this morning to tell us that Mr. Parks sent a telegram last night to say that he would be in to day on the noon train from Hamilton. Aunty Alice walked over this morning before breakfast to tell Dad. I drove Frank home again and he went down town with me and I got another bushel of peas. We took Harry B with us and he came home again with me. This after noon Dave Lampkins and I drove out to Mrs. Marshalls</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>sale and I bought considerable stuff including a roller, set of harrows 17.50, hay 7.25, rope, double trees 2.25, high-chair .75, old table .10, patent bed 7.25 and some wood 1.25. Frank backed my note for 6 months. I went down to band-practice to-night and had a pretty good blow. I was the only bass there and we have a lot of heavy new music. Mr. Parks was at Aunty's when I went down. He was there for dinner and spent most of the after noon telling about the estate, and from what Quint told me, his story is more like a page from an Arabian Nights' Entertainment than cold facts &amp; figures pertaining to us. Mr. Parks has no doubt what ever about Dad. being the legal heir and seems to have no doubt about him proving his claim although he says there are seven others in England who think they have a claim and they are wealthy &amp; influential some of them peers. He said a rough estimate of the extent of the capital fund would be two and a half million dollars and that the annual income was about £20,000 after the 35% succession dues were subtracted. He had a book showing how it was all invested and it seems theres a thousand acres or so of land in Ireland and a block of land in the heart of London which is now under a sixty year lease. The leasee has built apartment houses on the land and they are yielding large rent and when the sixty years has expired they will come into the estate as well as the land. There is also a list of books pictures and plate 13 chests of it all valued at thousands of pounds. There is a list of securities a yard long including shares in the Bank of Ireland, Bank of England, various railway stocks and all manner of municipal &amp; government bonds. We are all more or less excited over it of course but it is such a tremendous sum that we are dazed and don't begin to realize what it really means, and so far can't believe it is true, although Mr. Parks who appears to be very genial and talkative says that he is so sure that Dad. will get it that he is willing to advance him any money he needs now from his private account. Fine but very cold wind. I found Nellie with a heifer calf when I got home from the sale this after noon</p> <p>Tuesday April 21st</p> <p>I went to Simcoe on the nine car this morning to interview the Armenian that Mr. Carter telephoned</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>us about. I went to his store and he went with me to the girls home. We saw her, her mother and her step-father, and after a great deal of jabbering in Armenian she agreed to come down and try it for a week and said she would meet us at 11.30 at Mr. Carter's store. I got my hair cut and sat in the Battersby House reading the paper till the appointed time and then went down to the store. There was no sign of the girl and we waited for quite awhile before she showed up and I was beginning to think she had changed her mind but finally she and her father came along. We talked to them for awhile there trying to persuade him to hire out for the summer to Shands, but from what we could gather, he doesn't want to work on a farm through the summer as he thinks he can get work in town. He can't speak English but seems to understand it a little. We came back to Dover on the one o'clock car and Aunty Alice gave me a lunch. Zedwi as she pronounces her name said she had had her dinner. It was getting on for two when we got out here and Azadouhy Sarkisian as she spells her name got more homesick the farther out we got. She thought we were miles &amp; miles away from Simcoe although I told her that we were going nearer to it after we left Dover. I gave Queen time enough to eat and then went back to the farm and Frank &amp; I took Joe &amp; Queen and the hay rack and went down to Crosbie's after my stuff. We got it all loaded on to the rack and hitched the roller behind but found it was too much of a load for the hill. Some fellow hauled it up the hill in the lane for us and we left the Roller in front of Billy Watson's rather than try {Name} Lambert's hill. We got home with the rest of the stuff but had to unload some of the wood in the lane here as one wheel got in a rut. Frank took the team home and took the four sections of harrows that I bought over there and brought the three sections out here as that will be all I will want to haul with Belle &amp; Queen. It was pitiful to-night to see poor little Azadouhy as she was so homesick she couldn't eat any tea and couldn't keep the tears back She wrote a letter to her mother this after noon and told her she would come home on Saturday, so I am afraid she will never stay with us, although we think we would like her very much, she seems very bright and quick to learn. Still very cold wind but {f...}</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>I have let this lapse again for a week so these next few items will necessarily be brief and may be incomplete.</p> <p>Wednesday April 22nd</p> <p>I walked over home this morning to get Queen and Dad. wanted me to go down to Aunty's with him to get some wood and he wanted to take Joe &amp; Queen so we didn't get home till noon as we had a little conversation with Mr. Parks who is at Aunty's most of the time working over the old papers. He had a stenographer there this morning and Aunty Alice was dictating to her. She is some friend of Quint's from Brantfield. Aunty Alice seems very much excited, worried and upset over the whole business. This afternoon I went up to Harvey Shand's right after dinner to tell him Herb. Brooks was up at Ham. Thompson's out of a job, then I came home and drilled in the rest of my peas and it took all of the bushel I got to do it. I took the drill back and came home and harrowed over the fresh drilled piece and took the harrows back to Dave, which made me rather late. Azadouhy seems to be getting more contented and likes the children. Much milder to-day.</p> <p>Thursday April 23rd</p> <p>Tom. Stone came into the school house while I was dusting this morning so I told him I wanted to scrape the road again. He was on his way to Jarvis but said he would come down after dinner. I spent the fore noon cleaning out the ditches in the pea field and about eleven went after my roller and brought it home. This after noon Tom. &amp; I scraped the south end of the road and visited for a short time with old McPherson who was fishing at Biddy's Bend. Very warm.</p> <p>Friday April 24th</p> <p>Tom and I scraped the north end of the road this morning and had one round to make on Fred Misner's concession after dinner. Willard Butler is putting in the crop on the Henry Misner place. He &amp; Charlie Challand have bought it from Julian for $2708 I heard. Azadouhy, Harry B and I went down town this after noon and did our trading and brought Gay home with us. Aunty and Aunty Alice hated to have her come away but they have enough to look after down there and they expected Roy to-night but he didn't come. Hot to-day</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Saturday April 25th</p> <p>I spent the forenoon hoeing one row of strawberries they should have been all cleaned out last fall but I didn't get it done and there is a considerable amount of grass in them. This after noon I drove Azadouhy down to catch the car, she promised to come back on the one car Monday. I spent an hour or so down at Aunty's talking with Mr. Parks and looking over the lists of property of the Dick estate. Aunty Alice &amp; I marked several books in the library which we thought would be worth sending out. Mrs. Sidney McQueen ran into Elden Crosbie's buggy to-night and smashed it up a little and the horse ran away free of the buggy, no one was hurt.</p> <p>Sunday April 26th</p> <p>Marj. &amp; I took things easy this morning but got all the chores done and dressed up after dinner as I thought that Tom. Snowden passed me on the road yesterday and said they would be up to-day. They all came with Mr. &amp; Mrs. Will Ward about the middle of the after noon. They hadn't been here long when Dad. &amp; Mr. Parks drove over. Soon after that we were threatened with a thunder-storm so the Nanticoke folk left in rather a hurry but Dad. &amp; Mr. Parks waited till it was over, it soon was and it came out nice after it although it rained more later on. It was cooler after it and the wind got around to the north east. Dad. said they intended going to Port Rowan to-morrow and asked me if I could go as I had said I would like to when they went.</p> <p>Monday April 27th</p> <p>Harry B and I went over to the farm as early as we could get away as Dad. said they wanted to start about nine. Harry B was spending the day with "Gran". Dad. said we were going up in Quint's old car as they couldn't get another and Quint has been getting his all fixed up at Mr. Park's expense or rather the estate's for such occasions as this. Quint &amp; Mr. Parks drove over about 10.30 and we got to Port Rowan soon after noon, but stopped in St. Williams for quite awhile for Dad. &amp; Mr. Parks to interview Dr. Andrew McInnes who knew Great Grandfather &amp; Uncle Quintin well and is going to Simcoe on Friday to make an affadavit for them</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>He had just heard from George Barret in California who said that he knew Dad. was the man they were after and hoped he would get a good fat slice of turkey out of it as he deserved it and he guessed he needed it. He told them about the time Uncle Joe married his sister and they all went up to Farm Leigh and celebrated for two days and three nights, but that was in the days when the best rye whiskey could be bought for 25 cts a gallon. We had dinner at the hotel in Port Rowan on Mr. Park's treat and then went to see Miss Wood and Mr. Jackson, who both remembered the old family well and were quite willing to make affadavits. Miss Wood also had the old church records kept by her father and his old diarys which told of several of the deaths, marriages and the christenings of Aunt Louisa's children. I think Mr. Parks considered it a very satisfactory trip. He will have to go up again when he gets his affadavits draughted out properly to haver them swear to them. We got back to the farm about six and Harry B and I came right home. Frank had gone down at noon and met Azadouhy and taken her out but I found her in a very worried mood. When she arrived home on Saturday, she found they had been threatening to arrest her step-father because he wasn't working on a farm and her brother was out of work too. She is bound to go back to-morrow to "explain" to her mother. I think she had an idea that Shands would give her father a job but they don't want him. Marj. got Mabel to drive her over to Tuppers after four to ask him but he didn't like the idea of a foreigner around. I went up to Shand's after tea and called up Carter and he said he would see Bramhill in the morning and that he was sure the fellow could get work. Azadouhy brought a lot of postcards of Constantinople which she showed us to-night. She said "Oh! dear, I do like that place." I asked her why her step-father ever left there if he liked it, and she said "He like it there, but oh the Turk her fight all the time. North east wind and much cooler to-day.</p> <p>Tuesday April 28th</p> <p>I told Dad I would go over to-day and help him get some hay and Azadouhy was determined to go back to Simcoe to "explain" she said to her</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>mother about getting work for her father. We did our best to persuade her to write instead but when Marj. asked her if she really thought she could be any help, and she answered "You bet your life," we thought we had better let her go, so I drove her down to catch the nine car and then I went over to Dad's. Ina was here before we left. Dad was busy writing to Aunt Ella when I got there and Enah wrote to Aunt Hattie and invited her over as Mr. Parks said he would sooner pay her fare over here than go to New York himself. We went over to Tuppers before dinner and got a load of hay and put part of it off in the horse stable and part in the barn. This after noon we ran out the ditches in the pea field and then hauled out a load or two of manure on the garden. Frank was ploughing all morning for Proper as Proper drilled in his peas for him yesterday. Frank and I went down town about five. Frank got some seed oats at Billy Langs and I was supposed to meet Azadouhy at the five car but it came in before we got started However we met Quint at the corner and he had Enah &amp; Azadouhy with him and took her right on out home. Enah met her at the station. She told me to-night that she "fix things all right." She saw Bramhill and her father got work to morrow 10 miles from Simcoe but she didn't know where</p> <p>Wednesday April 29th</p> <p>I went over to the farm again this morning and helped Dad. get a couple more loads of manure out on the garden. I was there to dinner and then went down to get some corn meal at Billy Langs. I stopped in at Aunty's for a few minutes and got two more little maples to plant out. The after noon was pretty well worn out when I got home and then I went over to the Lampkin's to borrow the shovel to set out my trees. Still cold</p> <p>Thursday April 30th</p> <p>I spent most of the day fixing up some nests for {word cut off} setting hens as I have a lot of them and they should be {word cut off} I got 13 nests fixed. Quint &amp; Roy came over for a very {word cut off} visit at noon. Roy came last night and can just stay {over?} to-day. Very cloudy and cold. Rained a little at intervals</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Friday May 1st</p> <p>I drove over to get some hatching eggs from Mrs. McBride this morning and was there quite awhile. She could only let me have four dozen and I wanted thirteen. I went from there over and got three more dozen from Mrs. Monroe. I spent most of the afternoon making a gate for the yard here so that I can straighten up the fence and yet have a way to drive in. Harry B &amp; Zadouhy went over to the school house this afternoon to Arbour Day celebration. They had to celebrate inside as it has drizzled nearly all day and is still cold. The wind is now nor-west not east. Bobby had a heifer calf this after noon.</p> <p>Saturday May 2nd</p> <p>Tim came over this morning to get me to go over to help Frank as Dad. went to Port Rowan with Quint &amp; Mr. Parks again. Miss Wood wrote and asked them up for dinner. I didn't get over in time to do much before dinner but right after we hooked up Joe &amp; Queen and went down for some coal. I got the coal while Frank went up town and did the trading for both of us. We got back to the farm about four and then went over to Tupper's and got a small jag of hay. It was after six when we got back with it but as Dad. was home he helped Frank put it off and I came home. Zadouhy went down with the Lampkin's this afternoon and Marj. said she was quite peeved because Marj. wanted her to come back Sunday night instead of Monday. Very cold wind all day but milder to-night.</p> <p>Sunday May 3rd</p> <p>We got up late this morning and just did our usual chores in a leisurly way. We had such a late breakfast we didn't have dinner but gave the kids some &amp; put them to sleep. I went to sleep for awhile and then Marj. made me get up and shave and proposed going over to see Winnie Shand. Just as we were starting out, the Doughty's &amp; Mrs. Banfield drove so in so we didn't go. They hadn't been here long when Mrs. Martin and Mrs. McLaughlin came in, they brought Marj. two very nice little knitted jackets for the babies. We had tea as soon as they left and I helped Marj. get the kids to bed so was late getting through with my chores. It takes me quite awhile as I have to milk Bobbie out after I milk the others and feed Nellie's calf. Lovely day to-day in spite of cool wind.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Monday May 4th</p> <p>It rained for about an hour this forenoon as well as during the night. While it was raining I patched up one of the old road danger signs which had got broken in some unaccountable way and then put in a post to hang my new gate on. I went down town right after dinner to see if Azadouhy came back but there was no sign of her. Marj. told her Saturday that she would like her to come back Sunday night and that if she came Monday she would have to walk out. She was quite peeved when she left Marj. said so we don't know what to think, whether she is not coming back or whether she thought it was too wet if she had to walk or whether she is too busy getting her father another job. I was down at Aunty's for awhile and by the time I got home the after noon was pretty well spent but I did put in a brace between the gate post &amp; the gully fence. I got some brace wire in town Quint &amp; Mr. Parks went to Windsor to-day to see Aunt Ella. It has been rather cloudy all the after noon and quite cold. It froze the night before last and will freeze again to-night. I don't know what effect it will have on the fruit blossoms as they are well advanced some of them.</p> <p>Tuesday May 5th</p> <p>I made a start this morning at ploughing the peice back of the barn where I hope to plant my small stuff I started on the old strawberry patch next the raspberries and it is quite heavy sod and had several furrows in and the old windrows of hay which we never did anything with so I made a terrible mess of it and rooted it up rather than ploughed it. Dad. came over just before noon to ask me if I could help him get a load of hay this after noon so I was over there all the after noon Frank was ploughing the corn stubble. It has been very raw and cold with showers at frequent intervals.</p> <p>Wednesday May 6th</p> <p>I went out to plough this fore noon but had to gather up some of the dead grass &amp; burn it before I could do much, while I was at that it commenced to drizzle but I thought it would be a short shower so stayed out till it was raining hard and clouded up all over so brought the team in I had just nicely got in the house when the sun came out. I spent the rest of the morning at the fence. This after noon it was still threatening and showery so I didn't</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>take the team out but spread the manure that was piled out there. I went down to band practice to-night</p> <p>Thursday May 7th</p> <p>I ploughed this morning and this after noon rolled down the peas and what I had ploughed and got in about an hour's ploughing afterwards Mabel came over to tea, and Marj. walked part way home with her to-night and called on the Lampkins on her way back. I was dead sleepy. Still very cold, cloudy and showery. Rotten weather</p> <p>Friday May 8th</p> <p>I walked over to Tom. Stone's this morning to see if I could get a load of hay. I found I could and could have Tom's waggon &amp; rack to haul it on. When I got home I found Aunty Alice &amp; Quint here but they only stayed a very few minutes. It was about 11 o'clock when I got back to Tom's with the team and by the time we put the rack on the waggon &amp; Tom. had put on a load it was after noon. I didn't unload it till after dinner and it took me about an hour to do it alone as I had to get up quite often to mow away. After I got it off we all went down town. Harry B. had gone down before with Quint &amp; Aunty Alice. We had quite a load coming home as we all five got packed into the buggy but we got here safely, we had to leave the coal oil can at Aunty's but Quint brought it over after tea. We stopped in at the farm and I got $10. from Dad. to pay for the hay. Dad. got some of his fortune in advance from Mr. Parks. It has been a beautiful sunny day but cool wind.</p> <p>Saturday May 9th</p> <p>I took Tom's waggon and rack home this morning and spent the rest of the day ploughing getting a fair piece turned over. I am now nearly up to where the young orchard starts. Marj. Harry B &amp; Gay went down after the mail this after noon just as Mrs. Perry, Bess &amp; the kids came along in their car so they had quite a visit down there. It has been another beautiful day.</p> <p>Sunday May 10th</p> <p>We just chored around this morning and I swept the school house out. This after noon I shaved</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>we all had a snooze and read for awhile, then when the kids woke up, we all went over to see the Lampkin's, it looked very much like rain when we left home and we wouldn't have ventured if it hadn't been that Mrs. Lampkin's is laid up with a sore ankle the result of her fall in the winter and she told Marj. the other day, she was getting so homesick to see "them young ones." Flossie was there and we stayed quite awhile, before we left the sun was shining and it turned out a beautiful evening.</p> <p>Monday May 11th</p> <p>I ploughed this morning and got up to the little orchard where it was very hard to make a good job as the little trees are so low, just about noon Queen's whiffletree caught on a tree and she broke a short tug, so this after noon I had to take it down to be fixed. I tried to rivet it in home but couldn't so took it to Bridgwater and he advised me to take it to Hallam and he made a strong fix of it by riveting an iron strap down each side which looped through the home ring. I didn't get home till five and then had to hurry through the chores and go over home and milk as Dad. went to Toronto with Mr. Parks &amp; Quint this morning to see Cousin Carrie and what papers she had. He milked before he left. I went on down to band practice and when I got through Dad. &amp; Enah were still at Aunty's waiting for Tim who had gone with Aunty Alice to the picture show. Dad. got home at nine. Quint &amp; Mr. Parks stayed down to go over to Niagara Falls to-morrow. Mr. Parks says if he went home with out seeing the Falls he would never hear the end of it. Fine day.</p> <p>Tuesday May 12th</p> <p>I finished the ploughing to-day a little after dinner but made rather a poor job of it in among the little apple trees. I spent the afternoon harrowing and rolling the ploughed ground. The part where the beans were required very little work to put it in nice shape and by working a little late to-night I got six furrows run out all ready to plant potatoes. Marj. cut some to-night. Ina was here washing to-day. Fair &amp; warm.</p> <p>Wednesday May 13th</p> <p>I planted two rows of Early Rose potatoes this morning. Aunty Alice gave me the seed. Marj. cut up</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>nearly a bushel of the potatoes we had in the cellar and which I think Jim. Dixon said were Green Mountain and I planted them. I hoed the first ones that I planted in but the ones I put in this after noon I ploughed in and then gave them a good harrowing. I went down to-night to Aunty's and copied out a letter and signed it for Mr. Parks which was to authorize Arnold &amp; Henry White to act in my interest in the Quintin Dick Trust case. Lord Cloncurry versus Fenton and to say that I was the eldest son of W.H. Barrett's heir of Mary Dick and that I was agreeable to any thing Mr. Walter F. Parks said or did. It seems that this Fenton who is solicitor for the other hopeful heirs is also a beneficiary under the will and agent for the Irish properties, succeeding his father in that capacity. Mr. Parks says he is an Irishman &amp; a fighter &amp; may cause trouble, but thinks when he shows him how strong Dad's claim is, and proposes to him that he can still retain the agency for the Irish business if he doesn't cause trouble, he will not show opposition. I went up town and got a lot of garden seeds at Reynolds and then came back to Aunty's and had ice cream, this being Mr. Park's last night here. Miss. Greenor the typist they had was there too so we had quite a party. All were down from home.</p> <p>Thursday May 14th</p> <p>I spent most of the day putting in the garden out this side of the young orchard. I sowed my experimental plots of mangolds first and then drilled in the other seeds with Charlie Quanbury's seed drill which I have had since last year. I also planted corn &amp; beans and dug and set out over a hundred strawberry plants. Cooler.</p> <p>Friday May 15th</p> <p>This morning I dug about 250 more strawberry plants and it took awhile as the ground was very hard and dry. I didn't get them all set out before noon so covered them up in the shade and this after noon we all went down town to do our trading and Marj. went to the doctor's to ask him a few things about the children. We were for some time at Aunty's. Quint and Mr. Parks left last night for Montreal and Aunty &amp; Aunty Alice have been busy ever since trying to get the smell of tobacco smoke out of the house. Mr. Parks found out from the postmaster at Sorel that he could get the birth certificate of Uncle Massey Uncle Tom and Aunt Louisa from there so he had them sent to the Windsor Hotel in Montreal. He is going to Huntingdon to get an affadavit from Cousin Lizzie Hyde and from there</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>to New York to get Aunt Hattie affadavit, then he has some other business to attend to in Boston, where Quint is most anxious to accompany him and he hopes to sail for home from Montreal on the Montroyal which is due to leave on the 22nd a week from to-day. Lovely day. Sunset clear.</p> <p>Saturday May 16th</p> <p>I put out the rest of the strawberry plants I had dug this morning and now have three rows across the triangular patch set out. I then moved the old hut bed frame around by the rhubarb bed and this after noon filled it with earth and transplanted out a lot of tomato plants. I put it over a thick mat of couch grass and spread manure over the grass to kill it but not enough to make much heat. I also dug a little patch out there for Marj. to plant some radish &amp; spinach seed. The cows got out a couple of times, the old rail fence along the edge of the woods from the orchard to Davy's line is getting pretty poor in spots. It has looked very dark and thundery nearly all day and did rain a little this after noon and to-night there was a heavy downpour, which was much needed. It has been warm and rather sultry all day.</p> <p>Sunday May 17th</p> <p>I put in rather a busy day and broke the Sabbath at several points, but as Aunty Alice presented me with a new spade on Friday I found many occasions to use it around the place. I also had to fix the fence where the cows got out which I did with some green basswood poles I cut. I also put a heavy one across the creek at Davy's line as Bobby has been in there a couple of times, and it seems rather a pity for her to be stuffing herself on his pasture when the poor old fellow is nearly breaking his neck every day trying to get his own cows down to the creek and back without them getting a bite of grass. I went over there for a short time to return his shovel. Mrs. Lampkin said she was much better and gave me a pie to bring home. This after dinner I swept out the school house an cleaned out the calf pen. I suppose my Sunday activities would probably shock, grieve or anger some of our Puritan citizens provided they knew of it, but I sometimes think that possibly they forget that the first part of the 4th commandment requires us to work six days &amp; do all that there is to do, and as that with me at this time of year is a physical impossibility since I am not equipped with all the man-servants, maid-servants, cattle and strangers within the gates as it is implied were at the command of those under</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Moses' jurisdiction, I fail to see the enormity of the crime of doing a few odd jobs on Sunday. About four o'clock we all went down town as Marj. wanted to see Glad. Law Dr. Cook told her Glad. was going to Hamilton for treatment. We found when we got there that she had already left. We stopped in at the Bagley's for a few minutes and a few at Aunty's also at the farm where I arranged with Dad. &amp; Frank to go over there to-morrow and shear sheep and let Frank plough corn ground, his own &amp; mine. It has been getting colder all day and to-night when we came from town there was a very cold north wind.</p> <p>Monday May 18th</p> <p>It froze quite thick ice last night and has been quite cool all day but sunny. I went over to the farm this morning and we got seven sheep sheared. I did the shearing and Dad. turned the machine. Frank started to plough his corn ground this after noon. I went down to band-practice to-night. George Hallam came in just as we were about through to give Alex Spain some message and told him that Sam. Ross had just dropped dead. He had gone down as usual and brought mail up from the last train and put his horse away and gone in the house when he complained of a sharp pain and dropped dead.</p> <p>Tuesday May 19th</p> <p>Harry B and I were over at the farm all day again to-day and we finished shearing the sheep. Frank had sheared a couple when we got there and Dad. &amp; I took turns with the other seven.They sheared one old ewe a month or so ago when she first had lambs. Soon after dinner Mr. Bagley, Marj. Gay &amp; the baby all drove in in Mr. Bagley's new Star car. Ina didn't come to-day as Marj. had expected so she went up to the Shands and asked Mr. Bagley over the telephone if he could come out and take her down town. Frank went out with the tractor and plough just before dinner (he had to go down town first for oil) and he had the corn ground all ploughed when I got home to-night. He left the tractor here and is going to work up the piece north of the lane to-morrow with his spring tooth drags.</p> <p>Wednesday May 20th</p> <p>Dad. &amp; Frank both came over this morning. Frank spent the fore noon going over the piece where I want to sow alfalfa and gave the couch grass a pretty good tearing up. Dad &amp; I drove Josie over to Tom. Stone's to see if Dad. could get a load of hay. We took Harry B. &amp; Gay with us. Gay went to sleep so we put her in Nina's charge and she slept all the time</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>we were there. Tom was at the back of the place fixing fence but came up and helped us put on a load of hay and agreed to haul it for Dad. after dinner. I started to roll down the freshly ploughed corn ground before dinner but didn't get much done. This after noon Frank and I both went back home, I drove Queen and we packed the wool and Dad. &amp; I took it down to the station. Aunty &amp; Aunty Alice came over to the farm after dinner and rode back with us on the wool sack. We had to stop at Uncle Ward's and wire up the waggon tongue as we noticed after we got started that the end of it was broken. It looks as if the tractor had gone over it. We saw Huby down at the station and he was telling us the trouble he had had with the inspector's. They accused him of being short of funds and Quint had to raise over $100. dollars for him on very short notice. He aparently didn't know that Quint borrowed it from Dad. Later they found they had made a mistake and told Huby they supposed he was agreeably surprised. Huby said not at all as he knew his books were all right. Huby said it was a hell of a rest he got, he was lucky they didn't arrest him and the expert who was here relieving left the books terribly muddled. He thinks they sent in a very bad report. By the time we stopped up town for some groceries and again at Billy Laings it was pretty late when we got back to the farm and later still when I got home. Sam Morris has let Cecil go from the printing office. Cecil ran a nail in his foot again last week and thought he had to stay home two or three days and nurse it so Sam. got peeved and fired him.</p> <p>Thursday May 21st</p> <p>I spent the day working on the corn ground. I finished rolling it then harrowed it lapping half and rolled it again. It seems to work up very nicely except down near the road where it is heavy red clay and very hard. Ina was here washing to-day and I drove her home to-night.</p> <p>Friday May 22nd</p> <p>Worked on the corn ground all day but didn't seem to get in a very good day. I disked it all lengthwise and got started crossing it. Marj. in a fit of house cleaning zeal took down the box stove pipe and we moved the stove back into the corner and Marj. covered it with a table cloth, so we are looking now for a cold snap. Fair and cool to-day.</p> <p>Saturday May 23rd</p> <p>Worked on the corn ground all day again. Finished cross</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>disking it harrowed it and rolled it. I was very disappointed in its appearance to-night as the disks pulled a lot of sods out along the finishes and the harrows raked a lot more out all over the field and it looks very fuzzy. The wind has been in the north and getting colder all day. I nearly perished on the roller late this after noon although I had my overcoat &amp; mitts on. It has been thundering and threatening rain off and on all day. It did rain a little before dinner and I put the team in and made a couple of frames to tack screen on for the porch. I intended going to town to-night with eggs but the fireside was too cheerful to leave.</p> <p>Sunday May 24th</p> <p>This has been a miserable day. It was so cold that I put on a coal fire and we have lived shut in the kitchen all day and were none too warm at that. There was a very cold wind all day and this morning it snowed a little and has been cloudy all day. I just did the chores and sat around and wrote in this or read all day Marj. did the same and the kids tore around among us. We ate at intervals all day whenever we felt hungry and washed up the dishes to-night. Marj is reading Martin Chuzzelwit and we took turns reading it at each other.</p> <p>Monday May 25th</p> <p>I went over to the school house this morning and lit the fire and it was not till I began to wonder why no scholars were arriving that it dawned on me that it was a holiday. I did the same thing last Thanksgiving day. Before I left however Mabel and Muriel Monroe came and Mabel said she was going to have her Entrance Class. About this time I began to wonder if all the stores in town would be closed as I intended going down with the eggs and getting some oats at Billy Laings as I am right out. Marj. decided she would go with me so we all went and arrived at Aunty's in time for dinner. They had never dreamed of us coming in and had just painted the kitchen floor so in reality weren't very glad to see us although they said they were and insisted on our staying. Marj. and I went up before dinner but nearly all the stores were closed, but she got some groceries at W {illegible} Wicker's and some bread for Aunty Alice at Jimmie's and we took Mrs. Skey's eggs to her. We were very much astonished just as we were leaving there to see Miss Martin coming down the street so Marj. had quite a visit with her. She came up Saturday night and is going back to-night. We were down town most of the after noon. Aunty Alice took Gay &amp; Harry B up to</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Cousin Bessie's where they were much admired and Marj. went up to the Bagley's. The baby and I stayed at Aunty's. Aunty Alice got two letters from Mr. Park's, one written just as the boat was leaving asking her to ask Quint if he remembered where he last had his flask and if so to get it and keep it for him, and the second written on the boat and posted by the pilot to say that the steward or somebody had found the flask. We stopped in at the farm on our way home. Dad. &amp; Frank were hauling out manure. He gave me $5.00 to give to Harvey Shand in payment for a jag of hay that he got there a year ago, so I walked up with it before tea. Not quite so cold but north wind and cloudy. Just as we were ready for bed to-night Harry B. gave two or three terrified yells and when Marj. picked him up he was in a shiver.</p> <p>Tuesday May 26th</p> <p>Harry B got into bed with us some time during the night and about 4.30 this morning Gay raised such a row that I had go and get her and put her in bed and as the baby had been there nearly all night, it was pretty filled with out me so I stayed up. I didn't gain much time though as I was so sleepy after dinner to-day that I lay down in the hay out in the barn and slept for I don't know how long. It froze very hard last night but has been a little milder to-day, but not warm by any means and quite cloudy. I spent the day disking on the field north of the lane. I didn't go all over it but got the worst of it gone over twice. The grass was pretty bad on the side hill. Ina was here all day. Harry B had another frightened &amp; rather frightening shaking attack to-night.</p> <p>Wednesday May 27th</p> <p>I went out to look at the garden this morning and there was no sign of any thing up yet and a very hard crust on the ground so I took my little wheel hoe and went up and down each side of the rows to break the crust but I was afraid to break it right over the seeds. I then hoed another row of strawberries. About eleven I went down town as Dad. told me they would be through with the spreader to-day and if I would bring Queen over, he would come out with it and clean up my barnyard. I didn't get down soon enough to get all the things I wanted and get to Bill Laings before noon so I had dinner at Aunty's and got my hair cut right after I then went to Billy's and got some oats but by the time I got over home it was too late to take the spreader out. Carl Coleman and Billy Laings both mentioned hearing that Dad. had come in for $2 000 000 so I suppose it is all over town. Carl said he hoped it was true as there was no one he would sooner see get it.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Thursday May 28th</p> <p>I got around in good time this morning and got over home soon after eight with Queen. We hooked up Queen, Joe &amp; Pommers to the spreader and got six loads out before dinner. We only got about 14 loads out of the yard but by setting the spreader for 8 loads to the acre we got the field nearly covered. There is still a little left in the yard, but we didn't think it was enough for a load and I wanted a little any way to plant my melons &amp; squash in. I went back with Dad. when he took the spreader and brought Queen home. Dad. says Pickford told Frank that Mrs. Leany told Alan Law that Dad. sailed for England on Monday and Henderson told Mrs. Brent that Dad. had come in for a title and a fortune, so it appears that Dover has some thing to talk about but we can't just figure out where they got it, as we have all kept quiet. It has been a little warmer to-day and didn't freeze last night.</p> <p>Friday May 29th</p> <p>This being Harry B's third birthday we celebrated the occasion with due ceremony. Marj. hustled and bustled and tore around all day yesterday and this morning baking cake, pies and bread and decorating the house and dressing up the kids so that every thing looked its best and the affair went off with great success. I got shaved up this morning and drove down for Aunty &amp; Aunty Alice and Dad. &amp; Enah drove out. Harry B and Gay had a fine time and so did the baby as Aunty or some body held her nearly all day. Aunty and Aunty Alice brought Harry B a beautiful little table and two little chairs and Gran. &amp; Granddaddy brought him a lovely new hat. He also got a supply of stockings from Tim, Frank &amp; David. Harry B. Gay Dad. &amp; I all had a nice snooze this after noon which is a luxury for Dad. &amp; me at any rate and the rest of them visited till about four when the party broke up. I drove Aunty &amp; Aunty Alice home and went up to see Bill Lemmon as a tooth was sore all day but he said there was nothing much wrong with it but told me to come down in the morning and he would fill another one. Dad. &amp; Enah took Harry B. &amp; Gay home with them and I called for them on my way back. Beautiful day quite hot, rained last night</p> <p>Saturday May 30th</p> <p>I drove over and left Queen at the farm this morning as Dad. wanted her to put with Joe to</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>mark out the corn ground. They told me there that the band was going down to meet the "Colonial" which is the new passenger boat from Erie making its first trip to-day and which was due to arrive at noon. I went up to Bill's at ten as he told me yesterday but he had old Jack Cromwell in the chair and said he wouldn't be ready for me for another hour so I went down to Charlie Bridgewater's and he regaled me with tales of the war. I went back to the dentist at eleven but Bill said his wife wanted to go down and see the boat come in so I had better come back at two. I then went down to Aunty's &amp; had dinner and then joined the band and went down to the dock to welcome the new boat, and when that affair was over Bill filled my tooth. It was rather late when I got over to the farm but Dad. had just finished marking and Frank had got a good start at planting. I helped him plant the rest and we finished soon after six and Harry B. &amp; I came home.</p> <p>Sunday June 21st</p> <p>The past three weeks have been so crowded with activity that there has been little time and much less energy for recording it. The first week in June was the hottest on record for that time of year. It was next thing to unbearable in fact there were a good many fatal prostrations in the cities due to it. There was a good deal of breeze here all the time but it was of a hot drying nature that shriveled and blighted growth with its hot breath. It was so hot I hated to work the horses and didn't do much with them although I worked up the young orchard and hauled out the bottom of the old alfalfa stack to put around the little trees where I couldnt plough the sod down and I worked for a few hours one after noon on the summer fallow. Frank &amp; I planted the corn on the 2nd of June. We would plant a few rows and then rest in the shade and drink cold water, on the 3rd Mr. Bagley came out and took Marj. &amp; the children down town and Marj. had some work done at the dentists the 4th Marj. had Mrs. Dove come over and help her for the first. She liked her very much. the 5th I went over home and Dad. Frank &amp; I got part of a load of old shingles that were ripped off the Sunday school. We also got a coal oil stove at Brogden's for $22.00 (a bargain) and some bread tickets from Dell's as Marj. bucks at</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>baking this hot weather. 6th - Dad. &amp; Frank piled up all the shingles at the Sunday school and I planted my pumpkin seed also some squash, cucumber water melon &amp; musk melon and some more corn. 7th Sunday. We went down town and Marj. took Effie Davison a wedding present as She was marrying Jim Davidson the next Wednesday and they are both ex-pupils and favorites of Marj's. We called on the Pickford's on our way home. Monday 8th we cleaned up the shingles at the Sunday school, brought one load out here and the rest to the farm. (9th) Frank came out and we snaked the logs that were strewed around the gully into one place where they would be handy to load and got the four in Dave's place in a handy location and took two of them over home on the old waggon, got the other waggon there and went over to Charlie Butler's and got the log that had floated down into his gully and took the three of them to the mill. 10th I went over and asked Harvey Shand if I could borrow his low truck and logging bunks and got his permission to get my one log that drifted into his woods in the after noon we all went to town and Marj. went to a party at Bessie Patterson's in honor of Amy Turner who was married this last week to Parker. 11th I went up to Shands and got the waggon and Dad came over before I got back with it. He helped me load the biggest log and a couple of smaller ones and we took them as far as the farm before dinner. We had dinner alone as Frank &amp; Enah were both in Simcoe. In the after noon we loaded the log in Shand's woods and two smaller ones and I took them down alone. It was late when I got home and Mrs. Dove who had been here all day was starting to walk home although she looked like a ghost and I don't believe she ever could have made it so I told her to wait and I drove her home as soon as I could get the harness changed on Queen.</p> <p>July 16th Thursday.</p> <p>Since I last wrote in this Mrs. Dove's affairs have come to a head. Marj. gathered from what she told her and from what Ina has told her that the old man Dove has been very hard with her. They are like nearly every one else around in debt and he thinks they all should work day and night and do without sufficient food and clothing</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>in order to pull themselves out of the hole She apparently thought the same but she hasn't the strength to stand it and he being large and strong as a bull and like a bull being rather thick headed and unsympathetic has become impatient with her, till she through lonliness, home-sickness and general downheartedness decided the other day to leave the Dove-cote and so packed her grip and while he was off in the field walked out and he doesn't know where she is but Nina Stone thinks she has gone to her cousin's at Oshawa to wait there till her mother sends her money enough to return to England. I got my logs sawed the week after I took them to the mill and got over 1 {M?} of very nice lumber and only had to pay $7.35 for having it sawed. Dad. helped me take my peas to the factory and Frank helped me with my alfalfa. I just had 2700 lbs of shelled peas which was a pretty poor crop, I think the hot dry weather forced them on to fast as the straw was very short and the pods small. The alfalfa looked to be as heavy as usual but it doesn't take up much space in the barn. The last week or two I have been over home most of the time. Dad. and I got one field of hay in about 10 loads and he has more cut. I would have been over there now but it rained a little this morning and would be too wet. We also got all their peas down and they were no better than mine in fact I believe they were worse. Frank has been under the weather for the past week and the doctor told him he had a slight touch of pleurisy and must keep quiet for a few days so that has put us back. Band concerts have started again and I was down last night. We had a big celebration and an enormous crowd here on the first and they want us to go to Nanticoke on Tuesday next to play at the old boy's reunion. We went for a moon light excursion on the Colonial one moonless night in June and had a very enjoyable time besides swelling the band funds considerably as they gave us part of the proceeds and there was a large crowd on board. Roy. Vernon and the children came up a little before Zeitha's wedding which was on the 27th of June and Roy was here till after the First, and is coming back for his holidays about the 1st of August. D.V. Vernon</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>the kids and the car are staying here at Aunty's in the meantime. Zeitha's and Alan's wedding was one of the big "society" events of the age. Nothing approaching it in interest since Tiny's wedding which is close to 20 years ago. Marj. took it in and got Mr. Bagley to come out and get her and Bess. Patterson brought her home. I got out of going by having to stay home and mind the kids. They tried to concoct schemes whereby that necessity would be obviated, but I had another strong piece of defensive argument in the shape of a hole in the seat of my good pants, so consequently they decided the nuptials could be celebrated in my absence and still be just as valid and the matrimonial bond just as binding as if I was there along with the ninety nine other guests and the church full of interested populace to witness it and more over I got my hay raked. They all claimed they had a very nice time, the church was beautiful and the music entrancing and the joviality up at the house afterwards was immense, although as near as I could make out from Frank, Ade Millman was the only one had anything to drink and he had it beforehand. Dad. has been receiving three or four or more letters a week from Mr. Parks ever since he got home and they have all been encouraging and up to the 26th of June he had high hopes of getting the affair settled before the court rises at the end of July, but that day he had his third meeting with the master who said he wanted more affadavits from Dad. regarding us boys and Mr. Parks cabled Dad. that he would have to have another meeting on the 9th of July. Dad. got another cable after that meeting which read, "Progressing slowly, satisfactorily : No hope of settlement these sittings," which means that it will have to be held over now until October when the court next sits. Mr. Parks will be disappointed as he had the stage all set for Dad's arrival in England and was about to book his passage on the Mont Royal for August. He has seen Fenton &amp; several others of the right heirs as he calls them and so far they have all seemed to be of his opinion about the legality of Dad's claim to the estate after they had seen the evidence. Mr. Parks doesn't think they will offer any opposition and Fenton said he wouldn't put up any money to fight it, and left Mr. Parks thanking him</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>after Mr. Parks told him that Dad. would continue to engage him at a liberal salary provided he acted decently now. Mr. Parks also tactfully intimated to the solicitors for the rest of the bunch that it would be well worth their while not to kick up any rumpus.</p> <p>Thursday Friday July 17th</p> <p>I cultivated my potatoes first thing this morning and then Harry B and I went over home where I cocked hay all day. Dad. finished cutting the meadow along the side road and raked up what was cut. Frank felt well enough to cock up this after noon. Marj. Gay &amp; the baby went over to Mrs. Lampkin's for dinner. Quint brought a sign over for me to fix up for him, he says he is embroiled in a price cutting war with Ben Ivey et al and has issued an ultimatum to them which if they don't accept he will cut prices himself to such an extent as to wreck things. David came over to the farm to-day with Dr. Cook, he is to stay there till after the arrival of his sister which is scheduled for any day now. Dad. had two long letters from Mr. Parks to-day saying that everything was still satisfactory and enclosing a letter written by Hugh Massey Barrett to Quintin Dick in 1842 in which he stated that his three eldest sons had served in the Rebellion of '37 &amp; '38. This letter was in the possession of Lord Long and Mr. Parks said that the fact that he had not handed it in before would go against him with the judge. The signature on this letter corresponded exactly with exhibit 6 in E.L.B's affadavit. Partly cloudy and very much cooler. North west wind.</p> <p>Saturday July 18th</p> <p>I went over home again to-day. Dad. finished raking what he cut yesterday and Dad &amp; Frank and I cocked up and got it nearly up by noon. This after noon Frank who seems to feel none the worse for his labour of yesterday finished cocking and Dad. &amp; I hauled in the hay north of the old garden. There were not quite 2 loads. Harry B. was over playing with David all day. Tim looks after them and apparently enjoys their company very much and they are very good with him. Jack King came after Dad. to-day to ask him to be a bearer at Miss Shand's funeral. Fine with cool west breeze</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Sunday July 19th</p> <p>Harry B. got me up a little after 4.30 this morning and as he got in our bed I though I might as well stay up, so I killed a hen that I shut up last night and had the milking done before six. I went at Quints sign before breakfast and again right after breakfast and worked at it till noon before I finished it. This after noon I shaved and lay around till about four and then we all went for a drive up the fourth concession and back the third We called in at the Smythe's but there was no one home except an eldery lady whom we did not know but who knew me when I was Harry B's size and who seemed very glad to see us and was delighted with the children, she was a very nice person to talk to and we learned later that she was Miss Walker, Mrs. Smythe's aunt. We stopped in too at Cam. McBride's and Marj. borrowed a couple more Saturday Evening Post's from Mrs. McBride. Herb. Law has been ploughing there for wheat. Hot, nice breeze</p> <p>Monday July 20th</p> <p>I went over home this morning with the team and waggon and Dad. &amp; I took his yearling pig down &amp; shipped him. He was a nice one and Jack McBride gave him full weight and allowed Dad. full price although he went 250 lbs. Dad. got over $31.00 for him, they were12.75, Dad. gave me $26.00 of it and I took it over and paid my bill at the planing mill We got back to the farm at noon and I came right on home. Frank cut the front field of wheat to-day with the tractor and had Tim on the binder to run the sheaf carrier. I guess that would be about all he would have to look after as the grain was so even. I went down to band practice to-night. Very hot, sultry.</p> <p>Tuesday July 21st</p> <p>We were late getting around this morning and I milked late purposely as I knew I would have to milk late to-night. I spent most of the forenoon cutting weeds that I couldnt get out with the mower the other day. Carl. Lemmons called for me at one o'clock and we went down and picked his Dad. up and then on to Nanti-coke where the Old Boys' Reunion was in full swing. We had a fine time down there as it was shady and they didn't work us too</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>hard. There was a good crowd there and there was plenty of entertainment. The big attraction was a horse race at least it was for us as we all had money up We paid a quarter apiece for a chance without seeing the horses and if we drew the head horse won half a dollar. Frankie Lemmons and I each drew Oh! Min! and Oh! Min came in about 25 yards ahead so nothing would do but Frankie &amp; I had to treat the band with the winnings, accordingly we pooled our half dollars and got a dollar's worth of 5 ct cigars and as the band was by no means full strength everybody got one, and I found two in my hat when I got home. We got a good supper of ham sandwichs and pie &amp; cake but there was no cream or sugar for our tea. We played a few pieces after tea but quit before our time was up as it started to sprinkle, it had been threatening all day but by now it looked as if it meant business and it did. By the time we got started it was raining nicely and Carl. got off the clay roads before it began hard but after we struck Mud. Street it came down by the tub-full. We could hardly see out of the windshield and the road began to take on the appearance of a young river. Carl turned into the shed when we got to the Dog's Nest and we found Carl. Coleman in there ahead of us. He had Harry Moon Harvey {Bace?} &amp; Kenneth Steele in there ahead of with him. There was another car and a pea waggon in there to besides Win Law &amp; Geln Ryerse. We stayed there for about two hours and saw one of the heaviest downpours I ever saw accompanied by some very respectable thunder &amp; lightening Several claps &amp; flashes came almost simultaniously and almost blinded us. Carl Coleman &amp; his bunch pulled out before we did and just as they left another downpour came, finally they all left but us and Jim Ryerse came in. He had been down at Billy Fallon's. I crawled in the car and went to sleep for awhile. About quarter to ten it just about quit raining so we came home. Carl. &amp; I came up the Plank through town and Jim &amp; Frankie went down the Marburg road and Frank walked home from Welsh's corner. I heard later that Jim had to leave his car in the road all night as he couldn't get up Charlie Dixon's hill but there were a good many others in the ditch all night too. Ina stayed here all night. Everybody was overjoyed to see the rain and it did very little if any damage</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Wednesday July 22nd</p> <p>As it was much too wet to do anything much else to-day we all went to town. I took Ina down to Art. Quanbury's first. We got down town about the middle of the fore noon and as they rather expected us on account of the rain we stayed at Aunty's for dinner. I went up to Bill Lemmon's before dinner and he put another temporary filling in my tooth and after dinner I got my hair cut. Frank took Queen and the buggy and brought Will Cruise's short binder tongue for the tractor down to the Widespread for a pattern and had them cut one out for him. Quint was at Aunty's for dinner. Vernon has gone to Brantford for the rest of the week but Walter &amp; Rebecca are still there. We got home about five o'clock and I did the chores up right away so as to be ready for Carl at seven o'clock. He Frank &amp; Jim Ryerse came along before I had waited long and we went right up this road to Waterford. Mr. Bagley came in right after us and the rest of the boys came up on the radial. The concert went off without a hitch and we met the Waterford boys going and coming. I got home at eleven earlier than I usualy do from Dover Fine &amp; cool.</p> <p>Thursday July 23rd</p> <p>As it was still too wet to-day to haul in anything over home I spent the day exploring among the weeds and discovering some of my garden. I got a lot of weeds slaughtered but didn't get a great deal of ground covered. Aunty &amp; Aunty Alice Enah, Phoebe, Rebecca, Walter Tim &amp; David all came out to-day for a picnic. They have been planning it ever since Vernon has been here with the car but as something has happened every week to prevent Marj. decided they had better not depend any longer on Vernon so asked Quint to bring them out which he did and had to make four trips to get them here and take them back. He didn't stay. We all had a fine picnic and the kids seemed to enjoy themselves. This evening Mr. &amp; Mrs Bagley, Essie &amp; a young damsel by the name of Helen Sanford from Buffalo came out for a very short visit. Mr. Bagley nearly had another accident. When he turned in our lane there was another car right behind him which not knowing he was going to turn attempted to pass just as Mr. Bagley pulled in front of him, however all he did was run into the mail box post and did no damage. Cool</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Friday July 24th</p> <p>I spent the day over home again. Dad. &amp; Frank cut the barley yesterday so Frank and I shocked it up this morning while Dad. shook out the hay along the side road which he said was pretty badly soaked and blackened. This after noon he hauled the binder back across the gully for Frank to cut the wheat back there and Frank &amp; Tim got started cutting. By the time they got the binder loaded and back there and up to the house again it was four o'clock so Dad. &amp; I just got two loads of wheat off the front field and the last one we didn't haul in the barn. We had Dick McPherson helping in the mow. He was game although the sheaves weighed about as much as he did and he had to go through some awful contortions to move them.This was my 30th birthday and I am therefore richer by the possession of eleven dollars in cash, a pair of garters a film and a little gold horseshoe tie-pin with pearls in it which used to be Clarence's and which Aunty gave me, besides all kinds of good wishes and ice cream for dinner at noon and another dinner with some of Aunty Alice's new potatoes to-night. Fine, warm &amp; nice breeze.</p> <p>Saturday July 25th</p> <p>Dad. &amp; I hauled wheat all day but didnt quite clear the field. We got in seven good big loads and unloaded the one we put on last night. There are still about two loads out. It was certainly a fine stand of wheat, nothing in the bottom whatever, although the little alfalfa plants seem to be alive all over the field. Frank &amp; Tim cut the back field. They hadn't quite finished when I left for home to-night but I suppose they did. Frank went over to Pickford's at noon and got him &amp; Bob. to come over and cock up the hay along the side road that Dad. turned out. They were at it all the afternoon and finished it. Vernon &amp; Aunty came over to the farm this morning to announce the arrival at 3 a.m. of Win's baby a nine pound boy. Vernon and Aunty and Rebecca came over here to-night to tell us that they would come out to-morrow if it was fine and take us all in to have Dorothy Mary christened. Cloudy and a little rain at noon, very threatening to-night.</p> <p>Sunday July 26th</p> <p>We started to get ready about six o'clock this morning</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>so by dint of much fussing &amp; stewing and rushing and tearing around, we had the chores all done, breakfast over, dishes washed, kids washed, dressed, scolded and kept tolerably clean &amp; tidy by eleven-thirty when Vernon arrived with the car to take us down to church. She was rather disappointed I think that we were ready as she thought she would be in time to help. We were in plenty of time and had to drive around town a lot to wait till church was out, and listen at the window to find out whether Mr. Cornish was through preaching or not. When we finally did go in most of the congregation departed and the christening ceremony went off very smoothly. Dorothy Mary didn't emit a whimper during the whole performance although Mr. Cornish fairly soused the water on her head, and she sat up on Vernons arm during the remainder of the service and gazed around the church looking very interested in what she saw. Harry B. &amp; Gay were as quiet as mice. Harry B contentedly sucking his finger and holding his ear and Gay being a little too much amazed and all she saw to do anything rough. She was greatly admired by all who beheld her. Roy Vernon &amp; Enah were god-parents and Vernon presented the baby with a very pretty little silver mug with her name &amp; the date of her christening on it. We all stayed at Aunty's for dinner and all the after noon. The three kids and I all had a sleep and Marj. went over to Mrs. Lawson's to see the new baby &amp; Win, Roy &amp; Vernon drove us home just before tea. Mr. Lawrie died last night. Cool &amp; cloudy</p> <p>Monday July 27th</p> <p>I was up before five this morning and got the cows up in a very subdued light. The sky was overcast but the natural shortening of daylight is becoming noticeable now anyway. I was hooked up ready to start for the farm by about half past seven when "down fell the pleasant rain" and continued to descend with varying degrees of volume for about an hour. I didn't unhook but sat out in the buggy and read the "Breeders Gazette" till it stopped and then went down town and got some groceries, coal oil &amp; chicken feed and sold the eggs. I called in at the farm and Dad. thought we could haul wheat this after noon. I had to come home for dinner as I had a dozen Danish brown Leghorn eggs that Chris. gave me to put under hens and they are due to hatch Thursday so I didn't want to lose any time getting them under the sitting hens. I got back over home a little</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>two and we got in two loads of wheat in but another shower arrived just in time to prevent us getting the half load that is left in the field. Dad. has had several letters from Mr. Parks lately all assuring him that the fortune is now assured and it is only a matter of a few months when Dad. will be a millionaire, but its no use we can't realize it.</p> <p>Tuesday July 28th</p> <p>It started to rain before seven this morning and poured till about half past ten, then turned into a beautiful day with a cool breeze. I took the cream down to the corner and got pretty well soaked in spite of having my Hurly Hawkins rubber coat on. This after noon Marj. wanted to find out what Ina's plans were as this was her regular day but the rain prevented her coming, so we all drove over there and found she intended coming to-morrow and we then went on down town. Marj. just finished making a dress for Gay so she dressed her up in and took her down to show her off. Aunty was the only one home and she didnt seem to enthuse much over the dress. Marj. wasn't surprised however as she didn't like the colour of it herself but made it out of an old dress of her own.</p> <p>Wednesday July 29th</p> <p>I spent most of the fore noon fixing a coop to put my little chickens out in as they are starting to hatch and then hoed potatoes for about an hour before dinner. This after noon I drove over to see if the chickens over at Martin's were hatching and found they were, although the wyandottes set at the same time were not. Sid gave me the brown Leghorn chicks and I brought them home and put them under two hens. I had eight hatch out here from the eggs I brought home Monday so in all I had 37 chicks. I went down to band concert to-night.</p> <p>Thursday July 30th</p> <p>I went over home this morning to help them haul hay but we only got in about three loads. Dad. turned out a couple of loads this morning and Frank &amp; I finished moving a fence to enlarge the boundary of the sheep pasture. My tooth was paining me before dinner but at noon I dug the temporary filling out and it felt better right away, but Dad. thought I had better go down this after noon and have it fixed up so I did and he and Frank hauled in a couple of loads by themselves so I wasn't very much help to them. We pitched one load off by hand in the horse stable. Breezy &amp; sunny. Fine Hay day.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>{This page, 92, and the following page, 93, display an original letter written to Toby from Mr. Parks. The original letter was folded in half and written on both sides. Toby inserted this letter into his diary.</p> <p>However when the letter was digitized it was laid out and copied across 2 pages which means the order of the letter has become out of sequence, i.e. Page 92 RHS; Page 93 LHS; Page 93 RHS and Page 92 LHS.</p> <p>The original letter is transcribed, below, in such a way as to make it clearer to the reader and is shown in its entirety.}</p> <p><br />3 Moss Hall Crescent</p> <p>Finchley</p> <p>London N. 13</p> <p>20th July 1925</p> <p>My dear Toby,</p> <p>As I have written to all the other folks I thought I would drop you a line. Am awfully sorry that I could not get a final decesion these Sittings of the Court but I suppose it was too much to expect from the old Master. He has a good deal of authority &amp; you have to humour these fellows if you want to get on as they can make things very unpleasant if you upset them. I have had one or two tussels with</p> <p>him but we are still very friendly. He wished me yesterday a pleasant holiday &amp; said he was sorry he could not make his Certificate these Sittings but would do all he could to help next Sittings. He gave me an appointment on the 13th Oct, the day after he begins work again &amp; another on the 24th when we hope to clear all questions up so that his Clerk can draw the Certificate which will be in favour of your Dad. He expressed his own satisfaction with the evidence but wants me to clear up one or two little things if I can. This I am now proceeding to do.</p> <p>There is no question as to the result &amp; I want you to persuade your Father to take things quietly &amp; not work so hard. I can let him have some money. I would suggest him employing a man to help him so that he can take things easier. I think you can safely reckon on having money for the new Barns so you can amuse yourselves in seeing what you will do to improve the houses &amp; farms &amp; keep an eye open to purchase more land if you want it. I expect your Father will now consider what he will do</p> <p>in the way of new Barns &amp; house or alterations to the present one. You will all have to have things very nice but dont give up work as thats a source of health &amp; pleasure when you have not to worry about want of money. You will have to come over with Mrs Barrett &amp; see the old Country. Perhaps you would like to settle here but I expect the land of one's birth holds one. Well there is nothing to worry about &amp; it is only a matter of time. Glad the Tree is flourishing Hope Mrs Barrett the children &amp; you are all well &amp; that poor old {Frank?} is better. Tell Tim to write to me &amp; tell me how his stock is getting on</p> <p>Kindest regards to all</p> <p>Yours very sincerely</p> <p>Walter Parks</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>{Please see the previous page, 92, for an explanation and transcription of the above letter.}</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Friday July 31st</p> <p>Dad and I finished hauling the hay to-day. I think we hauled in four loads. We put half of the last one in the big barn and the other half we pitched off in the old barn to cover the rails and top of the granary before putting the barley in. We also got in one good sized load of barley but didn't pitch it off. Frank came over here and ploughed the pea-stubble. He would have ploughed some on my alfalfa summer fallow but he put too much lubricating oil in his tractor and it didn't work right so that he was delayed. The summer fallow has been so neglected owing to my absence from here that it has grown thick with summer grass and thistles and ploughing again is the only remedy for it. I got home just about six and just as it began to rain hard. It has been very threatening all day with occasional sprinkles and an east wind and finally settled in to rain all night. Frank got pretty wet so changed in to some of my clothes and stayed all night. We had tea before I did the chores and sat around listening to a very comical story Marj. was reading from Saturday Evening Post called Sam in the Suburbs by P.G. Wodehouse that I did the milking in the dark as well as the rain.</p> <p>Saturday August 1st</p> <p>It was still raining this morning so we didn't get up very early. I milked and Frank took the cream to the corner before breakfast, after which he monkeyed with the governor on his tractor for awhile. Art Quanbury came over to return my brooder stove and hover. A little before noon Marj. &amp; Frank drove down town and Marj. got some supplies and then dropped Frank at the farm. I gave the kids their dinner and put Gay to bed but Harry B wouldn't go to sleep. Marj. got home about one and we had dinner and sat around for awhile reading then Harry B and I went over to {Cour's?} and got a basket full of Astrakan apples. I put in the remainder of the after noon reading the paper and getting the broken axe handle out of the head and trying to dress down a new handle to go in but didn't finish. It cleared off this morning quite early and has been sunny &amp; breezy since</p> <p>Sunday August 2nd</p> <p>This has been a beautiful day although quite hot. We didn't do anything much but what had to be done and sit around and read. Mrs. Smythe &amp; Pud. came about four o'clock and stayed to tea. I had to go after the cows in the dark and hunted about an hour for them so was late milking.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Monday August 3rd</p> <p>I spent the fore noon harrowing the pea stubble that Frank ploughed on Friday, and got over it both ways lapping half one way so that now it is in fairly nice shape Frank came over about eleven and said that the barley would be dry enough to haul this after noon, he said that Jack's men and Harvey Evans were out first thing this morning hauling wheat but that it is soaking wet. Frank did some more monkeying with the tractor and stayed to dinner after which we drove over home. I helped them get in two good loads of barley and a small load and put them off and then I went down town to get my sweet clover seed while they went after the last load. It was six o'clock when I started for town but Harry Misener was home so I got my seed. Fair, clear &amp; warm</p> <p>Tuesday August 4th</p> <p>I sowed the sweet clover seed on the pea-stubble this morning and harrowed it in. Frank came over about 9.30 and ploughed on the piece north of the lane till noon. This after noon I went back to the farm and took the team as Cecil was over there and by getting Pickford's rack and hauling with both teams we got in four loads. Cecil and Dad. turned it out this morning so it was in pretty good shape. We didn't expect to get any more than than in off the back field and wouldn't have got that much if Cecil hadn't been there. I left old Belle over there all night and drove Queen home to Dad's buggy. Ina, Marj. &amp; the kids were having tea when I got home, so I tied Queen up and had mine and then drove Ina home. I had a letter from Dick to-day for my birthday and the old son-of-agun enclosed $25.00 Fine &amp; warm.</p> <p>Wednesday August 5th</p> <p>I drove back to the farm first thing this morning and we hauled in the rest of the wheat off the back field Cecil stayed there all night and helped us all day. We had to make seven trips but the last two were small jags. Pickford wanted his waggon this after noon but we borrowed another from Martin's. While Frank was changing waggons at noon Dad. &amp; I got up a load. I helped them put on the last load in the field and then walked home through Cam's place and did my chores. Frank brought Harry B. home</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>after tea as I had taken him over this morning and I drove back to band concert with him and put Queen in at Aunty's. I drove Frankie Lemmon part way home to-night as he didn't want to wait for Carl. who was going to the dance. Fine day &amp; beautiful night.</p> <p>Thursday August 6th</p> <p>I spent most of the morning writing a letter to Dick but hoed for a short time in the potatoes. We got all ready to drive down town this after noon but just as we were ready to start Vernon came out and drove Marj. &amp; the kids in I drove in with Queen as I wanted to take Dad's buggy back and get the waggon. I drove up town first and gave Dick's birthday present to Brogden, who it appears has sold out to a man from Guelph. I got all of Marj's groceries and then went back to the farm harnessed Queen &amp; Belle and went over to Jack's and got the waggon. Chris wanted me to take out another batch of Leghorn eggs which are due to hatch on Monday and I also got six chicks that had hatched from the last batch after I got the other chicks, I went down to Billy Langs &amp; got some oats and then drove home in the waggon. Vernon brought the rest of the family home after they had visited the church bazaar. Dad. started to cut hay in the corner field this morning and has it about half down and Frank &amp; Tim have been cutting oats in the back field all day. Hot, threatened rain &amp; sprinkled a little.</p> <p>Friday August 7th</p> <p>I took the team over to the farm this morning but was late getting over as Charlie Munroe's horses had broken a piece of the line fence down and one of them was in here with Belle &amp; Queen was over there with his horses. It was very foggy this morning and I was quite awhile locating them and there was a longer time getting them sorted into their proper pastures and finally had to make an attempt at repairing the worthless old fence. I got over home about ten but the fog was so heavy it was too wet to work at they hay earlier. I raked till noon while Dad. cut and I raked what he cut yesterday. This after noon I cocked up till Dad. finished cutting and then we both cocked up but it is such slow stuff to handle that we only got about half of it put up. Frank &amp; Jim cut oats but didn't quite finish the back field. I walked home to-night so that the horses would be safe from mischief</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Marj. got ready to go down and hear Mr. Hill the great English &amp; Scotch evangelist which Mr. Robinson has here. Flossie told her this after noon that if they went they would call for her but they didn't call, so we supposed they worked late and Flossie must have been tired as he was at the Roy Hammond's garden party till one o'clock last night and down there again this morning to help clean up before Mrs. Roy was out of bed and she had been picking raspberries on the Wiggin's place all after noon.</p> <p>Saturday August 8th</p> <p>It rained in the night a little and has been muggy &amp; damp all day, so that the hay didn't dry out at all. I walked over this morning and Dad. David &amp; I drove down town as we each had to get some bread. Dad. &amp; I cocked up the rest of the hay this after noon but decided it was too wet to rake. Frank &amp; Tim cut the rest of the oats across the gully and Frank shocked some of them up Dad, Tim and I went for a swim just below Jack's place. I was going to bring the team home to-night, but Charlie Shand came along in the car just as I was ready to leave and so I rode home with him. Very hot and sultry and looks very much like a brewing storm.</p> <p>Sunday August 9th</p> <p>There was a regular deluge during the night and this morning the creek which which has been merely a chain of pools all summer was a turbid raging river. Fortunately the cows were on this side of it so I didn't have to swim it and to-night the water had gone down so that I could jump across. The calf was on the opposite shore this morning and made a comical crossing when she followed the cows up. She plunged straight into the flood aparently too inexperienced to know what the consequences would be as she made no hesitation whatever but went in over her head and presently emerged and clambered out a wetter and wiser calf. We haven't done anything much to-day but read and fool with the kids. I wrote to Mr. Parks this evening. It has been very hot and oppressive especially outdoors. Marj. has felt rather tough all day.</p> <p>Monday August 10th</p> <p>I didn't think there was any possibility of doing any thing with the hay to-day so I didn't go over but Dad. told me to-night that he raked and cocked some of it and would have done more of it hadn't looked so rainy and Frank shocked the oats. They wondered why I didn't</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>go over. I got Eph. Innus who is painting the school-house to mix up some of my white lead and oil and I started painting the house but didn't get much done. I walked down to band practice to-night at least I walked as far as the farm and got a ride from there with Mr. Cornish but I walked home again. They are getting ready for the big street Carnival on Wednesday and I went up after band practice to get some make up stuff from Harry Moon. Hot and sultry.</p> <p>Tuesday August 11th</p> <p>I didn't get up as early as usual this morning and Frank and Ina were both here before we were through breakfast. Frank brought the waggon over to borrow some of my plank to lay down on the barn floor for the seperator as they expected to thrash to-morrow but Alan came up to-day to tell them they had changed their plans and were going to trash their own oats out of the field before they moved out. I took 16 chicks out from the setting hens and put them in a coop and then helped Frank get the plank. We called in at Tupper's and got my ladder which has been there ever since I picked his apples two years ago. Frank &amp; I then went down to get a load of soft coal for the engine. We had to go out along the pier after it and while trying to make Joe &amp; Queen turn around out there Queen gave a ram back into a car and smashed the cracked end on the old waggon tongue. We backed the waggon up to the coal pile by hand and nailed some old slabs on the tongue so managed to get home without trouble. This after noon Dad. &amp; I cocked the rest of the hay which Dad. raked up this morning and got a load in which we put over the horse stable. Frank spent the after noon fixing up the barn floor and granaries and changed the car from the barn to the horse stable. I rode Queen home tonight and drove Ina home after tea, and then let Queen out but as she headed straight for the line fence I was afraid to leave her so brought her back. She was opposed to being caught and as it was dark when I went after her I ran into the barbed wire fence myself while I was manoeuvering to catch her and cut my arm We sat up till about midnight for Marj. to get my costume completed and she made a horrible looking pirate out of me. Fine and much cooler</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Wednesday August 12th</p> <p>We all went down town this morning for Marj. to get her week's groceries. She thought Ina was coming and intended leaving Gay &amp; the baby here with her but as she didn't show up we had to take the whole family with us. This after noon I cut the grass around the front of the house with the scythe and did the chores up early so as to get down to the carnival in good time but about four o'clock it began to drizzle and kept up with increasing force till far into the night so that all thought of carnival had to be abandoned. They made great preparations for it. Harry Moon and his gang were working tooth &amp; nail this morning when we were down putting up a decorated stage and various booths and festoons but the rain was expected as there was an east wind all day.</p> <p>Thursday August 13th</p> <p>I was just getting ready to drive over home this morning to see what they were going to do when Frank came over to get me to thrash at Pickford's in Dad's place as he had to go down and have a tooth out, he said the machine had not moved up from Sam's yet so as I had promised Harry B. he could go with me I drove over home and then into Pickford's to see if he knew when the machine would be there and told him to have them whistle as soon as they arrived. I then came back home with Harry B. but as I came out of Pickford's lane I saw Sam &amp; Alan at the top of Art's hill so I put Queen out and walked right back to Pickford's. They had started to thrash when I got back. I helped Frank &amp; Bob bag up the grain and carry it to the granary. Billy Mills also helped when he arrived. The oats down in the now were pretty hot and we dumped them into all the bins &amp; barrels around the place so as not to have too big a pile in one place and we bagged some of them up. I stayed for about an hour after dinner and then Dad. came over so I came home and started in early to do chores and prepare for the Carnival which was postponed till to-night. It looked very threatening again &amp; about six o'clock poured rain but it cleared off again so I fixed up in my pirate costume &amp; war paint, put Uncle William's old cutlass (which I borrowed from home) in my belt and sallied forth. I put Queen in at Aunties and Roy drove me up town in the car. They all thought I had a splendid costume and thought Marj. was due</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>a great deal of credit for rigging up so fine an outfit from such scanty material. I had on my everyday pants &amp; an ordinary shirt, pants were rolled under and tied above my calves and my shirt was open at the neck and sleeves rolled up. A fancy handkerchief which had been part of a work bag was tied around my head and the mate to it which to make the work bag had a hole cut in the middle hund loosely around my neck with my head through the hole. Marj. arranged horse hair and curtain rings on an elastic band so that when I put it around my head I had wisps of coarse black hair a pigtail &amp; ear rings to adorn my piratical visage. She cut the tops off an old pair of shoes and sewed on large cardboard buckles covered with tea lead and finally tied several coloured pieces of cloth around my waist for a sash. Then by blackening my eyebrows and adding some purpleish &amp; red wax paint which Harry Moon gave me to my face, arms &amp; legs, I think as far as appearance was concerned I was as repulsive as any buckaneer that ever sailed the Spanish Main. When I reached town I found the carnival in full swing Roy drove me up town in the car and later he, Vernon Aunty Alice, Rebecca &amp; Walter came up Rebecca was in costume and got 1st prize for her class. I found the band and first of all we paraded all over town following the Fire Brigade and their equipment old and new, we then played a little more on the street and put our horns away in Coleman's house and spent the rest of the night with the crowd and let the jazz band &amp; Hugh McPherson with his pipes do the rest. Enah played for Innes Coleman to dance several times and for some fellow to imitate Harry Lauder. Pete Shand &amp; Bob. McPherson added considerably to the entertainment by their Scotch dancing &amp; antics. There were thousands there and they were mostly sober and I think enjoyed themselves. They began to thin out fast after midnight and at three o'clock we started to take the stage to pieces There was a small crowd around and Frank Fields who was fairly well on seemed rather incensed that we were deliberately breaking up the show so early in the evening, but as it was it kept us going till nearly daylight. We had to put the piano back in the hall take all the stage scenery back to the hall, take all the seats back to the park and tear down the stage &amp; booths and pile the lumber on the Widespread truck</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>We had a few delays. Robinson of "The Palms" invited us in there and treated us to all the 4 - 4 beer we could consume and we did our best to clean up some left over ice cream, pop. &amp; buns. There wasn't a big gang wrecking a few of the band and a few others including Geo. Gamble, Al. Faulkner, Skinner and Shorty Patterson. I left when everything was done about half past four and as I thought there was no object in starting for home before daylight I lay down in the barn at Aunty's till then and had that much snooze, but I got home about six o'clock.</p> <p>Friday August 14th</p> <p>As soon as I got home I washed the make-up off had breakfast and milked and then drove over home to help thrash. They had started when I got there as it was a little after eight. Bob. Pickford and I carried away all day at last till they finished which was about three o'clock. There were about 225 bushels of wheat off the field back of the barn which would mean a yield of slightly over 40 bus. to the acre. The back field produced 180-odd bushels or about 20 to the acre but there was about 400 lbs of bluegrass seed from it There was not a particle of any thing but wheat in the front field. There were about 160 bushels of barley It was a pretty satisfactory thrashing and Dad. has a straw stack build higher than the barn. I don't know what he will do with the oat straw. Bob. Frank Tim and I went for a swim as soon as we finished and then Dad. and I put on a load of the loose straw around the bottom of the stack and I brought it home. Roy came over just as we got through and said he could take us to Simcoe in the morning. Fine &amp; hot.</p> <p>Saturday August 15th</p> <p>I got up at five this morning to as to be ready when Roy called, and I had lots of time after I got ready to go down to the corner and get the cream can and sat for some little time under one of the maple trees on the road before they appeared. When they did come I found that the space reserved for me was what was left of the back seat after Enah &amp; Vernon had sat on what they required which was considerable. However I sat several inches over on Enahs thigh and settled into place as we drove along. Dad. Roy &amp; I went to Frank Reid's office directly and Dad. gave him a large budget of Mr. Park's</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>letters to peruse in which he was deeply interested &amp; amused at the points where Mr. Park's personality displayed itself. He of course had no advice to offer but said that as far as anyone could see, prospects were very good. Enah &amp; Vernon spent the time shopping, and Vernon picked out a set of dishes for Aunty &amp; Aunty Alice which Roy had to pass on &amp; pay for and arrange for delivery after we left Frank Reid's with the consequence that we didn't get away from Simcoe till about one o'clock much to Roy's discomfort as he had promised Aunty Alice to be back by half past twelve. Dad. got off here with me and had dinner after which he helped me put the load of straw off and I went back home with him and took the waggon back and drove home in my buggy. Marston was in just after dinner and said he wanted me to get some gravel on the roads and cut the weeds so I saw Joe Breen to-night and he said he would start cutting weeds on Monday. Hot.</p> <p>Sunday August 16th</p> <p>Marj. &amp; Harry B. drove down to church this morning but Harry B. had a sore throat and felt so tough that Marj. had to take him out of church. They went to the doctor's after service and got some medicine. They stayed at Aunty's for dinner and Frank drove them home about three o'clock. Harry B. seemed very much indisposed when he got home but had not been lying on the sofa long when he was kicking up his heels and seemed quite recovered. I just lay around all day, the baby slept nearly all the time Marj. was gone, and Gay. from the time she left till about one when I gave her, her dinner, the baby woke up then too but before I got the water hot to give her, her bottle, she was asleep again so I let her go. I didn't milk till after sundown to-night as it was so unbearably hot &amp; sultry. Frank told me &amp; then Carl. Coleman came out to-night while I was seperating to tell me to be ready to-morrow night and Carl. &amp; Frankie Lemmons would call for me to go to Jarvis as all the band was going down to a Carnival they are having down there. Looks very like rain.</p> <p>Monday August 17th</p> <p>I went down town first thing this morning as the dew was too heavy to get at the hay early and I had to get coal oil. I stopped in at Aunty's and said goodbye</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>before noon. Dad. drove over after dinner and helped me put the straw off. He said Frank was having trouble with the binder and had come over with Dad. to see Bill Donald and find out what was wrong. Dad. also wanted to find out from Bill how much gravel it took to build a water trough as Shoff has hauled him a couple of loads now. After we put the straw off and Dad. left I started to cut the alfalfa and got about 8 rounds cut but quit early and went down to band concert. I got a ride down with Charlie &amp; Nellie Innes as they brought Lil. Ward otherwise known as Mrs. Leamon Turner out to see Marj. After band concert Harry Moon felt that it would be right &amp; just to blow in the fifteen dollars which the band got for going to Jarvis as it was found money. They weren't engaged to go but their presence along with the rest of the Dover people turned the Jarvis carnival from a very tame affair into a great success so the committee forced them to accept the 3 x 5s. Cpnsequently we all repaired to Geo. Robinson's and had a glass of 4 - 4 after which Geo. treated us to another glass of the same. I rode home as far as the Winding Hill with the Lemmon's Carl. said he forgot all about going to Jarvis after he had decided himself not to go. Still very hot.</p> <p>Thursday August 20th</p> <p>I finished cutting the alfalfa this fore noon and got part way around the little timothy meadow by the school house with the scythe I don't know whether I will ever get it cut or not as it is so thick in the bottom I am sure I could not cut it with the mower and it will make a big job to do with a scythe. I went over to see Eph. Innes for a few minutes. He is nearly through painting the school house. They have had quite a time over it and now there is dissention in the section. Bill Donald got the paint in the first place with the sanction of the Board. and got white lead &amp; oil and Eph put it on. Nothing was said until he got the belfry &amp; the dormers on the north roof painted {illegible scored out} 2 coats and had to just about hang on with his teeth to do it, then Harvey Shand decided that he didn't like the white. Everybody else appeared to be satisfied but Harvey thought that clear white was awful and wanted some colour he didn't care what, so finally he went down town and got some more paint and poor old Eph had to go over it all again and now instead of fresh, clean, harmonious white the school is trimmed with yellow and an ugly dark brown consequently Bill Donald is mad at Harvey Shand.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>This after noon we were preparing to go to town when a very heavy shower which lasted for about an hour prevented us. I went to sleep for awhile and about three o'clock when it had cleared off we set out for town. We left the children at Aunty's and Marj. &amp; I had just nicely got up town when down came more rain I left Marj. in Coleman's and I drove around to Dick's barn and waited till it slackened a little, by that time Marj. had made her way to Sam Schram's and got her trading done so we went right to Aunty's. We just got in the barn when it started to rain harder than ever, so we stayed for tea at Aunty's and as it set in to be a wet night I came home and left all of them down there for the night. It spit rain all the way home and while I was doing the chores. It has been cooler all day.</p> <p>Friday August 21st</p> <p>I went back down to Aunty's for breakfast this morning and got there by half past seven but they had finished. Aunty Alice had got up early. I went up town right after breakfast to get my hair cut but Bobbie Leaney wasn't in his shop yet. I waited for about ten minutes and then went to the new man. I then went back and got the family and came home. Harry B and I then went over to Tom. Stone's, then Willie Shand's &amp; finally Dove's to get a team to put on the road grader, so this after noon old Dove and I went one round full length of the beat at least as far back as Gifford's where they have gravelled to from the north. Marston is going to have trucks gravel it down this way two or three concessions with Townsend gravel and their own trucks. Fine day, cool breeze, feels like Fall.</p> <p>Saturday August 22nd</p> <p>I took the rack back over home this morning and brought the rake over here and raked my alfalfa and the weeds I cut several weeks ago back of the barn before dinner and this after noon cocked up my alfalfa. Ray came over with a fork to help me. Dad. &amp; Frank were going to start shocking up oats. Dad. told me that Harvey Skey had been over to ask him about the fortune and had heard of it from his manager in Winnipeg Mr. Magahan who had gone over on the Mont Royal with Mr. Parks and Mr. Parks had "blabbed" absolutely everything he knew concerning it. Harvey had come straight to Dad</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>when he got here as when he heard that Mr. Parks was to get such a large commission he was afraid he might be a crook, however when Dad. had showed him some of his recent letters he was reassured. It gave Dad a little uneasiness though to think that Mr. Parks would tell a total stranger so much but I suppose, he is so full of the subject that he can't think of anything else. Dad. was down at the bank the other day and found that Mr. Parks had put £100. to his credit just as a gift to be paid back "if &amp; when". though he says now there is no if about it. Fine, warm.</p> <p>Sunday August 23rd</p> <p>We all went down town this morning and Marj. Harry B. and I went to church and Gay &amp; Baby Sister stayed with Aunty. We had a New York preacher that none of us cared for much. Harry B was very good. We stayed at Aunty's for dinner and this after noon I drove out to Edmond England's funeral, and I never saw such a big one. There were over 100 cars. I tied Queen in McPherson's lane and Enah drove Dad. out and as there were so many cars she drove Joe home again, so he went home with me. Marj had all the kids over seeing Mrs. Lawson when I got back, Aunty was with them too. We came home before tea and as they were all asleep by the time we got home Marj. &amp; I went out into the wilderness, which under happier circumstances might have been our garden and got a pailful of overgrown cucumbers, some corn and I dug a few potatoes. Fine and hot.</p> <p>Monday August 24th</p> <p>I took the rake back this morning and got the rack and Dad. and we hauled in the alfalfa. We were delayed quite awhile at the mill as Dad took some barley down to trade for some oat chop and Frank took a sample of wheat down which Charlie said was very nice. It was a great wheat year. Jim Waddle thrashed 1047 bushels the other day from 40 loads in 9 hours which the "Maple Leaf" said was a record run for Sam Law. Charlie Ivey said George Law told him he had the best crop of wheat this year he ever had or ever would have. Arthur Preston beguiled away the time talking to me while I waited at the mill &amp; in the course of his conversation informed me</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>quite seriously that I was a good judge of beauty or had been when I was married but if I would excuse him saying so it was more than my wife was, to which I heartily agreed. He is the limit. Dad. and I hauled the alfalfa in three jags &amp; a lift but there wasn't more than two loads of it so maybe a good big load &amp; a half, some of it wasn't fit to come in it was so green &amp; tough but I thought it might better go in now than chance more rain on it. Dad. walked home and I drove down to-night to band practice. They are terribly upset down home over the news that came to-day that Mr. Millman is dead. He went up to Mitchell on Saturday alone on some business and was staying over Sunday with some friends up there. Sunday night while he was talking to them, he complained of a pain in his heart and died in a very few minutes. It is a terrible shock to us all and must be awful for Mrs. Millman. Still fine &amp; warm.</p> <p>Tuesday August 25th</p> <p>I took the rack over home this morning and we got in 3 loads of oats from the back field. Dad. &amp; Frank were down at the mill with some wheat when I got over there as it was too wet to do anything at the oats till about ten o'clock. I had to quit early as I went with the band to-night up to the Kiwanis kids camp, and played for them for an hour. Quint was over at noon to make arrangements with Dad. to go to Mr. Millman's funeral to-morrow. I walked home to-night from the back field and walked back to town and from the farm home again.</p> <p>Wednesday August 26th</p> <p>It looked so threatening and sprinkled a little that I didn't go over home till about ten o'clock and Frank was just coming into the back field when I got there. He had picked Elgie Cole up on the road so he helped us all day as Dad. left with Quint this morning on the nine car for Toronto. We just got in one load in before dinner but I helped them get two in and off this afternoon and they went back for another when I came home to get ready to go on the Colonial for the band's excursion. When I got here Marj. said Charlie Shand had come down and bought some tickets and said he would take her so I thought it was too good a chance for her to miss having an outing and I stayed home with the kids and she went with them. We also treated Ray &amp; George</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>to the trip and Charlie took them down. I was over there telling them to watch for Charlie when Harvey &amp; Mrs. Evans brought poor old Dove home, he went over there this morning to help them haul in oats &amp; had worked all day and to-night fell off a load and struck his head &amp; shoulders on the ground. He was badly shaken up and frightened and so was Mrs. Lampkins when she saw him. I spent a pleasant evening with the baby as she wouldn't sleep. I don't think there was any thing the matter with her but I had her up most of the time Marj. was away. Very hot &amp; close all day, but much cooler to-night.</p> <p>Thursday August 27th</p> <p>Harry B. and I drove over home this morning and we hauled oats all day with two waggons as Cole was there and we got in 8 loads. We cleaned the back field in 6 and got a couple in off the field east of the old garden. Aunty, Aunty Alice &amp; Phoebe were over there for dinner &amp; tea and we stayed to tea. Dad. said he was very glad he went to Toronto yesterday as they all seemed so glad to see him. They all told him that a letter Aunty had written was the means of toning them all up. N.E. wind &amp; cold.</p> <p>Friday August 28th</p> <p>We hauled oats all day with two waggons and cleaned the field east of the garden, there were 8 loads on it and we burned about a load that was principaly thistles. We got 3 loads in off the field west of the lane. I rode Queen home to-night and home after tea rode her down to a Horticultural meeting at which they decided to hold the Fair on the 14 &amp; 15th of September. Fine &amp; cool. Marj. had a visit from Mrs. Cam. McBride and picked about a bushel of beautiful looking crab apples.</p> <p>Saturday August 29th</p> <p>Harry B and I drove over to the farm this morning and got there just as they had the two last loads that were hauled last night pitched off. The boys helped them put them off. We got in four loads before dinner and I helped them put on two more after dinner and then I came home and got Marj. Gay &amp; the baby and we went down town to do our trading. Enah &amp; Harry B went down to see the deer and we picked him up on our way home after dark. There was one more load of oats out when I left but they got it in. I think that makes 32 loads in the barn and they would average good loads. Much warmer fine.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Sunday August 30th</p> <p>It has been very hot and oppressive to-day and we have done very little but sit around. We just worked in two meals. I went out to the garden this morning and picked some cucumbers and dug some potatoes while Marj. was busy in the house. Late this after noon Harry B. and I walked over to see how poor old Mr. Lampkin was feeling. He is still very stiff and sore but thought he was better</p> <p>Monday August 31st</p> <p>I spent the whole day cleaning up the strawberry patch and then got very little more than a row cleaned as it is a slow job. Gibson was in this morning to renew my fire insurance policy. Mabel &amp; her aunt were in late this after noon to see Marj. School starts again to-morrow. I have been working up a cold all day and feel like a boiled cabbage to-night. Hot</p> <p>Tuesday September 1st</p> <p>I have done a great deal of nothing to-day as I felt so tough with my cold. I went out and started to hoe strawberries this morning but the bending over seemed to make me sneeze, which I did to such an extent that I got dizzy. I lay around and slept most of the time but picked about a bushel &amp; a half of crab apples. The tree is loaded this year and they are excellent quality sound &amp; clean, all the fruit seems to be this year. Frank came over with his tractor and tried to plough the side hill by the school house but the summer grass balled up so on his skimmers that he couldn't do it. He ploughed the garden strip south of the house. Ina's "folks" called for her to-night on their way home from thrashing at Tom's and they told us that word had come this morning that the "Colonial" had burned to the water's edge at Crystal Beach and that there had been some fatalities. Beautiful day.</p> <p>Wednesday September 2nd</p> <p>I rode Queen over home this morning and brought Queen &amp; Belle back with the waggon. I rolled down what Frank ploughed yesterday and disked what had been ploughed before, but it is so dry I hate to chance putting alfalfa seed on it. I went down to band concert to-night, the last one. It rained a little at intervals during the evening but I got home dry. Cloudy &amp; cool all day. Flies are very bad.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>[This page is a duplicate of yesterday's page 108.}</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Thursday September 3rd</p> <p>We all went down town this morning and spent the day at Aunty's Dad. &amp; I bailed out the old well at the Shanty door and they think when it fills again they will be able to use the water Quint was there for dinner and he helped us after dinner for awhile. Marj. went up town and got orders for some crab apples. Dad. &amp; I also patched up the barn bridge a little. I went down to Carl. Ryerse's after dinner with Quint and blew in 30 cts. on a corn cob pipe and a package of tobacco so that I can now appease my occasional hankering for a smoke. Marj. went over to the Lampkin's for awhile to-night and I had to prance with the baby nearly the whole time she was gone. Cloudy this morning clearing &amp; sultry this after noon.</p> <p>Friday September 4th</p> <p>I went down to Sid's this morning and got Queen shod I was there till noon as there were two others ahead of me This afternoon I finished cleaning out another row of strawberries and hoed out some of the couch grass in the summer fallow. Marj. did up tomatoes. Very hot &amp; dry</p> <p>Saturday September 5th</p> <p>I swept the school house first thing this morning and spent most of the remainder of the day hoeing strawberries finishing the job about four o'clock. I then picked some crab apples at at her suggestion Marj. &amp; Harry B took them down and delivered them to Mesdames Marr &amp; Gilbert, who ordered them the other day. Hary B. got out and knocked at the doors so that Marj. didn't have to tie Queen up. Gay and I washed up the dinner dishes cleaned up the kitchen and amused the baby and were down at the mailbox when Marj. &amp; H.B. drove home. An otherwise happy day was somewhat marred by Willie Shand bringing us a telephone message from Mrs. Smythe inviting us to their cottage for dinner to-morrow. Cloudy &amp; cool most of the day.</p> <p>Sunday September 6th</p> <p>The folly of anticipating evils was exemplified to-day as attendance at Mrs. Smythe's dinner party proved to be impossible owing to the fact that it rained nearly all day not very hard but steadily, so we spent a very comfortable and leisurly day at home. I didn't even have to change my old clothes although Marj. did make me shave.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Monday September 7th Labour Day</p> <p>This being Labour Day I laboured at at a job that I have wanted to get at for a year, and now that I have started I will want to keep at it till I finish. I levelled down the pile of clay west of the kitchen and filled in the low places around the back door with it and I made an ash path from the kitchen door to the pump and got started on one to gate but haven't got the sod all cut out for it yet. There are still large heaps of clay south of the house and under the crab apple tree to be disposed of and I am anxious to get them levelled and seeded with lawn seed as at present the place looks like a mining shack or a shell crater but if it were trimmed up it would be an exceptionally pretty place, even now the vista that we see from the back door spreading out under the crab apple tree and the ash and disappearing gradually in the orchard is beautiful enough to make a fellow wish that Pegassus was not so particular who rode him. Mabel Mrs. Walker and Miss Cook all came up to-night and Mabel is staying all night. Marj. invited her when she thought she was going to be alone on account of my being with the Colonial excursion to Erie. Mostly cloudy &amp; cooler.</p> <p>Tuesday September 8th</p> <p>I finished making the path to the gate this morning and dug potatoes and garnered various garden produce for dinner as Mabel came back for that. I picked the cucumbers which ranged in size from an inch long to that of a bologna sausage, in spite of Marj's assurances that as the seed was that of small pickling cucumbers they would not grow beyond the desired dimensions suitable for that purpose. Now when I bring her in a half a bushel of these cucumbrian monstrosities, she gnashes her teeth and hurls them at me. I also cut a water melon that looked ripe but when I dissected it I found it to be only pink in spots, however we ate the spots and they were delicious. This after noon I picked a few of the Bartlet pears and Dad. &amp; Enah came over to get me to go thrashing tomorrow for a couple of hours at Art Quanbury's as Frank intends going to the Ex to-morrow with Jonas &amp; Alex England. I got Dad. to help me fell the dead maple at the back door. Ina was here to-day. Mostly cloudy and sultry. Miss Battersby died last night.</p> <p>Wednesday September 9th</p> <p>I finished picking the pears and took two bushel hampers down and shipped one to Dorrie</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>and one to Phyl. I went down again to-night to the last band concert of the season. Ina was here again to-day ironing. Marj. got a cheque to-day for $250.00 as part of her share of Uncle George's estate. Frank left some time during last night for the fair and expected to get home some time during to-night. Threatening &amp; hot.</p> <p>Thursday September 10th</p> <p>Dad. came over this morning to get some 14 ft boards to make the cribbing for his water trough but we could only find two long enough. He helped me saw up the butt of the maple tree and took Harry B &amp; Gay back with him. I spent the remainder of the fore noon levelling clay and this after noon Marj. the baby and I drove down in the waggon. We left the baby at the farm and Dad. &amp; I went down and got 5 bbls {barrels} of cement for the water trough and Marj. went up to the bank with her cheque. We waited till she got all through with her business &amp; all came home in the waggon. Marj. went over to the Lampkin's to-night with some roses. Tim brought home all he could carry in his arms that he fished out of the pond by the greenhouse. Aunty &amp; Aunty Alice are feeling very tired. Aunty Alice was up the other night with Miss Battersby. Very hot and sultry.</p> <p>Friday September 11th</p> <p>I rolled harrowed and disked the little piece of alfalfa ground along the lane to-day. It was very hot and sultry this after noon, the fore noon was not so bad. I spent about an hour or two after dinner cleaning up and cutting with the lawn mower the grass in front of the house so now have that corner of the yard looking as if it belonged to civilized people Marj. made twelve pints of tomato soup to-day and is all in. I had to parade around in my nightshirt last night and chase Bobbie back in the barn yard, she &amp; Mary have been jumping the orchard fence regularly now for about 2 weeks every night and prowling around the door yard but last night Bobbie was determined to come in the house, she pushed the porch screen door open and upset a pail of potatoes and kicked up a great racket.</p> <p>Saturday September 12th</p> <p>It has rained or drizzled nearly all day so I haven't done much I spent the forenoon trying to paint SHANDS on some rubber balloons that Mabel wanted for her school fair but didn't make a very good job of it as they were hard to get in a good position. They had to be inflated to</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>to paint as if they werent the letters would pale into illegible streaks when they were blown up, and as it is if they aren't kept with the air in them, when they collapse the paint shrivels and falls off. I didn't do much this after noon but rock Harry B who has a very bad cough and help Marj. wash the dishes, she spent the morning making cookies. I intended going down to help them get the rink in shape for the Horticultural Show but the rain prevented me. I went over to the school house about five and swept. I nailed the porch door up to-night as I had to get up three times last night to chase the cows away from it.</p> <p>Sunday September 13th</p> <p>It has rained all day till about four o clock. We have done nothing but sit around and for the most part try to amuse Harry B to keep him in bed as Marj. is worried about his cough and ulcerated throat He seems to feel pretty well and rebels at staying in bed but the air is so damp and raw. Marj. insisted on me telephoning the doctor about four but he said he had ashma too badly to come out so I hooked up and went in and he gave me some pills for Harry B. I didn't get home till after dark and as it was spitting rain again I didn't hunt for the cows.</p> <p>Monday September 14th</p> <p>I spent nearly all day getting some stuff ready for the Horticultural Show and about five o'clock took down a buggy load of squash, a basket each of crab apples and pears and 1 watermelon. I didn't get them entered till about seven o'clock and as I went up town after some bread and took Cousin Phoebe a few crab apples and called in at Aunty's and at the farm it was late when I got home. I had tea and then as the cows were all in the door yard I milked about ten o'clock. Harry B's cold is still bad and to-night the baby is quite sick, she hasn't been able to keep her food down and Marj. is worried about them both. Beautiful day, fine and cooler.</p> <p>Tuesday September 15th</p> <p>I went over this morning to help run the cement for Dad's new water trough. Ot. Collin's is building it and had every thing ready last night. It looked very threatening and had spinkled a little but as we were all there we thought we would tackle it although it is one of the most important features of water trough building that the work is all done at one time before as if one batch of cement is allowed</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>to set at all before the next is put on it will cause a crack in the wall and will leak. We just nicely got started to work when it started to rain and the harder we worked the harder it rained, but we stayed with it and finished a little after twelve. Ot had his boy with him so there were four of us to mix grout and Ot to tramp it in and put in the reinforcements while Dad &amp; the boys were running in a batch Frank and I were carrying gravel &amp; cement for the next one. We just mixed one bag at a time and it took 16 bags. We had the drivehouse door for a mixing board and as it sagged in the center it made a good one. We all got soaked of course but Dad &amp; I didn't have coats on so we got an extra soaking and we had to work like niggers to keep from getting very cold: so to-night I feel pretty stiff. We went in the house, built a fire and changed our clothes as soon as we finished and Frank got dinner as Enah was down judging at the flower show. It stopped raining for awhile about the middle of the after noon and I came home about four. Marj. has had a busy day with Harry B &amp; the baby sick, but the baby is better to-night. I should have gone down to the show to look after my stuff to-night but as it was raining about seven o'clock and was so dark &amp; muddy and I felt so tough I didn't go, but we all went to bed as soon as possible</p> <p>Wednesday September 16th</p> <p>I went down to the rink this morning to see what had happened to my exhibits and discovered that due to lack of competition more than excellence I had got second prize on my crab apples and one on my water-melon, 60 cts for each. I got nothing on my squash but I sold two to Jack King for 50 cts and left four at Sam Schram's for him to sell if he could and gave a couple to Mr. Bagley. I also gave my pears to Mrs. McBride I had to deliver my crab apples to Landon Ivey's and Uncle Ward got me to take some grapes of his to Cecil Schram and Harry Ivey. They then collared me to help load benchs and tables and take them back from where they had been borrowed some to the town hall and some to Buck's Park, so that it was about two o'clock when I got home to dinner and this after noon I drove up to {Schoffs?} and got the time of the team hauling gravel for 2 weeks The baby doesn't seem to be just right yet and as there is an epidemic of her complaint and Cam. Culvers lost their baby Marj. is still worried. Very cloudy all day clearing this evening.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Thursday September 17th</p> <p>Dad. Frank and Aunty Alice all came over this morning with Tupper's flat rack to haul corn. I had a road cut through but as the dew was very heavy and as they had to go to the mill besides in to Tupper's for his rack, it was late in the forenoon before we got started and we worked till after noon putting on the load, so they stayed to dinner much against Aunty Alice's approval as they had told Enah they would be back for dinner. Ina was here too washing, so Marj. had quite a party. We all three went down to the factory with the corn but had to wait for some time to unload as things are jammed full down there. It is certainly a busy place just now. I walked home through {Con's?} and talked to him for awhile so that it was about six when I got home. I drove Ina home about nine o clock.</p> <p>Friday September 18th</p> <p>There was a heavy thunder storm early this morning so that every thing was too wet to do much to-day. Sam &amp; Alan were thrashing over at Dove's this morning so I went over to see if he needed any more help but there were plenty of men. He tried to induce me to help Tom Aikens build the stack but it was a very dirty looking job so I told him I was afraid there wasn't room for more than one on the stack, which was true. I stuck around for awhile and then came home and spent the forenoon painting balloons for Mabel Frank came over after Aunty Alice's rubbers and stayed to dinner. We decided to go to town this afternoon as we had 14 dozen eggs to take down so we sent Frank over to the Lampkins to find out if she could keep Harry B &amp; the baby for us and to signal us if she couldn't We drove in about three to find Frank, Trum. Walker and Bert all gathered to perform the last sad rites for poor old Florie. She had just died from a wound she gave herself the other day when she got caught in the fence. Mrs. Lampkin felt very badly as they had raised her and she was over twenty. We left the two kids and went down and did our trading and left Gay at the farm. Ot Collins was there taking the forms off the trough. Enah was sick with a cold. Archie McEwen had just been there with a French Canadian and bought the ram lambs for $16.00 apiece.</p> <p>Saturday September 19th</p> <p>I spent the day painting and got the priming coat</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>on nearly all the new part of the house. I walked down town to-night and got my hair cut and was measured for my new suit at Moses Fisher's. Partly cloudy, fair and cool. Mabel was in to tell us they got 1st prize on their parade to-day.</p> <p>Sunday September 20th</p> <p>I spent most of the day helping Marj. washing dishes and {Fly-Toxing?} flies. About four o clock we all drove down town as Marj. wanted to take Harry B to the doctor as his throat still looks sore and she is worried about him, he looks so peaky. The doctor wasn't home so we went up to the Smiths to see Nellie as she &amp; Bill and all the kids are here. We left there a little before six and went back to the doctors but he was still away so we came straight home as it was getting chilly. It has been almost unbearably hot and sultry in spite of a very high west gale.</p> <p>Monday September 21st</p> <p>I met Trum. Walker on my way over to sweep the school this morning and he told me that Mabel had called up the Shand's to say that she wouldn't be here to-day as Mildred is off again and they had to take her away. Marj. said Saturday when they were in that she knew Mildred was not right and Mabel was worried about her Dad. &amp; Frank came over and we finished pulling the second roadway of corn but only had 2280 on. I went down with them to the factory and we did think of putting on a load over home this after noon but Bond said they didn't want any more as they were hung up for cans. I had dinner over there and walked home this afternoon and cut the other two roads through my corn. Very cold north west wind to-day. We thought it would freeze to-night so Marj. &amp; I went out after tea and picked the ripe tomatoes and put papers over the nasturtiums in the window boxes.</p> <p>Tuesday September 22nd</p> <p>Dad. &amp; Frank came over this morning and we put on a big load of corn and took it over as far as the farm where we had dinner. Dad. &amp; I took it to the factory after dinner but there were several loads ahead of us so by the time we got home it was after four. Frank had cut a roadway and pulled some there but we thought it to late to take it down and they are so filled up down there that they don't want it in too fast. It didn't freeze last night but feels like it to-night. Fine but very cool.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Wednesday September 23rd</p> <p>I pulled corn here and piled it this morning while Dad. &amp; Frank put on a load over home and took it down. Frank came out here this after noon and put on what I had pulled and helped me finish the field. We got down there about five and didn't have to wait very long to get unloaded but it was dark when I got home. We just had 2380 on. The field didn't turn out nearly as well as I thought it would before we started. There is still a patch back of the barn but we will leave that for a day or two. The Bagley's were over this after noon to invite Marj. to a party there on Friday. Marj. canned corn to-day. Froze slightly last night, no damage. Fine &amp; cool to-night.</p> <p>Thrusday September 24th</p> <p>Marj. &amp; I spent about an hour this morning stretching a couple of pieces of short woven wire around the end of the orchard to prevent the cows from getting into the dooryard and from there anywhere else in the country. We thought we had a cow proof fence but when I got home to-night I found Mary out. The fence kept the other two in the orchard and Mary must have jumped it. I put her in the barnyard and then drove the other two around and by the time I got them there Mary had disappeared. It was dark then and Marj. wanted to have tea so I let her go and when I went out after tea I found the horse stable door which I must have left unbarred had blown open and Mary was in there with my good harness down and in an awful mess. I was mad enough to kill her. I went over home about 10 a.m. and Frank and I pulled and piled corn till noon and loaded it and took it down this after noon. We had quite a long wait to get unloaded so it was fairly late when I got home, but I met Roy Hammond on the Winding Hill with a big load when I was coming home. Quint took Dad. &amp; Enah up to Coulborne to-day to see if Dad. could get a certified copy of Fa's marriage certificate, but their church records don't go back far enough. Dad. didn't think it was vitally important as Mr. Parks has the original but it is not certified</p> <p>Friday September 25th</p> <p>Went over home this morning and pulled corn &amp; Dad. &amp; Frank took it down this afternoon. I drove down in the buggy and got some groceries and came straight home but it was five o'clock when I got here. Mr. Bagley came out and took Marj. &amp; the baby down to a</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>party Essie was having for all her friends with babies. They left Harry B &amp; Gay at Mrs. Lampkins. Mr. Bagley brought them home about dark. Fair and very cool all day.</p> <p>Saturday September 26th</p> <p>We thought that they would not allow us to haul corn in to the factory to-day, so Frank worked up his pea stubble and sowed it and I disked over my little summer fallow and the garden south of the house and also cut the lawn. About four o'clock we all drove down town and Marj. took Harry B to the doctor. He said he had tonsilitis and that we must be very careful of him. I noticed a few teams putting corn off at the factory when we went by this after noon but Frank was anxious to get his wheat in any way. Mabel had school to-day on account of not having it on Monday and this after noon Mrs. Walker brought some more balloons over for me to paint as Mabel has a chance to try for the phonograph which is first prize at the Simcoe Fair on Tuesday. Fine and warmer</p> <p>Sunday September 27th</p> <p>It rained a little this fore noon and we didn't get up early nor hurry much when we did get up so that it was about ten o'clock when we finished breakfast. I was sitting around reading and and playing with the kids and Marj. doing odd jobs around the house when Cory Butler appeared to spend the d{ay?} Charlie was out in the buggy but had been over to Mel's to buy little pigs and as he was in his old clothes had to go home to change. I drove over with him and viewed his recent achievements in cabinet making. Marj. managed to scare up a very respectable dinner and we had an enjoyable after noon during which I painted 12 more balloons for Mabel. They left about five and I helped Dave Lampkins chase two of his cows out of my corn as it had rained we got pretty wet doing it.</p> <p>Monday September 28th</p> <p>I didn't go over home to pull corn to-day as I thought that the very heavy rain we had during the night w{ould?} make the field too soft. Dad. &amp; Frank did pull some though but didn't take the waggon out. I picked apples this morning. We have three or four trees with beau{tiful?} big sound apples and they are dropping. I don't know what to do with them but I hate to see them</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>waste so I picked a bushel or so off one tree and put them down cellar. I think they ar Colverts. This after noon I went up to Shoffs and got the time of the gravel teams for the last two weeks. I came back through town. I went down to band practice to-night. The band put in a tender to play at the Simcoe Fair but as they expected were turned down and Waterford has it for two days. Cloudy and cool.</p> <p>Tuesday September 29th</p> <p>I went over to the farm this morning but didn't get over very early as I had to fix up the fence again where Mary broke it down jumping it. We pulled a little more than what was pulled yesterday and took it down to the factory before dinner. Frank and I went down with it and had to wait for over an hour to get unloaded. It was three o'clock when we got out again after dinner but there was only half a roadway left so we pulled it. Tim came home from school this forenoon with a free ticket to the Fair so he and Dad. went up on the one o'clock car. I {to}ok Harry B over there with me. I drove Ina home {after?} tea to-night. Cloudy with cold north east breeze.</p> <p>Wednesday September 30th</p> <p>I cut a road through my little patch of corn back of the barn this morning and pulled one side of it. It was an awkward job as it was not planted in rows crosswise and the summer grass &amp; thistles were very rank. Dad. &amp; Frank came out after dinner and got it and I went down with them. Frank and I took it to the factory and Dad. stopped at the Woodson's to get some old boards out for us to load on. Mrs. Woodson told Aunty they could have it for firewood but Aunty said they didn't need it so told me to get it. There is a lot of good stuff for kindling in it. We had 1210 lbs of corn on which brings my total up to within 140 lbs of 6 tons. Dad. &amp; I put the load of wood on and Frank went home to get fixed up to go to the Simcoe Fair to {night} with Miss Lundy, a girl he has picked up as a {sort?} of spare till Irene gets back from England I suppos{e.} I walked home from the farm and Dad. is going to bring the wood over when he takes the waggon home to Tupper</p> <p>Thursday October 1st</p> <p>I went over and lit the fire at the school house this morning forgetting that Tim had told me there {is?}</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>to be no school to-day or to-morrow on account of teacher's convention. Dad. &amp; Frank came over with the load of wood and said one of them would come out after dinner and drill my wheat in. We all went down to Aunty's for dinner but I came home right after and harrowed the field and Frank came out and drilled it and helped me run the ditches out. Marj. &amp; the children stayed down for the after noon and Quint brought them home about five. Aunty came out with them. Dad got his affadavits concerning Dick's and Frank's birth certificates so had to go down and swear to them and post them this after noon. Lovely day, milder</p> <p>Friday October 2nd</p> <p>I cleaned out the cross ditches in my wheat this morning and about half past ten went down to Aunty's and got some raspberry roots. I stayed there to dinner and came home early after dinner and set out the raspberries. I got them all out just as it began to rain. I put them back of the barn just at the head of the wheat. It has been very dark and threatening all day and very much milder and we had quite a thunderstorm this after noon.</p> <p>Saturday October 3rd</p> <p>I spent nearly the whole day leveling down the big pile of earth south of the house and made a considerable hole in it but have about half of it to dispose of yet but I think I can get rid of it and the pile under the crab apple tree by filling in uneven and low spots around the yard. I went out to the shed this morning after the rake and heard what I thought was one of the little leghorn chickens cheeping as if it was caught some place, but on investigation found eight young rooks just hatched in a box of shav{ings?} up overhead, so I had to get them down and put them &amp; their mother in a coop. I don't know what {will?} happen to them. The cows have been in the orchard all day and consequently have had very little to eat. They won't jump out the way they jump in unless {they want?} to but late this after noon managed to break down the fence into the yard so I put them right in the {word obscured}</p> <p>Sunday October 4th</p> <p>I got Marj. to go out and help me fix the fence that the cows broke after she got her dishes washed this morning and then we took a walk through</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>the gully. It was after noon before we got back and I let the cows out.They didn't come near the orchard all after noon. I sat around and read Herbert Spencer all the remainder of the day and didn't go to sleep in spite of the lack of moisture in my reading matter I felt rather tough around noon so Marj. didnt have dinner and we had a combination meal about four after which I felt better, shaved &amp; milked. Cloudy &amp; cold all day. Raining hard to-night.</p> <p>Monday October 5th</p> <p>I levelled down more earth this morning but we had an early dinner and all went down town {word obscured} after noon. Marj. wanted to take Harry B to the {do}ctor again for him to look at his throat and she wanted to get some groceries. We were disappointed again though in seeing the doctor as he was away and we entirely forgot the fact that this was Dover's civic holiday, so all the stores were closed. Marj. was able {to?} get into the drug-store and Billy Langs, who thinks that {an}other holiday this time of year after all the holidays there {ha}ve been during the summer is a farce. We went down to {word obscured} for awhile and came home about four. Fine but cold wind.</p> <p>Tuesday October 6th</p> <p>It has been cloudy and threatening rain all day but it didn't do much more than sprinkle every now and then till to-night when it rained hard. We decided we had better put the box-stove up as Aunty &amp; Aunty Alice are coming out to-morrow if it is fine, so as Marj. wanted to trim the edges of the dining room oil-cloth and turn it around, we had to tee that room all up and neither of us got much else done except working in there, but we got the stove up and the dining room house cleaned, and I killed a chicken and went down to the corner for the cream-can</p> <p>Wednesday October 7th</p> <p>I spent most of the fore-noon doing odd jobs &amp; chores. I ha{d} to straighten up another panel of fence that Mary went o{ver?} last night and I fly-toxed flies in the house for M{arj.?} and had a shave. There was no sign of Quint bringing Aunty &amp; Aunty Alice out at 11 o'clock so I drove down {after?} them as that was the arrangement. Quint had gone to Pt. R{yerse?} and had not returned. This after noon I levelled a little m{ore?} earth and then we all went for a walk through the gully which is very pretty now, the grass is so green since the rains and the trees are just beginning to turn. Beautiful day, frost last night but no damage was done. Milder to-night.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Thursday October 8th</p> <p>I made an attempt this morning to patch the north side of the barn roof which has some very bad holes in it I got some of the worst covered up but couldn't make a very good job as I couldn't sit on the roof without sliding I had a rope over the peak and snubbed to a post but as I had to take one hand to hold it I couldn't do much with the other alone. Right after dinner I drove Aunty Alice {do}wn town, as Mrs. Skey had issued her an invitation to {a?} bridge party and she didn't dare refuse. I got some {co}al oil and flour and stopped in at the farm to see {if?} they had any word yet of Shoff &amp; his corn binder but {they?} hadn't. I put the cows in when I got home and then {got?} ready to go down with Marj. to see the collection of {pi}ctures and have tea in the hall. I got my new suit from Fisher this afternoon. Mabel called for us after four and took us and her Aunt down and Aunty stayed here with the children. We had a very nice tea and the pictures were good but most of them were in a poor light. We got home about half past eight {or?} nine and Mabel &amp; Mrs. Walker came on for awhile Aunty said the children had been very good and the baby slept till after they left. Sid told me to-day {that?} Norman Holden had the Customs Office.</p> <p>Friday October 9th</p> <p>This has been a most horrible day. It rained most of the night and all day till about four o'clock and there has been a cold north wind with it and part of the time snow. It has cleared off to-night and will freeze hard I think. I took Aunty home just before dinner as she had to go to look after some Auxillary business. It wasn't bad going in to town and we had waterproofs on but I just about froze coming home. We met Dad. coming out with the covered buggy to get Aunty. I didn't do any thing all after noon but sit around the stove and read.</p> <p>Saturday October 10th</p> <p>Sun-up to-day brought the sad revelation of our fi{rst?} killing frost and for the first one it was unusually severe. Water in a pail on the back porch was frozen and had not thawed a bit by noon, and the ground was so hard I could not dent it with my heel. {It?} has been mostly sunny all day but a biting blast from some arctic region in the north-west has made me {hunch?} my shoulders and shiver in spite of my arming my{self?} against it with my complete outfit of winter clot{hes?}</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>I went out this morning to examine the pumpkins and squash and as far as I can tell they are not injured I brought them up to the house after dinner in the waggon and Marj. &amp; I carried them into the house to-night. I hooked up the team after dinner and went down and got a couple of parcels at the station that had come for Marj. from Eaton's. I also got some lumber to board up the back porch. It is Marj's idea and she is footing the bill. Tim went down with me to watch the horses while I was in the station. It is milder to-night as the wind has gone down but it is freezing a little.</p> <p>Sunday October 11th</p> <p>It must have turned milder during the night as there was no sign of frost this morning. It has been cloudy with a raw wind all day and rain this afternoon Harry B. and I drove down this morning to take Mrs. Williams 3 doz. eggs. We just got there as she was leaving to catch the one car. She is so impressed with the real or imaginary quality of our eggs that she wants me to send her 12 dozen right away to Buffalo. I haven't done any thing else all day but read &amp; do chores. Marj. feels quite miserable to-night with a pain in her "infernal regions."</p> <p>Monday October 12th</p> <p>Dug potatoes this morning and was disappointed at the turnout of the first row, but I am quite sure the rest of the patch will be better. I only got a little more than half a bushel. This after noon I had to go to Shoffs to get the road time, and as it seemed a beautiful fore-noon I persuaded Marj. to come too, but it clouded up soon after dinner and the wind was cold, however none of them seemed to mind it much. I dropped Ma{rj.?} and the children off at the Smythe's while I went on up to Schoff's and I stopped in for a short time at the {Smythe's?} on my way back. Mrs. Smythe seemed overjoyed to see me and invited us up a week from Sunday. Dave. Shoff {wasn't?} home so I didn't get my time but he is going to bring it {down?}. We came home through town by the Radical Road &amp; st{opped?} at Aunty's for a few minutes getting home about five and picked up the potatoes I had dug. I walked in to town to-night to hear Mr. Stansell the Conservative member in the last house for Elgin and the nominee for the new riding of Norfolk &amp; Elgin. Frank and I stopped in at Auntys on our way home and Bill Barwell drove us home. Mrs Barwell &amp; Miss Cope were there playing bridge with Aunty A{lice?} &amp; Quint and Bill came to get them so took us too.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Tuesday October 13th</p> <p>I spent most of the day digging potatoes and have about one row to dig yet. They are not turning out anything like as well as I expected. Mr. Bagley &amp; Essie came over this forenoon to pick the Tolman Sweets on shares. They picked about five bushels and left us three and there are a lot on the tree yet which Essie says they will come out and get another time. Beautiful day.</p> <p>Wednesday October 14th</p> <p>Bill Donald brought Ina over this morning, she was here yesterday but as there was so much ironing she promised Marj. another day to make up for the one she lost last week. I rode down to the corner with Bill to get my {cre}am can which I forgot yesterday. When I got back to the {g}ate Charlie Shand was just issuing from it with his ladder which I borrowed some time ago from the schoolhouse, so I helped Charlie carry it home. Harry Blake was at the schoolhouse putting up the revised voter's list for No 3 polling division. Young Shoff came to cut the corn about nine o'clock. Dad. brought the binder over and waited till he finished but as Shoff brought his team {he di}dn't have to move him to-night. He started to cut with Pommers, old Charlie &amp; little Joe but Pom{mers?} had trouble with his wind so they had to put hi{s horse?} in instead. He was nearly all day cutting as I got {him?} to cut the little strip back of the barn and the sum{mer?} grass in it bothered a great deal. He brought down {the?} time of the gravel haulers so I made it up and sen{t} direct to Marston with the other brother who came {with?] this one for some thing. Dad. put on a load of c{ement?} and took it home to-night to fill in around the w{ater?} trough. I went as far as Evan's with him and {took?} my little plough over to have the shear sharpened {and?} the coulter set up. I drove Ina home to-night and intended going on down to band practice but it {started?} drizzling rain so I came home and washed the d{ishes?}</p> <p>Thursday October 15th</p> <p>I frogot to wake up this morning so got a very late {start?} but managed to get the nearly all the corn set up except {word is obscured} of the barn. I persuaded Marj. to come out and help me th{is?} morning and I washed the dishes for her this after noon {illegible} I lost time on the deal but it was such a beautiful day I knew she would enjoy being outdoors. I had to go over to Charlie Munroe's to get butter this after noon as I forgot to order it on Tuesday.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Friday October 16th</p> <p>This being the 5th anniversary of our wedding, we all went down to Aunty's for dinner to celebrate it, and as it seems when people have been married for the length of time we have they are eligible for wooden wedding presents, the family presented us with a cord of stove wood and good hardwood at that. Dad. &amp; Frank brought it out this morning just before we left for town. Quint and Frank were down for dinner. I spent most of the after noon in Bob Leaney's barber shop and we came home fairly early. Lovely day raining to-night.</p> <p>Saturday October 17th</p> <p>We have been celebrating again to-day over at the Farm this time in honor of our wedding &amp; Frank's birthday (Which is tomorrow) combined. Quint brought Aunty &amp; Aunty Alice over and we had a bang-up chicken dinner and just sat around this after noon except Quint, Frank &amp; Tim who went shooting. Mr. Cornish came over about four o'clock to wonder what was going to be done about decorating the church for the Thanksgiving Service to-morrow, just why he came over to the Farm to wonder about it I didn't quite make out. We came home fairly early and I went over to Mrs. McBride's afterwards and got 5 doz. eggs for {illegible}. Cloudy &amp; quite cool.</p> <p>Sunday October 18th</p> <p>We just puttered around all morning and this aft{er} noon I went over and swept the school house and then we all drove down to Aunty's as Marj. wanted to {word obscured} Aunty Alice a pattern. Dad. &amp; Enah were there. We {didn't?} stay long. Froze hard last night very cloudy fore noon but nice</p> <p>Monday October 19th</p> <p>I went down town this morning to ship Mrs. W{illiams?} eggs to her and get some meat for dinner. I went to {the?} bank to revew the Mrs. Marshall sale note which {is?} due to-morrow and Fuernan asked me if I w{anted?} to borrow any more so I said if he had no {word obscured} I would take another hundred for a couple of mo{nths?} "Shure" he said "I'll let you have all you want {word obscured} prospects are useful anyway. I was late getting home {for?] dinner but Marj. couldn't have it till I came as {words obscured} meat but forgot to get bread so had to go over to Mrs {word obscured} and borrow a loaf. I spent the after noon making on {word obscured} shutters to enclose the porch. Ina was here to{day as?} she intends going to Simcoe to-morrow so {I drove?} her home after tea and went on down to band {practice?} Very high and cold gale from nor'west all day {word obscured} a little to-night and cold.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Tuesday October 20th</p> <p>Dave Lampkins came over this morning to ask me if I would take Queen over to put with Dan. &amp; help him haul in his corn stalks so I have been over there all day. He started out by hauling a load of about six shocks in on the stone boat but I persuaded him to hook to the waggon and then he wanted to only haul about {illegible} shocks to a load, but after dinner it was too windy for him up on the load so I loaded and kept him pitching till we had a decent load on and so we got the corn all in, but didn't unload the last load but I said I would help him with it in the morning. Marj. said when I got home that Charlie Shand was down this morning to tell me to go up and call up Marston, so I went up to-night but no-one was home at Harvey's so I didn't get him. Young Dove was in and said they had closed the pit to clean it. Still cold windy and cloudy. Miserable weather.</p> <p>Wednesday October 21st</p> <p>I went over and helped Dave unload his corn stalks this fore noon and then dug the rest of the potatoes. This after noon I set up the corn back of the barn and picked the Rebston pippins. Betsy Paterson and Amy Harper Parker were out this after noon to see Marj. I went up to Shand's again and called up Marston and he told me he had written me and wanted the teams all laid off. When I got his letter I discovered my services were no longer required but no explanation as to what was the matter. I am glad to be relieved of the job but don't like such a summary dismissal.</p> <p>Thursday October 22nd</p> <p>I picked about 5 bushels of russets this morning and just got about half of one tree picked but unless we c{an?} sell some soon I won't bother with any more as we {don't?} care much for them. This after noon I went up to {Shoff's?} and got the time for the teams up to when they we{re?] {laid?} off. I went around by town and got some gro{ceries?} Marj. intended going too but the wind was so cold {she?} was afraid to take the children out as they have ba{d} {word obscured}</p> <p>Friday October 23rd</p> <p>Dave Lampkin came over this morning before {word obscured} breakfast to ask me if I would help him {word obscured} his hay in. Evan's helped him get two {word obscured} yesterday but they didn't finish, so I told him I</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>would if I got home in time. I went over home as soon as I could which wasn't very early and on my way I took Harry B &amp; Gay over to the Lampkins and Marj. went over later with the baby and stayed all after noon. Dad. &amp; I went down to the box factory and got on a waggon load of ends and edgings. There is an enormous pile there that the boss told Dad. he could have for $10.00 and it looks to be worth the money. We had dinner over there Enah was down at her mother's who is in bad shape. We got out here with our load about three o'clock and after we put it off I harnessed Queen and went over to Dave's. We got a fair load of hay on but didn't quite clean the field so I left Queen there all night and told him I would be back in the morning. I then helped Marj. bring the children home by putting Gay in the buggy with the baby. They took some pushing up the hill. Fine day and much milder but east wind.</p> <p>Saturday October 24th</p> <p>I went over to Dave's this morning and helped him get the load off, he had half of it off alone, and we got {the?} rest of it in and pitched off. We also went over to Cam's and got a ladder that Cam. gave him. What he is going to do with it I don't know because he can't climb {word obscured} the only way he can elevate himself is to pull him{self?} up as he cant seem to lift his one foot at all, and {word obscured} to me dangerous for him to try to get off the ground. {word obscured} home about eleven and as we didn't have dinner {word obscured} I got about four bushels of Spys picked, there are {four?} or five bushels more on the tree and some of {word obscured} nice ones. It was raining by that time and ha{s} {word obscured} hard ever since. I helped Marj. wash the dishes {word obscured} dinner and then got mad at her because she {word obscured} at me so while I was trying to read so I went {word obscured} to the school-house and swept out. She said it {word obscured} good riddance and hasn't asked me to do {any?} thing since, consequently I had a peaceful {word obscured} after the dishes were washed. Much milder to-{day?}</p> <p>Sunday October 25th</p> <p>Our plans for going to the Smythe's were again {word obscured} by the weather as it has been a very disagreeable {word obscured} It was raining and very dark early in the fo{re-noon?]} and then the wind got around to the west and {word obscured} blowing hard all day and getting a little colder {word obscured} noon, the sun shone at intervals through the rifts of</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>{word obscured} {?}ing clouds and would be immediately followed {word obscured} accompanied by driving showers more like {word obscured} than rain. I have sat around the house all {word obscured} {read?}ing, drawing and playing with the kids except {word obscured} {do?}ing the chores and going out every hour or so {word obscured} a basketfull of box-factory wood, with which {word obscured} kept both stoves stoked all day. It makes {word obscured} {qu?}ick hot fire but has to be watched closely {word obscured} replenished frequently. Marj. &amp; Harry B started out {word obscured} four o'clock to go to wee Winnie Shand who has {word obscured} {re?}turned from the Simcoe Hospital. They just got {word obscured} when they met Dad. &amp; Tim so came back with {word obscured} Dad. came over to tell me to go over home first thing {word obscured} morning as there was a load of chestnut coal in. {word obscured} said that Mrs. James is dying having been furiously {word obscured} so that it took four of them to keep her in bed. {word obscured} a cablegram yesterday from Mr. Parks saying that {word obscured} the Master's certificate and only awaits the judge's {word obscured}. Marj. &amp; Harry B. went up to the Shand's when Dad. {word obscured} {a} nd got home about six. Winnie is doing well.</p> <p>{Mon}day October 26th</p> <p>{I?} went over home this morning about 8 o'clock but Dad. and I didn't get started down for the coal very {word obscured} he had a lot of chores to do. Enah has been down town {word obscured} mothers all night and Frank had to go thrashing at Martins. We went around by the mill {word obscured} a grist and I went to the Planing Mill and got {word obscured} storm sash and took them up to Hall to gla{?} {word obscured} as we were delayed a little down at the coal car {word obscured} McBride was telling us what a time they {word obscured} getting the voter's lists fixed up as they had {word obscured} on Jim Dixon looking after some of it but {word obscured} had stolen Jim's hounds and he was out with {word obscured} constable looking for them and neglecting the {word obscured} it was just noon when we got back to the f{arm?} we put the team in there and Dad. &amp; I had {word obscured} It began to rain just about noon and soon turned {word obscured} snow and snowed hard all the after noon {word obscured} for awhile after dinner to see if it would slacken off but as it didn't I bundled up in Dad's mackinaw and came home with the coal. I had to move a whole pile of the old Sunday school shingles before I could unload the coal then I took the team back home and got Dads chop at the mill I was pretty cold and tired by the time I finally got home to stay. Mrs. James is still alive and the doctor says now she may live for quite awhile yet.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>{Tuesd}ay October 27th</p> <p>{Trum?} Walker came in this morning to ask me if I {word obscured} {thrash?} for him to-day if he needed me. I told {word obscured} so young John came in to tell me to go over {word obscured} and Trum told me he had told George {word obscured} to tell me not to come so I came home again {word obscured} apples the rest of the day and got all my {word obscured}{p}icked about 12 bushels tree-run and some {word obscured} and some nice looking apples that {I don't?} {k}now the name of. Fine day but cool wind.</p> <p>{Wednes}day October 28th</p> <p>{It beg?}an to snow about day break this morning and {word obscured} up till after noon. It then partly cleared up but {word obscured} cold and is freezing hard to-night. The landscape {word obscured} a wintry aspect with all the beauty of fresh snow {word obscured} trees with the added colouring of the red green {word obscured} brown oak &amp; beech leaves and a few yellow maples {word obscured} have not dropped yet; which with the after noon sun {word obscured} on and through it gave a picturesque effect that {word obscured} description. I spent the whole day cleaning and {word obscured} the storm windows. I took them down cellar to do. {word obscured} McDonald was in to-night to see if the road cheques had come yet and told me that he heard that {word obscured} had seen Dave &amp; Kelly on the road and that their {gravel?} boxes wouldn't hold a yard of gravel and they {word obscured} supposed to draw 1 1/4 yds at a trip. Some say Tup{per?} {word obscured} the new foreman but Bill said he wasn't yet but they wan{ted?} {word obscured}</p> <p>Thursday October 29th</p> <p>As I hadn't heard anything from home since Monday {word obscured} to go over this morning to see if they were going to thrash {word obscured} so what arrangements we could make about votin{g} just as I was ready to start Jack &amp; Albert McB{ride?} {word obscured} in with Dad. &amp; Frank headed for the polls. Jack offer{ed?} {word obscured} the kids while Marj. went out and voted and Marj. {word obscured} surprise consented, so we four went with Albert {word obscured} marked our ballots for Stansell. There were {word obscured} voters out at Wiggin's so we weren't long gone {word obscured} been very successful with the children {word obscured} sober so drove carefully. Dad. told us {word obscured} died on Tuesday and was to be buried this after noon {word obscured} up my former plan of going down this fore noon after the storm windows and some groceries but thought I could get them this afternoon when I went to the funeral. It turned out a nice sunny day and Marj. said if Mrs. Lampkins was</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>{word obscured} the kids she would go down with me and not {words obscured} go down to-morrow as we had intended. I went {words obscured} Mrs. Lampkin but she was going to Simcoe {word obscured} noon but just at noon Ina came in on her {word obscured} from the poll and said she would come to wash {word obscured} if it was a fine day so she stayed for the {word obscured} with the children and Marj. &amp; I went to the {word obscured}. We got some groceries and sold our 4 1/2 doz {words obscured} customers at 50 cts a dozen and I got {words obscured} -sash at Hall's and left it down at Aunty's. {word obscured} home about five and I drove Ina home. {words obscured} I walked into town to hear election returns {words obscured} in till midnight, but the returns were of course {word obscured} complete when I left, but the Conservatives {words obscured} lead. Ontario &amp; the Maritimes were almost solid {words obscured} wormed out 4 seats in Quebec but there was {word obscured} word from the West, so it is hard to say how {words obscured} stand ultimately. There were a good many polls {word obscured} from in Meighan's own riding at Portage la Prairie {word obscured} was behind about 300, and it looked when {word obscured} as if King was beaten in North York. We were getting {words obscured} Radio set in the Town Hall all at intervals {words obscured} street noises in Toronto around the Star office, and it was quite {evident?} Toronto was wild. The Q.O.R. band was out accompanied by a deafening din of cheering yelling &amp; singing etc.The broadcaster described {word obscured} scene to us and said King St. West was {word obscured} with the biggest election crowd in History. Cloudy to-night but it has been sunny with a short {word obscured}</p> <p>Friday October 30th</p> <p>I spent the day cleaning out the chicken ho{use?} but didn't work very swiftly as I felt rather {word obscured} Dad. came over late this after noon to say the {word obscured} was over home ready to thrash in the morning {word obscured} up to Shands this after noon and called up {words obscured} in Simcoe to find out the latest election returns {word obscured} of them knew much more than what was in the {word obscured} was incomplete giving the Conservatives 112. Lib{erals?} {word obscured} others 9 with a good many places to hear from {word obscured} Meighan was elected in his own riding but {word obscured} of his ministers were defeated. Marj. went over {words obscured} Hallowe'en concert at the school house {word obscured} as a wich and tell fortunes. She made up {word obscured} fortunes beforehand. Cloudy and snow{y}</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>{Saturday} October 31st</p> <p>{words obscured} home first thing to thrash and we had {words obscured} run finishing about four o'clock. Bob. Pickford {words obscured} {ca}rried away 965 bushels most of it straight {words obscured} the field on the west side of the lane was partly {words obscured}. Dad. built another straw stack just west {words obscured} straw stack and he put some of the nicest {words obscured} in the mow over the granary. Ina was here {words obscured} I drove her home after tea and took Bill {words obscured} of my cockrels which he spoke for to mate {words obscured} hens. We weighed the two of them in a bag &amp; {words obscured} 14 lbs. I had told him he could have them {words obscured} market price, but I hadn't figured on it being {words obscured} as 16 cts which he said was all they could get {words obscured} alive so I said that would be the price but {words obscured} me 18 so I got 1.25 apiece for them. The {words obscured}-day are still incomplete but the probable division {words obscured} the new House will be 117 Conservative 102 {words obscured} 22 Progressive 2 Labour &amp; 1 Independant and Queen's {words obscured} I is tied.They are in a quandry as to how to proceed {words obscured} probable that King by uniting with the {words obscured} as long as he can which {words obscured} with the Opposition so strong.</p> <p>Sunday October November 1st</p> <p>This has been a beautiful genuine Indian Summer day. It froze quite hard last night but has been mild and sunny to-day, with a hazy smoky air. We all went for a walk in the gully this morn{ing} and Harry B &amp; Gay had a fine time throwing {word obscured} in the water although Marj. nearly fainted every ti{me} {word obscured} went close enough to the creek to do it. This after {noon} we all drove down around by Marburg to {word obscured} Karl &amp; Frankie about going to Mr. Bagley's {word obscured} to-morrow night. It was dark &amp; quite chilly {words obscured}</p> <p>Monday November 2nd</p> <p>I went over home this morning and Frank &amp; I {word obscured} Queen &amp; old Charlie to the waggon and went {words obscured} We took a grist to the mill first and then went down to the station and got the baskets Dorrie sent for her apples and I got the storm windows that were at Aunty's besides doing other errands up town. It was after one o'clock when we got back to the farm for dinner and I went home right after with the waggon and then went back to the farm around by the mill and got Dad's chop. I then drove back here in the buggy. I did my chores as fast as</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>possible and drove back after tea to go with the band {words obscured} {Ba}gley's serenade. I called in at the farm for Aunty {words obscured} {Au}nty Alice who walked over this after noon. I found {words obscured} the band up in the room and Harry Moon gave {words obscured} for my share in last summer's activities {words obscured} up to Mr. Bagley's about nine o'clock and {word obscured} him by surprise when we started to play on the {words obscured}. We took Ed. Moon up with us to present him {words obscured} band's name with a gold headed cane with his {word obscured} and 50 years service engraved on it. He hardly {word obscured} what to say but was very pleased. He said he didnt {word obscured} because he wanted to but he made himself because {words obscured} he wasn't going justice to the horn. Mr. Smith {words obscured} and told us about the early days of the {word obscured} as he was a member 60 years ago. He said it {words obscured} about 1860 the same time that the town {word obscured} their town bell which is the same bell that is {words obscured} clock tower now. At that time Dover had several {word obscured} industries including a boot &amp; shoe {word obscured} and a waggon factory, and the mecanics in them {words obscured} most of the band boys. He told us about {words obscured} Petit the world renowned cornetist who was {words obscured} here in Dover by one of the first leaders. Lovely day.</p> <p>Tuesday November 3rd</p> <p>I spent the day over at Trum. Walker's ploughing. He would have hired me for two or three days but I didn't want to take the time. Ina came to help Marj. {words obscured} this morning and is staying all night. Cecil Lam{pkin} {word obscured} after me to paint an enlarged label on one of their {words obscured} mash bags to take down to the Royal Fair but I {words obscured} I hadn't better take the time to do it. Another beauti{ful} {words obscured}</p> <p>Wednesday November 4th</p> <p>I went over home this fore noon to see if I could {word obscured} some of them to help me haul off my cornstalks {words obscured} &amp; Enah were off looking for potatoes which are {words obscured} and going up in price and Frank was away {words obscured} tractor getting something done to it. I waited till {words obscured} home and read a batch of letters from Mr. Parks {words obscured} to get before the judge soon now and expects {words obscured} the judge wants an extended argument on {words obscured} He has a counsel appointed for me and {words obscured} it would be the duty of my counsel to {words obscured} breaking of it; but Mr. Parks instructed him {words obscured} not my wish and I had to write him {words obscured} him evidence in writing. He says the ship {words obscured}</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>{words obscured} yet. This afternoon Dad. &amp; I cleaned up the barn {words obscured} I telephoned Marston this morning to ask if he {word obscured} why the last road cheques hadn't come yet and {words obscured} they had gone through his office so I called up {word obscured} and he said they were mailed on Monday but they {word obscured} came again to-day so I don't know what to make {words obscured} {Ma}rston said when I asked him what the {word obscured} was down here that he just thought it was {words obscured} make a change and when pinned down said {words obscured} teams weren't making enough trips. Still fine &amp; mild</p> <p>{Thursday} November 5th</p> <p>{words obscured} Aunty Alice's birthday and we had intended {word obscured} down but it has rained all day, a fine drizzle {words obscured} strong south west wind but not cold. I {words obscured} day painting storm windows in the cellar {words obscured} to sort out some apples for Dorrie. Ina has {words obscured} for three days and I drove her home to-night before {words obscured} &amp; Marj. have the house spick &amp; span, their most {spect}acular achievement having been the cleaning of the {word obscured} hands &amp; pendulum of the clock but the treatment seems {words obscured} been too drastic as it has gone only spasmodically since. {words obscured} was held up last night night before last on her way home through the {words obscured} and robbed of $4.50 all she had with her</p> <p>Friday November 6th</p> <p>Dad. came over to-day with little Joe &amp; old Charlie {words obscured} me haul in the corn stalks. We put part of them in {words obscured} and part in two big shocks back of the barn. {word obscured} got the ones that were on the strip out by Willie {word obscured} I started to make another shutter for the {words obscured} Dad. came this morning and I put the {words obscured} on the kitchen &amp; nursery this after noon after {words obscured} washed the outside of the windows so was {words obscured} the others on although they should have had {words obscured} of paint. It has been another Indian Summer {words obscured}</p> <p>Saturday November 7th</p> <p>I did up all the chores this morning and {word obscured} out the school-house, then finished {words obscured} the porch that I started yesterday. It was {words obscured} and before noon began to rain and {words obscured} after noon and evening. We intended {words obscured} some groceries and when it began to {words obscured} but Marj. thought of telephoning so I {words obscured} and asked Jackson's to send what {words obscured} Aunty's, Marj. was nearly out of condensed {words obscured} as Monday will be a holiday didn't {words obscured} I spent most of the after noon out {words obscured}</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Sunday November 8th</p> <p>As we had to go down some time to-day to get our groceries at Aunty's and as the baby's cold is too bad for her to be taken out Marj. decided that Harry B and I ought to go to church. It was a very gloomy morning and I didn't think much of the idea but thought that by going before dinner I might have a peaceful after noon (vain &amp; foolish hope) so we went. We put Queen in at Aunty's and were just starting down the lane when it began to snow hard. Harry B had no rubbers so instead of going to church we went in to the house and waited till they got home. They were rather late as Winnie's baby was christened, and when they discovered us, were very surprised and delighted and insisted on our staying to dinner. We didn't raise any objection as it was still snowing. It partly cleared up soon after dinner so we struck for home but stopped in at the farm for a few minutes where I got some wheat and read Mr. Parks last letter, he has sent Dad another £100. It was after four when we got home and as I had forgotten to borrow a loaf of bread down town I had to go over and get part of a one from Dave. He had very little on hand and Mrs. Lampkin is in Hamilton for Thanksgiving but he said he was sure he would have enough. I milked after tea and spent the evening reading the Talisman between snoozes. Windy and getting colder</p> <p>Monday November 9th</p> <p>I drove over home first thing this morning to {words obscured} double-trees which were on the waggon over there {words obscured} find either of my sets around here and Dad. {words obscured} sure that there was only one set of mine over there {words obscured} know what has become of the light set. Harry. {words obscured} went with me but has to bundle up well as it {words obscured} bitter north west wind. When I got home I drove {words obscured} and got a couple of bushels of corn which he {words obscured} for helping him and brought over some dahlia &amp; {word obscured} roots to put in the cellar for them. I took the {words obscured} for about an hour before dinner and got {words obscured} plough in the strip of sod back of the barn. It {word obscured} all right but I was afraid the side hill would {words obscured} much frost in it. I tried it this after noon but {words obscured} rounds as I couldn't turn the long summer {words obscured}The ground was loose &amp; wet and the stuff {words obscured} and shoved ahead of the coulter and would {words obscured} out so I quit trying to plough it and {words obscured} Bright &amp; sunny all day but very cold wind. {words obscured} Marj. has felt very miserable all {words obscured} suffering for a week or so now {words obscured} pain across her abdomen. This was {words obscured}</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>{Tuesday} November 10th</p> <p>{words obscured} over home this morning and Dad. &amp; I went {words obscured} in the waggon and I got a cider barrel at Dell's {words obscured} got Dad's cider at Charlie Quanbury's. Frank took {words obscured} over yesterday. This after noon we went down to the {words obscured} and got a load of blocks and took them down {words obscured} We saw Mrs Lawrie on the street this morning. {words obscured} just come up for the day to visit old friends {words obscured} at Auntys for dinner and went back at 4 3. {words obscured} I walked home and got here about six and had {words obscured} home after tea. Much milder and very nice day.</p> <p>{Wednes}day November 11th</p> <p>{words obscured} to town to-day. Aunty wanted us to get down in {words obscured} the Armistice Day service in the church but {words obscured} make it, but got down about half past eleven. Marj. {words obscured} this after noon and called in on Cousin Bessie who {words obscured} a knitted sweater. I went up to Doc. Lemmon's {words obscured} another temporary filling in my tooth which made {words obscured} for the rest of the day. I then went up {words obscured} about an hour in the Library, the first time {words obscured} since they reopened it. Joe. Waldick dropped {words obscured} the fish shanties yesterday. Beautiful day, cool wind</p> <p>Thursday November 12th</p> <p>I had to go over home this morning to get a {words obscured} and as we forgot our meat yesterday I went on {word obscured} to Aunty's and got it. I helped Dad. get his cider {word obscured} on end and by the time I got home it was nearly {words obscured} and raining. It rained all the after noon and {word obscured} the night. I took the head out of the barrel I got {words obscured} and Marj. washed it out as well as she {words obscured} I washed the dishes. As it was such a bad {words obscured} sent me over to invite Mabel over for tea and {words obscured}. We had a hot supper of roast mutton {illegible} Mabel {words obscured}</p> <p>Friday November 13th</p> <p>There has been a strong westerly gale all day with {words obscured} rain most of the time. I spent the day sorting apples. I want to get Dorrie's ready to send to her as soon as possible. Mabel came back for dinner. Not much colder</p> <p>Saturday November 14th</p> <p>I ploughed to-day but didn't get started very early this morning, however I got all the sod I had turned under and the stubble is too wet I am afraid, although I made one strike-out in the corn stubble back of the</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>barn. I quit about four o'clock and killed and picked an old hen for to-morrow's dinner and it was long after dark when I got through with the chores Marj. and I were both dead-tired to-night. She hasn't been feeling at all well lately. I went down to the brow of the hill below the orchard and cut a poplar that I noticed had the top broken, and carried it up on my shoulder's and my back has ached ever since</p> <p>Sunday November 15th</p> <p>I didn't do any thing much to-day but a few chores inside the house and outside including sweeping out the school house and lay around most of the after noon. I was up with the kids three or four times during the night so didn't feel very energetic, but it was a horrible day anyway, cloudy and drizzly though not cold. Dad. came over late this after noon to tell me that Niel Elliot had offered him sixty dollars for old Elgitha but he thought may be Carl. would give more but if Niel sends over in the morning offering sixty-five he says he will have to take her down as he put that price on her. Poor old Elgitha, our first pure bred and we were proud of her, the herd shows her blood at a glance.</p> </div> transcribed https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/52073864932cc1e2c39adcd7e380a898.pdf 50b9f3e4e335eb30f70f8f3e003f7433 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. === MOJAK === == EXERCISE BOOK == FOR === PEN OR PENCIL === https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/1f0c39a0e1f50993a8d70c07ae1e650c.pdf b33bec996eaabdbfcab9e0c78567b0a8 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Monday November 16th 1925. I got up at five this morning and milked before day light so as to get a good start. I had to get some wood for Marj. before leaving so sawed up a couple of rails from the road fence and also the old apple tree that they cut down in front of the school house and which I lugged over here yesterday. I told Marj. if she ran out of wood to put coal on which she did before running short of wood and which was a good thing as the wind is cold to-night. I got over home in fairly good time and Dad. told me Niel had been in and offered him his price for Elgitha $65.00 saying as usual that he wouldn't make a cent on her but they had room for her in the car so wanted her. I went back to the gully and drove her up to the barn and then Dad. and I led her down to the car. We didn't have any trouble with her, poor old girl, it wasn't like the time we led her home from the same place. We weighed her and she surprised us by only weighing 1440 as we thought she would weigh more but she is old and not fat for her. I had to go up town to get some stuff and Dad went to Aunty's to wait for me. I asked him what he wanted of Elgithas price for boarding her and he said if I would get him a plug of Old Virginia at https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/c053bb42abc828f0329de9b58c4ed326.pdf 8c5b68267917efd5def477f70839e16e PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Henderson's, he would be satisfied so I got him four half pound plugs. I paid up two or three small accounts around town as I felt mighty affluent when I stuffed $65.00 into my pocket after having been broke or nearly so for so long. When I finally got down to Auntys it was after twelve and Dad. was having dinner with them so I sat right down too. Frank was alone for dinner at home as Enah was down helping her father straighten up the house. Dad. and I came back to the farm right after dinner and bagged up a small grist and then caught 12 of Tim's ducks and put them in bags and took them up to Jack McBrides. They averaged 8 1/2 lbs apiece and Jack paid 16 cts a pound for them. I got home just before dark and spent the evening reading a LIbrary book called "The Sport of Fate" which I borrowed from Aunty Alice. Cloudy & strong cold north west wind, getting colder to-night. I noticed this morning before day light that I could see the reflection of the East End light every time it flashed quite plainly I never noticed it before from out here but it was very cloudy, so I suppose that accounted for it I had Harry B. out of bed looking at it and he seemed quite interested. Dad. had another letter from Mr Parks, very cheerful. He hopes the end of the month to settle things Tuesday November 17th I spent the fore noon doing chores and odd jobs. I shut my calf up in the shed as she has been determined lately to pasture off the wheat. I made her an oat box and gave her some but I don't think she ate them. One fool trick I did was to put the cream down at the road forgetting that this was not Charlies hauling day although he has been going on Wednesdays now for several weeks. Trum. took it down to the corner so I had to go after it. This after noon I went over to Cam's sale. There was a good crowd there but they were slow selling things Dunning had an understudy with him and he sold a lot of the junk but he was pretty poor at it. I bought a cracked iron frying pan which I had an idea Marj. wanted for a quarter and the corn planter which is a different model and better than the ordinary ones for fifty cents, and that was the extent of my purchases, but Dad. bought the hog rack and waggon box which is some of John Wesses manufacture so therefore the best. I nearly froze standing around so came home before every thing was sold. Roy Dell came with the bread while I was in here getting warm and what was very strange for him was in a very talkative mood and regaled us with old https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/e5a7d5bcc5064206de15126e0bee68f4.pdf 256d9951066ceeafe737129d0dd1d62d PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. dinner, which was the best insurance for a happy birthday all round that we could think of. They sent her out a doll by me yesterday and so we gave it to her at breakfast, and she was certainly tickled with it. Poor old Harry B. had a terrible craving for it but realizing that his usual "Might is Right" principle would be less than ever tolerated on Gay's birthday he didn't take it by force but resorted to all manner of coaxing to which Gay was impervious <s>to it</s> as she was to Marj's suggestions that maybe the baby would like her daddy to hold her for awhile. I drove down just before dinner and brought Aunty & Aunty Alice out. We had a regular birthday dinner with a cake and two burning candles in it. This after noon I took a bag of clothes over to the school house as Mabel had asked Marj. for some to give to a poverty stricken English woman back at Townsend Centre. On my way back I encountered Tupper who had got the grader while I was down town and was dragging the road. He is the new foreman. He kept me talking for quite awhile and then I threw the furrows out of some of the ditches I ploughed out yesterday. I drove Aunty & Aunty Alice back about four and went up to Dr. Cook's and got Marj. another bottle of medicine. Mild but cloudy. <table> <tr> <td>Canadian</td> <td></td> <td>First round</td> <td>second round</td> <td>Total</td> <td>placing</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Maj. Sifton</td> <td>Pericles</td> <td>11</td> <td>7</td> <td>18</td> <td>11</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Capt. Berteau</td> <td>Bucephalus</td> <td>3</td> <td>5</td> <td>8</td> <td>7</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Lieut. Bruce King</td> <td>Montreal</td> <td>11</td> <td>3</td> <td>14</td> <td>10</td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td</td> <td>Total</td> <td>25</td> <td>15</td> <td>40</td> <td></td> </tr> <tr> <td>American</td> <td></td> <td></td> <td></td> <td></td> <td></td> </tr> <tr> <td>Capt. Waters</td> <td>Jack Snipe</td> <td>8</td> <td>5</td> <td>13</td> <td>9</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Capt Pierce</td> <td>Dick</td> <td>9</td> <td>10</td> <td>19</td> <td>12</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Capt. Carpenter</td> <td>Miss America</td> <td>3</td> <td>2</td> <td>5</td> <td>4</td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td>Total</td> <td>20</td> <td>17</td> <td>37</td> <td></td> </tr> <tr> <td>French</td> <td></td> <td></td> <td></td> <td></td> <td></td> </tr> <tr> <td>Capt. de Laissardiere</td> <td>Harris</td> <td>4</td> <td>3</td> <td>7</td> <td>6</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Lieut. Clave</td> <td>The Doctor</td> <td>-</td> <td>4</td> <td>4</td> <td>3</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Lieut. X. Bizard</td> <td>Pantin.</td> <td>1</td> <td>5½</td> <td>6½ </td> <td>5</td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td>Total</td> <td>5</td> <td>12½</td> <td>17½</td> <td></td> </tr> <tr> <td>Belgian</td> <td></td> <td></td> <td></td> <td></td> <td></td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td>Figaro</td> <td>2½</td> <td>7</td> <td>9½</td> <td>8</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Lieut. de Brabandere</td> <td>Acrobate.</td> <td>½</td> <td>-</td> <td>½</td> <td>2</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Lieut. de Breuls</td> <td>As de Pique.</td> <td>-</td> <td>-</td> <td>-</td> <td>1</td> </tr> </tr> <td></td> <td>Total</td> <td>3</td> <td>7</td> <td>10</td> <td></td> </tr> <table> International jumping contest at Royal Winter Fair, Toronto. 1925. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/01e96265b17088dea43626fe24da33bf.pdf 85d47d1d652832c9aff3cfb59e8b9b9f PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Saturday November 21st I spent a good part of the morning doing chores and went out to throw some more furrows out of the ditches in the corn stubble but ran across Art Quanbury who was cleaning out a ditch on the road and he talked so long that I didn't get much done before dinner. After dinner I rocked the Niblets for an hour in a vain effort to put him to sleep and then went out and made some strike outs in the corn stubble. It was a most discouraging job as the ground was so soft that it offered no resistance and I had to stop every few feet to take grass roots of the coulter's shear. In the wettest places, the horses had to just flounder through and with Queen so quick & Belle so slow and lame it was an impossibility for me to set up pretty crowns even if I was able to do it under favourable conditions, however I got nearly halfway across the field and I am hoping they will let some of the surplus water get away. Beautiful day clear & mild, strong wind. Sunday November 22nd We were late getting around this morning and didn't do much but odd jobs & chores. I lay around and read for awhile and went over and s<s>p</s>wept out the school house. It was a very gloomy sort of day with a cold https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/9bcf59e0859ff09de4dfe609a84dea2a.pdf 2a91ba0f1389f9d27a7af026604f82c6 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. wind and occasional snow flurries, but about three o'clock it seemed to clear up a little and as I wanted to go over home to get a bag of oats Marj. bundled the kids up and we all drove over. We were there for about an hour as Enah was giving Marj. some old clothes that she thought might be useful and some stuff that Miss Newell gave her to give Marj. It was beautiful new goods to make a dressing gown. It was nearly dark when we started for home and was beginning to snow. When we turned north, it was snowing hard and was striking us with very uncomfortable force almost full in the face. Harry B who was sitting down in the front couldn't or wouldn't put his head down to escape it but held it up and wailed dismally all the way home. Gay on my lap had her face turned away from the storm but she howled too in sympathy with Harry B, so we made a merry party. The baby was well covered up in Marj's arms so went to sleep. Marj. told Harry B made up stories about himself and the rabbits at the top of her voice to pacify him but with indifferent success, however we were none the worse Monday November 23rd Every thing was frozen tight this morning and the ground covered with snow so I didn't try to do any ploughing, but spent most of the time fixing up the chicken houses so that I could shut the chickens up. I shut the ones that roost in the little pen by the gate in before they got out this morning and I coaxed most of the remaining ones into the long pen with feed and shut them in and to-night I caught a few of the pullets that didn't go in this morning and some of the leghorns. I sorted out all the leghorns I could find and put them in the colony house which I had put straw into. I picked up a few cider apples this afternoon. Wilbur came up to see what I wanted to do with the bull. He says he is no better feeder than ever so he thinks and I agreed with him that the best thing to do is to kill him for home consumption but I thought it was a little early in the season to have much meat on hand as it may turn mild again, so Wilbur said to let him go for a week and see what happened Sunny this fore noon but cloudy this after noon with cold north west wind all day & freezing to-night. We sat up till twelve o'clock to-night and finished reading "The Talisman aloud & Marj. made a dressing gown for Harry B. out of the goods Miss Newell sent her and has more than enough left to make one for Gay. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/8e40ce1db2c5c1beec76cf12031fe600.pdf cadb31040ab7f2efe843d7cd7f7dba79 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Tuesday November 24th I spent the day puttering around doing chores, fooling with the chickens, and picking up cider apples. I had to make a couple of troughs for the chickens. I was surprised to find that there were still thirteen brown leghorns at large as I have twenty five shut up and I never could count more than thirty, that brings the total up to thirty eight and as I only had about forty three grow big enough to feather out well, I haven't lost as many since as I feared. The next problem is to catch them as I can't locate their roosting place. Ina was here washing all day and I drove her home to-night. Mr. & Mrs. Lampkin came over this evening. Still frozen up. Cold north west wind Wednesday November 25th I did up the chores this morning and then felt so tough that I came in and lay down. Harry B. told me a story that he made up and I went to sleep and stayed there until noon. I then got up had some dinner and felt better. It was cloudy and snowing this morning when I lay down but at noon the sun was shining and it was much milder. I wanted to go down and get some grit and feed for the chickens so Marj. said as it was such a lovely day she would like to go down to the Bagley's. We got away soon after two and I left them all at the Bagley's and then went down to Billy Lang's but his place was locked so I went on over home to get some wheat and there was no one around the house there so I went out to the field back of the orchard where Frank was cleaning out ditches and he said Dad. & Enah were both down town. I got my wheat and got home just at four. Mary & Nellie were out over by Willie Shand's fence so I had to put them in and as Mary ran up towards the house and then she & Nellie both ran down into the gully I had a lively time pursuing them. I finally got them all safely into the stable. I also fed the chickens and put some more coal on the fire so I was here for half an hour before I started back to town for the family. I stopped in at the farm on my way in and Dad. gave me forty five dollars of the money he got from Karl for the Rose heifer. I didn't know she had gone yet. He gave me some letters of Mr. Parks to read and said he got a cablegram to-day saying everything was satisfactory and he hoped to get before the judge in about a fortnight. He, Mr. Parks, has been saying all along that he hoped to wind it up the first of December but like the treasure that anchors the rainbow, it seems to be able to keep just beyond our grasp, but I suppose that merely adds to the interest and enhances the dime-novel effects https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/e6b72c7000822cea0e3575086e911a16.pdf c003a87da0b4b1d401739df85e6a2f33 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Thursday November 26th This was a very cloudy morning with a cold north east wind and the ground frozen solid but as we had planned to go to town to-day we went. Marj. got very cold going in but the children didn't seem to mind it. We got to Aunty's a little before dinner time and so Marj. got thawed out before dinner Quint & Tim were there at noon Quint having just arrived home from the North with his deer last night. After dinner Marj. & I went up town, she to peddle her eggs & get her groceries, and I went to the bank to deposit the money Dad. gave me for the heifer I went up to Reynold's and renewed my subscription for the "Mail & Empire" and also sent renewals to "The Breeders Gazette" & the "International Book Review" When I got back to Aunty's Quint was just getting ready to go up home to get his deer and take it over to the slaughter house so I went with him. She was a nice big doe 110 lbs I think Quint said. She had a fawn with her & Quint shot it too, but didn't bring it home. It strikes me as a terribly perverted sense of "sport" that takes men hundreds of miles up into that wilderness at this time of year for the sole object of tracking down and killing from ambush one of those beautiful creatures so full of active life that do nobody harm and that haven't the least chance to defend themselves. I suppose it is the only chance the old barbarous instinct to take life has of cropping out under modern conditions, but it seems to me even our barbarous ancestors had to work themselves into a fury before they went on the warpath and didn't do it in cold blood. I never have the lust to kill except when I am mad, but I don't get mad at wild animals that stay where they belong and mind their own business. Karl Coleman & Fred. skinned the deer and are going to cut it up for Quint. Karl gave Quint a lecture on sticking the deer in the wrong place and a demonstration on the right way of doing it. When we got back to Aunty's we found Marj. had taken Harry B up to the doctors to have him innoculated for diptheria as it seems that McCarty the teacher has it and Tim was down to see him and Harry B was with Tim at noon and the doctor & Marj. thought that in view of the sore throat he had this fall it would be safer to give him the shot. Poor little cuss, it scared him and it looks sore to-night, but maybe it was better to do it. We didn't get home till dark and on the way home we saw Mary & Nellie down by Art Quanbury's. I yelled at Art not to let them go any farther and I came home & put https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/8472123fc080d741aac9da4722ff5a2a.pdf 1d0af297b88e2b2e3d934446802f7018 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Queen in and then walked back to Art's after them. Bobbie didn't get out. I shouldn't have left them out this morning. It made us late with tea and to add to the lateness Gay upset the coal oil can and spilled a gallon or so all over the kitchen floor and it took Marj. some quite awhile to sop it up. Marj. saved a lot of it by squeezing it into the wash basin. I was late getting through with the chores. It is not quite so cold to-night. Friday November 27th I spent most of the fore noon trying to persuade Marj. it was time to get up. I didn't get out very early myself and called her first when I left to go over to the schoolhouse. She was still in bed when I came back so I called her again and then went out and milked. When I came in after that she and the rest of the family were all having such an enjoyable snooze that I thought it was a shame to wake them so I had breakfast by myself. I came in about 11 o'clock and Marj. was up but hadn't had breakfast yet so I had an early dinner and she a late breakfast all in one meal. She had given the children their breakfast. I put in quite a lot of time puttering around doing chores and sorted some more apples for Dorrie but haven't them all gone over yet. Marj. was going to have an early tea, but when tea time came didn't know what to have so we bethought as of our cheese which Stanton Monroe told us yesterday morning was at their place, and I walked over to get it. They were through tea over there & I went in and sat down and visited till nearly seven before I came back with the cheese. We took it out of the box and I carried it over my shoulder in a bag. Marj. had put the kids to bed and she & I had a supper principally composed of fresh cheese after which I milked. It has rained nearly all day but not hard.The frost is out of the ground again and it is very mild to-night. Saturday November 28th It turned cold again during the night and froze up solid and it has been very cold with a high nor' west wind all day. It snowed a little this fore-noon but has been clear the rest of the day. I walked down to Wilbur's this forenoon to tell him to take the bull over to Dad's. and I stopped in at Trum's to ask him to leave me some buckwheat when he takes the milk. I spent a long time after dinner trying to rock Harry B. to sleep but without success and I then https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/7056a12dce5c175ac9be0851f7f34bca.pdf c7a24d6dc8e71c8ea6f795f72155bec0 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. went over and swept the school house getting the mail on the way over. There was a letter from Mr. Parks saying he had received mine. When I got back home I found Dad. here. He had brought us over a piece of venison from Quint and a letter from Dick saying he was coming home for Christmas fortune or no fortune & expected to be here about December 15th. Dad. came over principally to see how Harry B was as Frank & Tim were both jabbed and he says they are about completely knocked out. Frank took it in the arm & can't use his arm for any thing. Dad. was greatly relieved to find Harry B as lively as usual and returned primed with caustic & scornful jeers to hurl at Frank and Tim for their lack of heroism. He was telling us about Rus. Skey being over there to dinner yesterday. He & Quint came across and Rus. said "Well Wess said to go back there for dinner if we didn't get invited to stay here but I said I was going to stay anyway." He sat down with his elbows on his knees and began in his usual manner. "Back to my execution, Monday. Just as soon be executed! Go down to the office, manager came along "Well Skey! Glad to see you back!" "Thank you (smiling & bowing) glad to be back (aside) damn liar - hate to be back". It is a beautiful morning (aside) "rotten morning". Got out my keys, go to the safe, turn the combination, take down my ledgers, and start with the grind. Add up a column of figures!," looking up briskly and pinching his thumb & fingers to-gether and moving his hand out {wide?} on a level with the top of his head a typical gesture of his which is comical enough in itself to provoke side shaping mirth. "See a deer, nip nipping along a ridge, brief interval of joy, then vision fades, back to earth again." Marj. listens to tales of these with cynical scorn and thinks he has a "screw loose". but I tell her if Dickens had immortalized him in a story as he most certainly would have done had he known him she would think of him not only as one of his most comical characters but also as one of his cleverest and probably most likeable in spite of his peculiar ways or more likely because of them. Ina was here all day ironing and choring around and Dad. drove her as far as the corner if not home wheh he left. Sunday November 29th Mr. Bagley was supposed to come out this morning and take us in, in time for church so we got up early and hustled around, and got the chores all done and the kids bundled up to be ready for him. He hadn't showed up when Mattias Shiltz went by https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/223a575f3da79b5c99738e560a806633.pdf dbf0280ccdf5ff2761e074f76401b15e PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. to church and we watched and waited will 11 o'clock and no sign of him so we were just going to walk over to the Lampkin's and accept a second invitation to dinner there when Mr. Bagley came along. We left Gay & the baby in Mrs. Bagley's care & Marj. Harry B and I went to church. We were pretty late but maybe it was just as well On H. B's account although he was as quiet as a mouse. It was children's service We went back to the Bagley's for dinner and were there for the after noon. I was very much afraid the kids would tear the house down before we got away as they were excited and in a terribly boisterous mood. Every thing is so spick & span and orderly around there that their rough treatment goes hard with it. Aunty came up for a while after dinner as she saw us in church and wanted to bring me some things for Marj's birthday, but had a hard time delivering them without Marj. discovering it. Mr. & Mrs. Bagley went to old Mrs. Whalen's funeral up at St. John's this after noon but as they were too late for the ceremony were not gone long. Belle Smith came over and spent the afternoon with us and seemed to enjoy the kids antics. Essie was in a good humour, so things went pretty well. Mr. & Mrs. Bagley came home with us before dark. Froze very hard, bright day Monday November 30th I spent most of the fore noon softening up a little putty and puttying up one of the storm windows. I had forgotten that they needed it, but most of the putty got loose on them when they were out on the hot bed this summer. I didn't get very much done at it. This after noon I went down town as Marj. had to have condensed milk for the baby and we were out of coal oil. I also got some stuff at Billy Langs for the chickens. To-night I walked over to town through the fields to band practice, and stopped in for a few minutes at the farm & at Aunty's on my way. I was in at Aunty's on my way home too. There was a good turnout and we had a good practice. They have made a few shifts in the horns. Evidently Ernie Knight & Sid. Beaumont are going to be with us regularly now so Sid has Mr. Bagleys slide. Ernie has Bridgwaters baritone. Bridgwater has Harper's Eb euphonium and Harper has gone into the alto section. Harper has been harping at them all fall to have new springs put in his valves so they sent the horn down and got it fixed up and now it has springs in it strong enough for a rat trap. It tires Bridgwater's fingers out to play it. The band is preparing for a social evening next week Every body is supposed to bring his family and https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/66aed9529884d4c675c349749d1b9af9.pdf f418d19c29454e6b9d4ba67d493428bd PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. enough grub to feed them. I was {words obscured} to bring two pies. I told Marj. when I got home & she nearly woke up she was so mad at me for saying I would. I told them I would bring the pies but to heck with bringing the family. The wind which was north east this morning shifted to almost due south and it has been getting milder all day, but has been cloudy. When I started for town to-night the walking was good and it was quite bright moon-light but it started to snow soon afterwards and developed into a nasty storm of snow & rain so that the walking was quite bad coming home through the long grass, but it was bright moon-light and I had on my rubbers and socks so didn't get very wet. On my way over, as I got down towards the far end of Dad's back wheat stubble I heard a rustling in the grass and looking down saw the broad white strip of skunk's back. I side-stepped with alacrity and he went the other way so that fortunately there were no unpleasant results. Tuesday December 1st I spent nearly the whole day except for doing chores in softening putty and puttying up the storm windows and have part of one to do yet. I had to put a whole new pane in one of the windows. Ina was here washing and she washed the two windows that I got finished and I put them on to-night. I drove her home after tea. Cloudy milder Wednesday December 2nd It froze hard last night but has been a very nice day and is barely freezing to-night. I shook what few remaining apples there were on the trees down this morning while the ground was hard & picked them up. They have been frozen so many times that I don't know whether they will be much good for cider or not. I spent the rest of the day making a storm door for the dining room north door. I used the lumber I got for it a year ago and for some unknown reason it didn't match properly and I had a very trying time with it, finally I had to take my knife and whittle down the tongue so that it would fit. I put it to-gether in the doorway so as to be sure of it fitting when I got it made and now there is about half an inch space between it and one corner of the top of the door frame. I didn't have any hinges so I nailed it in place until I can get some I worked at it till nearly dark before I got the cross cleats on, and was all in to-night. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/9c0ac483bd03ba0cfe1300812afd7858.pdf ec6fcc938325514d4e7b1f854ce3f9f1 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Thursday December 3rd This being "mom-mom's" birthday we all went down to Aunty's to celebrate it as they had asked us last week. We got down just a little before dinner time in spite of making a try at getting away early. We had a roast of Quint's venison for dinner and Quint and Tim were both there Quint just got back from Detroit last night where he has been trying to raise some money from a bankrupt firm that he & young Stewart did a lot of work for a year ago. He didn't have much luck and seems to have reversed his former exalted opinion of the people of those United States and now thinks they are all a bunch of crooks. He & I went up town after Aunty's mail after dinner and I took 9 eggs all we could spare to Amy Turner Parker. Marj. took a dozen to Mrs. Skey and then went around to see Miss Newell who is in a very dilapitated state, but Marj. said she was very glad to see her and carry on a bit of gossip. Fine day, milder. Friday December 4th I spent the fore noon softening more putty and finishing up the storm window job. Tupper came in at noon and said if I could give them the time they were going to fill in the culvert at Lindsays to-morrow and wanted me to help so I said I would go over. This after noon I went down to Evan's and got him to put the handle in my shovel which has been at the shop since last spring. It was after four when I got home but I had time to let a little of the water off the corn stubble before dark but all I can do I am afraid won't ammount to much as the ground is completely water-logged. Marj. went over to the school house to-night as the Villa Nova Baptist young people's club held their meeting there and Mabel asked her to go over. I thought it was to be a sort of concert but Marj. who has had some experience among these affairs said it was a prayer meeting, and as they are a little out of my line, I didn't mind staying home and going to bed like a Christian in the least. Marj. said every thing went off according to Hoyle and there was a fair representation from the rest of the section who like me erroniously supposed there was a free show on and had no one steeped in religious lore and Baptist customs, like Marj. to set them right. This has been a beautiful day, quite warm and sunny. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/f53df5b874b731c2bec91e94c14e0423.pdf 8d80eb9c32257b33e8750d09992eef71 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Saturday December 5th Marj. and I both got up early this morning and had breakfast at seven o'clock I did all the chores by lantern light and struck out for Lindsay's bridge about half past seven. The sun was just rising as I walked up the road and I have seldom seen a prettier sun-rise. The sun itself only appeared for a few minutes and then disappeared, a dull lustreless crimson globe, behind dense clouds, but the sky above this cloud mass was beautifully and delicately tinted and against this floated several slender graceful clouds long and yet not mere streaks. There was a fine sort of half mist & half drizzle at this time and it was certainly not a promising looking sunrise. I was back at the bridge for some little time before anyone else came but finally Tom Stone, his man and team came along. Tom had charge of the signal lanterns on the barricade and when he got them tended to we started in to fill along the bottom of the culvert. Pretty soon Art Quanbury came and said Tupper had commisioned him to boss the job and his idea was to use the teams and scrapers and scrape the earth to the top of the excavation and shovel it down, after a little argument between him and Tom we started on Arts scheme and worked till ten o'clock, by that time it was raining so hard that we had to leave I stopped off and swept the school house on my way home. Old Jimmie Robb came along with the milk while we were back there and gave us a full account of the row between him and Sid McBride which is to culminate in a lawsuit next Tuesday. His story is that he bought two gallons of gasoline from Sid and when he got it home measured it at Charlie Dixon's suggestion and found it fell short half a gallon. Lambert was there and Dixon said that Sid. had served him the same trick. Robb {swears?} he said no more about it but that night or the next Sid & Jim came into Robb's store while he was alone and Sid accused him of telling the tale around the country. Robb denied it and Sid. called him a certain kind of a liar whereat Robb returned the compliment. With this Sid with a curse threatened to kill him and grabbed him by the throat and a lively tussle ensued. Robb says he would have had Sid down but for Jim who grabbed his leg and as he is short of wind owing to a cold he has had all fall, he couldn't down him. Jim McBride at Sid's orders took the shells out of Robbs gun & prevented him from getting his cane, finally Sid. left and the next morning Robb went to Kelly and the trial is Tuesday morning. What Sid's version of the tale is I don't know, but although his temper is quick, I would https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/161e1d3c06bf12177cf1307cb1b05573.pdf 888701e33bfd8977b6fd9e2c3585b85c PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. not have thought that his good sense would have let it carry him so far. I haven't the least doubt about his honesty nor has Robb I think but he has one of these machines for measuring gasoline and it may be out of kilter. It is too bad to have a thing like that mar the peaceful & neighborly relations of the Marburg community, especially just before Christmas. I didn't do much this afternoon but let a little more water off the cornfield when it stopped raining. Very mild Sunday December 6th It has been a very disagreeable day. Cloudy, windy and wet. We were very late getting up and had breakfast between nine and ten so didn't have any dinner at least not at noon. I sat around the house after I got the chores done till about two o'clock and then I walked over to the farm for awhile. Dad. and Tim were the only ones home. I came back about four and did the chores up before dark and about six we had a chicken dinner Monday December 7th It snowed five or six inches during the night but didn't freeze hard enough beneath it to make sleighing. I went over to the school house in good time and shovelled the snow and waited till after eight to see if Art. Quanbury came along to work at the bridge, but as he didn't I decided he thought the weather too bad and so I came home and made a storm door for the porch. This after noon I drove down town and settled up at the Canning Factory. My corn & peas to-gether ammounted to $110.99 but by the time seed and a load of silage I got last winter was deducted my cheque was $89.64. I went up town and paid my taxes and got some condensed milk and some hinges & latches for the new storm doors, also a pane of glass to put in the one on the porch. I was in at Billy Langs for over an hour as old Billy was in a talkative mood, so by the time I stopped in at Aunty's & the farm it was dark when I got home. I met Art Quanbury on the road and he asked me about going to work on the bridge to-morrow but I told him he had better get Dave or someone else Dad. had another bunch of letters from Mr. Park, in one he thought the case might be decided before Dad. got the letters then he found out that there was a case on the 9th and another on the 18th to be tried first and he didn't know how long they would last. Cloudy, raw. Roads very bad. Tuesday December 8th I spent the fore noon sorting apples and got all of Dorries baskets filled but had to go over about all we had in https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/3d01b77cbe721a74dff14390277630f8.pdf 1e775565a2f4865616d927d627c1a418 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. the cellar to get enough. I put the tops on them after dinner and labeled them ready to ship. I had intended going over home to get the waggon and take them down but as it was late and was beginning to snow and I have got a cold Marj. wouldn't let me go. Wednesday December 9th I drove over home this morning and nearly froze. The wind was very cold and the roads very rough. Frank was home alone as Dad. & Enah had gone down town. I thought when I got over there that the roads & weather were too bad to take the apples down but Frank said he would come over with the waggon the first decent day. I went on down to Aunty's to tell them that I would not be down to the Band boys' shine to-night as my cold was too bad. Aunty Alice made me two pies to take to it so gave me one. I got home a little after noon I didn't do much but sit around this afternoon. Ina was here but walked home before supper. Very cold and bleak. Intervals of sunshine followed by snow flurries. Thursday December 10th I didn't do any thing much but chores to-day as I felt tough with a cold. My chest is sore with coughing I went down to the corner this after noon and got the cream can as I forgot it yesterday when I drove by. I stopped in at the Lampkin's for a few minutes on my way. The roads are frozen hard and the Gurney's were hauling gravel. Harry B was in bed with a cold on Monday & Tuesday but seems better now but the rest of us are getting it. Cold west wind and cloudy Friday December 11th Frank walked over this morning to see how we were and I was mighty glad he did as after I had done a few of the chores I felt about all in my chest was so sore. Frank got some wood for us and did up some of the chores and then about eleven o clock he and Marj. drove down town while I minded the kids They got back about three, and Frank did up the night chores before he went home so I didn't go out at all. Marj. went to the doctor's and got a lot of dope for each of us including the baby. They brought a cabelgram from Mr. Parks, that came last night, saying he expected a decision about Wednesday next. The longer it goes the more uncertain it seems. Fine day, not so cold. Saturday December 12th Frank came over twice to-day and did all the chores and got us a good supply of wood. I am burning https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/dd8d9e14ea957c288806ffe9b8b2f447.pdf 6871eca82c84da4310ec28ac799e4f9b PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. the rails of the fence along the road north of the lane. I haven't done any thing to-day but sit and read and hold Gay. She is pretty sick but too little to keep in bed. My cough is much better a least my chest isn't so sore, but my cold is bad yet and I feel rather weak. Marj. has it but seems to be staving the worst of it off. She hardly got any sleep last night as she lay on the lounge and didn't take her clothes off and was up several times with one or other of the children Sunday December 13th I got out this morning and did up the morning chores but didn't cut any wood. I felt better but weak. Dad. drove over at a little before noon and got wood and did up some more chores. He stayed to dinner with us but couldn't stay any longer. Mrs. Lampkin was over for awhile this after noon. I did the chores to night. Cold. Monday December 14th I went over to the school house this morning and swept and dusted but felt about all in when I got back. I managed to get the rest of the chores done. My eyes ached so and my stomach felt so upset that I didn't want any dinnner but spent most of the day rolled up on the lounge. Frank came over after dinner and did things up. Dad. shipped his five hogs this morning. They weighed 1060 and he got 12¼ cts for them which was a quarter higher than last week. Ina was here washing and sewing to-day and as Marj. wants her to do some more sewing to-morrow she is staying all night. Snowy but cold. Tuesday December 15th I have felt better to-day but haven't done very much outside. Frank came over and sawed up some more rails but I milked and fed things. Since I have been laid up we have just milked once a day as we get hardly anything anyway. After dinner we were much surprised to have a visit from Quint. He walked over and brought a loaf of bread from Aunty Alice. He got here just in time to help Marj. fix the sewing machine which and a bent needle jammed in it. He suggested coming over to-morrow to help me build a wood shed so I went out with him and sized up the site. He said they had had no word of Dick except a book came that he had evidently bought in Toronto. To-day was the day he was expected to arrive home. To-morrow is the day we should hear from Mr. Parks' but I "doubt and fear" https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/13d1f100f664b6335ce54eae4b53d4b3.pdf 923526cc71ac38bcbddcd9874d64c06a PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. {Wee sketch of some clothing} Wednesday December 16th Marj. felt rather tough this morning and I was in helping her wash dishes when about eleven o'clock we heard a roaring and on looking out saw Dick, Quint & Frank arriving in Quint's old car Frank had the names of the French Canadians who had got the ram lambs so he and I had to fill out some registration and transfer papers and Quint and Dick went out and started to saw up lumber for the wood shed. Frank went over to Bill Sidway's with his sheep paper and expected to have dinner over there and Quint and I put the two sides of the shed to-gether. It is going to be very small 8 x 10' but Quint made it to fit the lumber and he couldn't find any scantling around the place longer than 10 feet. He is a whale to work when he gets started and doesn't waste any time. He and Dick had promised to go back to the farm for dinner, but Quint came out again about two and we put it up but didn't have enough stuff for rafters so just laid boards across the plates and Quint said he would get some stuff for rafters and bring them out. He went back about four and I did up the chores, feeling no better for being out, as my cough seems to be pretty bad still and I feel rather tough. Very cloudy & still quite cold. Thursday December 17th I haven't done any thing to-day but chores inside and out and go up to Shand's to telephone for the doctor. Marj. felt about all in and as I didn't feel like going to town and didn't know what on earth we would do if she got got right down and out, I thought that was the best thing to do. He came out about two o'clock and gave her some pills and cough medicine for both of us and I think she feels better to-night. My cough is still pretty bad. Brighter to-day but cold wind Friday December 18th Frank came over this fore noon to see how we were as Dr. Cook had told some of them he had been out. Frank also came out to tell us that they had a cablegram last night signed "Whites" instead of "Parks" and reading "Case partly heard, adjusted on particular question. Sorry for delay." None of us know just what it means except that it is not "Cheerio" nor will we know until we get a letter from Mr. Parks in about two weeks. I got Frank to help me cut down a big elm that shows signs of decay. It was down in the flats and it took quite a little sawing. I got rather tuckered as it is the first work I have done. Frank helped me saw up several of the limbs before he went home for dinner. Marj. arranged https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/7c27934bcd7e7470c03bcee34bf53a83.pdf c44cdb6325392d038c2d3615897fc854 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. with him to come out tomorrow afternoon and take her down town to do some shopping. She is feeling better. I didn't do much but chore around this after noon but I feel much better to-day. I walked over to Ollie Birdsel's sale about four o'clock as I wanted to bid on his hay but I met Dave Lampkin at the gate and he said everything was over, so I came right home again. I went late on purpose as I didn't want to stand around in the cold. I met young Dove with a load of gravel and he told me that Tupper had fired him because his father had waylaid and hit Albert Gurney last night because he the kid had complained to his father that Gurney had passed him on the road with a load and then thrown a stone at him because he kept yelling at him. The Robinson's came along as Dove left and said he was a little pest that Gurney had passed him on the road but hadn't thrown at him. Dove's poor old team's bones are just about poking through their skins at all points so it is time he quit. Cold and raw, tried to snow a little. Saturday December 19th I have felt very tough to-day and haven't done a thing but chores and sit around the house minding the kids. Dad. came out this morning to take Marj. to town as he thought if she waited till afternoon she would never get anything done so she had dinner down there and Dad. drove her home about three o'clock. Dad. had another cable last night from Mr. Parks himself reading "Don't worry. Send birth certificate, Toby's eldest boy." Not much in the way of elucidation but it looks as if things had not gone completely against us yet and also that there can be no decision till Harry B's certificate gets there. Dick is going to Toronto to-morrow and will send it Monday morning. Much milder, wind around in the south. Sunday December 20th I have felt a little better to-day but have done very little but sit around although I did go over to the school house and sweep. Marj. has grubbed around all day doing odd jobs around the house such as mopping off the kitchen floor. The coal out there makes things very dirty. We spoke of going over to the Lampkins but we didn't get around to it and it was a damp sort of day unfit to take the children out when they have been cooped up in the house so much. Neither of us spent a very Sabbath Sunday. It seems as if we seldom do anymore, we are retrograding https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/973dde50d8d79c91bfbf1222d7f2c246.pdf 4d77bd18e796e54efb799773af598d2e PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Monday December 21st Garf. Porril came out this morning with a Quebec heater for us which we were informed was a Christmas present from old Dick, the old son-of-a-gun. Marj. knew about so as it was a mild morning we had let the fire out in the old box stove and Garf and I carried it around to the porch and put the new one up in its place. We spent some time at it as we shortened the zinc covered board that the old stove sat on and made it fit the new one. Garf was very important as he was alone with the stove and much grieved that he couldn't lift the stove out alone. Why before he was sick he wouldn't have thought nothin' of carrying that stove into the house, but he had an attack of "ammonia" flu and pleurisy all to-gether and it has left him weak I had to take the storm door that I had nailed up to the dining room door down so when Garf left I put the hinges on it. While I was at that job Dad. came in with a load of Pokahontas coal to burn in the new stove. It was a present from him & Enah for Christmas, so we have certainly fared well, and it proves the truth of "The Lord looks after the poor & needy." I tell Marj. it pays to be poor because folk have pity on us. Dad lit a fire in the new stove and showed us how to run it. I didn't do much this after noon but chores and sit around and bask in the genial warmth of the Quebec & Pokahontas combination. Marj. put in a busy day and she shouldn't have as she was not in fit condition to be doing any more than necessary but she had to clean up after the stove had been put up and then she walked over to the school house to see what Mabel intended to do about to-morrow as her aunt is going to Toronto to-night, and Mabel & her sister are going to be here for the school concert, so Marj. invited them over here for dinner. Then she sat up late to-night doing up boxes of home-made candy for Christmas presents, while I snoozed in the big chair. It snowed all the after noon but there is not enough for sleigh Tuesday December 22nd I went up into the attic this morning to get a basket of onions for Ina and as Marj. has shifted the bed around so that it is directly under the manhole I went up before I put my boots on and before she was out of bed. I got the onions and called to her to get them from me and when she reached up for them, she nearly fell from weakness. Upon investigation she discovered good cause for weakness so made no more attempts to get up. I got the kids dressed and gave them their breakfasts but https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/b374ab8e1ebb6cc0f09ed3c4772a88fb.pdf 49bc4382ff62bd2132cb83a007fb4908 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Marj. didn't want any. I have been doing house work all day and the house looks like it. It is a good thing Marj. is in bed and can't see it or she would be sicker than she is. Fortunately for us Frank came out this fore noon and got the apples for Dorrie & Phyl and took them down and expressed them for us, so we sent word by him to the doctor and he came out this after noon. He told Marj. to stay in bed for a couple of days and he thought she could go to the Christmas dinner all right but as it is at the farm on the day before Christmas which is the day after tomorrow we very much doubt if Marj. will get to it. I went over to the school house this fore noon to tell Mabel we couldn't have her over to dinner and that we wouldn't be able to get the kids over to her Christmas tree concert this after noon. She sent over a present for each of them a ball for the baby a broom & dust pan for Gay and a drawing book for Harry B. and in the mail we got a rattle a doll and a top, which we figured out was from Ina so they have had a great time with their new toys. I didn't get much done in the way of outside chores. I milked about two o'clock. Some of the young ones from the school came over this after noon to take Harry B. over to the concert but he wasn't dressed up and I couldn't get him ready so he didn't go. He didn't know about it so didn't miss it. Wednesday December 23rd I managed to get the kids dressed and fed and some breakfast for myself by about nine o'clock this morning and then Frank arrived so I turned the job of getting Marj's breakfast over to him and I went to do a few chores outside. (Frank brought a copy of a cablegram from Mr. Parks. - No, as Bill Donald would say I have got ahead of my story. I am writing this a week late and just got mixed.). Frank just brought some soup over from Enah and set to work to cook it as soon as he got here. Marj. was very anxious that I should get my hair cut before Christmas so suggested Frank staying here this after noon while I went down, so Frank always agreeable to anything suggested that I go down before dinner and as he had driven Joe over said for me to take her back and get some potatoes at Art Ryerse's on my way. It was about eleven when I left here and by the time I got the potatoes and got to the farm it was after twelve but as Dad. was busy drawing the big Christmas turkey, which as usual Huby provided, we didn't have dinner till about one and then Dad. and I walked down town. I went into Bob. Leaney's and Mackenzie was there alone but as he said Bob. would be in any minute I waited. I sat there for about two hours and was just ready to step https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/9dc332b0a4e1efd2afff59d884bcdb78.pdf 0ac432251303771445141ac9d99c26d2 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. into Mac's chair when Bob. came in. It was about half past four when I got through so I didn't waste much time doing Christmas shopping as I was afraid they might be needing me at home. Frank's idea in having me go before dinner was so I could get back early, as he wanted to go to town this after noon. However when I got home every thing was all right and Frank had the house all slicked up in fair shape and as they all decided down town that the Christmas party should be postponed from to-morrow to Saturday on Marj's account, Frank wasn't so much concerned whether he got to town or not. Frank stayed to tea and washed up the dishes to-night. Charlie Shand came down for a while to see how Marj. was. Dr. Cook was out this after noon to see her as he told Aunty that if he happened to be out this way he would drop in and as she said she might call at the office to-night to see, he happened out this way on purpose. He told Marj. to use her own judgement and going to the party to-morrow, he said he wouldn't forbid it because he thought it was a terrible thing to be responsible for keeping anyone away from a Christmas dinner but she was to do what she thought best, so she had decided that there would be no Christmas dinner for her and was very relieved and delighted to hear it had been postponed. Dad. had a letter form Mr. Parks to-day which he told me about on my way through to-night but which I didn't take time to read. It was written before the case opened but he had had a consultation with Mr. Manning one of the counsels for our side and he said there had been a case once where a will read something like this one that the beneficiary must take the name & arms of the testator and if he failed or refused to do so within a certain time he forfeited his claim. He did fail because like Dad. he knew nothing about it until after the time specified had expired so lost the gift. Mr. manning said with that precedent, the name & arms clause in the Quintin Dick will might cause trouble and Mr. Parks is evidently worried over it, but Quintin Dicks will reads that if any one of his beneficiarys refuses or neglects to take the name & arms of Dick within three months after he is entitled to it, he forfeits his claim and that is a little different from the other will which read refuse or fail. Dad. wrote Mr. Parks and pointed out to him that he did not refuse and he did not neglect because according to any dictionary he referred to neglect means to omit through carelessness and as he did not know about it he could not be called careless about it However taking this with the cablegram news we have had since and the request for Harry B's birth certificate https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/4d73ad4366c8dd040c224959fa4bda67.pdf c1e6492575dc8c5d1fc1d3e934498e95 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. it looks as if this was the particular question which has been adjusted and Dad. thinks possibly things will be held up till Harry B. comes of age, as Mr. Parks said that I who would be the next heir at law would be in the same position as Dad. as far as taking the name & arms was concerned and that Harry B. being an infant would have no chance to refuse until he was of age. It is rather disconcerting and seems ridiculous that a fund could be held up for such a long time over a little technicality especially as Mr. Parks says the estate over there now are very much against that sort of thing. He also said that if this judge decided adversely he would appeal it and that the appeal court is not bound by any precedent nor by the decision of a lower court, but in any case no cheerio for Christmas. Thursday December 24th It was this morning that Frank came out with a copy of a cablegram from Mr. Parks reading "Opinion your ultimate success, right heirs defeated, fund must go to Barrett family, suggest meeting you in New York." Of course none of us can figure out the exact meaning of it, but as near as we can guess it means that the court has decided against the right heirs in favour of the Barrett family but has not decided yet whether Dad. or Harry B. shall get it but in Mr. Parks own opinion Dad will be successful when the case is finally settled What he means by meeting him in New York we can't imagine but suppose he wants to appear still cheerful and suggests meetin Dad. halfway when he eventually goes to England. There is at least a ray of hope in this last message. Frank stayed all morning and washed up the dishes and did several chores around the house. He would not stay to dinner. Marj. got up this afternoon and dressed all by herself. I was in the kitchen and was very much surprised when she walked out. She naturally felt very weak & shaky but has sat up all the after noon and evening and superintended the hanging of the three stockings, small, smaller & smallest on the back of the old armchair where she used to hang her own on Christmas eve when they were the same size as the ones that hang there to-night. I spent the evening putting some last minute fixings on an aero"bird" that Harry B has been expecting Santa Claus to bring him A huge parcel came from Dorrie & Miss Bain to-day containing a plum pudding in a bag some shortcake and "brownies" and several other things which we are not opening till-to-morrow. Miss Martin also sent a parcel of things among them a most comical looking monkey https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/d6c3182f56e3c92c6826dfb9bc02bfa3.pdf 20a89a0c45fd14e77100421f91b268bc PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. which when given sufficient encouragement by turning his arms around several times will turn summer saults in rapid succession across the floor and is very entertaining. Marj. also got a parcel of things from Phyl. containing some very nice picture books from Teddy & Jack. Christmas Day I was up before five this morning to get the baby's bottle ready for her as she woke up and was crying for it. Marj. said she had hardly slept last night. I accused her of being excited about Santa Claus but she said that wasn't the cause. Harry B. was awake early and when he was ready to get up I woke Gay and brought her out so that she wouldn't be behind hand in exploring the stockings. They took the matter very differently Harry B very excited at once excavated the farthest depths of his stocking but Gay, looking about as cheerful funeral and with no show of emotion picked the arrow-root biscuit off the top of her stocking and sat down to devour it and I think before she finished she consumed Harry B's biscuit as well. All hands then piled into "Mum-mum's" bed and raised cain till after daylight. On examining Dorrie's parcel we found a book each for Marj. & me. Mine was Canon Scott's "The Great War as I saw it." I have managed to get a few pages of it read and finds it gives a full account of the Canadian forces from the declaration of War to the Armstice but is written always from a chaplain's view-point and so is human and free from military or political bias. Marj's book was James Oliver Curwood's latest and supposed to be his best book "The Ancient Highway" a story of Quebec pulp & lumber business. They are the first books we have had for a long time amd the only ones we got this year. Marj. got up before breakfast and has been fairly active all day so is rather tired to-night. I have been kept busy doing chores inside and out. We were going to try having a Christmas service to ourselves but didn't get around to it. I spent considerable time cleaning up the cutter as some snow has fallen and there are cutters on the road so if there is any sleighing at all we can travel much more comfortably in the cutter to-morrow than we can in the buggy. Our Christmas dinner consisted of spare ribs that Mr. Lampkin brought over to us but we are shaping our faces for a feast to-morrow. Harry B & I went over to the Lampkin's this morning with the hand-sleigh and took Mrs. Lampkin a paper-white narcissus just ready to blossom Marj. has been growing it on purpose. Cold https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/c25b923df7110df24cad5397293bbb27.pdf e353b4bbd4b38336824d4797cb923bce PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Saturday December 26 We were all up in good time but it took us most of the forenoon to get ready for the party, but we finally all got packed into the cutter and away. We went down to the Donald's first to take Ina a basket of onions that she bargained for last week and also a Christmas present Marj. got for her and to find out if she could work in an extra day next week. It was noon when we got over home and we were the last of the party of 19 to arrive. Dad. had gone down town with the bobs and brought over all the ones from down there. Dinner was ready soon after our arrival and everyone tucked in heartily to a noble one. Turkey & fresh boiled unsmoked ham with corn squash & potatoes, cranberries & all the rest of it followed by plum pudding & mince pie with nuts raisins & candies, augmented the Christmas spirit with which everyone was filled anyway so that it of necessity bubbled over. Gay amused the entire gathering by her "saying nothing & sawing wood" attitude. She hardly spoke a word or cracked a smile all day but enjoyed herself immensely, she didn't even growl over her dinner as she usualy does at home, but she put away a handsome one just the same. Harry B. seemed out of sorts till after he got excited over the tree. I think he is tired as he has not been getting enough sleep lately. The baby - that is our baby was bewildered and a little frightened at first at the number of people. I don't think noise & commotion would frighten her as she is so used to it, but she was made quite happy with a large turkey bone and during the stripping of the tree sat on my knee and enjoyed the proceeding as much as anyone. Win's baby was very good, he is much bigger than Dorothy Mary and we thought she was a whopper, and old David couldn't have been better. He was full of the joy of life all day and didn't attempt to hide it. He smothered Gay with kisses when she came in, and she received them coldly and haughtily but that didn't phase David He took a round or two out of Quint and recited "Granny's come to our house." with great elocutionary inflection. He, Harry B. & Gay all had a great time unloading the tree. They of course got the bulk of the presents and when they weren't busy undoing their own they were carrying away and mixing up some one elses When we finally emerged from the sea of paper & string with which we were all but inundated, Marj. found that she had two market baskets full of presents to take home, most of them she didn't know who they came from and she wasn't sure they were all hers until after a great deal of sorting and consultation as the kids kept bringing her things and there was so much https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/fbdec3e0c25469f529e84fb6ed121cf2.pdf 0609d096b15d8f606658d3932e8047e9 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. commotion. What we are going to do with every thing I don't know as the house is so full now there is hardly room for us in it. The party broke up soon after four. Dad. took the town ones down in the bobs and we got home just before dark. It has been a nipping cold day but sunny and our fires were all right so the house was good and warm. The kids were all asleep when we got home and we laid them out on different beds. Harry B slept till it was time to put him to bed. Dad. had another cable from Mr. Parks <s>saying</s> asking for Marj's & my official marriage certificate and they sent to Ade Millman to get it, so that looks as if Harry B. was mixed up in the proceedings, but we had a very merry Christmas in spite of lighter hopes. We all got very pretty little calendars from Mr. & Mrs. Parks. Sunday December 27th It was a very cold night last night and has been a nipper of a day with a north west wind. We have lived shut up in the front part of the house where we have been quite comfortable around our Quebec heater. Marj. using it to fry bacon & boil the kettle on. We are just about out of coal so let the kitchen fire out during the day, but scraped up enough coal to put a fire on for the night but we moved the kids into this part of the house for the night. I went up to Harvey Shands about noon to ask him if Tuesday would suit him as well as to-morrow to audit the school books as I want to go after a load of coal or coke in the morning I thought the wind would freeze my face going up the road. Charlie told me it was 10° below this morning and was about zero at noon. I spent the day trying to get a chance to read my new book but not having much luck on account of the numerous chores Marj. had on. She has been on the go all day but feels pretty tired. Monday December 28th For some unaccountable reason, because the wind did not change, it turned milder during the night, and has been much milder though still cold enough all day. Harvey Shand told me that last night when he went to the barn just before dark, the mercury stood at 8° above and when he came back in less than an hour it had risen to 14° above; what caused it is a conundrum. I drove over home as soon as I could get away after breakfast and Frank and I went down to get a load of coke as they have no hard coal down there. We took Joe & Queen so made fairly good time but as I had to go up town for some condensed milk for the baby it was about noon when we got out here. We had https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/3153908dca7a647bdf0640dd63a7eeac.pdf 54cae99921bfcae929cfde4e69138f80 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. dinner here and then caught all the Danish leghorn pullets and put them in one of the crates Frank brought over the other day from Martin's. When we stopped in home Dad. thought it was too late to go down after coke for him as we had intended so we took the chickens over to Martin and then went down to Bill Langs after some feed for me. We were a long time at both places as we had to take the chickens over to the barn and weigh them and then hunt Chris up to find out what to do with them. They weighed nearly two pounds apiece which was more than I expected after the treatment they have had the last few weeks By the time we had waited for Billy Lang to mix up chicken feed for Fred Kull and then mix some for me and bag up bran it was getting late and as we had to unhook at the farm and I had to hook up to the cutter and load my stuff in it, it was after dark when I got home. Marj. said the coke fire went out twice during the after noon so she is not jubilant. Tuesday December 29th I spent most of the fore noon fixing things out in the cow stable to make it a little warmer now that the hay in front of them has got so low there is nothing to keep the draught from the north side of the barn from them so I cut the hay through to the ground and built a temporary partition in front of them and covered the top with loose boards and hay. It not only make it warmer but gives me a good wide feed alley. It took me till noon as we were late getting started so by the time I swept out the school house after dinner it was nearly three when I got up to the Shand's to help audit the school books and it was six o'clock and pitch dark when we finished. I got my fifty dollar cheque as usual. I had had fond hopes of being able to tell Harvey Shand that I did not need the caretaker job after this term and ask him to hunt up a new janitor but as things have turned out I didn't and merely asked him for a new broom. I shouldn't wonder if I would be very glad of the job for maybe years to come. Ina was here all day but left before I got home for which I was not sorry as it saved me hooking up. Not so cold. Wednesday December 30th I drove down town this morning to deposit my cheque and I wanted to get some oats from Frank and have them chopped. I came across Bert & Dick McPherson on Prospect Hill going down town with a hand sleigh and Bert hooked the sleigh behind the cutter and Dick rode down town on it. We gave him a merry ride and https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/4c99bfa0e1070838c3201cd466b3285c.pdf 7e768dc545d7e965b17e71072b7026ee PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. I expected to spill him at every corner but he stuck like a leech. I saw Quint up town and he said Dad. & Dick (Barrett) were down town trying to telephone Ade Millman who had called up last night and asked to talk to Dad. As they had sent to Ade to get our marriage certificate from the Toronto registry office, they supposed some thing was wrong with it. Quint was on his way to Aunty's for dinner so I drove him down and I stayed there too. Bert & Dick came along with a sleigh load of parcels and hooked to the cutter again and this time Bert undertook to do the surf board stunt but the sleigh upset in front of George Thompson's house and spilled Bert and groceries along the road for about 20 feet. Dad. and Dick. came down to Aunty's just after we arrived. They had not been able to get Ade so Dick went up right after dinner to wait for Ade to call. Dad waited some time for Enah who was up town some place but wouldn't have dinner. He thought I would be too late for me to get any oats chopped. Aunty thought I had better go up to the drugstore to wait with Dick in case Ade wanted some data on our wedding which Dick would not be able to supply. We waited there for an hour or so. Ade had put in a call before Dick got up there and after we had been there for a long time one of the switch board beauties (?) told us that it had been cancelled, so then Dick called Ade up and found that he had spent the whole fore noon in spite of being very busy at the office in trying to get some corrections made on our certificate which had been filled in all wrong, most of the names were mispelled and in the place where Dad's name should appear they had Theobald Butler Barrett. Ade had got hold of Louise, Cousin Carrie and the old minister who married us and had finally got a declaration fixed up for Dad. to make before a notary, and was mailing it so for that reason had cancelled his call. Dick drove over to the farm with me as he was going to call on Imogen Ivy. Dad. had got another letter from Mr. Parks telling what happened at the court proceedings. It is not very clear to us but is evidently not what we suspected at all. He said Mr. Manning opened the case and every thing looked rosy until Gavin Simonds counsel for the right heirs got up and said that although he had nothing to say on behalf of his clients, he would like the judge to consider some matter concerning the conversion of the money into real estate, which was so technical that we couldn't understand it but it inolves Aunty Hattie in some way so that she now has to be represented in the proceedings. Mr. Parks said it https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/9dc5ea370f2b4019e427718310785e0b.pdf 598540f5c1e7583d8f8e2ae53dffe184 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. was a beastly rotten trick as it was of no interest to him or his clients and no one else had thought of it at all. The judge said that it was a bombshell thrown in to what he thought was going to be a very simple matter. That explains Mr. Parks cable where he suggests meeting Dad. in New York as he wanted to meet Dad. there and consult with Aunt Hattie and try to come to some amicable agreement with her. He says he doubts very much if she would succeed if she did contest Dad's claim so I don't suppose they will have much trouble over there. Dick is going to cable Mr. Parks to-night saying that Dad. is willing to meet him in New York when ever he comes. I didn't attempt to go to the mill but Dad. gave me a bag of chop and I took one of the bags of oats that Frank had bagged up for me. I agreed to buy $15.00 worth of oats from him and to pay him when McEwen sends the money for the ram lambs. He doesn't seem to consider that I should have any oats coming to me for the part I took in the harvesting of them although I pitched every sheaf of them and helped thrash them. I didn't put it up to him but hoped he would see it. He seems to think it all right for Dad. to supply me out of his share in spite of the fact that Dad. has let me have about $200.00 this year and that according to their agreement Frank was to stand crop expenses. Mrs. Lampkin was over this afternoon and invited us all over for New Year's dinner. Thursday December 31st Marj. had to go down to the doctor's to-day for some special treatment so we all went down for dinner. We didn't know we were so late leaving but when we got down to Aunty's we found they had given us up and had started dinner. Quint and Dick were both there. Marj. went up town soon after dinner and Dick and <s>Frank</s> Quint went up for the mail but I just sat around the house all the afternoon. Dad. came down after he got Ade's letter and with a copy of our marriage register which was about as full of errors as it was possible to be. He went up to McGaw McDonalds to swear that his name was W.H. instead of J.B. but McDonald was out of town. We called in at the farm on our way home and Enah gave Gay a little set of furs which she got from Clair Herring when she, Dick & <s>Frank</s> Quint went to Hamilton on Monday to see Eugenia. Marj. and I sat up to-night and saw the old year out and the New Year in and well in. It was not a premeditated vigil but we have fallen into the habit of late of sitting around our Pokohontas Christmas present and dozing the first part of the evening and then waking up late to give the baby her last bottle and being so wide awake that we don't feel like going to bed. There is a dance and watchnight service in town to-night. Frank will take in both and the whole family was going down to Pickford's for the evening & then to church. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/43d390e073acd12f26694078dcdee3c1.pdf 0cc86e1c321115e09282826b21f47fea PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. January 1st 1926 We were very late getting up this morning and before we were through breakfast Davy came over on horseback to inform us that we would have to drive over there for dinner as the walking was bad. We had no intention of trying to walk, but I suppose Davy thought we needed the advice. It was noon before we got all the inside & outside chores done and the kids and ourselves dressed and packed into the cutter, but as Mrs. Lampkin didn't put the potatoes on until she should see a drive out of our lane and as she didn't see us until we drove up to her door we didn't keep dinner waiting. We has as usual a bang up and very rich dinner of pork backbone and followed by plum pudding and mince pie I got as far as the pudding but couldn't get around the pie much to Mrs. Lampkin's & Davy's distress. We sat around all the after noon and conversed as usual on neighborhood gossip which at present seems rather lacking in startling items. Davy, also as usual reviewed the history of his western exploits at Pilot Mound, Manitoby. We came home about five. We had no voting in the township to-day as the reeve & council all went in by acclaimation. Roy Misner reeve. Wess Boughner, deputy, Bob. Austin, Will Smith and I forget the other as I didn't know him. Very mild all day. Thawing. Saturday January 2nd I went over home this morning as soon as I could get around to it, to get a load of straw. I found the sleighing was about gone, especially on the side road where the new gravel is. We had to change the rack from the waggon to the sleighs and Dad. wanted to go down and get his cutter which Frank Taylor has been repairing for him before we took the box on the sleigh so it was nearly noon when we got back but we put on a small jag of straw all we thought we could haul over the nearly bare roads. Dick was over at the farm for dinner and we sat around for awhile waiting for Dave Ward to come with the mail but as he was so late we didn't wait till he did come but Frank and I came out here with the straw. When we got it off Marj. decided she would go back with us for the sake of the airing so bundled the kids up and loaded them on the rack. Tim came out with us so there was a grown-up to hold each young one & I was free to drive. Quint came out just as we starting with the rafters for the wood shed. He put them on alone while we were gone. It was nearly dark when we got back in the cutter and Quint wanted me to go back with him till he got past the deep snow between the top of the Winding Hill and Tupper's https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/fe595f7e0498574d5479de30bf93ee6d.pdf 38e715c66f99ac2ab8590cfbf3969de9 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. so I went nearly to Art Quanbury's with him and got a ride back with {Au?} & Mrs. Lambert in a bob sleigh. I was standing in the road while they came up to me watching Quint through the gully and {Au.?} informed me that the "woman" was nervous as she thought I might mean mischief. While we were over home Marj. borrowed "Bleak House" from Dad. as she thinks a review of the case of Jarndyce & Jarndyce & the doings of the Court of Chancery will be encouraging to us just now. Dad. let me have a letter that he got from Mr. Parks to-day asking me to write him and instruct him to appoint a guardian for Harry B. as he will now have to be represented in the proceedings. In another letter he told Dad that if the fund should go to Harry B which he said "Heaven forbid." His guardian would supply him with ample funds for his education until he became of age and that would help out a little but I sincerely hope things won't turn out that way for Harry B's own sake as well as ours as the thought of him coming in for an enormous fortune when he was 21 years old with no one else having any legal control over it or him would be an awful bug-bear to me. However I am not worrying about it yet. Very mild and cloudy all day. Sunday January 3rd This is Aunty's birthday but we didn't get down to see her. It has been very foggy almost a fine rain all day and we didn't go anywhere or do any thing except the ordinary "messin' about". I went over and swept the school house - no I didn't either I'm mixed up again, don't remember very clearly what we did Monday January 4th I spent most of the fore noon putting up a couple of little shelves which Aunty gave us in the nursery for Marj. to keep the kids toys on. I also wrote to Mr. Parks as he had asked. This afternoon I did chores and helped Marj. do some washing that she wanted to get out of the way for Ina so she could employ her at ironing or some other job. We didn't know whether we would get any mail to-day or not as the new train schedule comes into effect to-day on the Canadian National lines and Dover only has one train a day on each track and on the Hamilton road it comes in at 9 p.m. However our mail with to-day's paper came about 3 o'clock and we learned later that it comes in on the one o'clock radial. It has been very foggy and misty to-day raining part of the time and every thing is very sloppy, very mild. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/13e6d5013b314bf6c53087870dbb1085.pdf 5d469e138c59edf8c95a6a2157c106c9 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Tuesday January 5th I went down to Sid's this morning and had Queen shod. She was badly in need of it and I thought that when it froze up after this thaw I wouldn't be able to get out with her if she wasn't sharp. I didn't get down there till nearly ten o'clock and Sid had 12 shoes to put on so I was going to come home again, but Harvey Shand & Jack Richardson who had the horses there said that they were not in a hurry and if I wanted to get back before noon would wait so Queen got shod first and I got home before dinner. Marj. had to go to the doctors again so as Ina was here we left Gay & the baby with her and took Harry B. with us. We sneaked off while Gay was asleep so there was no trouble from that quarter. I drove Ina home when we got back. It has been mild all day but very windy & colder to-night. Wednesday January 6th I spent most of the day finishing and hanging the storm door for the porch and helping Marj. around the house. I had to put the glass in the door and I made an "amateurish" as Mr. Bagley would say looking job of it, however it breaks the draught from the kitchen door and that is the main thing. Froze hard last night and has been blustery to-day. Thursday January 7th I went over to-day to get some oat chop and I took old Nellie over to the farm with me as Dad said she might as well be running around the stack over there when she wasn't milking. I found Frank cutting up pigs and Dad. was down town getting his declaration regarding our marriage certificate fixed up before McDonald who just got home. I hooked up Josie & old Charlie to the waggon & Frank helped me throw on four bags of oats which I took down to the mill before dinner and then went back and had dinner at the farm. Dad. stayed down town for dinner. I went down town after dinner and got five bunches of shingles for the wood shed and a bag of flour and one of corn at Bill Lang's and went around by Main street to the mill where I got my grist. I stopped in at Aunty's for a few minutes. Dad. came out home with me and took the team back. Frank cut up three of the pigs to-day after watching Dad. cut one yesterday. I brought home a lot of spare ribs & backbone from "our pig". They told me down town that the band was to serenade the Council to-night and the W.I were going to give us all a feed in the hall, so I walked in across the fields. We had a bang up supper and played a little but that was all there was to it, except for each member of the council on being called on for https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/c06ffd723b7fc0558ef95de355577791.pdf 8c11357c78094ea949702232722b63d7 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Saturday January 9th It snowed all night by the looks of things for this morning every thing was covered not only outdoors but in the porch & the barn and where ever the east wind could penetrate. It snowed most of the morning but hasn't been a bad day. I thought of going down to Archie Long's farm to look at some cheap hay he has stacked but as it snowed so much I didn't go. I spent the fore noon doing odd jobs and sweeping paths, and helping Marj. wash some flannels which is a terribly particular job, and requires a vast ammount of knowledge & experience. Marj. supplies that part all I do is run the squsher. We sat around for an hour or two after dinner readin Bleak House and then I went over and swept the school house and swept the snow off the steps as I thought if it should get a little soft and then stick to the cement I would have a bad job. I was over there till nearly dark. Sunday January 10th We haven't done much but sit around and read and write to-day. Marj. wanted to take the kids out for an airing as it was a nice sunny day but there was a cold west wind and she hadn't the energy to bundle them up so we put them all to sleep instead & Harry B. went out to-night to help me do chores. Monday January 11th I spent the fore noon "and then some" helping Marj. wash although it snowed all day and she couldn't hang them out. We sat around reading for awhile after dinner so I didn't get anything but chores done outside. There isn't much else to do anyway. Marj's Eaton order came this after noon and I now have a new pair of heavy rubbers which just set me back $2.29, my old ones are gone in the sole. I also got a diary blank book for this year. Windy. Tuesday January 12th I have been to Archie Long's this morning to look at his hay stack. I didn't get startted till about eleven as Queen and Belle gogot out of the stablke and I had to cha them all over the place twp or three times before I could catch them. I ran across young fat-head Steele down in the Lampkin's flats. I thought he was hunting jacks but at the time I a=saw him he was hinting thwe rest of his pals, and seemed very distressed that he couldn't fnd them. There no body around Archie Long's ehen I got there and no tractor https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/d9fecbaab633ca68e991998e88e3b4b1.pdf 9f1ae01d53b61c04d702c3dc1f7e5710 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. but I located what I was sure was the stack he spoke of and it is certainly rough feed but there may be some picking in it if the stock is hungry enough to pick at it. I came back to the farm & landed there just in time for dinner & just ahead of Dad. who had been down town. Dad. got another letter from Mr. Parks to-day enclosing a copy of one he had written to Aunty Hattie; saying he was coming out if she could meet him and telling her that he would like some help from her & her lawyer and telling her that Dad. intended giving her $50,000.00 if & when he became entitled to the fund, but saying nothing about her supposed claim. It occurred to me just lately and when I mentioned it to Dad. he made a note of it to ask Mr. Parks about as he had not thought of it, but as Uncle Frank died before Fa. I can't see how the court makes out any claim for him & much less for Aunt Hattie what ever. It looks to me as though instead of Aunt Hattie having a claim on this converted or unconverted property that they are arguing about it should be Aunty, Aunty Alice & Huby, however as none of us understand the legal points its not much use to discuss it although it is quite a lot of fun. I went on down town this after noon to see Archie Long but he had gone down to the farm. I told Mr. Long that I would give him $25.00 cash for the stack and a load of his thrashed bluegrass which is good feed. He is selling it for $10.00 a load and he told me he would let me have the stack for $20.00 I took Mr. Parks letter down to Aunty's but neither of them were there. Huby & David were there so I left it with Huby. I saw a cablegram on the sideboard and supposed it to be from Mr. Parks so read it and it said "Sailing on Montroyal 16th due 24th" I went back by the farm and told Dad. Mr. Parks said in his letter that he hoped to get back to England by the end of January and get before the judge again during February. I drove Ina home after tea to-night. Wednesday January 13th We all went down town to dinner to-day. The sleighing is fair now and so we could ride comfortably in the cutter. Marj. had to go to the doctor's again, but he thought she would not need any more treatments. She also went up to see Glad. Law. Quint and I took a walk up town after dinner and got the mail. Quint is much interested in the muskrat farming project if only he had enough money to launch into it. I went over and saw Archie Long and he took my offer for the hay, so we came home by way of the farm. Frank said if it was decent he would go down with me Friday and get a load. Quite cold. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/e1bcd1e265476c133174ec74bf45bb95.pdf 42e0a081776016336393661b6c723d00 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Thursday January 14th I cleaned the straw out of the big chicken house this morning and put fresh in. I didn't have enough straw to put in both pens. This after noon after I let the cows & horses down to the creek for water I got the paper and came in to the house and read it for about an hour and then went over to Charlie Munroe's after butter As we are not sending cream now he didn't leave us any butter. Marj. cut out and made herself a dress this afternoon out of an old one of Alie Buckwell's and this evening she made an apron for herself. Shes a hoosler when she gets a'goin". She set bread to-night after having had two failures due to cold sponge or bad yeast cakes we don't know what. I got one egg to-day and one on Tuesday the first we have had for two or three weeks. Very blizzardy not cold. Friday January 15th Harry B and I drove over home this morning as I had arranged with Frank to go after hay but when I got out on the road I decided the sleighing was too bad. The snow was softer than it has been but packed so hard where it had drifted that trail breaking with a load would be hard pulling and in other places the road is bare. My lane too will have to be dug out before we can come through it with a load. I had to drive out on the wheat to get through with the cutter. Frank and I drove down town to get some groceries for Enah and I got my egg crate which has been at the Custom House for about a month much to the indignation of Norman Holden. It was nearly noon when we got back to the farm and I was going to come right home but Harry B had helped Gran make a pudding and they wanted him to stay and as there was quite a young blizzard scampering in the region of the side road, we stayed and after dinner Dad. cut Harry B's hair. It improved his looks and I knew it would appease Marj's wrath if necessary because we told her we would be right back if we didn't go for hay. She said she didn't expect us back and although she had a headache she was in high spirits over the success of her baking, which was equal to any of her past triumphs in the art. She has only had about three failures so when two of them came hand running, she was naturally downcast and afraid that her hand had lost its cunning. I didn't do much the remainder of the after noon but sit around and read the paper and wash the dishes for Marj. The result of the division in the House on Meighan's lack of confidence amendment was 123 against & 120 for so the Progressives have saved the Government's scalp for the time being by 3 votes. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/ecbb8d02f0a63e2d7fe451eacffd0017.pdf f330d46dc73eccb5fb3383941a1af18a PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Marj. saw by yesterday's paper that the Murry Dillon's have twins a boy & a girl, which brings the total of their progeny up to five head. Saturday January 16th We were very late getting to bed last night as Marj. went in for a sewing bee and made a great number of waists for Harry B and aprons for herself and I don't now what all while I snoozed in my chair, but we were late getting around this morning so consequently I haven't done much to-day. I went over and swept the school house this morning and got the snow shovel over there and shovelled out the lane. The drift was not deep but it was a long one and took me over an hour to cut a canal through it. We sat around for awhile after dinner and Marj. read Bleak House while I rocked Harry B to sleep and then we went out and took a couple of pictures of the baby. Marj. had a busy day cleaning up the house and making pies and worked till midnight and after to-night cutting out shirts and bands for the baby out of some goods Mrs Bagley gave her which she had saved from the wreck of Elton's mill. The mill property was to have been sold by auction to-day in Simcoe. Very much milder and very sunny. It has thawed a lot. Sunday January 17th Marj. stayed in bed all morning and part of the afternoon as a precautionary measure so as to avoid a repetition of last month's mix up. I have just chored around the house all day and this after-noon wrote a letter to Dorrie to thank her for the book she sent me for Christmas. Marj. got up about four and stayed up all evening but felt pretty tough. Harry B woke up about ten o'clock and pitched up all he had eaten all day. I think it was the first time in his life that he ever vomited. He ruined all his bedclothes so slept on the dining room sofa all night but was very restless. Very soft, mostly cloudy and some rain. The horses got out into the barn this after noon & upset the oat chop and spilled all the oats & bran but fortunately there wasn't much to spill. Monday January 18th Marj. has been in bed all day but has got a lot of sewing done to the baby's shirts. I have been in the house all day trying to keep things ship shape. Harry B went to sleep after dinner and slept till 8 o'clock or after and then had a little tea & went to bed. He feels all right though. Rained more or less all day. Mild https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/ef2f946ab4e417c36cd23f20f1bb7fd4.pdf 436317b1a9916d1d30e9fe906405b9fb PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Tuesday January 19th Marj. was up all day to-day but as Ina was here didn't have to move around much so feels much better to-night. Ina worked like a nailer all day and has the house shining from one end to the other. I went down town before dinner and got some feed & Bill Laings and some coal oil. I had dinner at Aunty's and was in at the farm for about an hour. Dick is not home yet. They expect him to-morrow to go with Dad. to New York on Friday. I drove Ina home to-night and spent the evening trying to balance my last years books. As near as I can make out the farm went about $60.00 in the hole if I deduct interest on money invested. Of course I am in the hole a good deal more than that, but that is couning living expenses. Gay was sick at her stomach to-night just like Harry B. mild. Wednesday January 20th It has been very mild and spring like all day so I put the sheeting on the wood shed roof and got three courses of shingles laid on the north side. Neither Marj. nor I felt very well all day Marj. was quite bilious we don't know why and I have a sore throat, but the kids seem to be all right. My calf was bloated up badly to-night so I didn't feed her. Thursday January 21st It turned a little colder during the night and snowed a little but has been quite mild all day, thawing but cloudy. To-night however there is a wild north-east wind howling and it is very much colder I haven't felt much like working all day so haven't worked at anything but chores, and just sat around and read all day. Archie Lang came in about noon to get his money for the hay I bargained for. To-night I couldn't remember whether I buttoned the horse-stable door or not so went out and found that I hadn't and the horses were out and had upset the chicken feed and spilled all the oats, nearly a bushel I think. Friday January 22nd It was a very cold night last night and froze in the kitchen and has been a cold day but the wind has shifted to the north west and it has been sunny I went over home about eleven this morning and met Frank at John Evan's coming out to see if I was sick. I had dinner at the farm and Frank and I drove down this after noon and got a couple of bags of Pokohontas coal in the buggy as it was to cold and blustery to go with a waggon. We took Dad's grip down to Aunty's as he & Dick left for https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/c42f55a372d1cb8e215b8562a82324a8.pdf b62233840eaf871297b2e5f03646880c PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. New York to-night on the 4.30. Frank and I waited at Aunty's till it was time for them to leave for the train. Dad. was loathe to go but Dick was in high spirits and counting on giving Dad. a big time in New York. He just got home from Butler Pa. on Wednesday. He has been over there visiting the Henry's. Dad. had his club bag packed full of farm produce for Aunt Hattie comprising apples, jam and 7 lb chicken. He got the court proceedings back from Walter just as he was leaving together with Walter's opinion. It seems to be about as hard to understand as the rest but he evidently thinks Dads chances for success are very strong and thinks the objections raised are minor ones He said the document was very complicated and he didn't think the lawyers themselves were very clear about it. He also said the same as we did that he couldn't understand Uncle Frank's claim at all as he had died before Fa. I got home about five. Marj. had been making dougnuts and I never saw such fat ones as she turned out. My throat is still sore but I don't seem to have any cold. Marj. wanted me to go to the doctor but Dick gave me a bottle of dope he had been taking and I happened to remember while down in the barn of a certain deposit of Jonnie Walker's Black Label which Quint had produced the other day. Dick had given it to him just before he crossed the line the last time he went. He had intended taking it over but Quint had told him it would not be wise, so that helped a little. Saturday January 23rd I went over home this morning as soon as I got my own chores done but as it was cold and we were late getting up, it was nearly eleven when I got there. Frank had the chores all done up and had milked without any trouble, even Emily the heifer that I couldn't get near last summer stood quiet. He told me the old sow should go out to Wilbur Ryerse's but we thought we would have time to go down and get a small load of coal before dinner so had to take the rack off the sleighs and put the John Wess box on. We didnt understand just how the plank bottom of it worked and monkeyed with it so long before we finally got it to bit the sleigh holsters that it was dinner time, so we waited till after dinner and went down right after. Tim went with us as he was very anxious to get his grandmother's phonograph Mr. James had told him to take it https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/02138d939f7ca41fea44f5f1f519b54d.pdf 7269ec69a5c300253bafe5c0671ed5fd PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. over to the farm so he thought while Dad. was away was the time to do it, and there is a possibility of them renting the house down there. We left Tim up town to go around and get the phonograph ready while we went and got a jag of coal and then came around and got Tim & the machine. We unloade the coal and I filled a couple of bags to take home. We then put the John Wess stock rack on the box experiencing the same difficulty in finding out the combinations as we did with the box but finally got it all right. We then had considerable trouble in persuading Gladys III to walk the gang plank from the barn door to the sleigh although we had it covered with straw and after a great deal of manoeuvering we did get her in and had no more trouble with her. It was a brute of an afternoon with a south west blizzard. It was nearly dark when I got home. To-night the wind raged and howled so that it felt as if it would lift the house. Sunday January 24th We got up late and did nothing but chores and read Bleak House which we finished to-night. I swept the school house this afternoon. Very blustery this forenoon but a fair after noon. Cold. 7 eggs again. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary Collection Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Theobald "Toby" Barrett Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Courtesy of Archival and Special Collections, University of Guelph Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1911-1925 Language A language of the resource English Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 20th Century, Norfolk County, Woodhouse Township, Ontario Table Of Contents A list of subunits of the resource. Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary & Transcription, 1911 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary & Transcription, 1913 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary & Transcription, 1914 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1915 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1916 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1917 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary & Transcription, 1918 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1919 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1920-1921 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1921 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1925 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1925-1926 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1926-1927 Medium The material or physical carrier of the resource. Scanned Manuscript Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1925-1926 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Theobald "Toby" Barrett Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Courtesy of Archival and Special Collections, University of Guelph Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1925-1926 Language A language of the resource English Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 20th Century, Norfolk County, Woodhouse Township, Ontario Date Created Date of creation of the resource. November 16, 1925 Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary Collection Medium The material or physical carrier of the resource. Scanned Manuscript UG Transcription Progress Scripto transcription progress Done Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. <div class="mw-parser-output"> <h3><span class="mw-headline">MOJAK</span></h3> <h2><span class="mw-headline">EXERCISE BOOK</span></h2> <p>FOR</p> <h3><span class="mw-headline">PEN OR PENCIL</span></h3> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Monday November 16th 1925.</p> <p>I got up at five this morning and milked before day light so as to get a good start. I had to get some wood for Marj. before leaving so sawed up a couple of rails from the road fence and also the old apple tree that they cut down in front of the school house and which I lugged over here yesterday. I told Marj. if she ran out of wood to put coal on which she did before running short of wood and which was a good thing as the wind is cold to-night. I got over home in fairly good time and Dad. told me Niel had been in and offered him his price for Elgitha $65.00 saying as usual that he wouldn't make a cent on her but they had room for her in the car so wanted her. I went back to the gully and drove her up to the barn and then Dad. and I led her down to the car. We didn't have any trouble with her, poor old girl, it wasn't like the time we led her home from the same place. We weighed her and she surprised us by only weighing 1440 as we thought she would weigh more but she is old and not fat for her. I had to go up town to get some stuff and Dad went to Aunty's to wait for me. I asked him what he wanted of Elgithas price for boarding her and he said if I would get him a plug of Old Virginia at</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Henderson's, he would be satisfied so I got him four half pound plugs. I paid up two or three small accounts around town as I felt mighty affluent when I stuffed $65.00 into my pocket after having been broke or nearly so for so long. When I finally got down to Auntys it was after twelve and Dad. was having dinner with them so I sat right down too. Frank was alone for dinner at home as Enah was down helping her father straighten up the house. Dad. and I came back to the farm right after dinner and bagged up a small grist and then caught 12 of Tim's ducks and put them in bags and took them up to Jack McBrides. They averaged 8 1/2 lbs apiece and Jack paid 16 cts a pound for them. I got home just before dark and spent the evening reading a LIbrary book called "The Sport of Fate" which I borrowed from Aunty Alice. Cloudy &amp; strong cold north west wind, getting colder to-night. I noticed this morning before day light that I could see the reflection of the East End light every time it flashed quite plainly I never noticed it before from out here but it was very cloudy, so I suppose that accounted for it I had Harry B. out of bed looking at it and he seemed quite interested. Dad. had another letter from Mr Parks, very cheerful. He hopes the end of the month to settle things</p> <p>Tuesday November 17th</p> <p>I spent the fore noon doing chores and odd jobs. I shut my calf up in the shed as she has been determined lately to pasture off the wheat. I made her an oat box and gave her some but I don't think she ate them. One fool trick I did was to put the cream down at the road forgetting that this was not Charlies hauling day although he has been going on Wednesdays now for several weeks. Trum. took it down to the corner so I had to go after it. This after noon I went over to Cam's sale. There was a good crowd there but they were slow selling things Dunning had an understudy with him and he sold a lot of the junk but he was pretty poor at it. I bought a cracked iron frying pan which I had an idea Marj. wanted for a quarter and the corn planter which is a different model and better than the ordinary ones for fifty cents, and that was the extent of my purchases, but Dad. bought the hog rack and waggon box which is some of John Wesses manufacture so therefore the best. I nearly froze standing around so came home before every thing was sold. Roy Dell came with the bread while I was in here getting warm and what was very strange for him was in a very talkative mood and regaled us with old</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>dinner, which was the best insurance for a happy birthday all round that we could think of. They sent her out a doll by me yesterday and so we gave it to her at breakfast, and she was certainly tickled with it. Poor old Harry B. had a terrible craving for it but realizing that his usual "Might is Right" principle would be less than ever tolerated on Gay's birthday he didn't take it by force but resorted to all manner of coaxing to which Gay was impervious to it as she was to Marj's suggestions that maybe the baby would like her daddy to hold her for awhile. I drove down just before dinner and brought Aunty &amp; Aunty Alice out. We had a regular birthday dinner with a cake and two burning candles in it. This after noon I took a bag of clothes over to the school house as Mabel had asked Marj. for some to give to a poverty stricken English woman back at Townsend Centre. On my way back I encountered Tupper who had got the grader while I was down town and was dragging the road. He is the new foreman. He kept me talking for quite awhile and then I threw the furrows out of some of the ditches I ploughed out yesterday. I drove Aunty &amp; Aunty Alice back about four and went up to Dr. Cook's and got Marj. another bottle of medicine. Mild but cloudy.</p> &lt;td <table> <tbody> <tr> <td>Canadian</td> <td></td> <td>First round</td> <td>second round</td> <td>Total</td> <td>placing</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Maj. Sifton</td> <td>Pericles</td> <td>11</td> <td>7</td> <td>18</td> <td>11</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Capt. Berteau</td> <td>Bucephalus</td> <td>3</td> <td>5</td> <td>8</td> <td>7</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Lieut. Bruce King</td> <td>Montreal</td> <td>11</td> <td>3</td> <td>14</td> <td>10</td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td>Total</td> <td>25</td> <td>15</td> <td>40</td> <td></td> </tr> <tr> <td>American</td> <td></td> <td></td> <td></td> <td></td> <td></td> </tr> <tr> <td>Capt. Waters</td> <td>Jack Snipe</td> <td>8</td> <td>5</td> <td>13</td> <td>9</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Capt Pierce</td> <td>Dick</td> <td>9</td> <td>10</td> <td>19</td> <td>12</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Capt. Carpenter</td> <td>Miss America</td> <td>3</td> <td>2</td> <td>5</td> <td>4</td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td>Total</td> <td>20</td> <td>17</td> <td>37</td> <td></td> </tr> <tr> <td>French</td> <td></td> <td></td> <td></td> <td></td> <td></td> </tr> <tr> <td>Capt. de Laissardiere</td> <td>Harris</td> <td>4</td> <td>3</td> <td>7</td> <td>6</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Lieut. Clave</td> <td>The Doctor</td> <td>-</td> <td>4</td> <td>4</td> <td>3</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Lieut. X. Bizard</td> <td>Pantin.</td> <td>1</td> <td>5½</td> <td>6½</td> <td>5</td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td>Total</td> <td>5</td> <td>12½</td> <td>17½</td> <td></td> </tr> <tr> <td>Belgian</td> <td></td> <td></td> <td></td> <td></td> <td></td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td>Figaro</td> <td>2½</td> <td>7</td> <td>9½</td> <td>8</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Lieut. de Brabandere</td> <td>Acrobate.</td> <td>½</td> <td>-</td> <td>½</td> <td>2</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Lieut. de Breuls</td> <td>As de Pique.</td> <td>-</td> <td>-</td> <td>-</td> <td>1</td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td>Total</td> <td>3</td> <td>7</td> <td>10</td> <td></td> </tr> </tbody> </table> International jumping contest at Royal Winter Fair, Toronto. 1925.</div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Saturday November 21st</p> <p>I spent a good part of the morning doing chores and went out to throw some more furrows out of the ditches in the corn stubble but ran across Art Quanbury who was cleaning out a ditch on the road and he talked so long that I didn't get much done before dinner. After dinner I rocked the Niblets for an hour in a vain effort to put him to sleep and then went out and made some strike outs in the corn stubble. It was a most discouraging job as the ground was so soft that it offered no resistance and I had to stop every few feet to take grass roots of the coulter's shear. In the wettest places, the horses had to just flounder through and with Queen so quick &amp; Belle so slow and lame it was an impossibility for me to set up pretty crowns even if I was able to do it under favourable conditions, however I got nearly halfway across the field and I am hoping they will let some of the surplus water get away. Beautiful day clear &amp; mild, strong wind.</p> <p>Sunday November 22nd</p> <p>We were late getting around this morning and didn't do much but odd jobs &amp; chores. I lay around and read for awhile and went over and spwept out the school house. It was a very gloomy sort of day with a cold</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>wind and occasional snow flurries, but about three o'clock it seemed to clear up a little and as I wanted to go over home to get a bag of oats Marj. bundled the kids up and we all drove over. We were there for about an hour as Enah was giving Marj. some old clothes that she thought might be useful and some stuff that Miss Newell gave her to give Marj. It was beautiful new goods to make a dressing gown. It was nearly dark when we started for home and was beginning to snow. When we turned north, it was snowing hard and was striking us with very uncomfortable force almost full in the face. Harry B who was sitting down in the front couldn't or wouldn't put his head down to escape it but held it up and wailed dismally all the way home. Gay on my lap had her face turned away from the storm but she howled too in sympathy with Harry B, so we made a merry party. The baby was well covered up in Marj's arms so went to sleep. Marj. told Harry B made up stories about himself and the rabbits at the top of her voice to pacify him but with indifferent success, however we were none the worse</p> <p>Monday November 23rd</p> <p>Every thing was frozen tight this morning and the ground covered with snow so I didn't try to do any ploughing, but spent most of the time fixing up the chicken houses so that I could shut the chickens up. I shut the ones that roost in the little pen by the gate in before they got out this morning and I coaxed most of the remaining ones into the long pen with feed and shut them in and to-night I caught a few of the pullets that didn't go in this morning and some of the leghorns.</p> <p>I sorted out all the leghorns I could find and put them in the colony house which I had put straw into. I picked up a few cider apples this afternoon. Wilbur came up to see what I wanted to do with the bull. He says he is no better feeder than ever so he thinks and I agreed with him that the best thing to do is to kill him for home consumption but I thought it was a little early in the season to have much meat on hand as it may turn mild again, so Wilbur said to let him go for a week and see what happened Sunny this fore noon but cloudy this after noon with cold north west wind all day &amp; freezing to-night. We sat up till twelve o'clock to-night and finished reading "The Talisman aloud &amp; Marj. made a dressing gown for Harry B. out of the goods Miss Newell sent her and has more than enough left to make one for Gay.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Tuesday November 24th</p> <p>I spent the day puttering around doing chores, fooling with the chickens, and picking up cider apples. I had to make a couple of troughs for the chickens. I was surprised to find that there were still thirteen brown leghorns at large as I have twenty five shut up and I never could count more than thirty, that brings the total up to thirty eight and as I only had about forty three grow big enough to feather out well, I haven't lost as many since as I feared. The next problem is to catch them as I can't locate their roosting place. Ina was here washing all day and I drove her home to-night. Mr. &amp; Mrs. Lampkin came over this evening. Still frozen up. Cold north west wind</p> <p>Wednesday November 25th</p> <p>I did up the chores this morning and then felt so tough that I came in and lay down. Harry B. told me a story that he made up and I went to sleep and stayed there until noon. I then got up had some dinner and felt better. It was cloudy and snowing this morning when I lay down but at noon the sun was shining and it was much milder. I wanted to go down and get some grit and feed for the chickens so Marj. said as it was such a lovely day she would like to go down to the Bagley's. We got away soon after two and I left them all at the Bagley's and then went down to Billy Lang's but his place was locked so I went on over home to get some wheat and there was no one around the house there so I went out to the field back of the orchard where Frank was cleaning out ditches and he said Dad. &amp; Enah were both down town. I got my wheat and got home just at four. Mary &amp; Nellie were out over by Willie Shand's fence so I had to put them in and as Mary ran up towards the house and then she &amp; Nellie both ran down into the gully I had a lively time pursuing them. I finally got them all safely into the stable. I also fed the chickens and put some more coal on the fire so I was here for half an hour before I started back to town for the family. I stopped in at the farm on my way in and Dad. gave me forty five dollars of the money he got from Karl for the Rose heifer. I didn't know she had gone yet. He gave me some letters of Mr. Parks to read and said he got a cablegram to-day saying everything was satisfactory and he hoped to get before the judge in about a fortnight. He, Mr. Parks, has been saying all along that he hoped to wind it up the first of December but like the treasure that anchors the rainbow, it seems to be able to keep just beyond our grasp, but I suppose that merely adds to the interest and enhances the dime-novel effects</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Thursday November 26th</p> <p>This was a very cloudy morning with a cold north east wind and the ground frozen solid but as we had planned to go to town to-day we went. Marj. got very cold going in but the children didn't seem to mind it. We got to Aunty's a little before dinner time and so Marj. got thawed out before dinner Quint &amp; Tim were there at noon Quint having just arrived home from the North with his deer last night. After dinner Marj. &amp; I went up town, she to peddle her eggs &amp; get her groceries, and I went to the bank to deposit the money Dad. gave me for the heifer I went up to Reynold's and renewed my subscription for the "Mail &amp; Empire" and also sent renewals to "The Breeders Gazette" &amp; the "International Book Review" When I got back to Aunty's Quint was just getting ready to go up home to get his deer and take it over to the slaughter house so I went with him. She was a nice big doe 110 lbs I think Quint said. She had a fawn with her &amp; Quint shot it too, but didn't bring it home. It strikes me as a terribly perverted sense of "sport" that takes men hundreds of miles up into that wilderness at this time of year for the sole object of tracking down and killing from ambush one of those beautiful creatures so full of active life that do nobody harm and that haven't the least chance to defend themselves. I suppose it is the only chance the old barbarous instinct to take life has of cropping out under modern conditions, but it seems to me even our barbarous ancestors had to work themselves into a fury before they went on the warpath and didn't do it in cold blood. I never have the lust to kill except when I am mad, but I don't get mad at wild animals that stay where they belong and mind their own business. Karl Coleman &amp; Fred. skinned the deer and are going to cut it up for Quint. Karl gave Quint a lecture on sticking the deer in the wrong place and a demonstration on the right way of doing it. When we got back to Aunty's we found Marj. had taken Harry B up to the doctors to have him innoculated for diptheria as it seems that McCarty the teacher has it and Tim was down to see him and Harry B was with Tim at noon and the doctor &amp; Marj. thought that in view of the sore throat he had this fall it would be safer to give him the shot. Poor little cuss, it scared him and it looks sore to-night, but maybe it was better to do it. We didn't get home till dark and on the way home we saw Mary &amp; Nellie down by Art Quanbury's. I yelled at Art not to let them go any farther and I came home &amp; put</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Queen in and then walked back to Art's after them. Bobbie didn't get out. I shouldn't have left them out this morning. It made us late with tea and to add to the lateness Gay upset the coal oil can and spilled a gallon or so all over the kitchen floor and it took Marj. some quite awhile to sop it up. Marj. saved a lot of it by squeezing it into the wash basin. I was late getting through with the chores. It is not quite so cold to-night.</p> <p>Friday November 27th</p> <p>I spent most of the fore noon trying to persuade Marj. it was time to get up. I didn't get out very early myself and called her first when I left to go over to the schoolhouse. She was still in bed when I came back so I called her again and then went out and milked. When I came in after that she and the rest of the family were all having such an enjoyable snooze that I thought it was a shame to wake them so I had breakfast by myself. I came in about 11 o'clock and Marj. was up but hadn't had breakfast yet so I had an early dinner and she a late breakfast all in one meal. She had given the children their breakfast. I put in quite a lot of time puttering around doing chores and sorted some more apples for Dorrie but haven't them all gone over yet. Marj. was going to have an early tea, but when tea time came didn't know what to have so we bethought as of our cheese which Stanton Monroe told us yesterday morning was at their place, and I walked over to get it. They were through tea over there &amp; I went in and sat down and visited till nearly seven before I came back with the cheese. We took it out of the box and I carried it over my shoulder in a bag. Marj. had put the kids to bed and she &amp; I had a supper principally composed of fresh cheese after which I milked. It has rained nearly all day but not hard.The frost is out of the ground again and it is very mild to-night.</p> <p>Saturday November 28th</p> <p>It turned cold again during the night and froze up solid and it has been very cold with a high nor' west wind all day. It snowed a little this fore-noon but has been clear the rest of the day. I walked down to Wilbur's this forenoon to tell him to take the bull over to Dad's. and I stopped in at Trum's to ask him to leave me some buckwheat when he takes the milk. I spent a long time after dinner trying to rock Harry B. to sleep but without success and I then</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>went over and swept the school house getting the mail on the way over. There was a letter from Mr. Parks saying he had received mine. When I got back home I found Dad. here. He had brought us over a piece of venison from Quint and a letter from Dick saying he was coming home for Christmas fortune or no fortune &amp; expected to be here about December 15th. Dad. came over principally to see how Harry B was as Frank &amp; Tim were both jabbed and he says they are about completely knocked out. Frank took it in the arm &amp; can't use his arm for any thing. Dad. was greatly relieved to find Harry B as lively as usual and returned primed with caustic &amp; scornful jeers to hurl at Frank and Tim for their lack of heroism. He was telling us about Rus. Skey being over there to dinner yesterday. He &amp; Quint came across and Rus. said "Well Wess said to go back there for dinner if we didn't get invited to stay here but I said I was going to stay anyway." He sat down with his elbows on his knees and began in his usual manner. "Back to my execution, Monday. Just as soon be executed! Go down to the office, manager came along "Well Skey! Glad to see you back!" "Thank you (smiling &amp; bowing) glad to be back (aside) damn liar - hate to be back". It is a beautiful morning (aside) "rotten morning". Got out my keys, go to the safe, turn the combination, take down my ledgers, and start with the grind. Add up a column of figures!," looking up briskly and pinching his thumb &amp; fingers to-gether and moving his hand out {wide?} on a level with the top of his head a typical gesture of his which is comical enough in itself to provoke side shaping mirth. "See a deer, nip nipping along a ridge, brief interval of joy, then vision fades, back to earth again." Marj. listens to tales of these with cynical scorn and thinks he has a "screw loose". but I tell her if Dickens had immortalized him in a story as he most certainly would have done had he known him she would think of him not only as one of his most comical characters but also as one of his cleverest and probably most likeable in spite of his peculiar ways or more likely because of them. Ina was here all day ironing and choring around and Dad. drove her as far as the corner if not home wheh he left.</p> <p>Sunday November 29th</p> <p>Mr. Bagley was supposed to come out this morning and take us in, in time for church so we got up early and hustled around, and got the chores all done and the kids bundled up to be ready for him. He hadn't showed up when Mattias Shiltz went by</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>to church and we watched and waited will 11 o'clock and no sign of him so we were just going to walk over to the Lampkin's and accept a second invitation to dinner there when Mr. Bagley came along. We left Gay &amp; the baby in Mrs. Bagley's care &amp; Marj. Harry B and I went to church. We were pretty late but maybe it was just as well On H. B's account although he was as quiet as a mouse. It was children's service We went back to the Bagley's for dinner and were there for the after noon. I was very much afraid the kids would tear the house down before we got away as they were excited and in a terribly boisterous mood. Every thing is so spick &amp; span and orderly around there that their rough treatment goes hard with it. Aunty came up for a while after dinner as she saw us in church and wanted to bring me some things for Marj's birthday, but had a hard time delivering them without Marj. discovering it. Mr. &amp; Mrs. Bagley went to old Mrs. Whalen's funeral up at St. John's this after noon but as they were too late for the ceremony were not gone long. Belle Smith came over and spent the afternoon with us and seemed to enjoy the kids antics. Essie was in a good humour, so things went pretty well. Mr. &amp; Mrs. Bagley came home with us before dark. Froze very hard, bright day</p> <p>Monday November 30th</p> <p>I spent most of the fore noon softening up a little putty and puttying up one of the storm windows. I had forgotten that they needed it, but most of the putty got loose on them when they were out on the hot bed this summer. I didn't get very much done at it. This after noon I went down town as Marj. had to have condensed milk for the baby and we were out of coal oil. I also got some stuff at Billy Langs for the chickens. To-night I walked over to town through the fields to band practice, and stopped in for a few minutes at the farm &amp; at Aunty's on my way. I was in at Aunty's on my way home too. There was a good turnout and we had a good practice. They have made a few shifts in the horns. Evidently Ernie Knight &amp; Sid. Beaumont are going to be with us regularly now so Sid has Mr. Bagleys slide. Ernie has Bridgwaters baritone. Bridgwater has Harper's Eb euphonium and Harper has gone into the alto section. Harper has been harping at them all fall to have new springs put in his valves so they sent the horn down and got it fixed up and now it has springs in it strong enough for a rat trap. It tires Bridgwater's fingers out to play it. The band is preparing for a social evening next week Every body is supposed to bring his family and</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>enough grub to feed them. I was {words obscured} to bring two pies. I told Marj. when I got home &amp; she nearly woke up she was so mad at me for saying I would. I told them I would bring the pies but to heck with bringing the family. The wind which was north east this morning shifted to almost due south and it has been getting milder all day, but has been cloudy. When I started for town to-night the walking was good and it was quite bright moon-light but it started to snow soon afterwards and developed into a nasty storm of snow &amp; rain so that the walking was quite bad coming home through the long grass, but it was bright moon-light and I had on my rubbers and socks so didn't get very wet. On my way over, as I got down towards the far end of Dad's back wheat stubble I heard a rustling in the grass and looking down saw the broad white strip of skunk's back. I side-stepped with alacrity and he went the other way so that fortunately there were no unpleasant results.</p> <p>Tuesday December 1st</p> <p>I spent nearly the whole day except for doing chores in softening putty and puttying up the storm windows and have part of one to do yet. I had to put a whole new pane in one of the windows. Ina was here washing and she washed the two windows that I got finished and I put them on to-night. I drove her home after tea. Cloudy milder</p> <p>Wednesday December 2nd</p> <p>It froze hard last night but has been a very nice day and is barely freezing to-night. I shook what few remaining apples there were on the trees down this morning while the ground was hard &amp; picked them up. They have been frozen so many times that I don't know whether they will be much good for cider or not. I spent the rest of the day making a storm door for the dining room north door. I used the lumber I got for it a year ago and for some unknown reason it didn't match properly and I had a very trying time with it, finally I had to take my knife and whittle down the tongue so that it would fit. I put it to-gether in the doorway so as to be sure of it fitting when I got it made and now there is about half an inch space between it and one corner of the top of the door frame. I didn't have any hinges so I nailed it in place until I can get some I worked at it till nearly dark before I got the cross cleats on, and was all in to-night.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Thursday December 3rd</p> <p>This being "mom-mom's" birthday we all went down to Aunty's to celebrate it as they had asked us last week. We got down just a little before dinner time in spite of making a try at getting away early. We had a roast of Quint's venison for dinner and Quint and Tim were both there Quint just got back from Detroit last night where he has been trying to raise some money from a bankrupt firm that he &amp; young Stewart did a lot of work for a year ago. He didn't have much luck and seems to have reversed his former exalted opinion of the people of those United States and now thinks they are all a bunch of crooks. He &amp; I went up town after Aunty's mail after dinner and I took 9 eggs all we could spare to Amy Turner Parker. Marj. took a dozen to Mrs. Skey and then went around to see Miss Newell who is in a very dilapitated state, but Marj. said she was very glad to see her and carry on a bit of gossip. Fine day, milder.</p> <p>Friday December 4th</p> <p>I spent the fore noon softening more putty and finishing up the storm window job. Tupper came in at noon and said if I could give them the time they were going to fill in the culvert at Lindsays to-morrow and wanted me to help so I said I would go over. This after noon I went down to Evan's and got him to put the handle in my shovel which has been at the shop since last spring. It was after four when I got home but I had time to let a little of the water off the corn stubble before dark but all I can do I am afraid won't ammount to much as the ground is completely water-logged. Marj. went over to the school house to-night as the Villa Nova Baptist young people's club held their meeting there and Mabel asked her to go over. I thought it was to be a sort of concert but Marj. who has had some experience among these affairs said it was a prayer meeting, and as they are a little out of my line, I didn't mind staying home and going to bed like a Christian in the least. Marj. said every thing went off according to Hoyle and there was a fair representation from the rest of the section who like me erroniously supposed there was a free show on and had no one steeped in religious lore and Baptist customs, like Marj. to set them right. This has been a beautiful day, quite warm and sunny.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Saturday December 5th</p> <p>Marj. and I both got up early this morning and had breakfast at seven o'clock I did all the chores by lantern light and struck out for Lindsay's bridge about half past seven. The sun was just rising as I walked up the road and I have seldom seen a prettier sun-rise. The sun itself only appeared for a few minutes and then disappeared, a dull lustreless crimson globe, behind dense clouds, but the sky above this cloud mass was beautifully and delicately tinted and against this floated several slender graceful clouds long and yet not mere streaks. There was a fine sort of half mist &amp; half drizzle at this time and it was certainly not a promising looking sunrise. I was back at the bridge for some little time before anyone else came but finally Tom Stone, his man and team came along. Tom had charge of the signal lanterns on the barricade and when he got them tended to we started in to fill along the bottom of the culvert. Pretty soon Art Quanbury came and said Tupper had commisioned him to boss the job and his idea was to use the teams and scrapers and scrape the earth to the top of the excavation and shovel it down, after a little argument between him and Tom we started on Arts scheme and worked till ten o'clock, by that time it was raining so hard that we had to leave I stopped off and swept the school house on my way home. Old Jimmie Robb came along with the milk while we were back there and gave us a full account of the row between him and Sid McBride which is to culminate in a lawsuit next Tuesday. His story is that he bought two gallons of gasoline from Sid and when he got it home measured it at Charlie Dixon's suggestion and found it fell short half a gallon. Lambert was there and Dixon said that Sid. had served him the same trick. Robb {swears?} he said no more about it but that night or the next Sid &amp; Jim came into Robb's store while he was alone and Sid accused him of telling the tale around the country. Robb denied it and Sid. called him a certain kind of a liar whereat Robb returned the compliment. With this Sid with a curse threatened to kill him and grabbed him by the throat and a lively tussle ensued. Robb says he would have had Sid down but for Jim who grabbed his leg and as he is short of wind owing to a cold he has had all fall, he couldn't down him. Jim McBride at Sid's orders took the shells out of Robbs gun &amp; prevented him from getting his cane, finally Sid. left and the next morning Robb went to Kelly and the trial is Tuesday morning. What Sid's version of the tale is I don't know, but although his temper is quick, I would</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>not have thought that his good sense would have let it carry him so far. I haven't the least doubt about his honesty nor has Robb I think but he has one of these machines for measuring gasoline and it may be out of kilter. It is too bad to have a thing like that mar the peaceful &amp; neighborly relations of the Marburg community, especially just before Christmas. I didn't do much this afternoon but let a little more water off the cornfield when it stopped raining. Very mild</p> <p>Sunday December 6th</p> <p>It has been a very disagreeable day. Cloudy, windy and wet. We were very late getting up and had breakfast between nine and ten so didn't have any dinner at least not at noon. I sat around the house after I got the chores done till about two o'clock and then I walked over to the farm for awhile. Dad. and Tim were the only ones home. I came back about four and did the chores up before dark and about six we had a chicken dinner</p> <p>Monday December 7th</p> <p>It snowed five or six inches during the night but didn't freeze hard enough beneath it to make sleighing. I went over to the school house in good time and shovelled the snow and waited till after eight to see if Art. Quanbury came along to work at the bridge, but as he didn't I decided he thought the weather too bad and so I came home and made a storm door for the porch. This after noon I drove down town and settled up at the Canning Factory. My corn &amp; peas to-gether ammounted to $110.99 but by the time seed and a load of silage I got last winter was deducted my cheque was $89.64. I went up town and paid my taxes and got some condensed milk and some hinges &amp; latches for the new storm doors, also a pane of glass to put in the one on the porch. I was in at Billy Langs for over an hour as old Billy was in a talkative mood, so by the time I stopped in at Aunty's &amp; the farm it was dark when I got home. I met Art Quanbury on the road and he asked me about going to work on the bridge to-morrow but I told him he had better get Dave or someone else Dad. had another bunch of letters from Mr. Park, in one he thought the case might be decided before Dad. got the letters then he found out that there was a case on the 9th and another on the 18th to be tried first and he didn't know how long they would last. Cloudy, raw. Roads very bad.</p> <p>Tuesday December 8th</p> <p>I spent the fore noon sorting apples and got all of Dorries baskets filled but had to go over about all we had in</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>the cellar to get enough. I put the tops on them after dinner and labeled them ready to ship. I had intended going over home to get the waggon and take them down but as it was late and was beginning to snow and I have got a cold Marj. wouldn't let me go.</p> <p>Wednesday December 9th</p> <p>I drove over home this morning and nearly froze. The wind was very cold and the roads very rough. Frank was home alone as Dad. &amp; Enah had gone down town. I thought when I got over there that the roads &amp; weather were too bad to take the apples down but Frank said he would come over with the waggon the first decent day. I went on down to Aunty's to tell them that I would not be down to the Band boys' shine to-night as my cold was too bad. Aunty Alice made me two pies to take to it so gave me one. I got home a little after noon I didn't do much but sit around this afternoon. Ina was here but walked home before supper. Very cold and bleak. Intervals of sunshine followed by snow flurries.</p> <p>Thursday December 10th</p> <p>I didn't do any thing much but chores to-day as I felt tough with a cold. My chest is sore with coughing I went down to the corner this after noon and got the cream can as I forgot it yesterday when I drove by. I stopped in at the Lampkin's for a few minutes on my way. The roads are frozen hard and the Gurney's were hauling gravel. Harry B was in bed with a cold on Monday &amp; Tuesday but seems better now but the rest of us are getting it. Cold west wind and cloudy</p> <p>Friday December 11th</p> <p>Frank walked over this morning to see how we were and I was mighty glad he did as after I had done a few of the chores I felt about all in my chest was so sore. Frank got some wood for us and did up some of the chores and then about eleven o clock he and Marj. drove down town while I minded the kids They got back about three, and Frank did up the night chores before he went home so I didn't go out at all. Marj. went to the doctor's and got a lot of dope for each of us including the baby. They brought a cabelgram from Mr. Parks, that came last night, saying he expected a decision about Wednesday next. The longer it goes the more uncertain it seems. Fine day, not so cold.</p> <p>Saturday December 12th</p> <p>Frank came over twice to-day and did all the chores and got us a good supply of wood. I am burning</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>the rails of the fence along the road north of the lane. I haven't done any thing to-day but sit and read and hold Gay. She is pretty sick but too little to keep in bed. My cough is much better a least my chest isn't so sore, but my cold is bad yet and I feel rather weak. Marj. has it but seems to be staving the worst of it off. She hardly got any sleep last night as she lay on the lounge and didn't take her clothes off and was up several times with one or other of the children</p> <p>Sunday December 13th</p> <p>I got out this morning and did up the morning chores but didn't cut any wood. I felt better but weak. Dad. drove over at a little before noon and got wood and did up some more chores. He stayed to dinner with us but couldn't stay any longer. Mrs. Lampkin was over for awhile this after noon. I did the chores to night. Cold.</p> <p>Monday December 14th</p> <p>I went over to the school house this morning and swept and dusted but felt about all in when I got back. I managed to get the rest of the chores done. My eyes ached so and my stomach felt so upset that I didn't want any dinnner but spent most of the day rolled up on the lounge. Frank came over after dinner and did things up. Dad. shipped his five hogs this morning. They weighed 1060 and he got 12¼ cts for them which was a quarter higher than last week. Ina was here washing and sewing to-day and as Marj. wants her to do some more sewing to-morrow she is staying all night. Snowy but cold.</p> <p>Tuesday December 15th</p> <p>I have felt better to-day but haven't done very much outside. Frank came over and sawed up some more rails but I milked and fed things. Since I have been laid up we have just milked once a day as we get hardly anything anyway. After dinner we were much surprised to have a visit from Quint. He walked over and brought a loaf of bread from Aunty Alice. He got here just in time to help Marj. fix the sewing machine which and a bent needle jammed in it. He suggested coming over to-morrow to help me build a wood shed so I went out with him and sized up the site. He said they had had no word of Dick except a book came that he had evidently bought in Toronto. To-day was the day he was expected to arrive home. To-morrow is the day we should hear from Mr. Parks' but I "doubt and fear"</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>{Wee sketch of some clothing}</p> <p>Wednesday December 16th</p> <p>Marj. felt rather tough this morning and I was in helping her wash dishes when about eleven o'clock we heard a roaring and on looking out saw Dick, Quint &amp; Frank arriving in Quint's old car Frank had the names of the French Canadians who had got the ram lambs so he and I had to fill out some registration and transfer papers and Quint and Dick went out and started to saw up lumber for the wood shed. Frank went over to Bill Sidway's with his sheep paper and expected to have dinner over there and Quint and I put the two sides of the shed to-gether. It is going to be very small 8 x 10' but Quint made it to fit the lumber and he couldn't find any scantling around the place longer than 10 feet. He is a whale to work when he gets started and doesn't waste any time. He and Dick had promised to go back to the farm for dinner, but Quint came out again about two and we put it up but didn't have enough stuff for rafters so just laid boards across the plates and Quint said he would get some stuff for rafters and bring them out. He went back about four and I did up the chores, feeling no better for being out, as my cough seems to be pretty bad still and I feel rather tough. Very cloudy &amp; still quite cold.</p> <p>Thursday December 17th</p> <p>I haven't done any thing to-day but chores inside and out and go up to Shand's to telephone for the doctor. Marj. felt about all in and as I didn't feel like going to town and didn't know what on earth we would do if she got got right down and out, I thought that was the best thing to do. He came out about two o'clock and gave her some pills and cough medicine for both of us and I think she feels better to-night. My cough is still pretty bad. Brighter to-day but cold wind</p> <p>Friday December 18th</p> <p>Frank came over this fore noon to see how we were as Dr. Cook had told some of them he had been out. Frank also came out to tell us that they had a cablegram last night signed "Whites" instead of "Parks" and reading "Case partly heard, adjusted on particular question. Sorry for delay." None of us know just what it means except that it is not "Cheerio" nor will we know until we get a letter from Mr. Parks in about two weeks. I got Frank to help me cut down a big elm that shows signs of decay. It was down in the flats and it took quite a little sawing. I got rather tuckered as it is the first work I have done. Frank helped me saw up several of the limbs before he went home for dinner. Marj. arranged</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>with him to come out tomorrow afternoon and take her down town to do some shopping. She is feeling better. I didn't do much but chore around this after noon but I feel much better to-day. I walked over to Ollie Birdsel's sale about four o'clock as I wanted to bid on his hay but I met Dave Lampkin at the gate and he said everything was over, so I came right home again. I went late on purpose as I didn't want to stand around in the cold. I met young Dove with a load of gravel and he told me that Tupper had fired him because his father had waylaid and hit Albert Gurney last night because he the kid had complained to his father that Gurney had passed him on the road with a load and then thrown a stone at him because he kept yelling at him. The Robinson's came along as Dove left and said he was a little pest that Gurney had passed him on the road but hadn't thrown at him. Dove's poor old team's bones are just about poking through their skins at all points so it is time he quit. Cold and raw, tried to snow a little.</p> <p>Saturday December 19th</p> <p>I have felt very tough to-day and haven't done a thing but chores and sit around the house minding the kids. Dad. came out this morning to take Marj. to town as he thought if she waited till afternoon she would never get anything done so she had dinner down there and Dad. drove her home about three o'clock. Dad. had another cable last night from Mr. Parks himself reading "Don't worry. Send birth certificate, Toby's eldest boy." Not much in the way of elucidation but it looks as if things had not gone completely against us yet and also that there can be no decision till Harry B's certificate gets there. Dick is going to Toronto to-morrow and will send it Monday morning. Much milder, wind around in the south.</p> <p>Sunday December 20th</p> <p>I have felt a little better to-day but have done very little but sit around although I did go over to the school house and sweep. Marj. has grubbed around all day doing odd jobs around the house such as mopping off the kitchen floor. The coal out there makes things very dirty. We spoke of going over to the Lampkins but we didn't get around to it and it was a damp sort of day unfit to take the children out when they have been cooped up in the house so much. Neither of us spent a very Sabbath Sunday. It seems as if we seldom do anymore, we are retrograding</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Monday December 21st</p> <p>Garf. Porril came out this morning with a Quebec heater for us which we were informed was a Christmas present from old Dick, the old son-of-a-gun. Marj. knew about so as it was a mild morning we had let the fire out in the old box stove and Garf and I carried it around to the porch and put the new one up in its place. We spent some time at it as we shortened the zinc covered board that the old stove sat on and made it fit the new one. Garf was very important as he was alone with the stove and much grieved that he couldn't lift the stove out alone. Why before he was sick he wouldn't have thought nothin' of carrying that stove into the house, but he had an attack of "ammonia" flu and pleurisy all to-gether and it has left him weak I had to take the storm door that I had nailed up to the dining room door down so when Garf left I put the hinges on it. While I was at that job Dad. came in with a load of Pokahontas coal to burn in the new stove. It was a present from him &amp; Enah for Christmas, so we have certainly fared well, and it proves the truth of "The Lord looks after the poor &amp; needy." I tell Marj. it pays to be poor because folk have pity on us. Dad lit a fire in the new stove and showed us how to run it. I didn't do much this after noon but chores and sit around and bask in the genial warmth of the Quebec &amp; Pokahontas combination. Marj. put in a busy day and she shouldn't have as she was not in fit condition to be doing any more than necessary but she had to clean up after the stove had been put up and then she walked over to the school house to see what Mabel intended to do about to-morrow as her aunt is going to Toronto to-night, and Mabel &amp; her sister are going to be here for the school concert, so Marj. invited them over here for dinner. Then she sat up late to-night doing up boxes of home-made candy for Christmas presents, while I snoozed in the big chair. It snowed all the after noon but there is not enough for sleigh</p> <p>Tuesday December 22nd</p> <p>I went up into the attic this morning to get a basket of onions for Ina and as Marj. has shifted the bed around so that it is directly under the manhole I went up before I put my boots on and before she was out of bed. I got the onions and called to her to get them from me and when she reached up for them, she nearly fell from weakness. Upon investigation she discovered good cause for weakness so made no more attempts to get up. I got the kids dressed and gave them their breakfasts but</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Marj. didn't want any. I have been doing house work all day and the house looks like it. It is a good thing Marj. is in bed and can't see it or she would be sicker than she is. Fortunately for us Frank came out this fore noon and got the apples for Dorrie &amp; Phyl and took them down and expressed them for us, so we sent word by him to the doctor and he came out this after noon. He told Marj. to stay in bed for a couple of days and he thought she could go to the Christmas dinner all right but as it is at the farm on the day before Christmas which is the day after tomorrow we very much doubt if Marj. will get to it. I went over to the school house this fore noon to tell Mabel we couldn't have her over to dinner and that we wouldn't be able to get the kids over to her Christmas tree concert this after noon. She sent over a present for each of them a ball for the baby a broom &amp; dust pan for Gay and a drawing book for Harry B. and in the mail we got a rattle a doll and a top, which we figured out was from Ina so they have had a great time with their new toys. I didn't get much done in the way of outside chores. I milked about two o'clock. Some of the young ones from the school came over this after noon to take Harry B. over to the concert but he wasn't dressed up and I couldn't get him ready so he didn't go. He didn't know about it so didn't miss it.</p> <p>Wednesday December 23rd</p> <p>I managed to get the kids dressed and fed and some breakfast for myself by about nine o'clock this morning and then Frank arrived so I turned the job of getting Marj's breakfast over to him and I went to do a few chores outside. (Frank brought a copy of a cablegram from Mr. Parks. - No, as Bill Donald would say I have got ahead of my story. I am writing this a week late and just got mixed.). Frank just brought some soup over from Enah and set to work to cook it as soon as he got here. Marj. was very anxious that I should get my hair cut before Christmas so suggested Frank staying here this after noon while I went down, so Frank always agreeable to anything suggested that I go down before dinner and as he had driven Joe over said for me to take her back and get some potatoes at Art Ryerse's on my way. It was about eleven when I left here and by the time I got the potatoes and got to the farm it was after twelve but as Dad. was busy drawing the big Christmas turkey, which as usual Huby provided, we didn't have dinner till about one and then Dad. and I walked down town. I went into Bob. Leaney's and Mackenzie was there alone but as he said Bob. would be in any minute I waited. I sat there for about two hours and was just ready to step</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>into Mac's chair when Bob. came in. It was about half past four when I got through so I didn't waste much time doing Christmas shopping as I was afraid they might be needing me at home. Frank's idea in having me go before dinner was so I could get back early, as he wanted to go to town this after noon. However when I got home every thing was all right and Frank had the house all slicked up in fair shape and as they all decided down town that the Christmas party should be postponed from to-morrow to Saturday on Marj's account, Frank wasn't so much concerned whether he got to town or not. Frank stayed to tea and washed up the dishes to-night. Charlie Shand came down for a while to see how Marj. was. Dr. Cook was out this after noon to see her as he told Aunty that if he happened to be out this way he would drop in and as she said she might call at the office to-night to see, he happened out this way on purpose. He told Marj. to use her own judgement and going to the party to-morrow, he said he wouldn't forbid it because he thought it was a terrible thing to be responsible for keeping anyone away from a Christmas dinner but she was to do what she thought best, so she had decided that there would be no Christmas dinner for her and was very relieved and delighted to hear it had been postponed. Dad. had a letter form Mr. Parks to-day which he told me about on my way through to-night but which I didn't take time to read. It was written before the case opened but he had had a consultation with Mr. Manning one of the counsels for our side and he said there had been a case once where a will read something like this one that the beneficiary must take the name &amp; arms of the testator and if he failed or refused to do so within a certain time he forfeited his claim. He did fail because like Dad. he knew nothing about it until after the time specified had expired so lost the gift. Mr. manning said with that precedent, the name &amp; arms clause in the Quintin Dick will might cause trouble and Mr. Parks is evidently worried over it, but Quintin Dicks will reads that if any one of his beneficiarys refuses or neglects to take the name &amp; arms of Dick within three months after he is entitled to it, he forfeits his claim and that is a little different from the other will which read refuse or fail. Dad. wrote Mr. Parks and pointed out to him that he did not refuse and he did not neglect because according to any dictionary he referred to neglect means to omit through carelessness and as he did not know about it he could not be called careless about it However taking this with the cablegram news we have had since and the request for Harry B's birth certificate</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>it looks as if this was the particular question which has been adjusted and Dad. thinks possibly things will be held up till Harry B. comes of age, as Mr. Parks said that I who would be the next heir at law would be in the same position as Dad. as far as taking the name &amp; arms was concerned and that Harry B. being an infant would have no chance to refuse until he was of age. It is rather disconcerting and seems ridiculous that a fund could be held up for such a long time over a little technicality especially as Mr. Parks says the estate over there now are very much against that sort of thing. He also said that if this judge decided adversely he would appeal it and that the appeal court is not bound by any precedent nor by the decision of a lower court, but in any case no cheerio for Christmas.</p> <p>Thursday December 24th</p> <p>It was this morning that Frank came out with a copy of a cablegram from Mr. Parks reading "Opinion your ultimate success, right heirs defeated, fund must go to Barrett family, suggest meeting you in New York." Of course none of us can figure out the exact meaning of it, but as near as we can guess it means that the court has decided against the right heirs in favour of the Barrett family but has not decided yet whether Dad. or Harry B. shall get it but in Mr. Parks own opinion Dad will be successful when the case is finally settled What he means by meeting him in New York we can't imagine but suppose he wants to appear still cheerful and suggests meetin Dad. halfway when he eventually goes to England. There is at least a ray of hope in this last message. Frank stayed all morning and washed up the dishes and did several chores around the house. He would not stay to dinner. Marj. got up this afternoon and dressed all by herself. I was in the kitchen and was very much surprised when she walked out. She naturally felt very weak &amp; shaky but has sat up all the after noon and evening and superintended the hanging of the three stockings, small, smaller &amp; smallest on the back of the old armchair where she used to hang her own on Christmas eve when they were the same size as the ones that hang there to-night. I spent the evening putting some last minute fixings on an aero"bird" that Harry B has been expecting Santa Claus to bring him A huge parcel came from Dorrie &amp; Miss Bain to-day containing a plum pudding in a bag some shortcake and "brownies" and several other things which we are not opening till-to-morrow. Miss Martin also sent a parcel of things among them a most comical looking monkey</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>which when given sufficient encouragement by turning his arms around several times will turn summer saults in rapid succession across the floor and is very entertaining. Marj. also got a parcel of things from Phyl. containing some very nice picture books from Teddy &amp; Jack.</p> <p>Christmas Day</p> <p>I was up before five this morning to get the baby's bottle ready for her as she woke up and was crying for it. Marj. said she had hardly slept last night. I accused her of being excited about Santa Claus but she said that wasn't the cause. Harry B. was awake early and when he was ready to get up I woke Gay and brought her out so that she wouldn't be behind hand in exploring the stockings. They took the matter very differently Harry B very excited at once excavated the farthest depths of his stocking but Gay, looking about as cheerful funeral and with no show of emotion picked the arrow-root biscuit off the top of her stocking and sat down to devour it and I think before she finished she consumed Harry B's biscuit as well. All hands then piled into "Mum-mum's" bed and raised cain till after daylight. On examining Dorrie's parcel we found a book each for Marj. &amp; me. Mine was Canon Scott's "The Great War as I saw it." I have managed to get a few pages of it read and finds it gives a full account of the Canadian forces from the declaration of War to the Armstice but is written always from a chaplain's view-point and so is human and free from military or political bias. Marj's book was James Oliver Curwood's latest and supposed to be his best book "The Ancient Highway" a story of Quebec pulp &amp; lumber business. They are the first books we have had for a long time amd the only ones we got this year. Marj. got up before breakfast and has been fairly active all day so is rather tired to-night. I have been kept busy doing chores inside and out. We were going to try having a Christmas service to ourselves but didn't get around to it. I spent considerable time cleaning up the cutter as some snow has fallen and there are cutters on the road so if there is any sleighing at all we can travel much more comfortably in the cutter to-morrow than we can in the buggy. Our Christmas dinner consisted of spare ribs that Mr. Lampkin brought over to us but we are shaping our faces for a feast to-morrow. Harry B &amp; I went over to the Lampkin's this morning with the hand-sleigh and took Mrs. Lampkin a paper-white narcissus just ready to blossom Marj. has been growing it on purpose. Cold</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Saturday December 26</p> <p>We were all up in good time but it took us most of the forenoon to get ready for the party, but we finally all got packed into the cutter and away. We went down to the Donald's first to take Ina a basket of onions that she bargained for last week and also a Christmas present Marj. got for her and to find out if she could work in an extra day next week. It was noon when we got over home and we were the last of the party of 19 to arrive. Dad. had gone down town with the bobs and brought over all the ones from down there. Dinner was ready soon after our arrival and everyone tucked in heartily to a noble one. Turkey &amp; fresh boiled unsmoked ham with corn squash &amp; potatoes, cranberries &amp; all the rest of it followed by plum pudding &amp; mince pie with nuts raisins &amp; candies, augmented the Christmas spirit with which everyone was filled anyway so that it of necessity bubbled over. Gay amused the entire gathering by her "saying nothing &amp; sawing wood" attitude. She hardly spoke a word or cracked a smile all day but enjoyed herself immensely, she didn't even growl over her dinner as she usualy does at home, but she put away a handsome one just the same. Harry B. seemed out of sorts till after he got excited over the tree. I think he is tired as he has not been getting enough sleep lately. The baby - that is our baby was bewildered and a little frightened at first at the number of people. I don't think noise &amp; commotion would frighten her as she is so used to it, but she was made quite happy with a large turkey bone and during the stripping of the tree sat on my knee and enjoyed the proceeding as much as anyone. Win's baby was very good, he is much bigger than Dorothy Mary and we thought she was a whopper, and old David couldn't have been better. He was full of the joy of life all day and didn't attempt to hide it. He smothered Gay with kisses when she came in, and she received them coldly and haughtily but that didn't phase David He took a round or two out of Quint and recited "Granny's come to our house." with great elocutionary inflection. He, Harry B. &amp; Gay all had a great time unloading the tree. They of course got the bulk of the presents and when they weren't busy undoing their own they were carrying away and mixing up some one elses When we finally emerged from the sea of paper &amp; string with which we were all but inundated, Marj. found that she had two market baskets full of presents to take home, most of them she didn't know who they came from and she wasn't sure they were all hers until after a great deal of sorting and consultation as the kids kept bringing her things and there was so much</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>commotion. What we are going to do with every thing I don't know as the house is so full now there is hardly room for us in it. The party broke up soon after four. Dad. took the town ones down in the bobs and we got home just before dark. It has been a nipping cold day but sunny and our fires were all right so the house was good and warm. The kids were all asleep when we got home and we laid them out on different beds. Harry B slept till it was time to put him to bed. Dad. had another cable from Mr. Parks saying asking for Marj's &amp; my official marriage certificate and they sent to Ade Millman to get it, so that looks as if Harry B. was mixed up in the proceedings, but we had a very merry Christmas in spite of lighter hopes. We all got very pretty little calendars from Mr. &amp; Mrs. Parks.</p> <p>Sunday December 27th</p> <p>It was a very cold night last night and has been a nipper of a day with a north west wind. We have lived shut up in the front part of the house where we have been quite comfortable around our Quebec heater. Marj. using it to fry bacon &amp; boil the kettle on. We are just about out of coal so let the kitchen fire out during the day, but scraped up enough coal to put a fire on for the night but we moved the kids into this part of the house for the night. I went up to Harvey Shands about noon to ask him if Tuesday would suit him as well as to-morrow to audit the school books as I want to go after a load of coal or coke in the morning I thought the wind would freeze my face going up the road. Charlie told me it was 10° below this morning and was about zero at noon. I spent the day trying to get a chance to read my new book but not having much luck on account of the numerous chores Marj. had on. She has been on the go all day but feels pretty tired.</p> <p>Monday December 28th</p> <p>For some unaccountable reason, because the wind did not change, it turned milder during the night, and has been much milder though still cold enough all day. Harvey Shand told me that last night when he went to the barn just before dark, the mercury stood at 8° above and when he came back in less than an hour it had risen to 14° above; what caused it is a conundrum. I drove over home as soon as I could get away after breakfast and Frank and I went down to get a load of coke as they have no hard coal down there. We took Joe &amp; Queen so made fairly good time but as I had to go up town for some condensed milk for the baby it was about noon when we got out here. We had</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>dinner here and then caught all the Danish leghorn pullets and put them in one of the crates Frank brought over the other day from Martin's. When we stopped in home Dad. thought it was too late to go down after coke for him as we had intended so we took the chickens over to Martin and then went down to Bill Langs after some feed for me. We were a long time at both places as we had to take the chickens over to the barn and weigh them and then hunt Chris up to find out what to do with them. They weighed nearly two pounds apiece which was more than I expected after the treatment they have had the last few weeks By the time we had waited for Billy Lang to mix up chicken feed for Fred Kull and then mix some for me and bag up bran it was getting late and as we had to unhook at the farm and I had to hook up to the cutter and load my stuff in it, it was after dark when I got home. Marj. said the coke fire went out twice during the after noon so she is not jubilant.</p> <p>Tuesday December 29th</p> <p>I spent most of the fore noon fixing things out in the cow stable to make it a little warmer now that the hay in front of them has got so low there is nothing to keep the draught from the north side of the barn from them so I cut the hay through to the ground and built a temporary partition in front of them and covered the top with loose boards and hay. It not only make it warmer but gives me a good wide feed alley. It took me till noon as we were late getting started so by the time I swept out the school house after dinner it was nearly three when I got up to the Shand's to help audit the school books and it was six o'clock and pitch dark when we finished. I got my fifty dollar cheque as usual. I had had fond hopes of being able to tell Harvey Shand that I did not need the caretaker job after this term and ask him to hunt up a new janitor but as things have turned out I didn't and merely asked him for a new broom. I shouldn't wonder if I would be very glad of the job for maybe years to come. Ina was here all day but left before I got home for which I was not sorry as it saved me hooking up. Not so cold.</p> <p>Wednesday December 30th</p> <p>I drove down town this morning to deposit my cheque and I wanted to get some oats from Frank and have them chopped. I came across Bert &amp; Dick McPherson on Prospect Hill going down town with a hand sleigh and Bert hooked the sleigh behind the cutter and Dick rode down town on it. We gave him a merry ride and</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>I expected to spill him at every corner but he stuck like a leech. I saw Quint up town and he said Dad. &amp; Dick (Barrett) were down town trying to telephone Ade Millman who had called up last night and asked to talk to Dad. As they had sent to Ade to get our marriage certificate from the Toronto registry office, they supposed some thing was wrong with it. Quint was on his way to Aunty's for dinner so I drove him down and I stayed there too. Bert &amp; Dick came along with a sleigh load of parcels and hooked to the cutter again and this time Bert undertook to do the surf board stunt but the sleigh upset in front of George Thompson's house and spilled Bert and groceries along the road for about 20 feet. Dad. and Dick. came down to Aunty's just after we arrived. They had not been able to get Ade so Dick went up right after dinner to wait for Ade to call. Dad waited some time for Enah who was up town some place but wouldn't have dinner. He thought I would be too late for me to get any oats chopped. Aunty thought I had better go up to the drugstore to wait with Dick in case Ade wanted some data on our wedding which Dick would not be able to supply. We waited there for an hour or so. Ade had put in a call before Dick got up there and after we had been there for a long time one of the switch board beauties (?) told us that it had been cancelled, so then Dick called Ade up and found that he had spent the whole fore noon in spite of being very busy at the office in trying to get some corrections made on our certificate which had been filled in all wrong, most of the names were mispelled and in the place where Dad's name should appear they had Theobald Butler Barrett. Ade had got hold of Louise, Cousin Carrie and the old minister who married us and had finally got a declaration fixed up for Dad. to make before a notary, and was mailing it so for that reason had cancelled his call. Dick drove over to the farm with me as he was going to call on Imogen Ivy. Dad. had got another letter from Mr. Parks telling what happened at the court proceedings. It is not very clear to us but is evidently not what we suspected at all. He said Mr. Manning opened the case and every thing looked rosy until Gavin Simonds counsel for the right heirs got up and said that although he had nothing to say on behalf of his clients, he would like the judge to consider some matter concerning the conversion of the money into real estate, which was so technical that we couldn't understand it but it inolves Aunty Hattie in some way so that she now has to be represented in the proceedings. Mr. Parks said it</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>was a beastly rotten trick as it was of no interest to him or his clients and no one else had thought of it at all. The judge said that it was a bombshell thrown in to what he thought was going to be a very simple matter. That explains Mr. Parks cable where he suggests meeting Dad. in New York as he wanted to meet Dad. there and consult with Aunt Hattie and try to come to some amicable agreement with her. He says he doubts very much if she would succeed if she did contest Dad's claim so I don't suppose they will have much trouble over there. Dick is going to cable Mr. Parks to-night saying that Dad. is willing to meet him in New York when ever he comes. I didn't attempt to go to the mill but Dad. gave me a bag of chop and I took one of the bags of oats that Frank had bagged up for me. I agreed to buy $15.00 worth of oats from him and to pay him when McEwen sends the money for the ram lambs. He doesn't seem to consider that I should have any oats coming to me for the part I took in the harvesting of them although I pitched every sheaf of them and helped thrash them. I didn't put it up to him but hoped he would see it. He seems to think it all right for Dad. to supply me out of his share in spite of the fact that Dad. has let me have about $200.00 this year and that according to their agreement Frank was to stand crop expenses. Mrs. Lampkin was over this afternoon and invited us all over for New Year's dinner.</p> <p>Thursday December 31st</p> <p>Marj. had to go down to the doctor's to-day for some special treatment so we all went down for dinner. We didn't know we were so late leaving but when we got down to Aunty's we found they had given us up and had started dinner. Quint and Dick were both there. Marj. went up town soon after dinner and Dick and Frank Quint went up for the mail but I just sat around the house all the afternoon. Dad. came down after he got Ade's letter and with a copy of our marriage register which was about as full of errors as it was possible to be. He went up to McGaw McDonalds to swear that his name was W.H. instead of J.B. but McDonald was out of town. We called in at the farm on our way home and Enah gave Gay a little set of furs which she got from Clair Herring when she, Dick &amp; Frank Quint went to Hamilton on Monday to see Eugenia. Marj. and I sat up to-night and saw the old year out and the New Year in and well in. It was not a premeditated vigil but we have fallen into the habit of late of sitting around our Pokohontas Christmas present and dozing the first part of the evening and then waking up late to give the baby her last bottle and being so wide awake that we don't feel like going to bed. There is a dance and watchnight service in town to-night. Frank will take in both and the whole family was going down to Pickford's for the evening &amp; then to church.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>January 1st 1926</p> <p>We were very late getting up this morning and before we were through breakfast Davy came over on horseback to inform us that we would have to drive over there for dinner as the walking was bad. We had no intention of trying to walk, but I suppose Davy thought we needed the advice. It was noon before we got all the inside &amp; outside chores done and the kids and ourselves dressed and packed into the cutter, but as Mrs. Lampkin didn't put the potatoes on until she should see a drive out of our lane and as she didn't see us until we drove up to her door we didn't keep dinner waiting. We has as usual a bang up and very rich dinner of pork backbone and followed by plum pudding and mince pie I got as far as the pudding but couldn't get around the pie much to Mrs. Lampkin's &amp; Davy's distress. We sat around all the after noon and conversed as usual on neighborhood gossip which at present seems rather lacking in startling items. Davy, also as usual reviewed the history of his western exploits at Pilot Mound, Manitoby. We came home about five. We had no voting in the township to-day as the reeve &amp; council all went in by acclaimation. Roy Misner reeve. Wess Boughner, deputy, Bob. Austin, Will Smith and I forget the other as I didn't know him. Very mild all day. Thawing.</p> <p>Saturday January 2nd</p> <p>I went over home this morning as soon as I could get around to it, to get a load of straw. I found the sleighing was about gone, especially on the side road where the new gravel is. We had to change the rack from the waggon to the sleighs and Dad. wanted to go down and get his cutter which Frank Taylor has been repairing for him before we took the box on the sleigh so it was nearly noon when we got back but we put on a small jag of straw all we thought we could haul over the nearly bare roads. Dick was over at the farm for dinner and we sat around for awhile waiting for Dave Ward to come with the mail but as he was so late we didn't wait till he did come but Frank and I came out here with the straw. When we got it off Marj. decided she would go back with us for the sake of the airing so bundled the kids up and loaded them on the rack. Tim came out with us so there was a grown-up to hold each young one &amp; I was free to drive. Quint came out just as we starting with the rafters for the wood shed. He put them on alone while we were gone. It was nearly dark when we got back in the cutter and Quint wanted me to go back with him till he got past the deep snow between the top of the Winding Hill and Tupper's</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>so I went nearly to Art Quanbury's with him and got a ride back with {Au?} &amp; Mrs. Lambert in a bob sleigh. I was standing in the road while they came up to me watching Quint through the gully and {Au.?} informed me that the "woman" was nervous as she thought I might mean mischief. While we were over home Marj. borrowed "Bleak House" from Dad. as she thinks a review of the case of Jarndyce &amp; Jarndyce &amp; the doings of the Court of Chancery will be encouraging to us just now. Dad. let me have a letter that he got from Mr. Parks to-day asking me to write him and instruct him to appoint a guardian for Harry B. as he will now have to be represented in the proceedings. In another letter he told Dad that if the fund should go to Harry B which he said "Heaven forbid." His guardian would supply him with ample funds for his education until he became of age and that would help out a little but I sincerely hope things won't turn out that way for Harry B's own sake as well as ours as the thought of him coming in for an enormous fortune when he was 21 years old with no one else having any legal control over it or him would be an awful bug-bear to me. However I am not worrying about it yet. Very mild and cloudy all day.</p> <p>Sunday January 3rd</p> <p>This is Aunty's birthday but we didn't get down to see her. It has been very foggy almost a fine rain all day and we didn't go anywhere or do any thing except the ordinary "messin' about". I went over and swept the school house - no I didn't either I'm mixed up again, don't remember very clearly what we did</p> <p>Monday January 4th</p> <p>I spent most of the fore noon putting up a couple of little shelves which Aunty gave us in the nursery for Marj. to keep the kids toys on. I also wrote to Mr. Parks as he had asked. This afternoon I did chores and helped Marj. do some washing that she wanted to get out of the way for Ina so she could employ her at ironing or some other job. We didn't know whether we would get any mail to-day or not as the new train schedule comes into effect to-day on the Canadian National lines and Dover only has one train a day on each track and on the Hamilton road it comes in at 9 p.m. However our mail with to-day's paper came about 3 o'clock and we learned later that it comes in on the one o'clock radial. It has been very foggy and misty to-day raining part of the time and every thing is very sloppy, very mild.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Tuesday January 5th</p> <p>I went down to Sid's this morning and had Queen shod. She was badly in need of it and I thought that when it froze up after this thaw I wouldn't be able to get out with her if she wasn't sharp. I didn't get down there till nearly ten o'clock and Sid had 12 shoes to put on so I was going to come home again, but Harvey Shand &amp; Jack Richardson who had the horses there said that they were not in a hurry and if I wanted to get back before noon would wait so Queen got shod first and I got home before dinner. Marj. had to go to the doctors again so as Ina was here we left Gay &amp; the baby with her and took Harry B. with us. We sneaked off while Gay was asleep so there was no trouble from that quarter. I drove Ina home when we got back. It has been mild all day but very windy &amp; colder to-night.</p> <p>Wednesday January 6th</p> <p>I spent most of the day finishing and hanging the storm door for the porch and helping Marj. around the house. I had to put the glass in the door and I made an "amateurish" as Mr. Bagley would say looking job of it, however it breaks the draught from the kitchen door and that is the main thing. Froze hard last night and has been blustery to-day.</p> <p>Thursday January 7th</p> <p>I went over to-day to get some oat chop and I took old Nellie over to the farm with me as Dad said she might as well be running around the stack over there when she wasn't milking. I found Frank cutting up pigs and Dad. was down town getting his declaration regarding our marriage certificate fixed up before McDonald who just got home. I hooked up Josie &amp; old Charlie to the waggon &amp; Frank helped me throw on four bags of oats which I took down to the mill before dinner and then went back and had dinner at the farm. Dad. stayed down town for dinner. I went down town after dinner and got five bunches of shingles for the wood shed and a bag of flour and one of corn at Bill Lang's and went around by Main street to the mill where I got my grist. I stopped in at Aunty's for a few minutes. Dad. came out home with me and took the team back. Frank cut up three of the pigs to-day after watching Dad. cut one yesterday. I brought home a lot of spare ribs &amp; backbone from "our pig". They told me down town that the band was to serenade the Council to-night and the W.I were going to give us all a feed in the hall, so I walked in across the fields. We had a bang up supper and played a little but that was all there was to it, except for each member of the council on being called on for</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Saturday January 9th</p> <p>It snowed all night by the looks of things for this morning every thing was covered not only outdoors but in the porch &amp; the barn and where ever the east wind could penetrate. It snowed most of the morning but hasn't been a bad day. I thought of going down to Archie Long's farm to look at some cheap hay he has stacked but as it snowed so much I didn't go. I spent the fore noon doing odd jobs and sweeping paths, and helping Marj. wash some flannels which is a terribly particular job, and requires a vast ammount of knowledge &amp; experience. Marj. supplies that part all I do is run the squsher. We sat around for an hour or two after dinner readin Bleak House and then I went over and swept the school house and swept the snow off the steps as I thought if it should get a little soft and then stick to the cement I would have a bad job. I was over there till nearly dark.</p> <p>Sunday January 10th</p> <p>We haven't done much but sit around and read and write to-day. Marj. wanted to take the kids out for an airing as it was a nice sunny day but there was a cold west wind and she hadn't the energy to bundle them up so we put them all to sleep instead &amp; Harry B. went out to-night to help me do chores.</p> <p>Monday January 11th</p> <p>I spent the fore noon "and then some" helping Marj. wash although it snowed all day and she couldn't hang them out. We sat around reading for awhile after dinner so I didn't get anything but chores done outside. There isn't much else to do anyway. Marj's Eaton order came this after noon and I now have a new pair of heavy rubbers which just set me back $2.29, my old ones are gone in the sole. I also got a diary blank book for this year. Windy.</p> <p>Tuesday January 12th</p> <p>I have been to Archie Long's this morning to look at his hay stack. I didn't get startted till about eleven as Queen and Belle gogot out of the stablke and I had to cha them all over the place twp or three times before I could catch them. I ran across young fat-head Steele down in the Lampkin's flats. I thought he was hunting jacks but at the time I a=saw him he was hinting thwe rest of his pals, and seemed very distressed that he couldn't fnd them. There no body around Archie Long's ehen I got there and no tractor</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>but I located what I was sure was the stack he spoke of and it is certainly rough feed but there may be some picking in it if the stock is hungry enough to pick at it. I came back to the farm &amp; landed there just in time for dinner &amp; just ahead of Dad. who had been down town. Dad. got another letter from Mr. Parks to-day enclosing a copy of one he had written to Aunty Hattie; saying he was coming out if she could meet him and telling her that he would like some help from her &amp; her lawyer and telling her that Dad. intended giving her $50,000.00 if &amp; when he became entitled to the fund, but saying nothing about her supposed claim. It occurred to me just lately and when I mentioned it to Dad. he made a note of it to ask Mr. Parks about as he had not thought of it, but as Uncle Frank died before Fa. I can't see how the court makes out any claim for him &amp; much less for Aunt Hattie what ever. It looks to me as though instead of Aunt Hattie having a claim on this converted or unconverted property that they are arguing about it should be Aunty, Aunty Alice &amp; Huby, however as none of us understand the legal points its not much use to discuss it although it is quite a lot of fun. I went on down town this after noon to see Archie Long but he had gone down to the farm. I told Mr. Long that I would give him $25.00 cash for the stack and a load of his thrashed bluegrass which is good feed. He is selling it for $10.00 a load and he told me he would let me have the stack for $20.00 I took Mr. Parks letter down to Aunty's but neither of them were there. Huby &amp; David were there so I left it with Huby. I saw a cablegram on the sideboard and supposed it to be from Mr. Parks so read it and it said "Sailing on Montroyal 16th due 24th" I went back by the farm and told Dad. Mr. Parks said in his letter that he hoped to get back to England by the end of January and get before the judge again during February. I drove Ina home after tea to-night.</p> <p>Wednesday January 13th</p> <p>We all went down town to dinner to-day. The sleighing is fair now and so we could ride comfortably in the cutter. Marj. had to go to the doctor's again, but he thought she would not need any more treatments. She also went up to see Glad. Law. Quint and I took a walk up town after dinner and got the mail. Quint is much interested in the muskrat farming project if only he had enough money to launch into it. I went over and saw Archie Long and he took my offer for the hay, so we came home by way of the farm. Frank said if it was decent he would go down with me Friday and get a load. Quite cold.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Thursday January 14th</p> <p>I cleaned the straw out of the big chicken house this morning and put fresh in. I didn't have enough straw to put in both pens. This after noon after I let the cows &amp; horses down to the creek for water I got the paper and came in to the house and read it for about an hour and then went over to Charlie Munroe's after butter As we are not sending cream now he didn't leave us any butter. Marj. cut out and made herself a dress this afternoon out of an old one of Alie Buckwell's and this evening she made an apron for herself. Shes a hoosler when she gets a'goin". She set bread to-night after having had two failures due to cold sponge or bad yeast cakes we don't know what. I got one egg to-day and one on Tuesday the first we have had for two or three weeks. Very blizzardy not cold.</p> <p>Friday January 15th</p> <p>Harry B and I drove over home this morning as I had arranged with Frank to go after hay but when I got out on the road I decided the sleighing was too bad. The snow was softer than it has been but packed so hard where it had drifted that trail breaking with a load would be hard pulling and in other places the road is bare. My lane too will have to be dug out before we can come through it with a load. I had to drive out on the wheat to get through with the cutter. Frank and I drove down town to get some groceries for Enah and I got my egg crate which has been at the Custom House for about a month much to the indignation of Norman Holden. It was nearly noon when we got back to the farm and I was going to come right home but Harry B had helped Gran make a pudding and they wanted him to stay and as there was quite a young blizzard scampering in the region of the side road, we stayed and after dinner Dad. cut Harry B's hair. It improved his looks and I knew it would appease Marj's wrath if necessary because we told her we would be right back if we didn't go for hay. She said she didn't expect us back and although she had a headache she was in high spirits over the success of her baking, which was equal to any of her past triumphs in the art. She has only had about three failures so when two of them came hand running, she was naturally downcast and afraid that her hand had lost its cunning. I didn't do much the remainder of the after noon but sit around and read the paper and wash the dishes for Marj. The result of the division in the House on Meighan's lack of confidence amendment was 123 against &amp; 120 for so the Progressives have saved the Government's scalp for the time being by 3 votes.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Marj. saw by yesterday's paper that the Murry Dillon's have twins a boy &amp; a girl, which brings the total of their progeny up to five head.</p> <p>Saturday January 16th</p> <p>We were very late getting to bed last night as Marj. went in for a sewing bee and made a great number of waists for Harry B and aprons for herself and I don't now what all while I snoozed in my chair, but we were late getting around this morning so consequently I haven't done much to-day. I went over and swept the school house this morning and got the snow shovel over there and shovelled out the lane. The drift was not deep but it was a long one and took me over an hour to cut a canal through it. We sat around for awhile after dinner and Marj. read Bleak House while I rocked Harry B to sleep and then we went out and took a couple of pictures of the baby. Marj. had a busy day cleaning up the house and making pies and worked till midnight and after to-night cutting out shirts and bands for the baby out of some goods Mrs Bagley gave her which she had saved from the wreck of Elton's mill. The mill property was to have been sold by auction to-day in Simcoe. Very much milder and very sunny. It has thawed a lot.</p> <p>Sunday January 17th</p> <p>Marj. stayed in bed all morning and part of the afternoon as a precautionary measure so as to avoid a repetition of last month's mix up. I have just chored around the house all day and this after-noon wrote a letter to Dorrie to thank her for the book she sent me for Christmas. Marj. got up about four and stayed up all evening but felt pretty tough. Harry B woke up about ten o'clock and pitched up all he had eaten all day. I think it was the first time in his life that he ever vomited. He ruined all his bedclothes so slept on the dining room sofa all night but was very restless. Very soft, mostly cloudy and some rain. The horses got out into the barn this after noon &amp; upset the oat chop and spilled all the oats &amp; bran but fortunately there wasn't much to spill.</p> <p>Monday January 18th</p> <p>Marj. has been in bed all day but has got a lot of sewing done to the baby's shirts. I have been in the house all day trying to keep things ship shape. Harry B went to sleep after dinner and slept till 8 o'clock or after and then had a little tea &amp; went to bed. He feels all right though. Rained more or less all day. Mild</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Tuesday January 19th</p> <p>Marj. was up all day to-day but as Ina was here didn't have to move around much so feels much better to-night. Ina worked like a nailer all day and has the house shining from one end to the other. I went down town before dinner and got some feed &amp; Bill Laings and some coal oil. I had dinner at Aunty's and was in at the farm for about an hour. Dick is not home yet. They expect him to-morrow to go with Dad. to New York on Friday. I drove Ina home to-night and spent the evening trying to balance my last years books. As near as I can make out the farm went about $60.00 in the hole if I deduct interest on money invested. Of course I am in the hole a good deal more than that, but that is couning living expenses. Gay was sick at her stomach to-night just like Harry B. mild.</p> <p>Wednesday January 20th</p> <p>It has been very mild and spring like all day so I put the sheeting on the wood shed roof and got three courses of shingles laid on the north side. Neither Marj. nor I felt very well all day Marj. was quite bilious we don't know why and I have a sore throat, but the kids seem to be all right. My calf was bloated up badly to-night so I didn't feed her.</p> <p>Thursday January 21st</p> <p>It turned a little colder during the night and snowed a little but has been quite mild all day, thawing but cloudy. To-night however there is a wild north-east wind howling and it is very much colder I haven't felt much like working all day so haven't worked at anything but chores, and just sat around and read all day. Archie Lang came in about noon to get his money for the hay I bargained for. To-night I couldn't remember whether I buttoned the horse-stable door or not so went out and found that I hadn't and the horses were out and had upset the chicken feed and spilled all the oats, nearly a bushel I think.</p> <p>Friday January 22nd</p> <p>It was a very cold night last night and froze in the kitchen and has been a cold day but the wind has shifted to the north west and it has been sunny I went over home about eleven this morning and met Frank at John Evan's coming out to see if I was sick. I had dinner at the farm and Frank and I drove down this after noon and got a couple of bags of Pokohontas coal in the buggy as it was to cold and blustery to go with a waggon. We took Dad's grip down to Aunty's as he &amp; Dick left for</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>New York to-night on the 4.30. Frank and I waited at Aunty's till it was time for them to leave for the train. Dad. was loathe to go but Dick was in high spirits and counting on giving Dad. a big time in New York. He just got home from Butler Pa. on Wednesday. He has been over there visiting the Henry's. Dad. had his club bag packed full of farm produce for Aunt Hattie comprising apples, jam and 7 lb chicken. He got the court proceedings back from Walter just as he was leaving together with Walter's opinion. It seems to be about as hard to understand as the rest but he evidently thinks Dads chances for success are very strong and thinks the objections raised are minor ones He said the document was very complicated and he didn't think the lawyers themselves were very clear about it. He also said the same as we did that he couldn't understand Uncle Frank's claim at all as he had died before Fa. I got home about five. Marj. had been making dougnuts and I never saw such fat ones as she turned out. My throat is still sore but I don't seem to have any cold. Marj. wanted me to go to the doctor but Dick gave me a bottle of dope he had been taking and I happened to remember while down in the barn of a certain deposit of Jonnie Walker's Black Label which Quint had produced the other day. Dick had given it to him just before he crossed the line the last time he went. He had intended taking it over but Quint had told him it would not be wise, so that helped a little.</p> <p>Saturday January 23rd</p> <p>I went over home this morning as soon as I got my own chores done but as it was cold and we were late getting up, it was nearly eleven when I got there. Frank had the chores all done up and had milked without any trouble, even Emily the heifer that I couldn't get near last summer stood quiet. He told me the old sow should go out to Wilbur Ryerse's but we thought we would have time to go down and get a small load of coal before dinner so had to take the rack off the sleighs and put the John Wess box on. We didnt understand just how the plank bottom of it worked and monkeyed with it so long before we finally got it to bit the sleigh holsters that it was dinner time, so we waited till after dinner and went down right after. Tim went with us as he was very anxious to get his grandmother's phonograph Mr. James had told him to take it</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>over to the farm so he thought while Dad. was away was the time to do it, and there is a possibility of them renting the house down there. We left Tim up town to go around and get the phonograph ready while we went and got a jag of coal and then came around and got Tim &amp; the machine. We unloade the coal and I filled a couple of bags to take home. We then put the John Wess stock rack on the box experiencing the same difficulty in finding out the combinations as we did with the box but finally got it all right. We then had considerable trouble in persuading Gladys III to walk the gang plank from the barn door to the sleigh although we had it covered with straw and after a great deal of manoeuvering we did get her in and had no more trouble with her. It was a brute of an afternoon with a south west blizzard. It was nearly dark when I got home. To-night the wind raged and howled so that it felt as if it would lift the house.</p> <p>Sunday January 24th</p> <p>We got up late and did nothing but chores and read Bleak House which we finished to-night. I swept the school house this afternoon. Very blustery this forenoon but a fair after noon. Cold. 7 eggs again.</p> </div> transcribed https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/1d6b0ae459d4a7bf7c259d6d2ab0b707.pdf d1a75dc43b8b6bc46ca8d856cadef65e PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. <u>One of Harry B's.</u> 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. _____________________________ Another one Simple Simon, met a pieman, going to the fair Said Simple Simon to the pieman, "Let me taste your underwear." ________________________________ Query from H.B. "Do they have turkey in heaven for Christmas?" __________________________________ H.B. "Mother, how do you get whiskers?" Mother "I don't" <u>1927</u> 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. ___________________________________ 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 <u>"NO!!! I don't want to!!!"</u> https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/84d14db8a030e222dfde1867e93f49cf.pdf 9e39ad316f9760fc0c72350a7e415433 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. 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 https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/38b89bc37c2954aa85bc1b80032a05d4.pdf f53b5623b7056ccc1f8f4975d6a464a7 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. 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 https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/3e4053164c74fe4f4a9110a1ac55de6a.pdf 54728687ce838678d640ebda3e5ac432 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. 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 https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/7407d90fb5718904f69c8d4861a067f2.pdf 86e06d2faf322517e6aeb24eb1f09057 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. 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 https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/59d2d8ed861ef426eb884cf8361445b8.pdf e8149dceaf65e391850007d108f81ab8 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. 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. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/a7628133064d06bc90a3e975cca33f8e.pdf 98e978538275a2e1032402755c4110d6 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. 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. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/3c249a225c01c8a212cecb205bee6a12.pdf 161bbe43977ea197c29554e4cb49a73e PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. 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 https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/5c40e183e00a2a1db80b02e94546279b.pdf 1449895ca4a2e95ddcfd9e757ba5f2f7 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. 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 https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/962df5ba845f57f3f3ed5144b84d46f1.pdf e599e8fa18c99998d3aefde5ccf0cacf PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. 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. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/a6b2ad4a9269636e99067087aafd2b75.pdf 692289853d32ec905e82d56a56b1d08b PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. 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. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/8c09deb07b7ba9d157c51898af8df8ff.pdf f323d8344d7e432f218585e88039e93a PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. 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 https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/b13faecdad879d91396cd4a3a8335088.pdf 67bb1bf3e18b6b0b6e687396926e9c31 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. 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 https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/3704de80e98cbc77f3923c54902bd26e.pdf 80e052a72c7f75bb64721740bef3262a PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. 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 https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/9771c11c83e3835f4ba8605879442fb0.pdf 830b1542e6ce94aadd321f7e3613ad98 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. 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. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/9a93752f5d9146654dd397c9a6c6a650.pdf 0ff0c3d8d82ffcbc27cb4c56f637bb0b PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. 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 https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/e913114d792e3d10cf85d64e6024c82e.pdf b745ac98dced81e3f605c77b99777536 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. 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 https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/fc38405fb68495369c22970dff00a887.pdf 7fe97e7af985a005693f86f100d94c7d PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. 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. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/4bafe83234e0973169762f9ff7d013ae.pdf d6177be5154a73e376ab61fcb9fd55c2 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. 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 https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/70f0ff74628eaa8b03685bc99fe24b58.pdf 0e35bdb7b8c64e427f82f3df3da526bd PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. 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 https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/243cb8a5a4d596367857f0b194727e67.pdf 8a13e4f49cd3def72406707d92789fb6 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. 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. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/af62fb002e9ad203e0c69746a7f77e5a.pdf 19169ee628c1b384021e93b138e90cfe PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. 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For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary Collection Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Theobald "Toby" Barrett Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Courtesy of Archival and Special Collections, University of Guelph Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1911-1925 Language A language of the resource English Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 20th Century, Norfolk County, Woodhouse Township, Ontario Table Of Contents A list of subunits of the resource. Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary & Transcription, 1911 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary & Transcription, 1913 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary & Transcription, 1914 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1915 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1916 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1917 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary & Transcription, 1918 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1919 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1920-1921 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1921 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1925 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1925-1926 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1926-1927 Medium The material or physical carrier of the resource. Scanned Manuscript Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1926-1927 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Theobald "Toby" Barrett Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Courtesy of Archival and Special Collections, University of Guelph Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1926-1927 Language A language of the resource English Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 20th Century, Norfolk County, Woodhouse Township, Ontario Date Created Date of creation of the resource. January 25, 1926 Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary Collection Medium The material or physical carrier of the resource. Scanned Manuscript UG Transcription Progress Scripto transcription progress In Progress Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. <div class="mw-parser-output"><p><u>One of Harry B's.</u> </p><p>Peter, Peter, pun'kin eater, </p><p>Had a girl &amp; couldn't keep her, </p><p>He put her in a pun'kin shell, </p><p>And there he kept her very nicely. </p><p>_____________________________ </p><p>Another one </p><p>Simple Simon, met a pieman, going to the fair </p><p>Said Simple Simon to the pieman, "Let me taste your underwear." </p><p>________________________________ </p><p>Query from H.B. </p><p>"Do they have turkey in heaven for Christmas?" </p><p>__________________________________ </p><p>H.B. "Mother, how do you get whiskers?" Mother "I don't" </p><p><u>1927</u> </p><p>Conversation between H.B. &amp; Gay. </p><p>H.B. "Do you know how the rain gets in the cistern Gay?" </p><p>No answer from Gay. </p><p>H.B. "Say Yes or No." </p><p>Gay. "Yes or No." Loud Ha. Ha's from H.B. </p><p>H.B. "Say No" Gay - "No". H.B. proceeds to explain that it comes in through the drain. </p><p>___________________________________ </p><p>Mother asks H.B. to do something </p><p>H.B. "I won't" </p><p>Mother "That is very rude, you must never speak that way" </p><p>Gay - "Noo! I wouldn't say that, I'd say <u>"NO!!! I don't want to!!!"</u> </p></div> <div class="mw-parser-output"><p>Monday January 25th 1926 </p><p>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 </p></div> <div class="mw-parser-output"><p>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 &amp; Dick to-day saying that they arrived in New York safely. Cold, cloudy little snow. </p><p>Tuesday January 26th </p><p>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. </p><p>Wednesday January 27th </p><p>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 </p></div> <div class="mw-parser-output"><p>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. </p><p>Thursday January 28th </p><p>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. </p><p>Friday January 29th </p><p>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. </p><p>Saturday January 30th </p><p>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 </p></div> <div class="mw-parser-output"><p>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. </p><p>Sunday January 31st </p><p>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. &amp; 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 &amp; east blizzard to-night. </p><p>Monday February 1st </p><p>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 </p></div> <div class="mw-parser-output"><p>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 &amp; 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. &amp; Harry B. and depends on the decision of the Name &amp; 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. </p></div> <div class="mw-parser-output"><p>Tuesday February 2nd </p><p>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 </p><p>Wednesday February 3rd </p><p>I went over home this morning and Frank and I put the rack on the iron-wheeled waggon, took Queen &amp; 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 &amp; still snowing to-night. </p></div> <div class="mw-parser-output"><p>Thursday February 4th </p><p>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 &amp; sunny this after noon. One of the baby's upper teeth came through to-day. </p><p>Friday February 5th </p><p>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 &amp; 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. </p><p>Saturday February 6th </p><p>I drove over home this morning as early as I could get away and Frank took Queen &amp; Charlie and got one load of ice before dinner. It took us a long time to get </p></div> <div class="mw-parser-output"><p>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. </p><p>Sunday February 7th </p><p>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 &amp; 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. </p><p>Monday February 8th </p><p>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 &amp; 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 &amp; 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. </p><p>Tuesday February 9th </p><p>Harry B and I drove over to the farm this morning in spite of a rather nasty east wind &amp; snowstorm. We didn't get there very early and Frank thought we </p></div> <div class="mw-parser-output"><p>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 &amp; relief if he could only say damn it. It was about five by the time Frank and I got back with the chop &amp; 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 &amp; to load on a bag of oats for myself. Very stormy &amp; to-night a howling blizzard. </p><p>Wednesday February 10th </p><p>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 &amp; so won their group were playing Kitchner to-night in the first home &amp; home game, but our boys were out-classed. There was no score the first period but K scored 0 in the 2nd &amp; 3 in the 3rd Final score was 8-0. Dover did some nice work though. </p></div> <div class="mw-parser-output"><p>Thursday February 11th </p><p>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. </p><p>Friday February 12th </p><p>I chored around outside &amp; 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 &amp; 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 &amp; much milder. </p><p>Saturday February 13th </p><p>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. &amp; 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 &amp; 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. </p></div> <div class="mw-parser-output"><p>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. </p><p>Sunday February 14th </p><p>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 &amp; 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 &amp; her own way more than ever. Cloudy, very soft but raw east wind. </p><p>Monday February 12th </p><p>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 </p></div> <div class="mw-parser-output"><p>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 &amp; Cecil went back alone with the team as I thought I would be so late by the time I went over home &amp; back. It was mild &amp; inclined to snow this morning but cleared off and was colder this after noon with a westerly gale to-night </p><p>Tuesday February 16th </p><p>I walked over home this morning and got Queen &amp; 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 &amp; 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 &amp; 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 &amp; 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 </p></div> <div class="mw-parser-output"><p>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 &amp; dance so didn't feel very frisky but put out a big wash never-the-less. Aunty &amp; 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 &amp; windy last night and cold to-day but bright. </p><p>Wednesday February 17th </p><p>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 &amp; Willie Grants. Frank &amp; 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 </p></div> <div class="mw-parser-output"><p>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. </p><p>Thursday February 18th </p><p>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 &amp; Aunty Alice first going up town and trading a couple of dozen eggs for some coffee &amp; 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 &amp; 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 &amp; half raining all day but turned to snow this after noon &amp; was snowing hard &amp; 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. </p><p>Friday February 19th </p><p>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 &amp; 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. </p></div> <div class="mw-parser-output"><p>Saturday February 20th </p><p>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 &amp; 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. </p><p>Sunday February 21st </p><p>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. </p><p>Monday February 22nd </p><p>We got up very late this morning and Trum. Walker came in just as I was getting dressed to tell us he </p></div> <div class="mw-parser-output"><p>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 &amp; 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 &amp; Dover Intermediates. Brantford won 8-6. Cold day &amp; frosty but fine night. </p><p>Tuesday February 23rd </p><p>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 &amp; 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 &amp; sunny. </p><p>Wednesday February 24th </p><p>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 </p></div> <div class="mw-parser-output"><p>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 &amp; Mabel were the other guests. Mabel an Mr. Evans furnished the music both vocal &amp; instrumental &amp; Charlie &amp; Marj. the wit &amp; humour. </p><p>Thursday February 25th </p><p>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 &amp; 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 &amp; playing with the baby. Marj. baked bread but has felt all in so lay down for most of the after noon. </p><p>Friday February 26th </p><p>It turned colder during the night and has been snowing and very blustery, but has cleared off &amp; 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. </p><p>Saturday February 27th </p><p>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. </p></div> <div class="mw-parser-output"><p>Sunday February 28th </p><p>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. </p><p>Monday March 1st </p><p>We all went to town this morning and had dinner at Aunty's. We had quite a party as Dick, Quint &amp; 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 &amp; cloudy rained this morning S.W. wind. </p><p>Tuesday March 2nd </p><p>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 &amp; councillors were there with their familys and several ex-bandsmen including Mr. Smith, Mr. Bagley &amp; Bob Leaney. They played progressive euchre for a couple of hours after </p></div> <div class="mw-parser-output"><p>tea. I didn't join in that game but sat &amp; talked to Karl. Coleman, Ed. Steele &amp; Harry Moon. Harry has just returned from a two months visit to New York &amp; 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. </p><p>Wednesday March 3rd </p><p>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. </p><p>Thursday March 4th </p><p>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 &amp; 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 &amp; 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. </p><p>Friday March 5th </p><p>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 </p></div> <div class="mw-parser-output"><p>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. </p><p>Saturday March 6th </p><p>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. </p><p>Sunday March 7th </p><p>Had a late breakfast as usual and just sat around &amp; read &amp; 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. </p></div> <div class="mw-parser-output"><p>Monday March 8th </p></div> untranscribed https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/d0a5f4fe8d12a6b113c3bd0b1e8bbecd.pdf c908d98b4efdca3b45b6c793b2156cce Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Thomas Alexander "Tom" Loghrin Diary Collection Subject The topic of the resource 19th-20th Century Rural Ontario Diaries Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Thomas Alexander "Tom" Loghrin Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Original in private possession Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1895-1936 Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 19th-20th Century, Perth County, Downie Township, Ontario Table Of Contents A list of subunits of the resource. Thomas Alexander "Tom" Loghrin Diary, 1895-1936 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Thomas Alexander "Tom" Loghrin Diary, 1895-1936 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Thomas Alexander "Tom" Loghrin Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Original in private collection Language A language of the resource English Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 19th-20th Century, Perth County, Downie Township, Ontario Date Created Date of creation of the resource. 1895 Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. Thomas Alexander "Tom" Loghrin Diary Collection Medium The material or physical carrier of the resource. Typed Transcription UG Transcription Progress Scripto transcription progress Done transcribed https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/f0f4aa3ee816bd3031af313601cc0e65.pdf 4583914fa608da61bd1d4d871aa0d218 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Thomas Wilson Bygott Diary Collection Subject The topic of the resource 19th Century Rural Ontario Diaries Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Thomas Wilson Bygott Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Courtesy of Lennox and Addington County Museum Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1874 Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 19th Century, Lennox & Addington County, Adophustown Township, Ontario Table Of Contents A list of subunits of the resource. Thomas Wilson Bygott Diary, 1874 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Thomas Wilson Bygott Diary, 1874 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Thomas Wilson Bygott Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Courtesy of Lennox and Addington County Museum Language A language of the resource English Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 19th Century, Lennox & Addington County, Adophustown Township, Ontario Date Created Date of creation of the resource. 1874 Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. Thomas Wilson Bygott Diary Collection Medium The material or physical carrier of the resource. Typed Transcription UG Transcription Progress Scripto transcription progress Done transcribed