Tuesday December 30th

Sam. Law and Bert Munroe drove in this morning to see if we were ready to thrash yet, but Dad. told him we wanted to get the windmill up first. He said he overheard Rus. Lampkin's telling {Heck?} Henderson last night that he had promised to go some where that day (Sam. didn't hear the name) but that as he couldn't go he would have to go Wednesday. Sam thought that he must have meant here when we told him we expected him as he heard Henderson tell Rus that he could let the boy know, but Dick didn't say anything about it last night but not likely Henderson saw him after that.

Allan drove in while Sam was in here and after talking election for awhile they all drove out expecting to thrash some where up the Gravel. I did chores and puttered around most of the morning. and Dad. & Frank cleared up a little around the well so as to be all ready if Rus. Lampkins comes to-morrow. This afternoon they cut up nearly all the apple tree with Alfreds cross cut saw. I raised the nests in the hen house off the floor so the hens wouldn't scratch them full of straw and put fresh straw in. Both Billy Laurises were in to-night to get Dads. advice about a horses leg which has got hurt some way. Very mild and nice all day. When Dick came home to-night he said Henderson did tell him that Rus. Lampkins would be here to-morrow to erect the windmill.

Wednesday December 31st

I was awakened very early this morning by a great disturbance in the kitchen which I realized after I came to my senses was rats in one of the traps Dad. set last night and trying to et free bydraggong himself and the trap all over the place, he was making such a racket and I knew must be putting in such a very disagreeable time of it that I arose and depatched hi,m. It just struck four as I got up and this clock is way over half an hour fast, but as I had my c,othes on and was wide awake I decided not to go back to bed again so drew till about half past six and then went out to do chores. I got qite a lot of Aunty's picture done and Dad. thought it was better than the last one one I did for Aunt Lena. We fully expected Rus. Lampkins this morning so FRank went down after breakfast and brought Huby over but as Lampkins disappointed us again we starte don the tile drainage we are going to put in along the font of the garden and back of