Tuesday May 4th

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

Wednesday May 5th

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