[Envelope addressed: Revd. John A. Cairns. Upper Musquodoboit. Nova Scotia. Postmarked: P.E. Island, MC. My 25 87. Receiving postmark: Shubenacadie, N.S. My 26 87. Three cent Queen Victoria stamp.]
Upper Freetown May 22nd
Dear Brother
Yours of the 12th of May came to hand a few days ago was glad to hear from you that you were all well. Tell Jannet I saw Bono the other morning he looks the same as ever. You said in your letter you partly promised to bring Janet over to see us this summer, you did not mention Alice’s name whether she was coming over or not but bring her along with you and Janet we would like to see you all.
Well it is 4 weeks tomorrow night since Mother took sick she is now out of danger she is very week yet can only sit up while the bed is being made we have to sit up all night with her yet. I am sitting up untill 1 a.m. then Christopher will get up it is rather hard on a fellow to work all day and sit up at night often. Janet sat was up Friday night and my Friend B.J. sat up last night and I though as I was staying up part of to-night I would try and answer your letter. Mother took bad with chills and vomiting and has been reaching [retching] of and on ever since she takes very little nourishment in a day for fear of reaching, the first few days she could not take her medicine at all without reaching. The Dr. (McNeill) has been here some 8 or 9 times to see her. Since the fever left her she feels very week but I think she is gaining strength now
There were 2 letters came for Mother one from Johnie and the other from A. R. Bells bringing the sad news of Mrs. Hugh Ross’ death, we have not told her of Jessie’s death yet but I think we will in a few days. Folks around are in their usual health Mrs. Tom Taylor has not been very well for a while back but will be soon as a few days ago she had a pair of babies (twins) what do you think of that for an old fellow that is done working on the roads.
We are getting along very well with our crop we have 50 acres of Oats sowed at the station and will plant 3 acres of Potatoes over there we will finish over there in two days. We have about 45 Double loads of mud to haul from Moynagh’s comer we are going to finish mudding the back field along the road on home farm. We have 2 colts one an “All Right” a beauty the other a “Sunk Island Hero” a cart horse.
Must cose as I am getting sleepy from your lov Bro Robert.