[Envelope Addressed: Miss Janet Cairns, Washington St., New Glasgow, Pictou Co., N.S. Postmarked: Barney’s River, N.S. De 16, 99. Two cent Queen Victoria stamp. Receiving postmark: New Glasgow, N.S. De 16, 99. Written while Janet was at Pictou Academy.]
Monday evening
Dear Janet,
Miss McPhie and Minnie McIvor and Sadie Cameron were in spending the evening, Amy and they played a game of Halma. Tom teased Bob, and Bob bit Tom [Janet’s much younger brothers], so they went to bed, Tom breathing forth vengeance and threats not loud but deep. Tom got the prize for knowing his tables, he politely told the teacher it was no good, and then asked what she paid for it, it was a knife. I washed this morning, and ironed your handkerchiefs this evening the storm stopped about one o’clock, and I put the clothes out on the clothes horse, they got nearly dry. Papa came home in the worst of the storm, and intends going to N.G. to-morrow. Papa gave Tom the little old toy pistol because he got the prize for tables, now he wants caps. And he has a drawing book and just aches for a compass, which he does not need. John wants your algebra. Mr. Geldert the temperance man said he was acquainted with one Normalite Miss Benjamin who might be 20 years old or 40. Papa got a letter from Osborne on last Thursday asking him to come over and see Donald McLean who was very ill, wanted Papa to ask him about the settlement of his affairs, sent the fare, Papa was afraid Donald was very near his last so he went right over to Scotsburn on Friday morn came back on Saturday, so Papa missed the lecture, and the poor lecturer had to introduce himself. Mrs. Duncan gave Papa another cheese. I think Ida got quite clear of “Boos” with paraffin. Do you want your pink shirtwaist washed? I am trying to send everything in this parcel. Perhaps you won’t have to send any more till you come at Easter.
From your
Affectionate Mother
Alice Cairns