[No envelope. May have been written at the same time as the ones from Thomas and Bob, dated November 30, 1900, as that is where Elizabeth Dickey Evans placed them when she transcribed them.]
Sunday evening
Dear Janet,-
I was at S.S. and church to-day and at S.S. Mr. D. R. McKenzie asked me to teach Harry George Willie & Tom. Imagine me. He could have asked Nellie she is 15 years old. I was at church today. It is Glenbard day, & Papa is going to visit up there Monday & Tuesday. I wish I had money and I would buy books.
Jim Hunter was not in church today, last day fatigued him. I am going to prayer meeting. I was the only one who read a verse last night. From Amy.
Dear Janet I am going to send you one dollar instead of 80 cents. Buy something for Mamma that does not cost too much & buy books for me and hurry up and come home for I want to see what you got. Please write and tell me. I am very anxious about them.
[Second page missing.] Page 3
that he had put them in his valise and his valise did not come. I am better off than you, I have a jack-knife. Mamma washed Tom & Bob this evening I suppose you know we have a sink in the scullery. I was washing the paint in the kitchen today, to earn money. John had the ring-worm the week before last. He caught 2 rabbits this week. Lessons now from your loving [stroked out] sister
Amy Cairns Amaret Cairns
P.S. write to me –
[On reverse side of first page, from Janet’s brother John A. Cairns:]
Dear Sister Tom said I caught one rabbet I caught 2 (two) please get me 2 (two) books for Tom & bob at 5 (five) cents apiece am sending 2 5 (five) cent pieces John A.
[Bottom of page 3]
Dear Janet, Amy writes most remarkable letters. Alice Thomson went to Sydney, Prouse’s have opened a branch store there, and Mr. Thomson went with her, he came to see Annie on his way back, will stay over Sunday. I have done nothing this week but the washing, and I have done the churning since tea. Mr. A. J. Bannerman went for the doctor for Mrs. Willie B. this afternoon. Mrs. Duncan Neil has the milk leg very bad. Deacon Simon got quite badly hurt at the thresher last week, but is better now. Mr. Reid called this evening so I think this will be a registered letter. I shall send the valise with your clothes the first chance next week. Papa goes to Glenbard to-morrow and intends to visit for a few days. I have not heard from Grandma but I saw in the paper that Mrs. Dr. Stephens was dead. It will be all right to ask Mr. McCullogh to tea, we always have something, I generally have oatcake, rolls, biscuits, gingerbread, and if we have graham flour there will be graham bread. You had better buy yourself new rubbers. Mrs. G. Campbell has been down with Myra for a fortnight and Annie has been quite busy. That was Bob’s letter last week, this week Tom sends one. I would like you to get Annie a pair of shoes, gaiters, and rubbers, size to fit you or (larger?), and Bob a pair of overshoes, I’ll send the size on a piece of paper, Tom might have a five cent purse, John a necktie and all three boys handkerchiefs style-most for the money. I want a half dozen cakes of toilet soap—6 for 24 cents, either brown windsor, olive oil, or turkish bath soap. I like the Turkish bath best, and 3 qts. peanuts & 2 lbs. dates, and 5 ct. books for John Amy Tom and Bobby. You can take your time and look around for bargains, better get a 5 ct. book for yourself too to put in your stocking I’ll not go to N.G. this winter perhaps, let you do my shopping. Papa made sauer kraut this afternoon, and put the barrel in the scullery. Bob says a bad girl is as good as a good boy. I was hoping to hear from Grandma this week. You can see the prices and write to me about them, before you buy anything.
Monday morn. Papa says he will be going to N.G,. after New Years, and will then buy Bob’s overshoes, but you can price some. John is sending 25 Cts in the valise tied up in an old envelope, for books for Tom & Bob and 15 ct. worth of walnuts or mixed nuts. Ill send $15 – 13 for board and 2 for children’s money Amy sends 82 of it; Tom 25; and Bob 25, you can bring the rest home. But do not get anything this week.
I’ll send a better list next week. Remember pencils lead & slate – pins safety and plain, scribblers, hairpins those 5 cent books are all desirable and toilet soap for all Papa likes safety pins.
I remain your affectionate Mother Alice Cairns.