From Amy Cairns Mulligan to her sister Janet Cairns Dickey (May 1, 1901)

[Envelope addressed: Miss Janet Cairns, Normal School, Truro, N.S. Postmarked: Barney’s River N.S. My 13 10, Receiving postmark: Truro N/S. PM My 13, 01. In the same envelope as the following letter from Alice Waters Cairns dated May 11, 1901.]

May 1 Wednesday May 11Saturday

Dear Janet

This is Toms birthday I greased his nose. Today is fine. At recess Katy, Nellie, Alice, Maggie B. & I went for moss to make May baskets with. In the evening at dark I went for Sadie who was at Jessie Camerons & I went up the road & met her, Miss McPhie & Willie. I gave May baskets to Nellie & Alice & sent John over with one to Sadie. May 2. Fine. John found 2 maybaskets out at the door last night I suppose they were meant for me as Katy & Nellie gave them. Allan is here fencing. May 3. To-day is wet and misty. I did not go to school this afternoon. I cleaned 11 shelves and received 19 cents pyt. I was at the prayer meeting in the evening. There were 13 there Willie Murray went home with Miss McPhie as usual. May 4 made the kind of cream candy you used to make I went to the post office in the after-noon and to Mrs. Nicholsons in the evening. I took her some cinnamon rolls. Fine. Sadie gave me a boquet of may-flowers. May 5 Mamma Tom and I went to church. It is Glenbard day. James F. and Mr. J. W. McKenzie came home on Thursday (as you know). Sandy McLeod preached at riverside this after noon he had a silver collection which went to himself. This morning early there was at least an inch of snow on the ground. May 6, Monday. Rainy. Margaret L. McKenzie went to town. I was at school. John did not go to school but I did. Mamma washed in the after noon. We have at least 34 chickens. May 7. Fine, sharp mist all day I was at school. Papa went to Presbytry at New Glasgow. We have at least 40 chickens and Mamma sent a letter away to you. May 8. Today is wet. Maggie Bannerman stayed down with me. In the evening Sadie, Katy, Alice and Nellie came down (I had asked them) and we made badges out of red white and blue ribbon papa bought for that purpose. May 9. I went up with Maggie B. after school and we went up to the higest peak above Jimmy Sutherlands and with papa’s glass veiwed the surrounding scenery. This afternoon we kept as a part of arbour day in clearing up the yard.

Katy & Nellie brought 2 lilac bushes and we planted them and picked up stones etc. May 10. The teacher took all the lessons up before recess and then we went for vines to decorate the school with. In the afternoon the boys got McKenzies big boiler made a fire & heated water for us girls we swept the ceiling, blackened stove, washed windows and made a large or wreath of vines like this [drawing of scallops] in the back of the school room. Mamma & papa went away visiting. Sandy McLeod led the meeting as papa had been called away to see Mrs. J. McDonald of Glenbard who had a stroke of paralysis. May 11 It was fine in the morning & rainy in the afternoon. Tom caught a lot of trout in the morning. I got the kitchen moped up before 9 o’clock. We have 50 chickens. Bessie & Charlie Blair were here to say the catechism or memory verses. May 11. I went to church in the morning. Sunday school began in the afternoon. Mr. Dan Robertson is supertendant. Mr. McKenzie or Mr. Ross were not there. Mr. Ross was here for dinner. In the afternoon papa went to Riverside. In the evening there was a meeting conducted by Sandy McLeod. Miss McPhie & Jim McKenzie drove down to riverside to hear Sandy McLeod preach and he drove her back to the meeting but were a little late & were a little late. The only spare seats were 3 next Willie Murray & she sat one seat distant from W.M. & Jim McK. sat next her on the out side and after prayer meeting he drove her home. I suppose Willie Murray will be awfully Jealous. The hall was crouded this evening. The new lovers looked as happy as 2 roses newly blossomed.