[Envelope addressed: Miss Janet Cairns, Whitewood, Assa. Postmarked: Whitewood Assa. 05 (rest of postmark illegible) One cent Edward VII stamp.]
Thursday, June 1st 1905
Dear Janet
I hope you are quite well as this leaves us at present. Nellie Archibald is home. Mrs. Archibald buys her butter here. Poor Amy has not been home yet. Papa was over to McRorys to a wedding and saw Amy there, she sent me three words on a newspaper edge “A few handkerchiefs, slip-waist & Story of the Bible,” that was all I have heard from her. Hugh Munro has gone to Scotland for an extra fine horse and perhaps a wife. Papa went to the Mountain on Saturday and stayed all Monday at a picnic at Highview. No letter from you last week. I suppose you are very stinted for time. I nearly made Tom a shirt last week. My chickens were greatly reduced by the rain storm. On the 18th June there will be Church of England preaching at Poplar Grove. Next Wednesday a picnic will be held at Cowans at Golden Plain. John is going to W.wood to-day with grain. Papa paid J. Simpson last week. Chester “colts” this month.
Ferdinand loves to find fault with Tom. I washed yesterday. We make quite a lot of butter now. We have 12 calves and one died, we only milk 7 or 8.
We have peas galore and onions by the score galore and acre in the garden, all well up. One evening last week, a Smith boy came on his bicycle after we had had tea, I got him his tea, then on his heels down came Mr. & Mrs. Archibald for butter, then came just as they went G. Cowan & Elmer hunting horses. I got their tea, then had separator & dishes to wash, it was after ten when I was done. So the world rolls on.
I have only had one “sew” of an hour’s length at my dresses since you left.
It is now half-past four, and John is ready.
Your affectionate mother
Alice Cairns.