[Envelope addressed: Miss Janet Cairns, Scotsburn, Pictou Co., Nova Scotia. Postmarked: Whitewood Assa. Ap 21 06. Two cent King Edward Vll stamp. Receiving postmark illegible.]
Poplar Grove, Sask.
Dear Janet,
I took Amy back to Parkin yesterday, I had to take Bob too, for company coming home. We did not get lost. Papa began to work again yesterday, his leg seems better, some little eruptions are becoming active, he subdued them with his salves. Amy and Bob soon recovered from their indispositions, Bob looked exceedingly miserable yesterday. To-day he was hopping around as usual. Papa let Tom harrow yesterday for the first time, with three horses too, but the quiet trio, Prance, Jimmy, & Fly. Tom had to stay home from school to-day to harrow, but he will go to-morrow if nothing happens. A prairie fire was descending on us this afternoon from above Wilson’s, (set by a Frenchman, who seems to live north, south, east & west) Wilson, Potter & sons, Cairns & sons, and Mathie contributed their united energies in keeping it back, with ploughing guards, and burning guards, it did not cross the township guard above the ploughed fields. Tom would not have had to stay home to-day, only Papa’s leg was too sore for him to follow the harrow. Thursday eve, April 19th Frenchy’s 2 year-old heifer got cast in a fire guard while calving yesterday & died. Papa, John & Bob are out burning a fireguard between here & F.G.s Tom has just finished the milking, and I have got my bread set. I washed a good big washing yesterday, there was a fearful wind but I hung the clothes out in the evening when it was calm. Amy was not responsible for the St. John social, but she helped. Sat. morn. April 21st Then I will address my next letter to 44 Evergreen Street Boston. Tom went up for the mail after school. Papa is going into W’wood and will preach at Landsdown, G. Plain and St. John tomorrow. Tom & Bob got your cards. Prairie fires have completely fireguarded us.
Dermody’s fire went around easterly to Ferguson’s. The Sunday Aunt Jennie came, Savages’ house burnt up. Dermody’s fire burned up Mr. Bruce’s buildings. Papa was pickling wheat till twelve last night, John will begin seeding to-day. [Editor ‘s note from Elizabeth Evans: ‘pickling’ wheat refers to treating it with Formalin (Formaldehyde) to kill smut.] I have only a half dozen square envelopes left, and no Reggie here to get more from.
I am longing for you to get to Digby so I can hear news of all the people I used to know. I hope you will meet Dr. Will Bent. I forgot to tell that Dermody’s let the last fire get away from them, while burning stubble. Bruce will have some slight revenge in making them pay damages. All my morning’s work is to be done yet, so I’ll finish. Papa says he hopes Osborne & Rod won’t come out, because it will make them dissatisfied and they could never leave without selling their farms, and that they cannot do. Perhaps they would go home more contented with Nova Scotia and their home comforts.
Your affectionate
Mother Alice Cairns.
Which do you like best, Nova Scotia or the “West”?