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It is the night of Christmas day and it has been so lovely. Ma is tired out, but we all cooked and visited and sang the carols. Uncle John and Ab and Will came from town and TJ and Nell came from Sudbury bringing Nell’s new baby girl. They call her Esther. I held her in my arms and rocked her to sleep. My arms ached with missing her when she had to be put in her cot. I will hold her again tomorrow. I must travel back to Calderwood in two days. Martin will take me in the sleigh.
Hello Nell,
I am sorry I have not replied to your kind notes, but I have been very busy with my classes. Now I have a little more time this fine Saturday evening to write before going to my bed. What would you advise me to get as a summer hat? Tell me in your next letter. If you care, I’ll send you some samples of print material in my next letter. I was at a Scott and Partners Concert on the 13th. I walked the whole way after school but have suffered off and on ever since with cramps in my legs. Did not go alone but went with Esther Clogan. Uncle Martin expects Maggie home for a visit. She may be home now for all I know. The Uncle John Bells are going to make brick by steam next year. I think they must be improving financially. I mean to go there to visit in the summer for three days. Have not seen Fanny since I last saw you. Yet she has been in town three of four times. She has not been very well since she was at Perry’s Ball. She got her fawn dress done over with terra cotta plush for the occasion. My little tan coloured shoes are going all at once. I wish I had another pair like them for they look fine with the navy blue dress. Don’t forget to advise me about the dentistry. Mrs. Friesh is real well does not complain at all. They killed their dog and Mr Friesh is away today looking for another. She says “Hope it is won’t be a big one, it costs such a lot for food.” Pa had a letter and a newspaper from the Chicago friends. They are making fortunes altogether, $100 coming in every month, did not tell all the outlay though. Ma bought a washstand and half dozen chairs at Birdshaws sale. Now, that is all the news from around here, please excuse mistakes in writing from my own carelessness, Love to all, Affectionately, Jen 1891
The cold has finally eased a little and perhaps spring will come. Right now, it is just all mud. Ma has not been well since she went to Boston with a pain between her shoulders. She and Pa were weighed at Oren’s over a week ago and she weighs 12 pounds more than Pa. She is 148 pounds and Pa has 136. Mrs. Bell Orens has 141 1/2 pounds. Mrs. Bob Orens has at last decided to have Dr. AJ for the birth when that wonderful event comes which she expects will be in the very near future. She is going to call it, if it be a girl, Louisa-Jeanetta. Such a name for a little creature. Dr Bickell died. I must write to Nell about the elections in Sudbury. I suppose TJ is almost wild knowing how he feels about his opponents, Dr. Lauderkin against Blythe Mac Millan Clarke will be quite a contest. March 1891
Dear Nell, Thank you for your letter with all your news. It was good of you to write since you are so very busy. I am glad that all are well and your little visitor is not causing you too much trouble. You have to do a great deal of sewing to get ready for its arrival. It is good that you found some patterns and material so cheaply when you were in Toronto. I will give you more news of around here as you said you enjoyed hearing about all your old friends and neighbours. I was in town on Saturday to see Mrs. Ritchie. She sends her love to you. I am going to buy some patches from her (silk and plush) as soon as she gets some gathered together enough to make a crazy cushion for that rocking chair of mine at home. Bertha gave me a work basket with 12 silk spools in it for Christmas so I have enough silk thread and I can do it I think. The chair is one of those old fashioned arm chairs But the arms are gone. I have my patched quilt almost done but the knitted one I can’t manage to get it done this year. I’m afraid it is one of the worst jobs I’ve ever had to do. But I’ll get it done some day. Got four new patterns of lace from Mrs. Hermeston but cannot take them off. I’m afraid but when Georgie Clarke comes home I’ll get her to show me how, she is a splendid hand at sewing.Am getting Bertha to get me a pair of corsets, they are to be made to order. She had a beautiful pair on when she was home I’m to get them at the same price she gets them at the shop she knows. I suppose cousin Lizzie will have quite a large school. You say she thinks the gentlemen of Sudbury “don’t know nuthin”, and so checks their advances but as Newton Williamson once said to me, “it is a long road that hasn’t a turn.” Lizzie may find out the truth of that saying yet. I am glad that you are keeping so busy. What will your Irish friend think if you keep on? He will wish you had never landed in Sudbury. You did not answer my question about dentistry. I am quite serious about it Nell, so please tell me what you think, Affectionately. Jennie Dear Nell,
You may remember I sent you a paper about dentistry. I have been doing my sums and I think if I continue to teach for two more years I will have enough for my fees an another $400.00 to put out at interest to keep me and I would hold back $50.00 for clothes and other expenses. I want to get a warm cape, muff and storm collar next winter. I want it of seal so that will take some more of my money. Got my navy outfit and it looks very nice indeed so I am wearing it now and sparing the black and the plaid outfits. Since Pa got a new horse the boys bring me halfway here so that on Sunday mornings I ride with them to Church. I had a book lent me, “Illustrated Notes of English Church History”, by one who is deeply interested in the welfare of the Church and who tries to get more members for that denomination. I fear he may be interested in me rather more than my opinions for the book. He is at the school waiting for me when classes end. What should I make of that?The book was intended to prove the question that the Church was not losing any of its dignity, etc. It was, I thought too much about slighting the other churches to suit my taste. Have you seen it? It costs 35 cents a volume and there are two. I will tell you more about the Reverend Mr. Black in another letter, but I must mail this now to catch today’s post. Please write soon and tell me what you think about the dentistry question, I am determined to get a good paying profession. My best to all your family, Lovingly, Jennie I had a letter from the boys today, they are well and are dong well. I do not know whether they will come home or not. They will leave the lumber Shanties I think if they do not change their minds.
My friend Eliza H.is to be married today to a Mr. Girton, a farmer from St Thomas. She is looking very poorly and she has not been well all last summer. I think this time of getting ready to be married must be hard on the ladies. I sent a paper to Nell asking her about dentistry as a study and afterwards as a profession for a lady. Now I have been thinking seriously about trying my hand at it and I want her advice. I have been speaking to Pa and he thinks it is a good paying business and his only objection would be the inhaling of the breath of so many persons. I wonder if it would be profitable? Maybe Nell would know what it would cost to learn how to be a dentist? I wonder if $450.00 would be enough? That is what I’ll have saved I expect after this year of teaching. Pa thinks it would be well if I ever did study to be dentist to get the money first and teach for a while and have a little capital to start on and keep me until I would have a business worked up. What do you think? I rather think it would be the better way. I’m going to write down some numbers now and write again to Nell tomorrow night after school. February 1891
My Dear Nell, You have been married now for nearly 5 months and it seems far longer than that since I have seen you. I hear that you are going to have a little visitor before Christmas. I hope all is well. I suppose you thought that I was going to forget you this time for sure. Well, I have little news of any importance but will write anyway to tell you what is happening in my life and about all your old friends here. I got all my teeth filled. Allen filled the real bad one and three others that cost me $12.00 exactly but I am not sorry as they are so much improved. I think one of the others has commenced to decay but I will not let it go so far as the others went. Had a letter from sister Bertha not long ago. She is well, enjoying her teaching but does not say much about her prospects of any sort. I know Bertha would like to marry. Enough for now, Lovingly, Jennie I like it fine being a teacher and I am happy where I board. I have to board out because it is too far to go home each night and when it rains the roads are just awful mud.
I have had an inspection by one of the trustees. It seems I have established myself as a fine teacher notable for my ability to maintain control in my classroom. They do not know at what cost that control comes. When I have to reprimand my students it upsets me something dreadful, but I must do it. The attendance has been very poor this winter but I think it is on account of the changeable weather because when the day is at all fine I have a good attendance. It is very cold tonight. I sit by a small stove in the parlour of my boarding house as I write to Nell. How I hate the cold. My joints ache and I am wearing gloves to hold my pen; even the ink is thick with the cold and I have it as close to the heat as I can manage without setting my paper ablaze. |
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