Calderwood, December 1894
Dear Nell, I have had three of my largest girls standing up for giggling inappropriately, that most abominable habit, and I have given them a regular blowing up. I always get myself in such a state when I discipline my students. I shake like a leaf and I cannot bear it. I must walk around until I settle down again. I seldom need to say anything, perhaps once in two months. Pa always told me that my temper would undo me. He was right.
I bought a two piece bedroom set for my new room here, Ma said it was a good price at $2.75. She is going to paint the floor of my room and I will paint the walls and window trim. It will look quite fresh and I have my own dear little stove to keep the room warm when the bitter cold comes.
I am having doubts about the teaching and wonder if I would be better as a hired girl, do you think they get good wages? Pa says I am too sassy to be a hired girl and my back bothers me so much so the heavy lifting would not be possible for me.
The school is terribly cold this winter. We all feel the cold a great deal and my rheumatism is bad when it is cold no matter how warmly I dress. The students wear their coats and mufflers and gloves on their hands to write. We do have about fifteen cords of good dry maple wood so that I can make a good fire in the stove when I arrive in the morning and we keep it burning all day. I hope it will last till spring. Yesterday I was well, today barely able to speak with my back and legs so painful.
I had to let the students go at noon even with the fire we were all so cold. The wind is fierce and it blows through all the cracks in the walls. I could not walk home so one of my students got her Pa to come with a sleigh to take me to my boarding house. Even with blankets and hot stones at my feet in the sleigh I was in pain. It hurts me to move my arms.
I speak too much of myself. How is your family? I had such a happy time in Sudbury with all of you. I long for your news but I know with your medical practice and your family you will be so very busy. Please write.
I think very kindly of you always
Jennie

1893
Nell has another baby, another girl, she is called Grace Lee. I am going to Sudbury to see her and the children soon. It is a long way to go but Pa says the train journey makes it possible now. I am very excited to be going, it will be a holiday for me.

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 A Visit to Sudbury, Fall 1893

It was hard to leave Nell and her family. The town of Sudbury is very rough and seems far away from everyone and everything. But Nell is happy and busy. Her practice takes in the town and a large part of the surrounding area. She has traveled to see her patients on an odd railway car called a pumper. You can see the rails beneath you as the men pump it along. It is better than going by canoe with all the portages she says. TJ worries about her health especially now that she is expecting another little stranger.
Calderwood will seem very tame after Sudbury but I have many friends and I like my teaching fine. I am independent and earning a good salary now, but I may look for a new place to board where I can have a larger room and my own stove.

Calderwood 
January, 1892
Dear Nell,
I was so sad when you and your family left. Please kiss baby for me every day. I cannot tell you how wonderful it was to hold her in my arms.  I am preparing now for the next term. The deep snow has meant my attendance is down but I must prepare lessons anyway and it is good to have some students here or my pay will be lessened and I cannot save as much. You did not seem too impressed by the dentistry idea but I am still thinking about it for next year if I have enough money. I must do my lessons now, 
Love to all, kisses to baby,
Affectionately, 
Jen

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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.

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