Emma to Joe, 2 September 1923

Maple Lane Farm

Hampton, 2nd Sept '23

My Dear Joe,

I know I'm a week late again - but last week I was "gaddin" agin' and it seems unless I write nobody does. 

Two weeks ago 'Papa' dispatched 'Ted' and Stanley to Newburgh in the car - leaving here Sunday about nine in the morning. They got back to tea Monday bringing Aunt Ella and Charlie with them. (They were visiting in Enterprise you know - but came to N in response to telephone message) 

Then last Sunday after church 'Papa' and Grandpa, Aunt Ella and I set out for Lakefield (9 miles north of Peterboro) to visit another "cousin Joe" (Joseph H - Havelock, not Horatio - - sometimes called 'Lock' chant. Uncle Chris' son - father to Russell whom Miss Stewart (?) thought you resembled - station agent for many years at Blackwater now agt. at Lakefield.) He and his wife - very plain friendly nice people - more our sort than the Cathcart bunch - though they're all right too - once or twice visited Ella at N.B. and urged her to bring us to see them. Lakefield is quite a place - particularly in summer, great boating, fishing, camping from there back as far as you like - I guess - prosperous farming country between there and Peterboro - good roads - and a choice of half a dozen routes home. We left Peterboro at four and were home to supper at 6:30

Thursday, Papa took Granpa, Aunt E and Charlie to Oshawa to catch the 7:25 train - so we are alone again for a few days. 

I had a letter from Berta Shorey wanting to come down for this week-end tomorrow being labor-day - you see. I havn't answered her yet. So, I guess she won't come, but "there's a reason". Back when the Doctor was coming to see the "measles" - he found Allen had enlarged glands in the back of his neck (was I telling you?) and he has been under treatment ever since. 'Papa' took him in to the Dr. yesterday to see if he could start to school with the other boys on Tuesday - and as I was expecting, he advised an operation (adenoids and likely tonsils as well). It was to be arranged for this week (I'll have to go in to the hospital with him for a day or two) but now it is thought better for him to take another bottle of tonic first - so it is postponed for a week or so.

Pascoe's thresh tomorrow and probably ours will be over by the time this reaches you. We don't have the same mill but generally they all strike about the same week.

We are having beautiful weather especially since we have had a few rains to freshen things up a bit. Our garden is doing first rate now - though every thing is late. We had ripe tomatoes for tea tonight for the first (I'm going to have about 75 big citron). Our field corn is short this year unless it grows yet, and it is tassled out this long time - it will scarcely fill the silo - but it is as good as the neighbors'. They are plowing the hills east of the barn now for fall wheat. It was sown on 20th Aug last year. The apples are a problem. There's enough of them such as they are - but badly spotted and scarred up - very small percentage of No. 1's. 'spies and 'Baldwins look most promising - a Jew offered $2 for Spies ($1.50 per bbl for the rest - if we'd pick 'em.)

My dear - don't think we all forgot your birthday - only I seem to be about a month behind hand with my plans this year: and can't catch up.

You know I'd like to get up to see Douglas and the family this fall and of course, your Dad will be crazy to go hunting when the time comes - but one never can see very far ahead and I'm sure I can't say if either of us will make the grade. You may be sure we will let you know in time - as soon as we know ourselves - I'll have to see Allen in better shape before I can think much about a visit so far from home anyway.

Keep on writing often, Joe. Your letters always cheer me up and sometimes that's what I seem to need.

Lovingly

Mother 

Envelope address Dear Lake, Ontario J.J. McFadden Co., Ltd., Camp 3