Emma's Letters

Maple Lane Farm Hampton R.R. 1 30th May 1919 My Dear Son, Your letter has been delayed this time because I have had several unexpected ones to write.  Have you heard, I wonder, of Bill McMillan's death? It occurred 23d of pneumonia (flu, I guess) after three week's illness. I am anxious to hear from Espanola again. They escaped so wonderfully when nearly everyone else had the "flu" in the Winter. I got a letter from "Gramp Aylie" just a few days ago. It was pretty shaky but he is keeping remarkably well. He hopes to visit us again this Summer and my! Joe, if you can get down to see them this year they will be tickled. Bertha spoke so often last summer of their disappointment at not seeing you.  We are looking for Gramp Chant next week - did I tell you before? He wants to attend Conference which is at Whitby this year - and as it begins 18th June - he will be coming soon.  Things are looking lovely around here now - though it has been a "la...

  Maple Lane Hampton R.R. 1 16th Feby 1919 My Dear Son, You thought it was a long time since any of us had written and I was quite sure you had the flu because we had not heard for over two weeks - then after papa had written I got the idea that you were planning to drop in some evening and surprise us. Anyway, now we are all well. I kind o' hope you are in Espanola - the camps seem so far away - but I am sending this to Webbwood for fear they might not find you so easy from any other Post Office. Be sure to write as soon as you get this so we'll know where you are. This has been a queer winter all over. I guess. We've had no sleighing since 2nd week of Jany. Papa sent the "demi-cart" (as Allen calls it) over to Hampton to be put on the "bobs" - before Christmas and last week Ted went and brought it home again on wheels with the runners on top. Tonight it is snowing out it is so mild not likely anything will come of it. Great year to ow...

Maple Lane Hampton R.R. 1 19th Jan 1919 My Dear Joe, I have lost track of when I wrote to you last but I'm sure it's time to write again anyway. We are always so glad to hear from you or from the North Bay folks now to know whether your luck still holds as to "the flu". It's still around here too. Harold Gifford and Foster Snowdon (did you know him? Hilda Langmaid's young man - worked for Percy L all summer) are two of the newest cases. It is getting kind o' lively now the season for wood bees having opened up. "Papa" and I were at one - Arthur Langmaid's - About twenty couples - besides seven or eight children - were there. They go as early in the afternoon as possible and saw wood till dark then such a supper! (the women have quilted, served carpet-rags or done their own fancywork and gossiped all afternoon and eaten supper first - so half a dozen of 'em can wait on the men) and they stay and play games etc. till midnight...