Jacksontown, New Brunswick

October 28, Sunday, 1888

I now commence my second journal after such a long silence. To account for my silence is a long story. In the first place Harry got hold of my journal and read it pretty near though while I was at school. I was awful cross when I found it out. I had left it carelessly in my trunk instead of putting it in my place, which I have, a purpose for it. In the second place, I had to stop home from school. Oh dear, I do want to go to school so badly.  The reason I have to stay home is just this: Mother and Flora put their heads together and made up a plan for Flora to go up to Aunt Rebecca’s and learn pottery painting and Kensionton and then go down to Grandmanan with Mary and teach it. When coming to Blissville on her way back and to St. John where mother has relations to teach it also. The plan has been steadily carried out.  Flora and Mary are in Grandmanan now. We have had two or three letters stating that she has poor success as yet but thinking there is fair chance for having better through a person by name Miss Deacon has got a head of her and has given lessons different parts of the Island.

I sent my socks with her consisting of four pairs to sell and she was to send money back in a registered letter but I have seen nothing of the money yet. I intended to get something that would lock up so I could put my journal in it to keep it away from Harry and that is the reason why I did not write before. But I could wait no longer. I think I have written enough for the present so I will stop.

November 17, Saturday, 1888

It seems impossible for me to get a chance to write at all. We got a letter from Flora stating that Mary was much worse. I hope she will get better but mother and papa says there is a little chance. Harly Burple died and was buried yesterday. He is Judson Burple’s boy. He was only 7 yrs old. Styles came around and tried to get up a singing school. I went up to Advent meetinghouse with Harry but Styles never came and there was a large crowd there. They think Syles got on a drunk. I will have to stop

Journal, Nov 18, 1888

I was to Sunday school and meeting today. Archibald preached. I have got behind in learning texts but hope to catch up soon. I've got a letter from Flora yesterday stating that Mary and her mother had gone to Eastport to see if the doctor could do anything for her. Poor Mary, oh I hope that Mary is not going to die now. But there is great danger. Mother spins while I do the work. Oh how I long to go to school again.

I am now up in this lone chamber to get rid of the children. But it is horrid cold I am pretty sure my nose is blue as I am a bluenose.

Aunt Clara is going away next Monday she gave Harry a present of a lovely pen knife. Papa is over to Summervale. By the way a new Denomination is started called the Reformed Baptist. They profess to be from all sin. Papa's brother Aaron is the leader. Papa is against it.

I will close hoping to have to write again soon.

Sunday, Dec. 2, 1888

I was down here to meeting this morning. Heard Archibald as usual. We have Sunday school in the morning before meeting. I had to play on the organ as all the players were late. I did not like it much. Papa is gone away to Grandmanan to sell butter, cheese, horses, wagon, sleigh and pork. I expect Flora will be very glad to see him. Harry is sick and I have to do a good deal of the barn work. Have thirty heads to care of and it is no fun.

I am knitting a pair over socks for a birthday present for Phebe and she thinks that they are mine. Her birthday comes the 20th of this month. I knit Harry a present of a pair of mittens for his birthday and put them on the table by his plate. He pretty near threw them in the wash dish and hardly looked at them. I brought him to his senses after awhile. I am going to knit a present of a pair of drawers for papa.

We got a letter from Flora yesterday, she said that she would be home in two weeks. She has not made much out of her fancy work she is going to make a visit on her way back at Blissville. She is having a lovely time. She sent me $ for my socks and papa took it for money to go to Grandmanan with. Mary is better but the doctor would not tell her one thing about her condition.

We have a new clock in the church. The meetinghouse is the prettiest I ever saw.    I guess mamma is afraid I will turn a Baptist but the Third Teir meeting is gone down. Third Teir is a free Baptist Denomination. It was started by Grandpa.

It is getting cold I will have to stop.

January 26, 1889

It has been along time since I wrote last and many things have gone by that I cannot put here now. Papa went to Grandmanna again yesterday perhaps he will not be back till spring.

I was interrupted this morning so I will commence again. The pressers were here and just gone away a little while ago. I am giving music lessons to Lena Birt . Syles came around again and gave music to Harry and I but has gone away and Lena Birt also was coming to finish the quarter. When I get my money for it, I will have a pair of skates, if it warrants a law suit. I paided $100 of my sock money for the music lessons.

Flora is down visiting mamma's folks ( Smiths) down river and are not got home yet. I will make more money with Lena's lessons than Flora did with her fancy work. It is getting dark. I will have to close.

Sunday, February 18, 1889

(Editor:  I am having a terrible time reading the pages because of the blurry ink – cjd)

I guess this is a monthly journal for I do not get more time than once a month to write in it. Lena does not take music lessons till she get a organ. Mother and Harry and Phoebe went down here to meeting as today was Sunday. So I thought it a good chance to write in my journal and I hardly got seated before back they came. I tell you what...I put my journal up quick. There were so late they would not go in. I am going to write now inspite of any body even if they do see me that will not get my journal to read it. They are now out in the kitchen eating dinner. I wish this ink would dry quicker. I could cover it up with paper I have got on purpose. I do not know what to think of Syles, he gave me such a name about being a bad player on the organ. And after I took music lessons he told Berts that I could beat Laura Watson and Dora Comroly. So Lena is going to take lessons as soon as she gets an organ. Laura Watson is very loud player but Syles says she plays too fast. I give up learning texts, I am awful sorry, but I could not do it.

Possibly I will still try to learn verses every Sunday. I am behind and seems as if I can't learn. I was up to Georgie Watson's last week and he was telling how he studied. He said he always took a candle and went to bed early and early in the morning he studied and could study a good deal better. I use to do it last summer but the day light woke me up and I am determined to study mornings and then I hope I will know my verses better after this.

 Flora is down river yet. I don't suppose she will ever get home. Mary is better according to the best account. Papa is down to Granmanan yet. We get two letters from him. Today is foggy and wet. I had to stay home week before last on account of having such a cold. I guess I will

close now.

 Sunday, Feb. 24, 1889

Sunday is again come. It seems that days get awful short when I go to school. I was to a party up to Aunt Rebeca’s last night and got home just five minutes past twelve. Mother was with us. It was an old folks party. Helen and I had to tea and wash dishes and so on. You can hardly see my writing as it blotted so on account of molasses in the ink.

Last week, I woke up early morning and studied my psalms and got up except I will do verses next week. The way I woke up was I set the alarm in the clock. Last week one day, I at recess overheard a conversation between teacher and some of the girls. It was something about a man teaching French out in Woodstock. I went up and inquired all I could about him. Then I made up my mind that I would like to take awful well so I came home and went to mother about it. She asked Harry if he thought I was crazy so I sat up stairs and wrote to papa. I haven’t got any letter from him yet. Oh I do hope he will let me and give me the money. Mothers says that if papa gives his consent to take French lessons that she will consent for me to take music lessons from Alfred Letts, a very renown teacher. I would have half quarter both in French and music as I could only go once a week on account of going to school. Oh It would be just lovely if papa will only consent. I am in such a way for spring to come that I do not know what to do. I will close having no more to write. Carrie Hartt.

Sunday, March 3, 1889

In my last I wished that spring was here. I have my wish for it is certainly here. It is so nice and warm and pleasant, I feel like going out and staying. Mr. & Mrs. Whilys were here yesterday. (The mother and father of Mina Whily, the one who Flora wished to board with at the Academy last fall) Aunt Rebeca came down in the afternoon and they asked me to play on the organ for them and I kind of refused and then I got a bawling out. Mr. Whily said that he did not think I was much like Flora. I was so hard to get acquainted with. Auntie said I was awful shy. Mother said, why yes, for instance when the pressers were here there were two young men and first Carrie would go in the kitchen and then in the sitting room and they would follow her to get acquainted. But of course, Carrie never let on but I seen through it. But mother knew very well that was not the reason. I wanted to be quiet where I could study my lessons and beside that Harry Smith had no manners. He would get somewhere and eye and eye me almost out of countenance. I was not use to it and did not know how to act. That is the way he-------? Harry Hartt, Phebe and Lena Birt I had to play for the Whily’s and then sing.

Yesterday, mother wrote for Flora to come home next Thursday. But before Harry could get to the office he lost the letter and therefore Flora will not be home till next Saturday. I will go into a fit if she does not get home soon.

I have not got a letter from papa yet and do not believe he will ever write. I almost out of my head to take French lessons. I am the dullest person in school for Maud Kitchen can learn arithmetic so much faster than I can and she is younger then I am to boot. Oh dear, I want to learn so badly and yet seemingly I can make no progress.

I want to be a schoolteacher. I would like to teach a term and then go to school a term. I am reading the student manual through and it is a lovely book. It knows so much. The inspector was to our school Friday, he got up our class on the floor in Fifth reader and after reading he began to give out spelling. I missed paralleled only Nilah Kitchen could spell it. I think I have written quiet enough so I will stop.

Tuesday, March 5, 1889

 I now begin to just because my nature is so restless that I cannot sit still or keep my mind on anything. I am such a funny girl. Sometimes I will be so doleful other times I will wander around searching for fun.

Papa wrote but did not say one word about French lessons. I suppose he has not got my letter but I think he better get it pretty quick. Mother and Harry are to Woodstock.  If mother forgets to get some ink, I shall die with sadness. I am beginning to think my journal is a living girl like myself. I wish it was.

Tuesday, March 12, 1889

Well mother got home from Woodstock but did not get the ink so I died of sadness. But died of gladness soon for Thursday, I was frying pancakes when Pearl and Bedford came rushing in from the sitting room crying. "Oh Flora is here, Flora is here” and almost the same minute Flora stepped in the doorway. Mother kissed with all her might while I left my pancakes to burn trying to drag her on the scales to see how much she weighed. I thought sure she weighed 200 but made a mistake for it was only 150. Bedford ran up to the barn to tell Harry and he left the cows he was milking and came running down spilling most of the milk on the way.

Flora is now up to Mrs. Watson. There is a prize offered in the Northern Messenger to anyone going to school that writes the best composition on the early stage of America. The Dominion prize is a printing press. Provincial prize- Maleuly’s History in five volumes, County prize a large book of some king, school prize the Northern Messenger one year for nothing. Everyone will get a card. Our school is going to write but I do not expect anything more than a card. Perhaps I will favor my journal with it

Papa has not written consenting those French lessons yet. I really think it pretty near time. Mother has gone to bed and it is getting late. By the way, Blanche and I last year decided that on the 7th of March we would note the changes in school. 7th of March we was to speak about it but forgot all about it so we spoke of it today and all the changes were that Harley Burpy is dead. We are to note it next year from a year today 12 of March 1890. Such writing, I am sure there is no name for it but I am growing careless but my brain is bewildered to night. This is enough now.

March 13, Wednesday, 1889

I have been to school today as usual. And when going this morning, I concluded I would have a slide. So I took the sled and started down Cock Estey’s hill, which is very steep. The sled and I started together but the ground was rather bare and shook me up. I tried to think it nice although the wind and snow was coming in my face, when all at once off I went. The sled sailed onward and I rolled in the drift. I got up all over snow and I concluded there was not so much fun after all. Well I do not know what to think of myself, I write such childish things as I am a women, but I declare I do not want to be whatever comes in my head down it goes.

 Flora is to Woodstock with Aunt Rebeca. I hope I will make something out of my turkeys this year, but I have a head to make anything. I wonder what I will think of this journal in after years. I wonder where I will be and how I will feel when I read this. I am determined to make something of myself, if I die by it. I am going to be a schoolteacher if I am not hindered in some way or shape. I wonder if anyone will ever read this but myself. I am going to save it and show it to Harry and Flora’s great grandchildren.

(Editor:  Harry died when he was 23 years old.  Flora had no children.  So, we are reading it over 112 years later -- gives one a funny feeling, doesn’t it? )

I am learning the 19 Psalm. I have written to let the world know that I still am living.

Sunday, 17th March, 1889

 I am here writing by the book case table. Harry went to the Salvation Army last night with Frank Hartt, our cousin, who is boarding down .....? Flora and Frank are now at the organ singing as hard as ever they can. Flora got into her head for all of us girls to sleep in different rooms. I had my chance of which room I would take. I took the room up in the old chamber. It has a large dark hole right back of the room and it is dark to boot. I expect I will be scared out of my boots there this summer but I wanted to have a room by myself where I could study. I got a letter from papa who said that he guessed that the French lessons would have to come to the little end of the horn. I felt so bad I shed some tears over it. I do not know what ever is going to become of me. I have no talent for anything but I guess I will stop for the present.

Friday, April, 1889

I have got a hold of my pen again it has not been quite a month since I wrote last. I’ve sent off our prize essay last Saturday. I do not expect to get anything.

Another plan is for me to go down river and go to school and board at Aunt Dr. Lizzy while Aunt Olive will come up here to teach but it is nothing but a plan. I wish it would happen though. I guess I will put my prize story down here. It will make the 5th time it is written out.

April 28, Sunday, 1889

I have just finished my story today. I had begun to think I would never get it done.

It seems as if so many things has happened since I wrote, April 5. In the first place papa is come home. His coming was very welcome I assure you. In the second place I have got to stay home till next term of school. I will have to fly into the mats by the whole sale. Flo and I have got one on now. I feel awful about having to stay home from school. We have a hired man now by name of Allen Steirs ??. He took my bedroom and I did not care either when it came to the pinch. I do not care about sleeping in that lone room. Flora read her journal to me that she kept to Grandmanan, It was very interesting. My ink is giving out so better stop.

 April 30, Tuesday, 1889

Today is the second day I have stayed home from school but is not so dull as I thought it would be. Flo and I managed to get the work done by 9 o’clock. Then we spend the rest of our time at mats. But it is very interesting as Flo tells what books of stories to me. I told her a Jankelina but that is all the book I knew what she did not know she told me about Ben Hur, Lady Alice which was very interesting. I hear Flo at the mat, I better go.

May 1, Wednesday, 1889

It is getting dark and I am here by the stand writing in my journal. Oh I do not know what I would do without it. It seems like an old friend. But everything goes the same old “jog trot.”  I’ve got one mat off today and am going to put another on soon. I feel, Oh feel I know not how but it kind of seems to I am sleepy as my eyelids droop. Flo and I was up at the peep of day this morning before any body else was up working at the mat. I do hope before I die to have a good education. I will stop, as I am needed downstairs.

May, Sunday, 1889

I have just been looking through my journal to see how many times I wrote on Sunday. Today makes 9 times if I have not made any mistakes. I sometimes wonder if it is right or not but that is one of the things I do not know.

Flora is now playing on the organ. I can hear her sing and play although I am in our arbour seat, which I used to write about last summer. It is a very pleasant day out. The wind is blowing very hard and the sun is shining brightly. The grass is beginning to put on a fresh robe of green and the pretty Mayflowers are found near the fences and especially in our grove on the hill. Further back of the grove is a higher place where a good view of the surrounding places is seen with advantage. It is very beautiful place to be in July when everything is green and the wind moving the leaves and boughs of the trees and a busy bee will pass humming as it goes and the beautiful birds singing in the trees awake such harmonizes in the soul that you would join in their melodious, sing with heart and soul. I have just looked over what I wrote and hardly keep from laughing . Papa & mother are to Mr. Seporaly’s to see the father who is sick. I have met with a terrible lost but as it is Sunday I will not write about it until some other time.

Thursday, May, 1889

I ended up in my last telling about my lost. It was this...I thought I had lost my turkeys but I found them again but something stole two turkey eggs. I have had a trap there ever since but have not got anything. I ought to be picking wool this very minute. It is very hot now. My eleven-year-old sister Phebe is keeping a journal now. So as all things stand I better go to work. So good good good bye my dear dear dear dear dear journal.

Friday, May 10, 1889

Again I take my pen to write. I know not what. I have just heard strange voice down stairs and I would like to know who it is.

We had a small thundershower last night. Flo was up to Aunties and came down before breakfast this morning. The best thing I can do is to stop.

Sunday, May 12, 1889

Helen Dunham wanted to write in my journal so I thought I would let her but I am sorry now. She is nineteen years old. The strange voice I heard down stairs was Mrs. Spurgeon Evert. I am now in the midst of the cherry bushes. Flo is sick a bed. She has the German measles. The leaves have leafed out, it makes everything look fine. I have put a leaf in here to look at in after days. It is pretty near time a card or something was coming for my Northern Messenger story. It is beginning to rain so I will stop.

Thursday evening, May 16, 1889

I thought I would take my pen again to write indeed I wonder if anybody does anything without thinking about it first. Flo and I are trying to do with seven hours sleep.

Thursday, May 23, 1889

I again begin to write. It seems long thought it has been but since I wrote last. The black flies are nearly eating me up. I went to my arbour seat first but the flies drove me a way and they are driving me away, I am going to do. Well I am in the parlour now where no flies come. Of which am very glad.

Mother had been coloring and Flo spinning and sewing rags for the carpet which we want to get done before the Association comes which is expected in 6 weeks. Flo is spinning 60 knots today. I do not get hardly a bit of time to practice on the organ. I expect the cows here any minute and then I will have to go milk. I wonder if I put anything here about our beautiful flower bed. They are just lovely. I have to go now and sew carpet rags.

Saturday, June 1, 1889

Well everything is going the same “old trot” which is pleasant sometimes. Papa is gone to Grandmanan again expect him back next week. Mother is gone to the missionary meeting over to third and has left me good deal of work to do. And this is the way I am doing it. Flo is painting the sitting room. She has got it prepared. Mother has commenced to weave the carpet. I wish I could write well but if wishes were horses, beggars could ride. If I was improving it would not be so bad but I am always in a hurry person. I cannot learn to do things good in a hurry. I am a funny girl if anything comes in my head down it goes without thought as how it would appear to a stranger. I intend that no stranger shall get a hold of this though. I feel very much in the humor for writing now but I have got to stop and go down stairs and go racing with the clock to get my work done in season. So Good Bye here goes. I forgot to write that Flo got a letter from a Grandmanan friend stating that Mary has lost her voice entirely. I feel so bad about it. I do not know what to do. Some think that she will not live through the summer. I am going this time for sure!

Thursday morning, June 6, 1889

Breakfast is ready. I will have to go but I will finish some time today. I have got hold of my pen again. I wonder if I wrote that aunt Clara’s two eldest girls had come from Boston for a visit. They stayed out to uncle Charles most of the time.

Last Sunday, we started from Third Tier meeting before Auntie and Helen. On the cross road, Auntie’s horse ran away and ran into us. But between Aunt and Helen they managed to get the horse off the road and stopped. It was exceedingly a good scare and nothing was broke.  Flo and I lately get 6 or 7 hours of sleep. Carrie and Nettie are the names of Aunt Clara’s girls. I have not seen them much yet.

My turkey is setting on 16 eggs. I hope I will have good luck as us children intend to send mother down to her old home this year with the money our poultry brings. Harry has got 24 ducks. Flo two goslings. I will stop.

Friday morning, June, 1889

I have made up my mind to guard my thoughts for if I think as I have begun to think they will be very hurtful to me. I am going to put a mark here every day I do not break my pledge but if I do of which I do not intend to I will cross the mark.

Oh fear not in a world like this and thou shall know ere long.

Know how sublime a thing it is to suffer and be strong. Longfellow

Blessed is the man, that walketh not in the counsels of the ungodly.

David in Bible

 Sunday night, June 9, 1889

I have just got home from meeting, Mr. Phillips preached lovely. Papa is going to Summerville and I wanted to go with him but mamma would not let me go as he would not be back till tomorrow afternoon. There is a excursion up to the Grand Falls. The price is very cheap and Bessie Good has a brother up there teaching. So she wants go with her cousin, Clara Good and wants Glora to take charge of the school while she is gone (perhaps Flo will).  Flo has taught school over to Montcello Nova Scotia when she was 15 and taught a Sunday school class when 14. I am pretty nearly 16 and am a nobody. Flora is large as large when she was 14 as she is now. I am a little girl have a time to keep people from running over me. Flo has a good lot of brains. My brains are very limited. She has got my share too. Oh dear me what will ever become of me not fit for a single thing. I feel like leaving this world and climbing a tree. I would soon have to come down though and go to work. Which is a lot I will always have to fill. Why can I not have some thrilling adventure like Flo has had for instance? But I have heard some such wishes in nonsense. Perhaps some day I will be looking over this and laughing over my nonsense. If anybody reads this, I do not want them to think I am jealous for I am not.

Monday night, June 10, 1889

It has been rainy weather lately or cloudy rather. Flo has not got home from school yet, neither has papa returned. The pressers are eating their supper now. I have been picking berries this afternoon. It was terribly hot and the men gobble them down and never think about the trouble it cost to pick them I am going to stop and read my journal of 1888 now.

Tuesday afternoon, June 11, 1889

I have come up here in a most exhaustive stage of mind and body. I am hot and tired though I have done nothing to tire myself. This world is a stage of excitement, or I am a girl of excitement. I do not know which. Papa has got a new horse, but is going to sell it though. I do not know what is the matter with me. It seems to me as if I was good for nothing. I do wish I wasn’t in a sleepy fit. I think it is very bad to get into such fits. The clock has struck three; it is pretty near time I was at the supper.

Wednesday morning, June 12, 1889

Well I have been looking over what I wrote last about my exhausted state of body, which was soothed by sleep. I did not sleep quite an hour but I had to lie awake through in the night to make up.

Thursday morning, June 13, 1889

Hurrah, hurrah mother is going to Grandmanan hurrah hurrah we have been trying to get her off. It was not decided till now. She went to town yesterday and got the things required. Pearl, our baby Pearl how will we ever get along without her. Flo and I will have to work every inch there is in us as the Association is coming right on.

Friday morning, June 14, 1889

The pressers gone away much to my joy. We had quiet a shower, wind and the thunder last night. It is beautiful outside to nice to stay in the house. I think I shall have to like a person did when uncle Richard called on him to make a speech in Sunday School. He got up and asked the public what to say. So I will have to ask my journal what to write. I am going to copy down a little sentence . Here it may do me good in after years.

Wednesday morning, June 26, 1889

My dear good journal, I have not neglected you. The meetings are here now. Flo and I worked all night long the next night till 12 and night after that till 3. Flo lost in weight but I gained in spite of hard labour. I’ve got a letter from our parents, they are doing nicely. Saturday, Helen Good drove out to tell us to meet a young lady Carrie Bridges at the train Tuesday. Harry went after her while Flo and I worked until we almost dropped. We had got the new carpet down Saturday night. We were about the same as ready when they came. She is my mother’s cousin’s daughter. Charlet Bridges. She is going to stay after the meeting are passed. She is very jolly and I think I shall like her very much. Professor Willie Watson, the son of a farmer that lives a little way above here is married, I expect by this time down in South Carolina. He married a very rich lady. They say it took $2000 for her outfit. That is what education will do for you. I would like very much to go to meeting this morning, but Flo and I have a carpet to put down after Carrie goes away. I will stop now and perhaps I will write some more for the day is out.

Thursday morning, June 27, 1889

It is cloudy today and everything looks dreary enough. And as for me I feel sleepy enough as I was up last night late to meeting.

Friday morning, June 28, 1889

I have come up stairs rather funny in some way shape I know not how. When Flo, Carrie, Phebe and I were coming home from meeting, Wednesday night, Harry and Frank Hartt to boot. Just as we came up to the front door, Harry says, "Carrie lets you and I lead the way."  So, Carrie started Harry backed up and pretended the hop vines were in the road.  Carrie opened the door and, at that moment, water came pouring down and a pail struck her on the head. Then came a pitiful wail, my hat and dress are ruined. Then she gave it to Harry right and left. She declared he would have to pay $5.00 for her hat and said lots of other things of which none blamed her. Harry and Frank sneaked behind the well house, pretty blue. But in the morning her clothes were not spoiled quite as much as was thought. Flo felt so bad she cried over it. Carrie said she had half a mind of going home but none would listen to such a thing. She had on a white dress and it did not hurt it much. She is just as jolly as ever now. Flo and Carrie has gone up country. Harry and Frank is going to offer her money. I do not think she will take it though.

Saturday morning, June 29, 1889

It is a beautiful day out. The sun shines so pretty it gives everything a golden aspect. They have not all the Northern Messenger story examined yet so it is not known who is going to get the prizes.

Tuesday afternoon, July 2, 1889

Today is a hot day. But all the same everything is very beautiful. Carrie went away last Sunday up Centreville. I have lost my turkey and the little Turkey’s. I expect when I find them there will not be one left. We got a letter from mother today, she had started for Blissville. She says she had a fine time to Grandmanan. I am sorry she could not stay there longer. I expect Flo will be in the fidgets as to what has become of me. So I will stop.

Monday afternoon, July 8, 1889

After six days absence, I take my pen again to write. Father is coming home tomorrow, of which we are all very glad. Minnie Smith, our cousin, was here visiting from Wednesday till Sunday. She was not as jolly as Carrie Bridges but I liked her better all the time. I do not know, as I ought to put it down here though. Last Wednesday, Harry had the pleasure of being run over with the ox cart and has not been able to do anything much since.

I found seven little turkeys without any mother. I suppose the foxes took her. Three little turkeys have died already, I expect they all will. I am very sorry but it cannot be helped. Harry had 36 ducks, Flora 3 goslings, Phebe 1 duck that Harry exchanged for chickens. I expect I will be left destitute.

Saturday evening, July 113, 1889

After five days silence I again take my pen to state a few facts. I had to go out raking today for the first it seemed quite like old times. Mr. Glen told Flora at supper time that Mr. Artist likely to have gotten killed when he fell out of the wagon on his head and that I pretty near ran over him two or three times. Once both his horse and his head struck and both jumped.

Mother is coming home next Monday. We have done nicely without her but we will be glad to see her. Flora is going to the Academy next fall and I am going to the Junction.

Will decided when mother returns. Oh I hope and pray that it will be decided favorably. Papa is going to Granmanan next week. The clock has just struck one so I will stop.

Sunday night, July 21, 1889

The day is pretty near at a close and I have to light the lamp to write in my journal. It has been eight days since I wrote last but it seems longer.

Mother came home the time appointed and as Aunt Olive did not go away teaching my plans for down river came to nought. Flora’s Academy affair has not been decided yet. Oh, when will the time arrive when I can earn a living for myself? Flora says she is going to bed so I guess I will to. Farewell.

Wednesday afternoon, July 22, 1889

Well there I have got to go raking. Wednesday night, I went raking but came to a sudden stop as it broke down and then I had to go to Waterville to get iron mended. After supper it broke again so there it sits. Today is my sixteenth birthday. A year ago today, there was a thunderstorm but there is none today for a wonder as there is generally one on the 24th of July. Last Birthday, Mary was here but now Mary’s friends have given her up to die but she does not know it as they dare not tell her and poor Mary still thinks she will live. I felt very aged last Birthday and I feel still more so now. I got through last years trials and troubles. I wonder how it will be with the next? Someway or other death does not seems so far off as it did last year. I will have journal written through next birthday (D.V.) I am going to put down here the names of all the books I read through till next birthday. Cleopatra, Tim the Scissor Grinder, The Sequel to Tim, The Inheritance of Heaven, Soldiers of the Cross, The Throne of David, Minnie Herman, Vanity Fair, Oliver Dale’s Decision, Three Months under Snow. Ragged Robin, Felix Holt, Nicholas Nickleby, A tale of two Cities, How to Spend a Week Happily, and lots more books.

Wednesday morning, August 7, 1889

I have been intending to write before this but some way I never got to it. We have a cousin out to Woodstock named Nellie Hartt, who is working in a store. She rents quite a sized house and the Libby girls are with her. They are going home soon.

Flora’s Academy affair went through so the next arrangements is for Flo to go and keep borders with Nellie and attend school. Meanwhile, as for I, I am going to school here till the ground freezes and help mother. After that perhaps I can go to Woodstock where I can prepare for college. It will be fine if we can carry out our plans.

Saturday afternoon, August 10, 1889

I take my pen felling I would just as leave be at the organ now as anywhere. I long for the organ; by spells I cannot get time to practice much lately. I have just finished mother a pair of stockings for a birthday present the 31st of this month. School has been in session for a week. I cannot go till Flo goes to Woodstock. I am going to see if I can steal a little time to play on the organ.

Saturday morning, August 11, 1889

I am now going to milk. Saturday evening, I just begun to write this morning when the cows came and so I had to leave. Well..there... Mother wants the light so I will have to stop.

Sunday afternoon, August 18, 1889

After fruitless efforts yesterday to write, I take the pen today hoping for success. The Libby girls have been visiting here lately. They together with Flo and mother are over to Third Tier to meeting right now. I was to a party to Mr. Estey the other evening. There were about thirty young men and women there. I had a fine time. There was another party down to Bessie Goods, our schoolteachers, but I could not go as there was no room in the two-seated carriage. Flo is going to Woodstock tomorrow. No more at present.

Saturday Morning, August 24, 1889

Well another week has gone by and I expect next week to go to school. The time is drawing near which I have been looking forward to so long. Flo is home and passed the examination all right but I think it doubtful whether I can or not.

Sunday afternoon, August 25, 1889

I have not been to meeting today as I did the work and let the rest go. Carrie Libby is here now. To my great disappointment I cannot go to school tomorrow, as I have to help harvest till father comes from Grandmanan. Oh dear!! What a world this is!!

Saturday afternoon, August 31, 1889

Today is mother’s birthday. Next birthday she will be 47. Her children surprised her with a few presents. Father has came home, we are very glad to see him. I do hope I can go to school next week.

Oh if I could take my pen and write my feelings and thoughts as I would like to. But it seems if I cannot express myself for I have no brains. I think I better stop.

Thursday, September 19, 1889

Well father has gone to Grandmanan again. I am sure I will be glad when he gets through preaching down there. Well I am going to school, this is the third week. Mother is sending Pearl to find me, so I better go and get my supper.

Sunday middle of the day, September 22, 1889

They have all gone to meeting, I am here meditating on the vanity of human life.

All is vanity saith the preacher and I agree with him. For I want a new sack this winter. The one I have got will not do as it is too old and as it is not fashionable. Oh dear, I wish there was not so much fashion going. I got to go and see about the dinner.

Sunday afternoon, October 6, 1889

The world moves on in the same old way. Only it brings more excitement for me.

I’m going almost frantic for reasons I will not state till a weekday. I feel, as there is no rest for the wicked. I have stayed home today and let the rest go. Oh dear, I wish I was in Guinea. I don’t know any Sunday subjects to write about but I have a weekday subject to write about other days. I see although as it is exactly right.

Fall has returned, with the cold winds and fading leaves. I have often wished I could express my thoughts as other people can. But it may be that I have too hard opinion of my self, but where it is so plain. I am deficient in all branches I cannot help but I feel bad about it. I have been thinking that my thoughts were even to sacred to put down here. But it seems so hard to concentrate but I will start some other time. Oh dear, I would like to take a gaze over what will be written in the future in this book. I expect it would be interesting, It would be joy or disappointment either of the two things, it cannot help be. I will stop hoping my future prospects will be joyous though hard labour.

Friday afternoon, October 11, 1889

I will just write a line or two as we have company and mother may call for me to make an appearance. I feel confused and weary, my wits are scattered. I have just got through scrubbing. There I dare not write another minute as I hear someone approaching.

Friday forenoon, October 18, 1889

The two last school days are not held this week on account of the Institute. I find that there is no play because I have to study thoroughly. I am frantic as I am afraid I cannot pass my examinations. Few people know that I intend to try to get in the Grammar School, they are just waiting to see me fail. I will write no more now.

Sunday evening, November 8, 1899

The pen is again taken after an absence of some time. Time is still moving and it finds us with Christmas nearly here. I am still going to school. I am not getting along, as I would like to. Flo is doing fine out to Woodstock. I hope I shall be there ere long. Harry is going to school. I am glad he has started at last. Papa is at Grandmanan as usual, but on business this time. I am sorry my pen is so poor for I cannot write well. I think when I die that I will burn my journals up as I will not be here to guard them. But I am not dead yet. Mrs. Ernest Estey, our Baptist Sunday School teacher and also Deacon Alexander, uncle Richard’s father are dead and buried. Mrs. Cock Estey is not expected to live. Well I guess I will go and play on the musical instrument.

Sunday, January 5, 1890

Christmas and New Years have both taken their departure and the holidays have also gone for tomorrow is the first day of school. Flo is going to Woodstock but I am not going to venture an examination till week after next. I intend to study all I can this week. I studied a good deal. Mr. & Mrs. Wiley came from across the line on the last day of the old year and went away Friday, which upset my study plans. Flo, Harry and I went to Sunday school and meeting this morning. Mr. Archibald preached. My father is away today at Bookville. I could write more but I guess I’ll not for the present.

Friday evening, Feb. 7, 1890

Well I do declare the long looked for period has gone by and I am in the thriving town of Woodstock. In a house, which before I get to my stopping place I have to climb three flights of stairs. I don’t mind except when I bring up wood. That terrible examination is passed, though not without a few tears. But it ended in my final attendance of Grammar School. There is a vast amount of labour to be done on my part, although I do not study languages. I will have to work hard and catch up with the rest of the class in Algebra and Geometry. We have a weekly Arithmetic paper to work and an essay to write every fortnight. This week I have to draw a map of the Dominion. In front of the class, I have to say a recitation. It is hard on me as I am not used to the ways of the school. To get up and spin a lesson off without being asked questions, I do not believe I will ever be able to do. But yet I am very thankful to have the privilege of studying hard. I have a good chance to study as Flora and I take a room from Nellie and board our supper.

I think my sister Flora is a very nice girl for I certainly could not live without her for she helps me in my studies to such a degree that I would be impossible for me to remain in my right mind long without her. My pretty writing denotes that I am attending Grammar school and that I am improving decidedly in my writing but I would not dare to write an essay for Mrs. Steeves to view in this shape. I guess, I better stop as I am in an exceedingly big hurry. I made an average of eight this week the highest can be made is ten. But I am not satisfied with that.

I forgot to state that Mary Gardiner is dead, She died on Christmas day. On her birthday she was twenty-one years old. She gave up a few days before she died and charged her friends to prepare for her death. I am very sorry for poor Mary; I will never see that same face again around our home. Oh well, I do remember the weeks we used to take in the shady grove on the hill, swing in the lower barn, where

I used to delight in trying to make her dizzy. I did not fully realize when I bid her goodbye and saw her take her departure that it was the last time I should ever behold her. But we must die sooner or later and it does not pay to put the thought of another world off to the very last. Good many have done so but they have had cause to regret it.

Monday night, February 17, 1890

I am taking my pen with the feeling that I ought to be learning my recitati