Irene Dixon Bamford

home from school. V and his dad and Harry started with double team in pursuit of the runaway, tracked her as far as Ed Rattrays and there she took her way towards Clayton across the trackless ice. V & dad drove to Rob Percey's where they deposited Dr Watson, a sad but wiser man. V promising to trace the fugitive early this morning. Horse, cutter, robes, medicine box, all gone of [sic] on a tour through a blinding snow storm from the north. V got a new addition to his cold. Sr ceiling the kitchen. The storm has ended the dance at Bells this eve - good. Our dissipated youngsters will get a nights rest.

Wednesday 27 March 1895 A sort of disagreeable unpleasanat day. Voltie thought he would drive to Kingston with a log but not considering the ice very good, V & his father drove up in cutter. Maud started out early to rap Will out so he could send to town if he wished, but did not succeed in awakening the household. From there she went to W Jr, found them at Breakfast and ate breakfast with them and came home accompanied by Jr who finnished doing the chores. Came again in p.m., says Rob Percy came over and wants Sr to come over to his house. [Rob Percy|R.P.]] has Sr in his clutches, some way. Poor old Sr he always as to buisness. He is one of the "Might have beens" Only a prodigal a life that has been traveled by thousands like him in sinful selfishness. I supose Sr went to the office to day. I expect we'll all be hoisted some day. Sr bought himself a new pair of mittens. 5 eggs to day.

your father didnt try to. I sent Emma to request V to come to the house. I wanted to speak to him concerning his taking Rob Percy & C.W. across the river but instead of V coming C.W. came to ask what I wanted of V. I said, dont go across the river with R.P. let him go the way he came. Oh no! must go over the river with Rob for he was so drunk he couldnt row himself across. I said Now Charley promise you will come directly back soon as he is safely on the other shore. Oh no I wont promise that for we are going to Clayton. What for? Volt has got to have gasoline for his boat. Well I had C.W. cornered where I could talk to him and

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Thursday 5 March 1910 Voltie and Emma started for Kingston this morn with 5 bushells of apples and 109 sections of honey carrying some apples and honey to Grace. Im sick got the grip, drunken old Van and Rob Percy came from Sylvia's drinking up cider. Mr and Mrs Stewart here in p.m.

Friday 6 March 1914 A very good day. Rachel came over said Lib staid with her all night. Lib told R a miserable take of filth and dirt and poor house hold management. Lib & Alvira Gillespie cleaned the rooms and scraped and washed the walls of the rooms. According to Libs account the disorder of that house was almost indescribable. Voltie and John and Emma got to the funeral. Rachel staid here with me, after the funeral Van drove over for Lib. Ben Percy came also and O such a noise. At last the all got to singing every old song and hymn and old Ben can yell some. He dont know enough to "come in when it rains"; finaly old Ben staid all night.

Friday 21st August 1914 A cloudy day wind south didn't send any mail today. Emma jawing at Edith in kitchen. V & J shingling the shop. Cats tearing up & down the apple tree. Edith went night and morning to help R water her cows. I patched several garments, wrote in this diary. V and J finished shingling and put on the ridge boards. One clearing up storm accompanied by thunder and lightning. Mail Montreal Herald, Standard, letter from Muriel and one from Maud also a letter from Lottie.

Saturday 22 of August 1914 A very fine day after the storm. V & J has to open up the oat shocks to dry in the sun. I washed breakfast dishes. Emma cleaned floors. While we were at dinner Belle and Henry came quite unexpectedly. I was so glad to see them. Belle brought phonograph records. We set up quite late talking. Ben Percy rowed them across in Rob Percy's skiff and ate dinner here before going to Sylves where he staid all night.

Sunday 23rd August 1914 A fair day. Edith went to water Rachels cows, I sent invitation to R to come over, she came and staid to dinner. Ben Percy came too dinner. After dinner Ben goes home ie after the rain which comes in great floods, almost a tornado acompanied by thunder and lightning. Went to water R's cows but they wouldn't drink.