49

led him in to the house and Emma
led him to bed where he lay till
nearly midnight. After supper and
Will and V got sobered up they went up
to Joe's barn and done Joe's chores by
stabling 19 head cattle and the horses.
Oh Emma and I had a fine time
waiting for those "critters". We live to near
the corners away. Joe staid all night.
I'll always remember this against Will Niles
and his old whiskey bottles had made
home.

Wednesday 27 December 1916
Roads very bad. Bob Smiths funeral to
day. V didn't go nothing done to day
only the meals. V & Will cut up the pork
and beef and barreled it. I wrote a long
letter to Nellie Brooks. no mail to day
nor will there be any tomorrow. Thaws and
rains and freezes. The family retire early.

Thursday 28th December 1916
V went to school meeting. I finish Nelly
letter and he drops it in the mail box
on his way to school meeting, which
makes 4 letters in the mail box together
with all those boxes and bundles.
V and Will draw hay and work on the
sheep barn. Will drove over from here to
Rachels for Edith for Emma is sick again
with a cold but she is "hors de Combat"
We bake bread, got meals, wash dishes and
separators, churn and etc. I finish pie doily.
V, Will, E & E played cards all evening.