A Year for Sisters

September 25, 1887

Dear Faith,

How was your journey? I do hope and pray you have made it safely to your placement now. 

Elsie had seven babies, five girls and two boys, Dad is taking the boys to town on his fall run. He says with that many girls we could make a team. That will mean more ice fishing for Thomas to feed them.

We got several pounds of potatoes. It was a good year for potatoes. Tomorrow I will start to pull the turnips.

I miss you, my dear sister. I am proud of you.  I know this is the beginning of your future.

Blessings

Love, Sadie

December 20, 1887

Dear Sadie,

Teaching has been a wonderful experience. I am happy I came here. 

The schoolhouse is one room with the heater at one end, and my desk is placed on the opposite end. There is one window along where the children sit on the east side. One of my pupils made a hanging drying rack that we place near the heater. Now we all have warm, dry mittens and scarves when we go home after school. I asked him to make a small one for me, and I made two pairs of mittens for him and his baby sister as payment.  He was very pleased.

A mother of three will be bringing me a dinner for Christmas. I will be thinking of you. I will share my meal with you in my thoughts and in my heart.

I miss you as well. The nights are short, but empty without all of you in them, but I always have papers to grade.

Speaking of grading papers, I had better continue with them. I will include a letter for Dad, Mom and Thomas. Please tell Thomas to be safe, ice, fishing and trapping.

I love you dearly.

Blessings

Faith Borrows.

April 13, 1888

Dear Faith,

How are you faring? I hope you were warm enough during the winter. It was a long and cold one. 

We received your letter last week when Dad went to town to get supplies. I believe the postmaster told Dad that it had waited there since January. I was all overjoyed to see it.

I am glad there are people who are able to share with you. When we had Christmas dinner, it was quiet as we were all thinking of you. 

We pulled through winter fairly well. Mom sprained her ankle in February. Dad cut his shin, splitting firewood, it was minor. Thomas and I were fortunate. Thomas has had a good winter. We had a full supply of fish all winter. He sold his furs and received a good return.

When Dad gathered the mail, Thomas bought me a dress. They came home with big smiles and said, “happy belated birthday Sadie,” as they came in the door. Mom and I were both surprised. It is robin egg blue, so pretty, but I do not have anywhere to wear it. Maybe this coming summer I will simply dress up at home.

Elsie’s daughters are large. They are fast at learning. Dad mentioned a few trappers and miners were interested in purchasing such a team and Thomas is considering it. It takes a lot of meat to keep them full. Maybe it is best for them to find a new home.

I am eagerly awaiting a letter from you, but now I must go and start digging the ground up for Mom to plant a garden.

I love you. And greatly miss you.

Blessings

Love, Sadie

June 10, 1888

Dear Sadie,

I was so happy to hear from you. I worried all winter wondering how everyone fared. How is Mom now? Dad’s leg is healed as well? I had a fever and chills for close to three weeks during the coldest part of February. Many of my students passed it around to each other for the whole month.

I kept warm and cozy. There is an older brother to two pupils who brings firewood to the schoolhouse and my home. He has been wonderful.

I have a small garden. It is growing very well. I planted two potatoes as everyone has so many here. I am trying my hand at onions. I remember Mom found them hard to grow. They seem to be doing fine.

I have volunteered to help with cooking for the harvest crew at the end of summer, and on my spare time in the fall. The harvest crew travel around the communities with their horse drawn equipment. Many farms get their crops in with this manner and have not have the expense of the machinery.

I must go now I am happy to finally hear from you. Winters will be tough waiting to receive your letters until next time.

I miss you dear sister. I love you.

Blessings

Faith Borrows

July 26, 1888

Dear Faith,

Summer is good. I so love the warm breezes and fresh carrots. Haying is going well. A few rain showers but no hay ruined.

Mom and Dad are fully healed thankfully. Thomas sold his team to a newcomer to the area. The man’s family is large; I believe there are 15 children.

The harvest sounds very busy and also fun. I have spoken with Mom and Dad about visiting next summer. I hope to see the harvest crew and help with the cooking as well. It sounds exciting I want to see for myself the men and the teams at work.  Thomas has asked me to tell him every detail of the machinery once I return home. He also promised to take up the slack of my hands.

Dad bought a new bull to breed the cows last month. The bull is spotted red and white with shorthorns. He has had his horn tips trimmed off so that they aren’t sharp. It will be wonderful to have some calves running around once again. It has been three years since we have had any calves, now we will begin to build our herd up and have milk. Just thinking of fresh milk and cream, my mouth is watering.

I’m going down to the creek after I finish writing to wash clothes. I’m glad there is good shade trees along the creek. It is quite hot today.

Eager to hear from you soon.

I love you sister, of mine.

Blessings

Love Sadie

September 14, 1888

Dear Sadie,

How are you? Have you worn your new dress yet? You deserve more new dresses and bonnets.

I know it is a year away, but I have made a few plans for when you come to visit me. I will not go into detail. I hope I can have them as a surprise for when you arrive. I miss you and I wish you could come sooner.

I have some very exciting news! I have mentioned the young man who brings the firewood, Martin Foster. Well… we are getting married! He is a sweet, kind man. Hard-working. We will wait until next spring. I will not be able to teach once I am married. The schoolmaster may sway the towns people to keep me on as their teacher, as he is happy with my performance for another year.

I cannot believe it has been a year. This last year has passed so quickly. I get to think of the next year with eagerness now I will be married, and I will see you.

I know you will like him. He’s looking forward to meeting you and the rest of our family.

The harvest is done for the community until next year. It was quickly finished, although it was very busy for the time the workers were here. It’s amazing how well everything flowed. At the end of the day those men were hungry that we had to start making more food on the second day as the first day we ran out of food. The weather held out for the harvest as well. The boss told us there is usually something to go wrong in every area, but this community has good luck for them every year.

I will end this letter here I need to get to the postmaster before the Friday night barn dance at the neighbour's place. I am going with Martin. He has taken me to several barn dances during the summer. It was at the harvest barn dance where he asked me to marry him.

I love you and miss you, Sadie.

Blessings

Faith Borrows

October 16, 1888

Dear Faith

I cannot believe you are getting married. You have my well wishes. I cannot be happier for you. Martin sounds to be a good man. Now I have another reason to look forward to when visiting with you.

We nearly have the whole garden in the cellar. So much to do at this time of year. Mom is canning berries at this moment. I am taking a rest from picking the berries. We are doing a taste test on some fresh bread. It is delicious.

We have company coming tonight. The new neighbour's oldest son is coming at six. He has been visiting nearly twice a week. His name is John Thompson. He is two years older than you. Dad harrumphs when John gives me his full attention. Mom says that love is in the air for both of his daughters, John is shy so I am not certain if he will ever ask to court me or even if he wants to. It is possible he is only being very polite to me because I am a girl. He helps Dad with things while Thomas is helping Mom and I in the garden. I am wearing the new dress tonight. I think he is very handsome.

It appears that Elsie will be whelping soon. She is so round. I hope she doesn’t have too many puppies this time.

I had better go and help Mom start supper.

I love you and I’m very happy for you.

Blessings

Love, Sadie