December 1888 - Boort

My Dear Mamma & Dada,

Just a few lines to wish you all a Merry Christmas. Nellie went away last Thursday. I wrote to Mary Ross as Nellie said she would like to come to Boort.

Mrs Richmond could not find a girl for me & said those that were any good had gone to Melbourne. Nellie was not much help. Willie was quite disgusted by her name.

Mrs Morrison the Saddler’s wife has lost her little baby today, seven months old, died quite suddenly, they say cholera was the cause of it’s death. They have just come up for Willie to bury it tomorrow, he has been away preaching at Sandhurst.

Miss Stewart & Emmie went with him for a drive. I went out to Catamnal last Sunday & took baby, she was very good., the first time she has been to church. Vickie drove over to Wichettela this morning & took little Jack. She expects to be back tomorrow or the next day. She is going to take Henry away with her for the holidays. I have not got baby in short clothes yet but want to Christmas Day. Vickey is very poorly & her legs swell to such a size that really I wonder she could go about at all. She had dropsy when a child. Baby has been very ill since I last wrote with diarrhea. She seemed to be pining away had the Dr. in to see her as I was afraid she might die, she looked so ill, but am glad to say she seems much better but her little stomach is not all right yet. Her motions keep to green, but she is looking more like herself & noticing again. Such a dear little thing she is. All the folks about want to call her Daisy, the children all especially, so expect that will. Being well, she is eight weeks old tomorrow.

Miss Stewart wants to go down to the exhibition the latter end of next month. It closes the 31st. I do not know whether I shall be able to get away or not.

Mr Showlands has been very ill. He went to town to meet his brother just out from home & he caught a cold & has a very serious illness and brought very low but there was a slight improvement yesterday and today he is a little better. His brother came up to look after him.

And now my dear Mamma & Dada, must close. Hope you are all well. Give my love to Rosa, John & the little ones, also Chris.

With love & kisses, your affectionate daughter

Mary Jane