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family. They will be in a terrible state. She was only sick from Friday till Wednesday. Inflammation of the lungs. Raining hard this afternoon. I wont go to town tomorrow if it's like this - it's cold too Letter from Mother min & Jim S - the latter evidently enjoys my letters - he answered only 2 days after. He isn't such a bad sort. 27th. Saturday. Clear this morning so I got ready & went. Got paid for the boys' music £3.10-0. Mr. Wilson went down with us to town - he has dengue fever. Mr. G. told me to wait for Sam who has to drive him down this evening. I can come Home at 6. Good. Went home first & saw them all. Stayed till 3 - then Ivy & I went to town. I went to see Alf W. M. wanted me to see if Arthur W. would come up with me or when he would come. Alf said he didn't think he would come - Mrs. Ellison & the kids would be up. Just as well Mrs. E. isn't very nice looking just now. Glad Jack isn't here. Suppose he has gone to Sharon. Got all my business done & we had our tea at Peat's. It threatened rain so we scooted round to the Corn Bend & waited there for the buggy. Tom W. & Sam came along so we all reached here before 9. It cleared to be a lovely night. I felt inclined to go on further. It was a perfect moonlight night. 28th. Sunday. Church Mr. & Mrs. Ellison here for the day. Mrs. E. went to church. We wished she hadn't. Went out at night. 29th. Monday. Out to practice tonight for Columbia's Conclave but there was noone in Hall and was there to practise his song for Wed. night. 30th. Tuesday. Mr. H & A. Stirling here to-night to practice their songs some of the others here too marking prizes. 31st. Wednesday. Rained very hard this afternoon. storm in fact but cleared thankfully for the Social. It was a lovely night & a great success 1st. Sep Thursday. Miss Walker from Maryboro came this afternoon - a big hall [...]. Mrs. Boreham & the boy came up with Mr. G. too today. 2nd. Tuesday. Minnie W. can't take the part of New York so I've arranged to take it. let May Uhlmann their cousin from Brisbane play the music. Had our 1st. practice tonight. It wasn't so bad. 3rd. Saturday. Busy all morning marking the books &c. Went over to the picnic about 4 - lot there - the young men had tea in the hall after. D was up He went on the Bucca. All the others - about a dozen came over after tea & we had some fun the younger Noynes girl is a nice girl - real lively sort she & I hit it altogether. Mr. Tunley came up too so Bingera is full of strangers May Uhlmann from Brisbane (cousin) & Jessie Aird from Port Alma came up today. 4th. Sunday. Church this morning. Not much rest - had to go off to the Hall for the Sunday School service & prize taking. Then home in eve all went up & saw the new house - there had tea & were off to church again soon after. Hall crowded. Mr. Castleton conducted the services throughout & gave out the prizes. Mr. T. played morning & evening. 5th. Monday. We had a quiet evening at home. I like Miss W. She seems very sensible. Like Mrs. B. better now too. I always think of a wasted life when I look at her. 6th. Tuesday. Busy. Rose Wilis from Maryboro. & Miss Smith - a freind of theirs from Sydney came this afternoon. Mrs. G. invited all the other girls to tea too. M. was a bit mad - 12 girls sat down to tea. After they went to the Mill while we went to "Conclave" practice. Had fair one. 6th. Wednesday. - Wrote to Ivy. 7th. Thursday. Out to practice again. They have changed their minds about giving the Conclave at the end of October or Nov - Jean S. wants it to be before she comes back. So would rather have it at once. Will lose interest in it if it's too long. they've decided to give it before the end of this month now - We'll have to look spry. Wrote to Minnie W. asking if it was conveniet[sic] for H. & I to come down this Sat. If not let us know.
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8th. Friday. Busy day. Invited over to James G's to spend the evening but it came on to rain. The others went. Was glad of an excuse for not going. Felt tired. Had promised to go out to children's practice but Mr. Crabtree sent word not to come so stayed in & after the mail came in - the letter from the dear little Mother arrived with one from Alice R. in which she declares she wrote last to me but I've no letter of hers since before last midwinter holidays - 12 months - I had a bath & went to bed. No letter from Minnie W. but we'll go anyway & chance it. The others are going to town tomorrow with Will & bringing back Arthur & Albert W. & perhaps D. or Jack W. so I'll get out of the road. Ma says poor Art. has been ill again & has got the sack. & wants to set up business in Mt. Morgan. Poor things. It's hard. 9th. Saturday. We got all ready before dinner & set off for Sharon about 1/2 past 1. Reached there early - kept with the buggy all the way. They didn't expect us - M. had written saying not to come this Sat. but somehow it must have gone astray. However they made us welcome & I went ahead with the smocking. Mrs. Tom is better but they must have had a handfull with her. They have the baby for good now. We had some music at night. Ben is a nice boy. Reminds me of C. in his ways. He's a great tease too. 10th. Sunday. Three of the girls with Ben went to church this morning but I stayed with M. She & I had quite confidential talks. Poor things. It must have been a terrible trial to them - three times she has tried to do away with herself. Mrs. Y. has been worrying her about some money they wanted her to make over to them & her mother before F. took ill. How horrible. Now the poor thing has an idea they want her to die to get her money. They have to watch her that closely. I told M. I could sympathise with her. Told her about our Nell. She had never heard before. I like Min. She is a genuine girl. She saw J. at the Ferry & he sent his love to us. It came on heavy rain after dinner - just after the others got home from church - & rained on - Our home going put off till tomorrow morning. F. was over with T. She is very quiet - & so thin & brown. She doesn't take any notice of the baby. They say she doesn't care for it & they don't like trusting her with it. It's a nice little thing - healthy & bright. It sleeps well at night but is cross in day time. We had singing tonight. Jack made a great impression when he was there - they dished up Jack all today. I was sea-sick this morning. Had miserable night. Either got shaken up with the ride or got a cold or this part doesn't suit me. 12th. Monday. Up early this morning & away home after breakfast. Ben had our horses groomed & saddled about 7 o'clock. Mr. W. wanted us to stay till afternoon. I like him very much. He & I got quite chummy. They gave me a hearty invite to come down any time I liked. The baby cried nearly all night. I had a wretched night too. Must have got another of those old turns. Am afraid M. didn't have much sleep with me these nights. I couldn't live here tho' It's too low & swampy We had to walk all the way home - the roads were so bad. Got home to school at 1/2-10. Felt nasty all day. Wrote to Ma. Practice but went not. Sent word to Mr. C. 13th Tuesday. Feel nasty as can be. We had music &c. tonight. I like Rose W. She had the name of being very sharp &c. but she seems not like that. She has taken a fancy to me too. 14th. Wednesday. Not so bad to day. 15th. Thursday. They all went to Workman's this afternoon. F. is better as they said & won't go away with her father & mother as they want her to. I'm getting on with the smocking - but it's s lot of work - Meant to get on with a lot of work in the mornings but it will be lost time this week. Have had to take to that old medicine again but it's stale now but still does me a bit of good. 16th. Friday. Nasty again. Felt all out of sorts tonight. We had some fun nevertheless in the drawing room tonight. Am sorry now these girls are going. They all with M. go down to town tomorrow with M. she stays too till Monday night. Jack has got the sack from the Dredge - Cooper had it instead. There'll be more pity at Sharon. Don't suppose he'll come up here when he sees M. in town. Don't care much either. Thought there might be a letter from H. but there's none. Has he[underlined] changed too.
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17th. Saturday. Busy until 12. Mended &c. all afternoon nearly. Had nice time to myself. The house seems quiet without the girls. Miss Walker gave me an invitation to come & stay with her any time I was passing through. Might next Xmas. I like her - she is real sensible. Fine looking girl too. Youngsters went out to practice at Hall. I stayed in & wrote to Jim S. 18th. Sunday. Lovely day. All by ourselves except Mr. Cairnes for dinner. It is a relief to be by ourselves again. Went to church this morning. Wrote to Edie. Very hot. A year today since the party of us were at Watana. 19th. Monday. M. came home tonight. We had a gay time in town Jack W. went to Sharon again on Saturday. 20th. Tuesday. Out to Conclave practice tonight. Not many there. Have the children singing in it now. 21st. Wednesday. Quite like summer these days. 22nd. Thursday. Practice again. tonight. These bothering practices. They do waste my time. I can't do anything to my work except these early mornings ~ getting up at 6 - 23rd. Friday. Was going to town to morrow but now there's to be practice tomorrow night & I must & after missing so many & it's to be given next Thursday. So sent word to say that I wouldn't be down. Meant to go down for Sunday & play the organ for annivers-ary services. 24th. Saturday. Mr. Ellison brought up Mr. Brentnall this morning. Tom W. forgot to give a message home yesterday that Mr. [...] sent me to be sure to come to play for Sunday. Mr. W. says I ought to but can't now - Mr. G. is to drive Mr. Brentnall back tonight. Went over this afternoon & talked to Marsh through the telephone - John G. & Barclay gave me no peace. I didn't know what I was saying. 25th. Sunday. Big storm came on last night - they couldn't get down so I made up my mind before going to bed that I'd go down with them in the buggy & stay till Monday's train. So we left about 8.30. this morning - the roads were pretty muddy. Got down at 9.30 town time. Went to Davidson's & got some more of my medicine - a little bit - then went to church & had time for a practice before church - it looked very pretty decorated. Noone expected me - I gave them all a surprise. The organ is better now. Miss Wales & Miss W. were there - all the Workman's - Jack - Wildes &c. I just shook hands with them all coming out of church. Will was out so trotted home - told Mr. G. that I'd stay till next morning. P[...]ed all afternoon. Had tea at Grace's. Joe very nice. Out again at night & played. Felt very tired 26th. Monday. Up at 3.30 this morning. Will & I walked over to North Side before 5. It was[underlined] dark. I bumped my face coming along on a fence. Will forgot my parcel on the punt. I hope they'll find it. Got up at the Siding at 4. or so. Eugine was down & trucks so I got home before 7. Was to see Arthur W. yesterday but D carefully kept out of my way. Am going to note that to him. Felt not so bad all day. My early walk didn't hurt me. Out to practice tonight too. Not so bad. Full rehearsal on Wednesday. 27th. Tuesday. M. & May U. & Jessie Aird went down by train this morning Mr. G. drove the rest down after dinner to the tea - nice [...]. I'd have liked to have gone but better as it is. Just Mrs. G. W. & I & the Kids.
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28th. Wednesday. They all came home last night. Out to full rehearsal. All were dressed in costume except Mr. Crabtree & I - am going to wear my pink dress. with letters "New York" on it. Good practice. Think it will go off very well. Premier. Mr. Byrnes dangerously ill. Lovely day. 29th Thursday. Premier died last night - only 37 - just at the outset of his brilliant career. Better so perhaps since he's a Catholic & a clever one. All the schools have a holiday to day. Finished off early this afternoon. Mr. & Mrs. Marsh & Mrs. Totten were here for tea. [...] sick with dysentery. Thought she could take her part but when went over to Stirling's to dress she fainted & Put us all upset too. Hermie Stirling had to take her part but of course it fell flat at that part. Pity too. Crowded house Marsh gave a graphaphone exhibition. It was most comical. Mrs. sang 2 songs. A.S. one. I had just to listen at the back till we went out. I felt nervous at the first moment but not afterwards. Jim Walker looked splendid in fur overcoat - he lost his head tho' & didn't light the footlights which spoilt it a bit. All of them looked well. Rob & Angus up & a gentleman. Mrs. W. & Eric too. M. told me last night that A. W. had proposed to her on Tuesday night. 30th. Friday. Feel tired & a bit off today. Suppose it's excitement (effects of) Raining hard today. Threatened yesterday but didn't come. Blessing we had a fine night last night. Mr. Eales was delighted at the success - they are going to give it again when Jean comes back - think it could be given. Everyone seemed pleased with it - & tickled at the costumes. Think we gave it as well as Bundaberg ~ only I couldn't find my white ribbons & when I did they were without pins - Mrs. Porter had hers all right. Got letter from Ellen Skyring with Daisy's memorial card - very nice. No letter from H. If he doesn't write next week I'm going to see whats wrong. 1st. October Saturday. Raining all day & so cold. We had a fire all day. Busy at the school all morning. Amused myself in the afternoon The gentleman went down this morning - a nice fellow - M. expected A.W. up tonight but no word came nor himself. He was to come & see Pa. Most likely the rain stopped him. I will be glad if all is settled right 2nd. Sunday. Raining still all day - 3rd. Monday. Cleared today. Mrs. W. went home this morning. Young Eric sick - vomiting - can't keep anything down - all children in town are same way Boys went home too today. 4th. Tuesday. M. suggested today that she go with me & the children to Pialba - Mr. G. didn't say anything - It would be nice 5th. Wednesday. I got very funny last night - didn't sleep all night & feel as sisk as can be today. 6th. Thursday. M. bad again today. I better ~ went over to Office for walk. Very glad too. Jessis A. bad with her throat. Mr Muller over - says it's influenza 7th. Friday. I'm for cold too ~ sneezing all day - feel sick too. Dr. T. up to see M - says there's nothing serious - she must stay in bed till Monday - Jessie has quinsy - thought so - Glad tomorrow's Saturday. Letter from the dear Mother She's all serene - & Jim S. nice letter too - he's sentimental too - didn't think so. M. showed me letter from A.W. yesterday - nice manly letter - there is[underlined] something in him ~ he seems very anxious to have Mr. G.'s consent - M. doesn't know what he will think - her mother is very agreeable to it so most likely it will all come right. 8th. Saturday. Jessie in bed today - bad - I put my feet in mustard & water last night - cold in head gone but coughing up all day & tight - feel horrid too. stayed in bed. till nearly dinner time.
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9th. Sunday. A.W. came up about 11. I stayed in till dinner time - feel wretched - no life in me - & such a tormenting cough. it must be influenza M. up on the lounge this afternoon on the verandah. 10th. Monday. Didn't go up till 11 this morning & stayed there for dinner but can't eat ~ everything makes me sick - feel as I wanted to bring it up. pains started in my back & legs too ~ wish I was right[underlined] - won't be better till I am. Wrote to Ma & Ivy - very doleful letters I'm afraid. Went to bed after tea. 11th. Tuesday. Went up after dinner today - took some rhubarb to put me straight. Feel horrible still & such pains in back & legs - it's influenza all right horrid cough too. Couldn't eat anything scarcely today. 12th. Wednesday. In bed all day. Mrs. G. away in town. Felt too sick to get up. Coughed all night till 4. this morning - felt half dead - am right[underlined] tho' that's one good things[sic] - pains still - feel very feverish every night - feel very low & down hearted today. 13th. Thursday. Up this morning but went not to school till 1 - am not going to make myself worse by worrying - going to take things easy - poor Rob Parkes has gone at last - release for him - Slept well last night - got Polly to make me linseed & liquorice. 14th. Friday. Up & better. worst over now. Cough troublesome a bit Glad tomorrow & next day. 15th. Saturday. Rested all day. Can't eat yet - everything is nasty Eliza Gillies & her brother but straight to Harvey's. 16th. Sunday. Arthur W. & Dave came last night. I was in bed - so was M. Didn't get up till after breakfast this morning. Mr. G. was going to town to preach Mrs. G. came in early to ask me would I like to go in with him but felt too weak to bother - M. & I sat under the big tree outside the fence all church time - then after dinner I went round the fence & sat there till tea time - couldn't read - just rested. All is settled now with A. & M. Pa has consented so "All's well". I'm glad. She's going into town tomorrow. Dave went back at 5 on his byke[sic] - he empathetically denied that it was a Muriel he was engaged to or that he was at all. Can't tell Mr. D. tho' but I know his views on marrying early & maybe he'll find another girl next year. Muriel B. is engaged to a Perth gentleman. 17th. Monday. Feel lot better but weak - up to breakfast. M. went to town. Eliza G. here (Jessie A. over at James G's.) She's a nice girl - 18th. Tuesday. I went not down to dinner today nor yesterday. - am living on tomatoes chiefly. Tom G. was here to dinner today. He's to be married Thursday in the church. 19th. Wednesday. Tom. G. here for tea - he stays till tomorrow. I teased him. He's like B. a bit - in the figure especially. 20th. Thursday. We got a half-holiday off on the strength of the wedding & went out to see it. I went by truck. The others Mr. G. drove them - Mrs. G. W. (best man) Eliza & Jessie the latter was a guest (the children couldn't understand why she should be invited & not I. however - I played before - after W. March & we all sang "The voice that breathed" The church was full. the bride looked very nice - the "remarkably fine girl" & her younger sister (both younger than the bride) were bridesmaids. Mr. Morris married them & decorated for them. They (from here) went out to the wedding breakfast - the couple with the V. fine girl went down afterwards to catch the late train to Brisbane. I got home at 4. felt tired too