Tues. 13th 9 o-clock A.M. Hark! how fast the rain pours down peal on peal of deafening thunder roars, the long desired rain has come to cool the parched earth and moisten the scorched land, & cause the crops to reinvigorate their growth, how prettily it falls. We were hoeing in the corn fields when it began & it drove us (drenched through) to our home.
Father and Geo have gone over to Bethel, ---- Royalton, to see about buying a farm. Father & Charles were there last week, 70 acres, offered for $1000. We want more for the pasture land (What loud thunder!) than anything else. Morly has finished his barn We helped C. Smith raise a barn last Friday (that hot day). Calma is with A.P. & P.M. has gone home. Arthur is a smart boy & very independent youth, but he loves Fran & Fran loves he, without the least ----. Ellen lives a --- yet. She has the headaches some, the dear girl, she plays on the harp & sings first rate with such tunes as “The Watcher,” “Irish Emigrants Lament” “Family Bible”, “Soldiers Tea” I hope her mother will soon be here, & the rest. We expect them some to day.
Later – The rain (having done a deal of service pouring down hard an hour or so). Ceased at Eleven. We then (at 12) went forth to work & finished hoeing corn. The storm has beat it down badly. It is cool this day & clear. Father has bought that farm for $900.