Day: July 7, 2017

July 7, 1917

Against my better judgment I am going over to George Rowe’s party tonight.

Everyone is out of sorts with the news of conscription. I’m sure to be called up. Most likely Lowrie too. I doubt Shannon will get called. Martin Blecher is an American, so he’ll get called up in Buffalo. It’s a sorry thing to see an American vacationing avoiding the call-up while the locals are.

It was raining earlier in the day. It’s warmer now but the weather hasn’t promised to clear up yet. It may rain again later in the night. I can see a light at the Trainor cottage. Nobody is expected there but Hugh may have come up for work.

The sun just came out. It’s brighter but the clouds are still thick by the horizon.

I don’t have much here. I don’t have much at all.

I’ll change my socks before I go over to George’s. They smell.

July 7, 1917

Mowat P.O.
Winnie Trainor, Huntsville

Dear Winnie,

I received your letter on Thursday. I asked Shannon for the rest of the money. I expected to to get back almost $200 but after Shannon takes his amount for my room and board at the Lodge I can only get $25.

My sketches are at your cottage with my gear. I plan to send some to Dr. MacCallum. I saw your father. He was up for work. I stayed my distance and he didn’t go out of his way to say anything to me. I figured he knew already. I’m sorry to hear your mother won’t go back to church on my account for bringing shame on the family. Marriage won’t make any difference now for conscription. The last day for marriage was yesterday.

I plan to wrap up business here and I leave quietly. I’ll ask Dr. McCallum  to send the money to you when my sketches are sold.

Love,

Tom

July 7, 1917

Mowat P. O.
Dr. James MacCallum, Toronto

Dear Sir:

I am still around Frasers and have not done any sketching since the flies started. The weather has been wet and cold all spring and the flies and mosquitoes much worse than I have seen them any year and the fly dope doesn’t have any effect on them. This however is the second warm day we have had this year and another day or so like this will finish them. Will send my winter sketches down in a day or two and have every intention of making some more but it has been almost impossible lately. Have done some guiding this spring and will have some other trips this month and next with probably sketching in between.

Yours truly

Tom Thomson