[The following is written vertically across the top of the letter:] Mother wishes me to include this receipt.¹

My dear Grandpa,

Since I last wrote to you Mrs. Hart has been here and says she will take me but can not afford paying me more than four dollars a month. I do not think that enough, I consider I am worth six dollars. Alice gets five dolars [sic] and is at a very easy place and away nearly half her time and all her earnings are spent on dress and I do not see how I can do with so little as I will not only want to dress but also help Mother as she will have to hire her washing when I am gone.

I should be very pleased if I could learn dressmaking and Mrs. Best a person who learnt her trade in the old country a member of the Congregational church a very respectable person would take me and called the other evening about it.

As it is is [sic] your request Mother says it is her wish that I go to Mrs. Harts [sic] as you have always shown us great kindness and even had you not she says it is my duty as a grandchild to do as you wish as you will let me know your wish and I will as accordingly.

Minnie received a letter from Mrs. Tuck wishing her to go back again Mother hardly knows how to manage to get Spring clothes for the children and I have been thinking perhaps Aunt Mary or Grandma² had some old clothes if so and they would not mind letting us have them Mother would be so pleased with them no difference how old they are.

Hattie Baker

¹ "Mother" is her step-mother, Mrs. James Alfred Baker (Maria Mudge). Rev. Baker was providing financial support for Maria as she was still caring for several of the seven dependent stepchildren she had "inherited" after the death of her husband, James Alfred Baker. However, in 1878, her eldest stepchild, John P. Baker, reported to Rev. Baker a rumour that Maria was keeping gentlemen callers for undue lengths of time and, as a result, the Reverend removed the children from Maria's care. See W3155.

² Aunt Mary and Grandma are Rev. Baker's daughter Mary and his second wife Mary-Jane McIlwaine. Mary Baker married Isaac McQuesten in 1873, and had 3 children by 1878.