Stockton June 2 - 1892

Dear Alice:

Well here we are again, with every thing still torn up and upside down. There seems to have been little progress made since I wrote you last. Mr Woodward is still painting: he has been in the house for a few days past getting the woodwork ready for the grainer. He does not grain himself but has engaged a grainer who he says will be here Friday or Saturday. We are going to have Walnut. We have a paper hanger here to look at the rooms; he says the ingrain paper is very difficult to hang, and charges just twice as much to hang it as he does the quality that is in our dining room. I don't know when we will get to the paper. The prospect now is that you will have a chance to put on some of the finishing touches after you get home. I would not care so much about it if it were not for the sewing. I can't do any thing while things are in such a condition.

Emma Jane is all settled; she has three new pairs of lace curtains and other fixings. Mr Blaisdell & son are there now building sidewalks and fence. They will have no fence in front - only a coping.

How is it about the birth day present? Are you still going to have black India Silk?

The inside blinds are down cellar, and all the windows open to dry the paint so of course the flies are just swarming all over the house. Don't you wish you were here?

I see by this mornings paper that they have offered Mr Randall the position of Principal of the Stockton High School at a salary of $3000. a year. The schools here close the 28th. I paid your alumni dues some time ago.

Frank is talking of going blackberrying tomorrow. Fred took his girl to the theatre last night. This is every thing that I can think of so I will stop.

From your mother

E. M. Watrous.

P.S. I have opened this after it was sealed to send you some samples of wall paper. Select the one you like best and send it back. I do not promise to use it unless it is my choise also but would like to get your idea -