The Journals of Martha E. McMillan

before the fire ceased. All the men in the hay field this afternoon with the addition of Uncle Dan’s man. July 19 th Thurs. Very dry—dusty—and warm….Mr. Robert McCracken—late of Monmouth college and a friend of Homer’s called this morning… July 20 th Fri. Dry and warm….Homer took Mr. McCracken to Mr. Will Kyle’s and back too late for the train—he got back at noon—bringing Mr. McCracken with him—both here to dinner along with our harvest men…Homer took Mr. McCracken to X—The men finished the hay by the railroad and after supper went to the lower meadow….At four we had a shower, the first rain we have had since…. 24 th July Tues. A beautiful day. Homer at C—and brought Mr. McChesney here and took him around Selma to look for students for the Cedarville College. August 1 st August Wed. Warm….This afternoon Mr. Mc and I at the Congregational prayer meeting— we took tea with Grandmother Murdock and Aunt Mary. 11 th August Sat. A nice day. I have stopped to write the events of this day. Uncle Joe and Clayton and Jason around house. Homer at Selma and around—Clayton took Uncle Joe home— We had quite a shower today. Uncle Joe went down home—Homer looking after sheep today. Katy busy. Aunt Mary E. and Clara here looking after things in our absence. Jason and Paul around. Mr. Mc and I left yesterday morning for the Urbana Camp meeting—and reached home at four….We met Mr. and Mrs. John Johnston. Mrs. J—looks like another woman now; when we saw her last she had a very hard cough—seemed to be going down in the long disease. The medicine that was the means of curing her was the following: one pint of the very best whiskey, half a pint of glycerine, 1 lb. of rock candy. “Take the candy and add a little water to dissolve it then add to the glycerine and whiskey—cork tight—dose one dessert spoonful before each meal and before going to bed. ‘Shake well.’” There is no doubt to the worth of this prescription. 16 th August Thurs. A beautiful day. For a change of scene—I went with Mr. Mc, Clayton, and Jason to the fair—at Xenia. There was a terrible crowd there. We had a nice dinner—and supper on the ground with warm coffee. We did not meet many that we knew—yet we had a nice day, reached home after dark. 17 th August Fri. A beautiful day but dry and dusty. Xenia fair running today but none of us there. Mr. Mc and Homer looking after sheep all A.M. Uncle Joe, Clayton, and Jason and Paul around. Monroe and Isaac plowing this afternoon late. Mr. Mc and Clara left for London—I must confess 107