1908 letter from Helen to Perley

Dear Mr. Swett,

Are you at home now? I have been intending to write before but didn't know where to address the letter. And I have been pretty busy this summer.

We have about 120 bushels of popcorn, we don't raise any field corn. Two of our neighbors had huskings this fall and I went to them and have been to two or three parties at our neighbors. I expect to go to a Poverty Party next Friday night. Did you ever go to one?

Is there any fires over that way? There have been two or three small ones round here.

From your twin-sister,

H.E.W.

This is a letter that Helen Whitney wrote to Perley in 1908. Those of you that have read the book know that Perley married Helen in 1911. She says "twin sister" because both Helen and Perley were born on the same day and year, February 6, 1888. Does anyone know what a "poverty party" is? - Sheila