The Prat Sisters: Free Spirits of the 1890s

Samuel Prat, father of the Prat sisters, died of influenza at 'Acadia Villa,' Wolfville, in February 1892. He died nine days after the death of Minnie's fiancé, Goodridge Roberts.
Carman writes: "It is not only because I have lost my own father and mother, that my heart aches for you and my dear ones now, but because you made your home my home. I came to you like a vagrant and you gave me all your best; you gave me such beautiful care and affection and simple welcome that it lent a new interest to my lonely life; and one of my greatest pleasures was in thinking that you would all rejoice at any little good fortune I had. O please forgive me! I cannot say any more. I think the girls will understand. I could not know their father as I did without coming to have much affection for him, and I grieve over his death... What it will be to you all, I do not dare to think..."

Date: 18 February 1892

Credit: Esther Clark Wright Archives, Acadia University

Reference:  Esther Clark Wright Archives, Acadia University  Harry Starr accession no. 1990-006