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Saturday May 23. 1874. Went down town yesterday to see about pedestals for my garden vases. Had a head ache but not one of my severe ones. Have finished a water color drawing 9 X 15 of my Late Autumn with figures and it came out so well that I wrote to Col. Hay that I would like Miss Stone to see it if she liked it she might have it as she seemed disappointed in not getting the other. This morning. He and his wife and Miss Stone called and she liked the picture better than the other and is to let me know on Monday if she can take it. Eastman Johnson called and I walked up to 42" St. with him. Have been sitting to Le Clear for several days so that he may finish my portrait begun long ago. 
How differently I feel from what I did a year ago. Although this has been a winter of financial depression I have made my usual income, been economical, paid some old debts and shall have a little money left for the summer, which is certainly a great triumph for an artist of established reputation at the age of 46 years. I ought to be thankful that I am not in jail.

Tuesday 26. On Sunday Gertrude went over to Brooklyn to stay with Girards wife and Downing and I went to Coney Island. It was not very pleasant there and we came home early and had tea at Marys. Gertrude returned early from Brooklyn in order to prevent Mary from going over but she had been gone ten minutes. However she got back before we were through tea. Vaux and Dr. Coan had gone up to Rondout to spend Saturday & Sunday. Yesterday it rained nearly all day. We are in the midst of our preparations for leaving town and everything is in a mess. Bowyer came over last evening and I went back with him. Sara came down with Calvert. Gertrude wrote to Lucy and sent the letter and our photographs this morning. Mr. Secor called today. This evening I received a note from him asking the price of my Kaatskill Woods. I answered his note and told him $1000. Dr. Coan called this evening. Miss Stone came in today to tell me that she would take the water color picture and was surprised that I had not received the check for it which Col. Hay had sent me yesterday. She told me that if I did not get it today to let them know tomorrow. Sent Miss Stones picture today and wrote to Mr. Walker that his picture would go tomorrow and to remit to me at Rondout.

Thursday 28. Recd. a letter from Marshal Oliver regarding a place for the summer which I answered immediately. We lunched yesterday with Gifford and met Mary and his father & mother..