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21 intimate friend ever since Gertrude was eleven years old. Mrs. Grey came to see me just before I started for the funeral and I had a very satisfactory talk with her and am to drive with her on Tuesday. I had a letter from Sara this morning full of longings for dear Gertrude and overflowing with a sense of her loss. She misses her so much and grieves for her constantly. [[clipping]] GERTRUDE McENTEE* So bright a spirit lately sped Beyond the veil which [[strikethrough]]hides[[/strikethrough]] bounds our sight, The common paths our steps still tread Reflect her footprints yet, in light. The autumn leaves, with flush of red, Sunshine of Indian Summer's day, Roses and morning-glories shed Bright hope and beauty where she lay. So peacefully she fell asleep, We cannot learn to call her dead; Remembrance, rich and rare, we keep, Sore sorrowing, yet comforted. The rich boon of her life is ours-- A life with loving deeds replete; Whose troubles passed like summer showers; Whose joys flowed deep and clear and sweet. Ah! strange and sad the thought that all Those sweet, untroubled joys are o'er! Ah! strange that, though her name we call, Her dear voice answers us no more! We turn to One who, tenderly, To anguished hearts His heart doth press, And not in vain we plead that we May know the balm of that caress. O, Friend and Comforter! unseen, Yet to our utmost needs so near-- Our pain upon Thy love we lean; It is enough that Thou art here! ISABELLA FORSYTH. *These simple and tender lines, by one who loved her, seem to me so fitting a tribute to one of the happiest, most loving souls that ever gladdened the earth, that I cannot forbear sending them to the Editor for publication. C.M.S. [[/clipping]] [[clipping]] MRS. J. Q. A. WARD. The wife of the sculptor, J. Q. A. Ward, died suddenly yesterday afternoon, at her residence, No. 9 West Forty-ninth-st. Mrs. Ward was the daughter of the late Charles F. Valentine, of this city, and was married to Mr. Ward in June 1877. She was a woman of fine culture, and much force of character. Her death was caused by an attack of convulsions. She possessed a vigorous constitution and was in her usual health on Thursday evening. The attack occurred about 7 o'clock. Medical aid was speedily summoned. Dr. Lay and Harwood, of the immediate vicinity, and Dr. Hubbard, of No. 27 West Ninth-st., the family physician, quickly came. Dr. Fordyce Barker was also called for consultation. Despite all that the best medical skill could do she passed from one convulsion into another until 2:30 a.m. yesterday. After that she remained in a comatose condition until her death, which occurred at 1:15 p. m. She was only twenty-five years old. [[/clipping]] Saturday Feb. 1. 1879. I was greatly shocked this morning to find this announcement of the sudden death of Wards wife. I did not know her. Gertrude and I saw her at Mrs. Stones party last spring but Ward did not introduce her. He afterwards twice asked me to come in some evening and smoke a cigar with him while they were living at the Grosvenor and I was here alone. I meant to have gone but did not. I wrote him a short note immediately. Went home by the 4 o'clock train. In the train on the Elevated road met Miss Nixon on her way to the depot to meet some one and we walked over together. It came off very cold before I reached home. Sunday 2. Wrote to Lucy, Jeannette & Gussie and spent the rest of the time reading Gertrudes letters. Those she wrote when she was still a girl at school before we were engaged were very artless and like an impulsive, light-hearted girl. It was sweet to me to trace the steady growth of her love and reading these letters written so long ago brought her vividly before me in her girlhood and I seemed to have gone back to those early days and been with here. Sara and I talked of her, recalling her running and lovely ways and I seemed almost to be with her at home. I think Sara misses her more and more as time goes on as I am sure we all will. She was hardly about a moment from my thoughts. Monday 3. Pa drove me over on the ice to the noon train, in a sleigh. The sleighing is nearly all gone. I found here a letter from Mr. J.C. Bates of Providence entirely pleased with his little picture and asking if I still had the one he saw in my studio last spring. I wrote to him in reply telling him I now asked $250 for it (I offered it to him then for $125.) but would let him have it for $200 if he wanted it. A note from Mrs. Grey asking me to come to dinner Wednesday instead of Tuesday if convenient to me. Answered I would come. No letter from Lucy to my great disappointment but I hope she wrote me yesterday and that I will get it tomorrow morning. Went to the Council Meeting. Miss Durfee was again engaged for the Annual Exhibition After the meeting went up to the Water
