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him. They came about 2 o'clock. Ruth was very chatty with them and they enjoyed their call. I went home by Wallkill Valley.

Monday Feb. 11. 1879. Read some of Gertrudes letters before we were married and mine in answer. I lived those days over again but felt an added desolation when I put them away and felt afresh her absence. When I am at home I can not bear to be away from our room where all her things are. Day by Day I miss her more and more. I had a talk with Lucy about her Washington visit, but she told me nothing I did not already know. I have shed many bitter tears alone while I was home this time thinking over what I have lost. Life seems so empty and aimless without Gertrude. Sara and I always talk about her and we never can keep back the tears. Came home this morning. Pa drove me over the river in the back-board as the sleighing is all gone. It is snowing now (4 P.M) and I hope will make sleighing up there. When I went to dinner I found that Mary and Marion had gone to Greenfield to see Gertrude Tomkins. Joe sent them on some errand of his. There is some trouble there. Attended the Council meeting. I proposed some new seats for the galleries and Hall and I were appointed a committee to see about them and report next Monday night. Still snowing when I came home.

Tuesday 18. Grey and snowy. Julia, Miss Fanny [[?]]Gott[[?]], Miss Mabel White and Bowyer by invitation lunched with me. They seemed to enjoy it as I certainly did. If I were able I would like to do all sorts of pleasant things for our young people. While they were here a Mr. Parsons from Detroit called - said he knew my pictures, talked about his brother in St. Louis who owned pictures, about traveling in Europe and about building and furnishing a home taking care to let me see he is a rich man - in short he talked too much for a stranger and far too much of it was about himself. In manner he reminded me very strongly of Uncle Charles. After the young people left I was alone again with my fancies and my melancholy. [[left margin]] see p. 26 [[left margin]] I have wondered fifty times today what has been the effect of my letter I sent on Saturday. Will I get an answer? Will I ever know any more about it? Will I wish I had not sent it? I do not regret it yet. Have tried to paint a little. Shattuck came in. Says his wife has another baby making six in all. He feels discouraged and I think he has reason to for he is not advancing in his art. He looks very old. Nichols called. They both seemed to like my picture but did not say much. Calvert and I went to the Christian Association to a lecture on color by Prof. Roof before the Academy of Sciences. Sat near Mrs. Bullard. She says her father has lost his mind and is a great care.