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letters to me and to Gertrude from College Hill and Star Landing. O what agonizing memories they bring to me when dear Gertrude was with me. I am bowed to the very earth today by the renewed causes of my sorrow and I wish I had gone home today instead of tomorrow. These stormy days are almost more than I can bear. Wrote to Alice. My letter was full of sadness but it was a relief to write to her and I begged her to think I was not always so. The weather lightened up a little towards noon and I got to work. Called to see Nash and he came down to my room to see my pictures. Edwina Booth and her cousin Marie came to see me by appointment with Julia Vaux and soon after she and Lily Taylor came. Edwina brought her music and she and Marie played on my piano, the first time it has been opened since Alice played a year ago on her way back to Boston. I suppose my piano will go away soon as I wrote a week ago to Mr. Chickering I would accept his offer for it and so another link will be broken. Now that it is going I cannot help regretting it although I know it is best. Spent the evening at Marys. Calvert went to bed tired. They are all very anxious. They boys & Julia went to a leap year party and I came to my room early. Walter Palmer was having a party in his room. I thought I heard Isabel Palmers voice singing as I came in and the halls are filled with the happy voices of young people beginning the life Gertrude and I began more than twenty years ago here. It made me feel that my youth is gone and oh how much more is gone that blessed those years. I am going home tomorrow. What would I do if I had not home to go to.

Saturday Feb. 14" 1880. Went down to see Jake Sharpe. Found him as well as usual. Came back and had my bedroom swept and cleaned and afterwards called on Whittredge and he came to my room to look at my picture. went home by Wallkill Valley at 3.30. Found Gus and Joe sill there.

Sunday 15. Sara and I walked over to the cemetery directly after breakfast. I wanted to see dear Gertrudes grave again. The snow was all gone and there was little to see save the mount of earth and faded grass which covers her beloved form. I have felt so sadly all day. Gus and Joe are occupying my room and it seems strange for me not to go there.