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Thursday Dec. 15' 1881. A number of calls today. From Mr. Adams for pictures for the Utica exhibition in January. From Mr. Conkley to explain why he had not paid me a balance of $100 on a little picture he bought of me. He had had trouble and been pressed for money and I told him to pay me when he could and not let it distress him. Weir came in and our intercourse was stiff and constrained. I wonder why? I am afraid Weir is growing too much interested in his own Art affairs and that he thinks he has made discoveries which will prove unsatisfactory to him in the end. Mrs. Carnell & Mr & Mrs. Carpenter came. The first time they were ever at my studio. Mrs Carnell liked one of my pictures and asked the price and said "she wished she could afford it". I told her I wished she could. Joe Tomkins came to Marys in the evening. I took him around to the Club and we walked down together. What a discontented, restless man. Out a part of the day buying Christmas presents. Grew cold towards sunset to my delight.

Friday 16. Miss Teale and her friend called. Somewhat to my surprise they noticed all my pictures except the very one I painted for her but of which she was ignorant however. A good deal of running about buying Christmas gifts. Found a nice little notion for Sedgwick at Ponds. George Thompson Jr.'s widow called on me. Said she used to go to school at Mr. Abbeys school when I did and that she was a little Irish girl then named Mary Little. Told me all about her family history and her two marriages. Had had her ups and downs. Seemed a bright woman but I have no recollection of her. Sara and I went to the San Francisco minstrels. They have degenerated and they bored me. No more banjo, and dance and real darkey character.

Saturday 17. Sent Sedgwick violin by mail. Lawrence Hutton called. Had just had a telegram from Booth about the letter he wrote me regarding my proposing him for the Century. Had just written to Booth. I really dont know him well enough to propose him but I told Booth I would see that he was nominated. Going home with Sara this afternoon.

Sunday 18. At the depot we met Emmet McEntee who was going to Rondout. He had come down to buy a ticket to San Antonio, Texas. He and I took a walk out beyond the Cemetery to see the work on the West Shore R.R. It was a beautiful day. I wrote to Mrs. Sawyer. John McEntee came