Viewing page 335 of 473

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

324

in in the evening. He told us a little baby about three days old had been left the night before at Fredericks (his man's) house wrapped in a blanket but the night being cold the poor little thing had its feet, hands and ears frozen. It was sent to the Alms house. What a piece of cruelty and inhumanity and how could any one do it.

Monday Dec 19" 1881. I came home by the early train leaving before any one was up and had my breakfast at Pokeepsie. It was a most lovely Indian summer day and the soft morning light transfigured everything along the river. At Break neck or rather Butler hall I saw a suggestion for a picture and when I got to my room I began a small picture of the effect from recollection. As I got fairly into it James Gifford called and he and I had a long talk over Sanfords will. He said he had always wished to talk with me about it and was glad I opened the subject. Soon after he left Miss Ford called. I hardly know what to make of her. She seems determined to paint and it seems to me she never will get on. At the Council this evening we discussed the coming exhibition and the plan of giving a dinner in the main gallery and inviting representative men and the President of the United States and making it a distinguished affair. We did not positively decide but the feeling was favorable to the idea.

Tuesday 20. Running about on Christmas errands, and not being able to get to work. Made an appointment with Downing to go down town to see Oudin a lawyer friend about patenting my "birch bark hat" Just as I was about to leave my studio Dr. Stimson came in and brought a little winter picture I painted last winter. A little bit above "Steep Rocks" with a birch tree 12 x 14 which I let him have for $100. When I reached Downing's office found that Oudin had been obliged to go away and we were to call at 4 which we did to find his partner. He recommended us to go to Munn & Co of the Scientific American which we did and have started to get our patent for an "improvement in hats" Mrs. Lacey sent me a note and the tin types of her father and mother and I went to see Mr. Boynton about them and he is to see her on Wednesday. Called up to see Miss Nixon this evening but she was out. Went to the Cemetery feeling a little lonely. The evenings are often very lonely. I read some at the Cemetery in Col. Dodge's book on "the Plains" which I found very entertaining.

Wednesday 21. The shortest day in all the year, still beautiful weather, too fair to be in doors. I have all my Christmas presents bought. Dr Stinson came in and got his picture. I went with him to Wilmonts to get a frame but not being able to get a suitable