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358

[[newspaper clipping]]
AT LAST.
BY J. G. WHITTIER.

When on my day of life the night is falling,
And, in the winds from unsunned spaces blown,
I hear far voices out of darkness calling
My feet to paths unknown.

Thou who hast made my home of life so pleasant,
Leave not its tenant when its walls decay,
O Love divine, O Helper ever present,
Be thou my strength and stay!

Be near me when all else is from me drifting,
Earth, sky, home's pictures, days of shade and shine,
And kindly faces to my own uplifting
The love that answers mine.

I have but Thee, O Father! Let thy spirit 
Be with me then to comfort and uphold;
No gate of pearl, no branch of palm, I merit,
Nor street of shining gold.

Suffice it if—my good and ill unreckoned, 
And both forgiven through Thy abounding grace--
I find myself by hands familiar beckoned
Unto my fitting place:

Some humble door among thy many mansions,
Some sheltering shade where sin and striving cease,
And flows forever through heaven's green expansions
The river of thy peace.

There, from the music round about me stealing,
I fain would learn the new and holy song,
And find, at last, beneath Thy trees of healing,
The life, for which I long.

- Atlantic Monthly.
[[/newspaper clipping]]

some time ago to do so, if he would not try to get Mr. Serney to come and look at my pictures. He said he was going down town tomorrow or next day and would do what he could. I am so worried I can hardly sleep. Whittredge and I went up together to dine with Mr. Braeme at the Union League club. There were 22 at an immense round table and the dinner was most elaborate. I sat next to Marbury who is always entertaining. We both agreed that such elaborate dinners were of no use and think it was a great extravagance.

Thursday Apl. 27" 1882. I work away but without any heart or courage having an awful sense of having outlived my time. I called up to see Whittredge but found him in great trouble with his picture. I think he had got it in a bad condition and he was distressed beyond measure. I tried to encourage him and think I in a measure succeeded; but I am myself in such an agony of anxiety that I can hardly encourage any one else. In the evening Bowyer and I called at Fred Nortons, who is ill He had gone to bed but we saw Annie. Laura has given up going abroad this summer greatly I think to Gussies relief.

Friday 28. Painted on my large picture of Falling leaves" and improved it very much. Whittredge came in telling me he had been down town to see Mr. Serney but he was so busy he could not get near him. He says however he will try to see him. Mary and I called up at the Romeyers and from there we went to Eastman Johnsons. He had heard from the Portland man for whom I painted the Wood interior as a back ground for the portraits of his children and he dont want it, about as I expected. Every thing goes wrong with me this winter. Sara came down this afternoon and went to the theatre to see Booth in the Fools revenge with Marion who had Booths box and invited a number of his young friends.

Saturday 29. A little warmer and an attempt at sunshine. Went to the Academy to see Brown. He had had no offers for my picture. Met Mr. Clark there. He said he had seen Mr. Serney and hoped to get him up there on Wednesday or Thursday and perhaps at my studio. Told him to go in my studio at any time if I were not there. Feel wretchedly anxious and almost sick with worrying. Am going home today but I presume my anxieties will follow me there. Emerson died yesterday. A peaceful end to a nice and noble life. Gussie had letters from Maurice at Newport. Had been in to Boston and returned. She sent him some money but made    

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