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Monday May 12th 1884. Gussie seems better and Sara thinks her decidedly so. I am not sure but she is certainly easier. The men came to do the papering. I helped get the paper off Mothers room. Have had a busy and anxious day. Gussie has had a comparatively comfortable day. I sat with her this evening while Gertrude and Sara were at tea. She had a cold sweat and great difficulty of breathing and in an almost dying state although perfectly conscious and able to talk but with difficulty. Telegram from Laura that she was coming. Telegraph to Charlie.
Tuesday 13.  Sara called me at 4 30 and sent me for Dr. Chalker as she thought Gussie near her end. I went into her room. When I spoke to her she opened her eyes and made a slight sign of recognition by moving her hand. She became unconscious before her death, perhaps for an hour and while I was gone up to the 7 40 train thinking perhaps Joe might come in as she died peacefully. Joe did not arrive until about 10 o'clock. I met him down at the gate and first told him of his loss. Osman telegraphed Laura was in St. John but he was going to bring her back. At Joes request telegraphed Mr. Sawyer to know if he could officiate at Gussies funeral. Alice answered he was not able to come. Miss [[Breyers?]] who came Sunday remained over Tuesday night but could stay no longer and after telegraphing for other trained nurses finally got a Mrs. Sullivan in Rondout.
Wednesday 14  Mary and Marion came. Went to Kingston and saw Mrs. Leferre  about singing at the funeral and made all the arrangements. Saw Dr. Meyer and engaged with him to officiate.
Thursday 15  A beautiful day. The funeral took place at 1  o clock Calvert and Downing came. Dr. Magee spoke feelingly and fittingly. He read the "Home Maker by Mrs. Whitney" another brief poem and a hymn he chose. After the address Mrs. Leferre sang "Still with thee" a hymn by Mrs. Stowe to an air by Mendelssohn. Old Mr. Tomkins was present, his daughter Laura and her husband and Joes cousin and his nephew Calvin. Julia Dillon came from N.Y. Just as the service closed a violent rain squall came up and the burial which was entirely private was delayed one hour. Girard and I John McEntee, Grant Van Duesen Will Lawton and Harry Cuspell carried her to the cemetery over the same path dear Gertrude and our mother went. There were no strangers at the grave and as Dr. Magee had another funeral at that hour there were no services at the burial. Calvert and Downing went back by evening train.
Friday 16. Went downtown and paid bills for Joe. The men have been at work all the time except through the funeral services, in the other part of the house at the papering and painting. Busied myself about various things and came down to N.Y. by 5 55 train.
Saturday 17  Breakfasted at Marys with Julia and Calvert. After I returned to my room I sent Julia her wedding present a little spring picture of the view from the front of our house looking south with apple trees in blossom in the foreground. Lockwood De Forest came and looked at my studies. He selected four to show his wife and said he would

Transcription Notes:
---------- Reopened for Editing 2023-04-27 08:09:48 Rondout, New York.