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lived in Rondout more than thirty years, but his speech was so broken that I had great difficulty in understanding him. He told me his name but I could not understand it. There was a box standing by a newly dug grave not far from our lot. He said it was for young Wilmot who was drowned two or three days ago. Presently the funeral cortege came in. The coffin was a small one as that of a mere child. Six little boys acted as bearers and when it was put in the rough box, the poor widowed mother (as I judged) sobbed and cried alone in her bitter grief. I imagine perhaps he was her stay and comfort. He was at work on the Company's dock, somewhere about the screens, was missed, and found in the bottom of the creek. I could not help reflecting how universally sorrow is distributed and how little we know of the trials of others. I was troubling myself about a business matter and here was this poor desolate woman with a grief that knew no solace.
Sara showed me two letters from Joe which are a new trouble. Laura is not well and he wants her to come here. She was expecting to come in the fall. Girard has gone to Utica on business connected with the firemens convention. I wish he were out of this as I frankly told him today. Altogether it has been a sober day to me but I shall try not to be cast down.

Friday Aug. 8th 1884. My observation for several years past has confirmed me in the belief that August is rather a cool month and certainly so far it has been. Today has been a partially grey day, warm at times but not excessively so and this evening was decidedly cool. I hear nothing further from Turck and am impatient at the suspense. Meanwhile Sara, May, my father and Marian have arranged to take a drive of several days among the mountains next week so that it begins to look as though I  will not get away for some time. I am doing nothing and do not feel like engaging in anything hoping from day to day to get off. Joe Tubby and his wife and daughter were here yesterday to see Sara. He did not ask for me but I came in from the cemetery while they were here. He said he expected to go to the mountains on Monday. He looks old and it seems to me that taking up the profession of an artist at his age and with his limited talent cannot hold out much promise of success.

Saturday 9th Another grey day and almost too cool for sitting out on the piazza in the evening. We all went over to Girards this evening. John & Nannie, Julia, Dillon and Mary Vaux were there at tea. Calvert came up on the Powell. Finally Griffiths has paid my father $250 on the Tusch lot and I have decided to go on Tuesday. He gave me the check which I sent to my bank in New York. I sent my check to the Century for my dues $36. and also check for my interest due July 1st to Sam Coykendall $13.50. Brought my colors and painting materials over from my studio and packed my trunk. Do not want to take too many things as the road is rough. Our people are to start on their mountain ride the same morning (Tuesday) and the house will be left with the servants. I expect to be very lonely out there but if I can find work to interest me I will try to be contented. John McEntee thinks he may come out. I read in my diary today the record of my dear mothers death. It saddens me to go back to these sad scenes which perhaps I ought to try to forget. Rather I hope to grow reconciled to them and to be able to think of them without sorrow. But always when I am going away from home I have a feeling of sadness, a feeling I suppose incidental to every little change we make. 

Sunday 10th Rain this forenoon and grey all day and so cool that a fire in the parlor was comfortable. I awoke with a headache which towards evening grew worse. John McEntee, Nannie and Julia came up. John went back and got his quarter bottle of champagne for me. I took one on retiring but it did not seem to help me so I took the other and fell asleep and dreamed all sorts of things. Wrote to Janette.

Transcription Notes:
Rondout, NY in Kingston area. Turck was a last name of some people in the Kingston, NY area. Joseph Tubby was a painter of the Kingston area. ---------- Reopened for Editing 2023-04-29 22:27:14 ---------- Reopened for Editing 2023-04-29 22:43:46 ---------- Reopened for Editing 2023-04-29 22:48:50