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father feeling pretty well. He had come down stairs unassisted this morning and sat out in the porch in the sunshine an hour. I took Mrs Custers book up with me for Sara to read and told her of my interesting visit with her. She told me Mrs. Carnell had called and had a good deal to say about dear Gertrude. She thought her the finest woman in all aspects she had ever known and spoke of her dignity as well as the gentleness of her character. I think every one in Rondout who ever knew her had the same feeling toward her and this is the greatest satisfaction to me. Mr. Willis, is very ill and not expected to recover. 

Sunday April 12th 1885. I read the most of Mrs. Custers book again much of it to Sara and found it most entertaining both from its intrinsic interest as well as from the gentle and devoted love for her husband which heartens through it. Sara after dinner went down to see her old Aunt Ann. I think she feels they are not doing the wisest things for her. May and Girard came over to tea and in the evening I read from Mrs. Custers book to Sara, after they were gone, which she finds most interesting. It has been cold and raw but the birds are singing and trying to make the best of it. Tom has made some of the garden and planted some peas. I have felt a serener feeling this time than for weeks before, because my worldy prospects promise a little better. A lady to whom I lent a study called on Saturday to return it and made inquiries concerning my taking pupils. She thought it an excellent opportunity and has spoken about it to the pupils with whom she is studying. 

Monday 13. I came back to N.Y. by the 8 o'clock train walking up to the station. I met Mr. Barnes on the hill and he told me Mr. Willis was very ill and had little chance of his recovery. I met Walter Dewitt at the station and we sat together in the car. Hoped to find some news of my pictures in Nashville when I came to my studio but there was none. Went down to Hendersons and ordered some early potatoes sent up home to plant. Attended to some correspondence and made a note to Mrs. Custer. While I was writing it a package of the "Mail and Express" came from Stoddard with a notice of her book in which he used what I wrote to him and added some observations of his own in which he complimented me very cordially and thus made for her book an extended and distinguished notice which I included in my note to her. I spent the evening at home and went to the club a little while where I met Bradfords English friend who entertained us with many remarkable histories, chiefly of himself. 

Tuesday 14". Cold as winter again. Went to the dentists and did some errands. Came to my room and wrote to O'Donnell the soldier of the Old 20" who wrote me from Missouri regarding a pension. Also wrote Mrs. Nesmith. Painted on my picture near Roggens which is fine in parts but unsatisfactory as a whole. I think I have improved it. Mr. Danagh, the chaplain of the 20" while in three months service, called to show me a drawing made by his mother and to get some advice. He looked old and care worn - Is taking care of his father and mother at Walden, Orange Co. Have felt a little troubled and despondent today, peering with the future. Kurtz called with Mr. Sample of Louisville who bought my "Indian Summer" two years ago. He said he liked it better and better the longer he owned it. He liked my picture of "Changing Skies" very much and told me he knew of several of his friends in Louisville who meant to own something of mine. Received a very hearty note from Mrs. Custer in reference to the notice of the Mail Express I sent her. Spent the evening at home and a short time at the club. 

Transcription Notes:
---------- Reopened for Editing 2023-04-26 17:55:24 put page number at top, made sense to do so too many blanks, pls fill in before marking complete again ---------- Reopened for Editing 2023-05-03 19:52:02 ---------- Reopened for Editing 2023-05-04 10:24:50.