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the back porch this afternoon I heard some one clubbing a tree out beyond the road and going cautiously out there found three boys robbing a pear tree. They ran when they saw us but I caught this larger one at the fence a boy of fifteen or sixteen and gave him a good cuffing. He had slipped and caught his foot under the fence which held him fast. I made him follow me up to the house and frightened him thoroughly. I got his hat and kept it, as I told him to identify him tomorrow. He begged for it and blubbered and said he would get "licked" if he went without it, but I told him that was just what I wanted and I ordered him off without his hat. I hate such a rumpus and excitement and wish I had not caught him, but one must do some thing with these marauders or submit entirely. I think that party at least will not trouble us very soon.- Rachel is going home by the Powell tomorrow and we are sorry to have her go. 

Monday Sept. 7" 1885. I received a letter from Mrs. Warren Friday night which was not very satisfactory. She speaks of not having seen the picture and apparently she is not to see it for some time and says nothing about paying me for it— The weather remains cool. I am wearing my winter clothes and sleeping under three blankets. The most of the summer visitors have gone home from the mountains. Cousin Rachel went home by the Powell this morning. I heard her and Tom drive off in the dark. We sit by the fire in the parlor every evening, Mary, Sara and I, my father retiring early. I have been reading in my diary of 1872 and 1873 and came upon many things I had forgotten and many events connected with those who are gone from the earth and whose lives were closely connected with my own. I drove down town after dinner for the drain tile I ordered from Albany but they did not come. While I was busy in my room this afternoon Mary called out to me that boys were clubbing the apple trees and paid no attention to her. I took the whip and went around towards my house and came pretty suddenly upon them when they scattered. I caught up to two of them however and tickled their bare legs pretty well with the whip. Our servant girls afterwards told me they were boys from the Industrial Home and so this is my second assault on the "orphan and the fatherless." I should not have punished them in this way had I known they were from there.

Tuesday 8" A grey day. After dinner my father, Mary, Sara and I with the two children Girard and Dwight rode out on the Flat-bush road by Dr. Schradys and home by Chas. Livingstons. We had a charming ride. It sprinkled a little on our return and just as we reached home at 6 it began to rain quite smartly and is now (10 o'clock) raining steadily. The autumn color begins to show a little here and there and it is written on all the landscape that the summer is gone. My father seemed to enjoy his long ride and ate a hearty supper on his return. I had a letter from Downing written at Lake Placid Sept. 4th. He is probably back in Yonkers now- also a note from [[Lambdin?]]. 

Wednesday 9" Cleared today and has been warmer. I drove down town for my drain tile but it did not come. Paid Geo. Hubbard for our winter supply of coal $82. and some cents and settled with Abbey & Sons whose