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[[newspaper clipping]]
Mrs. Seeley W. Powley received a telegram, this forenoon, informing her of the death of her mother, Mrs. Elizabeth Barber, at her home in Toledo, Ohio. Mrs. Barber visited her friends in Rondout during the past summer. She returned to her home about six weeks ago. The deceased was formerly a resident here. She was a daughter of John P. Davis, and a sister of J. F. Davis, both deceased. Her husband, Captain J. Steward Barber, was for a long time in what is now known as the Cornell Towing Line, and he, and the other relatives, have the deepest sympathy of many friends in their bereavement.
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I always do at first when I go out to settle down for sketching. The color was very brilliant and I think if Calvert is there with me I can get some sketches, but it seems impossible for me to go there alone. I dont believe I could stay. After I got home I did various things, mended some broken windows and did some repairing of various things. After I got through while I was sitting in the parlor reading Jamie came in and told me the cows had broken out of the pasture and he had brought one of them back and offered to go and look for the other which he did and found her. I went over to the back lot and when I saw the old rotten fences I had a feeling of discouragement and wished I could get rid of the cows and not try to keep so many things which are a care to me. Tom was gone away for the afternoon and I had to chase after the stupid cow until I was nearly exhausted. I have tried to sell her but did not succeed. If I had the money to keep these things I would not mind it but to try to do so much with such limited means is a great trouble. I cut this notice from the Freeman this evening. The autumn color is late hereabouts. "Gertrude's tree" is just beginning to turn yellow and the elm in front of my window and the maple are only just beginning to change, but in the mountains there is a great display. I paid the School tax today, my fathers, Calverts and mine.

Friday Oct. 16" 1885. I had a most discouraged feeling this morning. Every thing seemed a burden. I went up on the roof to find two leaks which showed themselves the last time it rained and, it seemed so decayed and the chimneys are so worn away that if I possibly could I would put a new roof on, but I cannot think of it now. Sara got ready to go to Tivoli and I drove her down. At the post office she got a card telling her her patient was so much better she need not come. I received a note from Calvert telling me he would come up on Saturday if he got some money he was expecting so that I am afraid he will not come, also a letter from Mary and one from the Superintendent of the House of Refuge saying Katy Burns would be sent home when we advised it and would not be sent away any where else. Then I wet and had my hair cut and we came home. It has been a beautiful day. After dinner Sara, my father, [[Durghtie?]] and I drove to Eddyville, around the bridge and down the other side to [[Fairview?]] to see a servant Mrs. Lawton has recommended. We came home by [[S?]] ferry drove away over into the outskirts of North Rondout to see another girl a niece of Mrs. Saloff and got home before five. I think I will go to Shokan on Monday even if Calvert does not come. I must be doing some sketching to get my mind off my worries if for no other reason. It did not look very inviting there but I dare say I will find something. I I dont I will not stay long.

Saturday 17". Sara went off directly after breakfast out among the farmers soliciting contributions for the Industrial Home and did not return about 4 o'clock. I busied myself in many things among them putting in glass where they had been broken. My father got up at noon and we sat on the back porch in the sunshine. I read Taylors Story of Kenneth with much interest. It has been a beautiful Indian summer sort of day and the color increases hourly. Calvert telegraphed me he would be here in the 7 o'clock train. Tom went to meet him  We expect to go to Shokan on Monday. Sara got another note from Tivoli wanting her to come up and I think she will have to go on Monday. It complicates matters as I do not like to go away when she does. But we will talk it over tomorrow.