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seeing that the tin roofing needed repainting, I had Larsen, who is painting Girards house, do it this afternoon. When I go to examine one defect I find half a dozen others and I get discouraged when I know I have to do it all. I had a talk with Tom yesterday whose year is up on the 16th and who wants to hire by the month hereafter and we agreed upon twenty five dollars a month, which is more than I can afford, but still is the best I can do. Tom and I tried to haul the pump out of the old mill but it was too heavy and I pulled and lifted more than I should have done. After dinner the weather being mild my father, Sara and I took a ride. Poor old Billy seemed very stiff and slow. We called for Nannie but she could not go. Then we drove down town to the harness makers to see about some blankets I am having fixed for the horses in the stable on cold nights and called for Mrs. Davis to go with us, but she had neuralgia and did not want to go out. We drove to Wiltwyck Cemetery, my father wanting to see where Genl Smith was buried. At the entrance to the Cemetery we met the Genl's daughter and Mrs Smith and two other ladies. Mrs. S. was in a cloud of crape and looked lugubrious enough. Why are people so persistent in so dismal a custom. Yesterday at the funeral every thing was done to make the occasion as dismal as possible. The windows were all closed and a gas jet was lighted in the room where the General lay. If ever one wants the sunlight and all cheerful things I should think it would be on such occasions.

Friday Nov. 13" 1885. I went to Rondout this morning and saw Hutton and Tougue, father & son regarding some of our lots sold by my father so as to mark them on the map. I have now, I think all except Woods purchase and he was not in his office. Hutton talked as though he thought we ought to sell our property at low prices and I agree with him to a certain extent. We ought to sell on Chester St. but if we can sell the house I would not be in a hurry to realize these. I went to the cemetery and put the cover on the stone at my dear Gertrudes grave. The moss is beginning to settle upon it and the years are thus making their flight. In my heart her dear memory gathers no rust or blight and I never go near her resting place without a renewal of the sorrow that lives in my soul in her vacant place. I looked upon the three latest graves and the spot whence dear Gussie was so coldly and cruelly taken and felt anew the surprising change which has come to our decimated household. 

Saturday 14" I concluded not to send the letter I wrote to Lambdin yesterday. There was a tone of despondency in it which on reflection I thought it wisest not to display to him or any one else. - We put up my fathers stove (coal) today and put his wood stove in the spare room. Sara and I went down to Rondant to do some errands and after dinner she drove to Kingston taking my father along. He does not care to ride far now and tires easily and when the weather is chilly it is best for him I think to remain in the house. Sara had a letter from Lucy today. She thinks this is their last month there and is full of the idea of coming home. I began my preparations for going to N.Y. on Monday. I dread the change and am troubled at leaving Sara here alone. I wish Lucy and her family were here.

Sunday 15. It has been a grey, chilly, but not cold day. I gave my father a bath this forenoon, a difficult task in his almost helpless condition. He seems very well however and I do not see that he 

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