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273 

I am to let him have the little picture which came home from Buffalo if the one in Detroit does not arrive in time. Spent the evening at Marys reading Miss Murfrees story "Away down in Lonesome Cove. She writes most interestingly and many of her suggestions of the landscape are full of feeling - some are rather gushing. I was looking over the announcement column in the Tribune this evening and noticed so much I would like to see. Modjeska is playing at the Star, the American Opera at the Academy of Music, the Mikado at the Fifth Avenue and many other things, but I have not dared to spend a cent for some time in anticipation of the annual taxes. This evening I sent off my check to Gore Webster the County Treas. for $403.34 the amount of my fathers, Calverts and my tax and now I have just 1.34 in the bank with nothing certain coming in except bills. However I paint away and keep hoping to sell something, but it is awfully depressing to be out of money. I notice I am pretty well contented as long as I have money and full of worries when I have none. The weather is very cold.

Friday Jan. 8" 1886. Last night at dinner I broke off half of one of my double teeth which had been filled. This morning directly after breakfast I went up to consult Dr Browne about it. To my great comfort he said he could make it about as good as it was before. Have painted all day on my picture and greatly improved it, having entirely repainted the sky and distance. Lockwood Deforest called this afternoon and invited me to dine with them next Thursday in company with Benjamin our late minister to Persia.  Mr. [[V?]] of Albany called. The frame for my water color came. It makes the picture look very dark and rich. A little after three I stopped painting, dressed myself and went over home to go with Mary, Marion and Miss Tweedy to a reception by Mrs. Kemble to Madame Madjeska at the Clarendon hotel. I somewhat dreaded it but after I got there I found I knew a great many people and had after all a very good time. I met Mrs. Groote, Mrs. Holden Mrs. Runkle, Mrs Raymond (nee Miss Cary) Mrs. Custer, Mrs. Stoddard Mrs. Richardson, Mrs. Banning, Mrs. Miller and others and was introduced to a Mrs. Branch from Richmond, Mrs. Frank Millet, Mrs. Williams. I also met Miss Greble Mrs. Weirs niece and her aunt Mrs. Brower. I was presented to Madam Modjeska to whom there was no opportuniy, luckily for me to say anything, as I had nothing to say. She is younger looking than I supposed and a most interesting looking woman. I am very glad I went and shall try to go out oftener. We had one French class that evening probably for the last time.    

Saturday - 9". This has been a fearful day. The worst storm of the season has been raging since some time in the night and the streets are blocked with snow. When I went out to breakfast this morning it was blowing and snowing violently and when I got to the house my fingers were so cold that I experienced a fainting sensation; but it has been a good day to paint, an excellent light and no interruptions. Mr Arthur Soper an old friend of Lucys and Saras called about five oclock to inquire about them. I have painted all day on my large picture and am advancing it. Julia Dillon and I were to have gone to Mrs. Taslers reception today to see Fanny Lee but the storm was too violent. Directly after dinner I went up to 59" St to see the Panorama of the fight between the Monitor and the Merrimac. It was most interesting and real and it almost seemed to be the actual thing. Mons. Fies le fain, our French teacher is employed there and he gave me a card to this private view. From there I went to the club to the annual meeting, which was a small one for an annual meeting, McDonough resigned 

Transcription Notes:
Helena Modjeska was a Polish actress