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Monday Aug. 9" 1886. I was greatly relieved to get a letter from Pinchot this morning including his check for four hundred dollars for the picture he bought of me in May. I have a note of $300 to pay next Monday and this provides for it and I shall get in our winters supply of coal also. If I had four times this amount I would only be barely able to get along comfortably. All my money is spent before I get it and for things I do not want and the things I do want I am obliged to deny myself of. I also had a letter from Prof. Fay of College Hill who is on the committee of the Appalachian Club to go to the Adirondacks to arrange for an excursion of the club and he wanted me to serve with him on the committee and meet him at Lake Placid. I wrote him that it was not possible for me to join him. I also wrote to Pinchot acknowledging the receipt of the check and sent the check to the Bank of the Metropolis to be placed to my credit. Cousin Rachel came this afternoon on her way to Walden. I drove her up to the train and took my father along to Kingston to mail some letteres. Marion and Jimmy McEntee went to N.Y. by the Powell this morning. [[left margin]]  Warm but a fine breeze [[/left margin]]

Tuesday 10". Andrews and Lucy went to N.Y. by 7.40 train. I spent most of the forenoon repairing the trimming on the two seated wagon which I trimmed eight years ago. Dear Gertrude helped me with the cushions &c, and today in looking up the materials I came across so many reminders of her beloved personality that I have been thinking a great deal about her. Indeed there is scarcely a day I do not think of her and often with a pang that wrings an involuntary sigh from me. I think if she had lived I would have been a far happier man for she was so amiable and agreeable in her disposition that I always found rest and solace in her. Dear Gertrude  How I miss her and always shall miss her until I cease to live. Mary Goetchins and her brother Franks wife called. She has great trouble with poor Aunt Ann who is most difficult to take care of and who I imagine does not get very intelligent care -  Jamie went down to Pokeepsie to see about Eastman College and has returned disappointed- John Weir sent me the 'Journal Intime of Amiel" I have read only the introduction but it seems to me it must be a sad and somewhat discouraging book, particularly to one as depressed as I am. [[left margin]] Warm with brisk S. wind. Cool evening. [[/left margin]]

Wednesday 11" A series of annoyances have distinguished this day. The first thing after breakfast Girard told me the tenant of the house under the hill wanted some repairs to the wood house and I was obliged to go and see about it. Tom began to haul the winter coal this forenoon. The first load he broke the pole of the old wagon and the wagon itself is so old and rickety that I am afraid it will not hold together until we get the coal in. Tom and I spent the afternoon repairing the fence towards the common. It was very hot although there was a strong S. wind. It discourages me to see every thing wearing out and not to be able to replace them. I had a letter from Hann & Ives. As I feared, they kept my picture for some would be customer and at the last he declined to buy and they have sent it to Kurtz for Louisville. So ends one of my hopes for a little money and now I have the Fall exhibitionsto  look to and they are generally most unproductive of sales. O dear! I wish we could sell this place. I sigh to be released from these wearing anxieties. I went over to the back lots this morning. Every where money and attention needed. [[left margin]] Hot with strong S.W. Wind. [[/left margin]]