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345

Lucy had a letter from Mary, full of her patient acceptance of her daily duties and hoping always for the best

Thursday, Sept. 16" 1886. We had a refreshing rain in the night and it was raining this morning and has rained gently all day. I got ready soon after breakfast and burned out the sitting room chimney and the dining room chimney, an annual job I have been dreading all summer as I am obliged to move both the heavy Franklins out into the room. Neither chimney was very foul but I am glad enough to have this work off my mind. I paid Tom his monthly wages $25- and sent $2.50 to the Leader which pays up to next March. A postal card came from Kurt telling me my picture "Fickle Skies of Autumn had just arrived (Sept 13") and he had hung it on the line in a good light and would do his best to sell it. It is warm and close tonight with indications of more rain. The cistern I mended seems to be perfectly tight to my great satisfaction. The sale of a picture now would brighten my horizon as my bank account is very low. My spirits rise or fall with that barometer.- Mrs. Genl. Samson died in Newport was buried in the cemetery at 10 o'clock this morning. Sara would have gone but for the rain. I think she was the last one of her family, and her last days I understand were sad ones [[left margin]] Burned the chimnies. [[/left margin]]

Friday 17". One of the most uncomfortable days of the season, damp and close in the morning with a hot south wind the rest of the day. It is slightly  cooler this evening with west wind, a heavy thunder shower having passed around us. I had a letter from Whittredge from Arkville where I think he has been the most of the summer. He finds it even more interesting than when we were there in 1872 (I think) and wants me to come out. I confess it gratifies me to have him express this wish for in spite of what I considered rather cool treatment of me when we were at Kellys Corners together, I have always had a great liking for Whittredge and regretted that he did not care for me as much as I did for him. I thought at that time I never would go out with him again, but now that he wishes me to come I would like to join him and make some sketches. I wrote him so and told him it was difficult for me to leave home, but if I could I would like nothing better than to join him. I have no money and it seems almost impossible to get away, but I know it would do me a world of good in my work this winter if I could get any for a short season of sketching. I presume I will have to get a note discounted, for I know no other way to get money and trust to selling something to meet it. I dread to do this and will not for a few days hoping I may hear from some of my picturres. I made out a list of colors I need and sent for them today.- John McEntee came up this evening to talk with Sara. Nannie is at High=Falls but is no better and John is evidently greatly troubled about her. He thinks now of having her go to Meads on the way to the overlook - I saw a notice of the death of Pinchots mother in the Post yesterday.

Saturday 18" A cool autumnal day with N. wind. A letter came from Eastman Johnson from the Profile House, White Mts. where his wife was somewhat ill. They were going directly to N.Y. as soon as she could travel. Had been at Bar Harbor and do not seem to have been at Nantucket. He dislikes Hotel life and watering places and wants to go off with me to some place among woods & nature. I wrote him at once telling him what an unsatisfactory summer I have had and sent him Whittredges letter and asked him to go there as I was hoping to go there. I shall probably hear from him next week and also from Whittredge and I have about made up my mind I will go to Arkville. My success this winter it seems to me depends upon my getting some fresh impressions and I have determined to sink other interests and duties and go there for a while. It was such a cool day that Tom and I