Viewing page 433 of 607

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

Tuesday 24" Sara and I cleaned out the road in front of the house this forenoon and I cut the grass and carried out the vases of flowers. Sara is going to New York with Marion to return Thursday by the Powell. I dread the care of my father feeling I do not know how to care for him as Sara does. We had a slight shower this afternoon. Rain is much needed and it looks threatening tonight. I went over to my studio a little while but it was too dark. I tried putting in some figures in one of my Humboldt mountain studies but did not succeed. Miss Forsyth and Miss Shufeldt called while Sara and Marion were in Kingston to invite us to a special party at the church tomorrow but I told them Sara was going to New York. I am in no mood for any thing of the sort. A letter from Mary today with the paper we are all to sign asking my father to make some provision for Sara for her constant care of him to the exclusion of her profession. Lucy and Andrews had signed it and sent it to her. I also got a note from the real Estate agents with terms for sale of property but they did not say anything about the prospects for a sale, and I do not think I will put it in their hands just now. 

Wednesday May 25" 1887. Sara and Marion went to N.Y. by the Powell this morning. We had rain in the night and a hard shower just before they left but fortunately it did not rain when they drove off. I have had my father on my mind all day but Ella has done everything for him and been a great help. I went down town and did some errands and then drove out to Austin Thompsons and got some tomato plants and to Stones and got three larger ones in pots and some cabbage plants (25 early ones) Tom sat them out this evening just after a shower and I put out the Tomato plants 11 in all. Tom is planting the corn fodder. I have been here alone all afternoon filled with sadness at the change in our house, thinking of my mother and of my dear Gertrude and wondering if she can be conscious of my unhappiness. I could not wish her back to these sorrowful days sadly as I miss her dear companionship now when friends are few and sorrows are many. O the sadness of life! Will it ever be different?

Thursday 26". I weeded the strawberry bed and then drove to Kingston and down town to get my shoes mended. By that time the forenoon was gone and I was glad of it for it is most lonely here without Sara and I feel the responsibility of my fathers care. Ella is very attentive to him but she cannot take the care of him. Sara does. We had a hard shower about 6 o clock, with heavy thunder & lightening very near one report very close. I discovered later a tree not a hundred feet from the house was struck but only the bark disturbed slightly. I drove down to the Powell for Sara and was glad enough to have her home again. 

Friday 27. I went around all the gutters this forenoon and cleaned out the elm blossoms which choke them up each year, then I dressed myself and went over to my studio where I worked until noon putting in some figures on horseback in one of my Humboldt mountain sketches and doing something in a sketch at East Hampton. After dinner Sara and I drove over to Fair view by South Rondout to call on Mrs [[blank]] neé Lottie Anderson but that had gone to N.Y. and we came home by Sleightburgh. We have had showers through the day and it has been cool. We were doubtful about starting out as it rained before we left and looked showery.

Transcription Notes:
---------- Reopened for Editing 2023-05-16 23:10:13 .