Viewing page 529 of 607

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

500

Thursday Aug. 23" 1888.
I returned yesterday from Dry Brook where I went on Aug. 1" intending to stay until Sept. 1" if I found it profitable and agreeable. I staid at the house of Saul. M. Seagger and his son=in=law Frank Fairborn. We had a great deal of wet weather and as I was painting along the stream in the woods I lost a great deal of time. At such times I was obliged to stay in the house. A part of the time there were thirteen children staying there and the noise and confusion became intolerable. I did not find the sketching as interesting as I anticipated and indeed I was lonely and not very happy and as it had rained for several days I came away after having been there three weeks. At Arkville I found a letter from Girard which I dreaded to open for fear of some discouraging intelligence but he wrote to tell me he had sold the lot next to Keatons, on Chester St. for $500 cash, to Ernest, Crosbys partner. It is strange how much better this made me feel for I was beginning to be greatly troubled about how we were to meet the assessment on the grading of Chester St, our taxes and other expenses. This will not meet all these demands, but it will help. I know it is this state of doubt and apprehension which makes me so unhappy most of the time. We have no idea what we are to do this winter - whether to keep the house open or not and we cannot decide. Sara had gone to N.Y. with Nannie and Julia. Nannie  who has returned from the Asylum is very depressed and unhappy and John wrote me a letter in which he expressed great discouragement - Since I went away Genl. Sheridan has died and last night I saw this notice of Mr. Jansen's death in the Freeman. He used to bring us wood and hay and farm products but I have not seen him since my fathers death.
 
[[newspaper clipping]]
Peter E. Jansen who was a prominent farmer, of the town of Marbletown, died at his home this morning of dropsy of the heart. He leaves a widow and four children, two boys and two girls.
[[/newspaper clipping]]

Harry and Julia are still here and Mary also but Marian has gone to the Canoe meet at Lake George with Bowyer and his wife. The weather is Autumnal and the hill never looked more green and beautiful. Harry has cut out the little view over the river which had almost grown entirely closed. Sara returned this evening.
 
Friday 24" Warmer today. This evening Sara and I went down and called on Mrs. Cuykendall to learn about Mrs. Cornell who has been very poorly all summer with threatened blindness. About ten days ago she had a stroke of paralysis, from which, from what Mary told us, I should doubt if she rallies. Mrs. Hardenburgh, Mr. Cornells sister is also very ill and the Major seems to be full of trouble. My lameness seems to be aggravated for a week past. Mr. Seager and I went up Mt. Graham last Sunday and came down the steep part. Perhaps an increased lameness may be the result. I am trying to be content but life is very dull here, simply because I am not employed and I do not seem to have the decision and energy to get at any thing. I have not the least desire to paint - indeed the idea is rather distasteful to me, but I hope later in the fall to be more in the mood. Our unsettled state troubles me and unfits me for constructive work, and then I have had no stimulus in my profession for a long time not having sold a picture for a great while. 

Saturday 25". Mrs Hardenburgh, Mr. Cornells sister died today. I went down town and after getting John to sign the deed I had made out for Ernest I mailed it to Calvert for his signature. John and Nannie came home last night. I asked him if she had enjoyed her visit but he answered "No" He said she was very melancholy and silent, did not want to see people and would not eat anything unless urged to - still he thought her after all better than she had been. Girard told me that Marine Crosby had spoken       

Transcription Notes:
Needs handwriting ---------- Reopened for Editing 2023-04-27 17:28:09 Pls do not mark for review until all on page has been transcribed