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515

Saturday Oct. 27" 1888. It has rained all day greatly and Tom has picked some apples in spite of the wet. The men came soon after breakfast and put in the pipe from the upper kitchen sink which took them until nearly noon. Meanwhile I went downtown and paid our school tax, over $120, for the estate and for myself. Mary had sent me a check for her school tax which I also paid. When I came back we had lunch and after lunch I put on my painting clothes and finished painting the lower kitchen floor. After I had finished that I read Anna Karenina.

Sunday 28" Cloudy and dark all day and about 3 o'clock violent rain which continued until evening when it cleared. We had Girard and Mary and the children to dinner at 5 o'clock. They went home about 6. I have had a depressed and discouraged feeling this evening. Whenever I think of our uncertain position here I cannot help discouragement. At 60 one should not be troubled about the means for the support of the few years remaining. In reading Anna Karenina I was struck with Dollys reflection on her way to the country place to visit Anna. She saw her prospects for the future failing and gave expression to her thoughts in simple but sincere expression. I cant help feeling however that with my poor judgement I have done the best I was capable of. That is some comfort but it does not blot out all anxieties.

Monday 29" Went down town and after I returned painted the front porch and steps which kept me till noon. Tom has been picking the apples on my place, very slow and tedious work as the trees are so tall. Went over to Chester St. to see how the curbing is progressing. Ernest is having the cellar for his house dug. Sara has been out collecting money for the "Home". Lucy came from N.Y. this evening arriving here just as we finished dinner. She has been gone four weeks I believe.

Tuesday 30" Beautiful day. Down town after breakfast. Painted the smaller front porch and the back porch. My barrels for the apples came from the cement co. after noon and I filled seven barrels with apples. Tom is still picking from my trees. The job seems interminable. I began reading "Robert Elsmere" aloud for Lucy and Sara. There is a Republican meeting tonight and there is one of one of the parties almost every night. I shall be glad when it is all over and all the indications now are for the triumph of the Republicans. Almost all my family are Democrats, a thing I am ashamed of, for once they were sincere Republicans and now affiliate with the party which stands for all that is corrupt and low and which is always in the wrong. Its function during the war has rendered it hateful to me forever.

Wednesday 31" Tom has finally got the apples from my place. I have been at work most of the day assorting and putting them in barrels. The next thing will be to sell them. Tongue was to have come yesterday to look at them but has not been here. It has been a pleasant day but I hardly see the beautiful effects I am so absorbed in other things.

Thursday Nov. 1" 1888.
A beautiful Indian summer day. Went downtown and made attempts to sell the apples, but they are so abundant this year that I am afraid I will have difficulty in getting rid of them. Tom is still gathering them in front and south of the house. Sara Lucy and I went over to the cemetery. Lucy had not seen the headstone

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---------- Reopened for Editing 2023-05-21 18:14:45