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548

[[newspaper clipping]]
Springfield Republican
May 16, 1889
THE WIFE OF T. W. WOOD, the artist, vice-president of the National Academy, died at their rooms in New York city yesterday afternoon, thus ending a long and hopeless illness, borne with rare cheerfulness and courage. The burial will be in Montpelier, Vt., Mr Wood's native place and summer home. Mrs Wood was a woman of lovely nature and rare personal grace and attraction, which she retained despite the wearing burden of an invalid's life from a progressive paralysis, which she has suffered for many years. She had a fine mind and was interesting in conversation among those with whom she felt at ease; and her friends found the best there was in them helped by a talk with her. Those who were privileged to meet Mrs Wood during the seasons, 10 and 12 years ago, when Mr Wood was painting portraits in this city, will remember their brief acquaintance with pleasure and will deeply sympathize with the artist in his bereavement. In February, Mrs Wood could still receive a friend for a short call, but for several weeks now she has lain at the verge of death, and the end is a sad relief.
[[/newspaper clipping]]

The announcement for grading came in today and we have 30 days from May 13" to pay it in. Ours is about $400 about $60 of which we will get back. This is inspection of the curbing and guttering. It is less than I feared it would be I paid Tom his wages yesterday when he asked me for the interest his note, two years of which are due. I thought he was a little disagreeable when I told him I could not pay him. Such things are most disagreeable to me. Downing came in while we were at tea.

Sunday 19" Katy our cook gave Sara notice yesterday that she was going to leave when her month is up. She has been long enough in our place. They all want a change which is I suppose quite natural even though they do not better themselves. This is one of the small worries. Downing wanted to go up the the rail road this afternoon to pick tomorrow but we found there is no train. I should only have gone on his account as I did not care to go. I have written to Church and to Lucy. Sedgwick went back to N.Y. by the 7.45 train. Downing and Jimmy walked up to the station with with him. Dear boy. I presume we will not see him again before he goes back to Fort Bridger where he and Marian are going early in June. I wrote to Lucy.

Monday 20" I wrote to Wood before breakfast asking him about the outing of the Mutual Aid society last Wednesday. I went down town after breakfast and among my letters received one from Champrey wishing to resign his membership in the Artists Mutual Aid society. It has rained at intervals all day. Sarah and I with Toms help arranged the plants in the vases in front of the house and planted the surplus in the garden. I also fixed the door bells which had got out of order. Downing and Mary went home by the 2.45 train on the H.R. road and as Mary wished to stop over a train in Pokeepsie to see Julia Wilson and Mary Gifford she persuaded Sara to go with her to return tonight, so I am alone here and it seems very quiet and a little triste. I have however written to Alice and have read in Fanny Barneys diary. I rather enjoy a soft rain like this but I would like a companion. 

Tuesday 21" Sara returned last evening, she and Mary having had a very pleasant visit with Mary Gifford and Julia. It was a rainy afternoon and snowed in the night. I went down town as usual and received a note from Wood in which he told me his poor suffering wife died last Tuesday, the 15". In my letter to him yesterday morning I spoke of her and sent her my remembrances and hoped he would be able to tell me of some improvement in her condition. Poor woman! She was already in her grave. I have written Wood today expressing my sympathy and my sorrow and asking him to come up and visit me for a few days. I also had a letter from Alice who says her mother is not well and she feels concerned about her. I have been at work making a stand for the water cooler and this afternoon I took down Woods portrait of Gertrude and painted out the little head dress which makes it simpler and better. We are going through the disagreeable experience of changing help. Katy who has been with us several years has told Sara she was going away. She has had an opportunity to hire another servant who wishes to come at once and who has another offer, It is evident Katy did not intend to go and she is inclined to be very obstinate and disagreeable. She sees that it is all of her own doing as we would have been glad to keep 

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