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Friday July 26" 1889. It was a fine morning and I sent Tom down to Henry Abbeys store on the dock with my sketch box and easel and as soon as possible after breakfast I went down to begin my picture. Girard came over, for the first time in weeks to consult me about an inquiry for a lot from Wood, adjoining his lots in the rear, and to tell me Capt Van Keuren was thinking of a lot next to Woods. We walked down together. He said he was very troubled, that he wanted $1500 immediately and that his indebtedness altogether was $5.000 which I reminded him had increased $2.000 since he last told me about his affairs. I told him it was utterly impossible for me to help him in any way, and I am really greatly troubled about him and can hardly get him out of my mind. I wish I could help him. I would gladly pay all of his debts and give him a fresh start if I could. I left him down town and went to work on my sketch from the upper story of Abbeys Store and worked until after 12 o clock. I had an awkward place to sit, in the doorway with the sun pouring in and my picture turned from the light. It is a very elaborate subject and interests me. I hope to go again tomorrow. This afternoon I was down in the woods where I set Tom to burning the leaves. They are still wet and burn only partially and they will have to have another burning. I scraped off all the deposites of leaves &c from the upper and lower rails of the fence and was very tired at night. Went down to see John McEntee after tea. Mrs Livingston, Mamie and Clara [[Dibble?]] were there. Julia was to come from N.Y but did not. After they went home I had a talk about Girards affairs with John. He thinks his trouble is very serious and I am greatly worried about him. I also talked to him about Hauck and he agreed with me that it was best to sell to him if he would give $22 pr. foot as he told Girard he would. I have no idea however that he will. If it is a fair day we are to go fishing tomorrow afternoon.

Saturday 27". It was raining this morning when I awoke and has rained most of the day, so we did not go fishing. I went down town and on my way stopped to see Hauck, but as I foresaw this was only a scheme upon which to base our assessment when the street is to be paved. I saw John McEntee and we thought if the weather cleared we would go fishing after dinner. I met the City engineer. He said it was represented to the Common Council that we who live on the hill wish Holmes St paved, whereas I told him the ordinance was passed before we heard anything about it and it was purposely concealed from us. He advised us to sign a remonstrance. I went to see Cantine about it but he was not in. Then I went to Girards office and he was not in. I have not seen him today and do not know how he is getting along with his troubles. I have thought of him many times today. I went over to my studio and painted a couple of hours on a little portrait of my mother I have been at work at a long time. Jimmy is staying with us. He has chills and fever and has been in bed most of the day.

Sunday 28". A dull grey day, damp and almost rain. I wrote to Mrs. Darley and also to Miss Nesmith. Girard came over after dinner evidently to talk with me but said nothing until I asked him what he had done in his affair. Then he told me nothing was to be done unless I would endorse his note for $2000. This I declined to do and gave my reasons. He grew unreasonable and charged me with the responsibility of having to give up his business. I showed him how he has gradually got deeper and deeper into debt, that I should have to pay the note and that I could not now pay what I was called on to pay, but he dont seem to care about my burdens. I do not consider that he ought to drag me down with him and as I told him I could help him more by trying to save our property than I could by signing his notes. I feel sorry for him and do not know how

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