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no objection. I told him we had given up the idea.  He seemed to think we had done the best possible thing with the property. – I saw Brumdege the Carpenter and made an arrangement with him to come up and make the alterations in the barn for me and told him I thought he could get the job from John to mine it for him. He said he would do my work as soon as the rain was over. – Tom has set out the Cauliflowers today and replanted the corn which does not come up after having been twice planted.
[[margin]] Set out Cauliflower [[/margin]]

Tuesday May 27" 1890. It was raining this morning but cleared off finely in the afternoon. I went down town after dinner and got a letter from Eastman Johnson wanting me to come down soon to dine with him, Charlie Coleman Millet & others. He writes that Geo. Butler has found a valuable lead of iron ore on his farm and has made a Contract with a Pittsburgh firm for 20 years at $5000 per year and a royalty besides. That is good luck for an artist and must make the future look rosy to him. A note also came from Mary saying besides Sedgwick, Calvert and Downing may be on Thursday evening to spend Decoration day.

Wednesday 28". I went down to the Carriage house this morning and selected a lot of old things which I gave to Louis' mother the old German woman. She was ready to take any thing, the old churns, bits of harness, old carpet, two old bedsteads, cans, jugs and any and every thing. I burned a lot of things which were in an old trunk, trifles which reminded me of Dear Gertrude and our early married life. Among other things I found a little embroidered infants dress which I think she wore when a child. I gave Mary one of her old black velvet hats, the velvet being perfectly good. Oh: this is heartbreaking work for these mute trifles, the drift and wreckage of the Past touch our hearts with very tender suggestions. Sara had a Letter from Lucy and while she went to Kingston I wrote her why I did not think it feasible for us to buy the homestead together as she had proposed. I answered Eastmans letter yesterday and sent it today. The carpenter came to see me about fixing the barn preparatory to running the carriage house and is to begin it tomorrow. Rommel came to look at the old hall stove and one of Guards old Cool Stoves. They are to go for old iron, and he is to take them away tomorrow. I am gradually getting rid of many of the things which have accumulated for years.

Thursday 29". A full breezy day, much like yesterday. The old German woman came after the things I gave her with a wagon and had a load. The carpenters came promptly, two of them and went to work at the alterations to the barn. Calvert arrived by the 7 o'clock train. He did not know when Downing was coming. He sat up waiting for him and Sedgwick until after 10 oclock and as I was very tired and lame I went to bed. I had got sound asleep when Downing rapped on my window door and he asked if Sedgwick had arrived. I had just got asleep again when Sedgwick woke me up having left N.Y. by the 9 o'clock train.

Friday 30". This is Decoration day. Sara went over to the Cemetery yesterday with flowers, but I do not care to go there when there are so many people there. Downing and Sedgwick went over the river to Mr. Suckleys after breakfast. The carpenters came and have worked all day on the barn and I think another day will finish it. Calvert has stayed about the place all day. I proposed a little trip up the river, but he concluded he would rather stay here and certainly I would. I have felt very lame and weak for several days past and begin to fear my strength is steadily declining. It gives me a momentary feeling of melancholy to think so. I certainly find it a labor to make the least exertion and my breath gives out the moment I make any effort.

Saturday 31". The carpenters finished the barn today at 1.15 except boarding up the front which cannot be done until the Carriage house is removed, so it will not cost as much as I expected it would. Calvert Downing and Sedgwick who went over to Rhinebeck today said they would be back early, and dinner was ordered at 6. Of course they did not get back until long after and Sara and I did not hesitate to tell them we could not have such uncertainty, as with only one servant we must have some idea what time to calculate upon.

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