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Nov. Friday 10th 1876 Yesterday was dear Mary's birthday. God grant her many. A gloomy day this 10th at times rain but clearing up. Song since moonlight away. The nights are very dark. I am never out after that is no distance. To the P.O Papa home all day and feeling poorly. I have been reading Blackstone once more for the last two weeks on an average twenty or thirty pages a day. As usual it is dry, dry work and I dislike it. ... standing have commenced Sir William's very profound commentaries some five or six times and oftener, I never get to the end of the second book. I hope to this time. Great national feverishness about the elections Tilden ahead but no surety for either yet. The Republicans are sly + bold dop and there is no telling.

Saturday 11th Papa to the city, home in very poor spirits. I saw Louisa Waters. For the one hundredth or one thousandth thought of getting work, and tried of came out a path for myself. I wrote seeking position as office clerk in answer to advertisement in N.Y Herald. Papa dreadfully down and low spirited. No wonder. I feel meaul, but then what aw I'll do? He won't try to get me a place worth anything and I do not know where to look. I had a spat with Aunt Mary. She is a laughably alound woman.

Sunday 12th Expected Dan Kelly, who came not. Papa and Sam both with bad colds. I have taken up phonograph + hope to do something. I read Blackstone everyday. I wrote two long letters to Aunt Jin + will incluse them in thi one envelope.

Monday 13th Mrs. O'Haulen and myself poor friends. We do not manage well together. She appears to me to do so little I get displeased with her. I do not think she could make me angry.

Tuesday 14th Sent a letter to Belle Sullivan and a paper to Uncle John. Heard from little Sue. Papa to Brklyn. About this time wrote to George. Had a good game of ball. Day disapeeable. Good chance at + missed duck.

Wednesday 15th ... Aunt Mary once more on the go. This time New York. Posted letters to dear little Sue and Rural Gazette. Rain all day. Came near hurting self with self with Sam. Papa worse. Read and wrote most of the day.

Thursday 16th ... Home all day. Did not visit Wrights. First day I stayed away in weeks. Wrote a long letter to Mazie. Trying to kill ducks! Papa to the city. He is no better. Pleasant day.

Friday 17th Aunt Mary back from New York in evening. She drank tea on Wednesday, is at Mrs. Williams. I believe I tried to play ball but could get no one to play with. About this time Hejeman + Commenced to studs Phonography. Papa poorly.

Saturday 18th Recd. letter from George. Played Ball. High tides and indications of a storm. Papa to the city I think. Aunt Mary continues drinking tea. I have not smoked, et although our trial is through looking over Phonographs and Blackstone. Latter very dry.

Sunday 19th Rain wind and high waves. No Dan Kelly to day. George Beuis buried to day. None of us was present at the funeral. Aunt Mary and I chatted and quarreled and repeated. The bank injured. The water very high indeed. Has been for days. To bed at an early hour.

Monday 20th Great storm still continues. Papa worried + out in the rain spite of bad cold. Heard from Mary Rob. Rain all day, long. High wind at night. Papa very low in spirit moping around and quite down hearted. Slight cough ... studying a little. Gloomy prospects.

Tuesday 21st Wrote to ... Mary. Commenced letter to Aunt Jin. Weather clearing out. Big Willow tree has fallen ... stable gate. Bank injured 1, waves not very much but rough. Up early + to bed same. Papa home + very low in spirits. My mysterious trouble June long ago. Aunt Mary + bad friends.

Wednesday 22nd Aunt Mary and I had our usual quarrel. We give it to each other. Up about 7. I keep right food hours .... Read ... + Black. Jo Wright in morning. Sent manuscript to Rural Gazette. Mailed letters to Mary and George cared .... To bed around 10 1/2. Papa still coughing away. Along the beach yest. or today.