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DIARY
January 4th 1867. Another year is already numbered with the past, and we have fairly entered upon the untried resources which may be contained in the elapse of the 365 days termed 1867; I shall strive to make this one profitable in mental improvement by devot-ing on an average of two hours out of the twenty four of each day to some study which shall advance me in the road to knowledge. 2 hours each day will give me = supposing seven hours to be the am't of time daily devoted to study at school = an amt of study equal to seventeen weeks, or over a quarter, in this time trust to be able to read French tolarbly and cipher in Algebra, I will make the at-tempt at any rate.
I in company with Mr Whele made New Year calls in his carriage, we had our robe and umbrella stolen while so doing, we made ten calls in New York and six in Hoboken, among the last was one at his brothers house, brother was a leader and general in the Hungarian revolt of 1848 and he of course exiled on that account, is now a lawyer and architect.
Last evening called upon and played a fiew games of billiards with Mr Macy
(To-day commenced moving into our new store at 412 Broadway.)

Sunday 13" Having some pretty cold weather, but not much snow, was skating two nights this week- very fair sport - ice cracked - Last evening I spent with Miss Griggs in a conversation which was deci-dedly improving mentally- the subject was this the little lady is very religeous and tried a simple tuching manner to make me see the error of my ways, her ideas gave me food for reflection.
Mr Whele = who is an Atheist = and I have had some very interes-ting arguments upon the subject; he is pretty smart and well read, and if he only had a better command of English would hold me well to my points.
We are finished moving and now in a fine house and fine locality.
Mr Macys family have gone into the country for ten days. I feel quite lost without them.

Sunday 20th Wednesday night and Thursday fully eighteen inches of snow fell in the city, much more fell East, North & West of us; R.R.s are blocaded all through the Eastern and Middle states, mail communication interrupted and travel suspended in a great measure. the whole of New York that can afford it has been on runners for the last four days, and they decidedly make a most animating scene, for the gay and sombre, grotesque and classical are so very strangely mixed togather.
Wed & Thurs (^& Fri) staid at home and tried to be sick but could not succeed very well so finally gave it up and went to the store yesterday.
Wed eve according to promise I went to take Miss Griggs to Wal-lack's but she had repented her promise to go, and written her excuses, which I did not receve.
Monsieur Millett - a Frenchman who boards where I do - has pro-mised to give me some instruction dans la belle language.

Janvrier 29ieme. Very cold. in fact the coldest day of the year with us; Mr Macy returned from his country trip a week ago, having been snow bound in Boston three days longer than he intended to stay; he brought with him a Houghton (Miss) cousin to the Adda Houghton who was there last Spring and sister of the Mrs Sargent who was at his house last fall. The young lady is very beautiful and a fine performer on the piano, two great attractions in my estimation; she is also a good skater, as I discovered last Fri-day, no, Saturday evening when I had the pleasure of her company to the park pond.
Trade is opening slowly no very brisk indications yet.
I have received and answered a letter from sister, and received one from Prof Beaugureau.
Howard Macy - cousin to Mr M- who is now stopping at Mr Macy's was just now in here to invite me to accompany a party from their house to Major Oatmans Rink to skate, but, as it was pretty cold and I am expecting Mr Millett in, I did not go.

Jeudi - 31ieme. I discovered much to my astonishment and regret that Mr Merrill had recommended me for only $700 which pro rata I received to-day, I am sorry now that I did not first ascertain what my salary would be before entering upon the present year; for I was well aware that Mr Merrill would push his cousin forward to my disadvantage, he being the head of the department was well able to do that and has done it, it is too late to regret not accepting Mr. Macys kind offer of $1000 for this year, I must do the best I can and try to get more if possible.
Evidence of a breaking up in our cold weather.

Jeudi. Fevrier 7ieme Our winter, after a steady reign of two month was broken up a week ago by a heavy rain since then very warm Spring-like weather has prevailed - until nearly all our snow is gone. however mud is almost as deep in the streets as the snow was before. the City just at present is in a most uninviting condition.
Trade begins to improve somewhat some country dealers have been in and livened things up somewhat.
The impeachment of the President which has been threatened and in fact begun by the House appointing a committee to collect evidence, seems to hang fire, probably from its being too much of a novelty and without precedent.
I continue to spend one or two evenings of a week at Mr Macys, where I am treated to fine music and interesting company.
Recd letters from Sister, Miss Wiltsie & Prof Beaugureau. an-swer'd first and second.
No word from father yet

Samedi. 9me. Disagreeable rainy day- business poor and indications of its keeping so. The ship on which Mr Mills returns from Europe arrived in port to-day Mr M. will not be to the store until Monday however. Wrote the Prof this evening

Dimanche 10me Very cold freezing rapidly. The change in the wea-ther was very sudden for at 1½ OC this morning it was warm and raining very hard and yet at 8 OC everything was frozen up snug.
Took a ride with Mr Wehle over to Brooklyn. I suffered with the cold more than I have before this winter espsecially coming back when we had to face the North-West wind, however the ride was a pleasant one and gave us both a most astonishing apetite for dinner.
This evening attended services at St Ann's church and now feel very comfortable seated by a warm fire in my room.

Vendredi 15me Warm since Lundi-soir, rather cold again to-day. Business so far this month has amounted to only about one quarter as much as for the same time last year, rather blue that for us. had a talk Mercredi-soir with Mr Merrill in regard to my salary for this year, told him that I had been offered $1000 for this year but was now getting much less. he said that the same unsatisfactory state of things existed all through the house, Mr Gibb had been un-willing to arrainge for salary since the return of Mr Mills, the latter arrived home Lundi he supposed the matter would now be set-tled. Last evening I was speaking with Mr Macy on the same subject (he asked me about it) he thinks that I would be a cheap man at $1000 and advises me to stick for that amount.
Wrote to father this eve. I cannot account for his long silence.

Lundi 18me Samedi et aujourd-hui a été jours de grand trafic avec nous, in fact we have had almost more than we could attend to, be-ing detained until 8 OC at the store Mr S S Houghton has been in and bought the largest buy that we ever sold in our house. the gent is a brother of Mrs Macy and a great Boston trader. I was introduced to him at Mr M- last evening and found him a very plea-sant man indeed; he is however an old customer of our firm, so I cannot be said to control his trade. At 3 games of Billiards with Mr M- on saturday evening I was beaten twice. very unusual that.
Wrote to Cousin Joe this evening.

Dimanche 24me Il fait froid ce matin et il plue ce soir. traffic encore bon Hier je fus parlé à M- Gibb dans regard à mon salary, je avais été besoin il elevé mais il n'aus pas besoin - to do so, and so I had to give up the point, he did seem to think that the state of things warranted the proposed change. I was therefore ob-liged to pocket the declination with the best possible grace.
Have received a letter from Miss Wiltsie.

Dimance 3me Mars. Very buisy week Friday night I worked until 11½ P.M. marking goods. I am very glad to see such a good trade. Har-die who is at Boston is sending us some good orders, and Fuller al-so from Philadelphia. Douglas does not seem to be doing much out through the west.
I am trying to work into a trade which I find is the only way to better my condition in regard to money matters. Maj. Robinson was in to see me this week. he is doing pretty well I guess. he has been drumming this state thoroughly for two months. Wrote to sis-ter Mr Butler of Boston and Mr Manning of Trenton to-day.

Samedi 10me The past semaine a aussi été un de grand traffic. le meilleur nous avons en since the firm has been in business. Last month altho half of it was very dull my department alone did $28000 which was very good. I have made up my mind that I will hereafter devote more of my time to business and less to study and amusement. that is in the evenings.
Mr Wehle had two young friends who arrived on the Teautonia Fri-day evening. I was introduced to them at breakfast this morning. they are young gents of education and refinement and have for the preasant taken up their abode with us. they propose soon to go into business for themselves, in the importing line. their dreams of business in this country are very boyish and resemble somewhat my idle fancies of years ago. They have however established a very comfortable batchelors hall here and if smoking and other German pastimes can make their stay pleasant why they seem to have a fair prospect before them; no end to meerschaums, beerpots & punch brewing ap'aratus.
I was expecting to go to church to-day but it has been so stormy and bad that the temptation to remain at home has proved too great for me.
A letter from sister informs me that father is in the woods again with a company who are getting out logs to raft down to market this spring. his employment is doing chores about the shanty. I wrote to him at his new address. have also written to sister and to Elsie, the letters of the latter are really very interesting and denote a mind free from the vicious influences of the world as yet. I take her to be a pure innocent country girl, better educated than that class commonly are and having more refinement than seems to be natural to them as a mass.
Before closing my mem's for to night I must mention that the two gents in dringing (drinking) a glass of water at dinner remarked that it was more pure water than they had drank before in three years, that is if every drop of simple water drank in that time was put in the same glass; The water in Vienna, from which city they came, is so very bad that no body drinks it, scarcely paupers even, beer or water and wine ('alf and 'alf) are the only common drinks.

Vendredi 29me I take up my long neglected memorandums this evening and discover that in dating my last entry I made an error, it should have been Dimanche.
In mind I trace rapidly back to last date, and try to recover from the past what may have transpired of a noteworthy character sinc then. Trade has been very brisk moste of the time and I found myself coming home nights pretty late and so tired that to write seemed a labor to great, but enjoying a glass of wine and cigar with Mrsers Weller & Letherer (our German and English arrivals) very attractive and therefore indulged. The gents above mentioned have established an office in Wm St and have commenced the impor-tation of walking sticks, meerschaums, Pearl Buttons, and fancy articles of various descriptions, they seem pretty sanguine of suc-cess, and I wish it to them with all my heart.
Sunday last we three paid a visit to Central Park, then almost covered with snow, had a cold but rather pleasant time, the snow being but small inconvenience; Speaking of snow, I never in this country saw so heavay a fall as we had last week; = in the middle of March, = the snow was estimated to have fallen 15 inches deep on the level, the country is still covered with the white sheet, the city is bare however and the high chilly March wind has today made grand sport with the dust, the gents hats and ladys crinolines.
On the evening of Tuesday last I accompanied Mr Weller to the German Gymnasium in Orchard St. it is a large finely appointed es-tablishment with Library and Restaurant, has 400 members and an excellent system of instruction, terms $600 per anum.
The same P.M. I had the honor of a call at the store in the per-sons of the Misses Griggs and McDowal it being our hour of closing I left the store and escorted them up Broadway as far as 11" St. in accordance with an invitation then recd I last evening made a visit to Miss Griggs, who is soon to leave on a 9 month visit to various friends living at the West, there were seven ladys present and I the only young gent so I had a decidedly pleasant time if being in fair demand can be considered such. Am to call and take the Misses Griggs and Miss McD. to call at 16" St to-morrow evening.
Recd a box containing some maple sugar from sister to-day also the second letter since my last, both were splendid. Recd a letter from Prof B- and also from Cousin Joe and Little Joe Fuller, and moste interesting of all one from Miss Wiltsie; she says that her uncle is presistent in his declaration that she will yet repent having entered upon this correspondence but how such can be the case unless unless the time so spent may be repented of a time lost is more than I can tell, as I shall probably never see the lady saving by accident, I at leaste do not anticipate any serious con-sequences unless they may be produced by letters when their writers are seperated by 100 miles of mountain river and plain.
I hear down stairs the merry voice of an excentric little Eng-lishman named Cross, who is visiting the family. he is the over-seer of a Rice Plantation near Savannah Ga. the anecdotes (colored by his queer imagination) which he gives us of Southron life, are very amusing, he smiles only with one side of his face while the other maintains a gravity which seems continually chiding its merry companion. he hates niggers but acknowledges their necessity in all fever districts at the South, his insight into thier character seems entirely blunted by the color of their skin and and cannot extend beneath it.

Mardi Avril 2me Saturday soir, I according to previous arrainge-ment escorted Annie & Mary Griggs & Miss McD- to call on Misses Cook & Deniston spent the evening most agreeably, & had a very confidential talk with Miss McD- when taking her home from Mr Griggs. subject "Why was she not married".
Sunday I & Mr Weller with Mr Wehle's horse & carriage took a ride thro Central Park. the wind was blowing very strong but as it was not cold it did not mar our pleasure, coming back we took a detour over to the East River visiting the Gas Works & Webb's Navy Yard, in the evening called at the 13 St Presbyterian to listen to an eloquent sermon by a London minister, & afterward accompany Misses Giggs & McD home. Wrote to Sister about midnight.
Monday business was very dull, in the evening went arround to Mr Macys and beat him a game of Chess, and was April Fooled two or three times by Florence. Miss Gitchel was there. This day rec'd orders to get ready for a trip thro N.J. & Pa. commenced to do so.
Wrote to Cousin Joe & to Little Joe.

Jeudi 4me I had quite a laugh on myself to-day, for I got up and went down to the store at ½ past 6 OC thinking it was 7½ instead, however I was rewarded for my early rising by the early music of the sweet little songsters in Washington Park.
When over at Colm's to lunch at noon I found Mr Mills, an old and very kind Ogdensburgh friend, there also lunching. he came with me over to the store a bought a nice little bill. When I was at O- he was First Clerk in Franks Dry goods store. after that he went into partnership with the Waterbury with whom I rode from Masena Springs to O- when I left the latter place after my weeks visit there. Mr Hardie came home yesterday. had his samples revised, and started off on another trip this evening.
Mr Weller was up to Tarrytown to-day to seek some relatives of his mother but, did not succeed in his search.

Dimanche 7me Last evening Mr Macy and I had the first game of bil-liards which we have played in a long time. he beat me one game and I retaliated with two to pay him. Somebody has stolen a box of sham jewelry from Miss Weller & Lederer the young Englishman who came here whn Ryan did is suspected of being the guilty party. no evidence appears against him however, whoever took it would be apt to suppose the goods worth hundreds, but if they were presented to any pawnbroker he would soon find himself mistaken for they were merely plated.
Rose at 5½ A.M. and occupied the early morning writing, writing to Miss Wiltsie, after dinner went with Wehle and Lederer to Hobo-ken and with the latter to the Elysian Fields. left Mrssrs W & L at the formers brothers, and came back. The wind was very high and the river rough, three hats blew overboard on the return trip. My lace goods samples will not be ready until the middle or last of the week.

Jeudi 11me Trenton N.J. Last Monday evening I according to ap-pointment accompanied Miss Griggs to call on Annie McDowel. Misses Cook & Denniston were not there as we expected they would be, still had no want of entertainment. I wanted to give Miss Griggs a fare-well kiss on biddin her good by for so long but rather feared to venture altho her pretty little mouth looked so enticeing.
Tuesday evening went up for a parting game of billiards with Mr Macy and bade his wife and daughter adieu.
Yesterday morning left the store behind me for a while and taking the Jersey R.R. came down to New Brunswick. did a good trade there yesterday & to-day and this evening came on to this place.
Weather for a week has been superb indeed, brigh warm sunshiney days and clear moonlight nights, just the kind of season when one feels the whole nature filled with that indescribable something called love. I am glad that I am where I am not exposed to any of the soft bewitching sex now or I would not answer for my safety against them, I really believe that the season is propitious to the soft passion.
I recd a letter from Uncle John the other day, his long silence is accounted for by the fact that he left the Editorial business on account of his eyes and has been spending the winter in the Lumber-ing business, he now talks of going to Missour, as the prospects of that state seem to be about right.

LETTER Trenton N.J. Thursday April 11" 67
Dear Sister
And Kind Friends
I most respectfully beg leave to inform you that I am just now most comfortably esconsed in Room No 1 of the Trenton House of this place, and see at present no resonable reason why I should not enjoy my humble self in writing to you, as the time so spent cannot be considered as taken from the firm.
To commence with, I yesterday morning bid farewell to the great City, and with two big trunks each of which cost $100 in gold, started without many regrets, to breathe freedom and the country air for a month or so, perhaps sometime on the route I may get a chance to run up and see you, but that, to say the least, is doubtful, therefore you will please be not disappointed if I do not come.
I knew that I might as well say that I perhaps would come, as the contrary, for you always seem to expect me when I say that I am not coming, so look out about the first of May unless informed to the contrary.
I have a pretty good length to go over this time, larger than before. and consequently shall be gone longer frowm town, and If I do every day as much business as I have done to-day, why I expect I shall look down upon you from a vast highth if I do come there.
Yesterday just before leaving home I ate some of your sugar and, must admit that it seems to have some powerful medicinal pro-perty's for I have been most thoroughly physicked by it, for which I am grateful provided it is a benefit.
We are having lovely weather now, in fact for a week the most complaining mortal must have been sorely tried to discover some loophole for demuring; bright warm sunshiny days, & clear moon-light nights have wooed us into good humer & complaisancy, the little birds are making love to each other, "the cattle upon a thousand hills" are looking love into each others eyes and even my cool phlegmatic disposition seems to warm somewhat under the genial influence of approaching summer, which makes it perhaps a good thing for me that I have left the city for a while and am no longer exposed to the bright bewitching eyes and smiles of my lady ac-quaintances there. else there might be a possibility of your being so unfortunate as to have a sisterinlaw before the year was passed.
The New Jersy Legislature is now in session and most of the members put up at this hotel, a lot of them are holding a meeting in a parlor near my room, said meeting is presided over by by a brandy bottle, the consequence is, they are most undiplomatically noisy, and I can hardly tell what I am writing. I guess there is very little sleep for me this night if that keeps up.-
Address as before. your letters will be forwarded.
Kindest affections for all of you-
A. T. La Forge

DIARY
Mardi 16me Allen House, Allentown. Did nothing in the business way in Trenton, but in the P.M. of the 11" was over in an old soap boiling establishment where much to my surprise I found the bloated old proprietor a very uninformed man indeed, he had been a politi-cian in his day, and a we finally = like all conversations of any length = got upon the subject of politics he gave me a reading in the history of parties which opened my eyes somewhat. Came on to Easton, the city of R R's Sat A.M. spent the sabbath there and formed some very pleasant acquaintances, among the rest a Mr Brodt was most agreeable, went to church with him in the evening.
Did a fair biz in the Hilly City and came here at 9.30 last even-ing, rained a day but still I have done a good trade considering that I am sick with the diarrhea.
This is a fine flourishing little town, was built up and is kept up by the Ironworks the oar abounds here in inexhaustible quanti-ties, I cannot refrain from giving the keeper of this House the credit of being one of the best I ever met, he emphatically "knows how to keep a hotel".

Dimanch 21st Bolton House, Harrisburg. I did only a small trade in Reading on Tuesday and Wednesday most of my old friends having gone to Phila to buy goods, got three orders in Lebanon. but not-withstanding all this I did immensely enjoy the ride up through the Lebanon Vally for 80 miles the cars passed through an almost level plain, at least the undulations were so slight that we could see for miles and miles on each side of the road over this plain scat-tered in rich profusion were towns villages and and farm houses; off thro the fields could be seen the industrious farmers chear-fully getting in his crops, feeling sure that God will grant the harvest in due season; To my eyes so long accustomed to the limit-ed vision afforded by the narrow city streets, this seemed like a perfect Paradise, I almost longed to spring off the train, and go romping among the beautiful meadows, which are just now assuming their fresh green mantles.
Arrived in this town Friday evening found two letters waiting for me, one from West & one from Foster. have replied to both.
I must write to Mr Macy to sister & to Uncle John to day.
Must mention that on Friday evening I went to see the Black Gnome - a very inferior imitation of the Black Crook 16 persons compose the Ballet Troupe, orchestra, supernumaries &c, insted of the 150 which are required in the Great Play at Niblo's Garden, however the affair is an immense success in this town.

Mercrédi 25" National Hotel York, Pa. Left Lancaster Wednesday evening, and came up to Harrisburgh, staid all night and came down here Thursday morning in a heavy snow storm, such a snowstorm is seldom seen here at this time of year, some five inches or more fell; in consequence of which trade was very dull but have done some business; I expected to go on to Getteysburg on the 10.40 A.M. train, but was carlessly forgotton by the clerk and must wait until 2.10 P.M.
Beautiful clear warm day now, last evening met a Mr L C Elson travelling for a Phila house, he was a splendid pianist, and we consequently had a very agreeable time in the Parlour.
While in Lancaster I recd a letter from sister dated the 17" all are well, they are having a rather bad sugar season. Also recd a letter from Mr Merrill & one from Mr Foster.

Dimanche 28th National Hotel Chambersburg. Arrived at Getteysburg Pa at 5 P.M. Thursday and after supper went up to the National Ce-metery. I could not help feeling the awe which the knowledge that thousands of those who bravely went forth to preserve the integrity of their beloved country, where sleeping their last sleep on that green hill; the sun was just setting and sent his slant splendor across the granate blocks on which were marked in black letters the names of the brave fellows who slept at their feet; memory carried me back to the uncertain destiny which seemed to await us on those hot July days of 63, before the God of Battles had decided the day to us, how gloomy were our prospects then, and how thankful was I that I had survived the period of those days to see the country again blessed with peace.
Did some business in town and at 1½ P.M. Friday took the stage for an uncomfortable ride of 25 miles acrosst the mountains to this place, arrived here hungry as a bare at sundown. Skinner I found had left for the city and business seemed to be so dull that I con-cluded that my prospects were anything but hopeful, was pleasantly disappointed by doing a good trade yesterday P.M. I found a letter from West and one from the firm awaiting, the latter were very com-plimentary indeed to me expressed themselves well pleased with my efforts, and offered me a trip thro N.Y. in May if I wished.

Vendredi May 3ime Logan House, Altoona Pa. Monday came to Car-lisle in the rain remained all day did some business, Tuesday came up to Lewiston did a good trade, Wednesday to Huntindon where I found six letters waiting for me from the House and one from Miss Wiltsie. I according to some instructions from Mr Mills, sent a fiew of my samples to Mr King who has started on a trip South, I sent the goods to Cincinnatti some of them I needed to, Thursday came to this place and to-night start for Pittsburg at 9.15 OC.
Miss Wiltsie is well and writes quite affectionately for her, her style continues to be very attractive, innocent and pure as the free breezes which float arround her Valley home, she thinks that her uncles fears of our correspondence resulting in evil, very ab-surd; so do I. She also gives me permission to see her at any time I wish.
I do not see as I shall be able to get back home before the 25" now as I am only half over my route yet.

Dimanche 5ime St Charles - Pittsburg Pa. Arrived here at 2 A.M. yesterday had a fiew hours sleep, then up breakfasted and was at business again by 8 A.M. called on most of the merchants of the "Smokey City" and Allegheny City, in the latter town I found that by using the name of Col McKelvy I made a very good friend of Mr Erwin of Erwin, McConnell Co I can however do no business until Monday all promise to come in then.
To-day hired a horse and took a ride out seven miles from the city, went up on a high bluff near the Allegheny river and enjoyed a most beautiful view unobstructed by the smoke of P- had a very spirited horse name Queen (possibly of the Cannibal Islands) her Majesty gave me some trouble to manage her as She was a very head-strong monarch.
There is a young married couple here, probably on their wedding tour, twice I have sat opposite them at table, the husband has red hair, but the lady is very rich in beauty, I believe however she wants to make me fall in love with her. probably to give a little spice to her married life which with her seems to be getting dull I really should never tire of looking at her pretty face, but I think it rude and never do so when I think she sees me.
Received a letter from Palmer to day- also one from Florence Macy- the first says trade is dull and the latter gives me a de-scription of a celebration of the children of St Anns Sabbath School. Merrill starts for Europe on the 11" inst I shall not see him therefore. shall write to him also to sister this evening.

Samedi 11eme. American - Titusville Pa. Left Pittsburg after a fair trade Tuesday at 5.30 A.M. Stop'd at New Castle but finding that I could do nothing there owing to the Iron Workers strike, came on to Meadville; where arrived at 1.30 A.M. Wednesday. wea-ther very cold, wore a heavy over coat. Did some trade and came to Franklin Thursday at 4.30 P.M. weather a little warmer sold goods there until 2.30 yesterday then started for this place, but was delayed at Oil city until 5 P.M. then came up to Petroleum Centre where I have to stay all night; I made good use of my time however in looking into the manner of procuring oil; but fiew of the wells are flowing now but many are pumping, fuel costs them nothing nor light either, for their engines are heated by the gas which comes from the well, it is conducted by a pipe to the furnace and being lighted produces an immense heat, the light is furnished in the same manner.
Thousands of Derricks used and disused line the valleys and hill sides for miles and miles along here, they each represent a fortune lost or gained.
Came here at 6 AM to-day. W. S. Winsor has just failed and has about $50.000ΕΕ worth of goods to be sold by the Sheriff next week, so the merchants will buy nothing until that is over, consequently I shall go on to Cora to-night.

Jeudi 16me Montour House. Danville Pa. Came to Cora on the P.M. of the 11" found things so dull that I did not stop there but a short time and at 3.30 took the train for Salamanca where I changed cars getting on to the N.Y. & Erie express came down to Wellsville and finding that I would have to stay there all night called upon Mr Simmons who at 11 O.C. gave me an order of about $100. Sunday the 12" had a man bring me up to the hill above brother Potters, then sent him back with his team, just before getting there one of our mares had an epyleptic fit, rearing and plunging and afterward stood trembling in her harness.
I succeeded in getting into the house without anybody seeing me, then the greetings which I received were such as to do a wanderers heart good, Took dinner with sister and tea up to Perry's, after which I made a call over to Nelson Crandalls, found the old gent standing in the street, he at once took me into the house which was evidently an ill advised move of his, for on his opening the door and my face being seen there was a general scatterfication, some-body disappeared from the room, I concluded that it must be Miss Clara for I did not see her in nearly an hour, then she was dressed up in good style with each and every one of her curls perfect, we spent the evening mostly in conversation, also had some of Miss Clara's rather = to me = poor piano playing; after which I succeed-ed in having a private conversation, during which she pressed me to know why I had ceased my corresponding with her. she had got the idea that somebody had written me telling of something which was going on at Independence, she felt guilty poor girl but had she known that my letters stopd simply because I had became tired of an uninteresting correspondence she would not have spoken in the man-ner she did; she informed me that after my letters stoped she won-dered what could have been the cause, and after trying in vain to get an explanation, being in this unsuccessful she had came to think herself free = I had no idea that she had considered herself engaged to me = and had encouraged the advances of a Mr Tittsworth of N.J. The said T- was not slow and had soon became so much in-raptured that he had finally made a formal declaration and been ac-cepted and made supremely happy. the wedding would probably take place about the 20" of June, after which a trip to Niagara thence to N.Y.City = when I volunteered to call on them = then to N.J. where they propose to live. I wish her all the joy possible and with all my heart, for I was right glad to see her so happy. To keep up the illusion I composed the following to send her in a
book.
Let mem'ry rest: no backward swoop
Of Times dim swing shall mar thy joy,
No tho't of Past shall cause to droop
The silken lashes of thine eye.
The Future now, and mines the hope
That yours may be one filled with joy
With mem'ry limited in scope,
Life all of gold without alloy.

Strange to say I slept well after composing the above,
On Monday 13" took dinner at Mr Clarks. called on several friends and at 4 OC was brought down to Andover thr'o a heavy rain to take the cars for Elmira, A most loquacious old gent was on the train going to N.Y. who had formerly been a school master he was exceedingly well informed on old subjects, but not posted in modern in the leaste, he tho't that Bismarc was a Russiain Count.
Had to stay at the American in Elmira all night. had just got to bed when a great uproar was kicked up in the hall by a woman who came to the house to claim a runaway husband who was sleeping just then with another woman whom he had married and brought to the hotel.
Had to remain in the Town all next as no train came down to Wms-burg (should be Wmsport?) until night then I came on down. done but little business however either there or at this place - go on up to Wilkebarre and from there to Pittston an Scranton then home

Dimanche 26me By working pretty hard I succeeded in getting thr'o at Scranton & took the cars for Great Bend caught the Eastern Ex and came on home arriving at Garden Row about 8 OC Sunday morning. all of the people were still in bed but were not long in getting up when I was heard.
Called on Mr Macy in the P.M. found all of the people well; I have repeated my call every evening since until last evening. had some very pleasant hours in his family playing Euchre, and with himself playing Chess & Billiards. He yesterday made a proposal to me to come into his store as a White & Embroidery buyer at a salary of $1000 a year had matters stood the way they did when I started I would have accepted the proposal at once, but Mr Gibb immediately on my return home raised my salary to $850 from the first of May which is $150 more than I was getting before which is with my pri-valige of travelling is better than $1000; he however wants me to consider until the first of July about the matter and if I then think favorably of the matter we will come to some arraingement upon the subject.
I have my samples all revised and shall start on another trip to-morrow to go over very much the same route as before,
Called on Maggy Cook to-day, she is looking quite ill. she will be married to Mr Banker this fall, I pity B- for he will have a feeble help-meet.
Wrote to John Clemence to-day sent a poem composed by myself in the shape of a letter.
Recd a letter from Miss Wiltsie - very agreeable.

Mai- Jeudi 30me Sun Hotel. Bethlehem Pa. Here I am again on the Route. Left home Monday at M. stopt at N Brunswic, could do noth-ing, that evening went on to Trenton staid until 4.30 P.M. without doing anything - took cars for Easton wher arrived at 7.15- Yes-terday did a fair Business there & this morning came here, I find that every body is shut up keeping Ascension Day so haveing nothing else to do came to the conclusion that a ride would benefit me, got a horse and proceeded to ride. Some very beautiful country lies contiguous to the town. teeming with mineral wealth. Iron, Coal & Lime stone, the only ingredients require for smelting oar are all here to-gather they are brought in contact in proper shape and are thus a continual source of income to the inhabitants.
I have noticed what a very agreeable way the young people here have of making love to each other, about twylight the young ladies all nicely dress'd appear prominading up and down the principal street, the gents as soon as disengaged also come out and go walk-ing the same street apparently not looking for anybody, those how-ever who are so fortunate as to have some condesending acquaintance are soon seen convoying the acquaintance with a gentle protecting care, and at the same time exchanging low toned converse with the one. This is the manner in which all the flirting and most of love making is done up- Matches are formed and consumated, many of them I fear to be regretted for the remainder of life. Some have cause to bless and others to curse the ramble

Dimanche- 2me Mai (actually June) Allen House Allentown. In the same room that I was on the 16" of April last. came here from Bethlehem Friday M. found that I could do some business by waiting a while so have taken it cool on about $400. must remain here un-til Monday to sell Kramer a bill. The town was crowded all day yesterday in such a manner as only saturday can crowd these Duch towns. Consequently I could not get any of the merchants out of their stores to look at my samples.
Wrote to Prof Beaugureau & to Miss Wiltsie.

Jeudi. 6me Mortimer House. Pottsville- Allentown to Reading Mon-day P.M. and from there here on Tuesday evening. Yesterday Morning I arose at 4½ OC and mounting a horse which I had engaded the night before rode to the top of Mount Carmer and viewed the beautiful Phenominon of sunrise, from my elevated position, it was grand; The sky was clear with the exception of a fiew strips of clouds away down in the East and thease only added to the beauty of the whole by the magnificent colorings which they took as the sun ap-proached. Gradually changing their dull blue to Pink then red which changed gradually into orange silver and just as old sol immerged from behind the mountain in the east they burst into the most gorgeous gold fringed with ivory. The scene was enchanting, but I turned from it for a gallop over the hills during the early morning. my hore was an easy rider & very strong. she could take a fence as high as my shoulder very easily. so I let her do it se-veral times much to the disgust of various farm dogs who protected in the most boistrous manner returned after a two hours and 14 mile ride with a good apetite for breakfast.
Leave here at 2.39 P.M. for Lebanon.-

Dimanche 8me Bolton House Harrisburg. Got to Lebanon on Thursday evening did some business there on Friday and at night came on here. Business very dull indeed, in fact there is almost none.
Wrote to Miss Florence Macy yesterday giving her a description of myh Pottsville ride to see sunrise.
To day went to church at the Old School Presbyterian church. was taken there and very politely treated by a Mr Morehouse Agt for the Adams Ex- he boards at this hotel.
Rained all day yesterday and nearly all of this day.
Wrote to sister.

LETTER Bolton House, Harrisburg Pa. June 8" 67
Dear Sister
How I did wish that you could have been with me yesterday morning at Pottsville, you would have enjoyed yourself so much; I arose before 4 OC (an indiscretion of which I am not often guil-ty) and mounting a horse which I had engaged the night previous, rode to the top of Mt Carmel = not the scriptural hill of that name = to see the - to me - uncommon phenomenon of Sun-rise. I was there in ample time, dismounting and leaving my horse fastened to a tree. I took my seat upon a preceptuous rock overhanging the town but fully 800 feet above it, and tooked arround upon the bountious beauties of Nature in her more rugged aspect. I was on the edge of an irregular amphitheatre about 2 miles in diameter, formed by a circle of rough sparce wooded mountain peaks. Under my feet and toward the East lay the city of Pottsville nestled secure-ly by its hills and quietly dreaming away the gray morning hours, no signs of active life were yet visible, even the night fires of the Iron Furnaces in the vally seemed to be ashamed of the diminu-tive puffs of smoke which they occasionally emitted. Heavenward all was clear, excepting a fiew strips of clouds which lay close to sun rise, and which had apparently went there for the express pur-pose of welcoming Old Sol, and gorgeously they did it too. Gra-dually and by some invisible means their dull blue coat took a red-dish tint, then a delicate pickish hue seemed to steal along their borders, this lasted but for a short time when a still further change was enacted, in which a pale but deepning orange struggled for predominence with a highly burnished silver, again just as the smiling but inflated disk of Monsieur Soleil made its appearance. they transformed themselves into jewels of gold incased in vergin alabaster.
Altho I was now in the full glorious sunlight, the town was for still quite a while in the shade. I watched the glimmer creep noiselessly down the side of the mountain, then rush across the plain at its foot and fill the city with its warm splendor, one last look at the beautiful scene. then mounting my horse I started him for a gallop over the hills. I soon found my nag to be power-ful as well as fleet, for taking fright a locomotive at the foot of the mountain, he bounded over a fence and off thr'o the fields be-fore I knew what he was about, seeing that he was fond of fences I gave him several to take, much to the disgust of sundry farmhouse dogs which manifested their disapproval in a very boistrous manner, thereby causing numerous windows to be thrown up and nightcapped heads to be poped out of them, which heads evidently looked disap-proval also.
I arrived back to the city at 7 OC after a ride of 16 miles, of course I had a splendid apetite for breakfast.
Now dont you believe that participating in this ride and see-ing this sun rise would have furnished you enjoyment?
Rainy weather has set in again.
Much love to all our dear family.
Your Travelling brother
A. T. La Forge
Mrs Joseph Potter
Andover
N.Y.
If you can't read this send it back and I will write it over.

DIARY
Dimanche 15" National- Chambersburg Pa. since my last entry I have to to York Lancaster & Carlisle; was at the second place where the country people there were celebrating Witsontide Monday- the town was more than crowded, in fact it was only with the utmost difficulty that I could get arround, not much business there or in York, however at Carlisle I did a fair business, and met a Black-burn who I used to know at Camp Destribution, he had some queer revelations to make to me.
Came here yesterday noon I find the prospects rather tame I took Mr Abner Bentz out riding from Carlisle to Mt Holy Spg. we got plenty of spring water and came back by moonlight. had a very pleasant time indeed.
I found a letter awaiting me here containing the cards of Mr Tittsworth & Miss C. Crandall also a letter from Sister.
I have have half a notion of taking a holiday here and accepting an invitation to make one of a party to have a days picnic on the mountain.

Jeudi 20". National, Lewistown. Went to church twice last sunday. did not expect to go in the evening, but it rained and I lent my umbrella to Miss Trostle to go to church and went along myself to carry it. Monday I was buisy all day selling some pretty good bills of goods, worked with Garber & Wings until 10 OC then some friends came in to see me and the consequence was that I did not get to bed until 1½ OC. then arose again at 4½ to start off on our Picknick; I had the honor to be accompanied by Miss Oaks a sister of one of my customers, our Destination was Parnels Knob 15 miles distant, 13 miles we could go by carriage, then leaving our con-veyances at a hotel we started up the steep but well made road for the peak, a colored gent went along to carry our grub, about half way up some of the ladies became very much fatigued and mine was almost tired out. a little rain fell also and the ladies began to become divided in opinion to go or not, on one point all were united, we would have lunch, so the baskets were emptied lemonade made and we had quite a festivity. still a little rain; Started again up the ascent. Miss O & I fell behind and taking a seat on a rock began to tak and as she was tired we concluded to go no far-ther, another couple of the party came back to this point and we started down the mountain were caught in a very heavy rain got pretty well wetted. the ladies were in a sorry plight by the time we got to the hotel; they however striped themselves and getting some dry clothing turned their soiled garments over to the hotel females to be cleaned; two by two the other members of the party came in all in rather sad condition but in the best of humor passed the time very agreeably until 4. took dinner then and as the la-dies were all restored we hitched up and went over to London to call on a lately married friend of some of our party returned by moonlight passing the entire time very agreeably. bade our ladies good night and returning our respective teams went to our homes. Mr Keefer slept with me all night, yesterday I finished my biz and taking the cars came here last evening. I at once received an in-vitation to go on a picknick to-day. of course refused.

Lundi 24" St Charles. Pittsburg. Did Huntingdon the 21" Altoona the 22" and came up here the same night arrived at 2 OC Sunday morning. Had a most beautiful twilight view at Horse Shoe in the Alleganies, the Here finds its way to the top of the mountain and from the elevated situation one can look far down thro the wild romantic valley he has just traversed, the scene was certainly most magnificent.
Met Ecstine at the table in the morning, after ward we had our cigar and papers, then conversation juntil dinner, after that a siesta and at 4 took a buggy and drove out to Perrysville for a ramble and tea. drove back in the calm evening had a glorious time, discussed everything from the theory of a "common origen of Life" to the diameter of the egg of a flea.

Mardi 25me Last evening Mr Columbus Patterson of McCrum & Carlisle gave me an invitation to accompany him with a party of young peo-ple, out for a ride and some tea I was most willing so with a driver and two horse open Phaeton, we at 6.30 drove to the house of a wealthy gentlemen named Haigh (in Allegheny) and there taking on board two Kentucky girls, named Bush and something else, drove out to Keatons Hotel where we met the other members of our party. among the rest Miss Haigh. she made a very favorable impression upon me indeed, when she asked me to call upon her again I said yes meaning what I said. Patterson is very much in love with the young Ky girl* which he had, and is congratulating himself muchly upon his success in having cut out one or two other persons who were very soft in the same direction. After all that view of wealth and fashion I had a very chastening dream in which my father and sister figured very conspicuosly.
*I learn since that she is engaged to be married to a Ky man. was engaged while at Pittsburgh.

Dimanche 30me Franklin Exchange, Franklin Pa. Went up to Green-ville where I had agreed to meet Eckstein on the 26" he and I spent the time there very agreeably, going to bed early; arose at 4 OC on the 27 and started at 4.?? to go over to Mercer with a car-riage. had a very pleasant drive indeed through bracing morning air. the 15 miles drive gave me a splendid apetite for breakfast after the 15 miles drive we beguiled the time by reading Snow Bound We started on the return trip at 9.30 reading on the Way Horace Templeton got back to Greenville at 12 M. and after dinner drummed the town and came at 1.30 back to New Castle. found that a water spout had broaken the line, washing away one of the R R Culverts, one of the Freight trains had wrecked itself here the night before killing one man and injuring two others. we had to transfer our selves arround this wreck on foot and take another train which came up from below to meet us. staid all night in NCastle, on the 28" came up to Meadville stopping at Greenville on the way for my um-brella & cain which I had left there.
Met Clendennin at the McHenry and had a very pleasant time with him. also two Englishmen named Smith & McCormic who were making the tour of the country, did a fair business there and came on here yesterday. I want to make my arraingements so as to reach Wells-ville & Andover on the 4".
I forgot to mention before that I received letters from Misses Macy & Wiltsie while at Pittsburg. the latter tells me that she is 24. Also recd a letter in French from Beaugureau. he says they are just having commencement Day at the college.
Wrote to D B Oaks of Chambersburg sending to his sister the book Snow Bound as a Philopene.

Dimanche Juli 7me Monday 1" went to Oil City where I had to stay all night, 2" spent at Titusville doing some business, 3" came to Andover and hired a man to drive me up to Brothers, found the peo-ple all well but myself. I was quite unwell, and have only just recovered from the illness to day. 4" went down to Andover where I saw every body nearly. among others were Mr & Mrs Brown with the Crandalls, Mrs B I tho't looked about as young as when she used to be Miss Crandall. she was married in 62 while I was in the Army Miss Clara became Mrs Tittsworth on the 19 of June. thot by the compashionate look Mrs Crandall bestowed upon me that she consi-dered my pale face and ematiated body was altogather owing to my disappointed affections, bless her dear motherly heart, she gives me credit for possessing a warmth of love of which my cold nature is incapable since my first love, I once did love, but that was in my boyhood and if it would not interfere with my progress in life I would almost give worlds to possess that pure warm affection again; That love and the blissful knowledge that it was returned made earth a perfect Paradise. I wonder if the fact that it was smothered and crushed out can have rendered the heart incapable of loving again I hope not but think that if I ever do love it will be more considerately.
Came to Corning 5" PM. did no business, then came on to Elmira. yesterday was very sick there. came here to the Park Hotel Owego last night. rained at intervals since 10 AM wrote to sister to-day.
I was just thinking what strange friends a "fellow feeling" some-times creates. Now there is a young gent here name Solomon, he is a cigar man from N.Y. he like myself is a perfect stranger, and altho we have no other feelings in common we have built up quite a friendship on the strength of this, yet if I had a choice of com-panions we would not be togather five minutes. What an outrageous hypercrite the heart is, outwardly it makes us appear all blandish-ments and agreeability while within very likely the opposite feel-ings are at work.

LETTER O We-Go, N.Y. July 7" 1867
My dear friends
To be slow to fulfil one's promises is not the usual attribute of a business man, therefore, as I wish to be considered one of the above named fraternity I cancel my agreement by this letter, but I cannot equally easily cancel my debt of gratitude to you for all your repeated kindness to me and your loving solicitations in re-gard to my welfare. I have often wished to be rich from purely selfish motives but I have also an unselfish motive in the wish for did I possess wealth it would enable me to pay off in a tangi-ble shape part of the debt of which your continued attention to my slightest illness has laid me under. However I may some day be able to do all this.
My health is now magnificent. I has been many days since I felt so well, I can eat any thing and in pretty fair quantities too. Yesterday in Elmira I was so sick that I could hardly move. how I managed to do any business is a metter of wonder, I had two grand vomiting spells which did me a world of good, but left me so weak that it required more energy than I tho't I possessed to pack my trunks to come here to night. I sought bed early, slept well and to-day (I repeat it) find myself in splendid condition, no ves-tage of the old Cholera in my shape; Could jump over a ladder climb a barn or perform any other equally remarkable feat of agility.
I hope that Janey is doing equally well.
You must make my excuses to Perrys people also Bossards & Uncle Stephens, for my not calling on them while there; Really to laugh, talk, walk or do anything else that required an effort of mind or body seemed a task to much for my capacity then, I wish I had the visit to go through again feeling as I do now. how I should enjoy it.
Do you know that I was glad that Joe was in too much of a hur-ry to care to go to the depot with me. I believe I should have made a woman of myself if he had. I was pleasantly surprise to find The Crandalls & Browns down there, it served to take my atten-tion from myself.
Expect to be able to reach New York by Friday.
Now I cincerely hope that this letter makes you feel perfectly at ease in regard to me, and I also trust that you are all feeling as well as your humble servant.
Joe please inform me how you treat your poisoned cattle and with what result.
Love to all and a kiss for mother.
Very Respectfully
A. T. La Forge

DIARY
Mardi 9me Wyoming Valley House Wilksbarre. Did nothing in Owego. came down to Binghamton Monday took an order there and staid all night. came to Scranton this morning and took an order there came here and have been thro town and shall start for home to-morrow at 8 A.M.
This house is now full of fashionable boarders. every evening they have a fine band in the parlor and dancing. The strans of mu-sic are now comeing to my room faint and mellowed by the distance. it is just strong enough to make one feel the delicious sensation half pain half pleasure-
"Music, dear music, that can tuch,
"Above all things the soul that loves it much"
Almost unconciously my mind goes wandering off to the happy days of years gone by never to return. how bright look the pleasant dreams of those days as they pass in procession by me. marshalld by Gen. Memory and yet how sadly I gaze upon them, sadly because I know them to be but ghosts and in times past I tho't them real tan-gible substances. How many shaddows of the fortunes fame and wealth that I then tho't should be mine by this time I find march-ing in that procession; well let them go, I have awakened to find that lifes great ends can not be compassed by dreaming. if I had appreciated this truth sooner it would have been better for me.
Wrote to sister yesterday to relieve her dear mind of any uneasy-ness about me.

Mercredi 12me Home. Left Wilksbarre at 8.15 the 10" and crossing the mountain obtained a moste beautiful view of the Wyoming Walley. when the cars reach the top of the mountain they have zigzaged 13 miles but still are only distant two miles from Wilksbarre altho 2000 feet above that city.
Arrived home or rather in the city at 3.15 P.M. got barberized and went up to the store to fill some orders which I brought home with me. Fuller I found had left the store and gone somewhere else. he and Mr Gibb could not agree only to disagree.
Called on Mr Macy the same evening and made an appointment to go over and play a game of billiards last evening. this I fulfilled and beat him a couple of games. the first game we played he beat me badly however. He is going to take his family down to Long Branch to-morrow and they will remain there for two or three weeks.

LETTER Home July 13" 67
Dear Sister
Safely domiciled in nmy fortified camp at Garden Row I can look abroad at all enemies in whatever shape they may dare to pre-sent themselves and dare them to come within reach of my ordinance. the friends Good health and Contentment are both with me so we will live in genuine happyness.
Nothing of any great moment has transpired since my return, but the failure of two of our large New York firms- Geo. A. Wicks & Co and Tracy Irwin & Co; one or two other houses look shakey.
Considerable rain has fallen since leaving your town, and the air has consequently been moste of the time cool and agreeable.
I shall be unable to make my proposed visit up the river this week for so many of our Salesmen are gone that I cannot really leve the department until some of them return.
Trade is not very brisk but we are so short handed now that we manage to have two or three hours pretty buisy every day.
Please let me know if you hear from father before I do.
Love to all
Your brother
A. T. La Forge

DIARY
Mardi 30ime I find that it has been so long since I wrote in this that I find it require a considerable effort to recall the events which have transpired since in their propper order, perhaps a ci-garette will assist the easy working of my mind. There now we'l see.
A week ago Saturday I was down to Long Branch to spend the day and Sunday with Mr Macys family it rained nearly all day I con-sequently had a decidedly fine time a billiards with Mr M and Ten Pins with Miss Florence; Escorted grandma Macy who is there also to the table and back every time and had her saying that in her position on my arm she undoubtedly was the envy of all the young ladies in the room, so even a lady of seventy does not lose the art of turning a fine compliment. Mr Macy and I left the dancing room where there were some 500 dancers and spectators and went to the billiard room. I made him rather angry by offering him 25 points, which he got over however by my receiving a beating with good grace. at midnight we went down to the beach and smoked for an hour while watching the mighty breakers come rolling in upon the shore. the rain had stoped but the wind still blew, fragments of clouds were skudding acrost the face of the moon and altogather, the grandeur of the night the dull thunder of the waves upon the shore the white caps the breakers and the flying spray made up a very impressive tout ensemble.
The following day (Sunday) I spent walking with the family watch-ing the bathers, reading &c and did not regret the 4.50 a day which it cost me came up to town on monday with Mr M. and to-day re-ceived a scholding from the gent for settling my bill at the hotel. he did not find it out till he was paying his weeks board on Sat-urday. he did not thank me for settling the bills. he said the friends whom he invited to spend a day or two with him.
Thursday I went up to take and evening ride through the Park with Mr Wehle at the upper end we found the Lyon Brewery lighted up and a picnic going on so we went in had a dance or two free and left, arriving home about 11 OC. Next evening called upon Misses Denis-ton and Cook and finding that they were going into the country on Saturday agreed to accompany them on the trip in accordance with which I left the store at noon, came up home got ready and on going on board the Mary Powell found a Miss Aggie Bates going up also, the latter lady was about the most independent piece of feminenity that ever walked; Miss Cook had taken me to her house once before (222, 20" St) but from the slight acquaintance formed then no good idea of the lady could be formed. Ike Denniston met the party at Cornwall and took it out to Bethlehem. stoped at Mr Hausers for tea then left the ladies and walked up to Uncle Tommys and received a warm welcome from all the people. Sunday attended church, the girls rode up to the woods and at dark John, Mary and I walked with them down to Mr Hausers again. Monday Morning John brought me down to the Powell and I came to the city in the rain. Last evening went with Wehle and Weller to call on the Misses Herwick, remained until ten OC then came home. To-day Palmer returned to the store, for a week we have been getting in goods rapidly and I am usually pretty tired when night comes.

Mercredi 7". I have been on another visit to the country. went up there last Thursday. commenced to rain in the evening just before I got to Greens Hotel Matteawan where I stoped all night. Had in-tended while up there to go to see Miss Wiltsie at Fishkill where she lives, more than a year has elapsed since our correspondence commenced and we have never seen each other. Mrs Green told me while I was at tea how very much opposed the ladys uncle was to our acquantance however and I concluded not to go and subject her = possibly = to a disagreeable scene. Miss Giles = who induced me to write to Miss Wiltsie = is getting ready for a trip to the West.
Rained until 2.30 Friday, when it ceased I hired a conveyance out to Uncle Joe's where I spent the night. next evening (Saturday) came down to Greens again and called on the Robinsons, cousins Pheb & Mary Fuller and Mary Barrett. Sunday P.M. came over to New Burgh and got a conveyance up to Mr Denistons, a lady named Hulda Miller was there. she is a very independant character not unlike Miss Bates. spent an agreeable evening there staid all night with Isaac & had the honor to have him convey me up to John Clemences Monday morning. John brought me down to New Burgh in the evening and at 10.30 - (an hour after time) took the boat for N.Y. nothing of in-terest occurred and yesterday and to-day have both found me at my post in the store.
After the events of Matteawan I yesterday thot it my duty to write to Miss W = especially as I an exceedingly kind letter await-ing me from her. wondering at my not replying to her last leter = and offering her the opportunity of = without offending me = order-ing our correspondance to cease, as her first allegiance to to her family. so wrote her a letter to that effect.
A letter from sister was also in the office bringing me the news of the melancholy death by diptheria of poor little Mattie Potter. she was sick only a short time and died - young as she was - a per-fect christian. Must write to father to night.

Mercredi 15. Last Saturday evening went down to Long Branch to spend a while with Mr Macys family. had a most agreeable time with them had a grand ride Sunday evening and came up to the city at 10 OC Monday morning every thing about the visit was very pleasant indeed. Mardi soir, was down to see Black Crook again. it is more magnificent than ever. Wheatley is spairing no pains or expenses to make it run a year and he will succeed no doubt.
Last evening went out and had a fiew games of billiards with Mr Mount.
Secretery Stanton has been at last suspended until 20 days after the next meeting of Congress and Genl Grant assumes the charge of the War Office ad interim I think that Stanton should have re-signed long ago when he found that he was so totally at variance with all the other members of the Cabinet as regards the policy to be pursuid by the President towards the South
Wrote to sister to-day.
Think I must write to Beaugureau to-night. I shall not have time to do so however.

Samedi 17" Yesterday I felt somewhat unwell so did not go down to the store however rode arround considerable with Mr Wehle and think that the same did me some good. Playd a 2.30 hour game of chess with that gent which resulted in a draw
To-day found a letter from uncle John awaiting me at the store also one from Miss Wiltsie. the latter is very sorry that I did not come up while in the country to see her as I had originally intended she thinks that her uncle would have treated me well altho not perhaps with the same cordiality that he would if had been better acquainted with my family.
This evening went out and played two games of billiards with Mr Mount in which I was victor in two games the last one I beat him very badly indeed. 11 O.C. I must to bed.

Mercredi 22. On Tuesday I received a small express parcel contain-ing my old army watch which I had sold to John Clemence when up in the country. it stop'd almost as soon as it quitted my possession, and John can not get it to run again. as soon as I got it it com-menced running and has continued to do so ever since I will send it up to him again soon.
I do not want my memorandum to become a simple record of the wea-ther but really the amount of rain which has fallen this Spring & summer is so very uncommon that it deserves more than a passing no-tice. it is very remarkable and as far as I am aware not accounted for. such a wet time and so long continued is not to be found even in the memory of the oldest inhabitant.
Macys family have come up from Long Branch and he has gone off to Sharon Springs for a brief sojourn. perhaps a week or ten days. Florence is going down to Boston for awhile.
Trade is opening very quiet indeed. we have got in large quanti-ties of goods and are ready for a big trade when it comes along which I hope it will do soon.
Mr Mills got back from Europe on the 20"; he gave me the honor of a long talk about Pa Trade to-day. wants to run the Philadel-phia trade out if we can. we shall lose the Phila jobbers trade by going through Pa but hope to more than make it up by the increase of other trade.
Mrs Burtons sister Jessie arrived home from Europe Yesterday. she went out as lady's maid to a Mrs Wollcott of Dutchess Co, while at Biarritz France she had a disagreement with those people about her wages. they insisted on taking the exchange off her, but she would not stand that, and so left them, went up to Scotland and visited her people a while, then came came home.
Wehle wanted me to go over to the Leiderkranz with him last night I was too tired to comply however. Staid at home went to bed ear-ly and got up early this morning.

Dimanche 25. A very fine day for a wonder. I have been at home nearly all day reading Paines "Age of Reason". Weylands Intel-lectual Philosophy and a fiew passages in "Cavalier Fan Blas" in-congruous matters enough for any Sabbath reading certainly. Paine in most instances is very consistant in his arguments but sometimes descends to unnessary subterfuge or even quibble to establish things that could be substantiated by much more logical reasoning.
Weyland is good on some points, but again in others his divisions of the subject confound instead of enlightening the mind in follow-ing him.
Fan Blas is very immoral, not even instructive to the puple of Cupid.
Wehle started this morning for a visit to Long Branch. he will be gone a week.
The order removing Sheridan has been temporarily revoked probably on account of the sickness of Genl Thomas who is to relieve him.
Took Martha McCracken out for some Soda water this evening. I was almost ashamed of of myself for so doing. what a vain fool I am getting to be. She is good and virtuous altho not high born or handsome. Just think of my looking to high birth when I am such a parvenu myself. I take good care that nobody in New York knows any thing about that however, all here think from my manner and lan-guage that noble blood runs in my veins, instead of parents honest but poor &c.

Jeudi 29. Trade begins to open pretty briskly now. have business enough to keep all hands going until 6 P.M. Received a letter from D. B. Oaks containing his cards. he and Annie Carlisle join Sept 3". I wrote to Mr Wiltsie enclosing some papers to prove my rank in the army and my respectability. wrote also to Miss Elsie and to-night sent my congratulations to Oaks.
Wehle went down to Long Branch Sunday expecting to stay a week, but got tired of loafing and came back yesterday.
I find that Paine is upsetting to a considerable degree my faith in the Bible. I never did believe half that is recorded therein; he has written the only work which in any manner comes near what my religeous faith has been since I arrived at the age of understand-ing. I have always wondered if our faith in the Bible's being the word of God was not more induced by the fact that our fathers and our grand fathers and those who preceeded them believed such to be the case, did we ever arrive at that conclusion from reading it our selves? I never did, it will hardly bear minute inspection.
How infinitely better is the Word which God has given us in the open book of Creation. there if we study we learn nothing but what is wise, good and benificent, no shedding of innocent blood, no heartless slaughters of whole nations and countless other wrongs that, notwithstanding the Bible says they were done by the command of God, still make our souls shudder at their barbarity. I believe there is a future state in which we shall be supremely blessed if we only obey the laws which the Great Creator has placed before us in Nature.

Jeudi 5 Aout. Samedi soir went arround to Mr Macys found that he had returned from the Springs but was not at home. Miss Getchell was there however just arrived from Nantucket where she has been for two months. had quite a talk with her on the subject of reli-geon, she said that she had once been just where I am now, and that she had investigated the truths of the Bible in what she was pleased to term a one-sided way, and came to the conclusion that it was mostly untrue, that she had lived for some time with this un-comfortable belief, but finding that she was like a ship without rudder drifting about on an ocean of unbelief, she finally con-cluded that if a person did what they thot was right, not harming their fellow beings &c, that even if they did believe in the Bible = admitting it to be untrue = it would be so small a sin that God would look upon it with a lenient eye if there was nothing more injurious than that in their lives and take them into his Heaven; So she had retransferred her faith to the Book of God. So here is the secret the popularity of the Book. Christendom accepts it as true because it cannot accept anything but a printed work to rest its faith upon, the Mighty book of Nature has no meaning for them unless as seen through the marvellous stained glass of that book, They musgt accept what their fathers accepted as religeon, but they do not fail to examine all their other old fogie notions by the light of Science and if they will not bear this critical search they are rejected as unworthy belief.
Had a letter from sister to-day, little Ella Clark is dead. Recd also a letter from a Mr Henry Ford of Magnolia Iowa asking me to make a third Grooms man at his marriage with a daughter of Benj Bucher Esq. New Haven Con, he was introduced in name to me by Miss Griggs = Annie who by the way expects to return to the city Oct 1" = Miss Jessie Gambodin 13 W. Washington Place is named as one of the "bridesmaids" who I might call uypon I think that I shall avail myself of the permission, but must decline the honor of offi-ciating at the wedding as I expect to be travelling by that time. The wedding is to be on Oct 10".
Have had a fiew games of Billiards with Macy since his return. he had been practicing at the Springs and we play pretty evenly.
Recd a letter from Cousin Joe saying that he and Sarah would come to town on Saturday.

Mardi 17me Sunday 8" I accepted an invitation of Some young gents to go on a sailing excursion from Hoboken. one of the party owns a little yacht and we went to its dock in Hoboken to start Whele and his young lawyer brother were of the party and so of course we had a small amount of wise talk. we could not get our center board down far enough and owing to that and the strong tide and heavy wind our vessle steered badly, so we thought it best not to venture too far from the city. Went ashore and took dinner at Genl Wehle's, the Genl is now absent in Hungary being allowed to return to his native country by the recent proclamation of the emperor of Austria allowing the revolutionists of Hungary to terminate their exile if they chose to do so; Mrs Wehle however did the honors of the Absent lord with much grace and hospitality. returned in the evening to our homes.
had a very busy week, two days have been larger than any three days sales we ever had.
Mr Siddy has returned from England and has concluded to accept a situation in our store again he goes into the handkerchief stock and consequently is a great assistance to Palmer and I, he is also to take the entry desk in cases of necessity.
Sunday about noon Mr Macy was kind enough to come arround and say that he had engaged a carriage to have a ride in the afternoon and invited me to occupy a vacant seat in the same. I was pleased at such a mark of attention and accepted the invitation- Miss Get-chell made one of the party at which I was very much pleased for I consider her one of the most intelligent women I ever knew; accom-panied her home about 9 OC. in some manner our conversation turned upon my memorandums and she expressed a desire to read them this of course was refused, she wanted to read them or hear me do so, or to know the reason of my refusal to allow the perusal. I told her that it was some thing that I would not allow even my sister to do. however this was no detriment to her presistence and it was neces-sary to speak of the character of some of the entrys and I went even into details of some of my experiences as if I had recorded them all in this but to no purpose. she said that it was a peroga-tive of gentlemen to spend their evenings as they pleased and she had often an almost uncontrollable desire to see the world in this city, to learn the exciting details of certain transactions which are supposed to take place behind the painted signs which appear above the the doors of certain Broadway establishments in the evening &c. I gratified her by describing some of them to her and spoke of the naked ball which I attended in Washington with General McKelvy. also the girls in the Houses of Ill Fame, of their beha-vior with the opposite sex, what is shown and done and said to de-lude men to their ruin, if they are not strong enough to see and pertake without being led into a continual course of disapation to its sad end. she could listen and comment without ever being led to betray a word or action which would give me a bad impression of herself.
She was willing to admit that the course which women usually pursuse toward one of their sex, when it is known that they have once been frail, was the cause of much of the sin that accrues from their following in the paths of wikedness, but for herself, she had associated with them after she had known them to be frail and be-lieved if the frailty was occasioned by love the sin was very small in the eyes of Heaven, but if it was an inate passion instead it would be more a case for pity than sympathy; after a conversation so free she could perceive no reason for my still continuing to re-fuse her the reading of my memorandum but I still refused altho she used many endearing ways to charm me into consenting. still the refusal was the same. billiarded Mr Macy last eve.

Dimanche matin. 22" 67 4 A.M. Am I sleeping or waking? is a question of no small importance just now and so that I may decide the matter when I get up at 7 OC to-day I want to put my dreams or waking experience which ever they may be, in such form that they may be undisputable. If it is a dream, me tho't that I this even-ing on my way up home stoped at the St Nicholas and procured a couple of tickets for the Olympic to see Jefferson in Rip Van Win-kle, then went up to see Miss Getchell at Macys store and engaged her to occupy one of them that We went to the theatre and thor-oughly enjoyed a first class performance of the piece. came out, went in a Buss up as far as "Ponchons Saloon" had cream; cake and wine then went to her boarding place. the parlour was occupied as a lodging room and so we sat down in the hall and entered into a conversation which is the wonderful part of my dream. We have, although thoroughly respecting each other (which is a more higher term than that of loving) agreed that the topics of conversation which usually interest others, or rather upon which others pass their time, are with us stale and consequently not to be indulged in. our conversation last Sunday evening was of such an indepen-dent character as to make the introduction to this morning a com-paratively easy matter. in return for some confidence on my part she after much persuasion gave me her first experience in love; Of course as this document may by some means meet the eyes of other I will not mention names; but she gave me the history of a friend who confided in her which was interesting. I will call her M. M. had a widowed mother, was poor, handsome, intelligent & high spirited. She stood at the head of all her classes for progress, but at the foot of the Deportment list. Had for a teacher a man who delighted in establishing his influence over the minds of oth-ers by mental superiority. M. in her pure childish soul enshrined the teacher as God, loved him with all the devotedness of her warm full heart. he also loved her but never in a word so expressed himself, in actions however was eloquent; he was engaged to an-other, and once when away on a visit was married and
At this point one-third of a page has been crossed out so thor-oughly that only isolated words and phrases can be deciphered. Whether the entry was obliterated by Abiel or later by Margaret, or even years later by his daughter Lily cannot be determined. Fol-lowing are the legible parts.
......... with his wife who was a little ice statue of purity. This wife M. loved very soon & still continued the same with her husband never thinking but what such a course was perfectly prop-per. The Prof.. .... ..... ...... established a school at a town in New York and .... took her along as one of his teachers. Not being ...... the Prof who also was a licensed preacher in the Baptist Church felt his influence over the devoted girl and altho he probably ........................still ...... until he suddenly ....by first taking...............he finally let her ............ and ................. until he had .............................. making ............... with the fact to her then unknown that ....
fear that a priceless something ..... to be lost no ...... that ......... him shortly after had her suspicions arroused by some one who was sharp enough to see that all was not as it should be could not like her. M. left school for a position as a ....... first however giving her ...... her memorandum to read which contained the outpourings of her young heart & the innocent guileless trusting manner in which she had loved him. Then burnt the document.
It is now almost six OC, so I must to bed.

Perhaps the above story of a young girl's crush on her teacher was actually Margaret's own story. It ties in with information found in a Nantucket book entitled "America's First Lady Boss: Presenting Miss Margaret Swain Getchell". Pages 12 - 14 give the following information about two poems she wrote when in high school:
"Both poems are written in pencil, although the rest of her writing in the exercise book is in ink. Perhaps this indicates a certain diffidence on the part of the writer. Perhaps she felt that these pieces may not have belonged in her book at all. Perhaps she wrote them in pencil so that they could be erased easily if she decided that they didn't belong. But they were never erased.
"Both poems give an insight into a side of this young lady. One is an acrostic, the first words forming a sentence:
I - know what I wish
Would - you know too?
Like - all young girls
For - of all 'tis true
Mr. - would come
W - it might be
To - make a long call
Come - right after tea.
And - stay a long while
See - all that one sees.
Margaret - would like it,
Tonight - if you please.

"Just who `Mr. W.' was, we are not told and cannot now deter-mine. The name Wood fits the poem, but this is mere conjecture, and it makes little difference anyway. The real point is that Miss Margaret wanted a date!
"The second poem in pencil seems to indicate that at an early age Margaret Getchell came face to face with tragedy. This poem, titled `One Year Ago Tonight, Darling', is undated, but from the position in Margaret's exercise book, we can assume it was written sometime during 1857, when she was sixteen. The fact that she may have pledged her troth at fifteen is not unusual for that day. Here, then, is Margaret's lament:
One Year Ago Tonight, Darling
One year ago tonight, darling,
Just one short year ago.
'Twas there we pledged our troth, darling,
Down by the brook, you know.
I plucked a pure white lily
To twine among your hair,
Then knelt and told you, darling,
Your brow was twice as fair.

The sweet May flowers bloomed, darling,
Then faded all away
They took your spirit, too, darling,
To seek a fairer day.
The Autumn leaves have reddened
And silently dropped down,
But they brought to me no tidings
Of the cherished one that's gone.

The winter snow came soon, darling,
And whitened all around,

The chill wind murmured low, darling,
As it swept the burial ground.
But it brought no music to my heart
As it winged its weary flight,
And my thoughts have wandered sadly back
One year ago tonight."

Margaret graduated from high school in 1857 and obtained a teaching position in Lansingburgh, New York, in 1858.

DIARY
Samedi 28me Left home on the 10 A.M. train of the 26" inst for an-other commercial tour thr'o N.J. & PA. did some trade at Trenton also at New Brunswick and came up here from the former place last evening. Have done fairly here and must stay until Monday evening to complete my business.
I have formed the acquintance of a couple of travellers here who insisted on my accompanying them on girl tour to-night. this I de-clined as I very seldom have any inclination that way. and now none at all for the simple reason that I entertain a passion but for one being and philosophise as I may I cannot unseat that. it is fixed by a power greater than my will. why I hapen to be in this state is more than I can tell, but as to how? I can describe the modus operandi of that, I have simply been taken by storm from a quarter wher I least expected to find danger. the foe came in such a love-ly form as to render all my preconceived notions of defense un-available, not being able to form a new system of tactics on so short a notice, I surrendered at discretion.
I am not a little amused this evening at reading an entry on page 7 of April 11" it was just when I had commenced my first tour last spring and of course my blood was unnaturally and pleasantly exci-ted by the change from city to country and from vitiated air to the pure invigorating atmosphere of the country.

Dimanche 29. My memorandum was interrupted last night by my room-mate Telford coming in. he had been out with a friend. they had got a couple of girls and accompanied them about two miles out into the country to their homes. Telford says that he was allowed to make some advances but not tangibly rewarded for his trouble. his friend on the contrary claims to have went farther and fared better.
But to commence where I left off last night; I am now in love, as deeply, madly senselessly and otherwise adverbially in love as any man could possibly be. Now La Forge where is thy proud philosphy which in times past you prided yourself upon, thou hast said that you with this would be impossible unless it was preceded by re-spect, this passion of thine to be sure is no evidence against thee in that respect, but thou knowest well that it would be utterly im-possible to resist the tendency of thy love even if the being upon whom it was bestowed was in every way calculated to be repugnant to thy philosophy, instead of as now one for whom thou entertainest the highest regard. Love never did stop to reason.
Last Sunday I was at home nearly all day. reading and writing. Monday morning I received a note from Margie saying that she would like it if I would accompany her to a Euchre party instead of Mr Macys. of course I was only too glad to obey her slightest wish. we went and had a glorious time. then in her parlour there was some thing so attractive that I did not get away until 4 OC. Then that same evening I went with her to Mr Macys, and again did not leave her until 4 OC as I was not to see her again and so felt like lengthening out the fleeting moments as far as possibe. Wendesday eve a farewell tournament with Macy was the order. I beat him six games out of seven games he made up his mind to take lessons of Peter while I was gone.
This A.M. about 9 OC Mr Broat = my old friend in Kunsmans = was kind enough to invite me to go horseback riding with him. he has three splendid saddle horses. I went of course, and with him took a grand gallop of seven miles into the country. came back, feeling very much refreshed by the unusual exercise and well pleased with haveing the opportunity of gratifying my passion for riding.
I do not remember having mentioned that I received a letter from father last Thursday. he and Mary are well, they are building a new house this fall.
I must according to promise write a letter to dear Margie this evening. how pleasant it would be to be with her instead.

Venderdi Oct 4" I am very much displeased with my success thus far I seem to be most unfortunate in meeting my customers; Did nothing in Allentown or Bethlehem and finding a fair in progress at Reading concluded to go up to Pottsville then come back here (Reading). could do nothing in Potsville. Schulkill Haven or Ashland; the latter place I left to-day for this town, my want of success gave me a very severe fit of the blues which moste fortunately found a splendid remedy in a letter which was awaiting me here, from Mar-gie, how delightfully it seemed calculated to arrive, just in time to raise my sombre spirits by its light glad trusting tone and transform at once my blues into the brightest rose colors. I scarcely know what the house will think of my long silence but of one thing I am sure I have done my best for their interests.
I received a letter at Potsville from sister, she has not heard from me for a long time and fearing that I was sick, was going to write to the Firm if she did not receive a reply at once. I wrote her without delay. Commenced raining last night. has continued to-day and every evidence exists of a long autumn storm.
I want to reply to Margie to-night, but must write some business instead.

Lundi 7me Jones Hotel Harrisburg. Came down to Lebanon Saturday eve or rather Sunday morning for owing to the train being behind time I did not get to town until 2 O.C. Spent most of yesterday in writing letters, among the rest was one to Margie of course. I have been wondering if my passion for her will last until I return to the city or is it so strong that it will burn itself out before that time sure it is that I never saw my self as completely in-slaved before. some how her form is constantly getting before my eyes. If I write it is with an effort for between each sentence I find myself pausing and thinking of her, if in walking on the St. I do not recognize old friends altho looking straight at them; In business however she never intrudes I can make up my orders, sell good or talk traffick without her presence, as soon as that is done however, mind and heart acknowledge her near.
Did a fair trade in L. and came here on the 9 P.M. train.
I almost think that I cannot be a very good salesman or I should have my customers more under my thumb. now many of them have been to New York and yet went not into our house. they all say that they buy so fiew of our goods at this time of year that it is not worth while to call for so small an amount of goods.

Mercredi- 9"- I could not get away from here on account of having to wait the motion of one or two customers. hope to get to Lancas-ter this evening. This is a Jewish Holliday of some kind. all Jews have their stores shut and are fasting extensively. Called down to the Adams Ex Ofice to see Morehouse. the gent with whom I became so intimate when in the Burgh before. He is as gay as ever. Yesterday this state had her election and until a late hour last night the Democrats were jubilant with the news which was constant-ly arriving of party gains for them. there seems to be no doubt but they have carried the state.
Met a traveller from Seligmann and Macys. he is going up to Wms Port from here. I have had no news from the house since I started. I suppose however everything must be going on well or I should hear of it. Wrote to sister this A.M.

Jeudi 10" Grape Hotel - Lancaster Pa. came here at 11 P.M. yes-terday. rain was falling rapidly during the passage but it proved to be only a shower and soon over. very pleasant to-day. Wanted to gon on to York to night but am delayed by Bair who will not come in before to-morrow morning.
I wonder still just how long it will be before I shall think of Margie just as I do of any other woman. our love was formed in a very strange manner, neither of us going much into society. the insipid language with which the pretended loves formed there finds expression was not to our liking we talked freely on any and all subjects the very novelty of our intercourse had something irre-sistibly facinating in it, I hope this novelty is not the secret of our love for if it is, it is not stable for novelty must be succeeded by novelty or it ceases to be new, my present feelings are too pleasant to desire a change. As for matrimony that never has entered my head, that at present looks like an impossibility, marry on $850 a year indeed, it is barely sufficient to support myself, how then would it be for two. Humbug- but to candidly acknowledge this to any other but Margie would be an easy matter, to her I can not. yet to acknowledge my love to her, write and visit her as her lover thus perhaps debarring others from so doing who have a desire for matrimony, seems very mean; It is not plea-sant for me to have to acknowledge even to myself that I have hard-ly the strength to do it.
La Forge where is your manhood?

Mercredi 16" Mansion House Carlisle Pa. Came to York from L- on the 11" did but little business there and succeeded in getting up 8to Chambersburg on Saturday evening. this was my great desire for I expected a letter from Margie. While going up the beautiful Cum-berland Vally and very buisy thinking of, my at present most pleas-ing subject. I was made very uncomfortable by detecting myself looking at the moon over my left shoulder. I am not a believer in signs and prognostications, but hapening to remember just then that so seeing the moon was a sign of disappointment. the tho't made me feel uncomfortable until I arrived and had my loves missive in my hand. What a grand long letter it was, 6 pages note. and full of love, real, confiding boundless love, I read my business letters first while taking my supper than took the letter so as to give it my undivided attention. how different her letters are from any that I ever received before, they possess an interest which I sup-posed could never attach to any document of that description. In her first letter she says that I am "growing strangely dear" in my absence "and nun-like - she tells off each day in the rosary of the month with a prayer in my behalf, &c". I have also written lan-guage as expressive of love as that also of high respect. How long it seems to look forward to the time when I shall see her again. Nov 10" hasten your arrival.
My old friends in Chambersburg seemed very pleased to see me. Mr Oaks who has been married since I was there before, insisted on my going up to spend the evening with his wife and sister. we had a right jolly time until midnight. Sunday morning I took a horse and went out to the foot of the mountain. a little Prof. of music = Mons Hoffman = insisted on going with me, and he made it musical enough with his funny witty speeches and stories, on stopping to get a drink at a well, he must get the old woman of the house out and tell her a long yarn about our coming all the way from Calafor-nia on horseback. our fights with the indians showed some harness marks on our horses as the scars of wounds received in these fights.
Returned in time to go to the 10 OC servises. In the P.M. Mr Hiteshew was in to make some arraingements to see my goods early in the morning as he was going off at an early hour.
Had a good trade on Monday, and yesterday came down here the 1.30 train. This morning went down to the Carlisle Sulphur Springs about 6 miles from here with Abner Beutz for a ride. have sold some goods and shall sell some more.
10 P.M. have finished my business here and am ready to take the 6 AM train in the morning for Lewistown.

Venderdi 18" Exchange Hotel. Huntindon. I found on getting to Hamburgh yesterday morning that I could not come farther until 1.15 P.M. thus I did not get up to Lewistown in time to do any busi-ness. To day did some trade in that town then came here at 7.45 P.M. found a letter from West. he says "everything is quiet and hangs it head". Gibb has goone on a tour through the West & North West. I suppose he wants to look after the trade which Fuller con-troll'd before he left us. By the way I understand that Fuller succeeded in getting his salary by course of law. the firm re-fused to pay him for any of his time since the date of his dis-charge as he was employed for a year he claims his salary just the same as if he had remained for that period. the court sustains the claim - beautiful summer weather now. more like Aug than Oct.

Dimanche 20" It is now nearly midnight consequently too late to make much of an entry. Got here last evening about 8 O.C. (Here means Logan House Altoona) found a very dear letter from Margie. she fully understands me she says x x x - "So why should I not write to you with an open heart without weighing my words. knowing as I do that you hold them sacred. you have been frank and manly with me and I honor you for it. you have written precious words to me that would set a womans heart aflame. would had any other woman to think them a guarantee of something more than friendship, and yet when written to me and read by me only show me the depth and strength of your confidence in me. the trust and belief you have of our mutual comprehension of each other." so she fully under-stands my posishion. I have replied to her this evening.
A lawyer from Huntindon last evening told me a couple of local anecdotes relating to lawyer Spear and Rev Mr Clark, both of his town. I must record them sometime.

Lundi 21". I can do nothin here I find so even during the day am at a loss to know what to do. Did get a visitors permit and went thr'o the P.R.R. Shops here. found it very interesting watching the enormous amount of machinery required to keep the Road and materal in running order.
The yarn about the Huntingdon lawyer Spear was this. It appears that he had made himself rather unpopular by charging too much when naturalizing the irish of his neighborhood. they were down on him consequently, well the Democrats a little town near H. one evening last week tho't that they must celebrate their recent victory by a meeting. Spear went up there as one of the speakers (and he was a pretty good one) when it came his turn he came out with much dig-nity and commenced "My friends" said he "we have dug the grave of the Republican party, we have dug it wide and deep and we come here to night to bury the Republican corpse, we will put it in a cof'in lined with Green backs (a reflection on our currency) lower it into the grave and cover it with manure" what else he was going to say is unknown for he was interrupted by an Irish voice- "Spear! Spear! Mr Spear-r! you'll have to cover it with something dirtier thin shet or you'll git ye'r fingers thr'o at the Green Backs" In the uproar which followed this cut Spear lost the idea for which he had made his unfortunate pause, and subsided from the stand.
Now for Clark. One evening an Irishman who knew not a word of Dutch brought a big Dutch girl to Clark and gave "his riverence" to understand that he wanted to be married to her. This being some-thing very unusual = the girl not understanding a word of English = the parson sent out and soon collected a party of some eight la-dies and one gent. the ceremony was performed, part in English and part in German. After it was over and clark had got his fee some lemonade and cake was brought out. while discussing which C- ques-tioned the Irishman thus "My friend we would like to know how it is that you two people not speaking the same language could make each other understand your matrimonial wishes"? "Whats that ye'r River-ence says?" said Pat. Clark put his question so that it was understood. "Och"! was the replay of Pat as he (crossed out and illegible) of his pants" the matter weas asey enough, I showed her (crossed out) and she understood at onst" The explanation was ra-ther more explicit than the reverend Gentleman desired. no more questions were asked. Clark requested the gentleman who was of the party not to say anything about the matter, but the story leaked out thr'o one of the ladies.

Mardi 22". Stoped at Altoona last evening but not finding my friend O. N. Ramsey of Wood Morell & Co's Store as I expected, came on to Pittsburg on the fast Line arrived at 2.30 A.M. to-day. the hotel was so crowded that the arrivals on the Fast Line could not be accomodated and three of us had cot's put up and slept in the gents parlor. Trade is now pretty good in town but merchants do not feel disposed to buy largely on account of the decline in pri-ces. Merrill sent me a letter saying that he would start for Eu-rope to-day. This evening went to see Chaufran play Sam. the house was crowded and the performance good.

Venderdi 25" Trade bad before but execrable now - met a stopper yesterday - no Wednesday - by the news from N.Y. the best prints which had been selling for 15²¢ and were considered very cheap at that, droped in one day to 12²¢. Merchants in many cases had large stocks on hand and were consequently heavy losers, were very blue indeed they can hardly be induced to buy at all. my prospects for doing a good trade were fair but killed by this news. Yesterday I packed up and took the 3.30 train for this place; found Bob McKelvy on the cars and had a good talk with him. His father in company with General Rawley had called at the St Charles to see me but I did not happen to be in and so missed the pleasure of seeing him as he started for Baltimore immediately after.
Arrived at New Castle at 7.10 came up here to the Leslie house and after ward was standing in the door down stairs. Some men were in the Bar Room, they had a revolver out of which they had fired all but one shot one John Keefer had it in his hand and had taken the cylinder out. just then James Book a great sporting character came in. Keefer pointed the pistol at him and said "Jim beg for your life!" Shoot God D--n you" was the reply Keefer laughed and snaped the weapon then putting the cylinder in he coked and again pointed the pistol at Book saying "Now what do you say for your life"? the reply was the same as before. "Shoot God d--n you"! Keefer pulled the trigger which happened to be over the only loaded barrel - and the bullet struck Book directly on the tip of his nose and passed into his head. strange to say he did not fall. he droped his head a second, then turned saying "I'm shot" and rushed past me thr'o the door. he was bleeding profusely and I got con-siderable blood on my clothes. Jim was wild and Keefer also "What have I done! What have I done"! said the poor fellow Book was strangling with the blood in his throat. he came back into the hotel and rushed past me up stairs to the office saying, "I'm dead, havent 15 minutes to live, some body had went for the Doctor, but he wanted a minister sent for and his parents still insisting that he had but 15 minutes to live. The doctor came and probed the wound but could not find the bullet which had passed back toward his right ear. the best that could be done was done, and the pa-tient taken home; This A.M. he was doing well but still insisted that could not live, he was very proud of his looks but will I fear be disfigured for life. I am going out with young Clendenning to ride this eve then shall go on to Greenville.
Dimanche 27"- Found that I could do nothing in Greenville on ac-count of the dull trade, and one of Jaffrays Phila' men was there three days before me and had stocked them all up in my goods. so only remained over night then came on up here; Find several of my friends in the city and one or two others just going. So my chances are poor here also. Sold OHastings a bill of over $300 dollars to-day - breaking the Sabbath many would call that but the sin sits lightly on my shoulders. Yesterday watched two or three inings of a Base Ball match which was not very well contested. No letter has yet arrived for me from Margie. I told her that I would not be here until the 28" or 29". I suppose that one will be here before that time and I will leave word for it to be forwarded to me at Andover so that I may get it by the time I get to sisters. Shall start for Franklin at 2.20 P.M. to-morrow if nothing prevents. Wrote to M.

Lundi 28". Merchants Exchange. Franklin. Our fair weather is over. the day was ushered in with a dull slow rain which said as plainly as possible. "I will last two or three days and when I am done look out for cold weather." And so we may. I never knew such a beautiful October as this has been scarcely a foul day. the rivers are very low. water powers and navigation inland are at a stand still probably this storm will set them going again. Came down here from M- at 1.30 arrived at 4 O.C. Woodburn is at the city and Miller has just returned. shall sell but a fiew goods consequently.
The sound of mournful music reaches me from the parlor, it is the first that I have heard in a long time and it has a peculiar effect on me. half sad half melancholy is the feeling, the dull patter of the rain outside and the soughing of the wet wind thro' the trees adds to the feeling. Must read Othello and see if the story will change my spirits.

Dimanche 3" Nov. By writing this in sisters blue ink I shall have at a glance the exact date when I made my pleasant visit; Tuesday last I went to Titusville got thro' there in time to take the train to Carry. But not understanding the arraingement I did not get my trunks on the train that evening so went back to the Hotel. staid all night and took the 6.30 train Thursday. Got down to Andover just before dark took supper with Billings intending to drive out to Joes after dark. but it rained and was so dark that I dared not venture. Staid with B- all night coming up here next morning. My dear sister and friends All were well. I missed poor little Matie very much. Attended church yesterday and saw almost everybody; was over to Mr Crandalls last evening. several young people of either sexes were there and had a most splended time. My time however was almost whol'y occupied with Mr & Mrs Crandall in arguments upon the scriptures of course they were horrified by my scepticism. came home about 11 P.M. Expect to start for Great Bend to-night.
When I arrived here I found a letter from dear Margie awaiting me Oh how rejoiced I was, poor little creature, she = like myself at first = begins to doubt the duribility of a friendship even as strong as ours, I wish I could tell her, and really believe myself - that there was any durability in human friendship. God bless her always.

Lundi 4" Wyoming Valley Hotel. WBarre. Left Andover on the 5.10 P.M, train to which Joe had brought me in the rain yesterday. At Hornellville waited for the Buffalo Ex. While waiting got supper and wrote three letters one to Margie. I told the latter that she after being my exorcist was allowing the evil Spirit of Distrust - cast out of my breast - to find some way of ingress to her own heart. Arrived at Great Bend at 3.45 A.M. went to bed at 4.30 got up at 6. and took the cars for Scranton at 7.20. could do nothing at that place so came on here arriving at 1.10 P.M. pretty good travelling considering that I started at 5.13 P.M. yesterday. I am selling out my samples here and expect to be able to start for home at 1 P.M. to-morrow. The rain ceased falling about 2 P.M. and this evening the weather is extremely fine being quite warm.

Mercredi 6". Started from W. B. at 1 P.M. yesterday and arrived home after a very pleasant ride about 11 P.M. every body was in bed at No 3 Garden Row. all was quiet. I went down into the Kit-chen to see Toby. he was wild with joy but did not make any noise about it, so nobody knew I was home until this morning. Gibb has got back from his Western tour and Mr Mills will start for Europe tomorrow week. Macy was in to the store and I had the most unal-loyed pleasure in meeting him. he has been making constant inqui-ries about me the firm says he is a mighty good friend. Recd Margie's letter sent to Scranton and returned to this place again. Called to see the dear girl this evening but she not expecting me had gone out her landlady came to the door saying that she sup-posed I was Major La Forge. I told her I was. She was "Sure Miss G. would be sorry she was not at home when I called." I then went arround to Macys. I had told him that I would be there to-morrow evening so he did not expect me this evening and had went out. up to the 5" Av Hotel Mrs. M Said. Florence had gone out also but came home when she learned I was there had a very pleasant time indeed. Recd a letter from John Clemence he says that infernal watch wont go and wants to know what is right in the matter. I hardly know myself. I have read somewhere that not one man in ten would wright their own tho'ts if they kept a Journal I will. The unworthy thot entered my brain that Mr M being out and Margie at the same time. the latter unattended they might be spending the evening togather. How very foolish. I would make a jealous hus-band I am sure; if so small a matter could give grounds for sus-picion.

Samedi 9". This evening went over to see Miss Annie Griggs. she was looking very finely. but nevertheless claims that with all her enjoyment out West she sufferd enought heart ache to make her thin. She had always tho't that man and woman kind acted just as they were in reality had never comprehended the hypocritical portion of the human family. her eyes are now open. She also informed me with many blushes that she was engaged to be married. the happy event will take place on the 9" of January next. Maggie Cook will be married about the 15" of the same month. the one goes to Wash-ington for her honeymoon and the other out West to live. High ho! Well how people do act; when one would naturally suppose that certain of their friends had arrived at the age of discretion lo & behold! theyi go and commit the most indescreet acts. really the human heart is altogether foolish. How would I feel, I wonder, to see Margie married to any other man. now altho I have not the re-motest idea of ever being her husband yet to see her the wife of another would I feel confident give me accute pain. I doubt if my philosophy would furnish anything like the amount of comfort or consolation that I should require in such a contingency.
Rainy yester eve and to-day. Was down at the St Nicholas and Me-tropolitan hotels this P.M. everything was very quiet indeed. wrote to Sister yesterday and must write to John Clemence to-morrow.
Have just received back those papers which I sent to Mr Wiltsie with a request to him that I might continue the correspondence with his niece. as Mr Wiltsie has returned no answer to my request I take it for granted that he witholds his consent. and shall act ac-cordingly by discontinuing the correspondence.
I have just read the last line of the last entry. My doubts are all clear on the point now. Macy was telling me what transpired between him and his friend at the 5" Av hotel. I have also seen Margie since (she moved to Mr Ms on the 7" and is now one of his family) and she looked with such a pure, true, trusting expression into my face that my unworthy suspicion vanished at once. I trust her.
Macy beat me 3 out of 5 at billiards Thursday evening. whew! I must make that up when I get back to the city which will be about the 20" of Dec. He told me that he most surly expected me to be at his house on Christmas and New Years days. even if I had to return from the West before my time.

Mercredi 13" Trenton HOuse, Trenton N.J. What a heart ache I have had since Monday night. That evening I took Margie to Wallacs to see the Honey Moon. after that came up to Pouchons and went to Mr Ms about midnight had only been there a short time when Mr M- who had been to see his brother came in. he only remained with us a short time and after he had retired I told Margie that I loved her better than any other woman but that we could never be anything to each other but friends, and for me to continue to correspond with her and occupy her time when others might be anxious for the same, was dishonorable. I according to a compact was not to marry until the 21" day of July 78 This of course was all told in very differ-ent language from what I am using here and nobody can ever tell the heart ache the words caused me. She told me that she had never misunderstood me, and that to tell her this was something cruel. To the picture I drew of married life without a decent competence, she replied. That if I loved her well enough to make her my wife, it would be done. I would either break or be absolved from my vow, lovers would move Heaven and Earth to possess each other. Did I suppose that If married to a woman that loved me, she would ever make my lot harder by complaint? If a man wedded on a small salary and this salary was stoped by some untoward event, would not his wife take the dress of last year, have it dyed and turned, and the old bonnet retrimed without ever letting him know it? would she not also do all she could to assist his hard lot? Oh Margie, Mar-gie, what a lesson for my pride and pride I could not help acknow-ledging to myself and her also, was after all what most governed me; what a parting compared with the one when I left her before. All day Tuesday and ever since a dull heavy pain circled my heart, an incubus hangs over one like the sword of Damocles. Could not start as I had intended so according to agreement with Mr M- I sent him a note that I should have the honor of another tilt at the Royal game. went up to his home as they were at supper I waited in the parlor for him, while waiting heard Miss Getchell go up to her room. when Mr M- came in he said that she had sent a request to be excused from coming into the parlor as she was not feeling well. he further said that she had been unwell all day and had been at the store only a fiew minutes and explained that she had a slight cold. Ah me! he little knew of what she might be suffering; poor child! beat him 2 out of 3 games. I do not know what might have kept Mrs M- from coming to bid me another good bye. but sure it is she did not; if she suspects from Margies illness that I am the cause it is greatly in error to suppose any guilty intent. Came to New Brunswick could do but little there so hurried along to this place.
What a contrast my feelings now present to those recorded on pages 7 & 24 yesterday I passed over the same ground as there spoken of with a heart ache over which I had no controll. Page 7 represents me light and joyous- 24 deeply in love and 33 utterly forlorn - such is life and such is love. My conversation with Margie is not given exact, but the gist is.

Vendredi 15. Easton Pa. Commenced writing to Margie last evening at 10. was writing and musing from that time until 3.45 this mor-ning I would write a sentence and then muse for a long time. I reviewed our acquaintnance from the beginning to now, no page in my life presented so bright a picture as did this record of love up to Monday eve; then what a change, an incubus has hung over my head ever since like the sword of Damocles, turning bright light to dull darkness, business too, being very dull I may have the blues some-what in addition to my other ills. I suspect that when I get to Bethlehem to-night I shall be able to sleep pretty soundly. Must write to Miss Giles in Wisconsin.

Dimanche 17" Allentown again. this is getting over the road pret-ty rapidly. only sold about $20 in Bethlehem and can hardly tell what my prospects are here not very extensive I guess must write to sister from here also to two or three others. but not to Margie every Sunday that I was out before I wrote to her. this time I do not, and the day consequently seems a big blank. Took a brisk walk out after breakfast the morning was clear and cold, since then the sky has become over clouded. Snow or rain is threatened. Trade is very brisk here still the merchants are not buying but fiew of my goods. it is not the season for them. The way my trip is being got over now will bring me back to the city long before Christmas. I laid it out to last me until New Years then Mr Macy wanted me back to spend the first Holiday at his house & I am glad to be able to do so.

Mardi 19" Mansion House. Reading Pa. Arrived at 11 Last evening Trade is very dull. A letter from Margie at Klines. she writes oh how coldly! how different from the former letters. it was mostly filled with explanations as to how and why Mrs Macy was so differ-ent or indifferent when I last saw her. The lady is not - I am surprised to learn at all favorably impressed with me. but yet is very averse to my intimacy with Margie. she treaded her to a si-lent scold the night after I went to Wallacs with her. she knew it would be just as before. referring I suppose, to when Miss Houghton was there. Mr M- was not intending to be cold the evening I was there but only vexed that nobody came down (of the females) to see me. Shall get up to Pottsville to-morrow. Two young gents are sitting by me waiting for me to talk to them so I must put up my mems.

Mercredi 20" Pa Hall Pottsville. I have been wondering just how I shall feel when in after life I peruse these Memoranda. how alto-gether vain I will be considered the boyish passions aspirations and trials of these years; what afflicts me now will then be a mat-ter of scarcely any tho't to me and what elevates me now will not then cause my pulse to gain a single beat. Such is the effect of contact with the world; I even now am surprised when I look back to past years. at the course I have taken under various circumstances with the light of experience since gained. many glaring ineffi-encies in past acts are visible. So! So!
This is certainly the dullest town I ever saw, and about the bluest set of merchants do business here. shall be glad to get away in the morning.
How I have hurried over my route this time to be sure I only expected to arrive here on the 22" and behold I am thro already! Life is like an express train, one scarcely takes note of the rate at which they are going until he arrives at some station. When Conductor Reason informs him that he must change cars to another line. Gone are the dear old familiar land marks and new cares and surroundings greet him. Left the old associations but are they forgotten? Do we not sometimes consult the map of probabilities, and tracing out the route of the road we have left, to its last great station we find we find with regret that under the instruc-tions of our conductor we have left the road to Happiness.

Vendredi 22". Jones House - Harrisbrg. Found yesterday at Lebanon a letter from some lady of Lewistown Pa. she signs herself "Bes-sie" and professes to be very much pleased with my exterior won-ders what lady would not be(!) and after no small amount of flat-tery ends by desiring to know if she may hope for a better ac-quaintance. I have no idea who the person may be, perhaps some gent who being hard up for pastime takes this method of amusing himself; I shall reply in such a manner as to leave but little room for such a speculation however.
I never took a lesson in English Grammer before this month, since I started on this trip I have learned about one half of Pinneos Primary. admitting this to be a late date to take Primaries of any kind still so necessary a study must be mastered and it is never too late to learn I think that this constant occupation of the mind is helping me to overcome my blind passion for Margie the pain of the first fiew days of our parting was so intense as to have worn itself out and it thus becomes a cure for its own disease.
For several days we have had pretty sharp cold weather. ice being formed ½ an in thick to-day it is quite warm again and a drizzling rain has set in this evening. Shulers brother who shot himself when I was here before is now dead. he lived two weeks after the accident- the last week of his life being one of great suffering.

Samedi 13" Payne. the gent who is to travel from New York to San francisco on foot arrived here last evening and started again this morning on his journey to-day. He has travelled over a portion of Europe on foot also. By the time he gets out to the Rocky moun-tains and among the hostile Indians he will probably think that the difficulties of his journey have really commenced.
I must write to "Bessie" to-night I hardly know what tone to give my letter. Margie must also be written to. how difficult I shall find it to assume any but the old style to her.

Lundi 25". Mansion House. Carlisle. Thumb (Genl) & wife. Com Mitt & Minnie Warren arrived at the Jones House yesterday. for such little people they behave with great decorum. I wrote to Wehle, Florence Macy & Margie last evening. Was at it until 3 OC this morning, then got up at 7 OC so did not get much sleep. go to bed early to make up for it to night. Find business here very much the same as at home very dull. take but fiew and very small orders. Got into something of an argument with Mr Shuler yesterday on meta-physics and theology yesterday

Mardi 26" Montgomery House. Chamb'g. Came up from Carlisle at noon to-day. no business called on Oaks & wife this evening had a very pleasant time. he is now keeping house. I do not = on the whole think that it proper to be much acquainted outside of bus-iness for it does interfere with the disposal of ones time. I never before so much appreciated the value of time as at present. a moment wasted seems an irreparable loss. I must write a couple of business letters to Wilksbarre to-night so my entry will of necessity be limited. I see that the committe on Impeachment have reported in favor of impeaching Johnson. I almost doubt if the measure will pass the House and if it does the probability is that the only result will be putting the country to no small expence and the Senate to no small trouble The establishing of a precedent for the removal of a President is not the safest experiment that Con-gress can adopt.

Jeudi 28" Thanksgiving Day. and a cloudy threatening it is. I have five invitations to dinner but shall accept none of them as I do not feel in a mood for merriment somehow. Yesterday P.M. I accompanied Miss Oaks to see the private collection of pictures at Melie Smiths house. the collection is a very fine one and exhibits no small amount of good taste in its selection it is worth about $20000 Later I went to a Temperence Lecture at the Good Templers Lodge in this place there was considerable talk but not much of a lecture. such is often the case with public meetings of this kind. I must write sister to-day and I guess cousin Joe also.

Samedi Dec 1". Michaels Hotel. Lancaster. Came to York Thanks-giving Day (28") and finding that I could do nothing there, came to this place the evening of the 29". While at York I played part of a game of billiards with Comodore Mitt who in company with Tom Thumb and wife and Minnie Warren was exhibiting there. the train at Y- had to wait about 8 minutes for a Bus load of gents who were coming up on it another train had got across our track so that we could not get our baggage aboard I assisted Com. Mitts brother, who was coming up to Columbia about getting a trunk on the cars, and afterward we went into the smoking car and had a cigars. while smoking he was telling me of his adventures in Europe &c. a little rain fell on the 29" but it was very warm. yesterday morning and several times during the day it snowed and the weather changed to be very cold last night we had a hard freeze up & to-day inaugu-rates winter with a bright clear sky but frozen earth; there must have been at least 35Ε difference between the extremes of tempera-ture on the 29" & 30"
After breakfast took a walk out to the cemetery visiting while there the grave of General Reynolds. the spot where he lies is marked by a white marble monument about 15 feet high. on one side is carved the sword & belt, scarf gloves and other regalia of an officer. below it the information that he was "killed at the battle of Getteysburg while comd'g the left wing of the Army of the Potomac" on the Pedestal is carved the names of the principal battles in which he was engaged in the late and Mexican Wars. of the latter I ony noticed Fort Brown & Buena Vista. He was a colo-nel of the Regular Army.
While going thro' the grounds occupied by these departed spirits (if spirits remain near their former habitations) the sharp morning air became melodious with the rich tones of the bells of the vari-ous churches, calling their respective congregations to hear the word of God expounded from a book upon which I have come to look as a collection of unprobabilities if not lies, and to which I can ascribe no sacred character. Notwithstanding all this the solemn tone of the bells recalled the days of my childhood when under the instructions of the various people with whom I have attended With them the church to which they were connected either by faith or circumstances, in the list of those churches I found Methodist, Baptist, Millerite, Second Adventist, Universalist, Sabbaterian, Presbyterian and Episcopal, each of these when I attended them tried to teach me that their belief was the correct one and each referred to the one book "Bible" for their authority in thus be-lieving, what strange conglomeration of texts must there be fur-nished by that book, I find by this another secret of the popu-larity it has attained. it furnishes a convenient text for any act or any belief.
Last evening I went to hear the Peak Family of bell ringers. I thot that their performance amply repaid my 35¢.
In reading over my Mems for this year. I find in my entry of July 7" (Page 15) I find that in speaking of my boyish love the follow-ing "That love and the blissful Knowledge that it was returned made earth a perfect Paradise; I wonder if the fact that it was smoth-ered and crushed out can have rendered the heart incapable of lov-ing again? I hope not but think if I ever do love it will be more considerately." The doubt is solved. I have loved again and just as inconsiderately as before. until the final act when taking ad-vantage of momentary strength I broke the bands which had held me and gained a lonely desolate freedom.
Last evening was in Mr Longs store and he gave me some old docu-ments to read they were a corrispondence between James Hamilton then governer of the colony Pa. The Dates were all in 1755. Ha-milton then owned all the country arround here including this city. his heirs own most of it now which may account for its want of en-terprise. part of the correspondence related to the building of a Block house to protect the people from the hostile savages who were committing great depredations in this vicinity.
Old Michael who has kept this hotel for nearly fifty years, was buried a week ago. his son will continue here.

Lundi 2". National of Lewistown. It was 10.55 A.M. when I got done my business at Lancaster and I had only 20 minutes to pack up pay my bill, get my trunks down to the depot, purchase ticket and get my checks yet I accomplished it, thus making the quickest time on record.
Quite a disappointment awaited me here. I found no letter from Margie nor "Bessie" the latter I did not care a straw about, but I did want to hear from the former; perhaps she has came to the con-clusion that since I have used the language which severed us, she no longer desires to keep up the connection even by pen; All right! I have no grounds upon which to base a complaint.
Has been snowing faintly at intervals all day. not so cold as yesterday however found that about an inch of snow fell here this morning.

Mercredi 4" Scotts House. Johnstown. "Bessie" did send me a letter yesterday evening it was a very fair epistle. I have made up my mind that the corrispondint is a daughter of Mr Blymer the richest man in town. Came up to Huntingdon at 7 in the evening could do nothing there so came on to Altoona this morning, while the train was waiting for breakfast I ran arround among my cus-tomers. they wanted nothing and I came on the same train to this place. about noon. some two inches of snow.

Dimanche 8" St Charles Pittsburgh. Arrived at 2½ A.M. the 6" Found that Douglass had left on Tuesday 3" after doing a good busi-ness and thus cutting me out entirely or at least nearly so for I have done some trade. Run across Eckstein yesterday and went with him to call on a Mr Fleshman and the party of us went out for a skating tour we found out at the Street car office that there was no skating so went into a saloon and had a bottle of wine after which we came up to my room and had an other bottle I found Eck-steins friend to be one of the best read men in Philsophy that I ever conversed with, we went into discussing Spencer, Emerson, Ha-milton, Compte, Gasty and other, the Bible was rejected a not wor-thy of our learned consideration, but Pyrrhondism, Pantheism, onto-logy, sensible religeon and bigotry all and each were investigated unraveled and the seeming mysteries of each solved into the one great idea of "I know what's what and that's as high
"As metaphysic wit can fly."
No doubt the authors of the works and systems which we discussed would have been astonished at the scientific manner in which their opinions were dissected and distilled and perhaps would scarcely have recognized them the wonderful essence which we obtained from their ingredients and the comparative anatomy of truth which we built from their combined but fragmentary deductions. Wrote to Sister, Wehle, Evans and Bessie. Have received three letters from the House one from Sister and one from Florence

Lundi 9". New Castle. Came up from P- to-day, and this evening had the best skating of the season. my ankles are tired.
Was up to the beautiful Pittsburg Cathedral and while looking at this ..................... and hopeful expressive expression of an old lady who was occupying one of the pews ........................ her respects at the .............. over the altar ................. children also came in and kneeling at the foot of the cross per-formed their devotions. A single ray of yellow light came thro a window at the south of the Altar a fell on the beautiful upturned face of the Mother of Jesus as she was represented kneeling at the feet of her crucified son. that ray of light gradually passed up acrost her face and resting on her pure white ...rpeath seemed to give the magnificent countenance a look of hope in her agony .... does the Romish Church know the ...... of surrounding its worshi-pers with the attraction of forms and symbols, and to the observing mind a greater symbol of hope than the majic object of that ray of light could never be afforded. The church is being improved by having another tower added to it and the altitude of the one al-ready built, very much increased.

Samedi 14". Reed House Erie Pa. I forgot to mention in the proper place that while in Semples Store, at Allegheny City I found Mr O. N. Ramsey there also. he is the gent whom I became acquainted with on my first trip to Altoona last spring. we were mutually pleased at the meeting and recognition and that evening went to listen to the performance of the Boston Mendelsshon Quintette Club. had a very agreeable time. I particularly admired the performance of the flute solo by M- Heindl. Miss Addie S Ryans singing I did not so much admire.
To Greenville evening of the 10" nothing doing, only having to record my first sleigh ride it having snowed sufficient to make four slipping. Arrived at Meadville at M. the 11". In the evening Fox of Mayer & Fox was in looking at my samples when he got thr'o he told me the story of his life. it was rather interesting but at the same time showed more of the grasping, lying disposition of the Jew than I expected to find in his nature. He was born & bred in Pa. but was in Va when the war broke out tried to get North but could not. arrested several times or conscripted and marched off to prison for claiming to be an alien. finally with his last $25. he procured false witnesses, went before the Prussian Consul at Charleston, and got papers giving him the protection of that go-vernment. procured then a sit, as clerk, by gambling & some private speculations raised enough money to join to biz as Jr partner after various mutations he just before the close of the conflict found himself worth $400.000ΕΕ he wanted to come North; got his Southron wealth changed into $4.000ΕΕ gold, then with some forged papers purporting to give him authority to come up to the Aquia Creek to beg provisions for the Reb Army, he crossed to Point Look Out and found himself immediately arrested by the Union Army as a Spy. his money was taken away from him and he was confined in the Old Capitol Prison for 4 months, finally released got his money and after trying business in various places, settled down here. this is a brief synopsis. Snowed all day 11" at 6 A.M. 12" started for Frankly owing to the snow (it fell all night) we were 3.15 hours going the 28 miles. Left for Oil City at 2.15 P.M. was until 4.12 going six miles. still snowing and blowing some. Train on the Farmers R.R. was three hours behind, so did not get to Pe-troleum Centre until 9 P.M. too late for the train to Titusville. I tied up and got supper and lodging at the Rochester House. stoped snowing but was awful cold. 12Ε blow 0. An old gent calld Uncle Bill to capitally a couple of his adventures. one was First General Training - the other His First Trip by Boat to Chicago. Uncle Bill was a genius in his way was equally good at stories, Lectures, Selling trees, Preaching or Swearing, but was no hand at Oil, for in that he had made himself a pauper.
Took the 7 A.M. Train on the 13" went to the Pendelton House Ti-tusville. None of my goods were wanted so came on to this place arriving about 4 yesterday P.M. Went to see Prof Anderson in his magical tricks last evening. was not so much surprised as I ex-pected to be. To-day have done a fair trade. Weather still very cold.
The evening that I left New Castle I had the pleasure of meeting & conversing for about fifteen minutes with J. M Martin. he was one of my clerks at R. of D. and we were very friendly then; he informed me that he had studied Law since leaving the army and was now married and pricticing his profession in New Castle. He was very hearty in fact army friends are always so. their asociation in arms always makes friendship lasting.

Dimanche 15. Still rather cold and snowing some. have not much to record. have been down to look across the frozen waters of Lake Erie have written a letter to Prof Beaugureau and am in a fair way to spend a quiet evening; expect to retire early as I must get up in time for the 6.. train in the morning. Want to get to Niagara by noon to-morrow if possible
Wrote to Ecstine in reply to his question of "An irresistible force meets an immovable body - Consequence?"

Lundi 16" Spencer House Niagara Falls. yes here I am in reach of the thunder tones of the mighty cataract. I shall never forget the first impression made upon me by the stupenduous power exhibited in these falling waters. They now have an additional beauty and gran-duer as they are touched up by the artist hand of Jack Frost; At the foot of the Falls great masses of ice, dome shaped and Gothic, rear their heads some half way up the falls or seventy feet. Gi-gantic pendant icicles line the prescipice extending in broken ser-riated columns from top to bottom in some places. The Terrapin Tower and bridge leading to it are covered with white ice some five or six inches thick. The Tower looks like some ghostly sentinel guarding the approch to some fearful mystery. The twigs and vines of summer are now a beautiful fret work of ice, having curious pas-sages, rich collonads, prysmatic chambers and in fact all the at-tributes of a gorgeous palace for some aristocratic Ice fairy. I took a sleigh drove arround Goat Island, down acrosst the Suspen-sion Bridge, up to the Canada Falls and Museum. Was politely in-vited to go to the top of the tower and take a view of the Falls from there no charge. came down. a very polite gent wanted to show me some fine curiosities. wanted me to buy some did not get out before I spen five dollars. driver charged me the same which was twice too much for the season; let him drive back and came myself acrost the Rowboat Ferry 25 was hoisted in a car from the water to the Top of the bluff 5¢ I was afraid to look at a person for fear there would be some extra charge for it. 75¢ for crossing the Suspension bridge - 50¢ for the Goat Island do &c. The drive who took me arround and "in" also volunteered a free ride this evening and drove me arround town. My whole impression is that N- is a big thing.

Dimanche 22. No entry since I was at Niagara. Left that place on Tuesday at 9 A.M. had to "hurry up" pretty strongly in order to catch the train had to remain in Buffalo until 2.30 P.M. tra-velled all day thro a snow storm and on my arrival in Hornellsville was much disappointed to find that I could not go up to Andover until next morning (18"). The Hotel clerk wakened me at 4.30 A.M. and I took the accomodation Train arriving at Andover at 7 OC breakfasted, hired a sleigh, and arrived home just before noon. Had a very agreeable time. that eve had a prayer meeting at our house after which I was engaged to be married to Amelia Clark in about 9 or 10 years if she did not find somebody whom she liked better before that time or I did not get married to somebody else. Thurs 19" was very cold a strong wind blowing from the South. had a christmas dinner at Perrys also had one the 18" at Brother Joe's. Left home on the 5 P.M. train on Friday 20" came to Hor-nellsville and took the Ex for Great Bend arrived in time to sleep a couple of hours before the 7.15 train yesterday for Scranton at the latter place only remained a couple of hours then came on here. On the train I met one of my old Camp Distribution Orderlies. Har-ry Hause. he is now in the Slating business. we had a good long talk of the "long ago" times.
There was a fearful accident up on the Lake Shore R.R. on the very train that two weeks ago I wrote to Sister that I should be going to Buffalo upon. to cars ran off the track and catching fire from the stoves were burned with nearly all their living freight. between sixty and seventy persons lost their lives by the accident. The little town of Angola near where the disaster occured has been for several days filled with the mourning frineds of those who were killed.
Yesterday met at this Hotel. "Wyoming Valley" a Mr Chamberlain of Horstmas Phila house. in his room I am now writing. he is writing also. I mention the circumstance as he for a wonder is a worse speller than myself.

Venderdi 27". Well old Frind, you and I have not seen each other since we were at WilksBarre, what have we been doing since? let us tell our story; On Monday evening at 1.30 left the town of which we just spoke and we are ashamed of ourselves to say that we were sea-sick on the cars coming over the mountains. Mr Friebis an ac-complished german whom I met a the hotel on Saturday evening (and we formed quite a pleasant friendship by getting into a philoso-phickl strain. he has with him an instrument of sweet sounds in-vented by the Greeks some 2000 years ago and as now improved upon by the Germans is one of the sweetest instruments that I ever heard. the gent makes himself very popular by playing upon it wherever he stops; his Zether gains him admission to any society at one. Sunday evening we were in Benj Moores room at the hotel lis-tening to the sweet music, and later in Mr Chamberlains room were spell bound by that and something stronger. I drank sherry while the rest were drinking whiskey, so I kept all right while they were the opposite, during the confidence which such indulgencies always induce Mr Chamberlain told me that Moore could have no connection with his wife on account of her having the womb dissease conse-quently she was willing that he should indulge elsewhere if no harm would come of it.) accompanied me as far as Allentown then he left me. arrived in the city about 9.40 P.M. went into a saloon and had "a dozen raw" came up town. Mrs B- had not yet gone to bed - she came to welcome me and I got a kiss. Tuesday 24" went to the store, everything was dull enough, Mr Macy came in while I was there and invited me to come up to the store in the evening; I comed & I sawed such a croud as I never before saw in a store; could not help a bounding of the heart when I saw Margie. I spoke with her and the rich melody of her voice thrilled me as of old. Macy kept the store open until midnight taking over $6000 dollars in the one day which was the best day during his business life. After closing we went over to the saloon and had a stew all round.
Christmas Mr Macy beat me three out of four games of Billiards after which we adjourned to his house for dinner Miss Florence presiding as Mrs Macy was unwell. in the evening we got a carriage (as it was raining) and went over to Mr Valentines where we had a very pleasant party coming home early after our dance during the evening I had an oppertunity of speaking with Margie and found that she had replied to my letter from Harrisburg and had wondered at receiving no answer. but of course could say nothing about it as she was a woman, the poor child was unwell I suppose from the over excitement of the day before. or possibly from again seeing one who was perhaps to always be her unhappy fate. Thursday (yester-day) evening I was up to M-s store again Margie had been to unwell to be at the store during the day; Mr M- and I went out & had five games in four of which I was victor and this evening we had three games more of which two came to my share. so I guess I have had my revenge for christmas.

Dimanche 29" Last evening Margie invited me to accompany her to her sisters in Brooklyn this P.M. I was also up to 545 8" Av to see Miss Kate Deniston. she is now alone Magie having left for Bethlehem where she is to be married on the 14". The ceremony is to take place at Mr Hausers and they were expecting me to be one of the Groomsmen and I dont know but they still expect something of the kind. a party of us are to go up on the 13" and we will be met a Salisbury by some of the people who are interested in the matter. Annie Griigs is to be married on the 6" and the wedding is to be private I believe, then as she starts for Washington immediately the probabilities are that she will not be at Maggies wedding at all, which is rather different from the calculation of six months ago. Well I hope that both will be happy. "Bessie" was kind enough to have a letter awaiting me on my return.

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