Last Sunday morning went up to Alpine with Marian and Lory Stoddard and returned Monday. Tuesday evening dined with Frank Weeks with Mr & Mrs. Folsom and Mr & Mrs. Andrews. Wednesday evening a meeting at the Academy of a few Artists called by Inness to discuss some plan for bringing our pictures more prominently before the public to sell. No practicable plan was offered. Thursday Mr. Gordons annual Artists party. Friday dined at Eastman Johnsons with Joe May and his wife and Mrs. Ketcham. Mrs. Ketcham impressed me as a very sweet charming woman. I could not help thinking seeing her sweet and serene expression that here was a woman to whom life passed easily and without any serious trials. After she had gone I asked Eastman about her when he told me that she was the wife of Edward Ketcham whose forgeries a few years ago caused such a profound sensation through the country. He went to state prison and she moved up to Sing Sing and staid near him embracing every opportunity to see him and sustain and encourage him. She is Joe Mays cousin and he has the highest admiration of her. She seemed to me a thoroughly noble woman whose innate virtue has been able to sustain her in the severest of mortal trials. I have been painting some small pictures but I am full of anxiety. I cannot even write of it for it seems to me I never was in so difficult a strait. All my winter expenses to pay and not able to sell a single thing. I shudder at the future and am absolutely at a loss what to do. Am going home today but only to encounter a new set of difficulties. My only solace is that I have done my best and neglected no opportunity, but every thing has failed.
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