Such a pouring rain & no chance of getting out. Daisie’s throat growing worse and Mr. Phil. Grills child¹ taken with convulsions. Annie went over there– very sad affair. We had a carriage and took the train at 5 o’ clock p.m. came home & found the house locked up– After fixing fires etc. went to send for Dr. Bascombe [Francis S. Bascomb]– he came and we were more satisfied.

Such dreadful weather but the Dr. came again and pronounced her not in any danger of diphtheria. Have been out some went to look at my dear old garden and how desolate it is– cannot give it up. cannot believe but some special interposition will yet be made in my favor. Sent off letters lots of them asking for copy for Christmas number. [p. 168] {p. 195}

This is my sister Lucy’s birthday, she is 72 today– her life is lonely and she is very melancholy. I am too busy to write her and then I cannot say the things she would wish, I am in a quandary what to do, I wish I had the courage to invest in real estate instead of drudging as I am doing now– I hope there may be light for me in the future.

Well this is another dismal day– mud is so tiresome one cannot walk with any degree of satisfaction and the storm comes heavy at intervals. Ellen [Hitchings] is to be married on the 11th. the news we get from up north is not so very favorable I wish it were Mell is so unhappy and Verona suffers so much– and Daisie sick too– [p. 169] {p. 196}

This is Fast day but I cannot go to the meeting how I wish I could– I told Emeline last night she need not come today and now I have been down to speak to her about Savage’s– she thinks she will go– I felt bad to tell her but I really feel I cannot keep her on any longer, I must take up more of the burden myself, and attend to business instead of other things.

It is my sister Adeline [Woodward Earl]’s birthday– she is sixty & I shall not even see her. She has been favored to live so long– for it seemed impossible with her cough. She has a nice family. I am busy with copy and Daisie is not very well. Ellen is staying here and getting herself ready and her house is being prepared. [p. 170] {p. 197}

This morning stormed awfully and Daisie went off in it to go to Annie’s– I hurried up with all my might and could not get all done but caught the train, storming and such a dismal day. Annie came to meet me I took her some Chinese cups & saucers and some bone plates. We had a fine dinner & pleasant evening.

Storming again. Annie went to the funeral of the little girl next door and we kept the children. As soon as dinner was over we drove to the depot & took Margaret home with us. This [is?] my sister Cordilia [Cordelia Woodward Holden]’s birthday she is 65. such a fine looking woman and has such a happy home and quiet nook husband who adores her– [p. 171] {p. 198}

Came home last night and Sister Howard came in to see me about Logan she has consented to go and I have told her just how to conduct the meeting. I am so glad she is going Sister Crocheron came today with the story,² and it is a great relief– Daisie took Margaret to have her picture today– stormy– very but we succeeded

This is another awful day a little better however and John Q. came and took Margaret away with him. Sweet little thing we have had such a nice time with her. Daisie and I have fixed upon pictures for presents to Ellen from Mell & myself– everything has been done & Ellen is crying ready to break her heart. [p. 172] {p. 199}

This is Verona’s birthday I sent off a book so it should reach her in time I hope she will like it one of Mary D. Brine’s– Daisie bought a table book for Ellen Shakespeares Homes etc. and I got a few flowers for her. At eight or after we went to the Church and the ceremony was performed and Arthur Critchelow came home with us.

We have been busy today hurrying with the paper reading proof etc. I have also been reading on committee work for the Juvenile.³ Daisie sings some for me but she is trying to paint some things for Rose Wightman It is nice to have her here for company, the house is such a dismal one [p. 173] {p. 200}

This has been a very dreadful day Sister Hitchings Ellen’s mother called on me– she seems to be a very fine woman and a good Latter day Saint. We have heard that Eugene [Sears] is very ill had taken cold and also that Emma [Sears] had a severe and distressing cough. O how I do wish my children were around me once more as in other days.

Left on the train for Ogden after a most intensely busy day, had underground folks to see to and hindered my time and so had to rush at the last minute Went up in a carriage as there was no one there to meet me. the mud was just awful, they scarcely expected me I think [p. 174] {p. 201}

Stayed all day with Annie until train which was ever so late. found all the folks out Daisie had been to dine with Ellen and Minnie was out. After a while Joe Ellen & Daisie came in had been to meeting, they soon went away & Daisie and I were both reading, Minnie came to talk over her examination for next week

Paper is made up to-day it pleases me very much I think it is a good specimen copy. Had lots of callers & little hindrances but succeeded in getting it on to the press. Everything is ready for the mailing– Daisie writes so rapidly. Ellen came down today in great trouble, we cannot understand what is the matter– [p. 175] {p. 202}

This was a fearful stormy day busy with mailing Ellen here again in great distress says she cannot live with Joe. Her mother and sister came they are as much in the dark as we are. Joe is heart-broken and looks ten years older. It had a depressing effect upon us all. It is something so strange– Went to Dr. Pratts mothers to dinner, she was 75 years old.

Little Lucy Catharine [Granger] afterwards called Katie was born on this day 1836. a most beautiful child and lovely woman– died young during the time of the war. married John King. This is a very stormy day in fact there are no real nice days at all and the mud is almost pouring on the streets [p. 176] {p. 203}

We are just rushng with the mailing but I went up to Ogden on the train. Margaret is better– there is a Fair in the 5th Ward quite an elaborate one. Annie is persevering with some very elegant embroidery for a chair for John Q’s Christmas gift. Water lilies and trailing arbutus. done in fine silk one thread on plush

This morning came to the depot and had to turn back, intended to be on the train, found it was two hours late so we went back to the house and waited. Visited with Annie & the children everything so pleasant– coming down read all the way on the Narratives for Juvenile– found all right but Ellen & she is determined to leave Joe & go back to Murray [Idaho]. [p. 177] {p. 204}

This morning the ground was frozen and the sun shone bright and clear. It will be nice for Pres. Wells who is now on his way from Manti I suppose– he is expected tonight– the mud is as deep as ever I have just begun buying for my dear ones. Belle’s presents have arrived a cloth dress for me and little things from the children.

Went with train to Ogden and John Q. met me at the depot. Spent a pleasant evening with John Q. Annie & the children– we sat up quite late– Margaret is better Daniel is not very well. We talked over the Christmas all arrangements have been made as far as possible for the children to enjoy it. [p. 178] {p. 205}

This is the birthday of Joseph Smith the prophet a day, on which the Saints should rejoice, but in consequence of trouble & misrule unjust measures and consequent injustice the Pres. of the Church has appointed a solemn fast to be held beseeching the Lord to manifest His power in behalf of His people⁴ came home on afternoon train

My husband was here and spent most of the day, I was almost too busy to enjoy it yet I left some of my work to be with him. He had several callers in the mean time, he looks very well and seems in pretty good spirits. He will stay in the city until after New Year’s Went on the 6 o clock train to Annie’s [p. 179] {p. 206}

The children were up early and Annie with them. So delighted they were with all their gifts and so very happy, joy beamed in their eyes and their sweet faces lighted up with sunshine that came direct from the overflowing fountain of gladness. John Q. gave me gold eye-glasses and Annie gave me a muff children necktie perfumery Daisie a pretty blonde scarf–

Came down from Annie’s, train about 2 hours late, and felt so weak and miserable. lots of mail waiting for me, Remembrances from Aunt Zina, Susa [Young Gates] Talulah and my Sister Pallas also from Ort & May. from Ort a book entitled Mortara from May a hand satchel to fasten in my belt. Went down to my old home tonight– [p. 180] {p. 207}

A miserable stormy day snow and rain and cloudy skies. John Q. was here and took up some things to Daisie that had come by mail. We were all invited to Martha’s to dinner. Lydia Ann, Susan, Hannah & myself. The Esquire was there– I came home home to my lonely house O, so weary and began my evening’s work. Letter from Mell today)

Worked and hurried off to Ogden– my husband was here and we were talking over the events of the past and present. It seems pleasant for him to be in the City again. Train was very late, sat by Mr. Anderson and talked poetry all the way to Ogden– found Annie & Daisie all right & also the children– [p. 181] {p. 208}

Stayed at Annie’s all day long and rested. Came home late– and found my husband waiting at the door. Ellen had come to the depot to meet me– she stayed to wait upon me and my husband also stayed we sat up late talking & reading– had a very nice visit with him. and a very peaceful night

Today my husband stayed all the morning, Sister Brockbank came and Sister Kimball and also Sister Zina. Br. Frances [Francis] Cope is dead. such a sad thing– tonight my husband is here again & I feel so satisfied to have him in the house. has had all his meals here today [p. 182] {p. 209}

This morning the snow was falling fast and it had been snowing nearly all night, it was quite deep and I was obliged to sweep paths and make fires in all the rooms and in the office. I prepared breakfast for myself and husband in the parlor and bought tickets for the opera for Daisie each of the 3 nights took the train for Ogden Annie & I sat up and saw the New Year in– snowing all the time.

31 This is the last day of the old year and my husband said some very sweet things to me. Things I can never forget while I live– so pleasant to know after a life of care and woe [p. 183] {p. 210}