Travel Diaries and Journals

Tuesday. Pleasant. Annie passed the day with us. She was evidently depressed though she tried at times to put on an appearance of cheerfulness, -- and indeed she has cause for sadness. To think of her sweet litter sister sacrifieced to such a villian as Mr Branch is enough to sadden any one.

Maggie has left him, and is concealed from him by her friends. He begged to see her but she has refused, and [told?] him in a note that she would not be his wife another hour. He seemed to be very much attached to her and intended to take her to Europe in two weeks; probably that for fear that any reports of his former life might reach her. A fortnight more and it would have been all too late, and she completely in his power, but she was saved in time. At the dinner table Annie told us how she felt when her brother came to her with an account of his true character, and of her immediate flight. It was quite affecting, and we all shed tears. Maggie always appeared to us very much like a child, and her decision and [energy?] which she now displays seems quite surprising. She has born his disappointment well thus far but is now quite ill.

Hannah W-- called in the afternoon. Mary Willet? took with us and spent the evening. Starr also joined us at [tea?] -time. Elisabeth Maggie? & Annie Coulbert? with Alexander Mr Hutchings and George Hudson and Kate? spent the eve with us very pleasantly. They left about twelve, o'clock.

Wednesday Jan 28th Pleasant. I sat alone with Annie in the parlor quite a long time in the morning talking about Maggie. Sarah and I also practiced our music lesson Annie left us quite early in the afternoon. Sarah wrote a letter to her mother, and I wrote to Ellen Leajer?. In the evening George Hudson called for us and accompanied us to singing-school. We stopped to snow-ball each other on the way. Mary Reeves? came in with Natty soon after. Mr I. A. Warner behaved very impolitely indeed, and closed the exercises very abruptly. I think I can divine the motive of his conduct. George Hudson stepped up and told him his mind pretty plainly. We had a pleasant time returning -- more snowballing. All stopped at our house awhile. George remained some time after the others had left.

[side] Mary Reeves? called. P.M.

Thursday .. Bright over-head. Sarah made up her mind today to visit her friends in New York and accordingly Carrie and I accompanied her over. Sarah stopped to bid Kate Hudson Good Bye. we found the walking very bad there was also much in the river but we crossed without difficulty. We called on Annie, left Sarah at her uncle's and returned. Reached house in time for tea. and attended Lyceum in the evening. Prof. Anderson lectured on the Celtic Race. It was very interesting but I was almost too tired to enjoy it.

not decide which I thought best. The colored man of course was not so well educated as the other two, but his remarks were witty, touching and original and his misfortune increased the interest he excited. The place was crowded at least half- an-hour before the meeting commenced. It continued about three hours. On leaving we met a number of friends Starr and Annie and all the Scheuet? family were present Even Maggie was there two. She was rather pale but was as pretty and smiling as ever. Mr Branch dares not disturb her and we hope ere long she will be entirely free from him. Mr Marshall accompanied Mary Jane.

Mr Joseph and Samuel Wilde were on the boat in which we returned. Joseph walked up with Natty and I while Mr J -- walked directly in a line with us on the other side of the way, as regardless of appearances and of other folks' opinion as you please.

Reached home much fatigued. Spent the evening in reading, and finished "The Wide, Wide World".

It is a beautiful story, but I need not stop to commened it, its praises being duly sung by the papers all over the land. It did me good -- I closed it with a humbling sense of my own short-comings in the way of duty, and a heart-felt prayer that the impression might be abiding. Harriet attended Mrs Holbrook's funeral. The brides of [courn?] were present, dressed in deep mourning. Poor girls! But a few weeks ago when a large company were there assembled on a far different

[Sideways along gutter edge] occasion, in their hour of happiness, how little did they dream that in that hour would so soon take place the funeral [solemnities?] of her whose guidance and affectionate sympathy they now so greatly need!

Wednesday May 19th Rather windy and chilly. Fires were again in demand. [Lewrd?] most of teh day. Our new carpet was brought home in the afternoon. It is very pretty.

Thursday.. Very pleasant. Cleaning was commenced againt to-day with fresh zeal. Was not very well, but assisted some. Was busy ironing muslins when Annie and her sister Margaret came to spend the day with us. I have not seen Maggie before since her marraige. She is thinner and paler than she used to be, but this seems only to heighten her beauty, and adds a touching sweetness to the ever gentle and winning expression on her countenance. She is indeed a lovely and beautiful girl, but how sad to think that to these qualities, generally considered so desirable, are owing the sorrows that so cruelly embitter her youthful days! -- Soon after their arrival sister Annie changed her dress and assisted us in making our new carpet. The day passed very pleasantly. Tass? came over with Father and Mr Murphy to tea. A short time before tea Harriet was seized with a violent headache and was obliged to retire. Mr Murphy made a short visit to her room before he left. Mary Jane Schunck?, Sarah Redfe?'s Mr Peter Mescroth?, and Mr Marshall called in the evening. -- Father conversed alone with Maggie sometimes It was quite late when we retired.