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| Achsah Brown Clough's |
| Diary for February 1887 |
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Tuesday, February 1 -- Mrs Van came, and went to work on Lulus dress. Annie, Carnele, Lulu, and I went over to Mrs Hennesseys and spent the day. Had such a nice time. Carnele made me a handkerchief case, to give to Jenny. Annie worked a carving cloth to give her. Lulu and I came home in the evening, but Carnele and Annie staid all night. |
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Wednesday, February 2 -- Girls out to St. Paul to day, got back about noon, we all went over to Mrs Bushnells to tea, and spent the evening. This is the last night of the girls stay with me. I feel lonesome to think of their going home, it seems as if I have seen them so little since they came, but am thankful, even for this little visit with Annie. |
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Thursday, February 3 -- Got up very early this morning, girls got off at half past seven. We put in a good long day on Lulus dress, sewing till after ten in the evening Lulu over here awhile in the afternoon. Jenny helped us some on the dress, I wanted to go to prayer meeting to night, but it was so bitter cold, no one went out |
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Friday, February 4 -- Terrible cold weather, O how long and tedious this winter is. so glad to get Lulus dress all finished up today, eight days worth dressmaking, to get hers and mine done, but shall not have to think about it again for a long time, wish I never had to bother about having dresses made. Picked up things and pieces after Mrs Van went home. |
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Saturday, February 5 -- Cleaned out my room first thing this morning, then read some, knit some, and took my bath before dinner. After.... went to see Mrs Manch, Jenny came to call, then we went down town, did some errands, and rode home with Arthur, Lulu came over in the evening she looks very tired, and feels blue and discouraged. |
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Sunday, February 6 -- Went to church in the morning, went home with Archies folks to dinner. Will Dean Brown called, and I went to the Nicolett house with him to see Alice. She has a very bad cough and seems to be in a critical condition. Staid to supper with them, then Will and I went to church and I came home after(wards), heard a splendid lecture from Dr Chase. |
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Monday, February 7 -- Went down to see Alice again this morning, staid all day with her. She had Dr Pratt come to see her, he took a diagnosis of her case, says there is a hole as large as a dollar in one lung. Poor girl, coughs so badly, am afraid she will never be well again, thus we go, one after another, some by one disease, some by another. |
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Tuesday, February 8 -- Went down town with Arthur after dinner, call on Mrs Tjetten, paid Mrs Van for our dressmaking, went to see Alice, staid for supper. Came up to church in the evening, and home with jenny and Arthur. Found Lulu here when I came home, She left Mrs Bushnells this afternoon for good. I am glad to have her with me again. |
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Wednesday, February 9 -- Felt so tired, this morning laid down and took a nap. Lulu and I put things to rights, as she is to stay with me at ...... [feaser]. will came up after me with a horse and cutter, I went and staid till night then went to church was coming home, but he sent up to church for me to come back, and stay all night. |
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Thursday, February 10 -- Alice had a bad spell last night, and did not rest much, feels quite weak this morning, and a good deal discouraged. It is hard work to make up ones mind to give up and die. Still she is very patient, and anxious to do what she can for herself, but does not worry over the prospect of death. Gods grace can sustain her. |
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Friday, February 11 -- Alice feels better to day, but not able to stir about very much, Will looking for some boarding house where they can be more comfortable on less expense than here at the Nicolett house. I went out in the afternoon and did some shopping for Alice, went to prayer meeting in the evening, came home alone. Very cold |
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Saturday, February 12 -- Moved Alice to day, over on Roylston Ave. She did not feel very well satisfied, but hope things may look more cheerful to her after a little. As soon as I got their things put up a little, I came home once more. Lulu has been up to see Nellie, while I was away. looks miserable to night |
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Sunday, February 13 -- Went to church in the morning, Lulu did not feel able to go. We had a nice visit in the afternoon. I went to church in the evening, heard such a good lecture by Dr. Chase. Went to stay with Alice while Will .... went up home for a few days, Alice moved back to the Nicolett house, feels more at home, and can be so much more comfortable here, than in a private boarding house. |
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Monday, February 14 -- Well not much variety to write about here, got up late, went down to breakfast about eight o clock. Arthur called to bring us some mail, and Nell Brown came in for awhile. Alice did not feel able to go down to dinner, so I went alone. Jenny and Lulu called in the afternoon, but I was out doing a little shopping, so missed of seeing. Dr in, and says A is much better, going fast. |
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Tuesday, February 15 -- Got up with headache, and a dizzy feeling, took a cup of tea, and dry toast for breakfast, very light dinner, and went out for a tramp, felt better after it. Lulu down in the afternoon, staid to tea with us, then went out to our church on Stevens Ave. staid all night with Miss Blake. I hemmed some napkins, and knit some, letter from Annie. |
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Wednesday, February 16 -- Lulu called in again this morning, on her way to Mrs Henneseys. Jenny came in and I went out shopping with her. Alice and I went out in the afternoon a few minutes. Then I went out alone, got a little rocking chair for Hazel, and sent it over to her. Wrote a letter to Clara. Got a letter from Hattie, Ralph has been very sick. I feel so sorry for Hattie. |
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Thursday, February 17 -- Mr. Smith came for me today. Mrs Smiths mother very sick. Lulu came down to stay with Alice, and I came over here just at night in the worst snow storm of this winter. Wrote Hattie before leaving the hotel. found Mrs Parmerlee very sick indeed, cant think she has very long to live. Mrs Smith very glad to see me, as she has been up to or three nights in succession |
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Friday, February 18 -- Spent last night alone with the sick woman, who was out of her head, and talking most of the time. She suffers much today, surly cannot stand it long. It shows us poor mortals how weak we are, and how helpless, when we stand by the bedside of the sick and dying. The greatest Love and sympathy, cannot ward off, the grim monster death, it will come to all. |
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Saturday, February 19 -- Mrs Parmerlee died this morning at one o clock, after great suffering, the first part of the night. O what a lonesome night. Mrs S sat up with me till she died, after washing, and dressing her, we all went to bed for two or three hours. I went down town this afternoon to get some things for Mrs S, called to see Alice and Lulu, nice day, but deep snow. |
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Sunday, February 20 -- Mrs smith's Brother came this morning, seemed very much broken down over the death of his mother. Several of the friends in today. Mrs S. and her brother, left at seven o clock this evening, with their mother's remains, to go to Toledo for burial. The house seems lonesome to night. They want me to stay with the children while she is gone, O what constant changes. |
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Monday, February 21 -- I found lots to do today, the girls had a very large washing, so I did what I could to help her. Lulu came over this morning, says Alice feels so well does not need her any longer Lulu came back again in the afternoon to bring me some wash. I cut out several garments, want to make them on the machine while Mrs Smith is away, if I can. |
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Tuesday, February 22 -- Mr Smith took Willie to St Paul to day for which I am very glad, as he teases the little girl so much it is difficult to get along with them. Mr Stilman carried Lulu and me to look at Hubert Smiths house, but I do not like it, and do not want to board him, so decided not to rent it. Lulu came back with me and staid to dinner, men folks all away. |
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Wednesday, February 23 -- Lulu over again to day with letters from Annie, Hattie, Aunty Swineson, and our old freind Drusilla Fellowes. Nell Brown in, I did quite a lot of sewing, knit some, and read some. Gather Smith hove sick all day. I do not wonder Mrs Smith gets very tired of him, hope I will never live to be burdensome to any one think Abbys daeath beautiful. |
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Thursday, February 24 -- Lulu came over to dinner again to day, told me Will and Alice were going to start for the South to day. Poor girl, I fear it is too late, to gain any benefit by change of climate, or medical treatment either. Heard from sister Lurana again to day, she is no better. I sewed some, and read one of the Dickens books. Girl out this afternoon so I had to get supper. |
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Friday, February 25 -- O dear I am just abut sick myself this morning, it just makes me nervous to have the old gentleman laying around all the time. Mrs McMellon called this morning and Mr amd Mrs Matt Smith this afternoon. Hazel came in to play with Jessie, and they had such a nice time. I finished up the garment to day. My cold id terrible to night. |
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Saturday, February 26 -- This has been a such a dreary day. snowed last night, and the wind has blown and drifted it terribly to day. Trains late, or blocked, on nearly all the roads. I sewed some, but spent most of the day amusing Jessie, and am so tired to night. Children do tire men dreadfully, I am sorry but cant help it. I expect people think I have no patience or tact with children. |
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Sunday, February 27 -- Lovely to day, but I could not go out at all. Mr Smith brought Willie home today, lots of callers to see the children, do hope Mrs Smith will be home soon. I am getting so tired of the children, and of being so confined, have been thinking so much about Nellie all day. O I do want to go and see her so much, wish Scott would behave like a decent man. |
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Monday, February 28 -- Had a most uncomfortable day with Willie, who teased his little sister and kept her worrying. Mrs Parks called. Telegram from Mrs Smith saying she would be here tomorrow. I shall be so glad. Sewed some and knit some, ought to have written Annie, but cant while here with the children wanted so much to see Lulu today, but she did not come. |
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