Jervis McEntee Diaries

Wednesday September 3, 1884

Jervis McEntee Diary Entry, September 3, 1884, from the Jervis McEntee papers, 1850-1905, in the Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution

Wednesday, Sept 3, 1884 Awoke with a bad feeling in my head and felt disinclined to any effort. However after breakfast I drove down town and did some errands and went to the bank with Wood to show him about the $200 note of Turcks. He was satisfied with the explanation and now hopes to close up the matter. Will have to write to Turck and I hope he will cause no further delay. Then I drove to the West Shore station to inquire if they kept guests there over night, Miss Reynolds wishing to know but found they used it all for their employis [sic]. The afternoon has been very hot. I repacked Marys barrel of china and then came to my room, bathed and dressed and read some of Gertrudes letters to Gussie which Joe left me. They were most interesting to me and brought me almost into her dear presence, for I had a vivid dream of her last night and saw her as with my waking eyes. [?] seemed to come into a room where there were friends and [?] strangers. Her smile of welcome to those she knew, her [?] toward the others, her graceful movements, how real, how like her dear self which an interval of six long years had not in the least dimmed. Only a softened look in her face but the same sweet lovable woman which my soul longs for and loves with a tenderness which time does not diminish but on the contrary intensifies. I almost seem to have been with her and illusion though it may be I would give the world for so sweet a deceit again. It is a great satisfaction to read her letters to others, a privilege I do not often have. Her letters to me I almost know by heart but what she wrote to others is like a revelation to me. Charming letters which must have been always welcome to her friends. Vivacious gossipy and full of her sweetness and charm of character. How do I live without her. Only for believing I shall be with her again eternally.

< Previous Entry | Next Entry >