Jervis McEntee Diaries

Friday November 23, 1888

Jervis McEntee Diary Entry, November 23, 1888, from the Jervis McEntee papers, 1850-1905, in the Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution

Friday, Nov 23, 1888 Very cold. 4 above 0. It went down town and in Canfields store a man from Rhinebeck said it was 2 below 0. I paid Mantustock $30 for putting on the shingles although it was only $26 according to agreement. It actually cost him $30 and although he did not ask me to pay him more I did it voluntarily as his men worked faithfully. I also paid Turck for the shingles and ridge boards $77.39 and he took back the 2 M. shingles I had left on, making the cost of the roof 108.39 with the dollar I gave the carpenter and not including the paint. I got up earlier this morning to start up the fires and after I had [?] the hall stove it began to roar, and pulling out the slide of the coal receptacle the gas exploded directly in my face singing my eyebrows and filling my eyes with gas and dust. They pained me for a time and do again this evening. We have been discussing a new stove and today I decided to get one as this one is worn out and I am afraid it is dangerous particularly when we have to urge it. I authorized Canfield to send for the largest "Argand" which costs $36 and he hopes he can put it up next week. I had a letter from Mrs. Sawyer saying they will not be able to come up to Rondout as they are going back to College Hill Monday and all their time is taken to that date. I came home and put on my painting clothes and went up the ladder and painted the gutters on the main house and did not finish until 4 o'clock. I was tired and stiff and think it will be my last work of that kind as really I do not feel it safe to do it.

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