l that I am in a bad
situation, and must use my utmost effort to keep afloat and go ahead.
Will try to follow the following general rules for one week:

"1st. In every case to determine rationally what is best to be done.

"2nd. To do everything determined upon immediately, or as soon as an
opportunity presents.

"3rd. To write down what I shall determine upon doing for the
succeeding day.

"Saw landlady and told her I was not able to pay rent.

"_December 26_, 7 A. M.:

"1st. Propose to-day, in addition to work in office, to write to Boyne.

"2nd. To get wood in trade.

"3rd. To talk with Dr. Eaton, and, perhaps, Dr. Morse.

"Rose at quarter to seven. Stopped at six wood yards trying to get
wood in exchange for printing, but failed. Did very little in office.
Walked and talked with Ike. Felt very blue and thought of drawing out.
Saw Dr. Eaton, but failed to make a trade. In evening saw Dr. Morse.
Have not done all, nor as well as I could wish. Also wrote to Boyne,
but did not mail letter.

"_January 1 (Sunday)_.--Annie not very well. Got down town about 11
o'clock. Went with Ike to Chinaman's to see about paper bags.
Returned to office and worked off a lot.

"_January 2_.--Got down town about 8 o'clock. Worked some labels. Not
much doing.

"_January 3_.--Working in office all day. De Long called to talk about
getting out a journal. Did our best day's work."

From time to time they got a little business, enough at any rate to
encourage Trump and George to continue with the office, though Daley
dropped out; and each day that the money was there the two partners
took out of the business twenty-five cents apiece, which they together
spent for food, Trump's wife being with her relatives and he taking his
dinner with the Georges. They lived chiefly on cornmeal and milk,
potatoes, bread and sturgeon, for meat they could not afford and
sturgeon was the cheapest fish they could find.[1] Mr. George
generally went to the office early without breakfast, saying that he
would get it down town; but knowing that he had no money, his wife more
than suspected that many a morning passed without his getting a
mouthful. Nor could he borrow money except occasionally, for the
drought that had made general business so bad had hurt all his friends,
and, indeed, many of them had already borrowed from him while he had
anything to lend; and he was too proud to complain now to them. Nor
did his wife complain