Charles E. Burchfield (1893-1967)

Jan 9, 1921.; To Steubenville.; From Steubenville I walked northwards along the railroad track. The heavy winter mist, that all morning had obscured West Virginia, and gave the river the appearance of a vast lake, had now disappeared for the most part. I deferred eating till I should find a place of solitude; and it was not till three o’clock such a place appeared, a high bluff overlooking the big bend in the river. When I had climbed it, I was thoroughly exhausted . The lunch put me right, and I delayed awhile to absorb the landscape. It was {?} none of the {?} {?} excitement of eminent spring.; At Toronto it was getting dusk; as I was sketching some brick works, the companion of my evening walk came along. “What ‘t – ell are you doing” he inquired “ its none of my business, but what are you doing?” I explained, and with a look of incomprehension he passed on. I followed soon after and found him waiting at the nest rail-road crossing. He fell in made as if to walk with me, so I slowed down till I had adjusted my self to his slow uncertain tread. He commenced to talk