[Boston—Friday, 20 December 1872]
Friday Decr 20. Snow and rain and slosh & avalanche fill the street. I am allowed to stay at home. I am grateful to my having earned a little quiet by 5 hours of incessant work out of doors yesterday. Just read a bit of Alice Cary’s life—a model working life and a noble record. She was usually at work by 6 o’clock in the morning, but when I feel inclined to reproach myself (for that is what I should like most) I remember that she did not sit until 12 or 11 on the previous evening, I believe. Christmas approaches with the lovely peace of that season on the air.
One night of last week, I have not the exact date, Bret Harte, was advertised to lecture in Boston. He had previously been advertised to do the same by Mr. Redpath of the Lecture Bureau & had failed to keep his appointment. He arrived however just an hour before the time for his appearance & to his surprise and mortification was stopped by two officers who arrested him for debt. His wife was with him and it was a sad scene; fortunately he sent for Mr. Fields and the officer was set right. Not until after the lecture however—the officers sat during the whole time in the anti-room of the hall ready to accompany him to the lawyers after he had finished. His poor wife came here in much distress.
