March 20, 1863
Cloudy and cold. At the bank this morning. On the way was accosted by an old woman in need of wood and flour. I gave her something that made her eye sparkle. "God bless you, Sir," she said as I passed on. How much suffering thought I, is hidden from view.
Nearly all is pain in some form, joy is a fleeting thing and its companion, contentment, just as illusive.