Island Sound. While the tide was out, we dug some soft clams, and with stones gathered from the shore of the sound, we formed a bed on the sand and then with some wood picked up on the shore, built a fire on the stone bed, and the stones were heated very hot. Then the coals were brushed from the hot stones and the clams were placed on them and then covered over with wet seaweed and sand spread over the seaweed. After a short wait these were removed from the clams, and the feast began. The shells were easily removed and the clams were delicious. Mr. Layton's school friend had never eaten clams as they were cooked, before, and he highly enjoyed them, eating to his fill. This was not my last trip with Mr. Layton by any means, though I do not remember ever going with his friend again.

During the year there were a number of deaths, among those I had been acquainted with. I mention here Capt. H. D. Conklin, one of the officials in the Landing church and one of my first Sunday School teachers, after a lingering sickness passed away, at the age of 71 years.

Rev. Robert Codling who had preached on the circuit about 23 years before, was with us one Sabbath and preached. Mr. Layton's father-in-law, Rev. Mr. Johnson was also with us during the season, and preached for us one Sabbath.

Referring to my diary beginning Jan. 1st., 1879, I find that during the year 1880, Uncle Benja and I were working at our trades a good deal of our time, at St. Johnland, an Institution founded some years

before by Dr. Muhlenberg, a well known Devine, connected with St. Lukes Hospital of New York. The Institution was for old men, homeless children, etc., and there was considerable building and repairing going on. So this gave steady employment to a number of men and I found plenty of work for a time, at least, and did not have much leisure, but I tried to keep up with my studies and also church attendance. The institution at this time I believe, was managed by "Sister Anne," as Dr. Muhlenburg had died some years before. Mr. Edward Thompson was foreman, and I found him to be a very nice man to work under. In later years, Mr. Thompson was the head of a big law publishing house at Northport, L. I., a few miles from the Institution. I might say that St. Johnland was about 4 miles from our home, and this was quite a walk twice a day. Our days work was 10 hours too. My wages were $1.50 per day. Uncle Benja received about $2.50 per day.

I tried to keep in touch with my young friends, the Platt boys, also Lorie Raynor, and many others whom I was acquainted with. I saw my brother John often, also my dear mother, as well as my sisters. My brother George, I seldom saw, as he was away from Smithtown nearly all of the time, still on the water. My sister Sadie was very sick during the year, and nearly died. Annie Raynor, who was now about 17 years of age, was a fine looking young lady, and our friendship had become stronger, as the years had passed. Annie had a younger brother named LeRoy, who came to live with us

when quite young, and in a way, took my place in assisting about the home, as well as in the house. His mother, Aunt Susie's sister, had died some years before. Later his father married again, and is still living, as far as I know, at this time being between 80 and 90 years of age, spending his winters in Florida and his summers on Long Island, at his old home. LeRoy died before reaching manhood, but was not with us at the time of his death.

The season passed on, and Dec. 20th., came when we had the pleasure of listening to a Temperance Lecture, delivered by Rev. Daniel Jones, who years before had preached on the Smithtown circuit. The Lecture was quite a treat, as we did not often hear such lectures in those days.

Dec. 30th., was extremely cold, snow 18 to 24 inches deep in places, on the level. I think it was the deepest snow I had ever seen.

Jan. 1st., 1881, the beginning of another year. I think gratitude filled my heart, and I was glad that God had spared my life, and I desired to live a better life than ever before. This was a cold day, mercury nearly 20 degrees below zero.

Jan. 8th., I went to the Branch, had dinner with Mr. Layton, then went to singing school at night.

Jan. 14th., my new organ arrived today at the station. This was the organ purchased for me by Mr. Layton. It was delivered at my home the next day, and on Jan. 20th., Mr. Layton gave me my first music lesson. On Jan. 27th., Mr. and Mrs. Layton were at our home. I took my second music lesson,

then Mr. Layton and I went hunting. We shot one rabbit only. At night we went to service at the Landing church.

Feb. 3rd., still very cold. The cars have been detained since yesterday. On March 9th., while clamming on a flat near the Long Island Sound, I lest my pocket book containing about 6 dollars, also some papers of value to me. The next day I looked for the pocket book, but did not find it. It was raining and I got wet through.

March 24th., while doing a job of printing, I broke my press, and was obliged to go to the Branch for a hinge with which I repaired it. Mr. Layton was here and gave me another music lesson. Fannie and Addie Tyler, were also here, and after tea we all spent a pleasant evening. Fannie and Addie were school friends of mine.

So another year soon passed, and April 1st., arrived again, and I had reached my 26th. birthday. April 5th., the town election was held. This was an interesting time, as on this day the town officers were elected for the year. There were two parties specially interested in the election. The Democratic and Republican parties. I was with the Republican party, and of course was interested in the election of their candidates, and I used my influence to help them. Sometimes one party was successful and sometimes the other, in electing their most important candidates, which were first, a Supervisor, then a Tax Collector, a Town Clerk, one or more Assessors, a Justice of the Peace and a few others. There

were other candidates for minor offices, which were of less interest. The Supervisor was considered the most important of all. The town elections were held every April.

This election day was very cold for the time of year. I was at the Poles early in the morning and stayed all day, taking dinner with W. B. Jaynes who was a strong Republican and one of the firm of Conklin & Jaynes, dealers in general merchandise, drugs etc., and were members of the Landing M. E. church, and good friends of mine. I remained at the poles at night until the count was completed, so it was nearly midnight when I arrived home. I do not recall which party was the more successful at this time The excitement was over and business soon became normal again.

I still worked more or less at my trade, as well as did printing, when I had it to do, and I was perhaps more interested in stamps than ever before, though up to date I had not made much money from the sale of stamps, though I did not know what the future held for me in that line. I recall here, rather a peculiar deal I made with one of the storekeeper's of our town. His name was Sanford Newton, and his store, where general merchandise, notions, medicines etc., were sold, was situated at the "Head of the River," meaning the beginning of the Nissequogue River, which my readers are so familiar with now. In this store they had a stock of matches which were in small paper boxes and sold at perhaps 2c or 3c per box. In those days there was a tax on