Charles E. Burchfield, Journals, August 22, 1913

 Morning dawned with rain. Sky was covered with big loose misty windblown clouds, a characteristic of late August and early September. This was a mushroomy morning. Once the sun attempted to come forth but the clouds only scowled the more darkly than ever. By noon they had commenced ever so slightly to become more compact looking and were carried swiftly along by a stiff rainy wind. Trees waving with fluttering leaves before a misty sky held a special beauty.

John had told me to bring the office mail down on my way to work at noon, but I forgot it so I had to walk back up-town. I had just got back, when a mighty rain came. It was almost equal to a cloudburst. The air was literally full of falling water. In a few moments the street was full of running water, which was oddly speckled with splashings,where the rain- drops struck.

By evening the air was cleared; the clouds were scattered by a cold hard wind. The Sunset was beautiful and was like unto one in the wintertime, with its sharp grey and rusty colors and clear-cut clouds. At the supper table, I learned from Jim that he was planning another fishing trip for tomorrow afternoon. I was not particularly anxious to go but was afraid I would hurt his feelings by refusing. Joe made known his intentions of going along and we had to do some “tall” arguing with Mother and Frances who were “afraid” for him.

 After supper there was a great bustling. There was a two-reel Lubin feature picture on down at the Opera-house and everyone was getting ready to go. I had decided not to go however for I did not care particularly about the Lubin company. I was upstairs writing and finally the hurry and bustle had its effect on me. I got the desire to go. They were waiting on Fred who had yet to put on his shoes and collar. I told him I would make a complete change while he was doing those two. I never did make as quick a change as I did that time. Fred was still fussing over his tie when I went downstairs all ready.

The feature was titled “The Power of the Cross”. The leading man was a minister who, in the story,was always saved from wrong doing by a cross that he wore. I know Frances would have liked to have said something to me about it, but following a fierce argument that we had had about religion this June, we had decided never to mention it again to each other. I would have like to have told her that I had something that I always kept with me to keep me from sin. This is my love for Nature. I have a feeling - an instinct that once I have committed a sin, the beauty in nature will vanish as far as I am concerned.  

Charles E. Burchfield,  Aug. 22, 1913