Transcription:
July 31, 1888. Dear Papa, Last Saturday I addressed my letter for you to Victoria, The Driard, but as you may possibly
not call there on your return, I shall rewrite it now for Seattle. Little Helen is playing now with Grandpa, and likes to
stay with him a little while, but whenever I leave her with Grandma and Wanda, she just screams for mama. Since I left her
for four hours to go with Annie to Port Costa, she seems to be watching every movement of mine away from her, and she is homesick
also I shall try to keep the children nearly every day at the old home, sleeping at Grandpa's for some time yet; but certainly
I cannot leave baby to go to San Francisco until she becomes better satisfied here. The weather has been pleasant since we
came over, a steady south wind and great fleecy masses of fog-clouds at night. Grandpa burned a quantity of brush and straw
with sulphur over that old pond and is strewing road dust also, so it is greatly improved. With Helen's permission, however,
after 2 or 3 days in the city I want to move again home as soon as possible. Dora left me July 13th, for the men refused longer
to eat what she cooked, so I must hunt up a new assistant for the kitchen. Snow and Fries seem to be doing fairly well, and
look satisfied. Mr. Earl took 76 bxs. Bartletts, the others were sent to the city at good prices. Earl agreed to pay for each
carload of grapes, and seemed anxious to get them. Wood and Strong also want some, and prospects look better than last year.
The new Alhambra schoolteacher is reported by Mrs. Swett to be young and charming, a recent graduate of the University, etc.
and the trustees want her to board at our house, but I do not see how it could be comfortably arranged, though it would be
very desirable both for Wanda and myself. Have just received two postals from Annie, saying that she felt better, had slept
and rested well, and enjoyed greatly the lovely views of the mountains, trees and of Donner Lake especially. Here is also
the August Century, containing Kennan's Siberia with some exquisite sketches of the Katunski Alps and glaciers, all more and
more interesting to me. Oh how I long to be with you in that fresh green land beside the clear flowing rivers. If only it
were not so far, and the children too could be happy with us, before the forests and the great shining mountains Louie Muir
Sheet enclosed marked Baby's own little letter. Papa know what baby write