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3 of a fern. Its little cove home is on the north side of the valley a thousand feet up the rocks, some of the spray of
the great Yo-Semite falls come to it One or two little white flowers were with it, some mosses were on the floor bright shinning
as the drops that wet them, I found a great many pretty ferns flowers in the Yo Semite Valley, I will give you some. This
is the smallest fern I ever saw. This is a dark stormy night. The wind is loud, the rain is pouring from the black sky in
torrents, five or six of my lambs died today. I think that far more will die tonight. It makes me sorry to see the little
things die - I hope when spring comes you will gather some flowers for 00494 4 me send them in a letter, some of the
big Anemones I want you call them gopher blows, I suppose you have your uncle Dan with you now - I wish you would tell him
that I received his Avery letter of Sep' 27th that I want him to send his plans before I answer it, because I have something
to tell that I don't wish to tell before he tells his latest plans - There are no trees where I am nor any bushes but the
little birds find shelter in the rocks. God has made little houses for them little caves, little shelf berths - Where they
are cozy warm, but my poor sheep have no shelter I hope that you are very happy that you will have a very happy new Year
in margin: Bid everybody happy new year for me from your illegible John If you see Annie Jessie illegible tell them that I
am going to write to them soon. Tell Joanna Muir that I rced her letter of Oct 25 will write a great long answer when I am
not lazy