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First draft of letter, in note-book 59 60 Martinez, Oct. 21, 1900 . My dear Dr. M erriam : I am very glad to get your
kind letter bringing back our big little Sierra trip through so many of the blessed chipmunks and trees. Many thanks for
your care and kindness about the photos, and for the pile of interesting bird and beast Bulletins. No. 3 contains lots of
masterly work and might be expanded into a grand vol ume . This you should do, adding and modifying in accordance with the
knowledge you have gathered during the last ten years. But here you are, pegging and putting others' work into form as if
in length of life you expect to rival Sequoia. That stream and fountain article which like Tennyson's brook threatened to
go on forever is at last done, and I am now on Big Tree parks, which I hope soon to get off my hands. Not the man with the
hoe, but the poor writer with the pen, deserves mile-long commiseration in prose and rhyme. Give my kindest regards to Mr.
and Mrs. Bailey, and tell your sister that unless 1 am hopelessly tied up I'll go guide with her to Yo semite any time she
likes. With pleasant recollection from Mrs. M uir and the girls, I am, Yours very truly, J. M. Charlie Keeler has got
out another nice book (poems). 02890