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The Plains, Virginia, Jan. 1st, 1913. Greetings from Virginia to California on this lovely New Year's morn. My letter,
the first one of 1913, is to my good friend dear Mr. Muir, that my shortcomings of 1912 may be blotted out by the early doings
of the New Year. I find it is more and more of an effort to express my faithful sentiments with pen and ink, particularly
as my writing wrist has been troublesome for the past year, but the feelings are there true and loyal, ready for active expression
- of that be assured, dear friend - and it is always a great pleasure to hear from you directly and indirectly, as recently
from your own letter from Martinez with the book notice enclosed, and from Mr. Herrin who dined with us in town the other
day. I charged him with kind messages for you and sent at Xmas a souvenir card of Arden House where we spent our Xmas day,
coming down here the day after - I for rest and refreshment in this sunny clime, and my children 4 for fox hunting. Don't
look shocked - it is mostly galloping over the hills and far away they do - with good hounds for company. Mary has been through
typhoid fever this autumn, but was able to return to her new home on Lond Island fit to enjoy Xmas with her own little family
of Pad and Paddie. We have a merry party of young people here for over New Year's day, all returning to N.Y. the end of the
week, Fairfield Osborn among them. All his family are well and continuing on their busy way. Mrs. Averell and Beth are coming
to us at i E 69th St. about the 11th of Jan. and intend to settle down in town (after a little visit with us) somewhere for
the winter, Beth to continue her artistic fancies. When I think of you in your lonely old library den I feel I have more
than my share of young and good company, as I keep so closely in touch with my children and grandchildren and maintain open
house for young and old at Hotel Harriman and Arden House. You have only to join us to share both with me Remember. I have
been reading with great interest the chapters from the 1st vol. of your autobiography in the Atlantic, and hoping soon for
the full volume. Mrs. Osborn and I had an enthusiastic talk about it and you the other evening in town, so you see you are
still close to us in every way but touch. I am worrying about Mr. Harriman's biography - the death of Mr. Batson, so unexpectedly,
cut it short. As yet no one has appeared to finish it. Can you suggest anyone? It must be an active man - that is, someone
who through personal connection with active business life understood the circumstances and conditions in which Mr. Harriman
lived and worked. May this long scrawl fill your library with a feeling of companionship with your Harriman, Osborn and Averell
friends, at least for a few leisure moments when you can allow yourself to drift into the backward currents of past associations
with those faithful ones who hold you in dear remembrance. With best wishes for the New Year, and appreciating those you sent
us, Faithfully, with love, Mary W. Harriman 05346