Transcription:
Martinez, California December 3rd, 1914 Dear Helen: I was glad to see by your letter of the twenty-fourth of last month
that you are as merry and happy as ever and all goes well. The only thing that seems to trouble you at all is my long delayed
visit. Since the weather has at last broken and the melancholy mud has come and the coughs-and colds common to this part of
the glorious climate of California my visit threatens to be still longer delayed, possibly till next spring. I have a very
comfortable bed and plenty of firewood, have got electric light now in the house and everything has been put in comparative
order. From my den I have made a passage through into your room and lined the walls with shelving and made it into a library.
It looks fine. Have also had the floors both upstairs and down painted, good matting laid on the halls and another set of
portieres put in place of those that you have. I have also planted a good deal in the garden and want to plant more this winter.
The roads I have