Transcription:
Martinez, Cal., Sept. 12,1885. Dear John: Wanda and I intended to send a long letter to meet you at Crete, and indeed
when baby awoke this morning, she wanted to know why mama could not take baby's own little self over to Auntie Margaret's
house to see dear papa when he first comes there? but just now, I am out of any traveling mood; and the postoffice Celestial
is nearly ready to start. Mr. Carter's Chinamen went to the other ranch this morning, so grandpa and I drove over to look
after the pear-pickers, etc. They are taking what Vicars, Winter Nelises and other pears the codlin moth legions have left,
so the orchard will be quite well cleared when you come, but, alas, the squirrels, gophers, rats and mice are mightier than
ever. The quails are attending to the Zinfandels, but they, the birds, will be all the better-flavored for our dinners by
and by. Mr. Carter wants, as soon as possible, 2 carloads of Tokay and Muscat grapes at 50 40 dollars per ton. Mr. Earl,
also, is anxious to begin shipping very soon. Prices are somewhat higher as the Sacramento grapes leave: last week these sold
on the wharf at 25 cts. per box. Our Sweetwaters are nearly all gone, 40 to 60 cts. per free box. The Tokays are coloring
finely and Muscats are now quite sweet. All last week the weather was cool and damp, most delightful for my poor head, but
now the grapes are having a lavish share of tropical sunbeams, and they are growing and glowing in accordance. I have had
to be very quiet for several days again; faintness and broken sleep at night because of the little restless quiverings. I
wanted to move home next week, but find now that I must stay here until you come Wanda has made friends with Carrie Cutler
and Alice Bush, and wants to go and see them, but I could not take her. This morning while I was gone, she coaxed grandma
out on the porch, and then out on the pavement all around the house, and now she is very happy with thinking that her staying
with grandma has made her perfectly well. Sunday afternoon. Yesterday afternoon grandpa forgot my letter and sent Ah Choi
to the postoffice without it, as the telephone bell was ringing wildly. Mr. Earl wanted to know if he could commence shipping
Muscat grapes Monday morning, and said his Chinese packers would come up this evening, so we shall be very busy the coming
week. Grandpa has sent several boxes of grapes to Louisville; the Muscats and Sultanas were very fine. The bunches need so
little trimming now that we shall try our best to send off as fast as possible. Louie Muir