Transcription:
2 I have been trying to recall what I said in my letter about my hard struggle with the world. If I thought that there was
a word in that letter that could be construed into a request for that kind of assistance I would send the P.O. order back
by next mail. But I think too much of myself to imagine that there was such a word; and I think too much of your opinion of
us to imagine that there was a thought of charity in the gift; and so I accept thankfully, in the spirit in which it was given,
looking fondly toward to a time when you and yours will all be our guests in Sitka and give us an opportunity to reciprocate.
I shall apply this to the tuition music lessons of my girls. Now my dream is this: to get the appointment, and to start early
next summer, go up with you early in July to Alaska have six weeks of exploration with you before my term of office opens,
Sept. 1st. How will that suit you? We will yet have some great times together. Then I 3 will stay four or eight years
in Alaska, as the elections may go, and save enough to buy a little fruit ranch of you build a house. Perhaps preach a few
more years in some Cal. church, and then retire to my ranch we'll grow auld together. How is the dream? I visited Maj. McKinly
a week ago. My interview was all I could wish more than I could expect. I was introduced by Pres. Scovel, of the University
of Wooster, and two other men who are intimate friends of Maj. McKinley's mine. Maj. McK. said I had already been introduced
to his notice, that he considered my appointment the most suitable possible , and that unless some extraordinary opposition
should cause him to change his mind, which , he said I do not consider possible , he would consider the application favorably.
We had quite a conversation, and my friends felt that the matter was virtu- 02237