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2 wrote you, I do not consider him in any manner bound. It is for me to go on with my duty of providing for my family, and
this, of course, I shall do. If things should so fall out as to make it possible for me to do something toward inducing and
aiding Mr. Muir to get out some more of that immortal stuff of his I should be more than glad, for my regard for him, and
my estimate of him as a man of letters, are unchanged. There is none but the warmest feelings toward him on the part of myself
and wife and we are deeply distressed that he should have fallen victim to this pestilent grippe. But, as you can well understand,
I cannot hold myself in readiness to drop everything, at any uncertain time in the future, in order to take up the work we
outlined that day we were with you. Things will have to take their course and work out. I am very fearful, however, that
we shall never have much more writing by John Muir. It is a loss to letters, that I do not like to think of. My whole stock
of enthusiasm was set fairly ablaze by the thought that I was to be the one to push him along in this work, and to give up
such a prospect as that is not pleasing after one has come to solidly set his heart upon it; but I have no regrets. I think
things will work out for the best in the end. I shall always do all I can to forward any plan that can result in giving the
world more of John Muir' work, for there is none like unto him. He possesses a gift of genuine inspiration, and there is no
one upon whom his mantle may fall. When he goes from us he takes all that precious stuff with him, and the thought of the
loss thus entailed makes me melancholy, but not with grief that any of my own Insignificant affairs went awry. I only hope
that Mr. Muir may be able to work, and work with great effectiveness, whether I am concerned with that work or not. It would
be delightful to be able to aid him, but if that is not to be my fortune I still hope that the work may be done; but I am
afraid that it Will not be. We can only wait and hope. I hope to be in Pasadena one of these day s before long, and I shall
try to see you and have a bit of talk with you. I am hopeful that we may occasionally meet, and be good friends, and possibly,
in some way, be able to save some of the best of Muir's unapproachable literature before the night falls, and he makes his
last camp, and crosses the Great Range. If your auto' should happen to whirl you out our way we shall be delighted to be honored
with a call, at any time. Our house is small, but its welcome will always be warm for you and Mrs. Sellers. Sincerely yours,
j.E. Calkins 06246