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Slabsides, West Park, N.Y. , Sept. 24, '99. Dear John Muir, Many thanks for your letter and for Mrs. Colver's enclosed.
Yours was the first word I had had from any member of the H.A.E. Shortly after I had one from the Averell girl, and a few
days since came one from Dr. Fisher. I found all well at home and that the bottom had not fallen out of things on account
of my absence. Indeed, I am beginning to suspect the sun would rise and set just the same and grapes would continue to ripen,
if 1 were to vanish for good and all. We never had a finer crop of grapes, and prices were pretty good. We began shipping
on the 11th of August, and the bulk of them were off by Sept. 1st -- 30 tons. I have been well except a slight sluggishness
of the liver -- the reaction, I suppose, from that stimulating Alaska climate. Everybody remarked my improved looks. The trip
certainly did me lots of good. I see there has been an earthquake up there recently. I fear it has given your sheep a terrible
shaking up. Your old bell wether is probably in a sad plight. I should like to have stood upon St. Elias, but not upon the
Muir glacier, during the event. I fear our Indian friends at Yakutat Bay suffered seriously. My thoughts go back most frequently
and most fondly to. Kodiak. That place really touched my heart. I almost wish I lived there. I think I must see it again.
We had a lucky trip across the continent -- no heat, no dust, and only one delay -- a day and a half in the Bad lands in Utah,
from a washout. Fine weather here since my return -- much sunshine and no frost yet. The Century will print my bird poems
- three of them. Fuertes has been asked to make the bird pictures. I shall try my hand at a sketch of the trip next month.
I may spend part of the winter in Florida, as the guest of a N.H. Yankee farmer. I wish it were to be in California, with
or near you, but that will come, I hope, before very long. Remember me to Mrs. Colver. I think her suggestion about the dog
story a good one. Sincerely your friend, John Burroughs. 02625