Transcription:
illegible rooster, in Roland's company out of our hands? --- I am rolling in wealth. The prints for, those. books still to
come to your home, they are made, and the last two booklets to come out are nearly ready for print. But I have not been able
to get at the pasting in and mounting. I heard of a competition for parkplans down in Pasadena, and I hastened to get into
harness. illegible hggg,,,,,8;9;8;(Roland came just now - it is his. day at home while it rains) - and told me Papa, uppie,
Rodent Schreiben ., I, of course, had to let him, and as the letter is to you, I did not change the paper. You will understand-
it-as well as the mother does the german the, I always speak with him) illegible I was lucky enough to get a draughtsman in
one line,and the plans are almost done. I am to have the first prize and will be well enough to carry out their work by the
time, they get ready). I feel like a sapling under a boulder. I could do the work of three if only given an opportunity.
But the work must be worthy of labor. The other day I was called to Oakland to assist in laying out the grounds where some
big man is placing a greenhouse as a present to the town for which he has no use. The man knew I was sick and empty of pocket.
I begged him on my professional knees to abandon the project and not saddle the town of his births, the source of his wealth,
with such monstrosity in a place where God had given them an open stretch of land to breath and fling their arms and exercise
their lungs. He was dumbfounded when I implored him to give the glass to the rag-sack-bottle man, and the wood to somebody
in need of it. I told him no ten miles would drag me there, and no wages could induce me to barter my reputation, even if
the superintendent of Golden Gate Park had drawn and sanctioned the plans. --- That man went through an experience that no
schooling gave him, and I felt that he would give a goodly sum if he could retrace his steps. I was happy to return to our
undefiled home and pay the carriage hire both ways. A single daisy is good enough where I intend to sleep. I feel that some
people benefit the world by accomplishing nothing. Excuse my selfish tatttle. It is raining gloriously outside, and I have
listended to it and inhaled the sweet odor from the damp ground. I ought to mix more with people and if I had done so just
then when my character formed, I should have developed a successful business man as well as an idealist. Roland will test
the fullness- of the world' while he is right in it.' He must handle dirt to know its stickiness. If he cannot find water
to cleanse his hands, let him take the sweat of his brow. We sit right against the other side of your Contra Costa hills,
we illegible are right back to back, it seems. I send you the kind greeting that we harbor for you and yours in this home