Transcription:
Martinez, Cal., October 12, 1888. Dear Annie, Muir I am just utterly ashamed of my failure to write to you, especially
since Wanda also has forgotten all her letters, about literally so -- but we both hope to succeed by means of greater comfort
hereafter, and so in time, win your best forgiveness. We are all quite well again, and tolerably reasonable, though Baby is
confirmed in the habit of having her own way, and tries to imitate monkey climbing as high as Wanda, so I am always uneasy
of mind for fear of broken limbs or heads I suppose that mother wrote you how fretful and miserable Helen was for a long
time. She was wonderfully comforted though when her own dear Papa came home aden to stay a long time with Baby. John is much
better than before the Oregon journey, but just now he is awfully busy and wofully tired. The rush of work and the fervid
heat of glowing sunshine have united to make this the most formidable week of the season, both in the long vineyard rows,
and in the same old kitchen wherein aged Ah-Voy has presided in dignified state much of the time. Three or four first class
cook, no washee clo' no washee wall, 7 dollah one week have disturbed our peace of mind for some hours and then left chaos
around the stove, and 8 hired men have complained of queer cookery Need I explain more? I think you heep savy . Louie Muir
Letter unfinished, evidently only a copy