Transcription:
West Park, N.Y., Dec. 28, 1909? . Dear John Muir: I have been under the weather for two or three weeks, both head and
gizzard wrong, principally the gizzard, but I am better today and must sit up to my table to thank you for your last letters.
You are a dear anyway, Scotch obstinacy and all, and I love you, though at times I want to punch you or thrash the ground
with you. But I have my laugh at your expense when you are not around. The other day I said to a friend, Muir will not agree
with you about anything. If you were to say, 'Now, Muir, two and two make four anyway, Muir would reply, 'Well, three and
two make five, but what of that, Johnny. My friend replied, That is the Scotch of it. Well, it is all right I love the Scotchman
too, and I will forgive him all his quips and Jibes and fun at my expense if he will come here next year and help me study
the geology of my native Catskills and of the Shawangunk grits at Mohonk. I hope to be well in a few days. We have snow and
rugged winter here. Remember me to Keith when you see him, and to Keeler. Affectionately, John Burroughs. 04920