Transcription:
1 Martinez, California, March 28, 1899. Peter L. Trout. Dear Old Friend I was delighted to receive your long newsy
letter the other day from Circle City. What an interesting eventful life you have led how fine a thing it would be had you
kept a diary as fully minute as Boswells. You should begin now jotting down at least a few lines every night. It would be
interesting not only to your friends but to most everybody even to yourself. I'm sorry you did not even keep a list of your
writings. You have been the wanderer of your family as I have been of mine. It is very difficult to get reliable measurements
of forest trees, that is of exceptionally large ones, so few ever see them of those who do scarer? one ever takes the trouble
to measure them place them on record. I'm sorry your fortunes have been so hard. I feel sure you deserved better luck now
hope that the afternoon of your life will be bright happy. As far as mere wealth is concerned you are likely now with your
hard earned experience to get enough of it All that will 02556