4 We only made five mills and the next day arrive? into the Valley and up to Hutching Hotel and how you hired me out to
do the milking and to drive the oxen and I had never done either and I was so scared when you made the contrack that I dare
not open my mouth but you said to me you can do it all right its nothing but I guess it was luckey for me that J M. went to
Washington that winter. I can rember about Mrs Sprat? saying to me one morning after I had milked, that buttercup? did not
give so much milk as she did when Billy milked her. and those oxen Paddy Duke do you remember them Well I did not think I
could Ever joke and drive them but I did? and milked too 1 Worcester Massachusetts March 9th 1902 My dear John Muir
I was extremely pleased to receive your second letter and to get so clear a description of your life and travels. it also
pleased me to have you say you had not written as long a letter to any one in a long time for I had somehow gotten the idea
that you had forgotten me but I see your memory is good and your letter brings our partnership days very clearly I never should
forget them but what troubles me now and always has is that I did not know how to apreciate you and your teachings more. and
it seems to me now that If I could have the same chance I could Improve on my past life in some respects 02960