Transcription:
letterhead Aug. 19 1897 My dear Helen, I felt awfully frightened when mamma telegraphed you had the whooping cough.
I wanted to go right home to you, but it said you were nearly well I wish I could get a letter from you, but Ive been moving
about so much I hardly expect to receive any letters until I get back to Port Townsend which will be in about two weeks. Then
I mean to start for home. We are going over to Port Townsend tomorrow morning, then out to the woods thirty miles from there
to see some big trees on the 22d we sail for Alaska. Ive had a horrid cold whooping cough I guess by the noise I made have
been unable to do any writing though more more orders are chasing me for letters for the papers. Today I feel better made
some notes Some day we'll all come up here have a grand view of the mountains streams 02333