Transcription:
Yosemite Sep' 13th 1870 Dear friend Rat illegible I was really glad to hear from you, I enjoyed all your letter except-
ing the first half page which was wasted upon apology I don't think it strange at all that you should write to me because
I know that yours is a nature that requires sympathy always, just as you require daily bread, now that the old home at the
lake is lost, so many of your family scattered, above all that your beloved mother the great earthly fountain of all unfailing
sympathy for all your family has left you of course you are lonely sad the thirst of sympathy is a thousand fold increased,
I assure you that you have my most cordial sympathy I only grieve to think that I can do so little in your sorrow. I pray
that our Father in heaven may sustain you all in your terrible bereavement knit you all still closer in the bonds of both
human heavenly love. O it is all so sad illegible I can't think to write of anything else, I wish I could go to you. How near
you all seem, I can scarce believe that I am not with you all in this night silence in my little cottage, Yet what thousands
of mile are betwixt us with only a written sheet to go between