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1 Martinez Contra Costa County Cal. Dec 20, 1880. My dear Sister Mary, I am so glad to know that your little man-boy
is prospering so well that he is already giving evidence of prodigious talent Geology, did you say botany Well you cannot
, I think I might venture to say, be quite sure as to the ologies as yet, but he will no doubt have more than ordinary talent
living in a fresh wild country he will be pretty sure to be healthy. I am coming to see you my lassie all those sketches
2 that you have been making since last I saw you, just as soon as the good Lord will let me away from my studies my new
duties. In the meantime we expect a long visit from a relative of the family that will no doubt claim a good deal of my time,
this in addition to my writing will make it impossible to come to you this year. That exacting relative has no name as yet.
I mean a baby who is to appear in a month or two. If I have forgotten to answer your husbands letter I am very sorry