Transcription:
Yosemite Valley Cal. November 28th 71 Trouts Jays, Dear friends I have been among the upper mountains for the last three
months alone reading the history of the ancient ice rivers wh used to flow so grandly here now that winter storms have come
I am driven down to the abodes of men have also come back to my common senses, I find that one of my greatest shortcomings
is this long neglect of you, Your little black eyed Birdie looking out of her picture at me from my table keeps you all in
memory I have said a hundred times as I look her up that is a pretty lady Her eyes give expression to her young new made face
that makes her really beautiful, although babies are seldom beautiful to me, almost all young homos have a dull apathetic
meaty look wh makes me feel like telling mothers to lay them away some place untill they are ripe I wonder how many of these
small folk you have by this late time nestled away among your many homes, Doubtless like the Jews you have become a multitude,
people your streams woods like any other birds fishes, well I wish you plenty of green woods bright living waters Gods best
blessing over all in margin: Remember me to Mrs Laycack? to the Layton that gave me the flowers