IN THE MINING DISTRICT 221 



am that I can drink deep from nature here in my Cali- 

 i'ornian paradise, and that I can turn my back on politics. 



Poor * * is really to be pitied, though I am not 



surprised at her fate. It is well for her that she has 

 found a home, and perhaps assistance with her sisters; 

 yet it is hard, after having been independent, to become 

 dependent again upon others, and to have to live on 

 charity; for charity it is, though it be the charity of lov- 

 ing relatives. 



Marie's friends are going off rapidly, I see. And so 



* * * got married? Girls are said to be desirous of 

 marrying, and Heine says: "* * married just out 

 of sheer spite the first man she came across." But this 

 time it seems the desire has been with one of our own 

 sex. How could a man marry * * *f Why, he must 

 be an imbecile! With my whole heart do I congratulate 



* * * however. It is true she had her faults, but they 

 were few, and who of us is entirely free from them? I 

 have no doubt by this time she has become more sensible. 

 Usually no pretty girl becomes endurable before her 

 18th year, or sensible before her 22d. Ugly girls be- 

 come so before that time. Her intended, it seems to me, 

 is one of those young men of whom it takes just twelve 

 to make a dozen. I believe, however, that he is just of 

 the sort that furnishes the best husbands. Of all the girls 

 poor * * * has chosen the better part. Death has 

 summoned her just at the right time; ere she had to face 

 the troubles and distress which would surely have sent 

 her to an early grave, after having chosen such a com- 

 panion for life. 3,1 any a poor wife— now slowly wasting 

 away in anguish— will envy * * *'s lot which appears 

 sad only at first. 



I am glad to hear that Carl is doing well as an agricul- 

 turist. If he were not married yet and out of business 

 1 should advise him to come out here at once. Strong 

 and active as he is, he would do well here, especially if 

 lie hail some ready money. As yet there is little farm- 

 ing done, hut fanners here have it mnch easier than in 

 the eastern states, since tli»> ground is easier worked, and 



