IN THE MINING DISTRICT 223 



that she should remember the young man and his toilet, 

 who had the honor to open the last ball with her at the 

 "Clerks' Club" in 1851. I wonder if in that sunburnt 

 fellow, looking somewhat like a gipsy with his boots cov- 

 ered with mud, his coarse flannel shirt, knife and revolver 

 in his belt, as he stretched himself under that old oak 

 tree, the short black clay pipe between his teeth, and in 

 front of him a blazing fire of brushwood sending up its 

 flames and throwing a flickering light on him and on the 

 wild, shaggy figures of the red men around him, I won- 

 der if she would have recognized in him her former part- 

 ner in evening dress? I asked myself that question on 

 that evening, and I had a good laugh to myself about the 

 difference in my outward appearance then and now. 



Well, this will do for the present. Boettcher is here 

 and asks me to close, so that we may send our letters to- 

 gether to San Francisco, and from there onward to our 

 beloved ones at home. Believe me— considering circum- 

 stances—I am happy and contented and perfectly well. I 

 would feel entirely comfortable here if I had not left my 

 heart at home. 



Write often to me; even about the most insignificant 

 daily occurrences and trifles. You have no idea how 

 they all interest me. From Rosenstock and from Carl I 

 hope soon to receive full reports about my acquaintances 

 in Konigsberg. 



As a curiosity I inclose a few more scales of gold; I 

 doubt if they will keep but I will try anyhow. Should 

 they be lost, it would not matter much; and should you 

 receive them, I know that they will give you pleasure. 

 So let us try it. I have, however, selected the largest 

 scales I had. The gold here is generally finer than the 

 samples I send. 



And now farewell; a thousand "herzliche Gruesse" to 

 all my beloved ones! 



With love as ever, your 



F. 



