AMERICAN SUPERTORTTY 287 



my present address, though seemingly of some duration, 

 is by no means absolutely permanent; we had better leave 

 well enough alone. Who knows how long or how short 

 my stay may be. The next week, nay even the morrow 

 may change my destiny. Just leave those things as we 

 have been accustomed to do since my arrival; it is the 

 safest plan. 



Give mother and Marie my inmost thanks for their 

 ever-welcome letters. They know very well how fond I 

 am of lilacs and consequently I decorated my picture 

 with them to celebrate my birthday anniversary. And 

 I certainly realize how you all love me, probably more 

 than I deserve, undoubtedly more than I shall ever be 

 able to repay, not for the want of heart,— for all and 

 every one of you dwell within my heart,— but for the 

 want of— I do not know what to call it! Do you remem- 

 ber that part in Fredrika Bremer's* novel "The Home," 

 where the old assessor falls in love with little Eva! I 

 refer to the warm, living hearts in the cold, coarse, ugly 

 stone. This comparison to the assessor is apt to fit much 

 younger people. 



Tell Podlech to remain where he is as long as every- 

 thing goes fairly well but, if things should change for 

 the worse and darken his hopes for the future, let him 

 not waste time in a fruitless attempt to regain his lost 

 fortune but rather remember that California is a country 

 where people of his kind are certain of success. May 

 Carl Podlech also be assured that he has a true and sin- 

 cere friend in the far West, who will always be mindful 

 of the debt of gratitude which he, (that is myself) owes 

 him. 



As you know, we mix here with representatives of 



*Fredrika Bremer's novels: The Neighbors, the Home, the 

 President's Daughter and Nina arc a masterly exposition of 

 Swedish character and make admirable reading for refined home 

 circles. Young Mr. Leconvreur's reference to them gives us a 

 welcome proof of his parents' delicate and wise selection of family 

 literature. 'Would, that all parents were as careful, and the num- 

 ber of such sterling sons would be greater. — Translator. 



