cams_hparker_2311_f003_006_1

San Francisco Feby. [February] 25th 1854
Saturday Noon

Dear Mother

Two years ago this morning I
left home -- well do I remember all the cir-
cumstances that transpired, about the time
I was leaving as though they had taken place
but yesterday, -- no doubt you remember all
as clearly as I do -- even the adventure that
Chas. & I had at the "Tin Shop" in order to pro-
cure tools for sealing up my can of preserves --
also "the false start" which I made about a
week before I left -- bona fide -- & how while
I was resting myself there at home, I came
near being found out several times -- one
time especially when Mrs. Q. rushed in sud-
denly & I made my escape up the kitchen
stairs.

When I parted with you & Harriet I did
not seem to feel as though I was leaving you
for any length of time, as Charles was to
accompany me as far as Tyngsboro [Tyngsborough, Mass.], which made
me feel still at home & among my friends,
but when I arrived at T. & was about taking
leave of C. there it was that I seemed to real-
ize what I was doing -- then I saw that the
journey I had in contemplation was a long one