CEHBates053

[Imprint] illustration: TECUMSEH
CHIEF OF THE SHAWNEES

PACIFIC COAST DEPARTMENT
H. L. A. BATES, GENERAL AGENT 240 SANSOME STREET
SAN FRANCISCO, CAL.
The Shawnee Fire Insurance Co.
Of Topeka, Kansas

July 1st 1909.

Dear Edward,

How are you, anyway? I received your second letter and passed it
on to Dick Bates. You are having some fun, I guess. You don't want to miss any-
thing. It must be fine sleeping outside under the stars. Do you see any-
thing wild up there. Heh! do you hear? You'r [you're] so far away, I have to shout.

We came near having a forest fire this evening. A little boy up here, who
is never happy unless doing mischief, lit some dry pine needles and in a few
minutes had quite a merry blaze. He skooted. It rose up twenty feet into a
pine tree and I felt sure the tree would catch but thank goodness, it was
not hot enough. We got wet sacks, water, and oak branches and beat
all the fire rim. It is now out or aus, as we say in German.

I took me into the Feather river today where the pool and current meet, and
there did I enjoy me. I eat no lunch now, because I think I don't need it and
it is in the way. Do you go swimming in the lakes? I'll bet it's cold. Too
cold I should think.

Dick comes down quite often here and he is tanned up like an Indian. I
am little changed except in beauty. Ahem! I am going to try to tan up in the last
week remaining. I go home on July 9th and so please mail your next letter to
727 Paru St.

We are going to spend the 4th here by climbing a high mountain, snow capped.
Dick and I will start about 4' oclock Sunday morning and hike. If we see any bear,
or other "wild animals I have known" I will tell you.

Well I have exhausted my stack of information, so you will excuse an early close.
Take care of yourself and come back tanned up and healthy. Here we don't wear any under
shirt, and the outer shirt is always unbuttoned, collar rolled in, and sleeves up. Thus we
get plenty sun.

Well, good by, Ederd. We will meet again in the scullery after meals soon.

Your loving brother,
Lesley.