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San Francisco
Mar. 13, 1896

Mrs J. J. Owens
Dear Madam

Your letter
of the 12th has just been
drawn to my attention.
I read it with interest and
am obliged to say, that
with my present burdens
and cares, I am not
able to grant your request.
I thank you most sincerely
for your womanly sentiments
and kind expressions
of sympathy, but I must
decline the credit which
you would give me, as
I feel that my life work