Gold Rush Era Collections

the property but took his word for it's being the same as he represented it to be, and I do not think he wishes to take the advantage of me in any way, more than I do of him.

I wrote Mr Tucker about it by last mail and asked him to take a ride out there and take a look at the place, and then write me what he thought of it and if he should go out there he will be able to give you a much better description of it than I can at the present time.

I noticed in the "Cultivator" the marriage of Mr. John H. Batch to Miss Mary S. Wilder and I have come to the conclusion that this is the same Mary S. Wilder who used to attend school in Pepperell when her Father was there. Dont [Don't] you think so?

I conclude that Charles sent me the paper on account of that marriage notice. At any rate it was very acceptable on that account, and I might as well say it is always acceptable for I consider it a very readable paper and I hope C. will send it to me often. Give my love to him and to Harriet also and ask them to write me. I shall try and send C. four apricot stones in this letter, and bye and bye shall send him some Water Melon seeds, that I got out of a white meated melon, and some Musk Melon seeds that I saved last year. Miss L. wrote this "Too bad about the calf wasn't it." Now I should like to have some of you explain the above for I do not know what she means by it. Your loving Son

H. A. Parker [Henry A. Parker]

doing so, but on the contrary, in a letter which I received from him last week he wrote that he had not been doing much for a few days previous to the time he wrote, but was soon going a "prospecting" for a claim to work the coming winter and also wrote, that if I would join him he would take up a claim for me also.

By that, I should judge that he did not think of going home until Spring, even if he intends to then. Sam was well, and I guess he is very well contented.

Mr. Wm E. Shipley [William E. Shipley] and I called on Mr Walton, this afternoon for the first time since his return from the Atlantic States.

He says he only stopped in Pepperell four days, and so did not find time to call on you, but said he heard you were well.

He does not seem to think Pepperell has changed much since he was there before, but says it appears very dull to any one who has lived in the excitement of San Francisco for any length of time.

This is his idea of the subject -- mine might be different at least I shall not feel willing to take his word for it for I intend to call there again sometime, and I should not think it strange if my call was a long one -----

and Friends, as I should be in Pepperell were I there, I do not think I should ever wish to leave here for any length of time -- but the beautiful climate which the country possesses, and the large quantities of gold which it contains cannot purchase a pleasant Home, when dear relatives and friends are living far away, and for that reason I shall never think of making this country my home even if I do love its climate, and facilities for doing business to good advantage. Still I think I shall probably remain here fifteen months longer or near that length of time, although I should like very much to leave here for home tomorrow morning. The only objection I could raise against being at home now, would be the cold weather which I do not think would agree with me first-rate after been away from it so long as I now have -- should rather arrive at home in the spring or summer, so that I should have a chance to experience the cold gradually so as not to feel the change so pensibly as I should do were I to return home now in the middle of winter ---

A young man by the name of Edward Waters, from the State of Maine will leave here next Saturday for home ---

He is one old friend of mine and you may have heard me speak of him before now, as we were at Tucker Shaw & Co's at the same time.

He arrived here the same year that I did, in the month of August, but I think he is now obliged to borrow the means of getting home with, for he has been sick, some here, and has been unfortunate otherwise, but has finally made up his mind that he may as well go home now, as to stay here any longer, as there is no better prospect ahead for him now than there was a year ago -----

I was surprised to hear that, Dr Parker, and Capt Robinson were intending to leave Pepperell, and then form what you write I think that Mrs Sewell will join Parks at Wisconsin.

A few more such changes in P. and it will never seem like home to me again, and it must seem odd to you also. I do not think you can

I find it to be impossible to find any one, who will take so much interest in one's business as a partner, and as Mr N. [Ephraim Noyes] is a good honest man, when he is here, and well everything goes along smoothly, and we are able to do more business, than when he is away.

I do not think Mr Noyes [Ephraim Noyes] feels perfectly well yet, but he appears to be much better than he was when he first returned from Oregon, and I rather think that if his health continues to improve that he will finally give up the idea of retiring home until another spring. Although I expect his wife wishes very much to have him return this spring, as she writes about being very lonesome, missing him very much, &c. which makes him feel as though he ought to be with his family, instead of spending his time in California. But after all, we are situated now I do not think he can do better than to remain awhile just as he now is. And I hope he will conclude to do so.

[written upside down on top edge:] I received a letter from Cousin Jennie. She writes that her health is not first rate which I am sorry to hear.

[written on left margin:] Eli. W. Harrison a young man who formerly tried with Appleton Lawrence, was here a few days ago. He works at farming in San Jose. He is well, but would like to be back in the town of P. [ Pepperell ]

H. A. P. [Henry A. Parker]