Gold Rush Era Letters

My health remains good and for the past few weeks I have felt much better than ever before since I have been in California, although I have always enjoyed good health since my arrival here but am now getting to be more thoroughly acclimated --

As regards business, I have made another change which will not surprise you much I am thinking, at least it ought not to, knowing as you do how I like to be shifting about.

Since I last wrote you I have sold out one half of my book-stand to a young man from North Bridgwater, Mass. by the name of Ephraim Noyes -- have enlarged our stock and intend to do more business than what I have been doing alone while I shall have a much easier time of it. Yesterday we took $25. -- and our profits amounted to $13.50 which leaves us $6 -- apiece after paying rent and license. I don't want you to think however that I am doing as well as this every day for some days I do not make half as much, then again once in a while I might do a little better, but I do not expect to average more than about $3 -- per day with which I will try to be satisfied for the present, although we have talked some of getting another stand in the course of a few weeks ---