Gold Rush Era Letters

I am as well as usual today. Mr Noyes [Ephraim Noyes] has just returned from Santa Cruz, and is better, and I hope he will now continue to enjoy good health.

Our business during the past week has averaged to pay us very well, and Mr Noyes is very well satisfied with the doings of myself and Mr Millet during his absence --

At any rate, we done, as well as we could do and attended to business closely --

Mr Stone wrote me something with regard to a Miss Soshrop. At first I thought he meant the teacher at Maple Wood -- Miss Hildrip, but was glad to find that what he wrote did not apply to Miss H --

I have not heard from Sam Tucker as yet since April last, but presume he is well as usual and doing well --

Mr Shipley is well also, much better than he has been for several months past and I am glad that such is the case for he has been a kind friend to me ever since I first arrived here in this country

His advice is always good, and he is always willing to give it, whenever I ask it --

Please give my love to Chas. [Charles] & Harriet and to all my friends. I will not close my letter until tomorrow morning, so if I receive your letter I will let you know it. Accept my love, and best wishes for your future health and prosperity from your affct [affectionate] Son H. A. Parker [Henry A. Parker]

hereafter be to them, as well as you, a source of pleasure, and afford them a chance of looking back, and feeling as though they had done their duty. Still they are doing no more than it is their duty to do, and I think they are aware of the fact --

I received Harriet's letter with which I was very much pleased, and I hope she will write me quite often. Tell her that I do not agree with her in saying that it was not worth reading, for I have already read it three times and shall read it again before I lay it aside ---

I think if Miss Hildrip will allow her to write me a letter every fortnight instead of a composition that she may as well write the letters as I should be pleased to receive a letter from her by every mail, and in return will write her often. If every one at home who has friends here in California knew how very acceptable letters were to those away from home, and the family circle, they would never complain of its being too much trouble to write, or to send a miniature or too expensive or any thing of the kind, but would write by every opportunity. I have now been here upwards of three years, and I now feel more

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I received a letter from my friend Mr T. yesterday, also one from "Cousin Jenny" Mr T. instead of demanding any reward for the many kind acts he has shown me, wishes me to increase my indebtedness towards him, as he has now given me an invitation to return home and go into business with him in Boston. A chance that I would gladly accept were I there. I will now close as I have written my sheet over so much that you will be troubled to read it all, but Charles and Harriet will no doubt assist you to study it out, so I hope it may prove acceptable

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