I have been searching for your letter of long ago, fearing it
contained something that I should have replied to. But I don't find
it; so I make the convenient assumption that it did not.
I'd like to hear from you, however unworthy I am to do so, for I want
to know if you and Carlt have still a hope of going mining. Pray God
you do, if there's a half-chance of success; for success in the
service of the Government is failure.
Winter here is two-thirds gone and we have not had a cold day, and
only one little dash of snow--on Christmas eve. Can California beat
that? I'm told it's as cold there as in Greenland.
Tell me about yourself--your health since the operation--how it has
affected you--all about you. My own health is excellent; I'm equal to
any number of Carlt's toddies. By the way, Blanche has made me a
co-defendant with you in the crime (once upon a time) of taking a drop
too much. I plead not guilty--how do _you_ plead? Sloots, at least,
would acquit us on the ground of inability--that one _can't_ take too
much. * * *
Affectionately, your avuncular,
AMBROSE.
[Washington, D. C.,
March 20, 1913.]