Letter from Jeanne Carr to [The Strentzels], 1876 May 20.

STATE OF CALIFORNIADepartment of Public InstructionSacramento, May 20, 1876.My dearest friends in Cal.- [The Strentzels]I am to go east on Monday, with Mrs. Hayward and daughter - to my bereaved friend Mrs. Daggett, who is thought by Mrs. Scidmore to be in a very critical state of health. You have probably heard me speak of this life-long friend. She lost her husband very suddenly Ap[ril] 3, and then lost the precious remains on their way to Chicago - and the friends say that if anything can rouse her from the stupor of grief it will be my coming and taking her out of the desolate home. This is only one of several reasons for going. I have to look after the affairs of my own widowed mother - but it is a reason for hastening the trip.I shall see, hear, do, as fast as my limited faculties will allow -and then back to California, never so dear as in leaving it. Keep that blessed mother of yours, Louie, until I can sit by the big fireplace, and tell her all about it, and after that I will help you keep her.God bless you three, the Strentzel Trinity!The ferns have not come in yet, but thank you all the same. The flowers I have put up are very fine. Many of them, on black paper, look enough like the panels which are now so fashionable to be mistaken for them.Go to the Commencement, and so hear Mary Livermore if you can. She spent an afternoon with me last week, and we went over much old and new ground.Oh, how shall I ever overtake all I have to say to you.Again with a loving goodbye,Jeanne C. Carr.Monday,All right, last dud in place - goodbyes spoken. The ferns have not come yet, but will be sent.J. C. C.0637