Letter from Sarah [Muir Galloway] to John Muir, 1885 Nov 20.

01206[1]Portage, Wis. Nov. 20/85Dear brother JohnI was exceedingly glad to see your handwriting once more it seems such a long time since you left us, and were lost to sight in the darkness. Mother and I closed the door with this comfort, John has started on his journey toward home, and there are loved ones awaiting him there. Yes John we were all glad and thankful that so many of the family could be with Father these last days of his life, it must be a great satisfaction to all when your Telegram reached us Mother said at once that she could not come I told her I thought it would be a great satisfaction to her in after days [2]to be together once more but she said she felt that the journey and all connected with it would be too much for her, that if she should go she did not think she would ever come back again. of course I could say no more. and you know John the way things turned out if we had decided to come we would have been too late. everything was done that could be done for Father lovingly and beautifully and we are satisfied. I am glad that Annie endured the journey so well and is enjoying every thing about her so much. I think the change must be of great benefit to her. I shall never cease to be grateful to you for the priviledge I had of seeing and enjoying so much of California. there are memories of love, and kindness besides pictures of wonderful beauty and grandeur [3]that can never be forgotten.I hope your health continues to be better, and that the care and oversights of those Chinamen will not upset you again. I do not think you will be so very long in coming to see us again and Louie and Wanda will be sure to accompany you, we will not be satisfied unless we see the whole family. I hope Louie is well. how does she like you with your high hat? I had a letter from Joanna this week send sent Mother and I some fo the flowers from Fathers grave. Walter was from home J- was pretty well but mother lonely. John Reid has not managed to make his visit to Wis_ yet, he talked of being here sometime this month. How do you like Nebraska? David seemed much pleased with the country. [Have Watson?] and her [4] [in margin: Mother sends love to all. I wrote to Annie about a week ago.]daughter Mary called to see us this week. I gave her Wanda\u27s picture she was delighted with it, she sends love to you all. Your article in the Yellowstone bill came out in this weeks Register, we read it in the paper you sent to Mother, it is beautiful as David says, it is just the same as you told us here without the nonsense [illegible] up. Mother seemed real well, she can take nice long walks. she has been out at Prospect Point once or twice within a few days We have been having a few fine days lately, but we have had a good deal of cold, raw, blustering weather. My health is about the same as when you were here the others are well excepting colds Anna has commenced her winter term of school. Celia will be at home this winter she has commenced taking music lessons at the [illegible]is attending school as usual. Write a few lines when you can. Give me love to Loie and Wanda also remember me to the Dr. and Mrs [illegible]Lovingly Sara