Letter from W. H. Trout to John Muir, 1904 Aug 2.

433 Grove St Milwaukee Wis Aug 2 - 1904John Muir Esq Martinez CalDear Friend JohnI am not given to worrying but I felt a trifle anxious but your letter and the announcement of our banker disposed of it all; after hearing from headquarters he gave me a new check which was shortly afterward forwarded to Charlie, your letter going with it. He was away out on the Indian Peninsula north of Owen Sound in camp. Of course he did not get it very soon and evidently like myself was in no great hurry answering so more than a month has passed However all is well that ends well Charlie was much pleased with the reading of your letter says I must certainly go to see you which I hardly need to be told. My mind has been made up to that for some time past. The question is when. I have decided that it will not be postponed later than Oct 1905 I have some hopes that it may be sooner if I can work some business with it If not on the date mentioned there will be a great missionary convention of Disciples at San Francisco so I want to kill two birds with one stone in either case. You may think this does not speak well for my estimation of the prospective visit03421 2That would be a mistaken view. It is only my old fashioned economy showing up That visit is a choice subject for my imagination I see your house and ranch I used to imagine myself on a mountain journey with you on foot of course for that must be the real way to travel the mountains but I cannot allow my mind to get so far from the practical now my lameness cuts that out I guess I shall see mountains enough getting there I should like to go by the Canadian Pacific. I am told that the grandest mountain scenery is on that route. There are also old friends along the way and the big mills of British Columbia and Washington. Have some relatives too on the way to California so I can at least plan a splendid journey for the old man You will think it a miserably small one after going around the world. Let me tell you about this $100. from Charlie. It was very fully told once, more than a year ago in the lost letter. It is a little singular that of my very few lost letters two of them should be to you the former one was when you were beginning your mountain travels It takes away the zest of writing to tell things twice or to think they might not possibly land all rightThe morning you were leaving us here in Milwaukee you inquired regarding Charlie and said that for his sake you would like to see the $100 I understand you like myself you hate to lower your estimation of03421 3your friends. At the time I said but little, but I saw you would most likely get it. I was then owing Charlie and James each $100.00. Their payment had to be deferred much longer than I expected; but a year ago last spring, both were paid. In sending the New York draft to Charles, I reminded him of your note. He said he had forgotten it, was glad I reminded him, and said, that It would seem shabby, for him to send a paltry $100, after so long a time. So he endorsed the draft, returned it to me, requesting me to send explain and apologize; which I have now done twice and I guess it is all right.Charles referred in his letter, to one night, when you and he were burning slabs, till it was very late loosing sight of the time in a discussion, of the nature and conditions, of the future state. He sees no likelihood of his making a journey to Calafornia; but hopes that possibly, you might get around by Canada, some time. He would be the gladdest kind of a man to entertain you. Meaford has been waking up in the few years past. The river is dredghed out forming a good harbor, has two large elevators, weekly or semi-weekly steamers, from Chicago. Has water works, in a small way, and electric lights. The change in the general appearance of the country on account of almost the entire abscence of woods. and the [illegible] of people that I know makes me thin I am an old man.03421 4Say, Did you not understand, the meaning of the word: Satiety= when you were seeing so many interesting places, and people, and things? Or were you like Alexander, sighing for more worlds to conquer. I suppose you were on Alexander\u27s tracks, when you were in the north of India. But if tracks are to be considered, the effort is appalling. What a population went before you in the Nile valley. You certainly had a glorious time. I want friends, when I travel. But on makes friends then, quite easily; perhaps to easy, to be valuable.I have lately made a visit to George. He is at Chicago Heights, superintend a machine ship, with about 70 men, making gas engines, doing very creditably. Surprising me in his progress, for a boy in his 25th year. Walter did not get to the Pacific this year, as he expected. All the youngsters, and little children, are doing well.My eyes have not yet recovered their usual tone. I keep using them a little too hard. One might as well quit eating as quit reading; however they are slowly improving. Well, I have spun out a greater length than I expected Whenever convenient; drop a line= and see how a trout will bite. Hoping this may arrive, and find you all hearty.I remain as ever, your friend,W. H. Trout0342