Mayfield Santa Clara Co., Cal.<\/p>\n
Dear Brother William,<\/p>\n
Surprised doubtless you will be at receiving an epistle from you long absent Brother Charles. Yet I am determined to remind you that your prodigal brother yet exists and in the far off God Forsaken State of California, and a country pedagogue in the rural little village of Mayfield, where he pursues the \u201ceven tenor of his way.\u201d [\u2026] I am begining\u00a0 to come to the conclusion that I have so honed mine so as to turn out to be nothing but a \u201cbounty school teacher \u2013 Bah! It realy\u00a0 disgusts me. I grow richer and sicker of my business every day although I am getting very good wages. $811 per month. I am happy to hear of the prosperity that attends you and Malley. [\u2026]<\/p>\n
I have been in California now over three years.\u00a0 I have had a good many \u201cups and downs.\u201d It would consume many sheets of paper for me to give you even a very slight sketch of my adventures, and they are many. Some amusing and some\u00a0 – not quite \u2013 so much so to me.\u00a0 Suffice it to say I have a very good position as teacher at present but how long I shall remain I hardly know. I can retain the position as long as I wish, but I am\u00a0 working for something more lucrative. In fact I have almost made up my mind to go into Mexico in the Spring. If I make certain arrangements I shall be off in about two months. I have a number of friends there in the mining business.\u00a0 \u2013\u2013\u2013 My health is very good. The climate of California is excellent. I often meet Maine men here + a number of Bowdoin College Students. I was in San Francisco and met on one of the street cars a College class mate of mine. He has been here only three months \u2013 You have no idea what a fast country California is. By that I mean immoral. You can have no conception of it. [\u2026]<\/p>\n
Your affectionate Bro. C. S. McArthur<\/p>\n