568

One and all, men, women and
children, are a prey to an
inordinate desire to hazard
something in games of chance
and sometimes strong men
may be seen sitting in the
sand of the street tossing
pennies with the small boys –
not simply to amuse the
boys but "for keeps." But I
think them fully as manly
as our well dressed American
gamblers who simply set those
whom they can't [?] into
their dens.

I see you are on the
editorial staff of the American
Naturalist. You have certainly
had a most uniform progression
since you left home with
Mr. Hastings and you may be
sure we all rejoice with you and
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are proud of your distinction.
I hope you will ultimately
get farther east – if you want [to?]
for I am of the opinion that
the atmosphere of [?], [?]
and refinement [?] as
we proceed west across the
country, and that you would,
therefore, be more in your
element farther east.

By the way, yesterday there came
to me a man, one [?] Mr. James,
whom you probably [?] as
belonging to the class of '76 and
think he said: and I had a
very pleasant [slot?] with him,
[life?] wished to be remembered
to you – said he was single and
happy – He is in some way
connected with me of the
[contracters?], on the Santa Fe R. R.

As to my staying in this