Handwritten letter from Pauline “Paul” Starkey Wells in Woodside, CA to her brother, Edward “Ned” Starkey. “S” seal pressed into upper lefthand corner. Paul thinks Ned would enjoy California and wishes he could be there with her. All the animals on the ranch respond to their names, and the dogs, cats, and chickens all eat out of the same dish without any fuss. They have not gone horseback riding yet because Addie has had a sore throat and Paul doesn’t have a riding skirt. However Addie is now getting better, and Mrs. Dawley, a friend of Aunt Em who is moving to San F., will sell Paul her riding skirt. Yesterday, Paul went with Uncle Robert to the brickyard, and they drove about 25 miles through Menlo Park and Redwood. Paul thinks the country is beautiful, but she misses green grass. She finds the “Chinamen” funny, and she can’t understand them very well. The ranch recently lost it’s hired “Chinaman”, and they are having trouble finding a new one; Aunt Em will go to San F. soon to look for a girl. Paul doesn’t know where various members of the family are, and she dislikes having to wait three weeks to receive an answer. She asks Ned to buy her some stamps and have them sent to her right away. She instructs him to take care of the kitten and mother cat, and to use the rest of the money to buy himself and the little girls some ice cream. She hopes Annie and the children are getting along well. Names mentioned: Addie (Adeline Tripp?), Mrs. Dawley, Aunt Em (Emeline Skelton Tripp?), Uncle Robert (Robert Tripp?), Gertie (Gertrude Starkey Pitcairn), George (George G. Starkey), Carrie (Cara Starkey Glenn), Annie Places mentioned: San F. (San Fransico), Menlo Park, Redwood, A. City (Atlantic City?)