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Letter  2.

Slide Mountain P.O.
(Dutchers)
Oct 22nd/92

Dear Mr. Hecker.

Your favors of the 17th & 19th inst. are recd. with contents and appreciated. I am pleased to know that all is going well at home.

Our trip is proving so very enjoyable I almost fear writing any details of the succession of golden days - for many reasons; - one of which is the total inadequacy of words, at my command, to transcribe the Treasures of feeling and sight with which we have been so abundantly blessed, still, recognizing my camp early and descended the southwesterly slope of Panther, ascended the north adjoining mountain (Giant Ledge) walked its entire length (on top) and made our second descent for the day, along the water course running from Giant Ledge into the Esopus. This water course starts from a very small spring and although always alive, it is very trifling. It's chief charm consists in the fact that it is the first stream to flow into the Esopus. Above its meeting with this stream, the Esopus (East Branch) is fed entirely by springs in one clove of the Neversink Mountains, Tomorrow, or next day, I intend to return to this point in the valley and follow up the Esopus to each of the springs on the East side of the Neversink. Those on the West side I visited last year.

We spent nearly all of our hours out doors and like the springs of these mountains we have a feverish drive to keep in constant motion. The springs minister to our refreshment, the air invigorates us, the scenery stimulates us, and in many other ways Nature sustains and leads us on but finally she quietly guides us to other fields - those of sleep. Visions of peaceful dreams are now mingling with the lines I am writing. So let me wish yourself and yours, for all time to come, peace, beauty and a harmony of all of the elements of life like unto my experience of the last ten days.

Yours faithfully
Charles L Freer

Transcription Notes:
right panel comes first followed by middle and then left.