Sincerely yours, Ambrose Bierce.
[16] The Butterfly Map of the World.
The Olympia
Apartments,
Washington, D. C.,
January 17,
1913.
My dear Ruth,
It's "too bad" that I couldn't remain in Oakland and Berkeley another month to welcome you, but I fear it will "have to go at that," for I've no expectation of ever seeing California again. I like the country as well as ever, but I don't like the rule of labor unions, the grafters and the suffragettes. So far as I am concerned they may stew in their own juice; I shall not offer myself as an ingredient.
It is pleasant to know that you are all well, including Johnny, poor little chap.
You are right to study philology and rhetoric. Surely there must be some provision for your need—a university where one cannot learn one's own language would be a funny university.
I think your "Mr. Wells" who gave a course of lectures on essay writing may be my friend Wells Drury, of Berkeley. If so, mention me to him and he will advise you what to do.
Another good friend of mine, whom, however I did not succeed in seeing during either of my visits to California, is W. C. Morrow, who is a professional teacher of writing and himself a splendid writer. He could help you. He lives in San Francisco, but I think has a class in Oakland. I don't know his address; you'll find it in the directory. He used to write stories splendidly tragic, but I'm told he now teaches the "happy ending," in which he is right—commercially—but disgusting. I can cordially recommend him.