COL. R. H. PRATT.
SUPERINTENDENT.

UNITED STATES
INDIAN INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL
CARLISLE, PENNA.

COPY.

24 E. 91st St., New York,

January 17, 1904.

My dear Col. Pratt,

I have long hesitated to answer your kind letter of the 5th inst., cordially wishing to accept your invitation, while on the other hand I did not see my way clear to do it. I have at last come to the regretful conclusion that this is one of the luxuries I have to deny myself. The fact is that at my age I have to husband my time very carefully and that, if I mean to accomplish the literary work I have in hand, I am compelled to fight against every interruption that can possibly be avoided; and I am extremely sorry to say this is one of them.

You may be assured, my dear Col. Pratt, that I take the warmest interest in your work, and that I should be most glad to celebrate with you the success of it. And I should certainly do so if I conscientiously could.

With the heartiest good wishes for the institution you have in charge and for your own prosperity, I am,