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Ganado, Arizona
Dec 3, 1897

My own true loving little wife,

Tomorrow I will have 10 pictures finished painted, two of the old Chief. He has promised to fix up in genuine dance costume for me. The two painted him in he is in chief costume. Every picture painted so far is saleable.

Mr. Hubbell gave me another Navajo rug today which makes five he has given me. And he  has given me altogether 31 fine Navajo arrows. Says he wants me to get a nice collection before I leave here.  He wants you to come here with me the next time I come here.

I will be leaving here in about 9 days for Keams (2) Canon, Arizona. We have had quite a little snow here lately and the eve and nights are cold, but I have an old fashioned log fire in my room and I keep nice and warm. At Laguna where the pueblos are, they carry water on their heads in jars. One day the little boy who lives where I got my meals, came for some water and I asked him why he didn’t carry it on his head like the little Indian girls.  I told him he couldn’t.  He said he could if I would put it on his head so I filled the pail full of water and put it on his head.  He put both hands up to hold it there. It was funny to see him. He tried to walk, the result was water spilt all over him and I had to take the pail off has head. (3) But the Pueblos are expert at it. They balance the jar on their heads and never still a bit of water.

Uncle Ed has bought the 29 rugs of Mr. Hubbell. He got a big bargain. I am writing on the stage and have commented about rug experience with the Indians. It will make a long story and interesting. We’ll have all my Indian pictures that have photographed in it, and will probably sell it to McClure’s Magazine.  They have written me to send them an article. It might pay to have it published in book form.  Would probably get more money out of it in that way. I will xxx (4) Tattie, I enclose a page of a calendar, wish you would get me a 1898 calendar like this, just want the block, don’t want a standard to put it on as have one of those.  The stationery stores will know what you mean. And have them wrap it up so it can be sent by mail and send it to me at Keams Canon, Arizona.

Well my dear, I will close now and write on my story. Good night darling. Your own true loving husband.

Lots of love, hugs & kisses,