It was at the time that I was getting ready to go to live with the man and his wife of whom I have spoken.

After that it seemed as though the whole world changed for me.

I didn't mind being poor, nor having to work, for I had the glorious thought that perhaps my father was still alive and that some time I should see him again.

I wrote several letters to him, sending them to Humboldt, but they always came back to me.
"After a while I gave up all hope and stopped writing.

I couldn't bear to think of having more letters come back unclaimed.