Assignment: From the point of view of Hal, Charles, or Mercedes, write a friendly letter answering the letter that is written below (pretend you are one of them).  Your response, which should be about one page long (several paragraphs), should accurately portray both the characters and the plot as we have read them up to this point.

Be sure to write your name, date and period number in the upper right hand corner of your letter, and include the six parts of a friendly letter.  Your return address can be:

  Dawson City

  The Yukon Territory

  April 1897

                                              Hinklediemer Mansion

      San Francisco , CA

      March 1897

Dear Hal, Charles, and Mercedes,

            How are things going in Alaska ?  Did you stake a big claim yet?  I bet the three of you are practically rolling in gold.  It must be quite an adventure to be there in the frozen North!  Down here in the States life is always the same boring routine – work at the store every day, weeding the garden, watching after Meg and the children.  If it weren’t for the children, I would be there with you sharing in the excitement!

            I try to keep up with all the happenings in the gold fields by reading the newspapers.  It sounds like everyone there is hauling in the money!  I also read that there is a shortage of sled dogs.  Were you able to by some sweet little pups?  It must be so much fun to have all those pets to cuddle with.  Write and tell me all about them.  Of course, I want to hear about all your adventures, too.

            Send me a few of your extra gold nuggets!

     Your friend,

                                             Jeremiah Hinklediemer

P.S.  I'm thinking of taking my winter holiday to the Klondike!