RK-107

1855 [in pencil] 7 Salem Marion Co Sunday Aug 26 [circled in blue ink] 9

Dear Father,

I got to Decatur Friday night where I found yours of the 22^nd Just in which you advised me not to come to Springfield till about the first of next month I shall probably get to Springfield Next Thursday ^Wednesday evening or perhaps Thursday ^evening or Friday morning. I shall make my calculations to leave here [illegible] ^Tuesday noon stop at a station north for one or two days and go across to Springfield either Wednesday or Thursday evening.

To day I have got several birds, a lot of insects and flowers, and a snake probably hitherto unknown in Illinois. I shall do pretty well in collecting animals but I fear this R.R. Collection is a dead failure If it is it will not be my fault for I can

safely say ^{there is} not an agent can who has not received full an fair instructions Nevertheless I am bitterly disappointed and as our old dutchman used to say when he failed in any undertaking "Dat make me feel vara seek" But it is no good to cry over what cant be helped. I'll not give it up yet and may still effect something.

Mr Mills & Webster are well

Son Bob [circled in blue ink] 10