RK-346

Dear Mother

Hurrah for home in two weeks – right glad will I be to see old skunk city once more

I shall need to get me a suit of summer clothes – light and decent – please write to me in Chicago (tell Charlie Bragdon to keep the letter for me till I com) and tell me if aunt Avis can make me a vest and pants – Ill buy the coat. – I thought to get farmers silk all thro’ – will that be good? if not what then? please write and tell me – They charge three prices for making in Chicago.

I shall [illegible] leave Anna the last thing before going home – that is Ill start from there But dont send any more valuable letters to me; and only such as require immediate answer

I am putting off all my writing that I may do it at home

Is any thing going on July 4^th? If so I would be sure to be there – any thing heard from Dr Hoy? Had'nt father better give Mrs Hoy a formal invitation to come to The Grove? That is if youve got girls to help and twill be conveniant now

I had a good time with an old methodist minister last week –

Sunday I explored a Bayou in search of fish.

Yesterday I rode out in a cypress swamp and oh! what a desolate looking place – it frightened me!

In the middle of the swamp was running water and here twas clear, covered with aquatic plants. – But [illegible] 'twas twelve miles wide with no trees but cypress in sight – ugh! What a place – Love to all

Affectionately Son Bob

[page turned written on bottom left side] My expenses up to to day amount to $315. (about half for travel) far beyond what I expiccted

New Madrid June 16^th

Dear Major

I’ve been here a week and over Had great times among the high woods cypress swamps and all that. Got a good many fine specimens

I go to cairo on the Northerner (that’s the boat Nellie came upon) thence to Jonesboro I shll hope to be at home July 1st

I send in a paper ^{to Charlie} to day a corn cob pipe The real Arkansas article tho made by a Missouri nigger – I couldnt get a clean one – Have got another in my trunk

I write to day to Prof Baird to send me ^{at home} by mail a dip net (I’ve lent mine) I wish it to be kept at home till I come

You cant imagine how anxious I am to get home

I suppose yove returned long ago from the evergreen region What hack?

This New Madrid is a D-l of a place on some accounts, tho some good folk here

What are they at, at the Folly?

Ive not heard from home in over two weeks – Expect a jolly pile of letters when I get to Cairo.

Pray catch me some of those prairie water snakes if a conveniant oppertunity offers. Tell Bruno & Paddy I am going to charge a good jack knife for each to N.W.U. and call it “bribes to boys for specimens” Bruno might catch some of those little striped tree frogs maybe

Affectionately Brother Bob