ENPages
page_0001
[printed] No. Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D. C. [handwritten] Ap 23 [printed] 18 [handwritten] 58
Dear Maj
Yours of last Sunday with fathers and Dalce's rec'd yesterday - You will get few and short letters from me now as Im working "tremenjus" - I shall go to Balto for a day or two next week and perhaps to Philada. the week following - will get home some time about May 15. will stay home but a day or two and then must work like the D-l to get museum ready by June 15.
If Alice can conveniently be shared I would like her to help perhaps a week or two about June 1st. I have got to work like all creation for a couple of months but you can safely bet that I'll get paid for it. -
Dr Blaney was here yesterday
page_0002
had a grand pow wow with Prof Baird & Henry and the result is that things are like to go on as I wish - I shall be in Washington next winter I presume and help Prof Baird on his reptile book which he cannot get at untill next fall. Next July & Agust I will go to Lake Superior or on a grand buffalo hunt to N. Red River and across to the mouth of the Yellow Stone - In either case I have thought you might like to go and if you could be shared it would be very possible that I can get all your expenses paid at least. If I go with the Buffalo hunters I shall go as naturalist of the expedition and could get you in. Better wash out your gun!!
Tell Alice I say that all mortals are liable to be "fooled" and that I am mortal - But I dont "Purr" to Pocahontus - hanged if do. But its really very pleasant etc etc -
In a hurry Yours always Bob
page_0003
All vegetation is much advanced here - Tulips, spireas Lilacs, etc in full bloom - this corresponds to about the 10th of May in north Ill..
Tell Cora my Regina Kirtlandii will be Cora Kirtlandii probably Get any snakes you may happen upon - Buy alcohol - or if you can by buy at 30 or 40 cents per gal. 4th proof whiskey get it. Baron Ostensacker says Ive got lots of new flies and among all our Illinois animals there are important things -
Say sweet things to Julie Updyke and another of the girls for me
I suggest that you adopt the name major and write your initials "M.A.J." - It looks "sorter distinguishe