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Home - Monday Morning June 15^th

Dear Bob - A letter was mailed to you at Cairo on the 12^th as you desired, and now I shall direct to you at Anna till further orders. – No news of Major and his expedition - I don’t suppose it will prove quite a North Pole voyage though much like it to poor Major. Frank promised to write us when the Boat started; and as he has not written we conclude the Boat is still in Chicago, and may not resume her regular trips till the regular time – next Wednesday – and if so we need not expect Major & his me[page torn] before a week from to-m[page torn] any way. A bad venture; but if they all keep well & return all right we will let the expense and [illegible] loss go –

We are in the midst of a flood here; it commenced raining Saturday night, and has come down by torrents and spells, ever since –

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One shower this morning – and it is not yet 6 o’clock –

I think I never saw so much green – such wealth of foliage – "Leafy june" - such masses of verdure - but it has been too wet for flours – the land=scape is grand without them how=ever, and the roses will bloom all the better for rain now, and you will be home to see them – not one out yet, except in the house, - and the tulips not fairly done blooming.

This wet weather is much against our cleaning out the weeds, - but we can dig ditches –

We have cousin Ben’s little [page torn] a greater interruption to Flint – [page torn] is expected to-morrow, well, Ben is not so much of a bore as some others – for he is unobtrusive and unexacting – but then I am getting to have a great dislike to all visitors – I am not fit for “society” and don’t enjoy it –

I fear this is selfish –

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Alice and little Cora have got over their troubles of last week, and are quite well now, as are all of us at home –

Fruit is like to be very abundant – I never saw apple and pears sit bet=ter – this may help us a little, & God knows there is need – We are awfully in debt, and last springs sales pretty well used up – never mind, if you all keep well, we shall get out of this embarrassment some time, doubtless. Take care of your health, my good son – it would crush me entirely to hear any thing happen to disqualify you – for I have great hopes of you, and one can not live without hope. I trus[page torn] are in better spirits, and will [page torn] valuable acquaintances, as well as "collections "– Look a little ahead to the “main chance” my son. You can speculate a little in the future probabilities of getting money as well as knowledge and fame. Here was my grand mistake. I did not think enough of money.

4)

I now feel that the moderated de=sire for accumulating property is a virtue. The dollar is almighty. But then you[double underline] have time enough, and energy enough for securing a competence. Make up your mind to do it. I now know that it is a sin to neglect it. I do not advise you to make wealth your great aim – but a good share of available means will enable you to pursue your scientific investi=gations with ten fold prowess.

But enough of this at present. We shall count the days till you come; but we do not wish you to leave the field there for a mere visit here. Best co[page torn] soon as you have accom[page torn] your original design, and visited the points of greatest promise. But do not stay into the [illegible] season. I have an idea that [illegible] may prevail this summer - but perhaps not –

Try and visit Mr Reynold’s place when you go to Salem – He has paid us up –

5)

I judge you have received a free pass over the Ill Central – though you do not say so –

I should like to go to the University inauguration to-morrow (at Evanston) but the roads are impassable - streams up, bridges floated off, and mud deep – God keep you my boy –

Old Father

P.S. Sorrow to me, and disappointment to you, I find a letter (I presume the one which should have gone on the 12^th) still in my drawer, directed to you at Cairo, and I shall let it [page torn] there, if I can get it mailed to-day –