RK-357

Salem Ill June 22

Dear Small Boys

Hurrah! for the 4^th of July and while I Hurrah! once for Independence day I Hurrah six times six times because on that day Ill be at home at latest – possibly I cannot leave Chicago before Saturday morning But I hope to get to Chicago by Wednesday or Thursday. I find little here at Salem and if sorry at ill success the knowledge that I now ought not to stay here and therefore will be sooner home is a wonderfully powerful medicine to cure my sorrow.

I am in a hurry and only

write to say that Ill not be delayed here as I expected I should –

I will write from Anna when Ill know sure when Ill start –

Pray get lots of birds eggs of all kinds blk birds too. get the dogs to go down to Dearloves Swamp after school and wade for eggs – But if the water is cold tell the boys youll be good to ‘em and let ‘em have all the chance to get the pay for the eggs – and you keep out of the water – Ill give 3cts a dozen for Blk birds eggs and 5 cts for Larks eggs or Thrushes etc etc – and a shilling a dozen for all water birds and little birds eggs –

I am going up to Red River in Northern Minnesota if possible this summer – Love & kisses to all

Affectionate Brother Bob

[page turned written in left margin] I enclose a rose but given me by a pretty girl who is collecting me plants – Her name is Zella G- – now Alice and Cora will have an excellent handle to for teasing me