RK-374

American House 1857 St Pauls Friday August 1 or (?)

Dear Father

I am off in a day or two but have not yet fully determined whether to go clear to Pembina with Mr Cavalier & train or whether to go out to the first settlements – either will cost as much as the other and be about as hard work – I can go to Pembina & be back in two months –

I am in excellent spirits and health – one thing in favor of going to Pembina is that grand accounts of the health giving tendancy of the trip are told.

I am in too much of a hurry to write at length now but

will write at length from St Cloud if not sooner –

If I go I’ll go with the best kind of an outfit, I am forced to hire or buy a horse and am promised the hire of a splendid Canadian (used to the road to Pembina) by Mr Kittson – a fine man who is very kind to me – Bairds friend Cavalier of Pembina is here and going up with his train – He offers me every facility only he cannot carry my trunk, - so if I go Ill take Kittsons horse & cart – I am all right with the owners of the train dont you see.

Cavalier is a “brick” – They only travel 15 or 20 miles daily –

Write to me at St Pauls. But dont forward valuable letters unless I write that I’m going to Bois de Sioux only – that is the settlement

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at the south bend of Red River near Laphams town – Here I could get letters once a month and will write if I go there.

I will be greatly obliged if you will write to any one saying who writes to me saying they’ll send specimens – and tell them to forward them by Express to care of P. Judson 42 Clarke St Chicago – and I dont want them to go to State Fair for me as I’ll not be there at all –

Alice must do as she likes about the collection – better get it up – a few mammals with just a few of the other classes will get her the prize on Zollog “zoölogy” – Andrews will help her and gives her specimens – Ill arrange for the return

return of exchanges – she had best take no very rare things thant cant be got again – – go in on reptiles – Andrews will label some – get em as near right as she can & let it go so! No one will do better –

I will be glad to name all the flies wasps dragon flies etc pinned that the girls can without too much inconveniance but they mustnt neglect house work where it cant be done by mercenaries.

I am not writing letters to any one now – too busy – if you can set ‘em up & get em intersested (my collectons) you’ll help me much – Ive no letter from home yet – Ive got all the information I want as to Laphams town etc – so dont need his letters – Indeed I have a letter from him recieved here –

I am mad at that D—d rascal Frankenthal – he gave me worthless cigars Love to all – in Haste Son Bob

[page turned written in left margin] It is plain I must have active employment – no blues now – I am as high spirited as I could wish -