CEHBates177

to leave town. He is a disgrace to it.

We have not heard from Dick. He is at sea
on the U.S.S. Massachusetts. His address is

Richard Waller Bates
Midshipman
U. S. S. Massachusetts
c/o Postmaster
New York City

We got a letter from him on board at Annapolis
just before they sailed. He said for dinner they
had "stew that's all and for breakfast, beans
that's all." He was officer of the deck and was
to hold it for one week. I do not know where
they were going. I saw is [in] the Naval Gazette
that they would receive sealed orders to go up
the Coast. Edward dear you were quite rude
to your Mother in one of your recent letters. I
see that you apologized but I dont think you
apolgized hard enough. Write her a nice letter
and tell her you have been thinking it over
and that you were [underlined] rude and that you are
very sorry. Lesley sleeps at home now. He
gets home about 5 pm and leaves at 6 am. He
walks about 10 miles a day. Jocelyn is doing
his duty with his Chronicle route. Gets up at
4.45 every morning. Norman is in bed as
usual. We are all well, and send you
lots of love, also to Henry, Effie and Alice.

The Palatine agent in Los Angeles is Will Stephens
he is an Englishman and a friend of mine. If you
have time look him up. always your loving Father

HLA Bates