RK-091

Fathr

July 21^st 1855 Springfield Ill. Saturday July 21^st

"Angel Patty" - I think Alice is rather going ahead of you in writing home, and to me - But as I wrote to Alice last I will write to you now. Bob got here last night just before midnight - He is well, what which is more than I am - tho' I was quite smart last night, but sitting up till midnight, and the cold change together with lack of sleep has made me a little dull and stupid, that is all -

It came round quite cool last night from 96° down to 70,° in a few hours, is a great change -

Bob brought up ripe apples of two sorts - one I think is "Carolina June" - though they call it Early Jos - perhaps so - though Early Jos is a September apple in New York -

I have just got a letter from the Ohio State Board of Agriculture writing me officially to deliver the address at their State Fair, at Columbus - I will think about it -

If you have not already written me the when & the how you go home - please do so - and or particular to state how long the cousins are to stay with us. I wish to know because it may not be easy for me to go home at all, on short no=tice - and I certainly can't stay long when I go home until this book is finished - But I can continue to stay 4 or five days perhaps, if I know when. -

I would rather you should write me about the day before you start - that will be time enough, if you come by water - or write 3 days or more, before, if you return by Rail Road - I hope you will be able to return by water - if not, you should take the Canada or Ill Michigan Central Line -

Love to Aunt & Cousins - and best respects to all - and kisses to you both, my children - & may the Good God keep you [illegible]

Old Father

Small Girls

Here am I. Came over here to see my Pa. Shall stay here several days then go north to Galena from there across to Chica go. from Chicago I go down the Chicago Branch of Ill. C. R.R. & when I get back to Chicago again I will go home and stay a week or two.

I was at Cairo on Teusday It was so hot that I was nearly cooked & the mosquitos ate me - It was too warm to do anything so I left Cairo blessing? it. Shall not go there

again till cooler weather. I have to be pretty busy yet attending to this collection & get but little time to collect animals. But next trip I shall devote my whole time to Zoologic investigations.

I have got but one letter from you since I left home that was in Bloomington. Down South they get lots of apples, melons, Green corn, tomatos & other Goodies. I brought up a basket of fine apples to Mrs Johns at Decatur - Love to all the folk.

Write to me in Chicago at once saying when you will get home & how long uncle Flint will stay - Mary & Johnny & I will be able to see anyway

Bob