| Summary: | 32 Have bargained another 30 feet to carpenter on building; may be able to make same bargain with another carpenter - half cash. Oh, how I do miss you, dear child. Duluth, Minn., Sept. 13, 1870. I have sold the balance of the boat to Mr. Stone for town lots and one fourth interest in Bear Island. Capt. Pike of Bayfield made me a better offer than Stone. I telegraphed Stone from St. Paul for privilege of withdrawing offer, but he declined. I have great faith in Duluth, and feel confident I can eventually make disposal of the property I have taken for the boat, for at least $12,000 net, which is as much as I have ever figured on. Then I have cleared $1500 with her this season. Delos writes as though he would like to join me in Real Estate, and I have written him a proposition. Bayfield, Wisc., Sept. 18, 1870. Returned safely from the Islands last night. When we came to camp we discovered, we had no matches, so we went to bed supperless and cold and ate hard tack and canned lobster for a day. Got along very well, though. Went to Presque Island, 15 miles from Bayfield. Entered 1200 acres of land there for Chicago parties. I shall hurry up the house just as fast as I can, for I must have you with me when I return from the Red River. (The Red River Horse-back Trip. ) Lake Superior and Mississippi R. R. Hinckley Station, Sept. 19, 1870. My own darling wife:- Returned from Bayfield on the Keweenaw yesterday - learned all about your trip. Got your letter from Detroit on my return and last night your letter from Cleveland. The cellar is dug and the foundation is one-fourth laid. The lumber is on the ground and the carpenters are busy with hammer and saw. It does my heart good. I am just starting on the Red River Valley campaign. I have no idea of accomplishing much besides getting acquainted and posted and laying foundations for future operations. .I want to do much work this trip so that I can stay at home with you a long, long time. Think of home of our own,- you and I together with our darling boys! You must now have rest and quiet so as to get strong. Write me all about yourself. Please write me a line every day to Alexandria till one week from Saturday. Then you can journalize a week and mail to St. Paul. I wish it did not cost me anything to telegraph. I am quite determined on having father come up for his deer, with his dear. I have written a letter to Lewis Smith living on this road, asking him to write Pa and me about deer in this section - write definitely about everything, price of board, etc. Would Eddie take a school if he could get it? I spoke to one or two, yes three, trustees about it. They seemed to be favorably disposed, but I could not say anything positive. If he would take it I would make application --- . I am ambitious to become rounded out into a completer man. It takes deep religion to effect this. Mr. and Mrs. Seip are no more agreeable than ever. She said yesterday that if Heaven was much like this life she didn't desire to go there, as she was miserable all the time. What trials do I have? Why should I ever be cross? I wonder that I ever am. My life is strewn with flowers. It is a joy for me to live,- to breath, - to think of you so far away. There are trials, cares, burdens, but
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