May 31st

Denny and I start this morning.

May 30th

I seem determined to blot this thoroughly [inkmarks showing] – but never mind. It clouded up considerably today and we had some rain in the afternoon.

May 29th

This morning I had my sick parade at the usual time and then went about making preparations for the return match with ‘C’ Troop. About eleven o’clock Capt. Winder having won the toss sent us to the bat. We made 77 runs to which I added the small sum of 4. We beat them in both innings making 103 to their 36. And great was the rejoicing in consequence. It is blowing hard this evening and all things point to a storm and that soon.

Denny and I purpose early on Monday morning going down the river to get some shooting. We will not probably come back until Tuesday evening. I hope that we will have a pleasant and successful time. Good night to you.

May 28th

You do me a great injustice in supposing that I ever ill-treated any young Lady – and jolly Pop – Mitchell the very idea of her submitting to illtreatment even tho’ one dared to think of such a thing. I do remember meeting [ ? ] you with Willie McDougall and was foolish and unjust enough to draw some very bitter [ ? ] absurd and unjust conclusions therefrom.

I am very sorry that you have given up the idea of going South. I wanted so much that you should see my home and become known to Father and the rest. I think the plea of your health and the warm weather is only a pretext of your Father’s. To day I went out in the woods and made a sketch of the Porcupine Hills but I am not at all satisfied with it. After lunch I went and played cricket for a while then came in and looked over your old letters – reading portions of them now and again. By the by – how would you like to have portions of them published in some of the Montana papers. You know they would show off civilized life in Canada and might prove of some benefit to you hereafter !!

I consider the above a very sly dig in your side. But I don’t wish you to take it in earnest. Believe me my darling I am rather glad than otherwise that portions of my letters have been published.

May 27th

Your stories about [ …. ] comes [?] so directly that one is immediately impressed with their self evident truth. I have received Lammermoor “Potiphar Capers” and [ ? ] “Bleak House” is probably on the way. L’Avare came to hand some time ago with Saidas Proto [ ? ]. My poor unfortunate box. I do not know when I will ever see it. It will come rather expensive if they charge double freights upon it. I will write to Mr. Baker and ask him to pay any charges upon it that may be due – when it gets to Benton. To day we had a hail storm and thunderstorm and some rain.

May 26th

I am glad that you were in such good spirits. I hope that they have continued. So you have heard from Miss Taylor. I am very glad that there has been no rupture between you and Miss T. is to be married on the 20th of June, a little bit more than three weeks from now. You must tell her that I wish her all the happiness she deserves and expects. As for him he is not half good enough for her. I have no doubt that my letter in the Globe astonished you as much as it did myself. Don’t be surprised at seeing another there shortly. That letter in the Mail from the Ottawa paper, complaining so bitterly was written by a man on whom no reliance whatever can be placed, a man that would [gr…?] at everything everywhere, and always. That we did work hard, that we did suffer, that we had good cause for complaint – no one for an instant denies or attempts to do so. But it was necessary and unavoidable – and to the lasting credit of the men be it said that they worked most unflinchingly until the last – with the one exception of this man who wrote this letter.

Poor girl – do you get so awfully lonely at times – just think, it is now nearly eleven months since I left you, and I am only after hearing of your loneliness because it is just nine, by the time I get your letter of the 10th month it will perhaps be the 12th or more than the year.

So you enjoy Covernton’s visits. I am glad because Covernton is a fine fellow, and a thorough gentleman. He was very entertaining, was it because he talked a great deal of myself. He is a cute chap that same Covernton.

I must say good night to you here now, and only tell you that I received another letter from you today dated Ap. 26th. You were evidently in the Office when you directed it as the envelop has your Father’s Business card in the corner. Good night and God bless my darling now and forever.

May 25th

The wind has been blowing a perfect hurricane all day. I did not go up the river. I thought it would be useless trying to fish in such a wind. I attended to my duties in the Hospital and then came over to my room and was lying down reading diligently when I heard the bugle sound for ‘Orderly Sergeant’. I wondered what was up, and then hearing some running outside I got up and saw a crowd of men in the middle of the square. I rushed out and found that Glen had come in with a Mail.

I had three letters from your darling self, dated Ap. 5th/7th/9th, 3 from home, one from Covernton and one from Abbott – a variety of papers and some books. I must read them over again before I answer them. So for the present Good night.