Feb 22nd

Well my darling Monday has passed and still no mail. We heard to day that Allen had gone on with Aken[?] who is going to Benton to meet the wagons which were expected in Whoop Up today. So if there is a mail on then tomorrow or surely the next day will bring them. Today has been a very dull stormy day - snowing all day long – so once more the prairies are covered with this cold white mantle[?]. It has not been cold in spite of the storm and tonight it is clearing off. The moon is trying hard to shine through the driving [?]. Tomorrow will probably be a fine day. This morning I was working in the Hospital finishing up my Report – it now needs only to be copied out. It is a very [?] drag off my mind. In the afternoon I set to work and thought I would try and finish some but the entrance of a couple of Indians made me get out my vocabulary and converse with them – adding a few words to my dictionary which is gradually increasing in size. The Indians sat and smoked and talked the entire afternoon. It was nearly time to dress for dinner when they went, so I sat in the twilight gloom and thought. Would you like to know of what I was thinking? Of course you know. It was yourself. I imagined you at home after tea in the sitting room. Your father lying on the lounge Jack studying a chess problem. Sallie with her books in her lap, passing observations. Your mother sewing, knitting or doing some sort of work. You were working too + thinking while your [?] were busy. Then I thought how pleasant if you were sitting by my side – off here in the Far Far West. The stove door was open + the coal burned just as brightly as it did in your grate[?]. And many a [?] [?] was painted their many a vivid castle [?] + ravished in the Changing [Charging?] [?] – After dinner I came back to my room + finished up the Mess[?] accounts for tomorrow night when we have a mess[?] meeting + then read a few pages of Anatomy. Then went back to the Mess Room got beaten in a couple of games of Euchre, then we had some theatricals, impromptu of course, + closed the performance with a few snatches of songs – I must now say Good night. I wantto begin a letter home in order to have it ready to send the next opportunity, so good night again.

Fort Macleod February 21st 1875

Yesterday I sent you a letter. I hope that you will get it safe and within a reasonable time. After sending it- I did nothing – the day turned very chilly and I remained in the house finishing a sketch of a camp on High River sketched in pencil by Capt. Crozier when he was up there on his expedition. I am going to give it to him – I hope that you have no objections. To day after church parade I intended to take a walk but got talking with Crozier and did not get away. After lunch I went to my room and read some Anatomy. Then hearing some singing going on in the Mess Room went in there and joined in. this continued until dinner time. After dinner I came to have a little talk with my darling. And I would like to know how she is, what she is doing and what thinking about. I would like to see her, talk to her. My [?], would I not have a good time. No mail has come in today, but all day long we have been on the qui vive – to see any one coming across the prairies with a bag or wagon load of letters. Several times we saw horsemen a long distance off like specks. The glass revealed an Indian on Roundabout but Allen did not appear. This evening we heard a report through some Indians that a number of wagons were camped on Milk River which is about 85 or 90 miles from here. Allen had probably heard the same and has gone down to Whoop Up to get the mail, should there be any, and bring it up as soon as possible. I am in great spirits tonight – perhaps it is because letters from you are so near – I feel almost certain that I shall hear from you in the course of a day or two. Good night Darling and pleasant dreams.