Ranger, Acapulco,
Mexico, Nov. 15 – 1882.
Dear George,
I have not sent you any letter for a long, long time but I thought I would write you one now from Acapulco, for yourself. And I want you to hurry up and write me a letter.
There is a little boy here on board, the Captains boy, about a year younger than you, but not half so nice as you. he plays with the sailors a good deal, and is getting to be rather rough and noisy. We have not seen a thing since leaving San Francisco. I wish I / could be with you on your birthday but I can't, perhaps next time I may. I wish I could find you a nice present but I am afraid I won't be able to find anything.
How is the weather with you in Worcester? I am sitting writing this with my port open, in linen pants and jacket, & it is warm enough. Your photograph you sent with your overcoat on & arctics is in the looking glass, it makes me cold to look at your big coat and shoes, and your Xmas card is in the glass too where you are standing before a nice fire warming your hands and toes. I wish I could warm my toes at / Uncle Georges fire this Xmas.
I looked around San Francisco for some of those comical little cards but I could not find any.
I sent you & Frank some of those sea beans, hope you received them all right. I could not get time to polish them. I will send some by and by that are polished.
I hope you & Alice and Frank are all having a pleasant time in Worcester, and that you will all keep well, not have any more of those fevers.
Tell Alice I am starving myself so I can enjoy her favorite dish, oatmeal and eggs for two, (8 and 11 oclock), breakfasts. I had a dish of the former this morning, I / have seen them, the eggs, on the table twice a day since leaving San Francisco but Ugh! I can't eat them yet. I had rather take a quinine pill. I think I shall vomit the first one I eat. Had rather have a nice chop or a piece of steak. Yes I think I had, that is, if I could get it.
Well, I shall have to say good bye. Give much love to Aunt Anna, Uncle George & Grandma. Remember me to Biddy & Mary. Do you bother Biddy or Mary much? If you do, tell Biddy she can pull your left ear, a little. Tell Alice & Frank I will write them next time. Good bye, Much love from
Papa.