P.S. I have some stamps & postals left over will enclose a few in each.

                                    Good bye, Much love, Papa.

U.S.S. Juniata.

off Staten Island.        

New York, Aug^t 3 – 86.

 

Dear Alice,

                        I am very much afraid that I shant be able to see you all again. we will receive the balance of our stores between & end of the week without a doubt, then the Capt will leave, and in case the Department does not think it necessary for us to have the balance they may send us off without them.

 

            I hope you will keep well while I am gone, and that you will have a pleasant time. Keep your temper, & dont get at loggerheads (without you are driven to it) with your young friends. take good care of yourself, & have an eye to George Jr. as well as Frank. 

 

            It seems as tho' I had ever so much I would like to say to you, but which must now go unsaid.

 

            I wish you & Frank both would devote a little of your spare time evenings to your own improvement. I think you might, and ought to study something together, say French, it would be useful and might be very pleasant and great interest to you both to be able to speak and write the language. You neither of you realize the time you are wasting. don't spend all of it in amusements & on yourselves, I mean in simply for your own pleasures. You could study French together, if you have a chance to join a French class, even if only one lesson a week it would be something. 

 

            There is so much for you both to learn, and each of you would be all the more appreciated by your friends the more you know. I have mentioned French, as I thought you would be mutually interested & benefitted. if there is anything else you both would prefer, why go ahead.

 

            I hope you will make pleasant acquaintances and will be fortunate enough to retain them.

 

            I hope someday we will be able to indulge in a short trip across the water, am disappointed that the J is not to go to Europe first but we may return that way, if not then I shall have to take a trip over when I get through with the Juniata.

 

            Lawrence & Herbert asked after you & Maude. L— is quite active & attentive to his / duties, think it did him good when the Capt refused to grant him "leave" to go to Washington the other day.

 

            Keep on good terms with Bob Frost, if you want  to go to the Class day next year when he graduates.

 

            Tell Mama the Paymaster scribbled on her letter in pencil by mistake.

 

            Dont have any squabble with any one the next few weeks, keep this for yourself.

 

            Wish I could come on for Sunday next.

 

            Tell Geo & Frank I will write them before I leave.

 

            Much love for you, and best wishes. Dont forget what I have told you, of your studies, your handwriting (many people look upon anything like an intentional scrawl as a species of vulgarity that should be cured rather than endured) and your diet. More anon. Much love, from    Papa.

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