U.S.S. "Ranger".                                

Mare Island Navy Yard.                    

Cal. March 29 - 1881.

 

Dear Alice,

                        I wrote Mama Sunday & had to send letter to Post office by my China boy. He can't talk or understand much English, but hope he put it in the right place

 

            I enclose the picture George sent me. tell him it is very nice. If I can get to the city I will hunt up some.

 

            Mrs Niles is really gone & don't know (or care) when I shall see her again.

 

            I saw Julia Holmes' nephew yesterday from the Wachusett. He is a little bit of a fellow but is just as well pleased with himself as any one in this State.

            I expect we will be going to sea pretty soon now probably by 15 or 20^th of April.

 

            We go first to Acapulco, for / two or three weeks work, then up in the Gulf of California for about a month, then return to San F— or here, stopping on our way up here to take some soundings at several points.

 

            We will be back in August I think & refit for the winter.

 

            I am pretty busy now & shall be 'till we get away.

 

            Tell Mama that D^r Hall, do you remember him? is to be married tomorrow in S.F.

 

            The Ticonderoga left this a.m. at 8 oclock for Fortress Monroe. She will be about five months en route, all hands on the Ranger and the Wachusett cheered them as they passed. They had a lovely day for a start. The weather now is about perfect. Not a cloud to be seen, / green fields all around us, trees in blossom, flowers in greatest profusion and not a ripple on the water here. Tell Mama I plucked the rose bud when out walking. Mrs Hiland gave me one to send you but it fell to pieces, so Strickland and I took a walk out & gathered some.

 

            I wish you were all here to enjoy the weather for a few weeks. When it rains here, or is cold, it is simply intolerable, but when it is pleasant it is very pleasant, but with all the sunshine and the flowers I could pack my trunk and buy my ticket for New York with agility & dispatch if such a chance was offered.

 

Evening. Mama's letter of the 16 is just come in, they have had a blockade again somewhere. I am awful / sorry you still have those chills. Do you drink much water? Some people contend that bad water will give them. I dont suppose the Croton is bad, but you might drink a little tea or coffee for the present. When the water is boiled it kills all the animalcules, &c. I don't know that I could carry you even down stairs now you are getting so heavy. I wish I could have a chance, if I could not carry you down I could set you down & take your little feet in my hands & pull away, give you an easy slide down. I think I would stick to the knee cap until you are through your schooling then take things easy for a while. I will send 10$ after the 1^st in Mama's next letter for your music teacher.

            Remember me to the McConnells when you see them. I shall write them now have been too busy lately for much writing.

 

            I am tired and have a head ache myself tonight. I hope you are all right ere this and George too.

 

            Much love for all, & wish I was with you. I send Georges can as I thought he might want it to play with again.                  

 

Goodbye,            Papa.

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