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  I can get along without candy & pies & such little fixins.  I am looking forward to a time when we can enjoy ourselves again at home, some home.  I want a good comfortable & neat home.  I am not so particular as to the place so that I can have those that I love with me.
 Thursday eve after supper.  The officers have given us an oyster supper.  It was quite a treat, since writing today I have been around over this Iron Mountain & to the furnace where the ore is melted.  The Mts is a mas of iron.  I will send you some specimens of the native ore, it is about 90 pe cent iron.  The iron works & furnaces both here & at Pilot Knob have been very extensive, & will be more so at some future day.  Capt Hull was down to Arcadia day before yesterday, he saw Mrs. Hedge, he says she is looking verry well. & wished me to be sure to come & see her.  I do not know whether I can or not, it is 8 ms from here.  If it was her cousin I would certainly go, if I could only stay "one hour".  But I would not wish you here, much as I wish to see you, you asked me how my mittens wear, they have worn first rate, & I have loaned
