good plain Iowa fellows - & here let me digress a little so as to give you a description of our house - Kitchin &c - the main building is 7 + 9 feet & rears its stately walls- 4 1/2 feet from the ground the sides being pine boards held up by stakes, & is covered by two "dog tents".  The Kitck is not so massive in its proportions, but humbly squats in rear of the mansion, is about 6 + 7 feet & its roof is of boards & does not pierce the skies, like its front neighbor - but about the dinner, we had, buiscuit - real plain buiscuit, mashed potatoes, Dried Beef- & pork, pickeled Cabbage, Coffee, sugar, Canned Peaches &c I don't remember what else - perhaps that was all - but the real sociableness - (is that acording to "Webster") of the ocasion is what please me - I like to sit with friends at my own table - I am living now very well - But I think, O so much of home and my dear wife - God bless her - O that my rash - impulsive nature, may never again give her one pang - O I am hopeful as to the future - good bye Dearest
