be comfortable in shirt sleeves, I got up early & went down to the Bay & enjoyed a fine bath before breakfast - & I feel first rate.  Only I don't like the idea of going to Texas, it will keep us in the South an indefinite period.  I had began to calculate the No of days it would be likely to require to take us home & I could almost see myself at DesMoine by the 15th of July.  Now my Dearest I am sorry to have to write so, but cannot avoid it, I know you will be in suspense, & I can say nothing at present knowingly to relieve that suspense, but I do think that we will be at home in August, I think we will only remain at Galveston until some Veteran force shall have time to relieve us. 
Well how are you getting along with your school?  I hope you may enjoy yourself finely, & I am adapting myself to circumstances as philosophically as I can, & we have the small consolation that if Uncle Sam does keep us away from our homes, he pays pretty liberally for it, but what is, even good wages to the sacrifice of the endearments of the family circle.  I think you will be safe in keeping your school until the time is out.  Well we will try & enjoy the few weeks to come as well as we can & make up for the time in a trip over the prairies this fall - I am anxious to enjoy with you the splendors of the scenery among the lakes & groves doting the vast expanse of prairies to the north, & then on our Circuit, we will see many new scenes & form new acquantence, & see how the people of the S West
