tenances if they do express it with their lips; but it is becoming very unpopular in Desmoines to be a Cop, so their number is becoming very small and I think by the time Richmond is taken, and the soldiers begin to come home they will crawl into their dens and die of starvation; for their meat and drink seems to be the defeat of the Federal arms, and now while I think of it, do you get the Register, it is mailed to you direct from the office, if you do not get it I will have it changed to go to Father, as they do not take it yet, you know Libbie took it when the first came here, and when her time was out they neglected to have it renewed.  I went out to Fathers Saturday and had to walk from Four mile bridge and it was quite warm and I got overheated and made my eyes a great deal worse so that I could not go to teaching this week, and I feel so anxious to hear the news that I thought I would stay in town; they are a great deal better now but very weak, so that I cant write but little at a time; I know you will excuse short letters on that account; they are all well at home; it did me goot to go out there they received me so kindly just as they would a daughter; Stuart was gone to Nevada to bring Jennie home she has been up visiting, and Huston and Hattie was over to Lairds so that I did not get to see either of them.  Mother wants you to write to Cy and the folks at home as often as you can so that they can hear from you as I will be away, and your letters do do them so much good, I know you will write me as often as there is a chance to since; I will try to keep up courage as a true soldiers wife ought and leave the result of these battles in our Fathers hands and will try to be reconciled to His will, what ever it may be; ever your loving   Mary
