roads were very muddy yesterday, we started early, and travelled all day just fast as the horses could go with the load we had (John went for seed wheat,) and did not get home till nine oclock at night; we were cold and tired enough I assure you; but I don't suppose we felt half as bad as you poor soldiers do after a hard march.  I did not enjoy my visit at all, Lucy seemed very glad to see us, and so did her husband, but there seems to be such a coldness between them, that is unpleasant to me to visit them, and yet I wanted to go on Lucy's account; although her husband treats me very well indeed, and I feel very welcome; I am sure I couldn't endure to live with my husband if he didn't show any more affection towards me; but that's their business not mine. I have not heard from home since I wrote you last.  I think now of going home in about two weeks, Jim Ellison and Lucy have given up going to Iowa, and I can get money and return or replace it, as I wrote you once before; They have so many apples here that I want to dry some to take home, and may not go home quite so soon on that account; I believe I wrote you about the Rising Sun boys stealing our apples, we never can have the good of fruit so near to that town.  Land is very high here and coming up all the time, and I suppose it is there; I do hope Austin will sell our farm this fall, although if the war continues, every thing we raise will bring a big price next year; if we could get such prices as the do here, wheat is 1.75, and 1.85, .90 at retail, corn .50 in the field. but it is after ten oclock, and this will have to go the office tomorrow, So my dear husband I will say good bye for the present.  I will in a few days again, Ever yours Mary
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