(Written across the top of first page) Will not leave here before last of this week. My government estimate figured up $10,990. Quite a big deal if it goes thru. Boise, Idaho, May 27, 1908 My dear Bertie: Today I received from Payette, Ida. the mail I wrote you last night I had asked to be forwarded there. I got three letters from Rochester and yours of the 23rd inst. I was so pleased to hear from you, and have read and re-read the letter many times, until I almost know it by heart. I was surprised again, and sorry too, to hear you have had a siege of headache, and as you expressed it, it is surely hard to have “both ends ailing at the same time,” — your head aching and the “game leg.” But I do hope you may soon be over it, and that from this on I will hear that you are “on the mend.” I hope you enjoyed the trip to Valley Ford Sunday last. I know it must have been a beautiful sight to see “16 miles of bloom.” I passed over the line through Valley Ford on my “Palouse country” trips last winter and can imagine what a beautiful sight the country must present at this season of year. And with the splendid inter-urban electric car service, I just know you enjoyed the trip. How I should have liked to have been along — to have held your hand. But maybe we can take some of these trips around Spokane during my vacation. I am wondering how our vines, flowers &c are doing now that spring is advancing. Won’t you tell me what the outfit looks like? You may remember we did some digging and planting just before I left home, and I suppose there has been some results by this time. I suppose that the grass at least is green on the lawn? I take it from your last letter (the 23rd) that Trevor is about over the measles, but that the cough he has is the cough that usually follows the measles. I am glad Laurel is keeping well and am so anxious that the effect of the operation on her throat may prove beneficial. I reckon we will have to do something to you to get rid of your aches & pains. It does seem too bad that you should have so many. How is the “rheumatics” coming on? I am pleased to tell you I am fully as well as usual and from all indications the climate is quite agreeable. Sometimes the change of water does not quite agree with me, but aside from this I see nothing of unusual moment, as to my being thoroughly “acclimated.” Now there was one paragraph of your last letter (the 23rd) that made me laugh — the reference to “your settling my collar, when you saw me again.” You may forget, for the moment, that I am a full grown-up man, and sleep by myself in a dark room when away from home, and that such a banter from a little, lonely woman is a pretty big bluff. So I would just remind you, that probably you will find me somewhere in the vicinity of that collar, when you attempt to settle it. So don’t make any rash assertions, that you might (possibly?) not be able to verify, as with “a headache, and a game leg” that is to say “both ends ailing,” you may find that you are right badly disfigured, and if you attempt any such rash act as “collar settling,” you may find you’ve a pretty big contract on hand. I’m feeling pretty strong and “withy” these times and I rather reckon I would be “thar” at the settling. Better reconsider this — shall I say threat? — for you may find yourself unable to deliver the goods — and then I wonder what would happen? I am only offering the foregoing as a little friendly advice. But to “reiterate,” I had a laugh to myself each time I thought of your “collar settling threat.” Now my dear, this was a little out of the ordinary for you — but it struck me first delight — so I accept your banter, and when I do see your dear face again we will consider this collar proposition, and will just notice whose collar does the settling business — yours or mine. O, I can’t tell you how anxious I am to see you again, and if I was not so far away, (I understand about 800 miles by rail) I certainly would see you very soon. I am counting the days, one by one, until this glad privilege will be mine. I shall hope for the pleasantest, and sweetest homecoming this time, that I have ever had. Do you catch my thought? This morning I read in a local paper of the selection of new Bishops at the M.E. Gen’l Conference, at Balto., and was quite surprised to find the name of Ed Hughes, an old boyhood friend of mine among the list. I suppose, of course, you saw the item in your paper. One of the letters you forwarded to Payette was my salary check for May, and I am enclosing it with this to you, to add to our bank account. I would like for you to check up your account with the bank and find if your account and this agrees. You will never learn to do this any younger, so I suggest you begin now and then check up with them each month. So you know, this is now all in your hands, and you are treasurer and general manager for this firm, but as one of the chief stockholders it is due me, that you make regular reports of condition. See? Now, my dear, I will bid you a sweet goodnight, and only wish I was near you to seal it with a real “lip to lip” kiss. With lots of love and kisses for both you and the little ones, I am Lovingly, your husband, Geo. W. B.