.MTMzMA.MTExMjAz

is to pay the expense of tunnelling. All that we are waiting for, to realize these "air castles" is for the war to close- the army and the contra bands to be liberated. They will be attracted to this kind of labor after their long years of idling about the camps as bees to honey! There is some sense in the way Russell talks. He isn't much taller than I am- but he has got a big head on him; and he is not proof against the inspiration of the grand scenery, and gets enthusiastic. He is always doing big things- and he is very popular here with the people, or would be but for his Southern proclivities. I expect to spend some days at his place- "Idahoe" in a fortnight, among the mines, gulch and leads. [How I wish the piano down stairs was in time, and the lady's voice wasn't cracked. She tries hard to sing the good old songs of Home, but unfortunately she never learned how to sing well.]