Postmarked New Orleans, Oct 28, 1877

Dear Ella,

It always makes me so happy to get your letters.  Please keep writing and sending your stories to me!

I can't say that this past summer was much of a great time for me.  With so many folks gone, it is so quiet here.  Cal's gone most of the time now, off gamblin as he will do.  Maybe I'll go with him one of these times, just to try something new.

Jackson is getting a bit slower these days.  He don't like to go on long walks now, just around the block.  Mostly he just want to lie in the sun and sleep.  I got two pigeons which I'm keepin in the tower now.  I think they got bit by somethin, maybe a cat, but they are healing up nicely and should be on their way soon.  Lizzie pretty much lets us have the run of the place now, so I ain't as worried about hidin stuff now.  I guess most of the troublemakers shipped out long ago.  Next time the Belle is down here you oughta come by and surprise her.  She'd turn white as a sheet!

Oh, there is one interesting thing happenin right now.  There's a new boarder here, a Chinese man named Mr Song, who is some kind of old friend of Mr Black's.  Maybe a war buddy.  He thinks he's gonna stay in New Orleans for some time, and is only stayin here while he's gettin his bearings.  I bet he's got some good stories.  I was manning the front desk when he came in.  He sure looked at me funny.  I gotta find out more.

Ollie