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been here now almost

three weeks.

We are here to

guard the northern

pacific railroad bridge where it crosses

Lake Pend d’Orielle

there is about twenty

of us here and we

are on guard about

one day out of three

so you see it is

not very hard work

as that is all we have

to do

Ill tell you mother

 Sandpoint is some

little burg and the people sure treat us

fine everything was

free for us the first

week we were here

and they have given

us two dances and

two suppers since then. The Crab society

hired a steam launch

and gave us all a

boatride on Lake

pend d Orielle last

Sunday we all

enjoyed the ride very

much

I have not had a

very good time myself

as I have not had any

money hardly. We had a payday on the first

but we were just paid

for what time we

have been in the

federal service we

got five dollars and

fifty cents each and

when I had paid my

company bills I had

the enormous amount

of two dollars left.

I have had my picture

taken but have not

got money enough to

pay for them. I wish

you would try and

send me a little money

If you can spare it. I

know it will be hard

and I know you need it

but I will soon be able

to send it back. We will

get thirty dollars a month

from now on instead

of fifteen. I have also

got about thirty dollars

State pay coming but

I do not know when we

will get our state pay

It may be soon and It

may not be for six or

seven months.

Well I guess this is all

for this time so I will

close give my love to

grandma, father, and

the boys and except a

good share for yourself

I am as ever

            XOOO your loving son

            XXXX Tom

   Address Co. M. 2^nd Ida

                               Sandpoint

                                   Idaho