
cor West. Camden, N. Jersey, Friday noon—Feb. 6. 1874 Dear boy Pete,
Both your letters came this week—also one from my friend Eldridge, he too speaks of meeting & talking with you.—It is real winter here, the ground all covered with snow, as I look out—not the least thaw to-day, as it is cloudy—I rise pretty late mornings—had my breakfast a little while ago, mutton-chop, coffee, nice brown bread & sweet butter, very nice—eat with very fair appetite—I enjoy my breakfast better than any other meal—(eat a light dinner pretty late, & no supper)—Feel generally about the same as before described—no worse, no better, (nothing to brag of anyhow)

I have mentioned about my crossing the ferry—from our house, the cars run by the next corner, (200 feet, or less,) a half mile or so to the ferry—the Delaware here is full three quarters of a mile wide—it is a noble river, not so wide as the Potomac, nor with the fine banks like Arlington, but grander, & with more style, & with powerful, rushing tides, now great processions of broken ice, many little & some great big cakes—the boats are very fine & strong, go crashing right ahead, with a loud noise, breaking the cakes often a foot thick & more—I enjoy crossing these days—it does me good—the ferrymen are all very kind & respectful—
—I have been reading a book "Merrie England in the Olden Time," a London book, with pictures, full of fun & humor—I have enjoyed it much—There is an awful amount of want & suffering, from no work, hereabout—a young man was here yesterday—had seen me in Wash —wanted help—I gave him a little—I see the cars & locomotive skurrying by as I close.
Walt