493. STANDING ROCKRESERVATION SOLDIER'S LETTER An Indian War era United States officer'sletter, 8pp. 4to., by Jacob Lester, Standing Rock, D. T., July 19, 1877, to hissister Ruth. In part: "...Whenever I walk for a little necessary exercise...Iam sure to meet some of the natives-the 'noble red men' who immediately stretchout a very dirty paw and at the same time give expression to their wholevocabulary of the English language by the single word 'How'. Then, in atimid...tone...they ask for 'Goshpop', which means 10 cents. I generally returnthe greeting 'how', but...affect ignorance of the meaning of 'goshpop'...nodoubt they are disgusted with my stupidity and want of generosity. Well, as thenoble red say, How. But I assure you that I have just washed my paws and I amnot going to ask you for 'goshpop' either...there is nothing certain about mydischarge...Congress at its next sitting...will provide for the reduction of thearmy, but...the opposition are moving 'Heaven and earth' to prevent it and itmay not take place...I don't know what in the world I should do if I wasdischarged. I shall remain where I am unless I see a fair opening somewhere tomake my 'daily bread'...". Minor spotting, else very good. $250- 350