"While my sod house was being built I lived in my frame shanty; the heat warped the boards so much I could see through anywhere. One day I thought surely I was taken. On hearing a noise at the well, I looked through a crevice and beheld six cowboys at the well. One of them had a belt, bowie-knife and a six-shooter strapped on him. They took a drink and rode away. I must say right here, much as they have the reputation for being disorderly and rough, I never knew them to insult a lady.
"I was frequently visited by storms in this open house. One night I dressed hastily and sat on the cot, thinking every gust must take the house and I would be landed on the prairies. I heartily wished my father would step n and say,'Sissie, I think you had better come home.' But no such good fortune favored me. But thanks to a kind Providence I was spared through that storm and many others.
"One day, while writing, my attention was attracted by something moving. I looked, and there was a snake—a great bull snake—I am safe in saying, four feet long. It looked about, then slowly crawled across the room and located under my flour-box. I did not breathe until it curled itself up in a circle, then I ran out to find a weapon. A neighbor chanced that way and took possession of the snake. There never was but that one in the house, but the county was full of them, very few of them poisonous. After this my brother sent me a thirty-eight caliber revolver. I had to learn to use it, so went out and got a two-foot plank and put it against the house. When I had it all ready to shoot I involuntarily turned my head and pulled the trigger. I thought my wrist was sprained, it gave inc such a shock. I never knew where the bullet went; it wasn't in the board any way. I practiced until I felt I could use it to good advantage should I be obliged to. I always slept with it under my pillow after I learned to use it. and it was, indeed, a great comfort to me to know I had it.
"I was delighted when my sod house was finished. It was 12x14, nine feet to eaves, board roof, two half windows, one door, and half window in the door. The sod inside is smoothed nicely, then plastered with mud; this makes the walls dark, so I papered mine with wall paper, which gave it a decidedly cozy effect. My furniture consisted of a home-made bedstead, an upholstered chair (made out of a barrel), one pine chair, one cane-bottomed chair, cupboards, cooking-stove, etc.
"In my wanderings I found the Wikoff family. They were forty miles away from me. My first opportunity I visited, and indeed it was my delight many times to be one of their family. Nannie and Lizzie visited me and we had gala times. Many reminiscences of Seminary life were recounted. Lizzie is now in St. Louis, having married the pastor of the Third Baptist Church, Dr. J. Greene. Sallie married Rev. Lewis Martin, also a Baptist minister. She also lives in Missouri. Nannie is now in St. Louis having her eyes treated. She is one of the most lovable and attractive women I ever met.
"While West I had many occupations—farming, teaching, breaking a colt, etc. A colt was give me for the care of it. A bachelor made me a harness out of tow. I wish you could have seen it. My cousin gave me his road cart; then I began to train the colt. Strange to say, I have been exceedingly timid about horses ever since. I was in a predicament, for I had engaged a school some four miles from home. It was either break the colt, or walk. Sometimes I did both. Sometimes I did neither, for I was several times hurt quite badly. The colt's owner called her 'Tenie,' for when young he said she was very small. Poor 'Tenie' made gray hairs in my head in a few weeks. She became quite docile in time. Once I found her in the house; the door being open, she walked in. I curried her well at first. She seemed nervous when I came to her feet. Some time after I asked her master if she kicked. He said, 'No. I fergot fer to tell ye to be a trifle keerful, she is a little tickleish about the heels. I didn't try them again. Had there not been a kind interposition of Providence I should have been landed in eternity long before I saw the master.
"I taught school seven months at $26.00 per month, the highest wages paid in that country. I drove to and from school, cooked my meals, took care of 'Tenie', and did many other things. Quite a change in my health in these two years. The third spring my sister Kittie came-- then it was living. We raised a hundred chickens, had three pigs, a cow and a horse. We planted a half acre of potatoes, six acres of corn and made garden. We also set out trees. Kittie bought the relinquishments of two claims joining. By this time the four sisters were interested, and we held five quarter-sections. The timber claim I fear will prove most expensive. When not a resident of State, one is obliged to have 27,000 trees, by actual count, growing at the end of eight years. No tax to pay until the deed is obtained. * * *
"Christmas Eve we had a Christmas tree for our Sabbath-school scholars. I met my friends and neighbors then probably for the last time. As they came to bid me good-bye—for I started home the next evening—some of them in the plainest clothes and manners, I could not help noticing the warmth and open-heartedness so seldom seen in the East. They gave me the heartiest of good wishes in my undertakings, which I knew they meant. Christmas I bade good bye to my cabin home with many fond memories, sad to leave, yet so glad to be among home friends again."
The Burlington Easy-Chair.
The luxurious appointments for car travel of the time are a marvel. From various causes a large percent. of the traveling public can not enjoy the sleeping-cars. The Burlington, ever quick to discern and prompt to supply what would add to the comfort of its patrons, now places in its day trains a service of reclining-chair cars, free of all charges, fees or exactions of any sort. Its day trains, thundering along the east bank of thus' Mississippi for full three hundred and fifty miles, unroll before the traveler's eye such a panorama of scenery —grand, beautiful and charming—that it has gained title of the "Scenic Mississippi River Route." To these trains, leaving Minneapolis and St. Paul every morning except Sunday, and Chicago every evening except Saturday, are now attached the chair cars No. 550, No. 553 or No. 556. The appointments are elegant and luxurious. The seat is roomy—no crowding front neighbor; let the side arms back a couple of notches and you could not be more delightfully ensconced in your easy-chair at home. Pull out the foot-rest and let the chairback fall another notch or two, and you soon lose sight of the beautiful lakes, the lofty bluffs and magnificent sweep of the river, wonderful in their loveliness, and launch restfully in dreamland. To our many girls, who will ere long be coming from the faraway States and territories of Idaho, Washington, the Dakotas, Nebraska, Kansas, Minnesota, etc., to gather again in their home, we would commend "The Burlington" for its many attractions especially for its "free easy-chairs."
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