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→The Journey
==The Journey==
October came, sunny and golden. The wagon had been loaded with great care. The morning of our departure had come to the joy of us children, and the relief of our parents. Mother's bed, husk mattress, feather bed, warm blankets, and snowy sheets and pillows, how inviting it looked! With a sigh of contentment, my mother was laid gently in it. The last goodbye said, we were off, Emory leading the way on horseback. How often in the next three weeks was "Billy" to give us a charming diversion by cantering on ahead, then returning to meet the wagon.
A few hours ahead of us were three mover's wagons, that had stopped overnight in the town. We overtook them at noon; were pleasantly greeted, and questioned as to our destination. We continued in company for three days, when our ways diverged. There were young children that ran about whenever the wagons halted. The women looked tired but patient. They came to see "the sick lady", and talked about the new homes they hoped to make in the far West. We liked it better, however, when we were left to journey quite by ourselves.
The early mornings and evenings were so beautiful! The joyful bird-songs in the morning; the sleeping twitterings at nightfall; a few late flowers, golden rod and asters bloomed by the wayside; autumn leaves were red and bronze and gold. We did NOT sing: "The melancholy days have come, the saddest of the year."
At night, my father liked to camp near a house or barn, perhaps for the sense of security it gave. At no time did we meet with other than a friendly greeting. Of one such occasion, I have a happy remembrance. The farmer opened the big orchard gate, saying: "Drive inside, and help yourselves to apples and cider", for in one corner of the orchard a cider mill was at work. When the good man's wife heard about our mother, she came to see her, bringing something for her comfort. If we were POOR, it was a pleasant and friendly world we were traveling in. When we were ready to start the next morning, the farmer brought a bag of apples and a jug of cider, for which we "must find room somehow". How kindness refreshes the heart of the giver, not less than that of the recipient.
Indiana was a beautiful state, full of fine orchards. I regret that I cannot give you important details and descriptions of the country, but only my pleasant recollections.
Our journey occupied three weeks, and only once did it rain, more than a shower to lay the dust. ONe day in the last week, as the sun was going down, black clouds rolled up quickly from the horizon. Peal after peal of thunder shook the air. So rapidly did the storm approach, that my father began to think of seeking shelter. Just as the storm broke on us, he drove in among a group of grain-stacks, near the roadside. The horses were drenched, but we, safely buttoned up in the wagon, were quite dry.
Darkness had fallen and the rain had ceased, when the glimmer of a lantern revealed a man coming from a house a little way across the road. It was a kind-hearted old Dutchman, who at once helped my father to get the horses into the barn, and then insisted that we should all go up to the house: "The old woman had said so." We entered a large kitchen, full of the smoke of baking pancakes; a long table was laid where we sat down to a feast of buckwheat cakes and syrup and black coffee. Later, my father and Emory went to sleep in the wagon, while my mother and I were made comfortable at the house. I have no words to express the kindliness of the farmer-folk in those early days.
We were destined for Lacey, DeKalb Co., Ills. There lived Henry Merrill and family, whom we had known on South Hill. His brother, Ephraim Merrill, had married my father's sister, Mercy, which made them seem almost relations. Henry Merrill had a large country store, with the Post Office, and his family lived over the store in roomy and really pleasant quarters. Mother and Mrs. Merrill had been dear friends for many years, and faithful correspondents. We drove up in front of the store, with its inevitable veranda for the accommodation of loungers and smokers.
Mr. Merrill gave us a warm greeting; then opening a door that led upstairs said, "You go ahead, Fanny, and surprise Catharine." Thump, thump, thump! Slowly went the crutches upstairs. "What in the world is that noise? Mary, look and see what is the matter." Mary looked and cried: "Mother!" Below we all stood laughing. "Well, I declare! Fanny, is it really you?" and the two were crying on each others' necks.
Before a week had passed, my mother laid aside her crutches, never to need them again. Shortly after our goods arrived, and we settled, for the winter, in a small rented house. After looking thoroughly around, my father bought a farm, of which we were to take possession early in the spring.
==Shady Hill==
==Teaching==
