Morris tribune., 1919-04-11

ent comforts and conditions which
they would thoroly appreciate had
they experienced a few of the Incl
dents that their parents and fore
fathers were forced to put up with in
the earlier days of emigration and
settlement. In spite of the hard
ships, however, several little happen
ings occurred that cheered us and
helped us to continue our efforts.
"Our journey was continued at
times by steamboat and then by rail-
The passenger coaches were nothing
more than ordinary box cars and at
times contained no chairs, so we had
to be content to use the floor as seats.
cat Chicago I visited with my
cousin, N. B. Anderson, and from
there arrived in the evening at Madi-
son. The following day 1 was Of
fered work in stacking by my old
neighbor and friend, Torkel John
son. Worked with threshing crews
around Mcfarland that fall until
October and then, together with
sister Kari and father, journeyed to
the homes of brothers Lars and
, Peder, who lived at Swan Lake, En-
met county, Iowa. This happened to
be a poor time to arrive there, as
crops had been poor and their homes
were far from railway, consequent
ly there was no work to be procured,
but muskrats we're plentiful and I
trapped nearly thousand. Prices
varied from 1 cent to cents skin,
which was scarcely enough to keep
us with food. The winter was mild,
with little snow, and as result, I
felt desire to move on which grew
stronger day by day.
ION March II, therefore, I packed
my clothing and some food into a
grain sack and started my course
northward afoot. I visited a week
with a relative in Jackson county,
and then continued my trip. With
the help of map and compass every
thing went we'll, there being very
little snow or water in my path.
Arriving finally at Benson, I found
it very difficult to secure lodging,
but was advised of place near town
where they we're very liberal in al
lowing people to lodge on their Gel
lar floor 1 was the first to appear
that night, but before morning we
numbered fourteen. The last one to
arrive was a tall American who in
quired if there was anyone there
from Scandal, which sounded good to
me, as that was my destination.
stepped up and told him that I was
bound for Scandal and learned from
him the best possible course to con-
tinue from there and I, in turn, was
able to confer a favor upon him.
"The first house l came to in
Scandal, Stevens county, was small
log cabin, on the door of which was
scrawIed this message: Abraham
Lee will be home Tuesday,. Going
on I soon came to another cabin and
raped at the door but no response.
Hearing the sound of movement in
side and thinking I had not been
same result as before, but finding
the door partly ajar, 1 opened it and
to my surprise found young calf
enjoying the remains of a bachelors
dinner. Having no way of locking
the door, l left the calf to continue
his work, but thot to myself, Where
can the population of Scandal be?'
1 climbed up into tree and spied
another cellar in the direction where
1 was going and came to the home
of Hans Hanse. Here l was served
a lunch and started out, much re-
freshed, to the home of my sister,
Britha, (Mrs. Ole MickelsOn) whom
had not seen for IL years. She had
no idea of my coming. Her husband
was not at home, but she let the
stranger in, provided me with dry
socks, and inquired about my past.
l posed as a German, the language
of which I had mastered to certain
extent. After having thoroly exam
ined me and she was convinced that