The Connecticut labor press. (New Haven, Conn.) 191?-1921, 1920-10-30
CHAPTER l--continued.

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Harris left his wife with company
OF other women in the government Inn
migration building while he set out to
find, if possible, lodgings where she
might live until he was ready to take
her to the homestead country. He
must first make a trip of exploration
himself, and as this might require sew
eral weeks his present consideration
was to place her in proper surround
ings before he left. He inquired at
many doors for lodgings for himself
and wife, or for his wife alone The
response ranged from curt announce
ments that the inmates 4'ain't takin'
lboarders' to sympathetic assurances
that If it were possible to find room
for another it would be done, but the
house was already crowded to suffoca-
ton. In two hours Harris, notwith-
standing his stout frame and his
young enthusiasm. dragged himself
somewhat disconsolately back to the
immigration building with the infor-
nation that his search had been fruit
less.
At the door he met Tom Morrison
and another, whom he recognized as
the teller of Indian stories which had
captivated the children of his car.
And what luck have We had?" asked
Morrison, selling the young man by
the ARA. Little, I'll be thinkin', by
the smile ye're forcin' up. But what
am thinkin' of? Mr.. McCrae is from
way out in the Wakopa county. and
an old timer on the prairie"
"Aleck McCrae." said the big man.
I'VE leave our 'misters' east of the
Great Lakes. An Ah'm not from Wa
kopa, unless you give that name to all
the country from Pembina crossing TO
Turtle mountain. Ah'm doing bust
ness all through there, an no more
partial TO one place than another"
ssWhat is your line of business, Mr..
McCraeY' asked Harris.
"AIeck, said, an AIeck it is"
"All right" said the other, laugh
ing. what is your business, Aieck?''
My business is assisting settlers to
get located on suitable land, an exc
ing out my own living by the process.
Tom here tells me you're hunting a
house for the wife, All know Emerson
tOO wen " SupRooS yOu nav Aouh0
one"
az haven't, for fact" said Harris,
reminded of the urgency of his mis-
sion.
Its out of the question" said Nc
Crae Besides, it's not SO necessary
as you think. What with the bad
time our train made, an the good
time the stock train made. an the
fact that they started ahead Of us
they're in the yards now. That's a
piece of luck, to start with"
"But I can't put my wife in stock
car Z" protested Harris.
There's worse places McCrae an
swered, calmly worrying a considera-
BILE section from plug of black chew
ing tobacco. Worse places, All should
say. ALIVE seen times when good
warm stock car would have passed for
heaven. But that amt what All have
in mind Wen all turn in an get the
stock unIoaded, hitch up the horses,
pack a load, an get away ALIVE been
making a canvass, an All find we have
six or seven families who can be ready
to pull out this afternoon. My team
will go along, with good tent an
some cooking outfit. Everyone has
bedding, so we're all right for that.
Now, if we all hustle we can be start
ed by A o'clock, an out ten or II miles
before we pitch camp. How does it
suit your"
''What do you say, Mr.. Morrison"
81 think Alexis plan is best. I've
my wife and the two girls. and there's
no roof for their heads here. 1t suits
me-"
IF it's all settled" continued Nc
suppressing indecision at the psyche
logical moment, well all turn in with
the unloading of the stock"
Harris ran to tell his wife that
they were to join a party for "the
'front.' that very afternoon. She re-
ceived the news joyously.
In a few minutes all hands, both
men and women. were busy at The
cars. Many hands made the work
light, and by mid-afternoon six sleighs
were loaded for the journey. All the
women and children were to go with
the party; Morrison and one or two
complete the unloading, and take
charge of the effects until the teams
should return from their long journey.
McCrae, on account of his knowledge
of the town and of the needs of the
journey, was chosen to secure the sup
plies.
Each settlers sleigh carried that
which seemed most indispensable.
First came the settlers family, which,
large or small, was crowded into the
deep box. McCrae made them pack
hay in the bottom Of the sleigh boxes,
and over this were laid robes and
blankets, on which the immigrants sat,
as thickly as they could be placed.
More robes and blankets were laid
on top, and sacks stuffed very full OF
hay served the double purpose OF cush-
Joining their backs and conveying fod-
der for the animals.
Morrison came up to Harris sleigh,
and gave it an approving inspection.
"You will all be fine" he said, land
a great deal better than wearyin' about
here. Besides, you're just as well to
be away" he added. In somewhat