Year: 1879

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a man now, not baby, and ,as to getting
sick, he would grow stronger and stron-
ger every day he travelled. That 1t was
the very thing for him, riding in a
wagon and " camping out;" roughing
1t while would do more toward maxi
ing him well man than all the medi-
cine he could take.


We'll, they finally consented that he
should go. Williams then proposed that
MIR. Colby should put in one thousand
dollars, and he would furnish thou
sand, and together they would stop at
st. Louis and lay in a stock of goods,
and convey them in their wagon to
Texas; that they should both double
their money


"Mr. Colby objected, saying he would
rather Harry would have nothing to
bother him, when Williams replied
that Harry ought to have something to
rouse him up some aim in life; that
taking an interest in his goods would
prevent his getting homesick by keep
ing his mind employed


"All this seemed plausible enough, and
as Harry seemed anxious to invest in
the goods, his father finally gave him
the thousand dollars. All, sir, if he
had but knownl But I'll not antici-
pate.


Although Mrs. Colby gave her con-
sent to Harry's going, yet it was with



heavy heart that she prepared his out
fit. Her mother had sent some fine blue
jeans from Kentucky to make suit of
clothes. He never seemed to want it
made up before, but now he told his
mother that she could make up the blue
jeans for his travelling suit. He had
fancy of having his blue suit trimmed
in brass buttons--a very peculiar pat
tern, round button with snake coiled
up on top.


Mrs. Colby was good cook, and
she prepared enough of such things as
would keep good to last them until they
reached st. Louis.


Harry was to drive his own faithful
ponies, Mrs. Colby was so scary about
horses that she would not permit them
to have any others, well knowing those
were safe and strong.


1t was with many misgivings and
gloomy forebodings that the mother saw
her loved one drive away; he looked 80
handsome and bright in his blue suit,
and bade her good-by with many bright
anticipations of future enjoyment. But
his gayety and cheerfulness at parting
only seemed to make her more gloomy.
She could not throw off the deep weight
that was pressing on her heart, she had
presentiment that she would never see
her boy again.


Cora laughed at her, and pointed
out different boys in the neighborhood
who had gone away from home, and
whose mothers felt the same way
when they started, and grieved over
them, and thought sure something
would happen to them; but they came
back for all that, safe and sound.


But it did no good. Then Cora
would try reason her mother out of her
gloomy forebodings, telling her there
was nothing to harm him. John had
come and gone over the route several
times and had never been molested she
would chide her mother for her want of
faith in the Great Father, reminding
her that He was able, if it was for the
best, to bring their loved ones home
safely, and they must put their trust in
Him who doeth all things well.


I" The first letter received from Harry
was mailed at st. Louis. They made
the trip in less time than expected, and
had enjoyed the travelling ever so much.
They expected to purchase their goods
and take good look at the city before
pursuing their journey.


"Well, Harry was faithful to write,
and letters were received from different
towns along the way.


Finally there came one, in cramp-
ed hand, saying that they had at last
reached M. That he had met
With an accident injuring his forefinger
nothing very serious, but it was awk-
ward writing. He was much pleased
with the country and his trip-thought
it had benefitted him greatly. He was
glad he had brought the goods along =
! they would keep him employed and he