Annals of our ancestors; one hundred and fifty years of history in the ...

LIFE IN THE 'SIXTIES 269
loud squeaking of those wheels without tires or any metal, nor
shall we see again the then common sight of canvas covers
protecting loads of furs. Their deep and wide track is, I dare
say, entirely obliterated from the prairies and wiped from the
swamps which they were especially adapted to crossing. No
more they fight their hereditary enemies the Sioux (for the
half-breeds had Chippewa blood); I can remember them, and
yet the people, their trade, their vehicles, their very pathways,
seem to have passed from Minnesota.
Before I close this chapter I must relate the sadness that
came to my husband and me in the early years of our married
life. It was the time of the early breaking up of a long and
severe winter. The deep snow was badly drifted so travel was
tedious and almost impassable at times. As I have recorded,
my husband was an evangelist of the Christian Church and
had often to be away from me and our first baby boy. We
were living at Plainview, Minnesota, when our Charlie was
taken ill. His father had gone to the southern part of the
state to meet some appointments and was to be away about
two weeks. Before he left us he made preparations for his
departure by getting a fine lot of fuel ready for us, and as we
were both quite well then no forebodings of coming ill clouded
those last days.
Alvah was to travel down to a place called Pickwick with
a young man who was a good friend and helper. Two horses
and a rather long home-made sleigh were to convey them to
theirdestination. Charlie and I stood at the window and waved
the farewells as they drove away over the country covered
with the snow of many months ' accumulation. In a short time
I discovered my darling was restless and feverish, and in spite
of all my care he grew rapidly worse. I called a doctor, but
not for a day could I note that he got any better. I did not
receive letters as I expected, so concluded when the time set
for my husband's return arrived that he was surely coming
home. I tried to encourage the dear child that papa would
soon be home, and I eagerly watched every sleigh that came
down the road, but they all passed on. The church folks came
in and helped me nights, but at last I saw he was surely slipping