LETTERS OF A WOMAN HOMESTEADER

CONTENTS


I. THE ARRIVAL AT BURNT FORK 3

II. FILING A CLAIM 7

III. A BUSY, HAPPY SUMMER 15

IV. A CHARMING ADVENTURE AND ZEBULON PIKE 23

V. SEDALIA AND REGALIA 45

VI. A THANKSGIVING-DAY WEDDING 54

VII. ZEBULON PIKE VISITS HIS OLD HOME 60

VIII. A HAPPY CHRISTMAS 64

IX. A CONFESSION 77

X. THE STORY OF CORA BELLE 81

XI. ZEBBIE'S STORY 100

XII. A CONTENTED COUPLE 117

XIII. PROVING UP 133

XIV. THE NEW HOUSE 137

XV. THE "STOCKING-LEG" DINNER 143

XVI. THE HORSE-THIEVES 157

XVII. AT GAVOTTE'S CAMP 180

XVIII. THE HOMESTEADER'S MARRIAGE AND A LITTLE FUNERAL 184

XIX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE CHRISTMAS TREE 193

XX. THE JOYS OF HOMESTEADING 213

XXI. A LETTER OF JERRINE'S 218

XXII. THE EFFICIENT MRS. O'SHAUGHNESSY 220

XXIII. HOW IT HAPPENED 225

XXIV. A LITTLE ROMANCE 230

XXV. AMONG THE MORMONS 256

XXVI. SUCCESS 279

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LETTERS OF A WOMAN HOMESTEADER


I

THE ARRIVAL AT BURNT FORK


BURNT FORK, WYOMING,
_April 18, 1909._

DEAR MRS. CONEY,--

Are you thinking I am lost, like the Babes in the Wood? Well, I am not
and I'm sure the robins would have the time of their lives getting
leaves to cover me out here. I am 'way up close to the Forest Reserve
of Utah, within half a mile of the line, sixty miles from the railroad.
I was twenty-four hours on the train and two days on the stage, and oh,
those two days! The snow was just beginning to melt and the mud was
about the worst I ever heard of.

The first stage we tackled was just about as rickety as it could very
well be and I had to sit with the driver, who was a Mormon and so
handsome that I was not a bit offended when he insisted on making love
all the way, especially after he told me that he was a widower Mormon.
But, of course, as I had no chaperone I looked very fierce (not that
that was very difficult with the wind and mud as allies) and told him
my actual opinion of Mormons in general and particular.