"Observation is the only help and mine has been
mostly telescopic. We have managed to keep ourselves separated by a great
distance even when we were near each other. It has been like looking at a
star with a very limited parallax. It's a joy to be able to see you with
the naked eye."
"You will have little to look at on this holiday but me and the
prairies," said Bim.
"I think the prairies will be neglected. I shall wear my cavalry uniform
and try to get a pair of the best horses in Chicago for the trip."
"Then you would have to get mine. I have a handsome pair of black young
horses from Ohio--real high steppers. It is to be my party. You will have
to take what comes and make the best of it."
The day of their journey arrived--a warm, bright, cloudless day in
September 1841. The long story of those years of separation was told as
they rode along. Biggs had been killed in a drunken brawl at Alton.
Davis had gone to the far West--a thoroughly discredited man. Henry
Brimstead had got his new plow on the market and was prospering beyond
all his hopes.
Pages:
484
485
486
487
488
489
490
491
492
493
494
495
496
497
498
499
500
501
502
503
504
505
506
507
508