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

* * * * *

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.

Meantime my new employer, Mr. Stewart, sat upon a stack of baggage and
was dreadfully concerned about something he calls his "Tookie," but I
am