| Description |
ANOTHER NEW DAY Gwen A. Jacobson Ephraim, Utah Honorable Mention Short,Story It was December 23, 1853, two days before Christmas, and the wagon train inched along the trail to Manti. The wagon- master snapped his whip over the backs of his weary oxen as he wondered how much further they should t ravel before making camp. It was early afternoon. Perhaps with a bit of luck they could make 10 more miles. The snow was deep in places, but the trail was fairly well traveled, and as long as the sun shone they would move on. A shout went up at the rear of the train and a man rode quickly up to the lead wagon bringing the word that an ox had fallen dead in his tracks. "It's the wagon of those young Welsh immigrants , John and Mary Rees," he called, as he turned his horse around and hur-ried back to give them a helping hand. "No, John, I won't go. I will not leave what precious few things we have left in this wagon, for the savages or wild beasts or heaven only knows what else." The firm set of her chin told John he need argue no further. Mary had made up her mind. She would stay here alone with their two babies on the banks of the Sanpitch River. The bitter chill of the winter wind or the knee-deep snow would not stop her from making a fire, nor would the howling of the grey wolves in the not too far distance frighten her. Mary was blessed with a dogged determination, and once she had made up her mind nothing short of a miracle could change it. For this characteristic, John was most grateful. His young wife had been called upon to endure countless hard- ships the past three years, and a woman with less stubborness and determination might have faltered, or at least complained. Mary had done neither. - 37 - |
