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"Peter?" "Ya Sister Pitchford-what is it?" Hie old woman stood at the base of the steep stairs holding a broom in front of her small figure. "John Ramsey was by," she said, leaning against her broom. "He wanted you to know the tracks are now clear through Salt Creek and the train will leave this noming at 8 o'clock." "I'd already decided I vould climb around Salt Creek if dat train did not leave today!" Peter exclaimed pointing to the east. He eagerly placed his Mormons bcyr into the satchel, and leaped down the hollow-sounding steps. Sister Pitchford handed him a small bundle of food. "It's not ranch, Peter, but it should satisfy you 'til noon." Peter smiled as he patted his stomach and stepped out the door. The Sanpete "Creeper" seemed to take hours climbing up the cany°n* I1: was a cold ride, but Peter didn't feel that he could complain. He was grateful to be on his way home. As the train reached the sunnit, black snoke blew fiercely from the engine. Everything cane to a complete stop. But slowly the train began to move again, down the other side. Peter's heart began to pound harder. "Sanpete at last," he muttered under his breath. '.Then the train finally reached Chester, Peter was the first one off. Someone tapped his shoulder and he turned to stare up into the face of his oldest son Niels. Standing beside him was his "brother Hans, Peter embraced them both, and then hugged, his son again, knocking off his hat and matting down his sandy hair with his hands. "How's your mother-and brodders and sisters?" "We're all fine father, and everyone in anxious to 108 |
