A Basket of Chips: An Autobiography

Basket of Chips, page 138

A Basket of Chips trip in the least. I came back all renewed and full of fire for the big things I hoped to do. While it was a good time for me there was almost more re- sponsibility for her and the children than they could stand. It was a very dry season and there were four head of stock to feed. To care for them kept my family rustling and there was also a shortage of money. All my wife's letters were light hearted and full of cheer, in spite of their struggle. The Board of Education paid my transportation both ways as I bought equipment for the East Side High School Art Department? On returning home I planned hourly the joy of meeting them at the depot but as the train was many hours late I was disappointed. They had waited hours for me but had finally gone home. I arrived at last, took the car and came to my little home again. We were all happy once more, and I was in a much better state of health. My last trip to leave them was to Salt Lake from California to visit my mother, and to judge in the State Fair.`" I felt happy on this trip as we thought my wife was well on her way to health. rated me from her. If I had thought otherwise nothing could have sepa- We had planned for me to return on the Western Pacific and get off, at Hayward and ride into Elmhurst on the street car, then transfer to the little 70th Street car and reach home about 7: 30 in the morning. The train was on time and as I stepped off the little car I could see the bunch at our gate look- ing for me. The picture is ever fresh in my memory. How gladly I hastened to them. Along with the message of love I saw in Her face I saw that the dreaded destroyer had begun his work again. I never let her see the blow I felt. One of the first questions she asked when I was taken care of was, "How do I look?" She knew by her speeding heart what was taking place. 12 See Part Two note 72. 13 See Part Three, note 7. 138