We were on the lookout for Bloomfield, about ten o’clock we could see
the spires and steeples glittering in the sunshine. When we reached the
suburbs we stopped to wait for the wagons.
When we reached the business part of the city, I dismounted and made
ready to do some shopping, as a few necessary articles had been
forgotten when purchasing our outfit.
“Aren’t you going with me, girls?”
“Oh, dear, no; not in these togs, short dresses, thick shoes,
sun-bonnets, etc.”
“I think we appear much better in our short dresses, thick shoes, and
sun-bonnets than we would in trailing skirts, French kid shoes, and
hats of the latest style, especially as we are emigrants, and not
ladies at home. However, I do not wish you to suffer mortification on
my account, some one of the boys will go with me.”
“May I go, Miss Sallie?” Ezra asked.
“Certainly, and thank you to.”
We called at two drug stores, one grocery and several dry-goods
establishments, and made several small purchases. The clerks seemed
quite interested, and asked numerous questions. Some wished they were
going, too; others thought we had a long, hard journey before us.
When we came back, they were waiting for us. I gave the satchel
containing the purchases into mother’s care, mounted Dick, and we were
soon on the way. About a mile from Bloomfield we stopped for lunch of
sandwiches, ginger-bread, cheese, fruit and milk.
We all have such ravenous appetites, the plainest food is relished and
enjoyed, as we never enjoyed food before. If any one suffering from
loss of appetite, or insomnia, would take a trip of this kind, they
would soon find their appetite, and sleep the night through without
waking.
Brother Winthrop wanted to ride Dick this afternoon, so I took passage
with mother and drove the horses until I began to nod, when I gave the
lines to her and climbed back into the wagon for an afternoon nap. I
waked up as we were driving into Drakesville, a small but very pretty
town. Mother and I talked the rest of the afternoon, she enjoys this
life as much as I do; we built air-castles for our future habitation;
I trust there was not enough selfishness in the building material to
hurt us if they tumble about our ears.
Mother seems happier than she has since the war commenced, and our
eldest brother, Mac, went into the army. We stopped for the night
earlier than usual, about five o’clock. We are camping in a lane near a
farmhouse.
Our little sheet-iron stove is taken down from its place on a shelf
at the back of the freight wagon. Mother gets dinner and prepares
something for lunch to-morrow, at the same time. The boys buy feed from
the farmers, as the grass is not long enough to satisfy the horses and
cattle. I write as long as it is light enough to see.
The young people complain about my taking so much time to write, but
since I have commenced I cannot stop. I am thinking all the time about
what things are worth recording.
(A call to dinner.)