_July 12, 1908. Sydney, Nebraska._
We had worked a small town a half day’s drive east of Sydney, where
pressing business awaited Mr. Adams’ immediate attention. Dan had a
number of sign orders to fill and Mrs. Adams some culinary duties to
perform, so it came about that Mr. Adams and I drove ahead with the
buckboard, leaving the others to finish their tasks and follow.
We rose early and began our journey as the rose and opal tints of dawn
were disappearing in the mounting flood of sunlight. The air was cool
and bracing and the horses cavorted with delight as we spun past the
scattering outposts of the village and took the white, winding road
across the western plain.
Mr. Adams set me down at the edge of town and headed for the express and
telegraph office, while I prepared for peddling. He was out of sight
before I realised that we had not touched the lunch that was in the
buckboard, although it was after one o’clock. I hadn’t a cent with me,
for I had put all the money available into an order for special goods,
which Mr. Adams was going to send east. Making change might prove
awkward at first, but I could only do my best. I selected the most
prosperous street and set resolutely to work.
At the first three houses the inmates refused to open the door, although
I could see them peering at me from within.
“Nothing to-day,” exclaimed the fourth housewife before I could open my
mouth.
I was growing very thirsty and as I walked up a flower-bordered path to
a vine-covered veranda, I decided to ask for a drink of water without
mentioning my wares. A sharp-nosed woman answered my ring.
“Please, madam, could I trouble you for a drink of water?” I asked.
“You can’t play any of your tricks on me,” she replied spitefully,
slamming the door in my face.
As I walked slowly through the yard, I saw a pleasant-faced young
Swedish girl at work on the back porch of the large house next door.
“She’ll surely give me a drink,” I said to myself. She greeted me with a
smile as I made known my wants and in a moment I was quenching the
thirst which had grown unendurable. As I set down the glass she noted my
sample case.
“You bane sell someting?” she enquired with a wide smile.
With eager hands she fell upon the toilet articles as I opened the case.
“Yaw, yaw,” she cried. “I bane want someting long, long tam. Youst wait.
I got money.”
She disappeared into the house.