who have crossed the plains. The captain, however, was determined not to leave the VanNorth party to face the dangers of the road alone; especially since he knew that a band of armed Indians was lurking around.

There was party of six young men travelling together who also had horse teams, who also decided to remain. How much Miriam VanNorth, who had already become a great favorite (and deservedly so) of the entire company, had to do with the generous decision of these young adventurers, is not known.

Several kind people urged Mr. VanNorth to send his family on, promising to take care of them until he overtook. the party. To this Mrs. Van North graciously, but firmly objected. She would not flee from the dangers that her husband must face. The courage of the Spartan mother and Roman maiden may ever shine in song and story, but could the lives of the American women who faced the privations and dangers of that long journey across the plains to meet even greater ones in the wilds of the West, be truly told, their courage and self-sacrifice would shine with equal

lustre.

Dick's case developed into cholera, but not in its severest form. He survived the attack, which was a rare thing, as those attacked usually die after a few hours of intense suffering. Robustness seemed no protection against its ravages.

Every heart was lightened when Dick was so far recovered that he was out of danger, for through his noble nature and superabundance of jollity he had become endeared to all. Mr. and Mrs. VanNorth felt in him a more than ordinary interest, as their daughter's attachment for him was revealed through her intense anxiety for his recovery. They sincerely approved of her choice. Miriam seemed more than a girl. Early cares and responsibilities had hastened the dawn of womanhood. Her solicitude for her invalid mother and the younger children had developed a strength and steadiness. of character far beyond her years, and had added to her personal charms.

The captain who had been so engrossed with the duties of his position, or to keep in harmonious action this betrogenious company of more than three

hundred people taxed potn his time and energies, had scarcely noticed Miriam. He had noted, indeed, that she had an unusually beautiful face and presented a fine appearance as she rode along on her black pony. Now that he was relieved of his responsibilities and was brought into direct association with the family, he observed her unselfish devotion to her mother and the younger members of the family.

Captain Payton has sought the wilds of the desert to calm his sorrow. Was it now to be chased away, like a phantom, by a beautiful face? Strange that he did not read in Miriam's distressed face her heart's secret. He saw and felt only the charm of her premature womanhood, and the loveliness of her character portrayed in her self-sacrificing devotion to those about her.

Dick had won his way to his heart, although only two months had passed since they first met. A few days count for many when brought into such trying relationships. Dick had been one of his most willing and reliable assistants.

They had not been on the way many days when they overtook a detachment of the train. There had been some ill feeling among some of the more distant ones before they parted company with the VanNorths, but the captain had maintained peace, and had held the company together in comparative harmony through his strong executive ability and his sense of justice and right. When this unifying influence was removed the company broke up into smaller parties. After being on the plain for a time they were not so apprehensive of danger and ceased to feel the need of large numbers for protection.

There were but few horse teams in the train, and as the Van North party moved along these very naturally fell in with them. Among these was a very seedy old bachelor,-a veritable Ichabod Crane,-who was going west to secure one hundred and sixty acres of land if he could not get a wife, and three hundred and twenty if he could. Being assidiously devoted to a very young girl in the train, he did not seem conscious of anyone else. The roguish girl at first encouraged him just for the sport it afforded her and everyone else. He

was always at her service whether it was to carry water or gather buffalo chips or what not, and to see him attempt to smile upon her was quite sufficient to start ripples of smiles far and wide. Before the VanNorths overtook him she had grown weary of this diversion and had discarded him. In his disappointment, he had parted company with all the rest and was traveling alone.

Among the six young men, before mentioned, was one not yet twenty, small and slight. Being sure that "Ichabod" would fall into their company they laid plans to perpetrate a joke on him. They borrowed some clothing from Mrs. VanNorth and dressed up the young man whom they called Sister "Frankie," Frank being his real name. As they supposed, when they overtook the old fellow he at once joined their company. The young men lost no time in cultiyating his acquaintance and, of course, introduced him to Frankie, whom he found to be just the girl he was looking for-very chatty and quite inclined to encourage his overtures. There was method in their mischief. Their horses were getting very thin and it was necessary for one of their party to walk all the time. They surmised that the old felow would, ere long, invite Frankie to ride with him, which he did in a short time, to Frankie's imminent relief, and this would-be benedict's great pleasure. He became very confidential and laid bare all his past trials and all his hopes for the future. He had been an itinerating pedagogue in the rural parts of Maine. Out of his meagre salary he had managed, through many years, to hoard a sufficient amount to buy his outfit, and was now on his way to the promised land, where he would soon be the possessor of, he hoped, three hundred and twenty acres of land and a sweet little wife. At this Frankie chuckled audibly and said, "That would be real nice." Delay seemed no longer necessary and he burst forth in an eloquent speech he had labored over mentally ever since he had found it possible to avail himself of this rare opportunity to better his fortunue. He had repeated it to in the county he had left.

Frankie chuckled and said, "Yes, sir." At last his joy was complete. Now he

would have his three hundred and twenty acres of land. Of course, the marriage could not take place until they reached the far-away Oregon; but that concerned him very little now that he was sure, and the poor deluded old fellow spent more thought building aircastles on his fancied possessions than in planning for the wedding ceremony. It is needless to say that Frankie did not have to walk any more. He gave the lines to Frankie and walked up the hill himself. Imagine the poor old simpleton's surprise and chagrin when he went to claim his bride and found her in gentleman's attire with a becoming little mustache growing upon her upper lip. But he was not the only man in this wild West who sought a wife for the laudable purpose of securing more land under the donation land

claim law.

Later in the season many more cases of cholera appeared, every one proving fatal. Vigorous men were stricken down in less than twenty-four hours. The dead were buried in the morning and it was no unusual thing to see several persons rolled up in blankets and laid in one grave, who were well and strong the morning previous. In some instances families of little children were left without father or mother. They were taken by different families and cared for, and usually widely separated. As soon as the sad rites were performed the company moved on as rapidly as possible. The only hope was to get out of the infested district, since medicine availed nothing.

The VanNorth party, realizing danger, increased their speed as much as their teams could stand. Every article not actually needed was cast out. It was with an aching heart that Miriam left her little chest, containing all her little trinkets and her pretty dresses, setting by the roadside.

When they arrived at Green River, they found it necessary to ferry their goods across in the wagon beds. Since they had come earlier than emigrants usually did, they found the streams yet. full. It was necessary for someone to swim across to take the rope to which the wagon beds were to be attached like a ferry boat. This Dick courageously offered to do, and reached the opposite.

shore in safety. He fastened the rope to a stake driven in the earth. It was considered prudent to send a wagon bed over empty to try the strength of the rope. Captain Payton got in and started across. The current was too great for the rope and pulled it away from its moorings. The wagon bed was carried swiftly down the stream, and two of the men jumped out and swam ashore. But the captain, fearing that the bed might be lost, remained in, thinking he could save it. It did not go far until it turned over and fairly rolled in the water; the captain resolutely holding on, sometimes on top, and sometimes underneath. Dick lost no time in trying to reach him to save him as well as the bed. Before he could overtake the receding bed, it reached a bend in the river and was thrown with great force against a reef. The jar reef. The jar wrenched the captain's hands loose from their hold and he was carried on, now too exhausted to help himself. Dick finally reached a point in the river below him and plunged into the water and rescued him. He rubbed him energetically to resusitate him, as he was apparently lifeless. By the time others reached them, signs of life appeared. They carried him to the place of crossing, built a fire and contributed as much as possible to his comfort.

The rope was again stretched and this time with success. A bed and tent for the captain were among the first things brought over. Though almost exhausted himself, Dick could not leave him. Never before had he realized his deep affection for this man. He had never lost a friend and no sorrow had ever come into his young life. The captain regained consciousness and had strength sufficient to talk. All the long night Dick sat by him holding his hands in his own. The captain told him his past history. and lovingly placing his hand on Dick's bowed head, said, with much tenderness, "My boy, I think I know what led you away from your father's home. It was sweet Miriam VanNorth. You are not following a phantom, Dick, and you have made no mistake. There are women and women in this country but only a few Miriams. Can you possess her she will be worth more to you than all the dona

tion claims in Oregon. Her Óregon. Her strong

frame and beautiful face cover a stronger soul and more beautiful character. A good wife is man's richest possession and the only safeguard for himself and his other possessions."

The dawning of the morning found the captain gastly pale and very weak. It was very evident to those who had seen the ebb of life flow out that death was approaching. He had sustained internal injuries from which he must die. He asked Dick to bring him a roll of papers that was in a small trunk in his wagon. These he unwrapped, and taking one out, which was an inventory of the goods and money he had with him, he took a pencil and wrote on the margin "All this I give and bequeath to Miriam Van North." Carefully wrapping it up again and tying it, he said: "Take this, Dick, and give it to Miriam on your wedding day, or, if you should never marry, give it to her when you part; and, Dick, tell her that I loved her, and my boy, I love you too. My blessing on you both." This eflort almost prostrated the captain and he laid back pale and motionless. Dick, with a strange forboding in his heart, went to the door of the tent and called Mr. Van North. He, with Mrs. Van North and Miriam, came quickly. The captain opened his eyes and smiled that strange, sweet smile that one sees on the faces of those who stand at the portals of death.

All were sorely grieved, but Dick was overwhelmed. Even Miriam could not console him. His first sorrow had broken over him with too much violence. He laid prostrate with the roll of papers pressed to his heart, the contents of which he did not know. When he had sufficiently recovered, he returned them to their place in the trunk. They laid the body in the new made grave, unmarked save in the hearts of those to whom he had been a true and unselfish friend.

The emigrants had expected to see the far-famed Rockies rise up like a great wall before them, and yet they reached the summit almost before they were aware of it, and found on top of this part of the great world-ridge a wide plateau. The descent was as gradual as the ascent. As they came on down the Snake River they encountered innumerable bands of Indians, who seemed to

be gathering from all parts. It looked rather menacing to see hundreds of Indians skulking along the way. But, as they had their squaws and pappooses and a vast number of ponies with them, it was evident they were not on the war path.

At last the timbered section was reached and the forests seemed like an enchanted wood after their long journey through the trackless sage-brush plains. Through Barlow's gate, across the Cascades, and the beautiful, picturesque Willamette Valley lay before their enraptured eyes. The pains and perils of the journey were forgotten and the all-pervading thought was-Where can three hundred and twenty acres of land be found, if a man had a wife, and if not, the question was-Where can the land and the wife both be found. Wives represented a land value in those days, and were sought after and wedded without the usual preliminaries. The Van Norths were not long in finding land and Dick located his quarter section not far away. Miriam and Dick had started out with their hearts aglow with love's young dream, and this journey which had

bronzed and battered them had not dimmed its luster. The dangers and ' hardships which had strengthened them physically had also added strength and endurance to their love. It was not now the effervescing boy and girl love that glowed in their hearts, but the deeper love of man and womanhood.

When Dick had erected a comfortable log house and had harvested his first crop of grain, he led to his little home this girl who had been his guiding star across the plains, and who continued to be the guiding star of his life. Thus was laid the foundation of one of those homes across whose threshhold have passed the men and women whose biographies are the history of the great West; and whose voices are heard from the judge's bench, the platform, the pulpit, and in council chambers of the nation; whose genius has shone on the pages of literature and on the artist's canvas; whose spirit of investigation has led them into the frozen regions of the north, and down into the bowels of the earth. to read there the history of ages past.

OUR hundred years ago the entire

F60,000 tons of iron annually; today

world produced and found use for it produces and uses forty million tons. every year, a growth so marvelous as to surpass belief were it not verified by figures which cannot be disputed. Four hundred years ago the United States were not in existence; in 1585 iron ore was discovered in what is now North Carolina and the first attempt to manufacture it was made in Virginia in 1619. In 1643-65 a blast furnace was built at Lynn, Mass., and three years later a forge was erected. Interference by legislation of the British parliament stopped the work for a time, but it was resumed

later, and in 1740 one thousand tons of iron were produced. In 1790 the United States gave to the world 30,000 tons of iron, and was exceeded among iron producing countries by Great Britain, France and Germany. In 1800 it produced 40,000 tons, tieing with Germany; then it went forward at great leaps until 1870, when, with an output of 1,670,000 tons, it had passed France and stood second to Great Britain, the leader of the iron world for four hundred years. For about twenty-five years the two great nations stood in this relation, the United States gaining a little one year to lose it another, but in 1890, after a Titanic race of over one hundred years, we