I knew that he was simply piqued because I had not
let him make the bread. After his work was all done he came in and
said, with a smile that was almost a grin, "I go now - I send 'nother
boy," and go he did. But the "other boy" came in time to give us a
delicious breakfast, and everything went on just the same as when old
Charlie was here. He is in Bozeman and comes to see us often.
This Charlie takes good care of my chickens that are my pride and
delight. There are twenty, and every one is snow white; some have
heavy round topknots. I found them at different ranches. It is so cold
here that chicken roosts have to be covered with strips of blanket and
made flat and broad, so the feathers will cover the chickens' feet,
otherwise they will be frozen. It is a treat to have fresh eggs, and
without having to pay a dollar and a half per dozen for them. That is
the price we have paid for eggs almost ever since we came to the
Territory.
FORT ELLIS, MONTANA TERRITORY,
June, 1880.
EVERYTHING is packed and on the wagons - that is, all but the camp
outfit which we will use on the trip over - and in the morning we will
start on our way back to Fort Shaw. With the furniture that belongs to
the quarters and the camp things, we were so comfortable in our own
house we decided that there was no necessity to go to Mrs. Adams's,
except for dinner and breakfast, although both General and Mrs. Adams
have been most hospitable and kind.
The way these two moves have come about seems very funny to me. Faye
was ordered over here to command C Company when it was left without an
officer, because he was senior second lieutenant in the regiment and
entitled to it. The captain of this company has been East on
recruiting service, and has just been relieved by Colonel Knight,
captain of Faye's company at Shaw; as that company is now without an
officer, the senior second lieutenant has to return and command his
own company. This recognition of a little rank has been expensive to
us, and disagreeable too. The lieutenants are constantly being moved
about, often details that apparently do not amount to much but which
take much of their small salary.
The Chinaman is going with us, for which I am most thankful, and at
his request we have decided to take the white chickens. Open boxes
have been made specially for them that fit on the rear ends of the
wagons, and we think they will be very comfortable - but we will
certainly look like emigrants when on the road. The two squirrels will
go also. The men of the company have sent me three squirrels during
the winter. The dearest one of all had been injured and lived only a
few days. The flying squirrel is the least interesting and seems
stupid. It will lie around and sleep during the entire day, but at
dark will manage to get on some high perch and flop down on your
shoulder or head when you least expect it and least desire it, too.
The little uncanny thing cannot fly, really, but the webs enable it to
take tremendous leaps. I expect that it looks absurd for us to be
taking across the country a small menagerie, but the squirrels were
presents, and of course had to go, and the chickens are beautiful, and
give us quantities of eggs. Besides, if we had left the chickens,
Charlie might not have gone, for he feeds them and watches over them
as if they were his very own, and looks very cross if the striker
gives them even a little corn.
Night before last an unusually pleasant dancing party was given by
Captain McAndrews, when Faye and I were guests of honor. It was such a
surprise to us, and so kind in Captain McAndrews to give it, for he is
a bachelor. Supper was served in his own quarters, but dancing was in
the vacant set adjoining. The rooms were beautifully decorated with
flags, and the fragrant cedar and spruce. Mrs. Adams, wife of the
commanding officer, superintended all of the arrangements and also
assisted in receiving. The supper was simply delicious - as all army
suppers are - and I fancy that she and other ladies of the garrison
were responsible for the perfect salads and cakes.
The orchestra was from Bozeman, so the music was very good. Quite a
party of young people also, many of them friends of ours, came up from
Bozeman, which not only swelled the number of guests, but gave life to
the dance, for in a small garrison like this the number of partners is
limited. The country about here is beautiful now; the snow is melting
on the mountains, and there is such a lovely green every place, I
almost wish that we might have remained until fall, for along the
valleys and through the canons there are grand trails for horseback
riding, while Fort Shaw has nothing of the kind.
FORT SHAW, MONTANA TERRITORY,
July, 1880.
WE are with the commanding officer and his wife for a few days while
our house is being settled. Every room has just been painted and
tinted and looks so clean and bright. The Chinaman, squirrels, and
chickens are there now, and are already very much at home, and Charlie
is delighted that the chickens are so much admired.
The first part of the trip over was simply awful! The morning was
beautiful when we left Ellis - warm and sunny - and everybody came to
see us oft.
