98 DUCKING DxiYS 



into camp for the night on the first dry ground they 

 came to. 



Morning found them in much better condition. The 

 head of the family concluded that he would reconnoiter 

 a little before proceeding farther with his family. After 

 walking a couple of miles he came to a small famihouse, 

 where he was informed that all of the unoccupied land 

 belonged to the government, and was subject to entry at 

 the enormous price of one dollar and twenty-five cents 

 per acre. After carefully considering the question for 

 several months he came to the conclusion that he would 

 take a chance on forty acres, although at that time he 

 could not see his way clear as to how or when he would 

 ever get it paid for. A small house was erected. Two 

 more boys were born, George and William. It was not 

 long before the two oldest began to shoot ducks for the 

 Chicago market at the request of the father. Ammuni- 

 tion was doled out to them very carefully, and they were 

 instructed to make every shot count, as mallard ducks 

 were sold for from seventy-five cents to one dollar per 

 idozen, and canvasbacks were slow at from two to three 

 dollars per dozen. The increase in the family caused a 

 larger house to be erected which was paid for from the 

 proceeds of the sale of ducks. 



John J., on arriving at his eighteenth birthday, in- 

 duced his father to allow him to sliift for himself; ar- 

 rangements were made and John was to pay one dollar 



