EARLY MANHOOD IN THE MIDDLE WEST 147 



become wise enough yet to figure in the lean years 

 with the fat ones. 



Having briefly outlined how we lived, what we 

 ate, what we produced and the prices we received 

 for staple farm crops, I may return to more inti- 

 mate, matters. Spurred on by adversity and pros- 

 perity, at last I began to think seriously and to 

 a purpose. I was no longer looking over my 

 shoulder to see if the county house was in sight but, 

 western-fashion, was trying to purchase an ad- 

 joining farm. I was now bent upon the production 

 of livestock on a large scale. I thought to pack 

 most of the farm products inside the skins of well- 

 bred animals for more could be realized in that 

 way at that time than by selling crude products. 

 When the scheme to buy land came to naught, I 

 planned to build a barn. I had so far made shift 

 with enclosed sheds made of poles, slabs, brush and 

 straw, which served well enough in dry weather 

 but were far from sufficient in rainy weather. The 

 new barn had a stone basement surmounted by 

 twenty foot posts and was a veritable wonder for 

 the time and locality. 



I remember distinctly digging a ditch one day 

 in hard ground, after I had begun to think just a 

 little. Sitting on its rim mopping the perspiration 



