THE END OF THE TRAIL 139 



Only last year I received a letter from Mrs. 

 Weldon that touched me deeply. A few lines from 

 it will show better than any words of mine 

 her indomitable spirit: 



This has been a hard winter, but I have had 

 steady work in a shop at sixteen dollars a week 

 (when I get a full week), so I have been able to get 

 along very well with what extra work I could do 

 evenings. I have been well all winter, but two of 

 the children have had the mumps, which kept 

 them out of school for a while. Ursula has had the 

 La Grippe this spring, but is better now. I have 

 five children at home, including my baby who is 

 four years old. Mr. Weldon has not been able to 

 get out-doors at all since last Thanksgiving. And 

 now I think I have told you all. The children are 

 in good health, are not hungry and are warm. We 

 all have much to be thankful for. 



Your very grateful friend, 



K. W. WELDON 



Eighteen years have passed since my midwinter 

 trip into the woods of Maine, to verify an almost 

 unbelievable story heard by chance. Little did I 

 think at that time how it was to influence vitally 

 the lives of a large family. That journey not only 

 proved the unusual story to be true, but also gave 



