66 ELDORADO 



playing around, was a small structure built of sun- 

 dried brick. We halted our little cavalcade and made 

 the excuse that we wanted a drink of water in order 

 to interview the tenants, although a clear mountain 

 stream ran near by. The matron, a neat, comely 

 looking woman, appeared at the door, and after we 

 had made our request known, asked if we would not 

 prefer a drink of buttermilk, saying she had just been 

 churning. To this we all cheerfully assented. It was 

 indeed an unexpected treat. We ofifered her compen- 

 sation for her kindness, but it was refused with "You 

 are quite welcome." From that dav whenever I heard 

 polygamous or INTormon women denounced bv "gen- 

 tile" writers or speakers, I have never failed to remem- 

 ber that kindly act of the first Mormon woman we met. 

 Well did Jesus the Christ sav : "Whosoever shall give 

 you a cup of water to drink in my name shall not lose 

 his reward." 



The good woman inquired where we were from and 

 spoke cheering words as we took our leave. We had 

 not gone far when a better and more extended view of 

 the vallev and farm houses came in sight, and Cap- 

 tain Hardv, who was in front, commenced to sing that 

 familiar song, in which we all heartily joined : 



"How dear tn my heart are the scenes of my childhood, 

 When fond recollections present them to view, 

 The orchard, the meadow, the deep tangled wildwood, 

 And every loved spot which my infancy knew" — 



A few miles farther on we came in sight of the city 

 of "God's Anointed," His "Latter Day Saints." In 

 the distance the broad expanse of water, which we 

 knew to be the Great Salt Lake, dotted with islands, 

 made a picture of beauty that compensated us for much 



