Locating a Homestead 



Near this lived our companion's boss, as he 

 called his employer ; and when we were intro- 

 duced as prospective settlers, the kindly couple 

 from the Old Country gave us a hearty wel- 

 come, and invited us to sit down to dinner with 

 them. 



Their lumber-built one-story dwelling, like many 

 another, was sodded outside and on the roof 

 with thick sods cut from the prairie by the 

 plough. It gives a dwelling a hovel-like appear- 

 ance, but we soon found it is a practice that 

 adds greatly to the comfort of the occupants in 

 keeping the interior warm in winter and cool in 

 simimer. 



While Mrs. G urged us to make a hearty 



meal, her husband, who, we learned, was con- 

 nected with the district council, kindly gave us 

 some valuable information. 



He told us that nearly all the alternate square 

 miles were owned by the C.P. Railroad, and that, 

 as in this case, it had come into their possession 

 through another railroad they had taken over, 

 they had to pay taxes on it like other settlers. 

 He pointed out that this was a fairer arrange- 

 ment than that existing in some other districts 

 where land had been conceded to them. 



He further told us that this great corporation 

 was holding the land at prices ranging from 



53 



