CHAPTER IX 



A TRIP TO TOWN, GRAIN HAULING AND 

 SHIPPING 



More snow having fallen, the winter trails had 

 become better, and as we wanted a few more 

 groceries, it was arranged that I should make 

 the trip of twenty-seven miles into the town of 



F to purchase them. At this season there 



should be a certain amount of employment for 

 teams in hauling grain to the elevators, or to 

 load it direct into cars for shipment. 



We, of course, had none of our own, and this 

 year the grain was so poor and the outlook so 

 bad that few of our neighbours cared to go to 

 the expense of employing outside help. 



It seemed a pity, however, to go in with an 

 empty wagon, and one of our neighbours who 

 had a middling sample engaged me to take in 

 a load of wheat for him for two dollars, and see 

 what I could get for it at the elevator. 



A few words here may not be out of place 

 as to the difficulties the growers have to con- 



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