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 
