The ladies are now at the entrance of the Sears Department Store and as they get out of the cabs and walk toward the store and walk inside they all dizzled by what they see. Mrs. Alden says, "Wow this is a big store. I never saw anything like it before all sorts of clothes and housewares."

They all nod their heads in agreement and then pair off and do their shopping. Sarah Carter and Miss Plum go directly toward the cookware. They notice the excellent quality but higher prices than Olsen's Mercantile but they may as well buy here since it is better quality. They browse and browse and then come to the section where the tools are, Sarah says, "John has been needing some tools for home as well as for the Blacksmith shop." Then she sees a 20 piece tool set for $4.95 and says to miss Plum, ''That looks perfect. I know it's expensive but look at the craftsmanship and the durability."

As they continue to browse Miss Plum notices some good quality notebooks and folders that she can keep her school papers and notes in for teaching. As Miss Plum is looking at the notebooks and folders Sarah Carter also sees a sign that says, 'Black printers ink for 50cents or ask about our one-year contract for only $15 plus $2 shipping and processing fee a $7 savings," Miss Carter inquires about the printer's ink and decides to take advantage of the one year contract for her newspaper.

Sylvia Ingalls, Laura Wilder and her niece Jenny or browsing together in the clothing area and Sylvia mentions, "Albert could use a nice winter coat his is getting mighty worn, my Doctor man should look nice on on his house calls. Now where could they be located?"

They look around and then Laura says pointing, "I found the winter coats there over there."

They walk over to the winter coats and along the way Laura sees some Men's work boots and says, "Manly has been needing some. The leather is coming loose from the soul of his but not as bad as Pa's that one time many years ago. When he had to walk 100 miles to find work after our wheat crop was ruined by a hail storm." Laura picks up a few pairs Almanzo size and find some at $3.95 and it says, "But they are durable and good quality," She puts them in her shopping cart.

They continue on toward the men's coats and Sylvia says, "There's a nice one and I know Albert size because his size fits around me like he is hugging me!" (What a nice way for a wife to feel about her man.) Sylvia also notices a nice black woolen scarf that matches the coat so she gets both for $10.50.

Jenny comes over to them and says, Aunt Laura, look at this beautiful blue and white hat that goes perfectly with this dress I found and she puts them in the cart.

Laura replies, "Jenny you are going to look nice in that on Sunday for Church."

Hester Sue and Anna Alden also are browsing through the dresses and purchase a new dress and bonnet a piece then they head over to the religious supply section. Hester Sue finds a book of hymns latest attention. She loves to sing and hopes to find something new and nice to sing in Church. She thumbs through the hymnals and reads the words to a new Fanny Crosby hymn titled, "He Hideth My Soul" and breaks down and weeps at the beauty of it and thinking it came from the heart and soul of a blind woman.

Anna is looking around and notices a black with gold trim Bible bookmark she holds it up and asks, "Hester Sue, do you think Robert would like this for his Bible?"

Hester Sue responds, "Coming from you, Mrs. Alden he will love it!"

They continue browsing and see a few more things they can use and coming up to the section where Harriet and Nancy Olsen have been shopping when they hear Nancy saying she wanted something frivolous and her mother tells her, "NO!"

Nancy responds, "You hate me don't you!?"

Mrs. Olsen answers with, "You know Mother doesn't hate you."

Nancy replies, "Then get them for me, Mother."

Mrs. Olsen says, "If I did I'd have to put back a pair of suspenders for your father."

Hester Sue overhearing says, Mrs. Olsen here's some extra money please take it. I'm thrilled over the fun I've had so far. I insist take it, please."

Mrs. Olsen responds, "Thank you, Hester Sue but that won't be necessary."

Than Mrs. Olsen decides to put back a nice hair brush she wanted so she could get Nancy that frivolous thing she wants and says to Nancy, "This is a once in a lifetime experience for you Nancy and Mother does love you."

Nancy proceeds down the aisle not even considering the sacrifice her mother made for her. Hester Sue and Anna just look at each other and shake their heads and when Harriet wasn't looking Mrs. Terhurne picks up the brush and says, "I'm going to get this for Mrs. Olsen."

Meanwhile there are two older ladies paired off and head straight for the men's long underwear section. A figure made of papier mache was modeling men's long underwear the two old ladies agree that if it looks good on him it would look that much better on their husbands. They buy the long underwear.

Everyone finishes their shopping and heads back to the train depot with all their boxes and bags of goodies they purchased as Mrs. Alden mentioned, "We sure do have a lot of stuff. I hope there is enough room on the train for all of it." Then the conductor helps them load all their boxes and bags and there is enough room above the seats in drawers and even under the seats.

The cattle that was in the back of the train has been unloaded but an Army Detachment in Elgin Illinois has put 1 million dollars in gold bars to be shipped to Fort Knox in the Cattle car of the same train the ladies are on to Walnut Grove. No one was supposed to know about it but the Dalton Gang managed to catch wind of it.

To Be Continued