Chapter 4: Appreciation For The U.S Calvary:

It has been a week since Mother's Day and Mrs. Ingalls, Grace Snider and Miss Beadle are visiting with Mrs. Olsen and having tea in Mrs. Olsen's Parlor. They are all talking about how just a week ago they were all captured by the Sioux Indians. Mrs. Ingalls says, ''It sure was sad how those children lost their mothers to a sickness."

Miss Beadle says with a question, ''Yes, it was sad. I wonder what sickness they had?"

Grace Snider answers, "I don't know and I don't think the Indians really knew what the sickness was. I think it was the same sickness that the children of the other tribe had that the U.S Cavalry took Black Crow to."

Mrs. Ingalls replies, ''Yes, that sickness did seem to be a mystery. I am just glad that the Military could help the two Indian Tribes to get acquainted with each other, so they both could have mothers, ladies and children to love."

Mrs. Beadle answers, "Yes, that was good how that worked out."

Mrs. Ingalls then says, ''You know next Monday is Military Appreciation Day and I think it would be a good idea to show our appreciation to them for helping getting the two tribes together and helping us get back to our family and friends. Maybe we all can make pies for them."

They all agree that would be an excellent idea even Mrs. Olsen agrees and says, "Nels, said that the U.S Calvary has a fort at Stony pass about 10 miles out of Walnut Grove. We can take the pies there."

Mrs Ingalls answers, ''I am sure Charles wouldn't mind taking us out there."

The whole week Mrs Ingalls is making Apple pies, Grace Snider is making Blueberry pies, Miss Beadle is making Cherry pies and Mrs. Olsen is making Lemon Meringue pies. The following Monday morning Charles takes the ladies and some of the men, Nels and Mr. Edwards to Stony pass to deliver the pies. When they arrive at Stony Pass, Sgt. York is sitting outside just enjoying the Sunny May day. Charles says to him, ''The ladies of Walnut Grove decided to make you pies to say, 'thank you for helping to bring them back to their family and friends when they where captured by the Indians a few weeks ago.' "

Sgt York replies, ''Oh what a treat! But that wasn't necessary."

As Mrs. Ingalls, Mrs. Beadle and Mrs. Olsen are handing the pies to them they all say, ''Yes it is necessary we all want to thank you for everything."

Sgt York invites them in and the U.S Cavalry all share some pie with the people of Walnut Grove. While eating pie with a cup of coffee they all are talking and Mrs. Ingalls asks, "Do any of you know what sickness the two tribes had that took one Tribe's mothers and the other Tribe's children?"

Sgt. York answers, "No we don't. It is a mystery."

Mrs. Ingalls replies, Wow, but it was good that both Tribes now have children and mothers again."

Sgt York says with a little smile and a tear, "So true!, So true!

As Charles and all the ladies load back on the wagons to go back home Grace Snider says to Sgt York, ''You and the other men enjoy the rest of the pie and thank you for all you do!"

Sgt. York thanks them all for the pie and fellowship and then Charles pulls out.

The End