Disclaimer: I do not have anything to do with Little House other than I read the books and watch the movies/TV show.
A/N: Sorry that I haven't updated in a while. I worked on this chapter last week, but then I went away for the weekend and my computer has been acting up lately. I will probably be slow at updating because of the computer problem and because of the fact that school starts in a week. Well, anyway, on to chapter two.
Times and Troubles Chapter 2: Road to a New Life
It was now November. The Ingalls family was getting ready to move in a few weeks. Ordinarily one would not move during the fall and winter, but terrible times lead to out of the ordinary measures. Laura and Mary had stopped attending school so that they could help Ma settle issues and get ready to move.
One Monday in early November, the entire family was busy packing the things they weren't going to need for a while. That includes items such as their fine china and special occasion linens. Before they could be packed, Ma had to wash the linens. Charles had plans to go to town.
"Charles, when you go to town today, would you please gather up some old newspapers so that I can pack the china? There is no use keeping it unpacked because we aren't going to use it!"
"You're right, Caroline. I'll see in to it when I go to get my paycheck. Anything else you need?"
"I don't think so at the moment, but I'll let you know if anything else comes up."
"Okay. I think I'll go now since I don't have anything better to do." He climbed up to the wagon seat and left towards town.
Ma resumed her task of washing all of the special occasion linens. She wanted to have them be clean before being put in a container to bring with the family to St. Louis.
"Girls, would you please take this wash bucket and go get me some fresh washing water? I want my linens to be nice."
"Yes, Ma, we will be right back with the new water."
With that, the girls picked up the wash bucket and took it down to the stream. When they returned, Ma got right back to work. Laura handed her linens, which she washed and rinsed and then handed to Mary to hang up. With the help of the two girls, this task was done in no time. Because it was washing day, Ma then washed all of their clothes that needed washing. When finished, Ma and the girls emptied out the wash buckets, and then gathered all of their supplies. They went inside for a cup of tea.
Later that day, Pa came back from town. Ma and the girls were getting supper. When she saw Pa coming, Ma set down her stirring spoon and ran to greet him.
"Oh, Charles, you're home! And look, lots of paper! How was your day in town?"
"It was splendid, Caroline. I have heard word of a few apartments that might be a possibility for us to live in. I secured a job at a mill office - there's even a good salary!"
"That's wonderful, Charles. Now come eat supper. (yelling) Girls, your Pa is home! Come wash your hands so we can eat."
Mary replied, "Coming, Ma." Mary, Laura and Carrie clambered down the ladder to wash up and sit down to supper.
For the next week the Ingallses stayed close to home to pack. Because they had very little in their house, it only took a week to pack. When the family finished packing, Pa loaded everything into the wagon. The very next morning after the wagon was loaded the Ingalls family left for St Louis. They stopped in Walnut Grove to say goodbye but went on their way as quickly as they possibly could It was going to take the better part of three weeks to get to St. Louis.
The Ingallses traveled until it was time for dinner. It had begun to rain, so the family ate inside the wagon.
"Now, girls, we can't take as much time during meal breaks as we are used to taking. We have a deadline of when we need to be in St. Louis," Pa said.
Mary helped Ma get out the dinner things. The family then ate and did the after dinner chores quickly. Pa watered the horses, and the family was soon back on its way. The family rode for the entire afternoon, singing songs and cracking jokes. Soon it was time for supper so the family stopped again. But instead of stopping for the night, the family continued on.
"Girls, I know we usually stop for supper and stay the night, but we need to keep moving. There is a wagon park outside the next town, which should only be a half hour away. We should get there by dark." Begrudgingly, the girls and Caroline got back into the wagon and continued on.
In about a half-hour the Ingallses came to a big clearing with a lot of wagons. They could look down and see the town.
Charles said, "Well, lets find us a spot to put our wagon."
After driving around for a little while, they found a spot, and Pa stopped the horses. Ma and the girls quickly set up camp as it was starting to get dark, and then the family said their prayers and went to sleep.
Ma got up early the next morning and started breakfast. Soon the rest of the family was up. They quickly ate, and then the girls packed up while Pa watered the horses. The family didn't take long because of their deadline.
One night almost two and a half weeks later, the Ingalls family stopped for the night as usual. But before the girls started to unpack, Pa said, "Look, girls and Caroline. Do you see those lights off in the distance? That is St. Louis."
"Wow." Laura said in awe.
The next morning the family hurriedly packed up, eager to get to St. Louis.
It only took another 6 hours and the family arrived in St. Louis.
A/N: Thanks for reading. You know what to do. I probably won't have the next chapter up for another week since I will have to write it by hand. That takes longer.