SKIP RIGHT ALONG AND PRAY AS WE GO

IN pioneer times, when a neighbor went to town, he was always willing to do any chores for others of the neighborhood, for the rigorous trip to The Dalles or Goldendale was not made, except in case or real necessity.

One day Zed Jones (this was not his real name) was going to The Dalles, and said that his daughter Celia, and my sister Lola night go with him.

They jolted along in a big lumber wagon, on roads far from smooth, and over the Columbia Mountains. Crossing the Columbia River on a ferry boat was quite an adventure. Doubt so much water as the river afforded was a source of wonder to these two girls from the dry hills of High Prairie.

The girls shopped merrily, while Zeb bought the fall supply of groceries etc. for his family.

It was late when they started on the sixteen mile trip home. The sun became low, then finally set. Shadows crept up the canyons on the side of the mountain. Soon dusk came as the travel went up, and up, and up the mountain road. It became dark so that Zed could not see the road, so insisted that the girls get out and walk ahead of the team, raising their dresses, so their white petticoats would show, thus giving the driver something to guide him. Mile after mile those girls trudged, holding up their dresses, and acting as beacons for the driver. At last Celia suggested that Zed walk a while and let the girls ride, but he said,

"You know, Celia, that if your poor old pappy would walk that far, he be sick."

So on the girls trekked with what grace and courage they could muster.

The girls had joked at first, but were far past that now. They had to stop and rest often, as, indeed, the horses did too. They would scout around in the dark to find the road, perched in up there on the side of the mountain.

Lola's shoes were old at the beginning of the trip. Now, the soles began to flap, making it more and more difficult to walk. Stones hurt her feet, and she often stumbled.

It seemed that that road was never ending, and the top of the mountain impossible to reach. Then, after the summit was crossed, the north side of the mountain, with its steep, narrow grades must be negotiated — grades where to miss the wheel tracks a few feet meant that the wagon would go rolling down the side of the mountain, with its cargo of precious winter supplies, not mentioning the horses and driver.

Zed became frantic. He tried various ways to encourage the girls. At last he said to them,

"Girls, I think we better stop right here and pray."

Lola was tired and hungry, her feet were sore, and she was still miles from home. So she answered Zed quickly,

"I think we better skip right along, and pray as we go."

And I guess that is what they did.

When the story got around among the young folk of the community, Charlie Berry said to Lola with a twinkle in his eyes,

"Let your light so shine."

It was all a large joke among the youngsters.