St. Louis
Each day they traveled seemed to get longer. They were beginning to think they'd never get to St. Louis. On the fifth day, the path they called a road seemed to become well traveled. Around noon they saw a man on horseback approaching.
"Hello there," Daniel waved to the man as he brought his horse along side the wagon. "Any chance we're near St. Louis?" he asked.
"St. Louis? That's about a three hour drive south of here," the man replied. "This road will take you right to the Mississippi River where you can hire a barge to get you across the river into St. Louis."
Daniel thanked the man enthusiastically. Emma looked relieved. Finally, they were getting close to a hot meal, a real bed and a bath! Her feet ached from walking, and she felt gritty from the layer of dust that seemed to settle on everything.
Daniel felt the strain of travel as well. He encouraged Emma to ride in the wagon. Then he hurried the oxen a bit faster knowing that their destination was near.
About three hours later, the road was busy with horses and wagons going to and from the river. Barges seemed to be popular in the area. Many could be seen coming and going across the river, hauling all sorts of merchandise, man and beast. After securing a barge for their use, Daniel returned to Emma.
"It'll be about an hour before we can cross but I was told to get in line now," Daniel explained while wiping his brow. There were already lines of travelers formed along the riverbank waiting for their turn to cross the wide, slow moving water.
"Will the crossing be safe?" Emma asked Daniel as they waited.
"Doesn't look like there's any trouble with any of the other barges," Daniel answered. "Reckon it's safer than wading to get across," he teased. It was obviously too far across and too deep to wade for any man especially with the load they had in their wagon.
Finally they were able to load their wagon and oxen aboard a roughly built log barge. Though Emma was fearful of the rickety ferryboat upon the water, they made it across safely. Then they headed for town to settle for the evening.
When they arrived on the main street, they realized just how different the city was from their country town. Building after building lined the street. People coming and going didn't even notice the wagon. It was just one of the many that drove through each day.
Daniel finally pulled back on the reins telling the oxen to stop. He helped Emma dismount the wagon and ushered her into a local hotel.
After securing a room with instructions that a bath was to be prepared, he instructed Emma. "You get your bath and get comfortable. I have to go meet with a wagon master named Ian MacGregor for details about the trip. I'll be back as soon as I can and we'll go get some supper." He kissed her goodbye and was gone.
Emma stood for a moment and looked around the room taking in her new surroundings. The hotel was only a few years old but this room had been well used. The carpet was worn by the door and the bed and the curtains needed a good washing. Emma tested the bed by sitting on its edge and bouncing on it. She could feel the mattress was quite lumpy and had little spring to it. The room was simple with little furniture. There was the bed, a small chest of drawers and a wash stand. A mirror with a crack across one corner hung over the wash stand.
She took off her shawl and placed it on a hook near the door. There she noticed a paper tacked to the wall with the word "RULES" in bold letters across the top. She began to read aloud, "Rule one: Do not open windows--too much dust! Rule two: Do not throw out water until it has been used twice!" Emma cringed. Water was always plentiful at home. "What an odd rule," she thought as she continued to read. "Rule three: Breakfast is at seven sharp!"
A knock sounded at the door. When she opened it, a small woman came into the room with a tub. She quickly set it up and shot a frown in Emma's direction. The woman apparently did not appreciate having to prepare a bath in the evening. She left to fetch the water. After several trips, the tub was full. As she held the door she snipped, "Remember, the water must be used twice!" and she closed the door.
Emma prepared for the bath and lounged longer than she should have but it had felt good. She dressed feeling refreshed and suddenly realized she was famished. She hoped Daniel would hurry.
Daniel knocked on the door before entering the room. "Are you ready to eat?" he asked.
"Yes!" Emma responded, "I'm starved! Oh, what about the bath?"
"I'll have them get rid of it while we're gone." Daniel replied.
"That won't go over very well. They have a rule about using water twice before throwing it out."
"Then I'll have to take a cold bath when we get back from supper. Right now, I could eat a horse!" Daniel ducked as Emma tossed a pillow in his direction. "Oops, we broke another rule! Look," Daniel pointed to the paper on the wall, "Rule four: No Tomfoolery!" They chuckled together as they left to find the dining room.
At supper they dined on chicken, mashed potatoes and freshly baked bread. Emma had hot tea, which she missed. On the trip, they'd had water and coffee. The change was wonderful.
By the time they finished eating, darkness had overtaken the city. The young couple headed for the hotel where they could get a good night's rest.
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