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we had somewhere around the house.  Be sure to take some nice soap."
     
    "I doubt they're so primitive they don't have soap, Martha.  Maybe not good soap, but that's a good idea.  I'll be back over here in a couple of hours.  Today's Ma's day with her quilting circle so it will be fairly easy to get away with my clothes.
     
    I can't tell you how much I appreciate your help and support.  No one could ask for a better sister than you.  I'd better get going.  I'll be back after lunch.”

Going To Wyoming
     
     
     
    It was time.  The two sisters got in the buggy, Martha took up the reins and clucked to the horse and they were on the way to the train station.  Sarah's great adventure was just minutes from starting.  When they arrived at the depot, neither sister said anything.  Both had tears in their eyes.  "I'm going to miss you, Sis," Martha said as she dabbed at her eyes with a handkerchief.  “I wish it didn't have to be this way."
     
    "I do too, but up until now, I had no hope.  Now I do have hope.  I have hopes and dreams and a life waiting for me.  Maybe someday we can visit.  They do have train service all of the way to Laramie.  It goes from New York to Chicago, then Council Bluffs through Laramie and on to San Francisco.  It's going to be a whole week on the train!  Just think about how much of the country I'll see along the way.
     
    Listen!  I hear the train.  I'd better get to the platform.  Goodbye, Martha.  I wrote a note for you to give Ma.  I hope she doesn't blame you.  You know I'll always love you."  With that, she climbed out of the buggy, grabbed the carpet bag and headed for the station platform.  She was afraid to look back.  Afraid she might lose her nerve and turn back. 
     
    Martha heard the conductor call, "Alllll Abooooard!"
     
    The steel wheels spun, steam spewed out, engulfing the engine and with huge clouds of black smoke billowing from the smokestack, the train slowly pulled from the station.  Sarah sat by a window looking out.  She unfolded the letters and read them for the twentieth time, wondering what this place called Wyoming held in store for her.
     
    Sarah had decided she would be frugal with Jed's money.  It had been hard earned by sweat labor.  She was not going to waste it.  In his letter, Jed had insisted she buy a ticket for a sleeping car, also known as a Pullman.  Sometimes there was a dining car, sometimes not.  Sarah ate sparingly.  When the train stopped at an eating station and the food was served family style, she ate a normal meal.  Money was not a concern.  Jed had sent ample funds, her determination to not spend it notwithstanding, it was not a problem for her.
     
    The first three nights, Sarah slept little.  She was afraid of the unknown in this new strange environment.  The conductors became very protective of her.  Several attempts were made to accost her, she required assistance on one of these because of a persistent drummer.  She asked the conductor and for the rest of her trip, they acted as her protector.  After the third night, she was exhausted from lack of sleep and finally slept the night through, the clacking of the wheels acting as a strange lullaby.
     
    With all of the ashes and cinders emitted by coal burning engines, it was not long before Sarah felt grimy.  She washed as best she could in the small lavatories but it was impossible to do an adequate cleansing. The facilities had a wash basin and on the opposite side of the car, a toilet.  Thankfully, this train, since it was a long haul train had separate facilities for the men and women.
     
    Finally, the last leg of the journey was over.  At 2:30PM, two days before Christmas, the train pulled into the station in Laramie, Wyoming, for a brief stop.  Among those getting off the train was a tired Sarah Grace Harding.  Sarah was thankful the trip was over, but she was apprehensive about the next step.  She looked around on the platform at the few