CHAPTER II

THE FLOWER OF UTAH

the place to commemorate the trials and privations endured immigrant Mormons came final haven shores Mississippi western slopes Rocky Mountains they had struggled on with constancy almost unparalleled in history The savage man, savage beast, hunger, thirst, fatigue, and disease -- every impediment which Nature could place way, had all been overcome with Anglo-Saxon tenacity Yet the long journey accumulated terrors had shaken the hearts stoutest among them not one who sink upon his knees in heartfelt prayer saw the broad valley of Utah bathed sunlight beneath them, and learned lips leader promised land, and virgin acres were theirs for evermore

Young speedily proved himself skilful administrator as resolute chief Maps were drawn and charts prepared, future city was sketched out All around farms were apportioned and allotted in proportion standing of each individual The tradesman was put trade artisan calling town streets and squares sprang up, by magic country draining and hedging, planting and clearing, until the next summer saw the whole country golden wheat crop Everything prospered strange settlement Above all, the great temple which they had erected centre city grew ever taller and larger first blush of dawn until the closing twilight, the clatter hammer rasp saw was never absent monument which the immigrants erected to Him who had led them safe through many dangers

The two castaways, John Ferrier little girl who had shared his fortunes and adopted as his daughter, accompanied the Mormons end great pilgrimage Little Lucy Ferrier was borne along pleasantly enough in Elder Stangerson's waggon, retreat which she shared Mormon's three wives and son, headstrong forward boy of twelve Having rallied, elasticity of childhood, shock caused by her mother's death, she soon became pet women, and reconciled herself new life in her moving canvas-covered home meantime Ferrier having recovered privations, distinguished himself as useful guide and an indefatigable hunter So rapidly did he gain the esteem new companions, that reached the end wanderings, unanimously agreed that provided with as large and as fertile tract of land as any settlers, exception of Young himself, and of Stangerson, Kemball, Johnston, and Drebber, who were the four principal Elders

farm thus acquired John Ferrier built himself substantial log-house, which received additions in succeeding years grew into roomy villa man of practical turn of mind, keen dealings and skilful hands His iron constitution enabled him to work morning and evening at improving and tilling his lands Hence it came his farm and all that belonged to him prospered exceedingly In three years better off than his neighbours, in six well-to-do, in nine rich, and in twelve there half dozen men whole of Salt Lake City compare great inland sea distant Wahsatch Mountains no name better known than that of John Ferrier

and he offended the susceptibilities co-religionists No argument or persuasion could ever induce him to set up female establishment manner companions He never gave reasons persistent refusal, but contented himself by resolutely and inflexibly adhering determination There were some who accused him of lukewarmness adopted religion, and others who put it down to greed of wealth and reluctance to incur expense Others, again, spoke of some early love affair, and of fair-haired girl who had pined away shores Atlantic Whatever the reason, Ferrier remained strictly celibate In respect he conformed religion young settlement, and gained the name of being an orthodox and straight-walking man

Lucy Ferrier grew up log-house, and assisted her adopted father in all his undertakings The keen air mountains balsamic odour pine trees took the place of nurse and mother young girl As year succeeded to year she grew taller and stronger, her cheek more rudy, and her step more elastic Many wayfarer high road which ran by Ferrier's farm felt long-forgotten thoughts revive in their mind watched her lithe girlish figure tripping wheatfields, or met her mounted upon her father's mustang, and managing it with all the ease and grace of true child West So the bud blossomed into flower, year which saw her father the richest farmers left her as fair specimen of American girlhood as found whole Pacific slope

not the father, however, who first discovered child had developed woman It seldom is cases That mysterious change is too subtle and too gradual measured by dates Least of all does the maiden herself know it until the tone of voice or the touch of hand sets her heart thrilling within her, and she learns, with mixture of pride and of fear, that new and larger nature has awoken within her few recall that day and remember the one little incident which heralded the dawn of new life case of Lucy Ferrier the occasion was serious enough in itself, apart from its future influence on her destiny of many besides

warm June morning, Latter Day Saints were as busy bees whose hive chosen for their emblem fields and streets rose the same hum of human industry Down the dusty high roads defiled long streams of heavily-laden mules, all heading west, gold fever had broken out in California, Overland Route lay City Elect There, too, were droves of sheep and bullocks coming in outlying pasture lands, and trains of tired immigrants, men and horses equally weary interminable journey Through all this motley assemblage, threading her way skill of an accomplished rider, there galloped Lucy Ferrier, her fair face flushed exercise and her long chestnut hair floating out behind her She had commission from her father City, and was dashing in as she had done many time before, with all the fearlessness of youth, thinking only of her task and how performed The travel-stained adventurers gazed after her in astonishment, and even the unemotional Indians, journeying in with their pelties, relaxed their accustomed stoicism marvelled beauty pale-faced maiden

She had reached the outskirts city when she found the road blocked by great drove of cattle, driven by half-dozen wild-looking herdsmen plains In her impatience she endeavoured this obstacle by pushing her horse into what appeared gap Scarcely had she got fairly , however, beasts closed in behind her, and she found herself completely imbedded moving stream of fierce-eyed, long-horned bullocks Accustomed as she was to deal with cattle, she was not alarmed at her situation, but took advantage of every opportunity to urge her horse on hopes of pushing her way cavalcade Unfortunately the horns of creatures, either by accident or design, came in violent contact flank mustang, and excited it to madness In an instant it reared up upon its hind legs with snort of rage, and pranced and tossed in way unseated any but most skilful rider The situation was full of peril Every plunge excited horse brought it against the horns again, and goaded it to fresh madness all girl could do herself saddle, yet slip would mean terrible death under the hoofs unwieldy and terrified animals Unaccustomed to sudden emergencies, her head began to swim, and her grip bridle to relax Choked rising cloud of dust and steam struggling creatures, she abandoned her efforts in despair, but for kindly voice at her elbow which assured her of assistance same moment sinewy brown hand caught the frightened horse curb, and forcing way drove, soon brought her outskirts

"You're not hurt, , miss," said her preserver, respectfully

She looked up at his dark, fierce face, and laughed saucily "I'm awful frightened," she said, naively; "whoever thought that Poncho so scared by lot of cows ? "

"Thank God you kept your seat," the other said earnestly tall, savage-looking young fellow, mounted on powerful roan horse, and clad rough dress of hunter, with long rifle slung over his shoulders "I guess the daughter of John Ferrier," he remarked, " you ride down house see him, ask him if he remembers the Jefferson Hopes of St Louis If he's the same Ferrier, my father and he were pretty thick "

"Hadn't you better come and ask yourself ? " she asked, demurely

The young fellow seemed pleased suggestion, dark eyes sparkled with pleasure "I'll ," , "we've been mountains for two months, and over and above in visiting condition take us as he finds us "