RIDE TO ZION

Agnes Caldwell said:

Only the infirm and aged were allowed to ride in the wagons, but all able-bodied continued to walk. When the wagons started out, a number of us children decided to see how long we could keep up with the wagons in hopes of being asked to ride. At least that is what my great hope was. One by one they all fell out until I was the last one remaining, so determined was I  that I should get a ride.

After what seemed  the longest run I ever made before or since, the drive, who was William H. Kimball, called to me, “Say, sissy, would you like a ride?” I answered in my very best manner, “Yes, sir.” At this he reached over, taking my hand, and clucking to his horses, made me run. With legs that seemed to me could run no farther, on we went, to what to me seemed miles. What went through my head at that time was that he was the meanest man that ever lived or that I had ever hear of, and other things that would not be a credit nor would it look well coming from one so young.

Just at what seemed the breaking point, he stopped. Taking a blanket, he wrapped me up and lay me in the bottom of the wagon, warm and comfortable. Here I had time to change my mind, as I surely did, knowing full well by doing this, he saved me from freezing when taken into the wagon.