The Treasure Hunt Read Free Page B

Yoders’ one team of horses while Father took the other team to haul his first load of wheat to the elevator.
    Toward evening Lisbet saw Father far in the distance across the prairie coming back home. “I hope the wheat price is better now,” she said wistfully as she loaded a pumpkin onto the little wagon.
    Mother added another one to the load. “What makes you say that?” she asked curiously.
    â€œBecause…” Lisbet said and then hesitated. “Because if we could make more money here, we wouldn’t have to move to Colorado.”
    Mother stood with both hands on top of the pumpkin, looking at the seventeen-year-old. “We have no plans to move away.”
    â€œNo, but you’re thinking about it.”
    â€œPraying about it. We want to do God’s will,” said Mother firmly.
    â€œBut, Mother, why would we want to move? I thought we’re supposed to be content and not always wishing to have more. I thought we’re to be happy even if we don’t have all the things we’d like.” Lisbet’s words came out in a rush.
    â€œVery true,” Mother said quietly. “We are not discontented. We are just concerned about our children’s future. If they want to marry and raise families, they need homes of their own.”
    â€œI wish Sam Peachy weren’t putting these ideas about Colorado into people’s heads,” Lisbet mumbled. She glanced toward Polly, who was out of hearing distance.
    Mother gave a little sigh. “Lisbet, try to believe that we are truly seeking God’s will.”
    â€œOkay,” Lisbet answered sincerely.
    â€œLet’s go and help unhitch the wagon,” Lydia suggested when she saw that Father’s team had driven up to the barn. She and Lisbet ran across the yard to the team ofblack horses. In spite of the raw wind, Ned and King were streaked with sweat.
    Speaking to Father across King’s broad back, Lisbet asked hopefully, “How was the wheat price?”
    â€œLower than ever,” Father answered, managing to sound cheerful, “and Trevor, at the elevator, says the price is bound to go lower still when all the wheat starts pouring in from this area.”
    â€œIt isn’t fair,” Lisbet said as she unhooked the trace.
    â€œThere’s nothing we can do about it,” Father replied matter-of-factly.
    â€œBut think of all the hard work you did, all those hours of plowing and planting and harvesting.” Lisbet replied, sounding as if she was almost ready to cry.
    Lydia glanced at her in alarm. Father said reassuringly, “At least we won’t go hungry.” And with that, he led the team to the barn.

4
    Train Trip
    A s North Dakota’s brief summer gave way to fall, every day held the same activities for the men. Every day Father hauled wheat to the elevator. Every day Ben, Jake, and Joe went threshing.
    And every day it seemed as if the threshers talked about Colorado. In the evening at the supper table, Jake and Joe spoke of Pikes Peak, homesteading, and sugar-beet farming in Colorado. Polly always listened with interest, while Lisbet and Lydia wished their brothers would talk about something else.
    As October drew to a close, so did the threshing season. Not long afterward, Father made a startling announcement. Father and seven other men were going to Colorado to look around. Ben was going, but his wife, Barbara, would stay at home. Jake was going too. “They are the ones who’d be getting land under the homestead law if we decide to settlethere. Any land I’d buy would be higher priced because the government allows you only one free homestead.”
    Lydia and Lisbet had been doing the supper dishes when Father made his announcement. The two girls immediately stopped and turned to look at each other once the words were spoken. Lydia noticed that Lisbet appeared just as stunned as she was. They both realized that it really was happening!
    Jake and