THE STORY OF JOS. FRANCL.
Translated by Fred Francl.
III.
The next morning I presented my companions with a statement of our expenses thus far. We had used up two thirds of our provisions and had $24.00 in cash left. This small amount of money would hardly pay for the ferrage across the rivers. We cannot buy anything on the way and if we could, we haven't the money to buy with. Here we are full of anxiety, lying around and doing nothing for whom and for what, I do not know. We are in a serious condition. Here we are like a lot of crabs crawled into their holes in winter and no one takes pity on us to give us advice. Come here, Merrman! We will go and see if we cannot sell our property! Someone will buy it for its cheapness! We will offer it for $300, that is cheap enough and if we can get $280, well and good.
Mr. Merrman and I went to our neighbors, to see the owner of the train. He met us and began to tell us much about the road and the hardships we were to encounter. And before he finished he himself made us an offer to buy our wagon and oxen. “You are very welcome,” I thought to myself, with a light heart. Mr. Merrman began to bargain with him. At first he wanted $400 but finally brought the amount down to $250, including the remainder of the provisions and articles in our camp. Hurrah! We have sold out and in addition to that, were hired out to work for him at $18.00 per month. Merrman had four horses and wagon in his care, Adolphus our old wagon and oxen, Friederickus four pair of oxen and wagon, Gustavus was to be an all-around wagon man and I entered upon my duties as cook. I was one of a staff of five. Afterward I was instructed to care for two very fine French ponies and a little wagon, whereon we loaded the cooking utensils.
We were somewhat troubled as to how our companions would receive the news. After a few hours of consultation among. themselves, the three brothers concluded it was the wisest thing to do. However, our joy was of short duration, for we were told that the purchaser was going only to Salt Lake City and would not pay us until we got there. That was another staggerer to mediate over and we did ponder on it all evening. We would travel with a large party, it would be pleasanter and safer and after we found out about the man who had bought us out, we were thoroughly satisfied. We felt perfectly safe about our wages and the payment thereof.
Mr. Kinney was the name of the proprietor of the wagon train. He had. received an appointment from the government to fill the highest judicial office in Utah Territory and was now going out to Salt Lake City to fill it, with his whole court. He receives $3,000 a year in salary and $10 additional every day for expenses on the road going to his destination. To make the trip more profitable, he bought $25,000 worth of dry goods and notions and is taking it with him to sell in Salt Lake City for double the cost, in which he succeeded very well.
(Note of transcriber: This Mr. Kinney later became a resident of Nebraska and his name is entered in the history of that state. John F. Kinney was born in New Haven, N. Y. He held several important political offices in Iowa and in 1853 was appointed member of
