It was not long before the debt was cleared off and we were property-holders, but before that was accomplished, the first sad break occurred in our family, in my father's death, October 2, 1855.

Fortunately for the three remaining members life's duties were pressing.

Sorrow and duty contended and we had to work.

The expenses connected with his illness had to be saved and paid and we had not up to this time much store in reserve.
[Footnote 19: "I remember well when I used to write out the monthly pay-roll and came to Mr.Scott's name for $125.

I wondered what he did with it all.