“Yes, ma’am; but I had to see inspection first.  Everybody looks at inspection on Sunday.”

I found it was in vain to expect to do more for Louisa than give her an afternoon’s lesson, and with that I was obliged to content myself.

I felt that it would be very pleasant, and perhaps profitable, for all the inmates of the garrison to assemble on this day; one of our number might be found who would read a portion of the church-service, with a sermon from one of our different selections.

I approached the subject cautiously, with an inquiry to this effect: 

“Are there none among the officers who are religiously disposed?”

“Oh, yes,” replied the one whom I addressed, “there is S——­; when he is half tipsy, he takes his Bible and ‘Newton’s Works,’ and goes to bed and cries over them; he thinks in this way he is excessively pious.”

S——­ was among the officers who had never called upon us; it was fair to infer that if his religious principles did not correct his own evil habits they would not aid much in improving others; therefore it seemed useless to call in his co-operation in any scheme for a better observance of the Lord’s day.

We had to content ourselves with writing to our friends at the East to interest themselves in getting a missionary sent to us, who should officiate as chaplain in the garrison—­a plan that seemed to find favor with the officers.  The hope of any united religious services was, for the present, laid aside.

The post-surgeon having obtained a furlough, his place was supplied by Dr. Newhall, of Galena, and thus, by the addition of his gentle, quiet wife, our circle of ladies was now enlarged to three.  Here we were, in a wilderness, but yet how contented and happy!

A gloom was soon to replace this envied tranquillity in our home.  A Frenchman, named Letendre, one day suddenly presented himself.  He had come from Chicago, with the distressing intelligence of the extreme—­indeed, hopeless—­illness of our dear relative, Dr. Wolcott.  My husband immediately commenced his preparations for instant departure.  I begged to be permitted to accompany him, but the rapidity with which he proposed to journey obliged him to refuse my entreaties.  In a few hours his provisions, horses, and all other things necessary for the journey were in readiness, and he set off with Petaille Grignon, his usual attendant on such expeditions, leaving Letendre to follow as soon as recruited from his fatigue.

Sad and dreary were the hours of his absence, notwithstanding the kind efforts of our friends to cheer me.  In a few days I received the news of the fatal termination of Dr. W.’s illness, brought by another messenger.  That noble heart, so full of warm and kindly affections, had ceased to beat, and sad and desolate indeed were those who had so loved and honored him.

As soon as he could possibly leave his family, my husband returned; and it was fortunate that he had delayed no longer, for the winter now began to set in, and with severity.