1874 The year 1874 was an improvement on its predecessor, but that is about all that can be said in its favor. The winter of 73-4 was very mild but the summer was hot and dry. Crops were light owing to the drouth and the ravages of the chinch bugs. I spent the summer studying and helping the neighbors besides doing some work at home. Times were very dull owing to the financial reverses of the year previous. The grasshoppers destroyed the crops in parts of Kansas and Nebraska. Up to this time I had not accumulated anything, save a few books, but I now determined to make some provisions for the future. There was need for a change, for by the time I commenced my school, I found myself over $50.00 in debt and no assets worthy of mention. I still cherished my plan of going to school and wished to create a fund to help me carry out my designs. I was beginning to learn the value of money, as I saw on every hand the great inconvenience resulting from the scarcity of it. My views were becoming more practical and they have continued so to grow ever since. Had I known then how to invest money as well as I do now, I would be worth double what I am today, Jan 6, 1882. I have found that knowledge is not confined to text books. +++++++++++ Lori