CHAPTER I.

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1837.--Our Parentage.--My Mother's Bear Story.--Mary's Education.--Her First School Teaching.--School-houses and Teachers in Ohio.--Learning the Catechism.--Ambitions.--The Lord's Leading.--Mary's Teaching in Bethlehem.--Life Threads Coming Together.--Licensure.--Our Decision as to Life Work.--Going to New England.--The Hawley Family.--Marriage.--Going West.--From Mary's Letters.--Mrs. Isabella Burgess.--"Steamer Isabella."--At St. Louis.--The Mississippi.--To the City of Lead.--Rev. Aratus Kent.--The Lord Provides.--Mary's Descriptions.--Upper Mississippi.--Reaching Fort Snelling 23