Novel Guide: Young Pioneers (Let the Hurricane Roar)
Story Synopsis
David and Molly are a young couple who move to the Dakota Territory sometime after the Homestead Act of 1862. David has a team and works for the railroad until he has saved enough to buy items they will need on a homestead. Their first winter is spent in a dugout on their homestead where Molly gives birth to their first child, David John.
David and Molly have new neighbors the following spring, the Svensons. Their homestead in one half mile away and the couples enjoy each other's company. David is very proud and excited about his wheat crop. Because of his promising crop, David goes into debt to buy a mowing machine, windows and lumber for a house, and cloth. Mr. Svenson was only able to plant potatoes, turnips, and carrots as he hadn't been there the previous fall to plow the prairie sod.
Before the wheat is ready to harvest a swarm of grasshoppers destroys everything in its path. David and Molly try to save the wheat but are unable to do so. David's pride prevents him from accepting defeat. He looks for jobs for several days but there are none available. Many other homesteaders are moving back East. Molly persuades David to go back East to work, that she will be all right with the Svensons close by.
David finds work at a feed mill in Iowa , but he is hurt and unable to come home for the winter. he write to Molly and advises her to move in with the Svensons for the winter. He doesn't know they are moving East also.
Molly goes to town with the Svensons to look for work and a place to stay for the winter. She is not comfortable with any of the people and decides to go back to their homestead. After she returns, a blizzard strikes. It is the first of many that winter. After one seven day blizzard, she finds a herd of cattle blinded by their own breathing. She kills one steer for food and takes an unbranded heifer for a milk cow. She then removes the ice from the rest of the herd so they can move on and not destroy her remaining hay. Wolves are by her barn and dugout, probably attracted to the meat. One almost attacked Molly.
During a February blizzard something bumps into Molly's stovepipe. Molly had earlier resolved she wouldn't let any strangers in as they might be claim jumpers. She does rescue this person and it turns out to be David. They are happy to be reunited and realize their lives will be better from now on as long as they have each other.
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Full Lesson Plan
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