The two boys talked till almost midnight over the possibilities of the western country and the new things that would be found there. The necessity of Scott’s catching an early train finally forced them to separate with many a promise of a very active correspondence.
Scott slept like a top till his mother called him at four o’clock. The train was due at five-fifteen, and everything had to be done in a rush. His mother preferred it so. Almost before he knew it he had eaten a hurried breakfast, had hastened to the station, and was looking out of the car window into the hazy morning with the brave tones of his mother’s voice still ringing in his ears, “Good-bye, Scott. Remember how you have lived and write me what you do. As long as you can do that you are safe.”
All day long he sat with his nose almost glued against the windowpane noting every change in topography and speculating on the geological formation. Occasionally he thought of his father’s injunction and tore himself away from the window long enough to notice the people around him. The country outside was of much greater interest to him, but there kept ringing through his brain continuously, “I will give you that ten thousand-acre tract.” Surely no other boy had ever had such a chance as that. It was as big as many a German national forest.
About noon of the second day he passed through St. Paul, and on to Minneapolis. A thrill passed through Scott as he realized that he was actually west of the Mississippi River.
Scott hastened from the train with the rest of the passengers, and pushed his way through the crowded gate into the station. He was burning to see the College he had been dreaming about for so long. He had no idea where it was located but he felt certain that a College which had attracted him from such a great distance must be a matter of pride to all the citizens and very easily found.
He walked to the first street corner and asked a passerby. “Can you tell me the way to the Forest School?”
The stranger stopped abruptly. “The what?”
“The Forest School.”
“To the Forest School,” the man repeated wonderingly. “No, I’m afraid I can’t. I am a stranger here myself. Never heard of it.”
Scott tried another man with a busy up-to-date air. “Pardon me, can you tell me the way to the Forest School?”