Mrs. Lester was somewhat troubled on arriving at the station to find that Norman was not there, though he had left so long before her, and she looked rather anxiously over the prairie for some signs of his coming. The boys were not visible, and she was contemplating the prospect of returning to the kind friends whom she had left when they came in sight. She waved her handkerchief to them to hasten, as the train was due in five minutes. Just in time; the train was in sight as Norman stepped on the platform; and as Justin accompanied them into the cars to find them seats, Mrs. Lester hurried him off, lest he should be taken on, so short was the pause at the station.
CHAPTER XVIII.
CHICAGO, AND THE RIDE THITHER.
Chicago! thou shalt shine in verse,
As my adopted pet;
Thou newest slice of this New World,
Save what is newer yet.
Thy structures seem of yesterday,
And shine like scenery in the play
Just pushed upon the stage.—F. G. H.
The ride was very agreeable: boundless views of rolling prairie, that looked like English park scenery; scattered groves, pretty farm houses, thriving villages, afforded a constant succession of agreeable objects. Far to the west was seen a threatening cloud, at length descending in torrents of rain to the westward, while the sudden, violent wind that swept across the track of the cars was succeeded by dashes of rain. A curious optical illusion was produced by the sun shining from behind a dark cloud, and throwing lines of light across the prairie, producing the effect of a fort, and of long rows of white buildings. The sun was setting behind clouds of crimson and gold when the train arrived at Joliet, and stopped twenty minutes for refreshments.