Aunt Jane's Nieces And Uncle John

Since Louise is now married, Uncle John comes up with an idea for a new adventure for Patsy, Beth ,the Major and himself. To go wander all the way to California. They head out by train to Denver, along the way collecting a young girl of fourteen afraid, unwell and travelling alone. She was still recovering from an accident, but her aunt (her parents were both dead) had decided to send her away to her uncle, a miner somewhere out west. No precaution had been made to see if he was still there! Nor had much thought gone into the idea of a young girl’s dilemma of living in a mining camp. Our friends take her under their wing. Uncle John has a Doctor look at Myrtle’s injuries. She is unable to walk well at all and would eventually need surgery to correct the problems with her hip. The best crutches are obtained for her, and the girls adapt their clothing for her. As the entourage plan to travel the rest of the way by car, even though it is winter and much of the journey will be at higher elevation. But Uncle John has obtained a car which he has adapted in clever ways to hold what supplies they would need. He also asks around and obtains the best chauffeur available, a French Canadian with Native Indian blood. He doesn’t seem to be all that special, the Major in particular not trusting him at all. But it isn’t long before he begins to prove his worth. As you can imagine, the girls adapt to the somewhat primitive situations very well, looking at each experience as novel and entertaining. There are some tense moments with coyotes and baddies, but it is the untamed west. The young girl, Mabel begins to grow in confidence and in health as she spends time with the girls, though there is still mystery as to what will happen to her when they reach journey’s end. What if they do not find the Uncle? The reader did well with the story. Could have added a change of tone to reflect adventures and emotions.