Growing up in southern Alberta there were not many jobs available for a young girl who wanted to earn some money. Many girls hired themselves out as a helper to a farmer's wife. A hired girl could be the one taking care of the children, or doing the laundry, helping with cooking or even taking care of the animals. They could usually count on making about one dollar a week. During this time a dollar of cash money was worth a lot. It meant they could use the money for the necessities of life instead of going without or using credit. No one ever really wanted to go into debt because there was too much chance that they would not have the money to pay when it came due.
Carrie got a job on the cook wagon for a threshing crew. She had to provide three meals a day for a bunch of hungry men. This was really hard work, but she learned a great deal and then was ready for another new adventure.
The next opportunity/adventure came in the chance to work on the Davies farm located east of Claresholm in the Starlight District in southern Alberta. The work on that farm was just as hard as at my own home, but the Davies boys were all so handsome: George, Ivan, Glen, Charlie, and Victor. the older sister, Janie had moved away and little Mary was too young to help. Mrs. Davies really needed help. the boys were all big enough to hlep, but they were always our helping with the farm, so she really needed my help. i certainly never dreamed that one day she would be my mother-in-law. Maybe she knew, and that was why she was so nice to me. She was kind and patient and made sure I knew how to fix all the family favorites. She taught me many different ways to serve potatoes, and how to make a nice flaky pie crust so I could make a chicken pot pie or a fruit pie.... to be continued
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