DECEMBER 5, 1861

Jennie was looking around the mercantile trying to decide on what to get Jimmy and Lee for a wedding present. She didn't know them very
well, but they were good friends of her brother's, and she wanted to get them something nice. She thought the kettles would be nice, but
then the Dutch ovens would also make nice presents. She just couldn't decide. She hoped no one had bought these exact gifts for them
already. Just as she decided to inquire about that possibility with Simon, Ike walked in.

Jennie loved her brother, but she wished he could talk. Every time she was with him, she would get frustrated with herself for not
knowing some of the sign language. She had started going to the school around the time that one of the Pony Express Riders would be
there teaching the Indian sign language so that she could learn it, too. But sometimes with working at the hotel, she couldn't leave and
attend the lessons. Ike had been helping her outside of school. But she still wasn't learning very fast.

"Hi brother," she gave him a hug.

What are you doing? He signed.

"I'm trying to figure out what to get Jimmy and Lee for a wedding present. I've decided on either these two kettles or these two Dutch
ovens. I would like to buy all of them, but I don't have enough money."

Maybe I can help, he signed.

"Really, well, I just need a couple of more dollars to get all of them." Ike pulled some of his hard earned money out of his pocket and
handed over a couple of bills to her. "Thanks Ike. They'll be from both of us." She beamed a big smile at him.

He was glad that he could make his sister happy, and he smiled back. He helped her by carrying the one small and one large Dutch oven with
their covers while she carried the one-pint kettle and the flat bottom kettle to the counter. As the items were sat down, Jennie asked, "Simon will you wrap these for me? I'll pick them up later."

Simon answered, "Yes, I'd be glad to, Miss Jennie."

"You know Simon, I was just thinking that maybe you should write down what everybody is purchasing Jimmy and Lee for their wedding
presents, so that someone doesn't get them the same thing."

"That's a good idea. I think I will do that." To keep an accurate record, Simon grabbed a piece of paper and wrote down the items that
Jennie was buying.

Jennie handed over the money and then escorted by Ike, she left the establishment.