"I'm tellin you Jake, there's land galore jest fer the takin". Young Bill listened intently as the two men continued to talk. Jake was Jake Riley owner of Riley's Dry Goods and Mercantile, more important his was Bill's boss and friend. The other man was a trader that came in every two months or so with a load of furs to trade for staple goods. He usually had a pile of tales to match the pile of furs that he'd brought in. Bill was so involved with the conversation that he completely forgot the job he was supposed to be doing. Mr. Riley, knowing that to stack empty milk cans required a little more noise than was coming from the back room, called out to his apprentice, "Bill, if you're not going to work, you might as well come out here so you can hear better." Jake Riley smiled to himself as Bill peeked around the corner and asked, "Did you call me Mr. Riley ?" Unable to hold back any longer both men belly laughed and urged Bill to join them.

The great land movement of the early 1800's was in full swing. People by the thousands were leaving their ancestral homes, packing whatever would fit in whatever they were going to travel in and making the westward trek by foot, wagon train, boat, oxen, whatever they could find. Bill Anderson's father had gotten the fever earlier than most, and he tried to get his wife Anna and the four children to follow him out west to create a new life for themselves. Afraid of change and the hardships that they might endure, Anna made her decision. Although she loved her husband very much she was not going to subject her family to the hardships of a land where it was rumored the Indians still ate the flesh of their captives. Bill, like his father had the burning desire to explore the land beyond the western horizon, but his mother told him he was too young to go trapesing off into the wilderness. She told Henry, her husband of her decision and he became very defiant, "Well maybe I'll just go by myself", he said. "Well then go see if I care", replied his wife. She really did care and her heart was broken when he rode off on late summer afternoon, never to return.

Bill and his brother Bob were both forced to work to help bring in money to help support their mother and two sisters. Anna even took in other peoples laundry and the two younger sisters helped the as best as they could. Bob was still too young to get a regular job so he sold newspapers at the corner newsstand. His pay was a penny for every ten papers he sold or delivered. Some times he would come home with as much as a dime, representing 100 papers moved by this young man of 8 years. Bill being 15 could get a regular type job, of course that meant that he would have to drop out of school. Lucky for him he was able to become an apprentice for Jake Riley of the Mercantile.

Every day Bill was up at the break of day, he hauled in enough wood for the day. Refilled the water cistern in the basement and fed the ole tom cat which had adopted Bill's family as it's own. When he arrived at the store, he had to again haul in enough wood for the old pot-bellied stove, fill the store's water cistern open the windows if it was warm enough, the open the store for business. This was a tremendous responsibility for such a young man considering that he only took home $2.50 per week. Never once did Bill complain, he was just thankful to have a job period.

Day after day Bill would meet new and interesting people who would come into the store to do business. Just like today the trader came in with stories of the opportunities available out west. "You know" said the trader eyeing Bill, "I sure could use a fine strong young man to be my apprentice." Of course being the son of his father, Bill felt the old feelings surge up inside again. The urge to drop everything for the excitement and adventure was so strong Bill could almost taste it. "Mr. Riley!" exclaimed Bill, "What should I do?" "That's your decision son" responded Jake.

As the trader left, Bill grabbed the trash bucket and headed for the back door. Dropping the bucket he sprinted down the alley and caught the trader and the end of the alley. Hailing him Bill asked if he was really serious about the job as an apprentice out west. "I'll tell you how serious I am", he said and he reached into his pocket and withdrew a shiny new ten dollar gold piece. He tossed it to Bill and told him to go buy some suitable clothing for the trip and to meet him at the river boat landing at dawn the next morning.

Bill was ecstatic, finally he was going to live his dream of going out west. Then a thought crossed his mind, what about my family? Then just as quickly that westward desire put out that eastern fire. So what, he thought Bobby is old enough now to take over for me at Riley's and besides that would be one less mouth to feed. After all I've a life of my own don't I? Right thought Bill, so he finished his chores early at the store and asked Mr. Riley if he could leave, because he had to do something very important. Jake agreed but also asked him if he had made a decision concerning the trader's offer. "Yes, I have" replied Bill. And then without another word he bolted out the door.

As Bill entered the hallway and shed he coat he heard a lot of commotion from the parlor, laughing and jovial noises. Being the curious type he peeked around the corner and was amazed at what he saw. All his friends and family were busy decorating the parlor. On the table was a huge cake that said "Happy Birthday Bill". He had forgotten that today was his birthday. Today he was sixteen, what a gift he was going to give to himself! Now I am a man, why I can even get married if I want to, of course I'd need a girl friend first, laughed Bill to himself. He knew now just what he had to do. Checking to make sure no one had heard him, he retrieved his coat and slipped out the door and over the fence unseen. Unseen, that is except for Mr. Riley who was just arriving to join in the festivities.

Bill returned home at his regular time, whistling a merry little tune from his childhood. He stomped his feet as he came in the door hung his jacket and cleared his throat. "Strange," Bill said out loud, "the lights are all off in the parlor, hmmm I wonder what's going on, where is everybody?" As Bill entered the parlor the lights went ablaze and everyone yelled "Surprise!" as they emerged from their hiding places. All Bill's friends crowded around him wishing him the best in birthday greetings. Bill returned each greeting and wore a smile that could fool a preacher. Anyone, that is except Mr. Riley, who was sitting next to his mother on the sofa. Anna looked at her eldest, the very image of his father at that age. She flashed a smile and mouthed "Happy Birthday Son" to Bill. As the night wore on, not a word was said concerning the impending trip planned for the next morning. Bill did however make sure that Bob would be able to take over for him at the store. Mr. Riley was more than willing to give Bob the newly vacated job. At last the guests had all gone home and the younger children had gone to bed. Anna and Bill were just finishing the last of the cleaning. "Mama, what was Mr. Riley doing here tonight?" asked Bill. "Oh, I invited him to come last week when I picked up the ingredients for your cake. You know, he really is a very nice man and he's been good to you too son." "I know mama, I know." replied Bill."I'm really thankful for all the help he's given to me." His mother kissed his cheek and said "Goodnight son, Happy Birthday, always remember that I love you. Hey! you're a man now, I guess we'll have to start calling you Mr. Anderson from now on". she chuckled as she started up the stairs. "Mama" called Bill. "Yes son", she replied "Thank You for the party and all, I really enjoyed it," said Bill. "You’re welcome Bill, goodnight" she responded and with that she quickly turned and went upstairs, so quickly in fact that Bill did not see the tears streaming down her cheeks. After checking all the doors and turning off the lights Bill too climbed the stairs and finally weary plopped into bed.

Way before dawn Bill was up and dressed. He completed his daily chores and then went to each bedroom to say a silent goodbye to his family. His mother, his best friend since his father departed for parts unknown lay peacefully with the moonlight showing her features. Both his sisters were still asleep, Bobby however was beginning to stir, he knew today was his first day and he did not want to be late. "Shhh" whispered Bill, "Go back to sleep you're too early." Out the back door nearly stepping on Ole Tom, through the gate and now heading towards the wharfs, never looking back, not seeing his mother standing in the window watching her son with tears streaming down her face. The riverboat had already built up steam and the trader was standing at the rail looking at his watch, when he saw Bill walk across the gangway. "Right on time son", said the trader, "Ifn there's one thing I respect it's responsibility, yes sir you can't beat responsibility".

Jake Riley had been used to sleeping in a little late each morning because he knew that Bill would get the store ready for business. He wasn't too sure that Bob was going to live up to his brother's standards. So he decided to leave for the store a might earlier than usual to make sure and help Bob on his first day at work. When he arrived at the store, the shades were already up, the sidewalk displays were already in place, the walk had been swept and through the open doors Jake could see the old pot-bellied stove cherry red already, a steaming pot of fresh brewed coffee on top. Well thought Jake maybe this isn't going to be so bad After all. Sticking his head through the stock room door he called out "Good Morning" and went into his office to open the safe and tend to the receipts for the day before. He heard the door open and smelled the fresh coffee, before he saw the cup placed at his right elbow. "Why thanks Bob, you know your brother..." as he turned there stood Bill in his apron, a sheepish grin on his face. "I couldn't do it Mr. Riley, I couldn't leave my mother and the kids, and I'm sorry I ever thought about leaving here, You've been so good to me..." stammered Bill. "Whoa hold on there boy", exclaimed Jake "No one's more glad to see you than I am, but now we've got a problem." as he gestured to the door where, stood young Bob reporting for work in his Sunday best. "I've got no need for two stock boys, there's just not enough business to keep both you busy" said Jake. "You stay Bill" said Bob, "I can always sell papers on the corner." "No" said Bill I quit and the job is yours, as he turned to go. "However" said Jake " I do have an opening for a sales clerk, do you know anyone who might be the least bit interested? The pay is three dollars a week." Jake had a smile a mile wide as he made the offer to Bill, but not half as wide as both Bill and Bob's smiles. All the sudden the look on Bill's face changed to one of disappointment. In his pocket was still the ten dollar gold piece that the trader had given him. "What about this" questioned Bill, "How can I return it to the trader?" "Return it?", said Jake, "Boy, you amaze me, wanting to give your salary advance back." "What?" exclaimed Bill, "You mean..." "Yes, I gave the trader the gold piece to try and bribe you to go, but I guessed that your responsibility would win out, I don't mind telling you though, I'm mighty glad it did." said Jake. "If you left it was a going away present, if not, it is a bonus for work well done. And for getting me a new stock boy at that. "Now" exclaimed Jake in his best store owners voice, "Let's get to work, we’ve got money to make!"

Growing up is one of the most difficult things for a young man to do. The lure of manhood is sometimes stronger than the continual yearn for lost childhood. Responsibility was Bill's deciding factor. I'm sure as the years went by that Bill finally did make the trip west. Maybe as a partner, in "Riley and Anderson Dry Goods and Mercantile Inc."