Lucy's Trials in the Black Hills - Softcover

Hardesty, Ann A.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1449053688 ISBN 13: 9781449053680

Publisher: AuthorHouse, 2009

Synopsis

Even though this book is fiction, the setting, The Hardesty Homestead, is a real place. It is located in the Black Hills of South Dakota near Keystone and Mt. Rushmore. When George and Emma Kimmey Hardesty were married, they moved onto this 160 acre piece of land. The Homestead Act which was passed by Congress in 1862 provided for the transfer of 160 acres homesteader on payment of a nominal fee after five years of residence. The Homestead became theirs July 11, 2003. The document declaring the land was theirs was signed by President Theodore Roosevelt. Emma had two children from another marriage. She and George had 10 more together. One of these was the author's father-in-law, Lawrence Hardesty. In 1950 he bought the homestead from his parents to help them maintain their home there. George and Emma wanted no part of modern conveniences such as electricity which, as George said, "Might burn you." On June 9, 1972 Lawrence sold 110 acres of the Homestead to his older son, the author's husband, Art. He had previously sold 40 acres to the west for home sites. Part of the homestead had been developed as a tourist campground from 1964 to 1985. Now the Art Hardestys live there during the summers. It is a sanctuary for ducks, deer, and wild turkeys. On occasions elk, mountain lions, and mountain goats have been seen. The characters are made up, but their names were chosen to honor the author's children and grandchild.

About this title

From the Back Cover:

Chapter 14

Lucy Runs Away

The clouds continued to build up in the south. It was getting darker and darker. Lucy ran from the yard toward the hills. Tears still poured down her face. She paid no attention to where she was going. She took a wrong turn. Thunder could be heard in the distance. Lucy was not thinking clearly, "What a time to be running away from home, BUT I JUST HAVE TO GET AWAY. Everyone is making fun of me. No one believes me. It's just not fair. I get blamed for everything. I work so hard. I know I could ride with them and help."

The sky became darker and darker. She could not see the cabin. She had thought she knew where she was. She thought she was headed toward her hiding place. However, Lucy could not see anything familiar. It was like night. Nothing looked the same. She did not seem to be on the right path. What had happened? Now she felt the first drop of rain and then another and another. I'd better hurry she thought. She wished that Tippy were with her.

Lightning flashed. Thunder boomed. ZAP! BOOM! It is not safe to be among all of these tall trees in a storm.

She walked even faster zigzagging through the boulders, dodging branches and fallen trees on the ground, seeking something she knew. "I have done this so many times. Why can't I find my place? I am lost. How did I get off the path?" Lucy sobbed.

As Lucy ran she looked from side to side. She pushed her straggly hair out of her face and forgot her feet. Logs were scattered everywhere. Small streams had formed. The ground was slippery.

Wham, she hit the ground headfirst. Her eyes were full of dirt. Her ankle cried out in pain. She tried to get up. The world turned black. She lay motionless on the ground.

The rain came down in full force now. And it wasn't just rain. Popcorn sized hail pelted her. Lightning continued to flash. Thunder clapped over her head. Thunder roared. Water rolled over her. She felt nothing now.

About the Author:

Ann Ambrose Hardesty got the ideas for this book as she hiked over the property of the Hardesty Homestead in the Black Hills of South Dakota with her Sheltie, Rambo. Ann was born and raised in Kentucky. She graduated from Florida Southern College and later received a master's degree from the University of Wyoming. She taught fifth and sixth grade in South Dakota and Thermopolis, Wyoming. Even though retired she still enjoys substitute teaching at Thermopolis Middle School. Ann is active in her profession and community. She has served as state president and later as treasurer of The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International for key women educators. She was elected to the Thermopolis Town Council for ten years. She is a member of the P.E.O. Sisterhood and Community Federated Church. Ann's passions are being a "Big Sister", reading aloud to pre school groups, and being part of the Wednesday Fellowship team at her church. She was named Thermopolis Citizen of the Year in 2009 Ann and her husband Art live in Thermopolis, Wyoming. They spend time in the summer on the Hardesty Homestead near Keystone, South Dakota. They had three children. Scott and Lucy perished in a plane crash in 1977. Son David and his family live in Wyoming. Ann and Art are very proud of their grandson, Patrick Scott.

About this edition

• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Publication date: 2009
• ISBN 10: 1449053688
• ISBN 13: 9781449053680
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 104