Allen Shooster: The Great Frontier

By M.E. Champey

Allen Shooster and  his family are embarking upon a journey into the great frontier across the U.S. in search of gold in the  rivers of California. Along the way, Allen and his sister find five lost animals looking for their families. They encounter native commun

• Language: English
• Publisher: Michael Edward Champey
• Release date: Mar 13, 2023
• ISBN: 9781088096918

Book preview

Allen Shooster

Allen Shooster

Allen Shooster: The Great Frontier Copyright © 2023 

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

Written by M.E. Champey

Cover Editor: Julija Fominiene

First Printing, 2023

Other Titles by M.E. Champey

Mouse Train

Mouse Train (Illustrated): Dirby's New Home

Mouse Train 2: Dirby's World Tour

Daniel Stone and the Magical Scarves: Book 1

Daniel Stone and the Rescue Alliance: Book 2

Daniel Stone and the Magical Cruise: Book 3

Daniel Stone and the Frozasian Adventure: Book 4

Tolkin the Sorcerer: The Witchle's Firebox

Once Upon a Clock Tower: Huntsville's Dark Society

M.E. Shorts: Volume I

M.E. Shorts: Volume II

The Legend of Ben Hensley: Logan's Fire

The Boyorgs: Search for the Criterion Blade

Fiory: The Enchanted Ice Horse

Court Magic: The Orb of Time

Cat Smart: A Who-clawed-it Mystery

Contents

1 Young Allen Shooster

2 The Lost Animals of Indiana

3 The McGraw Brothers

4 Missouri

5 The Osage

6 Kansas Bound

7 Needle in a HayStack

8 A Gift from Ahgre

9 On the Right Track

10 Gateway to the Rockies

11 Beaver City

12 Another Clue

13 The Old Cabin

14 Wild Coyotes

15 Wild Stallions

16 The River of Riches

17 Sacramento: A New Life

About The Author

Allen Shooster

The Great Frontier

M.E. Champey

1

Young Allen Shooster

Hi! My name is Allen. It’s short for Allenheimen. My full name is Allenheimen Vincent Shooster III. I’m eleven years old and I live with my ma, pa, sister Sara, and my small pup Charlie. I’m originally from Cleveland Ohio, but, after my dad lost his job as a shoe maker, we had to move out West. You see, there’s this big gold rush in a city called San Francisco. Pa always says, if we work hard enough, one day, that gold can be ours. So as of yesterday, my family and I have begun our journey.

We travel in this big wagon. It’s really big. It can fit all of our possessions, clothes, and food. We can even sleep in it. Pa says it's best not to travel at night. He says there’s thieves and all sorts of trouble happening at this time. So to be safe, we would usually set up camp next to a small fire to keep us warm. But it’s alright. We usually spend the nights telling ghost stories and roasting nuts. We even spend time gazing at the stars. Sometimes, when it's a really clear night, we can see all the stars; even some of the other planets. But it's beautiful. Especially when we catch a shooting star.

2

The Lost Animals of Indiana

Cock-a-doodle-doo !

I woke up to the morning call of our rooster named George. It’s usually the way my sister and I wake every morning. We also have four squawking hens named Sally, Peachy, Norma, and Ruthy. And of course we can’t forget about our traveling cow we named Betty. Yes, these animals are the way we are able to have delicious and palatable meals every day. Especially in the mornings, that is.

I could hear Pa’s homemade stove, sizzling bacon and frying eggs. I could also smell bacon and eggs drifting through the early morning zephyr. It was quite the contraption. It had gears and pulleys that could flip the eggs all on its own. It also had a timer built in, knowing exactly when to finish-cooking the meals. Yes, my Pa was somewhat of an inventor that way. He’s built a few other gadgets for us, making our trip across the country a little more comfortable. One is a temperature controlled shower head used in combination with burning logs we collect on our trip. Another is a heating rack to dry our clothes. We have to constantly remind Ma to turn it off at a certain temperature. She has been known to burn our clothes from time to time.

Good morning, Allen! Pa said.

Good morning, everyone! I replied.

I noticed my sister eating her warm porridge. She was sitting next to my mother at our outdoor table. We left during early spring, making the weather perfect for our journey. That is, at least for now. I walked on the rich green colored grass of our third day in the beautiful state of Indiana. The wheat grass was lined not too far from our post and the yellow patches of daisies went on forever. I pulled my suspenders over my long sleeve collared shirt and fixed my light brown hair to the side with my fingers. I breathed a puff of air into my circular framed glasses and cleaned them with the end of my shirt. I finally took my seat, next to my mother.

Here you go, Son. I’ve made your favorite; blueberry waffles with a side of eggs, laid freshly thanks to Sally, Peachy, Norma, and Ruthy.

I poured the very last bit of maple syrup we gathered from a trade with the Shawnee natives last week, and without hesitation, bit into my very first bite of sweet tasting waffle.

My mother was knitting a hand cloth used to wash the dishes. Of course, needed when Pa’s dish washing invention failed to work. Our dog Charlie was also a big fan of licking the dishes clean.

What are your plans for today, Allen? Ma asked.

I knew exactly what I had in store for today. But I played it cool and nonchalantly answered, Oh you know, nothing out of the ordinary.

Ma, however, knew exactly what I had in store. She knew I was going to my favorite spot on this site. That’s the stream located just a short ways down the dirt covered path from here. This is where I found many of my animal friends. You see, there weren’t many other children around these parts. It was difficult enough making friends on the go. Instead, I often made friends with the local animals that lived on our path along the way.

When we first stopped at this location, I knew the sun and glistening stream would indicate that a variety of animals lived there. It had rich soil and many trees for the local critters to make their habitats. I just loved studying wildlife.

Ma continued to work on her knitting.

Well, if you plan on going to the stream today, do take your sister with you. She’s finished her home-schooling for the semester and it would be most educational if you brought her along.

OK, Ma.

I agreed with little concern. My sister was a kind sister. I knew she would be of great assistance.

Can we bring Charlie? Sara asked.

Of course, dear.

Ruff! Ruff! Charlie barked.

He certainly was an excited little pup. He was colored dark grey with white spots and shaggy hair that hung over his black beady eyes.

Very well then, I began, wiping my mouth with my table cloth. Best we begin our day soon, Sara.

Sara eagerly jumped to her feet and adjusted her light pink dress. Charlie happily jumped around Sara’s legs.

I wiped my circular framed glasses one more time and placed them upon my face.

Have a good day, son, Pa said.

Yes, be safe and be back for dinner. No later than sun down. Do I make myself clear? Ma asked.

Yes, Ma, replied my sister and I in unison.

Very well then. Seize the day, children!

With that, my sister, Charlie, and I started our journey. We followed the stream along the dirt filled path beneath our brown leather shoes.

It was a glorious sunny day. Pitch perfect for our day’s adventure. Sara, along the way, picked up many dandelions and blew all their pedals into the air. Charlie would jump and try to eat the pedals that floated gracefully over the rich grass that covered the land around us.

Before we knew it, however, we could see the large stream just a short way ahead.

There it is, Allen! my sister joyously shouted.

Yes, there it is indeed, I replied. Sara, get your pencil and notebook ready. You will have a lot to jot down as we encounter the many different animal species along the stream's shoreline.

Sara pulled her small leather notebook out of her pocket. She then plucked her pencil out from her hair bun and prepared herself; ready to record her brother’s research.

Look there, Sara! A chipping sparrow!

We gingerly ran towards the small bird who was perched upon a low hanging tree branch. Charlie barked and followed close behind.

Sara, write this down. Chipping sparrow. Scientific name, Spizella Passerina.

Sara wrote down the name, sounding it out as best as she could.

Hey little fella. My name’s Allen. That’s my younger sister Sara and our dog Charlie. What’s your name?

The young sparrow picked up her head. She quickly turned it from side to side.

Who? Me? My name’s Lily!

Well, Lily, how do you do?

The small sparrow continued to appear concerned. She jumped onto my shoulder and continued to quickly turn her head, appearing to be looking for something.

I’m looking for my family! Have you seen them?

I looked at my sister, unsure of what to say.

I glanced at the bird on my shoulder and said, I’m afraid not, young sparrow. Are you lost?

Am I lost? Am I lost? Oh my goodness! I’m… LOST!

Oh dear, I replied. And with nothing else to say I continued, Well, I suppose you can tag along with us until you find them. I’m sure they’re not too far away.

Oh thank you, thank you, thank you, kind sir!

The bird hopped off my shoulder and fluttered its wings till it landed safely on the ground. Sara and I were yet again confused.

Young sparrow, can’t you fly?

I’m afraid not, the bird replied. My mother was about to teach me before she suddenly… Disappeared!

Hmm, I thought. Sara, we’ll need to make room in our schedule later. For flying lessons, that of course.

Sara scheduled a lesson in her small pad.

Alright, come hop along behind us then. But don’t fall too far behind. I don’t want you to get lost again.

The small sparrow eagerly agreed and quickly followed us. We all walked closer towards the stream in single file. Yet, before we made it to the stream, Sara suddenly spotted another animal on our way.

Look, Allen. A cute little bunny!

Yes, sister. A cottontail rabbit for sure! C’mon Sara, let’s observe!

We quickly ran towards the cotton tail bunny with Charlie and Lily close behind.

I slowed my expeditious jog and froze before it.

A female Sylvilagus. How fascinating.

Sara quickly jotted down the scientific name and a short description in her pad.

Hi young rabbit. My name is Allen Shooster. This is my sister, our dog Charlie, and our new friend Lily. How do you do?

The cottontail rabbit quickly neared them. The rabbit was a cute little rabbit, indeed. Her bright little smile, however, suddenly turned into a sad little frown.

I took a step closer and asked, What’s wrong rabbit. Why do you look so sad?

I’m lost, young boy. I can’t seem to find my mother and father anywhere?

Oh dear, I thought. Another lost animal.

What is your name, young bunny? I asked.

My name is Ivory, the rabbit said happily, with a smile back upon her face..

Well it’s nice to meet you Ivory. Our young sparrow friend here has also lost her parents. It seems we’re on a search for missing parents today. You can come tag along with us if you’d like. It’s quite possible you might run into them along the way.

If you wouldn’t mind, I would really appreciate that, kind young boy, Ivory replied thankfully.

"That would