Sylvia 9/10

The next day the Ingalls men and Mr. Webb have formed a posse to look for Sylvia. I know back in those days a posse was the most efficient way to track down someone, but it amazes me that anyone has ever been found with the method. We see that Sylvia has found shelter in a dilapidated barn of some sort and it just so happens that it is the first place Albert looks. See, how does that work? Sylvia calls out to Albert and he runs over to hug her. Sylvia does not want to go back home, even after Albert assures her that Mr. Webb isn't going to try to shoot Albert in the face any more. For some reason her face is all dirty and it looks like she has a five o’clock shadow. She goes on another “I love you” soliloquy, which is much like the other three or four that she or Albert have already given, so I’m not going to transcribe it again. Blah blah blah, I love you, blah blah blah, hugging.

Albert agrees not to return Sylvia and decides that the two of them should run away. Yeah, the rest of your posse won’t catch on to that until at least sundown. As they hug yet again, Albert notices that Sylvia is freezing and runs off to get her a blanket. He also grabs some food for her. What a gentleman. He gives her a kiss before he leaves again to get eloping supplies. As he leaves, Sylvia says I love you again. Man, Caroline totally called the superficial nature of this relationship, didn’t she? Albert rides away and rejoins his father and Mr. Webb. He lies about not finding Sylvia. Mr. Webb decides to check back at home, Charles is going to check the farms in town while Albert volunteers to check with the businesses in town. They agree to meet up at the Olesons’.

Albert’s first stop is the livery stable, but no one is in. Albert realizes he has an opportunity and begins to rummage through Hartwig’s desk. He pulls out a cashbox and grabs some money along with a piece of paper. He starts to write a note to Hartwig but before he can reach the verb of his first sentence Hartwig enters the room. Mr. Hartwig sees what’s going on and accuses Albert of stealing. Albert tries to defend it as a prematurely approved loan, but Hartwig still calls it stealing. Albert goes on about how badly he needs the money, but when Hartwig asks what for, Albert says he can’t say. Hartwig starts to drag Albert away so he can tell Charles what is going down, but Albert decides to spill the beans instead. He tells Hartwig everything: the marriage plans, that Sylvia is at the old Atkins place, the fact that Albert was going to ask for an advance instead of pursuing the prematurely approved loan. Hartwig isn’t sure he wants to be an accessory to whatever Albert has planned, but the kid convinces him that no one will ever know his involvement. Hartwig agrees and offers to saddle and feed Albert’s horse and provide another horse as well. That’s...awfully generous for someone who just seconds ago didn’t want a part of what was going down. Albert is grateful as he leaves the stable to gather supplies back at the homestead.