The far northwest corner of the city runs out into forest preserve and the Des Plaines River, so snow up in Edison Park and Norwood Park lands with a hush the rest of Chicago never gets. Martin Snow Plowing works that quiet at three in the morning — the plow making its first pass up the drive, a shovel opening the way to the front door, salt across the steps and the walk before the surface can glaze over. Streets this far out sit under old oaks and hold their snow well after the center of town has gone to slush. There is a plain satisfaction in the sound the blade makes on the last pass and the black stripe it leaves behind. Somebody gets out on time because of it.