"Look Katie, it's so green out here, have you ever seen to many trees?" Elizabeth Thatcher asked as she looked out the window of the stagecoach thundering down the path. She looked across from her to the little girl sitting on the other side, her face hidden by a book.
"Kathryn, I know your not looking forward to this, but it will be a wonderful experience!" Elizabeth tried to make herself sound excited as she reached out her hand and pushed the book down. Kate just gave her a look that Elizabeth knew mirrored one she could sometimes give. Almost everything about Kate mirrored Elizabeth. Both sisters had long light brown hair that looked almost a hint of orange sometimes. Because Elizabeth was older she always wore hers tired up in an elegant bun and curls that framed her face. Kate wore her's down, her long waves landing at the bottom of her back as she wore decorative clips to hold it from her eyes. They were both gifted with their mother's blue eyes, Elizabeth's were a shocking bright blue that had the tendency to catch people's attention and draw them in. Kate's were a little lighter and could look grey on a cloudy day but were softer and looked like a perfect fit on her soft features and were true to her kind heart. Both girls had thin figures but Elizabeth was tall and Kate was short for her age making their age difference of eight years seem so much larger.
"It's our adventure" Elizabeth raised her eyebrows at her.
"It's your adventure! You can force me to leave my home and my friends and school and anything civilized to go live in the middle of no where. But you can't make me be happy about it." Kate snarked.
"Fair enough, you are aloud to be upset. But I think this will be the best thing for us, I will let it speak for it's self" Elizabeth sat back to tired to fight with her sister. The coach went over a rock and jumped flinging both girls from their seats. Elizabeth shrieked as both girls reached to straighten their fancy hats and smooth their skirts.
"Anyway, how can you give up everything we have to go live in some frontier town?" Kate asked when they were both settled again.
"I think it will be good for us. We had such a privileged upbringing, now I am a teacher and it's my chance to give back. They asked me to come to Coal Valley to help out and I want to." Elizabeth said.
"But you promised, one month."
"I said we would try it for one month, I never promised we would leave after one month, They need a teacher, we will be staying for a year if it works out." Elizabeth corrected her.
"Well, I think you will hate it as much as I do. I have read horrid things about outhouses and and candle light." Kate shivered before she returned her book to the front of her face. Elizabeth rolled her eyes at her younger sister settling back into her seat when suddenly there were loud bangs off in the distance.
Kate jumped as Elizabeth leaned out the window again. Up ahead she saw four or five men riding toward them on horse back shooting into the air.
"Get down!" Elizabeth cried.
"What?" Kate yelled.
"Get down now under the seat!" Elizabeth shoved her sister down before laying on the ground next to her.
"This is all your fault!" Kate hissed from under the bench
"Can we go home now!" Kate yelled from inside the coach.
"Do you see my parasol?" Elizabeth asked going through the things on the ground.
"Of course not, they took everything that wasn't our worse dresses or night gowns" Kate sighed. The smugglers has only scared them and both girls made it out unscathed. But their driver had run off and the smugglers had gone through all their things, taking anything worth any kind of money. And they made out with the Thatcher girls, Elizabeth imagined they had made more then ever with the amount of worth their things were.
"Come on grab a bag" Elizabeth said shoving everything she could into her best carpet bag.
"You must be kidding?" Kate cried.
"I am not, we have no other choice, take what you can carry and let's go"
"It's miles away!" Kate said but she had started picking up the few things she had left.
"Then we better start walking" Elizabeth said holding her chin up determined to be both brave and a leader to her sister. She was happy when Kate tossed the bag over her shoulder.
"We got this, you and me right?" Elizabeth said as Kate looked at her, the attitude gone it was replaced with worry that Elizabeth could see in her eyes.
"Come on, let's practice our latin, you quiz me first" Elizabeth said.
Elizabeth woke up as the wagon suddenly stopped. She sat up fixing her hat and trying to make sure her hair was in the right place. Somewhere along the road they had been picked up by a kind man in a wagon who was headed to Coal Valley. Kate had fallen asleep with her head in Elizabeth's lap within minutes. Elizabeth hadn't meant to doze off but it would appear that she had.
"Wake up we're here." Elizabeth shook Kate awake.
"It's so grey" Kate said looking around. Elizabeth had to agree, the buildings were all wood and grey, the road was just rocks and dirt, even the people looked grey.
"Mercantile is over there" The man who had picked them up pointed across the road.
"Thank you" Elizabeth tried to be graceful about climbing down from the back of the wagon reaching back to help Kate.
"Come, stay close to me" Elizabeth crossed the road towards the biggest building.
"No cars" Kate said looking around her. "Oh my gosh is that horse manure!" Kate shrieked as she side stepped it in the middle of the road.
"Hush!" Elizabeth said as she opened the door to the building. Everyone turned to look at the girls and Elizabeth understood why. They were all dressed plainly. Plain skirts and shirts with straw hats, clearly all homemade. The girls stood out in their store bought dresses with multiple skirts and lace and matching hats.
"Hello, I am Elizabeth Thatcher, I'm the new school teacher." Elizabeth introduced herself to the two women standing closest to her hoping they didn't notice how out of sorts she was.
"Hello, I'm Abigail Stanton, this is Cat Montgomery" A middle aged women introduced herself. Kate peered around Elizabeth taking in both women in plain dresses and bonnets, baskets over their arms. Abigail had light brown hair tied up in a bun.
"We were expecting you a while ago." Cat said
"I know, I am very sorry. Our stage got robbed and we came the rest of the way on foot" Elizabeth said.
"Are you alright!" Abigail asked visible concerned.
"Yes, thank you, this is my sister Kathryn. I had written to say she was coming." Elizabeth said.
"Of course. Welcome both of you. Why don't we go somewhere where we can sit and talk." Abigail said. Kate followed the women out sticking close to her sister. Abigail seemed nice enough but the town looked rough, nothing like the big city they had left behind.
"We mothers will be paying your salary, it's the only thing in this town the coal mine doesn't own. We wanted to take charge of our children schooling. The church burnt down a few weeks ago so school is held here" Abigail said as they walked into the solon. Kate glanced around. There was a chalkboard pushed off against the wall and a teacher desk in front. But the rest of it looked just like a regular saloon. Elizabeth looked around just as worried.
"It's the only place big enough to hold all the children" Cat said. "We had requested someone who could handle all of this" She looked over the girls dresses again.
"I know I am not what you expected but I can assure you I am capable, I am equipped with the newest teaching practices…" Elizabeth started to defend herself.
"The superintendent of schools did tell you what happened here?" Abigail asked.
"No he didn't" Elizabeth shook her head, Abigail sighed and Kate leaned a little closer.
"Three months ago there was an explosion in the mine, 47 men lost their lives, many of the wives in this town lost husbands and sons that day." Abigail said and Kate felt her breath leave her. So much hardship in this town.
"I am so sorry, I had no idea" Elizabeth said.
"We mothers are paying for your salary because for many of us our children schooling is the only thing we can control. If your not up for the job…" Cat started.
"I can assure you I am" Elizabeth defended herself again.
"It's not just reading and writing, you would be fighting for our children futures and helping us provide something stable to children who have lost everything" Cat said again. Kate could slap her if she wasn't such a lady. How dare anyone second guess her sister so!
"Please! I have come so far, just give me a chance to prove myself" Elizabeth begged.
"It will take the stage coach one week to return, we could give her a try" Abigail said gently. Kate liked Abigail, she was kinder and softer spoken then Cat. She had kind eyes that seemed to draw Kate in. When Cat didn't argue Abigail turned to Elizabeth with a gentle smile.
"There is a small cottage you can stay in and get settled." She offered.
"Thank you, I will not let you down" Elizabeth said firmly.
Kate and Elizabeth stood outside of a wash board cottage Abigail had led them to looking at it as the sun was going down.
"There's not even glass in the windows. It's just shutters closed or wide open for all the bugs to come as they please." Kate said.
"More fresh air is good for us."
"It's one room, theres only one bed" Kate challenged again.
"And we will make the best of it."
"You haven't been to the outhouse yet" Kate mumbled. Elizabeth glanced behind her at the tiny building.
"I suppose I forgot there was no indoor pluming" She sighed looking around her and Kate could see she was starting to get defeated. As much as Kate was determined to dislike it here, Elizabeth wanted to give it a try and seeing her suddenly looking so tired was leaving Kate feeling guilty over being so negative about the whole thing.
"Hey, it's still you and me right?" Kate asked. Elizabeth turned to give her a smile over the sisters familiar saying.
"You and me forever." Elizabeth nodded.
"It will have to do, I will buy you a new one soon" Elizabeth sighed as she pinned the hem of her night gown up for her smaller sister. Kate's had all been stollen but Elizabeth had been left with two.
"It's big" Kate sighed shrugging the shoulder back on.
"It is just for sleeping. Give me your dress I'll wash it with mine." Elizabeth said as she scrubbed her dress in the basin. Kate handed her her dress and a shiver ran down her spine as a wolf howled outside.
"That sounded close" She said glancing at the door.
"We are inside four walls, the windows are closed and the door is locked, we are safe." Elizabeth assured her hanging both dresses by the stove to dry.
"What will I do for school?" Kate asked.
"Well who's to say there isn't a child at the same level as you?" Elizabeth asked. Kate raised her eyebrows at her.
"You have your books, you will continue all your classes here, during school hours same as the rest of the children. I am a good teacher I can keep you caught up with your peers in Hamilton." Elizabeth assured her.
"While these kids are learning how to write I'm going to be learning Latin and piano" Kate rolled her eyes.
"Kathryn Thatcher you will be nice to these children! You heard Mrs. Stanton. Most of these children have been through a horrendous thing.
"Oh and I haven't?" Kate asked.
"Not as recently as they have. And truthfully that's all the more reason to be kind to them. You know what they are going through." Elizabeth said in a tone that told Kate the discussion was over. The wolves howled again.
"That sounded closer." Kate said glancing at the door.
"Nonsense, did you see a piano in the saloon? I can't say I remember seeing one but I wasn't really looking. Most saloons have piano's don't they?" Elizabeth asked.
"I'd have to say that was my first time in a saloon" Kate said making Elizabeth laugh.
"Mine as well, I suppose we will get used to it. " Elizabeth nodded.
"Hey, is it smoky in here?" Kate asked looking around them.
"Oh.. Oh Dear!" Elizabeth cried as they both turned to see their dresses drying by the stove caught on fire! The fire was quickly spreading to the wall behind the stove and the rest of the kitchen area.
"Those are our only dresses!" Kate yelled.
"Get me water and the rag" Elizabeth cried as she ran over to the fire trying to stomp it out. Kate rushed over with a bucket of water but it was to late the fire was out of control.
"Get out!" Elizabeth yelled and both girls left the cabin in time for the roof to catch fire.
"Now what?" Kate asked as they stood outside the burning cottage wrapped in blankets wearing only their night dresses.
"Oh, this is awful" Elizabeth sighed.
"Thank you again for taking us in Mrs. Stanton." Elizabeth said as Abigail came down the stairs of her row house. After the fire was out she had offered to take the girls in, it was now the middle of the night as they tried to get settled.
"Oh it's no trouble, and please call me Abigail"
"I feel terrible, I had no idea my dress was so close to the fire and…"
"Elizabeth stop, it was an old building, no harm done. And in the meantime you are both welcome here as long as you would like, sit down have some tea." Abigail said.
"Oh I should go check on Kate, we have had a horrid day and she's so tired, I practically had to carry her here…"
"I just did, I hope you don't mind, mother's habit I suppose. She's sound asleep." Abigail said
"Thank you again" Elizabeth smiled sinking into a chair at the table and taking a sip of the tea.
"If you don't mind me asking, why did you bring your younger sister with you? I'm sure she was getting much better schooling in Hamilton and she must not have been happy to leave her life there. Why did your parents let her come?" Abigail asked.
"Oh, I supposed I should have explained in my letter when I accepted the job. We lost both our parents. We were living with our grandmother but she is older and doesn't care much for children. Besides I could never leave Katie behind." Elizabeth shrugged.
"I'm so sorry, about your parents." Abigail said her tone and face showing she truly meant it.
"Oh thank you, but it was a long time ago. Mother died giving birth to Kate and Father died two years after that in an accident. Grandmother took us in but by then I was older and Kate was raised mostly by governesses and myself. Grandmother took us in out of obligation, but it was a blessing. We never wanted for anything and we had wonderful schooling." Elizabeth said trying to reason why Abigail looked so upset at her story.
"It must have been hard just the two of you?" Abigail whispered.
"We made do, I suppose that is why we are very attached to each other. When I told Kate I was taking the job here she was upset. She knew there was no way either of us would leave the other which meant she was coming with me." Elizabeth smiled a little.
"You are lucky to have each other."
"Yes, I thank the Lord for Kate everyday, she the only true family I consider myself to have anymore" Elizabeth nodded.
"Well after some time in Coal Valley you may come to think of us as all one big family." Abigail smiled at her.
"You are certainly kind enough to be family" Elizabeth returned the smile.
"It's late, you should get to bed teacher, class starts early tomorrow" Abigail said as they both finished their tea.
"I suppose you are right, thank you again for everything Abigail" Elizabeth said.
"I won't hear another word of it. I don't have much to offer but I can give you a warm bed to share and a hot meal on the table. It's been a while since there were other people in this house and I must say I enjoy it." Abigail said. Elizabeth gave her a smile as she climbed the stairs ready for sleep and to start her new job tomorrow.
"Are you nervous?" Kate asked as she watched Elizabeth wrap her long hair around her head in an elaborate bun.
"A bit, it doesn't help that I'm in a borrowed dress with nothing to my name." Elizabeth sighed smoothing the skirt and blouse Abigail had been kind enough to let her borrow. It was plain and shorter then Elizabeth was used to but she was grateful. One of the mothers had come over this morning with a new dress for Kate. It too was one solid color a bit to big for her but still fell only to her mid calf. Shorter dresses were common here but the girls were used to dresses that went almost to the floor.
"Well you look good at least. Who knows maybe you will get more respect dressed like this." Kate shrugged. Elizabeth offered her sister a kind smile for her support.
"And you, nervous about the other kids?" Elizabeth asked as Kate stepped in front of her and Elizabeth started pulling the curlers out of her hair.
"Well it will be new to take classes with other kids." Kate shrugged.
"It will, maybe you will enjoy it, spend time with other girls your age and have lunch with them." Elizabeth nodded as she perfected Kate's hair fastening the front of it back with a clip as the rest fell long down her back.
"Come, Abigail said she wanted to make breakfast for us today, we must be polite and spend time with her" Elizabeth said leading the way down the stairs they were greeted with the most wonderful thing Kate had ever smelled.
"I hope you like pancakes, I made blueberry and banana. There is also fruit and some cheese." Abigail glanced up from the stove.
"Oh my, this smells heavenly" Elizabeth said as both girls sat down by the table.
"I packed you lunch as well, you both are bright eyes for being up so late yesterday. Are you nervous for your first day?" Abigail asked sitting down with them as they all started breakfast.
"A bit, I hope the children will respect me." Elizabeth said.
"Most of these children have been through a terrible trauma the past few months. Their mothers are struggling and the mine owns everything. You aren't just here to teach Elizabeth we also need you to guide the children and be gentle with them and show them happiness again." Abigail said gently.
"I am going to try my best." Elizabeth sighed.
"That's all we can ever ask. What about you Kate are you nervous to meet the other children?" Abigail asked turning to Kate who was moving her pancakes around her plate with no intent on eating. Kate shrugged looking up at her.
"Grandmother always hired tutors for us, I have never been to a real school with other kids." Kate said.
"Well I bet you will like it, the children in town generally get along well." Abigail offered Kate a smile.
"Yes Ma'am" Kate nodded turning back to shuffle food around her plate.
"Can I get you something else to eat?" Abigail asked watching her.
"No thank you Abigail, Kate usually enjoys pancakes, I think she must just have some butterflies is that right?" Elizabeth asked turning to Kate who nodded at her.
"First day jitters are very common" Abigail nodded giving Kate a smile.
"We should go, I want time to set up the classroom, thank you so much for breakfast Abigail" Elizabeth clearing her plate.
"Oh I will do that, you two go on, here, incase your appetite
returns on the walk" Abigail said handing Kate an apple from the table.
"Thank you" Kate whispered and gave her a smile, the first one Abigail had seen from her since meeting her.
"Have a wonderful day" Abigail handed Kate the lunch pail as Elizabeth picked up their books.
"See you after school." Elizabeth smiled as she and Kate left the row house. It was still quiet and early in the morning as they walked down the long lane of row houses to the center of town. Some of the minors were getting off the night shift and walked by nodding their hats to Elizabeth. Kate watched them wide eyed as they were all covered in coal dust dirtier then she had ever seen a person. They walked in silence, both nervous as Elizabeth went over the days plans in her head. When they came to the center of town Kate slipped her hand in Elizabeth's who looked down at her sister. Wearing a dress that was to big for her and her wide eyes scanning the town, Kate looked smaller then her 11 years.
"Hey, you and me right." Elizabeth said squeezing Kate's hand.
"Forever and ever" Kate nodded squeezing back as the girls crossed the street and entered the solon to get ready for the day.
When the church bells tolled 9 times Elizabeth opened the front door as children and mothers were gathered outside.
"Good Morning" Elizabeth said brightly as the children started filing in.
"My girl needs to sit near the board, she has poor eyesight!" One mother called.
"I don't want homework done at my supper table school is for reading and writing, home is for chores" Another called.
"Of course" Elizabeth tried to remember everything that was yelled at her, before she knew it the women were walking away and she closed the doors turning to the children who were gathered inside.
"Alright take a seat, younger children in the front, older children in the back" Elizabeth called. The children found seats quickly, she noticed no one had chosen to sit with Kate who was sitting of to the side a bit. Everyone was talking and laughing trying to sit near their friends.
"Alright children may I have your attention please?" Elizabeth called and was pleasantly surprised when they fell silent turning to her.
"Good morning everyone. My name is Miss Thatcher, I am going to work very hard to learn all your names but it may take me a day or two." Elizabeth offered them all a kind smile. Some of the younger children returned her smile, a group of older boys in the back were frowning, out of the corner of her eye Elizabeth saw Kate watching them all.
"There are some classroom rules I would like to go over. First, please raise your hand to speak, ask permission to leave your seat." Elizabeth started when suddenly a whistle started to blow. It was loud, Kate was sure it could be heard all over the town as the children started jumping up.
"Children!" Elizabeth called. None of them paid her any attention as they started filing out of the door.
"Children you are not dismissed! Children come back" Elizabeth called. Most of the older children were gone not listening to her at all.
"Miss. Thatcher, that's the mine whistle ma'am. It means more of the daddies were found." One girl spoke up. Elizabeth looked out the window as men and women were flooding the streets making their way to the edge of town where she knew the mine was.
"Alright, come children follow me" Elizabeth said gathering up the 10 remaining little children and ushering them out the door. Kate followed her as they walked to the mine. Elizabeth picked up the smallest boy as they walked among the crowed counting the children over and over to make sure no one was lost. They made it to the mine where the crowd was gathered. Elizabeth saw the rest of the children gathered with their mothers. Abigail was among the women standing by. Men covered in coal dust were filing out of the mine and it seemed like the whole town had come out.
"What's going on?" Kate asked Elizabeth.
"I'm not sure" Elizabeth shook her head.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, as promised we have finished digging out the bodies of the dead minors today. We have also found this!" A man from the mine said holding up a wooden plank with writing carved into it. A gasp went though the crowed that had gathered.
"What does it say teacher?" Asked the little boy in Elizabeth's arms.
"It says Forgive me, Pa" Elizabeth read before the minor speaking went on.
"We are going to take good care of this until we find out who this was intended for" He said when suddenly a man in a suit stepped up.
"The Mine will take care of this, I will hold onto this and we will be sure to find out who it belongs to in a timely manor" the suited man said stepping up and taking the plank. He was dressed nicer then anyone else Kate had seen around town however he didn't seem liked by many people.
"That belongs to the mine!" The minor who seemed to be in charge yelled.
"And we will take care of it" The suited man said firmly.
"You can't take that!" More minors yelled and Elizabeth was afraid that a fight was going to break out and was trying to figure out a way to hurry the children away when the little boy in her arms pointed behind her.
"Look teacher" He said. Elizabeth turned as a man in a red jacket rode up on his horse.
"What's a Mountie doing here?" Kate asked.
"I'm not sure but he has wonderful timing" Elizabeth said as the Mountie rode up to the crowd of men.
"Hello. My name is Jack Thornton and I am the the new constable of this town. Can someone tell me what is going on?" He asked.
"This town had a mine accident 3 months ago. Many lives were lost, we found this plank today and we are trying to figure out who wrote it. Mr Gowen is trying to take it away and it belongs to us minors and our families" One of the men yelled. The Mountie nodded taking the plank in his hands.
"Every women will submit something in their husbands writing to me. I will hold onto this and compare it to writing and try to figure out who it belongs to, any objections?" When no one said anything he nodded and the crowd started to break up.
"Come children, back to school" Elizabeth said herding the children back down the road. The rest of the day was uneventful and passed easily. The butterflies that Elizabeth had started the day with calmed down with each hour and by the time she dismissed the children for the day she was feeling ready to take on the rest of the week. They walked back to Abigail's house and Elizabeth gave Kate more lessons in Latin and algebra as Abigail made dinner. They ate together and spent time with her before going to bed. Elizabeth knew she would have no trouble sleeping tonight.
Kate sat plucking at the keys of the old piano the next morning as Elizabeth wrote math problems out on the board. Kate settled her fingers on the piano and started to play a song as Elizabeth hummed along. She only made it a few notes in before a long and out of place note filled the room making them both winch.
"This piano is so out of tune." Kate sighed.
"Abigail said it hasn't been touched in years, she thinks its not reparable." Elizabeth said as Kate peered into the top of the piano. Kate muttered under her breath as she tugged at the hem of her borrowed dress sitting back down on the bench.
"Try it again Kate keep going maybe it's not to bad" Elizabeth offered. Kate started playing again but after 3 off notes in one line she stopped throwing up her hands.
"What is the use."Kate sighed They both looked up suddenly as a door closed upstairs and footsteps were coming down. Kate noticed the Mountie from yesterday as he descended the last few stairs into the room.
"Oh, I am sorry, I didn't know anyone else was here" Elizabeth said.
"I'm renting a room upstairs for the time being." The man said. Kate watched him from a distance. He was tall, with dark hair and a clean shaven face. He seemed formal and upfront, not mean but Kate had yet to see him smile. He had dark hair and sharp features but kind blue eyes. He carried himself with authority.
"I'm Elizabeth Thatcher. I'm the new teacher here, this is my sister Kate" Elizabeth said shaking his hand as she gestured over to Kate sitting in the corner. Jack turned to Kate giving her a polite nod.
"I'm Constable Jack Thornton" He said.
"Oh I umm sorry" Elizabeth said realizing she was still gripping his hand as she pulled back flustered.
"Oh I'm sorry I may have left you with a bit of chalk dust" She said noting the white of her hand.
"No chalk dust" Jack said kindly holding up his clean hand. Kate turned back to the piano bored with the encounter flipping through a saloon music book with no songs she recognized.
"It's hard to believe that a place like Coal Valley needs it's own constable" Elizabeth said.
"I agree, I was on my way to a post in Cape Fullerton when I was moved last minute and sent here with little explanation." Jack nodded
"Oh Cape Fullerton could use all the help they can get. They are a very big city with a large shipping port" Elizabeth nodded.
"You have been?" Jack asked surprised.
"Yes, not lately but I was there often when I was younger, my father did a lot of business there" Elizabeth nodded.
"What's your father's name?" Jack asked.
"William Thatcher" Elizabeth said not sure why he was asking.
"Oh it's all making sense now." Jack muttered.
"What is?" Elizabeth ask confused.
"There were reports of a big shipping typhoon's daughter traveling up here. Of course they would have the money to send someone to keep an eye on their little princess. Thanks to you I now have a steady diet of coal dust" the constable said clearly not happy with his change of post.
"I can assure you we don't need you here!" Elizabeth shot back just as firmly and Kate glanced up from the piano now watching them. Elizabeth didn't often lose her temper but now she looked quiet angry as Jack had turned and was making his way to the door.
"I suppose I have nothing to worry about, you won't last more then a week in a town like this" the constable said angrily.
"I can assure you constable I have no plans on leaving so I hope you enjoy the taste of coal dust" Elizabeth shot back.
"We shall see about that" Jack said before leaving and closing the door behind him.
"Ughh that man" Elizabeth growled stopping her foot.
"Why is he here?" Kate asked watching her from where she was hovering by the piano. Elizabeth softened her expression turning to her.
"It appeared Grandmother sent him to keep an eye on us" she sighed.
"But why did he think Father did it?"
"He just recognized father's name from when he used to be in the papers. It's fine Kate, he was just grumpy this morning. Why don't you go play outside before school starts" Elizabeth offered as Kate glanced out the window at the children starting to gather playing soccer in the street.
"Can I help put out the books and slates?" Kate asked.
"Yes" Elizabeth sighed as Kate stood starting to set up the desks.
"Now who can tell me this part of speech?" Elizabeth asked underlining a word in the sentence she had written on the board. Kate glanced up tearing her eyes from her own English book that was grades ahead of what was on the board. None of the children raised their hands.
"Come on, who knows? Is it a noun? A verb?" Elizabeth asked. No one said anything.
"Children I would like all your eyes on me, now your mothers have entrusted me to give you an education. And I would like to do that and I think we could have a lot of fun with it. But we have to work together." Elizabeth said noticing the two boys in the back who were whispering to each other.
"Boys, are you listening?" She asked
"My pa wrote it I know it!" A boy named Gabe, Cat Montgomery's son yelled suddenly.
"That's not true my ma said my pa left it for us!" Another boy yelled.
"Boys, stop" Elizabeth said firmly.
"Your a lier!" Gabe yelled suddenly and jumped from his seat as the two big boys started to fight. Everyone jumped up cheering them on except Kate who was watching with wide eyes. These were two of the bigger boys, both not much shorter then Elizabeth and probably a lot stronger.
"Boys Boys no!" Elizabeth yelled as she tried to break them up and suddenly Gabe threw a punch and it hit Elizabeth in the eye, She gasped holding her face.
"Hey you stupid coal boy look what you did!" Kate yelled as the rest of the room went silent and everyone stopped watching Elizabeth.
"Take your seats, everyone" Elizabeth said firmly. Still holding her eye. Kate rushed up to her as the other children sat down.
"Sit down" Elizabeth told Kate firmly. Kate shot her a look but went back to her seat.
"There is no fighting in my classroom. And I will have no more talk about the mine. We are here to learn, during the day you are in my classroom and you will behave like proper girls and boys." Elizabeth said.
"Yes Ma'am" The children nodded getting back to their work.
After school Kate and Elizabeth walked through the town on their way to the row houses. Kate was chattering away as she tended to do and Elizabeth was tuning her out, as she sometimes tended to do. A hacking sound drew her attention to the back of a building and Elizabeth turned to see the Constable chopping wood. He was wearing just his pants and tight undershirt as he swung the ax over his head easily chopping the block of wood in half.
"Elizabeth, are you listening?" Kate asked.
"What, nothing.. Yes I am" Elizabeth stuttered quickly turning away noticing Kate had stopped a few steps behind her outside the store steps.
"Abigail asked us to stop by the mercantile and pick up a can of beans for supper" Kate said again knowing Elizabeth had lied.
"Of course, let's go." Elizabeth nodded fanning herself with her papers as they climbed the steps to the store.
"Oh Kate just in time, will you set the table for supper, four places please?" Abigail asked as Kate came down the stairs of the row house later that day.
"Yes Ma'am" Kate nodded going to pick up some plates and forks as Elizabeth came downstairs too.
"How was your second day of school teacher?" Abigail asked not turning away from the stove.
"To tell you the truth it was a little bumpy" Elizabeth sighed as Abigail turned and gasped at her face.
"Black and blue too, what happened?" Abigail said walking up to Elizabeth and looking closely at her eye.
"It was nothing" Elizabeth sighed.
"Two boys started fighting and she tried to break them up" Kate said
"Never get in-between two coal boys who are fighting" Abigail said shaking her head.
"Who was that man at the mine everyone was so mad at yesterday?" Kate asked placing plates on the table.
"That's Henry Gowen, he owns the mine, he's not a favorite around here." Abigail said as there was a knock at the door.
"Elizabeth do you mind?" She asked, Elizabeth nodded opening the door surprised to see Mountie Thornton standing there.
"You!" She said.
"Nice shiner" Jack smirked at her as she stepped aside letting him into the house. Kate threw him a dirty look, Abigail didn't see either of them as she stepped up.
"Constable, I'm so glad you were free to join us tonight" Abigail greeted him warmly as Kate and Elizabeth shared a look.
"To tell you the truth I'm not that popular around town yet, I haven't had any other invitations to supper" The constable said taking off his hat.
"Well we are glad you could eat with us, you are welcome anytime" Abigail smiled.
"Thank you, it smells wonderful" Jack smiled looking around the little house.
"That's a wonderful piece of art" He said looking at a painting hanging on the wall.
"Thank you, it has always been a favorite of mine." Abigail smiled.
"Who's the artist?" Jack asked stepping forward to get a better look.
"My late husband Noah, he loved to paint."
"He is wonderful, he really used good strokes and blended the colors well" Jack said.
"You know art?" Elizabeth asked not hiding her surprise.
"A little, my mother always liked to teach us the finer thing." Jack nodded his voice more cold then when he was talking to Abigail.
"Was she an artist?" Elizabeth asked.
"No a teacher, the most noble work" Jack said Abigail nodded her agreement as Elizabeth narrowed her eyebrows and Kate gave Jack another dirty look.
"Let's sit down, supper is all ready." Abigail said as they sat around the small table Kate ended up sitting across from Jack with Elizabeth and Abigail on the ends in-between them.
"So what made you want to become a Mountie Constable?" Abigail asked after they had said grace.
"My mother always told my brother and I to do something good for someone else once a day. And my father was a mountie. I guess you could say I was born into it." Jack said.
"What's your horses name?" Kate asked forgetting she was supposed to be angry with him. Elizabeth kicked her under the table.
"Oww" Kate whispered, Jack smirked knowing what had happened.
"His name is Sergeant. He's been with me for years." Jack gave Kate a smile.
"I think a mountie is a very noble job, my son Peter wanted to be a Mountie, his father convinced him that coal mining was a noble job to" Abigail said with a sad smile.
"It is as that, I am so sorry for your loss Mrs. Stanton" Jack said and Kate almost forgot she was supposed to dislike him with how polite he was being to Abigail.
"Thank you." Abigail nodded.
"I was wondering if I could ask you some things, about the day of the explosion?" Jack asked.
"I'm sure Mrs. Stanton doesn't want to talk about such things." Elizabeth cried appalled.
"No it's alright, what would you like to know Constable?" Abigail asked.
"What do you remember from that day?" Jack asked. Elizabeth watched Abigail hesitate and wanted to defend her again.
"Kate dear would you go out back and fill the water bucket we seem to be low." Abigail said nodding to the almost empty water bucket that stood by the door.
"Ok" Kate nodded picking up the bucket and going out the back door. Abigail waited until she was gone to start speaking again.
"I don't remember much, just that it was midmorning and there was this loud boom and the whole ground shook. I knew immediately what had happened. No one said anything, we all knew what had happened. We all just started running. Just running to the mine." Abigail sighed tears gathering in her eyes. Elizabeth felt her own tears welling up listening to everything her new friend had been through.
"Thank you" Jack nodded as Kate came back inside with a full bucket of water.
"Thank you sweetie" Abigail offered her a smile as Kate sat back down and talk changed to more pleasant things.
"Go up to bed I will be there in a minute." Elizabeth told Kate putting her shawl around her shoulders.
"Thank you for a lovely meal Abigail." Jack said.
"You are welcome here anytime constable." Abigail smiled at him warmly.
"It was nice to see you again Kate."
"You too constable" Kate said cooly
"I will walk you out" Elizabeth said holding the door open, Jack went through.
"Thank you for coming Constable" Elizabeth was saying as she stepped out closing the door behind her.
"Was it really necessary to make her relive the worst day of her life?" Elizabeth hissed when the door was closed behind her and Abigail was out of earshot.
"I was just asking some questions, she seemed willing to answer" Jack said.
"The people of this town have been through enough without you poking around and asking insensitive questions"
"Well lucky for you and the rest of this town I won't be here long. I put in a telegram for an immediate posting change and I expect to hear back very soon." Jack said firmly.
"Well, I never thought a mountie would run from such a challenge" Elizabeth smirked.
"Challenge? This town?" Jack asked scoffing at her.
"You don't think that a town where the church was burnt to the ground and the mine exploded killing more then half the men needs some kind of examination?" Elizabeth asked stepping down the stairs to be even with him.
"Of corse I do, and I am starting that examination to have ready for the next Mountie to come to this post, why do you think I was asking questions in there?" Jack said pointing to the door of the row house.
"So your just going to start it and leave?"
"I am going to do my best to solve it, I have excellent skills of deduction Miss Thatcher. That's how I know you aren't wearing your own dress, or shoes and you weren't all that unhappy when you opened the door to me at dinner." Jack said.
"How could you possible know that?" Elizabeth asked.
"Your walking on the edges of your feet to make up for your shoes being to tight, your dress is about three inches to short and a little tight around the waist" Jack said as Elizabeth let out a horrified gasp.
"And not unhappy to see you coming to dinner?" She asked.
"That was a guess, thank your proving me right." Jack smirked as he tipped his hat to her and started walking back to the town.
"Well I never!" Elizabeth cried even more horrified before she let out a growl and went back into the house.
"What did he say?" Kate asked as Elizabeth came stomping into their bedroom.
"Ugh he is infuriating" Elizabeth grumbled as Kate sat up in bed watching her pull her long hair from the clipped bun she always wore it in.
"Was Mrs. Stanton sad?" Kate asked watching Elizabeth brush out her hair.
"A little, she will be ok, the Constable was asking her some rather inappropriate questions. Did you say your prayers?"
"Yes, I prayed that Mrs. Stanton would feel better soon, and that another girl from Hamilton would move here so I would have a friend." Kate said softly.
"Those sound like nice prayers, but don't you think maybe you should try making friends with some of the kids already living here?" Elizabeth asked. Kate just shrugged.
"Well lay down and go to sleep, I want to help Abigail with the washing tomorrow since there's no school"
"The washing! Oh but Elizabeth it's Saturday can't we take a walk or go to dinner like we always used to" Kate sighed.
"We will try to make time for that, but we also must be helpful. Abigail is letting us stay in her house, the least we can do it help out." Elizabeth said.
"Your right" Kate nodded laying down but clearly still mad.
"We will do something special tomorrow Katie, Don't worry." Elizabeth assured her as Kate rolled over facing away from her. Elizabeth sighed she got ready for bed and turned off the light crawling into the space next to Kate laying on her back crossing her arms still mad.
"He told me my dress looked to tight. Does it?" Elizabeth asked into the dark room.
"Of course not! You look wonderful as always even if you are wearing Abigail's borrowed clothes." Kate said rolling over so now they both lay on their backs.
"I sent a telegram to Grandmother to send us more dresses and everything we lost from the stage coach hold up. Hopefully we can have our own clothes in a week or so."
"Good. I will help with the laundry tomorrow." Kate said
"Thank you, many hands make work light. I will make sure there is enough time left for us to take a walk. We can walk by that lake at the edge of town"
"That sounds nice" Kate smiled.
"I love you, go to sleep now it's late."
"Love you, good night" Kate said rolling back over and soon they were both asleep.
Sunday morning Kate and Elizabeth dressed in their best dresses, just as they always had and went to church. Since the church had burned down, church was normally held in the saloon. Although Kate had heard rumors that some gathered for church in the woods. Today however they were gathered in the cemetery to bury the bodies of the last minors that had been found. The cemetery was covered with grave stones, the upsetting thing was the so many newer looking ones that people stood among. Some that were still dirt and the grass had not started to grow over yet. Kate stood close to Elizabeth and Abigail as the paster prayed over the graves. They stood among families from the town, Kate recognized many of the children from school that were gathered with their parents. She glanced behind her and saw Mr Gowen standing in the back. He was always among rough looking men who seemed like they were his protection. Behind them Constable Jack sat on his horse overlooking everything. Kate was surprised when she felt relief that he was there, Jack nodded his hat to her and Kate was about to smile back when Elizabeth poked her hard in the ribs. Kate turned back to the paster to pay attention.
"Ok class, please bring your slates and rags up and then you are dismissed" Elizabeth said glancing at the clock Monday afternoon. The children all got up rushing to her desk to put their things down.
"Have a good night, don't forget your lunch pails" Elizabeth smiled as some of the students waved and offered her a smile. As the room emptied out she looked down at her desk to straighten the pile of papers the students had left. She looked up again in time to see Gabe leaving last, his slate still at the table where he was sitting. She sighed, she was having so much trouble with Gabe. She looked out the window and saw Gabe looking up and down the street, like he was going somewhere and didn't want to be seen. Elizabeth stood up watching him before he hurried away.
"Kate, wash the board and go home please, I will be along in a little bit." Elizabeth said distracted.
"ok" Kate nodded Elizabeth left quietly closing the door behind her, Elizabeth stayed a few feet behind Gabe as she watched him keep looking around. She followed him between buildings to the outside of town. He walked through the woods for a half mile before looking around again slipping into an old shed between trees. One that looked like he may have built it himself.
"What are you doing here?" A hiss whisper asked making Elizabeth jump she turned where the Constable was hiding behind a tree next to her
"I'm following him" She said gesturing to the shed Gabe had gone into.
"Me too, how did you know?" Jack asked.
"Know what?" Elizabeth asked.
"You don't know" Jack smirked narrowing his eyes at her.
"I might know!" Elizabeth frowned.
"Let me handle this, rough coal boys are for mounties not teachers" He said stepping forward.
"And children are for teachers not for mounties" Elizabeth stepped right up next to him giving him a firm look.
"Fine, we'll do it together"
"Whatever it is we're doing" Elizabeth muttered.
"Just watch and let me do the talking" Jack said as they both walked up to the shed. Jack opened the door and Gabe turned startled to look at them he took the plank from the mine off the wall putting it on a table behind him.
"That's the plank from the mine." Elizabeth said surprised.
"It was stollen while everyone was at the cemetery yesterday." Jack said softly.
"It's not steeling if it's mine I the first place!" Gabe yelled. Elizabeth glanced behind him at a table covered in a white men's shirt. It had a baseball and a card and a few other odds and ends.
"If you knew it was yours so much why didn't you wait for my to finish the investigation?" Jack asked. Elizabeth was surprised her voice was gentle as he spoke to Gabe.
"Pa never trusted Mr Gowen he said he was a crook and a lier" Gabe said.
"Gabe, we don't know for sure that this is yours." Jack said.
"It is, I know it it!" Gabe yelled tears coming into his eyes.
"Gabe, sometimes bad things happen and we don't get the goodbye we hoped for. But that doesn't mean that it isn't true. Your father loved you very much." Elizabeth said. Gabe nodded as a tear fell from his eye.
"Oh Gabe, it's ok" Elizabeth whispered pulling him into a hug. She made eye contact with Jack over his shoulder. Jack was watching them closely, he saw Elizabeth and nodded gently offering her a smile.
"Abigail" Elizabeth called entering the row house with the Constable and Gabe behind her.
"Yes Elizabeth?" Abigail called making her way into the kitchen and Kate came down the stairs stopping short when she saw everyone come in.
"Mrs. Stanton, this is yours" Gabe said holding up the plank he held in his hands.
"Yes Gabe it is" Abigail sighed
"Why didn't you claim it?" Jack asked gently. Abigail seemed to hesitate.
"You were afraid the other women would be upset" Elizabeth suppled.
"I thought it would set me apart, that I had the goodbye that everyone wanted" Abigail sighed. Gabe stepped forward handing her the plank.
"I am sorry I took it" he said softly.
"Gabe it's ok" Abigail said giving him a hug.
"Truth is, this belongs to everyone who lost someone in the mine, not just me" Abigail said gently letting him go.
The next morning Elizabeth was giving the older children a spelling test while the younger ones were at the board doing math problems. On the wall over her desk hung the plank for everyone to see, especially the children for Coal Valley who had lost so much.
Good afternoon Constable" Elizabeth greeted him as he came in after school that afternoon as she sat grading papers. Kate was sitting at the table near her working on her Latin book.
"Good Afternoon Mss. Thatcher" He said as he crossed the room heading to the stairs until he stopped turning and stepping up to Elizabeth's desk.
"I was thinking if we are going to be seeing so much about each other I would like you to call me Jack." He said.
"Does this mean you are coming around to the fact that we will be here for a while?" Elizabeth asked smiling a little.
"On the contrary, a week is hardly a measurement of long term." Jack said.
"I guess then I will still have to surprise you Jack" Elizabeth smiled and Kate looked up at her a little surprised that Elizabeth was actually being warm with him.
"We will see" Jack said with a smile but it was more of a friendly tease then the annoyance he used to speak to her with.
"Since we will be here for a while, you are welcome to call me Elizabeth"
"Have a good afternoon Elizabeth." He said with a nod.
"You too Jack" She smiled.
"Wonderful to see you again Kate" He turned to her.
"You too Constable"
"Jack" he corrected her.
"You too Jack" Kate said softly as he climbed the stairs giving her a wink.
"What was that?" Kate asked turning to Elizabeth.
"Oh never you mind, finish your work." Elizabeth said smiling at her when the door suddenly opened.
"Hey Kate, want to play hopscotch?" A girl named Laura asked poking her head in. Kate turned to her in surprise before glancing over at Elizabeth.
"May I?" Kate asked softly.
"Of course, have fun." Elizabeth smiled as Kate closed her book and she watched out the window as her sister played outside with two other girl her age. Maybe they would fit in here after all.
