The Purpose - Easter 1900

Chapter 1:

Sunday April 1st 1900, the Town of Walnut Grove is at Church. Rev. Alden announces they will be having a special Easter Service in 2 weeks April 15th. Rev. Alden says to his congregation, ''The kids of the town will be singing as a choir but they need a young soloist for a special song." Rev. Alden has all the children stand up that are in the choir, some of which include: Grace Ingalls who is 5 years old, Carrie Ingalls, 11 years old Nancy Olsen, 13 years old and Elmer Dobkins, 14 years old. Then Rev. Alden says to the congregation, "Think of who you will want to sing the special on Easter Sunday and next Sunday we will have nominations."

Nancy Olsen speaks out, "Rev. Alden I would be glad to sing the special, I am more qualified since I'm the oldest."

Nels, as he is looking at his daughter, "Nancy, he said we will have nominations next week!" '

"Yes, Father," Nancy answers with a smirk on her face.

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The following morning Charles and Caroline Ingalls receives a telegram from their son Albert who is living in Rochester MN. and a Doctor at Mayo Clinic with Sylvia his wife who is a nurse. The telegram says that Albert and Sylvia and their 3 kids Sarah, 8 years, Matthew and Olivia who are twins of 6 years old will be visiting Walnut Grove for Easter. They will be arriving Saturday April 8th. The Ingalls family is very excited about them coming for they haven't seen them in about 8 years. Albert and Sylvia moved to Rochester not to long after Sarah was born.

In bed that evening Caroline is remembering back to when Albert and Sylvia were growing up and Sylvia was raped by Hartwig and says to Charles, ''I hope Harriet Olsen doesn't bring up to Sylvia her childhood and hurt them again, calling that poor innocent child, Sarah a 'tramp baby'."

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At school one day the children are playing in the school yard. Nancy goes up to Carrie, "Carrie, I think I should be the one to sing the special on Easter Sunday because I'm the oldest and the prettiest!"

Carrie with her sister Grace beside her says, "Oh, Nancy be quiet!" Then Carrie puts her hand around Grace's shoulder and says, ''Nancy, how about Grace she's the youngest?" Then says, "Nancy, Elmer Dobkins is the oldest he's 14 years old and you're 13."

Nancy answers, "A boy do the special? That should be for a girl, a pretty one like me! Elmer, he is also too fat!" Then as Nancy turns her head and begins to walk away with a smirk on her face says, "As for Grace, I still think it should be the oldest."

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Saturday April 8th at 2pm the stagecoach arrives with Albert Ingalls and his family. Charles, Caroline, Carrie and Grace along with Almanzo and Laura Wilder are there to greet them. Sylvia Ingalls gives Caroline a hug and says, ''We all missed you so much." Sylvia brings her 3 children to Charles and Caroline saying, "Your grandchildren Sarah, Olivia and Matthew."

Caroline hugging Sylvia back and turns to Sylvia's kids says, ''They are beautiful children."

The Ingalls family is driving down the street and Mrs. Olsen looking out the store window says to herself, "There goes Sylvia and her tramp baby, Sarah."

The Ingalls' family, Albert, Sylvia, Olivia and Matthew along with Almanzo and Laura Wilder spend the afternoon and evening hours in the little house with Charles, Caroline, Carrie and Grace. They are eating supper and talking around the table remembering the days when they were all growing up in the house. Laura asks her Pa, "Pa, can you play the fiddle for us again?"

As Charles gets his fiddle, ''I sure can!"

After a few hours of playing the fiddle they say their goodnights.

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The next morning in Church as they are singing, 'Amazing Grace' as the opening song Rev. Alden hears Sarah Webb Ingalls' voice above the crowd and says, "Sarah, you have a beautiful voice would you mind coming up front and singing for us all?"

Sarah goes up to the front of the Church and sings 'Amazing Grace' and the whole congregation is in 'awe' of her singing and claps with a standing ovation, except for Nancy and Harriet Olsen.

After the message Rev. Alden askes the congregation, "Do we have any of the kids in mind to sing the solo next week for the Easter Service?"

Mr. Edwards says, "Rev. Alden, My vote is for Sarah Webb Ingalls. Everyone agrees with Mr Edwards except Nancy and Harriet.

Rev. Alden asks Sarah, "Would you sing for us next week!"

Sarah with a smile says, ''I would be honored to."

As the congregation is leaving the Church building Nancy and Harriet give Sarah a look as to say, ''We don't want you to sing."

As Albert and Sylvia are outside putting their children on the wagon Harriet goes up to Sylvia and says, "Your tramp baby, Sarah has no right to sing in our Church, she is an illegitimate child."

Sylvia begins to cry, Albert pulls Sylvia close to him and says, "Sylvia, honey, pay no attention to Mrs. Olsen. Albert then turns to Mrs. Olsen and says, ''Mrs. Olsen, you have no right to talk to Sylvia that way or call my child illegitimate. For one Sarah isn't illegitimate! She may have been conceived when Sarah was raped years ago but that doesn't make her illegitimate! JUST LEAVE US ALONE!"

Nels grabs Harriet, and as they walk away Nels apologizes to Albert and Sylvia.

Harriet says, "But Nels, that child shouldn't sing for us!

"HARRIET!" shouts Nels, "Let's go!"

Albert and Sylvia drive way. Sarah is crying, "Pa, Why doesn't she like me?"

Albert answers, "Sarah, sweetie don't worry about it, she doesn't like anybody and her daughter Nancy is the same way."

To Be Continued...