Obadiah's Angel

Chapter 7

Mrs. Oleson's Plan

By

Becky

Saturday morning dawned with clear skies and sunshine, and Mrs. Todd was glad to see it, as she knew she would be quite busy today. Saturday was market day, and as she puttered around the kitchen of the parsonage checking the cupboards and pantry, she made a list of the items she would need for the coming week.

She'd served the Reverend his breakfast early, and as he had left the kitchen, he had stated, "That was an excellent meal, Mrs. Todd, thank you. I'm going for a walk, and then I'll be working on my sermon for tomorrow."

Nodding in his direction, she had called after him, "Reverend, I'm going to the market today. Do you need anything?"

Obadiah had turned back to her, and had thought quickly, going down a list of items he might need before her next shopping trip. "Could you pick up a can of tooth powder for me, please?" he asked.

She had added it to the list and had nodded in his direction, saying, "Yes sir, I will pick it up for you." Obadiah had smiled at her, and had headed out the front door.

Mrs. Todd gathered her list, and looking at the grocery baskets, she decided on the larger of the two. Her list was rather long as she read it over once again. She was intent on shopping for the week and added several additional items to it before leaving the house.

Making her way along the road, she slowly walked the three blocks necessary to the market, stopping from time to time to chat with friends along the way. As she neared the market, she spied Martha Hudson walking toward her.

"Oi, Ruth, it's good to see you again." Martha greeted her as she set her basket down and adjusted her hat.

"How are you, Martha?" Mrs.Todd inquired as she came up to the small woman.

"I'm better, but that last bout of rheumatism really had me in pain," she replied and rubbed her lower back for emphasis.

Mrs. Todd nodded in sympathy, then inquired, "Did you hear we have a new pastor?"

Martha replied, "Yes, I heard he is quite young."

"Young, he might be, but he certainly is compassionate," Mrs. Todd put in rather quickly.

"Well, I hope he makes a good impression on the congregation tomorrow," Martha continued. "I've heard that some people are against such a young man in the pulpit," she added as she gathered her basket to leave.

Mrs. Todd spoke up, "Well, they will see just what an asset he is to our community."

Martha nodded, then waved goodbye, and continued on her way.

Mrs. Todd crossed the street, proceeding on to the market.

The place was teaming with people, and Mrs. Todd wasted no time in looking for the items she had written on her list. As she rounded the corner of the vegetable aisle, she noticed Mrs. Oleson standing there, looking over the variety of vegetables offered.

Passing by as she headed for the section that held the squash, potatoes, and tomatoes, she spoke to her, "Good day, Mrs. Oleson, how are you this fine day?"

Mrs. Oleson turned around when she heard her name spoken. "Oh, Mrs. Todd, good to see you. Shopping for the Reverend?" she questioned as she peered into the basket held by the other woman. "Tell me, how is he doing? Is he settling in alright?" she continued, not letting Mrs. Todd answer before the next question was asked.

Mrs. Todd's face brightened considerably, and she answered, "Oh he's such a kind young man, a real asset to St. Michaels."

Mrs. Oleson looked at her with a questioning glance, as Mrs. Todd continued, "Why, just yesterday, he was so helpful to me when I became upset over Charles's death. We discussed the boys and their families and where they were living. He made me feel so much better." Her eyes took on a far away gleam as she remembered his kindness.

Mrs. Oleson could see that Mrs. Todd was truly taken with the young Reverend Slope. The evidence was written clearly on the older woman's face. Mrs. Oleson spoke up then, "Well I must be going now," she informed her hastily, as she turned, and made to leave.

Mrs. Todd spoke up, saying, "I'll see you tomorrow at services then," before continuing on her way.

Making her way through the market, Gertrude Oleson was seething, by the time she walked outside. Competition, although imaginary on her part, was something she was not used to. "No," she spoke aloud, as she walked toward her home, "just who does she think she is? I can tell she is taken with him. Why is she trying to spoil my plans?" Taking the last few steps necessary to reach her front door, she stormed into the house. "I'll not let the likes of Ruth Todd get the man I want." She was literally in a rage at the thought of someone else besting her, and as she continued through the house, talking to herself, she became more and more jealous.

Gertrude Oleson usually got her way about everything, and she was quite determined to get the Reverend Obadiah Slope. Her cap was set for him, had been almost since the day he'd arrived, and set her in her place that day at the coach station. She decided then and there, a visit to the good Reverend was quite in order.

Obadiah was restless and unable to concentrate on writing his sermon, even after his walk. His thoughts persistently strayed to Hammersmith and a certain young girl. An hour had passed; he noticed when the clock in the hall chimed and still he did not have the sermon written. Rising from his chair, he sighed as he made a turn around the room, scanning the numerous shelves, looking for some spark of inspiration. His mind was set on Genesis, but the words seemed to elude him as he thought about what he needed to convey to the congregation. Suddenly, he heard a knock at the front door. 'Surely Mrs. Todd would use the back entrance,' he thought, as he walked to the door.

Opening his study door and peering through the sheer curtains, he saw that there was, indeed, someone standing on the porch. Three steps brought him to the heavy wooden door; upon opening it, he found Mrs. Oleson standing there.

Pushing open the screen door for her, he inquired, "Mrs. Oleson, do come in. To what do I owe this visit?" He smiled at the older woman as he stepped back slightly to allow her entrance.

Mrs. Oleson stepped into the foyer, and turned back toward Obadiah. "Oh, Reverend Slope, I came to invite you to Sunday dinner tomorrow after services." she replied, smiling at him.

"How very kind of you." He smiled as he gestured toward the sofa in the living room. "Do have a seat. Would you care for some tea?" Gertrude shook her head no, and Obadiah sat down in the nearest chair.

"I know this is last minute, and you probably already have dinner plans, but if not, I'd truly like for you to have dinner at my home," she intoned, as she waited for his response.

Obadiah smiled, answering , "No, I have no other plans. I'd be delighted to have dinner with you after the service, thank you."

Gertrude's face fairly beamed with satisfaction, when he'd said yes. "Wonderful, I shall be looking forward to your company," she replied. Rising from her seat and making her way back to the front door, she turned, saying, "I shall see you tomorrow at services. Good day, Reverend." She walked out the door, and down the steps, a cheerful smile playing on her lips, a calculating gleam in her eye.

Obadiah watched from the porch until she disappeared around a curve in the path. Shaking his head, he went back to his study where he once again tried to write the elusive sermon.

Mrs. Todd returned from the market, her basket laden with fruits, vegetables, a freshly killed chicken and a slab of bacon both wrapped in newspaper, fresh eggs, sugar, flour, and the tooth powder. Entering the kitchen, she set her basket on the counter and began to unload the items. She placed the vegetables on the counter and took the bacon to the pantry and set it in the niche on the shelf where the temperature was the coldest. Placing the vegetables in the baskets on the floor of the pantry and the eggs into a wire basket, she retrieved a large bowl and two baking pans to make bread for the coming week. Setting the supplies on the sideboard, she retraced her steps back to the pantry.

The chicken lay on the small counter just inside the pantry door and needed to be cleaned and cut up for chicken and dumplings. Removing it from the paper it was wrapped in, she stepped out into the back yard. Over the fire pit, she began to pluck the chicken and clean the insides. Singeing the remaining feathers off, she took it back inside the house. Cutting the bird into smaller sections, she readied one of the baking pans and lit the oven.

As she went about her daily tasks, she decided to invite Reverend Slope to Sunday dinner with her and her family. Nodding in satisfaction, when the dumplings had been cut and set aside, she wiped her hands on her apron, picked up the can of tooth powder, and went to the study.

Obadiah was putting the finishing touches on the sermon when the knock came. "Come in," he called, and as he set his notes and quill aside, the door opened.

"Oh, Reverend, I wanted to ask you to dinner tomorrow after services. My sons and their families will be there, and we'd like for you to come and eat." She smiled as she stood just inside the doorway.

Obadiah rose from behind the desk, and came over to her. "Thank you, Mrs. Todd, but I've already accepted an invitation," he replied, then continued. "Mrs. Oleson stopped by earlier and invited me to dinner at her home tomorrow."

Mrs. Todd looked at him and then intoned, "Sir, I don't mean to tell you your business, but be careful around Gertrude. She likes to cause trouble." Having spoken her mind, she nodded, held out the can of tooth powder to Obadiah, and then turned to leave.

Obadiah started after her, catching her gently by the arm, his features held a questioning look as he spoke, "What do you mean, likes to cause trouble?" he asked.

"Sir, just be careful. Gertrude can be rather vengeful when she doesn't get her way," she replied solemnly. With that said, she nodded in his direction and headed back toward the kitchen, leaving Obadiah standing in the study, confusion gracing his features, and with a lot to think about.