The Mary Spence Story
Chapter 7- The green-eyed Monster.
Most of the younger boys enjoyed a turn riding with Mr. Wooster and the Major. There was always a good story to be heard. Luke had gotten up early; he wanted to be finished with his morning chores quickly and planned to ask Major Adams if he could ride on the lead wagon with him today.
However, this morning he was assigned to wash the breakfast dishes. His ma had already scolded him once for rushing his chores and slamming objects down impatiently.
"Geez, why does everyone have to be so slow?" he grouched as he wiped the plate and dropped it onto the makeshift table before him, receiving a not too pleasant look form is ma. He ignored her, and then he grabbed the almost empty plate from his brother Matt and went to try and wash it.
"Hay I was not finished with that," Matt yelled and stood up, as he snatched the stolen plate back from his brother.
"Oh you're just being slow, cause you know, I want to hurry!"
"Am not; you big baby," Matt chanted, his mouth full around a bit of biscuit?
"Are too, you big dope," Luke retorted, kicking Matt in the shin.
What Luke didn't know was that his ma was right behind him and just as he let his foot fly, she let her wooden spoon fly, landing a quick swat to each boy's backside.
Both boys' shouted, "Ouch that hurt," almost in unison and threw their hands back to rub the assaulted part of their persons.
Shaking her spoon, Mary pointed first at Luke, "You do not kick your brother, and you, sir…" she growled and aimed her spoon at Matt, "do not torment your little brother!"
"Yes ma'am," chorused both boys.
Luke retrieved the last of the dishes, now abandoned by his brother. "Ma, I'm all done, may I go see Major Adams, please?"
"Yes you may, if you can mind your manners," she gently reminded him, as she took the dishpan he had just emptied.
Luke ran up to Major Adams excitedly. "Can I help you and Mr. Wooster drive the train today, Major, Sir?"
"I'm sorry son, I have already promised Petey this morning, and Tommy this afternoon, you'll have to wait till in the morning," replied the Major apologetically, running his hand over the boys head.
Luke turned to walk away muttering under his breath, "Damn that Matt, if it weren't for his slow a..." his rant was cut short as Major Adam grabbed his arm and turning him to the side swiftly planted two swats to the seat of his britches.
"You will watch your mouth young man," ordered Major Adams.
"Yes Sir" Luke mumbled, as he reached back trying to rub another sting away, from his not fearing too well today, backside.
Ouch, that stung, Luke thought to himself, as he walked back toward his wagon. His mood was getting worse and he was thinking of how bored he was going to be today. Too busy glaring over his shoulder at Petey; who was all smiles as he made himself comfortable next to Mr. Wooster, and not watching where he was going, he suddenly bumped into something. He fell; his arms and legs flayed everywhere as he tried to keep his balance. When the dust cleared, he realized that it was not a something, but a someone, he had collided with and he had not been the only one sent spiralling in the dirt. That big old Mrs. Webster sat in the dust opposite him staring angrily back at him.
"You little beast, just look what you have done? Now I'll be hot and dusty all day," she spat bitterly.
"Why you old hag' like anyone would notice with the way you smell, and anyway you would've been hot and dusty in an hour; we're on a wagon train, dummy." Luke let his anger loose on her.
Suddenly someone grabbed his arm and hauled him out of the dirt. The next thing he knew his tail was on fire again.
"You will apologize to Mrs. Webster, right now, young man!" Luke turned to find that he was staring into Mr. Hawks' furious eyes.
Bill helped the woman up, as Luke gave a quick, "Yes, Sir Mister Hawks, I'm really sorry Mrs. Webster." He blurted out as tears sprang to the nine year old's eyes.
"You should be you little monster," she screeched, before stomping off.
"I think that you should stay clear of her and mind your manners, is that clear?" advised Bill.
"Yes sir," sniffed Luke as he started off again for his wagon.
Luke found a spot to crawl into the wagon and sulk. "Boy I'm sure sore, and it's only gone six in the morning, the wagons ain't even moving yet." He quietly grizzled.
As young boys often do he pouted for a bit, snoozed, but then he became bored and went looking for adventure. He crawled out of the wagon and collected a few things he would need to have fun along the trail to day.
"Ma the Major says, I can ride with him for a bit." He shouted up at his mother, as he ran along the side of wagon.
"Okay, son; have fun," Mary answered from her spot beside Hank.
Then just as the wagons were all in their positions and ready to roll, Luke climbed into the back of the lead wagon and hid himself just behind the seat under a canvas. He peeked out about an hour later, and then very carefully pulled out his sling shot and a small stone. Aiming carefully for the wide rump of the horse closest, he fired, causing the horse to jump forward, then bump his partner next to him. The disruption had the whole team skittish and squealing.
"Whoa, there Dan… Whoa!" Wooster spoke to the horses in calming tones.
Luke repeated his little joke three more times each time retreating under the canvas to giggle. Each time the horse squealed and changed gait. The horse team were well trained though, and Charlie Wooster recovered and regained control quickly. Wooster began to get suspicious. He slowed the team to a gentle walk, and then carefully handed the reins to Pete. He motioned for Pete to just hold them straight, then he turned slightly to watch the back of the wagon from the corner of his eye. Sure enough he heard giggling. Reaching down he fished the culprit out through the opening and held him firmly by the collar.
"You think that's funny; hitting old Dan's rump like that? We'll just see how you like it!"
With that Wooster flipper Luke over and set the dust to flying after laying down at least a dozen swats. Finally he stopped and plopped the embarrassed and tearful boy next to him. Taking the rains he pulled his wagon out of the line, knowing this would bring Bill to check what was wrong.
"What's wrong Charlie," Bill said as he galloped along side?
"Not what but, who, galldarnit," growled Charlie, waving his hand as he told Bill of Luke's little prank.
"All right Charlie, all right, I'll take the little bandit off your hands. Climb on over here son, I think you've caused enough mischief for one day," Bill said as he helped the boy slide into the saddle in front of him.
Bill trotted back to the Spence wagon. "Hank pull up for a minute. I'm trading spots for bit." Bill stepped down off his horse bringing the boy with him. He walked to the tailboard of the wagon and swung the boy up, "You get in there and lay down, and if I see you before supper or hear of any more trouble from you, it won't be my hand that you will be feeling," warned Bill.
Bill climbed into the driver's seat and slapped the rains to start the team on, then recounted the events to Mary that had landed her youngest, Luke, under wagon arrest.
"I'm sorry Bill. I really don't know what got into him." Mary said with a wiry smile.
"I wouldn't be too concerned, Mrs Spence; I suspect its jist the little demon that seems ta possess all boys from time to time. You can talk with him this evening to be sure, but I think you'll find it's more a case of the Green Eyed Monster.
Later, just as they were ready to make camp for the night, Flint rode up. After a friendly good natured greeting and all the trail schedules and events were discussed, the three men turned the conversation to the adventurers of young Luke Spence. While all were having a good laugh about it by this stage, Flint after being gone for several days, decided to pay a visit to the Spence family...
TBC
