PT.9
Orphan Train
July, 1891
Signs of a hot summer were beginning to show itself. Everyone was excited. Just four days away from the Fourth of July celebration in Dodge. The town was beginning to look like a carnival. Folks decorating, hanging banners, welcoming everyone from Ford County. Over the last ten years, Ford County had begun to prosper. More and more families were settling.
All the children were happy. They had just ended the school year. This had been a successful year for Melinda. She had begun teaching school only three years before, when the teacher they had, up and married a man who took her off to San Francisco. Melinda had received her teaching certificate but turned down an offer that would take her away. She wanted to stay close to home.
This year Mark, who had grown out of his shy stage and began talking, became fascinated with Doc. He hovered around him every chance he got. He found he was most interested in what Doc could do for the folks in and around town. He even accompanied Doc on some of his monthly rounds to folks who otherwise wouldn't make the trip in to see Doc. More and more he grew to love what his Pap-Pap did and had decided he was going to talk with his parents about going off to medical school. He was eighteen now, no longer a child. But he knew his wanting to leave would break his Momma's heart.
"John? School wasn't for him. His love was working with his Pa on the ranch. These last ten years had taught him all the learning he felt he needed, to stay put and take some of the major responsibility of his Pa. He wanted to make ranching his way of life, and if he worked hard enough, maybe Rebecca Moran would see him as a fit suitor. He had admired Rebecca since they were about fifteen years of age. He always made a point of sitting right behind her in school. Not only was she pretty, with her dark chestnut hair, but she had the deepest chestnut eyes to go with it. John was in love!
After once again making rounds with Doc, Mark thought he'd run his idea by his Pap-Pap. As they entered the office, Mark rubbed the back of his neck. "Pap-Pap? I've been thinking now for quite a while and what would you say if I told you I wanted to go to medical school?"
Doc sniffed, swiping his mustache. "Well now, Mark. I think that is just the finest Idea I've ever heard. Where were you thinking of going?"
"Well, I thought maybe you could point me in the right direction. I've read a lot about schools back east, like Johns Hopkins."
Tugging his ear, "Well now, Mark, let me ask you. Have you run this by your parents?"
Mark now dropped his eyes.
Doc snickered. "Didn't think so."
"Look, Pap-Pap, Momma and Pa, they wanted us kids to get the best education we could. Pa always says when we were put on this earth we made a hole and it's up to us to fill that hole with something positive. They shouldn't be too upset, should they?"
Holding back the laugh, "You do still have the same mother you had just this morning, right?"
"Aw, Pap, I know I'm the baby in the house but, sheesh, I'm eighteen. I'm a man."
Patting Mark on his shoulder, "Mark, let me tell you something about your mother. I've known Kitty a long time and I know that even when you're forty, you will always be her little boy, no getting around that."
"Ok, Pap-Pap. Maybe you could come out to our place and help me talk to them."
"Oh, five minutes ago you were a man. But I know what you're up against." Nodding, "Ok it 's a deal."
Back at the ranch, Matt and John were corralling horses. They had acquired many more over the years and they expanded the barn to accommodate the horses for breeding.
Kitty was in the kitchen preparing supper when Mark and Doc rode up to the house. She had come outside to let John and Matt know things were almost ready, when she saw them pull up. Well now, hello, Curly. Didn't expect to see you. But now that you're here, you're just in time for supper." Reaching to cup his face, and plant a kiss on his cheek. "Mark, why don't you go clean up?"
Rolling his eyes and shaking his head. Rolling his eyes was a trait he picked up from Matt. "Momma, I'm not eight years old anymore. You don't have to remind me."
"Oh, now." Swatting his arm, "Just go on."
Walking back to the house, "Curly, what does bring you all the way out here?"
"Oh I just wanted to see my favorite redhead and grandchildren. Oh yeah and that big lug of yours."
Chuckling, "Curly."
Once Melinda got back from town and John and Matt finished up for the day, they all sat down to supper, laughing and joking about different things that had happened.
Melinda waited for an opening. "Momma, Pa, I noticed there are several new families moving in around Dodge."
Nodding. "Is that so, Honey?"
"Yes, I saw a few of the families in town at Jonas' store buying supplies and Mister Jonas' introduced me to them, letting them know I was the school teacher."
Doc added that yes he had met a few of them, then with a slight wink to Matt and Kitty, "There was a particular young man with a small boy as a matter of fact. I believe his name was Charles. Charles Montgomery. And I was also surprised to learn he is a doctor. Fresh out of medical school."
"Doc?" Kitty said furrowing her brow. "Will he be settling in to set up practice?"
"Oh now, Kitty, I don't know. But if that's the case, I'd welcome the help. I'm not getting any younger."
Mark was fidgeting with his utensils, waiting for the opportunity to break his news to Matt and Kitty.
Doc rubbed his upper lip. "You know it wouldn't hurt for more young people to go and train in a medical field."
Matt, rubbing his hands together, said, "I agree, Doc."
Doc was leaving it open for Mark to make his announcement, shifting his eyes towards him.
"Momma, Pa, there's been something I've wanted to talk to you about. It's about my future."
"Mark, you're eighteen. You don't have to decide your life overnight." Kitty added.
"No, Momma, this is something I've been thinking about for a long time."
"What's that, Son?" Matt asked.
"Well, you know I've been following and helping out Pap-pap"
"Yeah?" Kitty said, arching a brow.
"Well, I want to go to medical school."
"Medical school?" Kitty repeated as if she mistakenly heard wrong.
"Yes, Momma. I want to be a doctor and I've been reading into schools back east, Johns Hopkins and a few others. But Pap said Hopkins was excellent."
"Oh he did, did he? Curly?"
Matt placed a hand on Kitty's arm. "Now, Kit, don't get..."
Before he could finish, "Matt Dillon, don't you 'Now Kitty' me. This is our baby, Matt. Mark, you're eighteen. Why do you want to go off so far?"
"Oh, Momma." He now moved over to where she was sitting. "I want to be the best doctor and if that means going to Johns Hopkins well then…"
Kitty couldn't say a word. She stood up from the table. "Matt, talk to him, please?" And she left the room, Melinda following her.
Melinda found Kitty in the parlor, pouring herself a brandy. "Momma. Momma, I know this all is hard for you. But Mark's not doing this to leave you. Momma he'd make a wonderful doctor. Pap's taught him very well and he…"
"Oh, I know that." Kitty said, swallowing the brandy. "But Baltimore?"
"It won't be forever. You'll see. He will make you so proud."
"I am proud, of all you children."
Wrapping her arms around Kitty's shoulder. "Momma, will you at least listen to him, hear him out? Mark really loves you and this would really kill him if he thought he was hurting you."
Matt entered the parlor, listening to Melinda. "Kit, she's right you know?"
Kitty still had her back to him.
Slowly he walked behind her, enveloping her in his arms. "Kit, if this is what he really wants, we can't stand in his way. Can we?"
Wrapping her arms around his, resting her head back on his chest. I know that, Cowboy, I do. It's just… it's just…"
Snuggling his face into her neck. "He's your baby."
"Oh, Cowboy, I never thought it would be this hard to let them go."
"I know, Kit. But they're grown now and it's not forever."
Suddenly Mark was standing behind them both. "That's right, Momma, it's not forever. I'll be back before you know it."
She quickly grabbed him and held him close to her. "Well, I don't like it. Not at all. But if you're sure about this..." Kitty was holding back the tears, welling up in her eyes. "Sweetheart, you have our blessing."
July Fourth Celebration
Kitty was up early and packed enough stuff for all of them to ride into Dodge. This was going to be a wonderful celebration. A lot had changed in Dodge. Newly was now Marshal of Dodge, but he felt different about the job than Matt. Newly had a beautiful young bride. They married a few years ago.
Kitty sold the Long Branch to Sam and his wife Ellie Sullivan Noonan. They had converted the Long Branch into a restaurant and it was becoming very successful. The festivities were in full swing.
John slipped away long enough to find a moment or two alone with Becca, (Rebecca). He wanted the chance to ask her if she would save a dance for him when the barn dance started later.
They were all enjoying the celebration.
"Momma, I'm going to go over and get ice cream from the stand and say hello to a few folks." Melinda said. As she made her way down Front Street, she didn't notice the eyes following her.
TBC
