New Beginnings Ch. 11 (Extreme punishment/cruelty to children)
Waking up with the sunrise, Rob lay in bed thinking before getting up to start the morning chores. Today is the day. I'll be leaving for three weeks! I haven't been away from the ranch alone since I moved in back in November. Has it really only been seven months? I feel like I've been a part of this family for years. Now I'm going off to stay with strangers. What is the man like? Will he be kind like Uncle Ethan or hateful? What if I don't like it there? Stop! You're sixteen! You can handle anything for three weeks! He mentally scolds himself as he pulls on his pants and boots.
By the time he has the horses fed and watered, Joseph is also out in the barn. "Morning Rob, are you ready for today?"
"In some ways I guess. I want to go to get the spending money but it's hard leaving home. I'm going to miss all of you. I hope the man and his family are easy to get along with."
"Well, If they aren't you can send a telegram and Pa will come get you! I'm sure of it!"
"I know Joseph. If I did that I would look like a little kid who can't handle a job away from home. I'm trying to prove I'm more grown up than Uncle Ethan thinks I am."
"Uh Huh, you just want to be allowed to go out with girls and go out at night! Even if he lets you do those things, you'd have strict boundaries to abide by. You might be sixteen but he'd still take you over that barrel and whip you if you broke one of them! You do know that right?" Joseph says with a huge grin on his face.
"Why do you enjoy saying that? Do you like to see your brothers or me get punished?"
"Yes!" Joseph teases. "I get tired of it always being me who gets into bad trouble. It's nice to have someone else get it sometimes. I can count on Ben to do that. Now, if you would just mess up some, it would help make me look so much better behaved! Ever since I ran off, Pa has watched me as if he thinks I'm going to cause trouble again. And you are my brother too, Rob. Maybe not by blood but it's all the same to me."
" Thanks Joseph! I think it's more that Uncle Ethan wants to make sure you don't get any other foolish ideas to run off again. If something comes up and you need advice, go talk to him, don't run away! If you can't talk to him then talk to Mitch, he'll listen. Promise me Joseph, you won't run away again."
"I promise. If I did, Pa would take the strap to my bare backside and I wouldn't sit for a week! I got off with just a few licks and I'm not crazy enough to try it again!"
"I'm glad to hear that. I don't ever want to have to worry about you the way I did those two days. Come on, help me get the horses to pasture, they're finished eating. I'll take Lightning and Bill while you get Betsy and Bonnie."
"I wonder where George came up with the name Bonnie? He and Ben are good at thinking of names. It was fun guessing what the boys would name the new team when Pa bought them."
"Joseph, where have you been for the last two weeks? On the moon maybe?"
"Nobody can go to the moon, Rob! What do you mean?"
"You haven't heard George and Ben singing Bring Back My Bonnie to Me all these weeks? Ever since Claire taught them the song that time it rained all day for two days, they've been singing it. I have heard it so much I'm ready to scream every time they start in again. I'm sure that's where George got the name Bonnie."
"Oh Yeah, you're probably right. I've heard the song so much I just shut off my ears when they start singing. I'll talk Claire into teaching them some different songs so when you get back they'll have some more to drive you crazy with!"
"What a kind hearted brother you can be, Joseph. Thanks." Rob says sarcastically.
"No problem at all, Rob. You are welcome." Joseph answers snickering at the look Rob gives him.
After breakfast, Ethan asks "Well Rob, are you ready to get your adventure started? It's an hours ride to the McGinnis place. If we leave soon, we'll be there in time for you to get some work in today. The sooner you begin the sooner you'll be finished."
"Yes sir, I'll go get my bag. I'll meet you at the barn in a few minutes."
After Rob leaves the room, George turns from washing the dishes. "Papa! You can't let Rob go off and leave us! He's not old enough to stay by himself!" George says tearfully, using one of his Papa's reasons for not letting him ever stay alone.
Holding out his arms Ethan says "Come here and sit with me, George." When the boy is snuggled in his arms he says "Rob's not going to be by himself George. He's staying with a family. I know you don't want to see him leave but he's going to come home. Rob isn't going to leave you son. He will be back. This is something Rob wants to do. Will you be kind enough to let him do it without getting upset? If you get upset, it will make it hard for Rob to do what he needs to do."
"I'll try Papa but I'm going to miss him a lot." George says wiping the tears off his face. Having anyone leave for a long time always upsets him.
"Hey shortstuff, what about me? I'm not going anywhere and I'm your big brother too." Joseph says trying to get George to cheer up.
"Yes, I know, it's just hard to say bye when I don't want to say it."
"Be strong George. I know you can do it. Now let me go hitch up the wagon. Joseph? How about helping me?"
"Yes sir. Ben, you'll have to finish helping George with the clean up."
"Ben, George, just finish washing and drying whatever is left. Joseph will put the dishes away and finish the kitchen clean up later." Ethan tells them with a pointed look at Joseph.
Knowing he's being scolded for attempting to get out of his part of the work he nods as he says "I'll help finish guys. Just put the dry dishes on the table and I'll do the rest."
Later that morning as they ride out to the McGinnis place, Ethan asks Rob "Are you still willing to do this son? If not, we can spend some time there today and teach them a few basic gentling tips. You don't need to stay if you don't want to. It's all your decision."
"It's hard to leave home but I want to stay. I want to earn some spending money and prove to myself I can do a good job for someone else. You've taught me well and I want to pass that on to someone else. Are you sure you don't mind if I do this? If you need me at home I don't have to stay."
"Rob, I will always need you and want you around. I'm not trying to get rid of you at all. You do know this, I hope. You are growing up and I want to give you the opportunity to do things out from under me. Sometimes I feel as if I have not given you enough freedom since you moved in with us. I know you feel the same way at times. You have adapted well to living in a large family with many rules and responsibilities. I'm proud of you for that. I've kept you close to show you another way of living besides the rough way you were living before. Gambling and drinking are not the way your Father, Vern or I want you to live. I want you to remember this as you stay away from home."
"Yes Sir, I will. I'll be on my best behavior the whole time sir."
"I know you will be son. I just have to say that as your father! It's my job you know." Ethan says smiling over at the boy on the wagon seat beside him.
A little too soon for Rob, they are pulling up into a dirt yard beside a run down cabin. The corral fences look worn and several posts look rotten. Chickens and pigs run loose all over the yard.
"I think the first thing I'll tackle is building a couple of pens for the chickens and pigs!" Rob whispers to Ethan.
"You had better ask first, son. You don't take on the jobs unless told to do so. This is their home and they run it the way they want. Please accept their ways." Ethan answers quietly.
Climbing down from the wagon, Rob sees the front door to the cabin open and two children come out. Before he can say anything a man and another boy walk up from the barn.
"Sheriff, thank you for bringing me some help. I'm Mr. McGinnis." The man says addressing Rob.
"Hello sir. I'm Rob Jordan and I'm here to help with the horses." Rob answers looking at the man and then the boy beside him.
"Welcome to our home, Rob. These are my children. This is Scott he's the oldest and over on the stoop are Aaron and Alyssa my twins. Come in and we'll let you put your things away. Sheriff, will you stay for dinner or do you need to get back to Paradise?"
"I need to be getting back but thank you for the offer. Rob, I'll see you in a few days. Do a good job here. I know you can do it." Ethan answers
"Yes sir, I will. Thank you Uncle Ethan. I'll see you in three weeks. Tell Ben and George to be good."
"Will do. I'll be back to pick him up in three weeks unless I hear he's finished early, Mr. McGinnis. If he does, just let him send me a telegram and I'll come out."
"Understood, have a nice trip back." Mr. McGinnis answers as he leads Rob and the children into the house.
"You will bunk in with Scott and Aaron. I've added a bed in the room. There should be an empty drawer in the chest for your clothes. Go get unpacked and we'll eat dinner. Everyone is to eat what is given and come to the table clean. Aaron, show him your room."
Jumping at the commanding tone, Aaron says "Come with me, Rob. It's just down the hallway." Leading Rob to a plain unpainted door, he opens it to show a small room. The room has one chest of drawers containing three drawers, one washstand with bowl and pitcher and three small bedframes with a thin mattress on each bed.
"Here's your bed and the bottom drawer is empty in the chest of drawers. Hurry Rob, we have to wash and be at the table in just a few minutes."
"I will. How old are you and your sister? I've never met boy and girl twins before. My brother's best friends are twins but they're boys." Rob says as he unpacks and puts his two shirts and two pairs of pants in the drawer. The six pairs of underwear Claire insisted he pack and his nightshirt stay in the carpetbag to be slid under the bed.
"We're twelve and Scotty is fourteen. Our Ma died when me and Lyssie were three. She got snakebit in the barn one day."
"AARON, DINNER!" they hear, bellowed from the front of the house.
"Quick! Wash your face and hands and then I will! Hurry! I'll get whipped if I come to the table dirty."
Following the younger boy to the front of the house, Rob sees the table in the kitchen with one chair and two side benches. The girl is standing beside the table holding a pot.
"We're sorry Pa. We just got to talking a little and ….." Aaron starts to explain to his glowering father.
"No talking Aaron. Sit down boys. Alyssa , serve the food." McGinnis commands.
"Yes sir." She serves her father first, then Scott, Rob and last Aaron. Looking at the strange meat on his plate Rob wants to ask what it is but doesn't. The girl is moving around putting a potato on each plate then bread. When he looks up again she is back by the stove stirring something in a pot. Waiting for her to come back to the table to sit down, Rob doesn't eat.
"Food not good, Boy?" McGinnis growls at him.
"Uh well sir, I haven't started yet. I was waiting for Miss. Alyssa to join us at the table." Rob replies quietly.
"Eat your food boy. We have work to do and don't waste time on frivolities. The girl will eat when we're done."
"Yes Sir Mr. McGinnis." Rob answers trying not to show what he thinks of the man's treatment of his daughter. After a few minutes of trying to choke down the strange grainy meat, Rob asks "What do you want me to do first Mr. McGinnis? I could build you a sturdy chicken coop or pigpen if you need it."
Rob notices Scott's eyes get wide and hears a soft gasp from Aaron. Looking sideways at the boy beside him he sees Aaron wringing his hands in his lap.
"Young Man! In this house children remain quiet at the table until spoken too. You will mind my rules here! We do not discuss business or anything else during mealtime! We will discuss your job and the other rules after we eat."
"Yes Sir, I apologize sir."
After he is finished eating and he sees the other boys and Mr. McGinnis are also finished, Rob stands to put his dishes in the sink. Another gasp from Aaron and he hears Mr. McGinnis ask "Just where might you be going young man?"
"I was clearing my dishes sir. That is what we do at my home. Everyone clears their dishes and we take turns washing up. May I help wash, Miss. Alyssa?" Rob asks receiving a horrified look from the girl.
"Young Man, you are in my house! You will sit down and wait until I excuse you from the table! You will not do woman's work! Do you understand me? You are here to work outside and that is all. You will not tell my family how to do their work!"
"Yes Mr. McGinnis and my name is Rob, sir."
"ARE YOU BEING SMART WITH ME? I don't take backtalk! Aaron! Tell ROB what happens if you backtalk."
"You get taken to the barn and the buggy whip is used on your backside." Aaron answers immediately.
"I apologize Mr. McGinnis. I was not trying to be disrespectful sir. I just thought you may have forgotten my name, sir."
"Meet me outside in five minutes boys." McGinnis says as he leaves the table.
"Boy Rob, you sure must want to get in trouble. I would have been whipped if I talked to my Pa the way you did. You just kept right on answering back to everything he said! You got to be careful Rob before you wind up on the wrong side of his whip!" Aaron whispers as Scott goes outside. Then he says "Come on we've got minutes to get to the outhouse and then the barn to work. We won't get another break for two hours so you better go while you can."
Paradise: Cord Ranch
"So, is Rob all settled into his first job?" Mitch asks walking out to the corral with Ethan.
"I'm assuming so. They were about to eat lunch when I left the other day. The boy's feeling a little apprehensive about being away from home. That surprised me but I was pleased at the same time. It shows he really does feel this is his family and home. I often wondered."
"Ethan, that boy accepted you as his substitute Pa the first time you punished him. From what he told me, he was still living with his uncle at the time. His uncle wasn't here but you were. To him that punishment showed you cared for him as a member of your family. He's felt that way since according to him. We talked some that time he came to me over the army contract. That's one reason I'm here."
"How's that Mitch? Is there a problem with our contract? The Army isn't backing out is it?"
"No, but I did finally get some news on the 'captain'. That man isn't with the regiment you spoke with to arrange the deal. He's a renegade and he stole those horses. He has since been caught and is in route to a prison for impersonating an officer and for being a horse thief. He's lucky the state of Colorado outlaws hanging."
"You mean to say, I am now the proud owner of fifteen horses that I was paid five dollars a head for? Mitch, I need the rest of that money. We have several bills for the Doctor in Colorado Springs and I was planning to use this money to pay them!" Ethan says glaring across the corral at the horses.
"Calm, breathe easy, big fella!" Mitch teases, using words he's heard Ethan say to the stallion he has been working with.
"I am NOT a horse nor do I find this amusing Mitchell!" Ethan snaps.
Looking very much like one of the children when hearing his full name, Mitch says "I apologize. The Army captain I contacted is willing to honor the contract. They will be here Thursday week to claim these horses for the five dollars per head price. I told him the price listed on the contract and he agreed to pay it."
Ben dashes up to Mitch having spotted him from the treehouse. "Mitch! Did you come to take us fishing? Will you let us wade too?" He asks remembering a plan they had talked about the last time Mitch visited with them.
"Ben, good manners please." Ethan scolds quietly. "You are interrupting a conversation and you are to greet guests."
"Pa! He said he would take us. I need to know if he is going to do it today." Ben answers back haughtily, with his lower lip stuck out.
"You will mind your words and tone Ben or you will find yourself over my knee! Now, what do you need to say to Mitch?" Ethan says sternly, leaning down to look the boy in the face.
"Yes sir. Hello Mitch, I am sorry for being rude. I didn't think of you as a guest. You're family."
"Thank you for that and I forgive you, Ben. I'm not able to take you to the pond today. I'm on watch in town today. Let's plan to do that on Saturday or Sunday afternoon if your Pa agrees. What do you say Ethan? May I come out one of those days and take the boys fishing?"
"As long as they do their list of jobs for the day first. The boys have a new list each day and get paid for completing it. How about you come around two on Saturday and take them then. I'm sure they will have all of their jobs completed in time to go. They're both doing well at completing their tasks each day."
"Well, that sounds fine. How much money do you make each day Ben?" Mitch asks.
"It depends on the chores. For something big like cleaning out the whole chicken coop and hen house we get ten cents each. For little things like making the beds and sweeping out the fireplace we get five cents each. But altogether on some days we can make fifty cents! George and I are a team and we share the money."
"That is quite impressive!" Mitch tells him sharing a smile with Ethan.
"Joseph gets more than that, Mitch. He makes a whole dollar every two days if he finishes all his jobs. He has big jobs like fixing the fences or building gates or working with the horses. He's already saved up four dollars! Me and George only have seventy five cents put together. We spent some of it last week on candy."
At that admission he looks guiltily up at his Pa. He knows Ethan doesn't like the boys to buy much candy.
"It's your money Ben, well yours and George's anyway. If the two of you agree to spend some that is fine. I don't want to hear of you spending more than twenty five cents at a time on candy from now on though. Twenty five cents worth of candy should last you both at least a week. What with candy going for two pieces a penny. Don't you agree Mitch?"
"Uh, well yes that does sound reasonable to me. You don't want to spend up all of your money Ben. You can save for something bigger than candy." Mitch answers surprised to be drawn into the subject.
"Well Ethan, I need to get back to town since I am on watch today as you know. Bye Ben, I'll see you for our fishing trip Saturday if I don't see you sooner."
"Bye Mitch, see you soon." Ben answers.
"Ben? Where are your brothers? I thought they would be here to talk to Mitch too and yet neither showed up." Ethan asks.
"They probably didn't know he came, Pa. They can't see the road or yard from uh, where they are."
"Just where would that be, Ben? You are holding something back, what is it? Come to think of it, I haven't seen Joseph or George since breakfast. Tell me now! Where are they?"
"I guess they're still in the south pasture sir. Joseph wanted to go down there to practice with Neptune and George wanted to watch."
"Come with me Ben. Claire's gone to town and I don't want you here by yourself. Ethan leads Ben into the barn where he saddles Lightning. Lifting Ben into the saddle, he swings himself up behind him.
"Pa? Are they in trouble? Are you going to spank them?" Ben asks as they canter towards the south pasture. Since he knows the boys aren't to wander from sight without permission, he feels he has a right to ask.
"That isn't your business now is it? How I deal with your brothers is private." Feeling Ben stiffen, he says "Rest easy, I'm not planning to go in and start punishing, Ben. I just want to see what it is they are doing so far from the house."
As they get close enough, Ethan can see Joseph working with the grey stallion while George is sitting on the fence watching. Ground tying his horse he helps Ben down and they both walk to the fence where George is. "Uh, Hi Papa. Did you come down to watch too?"
"Hello George. What are the two of you doing down here? You know you aren't to leave the yard without permission."
"Yes sir, I'm sorry Papa. Joseph wanted to come see Neptune. He is working magic, Papa and I'm watching how he does it."
Watching together, they see Joseph walk towards the stallion slowly, holding out his hand as he walks. The stallion's ears go back and he blows out noisily as he paws the grass with his front hoof. Joseph continues to approach the horse as Ethan climbs up and over the fence preparing to go get the boy. He has a difficult time not shouting for Joseph to leave the horse. Ethan knows not to call out as it might spook the horse into running and Joseph could be hurt.
Joseph, having seen his Uncle climb the fence thinks ; Great, just great! That's all I need now is to be in trouble for this. I can work with Neptune but Uncle Ethan's not going to listen. It would be nice to be able to show what I can do. He only lets me work with mares. If he would let me, I could work with stallions or geldings too.
"Easy boy, come on, come get the carrot. It's alright now, no one is going to hurt you. Just come to me and I'll make you feel good. Come to me boy come on, come on, come to me big fella. That's it, come to me." Joseph croons in a low voice as he gets close enough the horse can hear him.
Ethan can hear this too and watches as the big grey horse steps closer to Joseph. It's all he can do not to shout out a warning as he sees the horse dip his head towards the boy's outstretched hand. To his amazement , the horse just seems to take something from Joseph's hand and trot away. He doesn't snap or bite as Ethan had expected he might do to Joseph's hand. Instead, the horse nuzzles his hand with his lips and then turns to trot off away from Joseph.
Coming up behind Joseph, Ethan puts his hand on the boy's shoulder. "Let's go back to the house son. You and I need to talk. Have George ride with you on Betsy and I'll take Ben."
Nodding, Joseph turns to walk with his uncle towards where the boys are waiting on the fence.
Over on the fence George says to Ben "See Ben, Joseph's magic. He has made Neptune come to him and take the carrot from his hand five times now! He's trying to get Neptune used to being close to him so he can touch him. He told me he would be touching him by Thursday. That's just two days from now!"
"Uh Huh, well he may have to use that 'magic' to get himself out of trouble with Pa. I'm happy I'm not the one who made Pa leave all his work in the field and come down to find you two. He wasn't happy I tell you that."
When they reach the ranch yard, Ethan tells Ben and George "Boys, I want the two of you to go in and start cleaning out the stove. After that, you are to gather the laundry and get the tub ready. I'm sure both of you can take care of the clothes that need to be washed. Joseph and I will be out working in the barn if you need something."
"Yes Papa, we can do the wash. Will that be a ten cent job?" George asks.
"Yes George both of those jobs will be worth ten cents if you do them well. I don't want to come in and see a mess on the kitchen floor. Find the sheet we use when we clean the fireplace or stove and spread it on the floor before you start cleaning."
"Yes sir."
As the boys go to the house to begin their jobs, Ethan and Joseph take the horses into the barn. As Joseph unsaddles and brushes Betsy he wonders: What is Pa is going to say or worse do to me? I know he's upset. I can tell. I sure hope he doesn't whip me. I haven't had one in over two weeks since the day we got back from Colorado Springs. I don't want to break my streak now.
Watching Joseph's face while he works, Ethan can see he's worrying about punishment. When they are both finished with settling the horses for the day, he says "Joseph, come sit over here on the hay bales and let's talk. You know you did wrong this afternoon don't you?"
"Yes sir, I'm sorry."
"Thank you for the apology, Joseph. Tell me your thoughts on what you did today."
"I want to work with the stallions and geldings too. I know I can gentle them just as well as the mares. I went to the south pasture so I could work with Neptune. I was making progress towards getting him to let me touch him. He ate out of my hand five times and didn't run away after that first time. Well not until you came up that is. Please Pa, can't I work with them too? I'm gentle enough, please?"
"What are the rules we established for you to be able to work with the horses?"
"I must stay within sight of the ranch when working with the horses and have someone watching. I can only work with horses approved by you. I did have someone watching, sir. George was with me."
"Joseph, George is nine years old. Did you stop to think about what might have happened? What if that stallion had attacked you? Do you want your little brother to see that? What if you had been hurt in a different way? What did you expect George to be able to do? He doesn't ride well enough yet to ride for help."
"I didn't even think about those things. I would never want my little brothers to see something happen the way you said! I'm sorry, Pa! I'll do better thinking from now on. I promise. Do you want me to go into the tack room or should I just lay over the hay bale?"
"Joseph unless you need to smell the hay or get something from the tack room, I have no reason to ask you to do either one. I'm not planning to whip you son." Ethan explains when Joseph looks at him. "Your punishment for breaking the rules will be you are restricted from working with the horses for one week. This starts tomorrow. I want you to keep yourself safe, Joseph. You will be restricted from working with the horses at all if I see you taking risks or breaking our agreement again."
"Yes sir. I hear you. When I finish my punishment, will you allow me to work with Neptune? Please Pa? I feel a connection with him and he's responding to me already. I've only worked with him just today." Joseph adds the last seeing the sternness come back into Ethan's eyes.
"Is this the truth son? You've only worked with him today?"
"Yes sir. I didn't go near him in the pasture until this morning after chores were finished. I got him to eat carrots five times Pa!"
"Yes, I remember you telling me this. All right Joseph. You have my permission to work with Neptune but only up here by the house with me supervising. You are not to do anything with the horse without me watching. Understood?"
"Thank you for letting me, Pa. Thank you for not punishing me with a whipping too. I kind of deserved it."
"Um hmm, now that you point that out, you may be right. Would you like me to change my mind?"
"No Sir! I don't need a whipping to remember my promise! I'll keep my word, sir!"
Putting his arm around the boy's shoulders, Ethan says "Relax Joseph, I've already assigned your punishment. Let's go check on your brothers and then we'll all go out to the field. I need three strong boys to help with the planting."
Inside the house, Ben has found the box of blacking powder they use to keep the stove looking new. "George! Let's don't just clean out the stove, let's black it for Claire too! It's looking dingy and we can make it look new!"
"I don't know Ben. Papa didn't say we could do that. He's aggravated with me already because I left the yard without asking. Would we get in trouble for this?"
"We're not going to do anything wrong, we're going to be helping Claire even more than just cleaning out the ashes in the stove. Here you take a brush and I'll mix up the powder and water. I'll take one side and you take the other. We'll both work on the front."
"All right Ben. I wonder if Claire will like this. I sure hope Papa does! George thinks as he dips his brush into the newly mixed blacking.
After ten minutes of work, the boys have managed to "black" each end of the stove and are working on the front. Neither boy has remembered to put down the sheet around the stove or thought about their clothes.
Ben hears the door open and footsteps before he hears Joseph say "What in the world? Ben! George! What do you two think you are doing?"
"Can't you tell? We're blacking the stove for Claire." Ben answers.
"The stove, the floor and yourselves is what I see! Look at the floor! It's got black spots all on it where you dripped the blacking! You have blacking on yourselves too. That does not wash out of clothes so you just ruined your shirts and pants! Oh boy, you two are in trouble! I wouldn't be surprised if you get a whipping, Let me go get Pa and I'll try to get you out of trouble if I can."
Walking down to the barn where Ethan is hitching up one of the team to the plow, Joseph stops to watch. After getting the harness on the horse, Ethan looks up to see Joseph watching.
"Where are the boys? I thought you were going inside to get them. Are they finished with their chores?"
"Well not really. You see, they decided to do some extra work in the kitchen to help Claire. They did a good job but kind of made a mess while they did it. It's the thought behind what they did that matters more than how they did it. Isn't that true, Pa?" Joseph asks hopefully.
"Joseph, exactly what did your brothers "decide" to do? What is it you are trying so desperately to keep me from getting upset about? I think you had better fill me in before I go inside. If it's this bad, I need to know before I go in."
Knowing better than to stall any longer, Joseph answers "They blacked the stove. While they were doing that, they got it on themselves and the floor too."
"Thank you for being truthful. Let's go check out the damage. Maybe it's not as bad as you think it is."
Walking into the house, Ethan sees the two younger boys sitting beside the newly blacked stove. Both are covered in black spots and George has tear streaks on his face.
"I'm sorry Pa! Don't punish George. It was all my idea to black the stove. I forgot to get the sheet like you told us to do, I mixed the blacking so I should take the blame for the mess on the floor." Ben says looking ashamed.
"Stand up boys. Let me see your clothes." Ethan says. After the boys obey, he says "Well, at least you didn't wear your newest clothes today. We will have to use those for rags from now on though. Blacking powder doesn't come out of cloth. It will come off the floor though so don't be upset about that. I wish you'd remembered the sheet but we can get the spots off the floor."
Finding his courage and his voice, George asks "Are we going to get a spanking? We're sorry Papa. We didn't mean to make a mess or ruin our clothes. You told us not to make a mess in the kitchen and we did!"
"George, you are not helping here!" Ben whispers to his brother. When George is this upset he doesn't hear their mind messages so Ben has to say it out loud.
"It's all right, boys. I'm not going to spank you. Joseph is right when he says it's the thought that matters most. You tried to do and did do, something very nice for the family. However, I want you to listen real well to what I'm about to say. The next time the two of you decide to paint with blacking or anything else I want you to remember to do three things: the most important one is to Ask Me First! I want you to also remember to put down a sheet and put on your oldest clothes before you start the job. Agreed?"
"Yes sir."
"Yes Papa."
"Good, now take off those clothes and stay still. Joseph is bringing the tub inside. You'll have to wash with cold water because I can't use the stove until the blacking dries. We can't heat the water without the stove. Joseph and I will use the bathwater to clean the floor after you finish."
When Joseph brings in the tub and the buckets of water, Ethan tells him "Please take the harness off of Bill for me. We won't be plowing and planting today. All of us will work on that tomorrow starting right after chores are finished."
"Yes Sir, do you want me to stay outside?" Joseph asks thinking his Pa is going to punish the boys.
"No, come back in when you finish, I need you to help wash the floor."
With a brief glare at his younger brothers, Joseph answers "I'll be back in just a few minutes."
Talking to himself and the horse while he takes the harness off, Joseph says "They make a huge mess, get blacking on their clothes, directly disobey what they were told and I wind up being the one to clean up after them! He's not even going to spank them! You know what Bill? I sometimes wish I was one of the youngest instead of being stuck in the middle. Middle kids get punished while the youngest ones get by with everything."
Back inside, as Ethan scrubs the black spots off Ben and George he tells them "Boys, your intentions were very good but, how you went about doing this was wrong. Do you understand that? You must ask first and have someone supervising on a job such as this. I would want the older children supervised also. This blacking powder is something that is from now on off limits for the two of you unless told otherwise. I'm not angry and I'm not going to punish you, I just want to make sure you understand why this can not happen again.
McGinnis place
By the end of the first week, Rob has learned not to try to have conversations with Mr. McGinnis. He has been instructed to show Scott how to work with the horses and to do whatever chores he is assigned. Trying to work with the older McGinnis boy is proving to be more difficult than he expected. No matter what he tries to tell Scott, the boy acts resentful.
Aaron has proven to be open to the new way of training horses and spends as much time as he can watching and listening from the corral fence. His father does not allow him to work with horses or even go into the corral.
"Alright Scott, let's try getting this mare used to having something on her back. We don't just throw a saddle on her and force her into taking it because that makes the horse afraid of us. What we do instead is take this lightweight scarf and when she seems comfortable around us, we place it on her back. After a day of having the scarf placed on her, we move up a little at a time to heavier cloth until we get the saddle blanket on her. It usually takes two days before we can put the saddle blanket on without the horse bucking it off. Want to try to put the scarf on her? Just approach calmly and speak softly as you do so."
Scott, taking the scarf walks to the horse and throws it over her head to her back. Having this piece of cloth thrown over her head and feeling it strike her back, the horse whinnies in fright and gallops to the far end of the corral.
"Guess your stupid scarf method doesn't work. She panics anyway. Just a dumb horse so why bother doing this the hard way. Just put a blanket on her, saddle her and ride her all in one half hour. I want the horse to know I am in control not it! Why don't you go home you pansy."
"Why are you calling me a flower?" Rob asks puzzled.
"Stupid too I see. A pansy is someone who is too weak to act like a real man. You act like a girl with all this gentle the horse stuff. Let me show you how it's done around here." Scott says picking up the saddle off the fence.
"Scotty! No! Don't! You know we don't put saddles on the new horses yet! You'll scare her!" Aaron calls not realizing they can be heard in the barn.
"What, are you a little pansy too? I wouldn't be surprised since all you do is whine about how it's supposed to be. Watch and learn kid. Watch a real man break a horse." Scotty calls back to the fence.
His father who is in the barn walks out just in time to see him throw the saddle on the mare's back without even using a saddle blanket. Before the boy can tighten the saddle strap, the horse has bucked off the saddle and run off. She stands at the opposite end of the corral blowing hard, back quivering and eyes rolling.
"Scott! Eric! McGinnis! Come Here Now!" Mr. McGinnis roars from beside the barn.
Walking quickly, Scott passes Rob not looking at him. Rob can see the boy's face is pale and he's lost the smug look he had a few minutes before. Watching as Scott reaches his Father, Rob sees the man take hold of Scott by the shoulder straps on his overalls and drag him into the barn.
Rob walks over to the fence where Aaron is sitting with his head down "Are you alright Aaron?" he asks.
"I don't want my brother to be whipped even if he does deserve it."
"Will he use his belt or the strap for this? My uncle would use the strap if he'd heard one of us talk the way Scott just did. We don't insult people at my house."
"My Pa doesn't use the strap much anymore. He says we're too old for baby punishments. He's going to use the buggy whip! It burns and hurts for hours Rob! The last time he whipped me I hurt until the next day and I got it in the afternoon."
"What was it you did to deserve a thrashing? That's a thrashing at my house."
"I had been told to comb out the mane and put the feedbag on the stallion but he kept nipping at me every time I tried so I couldn't do it. Pa came out and saw I hadn't combed the mats out of his mane or fed him so he took the buggy whip down from the buggy and he whipped me. That was a week before you came."
As he finishes speaking, they both hear the swish of a whip and then a yell from inside the barn. Tears begin to run down Aaron's face as he listens to his brother be whipped. When he hears the sounds stop, he quickly wipes his face with his shirt and climbs back up on the fence.
"Go back where you were standing Rob. Pretend you didn't hear anything." Aaron whispers.
A few minutes later, Mr. McGinnis leads a red faced Scott back out to where Rob is standing.
"Rob? Scott here has something to say to you. Go on boy, tell him." McGinnis commands his son.
"I am sorry for insulting you Rob and for being too foolish to listen. My Pa says I am to do whatever you tell me to do. He also says if I don't listen then you are to tell him and he will repeat the lesson he just gave me in the barn."
"I apologize for Scott also. I expect him to be cooperative from now on. If you have any problems with him I want to know. I will not put up with this defiant behavior. I'm paying you to teach Scott and he is going to learn the new ways. If it takes me whipping him to do it, then I will."
"Yes sir, Mr. McGinnis. Sir? May I teach Aaron also? My brother is only thirteen and he works with our horses that we gentle. I'm sure Aaron will be cooperative and learn also. That way you would have two people to work with your horses. You might even use them to gentle horses for other people. My Uncle has done that and been paid for it."
Aaron holds his breath waiting for an answer. Then he hears his Pa say "Come here Aaron." Climbing down from the fence he walks to his Pa.
"Yes sir?" He asks feeling apprehensive.
"Rob has volunteered to teach you as well as Scott. You would have to do exactly as Rob said at all times. Do you understand me? If I hear of any misbehavior from either you or your brother, I will whip you raw!"
"I will do everything Rob tells me to do and I won't cause any trouble. I can do this Pa. Horses like me more than Scotty."
"Aaron, bragging is rude." Mr. McGinnis says sternly. "Apologize to your brother and don't do it again!"
"I apologize Scotty. I didn't mean it the way it sounded."
"I forgive you Aaron."
"I have work to do in the barn so you boys get started with your lessons. Remember to obey Rob."
"Yes sir." Aaron and Scott both answer.
After their father walks away, Rob says "You two reminded me of my younger brothers. I'm glad your Pa agreed to let you help Aaron. I didn't think he'd agree."
"I didn't either. I'm really shocked. I'll behave for you Rob."
"Such a pansy, aren't you? " Scott whispers to his brother.
"Scott, if you call me or Aaron that again, I will report you to your father. Is that what you want me to do?" Rob asks.
"NO! HE'D TAKE THE BUGGY WHIP TO ME AGAIN! This time he'd whip me bare!" Please don't!" Scott whispers desperately.
"I'm not in the habit of tattling on people. I will if you do not cooperate though. Keep that in mind." Rob answers.
"I will cooperate, I swear it! Just don't tell my Pa I caused you any trouble. My backside is burning off right now and I can't take another so soon." Scott says quietly.
"I've been whipped before Scott so I know how you feel. My Uncle hasn't ever used a buggy whip but he's used a switch and that really burns!" Rob answers the boy.
"What did you do to cause him to switch you?" Aaron whispers.
"Let's go down where the mare is and I'll tell you. It happened last January when we were visiting Denver. I got caught in a gambling facility, had a drink of whiskey and took my thirteen year old brother with me. I wound up getting taken to the Police station. When my Uncle got me back to the hotel, he took me out behind it in the woods and cut a switch. He whipped me on just my drawers. I hurt when I sat down for two days after that whipping."
"Why do you live with your Uncle instead of your Pa?" Aaron asks as Scott scolds "Aaron, that's impolite!"
"Toss the scarf on the mare's back again Aaron. She's coming closer to see what we are doing. If she gets close enough to us hold out your hand with the piece of carrot I gave you. I doubt she'll take it yet, but we want her to smell it. When we finish for the day, we'll toss the carrots out so she can have them. Then the next time we come we'll see if she remembers the smell of the carrots."
After both boys had several chances to toss the scarf on the mare's back, Rob says "Aaron, I live with Ethan but he really isn't my uncle, he's my legal guardian. You see, my Pa left me living with his older brother when I was eight. My Uncle Vern and Ethan were friends so when Vern died last year, I came to live with Ethan and his family. I call him Uncle Ethan because that's what he told me to call him."
"Do you have a Ma or an Aunt?" Aaron asks, earning a glare from Scott for asking.
"I swear Aaron you are awfully nosy sometimes!" Scott complains, although he secretly wants to know too.
"No, my Ma died when I was born so I've never had a Ma. Neither Vern or Ethan married so I don't have an aunt either. The brothers and sister I talk about are Ethan's niece and nephews but he adopted them over a year ago. They were orphans too, just like me. They came to live with Ethan after their parents died. That was two years ago almost three I guess."
"What are their names and ages?" Scott asks after successfully tossing the scarf on the mare as she trotted by.
"I'm the oldest and I'm sixteen, then Claire who is fifteen, Joseph is thirteen, Ben is ten and George is nine. I think of them as my sister and brothers. I grew up without any so it was really nice to get to have some."
"You know Rob? You can have my brother too. Just think you'd have brothers thirteen, twelve, ten and nine! That would be good wouldn't it?" Scott asks.
"Sorry Scott, I don't think either of our Pa's would let that happen. My Uncle already has all the boys he can try to handle. Ben and Joseph are enough to handle just the two of them! Your Pa wouldn't want to give up Aaron. You wouldn't either."
"No I would miss him a little." Scott says watching as Aaron smiles at him.
"Yeah, you would. Pa would miss having an extra worker. I doubt he'd miss me otherwise. Lyssie would miss me too much if I left. Someone needs to be here for her." Aaron says quietly but sadly.
"Guys? Does your sister ever eat at the table when you do? How about come outside to help out here?"
"She only eats at the table if Pa isn't eating with us. She has some chores outside, the usual girl things, clothes, garden that kind of thing." Aaron answers.
Scott says "I know you don't like that much. I can tell. How does your sister do her work? All outside?"
"Claire doesn't have "her work" as you call it. Uncle Ethan sees to it that all of us share the house chores. We take turns cooking, cleaning, with the washing and with the gardening. My two youngest brothers, Ben and George are the ones who get the eggs and feed the chickens. At meals we all sit together at the table and talk as we eat." Seeing the scowl on Scott's face he says" I'm not saying our way is best Scott, it's just how we do things."