The Mary Spence Story
Chapter 11: Scouting Uncharted Lands
As Flint rode to check the next crossing, he was really glad they were in peaceful country for a time. He found that he couldn't keep his mind on his work. His mind kept wandering and thinking about Mary and her brood. Everywhere he looked he was reminded of her beauty; the sky and the blue of her eyes, then the slight breeze and the silkiness of her skin. He could hear the sweetness of her voice in the call of the birds. He could hear her laughter in the bubbling of the stream. And the boys… Matt was trying so hard to be a man, but still chasing the adventures of boyhood. He had the making of a fine man. Now Mark he had not figured him yet, except that he sure liked mischief, he was sure to land in some trouble without a father to guide him. He reminded Flint of himself at that age, red-hair and all energy. Then there was Luke, sweet, blond curls with his mother's blue eyes and that impish grin. Luke had found his way into Flint's heart, they all had. It was with all this running through his mind he traveled. He had been seriously thinking of settling down and starting a small ranch in California.
After checking the crossing, and determining it to be safe, unless it rained, he rode onto the small outpost and checked for news and a few supplies. As he rode into the town, his thoughts distracted him once more; he sat on his horse staring at the children running about the school yard. Suddenly he longed to be back with his wagon family. Shaking his head to clear his thoughts, he nudged his horse on.
Finally tying his horse to the hitching rail, he strolled into the general store. "Howdy, ma'am, is this where I post mail?"
"Yes, I'll be right with you mister," she answered before returning to the customer she was presently dealing with.
Flint nodded and began to look around. He found himself drawn to things he had never pay much mind too before; like the candy counter and yard as the store keeper came toward him he spotted a wooden bat and a ball.
"Interested in base ball?' she asked with a prim and proper English accent.
"Might be, if I knew a little about it," Flint answered with a smile.
"I've a booklet, the salesman left with it. He said it was all the rage in Pittsburgh. Says it's going to be big in this country someday. Seems like a waste of good energy to me, you can have the whole lot for one silver dollar," she finished hoping for a good sale and getting rid of some of the old stock.
Flint reckoned it was a fair price. "I'll take it and fifty cents worth of gumdrops and five peppermint sticks. I would also like these six jars of peaches, and the items on this list. If you could direct me to the livery, I will be back to collect my purchases in just a bit."
"Sure thing Mister, and didn't you have some mail to post?" The woman noted.
"That I did thanks for the reminder," he answered as he handed her the letters."
When finished making the deal for the extra horse he needed, Flint walked over to the local saloon for a cold beer before hitting the trail home.
As he sat watching the local crowd a bean pole of a kid came strutting in he sided up to the bar and in a deep tone, no doubt and attempt to make himself sound older, and uttered,
"How bout a tall cold one over here Sam?"
The bar keep looked up and in a loud boisterous laugh and howled, "Derrick get your blasted hide out of here before your Pa hears of your visit. You know if I even think of serving you he would have both our hides. Now Get."
The whole place laughed as the tall boy hung his head and beat a hasty retreat.
Flint, downed the last of his beer and laughed as he decided he was ready to get back to the train.
Two days later as flint made camp, for what he hoped would be the last night before he over took the wagon train, found himself staring up at the stars thinking of Mary and the boys once more. He sure hoped she felt the same for him as he did for her. He also believed that he and the boys would grow even closer with time. He closed his eyes and prayed for the safety of this family he was fast considering his own. He finally drifted off to sleep thinking of the boys, believing they would be staring at the same star and the sweet face of Mary running through his mind.
Meanwhile, Mary was back at her wagon checking one last time to see that all three of her boys were sleeping soundly. They had fallen asleep watching the stars and listening to Major Adams, Bill and Wooster reminisce of army days and Indian fights. Satisfied, she climbed into her wagon. Unpinning her hair she began to brush it as her mind pondered. She felt so safe and secure when Flint was around. Though she still missed Dave, it had only been three months, but sometimes it seemed like a life time ago, then others like only yesterday. She knew it was soon, but when Flint was around life seemed to have a bit of its spark back. The boys did seem to respond to him too. Surely the warmth and secure love she felt could not be wrong. Then as a tear sprang to her eye her mind traveled back over the miles to when she and Dave had decided to take this trip. She and Dave had said that if anything were to happen to one of them they wanted the other to go on with life; that it was far too short to be spent in mourning. And the boys they would need more than either of them by themselves and alone could give. Wiping away the tear she laid aside her brush and picked up her well warn bible, turning to Proverbs 16:9 she read aloud . . .
"A man's heart deviseth his way: but the Lord directeth his steps," then just as clearly as if he were sitting there on the cot next to her, Dave's voice came….
"When things happen beyond our control, we have a choice; we can make ourselves and everyone around us miserable as we struggle to change the unchangeable or we can learn to accept and trust God with the unchangeable and set about doing something about what we can change. Mary closed her eyes and prayed that God would grant her strength and courage as she moved forward.
Finally with an indiscernible peace she drifted off to sleep.
It was around two the next day, and Major Adams was walking back from the river where he had been asleep– that is, supervising the young'uns fishing. He was headed back to his hammock for nap, when suddenly over at the Spence wagon there came the loudest commotion.
"Gall-darn it! What now!" he roared as he stomped around the wagon, his dander instantly up. Bill and Charlie caught his flustered demeanor and quickly followed.
As they rounded the back of their wagon, all three stopped to look at the sight before them. The Major had to almost double over in laughter. There was Flint under a pile of boys. All were trying to talk at once.
Finally Flint shook loose, "Whoa, easy there partners, hold up I'm mighty glad to see y'all too, but let's have a little order," he laughed with a wide grin.
It was then that Flint noticed the Major almost rolling on the ground laughing. "You could help a fella out you know," he said as he made quick strides to the Major's side.
"Why it looked to me that they were doing a right fine job of hog tying you, they didn't need my help," said the major in between a great belly laugh.
"How'd the trail look boy?"
"Fine as frogs' hair, if it doesn't rain. We should have no trouble making it to Catus Ford. I made a side trip to Bentwood and posted the letters and got us a few supplies and that horse you were needing."
"Supplies what supplies," the Major said a little puzzled.
"Oh you know just the ones that keep ole goats like you sweet, sir," Flint said jumping to dodge the swing of the Majors hat.
"I'll show you an ole got, young fella, where are my gumdrops? I am almost out," said the Major as he slapped the younger mans shoulder affectionately as they both walk over to the group.
Mary finally found a time to give Flint a welcome home hug
"You will be joining us for supper won't you, Flint?" she said smiling up at him.
"I'd be pleased,"he answered giving her a quick kiss.
Then stepping back he added, "I brought back the perfect thing for the occasion.
"Freshly canned peaches, and Wooster before you go getting jealous I brought you some too and fresh garden vegetables as well. Come on boys help me unload this horse."
All hands set to work. Bill and Major Adams took off to let folks know that they would be rolling at first light and advising all to make it an early night.