New Beginnings: A Fresh Start
Ch. 37
Unforeseen Events
As a bright but cold Saturday morning arrives, Ethan has a breakfast table full of chattering children. Sarah, Elisha and Claire have all worked together to prepare a large breakfast for everyone. Looking around, Ethan sees everyone enjoying the meal except for the scowling young Caleb. Wondering if his scolding the child the night before has him in this mood, Ethan decides to ignore it for now. The boy can pout all he wishes but his behavior of shouting at his sister and then answering back when reprimanded is not to be allowed.
"Well everyone, let's quiet down some please. It's too early to have my ears ringing." he calls to the group around the table.
"Pa? After we finish breakfast, Elisha, Sarah and I wish to go into town. I have eggs, cream and butter ready to sell."
"I'll go with them, Pa. I can watch out for them and I'd like to visit with Alex."
"Claire, you girls may go but I need you back by one o'clock. The twins are coming for the afternoon and Alyssa would enjoy some time with you. Rob, not today, son. I need you to ride the fence line in the south pasture. There may be posts and fence repairs needed from the windstorm Wednesday night. Joseph, I noticed the gate on the chicken coop is still loose and the latch is broken. I thought we discussed you repairing it Thursday after school."
"Pa, couldn't I ride fence after I escort the girls and visit with Alex?" Rob asks.
"Work comes before pleasure, son. If you finish your repairs by lunch, I'll give you the afternoon to spend time with friends. If not then you may have tomorrow after church."
"Yes sir, thank you."
"Pa? Couldn't I go to town too? I can fix the gate before lunch and then go with Rob." Joseph asks while Rob scowls at him for the request.
"No, you will stay here today. There are consequences to not doing your assigned jobs when told to, Joseph. This is the second time this week you've been forgetful with chores. Do you remember Wednesday?"
"Yes sir. I do." Joseph replies remembering the firm scolding for not taking his turn to chop kindling and firewood. Rob enjoyed the chore much more, so he'd allowed Rob to do it until their Pa intervened.
"Claire, do you like to wash or dry?" Sarah asks as she begins to gather her plate and tin cup from the table.
"Sarah, sit down sweetheart." Ethan tells her kindly. "In our house, whomever does the cooking is exempt from the clean up. The boys will do the dishes and straighten the kitchen. You girls are free to go get ready for your trip to town."
"I DON'T WASH DISHES!" Caleb growls angrily.
"Well then, you can be responsible for helping to clear dishes, clean the table and the floor. Ben and Rob will wash the dishes while Joseph and George dry and put them away." Ethan returns firmly.
Watching the ten year old shake his head at these words, Elisha speaks up.
"Caleb Henry Brandenburg, behave! Do as you are told to do!" she scolds the glaring child sitting with his arms crossed.
"Leave him to me, Elisha. Enjoy your girl's morning out." Ethan tells her motioning for her to follow the other girls.
"Caleb look at me." Ethan calls waiting for the child to meet his eyes. "You will obey what I tell you or as you found out last night, there are consequences. Going to bed thirty minutes early was one consequence. Now I want to see the boy who behaves as you do with your parents. Because if I don't, another consequence I will not hesitate to use is providing you with a sore backside."
"You aren't my parent! You can't do that!" Caleb gasps.
"Yes I can and I will! I have your parent's permission to do as I see fit with you. Right now you will do the chores I assigned with no complaint. When everyone works together chores are finished much more quickly. After the barn chores are done, you boys have time to play until lunch and afterwards until evening chores. Help begin clearing now."
"Yes sir. Before you leave, where is the scrub brush and bucket for the floor sir?" Caleb asks as Ethan stands to leave the kitchen.
"I'm not asking you to scrub the floor, Caleb!" Ethan exclaims in amazement. "I don't assign ten year olds to scrub floors, son. Just help clear the dishes, wipe off the table and sweep the floor well. The boys will show you what is needed." Ethan replies, patting the boy on the back.
Arriving in town, Claire directs her cousins to the Mercantile first. "We'll sell everything to Mr. Axelrod and then let's go visit Cecily. She's going to come with us on the next part of our day."
"What plans do you have?" Sarah asks, being the outspoken of the two sisters.
"You'll just have to wait, Sarah. Come on, let me do the talking though. I can get him to give me good prices. He likes to dicker first. I used to be afraid of him and would accept his first offer now I know better."
"He seems really gruff to me. I'd still be afraid of him." Elisha replies quietly as they walk along the boardwalk.
"Once you get to know him he's pretty nice. He's not as mean as he wants people to think. He's even had Thanksgiving with us before."
"Well hello young ladies. Did you come to look at my newest yard goods? I just had four new bolts dropped off this week. Two are already in Spring fabrics even if it is February."
"Hello Mr. Axelrod. This is selling day not buying day. I have two dozen eggs, two cream cans and some butter for you today." Claire responds, smiling.
"Twelve eggs for thirty six cents so that's seventy two cents."
"A dozen eggs sold for more last week. You paid me four cents an egg then."
"Yes, that was then and this is now."
Yes sir. I'll take that four cents an egg or nothing. Mr. Hiram will pay six cents an egg, I'm sure!" Claire replies keeping her bargaining face as George calls it.
"I need those eggs so I'll give you the four cents. That's ninety cents for the eggs."
"No sir."
"No? You won't sell me the eggs?"
"It's ninety six cents. Now how about for the butter and cream? You gave me twenty five cents for two cans of cream last week. We agreed on five cents per pound of the butter and it's three pounds. That makes a total of one dollar and thirty six cents today. I'll take cash please, sir."
"Hmmpfh! Young ladies are not supposed to haggle this way you know. You should take what's offered."
"Oh, I do, sir. Thank you so much for offering the fair bargains. Now, I need my cash please as we have much to do. We may come back and look at those new fabrics later." Claire answers with her best smile.
"Fine, here you are, one dollar and thirty six cents. Tell your Pa I'm still having problems with my merchandise and want it stopped."
"I'll pass on your message. Have a nice day Mr. Axelrod." Claire answers as she motions her cousins to leave with her.
"OH Claire, that was so much fun! I nearly laughed when you corrected him on his figuring. The look on his face was so humorous! You are great at getting the prices you want. I'd be so scared I'd just take whatever he gave me. Whatever did he mean by 'having problems with my merchandise' though? Is it attacking him?"
"I've been doing this for at least three years now so I'm not taking less than what I should get, Sarah. I've no idea what the comment about merchandise meant but I suppose Pa will understand. Now let's go visit Cecily."
"Will she mind that we are tagging along today?" Elisha asks as Sarah wonders "What is all the hammering I hear? It's down near our house. I wonder if someone is building next door in the empty lot? Caleb won't like that as he uses it to play bat the ball there. Papa said he could as long as he hit it away from the house. Mama doesn't want her windows broken."
"No Elisha. She knows you are coming too. There's a lot of building going on in Paradise lately. Didn't you know that some of the miner's families are now getting houses in town? There are at least five new families living here now instead of way up at the mine."
"I remember Mary Baker said they were moving to town. She said it would be nice to leave there where so many scruffy men are around. Mama won't allow us to go up to the mine so I never could visit Mary. Now maybe I can."
"Sarah, you chatter on more than a magpie. Stop talking so much will you?" Elisha says ignoring her younger sister's tongue sticking out.
"We aren't allowed anywhere near the mine either, Sarah. We're here, come, let's knock." Claire replies as they walk up on the wrap around porch for the boarding house.
"Hello ladies! Cecily is waiting in her room. It's the first one on the left at the top of the stairs so just go on up. I'll bring refreshments up in just a few moments."
"Thank you Mrs. Blackstock." The girls chorus, walking inside.
Arriving at Cecily's door, Claire knocks once calling out "It's Claire, Elisha and Sarah. May we come in?" when she hears "Who's there?"
Opening the door Cecily quickly ushers them in closing it after them.
"Hi, Cecily. What's all the secrecy? Why do you have a cloth over your face?"
"I don't want anyone in the family to see me right now."
"Why? Are you hurt?"
"No, I'll let you see but you have to keep quiet." Cecily says as she removes the cloth.
"Cecily! I can't believe you would do this!" Claire whispers shocked at the sight.
"I'm old enough! Besides it's fashionable to wear rouge, lip gloss and other facepaint. I'm just trying it out."
"Well, you may think so but your Mother may not. She's coming with refreshments any moment!" Elisha whispers causing Cecily to rush for the washbasin.
"Claire! Help me scrub this off, hurry!"
"It's off so calm down. You're breathing so fast you're Mama is going to be asking about it. Act normally. Here hand me the brush and I'll be brushing your hair. Elisha, Sarah sit on the bed and watch." Claire tells them quietly.
"So, what are we going to do this afternoon? We only have until twelve thirty because Claire's Pa said we have to be home by one o'clock. I suppose we have a late lunch today." Sarah asks.
"The boys are in charge of getting their own lunch at home today. Pa will see to it everyone is fed something. If we get hungry, we can get a sandwich from Alex. He'll fix us something. Personally though, after that enormous breakfast we had, I don't think I'll get hungry." Claire replies.
"I have plans, Sarah. After we have something to drink we'll go somewhere special. Mama knows about it and it's approved." Cecily answers calming down under the strokes of the brush.
"What is approved my Miss?" The girls here from the doorway.
"For us to go to the surprise if it's ready Mother. Remember?"
"I do remember and I just received word it is ready. Now you need to wipe that face paint off your eyes before your Father sees. He doesn't like the idea of painted ladies. You girls enjoy your afternoon." Mrs. Blackstock tells them as she leaves the tray of lemonade and cookies.
"She didn't scold at all! You have a nice Mama, Cecily." Sarah exclaims.
"I'm sorry Cecily. I thought I wiped it off well enough."
"Don't apologize, Claire. Mama has very good eyes. Papa too so I'm grateful it wasn't him who saw it. Now let's eat so we can go to the surprise. If you have to leave soon we need some time there."
Walking down the street to the girl's home, Claire explains "Several of the church ladies have come together to make a new bedroom for your Mama and Papa. The men worked on adding a room yesterday and this morning. That was probably the hammering we heard. We're going to decorate and help set up the room. If Alex and Rob were with us they could help move the furniture. Alex is working today and Rob had to ride fence for Pa so he couldn't come." Claire adds the last for Cecily as she is interested in Rob's whereabouts.
Seeing Chris loading the twins into the wagon, Claire walks over to him.
"Uncle Chris, would you give Pa a message, please? Would you tell him we have to stay in town longer as the room has just been finished. We'll be home before time for getting supper ready."
"I'll pass on the message. You girls do a good job now. Matt and Linnea will be wanting a nice relaxing room to share."
"We plan to make it very nice and not cramped as the old one was now that Uncle Matt is living there." Claire answers. Saying hello to the twins, she goes back to join the girls.
"Hello Chris and children. The boys are playing in the treehouse so just join in." Ethan greets the wagon as it rolls to a stop.
"You two behave today and I'll pick you up by three o'clock." Chris calls after the fleeing children.
"Bye Papa! We will."
"Well, I see you are busy working, so I'll head back. Oh, Ethan, Claire asked me to let you know the girls are just now getting started on Matt's new room."
"What new room?"
"Some of the church ladies have seen to a new bedroom for Matt and Linnea added to their home. The girls are going to help decorate. I thought you knew this. Anyway, Claire said they would be home in time to prepare supper. Don't scowl so. The girls are fine and enjoying being able to help. "
"I was scowling because I directly told her I needed them back by one. With Alyssa coming, I knew she'd want to see Claire. Now Claire decides what she will and will not do. I don't believe that is the case. Well, I need to get back to my dirty job of shoeing horses. I'll see you later, Chris."
While the girls are in town, the younger children enjoying playtime, Ethan has Joseph helping him. Rob is checking the back pasture fence line while Joseph helps with shoeing the horses.
Watching his Pa take off the horseshoe from one of Brown Betsy's feet, Joseph asks "How do you know the shoes you bought will fit her? We used to take them into town and let Mr. Thomlinson put shoes on them."
"That's true we did. I had sets of their old shoes and had him make us new ones. Now all we have to do is use these pincers to remove the nails and shoe. We'll make sure to clean out her feet son. Watch what I'm doing so you can do the same. Do you see how I'm scraping out the dried manure? Now I'm checking to make sure she has no small pebbles stuck. Alright hand me a horseshoe and bring the nails with the hammer. I cleaned and filed down some of her hoof so we'll position the shoe and nail it down."
"I still think having nails in your feet would really hurt."
"They don't feel it son. The nails go into the hard part of the hoof, similar to fingernails I assume."
"I don't put nails in my fingernails, Pa." Joseph says grinning.
"You would if you were a horse. Let's get this shoe on. Then I want to see you clean and shoe her next."
"I'm tired of climbing and swinging! We've played Pirates and had foot races. Let's play something else now." Caleb announces.
"Well what do you want to play? We can't leave the yard so it has to be something we can do here." George replies.
"Let's play Cowboys and Indians! I saw loose feathers in the coop so we have feathers to use for Indians. What'll we use for the cowboys? We need some of your Pa's guns."
"Caleb, if you think we're going to play with guns, you are really crazy! My Pa would whip my bare behind with a belt if I touched a gun! Don't you remember the picnic where you and I got caught with your gun? I got a whipping! You'd catch it too, just so you know, right George, Ben?"
"Guns are forbidden, Caleb. We would get our butts whipped really bad as Aaron said. We can find some sticks to use." George answers as Ben nods his agreement.
"We'll all be cowboys right now and then choose who to be Indians later. Alyssa can be our wagon cook. She can fix up the grub and have our coffee ready when we ride in from fighting Indians." Caleb declares.
"Why do you get to make all the rules? Why can't the rest of us have a say? I can think of things to play too, you know!" Aaron complains feeling irritated at Caleb's bossiness.
"It was my idea, that's why. Now, you wanna play with the boys or go play tea party with the girl."
"THE GIRL is right here and she is playing with you. I'll be Cook for a time but then I want to be an Indian maiden." Alyssa says, stomping her foot.
"We need a coffeepot and a campfire. Let's use the coffeepot from inside." Caleb suggests.
"I don't know, Caleb. That's not something to play with." George hesitates.
"No one is inside so they aren't using it. Come on, don't be so difficult. You guys don't know how to have any real fun. You're all a bunch of babies."
"Fine, we'll use it but we aren't building any fires! We can just pretend." George answers staring firmly at his new cousin.
"Go get the coffeepot and maybe a real pot too." Ben tells his brother as Caleb says "You are nothing but a little goody goody, George!"
"I'll do it but If Pa asks, this is YOUR idea Caleb and Ben, not mine. I didn't tell Pa who really drew the ugly part of that picture of Mr. Hiram, Caleb. I may just tell him though if you don't stop being so bossy!" George replies walking off.
"Joseph, I spoke to Mr. Davis while I was at the school yesterday." Ethan begins as the boy holds his horse by the reins.
"I haven't done anything wrong, Pa! Honest, I haven't!"
"Calm down. Just because I start a conversation saying I spoke to your teacher, does not mean I'm about to sentence you to hard labor with nothing but bread and water! Why do children always believe speaking to a teacher means they are in trouble?"
"Oh, uh, sorry Pa. I did get carried away. I even scared Betsy. Easy, it's all right girl, I'm sorry." Joseph soothes as he strokes his horses' neck.
"As I was saying, I spoke to Mr. Davis and he gave me an excellent report on your schoolwork and behavior. I'm very proud of you son for your effort this school year. I don't remember to praise you enough at times and I wanted to be sure to do so while I'm thinking of it. With the boys, the ranch, the sheriff's job and so much more, I lose track of what I have said and what I haven't at times. Just know I am proud of your behavior and schoolwork even if I forget to tell you. You are growing up and becoming a responsible young man."
"Thank you, Pa. I like school now that we have someone who takes time to teach us. Mr. Davis is a good teacher. Am I scraping this right? I don't seem to be getting out much the way you did." Joseph asks changing the subject from school.
"You're doing fine, son." Ethan answers, noticing the change in conversation but letting it go. "It's all right to scrape a little more firmly inside her hoof. She needs the dried manure pulled out. You need to begin doing this for her at least once a week from now on. I've been doing it but she's your horse. We don't want her to become ill with Thrush and this is just another part of grooming."
"Yes sir, I will. Pa? Where did you learn to shoe horses and care for them so well? Some people don't. I see many horses in town that look pretty unkempt."
"I learned from my Pa, also John Taylor taught me some things, Joseph. My Pa didn't have a fine team but the two wagon horses he had were kept very well. Animals depend on us to take care of them as you know." Ethan adds with a smile as the boy gives his horse a hug.
"I'm not ready to shoe her just yet. Couldn't you do it, please? I just think I'd hurt her. Where did John Taylor go? We haven't seen him since my birthday."
"I'll finish shoeing but you have to do the cleaning. I don't know where he goes, Joseph. I expect he'll show up again in the Spring."
"I hope so. I miss him. Was he the person who taught you the different way to break a horse, the gentling way?"
"Yes son, he was. Now let's put the shoe on her. Hand me the shoe nails, the shoe and hold her steady"
"Why is Rob not helping here? Doesn't he need to learn this too?" Joseph asks watching Ethan nail the shoe on his horse.
"I taught Rob how to do this last month. He's been taking care of his horse. Rob is repairing the fence and posts. You didn't see him come back for the materials earlier?"
"No sir. I wasn't watching the barn, just you. I like helping you, I didn't mean I didn't. I just was wondering is all."
"I know, son."
"Easy Betsy, Easy." Joseph says as the mare shies away from him at a loud burst of noise from the front of the yard.
"Ground tie her and let's see what the children are doing to make so much noise. I hear someone shouting." Ethan says beginning to walk towards the sound.
"What are you children shouting about?" Ethan asks walking up to the group of arguing children with Joseph right behind him.
"The boys won't let me play! They said I could not be an Indian maiden and I can so be one!" Alyssa informs him while sticking out her tongue at her brother and friends.
"Alyssa. Young ladies or well mannered girls don't stick out their tongues. Even if the girl is being mistreated by the boys." Ethan says sending a scolding look around the group.
"Yes Uncle Ethan. Ben and Caleb said I couldn't play though! I can so play if I want! Their just being dummies!" Alyssa says accentuating her words by stomping her feet.
"Alyssa McGinnis! I won't have stomping or name calling. Any more of that behavior and you will find a corner! Understand?" Ethan scolds somewhat surprised at her attitude. She's always been the quiet well behaved twin, rarely needing to be reprimanded. She and Aaron often remind him of Claire and Joseph, very much opposites in temperament.
"Yes sir."
"Now all of you are to get along and let everyone play or I'll let you spend time cleaning the barn. Which one is it to be?" Ethan addresses the group.
"I wanted her to play, Papa. Me and Aaron are playing nicely." George speaks up, his feelings bruised by the scolding.
"Aaron and I, George. Speak correctly. I'm still including the two of you in this statement. ALL of you find something you can ALL do without arguing or yelling. You are upsetting the horse we are working with. Now, which is it to be, play together or clean the barn?"
"We'll play together, Papa. I'm sorry, Alyssa. You can be whatever you want to be." Ben says, crumpling under the stern stare his Pa is giving him.
"See to it that you do. Joseph, let's go finish shoeing Betsy." Ethan replies turning to walk back to the horse.
"Behave yourselves boys. Pa will spank you all if you don't and then you'll be sorry!" Joseph can't resist adding his own scolding.
"Joseph?" Ethan calls, glancing back to the children.
"Coming, Pa. You better put up the coffee pot before he spies it out here. He didn't see it because I stood in front of it but he will notice it's missing when he goes to the house. Be sure to wash it too!" Joseph whispers to George and Ben.
"Okay Alyssa can be the Indian maiden we have tied to the stake. Ben and I will be the bad guys and Aaron and George the ones who ride to the rescue. C'mon, let's go use the treehouse tree. We need rope though." Caleb announces after Ethan is far enough away not to hear.
"There's a rope in the treehouse. George and I use it for lasso practice." Ben tells his new cousin.
"Good, she's all tied up, now the rescuers need to go off and let us outlaws be with our prisoner. Count to two hundred and then come back." Caleb announces.
After the other two boys leave, Caleb begins piling sticks around Alyssa's feet making a small pile.
"What is that for, Caleb? Alyssa's not a bird, she doesn't need a nest!" Ben says, giggling at his own witty joke.
"Outlaws are not nice people and we are outlaws right?" At Ben's hesitant nod, he continues "Go inside and get the matches. We need to pretend with real matches."
"We have to be careful, Caleb. We are going to get in huge trouble if Pa sees we have them."
"We'll be careful. Go get them before the other two come back."