Chapter 27
Almost another month has gone by during these worrying times, but we still have Fan Fiction to keep us as cheerful as possible. Once again I send my thanks to all those reviewers who have taken the time to read my story. Keep well everyone.
"It will be just fine, Beth," Abby told her.
"Yes," Adam added, "you've worked very hard on your project. I just know it will be perfect."
"At least, now, I'll get to hear it." Mags threw in her cents worth, obviously still annoyed she was kept out of it.
"Yes, well, let's all make a move into town." Encouraged Adam, as he allowed all the ladies of his family to go through the door ahead of him. Always the gentleman.
Their journey to town was fairly quiet, which didn't help Beth one bit.
"Somebody say something, please," she begged.
"How many others will there be, Beth?" Abby asked.
"Miss Symons picked out the best six for the presentation, she told us and mine was one of them. There will be a reward certificate to be presented to the winner after the judges make their decision."
"That sounds wonderful." Adam said, hoping Beth would be the winner. She already made him proud, but as she did her project all on her own, he couldn't be more proud, even because of that. But to win, well, he would be so pleased.
"I hope they're not long projects. It could become boring to listen to." Mags was still not in a good mood over all this.
"Mags, don't wish your life away. You've lots to learn before you can be given a challenge such as this. Your turn will come, sweet pea. and believe me, it won't be that long." Adam hoped Mags feelings in this will go away soon. He did not like it that she resented her sister like this. And he hoped that Mags would not cause a scene this afternoon.
"Your day will come, sweetheart," Abby said, pulling her into a hug.
"I suppose," was all Mags said sorrowfully.
They entered Virginia City and made their way to the schoolhouse where lots of people had already congregated outside, waiting for the invite to go inside. Adam noticed that Mr and Mrs Henderson were present. He hoped they would approve of Beth's project and what has been done to their restaurant. Well Rachel's restaurant now.
Miss Symons came out of the schoolhouse and invited everyone in. As they entered she handed them a programme of events. The desks had all been removed and stored out the back and replaced with chairs for the audience to sit on. The raised area at the front of the audience where the teacher's desk used to be was now housed with six chairs and a podium. It all looked just the ticket.
Miss Symons spoke to the audience. "Ladies and gentlemen, many thanks for joining us today for our annual Project competition. We have six children who have shown the qualities that deserve to be honoured here today. Now without further ado, I should introduce the judges to you. Mr Daniel DeQuille, Reverend John Donovan, Mr Roy Coffee, Dr Paul Martin and Mr Henry Walters. All known to you I'm sure. If you look at your programme you will see exactly who and what subject will be presented today."
Miss Symons then picked up the programme and called for the contestants to join her up on the stage.
Raymond Stone … The Way West
Rose Foley … Friends
William Brentford … Virginia City
Elizabeth Cartwright … Mr Charles Dickens
Amanda Adams … The Literary Society
Steven Browning … Becoming a Rancher
Once all six were seated Miss Symons called on Mr Raymond Stone. He stood and walked to the podium, opened his file and began. As Adam listened he realised the good work all the children had done in their projects. But now he awaited Beth to be called.
"And now, Miss Elizabeth Cartwright." She nervously stood and approached the podium.
Abby and Adam could both see she was nervous and held hands. Then once Beth had looked around the room, she took a deep breath and began:
Mr Charles Dickens by Elizabeth Cartwright
Mr Charles Dickens (also known as Boz) was born on 7th February 1812 in Portsmouth, England to John and Elizabeth Dickens, the second of eight children. He married Catherine Hogarth on 2nd April 1836 and has ten children. His father was a clerk in the Navy Pay Office and was temporarily stationed in the district. Dickens left school to work in a factory when his father was incarcerated in Marshalsea debtors' prison in Southwark, London in 1824. Charles was twelve years old at that time and worked in a shoe-blacking factory where he earned six shillings a week. His novel 'Little Dorritt' was the based on his knowledge of the Marshalsea.
Mr Dickens visited The United states twice, once in 1842 and then not so long ago where he gave readings from some of his novels. He paid a visit to Virginia City. The Literary Society had organised a welcoming committee and Mr Ben Cartwright, was allotted the task of preparing the welcoming speech, but unfortunately when Mr Dickens arrived he was only interested in a bath and bedrest after his 'harrowing' journey in the stagecoach and poor Mr Cartwright only managed to say a few words of his rehearsed speech. After the initial meeting, the ladies of the Literary Society were not too happy with the way Mr Dickens conducted himself.
He was planning only a short visit with the reading of his novel Oliver Twist, but circumstances arose over printing rights which was eventually put right. Mr Adam Cartwright helped Mr Dickens with this problem. And during the time it took to sort out the problem, Mr Dickens stayed on the Ponderosa. It was such an honour. He helped Mr Hoss Cartwright chop firewood and they talked of many things and became good friends. He actually became a great friend to everyone and created a much loved following of his work, especially when he completed his reading of Oliver Twist. Before he left us, the Literary Society organised an afternoon get together, with Mr Dickens' approval, where all present sat around at small tables and Mr Dickens made his way around the room and found time to talk with everyone. He answered many questions about his work and when someone asked where he got his story ideas from, he answered, 'from life's experiences, Sir'.
I learned of Mr Dickens' life from some books and also information from people who were here at the time of his visit, because, of course, me and my sister, Margaret, were not here at the time.
And to conclude, I will be writing a letter to Mr Dickens to let him know of our Dickensian Restaurant which has been dedicated to him and get my Mamma to draw some pictures of it, inside and out, to send with my letter. I want him to know his novels are still being read and I suspect will be so for a very very long time to come. I hope you will all take advantage of reading Mr Dickens' novels.
I have also listed some of his novels here and when they were published, so that everyone will know of all the stories he has written. She read out the list.
The Pickwick Papers 1836 Barnaby Rudge 1841 Bleak House 1852
Oliver Twist 1837 A Christmas Carol 1843 Hard Times 1854
Nicholas Nickleby 1838 Dombey and Son 1846 Little Dorritt 1855
The Old Curiosity Shop 1840 David Copperfield 1849 A Tale of Two Cities 1859
I will have the list posted in the Dickensian Restaurant so anyone interested may look there.
And a footnote: Did you know that Samuel Clemens (Mark Twain) also came to Virginia City, but that's another story.
Thank you for listening. Thank you.
As Beth returned to her seat, the adults in the audience laughed and applauded at the same time, especially Ben and Adam as they remembered the havoc that Sam had caused the Ponderosa. …
Following the last of the six projects having been read. The judges deliberated on the entries. Once they were all in agreement, Miss Symons stood and invited Reverend John Donovan to announce the winner.
"Thank you, Miss Symons. Friends, I have to tell you it was a difficult decision we had to make. They were all worthy of the first prize but one stood out showing us how much effort had gone into it. So without more ado, I invite Mr Roy Coffee up here with me who will present the Diploma and the $5 to the winner who is" and smiling, he paused, giving the audience a very anxious moment as they waited for the result to be announced, "Miss Elizabeth Cartwright." He turned and waited for Beth to join him and Roy at the front of the stage, while the audience applauded and the Cartwrights stood up and cheered, including Mags.
Reverend Donovan raised his arms up asking the audience to return to their seats. "We have five more certificates to hand out and the $2 that goes with them to our other five worthy contestants. So, ladies and gentlemen would you please show your appreciation by putting your hands together for Raymond Stone, Rose Foley, William Brentford, Amanda Adams and Steven Browning as they too receive their Diplomas. Roy said 'well done' and 'congratulations' to each of the contestants as he handed over their Diplomas and the $2 dollars.
A little later as the afternoon was coming to an end, Adam was stood talking to Margaret Symons, congratulating her on the success of the afternoon.
"It came off quite well, I thought," she said to Adam.
"It most certainly did."
"I think that little bit of humour at the end may have clinched it for her," Margaret said.
"You could be right." Adam laughed too. "It made me laugh as I recalled the problem I had with Sam.
"You knew Mr Clemens, then?" She asked.
"Yes, indeed," Adam said, still smiling.
"I sense an amusing story there. Obviously all this was before I came to Virginia City."
"Yes, But now since Beth mentioned it, and I certainly didn't know she was going to, it could stir up memories for a lot of people. So please do not organise any more projects for the time being, as I'm sure Beth will want to look into Sam's visit here."
"Okay. I won't. And anyway when I do it will always be for Beth's age group, so next year she will not qualify for entry."
"Thank you for that. But I suspect she will be wanting to know all about Sam's visit anyway and I suspect smaller ears will be listening. You never know what Mags will write about when it comes to her turn."
"Well she will be older by then and more sensible, like Beth, I hope."
"That'll be the day." And they both burst out laughing.
"What's all the laughing about?" Abby said as she walked up to them and exaggeratedly slipped her arm into Adam's, and giving Miss Symons a big smile.
"I think it's time to get the girls and make our way home." Adam said, giving Abby's hand a squeeze. "Tomorrow is another big day with the opening of The Dickensian."
"Thank you, Miss Symons, for all you have achieved today and the hard work you put in in organising the event.
"You're welcome, Mrs Cartwright."
With that Adam and Abby went off to find the girls.
"Was that a little jealousy I witnessed there?" Adam smirked.
"Certainly not, Mr Cartwright," she answered. "Well perhaps a little."
"You have nothing to fear in that department. I have the woman I want. There is no one to compare you with. Trust me."
"I do." Abby kissed him on the cheek. "Now where are those girls?"
And together they went in search and found them together with Connie and Jenny.
"There you are," Abby said. "Time to go home. Another big day tomorrow. But I just want to say a quick hello to Rachel and we'll be off."
"I don't think so, Abby. I expect Rachel to be busy right now," he told her.
"But she's all ready."
"I gave John the day off and I suspect he came to town." He winked at Abby.
"Oh!" Her face blossomed into a great smile. "Then let's go home." ….
The great day has arrived and Adam and family were sitting down to breakfast being asked questions.
"What time will it open?" Beth asked.
"Abby, you know more about all this than I do. Perhaps you can enlighten us with the facts," Adam told Abby, inviting her to answer the questions he knew they were about to be asked.
"Well, yes, I guess I probably know more than anyone else, she answered. Now let's see. Rachel is going to open the doors at noon today."
"And what will she have on her menu?" Mags asked, not wanting to be left out of this conversation.
"Well that I'm not sure of but whatever it is it will be only one choice today. As she is expecting a lot more people to arrive today, being a special day, she thought it would be easier to serve just one menu. Easier for her to manage. But normally she will have a choice on her menu, when there are fewer people eating at one time."
"Well, she can't possibly do it all herself, will she have help?" Beth asked. "I could help washing up or clearing tables during my lunch break from school."
"That's very kind of you to think of that, sweetheart," Adam told her, "but I would prefer it if you stayed with your friends at school."
"Yes, Rachel will have help. She is planning on employing some staff to help out," Abby informed them.
"How is she going to manage that, finance-wise?" Adam asked.
"I think she's hoping to get a loan from the bank."
"Oh, I see." Adam said, giving that a thought. "Well now, is everybody finished. We have chores and then wash up and get ready for our drive into town."
"Yes, Daddy," Mags said shooting up off her chair and started running to start her chores, when she felt her arm grabbed by Adam. And turned with a grimace knowing what she'd done, and tried to keep her bottom out of swatting distance. But to no effect. "Ow."
"How many times do you have to be told about running in the house?" Adam asked her sternly.
"Sorry, Daddy, I forgot."
"Well, don't forget again or I will be very cross."
"Yes, Daddy." And she slowly walked towards the front door and out.
"Beth, the table please," Abby said to her.
"Yes, Mamma." And Beth went about her duties carrying out the plates to the kitchen.
"Poor Mags," Abby said to Adam once Beth was out of the room, "she so easily forgets. I fear she'll never learn until she's much older, when she thinks more like a little girl."
"She reminds me of Little Joe at that age. Never still, always racing around. I remember Pa had a terrible time with him. It wasn't until he had an accident that put him to bed for a week."
"I hope it won't come to that," Abby said.
"Well, I see a lot more swats coming her way," Adam said chuckling.
The front door suddenly opened and Mags stepped in. "I…I forgot the basket for the eggs," she said sheepishly.
"Then you had better fetch it," Adam instructed.
Mags walked slowly around the room giving the table a wide birth and disappeared in the kitchen.
Beth appeared next to collect more items from the table. "Mags has gone out the back door," she informed them.
Adam and Abby just smiled at one another, knowing she was avoiding her daddy.
"Thank you Beth. I'll be out to help you in a minute."
"Okay, Mamma," and she made her way back to the kitchen.
"Oh, Adam, I love them to bits. I love all their foibles. They really are wonderful girls. You have made them what they are, and I love you for that."
"Just for that?" He asked with a gleam in his eye.
"You are impossible. In my condition you're going to have to learn to control yourself." She stood and collected the rest of the dishes on the table and she too went into the kitchen.
Adam called after her, "Sweetheart there is something I need to tell you so you won't be surprised when it happens."
"You'll have to tell me later as we get dressed," Abby answered poking her head around the kitchen doorway.
"Okay." Then Adam just sat quietly for a moment thinking of his wonderful family and all their idiosyncrasies. How he loved them all.
….….
Time was moving on and as Adam and Abby were putting the finishing touches to their clothes, she remembered he had something to tell her.
"Adam, what was it you wanted to tell me earlier?"
"Oh yes," he said as he finished up with his tie. "Mr Henderson spoke with me while I was in town and persuaded me to announce the surprise of the new ownership to Rachel today."
"That's even better than waiting 'til Christmas. I think today would be most fitting. Well done Mr Henderson." She moved in close to Adam and kissed him thoroughly and thank you Adam for all your involvement."
"My pleasure, sweetheart," he said as he kissed her back. "Now that we are all washed and dressed up we should be making our way to Virginia City."
"Right, let's get everyone together and go. Is John going with us or on his own?" Abby asked.
"No, he wanted to go on his own and be there early, as support for Rachel."
"Wonderful. I have such strong hopes for them as a couple."
"Well, if that were to be the case, they'll have a lot to work out, with their being working at two separate places."
"Yes," Abby agreed. "Would Rachel give up the restaurant or would John leave us and join Rachel in town. Oh, I don't want to think about that right now. That thought is depressing. We'll work something out."
"Abby," Adam said in a serious manner. "You will leave that matter entirely to them, should that circumstance arise. You hear me?"
"Yes, Sir." She saluted him and turned quickly out of their bedroom before Adam could react to her salute. ….
As they were travelling along they met up with Ben, Hoss and Susannah and Joe and Alicia and their children, all making their way into town too.
"My you girls look lovely," Ben called over. "You too, of course, Abby." He was riding with Hoss and family.
Joe had not stopped, just shouted his hello and was gone, eager to be first into Virginia City.
"I think today will be a great success for Rachel," Ben said.
"Yes," Hoss joined in. "I can't wait to see what we'll have to eat. Something special I think."
"Sweetheart," Susannah sighed. "Just for today, I need you to think of the occasion and not so much of the food, which I'm sure will be perfect."
"You're right, my love. I'll be good."
Everyone laughed at that exchange.
"Okay," Adam brought them all back to the reason for the outing. "We should get going, don't want to be late for the opening."
So with Adam and family leading the way, they continued on to Virginia City. When they finally arrived they could see quite a crowd had gathered outside The Dickensian. They could see that a makeshift long trestle table and benches had been placed outside to take the overflow. Thankfully it was a fairly warm day. He drove the buggy over towards the crowd and stopped. He got down to help the girls down and then turned to Abby and carefully helped her down.
"Now you three stay with Grandpa. I have to go and pick up the Henderson's. Be back in a little while."
"We'll be waiting for you," Abby told him. And made her way over to some of the townspeople while the girls went looking for Connie and Jenny.
Within ten minutes Adam had returned with Mr and Mrs Henderson, who were smiling happily. He helped them down from the buggy and made their way over to the door of the restaurant. Dan DeQuille was already there waiting expectantly for the promise made to him to be carried out. There were at least forty-five people there anxiously waiting for the restaurant to open. And then at the allotted time the door was opened by Rachel, who invited everyone in.