The Inheritance and The Robbers
Chapter 1:
The Ingalls family Charles, Caroline, Albert, Laura and baby Grace are all having breakfast of eggs and toast. After Charles says a prayer of thanks for their food and they begin to eat there is a knock at the door. Charles asks, "Who could that be at this time of the morning and right when we are having breakfast. I'll get it."
Charles opens the door and notices his friend Mr. Sprague, the Banker who started the Walnut Grove bank but has moved to Mankato about a year ago. Charles gives his friend a hug and asks, Mr. Sprague, "Friend how has it been?"
Mr Sprague giving his friend a hug back answers, "Charles it's been great it's good to see you again. Mr. Sprague then glances over to Caroline and the children and gives them a friendly smile. Caroline and the children smile back as Caroline asks, "Mr. Sprague would you like to have some breakfast with us?"
Mr. Sprague answers, "Sorry Mrs. Ingalls I can't stay long. Then Mr. Sprague asks Charles, "Can you and Caroline come outside for a minute? We need to talk."
Caroline hearing his request as she says to the children, Finish your breakfast and get ready for school. Albert can you help Grace finish her eggs?"
Albert who has just finished his eegs and sitting next to Grace at the table answers, "Sure Ma."
Charles and Caroline go outside to talk to Mr. Sprague and he says to them, "Charles and Caroline I am sorry to bring you this news but Caroline about a month ago your Aunt Peg passed away in her sleep."
Caroline has a surprised look as she asked, "Aunt Peg?" and she looks at Charles and asks again, "Aunt Peg?" Then Caroline is quiet for a moment and then snaps her fingers, "Oh yes, Aunt Peg. I never really met her but my mom talked about her alot."
Mr. Sprague then says, "Your Aunt Peg must have thought alot about you because she left you a sum of money in her will. Mr. and Mrs. Ingalls can you both plan a trip to Mankato to pick up the money and talk business?"
Charles and Caroline look at each other with a stunned look and then Charles says to Sprague, "My wife and I need to take time to talk it over we will send you a telegram on when we can come."
Mr. Sprague answers, "Ok thank you. I need to go now it was good to see you both again. I will be looking for your telegram and I give my condolences to your family."
Charles and Caroline say their goodbyes to their friend and than go back inside and they notice that Albert is having trouble with feeding Grace her eggs as she is crying and saying, "I want Ma to feed me! I want Ma to feed me!"
Caroline takes over feeding Grace her eggs as Laura asks, "Ma, Pa what did Mr. Sprague want?"
Carolina answers, "We can talk about it later you all need to head off to school."
Laura, Albert and Carrie head to school as Grace finishes her eggs. That evening it is decided that Charles and Caroline will go to Mankato to do business with the Bank on Monday. Charles and Caroline want to go by themselves because they want to spend some time alone together because it's also their anniversary. Charles and Caroline know that Albert and Laura are both old enough to take care of everything at home while they are away for a few days. They also made arrangements with Jonathan and Alice Garvey to look after Grace while Laura Albert and Carrie are at school.
Friday afternoon a telegram is sent to Mr. Sprague at the Mankato Bank telling him that Charles and Caroline will be there Monday about 3pm.
Meanwhile 3 robbers have escaped the Mankato jail and are making plans to head out of Mankato.
Where will the robbers go?
To Be Continued