Chapter 6
"So I understand that you had a good time this afternoon?"
"I had a great time, Hannibal. It's been a long time since I have played with kids my own age. I hit two home runs this afternoon."
"I'm glad you had a good time, kid."
"It is time for your bath and then bedtime."
"A bath!"
"Kid, you played hard this afternoon…you need a bath before bed. Now go with Murdock and he will help you get ready," Hannibal said in his commander's voice.
"Yes, sir!" Face said defeated as he trudged off to the bathroom with Murdock following. Murdock was having a hard time keeping a smile off his face.
Early the next day, with the wagon filled, Mrs. B said goodbye to her friends and climbed up into the wagon. She gathered the reins and got ready to leave when Katherine came running up with a full basket. "I couldn't let you go without enough pie and cake to see you and your family through to the next stop. Just make sure not to leave it where your youngest can get to it," she said with a smile.
Billy came to tell Face goodbye and gave him the ball that he hit two home runs with as a goodbye present.
Hannibal seeing that all were ready, led the way out of town. BA and Murdock rode beside the wagon, one on each side. Face ride next to his uncle.
They made good time and pulled into St. Louis a few weeks later. Hannibal rode quickly to their home to see his wife for the first time in years. "Maggie," he called out as he entered their home.
"John! Is it really you?" Cried a dark-haired woman with a quick smile. She threw herself in his arms. "I didn't think that war would ever end."
"We would have been here sooner, but a member of my unit was kidnapped, and it took us time to find him and for him to heal," Hannibal explained.
"A member? Who?"
"Our drummer boy, and during our trip here I found out that he is my younger sister's son. I want us to adopt him!"
"Uncle Davy?" Face called as he entered the house.
"In here, Face," replied Hannibal.
Face walked in, and Maggie got her first look at the young boy. She could see a strong resemblance to Hannibal in him. "I knocked, and when no one answered, I walked in. I hope that was okay. BA, Mama B, and Harry just pulled up and are waiting outside."
"So you are my new son," Maggie said as she approached the boy. "I understand the nickname now; you are as handsome as your father to be."
Face blushed at the compliment and shyly asked, "Will it be okay if I call you Mama?"
"I would be honored, Face...now let's get the proceedings over with that will make you my son. Judge Evans is a personal friend and has agreed to see us in his Chambers whenever you arrive so we can legally adopt Face."
Hannibal had a startled look on his face but quickly smiled. "You have been busy. So where is the Judge's office?"
"Not far...shall I lead?"
Hannibal stood aside and allowed his wife to lead the way. He was surprised when she stopped at the house next door.
"He has been my neighbor and friend since I moved here. He helped me to sell the house and purchase the wagon and a team of horses. He sent men to help load the wagon. So I am ready to go whenever you are."
Face's other family decided to wait outside while the legality of the adoption took place. It wasn't long before Face raced out shouting, "I've been adopted and my new name is John David Smith, Jr."
BA, Mama B, and Harry gathered around him to give him their hugs at his great fortune.
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Two days later two filled wagons plus three on horseback headed out to join the Chris Hale Wagon train forming on the outskirts of St. Louis for their final trek to Wyoming and Home!
The End
(This ends the second part of The Faceman Chronicles 1865. The third part will tell of the excitement and adventure of traveling on a Wagon Train as Face and his family travel to their new home in Wyoming.)
