Chapter 4

Colorado Springs

Tuesday 23rd September, 1873

The five workmen that had built Sully's workshop left early in the morning, leaving behind them a very well equipped workshop. With the 8 o'clock train, large amounts of wood arrived as well, so that Sully could start working on his first projects. He received his first two drawings the day before, and now he had received all he needed to start working. His deadline was that of a month. The work finished, all he had to do was to send the piece of furniture back to Boston. However, he didn't want to start working on this day. He wanted to be near his family before his eldest children left. He could start tomorrow. Sully put all the tools in the workshop and the wood in the store he had near the shop itself and locked the doors. Michaela and the others were at home, getting ready. The two weeks Matthew and Colleen had to prepare themselves before going to University soon passed. Now they had to leave. He was going to miss them but there was no choice. He mounted his horse and headed home. When he arrived there, he entered to see Matthew dressed up elegantly in one of Boston's suits Michaela had bought him. He was playing with Katie on the sofa. Brian was helping his mother with the pie she was preparing to give to Matthew for his long trip. He looked round but couldn't see Colleen.

"Hello" he said as he closed the door.

"Hey Pa" replied Brian"I'm helping ma with the pie."

"Well done son. So, where's Colleen" asked Sully.

"She and Andrew went out for a ride nearby, wanted to say goodbye" replied Michaela going near him to give him a light kiss.

Just then Katie noticed her father's presence and got down from Matthew's knees to go to him.

"Papa! Up Up!' she cried, lifting her hands up and motioning her father to pick her up.

"Hello Kates" said Sully as he lifted her up and placed her against his chest.

Matthew rose from where he was and entered the kitchen, arranging his tie.

"So,' Matthew said"how do I look huh"

"Well, for Boston you're fine,' stated Sully.

"Thanks" he said, as he looked at the clock over the mantelpiece.

'It's nearly time. The train leaves in half an hour. Do I have everything" Matthew asked nervously.

"Yes my dear you have everything" replied Michaela as she handed him a small box containing the pie"when Colleen and Andrew arrive, we leave for the station. Remember what we agreed upon! You have to write once a week, if you fail to do so, I'll come straight to Boston."

'Ok Ma calm down. There's no need to remind me, an' besides, you aint fit to travel to Boston now" replied Matthew.

"Oh sure I'm fit. I could come to Boston even if I was 9 months pregnant, and you know that."

"Yes ma I know that. You must write to me too telling me everything about here. An' remember what you promised me. You aint have to work too much."

"OK OK there will be many people reminding me that" Michaela replied.

At that moment, the door opened and Colleen entered, followed by Andrew.

"Hello" Colleen said, 'are we going? It's late I think."

"You think correctly as usual" replied Brian.

"OK, let's go" announced Sully.

They all exited the homestead and climbed up in the wagons and departed. Matthew and Colleen looked as the homestead disappeared in the distance. It would be long before they saw it again. Arrived at the train station, several people were waiting to wave goodbye to the children. They stepped on the platform. The train was already there and was leaving in 15 minutes. They loaded Matthew's luggage and started saying their goodbyes.

"See you Pa, take care of yourself, an' especially of ma. If ya need any help, just tell me an' I'll come" said Matthew as he hugged his father.

"Don't worry son, just keep your mind in the books, an' leave the rest to me" replied Sully.

"Take care ma, an' don't work too much, an' don't worry 'bout me. I love you ma" said Matthew, as he hugged Michaela so hard she had to grasp for breath.

"Just study Mat, and don't worry about me. I love you too. Take care of yourself. I don't know what I'd do if something had to happen to you" replied Michaela, tears in her eyes.

"Hey Mat" said Brian"look after yourself, an' I wish ya good luck for school."

"Thanks Brian, an' ya study too" replied Matthew as he hugged him.

Then he turned to Colleen.

"Hey sis, remember to write to me frequently. Wish ya good luck. If ya need any help, ya know where to find me."

They hugged each other, just as the train conductor shouted to all passengers to climb in the carriages. Matthew waved them goodbye and boarded the train. He opened his window and shouted out of it"I love you all"

The train started moving. His family waved goodbye as the train left Colorado Springs. Michaela couldn't hold back the tears, and neither could Brian.

Half an hour later, the same was done with Colleen as she left to Philadelphia. She promised to write frequently and left, leaving sad faces behind her. Her father had promised to write to her if there were problems with her ma, and so had Brian. She would miss Andrew terribly. They had only been married for three weeks, and she was leaving, to see him after some 3 months at Christmas. She would keep a diary and send its' pages to him every week. It was a new beginning!

Boston

Tuesday 23rd September, 1873

As he descended the steps of the train, he looked around him, remembering of the last time he had been there. He directed himself towards the telegraph office, and sent a telegram to his parents saying-

Dear ma and pa,

I have arrived safely in Boston.

Matthew

As he exited the office, he heard someone calling his name. He seemed to recognize the voice and turned round to see if he was right, which in fact he was. Approaching him was his grandmother who hugged him as soon as she reached him.

"Hello my dear! How are you? Had a nice trip" asked Elisabeth.

"Hello grandma. Yeah I had a nice trip an' I'm fine thanks" replied Matthew.

"Very well. What fine clothes you have"

"Yeah I know. Ma bought them at Loren's" replied Matthew.

"Nice choice. Let's go home then" she announced pulling him gently from under his arm.

"But I have ta get my luggage" protested calmly Matthew.

"Oh I know. One of my servants will collect it and bring it home. Now come."

They walked over to her carriage and traveled home. When they descended the steps, Beverley, the housemaid was waiting for them in the doorway, accompanied by Mark, the butler.

"Hello Beverley, Mark. This is my nephew Matthew. He is your new master" greeted them Elisabeth as they entered the house.

They took their coats and hats, as Matthew followed his grandmother into a sitting room here a fireplace was warming the whole room.

"Would you like something to drink Matthew" asked Elisabeth as she directed herself to a cocktail cabinet.

"A glass of water please, an' please call me Mat."

"Water" exclaimed Elisabeth"I meant if you wanted some whisky, or brandy, or something."

"I aint accustomed to drinking such stuff at home grandma" he replied as he sat himself down on the sofa.

"And why would that be" asked Elisabeth curiously"Doesn't Sully drink" she asked, wanting to find something to criticize Sully upon. She still wasn't sure of him on certain things.

"No! Of course not! He never touches alcohol, an' neither do the rest of us."

Having heard this Elisabeth convinced herself once and for all that her daughter had chosen the best man she could have found in the world. So she poured a glass of water and gave it to Matthew before seating herself down.

"Oh, well that's right. The least you drink, the better."

At that moment Mark entered.

"Mistress, the luggage of Master Matthew's arrived" he announced.

"Oh thank you Mark. Take them up to his room. He'll unpack later" replied Elisabeth.

"Thanks Mark" called out Matthew behind him.

"Matthew" shouted Elisabeth.

He remained silent for a couple of seconds.

"What" he asked confused.

"We don't thank the servants for something" she instructed him.

"But they're humans as we are. It aint right, an' I didn't expect it from ya grandma" he replied shocked.

She felt offended and knew she had been doing wrong. She decided that this was the right time to change attitude towards many things, and her teacher was going Matthew. When she remained silent, Matthew knew that maybe he had gone too far.

"I'm sorry grandma, it's just that..." started Matthew only to be interrupted by his grandmother.

"... it's ok Mat" she said"I have been doing wrong inhuman things for a long time, especially with your mother and father. It's time to start a fresh page, and you'll help me do that" she announced.

Matthew smiled proudly.

"OK grandma. I like that. So, where is my room"

"Well I thought maybe you'd like the room you had last time you came here. You also have a desk there with all the things you needed. There are also the clothes I bought for you. If you don't want to dress them, it's OK for me."

"Oh no. I'm sure some extra clothes aren't useless in a town like Boston."

"Now let's go to your room so you can unpack and settle yourself. Tomorrow is an important day for you,' she said as they rose from where they were and exited the room.

Philadelphia

Tuesday 23rd September, 1873

Colleen got down from the train and looked round the unfamiliar train station. She spotted the Post Office and headed there.

"Good afternoon Miss" greeted her an officer from behind the bench in the post office"What can I do for you"

"I would like ta send a telegram please" she replied.

"Sure" he said, as he handed a piece of paper and a pencil to write her message.

She wrote so-

Dearest ma and pa,

I have just arrived in Philadelphia and will go immediately to look for my apartment.

Love,

Colleen

The officer transmitted her telegram and she paid him. Just as she was about to leave, she remembered of her luggage.

"Excuse me sir, but is there a way of getting my luggage home" she asked the officer.

"Yes sure Miss. Just give me the address and all the luggage listed under your name will be brought to you. Pay after the delivery has been made" he replied and handed her a piece of paper on which she wrote her name, and copied the address she had on the letter the University had sent her.

"Thanks a lot sir" she said a she exited the office and into the streets. She started walking, looking for 'Mill Street', which she soon found.

It was a street full of apartments. She found Apartment no 7 and knocked on the door. A young lady, exactly her age opened the door.

"Yes, what can I do for you" the young lady asked.

"Hi, I'm Colleen Cook..." replied Colleen but was immediately interrupted.

"... oh hello Miss Cook! I'm Angela Walker,' she replied as they shook hands.

"Oh yes, we'll be sharing the apartment won't we"

"That's right" answered Angela"Come on in."

Colleen entered the house. They went into a sitting room and Colleen took off her hat, glove and cloak and put them on an armchair.

"Seems cosy" commented Colleen having a look around.

"It sure is. It was very kind of the University to offer these apartments to be shared by two people who don't live here."

"Yeah, an' the rent is cheap as well,' replied Colleen.

Angela seemed to be reading inside her brain.

"You're not from here or these parts are you" she asked Colleen.

"Nah. I'm from Colorado Springs, out west. How d'ya know" she asked curiously.

"I can detect your accent. You speak in a certain dialect. I like it"

"Oh, now everythin's clear! So, how many rooms do we have"

"We have this sitting room, a kitchen, and a bathroom here downstairs, and two bedrooms upstairs, together with what seems like a study with two tables. It's ideal for making our school-work"

"Great! Have ya been here for long"

"No, just arrived maybe some 2 or 3 hours ago. Let's show you round."

"Thanks Angela. Oh an' by the way, I'm not 'Miss' but 'Mrs. Cook'."

"You're married? Who's the lucky guy" asked Angela surprised.

'Andrew. He's a doctor. Come on. Show me round" ended the conversation Colleen.

They immediately liked each other very much.

Colorado Springs

Tuesday 23rd September, 1873

Sully climbed up in bed beside Michaela. It had been a long, sad day. Their children had left, and both were thinking of them at the same time.

"Thinkin' of the children huh" Sully asked as he lifted her up and placed her between his legs, resting her back against his chest, as he stroke her bare shoulders.

"Yes, I'm thinking about them. Tomorrow they start University. Oh I hope all goes fine for them."

"They surely have arrived safe and sound in their destinations" replied Sully, referring to the two telegrams their children had sent them as soon as they arrived in Boston and Philadelphia respectively.

"Mother will take good care of Mat, and Colleen will be sharing her apartment with another lady her age, so she won't be alone."

"Brian starts school tomorrow. Has he said where he'll go after this year"

"No, they haven't received any information and application forms form any College. I think they'll know what availabilities there are in the following weeks. Has he told you what he wants to do" Michaela asked curiously.

"No he hasn't. What do ya think he'll do"

"Well, he's a good writer, maybe he'll want to be a journalist, helping Dorothy, who knows."

Michaela yawned as soon as she finished her sentence. Sully knew it was bedtime.

"Tired huh? Well let's sleep. I don't you to get tired for the baby."

"Don't worry Sully. I'm fine, it's just been a long day."

They both lay themselves down further down in the covers and fall fast asleep in each other's arms.

Colorado Springs

Thursday 25th September, 1873

Teresa finished placing the food on the table as she looked once again at the clock. He hadn't yet returned and she was starting to worry. Just then she heard the sound of a horse outside and knew he had arrived. He opened the door and entered the house.

"Were have you been? I was getting worried" asked Teresa.

"I had lots of things ta do today. Sorry if I worried ya" he replied, kissing her on the cheek.

"So, has the material arrived" she asked anxiously.

"Yeah! Finally, it's here. Tomorrow I'm gonna start building the house" replied Jake proudly as he sat down opposite her to start eating.

"Have you ever build something before" she asked afraid of what the answer was going to be.

"No, never" he replied.

"So, how do you think are you going to build a house" she asked.

"Well, I'll learn" he replied not giving too importance to the matter.

"Oh yes, sure. You'll learn by breaking your neck" she replied her temper rising.

"I won't get hurt Teresa, I promise" he replied, realizing his wife's temper was rising.

"Why don't you ask someone to help you" she asked as an idea struck her.

"'course. I've asked Hank ta help me. We'll start tomorrow" he replied, thinking she would stop worrying, after hearing someone would be there to help him, but her expression only widened.

"Hank" she exclaimed shocked"But he knows nothing of building, just as much as you do! How do you two think of building a house? I was referring to Sully"

"Sully! He aint have time for my house" Jake replied, not wanting Sully's help.

"Have you asked him" she asked, knowing what the answer was going to be.

"Nah, I didn't, cause I know the answer. Now let's eat" he replied ending the conversation.

"You could at least ask him" added Teresa, knowing he wouldn't change his mind, but wanting to try just the same.

End of Chapter 4