A week later Man Whoa!
Hope is the thing with feathers Just 10 of Emily Dickinson's poems were published while she was alive But her words have moved millions said Elizabeth Sorry, Ma'am we thought this was a saloon said
it is, at night, During the day, it's the school said Elizabeth is this where we're supposed to stay said man welcome, gentlemen! you'll be housed in the rooms upstairs said tom we've spent six days crossing this cursed country we came a long way to work in this mine least we can get is a drink said man
are there any kids coming? said Gabe
Nope, no children company's just hiring single men. said dewitt graves
Welcome, but we're right in the middle of our school day, so we've got back to our lesson said Elizabeth
Sorry for the intrusion, ma'am said dewitt graves
bar's right there, fellas I'm gonna get myself a drink said mam
the lady's trying to teach a lesson, we'll go to our rooms said bill
after I get my drink said a man
mister is that really the first impression you want to make in Valley spring ? said jack
the constable's right how about I buy a round later said Bill
well, I guess I can wait, since it's gonna be free said man
Hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul and sings the tune without the words, and never stops at all, How does it end? no matter it'll come to me Good day professor Bill said
Thank you jack said
Later that night
you sure you want to unravel that? wasn't that your husband's favorite sweater? Carla said
oh, he would have approved this way, a little part of him can help keep your baby warm Abigail said
thank you, the blanket's gonna be handy, it'll be cold by the time I deliver in a few months Carla said
Carla, you're bigger than seven months probably more like eight months Abigail said
maybe I counted wrong but I guess we'll find out I feel like I've been pregnant a whole year Carla said
oh, this is so pretty violets are my favorite. Elizabeth said
you know my joe never noticed flowers I could go out pick a bouquet put it on the table and he'd say, what's for supper Cat said
men lord they're impossible until they're gone. a woman said
did you hear all those new miners who came to town and bachelors Florence said
I saw them they're staying in the rooms above the saloon Elizabeth said
how did they look Florence said
wet and dirty Elizabeth said
well, they're probably all drifters and troublemakers I'm not sure i like that kind of element coming into Valley SpringFlorence said
well let's not be too quick to judge my husband wasn't a chivalrous man but he provided just fine for Caleb and me Mary said
you're right mary we all know how hard it is to find a good man Abigail said
or a good father for our children Carla said
oh, Carla, I think it's time that we get you home get you into bed so you can get some rest oh! there we go there we go said Abigail
the next day hi, jack Elizabeth said
hi, how're plans for the dance coming along? jack said
very well thank you Elizabeth said
I'm looking forward to something in that saloon besides 40 miners sawing logs all night long. Jack said
I'm just picking up some more supplies my students are making all the decorations and we're running out of colored paper Elizabeth said
nice. Jack said
so are you going to the dance? Elizabeth said
yes but in an official capacity jack said
does that mean you're going alone Elizabeth said
I'll be on duty said jack
oh, I see you're not allowed to have any fun? what's going to happen when you settle down and have a family said Elizabeth
well that's unlikely to happen for marriage and bring a office are two subjects that don't go together at the academy they told us if the mounties or office wanted you to have a wife "we would have issued you one " said jack
so you don't ever wanna get married? said Elizabeth
well I didn't say that it's just that the office life can put a wife through a lot of hardship, for instance, living in a tent six months at a time without a privy said jack
so theoretically marriage and office don't marry because they think women are delicate said Elizabeth
chuckles I've just remembered I've got some word to do said jack
mmm—hmm said Elizabeth
so, I'm going to see to it ma'am said jack
a for mins later at the general merchandise cans clattering
here, let me help you said dewitt
i am so embarrassed said mary
well you shouldn't be it could happened to anyone do you... do you like peaches? said dewitt
oh I only wanted one,not the whole stack said may
well here my name's Dewitt Dewitt graves said dewitt
oh, Nice to meet you Mary Dunbar said Mary
nice to meet you Mrs. Dunbar said dewitt
uh, I'm sorry Mrs. Dunbar, but your tab is full I can't let you have anything else until you pay it off said Ned Yost
oh sorry said Mary
here, let me, Mrs. Dunbar, it's my treat no, please, you don't have to do that well you don't recall that you did invite me to supper and it's only fair that I should spring for the supplies said dewitt
Right, thank you, Mr Graves, said Mary
you're welcome, Mrs. Dunbar please Mr. Yost put it on my account said dewitt
certainly said Ned Yost
that night
you put the cucumbers in the jar, then you add the pickling spices, and then you pour in the brine Abigail said
you have to do all that just to get pickles Elizabeth said
well it doesn't happen by magic Abigail said
back home, they were always just in the serving dish magically Elizabeth said
you'll never guess who I saw being sweet-talked to at the mercantile by one of those new miners Mary Dunbar he even bought all her groceries Florence said
well, Mary's had it harder than most of us that was very nice of him Abigail said
Nice it's a mistake for mary to get involved with one of those men Florence said
I don't think we can judge each other's circumstances, Florence Abigail said
are you ready to forget your Noah Florence said
I will never forget my Noah but at some point, life goes on for all of us for you too Abigail said
Abigail! Carla said
oh my lord Abigail said
Abigail Abigail Carla said
are you okay? what happened? Abigail said
I was walking up the hill and I got all light-headed Carla said
here, sit down Elizabeth said
yes, sit down, get off your feet Abigail said
come Florence said
sit down Elizabeth said
Carla, I think that you should move in here with me where I can keep my eye on you Abigail said
I can't I couldn't impose Carla said
oh, it's not an imposition I insist Abigail said
what about Ephraim? Carla said
oh, Carla, there are dozens of families in Valley Spring who would love to look after that little boy while you're here Abigail said
the more I get to know these women I realize how remarkable and courageous they are they go through life with such grace under fire it makes me realize just how little I actually know about the real world Elizabeth said
good night Carla said
good night Abigail said
these women are teaching me by their example that when each of us offers a small kindness to a neighbor it can become a very large blessing to the whole community Elizabeth said
The next day
That's the law over there for those of you inclined toward drink there's the bar but I recommend you become a teetotaler like me Wendell said Make sure you use the soap everyone washes off a man said
You don't want to get mud all over Tom's bar Wendell said Go on getting out of here a men said
ProfessorBilal said
Please, it's miss Thatcher Elizabeth said
Well, miss thatcher I'm bill bill ham said
Mmm-hmm Elizabeth said
It came back to me the end of that Dickinson poem bill ham said
Really Elizabeth said
I had it written in the back of my book from years ago a little journal I keep bill ham said
I'm surprised to find a poetry lover among miners Elizabeth said
Oh I love poetry I've even written some poems of my own only one of six in my family that made it through secondary school Did you attend college I had dreams but they ended when my father died bill ham said
I sorry Elizabeth said
Oh, no, no, it's all for the best I never thought I'd be a mine I found a job at a mine back east, ended up hopping from mine to mine and now here I am bill ham said
Well welcome to Valley SpringElizabeth said
Perhaps you could show me around introducing me to the place bill ham said
There's not really much to see Elizabeth said
Oh, I disagree I've never been to this part of the country out west it's beautiful besides there must be a reason why someone like you came here maybe you could show me why how about tomorrow bill ham said
I'd be happy to Elizabeth said
Then it's a date bill ham said
That one's quite the lady's man Wendell said That night
How do you fellows stay up so late and then get up for work the next morning jack said
We haven't officially met I'm bill ham said
Jack Thornton you uh got blisters on your head jack said
Oh that it's been a while since my last job digging coal worked most recently at central union mine but they had me behind a desk training me for something bigger I guess bill said
Something bigger what brings you to Valley Springjack said
I got tired of pushing papers saw the job advertised and decided I'd get back into the mining bill said
Well you are the first miner I've ever met that traded an office job for the pickax again jack said
I ain't no cheater you take that back miner 1 said
How about you take this back miner 2 said
Cut it out back up! Are you done jack said
Damn your eyes miner 1 said
Hey come on we're going across the road jack said
The next morning
Don't want you to miss a day at work miner mind your manners next time and I won't have to have you here jack said
Actually, it was kind of peaceful miner said
Good morning how's life at the saloon said Ned Yost
It's like living in a circus I need you to send a telegram to the superintendent at central union mine for there was a storm and it took out the power line and telephones out there jack said
Certainly I'll label that urgent police business said Ned Yost
Definitely jack said
Hello Mrs Dunbar Ddewitt said
Mr. Graves Mary said
Oh, it's just Dewitt no one's ever called me Mr graves said Dewitt
Then it's just Mary I was hoping I would bump into you I wish there some way to repay your kindness Mary said
Oh no that was my pleasure ma'am said Dewitt
Well thank you I headed this way Mary said
Um Mary um I wouldn't want to put you out but it has been a while since I've had a home-cooked meal said Dewitt
Oh Mary said
And we did tell Mr Yost that you had invited me to dinner so I was thinking you wouldn't want to make a liar out of me would you I could buy something for it a roast maybe? said Dewitt
Oh that would be very much appreciated but um I'm not sure how my son Caleb would feel about us having a guess Mary said
Oh of course I understand I've intruded I'm sorry for asking Mary good day said Dewitt
But uh I'm sure he would be very pleased to have a hearty meal for a chance Mary said
That's splendid tomorrow night dewitt said
Tomorrow night Mary said
The very best you tell Mr Yost to put anything you need on my account Dewitt said
The next day
This is one of my favorite spots Elizabeth said
Oh it's perfect bill said
When the church burned down the town meeting here every Sunday for services Elizabeth said
You can feel it it's like God is here with you bill said
I've only been in Valley Springa short time but the town change you when you see people really helping each other and loving their neighbor it just... I know it's making me a better person Elizabeth said
You know my dad would love a place like this bill said
What did he do for a living Elizabeth said
Ah he worked with his hands his whole life stable hand harness maker pick miner a man of all trades kind of like me I support bill said
It must have been hard for you losing him Elizabeth said
You know I've had some hard knocks throughout my life but I live with hope the thing with feathers that's my philosophy bill said
Hello jack Elizabeth said
How's that hunting going any luck bill said
Well you don't need too much luck in this part of the world just good aim enjoy your walk jack said
You enjoy your supper bill said
Thank you I will jack said
Meanwhile in town
Hey ma Caleb said
Hi Caleb Mary said
Didn't catch nothing for dinner what smells so good Caleb said
We're have roast Mary said
Roast? Want's he doing here Caleb said
His name is Mr graves and he brought us a roast so I invited him to supper isn't that wonderful Mary said
I don't want him here Caleb said
Caleb, Caleb that would be rather ungracious of us Mr graves is here all alone in a new town there's nothing wrong with showing him a little hospitality Mr graves this is my son Caleb Mary said
Nice to meet you young man dewitt said
Hello Caleb said
That sure does smell delicious Dewitt said
Not that one it's my dad's spot Caleb said
My apologies anything I can do to help Mary Dewitt said
No thank you please have a seat Mary said
Meanwhile in outer sides of town
Elizabeth, what you do you want to do after Valley Springbill said
What do you mean "after," Elizabeth said
I mean this is a wonderful place but I don't know I just...I see something bigger for you-you know bill said
Well I've really only just begun my work with the children so I haven't given it much thought but I have some dreams Elizabeth said
And what are they bill said
I think dreams are like birthday wishes if you say them out loud they might not come true Elizabeth said
Very well you keep them tucked away in the meantime I have little gift for you from someone who loves poetry this is my favorite one bill said
Thank you "o my love's like a red red rose that's newly sprung in June o my luve's like the melodies that's sweetly played in turn as fair Elizabeth said
As fair as thou my Bonnie lass so deep in love am I and I will love these still my dear till a seas gang dry bill said
It's beautiful it's very familiar I can't place the poet though Elizabeth said
It's probably familiar because it plucks the strings of the your heart bill said
Who is the port Elizabeth said
You're looking at him bill said
That's amazing oh my! It's wonderful Elizabeth said
Thank you Elizabeth there's something I'd like to ask you about the dance on Saturday would you honor me in going with me please your are my red red rose out here in the wild bill said
I'd like that Elizabeth said
Meanwhile in town
Well that was u... that was the best roast I've had in a long time dewitt said
It was wonderful and we are so grateful aren't we Caleb Mary said
Do you have any pastime Caleb I bet you like to play baseball dewitt said
May I be excited Caleb said
Yes Mary said
Well I'd best be going too I've got a lot week ahead of me dewitt said
I'm sorry he's usually more polite Mary said
No no not at all I understand I mean I'm sure that this has been really hard on the two of you dewitt said
Yes Mary said
But today was nice Dewitt said
It was nice for me too Mary said
I hear that there's a dance on Saturday dewitt said
Yes Mary said
Oh I was wondering if you um... you wouldn't want to go with me would you to the dance dewitt said
Um... I'm honored that you would ask me truly I would need to thank about it I hope you understand Mary said
Yes that's all a men can ask for is a little bit of hope good night Dewitt said
Down the back
Carla are you sure you don't want any supper Abigail said
No thanks I'll just sleep Carla
How is she feeling? Elizabeth said
Well she has a slight fever and she didn't want any supper Abigail said
I'm surprised there isn't a midwife here in town Elizabeth said
We did have one for years but she left right after the mining accident Abigail said
"Knocking on door "
Oh jack um... come in Well I will be upstairs if anyone needs me Abigail said
Ma'am glad to see you got home safe and sound from your walk jack said
Bilal happens to be a perfect gentleman Elizabeth said
Actually that's why I'm here I don't think you really know who Bill is jack said
what's that supposed to mean Elizabeth said
Look I have my suspicions about whether he's all he says he is jack said
Based on what evidence? Elizabeth said
I'm not really to say but I just want you to be cautious I'd prefer you not go out walking alone with him into the wilderness jack said
It wasn't a trek to Amazon rainforest I was just showing him around Valley Spring"he says I'm an excellent guide by the way" Elizabeth said
I'm sure you he did flattery can get you anywhere jack said
Flattery? You think I'm in search of flattery? Elizabeth said
No, I'm just saying he threw down the hay where the goats could get at it jack said
You're calling me a goat Elizabeth said
Pardon my imagery I'm not student of poetry but that's the basic idea jack said
Jack are you jealous Elizabeth said
Jealous I don't have to be jealous to be concerned it might be like uncle's friend jack said
Well you need not concern yourself with me or how I spend my time bill happens to be someone with whom I share an interest good evening Elizabeth said
The next morning on Tuesday
Caleb, you're here early Elizabeth said
Yeah well um... can I ask you a question, miss thatcher Caleb said
Of course, Elizabeth said
The new miners what do you think of them Caleb said
I think they can be loud and sometimes they interrupt out class but they're here to reopen the mine and I think that's a good thing because it means it will bring prosperity back to Valley SpringElizabeth said
I don't like them Caleb said
Oh why is that Elizabeth said
I just don't Caleb said
Well have you met any of them Elizabeth said
My mom invited one over for dinner Caleb said
Oh Elizabeth said
And I don't like it Caleb said
I see Caleb I understand sometimes in life... Elizabeth said
Good morning miss thatcher a girl 1 said
Just forget it Caleb said
Hi miss thatcher a girl 2 said
That afternoon
Miss Thatcher May said
Mary, I'm so glad you came over I was hoping to talk... Elizabeth said
I wonder if I might ask for a big favor Mary said
Of course, Elizabeth said
I don't know oh! That is beautiful I've never worn anything like this in whole life Mary said
I would be honored to let you borrow it Mary but...Elizabeth said
You think I'd look ridiculous wearing this to that dance, don't you Mary said
No no no that's not it it's just Caleb he comes to see me at school Elizabeth said
About Dewitt graves having supper with us Mary said
He didn't mention a name but it's safe to say he's upset Elizabeth said
I know what he thinks but he's too young to see the whole picture I wish he knew what I was trying to do is protect him Mr graves is a good man and he's asked me to be on his arm at dance and I believe he might care for me and I never thought that another man would ever pay attention to me again and I'm not willing to waste anything minutes frittering away my son's future when this could be a change for us Mary said
I understand I really do I'm just cautioning you Elizabeth said
I don't think you do understand you were raised with all of the options in the world available to you and I have next to nothing I don't think I'll borrowing this dress after all thank you I going to make one of my own work Mary said
Mary Elizabeth said
Meanwhile in town
rip, old boy I'm home I am moving in I have had enough of that saloon and all of those noises miners I've slept on worse jack said
Constable Florence said
Ma'am jack said
Somebody stole my late husband's gold watch Florence said
Someone broke into your home jack said
Middle of the night with my child slumbering nearby they got the watch and his cufflinks out of my top dresser drawer Florence said
When did you notice it was gone jack said
Ten minutes ago it must have happened last night because I saw them there yesterday Florence said
Mrs. Blakeley can you keep this to yourself jack said
I'll do my best Florence said
And I'm going to look into it as soon as I can I just want whoever took it to get nervous and leave town understand jack said
Ok Florence said
Across the back at the saloon/school
Just hang them about every five feet that's wonderful now for the rest of you boys and girls who are working on arithmetic we have a garden full of fruit trees one-half of the trees are apple one-quarter of the trees are peach and one-sixth oh the trees are plum the remaining 200 trees are cherry trees how many trees are in the garden Elizabeth said
Children screaming
Are you okay It's all right it was just a little harmless gopher snake jack said
Get that out of here Elizabeth said
Yeah, Caleb, you can claim him this afternoon in my office jack said
Now! Elizabeth said
It's ok kids jack said
Caleb why did you bring a snack to school Caleb I suppose I'm going to have to speak to your mother about this Elizabeth said
I don't care Caleb said
I know that's not true Elizabeth said
I saw her trying to fix up her prettiest dress it's because she's going to the dance with him Caleb said
Mr. Graves Elizabeth said
I know he lives upstairs I figured I could put it in his boot he'd get scared and then my ma would see that he's a coward not like my pa he wasn't afraid of snakes Caleb said
You miss your pa don't you Elizabeth said
Mom never talks about him it's like she to forget Caleb said
Maybe she just doesn't want to make you sad or it's just too hard for her to talk about it too memories can be painful Elizabeth said
They aren't painful they're all good Caleb said
Tell me about him? what was he like? Elizabeth said
He was strong and tall and he was funny sometimes he liked to sing and whistle he liked to fish we'd go fishing and build a fire cook it right on the bank of the river Caleb said
Sounds like he loved you very much Caleb Elizabeth said
Yeah, he...I guess he did I miss him so much nobody can replace him nobody Caleb said
that night
Thank you Abigail you and Elizabeth have been most kind dance a waltz for me Carla said
I will and I won't be long Abigail said
Down the back
Come in Mary said
My heavens Mary you look lovely for you dewitt said
Thank you I'll put these in water and go say good night to Caleb Mary said
I'm leaving now Caleb are you don't want to come with us I love you Mary said
At The saloon
Wow it looks like something out of Peter Pan Abigail said
Oh those little hands did a beautiful job cat said
They really did Abigail said
I would never have recognized this place Mary said
Wow well it sure makes a mine feel awfully lucky Dewitt said
Hello welcome, welcome everyone first we would like to greet our new miner friends who are new to town this is valley spring way of showing you hospitality and it's been quite some time since we've had something to celebrate so musicians enough of that tuning up let's start with a Macarena Abigail said
Have you ever dance the waltz Mr. Backus Abigail said
A long time ago before all my troubles, Wendell said
Well would you like to try again Abigail said
No one would dance with the likes of me Wendell said
Oh I wouldn't be so sure about that Abigail said
May I , I miss him, mom, Caleb said
Caleb I miss him too honey I miss your pa so much here Mary said
Back at Abigail's house
Oh Carla oh Carla I'm so sorry I should have never left you Abigail said
It's my fault I should have listened to you I think the baby's coming Carla said
Back At The saloon
Wow look at all the stars Elizabeth said
Do you see Orion's belt Bilal said
I do Elizabeth said
There he is still looking for his love Artemis Bilal said
Will, he ever find for Elizabeth said
I hope he does she's so lovely Bill said
Winter's coming I'm freezing thank you Elizabeth said
Of course,, Bill said
Constable this come in for you just before the dance started Ned said
Thanks, Ned Jack said
Certainly, Ned said
No record of him the man's a liar Jack said
Just on the outside of town
This has been such a lovely evening Bilal thank you Elizabeth said
It's been my pleasure Elizabeth Bilal said
Excuse me Elizabeth Jack said
Jack Elizabeth said
Could I have a word with you a private word Jack said
Of course constable Bill said
I'm sorry What is it Elizabeth said
There's something you need to know to about Bill Jack said
What Elizabeth said
I heard it from central union mine his previous employer according to his they've never heard of him Jack said
I know he's led a different life so he may have embellished a bit bet I'm sure there's an explanation Elizabeth said
Yes there is an explanation he's not the man you think he is at best he misrepresented himself and worst he's a con man Jack said
Did you check into everyone's employment history or just Bill you singled him out jack why did you do that Elizabeth said
Because Elizabeth I'm just trying to protect you he much like uncle's friend and yet I know how much you and your uncle's family were hurt by him Jack said
I don't want your protection I can make my own judgments when a men show some interest in me I appreciate your concern but I already have a father, Bilal would you please walk me home Elizabeth said
I'd be happy to Bilal said
Thank you Elizabeth said
Meanwhile Abigail house
Abigail, it just doesn't feel right could the baby becoming already I was never this uncomfortable with Ephraim Carla said
The baby is still high your water hasn't broken I think he's just trying to get comfortable in cramped quarters Abigail said
Thank you Abigail Carla said
We thought that we heard cat and Florence
You did Abigail said
But is she... Florence said
I think it's just a false alarm Abigail said
I just don't understand how she could only be a little more than seven months and yet be so huge Florence said
Maybe she counted wrong cat said
Yeah Abigail said
But if this real labor starting if the baby comes this early Florence said
I don't think the baby survives Abigail said
In the morning the church is singing him
How about spending the afternoon with me and taking your mind off of it Bilal said
What did you have in mind Elizabeth said
I may have persuaded Mr anvil to lend me his dodge ad convertible for a Sunday afternoon drive with the loveliest lady in Valley Spring Bill said
That sounds nice I'm just have to check with Abigail Elizabeth said
I'll check with you Bilal said
Hello Mrs. Stanton Jack said
yes oh what can I do for you constantly Elizabeth said
There's been another robbery I'm advising everyone to lock their doors and windows I thought with Mrs. Morrison staying here with you jack said
Oh yes no thank you for the warning is there something else on your mind Abigail said
Any advice on getting a woman to listen to me jack said
I take it we're speaking of Elizabeth and my advice would be make sure you're saying something important Abigail said
I am I'm concerned about her consorting with a man of low character yet somehow that offered her jack said
Well they say you catch more flies with honey then you do with vinegar Abigail said
I shouldn't have to play some sort of game when I'm trying to be the good guy here and...jack said
Honey Abigail said
Yes ma'am jack said
Meanwhile in woods of the town
Did you know scientists think those mountains were once at the bottom of an ocean Elizabeth said
And then they emerged only to be shaped by glaciers what a thrill it would be to be able to read a mountain layer by layer and unlock the secrets captured in sediment and crystal Bill said
I didn't know you had a love of geology as well as poetry Elizabeth said
I have a love of many things good afternoon constable Bill said
If I'd realized you were coming this way I would have invited you both to come fishing with me jack said
Well we were just discussing geology Bill said
Well no finer classroom in world for it jack said
Catch anything Elizabeth said
No, but that hardly matters on a day like today does it well enjoy your ride jack said
You as well Bill said
He was so pleasant Elizabeth said
I wonder what he was up to Bill said
Meanwhile in town
I'll have what he's having Dewitt said
Brave man jack said
I like the chili Dewitt said
Is that what it is jack said
How's she going jack Dewitt said
Mmm good jack said
How are you doing jack said
You mean since the dance Dewitt said
Yeah jack said
I can't blame the boy Dewitt said
These youngsters here in Valley Springare dealing with a lot jack said
Yeah I can't disagree I just wish that there was a way to break through to the boy DeWitt said
have you tried honey jack said
what do you mean honey DeWitt said
maybe if you do something kind for him he will see you as someone he can trust jack said
honey DeWitt said
that evening
constable is there a problem cat said
I'm calling on everyone and asking them to lock their doors tonight jack said
is this because of what happened to Florence cat said
yes but unfortunately there was another robbery last night jack said
oh no what was taken cat said
Marta crocker's silver candlesticks jack said
oh my goodness false alarm meemaw's brooch is safe my grandmother gave me this on my wedding day cat said
all the more reason to lock up until I can catch this thief jack said
Meanwhile at Abigail house
I'm not hungry there's no room in my stomach anyway the baby's taking up every inch Carla said
it's my grandmother's recipe it's really good it'll keep your strength up Abigail said
Abigail, it's here dr. crane's recipes and cures I remembered reading about it in my aunt's journal, so I call my father and he found a copy and sent it to us it's just full of advice on how to birth a child it's practically a midwife in a book Elizabeth said
I don't want a midwife in a book I want a real midwife or the company doctor when will he be back in town Carla said
I'm sure any day now Abigail said
but I've heard you talking about how big I am what if I go into real labor before he gets back Carla said
Carla I don't want you to worry about that Abigail said
Meanwhile, in town at the saloon
I've got to admit this crime spree makes me nervous constable until this bunch showed up, the only thing ever disappeared around this town was a licorice stick form the mercantile Tom Bouchard mary's, brother said
my thoughts exactly jack said
Whiskey please Bill said
This round's on me jack said
Right nice of you constable To Valley Spring Bill said
Valley SpringYou're not sitting in on a poker game I figured you for a gambler jack said
I am I just gambler other things besides cards Bill said
Handsome watch I noticed it wasn't your monogram though jack said
It's my mother's fathers my only inherited well that and my smile Bill said
Best keep that inheritance close to your vest. Our thief has been taking family mementos jack said
You know I'm sure you're concerned about me jack but we're interested in the same woman now you might think that red serges jacket intimidate me but it doesn't when it comes to Elizabeth Letcher I'm going to steal her heart hope you find your bad guy Bill said
I will it's only a matter of time jack said
Meanwhile at Abigail house
Oh no no no Elizabeth said
Oh your cake for Saturday baking takes practice Abigail said
Good then I'll be ready for the cake auction in two years Elizabeth said
Now now you wouldn't let your students quit and I'm not going to let you quit Abigail said
Why don't I just stay here with Carla and you can go to the miners game Elizabeth said
Because you've never been before and besides you shouldn't be hiding from jack Abigail said
I'm not, why would you say that? Elizabeth said
Because I can tell when two people have feelings for each other Abigail said
Jack and I are just friends besides he's a... he's a confirmed bachelor anyhow Elizabeth said
No he's a confirmed officer duty and honor union the right woman come along Abigail said
I don't know about that but he has been acting strange lately but he was like that in school one moment he's interrogating me and the next he's... I don't even know how to describe it Elizabeth said
Sweet like honey Abigail said
Yes. How did you know Elizabeth said
Never mind that all I know is I would be flattered to have someone who is going to extra lengths to watch over me Gentley on the rim of the bowl Abigail said
I'm not a complete beginner Elizabeth said
Meanwhile down the block
Constable come in cat said
Thank are you children asleep jack said
of course you know what time it is? cat said
Yeah I'm sorry I'm wondering if I could see your grandma brooch again It's perfect jack said
For what cat said
For nabbing a thief I need to wear this to tomorrow will you help me jack said
back down the block
Why are relationships between a men and women sometimes so confusing our actions our words it's like we're all speaking in foreign tongues and we can't understand each other but I wonder what part of our failure to come from our own brokenness and what part does my own brokenness play Elizabeth said
The next morning in town
Whoa kids 1 said Nice hit kids 2 said Look at how far it went kids 3 said
Caleb DeWitt said
What Caleb said Try a knuckleball Dewitt said
You know how to throw a knuckler kids 4 said
I do all right Dewitt said
Show me I'll show Caleb since he's the one who's pitching but everybody can watch Dewitt said
Hay he knows how to throw a knuckler kid 4 said
Okay the grip is half the battle see the fingers see where they are knuckles on the seams here try it fingers here knuckles on the seams now this thing this will dance a two-stepper you want give it a try Dewitt said
Yeah Caleb said
Meanwhile at Abigail house
Okay Ephraim your mommy's right over here let's go say hi Abigail said
Have a Good time at the games Ephraim Carla said
I'm going to eat three funnel cakes Ephraim said
You eat one for me you listen to Mrs Blakeley about sweet Carla said
Yes mama Ephraim said
Give me a kiss Carla said
All right, Ephraim, you run along Mrs. Blakeley's waiting outside for you Abigail said
What if something happens to me Carla said
Oh Carla don't think like that you have to stay calm stay calm for this baby everything's going to be fine stay calm Abigail said
Meanwhile in town
Ladies and gentlemen girls and boys it is my great pleasure on behalf of the Pacific Northwest mining company to welcome you to the annual miner's games today we celebrate the re-opening at full capacity of our mine so without further ado for who work so hard now it's time for you to play hard too let the games begin Martin said
Sometime later
First fellas we have Mrs Florence and her famous red velvet cake now let's us dig deep for these bids this is for a good cause new encyclopedias for the school and books too we will start the bidding at twenty-five cents cat said
Twenty-five cents a miner
Oh aren't you an eager bidder we have twenty-five cents cat said
thirty-five cents miner 2
And we have thirty-five cents cat
Yeah? fifty cents Sam said
We have... cat said
fifty-five cents miner 1 said
Sixty cents miner 2 said
Eight cents Sam said
Goodness I don't suppose I hear eighty-five cents going once, going twice... sold to the man with all the money for eight cents thank you very much cat said
My pleasure Sam said
And next up we have a new addition to our cake auction our teacher Elizabeth cat said
One dollar Bill said
Oh, you don't have to do that... Elizabeth said
One dollar twenty-five jack said
One dollar thirty-five Bill said
One dollar fifty jack said
One hundred seventy-five Bill said
Two dollar jack said
Two dollars twenty-five Bilal said
Two dollars fifty jack said
Two dollars seven Bill said
Two dollars seven-five jack
Three dollars and the cake is mine Bill said
Sold cat said
May I have a word with you please why were you fighting over my pathetic little cake you completely embarrassed me Elizabeth said
We were supporting you jack said
Raising funds for a good cause I apologize for embarrassing you but uh I think you're understating your cake it looks delicious Bill said
Stop lying Elizabeth said
yes ma'am Bilal said
And you stop with all the smiling what game are you playing jack Elizabeth said
I'm just doing my job project and service that's all jack said
By bidding on a cake Elizabeth said
Whatever it takes jack said
Sometime later
Hey jack we've got a problem we need your help Dewitt said
Yeah jack said
You any good at tug of war dewitt said
Okay, fellas, Tom said
Whoa whoa hey hey he can't complete he's not a miner Sam said
All right Sam since you're the one who hurt Ernie Jacobs how about you sit out then the teams will be even Dewitt said
Let the constable complete that way we can have our content and still get our victory Bill said
I won that are wrestling fair and square Sam said
By breaking Ernie's wrist what a lug Dewitt said
Are we going to do this or what Sam said
Oh we're going to do this dewitt said
Ready you ready go Martin said
Come on put your backs into it Dewitt said
That's it jack said
Congratulations Thank you there, Mr Gowan Dewitt said
Yeah the red team was was better anyway Caleb said
Caleb Mary said
Well so much for honey Dewitt said
You and me both jack said
Caleb Mary said
you can't make me like him Caleb said
Being rude and disrespectful to Mr graves is not going to make you feel any better Mary said
He won't leave me alone tell him to leave me alone Caleb said
If that's what you want then I will Mary said
That evening
Do you miss home Bill said
Sometimes but oneday like today how could I I love it here Elizabeth said
Well wherever you are whether you're out there exploring the wide world or here filling young hearts and minds with great and noble thoughts I hope to be with you in your life Bill said
Me too Elizabeth said
But I want you to know that I never considered myself the marrying type until now you're the type of woman I can see myself settling down with starting a family with and we can move as fast or as slowly as you'd like Bill said
Thank you Elizabeth said
Well I won't overstay my welcome Bill said
Oh no no no I wasn't I wasn't chasing you away I'm sure Abigail has a pot of tea brewing Elizabeth said
No, I want to treat you with the utmost respect so I'll better gentleman than I've been all day and say good evening Bill said
Yet so much of what matters in life rests on trust remembering to trust god discerning which people are worthy of our true for when we place our hearts our lives in someone else's hands it is act of faith it requires courage and hope but it's worth the risk because it is trust that brings us love Elizabeth said
Meanwhile down the block
It's over ham give it up jack said
What is going on? What's the ruckus Abigail said
The constable and I set a trap for the thief jack thinks that Bilal has been the thief all alone cat said
What Elizabeth said
That's not Bally ham Abigail said
Sam cat said
What's going on here Elizabeth said
Thank you for your cooperation Mrs. Montgomery jack said
Cat Elizabeth said
I wore my brooch to the games today to try and lure the thief here we thought it might be his cat said
You ...you thought Bilal was me that's a joke Sam said
Shut up jack said
You think that little of him, of me, and you say he's not the man I think he is, Carla Elizabeth said
Carla honey go back inside everything's all right Abigail said
No it's not my water broke Carla said
The next morning
I want to apologize to you Caleb I've been ... I've been playing pretend father and I I think we both can agree that's a bust because I have no idea how to do that truth be told I envy you because from everything I've seen you had a great great pa and I don't, in fact, I never even met my father he walked out on my ma when I was just a toddler Dewitt said
Really Caleb said
I always figured it was because Of something that I did wrong even though my ma she said it wasn't so you know what I used to do I would go off by myself and I would lie on the ground and I would look up at the clouds and I would wonder if somehow my father was looking up at those same clouds if he was thinking about me maybe even a tenth as much as I was thinking about him it broke my ma the way he just left her she wasn't strong and brave like your ma she loves you you mean the world to her you know that and I realize that you lost your pa and I could never hold a candle to him but I'd give my life to have a family like yours one-day Dewitt said
Meanwhile at Abigail
Okay breathe deep breath that's right Carla that's it breathe work with the baby Elizabeth can we get another poultice please that's right breathe Abigail said
What is that turn it's so beautiful Elizabeth said
Oh that's, my love is like a red red rose it's from a Robert burns poem you know we all used to sing it in school, knocking on the door hi jack cat said
How is she doing jack said
Oh the baby is definitely coming this time any word on when the doctor getting back in town cat said
No not yet jack said
We're a little busy in here Elizabeth said
I know but I need to say something to you jack said
Not inside you have absolutely the worst sense of timing in many ways Elizabeth said
I was wrong about Bilal being a thief jack said
Let's not belabor the obvious Elizabeth said
Please understand my main goal even more then finding the thief was to make sure you didn't get hurt and I did the opposite and I will regret that more then you know your well-being is all I ever care about I hope you can forgive me jack said
Meanwhile at Mary
Caleb, Mr. graves Mary said
I invited Mr. graves over for pie is that okay Caleb said
I don't want to be any trouble Mary Dewitt said
No no it's no trouble at all I have a blackberry that I kept back from the games or perhaps some shortbread Mary said
You gotta have the pie Mr graves on one in the town bakes pie like my ma Caleb said
That sounds good real good Dewitt said
Tree pieces of blackberry pie coming up Mary said
Meanwhile at Abigail
Still no baby Bill said
No Abigail's starting to worry I don't know if I'm cut out for this country life the challenges and hardships these ladies face I just don't know if I'll ever have the courage they have Elizabeth said
You must miss your family your life back home your four sisters and a brother Bill said
How did you know I had four sisters and a brother I never mentioned that Elizabeth said
Sure you did you must have or perhaps I just assumed such a gentle loving soul was surrounded by females tenderness growing up because you're so cultured and well mannered a red rose out here in the wild Bill said
O my love is like a red red rose that's newly sprung in June Elizabeth said
I my love is like a melody that's sweetly played in tune Bill said
Your beautiful poem Elizabeth said
Written just for you Bill said
Yes written for me may I tell you a secret Elizabeth said
I wish you would Bill said
My father was so against my becoming a teacher that he disinherited me my whole family cut me off Elizabeth said
I had no idea Bill said
It doesn't matter that won't hold me back my dream the one I wouldn't tell you about before is to travel north where it's completely wild or to start a mission school in the Far East live among the destitute and downtrodden and raise them up through education Elizabeth said
Well if that's your dream then it's mine too Bill said
You'd go with me knowing that I'll never be rich Elizabeth said
I'll go with you Bill said
I'll just have to wait to find another teacher to replace me Elizabeth said
I will wait as long as necessary Bill said
an hour later at Abigail baby coos
what fine work you've done Carla cat said
okay she's not done yet Abigail said
what Florence said
focus breathe Abigail said
twins cat said
push here we go Carla here we go oh my goodness it's a boy Abigail said
Carla has been blessed cat said
we all have Abigail said
Meanwhile, in town at the jail
so what tipped you off jack said
somehow he knew i had four sisters and a brother it's the one thing i knew i never told him and then your words came back me, that he might not be all he says he is that and him stealing somebody else's poem and claiming he wrote it for me, which... really gets my goat Elizabeth said
jack i don't know what's going on over in my livery but I think another burglary might be in the offing. Tom said
go inside. let me handle this, little late for a ride, isn't it jack said
oh, I'm just uh taking a look at the stars Bill said
ham sure you're not stealing the horse, trying to hightail it out of town jack said
oh no office I bought this horse he's mine fair and square Bill
ham you haven't done a thing fain and square since you set foot in Valley Springe especially with the way you treated Elizabeth jack said
there ain't nothing illegal about courting a pretty girl Bill
you're right how about a carpetbagger courting a pretty, rich girl for her family's money jack said
well, she'd have to be rich for you to make an accusation like that and that ain't the case anymore Bilal said
i'm not so sure about that why don't you ask her directly it's over ham you've got nowhere to go jack said
hiya Bilal said
The next morning at Abigail baby coos
they're so tiny like little fragile china dolls jack said
we're very fortunate they both made it given how early carla delivered Elizabeth said
how are you doing ? jack said
hmm more embarrassed than wounded I sent a letter to my sister, Julie and asked her to do some discreet research I didn't want to alarm my father but she discovered Bilal had worked at the shipyard in new jersey until he was fired for stealing Elizabeth said
when jack said
Right around the time the society pages were reporting that I was heading here rich heiress heads west all that nonsense Elizabeth said
Well what he didn't count on was that rich heiress being way smarter then he was jack said
Jack I... Elizabeth said
Shh it's okay you don't have to say anything jack said
he seems so safe and sound in your arms Elizabeth said
aww you know i could get used to this jack said
Really Elizabeth said
yead maybe someday when the right woman come along jack said
