Biddie's Song

Chapter 1

Jeremy played while Candy sang the solo for church on Christmas Eve. The rest of the congregation enjoyed the Concert. When Candy and Jeremy finished the congregation clapped in approval. Jeremy sat at the piano while Candy curtsied. Then since the program was over Lottie announced a reception in the banquet room next door. They followed her out of the church and to the newly renovated saloon/hotel/and restaurant.

"Isn't this just the best Christmas ever!" said Biddie to Candy.

"Yes, it is Biddie,"

"You know it is!" Jeremy said as he came and pulled Candy close to him. Biddie was slightly embarrassed but smiled and said she had to check on the reception next door. She hurried out leaving Jeremy and Candy alone.

"Well, Mr. Bolt what do you think?" said Candy as she put the songbooks on the bookshelf. Jeremy stood looking at her, his blue eyes shining in love with her still after all these years. He turned her towards him and was about to kiss her when they heard a loud noise and a scream. Looking at Candy he headed for the door. She grabbed her coat and followed him outside.

Everyone else came running out of Lottie's saloon as well. There, in the middle of the street they saw what looked like crumpled pile of clothes, It was Biddie! Joshua got to her first. He picked her up and carried her to the Doctor's office. Allyn was already ahead and had turned the lights up as well as readied the table. A young man followed Josh as he carried Biddie in to the doctor's office. He stood just inside the door.

"Excuse me sir but I need to be in there!"

"Who are you?" He asked.

"I'm the Doctor! Who are you?!" She said as she slid past him and the door.

"I'm. Arthur Fluegelheimer. Here is my card." He handed her his card; she took it and said, are you related to this woman?"

Arthur turned his hat around and said nervously, Well, not yet…"

Dr Allyn immediately said that he needed to wait outside with the others. She shut the door firmly and proceeded to check Biddie out.

Out in the street, everyone wanted to know what happened. They were all talking when Aaron and Jason arrived and asked if anyone knew what happened. They had just gone to Aaron's office after the concert to discuss a little business and had only heard the screams.

Christopher, who was standing next to his sister said to Jason:

I saw that wagon come around the totem pole and I saw Aunt Biddie walking over to the dormitory and the wagon driver swerved to miss her but didn't and knocked her down!"

Arthur Fluegelheimer stood by the bar, waiting to find out if the young woman was okay. He had just come to town and was thinking of settling down and opening up a book store and also a library. His wagon contained about 400 books and he was hoping to be able to find a place there in Seattle to sell books and possibly lend a few as well.

Dr. Wright came out of the examining room with Candy and looked for Jason. When she saw him, she told him that Biddie was okay but that she needed to rest awhile and should go to the dorm. Arthur who had been standing nearby, quickly offered to carry Biddie back to the dorm.

"Thank you, sir," said Jason, "But I think we can handle this." He took Biddie by the arm and with Candy and Molly, left the saloon for the dormitory.

Arthur stood for a few moments and wondered if he would be welcome in the town after this unfortunate incident. Aaron saw him and decided to offer him a drink and find out who he was.

"Hello, My name is Aaron Stemple, I understand that you have just come into town. Were you possibly looking for a job? I own a mill and Mr. Bolt owns the lumber company?" Aaron said as he guided Mr. Fluegelheimer to a nearby table. Arthur Fluegelheimer sat down and accepted the beer.

"Mr. Stemple, is it?"

"Please call me Aaron!" Mr. Stemple said.

"Aaron, my name is Arthur Fluegelheimer. I am a librarian by trade, and I would like to set up a library here in your town. I was wondering who I would talk to, and it seems that you would be the person? The mayor of the town perhaps?"
"Mr. Fluegelheimer…"

"Arthur"

"Arthur, yes, I am one of the council members. There are six all together at this time. We can meet tomorrow at your convenience if that works for you?"

"Aaron, that would be fine. Can you tell me where I can stay until I am settled. I will need a house or at least a room until we have a library and a place attached to it."

Aaron said that he would get the other members together for a council meeting tomorrow around 4 and had Arthur speak to Lottie about a room.

Chapter 2

Biddie woke up in her bed in the dormitory. Candy was nearby. She had stayed the night and Jeremy had come by to see that she had something to eat before he left for work that morning.

"Mmmm…W-w-where am I?" Biddie opened her eyes and looked around

"You're in the dormitory Biddie." Candy answered. Biddie looked around again and saw the row of beds that were mostly empty. She was the last one and still not married.

"What happened?" Biddie asked Candy.

"You don't remember?" Biddie nodded her head 'no.'

"Well, we had just finished our concert and Jeremy and I were talking when we heard a scream. We went to find out what happened and apparently you had been hit by a horse and wagon." Biddie looked at her and shook her head a few times and then asked:

"Is he single? What does he look like?" Candy gave her a look and was about to answer her when Dr. Wright came in and wanted to check one her patient. Candy stood up and sat on the opposite bed and smiled at Dr. Wright.

"Biddie, do you remember anything that happened yesterday?" Dr. Wright asked as she took out her stethoscope and prepared to listen to her heart and look at her eyes.

Biddie sat still while the doctor listened to her heart, and then said:

"Well, Candy tells me I was hit by a horse and wagon. But I really don't remember anything but heading to the saloon for the reception."

Dr. Wright just made a 'hmmmm' sound and then looked at her arms and legs. There would be some bruising but no broken bones.

"Biddie, that is okay to not remember something like that. But I want you to stay in bed or inside for the next couple of days and not alone. You may have a concussion and I want to be sure you are okay. You have a few bruises on the left side where the horse and wagon wheel not you, but you are not bleeding internally. Your eyes though look a bit glassy, and I am not happy with that."

"But what can I do? They need me to help at the new hotel and if I cannot help who will?" said Biddie, ready to get up out of bed. Both Dr. Wright and Candy gently pushed her back down on the bed.

"You will stay in this bed until I see you on Thursday. That is three days away." Looking at Candy Dr. Wright asked her:

"Can you stay with her or get one of the others to watch her?"
"I can as well as Molly and a few others in this town can as well. We can set up a watch schedule."

Dr. Wright was satisfied. She was about to leave when there was a solid knock on the dormitory door. Candy went downstairs to answer the door. Jason was at the door and asked if he could see Biddie. Candy was about to let him in when she saw another man with him as well. She looked at Jason questioningly.

"Mrs. Bolt, this is Mr. Arthur Fluegelheimer. He was the one who ran into Miss Cloom."

Candy looked at him and said

"Hello, Mr. Fluegelheimer. I am not sure if Miss Cloom is seeing any gentlemen callers today, but I will check with her. Could you please wait outside. Jason, you can come in, Dr. Wright is here."

Jason went in and straight up the stairs. Candy smiled at Arthur and then shut the door and went upstairs with the rest of them.

"Allyn, when will Miss Cloom be, okay?" Jason asked

"I believe in a couple of days. I will be checking on her on Thursday. She should stay in bed and not leave unless it is necessary until then. Biddie, do you have some knitting to work on?"

Biddie nodded and said:

" Oh, I have a lot of things to work on and Candy said that she and the girls will be coming to work on their quilting project in the room during the day as well." With that answer from Biddie, both Dr. Wright and Jason left. Then Biddie Candy told her about Mr. Fluegelheimer.

"Biddie, there is a Mr. Arthur Fluegelheimer to see you. He is the one who ran into you."

"Do you know what it is for?" Biddie asked Candy

"I suppose to apologize to you?" said Candy shrugging her shoulders.

" My goodness, I can't take any gentlemen callers today. Could you ask him to come back on Friday? I think I can be ready by then." Candy said okay and went back downstairs to let him know to come by on Friday.

Later that day, Michael arrived with a letter for Biddie from Mr. Fluegelheimer. It was an introduction of sorts but also there was a poem attached to the introduction. Biddie opened the letter and saw the poem. She looked at Candy and said:

"Oh, he wrote a poem! Do you want to hear it?" Biddie said with some excitement. Candy nodded yes.

Lo, Th e blood red rose shines

Upon thy very countenance

And with the softness blinds

The soft petals of thy smile

Oh, would that I should be

The recipient of thy love

I would give my life for thee

My darling, my pure white dove.

Candy listened to this poem, she was surprised how sweet and lovely it was. Biddie read it and was 'tingly' all over.

"Well, Candy, what do you think?" said Biddie all smiles and blushing a little.

Candy looked at her friend and with careful thought said:

"Biddie, you don't know this man? You haven't even met him yet!"

"That is true, I haven't met him, but maybe I did?"
Candy looked at her friend and was about to say something when there was a knock on the door. It was Thursday and Dr. Wright was back. After her examination which she pronounced Biddie was fine she left.

"Candy, I need to prepare myself to meet this man. Will you help me get ready. We are going to meet tomorrow afternoon!" said Biddie with some excitement.

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