Summary: Thanksgiving Story. The Stagecoach which Charles and Caroline Ingalls are on riding in to visit family from Burr Oak Iowa to Walnut Grove disappears.
The Disappearance of the Northbound Stage
Chapter 1:
The year is 1905 November 16th, a week before Thanksgiving. The weather is a nice 51° Sunny with a calm wind. Charles and Caroline Ingalls who live in Burr Oak Iowa has purchased tickets at the Stage Depot for Walnut Grove to visit family for Thanksgiving. There is a bit of a delay for the next Northbound stage out,so they decide to sit on a bench outside the Depot. Charles begins to speak, "It's good to be going to see Laura and Almanzo for Thanksgiving but I wish all of our children could be together for Thanksgiving.''
Caroline answers, "Yes, but they are all happily married Adam and Mary, Albert and Sylvia, Carrie and Carl, James and Amanda, Cassandra and Patrick."
Charles nods his head in agreement and then picks up a newspaper and reads the headline that is in bold print: "CROWN JEWEL NECKLACE OF QUEEN VICTORIA OF ENGLAND IS STOLEN!"
Charles looks at his wife Caroline look at this headline, Queen of England, no less what is this world coming to? Let's see the article states the Queen's necklace is believed to be traced back to the United States by a Villain with the initials for his name that are chronologically letters of the alphabet. The villain's trademark are the letters H I with a mirror placed in front of the letters. A 5000 pound reward is authorized through Scotland Yard to be given to anyone who helps to get the necklace back to the Queen.'"
The stage arrives, Charles and Caroline board the Stagecoach along with two other men. They travel down the road a bit and Charles starts a conversation, "Hi my name is Charles Ingalls and my wife Caroline. We are headed for Walnut Grove Mn. to visit family for Thanksgiving."
One gentleman in a dark grey suit with a wide brimmed hat takes out a notebook, writes something down and puts it back in his suit coat pocket. He then introduces himself, "My name is Richard Tracy and I'm on a personal business trip."
Charles looks at the other man and asks, "And you sir?"
The man is smoking a cigar takes a puff and blows smoke out the Stagecoach window and says, "I'm traveling through another state not only of mind but of imagination. I notice things my name is, Rod Sterling."
Carolina replies, "It's nice to meet you gentlemen," than nudges closer to Charles.
The Stagecoach trip progresses on. It should arrive in Walnut Grove Friday at 3pm. Almanzo and Laura Wilder along with Jenny and her newly married husband Matthew Rogers and Rose who is back from college and also Mr. Edwards are waiting outside the Restaurant on the porch. 3:15 no stage, 3:45 no stage, at 4:30 and still no stage. Miss Foster Telegraphs all the possible stops between Burr Oak Iowa and Walnut Grove. In Mankato it was reported the stage never came in.
Saturday November 19th and still no Northbound stage.
Sunday November 20th after the opening hymn, Laura with trembling lip says, "Ma and Pa were on that stage that didn't show up on Friday and I'm worried, very worried. I don't know if it was hostile Indians or an accident. I remember what happened to Mary and Adam several years ago and I can't (weeping)... I can't help but seeing images of Ma and Pa stuck under an overturned Stagecoach bleeding to death with no one to help them. I want to do something but what?"
Almanzo answers, "Beth, We will get a search party together and back trail. Don't worry we'll find them."
Rev. Alden leds the Church in prayer for Mr. And Mrs. Ingalls.
Where are they? What happened?
To Be Continued