The Journey Of Love: Nancy Olsen and Andrew Clark

Chapter 7:

Early the next morning about 6am, Maryann Clark makes breakfast, Sausage biscuits and gravy with scrambled eggs and coffee. Mrs. Clark putting breakfast on the table, William Clark calls Nels and Nancy, "Breakfast is served."

Mr. and Mrs. Clark, Nels and Nancy all seated at The Breakfast table, Mrs. Clark asks Nels and Nancy how their room was and if they slept okay. Nancy says, "The room was fine and in spite of the circumstances I slept okay."

Finishing up their breakfast both Nels and Nancy say, ''That was a delicious breakfast thank you."

Mrs. Clark than says, "You are welcome, we can take our coffee to the Living Room and chat for a bit", getting comfortable in the Living Room and sipping on their coffee Maryann asks Nancy, "So young lady tell us a little bit about yourself."

Nancy looks up at Mrs. Clark and says, "I grew up without my mom and dad in The orphanage here in Mankato and when I was 9 years old Nels and Harriet adopted me. I just turned 18 and about to graduate high school next month. I met your son, Andrew at our Town's New Year's watch night service and shared my lemon meringue pie that won the pie bake-off. I guess that pie got him hooked on wanting to see me more."

Mrs Clark gives a smile, "He loves his lemon meringue pie!, Nancy what do you plan to do after graduation?"

Nancy, "For now I plan to work the switchboard in the back of our restaurant and also help in the restaurant."

Seeing what time it is about 10am William Clark says, "We need to get ready for the train it leaves at 11am."

Heading to the train station Dr. Reed has Andrew in a separate box car on the train that has a comfortable bed for him to rest on, on the trip Rev. Webster is also there to see them off. As The Clarks, Nels and Nancy get there Dr. Reed says, "Andrew is comfortably on the train and ready to go. Dr. Albert Ingalls is awaiting you at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, the train director says you should arrive there about 3pm."

The train director then approaches them and says, "20 minutes till we leave, I'll see you to the box car where Andrew is and get you all settled for the 4hr. trip to Rochester."

Rev. Webster says, "Before you board we should have a word of prayer for a safe trip and for Andrew."

10:50am they board the train, the train director make sure everyone is comfortable and says, "We leave in 10 minutes."

Rev Webster and Dr. Reed tells them to have a safe trip.

The train leaves at 11am, Andrew is somewhat awake. Nancy tries to talk to him and asks, "How are you this morning?"

In a low, week voice Andrew answers, "I'm hurting but I will be ok."

Nancy with a little tear in her eye says, ''Yes, you will be okay Dr. Albert Ingalls is going to fix you right up!, you get some rest."

Andrew nods his head and falls back asleep. Nancy then says to Nels, ''Father, he just has to get better."

Nels, "He will sweetheart."

While Andrew is resting William Clark asks, "Nels you said you know Albert Ingalls can you tell us about him?"

Nels answers, "Albert came to live in Walnut Grove with the Ingalls family when he was found in winoka when he was about 10 years old. While in Walnut Grove Albert became friends with our Town Doctor, Dr. Baker than Albert decided he wanted to become a doctor. Dr. Baker took him under his 'wing' and helped him study to take his doctorate degree and is now in Mayo Clinic and happily married to Sylvia. Albert is one of the best doctors there your son will be in good hands!"

William and Maryann both say, "That is great."

It is now about 12:30pm they are getting a bit hungry and Mrs. Clark pulls out the sack lunches she made. As they are eating Andrew wakes up and says, "Mom I'm hungry also I think I can have some soup and crackers."

Nels says, "I can go get some from the butcher." So Nels goes and finds the butcher and gets Andrew some chicken soup and crackers and cold drinks for everyone else. Nels returns and says, ''I have chicken soup and crackers for Andrew and drinks for us."

Nancy says, "I would like to help Andrew with his lunch."

Andrew slowly sits up in his bed and Nancy gives him his soup and crackers and then says, "This is nice and hot and should make you feel better.''

Andrew replies, "Yes, it is good and hot, thank you for helping me with it,I love you Nancy!"

Nancy Smiles I love you too, now eat!"

Finishing up his soup, Andrew rest some more.

It is now about 2pm and an hour to go till they get to Rochester. The Clarks, Nancy and Nels also decide to take a nap. An hour later they arrive at Rochester. The train director says, "There is a stagecoach to take you to Mayo Clinic" So they get on the stagecoach and head over to Mayo Clinic.

Dr. Albert Ingalls is waiting for them in the front lobby and says, "We have a room prepared for Andrew right this way."

Andrew is now in his room and Dr. Ingalls tells the Clark, "He is settled in his room and I'm going to check him over and see what I can do for him and be back to tell you what I find."

The Clarks, Nancy and Nels all have a seat in the waiting room and about an hour later Dr. Ingalls comes out and tells them, "Your son still has bits and pieces of the bullet in his chest infection setting in and has a high temperature. I put him on ice to get his fever down and will do surgery in the morning. I'm hoping he will be stronger in the morning. You may go in and see him for a few minutes but he does need his rest."

Visiting with Andrew for a few minutes Nancy says, "Andrew you are going to be ok get your rest for tomorrow's surgery.", and kisses him on the forehead.

Dr. Ingalls says, "Surgery is scheduled for 8am.

Before leaving Nels prays, "Lord, We ask you to have your hands on this young boy as the doctor removes the remaining bullet pieces."

Nels, Nancy and the Clarks get a quick supper and a hotel room for the night. Nancy in the hotel room says, ''Father, I don't think I will be able to sleep tonight I'm worried about Andrew."

Nels, "He is going to be ok."

To Be Continued...