I do NOT own The Big Valley nor any of the original Barkley Characters. None of the episodes I've been able to watch show the back of the Barkley's home, so I've taken some liberty with it.

"Ain' Go'n' to Study War No Mo'" Traditional Spiritual

*Also, Alexander Graham Bell was given a patent for the telephone in 1876. (At least, according to the one website I looked at he was.)

Once In A Lifetime

Chapter Two

Scene Three

Cynthia walked around the back of the Barkley home. She was pleasantly surprised to see a small garden no more than a hundred yards from the back door. Silas was picking some of the vegetables growing in it. While she had not met the man yet, she saw no reason to shy away either. She walked up and noticed quite a few weeds that had begun to grow; without thinking she knelt down and started picking them.

Silas smiled at the sight of the brown haired young woman willingly helping out where needed without being asked. "You like gardens?" he asked as he finished picking the last of what he needed and stood up.

"I love them," Cynthia smiled up at the man, "It's okay I'm here, isn't it?" she couldn't think of a reason why she shouldn't be, but figured she'd best check.

A grin wider than her mother's precious china plate spread across the man's face, "Don't worry 'bout that, miss. You welcome here anytime."

Finally realizing she had not gotten the man's name, nor given hers, she stood up and held out her hand, "My name's Cynthia and yours?" She wondered if she'd done something wrong, as he looked a bit startled. Still, he smiled again and shook her hand, "Silas. I the butler here."

She couldn't help but chuckle as she knelt back down, "Funny place for a butler to be," Silas only laughed as he walked away.

As Cynthia continued pulling on the weeds she found herself remembering the trip her grandparents and she had taken to Chicago. They'd spent the summer at her uncle's home. One of the best friends she'd ever made lived in Chicago; she was an elderly woman by the name of Georgia Lee. The two friends had continued writing even after Cynthia had returned to Montana. Her grandparents had disapproved of the friendship, since Georgia had been black and had done everything they could to keep their young granddaughter away from her. It had been to no avail though; she'd simply slipped out of the house and gone to visit the woman anyway. On more than one occasion Cynthia had found herself singing one of the old songs her friend had taught her. She loved the music that went with the words and had only been able to sing the songs when no one was around, as they'd always had a fit otherwise. So, out of habit, she'd waited until Silas was in the house before she began singing.

I'm go'n' to lay down my sword and shield, I'm go'n' to lay down my sword and shield, Down by the riverside, down by de riverside, I'm go'n' to lay down my sword and shield.

I ain' go'n' to study war no mo', I ain' go'n' to study war no mo', I ain' go'n' to study war no mo', I ain' go'n' to study war no mo'.

I'm go'n' to ride on a milk-white horse, I'm go'n' to ride on a milk-white horse, Down by de riverside, down by de riverside, I'm go'n' to ride on a milk-white horse.

I'm go'n' to wear a starry crown, I'm go'n' to wear a starry crown, Down by de riverside, down by de riverside, I'm go'n' to wear a starry crown.

I'm go'n' to lay down my sword and shield, I'm go'n' to lay down my sword and shield, Down by the riverside, down by de riverside, I'm go'n' to lay down my sword and shield.

I'm go'n' to wear a snow-white robe, I'm go'n' to wear a snow-white robe, Down by de riverside, down by de riverside, I'm go'n' to wear a snow-white robe.

I'm go'n' to ride with my King Jesus, I'm go'n' to ride with my King Jesus, Down by de riverside, down by de riverside, I'm go'n' to ride with my King Jesus.

Because she was so caught up in picking the weeds and singing the song she didn't notice Silas and Heath had stepped out the back door and were listening, both wide eyed, as she sang and swung slowly back and forth as she worked in the garden. It was another habit she'd picked up from working with Georgia in her garden. In fact, it was only when in a garden that she found herself singing some of 'Georgia's songs' and moving like that. Not knowing any of this though, the only thing Heath and Silas could do was look at each other and wonder.

Scene Four

"They won't find anyone claiming to know her," Heath sat the chair closest to the fireplace as his brothers, Peggy, Audra and Mother talked about the Pinkertons agreeing to see what they could do about finding out who Cynthia was.

Shock shone on their faces, "And just why do you say that?" Nick leaned against the fireplace and looked at his brother.

Not sure what to make of what Silas and he had seen and heard, Heath merely shrugged his shoulders and replied, "Call it a gut feeling."

While many of her son's 'gut feelings' had proven to be correct, Victoria could not just tell the Pinkertons not to try. The idea that the young woman, or anyone for that matter, would have no one to claim relation to them upset her. "Well, until she remembers everything, or until the Pinkertons happen to prove you wrong," she looked at Heath then to the rest of the family, "I guess all we can do is be her friend. Where is she right now?"

"Cleaning the den. She said she promised Jarrod and Peggy she'd have it done by supper," Nick spoke up; he'd bumped into the young woman as she'd headed for the room.

"Well," Jarrod smiled, "At least she keeps her word," he stood up and looked at Heath, "Nothing against you, but I hope you're wrong."

"Me too." Heath stood up and walked out of the room, Cynthia's singing still ringing in his ears. Hannah had sung that on more than one occasion after he'd returned from the war. He couldn't help but wonder where she'd learned it and how she could sing it with such feeling. After all, he dared say she couldn't have been more than 9 or 10 at the end the war. That is, if he was right about her age. He put that, her age, at somewhere around 18 or 19. It bothered him to no end.

0000

Cynthia stood next to the corral as the sun began to set. She'd had a good day and tomorrow would be her first day of actually working for Victoria Barkley. She still couldn't understand how she'd gone from 1968 back to 1874, but she wasn't going to complain either. At least, the blasted telephone wouldn't be invented for another two years. That meant the only thing that would be waking her up in the morning was the sun, one of the Barkleys or herself. She could handle that.

She turned her head when she heard someone walking up behind her. It was Audra.

"Nice night out." the young woman smiled at her. Audra had determined hours ago to befriend the stranger; no one should be without family or friends.

Cynthia smiled back, "It is at that." She felt guilty not being able to just 'sit back and relax', but she was afraid of saying something that might get her sent to see 'one of them quacks' as her grandfather would say.

"After you get the work mother gives you to do tomorrow done," Audra turned and leaned against the fence, "Do you want to go riding with some of my friends and me?"

Boy did she ever; still, she hesitated, "Thank you, but why don't we just wait and see what tomorrow brings,." She turned away from the fence, "I'd best get to bed. Morning comes early." Audra watched the young woman walk away. It was only then that Audra noticed the young woman's walk was one of somebody who had spent hours in a saddle. Once again, not knowing anything about their guest, all Audra could do was store the information in the back of her mind for later use.