* I want to thank Cyn Ann for encouraging me to sit down and write this story. It is based on an actual event that took place in my own life three years ago. While I did write poetry at the time to help deal with it I never really sat down and 'got it all out'. Thanks to my Beta Reader too—though all mistakes are still my own.
"My Happy Home" (January 1844)
Ballad
Written and Composed by John Blockley.
[Pages 10-11]
Vol. III, January 1844.-A*
[Source: 011/021nLevy] (Any songs used are all in Public Domain. For the sake of the story credit is given to Gene though).
Always in My Heart
CHAPTER THREE
SCENE FOUR
Elizabeth and Audra sat in the front room talking. They'd been talking a good portion of the morning. "He'll be fine, Audra." Elizabeth tried in vain to get comfortable as she tried to convince Audra not to worry about the youngest Barkley son, "From what mother said he only lost this Sarah within the past six months. All he needs is time."
"I still say we should hold some kind of party; make it a welcome home party. He's just flat out too quiet." Audra shook her head slightly.
Elizabeth tried to think of how to convince her sister in law that holding any kind of party was not necessary; since Gene had continually slipped away from the reception she didn't see why he wouldn't do the same thing at any other kind of party. Before she could though, the pains hit. "Forget the blasted party and get Jarrod…and Dr. Merar!" she gasped grabbing her stomach and sending Audra flying through the house.
0000
Jarrod paced back and forth; Audra sat on the couch and Gene sat on a chair while Nick-who had come by to talk to Jarrod about some business matters-stood near the fireplace. "Wearing the carpet out ain't gonna help that baby of yours get here any faster." Nick hoped he wouldn't be this bad whenever he and Anna were blessed with a child; though, somehow, he knew he would be.
"No, but it will keep me from running up those stairs." Jarrod laughed.
Gene, who had been silent, looked at Nick, "You still taking that one herd up to the northern pasture?"
Nick's eyebrows turned down. Why was this brother asking that? Better yet, why was he even thinking about it at a time like this? "Sooner or later, why?"
'You need to get outside those books of yours," Thomas Barkley had walked into the den to find Gene, once again, reading another book, "Even Jarrod knows how to get out and mingle with people." He chuckled softly; he'd never been able to put a good book down. He looked at Nick, "I'd like to help you take them is all."
Nick's eyes widened in surprise. What on earth was going on? Before he had time to say yea or nay though, Victoria came hurrying into the room. She was beaming as she told Jarrod, "You have a son! A very fine, healthy baby boy!"
"Way to go, brother!" Nick let out a holler; as did Gene, only his holler was ten times quieter than Nick's. Jarrod headed for the stairs.
As Nick started to leave the room Gene stopped him, "Nick, I may be more on the book side of life, but I'm still a Barkley and I can still help you with those cattle."
Nick shook his head and grinned. He didn't need his own brother reminding him of their relationship; still, "You are full of surprises, ain't ya? Alright; we leave in two days. When we do I won't stop you from coming." 'Even if it does feel as strange as all get out!'
SCENE FIVE
"He's so tiny and so adorable." Audra held her nephew in her arms, "I hope when I get married and have children they'll be this cute."
Victoria and Elizabeth both started grinning. Victoria assured her, "All babies are cute to their mothers; believe me." Scenes from each of her children's births flashed in front of Victoria's eyes.
"Does the privilege of holding the baby belong only to the women in this house?" Heath teased as he insisted on taking his turn with the child. Jarrod stood behind his wife all grins.
"I guess I should give Thomas back to his mother." Heath gave his nephew one last gentle hug and handed him back to Elizabeth, "Nick and Gene are probably bitin' at the bit to get goin'." His brothers had already left the room had headed outside.
A slight frown crossed Victoria's face. She was not sure how she felt about the idea of Gene helping Nick and Heath with the cattle. Oh, sure, he'd helped out more than once while growing up but it was because Tom had insisted that every one of his sons at least help out, not because he'd ever enjoyed it or wanted it himself. She quickly put the frown away though; she was sure it was just her son's way of working through his loss. "Get going then. You know how Nick gets when he's kept waiting."
Heath's crooked smile appeared on his face as he stood up, "Yea, I do. See you all later."
"I best get this child to bed." Elizabeth stood up and headed for the stairs. Victoria and Audra too excused themselves leaving Jarrod in one very quiet room. Slowly he walked turned around and went outside himself. From where he stood he could see his brothers mounting their horses and heading out. Reaching into his pocket Jarrod pulled out a small piece of paper he'd found near Gene's room. The handwriting was that of his brother. He read the words once more.
I have wander'd over mountain,
I have wander'd over plain,
And I come upon more gladness,
To my happy home again
I see once more the village church,
Where oh my feet would stray.
Ye list that sweet and merry children,
close of summer's day.
Those sounds which charm'd my early days,
I never could forget;
And oh I've dream'd when far away,
I heard their music yet.
I have wander'd over mountain,
I have wander'd over plain,
And I come once more with gladness,
To my happy home again,
To my happy home again.
I think of all those happy days
Pass'd in my early home,
When not a cloud came o'er my brow,
Or thought of time to come;
I think of all my youthful sports,
My playmates gay and free.
Methinks I hear their joyous laugh
Beneath the old oak tree;
And now once more I see the halls
Of childhood's happy home;
Now, like the dove, an ark I've found,
My steps no more shall roam.
Jarrod's eyes went from the words on the paper to the sight of his brothers disappearing off in the horizon. He watched as they disappeared out of sight then looked at the paper again. He'd meant to ask Gene about it earlier, but then the baby had come and it had been all but forgotten. He found himself wondering, 'Great song, brother, only since when did you write songs?"