New Beginnings

Chapter 41

Surprises

Walking into the General Store, Ethan and the children are greeted by Mr. Hiram, the proprietor.

"Well hello Sheriff Cord and family! Claire, it's been weeks since you've found time to visit. I missed our literary discussions. I thought you'd abandoned me."

"No sir, I just had things to do at home and then the town was quarantined, so I couldn't come."

"Well, I'm just happy you are here today. What may I get for you?"

"We're in need of the schoolbooks you require for your class and a few more school items for the children." Ethan answers.

"Well, the books are back in the back, if you'll come this way, I'll show you what the children will need."

Turning to the boys, before following, Ethan says "George, you and Ben stay by Claire while I go with Mr. Hiram."

"Yes sir." George answers as Ben nods.

Spotting something he likes high on a shelf, Ben tugs his sister's hand. "Claire! Look up there. Can we get one of those shiny red things?"

"What red things Ben?"

"That pail up there. The one with love written in white."

"Ben, that doesn't say love! It says..." George tells him somewhat scornfully.

"Hush, George! Leave him be." Claire scolds cutting him off mid sentence.

"Ben, look at that word again, what makes you say the word is love? Tell me the letters you see." Claire requests.

"I see an L, an A, an R and a D. Claire, L is for love! I 'member that from somewhere." Ben explains wondering why Claire is sniffling.

"Yes sweet boy, L is for love. Mama always told us that, remember? We had a picture book of letters and she'd always say the L was for Love."

"No, I don't 'member, but can we get the pail? I need a pail like that." Ben replies.

"Well I don't know, Ben. We have lunch pails already. No, don't get mad." Claire tells him when Ben begins to scowl. "We'll ask Pa. We do need one more for Rob and I to use."

In another part of the store, Mr. Hiram is pulling books off the shelf for Rob and Claire to use in his classes. As Ethan takes the four books, he says "Mr. Hiram, first, thank you for agreeing to teach the older students. Claire is excited about having classes with you. Rob, on the other hand, isn't thrilled. I am insisting he attend and I want you to let me know of any trouble out of him. He's not one to usually cause trouble but he may be reluctant to do his assigned work. Any problems at all, just let me know and I'll set him straight. He will attend and he will do as you tell him. I've already made that clear to him."

"Thank you, Sheriff. I'm sure Rob isn't the only young man feeling this way. I'm hoping the classes will be interesting enough to change their minds without having to come to you or the other parents. I will keep in contact with you on their progress and thank you again, for your help in gathering students."

When Ethan comes back to join them, Claire tells him in a whisper all about Ben and his wish for the pail, including the memory of when he learned the alphabet.

"Pa, we do need another pail, now that Rob and I will take lunch also. I can transfer the lard into something else and Ben can have his pail."

"Alright, Claire. Ask Mr. Hiram to add that to the box. We have the books you and Rob will need. Now, what else did we have on the list for school?"

"We still need to find Joseph and Rob some black pants. Plus maybe a pre-primer for Ben. He's forgotten how to put letters together into words. I lent our pre-primer to Mr. Scotty for Jamie. They've left town and I'm sure they took the book with them."

"I don't know why we have to wear only black pants. Last year we could wear any color and it was good enough. Why be so fancy, it's just school!" Joseph, who is standing nearby, adds to the conversation.

"As I've told you several times, the school board decided to go with this uniform this year. We'll abide by it. No more complaints, Joseph." Ethan answers giving the boy a warning look.

"Claire, perhaps you could work with Ben some without having to purchase a book. I'm sure you could use a tablet and pencil just as well. Let's not spend money for something we don't actually need at this time. It could be he just needs a few reminders and it will come back to him."

"I hope it does. I sure do want him to be caught up to his age at the time school starts back. If not he'll have to be in the pre-primer leveled group. He's bigger than all of the six to seven year olds, Pa."

"Don't worry yourself into a tizzy, Claire. We will do what is best for Ben no matter what. Alright? Where are Ben and George, anyway?"

"They're at the toy table back there, Pa. I'm keeping watch on them." Joseph answers.

While the others are talking, Ben has wandered off to find the toy table. George has followed him.

"Look George! It's a flipping man. Watch this! When I squeeze the sticks he flips over."

"Can I try it?" George asks. Taking the wooden H shaped toy, he looks at the wooden figure hanging from the double string at the top of the H. When he pushes the two bottom ends close together, the figure does a flip over the string.

"I want the tumbling man! Let's get it!" Ben tells his brother.

"Ben, I told you already, I only have five cents. This one is twenty five cents. Everything costs more than I have." George explains, exasperated with Ben's begging. "I'm going back to Papa before he gets mad at us for wandering off. You better come too."

"I'm staying here! You go on."

"Fine, get in trouble then! I'm tired of babysitting you all the time. I wish you'd grow up again. I want my older brother back!" George declares hotly before walking off.

"Hmmpfh! He's not much fun anyway. I'll just take this home and play with it without George!" Ben thinks as he quickly puts the toy down his shirt after checking to see if anyone was looking at him.

From the doorway, someone sees what the boy is doing but chooses to ignore it. Shaking his head at the foolishness of children, Alex walks quietly to stand behind Claire. Both Ethan and Joseph nod to him. George starts to speak but is cut off by Joseph's hand over his mouth.

"Hello, Claire." Alex says softly so as not to startle her.

Whirling around in a rustle of long skirt and petticoats, Claire gapes at him. "Alex? What are you doing in here? I thought your family left town."

"I'm here to buy my school books and supplies. My family did leave but I did not. I'm staying in Paradise, permanently. I have a new place to live and a job plus I'm going to be attending school with you. My Da agreed after certain people had a talk with him." Alex answers with a look over at Ethan.

"Honest? You aren't teasing? You are going to stay? Who are you living with? What job?" Claire asks.

"I'm not teasing. I'm living with Mitch. He and your Pa came and talked to my Da. They arranged for me to stay here and go to school. I'm going to be helping at the hotel when we aren't attending classes."

Turning to Ethan, Alex adds "Thank you again, Sheriff. I couldn't bear it if I had to leave here. I'll make it up to you someday, I swear it!"

"No need to make anything up to me, young man. I am happy to help a young person with a desire for an education. Why don't you and Claire take a walk together for a time. We will finish up here and meet you at home, Claire." Ethan answers after seeing the shine come back into his niece's eyes.

Later that night, with the wind howling outside, Ben tosses back and forth in his bed mumbling. "No, go away! Leave me alone! I don't like you," before waking with a scream " GO AWAY! PAPA!" and bursting into tears.

"Ben! Why are you yelling? SHHHH, stop crying." George complains sleepily as the door opens.

"Ben? George? What is wrong?"

"He just woke me up screaming and then started crying." George explains.

"Ben? Did you have a dream?" Ethan asks the now shaking boy.

"Something was after me and it was getting really close. It was gonna get me and you came so it went away." Ben says reaching his arms out to be picked up.

Sitting on the bed beside him, Ethan strokes his hair "Go back to sleep, Ben. I'll stay here to guard against anything trying to get you. You'll be safe."

"Hold me, Papa."

"It's too cold to be out from under the covers right now, scoot back down and I'll tuck you in tight. Do you have your bear? Good, hold him tight so he won't be afraid. I'll stay until you are asleep, you are safe. Go back to sleep, now." Ethan whispers, still stroking Ben's hair. Glancing at George he sees the boy is already asleep.

Four days later, Ethan sees John Taylor in town.

"Hello there, Ethan. How are things with Ben? Has he begun to act more his age?"

"Somewhat, he's less of a baby but still not behaving to his true age. He is having terrible nightmares though. It's been every night for three nights. He wakes screaming, shaking, crying and can't go to sleep unless I sit beside him. The whole family is suffering from lack of sleep. Is there anything I can give him to help him sleep?"

"Let me come visit with him tomorrow afternoon, I have something that may work. May I come out?"

"Of course, you are welcome at any time. Come and eat with us. We eat at noon but come before to spend time with the children."

"I'll be there before noon. Will that be good?"

"That would be fine. The children enjoy your visits."

The afternoon before John Taylor's visit, Ben is supposed to be resting but is actually playing with his "flipping man" toy. Coming into the bedroom to change his pants, George stops and stares at his brother.

"Ben! Where did you get that?"

"At the store. Why are you all muddy?"

"It's been raining, remember? I went out to feed Pepper and he jumped on me knocking me down in the mud. Papa sent me to change and to get you. We are to help Claire. You'd better put that up before you get caught with it! You didn't pay for that did you?"

"I didn't have money and nobody would get it for me. I needed it so I brought it here. You can play with it too." Ben answers holding the toy out to George.

"No, thank you though. I want to get cleaned up and back to help Claire before Pa comes looking for me. Put it up, Ben."

During the meal, Ethan notices how quiet George is being and asks "George, are you feeling sick? You are so quiet tonight."

"No, Papa. I'm not sick. I'm just tired from working in the house all day. Claire had me busy dusting, cleaning and sweeping. I cleaned the ashes from the stove and the fireplace, washed windows, swept and dusted all the front room. Ben was to help but he didn't do much."

"He helped me in the kitchen, George. Don't make it out as if he didn't do his share." Claire scolds.

"Well, he didn't! I did three times the work he did. It's still Poor Ben, he was so sick he can't do much. Yeah, well he can too!" George thinks but knows speaking his thoughts would only lead to trouble.

The following day, John Taylor arrives for his visit. Greeting him, Joseph says "I'm sorry my Pa isn't here. Something came up in town and he was called away. He said to tell you he'd see you in town."

After enjoying a lunch of ham, baked potatoes, cornbread, vegetables and pie for dessert, the boys gather with John Taylor in the front room.

"Ben, George, have either of you ever heard of a dreamcatcher?" John Taylor asks reaching for his deerskin bag he left by the fireplace.

"No, what's a dreamcatcher?" Ben asks shivering slightly in the cool room.

"I haven't. Is it something magical?" George asks as Joseph puts another log on the fire to warm them up.

Claire, bringing in a quilt from her room, sits beside Ben wrapping him up.

"Claire! I can't move my arms!" Ben complains fretfully.

"You need to stay warm, Ben. You can pull your arms out but leave the quilt around you."

"Well, it could be thought of a magical, I guess. It's an Indian legend and object. I brought you each one to have." John Taylor answers after Ben gets his arms free.

"The dreamcatcher is made with woven thread around a large ring such as this one. The pattern is made by weaving the thread in and out until you have this web design."

"It looks similar to a spider web or two Christmas stars together. One small one woven into one big one!" George exclaims.

"Yes, I suppose it does, George. Now boys, the legend is that the air is filled with both good and bad dreams. With a dreamcatcher, the good dreams flow through the center hole here, and come to the sleeping person. The not so good or bad dreams are trapped inside the web and don't survive the light of dawn."

"If we hang these up, will we only have good dreams John Taylor?" Ben asks anxiously.

"That is the legend, my friend. Only good dreams come to sleeping children who have these dreamcatchers. Would you like to hang one over your bed, boys? I'm sure your Pa would approve. If you aren't sure he will, you may wait until he comes home to ask."

"Joseph? Claire? Will Papa mind if we hang these up?" George asks, turning to look at his older siblings.

"No, he won't mind at all. I'll get a hammer and nails so we can put them up." Joseph answers rising to go get the supplies.

Later that evening, as he and Joseph are in the barn settling the animals for the night, George asks "Joseph? Which is worse, being an informer or being a thief?"

"Hmm, that's tough to answer. I guess it depends on what exactly you might be informing on. Some things are private and you don't need to tell them. Being a thief is awful too. Why do you ask?"

"When we were in town the other day, Ben stole. I didn't know it until tonight. He has a toy and no one paid for it or gave it to him. I don't know what to do. If I tell, he'll get a whipping! If I don't then I'm guilty of it by being a scessor to his crime." George answers, remembering his Pa's talk of criminals.

"You mean 'accessory'. I think you need to tell Pa, George. You are right, if you keep quiet and Pa finds out you knew, you would be in trouble too. I would take this to Pa if I were you. Ben needs to be reminded stealing is wrong."

"The animals are all bedded down for the night, Pa. We put out plenty of fresh water and hay in case we can't get to the barn in the morning. It's really wet and the wind is picking up out there, now." Joseph tells Ethan as he and George hang up their wet jackets.

"It's been raining forever, Papa. When is it going to stop? I don't like the wind screaming." Ben asks fretfully.

"I don't know the answer to that, son. I hope it stops soon too. Three days is long enough for me, also. I'm tired of being wet every time I ride to town. George, you and Joseph need a warm bath tonight. I'll get the water heating while you go start the cold water in the bathtub. Joseph, you can be getting the nightclothes ready for both of you."

"Yes sir. Pa? When is Rob coming home? He's been in town forever."

"He's staying at Mitch's for a few days, Joseph. You know this. He's helping Alex get settled and just spending some time with him. I expect he'll come home when the rain lets up enough."

Meanwhile over at Mitch's house, the two boys are playing checkers while Mitch reads a two week old Colorado Springs newspaper by the fire. The mail only comes by stage once every two weeks and his old subscription is still current. He enjoys getting the news even if it's old news by the time it's delivered.

"Well boys, let's call it a night. This wind is making me want my warm bed. Rob, it's too wet to plan to walk home in the morning. Plan on staying at least until the rain stops. Ethan will understand." Mitch announces stretching.

"Yes sir, I know. I wasn't going to even try it. Pa won't worry as long as he knows I'm with you."

"I'm going to head on to bed now. Don't forget to bank the fire before you turn in. Alex, it's your turn to cook in the morning. Rob and I expect something fabulous, just so you can plan it tonight." Mitch teases the boy as he winks at Rob.

"Mitch! I'm not that good a cook! Rob's much better, let him do it."

"OH No! I cooked this morning, it's your turn. I'll help, but you have to learn to do it yourself. Right Uncle Mitch?" Rob replies.

"That's the plan. Men need to know how to cook more than beans and fish to survive. Night boys, I'll see you in the morning." Mitch answers as he walks to his room.

"He hasn't given you a bedtime? Both nights, I've been here, we stayed up late and he didn't say a thing. He's letting us stay up again tonight." Rob whispers to Alex.

"No, he hasn't given me many rules at all. He just said he expected me to let him know where I was going if I left the house and to help with the chores. He said we'd discuss more later as the need arose. I'm wondering what he means by more though. What do you think he plans to make me do? What about punishments? My Pa gave him full authority over me and told him he could raise me as he wished. I don't much like how that sounds."

"Don't ask me his plans, because I don't know either. He's always seemed easy to get along with though. Joseph gave him some trouble one time when he was staying with the boys and he didn't whip him. He punished him a different way if that's what worries you."

"I had been thinking about it." Alex answers, frowning at the thought.

"I wouldn't worry about it. I've known him for almost a year and he's never laid a hand on me or Joseph either, although Pa said he could. If it worries you so much why not just ask." Rob tells him.

Coming into the bedroom after his bath, George sees Ben sitting on the floor playing with the stolen toy again.

"Ben, I need to take the toy to Papa. He needs to see it." George tells his brother as he reaches for the toy.

"NO! You can't! I'm playing with it now and Papa does not need to see it. He said I wasn't to touch it." Ben answers putting the toy behind his back.

"We have to tell him before he finds out on his own. Just taking it and not paying was wrong! You know that Ben." George says, deciding to try to reason with Ben.

"Was not! I wanted it so I got it. Go 'way George. I don't want you in here."

"Give me the toy!" George exclaims launching himself at Ben. As the two boys roll over both pulling on the toy, it snaps in half. Ben lets out a screech and tries to punch George who rolls on top of him.

"GEORGE! BEN! STOP THIS AT ONCE!" The boys hear from behind them before being snatched by their arms and dragged to their feet.

"What is going on here? You know better than to act this way, correct?" Ethan asks, giving them both a slight shake when neither boy answers him. "George?"

"Papa, George jumped on me! He hurted me too!" Ben says before George can speak.

"George, go to my room and wait for me there. I'll be in to discuss this in just a moment." Ethan says sternly.

"But Papa! Ben..." George tries to explain only to receive two hard swats on his backside as his Pa points to the door.

The command "MOVE, young man before I unbuckle my belt right here!" has George walking fast to do as he's told.

Sitting on Ethan's bed, George wipes at the falling tears. "Ben steals and I get in trouble for it! I tried to do what Joseph said and it didn't work! Now Papa's going to whip me because of this! I wish Ben would go back to being himself and not whoever this is! I don't want this Ben any longer!" he thinks.

Walking into his room to find George in tears isn't a surprise to Ethan. George often breaks down when he's done wrong. Sitting down beside the sniffling child, Ethan says "Well young man, Ben says you demanded a toy and when he wouldn't give it to you, you jumped on him knocking him over. Is this what happened?"

"Yes sir."

"George, are you allowed to get into fights?"

"No Papa, but I wasn't trying to fight him."

"Did you jump him, try to take a toy and knock him down?"

"Yessir, but Ben ..."

"No excuses, George. You admitted, twice now, to fighting. Stand up."

"No Papa, I'll tell him I'm sorry, I will!" George protests as Ethan turns him over his knees.

Not hearing an answer, George feels his nightshirt being pulled up and the underwear flap opened.

"Papa, wait! I have to tell..." is as far as he gets before Ethan's hand smacks his bare bottom. After nine sharp smacks, George feels himself lifted to his feet.

Standing now, George holds his stomach which is hurting from the harsh sobbing he's doing.

"You deserved that spanking, son and you know it." Ethan tells him as the child continues to sob until he gasps for breath. Pulling George into his lap, holding him as he rocks slightly, letting him cry until the boy is no longer sobbing, Ethan says quietly "You are acting as if I whipped you with a razor strop, calm down son. It's not like you to carry on so after a spanking. What's gotten into you tonight? First the fight and now this? What is it?"

"I tried to do what Joseph said and you walloped me! It hurt too! I was trying to be good and do what is right!" George manages to say between sniffs.

"What does Joseph have to do with you fighting with Ben?" Ethan asks, after having George blow his nose in a handkerchief.

"Joseph told me to take it to you and I was trying to get the toy to bring to you. Ben wouldn't let me have it so I was trying to take it away."

"Why did you need to bring the toy to me? I'm not following you, George."

"When we were in town the other day, Ben found a jumping man toy. He wanted it but we didn't have the right money. I told him that but he stole it. I found out just tonight that he had it. I told Joseph and he said to bring it to you so I tried to. Ben wouldn't give me the toy and when I tried to take it away it broke and he was going to hit me. You came in right after I rolled over from him being on top trying to punch me."

"Where is the toy now, George?"

"I think it went under Ben's bed. Papa? I am trying to be a good big brother to Ben, like you said to do. I'm tired of it though. When is Ben going to be back like himself? I don't want you to be mad at me but, I don't like this Ben much anymore. I don't want to have to be the big brother to him when he's like this."

"I can't answer that question, son. I don't know how long Ben will act younger than he is. You just be your normal kind self to him and I'll take care of the rest. You don't have to be his big brother son. I told you to be understanding and kind, not try to be his big brother. Just be his brother and that is good enough. Now, stay here while I go talk to Ben." Ethan replies, settling the boy down on his bed.

"Papa? Don't take him to the barn. He doesn't 'member much and doesn't know better anymore." George says sleepily.

"I'm not going to whip him, George."

Walking through the front room, Ethan is stopped by Joseph. "Pa? There's something you need to know. George told me out in the barn that Ben stole a toy. I don't know if that is what the argument between them was about but it might be that. I told him to tell you."

"He just told me, son. I thank you for telling me, though. They were fighting over the toy. He took you literally, when you told him to take it to me. George told me he was trying to take the toy so he could bring it to me."

"Oh! I didn't mean to make him try to take the toy! I meant he needed to take the problem to you not the toy!" Joseph answers shaking his head in disbelief.

"You forget, son. George and Ben are very young and take everything as it is said. Now, let me go talk to Ben. That boy has a lesson he needs to learn." Holding up his hand before either Claire or Joseph can protest, he says "I'm not going to whip him, he is in for a spanking though."

Going into the boy's room for the second time, he finds Ben sitting on the floor holding a broken toy.

"Ben, where did the toy come from?" Ethan asks.

"Out from under the bed, Papa. George broke it." Ben answers mournfully.

Trying not to smile at that answer, Ethan tries again to get the answer he's looking for. "Ben, did you pay for this toy at the store?"

"No Papa, I don't have money."

"Ben, when you take something that isn't yours without paying, what is it called? I know you remember me telling you not to touch anything and that we were not getting toys. Now what is it called when you take something without paying? I've reminded you of this not long ago."

"stealing."

"Is stealing the right thing to do, Ben? Do we just walk out with something and not ever pay for it?"

"No, Papa. I'm sowwy. I pwomise, won't do it again." Ben says trying to sound even younger.

"I know you won't. I'm going to hold you to that promise and help you remember not to ever do this again. You are a big boy not a baby. Don't try to sound like one. Now stand up, Ben."

Taking Ben by the hand, Ethan leads him the four steps to his bed. Sitting down he pulls the boy between his legs. "Young man, stealing is a crime. People who steal wind up in jail. Young boys who steal get their bottoms warmed by their Pa. Now, this time I'm only going to use my hand. If you EVER do this again, I will take you out to the barn and whip you with my belt! You best keep that in mind!"

Before Ben can decide if he should try to run or not, he's face down over his Papa's knee feeling a very hard hand whacking the seat of his pants.

"Yowwwwwweeeeeeee! Papa! Hurts! Papa, stop!"

"From this night on, you better behave yourself and do as I tell you. If you act out, I will be spanking you again! You are old enough to behave and you will be doing it, Benjamin! You are not a little baby so don't act like it. Is this clear?" Ethan asks as he lays down one last spank and stands Ben back on his feet.

"Yes Papa." Ben sobs, rubbing his smarting bottom."You don't like me no more Papa?"

"I do, Ben. You are my son. I love you very much, but I won't allow you to do things that are wrong or that might cause you harm. You are to obey me, Ben and you won't be punished. Do you understand, son?"

"I'll be a good boy. I don' wanna spanking again."

"Good, now get into your nightshirt, use the W.C. and I'll be back to tuck you in to bed in just a minute. I need to bring George back to his bed."

Tucking both boys into their beds, Ethan smooths the covers over Ben. George seems to be asleep and hasn't moved since being put in bed. "Good night boys. Sleep well. Remember the rule, no talking to each other after the lamp is blown out." he says as he blows out the kerosene lamp sitting on the table between the two beds.

"Night Papa." Ben says snuggling down under the warm quilt.

As Ethan closes the door, he hears Ben whisper "Night George. I'm sorry." and George's whispered answer "I'm sorry too. Good night, Ben." Shaking his head at the two young scamps he just bid good night, Ethan lets them talk this one time. At least they are apologizing! he thinks as he goes into the front room.

In his mind, George hears "George? Papa spanked me and it hurted."

"I hear you! You can talk to me in our connection again!" George thinks, sitting up to look over at Ben in surprise.

"Unh huh, I guess. I can hear you too. My bottom stings!"

"I know, so does mine. He spanked me too, for fighting with you. At least with our dreamcatchers, you won't have bad dreams to go with our stinging bottoms! Night again, Ben." George answers, snuggling with his bear under the covers.

"I hope so. I'm ready to sleep with no bad dreams! Night again, George and sorry I got us in trouble."