New Beginnings
Chapter 42
Summer's End
The weeks leading up to the beginning of a new school term have been hectic for Ethan and the children. Dealing with Ben's illness and recovery plus the rush to ready the children for school has left them all feeling weary. The new schoolmarm has arrived in town and Ethan feels it is time to introduce her to the town. After talking with Mrs. Brandenburg, Ethan has arranged for the schoolchildren and their families to come to a group picnic.
Calling a family meeting, Ethan makes the announcement to the children.
"This Saturday, we are all going to the lake for a town picnic. I have talked with Mrs. Brandenburg and several other families. We've decided the easiest way for everyone to meet Mrs. Brandenburg and her daughters is at a town picnic. We also have a new proprietress for the boarding house. Her name is Mrs. Kincaid. She and her family will also be introduced at the town picnic."
"Pa? What about the food? Are all the ladies bringing something to share or is everyone bringing just for their family?" Claire asks when he finishes.
"This is to be a picnic where everyone brings to share. There will be men who are going to be roasting the meat. We'll have pit roasted pork, beef and then cured venison and possibly fried fish also. I've asked everyone to bring three dishes of something for the picnic. Each family will bring their own jugs for drinking. Claire, you have days so you don't need to fret."
"I don't know if I can go, Pa. Mr. Yates needs me to work all day on Saturdays." Rob tells him.
"Not this Saturday, Rob. I've spoken to him and he's closing for the picnic. Everyone in Paradise is invited to come whether or not they have schoolchildren."
"Papa? Will we have to wear our school clothes to the picnic?" Ben asks.
"Of Course Not, Ben! We don't wear school clothes unless we are going to school! We won't wear them to a picnic, don't be so stupid!" George answers scornfully, before Ethan has a chance to answer.
"George! Don't speak to your brother that way. Apologize and mind your manners." Ethan scolds.
"But Papa! That was a stupid question! He should know the answer already!" George answers back, glaring at Ben.
"George, you are being rude. You know better to call someone stupid! It seems you need some thinking time so march yourself over to the corner and stay until I call you to leave."
"Paapaa! I don't want to go to the corner! Please? I'm sorry, Ben. I'm sorry for being rude, Papa." George says quickly, trying to get himself out of the despised punishment.
"Corner, George. Now."
Saturday turns out to be a sunny but cool day for August, with temperatures in the low fifties. Claire insists the boys wear their long sleeved thick flannel shirts with their dungarees and boots.
"Pa? Should the boys wear thermal undershirts as well as the flannel shirts since we'll be at the lake?" Claire asks Ethan, wanting him to address the clothing issue since the boys are balking at her instructions. "I told them they need warm clothes but they insist it isn't that cold today."
"Do as your sister says, boys and dress warmly. I don't believe you need thermal underwear but you do need warm clothes. Bring a jacket also. It might be cool near the water. Claire, I have the quilt already in the wagon along with our jugs of lemonade. Rob has a crate made to hold all of the food. He'll bring it in when you are ready to pack it." Ethan tells them.
"Claire, what are we taking?" Ben asks later, as he watches his sister put platters and bowls covered with cloth into the crate.
"I made a cake, two pans of cornbread and two gallons of baked beans." Claire answers covering the crate with a folded quilt to keep the dust from the wagon wheels off the food.
"You didn't make apple pie? Apple pie is my fav'rite."
"Not this time, Ben. I'm sure that someone else will bring apple pie. With every woman bringing several things, we'll have so much to choose from. You and George remember Pa's rule, Ben. You must eat meat and vegetables before you have dessert and then today you can have two desserts."
"Only two? My Gosh, how'm I ever gonna choose just two if everybody has dessert?" George asks having been listening to the conversation.
"I don't know, but that's the rule. Most times, you only get one dessert so don't complain. You don't want to get in trouble today do you?"
"No." Ben answers as George frowns.
"Then do as you are told, be very polite to everyone and you won't be in trouble."
"Pa wouldn't punish us in front of everbody." George answers saucily.
"That's EVERY body and no he probably wouldn't punish you in front of anybody. What he would do is take you into the woods and spank your bottom if you misbehave or send you to have thinking time by a tree. It wouldn't be much fun to sit and watch everyone else playing would it?" At the boys vigorous head shakes of no, Claire says "Well, then you just have to be on your best behavior today so you won't be in trouble."
"We've been good since the fight. That was long time ago. We can be good, Claire." Ben answers earnestly.
"Mmm Hmm, well two weeks for you two is a pretty long time. I don't want you to embarrass us by acting out today. We're meeting the new teacher and you want her to think you two are very well behaved boys."
As Rob pulls the wagon to a stop at the picnic grounds, Joseph sniffs the air happily. "Mmmm, smell that meat cooking! I can taste the roast pork already. Cooking over the open fire makes everything smell and taste so good!"
"Papa, can we go see the fire pits?" George asks as he and Ben climb down from the back of the wagon.
"We're going to lay out our quilt and help unload the wagon boys. After that, we'll go see the men cooking. Listen, Ben and George, you are not to go anywhere near those fire pits unless Rob,Joseph or myself takes you. It is not safe without one of us with you. The men have work to do and can't look out for young boys. Do you hear me, boys?"
"Yes sir." The boys answer together.
Walking over to the pits, the boys stand and watch the men roasting pork and beef. The meat is speared on a long metal rod which rests in two Y shaped metal holders on each side of a dug out pit. The pits are filled with burning hickory logs and wood chips. Every few minutes the men turn the rod to roast the meat evenly.
"This smells even better when you get close up. What do you want beef or pork, Ben and George?" Joseph asks his brothers.
"Beef" Ben answers as George says "I think I want the roast pork."
"Papa, why don't we ever cook a whole side of beef at one time? We could have a fire pit at home and smoke it like this." George asks.
"We don't need a fire pit couldn't eat that much meat at one time and have no way to store it. It does smell heavenly though doesn't it?"
After taking the boys to the fire pits, Ethan returns to the quilt where Rob and Claire are waiting.
"Alright children, I want you to come and be introduced to two new families." Ethan says as he directs the children to walk with him.
Coming up to a quilt with many people standing around it, Joseph sees two boys looking as if they are ready to run from all the attention.
"Mr. and Mrs. Kincaid, may I present my children. This is my oldest, Rob, then in order of age, we have Claire, Joseph, Ben and George. Children meet Mr. Kincaid who is going to be the paymaster for the miners and Mrs. Kincaid who will run the boarding house."
"Hello children, let me introduce you to our children. This is Mary, Joan, Jacob and Gabriel. Mary is seventeen and Joan is fifteen. I believe from looking you younger boys are near the same age as Jacob and Gabriel. Jacob is twelve and Gabriel is eleven."
"Pleased to meet you, ma'am." The children answer.
"Joseph is thirteen, Ben is ten and George is nine so you are correct, they are near the ages of your boys. Well, we need to go introduce ourselves to Mrs. Brandenburg. We'll visit more later." Ethan says, ushering his brood to a nearby quilt.
"Mrs. Brandenburg? I'd like you to meet some of your students. Boys, this is your new teacher, please introduce yourselves."
"Hello Mrs. Brandenburg. I'm George and this is my brother Ben."
"Hello Ben. Hello George. It's very nice to meet you. Your Pa has told me about you both. Who are these handsome young men? I've already met Claire. George, maybe you can tell me who you have with you and your ages."
"Yes'm. These are my brothers. Rob is sixteen and Joseph is thirteen. Ben is ten and I'm nine. Oh, and Claire is sixteen too. I don't know how old Papa is."
"Thank you, George. Ben, Claire tells me you like to do math. Is that your favorite school activity?" Mrs. Brandenburg asks trying to draw the boy into the conversation.
"Yes ma'am. I like math and playtime too. Reading's hard right now."
"Well, after just a little bit of time in school with me, I'll have you finding reading much easier. Will that be good?" she answers smiling at the young boy.
"Yes Ma'am." Ben answers beaming at the brown haired, rich chocolatey colored eyed lady. Her eyes make him feel so warm inside. Just like a mug of hot chocolate.
"Well, thank you for the introduction. These are my daughters. Elisha is fourteen and Sarah is thirteen. This young rascal here is my nephew Caleb and he's nine. It's nice to be in a town full of friendly people. We've met so many families already today."
"Yes Ma'am, you'll find Paradise is a very friendly and family oriented place. We hope you and your family will feel welcome here. Now, if you'll excuse us, I have some young mouths eager to taste the feast they have been watching be set up. We'll speak again soon. Let's go eat, children." Ethan replies to the delight of Ben and George who have been stealing glances at the food tables.
"Papa I want to taste the roast pork. Which plate is it?" George asks gazing in wonder at the long table made of planks on sawhorses. It is covered with dishes full of good smelling food. It's more food than either of the two younger boys has seen at one time.
"The platter is over here, George. I'll put some on your plate. Now, what else would you like to have?"
"I want the corn that looks like thick soup, one of those big biscuits, some potato salad, and dessert." George answers watching as Ethan dishes out each request.
"Those are very good choices, George. Now what vegetable would you like to add to this? Pick something green, son."
"I'll try the green stuff that looks like lettuce right over there, Papa. Do I have to eat all of everything? I picked too much if I do."
"I want you to eat at least half of everything on the plate, son. The 'green stuff' is spinach, not lettuce. Are you sure you want that now that you have to eat half of it?"
"SPINACH? Ugggh! It doesn't look like spinach. Could I have string beans instead? I kind of like them."
"Here you are, son. Take your plate and walk slowly back to the quilt. I'll be there as soon as I help Ben and get myself a plate. Ask one of the boys or Claire to pour your lemonade. We will get a plate of dessert after we finish eating this."
Enjoying his plate of cornbread, baked beans, smoked beef and peas, Ben asks George "Can I try some of the pork? You can taste the beef. You oughta try Claire's beans too. They're really good."
"I know, Ben. I get to eat them at home. I wanted something different today. You can have one forkful of pork and that's all. I'll try one bite of beef, okay?" George asks holding his plate where Ben can reach it.
"Yeah. Here take some."
"That's good. I like the pork too." Ben tells his brother.
"That's very good of you two to share with each other boys. I'm proud of how well you are behaving today. Are you ready to each pick your two desserts?" Ethan asks a few minutes later as the boys finish eating.
"YES!" he hears from both smiling boys.
Walking along the second long table, Ben on one side, George on the other, the boys are examining each dessert before they choose.
"Ben, I'll let you have half of my two if you do the same with me. That way we'll have FOUR desserts but have picked two like Papa said to do." George calls across the table. "I'll get a big piece of chocolate cake for us to have enough. You get the apple pie. What else do you want to have?"
"What's this in this bowl, George? It looks good."
"I think it's some kind of pudding. That might be hard to split in half. How about more pie? There's a blackberry one over here."
"Unh uh, I don't like blackberries. How 'bout strawberry pie?"
"Yeah! Get that Ben! Strawberry pie is good! Oh, Ben! There's ice cream down there at the end! It's in these tall metal cans! I wondered what all the ice was for. Let's each get a bowl of that. We won't share it, okay? We'll have to give up the strawberry pie though. We already have one dessert each."
"Okay, I like ice cream." Ben answers.
Listening to the boys plan out their dessert strategy has Mr. Hiram grinning by the time they come to him for a dish of ice cream. "Well now, you two boys are quite good at negotiating aren't you. Sharing is always nice to do. Here you are fellas. One bowl of ice cream each. Don't forget to get a little wooden spoon. We had these made up just for today. When you finish, bring the bowls and spoons back over to the ladies with the soap and water. We're washing and reusing them."
As soon as the boys finished their desserts they shared with one another and a quick trip into the woods for private business, Ethan takes them down to the lake to wash again.
At the water, Ben spies the rowboat Rob and his friends once used. "Papa! Look! It's a boat. Will you take us on the boat?"
"Not today, Ben. It's much too cool to be out on the water today. Maybe another day when it's warmer we can ask the owner to use the boat. For today, we are staying away from the water. Let's go back and you can play until time to go home for chores."
Finding Aaron in the crowd of families, Ben and George ask him to come play.
"Pa? Can I go with them?" Aaron asks Chris. Receiving permission the three boys run off to join other boys setting up a game with a ball and a few marbles games.
"Can I play with you? I don't know anybody here." Ben hears as he watches Aaron and George play a kick the ball game. As far as he can tell the kick the ball game seems to be someone kicks it and everyone else runs to try to be the first to reach the ball. Whoever gets there first then kicks it again. When he tried to play, George told him he couldn't since he couldn't run fast anymore.
Turning around he sees the boy who was with the new teacher.
"Hi, I'm Ben. What's your name? I forget."
"Caleb Brandenburg. My aunt is the new schoolmarm here."
"Where are your Mama and Papa?" Ben asks a few minutes later as the two boys watch George kick the ball and everyone run after it.
"Mama died when I was only three. My Papa died when I was five. He worked at a sawmill and the millstone fell on him. I came to live with Uncle Hans and Aunt Linnea then. Last year Uncle Hans got killed too. He got burned up in a fire trying to save people. He was a fireman. It's just me and the girls with Aunt Linnea now."
"I don't have a Mama either. She died too. Let's go down by the water. I want to show you something." Ben tells him.
Seeing Ben and Caleb together, Aaron runs up.
"Hi, I'm Aaron." he says to Caleb. "Ben, can I play with you? They won't let me kick the ball anymore. George is being too bossy today."
"Sure, we're going walking by the water." Ben answers.
As the boys get closer to the water, George joins them.
"Ben, Papa said not to go near the water, remember?"
"We're just walking up here not at the water. Don't boss us around." Ben answers.
"I better come too. We'd best not let Rob or Joseph catch us. I think we'll be okay though 'cause their busy playing baseball with the big boys and men."
While the young boys are nearing the water, Rob, Joseph and even Ethan have been coaxed into a baseball game. There is much laughter and good natured ribbing going on as many don't know the game well.
"Now look, Hiram. You have to swing the bat when the ball gets close to you not before the pitch is even thrown." One of the men teases.
"I'm doing my best, Hughes. Now hush up so I can hit this thing!"
To everyone's amazement he actually does connect with the ball, sending Joseph to second base and bringing Rob up to bat.
"Get a hit, Rob! You can do it, son!" Rob hears from Claire and Ethan.
Standing near enough that he can hear, Emily Anderson says, "Don't try to hit it, Robert. You'd probably knock someone's teeth out or something. You're so good at harming people."
Turning to look at the girl, Rob replies "I don't aim to hurt anyone. Just as I didn't aim to make you fall in the lake that day. Can't you put it past you yet?" Not waiting for a reply, he takes a practice swing and prepares for the pitch.
"Knock it out, Rob! I know you can!" Someone else calls as he swings and misses on the first try. On his second swing the bat taps the ball just hard enough for it to roll in front of home plate. By the time the pitcher runs to get the ball, Rob is safely to first base, Mr. Hiram is on second and Joseph is at third base.
"Good play, son!" Ethan calls coming to homeplate to take his turn at bat.
"C'mon Ethan! We need a home run or even just one run in! We have Johnson up to bat next. He can't hit the side of the boarding house he's so blind." Someone yells causing Mr. Johnson to holler back "Can TOO!" and stick his tongue out in the direction of the voice.
"Now boys. Behave yourselves before I have to take you to the woods and put you over my knee!" Mitch calls out causing everyone to laugh.
Watching the boy get ready to pitch, Ethan calls out "Now Alex, you know you don't want to make ME get out. After all, I'm your best friend's Pa." His strategy works as the boy hesitates just enough to keep the ball within hitting range. Connecting the bat with the ball, sending it soaring over Alex's head, causes Joseph to clear homeplate. Mr. Hiram crosses homeplate also scoring another run for their team.
"Good going, Ethan! We're up five to three now!" Chris calls to him.
The next man to bat, Mr. Johnson, swings and misses three times in a row. "Strike Three, Johnson, you're out. End of the fourth inning folks." The man behind homeplate calls out. "Ten minute break for refreshments."
Walking back up the field to the refreshment tables, Rob accepts a glass of lemonade from Claire. "Who's winning, Rob? Pa's team or Chris' team?"
"We are ahead five to three right now. Pa just helped score two runs, Joseph and Mr. Hiram. You ought to come watch as it's really fun."
"I'm helping here right now. The children keep coming back for more to drink and sneaking to the dessert table." Claire answers, chuckling.
"How many desserts have Ben and George snuck past you? Five or more? They figured out how to get around Pa's rule of two desserts. They each obeyed by picking two and then cut them in half and shared. That way they had three! Did you notice that?"
"Yes, I saw. Quite ingenious of them, the little rascals! George told me later that they were going to split two desserts each but settled on one and each getting a bowl of ice cream. They love the ice cream! They've tried to get another bowl but I wouldn't let them. I said they had to ask Pa."
"I didn't see them come ask so they must know he's not going to let them. Once he says something he means it so two desserts is it for them. I love it too, Claire. I'm going to get a bowl in just a minute." Rob replies.
"Speaking of the boys, I haven't seen them in awhile. Will you go check on them? They haven't come by to get a drink in a long time. I thought they were with Pa, watching the baseball game."
"I never saw them. They must be up near the woods playing with the other children. I'll check on them for you as I'm headed that way anyway." Rob answers walking in the direction of the woods where the smaller kids are playing.
Finishing his break in the woods, Rob walks up to the group of boys playing with a ball. "Hi, boys. I'm looking for Ben and George. Do you know where they went?"
"Nope." One of the children answers as he kicks the ball and they all chase after it.
Back by the water, Ben and his friends have walked out on the pier and are examining the rowboat.
"Look Aaron, it has paddles on the side. Rob says you use those to make the boat go." George points out.
"Yes, I know." Aaron answers looking over the side.
"Let's climb down and sit in it. We can pretend we're pirates! Come on, Ben. You and I can go first." Caleb says climbing down the short ladder to the boat. Ben quickly follows him.
"Ben! We'd best not get in the boat! Papa won't like it! Uncle Chris won't either, Aaron." George calls as Aaron starts to climb down.
"They won't know. We're just going to sit in it is all. What's the harm in that? We're not going to paddle it or anything." Aaron calls back.
After all four children are in the boat, Caleb reaches over and unties the rope holding the boat to the pier. Reaching out his leg, he moves the boat away by pushing on the pier.
"Caleb! Why'd you go and do that? We don't know how to drive the boat! We can't even drive a team yet!" George tells him.
"Oh, don't complain. You wanted to ride the boat, you know you did. I can steer it for you." Caleb says reaching for the oar. Pulling the oar through the water is much tougher than he realized, he can barely move it.
"You're not strong enough to push us, Caleb! We're stuck out here, thanks to you!" Aaron tells the other boy angrily. "When my Pa finds out I went near the water without a grown up, much less got in the boat, he'll spank me! He might be mad enough to whip me over this!"
"George! Is Papa going to whip me? I don' wanna whipping!" Ben says sniffling.
"Why do you sound like you are five? I thought you were ten! You sound like a baby! Are you just a baby, Ben?" Caleb sneers.
"Leave him alone! He's been really sick and he's just now getting better. He is ten just like he said!" George defends his brother angrily. Then putting his arm around Ben and hugging him, he says "Don't cry Ben. Papa will understand we didn't mean for the boat to get loose. Someone will come get us."
"Mister?" Rob hears and turns to see who is addressing him. It's one of the boys from the new family at the boardinghouse but he can't remember the child's name.
"Yes? I'm Rob. What's your name again?" Rob asks, secretly pleased to be addressed as "Mister."
"Jacob. I know where those boys are you asked about. They went to walk on the dock and then they got in the boat."
Turning quickly to look at the dock, Rob spots the rowboat full of children floating out in the lake.
"Thank you Jacob. JOSEPH, COME HERE! " Rob yells, seeing his brother talking with his friends not too far away. "HURRY!" he yells when the boy begins to saunter towards him.
"Quit hollering so! I'm coming!" Joseph yells back, breaking into a run. Something about the sound of Rob's voice and the look on his face makes him run.
"What's the matter? Claire? Is she hurt? The boys?" Joseph gasps out, having very little breath after his run.
"The boys are on the lake in the rowboat. I'm going in after them. Go get Pa and anyone else who can help. Hurry, Joseph. The boat might tip them out if they try to stand."
As Joseph races back towards the place where the ball game is being held, Rob runs for the dock. Stopping long enough to remove his boots, he shucks off his shirt without unbuttoning it, hesitates and then quickly unbuttons his pants, dropping them on the dock. Diving into the water, he begins to swim with even strokes towards the boat. Wanting to hurry but knowing how he needs to keep calm, he holds himself back from pushing his limits. Finally reaching the boat, he sees the boys are all fine.
"George, Ben, you two know better than to get in a boat by yourselves! Aaron, I'm pretty sure you do too! Now, I'm going to hang on to the side here until I can get my breath calmed down. Listen to me. I want all of you to slide off and sit on the floor of the boat not the seats. DON'T stand up or the boat might tip. George, you and the other boy sit together on this end and Aaron and Ben sit together down on that end. Scoot on your backside but do NOT stand up."
"He's Caleb. Mrs. Brandenburg's nephew." George tells his brother as the boys obey his command. Looking over the side, George asks "Did Pa say you could swim in your underwear, Rob? He always makes us wear old pants in public. You're going to get in trouble."
Not answering, Rob looks back towards the dock when he hears splashing. Coming towards them are three other men but he can't tell who they are from the distance. "We have help coming, boys. Stay still. We'll get back to the dock soon."
Reaching the boat, the men spread out with two on each side. "We're going to push it to the dock. Everyone ready?" Mr. Anderson asks.
Reaching the dock, the boys are lifted up to Ethan as Chris climbs up after them. Ethan's bad leg kept him from swimming out for the boys and now he's anxious to hold them.
"Thank you everyone for your quick actions. Rob, wrap up in this quilt. Joseph has your clothes on the bank but I believe you need to keep the quilt around you. You are putting on quite the exhibition for the ladies, son. Ben, George, Aaron what were you thinking?" Ethan asks turning his attention to the three boys. Aaron is being held in his Pa's arms next to them. Caleb has been taken away by his aunt.
"We just wanted to sit in the boat, Papa. We didn't let it get loose. Caleb untied the rope and pushed us out to the water." George explains.
"Were you even to be on the dock at all boys? How about in the boat, was that allowed?" Chris asks sternly.
"No Sir." Aaron answers with Ben and George echoing him.
"Weren't you told just today and many times before, NOT to go near water unless you have one of the older children or an adult with you?" Ethan takes his turn at the inquisition.
"Yes sir." All three answer, beginning to sniffle. George and Aaron are pretty sure they know where this talk is heading. Ben is just upset by the stern tones to his Pa and Uncle's voices.
"Boys you put yourselves in danger today. That boat could have tipped over. None of you can swim enough to rescue yourselves." Chris tells the children.
Exchanging a questioning look with Chris and receiving an answering nod, Ethan says "Well boys, for your deliberate disobedience you are getting a spanking here and now. We will also be talking more about this at home." With that said he squats and puts Ben over his knee. Six hard swats to both Ben and George's bottoms have them sobbing. Aaron has also suffered the same from his Pa.
"Everyone saw you spank us! They're looking!" George sobs out, mortified at this realization.
"Everyone saw you put your life in danger and knows it was deserved." His Pa replies sternly. "We're leaving, let's go to the wagon boys. Chris, thank you for helping get them back safely. I'm sorry this had to spoil the day."
"You're welcome and we'll see you in church tomorrow." Chris answers taking Aaron's hand to lead him to their quilt.
While the younger boys were being dealt with, Rob is further up the bank putting on his clothes while Joseph shields him with the quilt
"I see you can't keep out of the water Robert. Causing a show parading around in your underwear exposing yourself to me. No gentleman would behave so! Of course you aren't a gentleman are you? Just a farmhand is all you'll ever be!" Joseph hears behind him. Whirling around, he finds Emily Anderson standing there with a disgusted smirk on her face.
"Hey Emily, I thought I saw a pearl in the water just now. You'd best reach in and get it." Joseph says pointing to the shallow water.
"A pearl? Where?" Emily asks, walking close to the water.
"You have to look really close. Here let me help you." Joseph replies, shoving the girl from behind causing her to fall face first in the water.
"Joseph, you know there are no oysters here so no pearls either." Rob says, grinning at the sight of Emily standing with clothes dripping and hair covered in moss.
"Joseph Cord! You will regret this! I'm going to your Pa and tell him of your uncouth behavior." Emily announces flouncing back towards the picnic area.
"Uncouth behavior?" Joseph questions Rob.
"Bad mannered. You're going to catch it for this one. You know how Pa is about being respectful, especially to women and girls."
"I know. I wanted to get her back for talking about you that way. I heard her during the ballgame too. She's a spiteful witch and deserved to cool off some."
"Thank you Joseph, for defending me. Come on, let's get to the wagon. I'm wet, cold and in need of a warm bath. I'll stick up for you with Pa. I don't know that it will do much good but I'll try."