New Beginnings

Chapter 43

Apologies and Planning

The ride home from the picnic is a quiet one with no one talking. Rob is just too tired, Claire is too shocked at the behavior of Ben and George, Joseph is too busy wondering if Emily had spoken to his Pa and if so what the consequences would be. The two mischievous, would be sea men are worn out and asleep on the quilt.

Driving the wagon up to the house instead of the barn, Ethan says "Rob, go on, start heating the water on the stove and have your bath. I'll take care of the animals. Claire, Joseph? Will you take the boys to bed please? If they wake up, they are to stay in their room. I'll unload and leave everything on the porch."

"Yes sir."

After unloading and moving the wagon, unsaddling, brushing out the coats of the horses, feeding them and checking for fresh water, Ethan heads back inside intending to talk to the boys and Joseph.

"Did the boys wake?" He asks Claire.

"No sir. They didn't even wake up when I put their nightshirts on. They seem worn out from the day. Did they explain why they climbed in the boat? I thought they knew better than to go near the water. I guess I should have watched them better."

"Claire, you aren't to blame yourself. You deserve time away from the boys. You don't need to watch them at all times as they have to learn to behave on their own just as all children do. According to George, they just wanted to sit in it. He says the Brandenburg boy untied the rope and pushed them out into the water. I plan on assigning quite a few chores for the next two days so they remember this incident. I hope the shock of a public spanking will also keep them from mischief for at least a few weeks! With those two and now Aaron along, I have no doubt they will find trouble again!"

"Lately, with Ben and George, you can count on it. I used to think Joseph was good at finding trouble but they are even better than he was. When he was their age, he didn't have many chances to have adventures. " Claire answers.

"Speaking of Joseph, where did he take himself off to?" Ethan asks, sipping his coffee.

"He went to his room too, Pa." Rob tells him coming in from his bath.

"I'll just go to him then. Your other younger brother has also found trouble today." Ethan says with a determined look on his face.

"Umm, Pa? Is this about what happened with Emily?" Rob asks.

Receiving a brief nod and a look he interprets as stay out of this, Rob speaks up anyway.

"Pa? Before you talk with him, there's something you should know. He was defending me when he acted the way he did." Rob begins.

"In what way? How could lying and being rude to a young lady be considered defending you?"

"During the ballgame she was taunting me and then after I came out of the water she was making fun of me for being in my underwear. She's been giving me a hard time ever since the rowboat accident, anytime she sees me. I ignore her but Joseph got angry. He'd heard her taunting me in the game earlier also. He told her he "thought he saw a pearl in the water" and when she went closer to find it, he shoved her in. I know it wasn't nice but she did deserve it. She's been a real pain in the butt." Rob tells his frowning Pa.

"I will not tolerate disrespectful behavior, Rob. Thank you for telling me the facts as you know them." Ethan says rising from his seat to go speak to Joseph.

Opening the boy's bedroom door, he finds Joseph on his stomach on the bed.

"Joseph, come with me. I know you aren't asleep, young man. You and I have some talking to do."

Rising, Joseph follows as Ethan leads the way outside. Expecting to be taken inside the barn, he's surprised when his Pa walks to the corral fence instead.

"Come, let's talk. Emily Anderson came to the wagon, soaking wet. She told me you pushed her into the water and lied to her. Is this true?"

"No sir, not exactly. I never lied to her."

"So you did push her in the water then? What went on Joseph? Tell me exactly as it happened. I don't want any side answers either, just honest ones."

"Yes sir. She was horrible to Rob all day. During the game, she would call out mean things to him when he was up to bat or in the field. She'd say he 'couldn't hit the side of a barn' and he was 'too mealy to catch the ball', things like that. Rob's not mealy, he's strong. She was taunting him at the shore about him having to be a hero again and that he was deliberately exposing himself to her. He wasn't, he was standing behind the quilt I was holding and she came up to look over it. She kept being hateful and I lost my temper. I told her she needed to look in the water because I thought I saw a pearl there. I didn't lie, Pa. I said I thought I saw one not that I did see one. When she got close enough to look, I pushed her and she fell in. I'll write her an apology note."

"No, you will not. What you will do is apologize face to face. Joseph, it is never alright to mistreat a woman no matter what she does! I do see how her behavior was enough to make you angry. She should not have acted the way she did. However, that does not give you the right to cause her harm. I am very disappointed in your actions with Emily! You know very well how to behave as a young gentleman and could have done as Rob did. He was able to ignore her without losing his temper. You were just as disrespectful as she was, Joseph. Don't let the other person win by getting even or letting them see you are angry. "

"Yes sir, I'm sorry Pa. I will apologize to her at church tomorrow." Joseph answers, blinking back tears from the severe scolding. Just hearing the words 'I'm disappointed' is enough to bring tears to his eyes.

"Yes, you will. You will also chop the three stumps I have by the chopping block into kindling. When you are finished with that, you will spend the rest of the day in your room. Joseph, this won't happen again will it? You being disrespectful to a young lady?"

"No Sir. I'll keep my temper next time. I promise."

"Young man, I hope you remember that promise because if you don't you will feel very sore on your sit down area. You are to behave as a young gentleman with ladies and girls. Understood?"

"Yes sir, I understand." Joseph answers too ashamed to meet his Pa's eyes, he's scuffing the dirt with his shoe.

"Joseph? One more thing, son. Look at me, Joseph. I'm proud of you for wanting to stand up for your brother. You are very loyal to your family and that is a great trait to have. Next time when you defend someone, think of a way that does not involve being disrespectful or pushing girls into water."

"Yes sir, I will." Joseph replies smiling at the praise.

"Let's go inside and show Rob you are not suffering. He is worried about what I planned to do to you."

"He wasn't the only one. Thanks Pa for listening to me and not just punishing me first."

The next morning just before going inside the church, Ethan sends Joseph over to where Emily is talking with Claire.

"Go over there, apologize and do it politely. No matter what she does or says you remember what I told you last evening. You are to behave as a polite young gentleman!"

"Yes sir. I remember." Joseph answers walking slowly up to Emily.

"Excuse me, Claire. Emily? May I speak to you alone for a minute, please?" Joseph asks as he reaches the girls.

"You can say whatever you have to say in front of your sister." Emily snaps haughtily.

"I apologize for my behavior yesterday. I'm sorry I shoved you, Emily. Please forgive my uncouth behavior as you called it."

"Did your father whip you? He should have given you a good thrashing for what you did. You are a menace, little boy and deserve a thrashing! You ruined one of my nicest dresses! Between you and your so called brother, I'm not going to have a decent dress left!"

"No, he didn't whip me, just punished me with extra chores. I am sorry about ruining your dress. Couldn't you just wash it?" Joseph replies wishing this was over. He wants to leave but feels that might not be gentlemanly behavior according to his Pa so he waits uncomfortably for a sign the conversation is over. He knows Ethan is watching him.

"Mud doesn't come out of a fine linen dress, you imbecile. If you weren't so uncouth and uneducated you'd know these things!" Emily responds hatefully.

Claire, feeling how uncomfortable Joseph is, says "Emily, he's apologized. You don't need to be so hateful to him. Joseph is thirteen, he doesn't know about fine fabrics! He's being punished for his behavior and that should be enough for you to let it be. It's time to go inside. The men have gone in so, let's go Joseph."

"You go on, Claire. You're right I was hateful. I'll walk with Joseph inside." Emily answers sweetly. As soon as Claire is far enough away to not overhear, she turns to Joseph.

"You, little boy, are going to regret pushing me into the water. Your Pa didn't feel you deserved much punishment but I do. Let's see what he thinks of this." With that, she walks off a little way, stoops down picking up a fresh pile of horse manure and spreads it all down the front of her dress. In shock, Joseph just stands and stares. Before he can speak, she walks back, grabs his hands and rubs the manure all over them before beginning to shriek.

"HOW DARE YOU! YOU ARE EVIL!" She screams as soon as she sees men come to the door. Spotting Ethan coming towards them she bursts into tears and runs to him.

"Sheriff Cord! Joseph has ruined my dress again! We were just talking and he put horse poop all over me. It's on his hands, see for yourself!"

"Come Here, Joseph!" Ethan calls, his tone deadly. When Joseph obeys, he asks "How could you behave so abominably? Did nothing I said last night matter? I thought we came to an understanding of how a gentleman behaves. I see I was wrong."

"I was being a gentleman like you said to be! I didn't do this, Pa! She did! She put it all down her dress and spread it on my hands! I didn't misbehave! I'm telling the truth!" Joseph says desperately as his Pa's eyes narrow. Joseph knows from experience that this is a bad sign.

"I apologize for my son, Emily. I don't know what has gotten into him but I guarantee it will stop here. If you will tell me the cost of a new dress, I will pay for it." Ethan says before commanding Joseph to follow him. Walking up to the doorway of the church, Ethan calls to Rob.

"Joseph has caused some trouble. I'm taking him home. I'll come back for the rest of you. You are in charge." Ethan tells him.

When Ethan pulls the wagon up to the barn later that morning, Rob sees Joseph at the chopping block chopping kindling. Well, at least he's still alive, that's good to see. He thinks as he helps Ben out of the wagon.

"You children change clothes and then start the chores I assigned you." Ethan directs the younger boys, sending them inside with Claire. "Rob, I'm going back to town. I'll be home in an hour or two. Ben and George are to gather every piece of kindling Joseph is chopping and put it in the kindling box. Then they are to clean the ashes from the fireplace. When finished, they are all to spend the rest of the day in their rooms. Supervise them, please."

"Yes Pa, I will." Rob answers as Ethan walks off to saddle Lightning.

As soon as Ethan is out of sight, Rob walks over to talk to Joseph.

"You didn't put that manure on Emily did you? I heard what she told Pa. I was just in the doorway."

"Of course not. She did it just to get me whipped. She asked me if Pa whipped me for pushing her at the lake and I said no. That's when she said I'd regret pushing her into the water and put the manure all on her dress and my hands. I told Pa she did it but he didn't believe me."

"What did he do? Are you housebound?"

"Yes for the whole rest of the summer, all week next week! I have these chores he assigned yesterday, more for the next week and he whipped me. He said I was lying and had deliberately defied him. I had to take down my pants and he whipped me on my underwear with the strap. It's burning really bad too."

"The way his face looked, I really thought he was going to take you to the woodshed to whip you with the razor strop! I'm glad he didn't. I'm sorry there isn't anything I can do for you Joseph. Pa wouldn't believe me either if I told him Emily does things to herself. I've got to get inside and check on the boys. I sure don't want anything to happen while I'm in charge. Pa is still so mad, he'd whip me if it did!"

"Rob, why did Emily do that to me? I wasn't doing anything to her but apologizing the way Pa said to."

"I don't know. She's acting very strange. We'd best stay away from her. If we have to be near, let's be sure to not be alone with her. We won't give her a chance to get us in trouble anymore. I used to think she was a nice girl, not anymore!"

In town, Ethan is sipping a cup of coffee forlornly at the hotel restaurant when Chris approaches his back table.

"I've been looking everywhere for you. I saw Lightning tied at the office so I knew you were in town. I have some news you need to hear."

"Chris, I've had a terrible day today so, could you just wait for morning? Unless it's something we need to handle right away, I need to be alone, if you don't mind."

"I will leave you in peace but first you need to hear what Aaron told me after church. We were on the way home and he asked me why someone would pick up as he put it 'horse poo' and wipe it on their clothes. I asked him what he was talking about and he said he saw Emily Anderson do just that. He was coming back from the outhouse before church when he saw her. I heard from Rob, that Joseph had gotten himself in trouble. I heard some men talking about how Emily was screeching and claimed Joseph did something to her, they didn't know what. I guessed the rest. Am I right? Did the girl blame Joseph?"

"Yes, she claimed Joseph smeared it all down the front of her dress. It was also on his hands, Chris. Couldn't Aaron have heard the same as you and be sticking up for Joseph?"

"He was off playing with the other children when I heard it. He told me about what he saw after I heard from Rob and the men talking. Ethan, you have to believe this is what happened. It sounds farfetched I know, but if it didn't happen the way Aaron said, why would he ask me that?"

"Yes, he'd have no reason to make it up. Joseph claims Emily wiped it on herself and then smeared it on his hands to make it look as if he did this. I didn't believe him. I punished him pretty harshly. Chris, I have to go. I've got some things to pick up at the Mercantile and then I'm heading home. Thank you for finding me and for telling me the news even when I said not to." Ethan replies smiling now.

At the Mercantile, he knocks on the front door until Mr. Axelrod comes to open it.

"Sheriff? Something wrong? I'm closed you know. It is Sunday."

"Yes, Cyrus, I know and I apologize for bothering you. I need to get something from you and I'll leave. It's important."

"Come in, then. What may I get for you?"

"Do you still have those big bars of the new chocolate for eating not baking?"

"The new chocolate? Yes, it's from the Hershey Chocolate Company out of Pennsylvania. I had three and now I only have one. I've ordered more though. The shipment is due in next week with the train."

"I'll buy that last one then. I'd also like five, no six, root beer flavored candy sticks and two raspberry ones please. I'll take a small pouch of tobacco also. Just put it all on my bill and I'll pay you tomorrow." Ethan says taking the paper sack of candy and pouch of tobacco.

"Are you feeling alright, Ethan? You rarely buy tobacco or candy either. You limit the children's candy purchasing also."

"I'm feeling much better, thanks to you letting me in to shop. I'll see you tomorrow to settle up. Enjoy your evening. Thank you again."

Arriving back at the ranch, he sees the stumps have been taken care of and there is not a stick of kindling left by the block. After taking care of his horse, Ethan goes towards the house.

"Hi, Pa. You're back earlier than I thought you'd be." Claire greets him from the porch where she's rocking.

"Yes. Where is everyone?"

"The boys are all in their rooms."

"Rob also? Have they been giving you trouble Claire?"

"No sir, no trouble. You said for them to go to their rooms after they did their punishment chores. Rob wanted to read while it's quiet."

"Alright, well don't sit out here long, it's getting cold again."

Walking inside, Ethan takes the chocolate bar and the raspberry sticks out of the bag of candy. Knocking on Joseph's door, he hears the boy say "Come in."

"Hello son. How are you feeling now? Any better?" Ethan asks entering the room.

"Hello sir. I'm okay sir." Joseph answers wondering why he's being asked.

"Joseph, while I was in town I heard some things that made me realize I was wrong this morning. I'm very sorry son, for not believing you. I just couldn't see how what you were telling me could have been true. Do you understand that, son? I made a mistake, a bad one and I apologize for it. I should have trusted you more. Will you forgive me, Joseph?"

"You believe me? You realize I didn't do what she said? She's the one who lied not me."

"I do believe you and I know she lied. You are no longer housebound with extra chores. I brought some salve in from the barn if you want me to use it. I was pretty tough on you this morning so I imagine you are a little sore still. Do you want me to use it?"

"I am still stinging when I sit. I'd like to sit comfortably, Pa." Joseph answers, grinning now.

"Okay young man, you are all greased up here. Lie back on the bed now. I have something to give you." Waiting while Joseph settles himself with a few winces, he says "I brought you an apology gift. The sticks are yours alone, but I'd like it if you would share some of the other with all the rest of us." Ethan says handing over the candy.

"A chocolate bar? This is the new kind isn't it? The kind you can eat and it is sweet not bitter like the baking kind. I heard some boys in Denver talking about it the last time we were there. They said it's really something! I wonder if they were right."

"Open it and find out, you nut. Go on, tasting is the only way to find out if it's good. It's your bar of candy. I just would like everyone to have a taste too."

"OH! Gosh Pa, it's so sweet and creamy it melts in your mouth! You try it." Joseph says handing over a small piece.

"Yes, that's delicious. Let me take a small section of it to save for your brothers and sister. You keep the rest. Do not spoil your supper though, save some for tomorrow."

"Thanks Pa! You can make a mistake with me anytime if I get apologies like this! I'll even take more whippings if I get chocolate bars afterwards."

"Yes, well don't get your hopes up, young man. This will be a one time occurrence after punishment. You may leave your room when you are ready."

Two days later, Rob is loading feed sacks into Mr. Jackson's wagon when Ethan appears.

"Rob, we need to talk. Take a break for a few minutes, please."

"Hi ya Sheriff! Rob in some kind of trouble?" Mr. Jackson asks curiously, causing Rob to blush.

"Not at all, Jeff. It's private though so I'd appreciate your moving on along now that you have your load." Ethan responds with a withering look.

"Good day to you both." The man calls as he clucks to the team.

"Pa! You're scaring away the customers." Rob complains as another man suddenly leaves without his order.

"Yes, I see that. I'll be gone in a few minutes. Come inside so we can talk privately."

"Have I done something wrong? You seem upset."

"I am but not at you. There's been a report of a stage holdup along the route to Paradise. This is the second one in a month. I have to leave town to check into this and Chris is coming with me. We'll be gone at least two days maybe more. I'm sending Matthew and Mitch to the house to stay with all of you. No! Don't even say it!" Ethan scolds before Rob can close his mouth from starting to complain.

"I know you are old enough to be left alone. You are going to be at work everyday though and someone needs to stay with Claire and the boys. With Aaron and Alyssa coming, that makes five children under fourteen. When Mitch comes, Alex will come also but, like you he has a job during the day. You'll have to work out the sleeping arrangements yourselves. I've already spoken to the boys about their behavior. I need to get going, I'll see you all in a few days."

After finishing his work for the day, Rob walks down to the hotel to check on Alex. Walking into the lobby, he sees Alex coming down the main staircase.

"Hi, Alex. Pa came by and told me you were coming out to our house for a few days. I came to see if you were ready to leave and walk with you."

"I'm not quite done for the day. I have to mop the kitchen and take out the scraps as well as fill the wood bin. It's going to be at least thirty minutes to get all that done. If you don't mind waiting, I'd like someone to walk with."

"I'll just walk down to the mercantile for a minute. Claire asked me to pick something up for her and I nearly forgot it." Rob replies.

Walking out of the store with the packages of brown and white sugar, plus a jar of molasses, Rob is surprised to hear his name called from the alley by the store. Looking over he sees a boy he knows from church services, Daniel.

"Hi, Daniel. Did you want me for something?" Rob asks as he reaches the alley.

"Hi, Rob. You're Poppa is out of town right? I saw him and Deputy Chris ride out and they had bedrolls tied behind their saddles. They'll be gone overnight right?"

"Well, as far as I know they will. Why do you want to know?"

"Me and some of my friends are getting together at the mine tonight about nine. We want you to come. It's just guys no girls. Will you come?"

"Dan, I can't. I'm not allowed on that side of town and certainly not up at the mine! My Pa would be very angry if he found out I went there! It's too risky."

"These friends are some guys who are probably going to be going to school with us. They're going to think you are a yellow bellied coward if you don't show. Is that what you want?"

"No, but I don't want to be housebound for the rest of my life either."

"He won't know. He's out of town and who's going to tell him? Come on, Rob. You never come do anything with me. I've asked you three times and each time you say you can't."

"Alright! I'll come but I'm bringing another friend with me. Alex is going to be staying with me so he has to come too."

"Fine but he must keep his mouth shut. I can't afford to have my Poppa learn about this. He's the type to hit first and not ever listen to what I have to say. I'm sixteen not six and he still whips me."

"How are you going to pull off leaving the house then?"

"He goes to bed really early after working the mine all day. I just wait 'til he snores then climb out a window. If I'm lucky I can get out without my brother knowing. If he knows, he'll have to come too."

"Donnie is only what? Ten? You can't bring a ten year old to a mine!" Rob exclaims.

"He's not ten. He's twelve now. I'll have to bring him if he catches me or he'll tell. Brothers are a pain. You should know you have three!"

"Yeah, I agree with you. They can be troublesome at times. I need to get going. I'll do my best to be there tonight."

Walking to the ranch, Rob tells Alex of the invitation.

"Dan Jennings asked us to meet him and some guys tonight. They're getting together up at the mine at nine. What'dya think? Want to try it?"

"I guess. Your Pa isn't going to be home but Mitch is going to be there. How are we supposed to get out? Somehow I don't think we can just ask to go and he'll let us!" Alex answers.

"You know we can't ask. Don't be ridiculous! Mitch doesn't have many rules for you but that doesn't mean he's going to just let you run off to the mine. He would have something unpleasant to say about that! Believe me! We'll stay in my room and climb out the window. I know how to fix it where it's closed but will open from the outside. Now you have to act normal when we get home. If you act anxious or something they'll know we are up to something. Get me?"

"No, not really. That last part didn't make much sense, Rob. I know how to fool a parent so don't worry about me." Alex replies, chuckling when Rob glares at him.

Arriving home that afternoon, Rob and Alex are greeted by two young boys racing around the house.

"Hi Rob! Hi Alex! George, Aaron and I are playing Indians, wanna play too?" Ben calls out spotting his oldest brother and Alex.

"No, thank you." Rob answers as Alex snickers. Then seeing George come running with the hatchet he says "George! Bring that here, NOW! You know you aren't to play with the hatchet!"

When George hands it over frowning, Rob asks "Who's supposed to be watching you as you are out here?"

"Joseph. He's gone off though. I don't know where. Pa's gone so we can do as we please." George answers between gasps for air.

"I don't believe you can, boys. Pa might not be here but I am! I'm not going to let you misbehave. George, you let me hear of you touching this hatchet again, I'll spank your bare butt and tell Pa when he gets home. He'd whip you for playing with that and you know it too! That goes for you and Aaron as well, Ben."

"It's the old one, it's not even sharp, Rob!" George complains irritably.

"I DON'T CARE! Touch any axe or hatchet and find out what happens to your backside young man! I mean it! Now go find something to play that isn't dangerous!" Rob answers turning his youngest brother around and swatting him twice with his hand.

"You're so mean lately Rob. You act just like a Papa bossing us and not letting us have fun." George calls as he runs off rubbing his stinging bottom.

Going inside, he finds Claire busy making up beds with Alyssa helping.

"Where's Joseph, Claire? I just caught George with the old hatchet and he said Joseph was to be watching them. Hello, Alyssa."

"Hi Rob. Hi Alex. I'm staying while my Papa and yours go hunting bad men." The girl replies.

"Yes, that's fine. Claire?" Rob asks not having had a response to his question.

"He went off with the Anderson twins. Uncle Mitch and Uncle Matt are in the barn examining Daisy. She seems sick and they're checking her. Joseph asked if he could go to visit the twins and they gave permission. Don't scold him about it. He has permission."

"Fine. I guess I'm stuck watching the little boys then. I was hoping to have a hot bath and just relax, not this. I'm covered in grain. One of the sacks broke just as I was lifting it. It poured out all down my shirt and into my pants. It is really itching! Isn't that what Mitch and Matthew are here for? To watch out for the boys?" Rob asks irritably.

"The boys aren't going to get into too much trouble just while you take a bath. As to the uncles, I've no idea, Rob." Claire answers brushing past him with an armful of clean sheets.

"Me either!" Alyssa says, copying Claire's exact tone and movements as she sashays past Rob.