Uncle Duncan Gets Married!
Chapter 1
It was late September, Jason and Joshua had been working at the logging camp, for almost a week. They had not gone home or even rested much. The project was due to end by the first day of October. They had been behind most of the time due to loggers being sick, hurt or just plain leaving. Jason was frustrated. Joshua was to upset to say anything civil to his brother. Both were at odds with each other. Joshua thought that Jason should have hired on more help!
But Jason was very stubborn and did not want to admit that he might not be able to get the job done in time without the extra help.
"Joshua, what are you doing, I thought I told you to go up to the North ridge and have the men cut about 20 more trees before the day is out!" Jason yelled at Joshua, who in turn yelled back:
"I did, but it seems that you forgot that we could not send anymore men up to that ridge because of the danger!" Joshua fumed as he helped to set the log into the flume.
Just then, Jeremy rode up on his horse. He was very tired; he had been traveling up and down the coast looking for loggers to hire. He had found only a few but when they heard it was The Bolt Brothers, they all turned down the offer.
"Jason, Josh, I have some news for you!" He said as he got off his horse.
Jason stopped what he was doing and looked at Jeremy and said:
"I hope it is good news!" Joshua came up and they stood waiting to here what Jeremy had to say. Jeremy was a little nervous because the news was not very good.
"I went up to Tacoma, then on to a place called Dupont, the Indians there were willing to come up here…" Jeremy started to stutter: "b-b-but when they heard the BB-b-bolt name, that- they turned away!" Jeremy said.
Joshua said: "Why?"
Jeremy said: "Un-Uncle Duncan!"
Jason looked at Joshua and then at Jeremy. He thought: 'The last time Uncle Duncan had been through Seattle it was a time of misunderstandings, confusion between them and the others in Seattle.
"Now, Jeremy, what about Uncle Duncan, did he cause some confusion or misunderstanding with the natives?" asked Jason, in a quiet, gentle voice.
Jeremy chose his words carefully, "W-w-well, it seems as if Uncle Duncan is getting married and the Indians said they could not come until next week!"
Joshua looked at Jason, and Jason looked perplexed. Could this be true? How can they stop this week and be done on time? As Jason was thinking this Christopher came up, he was now old enough to work a little so Ben allowed him to deliver packages, parcels, and telegrams and even some mail.
"Uncle Jason, I have a telegram for you!" Christopher said as he jumped off the horse he was riding. Jason took the telegram and read it out loud to his brothers.
'Dear Jason, Joshua, and Jeremy and of course Candy. I would like you to come to visit me in Dupont, Washington! I am getting married to a wonderful Lass, her name is Katherine she is a beautiful young lady. Please send a telegram as soon as you get this. I will be waiting for your answer.'
Uncle Duncan.
They all looked at each other, the wedding would be great, but Jason could not see how to go to a wedding and left the logging to wait for a week.
"Christopher, tell ben to send Uncle Duncan this note.
'Uncle Duncan thank you for the invitation. Unfortunately, we cannot come to your wedding. We have a contract due on October 1st and cannot get away at this time.' Jason and brothers.
He handed the note to Christopher who went back to Bens' store and Ben promptly relayed the message.