The Scheme of Things (working title)

Chapter 1

She looked down at the papers in front of her. The days had become short and dark, winter had begun to set in for it's long stay. The promise of celebrations would only come twice in the winter. Christmas and of course the new year. Other than that, it promised to be a cold, wet and lonely winter. Standing up she walked to the only window in the tiny cabin. This had been her parents' homestead. They came here when they were young, expecting a long and fruitful life. During their short time, they had worked the farm, had 4 children one of which died soon after being born. The others, two boys and one girl survived. The boys had gone off to war and had never been heard from thereafter. The girl, Abigail, was between the boys ages. She was now 25 and had never married. She had stayed and helped her parents with their farm and watched and cared for them as first her father then her mother expired due to accident and illness.

She went back to the table. Holding the oil lamp closer to the papers, she reread the paragraph one more time.

Dear Miss Beason: We regret to inform you that you will need to relinquish all interest in the above mentioned property. You are asked to vacate the premises as of July 31, 1892. Our representative will be available to help you relocate during the month of July. Please accept our condolences.

Thank you.

Messrs., Johnson, and Martin Esquire

Sighing, she put the papers down and took the lamp and went to the little spot that was were she slept, by the fire. She would make plans later; it was winter and she had no intention of doing anything at this time

Earl Martin, was ready to leave the train when it pulled into the station. This was still a little town, but the property that his firm was purchasing would be the starting point to making this town a thriving metropolis. His father and Grandfather had all planned buy up the entire town, and start a new city. "There was potential" his father had said. This place would be a 'money maker' his grandfather said. Earl just looked at the dust and the dirt and the small squalid houses that surrounded the center of town. There was the post office, the mercantile, livery stable, doctors' office, mayor's office, sheriff's office and of course a saloon that doubled as a restaurant during the day. There was a small hotel as well,

"Excuse me," He said standing near the ticket office for the train station, "Could you tell me where I might find a Miss Abigail Beason?"

The ticket seller did not know her but said if he went to the Sheriffs office they had all the names of the people who lived in town and out of town. Earl Martin, picked up his suitcase and strolled down the steps and into the town. Skirting the nearby horses who were tethered near the train station and just missing the wagon that came careening around the corner behind the only bath house in town, Earl jumped to the side just in time and watched as the crazy driver reigned in the horses just before the were hit by a train coming into the station.

"Wow!" said a young boy standing on the other side of the tracks. Earl just picked up his suitcase and went rather quickly over to the hotel. Abigail Beason was just coming out of the mercantile when they collided.
"I am sorry miss!" He said with a tip of his hat and a smile.

"oh, that is okay!" Abby said and quickly walked past him to a wagon parked outside of the restaurant/saloon. He watched her walk away and then went into the hotel and up to the desk. The clerk was there and was just finishing up with a customer.

"May I help you?" he said.

"Yes, I need a room for the month" Earl said, "A room with a view of the street and near the facilities if possible?"

The clerk nodded and then looked in his book. " I have room 248 just up the stairs and two doors down. The facilities will be three doors away from your room. Please sign here, it is extra $.50 for towels and $1.00 for hot water paid in advance. There is a restaurant/salon named Callie's where you can have a complimentary dinner." The clerk handed him a ticket after he had received the fees. "No drinking, or women in your room. While you are here!"

Earl nodded and took his suitcase and the ticket and the key and went up to his room. As he left the desk he looked around and noticed that a man and woman were standing over by the window in the lobby. Men, one looked quite young while the other two looked to be in their 30's came in. They were wearing suits that looked a little behind in the fashion department. A young lady also came in, she had a baby in her arms and quite a few bags. The young man of the group went up to the clerk and asked for a suite for him and the young lady with the baby, the other two needed only one room with two beds. The clerk put them on the third floor. Earl heard the numbers, 347, 348 and 349. They thanked him, paid the customary fees, and passed Earl. He said hello, tipped his hat and wondered who those people were.

Abbigail had gotten all her supplies she would need for the month and gotten on her wagon. She checked off her list and made sure she had not forgotten anything when she heard someone calling her.

"Abby, Abby! Wait, I got something for you?"

She turned and recognized Davy. "What is it Davy?" He was the young boy that had been across the railroad tracks earlier.

" Did my book come, Miss Abby?" he said as he climbed in the seat next to hers. He was all of 10 years old, an orphan who had no family, Abby had taken him in and he helped on the farm, while she taught him his letters.

"No, I think it might be here next time though!" He looked sad but she said not to worry, it would be there before she had to leave. She took the reins, and they went out to the farm.