New Beginnings: Life Changes
Ch.15
Fun and Frenzy
Delighted to be free from ranch chores, the two young boys on either side of Delphie are swinging each of her arms as they walk.
"What are we going to buy in town today, Mama? We didn't come in the wagon so it can't be much."
"She has us to carry things so it could be she is buying a-lot Ben. We are good at carrying aren't we Mama?" George asks looking up into sparkling green eyes.
"You are both excellent helpers. You will see when we get there what we are to do. One thing you must remember is to stay with me until I tell you, you may leave the store. No disappearing as that makes me worry. George, I want you to remember to look for presents for the twins' birthday. Ben, it is your turn to pay our bill at the General Store. You can practice your math skills by checking how much change we receive. I have money with me for that bill. Each of you will have 10 cents to spend also."
"Ten whole cents! Oooh, thank you, Mama!" George exclaims.
"You are welcome. Both of you have worked hard the past two weeks helping me clean the house. With your help, we have clean quilts, fresh feather pillows, sparkling windows and a house that smells fresh. We are ready for Rob to come home soon. After his journey on a cattle drive, he should be looking forward to a clean bed and home."
Walking past the telegraph office, the three hear "Mrs. Cord, boys, wait please!" Walking over to the open office window, they see the telegraph operator writing a message as the telegraph taps it out.
"I have a message here for Alex Hale. I know how close the family is to him and hoped you might deliver this for me. I am working alone today and can not leave my post long enough to deliver this."
"As a matter of fact, Alex will be dining with us tonight. We will deliver it then." Delphie replies as she gently stops Ben from touching the telegraph machine. "Mustn't touch, Ben. Let's go boys. Pleasant day, Mr. Henry."
"Pleasant day, Mrs. Cord, boys."
Reaching their destination, Ben and George remember to hold the wooden screen door open for their mother as Ethan taught them.
"Hello Delphie, Ben, George. What brings you here today?"
"We came to pay the bill and do some shopping Uncle Matt." Ben answers walking to the counter.
"Well that will be $4.72 cents. Thank you Ben. Here is your change from the ten piece. You count it with me, five one dollar coins, is how much?
"Five dollars, Uncle Matt."
"Right and five dollars added to four dollars is how much?"
"That's easy! Nine dollars! But we are not back to ten yet."
"Correct, so we add coins now, two ten cent pieces, a five cent piece and three pennies. Now count it up from seventy two. Do you get back to one dollar?"
"Yes, Uncle Matt and nine dollars add one dollar makes ten. I Did It! I counted back the change! You made it hard with all those coins."
"I did indeed but you mastered it. Now, let me introduce you to the Abbots. I will be right back." Matt replies leaving the front of the store.
"Here is the correct change, Mama. Mama? What are ab bots? Is it more kinds of money?" Ben asks just as his uncle reappears with a younger man and woman."
"Laughing merrily at Ben's question, the young woman stoops down to look Ben in the eyes. "We are Abbots. I am Hannah and this handsome man in the shirt with a bowtie is my husband, David. Who might you two be?"
"I'm Ben and this is my brother, George."
"Very nice to meet you, Ben and you as well, George."
"David, Hannah, this is Delphie Cord, wife of our sheriff and the youngest two of their five children. Delphie, the Abbots are the new proprietors we have been in contact with. They arrived day before yesterday and are just getting settled."
"Pleasure to meet you both. I hope you find Paradise to your liking. If you need anything please let Matthew know. He can help spread the word to one of us in the Ladies Aid group. We all come together to help each other. We meet on Tuesday evenings at the church. You are welcome to join us. Do you have need of anything before next Tuesday?" Delphie asks.
"Thank you, we are well equipped at this time. I will look forward to joining the Ladies Aid and we are happy to be here to start our new life. We have been wanting to leave the city for over a year." Hannah answers before addressing the boys.
"Would you like to see the new toys we have in stock? Yes? Good, come with me."
As she leads the boys away, David explains "Hannah loves children. She is a female Pied Piper as children are naturally comfortable being with her. The boys are in good hands but you might have to coax them away from her when you are ready to leave."
"Well now Ben and George, can you tell me your ages? I am twenty one and David is twenty three. We are excited to come to Paradise and ready to meet new friends just like you two."
"Paradise is a fun place. I am ten and Ben is eleven. We each have a ten cent piece to spend today." George answers.
"Ten whole cents each? That must be exciting. What might you be thinking of buying?"
"I want some candy sticks for sure and a slingshot. My friends have slingshots that are from the store. I have one my brother Joseph made when he was twelve. It doesn't fling straight and the sling part is about to wear out."
Smiling at Ben's decisive answer, Hannah asks "What about you, George? What might you be interested in? A slingshot as well?"
"No ma'am. I just want to look at the toys. I like to choose after I see everything. I might spend just some and save the rest of my money."
"Saving is a good plan too, George. Boys? Please call me Hannah. Ma'am is for older ladies or teachers. I am not that old nor a teacher."
"We have a sister and brother who are seventeen. Claire is working with Dr. Amy at the clinic. Rob is away at a cattle drive but will be back home soon." George shares with his new friend as Ben wanders off.
"George, look at this! A new air rifle!" Ben calls from by the back wall.
"This is the newest model available. Are you both needing a new one? This says it has 95 percent accuracy at shooting straight and comes with a cleaning cloth, a loading rod, 100 pellets and also a paper target for practice."
"How much can I get it for?" Ben asks stroking the gun as if it were a horse. "The price says three dollars. I could not pay that much. I only have one dollar saved plus the ten cents I have with me. Could you talk Uncle Matt into selling it for one dollar?"
"It looks as if you will have to wait until you can save some more money, Ben. No one will discount something new that much. You are welcome to hold it though." Hannah explains to the downcast child as she lifts it off the display.
Before Ben can agree, George whispers into his ear earning a fierce scowl for the reminder.
"Is there something wrong?" Hannah asks having watched the exchange.
"I just reminded him that we are under orders to never touch a gun. Our Pa doesn't believe in boys under twelve having anything to do with guns. He is really strict on that rule too!"
"I just want to hold it, not shoot it, George!"
"Fine by me. It's your backside, Uncle Matt and Mama will both see you. Pa will find out then you'll wish you had listened to me!"
"Boys? Let us move over to the tables where we have the toys you could buy. Have either of you had your own balloons?"
"Hot air balloons?" George asks. "We saw one of those once and wound up being carried inside it by accident. I didn't know those were for sale. I would think they cost even more than that air rifle! Our Pa would not let us have a hot air balloon because we don't have a big enough barn to put it in."
Charmed by the boy's innocence, Hannah shows them the small inflatable balloons. "You see boys? You blow air into these and they inflate. You can play a game with these too. After you blow one up, you take turns tapping it to see how long you can keep it in the air instead of touching the floor. A pack of twenty is four cents."
"I want a bag of those and the slingshot. This thin one is three cents. Then I could still buy candy." Ben decides after surveying the two tables of smaller toys.
"Good shopping, Ben. Now, George, what about you?"
"I want to buy this bag of ball and jackstones for three cents, a yo-yo for four cents and some candy."
"Do you enjoy playing with jackstones, George? It was a difficult game for me. I was not very good at catching the small ball."
"I have only played a few times. My best friends are celebrating their birthday next week. I am buying for them. Alyssa likes this game and Aaron will like a new yo-yo. They are twins"
"That is very thoughtful of you George, to use your money for gifts. I am positive your friends will like their gifts. Let us go check the candy selection."
Lower lip protruding some at hearing the praise, Ben says "George? If you like, you can have ten of my balloons and share the slingshot. You can let me say those gifts for Aaron and Alyssa are from both of us."
"I will if you let me have the three cents you will have left. I will pick out some good candy and share with you."
"Deal! Now, don't forget to tell Aaron and Alyssa the toys are from BOTH of us. Let's go look at the candy jars. I hope you pick gumdrops. I really like those."
"I will. I want some of those hard candy barrels that are root beer flavored and some candy sticks. We can get a bag of those little crushed cookies too. A whole bagful is only a penny. I hope their are lemon or chocolate ones this time. Last time it was just vanilla and gingersnaps." George comments.
"I like that any broken cookies get put in the cookie barrel. I hope several good kinds were cracked up on the train trip from the north." Ben declares much to the delight of Hannah who is listening to this conversation.
"I happen to know there are some cookies that have not been added to the barrel yet. You two examine the candy jars to make your choices while I go get those cookies." Hannah directs as she walks behind the curtain to the storeroom. She intends to break some of the chocolate wafers to add them to the broken cookie barrel.
While his mother and brothers are busy shopping, Joseph has been busy as well. Having visited friends he is arranging to meet early the next morning.
"Come to my house at sunup tomorrow. Bring a rope and gloves. We have only tomorrow to get this done as my Pa is going to be home the next day."
"What about Miss. Delphie? Won't she be home and if so won't she stop us?"
"She would stop us but she is not an early riser. If we are careful we can get this done before anyone is the wiser. Now, are you with me Theo? With you, Jeff and Jason we can do this."
"I love adventure! Count me in!"
"Great! Now keep this quiet. Even the idea will get you scolded and me in trouble. My Uncle Matt would disapprove of our plans. He has been checking on us this week since Pa is on the trip. They don't believe I am old enough to look after my family alone."
"Grown people never think we are old enough for anything. You have to be seventeen to get any freedom." Theo replies.
"Even then, it takes much talk before they allow things. Rob nearly was not allowed to go on the cattle drive. Mama talked Pa into letting him go. Now she worries everyday that Rob will be hurt."
"Mamas are good at worrying. I have to get home as I have chores to do. See you early in the morning!"
"Bye and thanks for agreeing to come help." Joseph answers watching his friend leave their meeting place.
Back in town, the boys walk with Delphie over to 'Mr. Axelrod's store.
"Alright boys, I have some more shopping in town to do. You two may go visit friends but meet me here in two hours. Ask the time so you won't be late. George, where do you plan to go?"
"I am going to see Alyssa and Aaron. Will you keep my purchases please Mama? I don't want the twins to see them yet."
"I will. Now, Ben. Are you going with George?"
"No, Mama. Today I want to visit Jackson. I'll take my toys along."
"Alright boys, have fun and behave yourselves. I will be waiting here on the porch for you in two hours."
Calling "Yes, ma'am." The two run off in opposite directions.
Ben arrives at the Boarding House and asks if he may play with Jackson. Receiving permission he goes upstairs to find his friend sweeping the bedroom hallway. "Hi, Jackson. Your Mama let me come visit. I can stay two hours. Are you nearly finished with chores?"
"Hi, Ben! This is my final chore. Get the dustpan will you? I need you to hold it while I sweep the pile into it. What are those red things hanging partway from your front pants pocket?"
"These are balloons. You blow air into it and hit it like balls. I brought my slingshot too."
"I have seen balloons before, you can do a lot of things with those. Let's go out on the second floor balcony. I want to see if we can have fun with them there. I know something to do with them other than use air. I have used small paper bags but maybe balloons will work better!"
"Work better for what, Jackson? How can we play with these if we don't put our air in? The lady at the store said I have to blow air in to make it big enough to play with."
"Wait and see, Ben! You will like it!" Jackson says as he leads the way out the door to the balcony overlooking main street. Leaning over the railing, he exclaims "Yes, this will be just perfect. Come on back inside with me. Bring the balloons."
"Mrs. Cord! I hoped to see you today. I have the costumes you requested ready. Your boys will look adorable in the parade next week. The children I have talked with all seem excited to be in their very own parade."
"Yes, many are excited. Thank you Mrs. Donaldson for doing the sewing. I will be by to collect the costumes tomorrow. I will pay you then." Delphie replies. As the seamstress leaves, she continues up the steps the Mercantile.
"Hello, Mr. Axelrod. Do you have any mail for me? I need some staples today. These boys of mine are eating mine up!"
"Good afternoon. I will check the mail after I fill your order. What may I get for you?"
"I need two ten pound bags of flour, one brown, one white. Also five pound bags one each of brown and white sugar. Do you have any sweet syrup in stock? Ben has been asking for some ever since Rob brought home that jar before he left."
"Ben has a love of anything sweet. I do have one jar. I had six, but the hotel bought five. Don't say anything but, I saved back one jar just to have one for another customer. The hotel would buy all if I let them."
"This will make two young boys and one not so young boy very happy."
"I have not seen Joseph in town this week. I usually see him in passing. He is well, I hope."
"He is. With Ethan and Rob away, he has been the protector. Ethan being callled away unexpectedly left Joseph feeling the need to look after us. The soldiers will be here Saturday to retrieve the latest group of horses. Joseph has taken on much of the gentling and training for these."
"I remember him as a young hothead when he was an eleven year old. He and I got off to a rough start when I took over this mercantile. Now young Ben is that age! Let me check the mailbag as I haven't sorted the mail today."
"No, no mail for the Cord family today. I do have a leter for Mr. Blackstock. Would you mind staying here to watch the store while I deliver it? With his running the Boarding House, he does not come in often."
"Certainly. I planned to look at your new fabrics. I will be admiring those while you are away."
"Alright Ben, get ready. Someone is walking up toward the steps. As soon as he is close enough, drop it. I'll say when and we drop at the same time."
"Now, drop it." Jackson calls as his target walks under the balcony.
Letting his balloon fall, Ben hears "Oh!" as the balloon lands on the man's head. The first balloon hit his shoulder. Still on his stomach looking down between the railing posts, Ben sees the now wet person enter the Boarding House. It isn't long before both he and Jackson are facing a dripping Mr. Axelrod, having been caught and marched down to the front hall by Jackson's irate father.
"Jackson, Benjamin, apologize right now!" Mr. Blackstock commands giving each boy a small shake as he grips them by the back of their neck.
"Why did you two pour water on me? I do not take baths with my clothes on." Mr. Axelrod asks after the two apologize.
"We didn't!" Jackson answers, earning a swift hard swat to his backside. "You answer truthfully and with proper respect or I will put you over my knee right here!"
Seeking to save his friend, Ben speaks up. "We didn't pour water but we did drop my balloons with water in them."
"Jackson, you know we dscussed dropping water filled objects on people before. Go to your room and wait for me. I apologize for the boys, Mr. Axelrod. This behavior was disrespectful and dangerous. You or someone else could have slipped in the water. I will inform young Ben's parents."
"His Ma is waiting at the store for my return. I will take him along. Here is your mail. It is slightly wet. Come, Ben." Axelrod orders as he leaves the lobby.
"I didn't know what Jackson was planning, Mama. I solemnly swear. I didn't mean to make anyone wet."
"Have you apologized to Mr. Axelrod for your actions?"
"Yes, Ma'am. I solemnly swear I did not know what the balloon would do. I have never had balloons before. Mr. Axelrod, I think of you as my friend, now. You know that, right? I would not do this to you if I knew what I was doing. Okay? Please don't tell my Pa when he gets back. He'd be disappointed in me." Ben pleads anxiously.
"I believe you, Ben. Calm yourself. Would you like to go upstairs and get one of my special secret root beers?"
"Yes sir."
"Mr. Axelrod, you just had a balloon shower from my son and you allow him root beer?" Delphie asks.
"Ben is a good child. He does get into mischief but he has never lied to me. Ethan has instilled honesty in him. Where did he learn the phrase, I solemnly swear?"
"I do not know as I have never heard him say this before. I will stay and keep the store if you would like to go change clothes."
Later that evening after the family has finished supper and dessert, Delphie sends the boys out to do the barn chores.
"I don't mind helping them, Delphie." Alex replies as she stops him from going along.
"I have a telegram addressed to you. I thought you might want to read it in private. I will be in the kitchen."
Opening the telegram, Alex reads quickly before handing it to Claire.
"Oh Alex, your Papa. What will you do?"
"Let's talk to Delphie and then I'll talk to my Pa. They can advise us on what we should do."
"Us? We? You are including me in this?"
"Of course I am, Claire! You are my future wife. As far as I am concerned we make decisions together. I am a modern thinker and do not believe in husbands or other men telling women what to do. We are going to be together in decisions."
Having had Delphie read the telegram as well, Alex asks "What should I do? Do I leave now and send for Claire or do we wait and go together?"
"I will only give advice not permission. Mitch is your guardian and Ethan is Claire's. As neither of you is twenty one, they have the final say. I know you want to go to your Pa as he is very ill. Ethan will be home in only one more day. He will decide if Claire can accompany you. Alex, you could talk to Mitch and have everything arranged for travel on Saturday evening. You can catch the train to Boston then with or without Claire."
"I need Claire with me. She is training to be a nurse and could help him."
"I will talk to Ethan for you. I can't promise he will agree." Delphie tells the two young people sitting with her.
To lighten the tension she feels in the young man, Delphie tells them of Ben's latest escapade.
"I had a difficult time containing myself when Mr. Axelrod walked in with Ben. His shirt was wet and his usually perfect hair was hanging in his eyes as it dripped water. He was quite the sight."
Shaking her head but giggling, Claire asks "How did Ben explain his behavior?"
"He insisted he did not know what the balloons would do. He kept repeating "I solemnly swear." Do you know where he heard that phrase?"
"His memory is getting better each day. I thought his bout with scarlet fever would destroy his memories. He learned it from the Judge."
"When did Ben go to a judge? He is too young to have had to face a judge for something." Alex asks.
"He didn't face a judge for breaking the law, Alex. We went to visit Colorado Springs and met Judge Henry when we got adopted. Then Judge Henry came here to perform Rob's adoption. Ben heard that phrase those times. Mama? Did he get punished for this behavior? He knows better than to drop water on people. Pa would have swatted his backside over his rudeness."
"Mr. Axelrod not only did not want Ben reprimanded, but sent the boy up to his apartment for a bottle of root beer!" Delphie replies with a smile.
"That is not the same man we knew three years ago! He disliked children and tried to get us into trouble often. He and Joseph had several run ins with each other. " Claire comments.
"Ben wins again. That boy gets out of trouble better than anyone I know!" Alex exclaims. "Did he really not know what dropping a water filled balloon on someone would do?"
"He knew, Alex. When we were younger we had a time where we had a water fight with a couple of pig bladders. They were just like those balloons. Ben just plays innocent and unknowing to get away with bad behavior. He's lucky Pa was not home. Pa would have called his excuse lying. Lying is an automatic trip to the barn." Claire answers.