New Beginnings: Life Changes

Ch.20

Finding A Way

Texas, Saturday Evening:

Entering the hotel after the picnic with Amelia, Rob is hailed by the trail boss.

"Rob. Hold up a minute. We need to talk. Come to my room with me."

"Yes sir."

Feeling slightly as if he is about to meet his own Pa for one of his talks in the barn, Rob follows the man into the small room.

"Rob, you have proved yourself to be a young man of good character these past two months. I thank you for your friendship with my son. I hoped Cason would befriend you when I brought you in to our outfit. He needed to see an example of someone raised to work. Cason is somewhat lacking in his ability to put hard effort into a job. You have shown him how it is to be done."

"Thank you, sir. I don't see that praise is needed. Case and I were partners. We helped each other. This time with you has taught me much about handling cattle. I want to raise beef cattle someday."

"When you are ready to begin, look me up. I will help you find the best stock. Now, I have a question I need answered. Last night, did you go to the saloon with my son?"

"I did not go with him but I did meet him there. I stayed maybe ten minutes and left. I have been with a friend down by the pond. I apologize for not stopping Case from drinking. I tried to convince him not to go. He insisted."

"Were you drinking during your time at the saloon? I have spoken to Cason about his visit."

"No, I never had alcohol, sir. My Pa has strongly impressed on me that saloons are not a place I am to be. His way of impressing that message is enough to keep me from participating in what Case calls 'letting loose'. I may be miles from Paradise but I feel my Pa would know. I don't want to give him any reason to regret giving his permission for my joining your outfit."

"You also don't want to give him any reason to tan your hide, if I read you correctly." Mr. Campbell replies, smiling.

Returning the smile, Rob agrees "Yes sir, that as well."

"Your Pa will see you have matured while you have been away. He has a young man returning not a near grown boy. I have made arrangements for you, me and my sons to board the eleven o'clock train to Colorado tomorrow morning. Our horses will be in the cattle car. You will be home by lunch on Wednesday if all goes as planned. If you have anyone you wish to say goodbye to, be done by ten thirty in the morning. We meet at the depot to prepare the horses."

"There must be thirty horses in our outfit Is there room for them? Is a cattle car safe for horses? I do wish to arrive home with Beauty intact."

"Your horse will be well looked after. I have used this exact car before. The railroad provides a stablehand to ride near enough to check the horses. Food and waterbags are provided. As to your first question, the entire outfit is not coming. Our work is done so the men are free to do as they please. Most will stay around Texas to look for other work. Some will move on. Be at the depot ready to board yourself and your horse at ten thirty in the morning."

"Yes sir. Beauty and I will be there."

"One more thing, young Amelia is a nice girl. She would make a good wife some day if you are so inclined. I have watched over her for several years. Her Mother was a good friend. Amelia does not know of me though. Let it stay that way. Good night, Rob." Mr. Campbell adds as he opens the door for Rob to leave.

"Good night, sir." Rob replies wondering how Mr. Campbell knew of his interest in Amelia.

"Must be a father trait. They just seem to always know things." He thinks climbing the stairs to his room.

The next morning having dressed and packed his saddlebags, Rob goes to find Amelia.

Opening the door, she asks "Did I misunderstand the time we were to meet today? I remembered noon. Not that I am unhappy to see you, just surprised. It is seven thirty in the morning."

"I have to leave this morning. My boss told me last night, he is taking the train home at ten thirty. I am to go along. I would like to talk to you before I need to leave. May I come in, please?"

"I have only the one chair, there beside the pot bellied stove. You take it and I will sit here on the bed."

"I don't have much time so I will be frank with you. I am seventeen, eighteen in November therefore not as old as you seemed to believe. I live with my parents not by myself. Until this past June, I was a schoolboy answering to my Pa. He allowed me to come on the cattle drive but Mr. Campbell has taken the place of a Pa along the way. I also had an understanding with a girl back home. She wants to be married."

"Rob, I don't..."

"Please. Let me finish and then I will listen while you speak."

At Amelia's nod he begins again. "Cecily has a different way of thinking than I do. She has lived in larger towns including Denver, her whole life. We do have an understanding but as we have talked these past months before I left, we found we have many differences. I want a ranch to raise cattle. I like the country with wide spaces, horses, cows, farming. She wants city life. She wants me to work in the city. We argued about my taking this job. She did not think I should be interested in doing this and was hoping my Pa would not allow me to be on the drive. I have done much thinking on the trip and decided she and I are too different to try for a match. I plan to tell her when I get home. I will listen while you speak now."

"Thank you for being so honest. It is amazing how we seem so much alike. You didn't have a chance to grow up with your parents either. You were luckier than me at finding other parents. Your family seems perfect. It seems that your friend Cecily snd I are opposites. I have a town life but desire not to. She wants more of a town life. You go home, meet with your family, talk to Cecily. If I am wrong, correct me but I feel a connection between us. I feel comfortable and safe with you. This is a feeling I have not had in some time. I would like to correspond with you and perhaps we can meet again."

"I have strong feelings for you as well. I hoped you wouldn't be upset at my being as Cecily calls it 'betrothed'. It was something I rushed into. I know that now. If you can find paper and pen, we will exchange post information. I will visit or arrange you to visit me. You have my word."

"Your word?" Amelia asks puzzled.

"It is a solemn promise. My Pa taught me that giving your word is nearly the same as a law. When a man gives his word it should never be broken so don't give it lightly. I give my word to you that I will keep in touch. I will see you again soon as well. I commit myself to being your suitor if you will allow me to do so from home at first."

"I am honored to have such a commitment and accept. I have some money saved but need to find how to get away. My father keeps me working most of the time. I am under his control until I can save enough to get a place to live away from here."

"I understand. We will find a solution. My Pa has good ideas and can help. He is the sheriff in Paradise. My new mother has training as a nurse and likes to help people. Together with them, I can get you away from your mother's husband. He has no right to the title of "Father".

"That would be wonderful but I won't get my hopes up. He is very controlling. He let me visit with you because he knows you are leaving here soon. He doesn't see you as a threat to take me away."

"Good! He won't be in our way when we work out how to get you out of here."

Tuesday, midmorning, Paradise:

"Ben! I can't carry those quilts alone. Mama told you three times to help get the bedding outside to wash. I took the sheets out so you are to help with Rob's quilts!"

"Stop complaining, George, You whine like a girl. Just drag one quilt at a time. I am stirring the sheets in the bluing."

"Yeah, well, Mama said for you to stop and help carry the quilts down the stairs now. You were standing near enough to hear her same as me. Come on!"

Walking up to hear George, Joseph comments "Ben, you seem to be very forgetful today. I was just in the barn and your side of stalls is barely done. You did three out of eight. I believe you had best get those other stalls finished before Pa comes home. You know how he feels about leaving work unfinished. You go do the barn while I help George."

"STOP BOSSING ME!" Ben yells back before dropping the wooden paddle he was stirring with into the dirt and running for the barn.

"What is he so riled up about? I was only reminding him." Joseph murmurs not expecting an answer.

"Mama scolded him and made him stand in the corner earlier. He called me 'stupid' and 'poophead' so she sent him to the corner. Ben didn't want to do extra chores. He asked to go to the pond. Mama said she needed his help here today. He's been in a snit ever since."

"Thanks for explaining, George. Ben needs to change his behavior or Pa will change it for him. Come help me carry the quilts down. I will carry one while you walk in front so I don't trip and roll all the way down the stairs."

Giggling at the thought of his brother tangled in a quilt rolling down the stairs, George follows him inside.

Over in the barn, Ben rakes dirty hay from one of the horse's stalls. Wrinkling his nose at the smell, he drops the pitchfork load into the wheelbarrow. Rolling the load into the far stall, he tells the cats lounging in the sun, "I need a break. I will finish later after I do something I want to do."

After a quick check to see if anyone might be watching, Ben runs out the back doors closing one behind him before heading to town.

Carefully keeping out of sight of the main street, he stays behind the buildings until he has passed the sheriff's office. Now walking slowly so no one who might see him would be suspicious, Ben walks up the stone lined dirt walkway to Aaron's house.

Answering the knock on the door, Alyssa asks "Did George or Claire come?"

"Just me. Everybody else is working. Are you going to move to let me in or just stand there like a dummy?"

Hearing his sister gasp, Aaron comes from the other room to check on her.

"What's wrong, Lyss?" He calls before coming around the corner.

"Oh! Hi, Ben! Come in. I didn't know you were coming to play today."

"Can we practice with your bicycle? I can ride a little. I have been on Jackson and Theo's bike."

"Alright but I can not leave the yard. We don't have permission to take the bicycle out of the yard." Aaron tells his friend as he rolls his new bicycle down the four steps from the porch.

"Do you want to practice too, Lyss? You can go first."

"No, Aaron. You play with Ben. I want to stay inside. Don't forget what Papa said about staying out of the road." Alyssa reminds her twin.

"I remember. Didn't you hear me tell Ben just minutes ago?"

"Yes, but you forget easily." The little girl returns before closing the door behind her.

"Gosh, Aaron! Alyssa is your twin but sounds more like your mother. Sisters are a pain! Let's ride. You go first." Ben tells his friend.

Finished checking her medicinal supply cabinet, Amy turns to the young lady beside her.

"Have you talked with your parents about our discussion the other day?"

"I have been talking to Mama ever since I began working with you. She knows I want to be a nurse. I have not mentioned going away to school. Pa would say I was too young to leave home. He says I can study from you and from Mama any time I talk about learning more skills."

"Ethan is knowledgeable about the use of what many scholars refer to as 'nontraditional' medicine. You already have that knowledge. I have taught you what I can as well. If you desire more skills, you will need to attend the Nursing Academy in Boston. That is the best place for you, Claire. You're seventeen, no longer a child. Ethan will just have to realize this fact, as hard as it is for him to do so. I have something I want to show you. Open it and read it." Amy says, taking a long envelope from her smock pocket.

"What is this? Why do you want me to read your letter? It is addressed to you, not me."

"I handed it to you because I want you to read it, as I said. It concerns you and is pleasant news."

Carefully sliding the two sheets of folded paper out of the envelope, Claire begins to read. When finished, she slowly folds the letter and looks across the table to her mentor.

"I don't really understand. The letter is dated June of this year. It is now August."

"Well dear, you know how slow the mail is at times. Besides the date, did anything else of interest leap out at you?"

"That is your friend, you have talked of, Dr. Emory. She was writing to say she would be honored to accept any intern you might suggest. She went on to say she would pay tuition and half of the fees. Did you have an intern before I began?"

"Dear Claire, we were writing about YOU. I wrote to Dr. Emory soon after you began going on home visits with me. Your nursing ability is advanced for your age. She is offering you a place in the class! This year's nursing class. It begins September 7th. That gives us roughly three weeks to badger your Pa into accepting. We'll start tonight. I will come for dessert."

"Me? Nursing School? I would love to accept but I am needed here. I have to help with the boys and..."

The rest of her thoughts are cut off by running feet and a voice calling "Dr. Amy! Come quick! Ben was bucked off my bicycle! He won't get up!"

Grabbing her doctor's bag, Amy follows Aaron and Claire who are rushing down the street.

Finding Ben now sitting up in the dirt holding his arm, Amy asks "What happened, Ben?" She softly begins to check him for injuries while he is distracted.

"We were practicing on the bicycle. I was getting it to go straight and then it hit something. I woke up lying on the dirt road. My arm aches and my back too. Claire? I tore the arm of my shirt. Can you fix it here? I don't want Mama to know."

"Let's worry about getting you cleaned up first, Ben. You are covered in dirt. Mama won't be upset about the shirt."

"Is his arm broken?" Claire whispers to Dr. Amy as she sees Ben fight back tears.

"No, It seems just to be sprained. You need to go for your Pa so he can take him home. I will wait here with the boys."

"Please Claire, you take me home. Don't get Pa."

"No, Ben. Your Pa is going to come. He needs to know you were knocked out." Amy replies firmly.

"Dr. Amy?" Ben asks as she checks the movement of his arms and legs.

"Yes dear? Am I hurting you in some way?"

"No, it's just that my arm throbs and my back some too. Will you tell Pa my bottom is very sore? He needs to know."

"Would you tell my Pa that too, please?" Aaron requests from her other side.

"Your bottom is sore? Did you take a tumble too, Aaron? Should I be examining you as well?"

"No, Ma'am. I didn't fall, I just hoped you would tell my Pa the same as Ben's. He will not like that I had the bicycle in the road. Here they come now." Aaron says having spotted Ethan, Chris and Claire heading their way.

Having deposited Ben on the bench in the front room, Ethan listens as the boy tells his Mama and brothers what happened.

"Aaron took a turn in the yard but didn't fall. I took my turn out on the road and I did fall. That bicycle deliberately headed for a big rock stuck in the road. I pulled back on the reins to stop and it kept going. I got bucked over the head when it hit the rock. My back and arm were throbbing when I woke up. I think I am better now."

"Amy says nothing is damaged. He has a slightly sprained arm which is to be in a sling for at least two weeks. He is to rest until tomorrow morning." Ethan informs his worried wife.

Brushing his dusty hair back, Delphie kisses him on the forehead. "I was worried when I couldn't find you. Please be more careful next time. You could have more than a sprained arm. Time for you to wash off this dust. Did you happen to leave any dirt on the road? I ask because it seems to be all on you and your clothes."

George giggles at this statement while teasing "Ben thought he was a pig in a wallow. He rolled in the dirt."

The glare he receives from Ben tells him his brother is not amused.

"Joseph, take Ben and help him get clean. His left arm is to be treated lightly and needs a sling. I will fix that after his bath. Go with Joseph, Ben. George, help Claire find the long cloth we used for Joseph when his shoulder was hurt. It should be in the chest at the foot of our bed."

After the children leave, Ethan asks "Delphie? What did you mean when you said you couldn't find Ben? Did he not ask to go to town today?"

"He was not himself today, just out of sorts all morning. George and Joseph were very helpful with washing Rob's bedding."

"Don't talk around this and cover for him. Tell me straight. Did he act uncooperative and disobey you?""

"Yes, he was uncooperative with his brothers as well. He was unwilling to help with the washing today. I must have upset him by making him stand in the corner for calling names to George. Wasn't that funny how Ben spoke of the bicycle as a horse? It 'bucked him off' and he 'pulled back on the reins'." Delphie replies trying to lighten her husband's mood.

"Ummhmm, funny boy. So after you corrected him, he left without your permission? You were not aware he was in town. Is this right?"

"Joseph told me he would help carry the quilts from upstairs. He said Ben had to finish morning barn chores. I assumed Ben was out in the barn until lunchtime. I sent George out to get Ben but he couldn't find him. Ben asked at breakfast to go to the pond so I was about to send Joseph to look there when you rode up."

"That boy! He will apologize to you. I noticed several stalls were not cleaned and planned to ask Ben about them as they are on his side of the barn. I see he skipped out on his responsibilities today. He needs a reminder of the expectations."

Recognizing the firmly set jaw and steel glare as the look the children refer to as "Pa's deadly look", Delphie tries to intervene.

"I can see you are upset with Ben. Don't forget his arm is hurting."

"I won't be touching his arm. I will be aiming much lower. This is unacceptable behavior and he knows it."

Later that evening as the family relaxes after supper, they hear a buggy drive into the yard. Looking out the front window, George reports "It's Dr. Amy."

Opening the front door, Ethan invites her in. "Would you have some cake and coffee, Amy? Delphie made butter cake this morning."

"Thank you, I accept your offer. I came to check on Ben and discuss something with you both." Amy replies as Delphie sets the plate of cake beside the coffee Ethan just put on the table.

"Ben is asleep. He is fine other than the sprained arm. Claire and Delphie have been checking on him." Ethan says before looking at the remaining boys. "George, Joseph, time to say goodnight. You may read for thirty minutes, George, an hour for you, Joseph then lights out."

Desperately wanting to protest being sent to bed an hour and a half before his eight thirty bedtime, George refrains. The fact that earlier his Pa went into his and Ben's room with the dreaded wooden spatula, keeps him from protesting. Instead he follows Joseph's lead by saying "Yes sir. Good night everyone."

"Ethan, Delphie, Claire has received a very special offer. My mentor and good friend, Dr. Elizabeth Emory has accepted Claire into this year's entering class of nursing students. She has waived half of the fees and has given Claire a scholarship for tuition."

Seeing the delight in his daughter and wife's faces, Ethan nods before asking "Where would my little girl be going to this nursing school? You neglected to say just where this school is located."

"It is the school where Amy and I were taught. Dr. Emory is the head of the school of nursing at Boston University in Boston, Massachusetts. It is difficult to be accepted into this program of study. There are only twenty five students selected each term." Delphie explains as Claire watches her Pa carefully.

"Boston? That is quite a ways from Paradise. This is something you want badly, isn't it Claire? I believe you have dreamed of attending a school such as this since you were twelve. Do you wish to attend?"

"Pa, I have learned all you have to teach me about using the land for natural medicine. I have learned from Mama and Dr. Amy as well. I would very much like to add more knowledge by attending this school. May I reply with my confirmation? The new student orientation begins September 7th. That gives me two weeks to prepare and a week to travel."

"Give me a few days. I need to make sure we have funds for you to board somewhere. I will have to make arrangements for your Mama and I to travel with you. Amy? Will she be able to live at this school the way she did at one once before?"

"No, there are homes where students are accepted as boarders. There are apartments as well. Many live four to an apartment."

"What is this apartment you speak of?"

"Apartments are small living spaces in one building. Usually two bedrooms, small kitchen, water closet plus a communal bathing room and a small parlor to be shared by tenants. The people living there." She adds at Ethan's confused look.

"Pa? I could board with Alex's family. Remember how he wrote in the letter I received last week how his father is in very poor health. They hired a day nurse to help him. Alex requested I come help them as well."

"That would work well, Ethan. Claire would be well looked after as Alex is a good protector." Delphie tells him.

"That just may be the solution. I will think this over. Give me three days, Claire."

While the adults are having their discussion, George has been enjoying the chance to read. With chores and playing he is often too busy to read. Hearing Ben's whisper startles him.

"What did you say?"

"What are you reading? Are you in trouble too? Did you get punished and sent to bed early like me?"

"I'm reading one of the Boy's Life magazines Mr. Axelrod gave us for unpacking those crates. It has a story about sea pirates. I didn't get in trouble. Dr. Amy came to talk to Mama and Papa. Joseph and I had to go to our rooms. We have permission to read. Did you get in big trouble?"

"Pa walloped me on my bare butt with that hateful wooden thing for not doing the chores assigned, for going off without permission and worrying Mama. I can't play outside for all day tomorrow either. I have to do chores for Mama. He really scolded me too. Pa said if I cause Mama or anyone else trouble tomorrow, I'll get a whipping. If I go anywhere without permission again, he will whip me with the strap."

"He spanked you good too, didn't he? It wasn't light whacks, was it? It must have been some tough ones as my bottom twinged a little. Do me a big favor and don't get a whipping with the strap. I don't wish my bottom to be twinging again." George says through their special connection.