New Beginnings: Life Changes
Ch.. 21
Coming Home
Before leaving for work, Ethan tells Delphie "Let's meet in town around twelve for that surprise I told you about." Turning to the table full of his children, he says "Claire, Amy wants you to take today off. Just plan with your Mama and enjoy the day. Boys, you be sure to mind your mother and finish your chores this morning. It would be terrible to have to stay at home and miss this surprise."
"Papa, can you not give us a hint for the surprise?" Ben wheedles after all three boys answer affirming they will obey the directive.
"Well, Ben, I suppose a hint would be alright. Here you are, the surprise is ... hmm...what was I going to say? It just completely went out of my mind, boys."
Delphie, seeing the little boys' excited faces fall, scolds "Ethan, that isn't nice. Look at them."
"You are right, I apologize boys. You asked for a hint, so here it is. The surprise is something we will all enjoy. Now, I won't say more. I will see you later."
Working together to clean up from breakfast, George asks Ben "What do you think the surprise might be?"
"I hope it might be shopping in the General Store. Maybe we can buy something new to play with! I want something new for inside play as I am tired of spinning tops, marbles and the tin soldiers we have. I want a set of cards! Jackson has some and he knows many games to play with them."
"Bennnnn, you know what Papa says about that. Those are not allowed. Card playing is a way to earn another sore backside!"
"Pa doesn't know there are other games with cards. Not all card games are gambling. We could talk to him and tell him this, George."
"Oh no! Do not even think I will get involved in your plan! NO! There will not be any 'we can talk to him'. You go ahead but my advice would be to wait until he is in a good mood first. Also wear extra underwear just in case he swats you."
Sheriff's Office
"Ethan, I want to apologize for what happened with the boys yesterday. Aaron had been told not to play in the road. He took the bicycle out of the yard after being told not to do so. He and I had another talk about safety last night. My hand had a long conversation with his bare behind as well. He is restricted from the bicycle for one week. Is Ben alright this morning?"
"His arm is sprained so he will need to wear a sling for a time. There is no need to apologize, Chris. Both boys made the decision to break the rules. Ben also had a bottom warming last night. Those two boys are quite alike in the way they find trouble. They know what not to do but seem to try to think of ways to get around those rules"
"Yes, I just hope the new teacher, Miss. Donaldson can handle them. You did say, she has taught before, didn't you?"
"She has six years of prior experience. I consider that well prepared. She will be here today at noon, come meet her."
"I just might. The twins did well with Linnea but I have concerns about a new teacher understanding their background. They are still behind for their age."
"Just explain the children's background to her. She has good reports from her former school. She is moving to be close to her aging grandparents."
'Do we have a couple named Donaldson living around Paradise?"
"The family name is Jacobs, Victoria and Henry. I have met him here in town once or twice. He has a small piece of land east of town which he uses to raise chickens and hogs."
"Henry Jacobs? Hmm, yes, I've met him. He is not the friendliest of men. Just kind of goes about his business. You won't find him sharing tales around loading a wagon of supplies." Chris remarks.
Ranch
Later that morning, Joseph asks "Mama, do you want me to hitch up the wagon for town or are we walking?"
"Please do, Joseph. Afterwards, please wash up and find your best clean shirt. I want all of my boys looking presentable to meet your Pa today."
"Yes ma'am. Are we going to meet a judge?"
"A judge? Not that I am aware of. What makes you ask?"
"Most times we don't have to dress such to go to town. It makes me think of our trip to Judge Henry's office in Colorado Springs to be adopted. We had to wear our best clothes and behave as lady and gentlemen while there. The boys couldn't do the gentlemen part. They got in trouble for using the waxed wooden floor for sliding! They almost found themselves over Pa's knees for it."
Hearing his brother, Ben says "You did get in trouble, Joseph! I remember that now. Pa was not at all happy about you calling our first Papa a bastard when you talked to our friend Judge Henry!"
"Benjamin Cord! BEN!" Delphie and Joseph exclaim in unison.
"What did I do?"
"Watch your language, Ben. That is not appropriate language in this family." Delphie reproves as Joseph warns "If Pa hears you say that word, you will be sleeping on your stomach for the night! Erase that word out of your mind for your backside's benefit."
Meeting at the Sheriff's office, Ethan admires how the boys look. "What a handsome trio you are. I approve of your clothing choices today. You look like proper young gentlemen even if we all know that is just looks only."
"Ethan! Our boys are proper young gentlemen!" Delphie protests causing Chris to chuckle out loud.
"Whatever you say, dear. Come troops, we have a train to meet. Our newest teacher is arriving today. We are her welcoming commitee. Her name is Miss. Donaldson. Be the young gentlemen your mother believes you are, boys. Stay with the family and mind your manners. Let's go."
"This was not the surprise I thought it was. Meeting our teacher isn't much of a fun surprise." Ben sends to George.
"I agree. I was hoping to get a soda now that the fountain works again. I don't mind meeting the new teacher. Just behave, Ben." George answers back.
At the train depot, the group gathers on the platform standing by the wall of the small building.
"I see the smoke from the smokestack! Here comes the train!" George announces interrupting the adult conversation going on behind him.
Checking his pocketwatch, Ethan says "They are on time today. That is a surprise as they are often late. Stay back boys until the train stops completely."
Following behind their parents and Chris, Joseph takes George by the hand as Claire snags Ben.
"Cllaaaairrrre! LET GOOOOO! I can walk by myself." Ben complains trying to pull away from his sister.
Turning around, Ethan sternly commands "Ben, do as Claire tells you! Stay with us and be polite. Do not forget what I said yesterday about causing trouble. This is my final warning!
Recognizing the tone and look, Ben deflates into a very subdued boy. "Yes Pa, I remember."
"See to it that you do."
"Ethan, how are we to recognize Miss. Donaldson?" Delphie asks, directing her husband's attention away from the boy.
"In her last letter, she mentioned she would be wearing a green traveling dress with a straw hat. The hat will have a red band around the crown."
Scanning the group of passengers milling about on the platform, George asks "Pa? Are all of these people also moving here?"
"Not that I am aware of, George. The train has an hour delay here today. Most people will just get some stretching time in or maybe get a meal."
"Would the person we are meeting be the one standing beside that large traveling case?" Chris asks, directing their attention towards the middle of the train.
"Yes, I believe so. Come, let us go meet our newest resident." Ethan replies, leading the group down the platform.
"Hello, Ma'am. I am Ethan Cord, Sheriff of Paradise. Would you be Miss. Donaldson, our new teacher?"
"Yes, that would be me. Pleasure to make your acquaintance, sir."
"Welcome to Paradise. This is my wife, Delphie, my deputy and father of two of your pupils, Chris Johnston. These two peeking around their older sister and brother are also your pupils. Come introduce yourselves, boys."
"Hello Miss. Donaldson. My name is George Cord."
"Hello Ma'am, I'm Ben."
"Hello boys. Tell me your ages and what you like best in school. George?"
"I am ten and my favorites in school are reading and arithmetic but I like other subjects as well."
"Thank you, George. Those are some wonderful subjects. Now, how about you, Ben?" She asks turning to the boy with mischief sparkling in his brown eyes.
"I am eleven and my favorite things about school are recess and dismissal. I like being outside, not having to sit all the time." Ben replies mischievously.
Seeing Delphie looking flustered and frowning down at Ben, the new teacher quickly replies "I completely understand, Ben. I love being outdoors as well. Those wooden school benches get hard when you sit all day. Do you know what I do about that?"
"No, Ma'am." Ben answers, waiting intently for her answer.
"When we can, if the weather is good, I take my students outside. I believe we can learn just as well in the fresh air and sunshine as cooped up in a schoolroom. Now, who are these other grown ups with you, Ben?"
"This is my sister Claire and brother, Joseph. They are seventeen and fourteen. Pa says they aren't grownups yet" Ben answers smugly, earning a look from his Pa.
"Nice to meet you both. Are you attending school as well?"
"I do, Ma'am." Joseph replies. Claire Responds "I graduated last spring."
As the young woman and his family continue to talk, George loses interest. Looking down the platform, he sees a horse being unloaded from a train car three cars down from them.
Steathly nudging Ben so as not to attract attention, he tilts his head towards the horse.
"Look, Ben! The horse rode the train! That horse looks so much like Beauty. It even has long black markings on three of it's legs just like Beauty. Rob says Beauty forgot to put on the last stocking."
"Yes, that horse looks just like Rob's. George! Look! The person in the brown hat. Is that..."
Not bothering to finish his thought, Ben sprints down the platform with George right behind him. Passengers milling around the platform, quickly move out of the way of the running children. Neither child even hears Ethan call "Boys! Stop running! Come Here!"
Well! How Uncivilized! Running like that! Someone could be knocked down! Those boys need a lesson in deportment!" One elderly woman complains to her husband
Hearing running feet rapidly approaching, Mr. Campbell looks up to see two rather fierce faces headed his way.
"Mister! That horse is ours! Look at his flank! Do you see the brand with a circle and number five inside? That is our brand for The Circle Five ranch. Our Pa, the sheriff here, owns that brand so Beauty is ours." Ben declares forcefully. George, leaving the explanation to Ben asks "Where did the person go that was holding the horse a minute ago?"
Smiling at the pair, Mr. Campbell calls "Will the owner of this horse please step out here?"
From the doorway of the boxcar, a tall muscular man jumps down.
"Ben? George?" The boys hear behind them causing both to spin around at the voice they know well.
"ROB! YOU CAME BACK!" George shouts flinging himself at his brother.
"Rob? You look different." Ben says following George rushing to hug his brother.
Still holding the horse, Mr. Campbell tells the two boys, "Your brother grew taller and worked so hard he has more muscles. Hello, boys. I am Rob's trail boss, Mr. Campbell. Did you think he was staying on the cattle drive forever?"
"Mr. Campbell, this is Ben and this is George. They are my youngest brothers who seem to be in some trouble if I guess correctly." Rob introduces. The fact that their father is making his way towards them looking very stern has the two boys burrowing into Rob's sides.
"I apologize for my son's behavior, gentlemen. They know not to run around horses. I will remove the children from bothering you." Ethan says to Mr. Campbell, glancing briefly at the man his boys are grasping before looking again.
"Rob? Is that you?" He asks the tall young man who is holding one boy on each side of him.
"Hello, Pa. I`m home." Rob replies quietly.
"My word, son! You grew taller and you filled out as well. I had to look twice to recognize you."
"Pa, do you remember Mr. Campbell?" Rob asks as a way of directing his Pa's attention to his boss. He doesn't want Ethan to begin hugging him in public.
"We meet again when you are chasing boys, Mr. Cord. I too have spent much time wrangling my boys. Good to see you again."
"Yes, I do seem to be wrangling boys each time we meet. Thank you for escorting Rob home. We didn't know he was arriving today." Ethan replies.
"My sons and I are going home as well. Paradise was a stop along the way."
Feeling someone tugging on his hand, Rob looks down to see George motioning he wants to whisper. Bending down to listen he hears "I need to use the outhouse really badly, Rob. I have waited a long time but now really need it."
Nodding to show he understands, Rob says "Excuse us please. We are going inside the passenger car." Still holding hands with the boys he leads them to the closest passenger car.
Finished with their business, Ben says "Rob, you are in trouble with Pa."
"What makes you say that, Ben?" Rob asks the boy enjoying sitting in the train seat.
"Back when we were outside, you did not ask to leave, you just told him. He does not like it when we do that."
"Maybe so, Ben, however I am not a child any longer. Let's get back outside. I am ready to say goodbye to this train after the long days of riding it."
Finding their Pa still talking to Mr. Campbell, the three wait nearby.
"Well Rob, it is time to say goodbye for now. I need to meet Jake and Case at the Boarding House before they starve. It was a pleasure to work with you. I will look forward to meeting again. Thank you once more for your help with Case. You taught him lessons he needed to learn. Nice to meet you, Ben, George. You have a fine big brother. Ethan, you have a young man returning to you not a half grown boy. Good afternoon all."
"Well boys, let's go find the rest of the family and get a meal at the hotel. Rob? Do you have anything to collect from the train besides Beauty?"
"Yes sir, I have a carpetbag."
"We will get that and then go have lunch. Delphie, Claire and Joseph will be surprised. No one knew you were arriving today."
"I intended to ride home and surprise everyone. Here's my bag. This and the saddlebags on Beauty are all I have." Rob answers as the group finds the unclaimed luggage stacked near the depot. A long trunk and the carpetbag are all they find.
"I like your bag, Rob. That pattern of blue and green swirls is pretty."
"It is all I could find in the one town we stopped to stay before catching the train, George."
"We'll tie this bag to the pommel of your saddle. Beauty can be put at the hitching post outside the hotel while we dine." Ethan informs them.
Arriving at the dining room, Ethan leaves the rest of the family to catch up as he takes the younger boys with him.
"Boys, you have some explaining to do. Why did you not stop when I called you as you ran? You know that is being deliberately defiant."
"We didn't hear you, Papa. People were talking." George answers as Ben nods.
"Are you to run through groups of people or leave without permission, Ben?"
"No sir, we're sorry, Pa. We saw Beauty and thought we saw Rob and we did!"
"We were not thinking about the people, just Rob. Are we in trouble?" George asks quietly.
"Just this once, I will let this go without punishment. I understand you were thrilled to see your brother. Let this running off or running through a group of people happen again and you will be punished. Let's go eat. The lunch out is the surprise so order something special."
Leaving the restaurant, Ethan tells his family "I need to go back to work. You children go home with your mother. I will be home by supper."
"Well then, we will see you later. Tell Chris I appreciate his showing Miss. Donaldson around town." Delphie replies.
"Let's go to the wagon. When we get home, you boys change out of your good clothes before anything else."
"Yes, Mama." Ben and George answer one on each side of her.
"I'm staying in town awhile. I'll be back to the house before dinnertime." Rob announces before walking down the boardwalk.
Joseph asks "Mama, may I stay in town also? Rob is staying."
"What did your Pa tell you to do for chores today?"
"Barn chores, help you inside, repair the gate and the latch on the chicken coop." Joseph recites while watching Rob get smaller as he moves further away.
"I finished the barn chores. I can repair the coop later. Ben and George can help you."
"Hmm, that may be true. What would your Pa think of you not finishing your assigned tasks? Would he be pleased you put off work?"
"Perhaps he would not notice." Joseph replies hopefully.
"Is that your decision then? Go galivant in town without completing your chore list? Then hope your Pa does not notice?" Delphie asks looking directly into the boy's deep brown eyes.
"No, Ma'am. That isn't my decision. I need to go home." Joseph answers with a deep sigh.
"Very good thinking, Joseph. You made the best choice. If you ask, I imagine your Pa will allow you some time to go to town another day. Please drive us home."
Finished installing the new gate for the chicken coop, Joseph is struggling with attaching the latch. After his fourth try fails he mutters "Golldamn it!".
A deep voice behind him reprimands "Joseph!" causing the boy to jerk guiltily before turning around.
"Good glory, Rob! You scared me! You sounded just like Pa just then. Quit sneaking around."
"Since when are you allowed to swear? Come with me." Rob asks grabbing the boy by his arm and forcing him into the house.
"Delphie!" He calls once inside.
"Robbbb, be reasonable. It wasn't much of a swear word! No one was there. C'mon!" Joseph whispers shocked that Rob is acting this way.
"Rob? Is there a problem?" Delphie asks coming out of her bedroom.
"Joseph needs a mouth full of vinegar. He was swearing."
"Very well, come with me, Joseph." Delphie tells the flabbergasted boy staring at Rob.
Once allowed to spit out the horrid liquid a few minutes later, Joseph declares "I don't know you! You aren't my brother any longer! Just go back where you came from as we don't need you here!"
"Joseph! That was extremely rude! You go to your room until your Pa talks to you since you can't behave as a young gentleman." Delphie scolds sending the boy further into shock. His mama never punishes him and now she's sending him to wait for his Pa!
After what seems like five hours to Joseph, his Pa comes in the room. Ethan looks at the forlorn boy sitting beside him on the side of the bed. "I heard you had some trouble this afternoon. Would you care to give me an explanation?"
Knowing the request is more a demand, Joseph answers "l was frustrated. I had been scratched by the wire several times when I stretched it over the gate frame. It kept popping off before I could nail it. Then I couldn't seem to line up the new latch with the fastener on the coop. I remounted it three times before Rob showed up. I found it was too low and said a swear word right when he walked up. No one else was even outside, Pa. I'm sorry for swearing even if no one was there but me and Rob."
"What is this about being rude to Rob?"
"He grabbed me and forced me inside where he told Mama to make me take vinegar! I lost my temper. He just came back and starts parenting me! Plus he goes around doing what he pleases. He stayed in town after you told us to come home."
"So you told him he was no longer your brother and he wasn't needed here?"
"Yes sir." Joseph replies mentally bracing himself for his expected punishment.
Noticing the boy's expression as well as his tense body, Ethan tells him "Calm down, son. Yes, you were in the wrong today but you aren't going to be thrashed for it. You are acting as if you are expecting me to take a horse whip to you! You know I would never do such a thing. Now, as I see it, you owe Rob an apology. He has been away a long time and needs to settle back into his brother role. From talking to Mr. Campbell, Rob took on a supervising position during his time away. He will have changed, Joseph. You just have to adapt to your new older brother. That and mind your tongue. No more swearing, young man! If there is a next time, your mouth won't be the only body part burning. Got me?"
"Yes sir. Am I restricted to my room tonight or may I go spend time with Rob? Oh, and have supper at the table."
"I believe two hours of solitary confinement and a mouthwashing with vinegar sufficient punishment this time. You are free to enjoy the evening. We will work on the latch problem together tomorrow."
Finished with kitchen chores, the three younger boys join the family gathered around the fire in the front room. "Everyone, I brought some gifts for you. George? Please get the carpetbag you liked so much and bring it in here."
"Rob, the money you earned this summer was for you. We don't need gifts."
"Pa, I wanted to use some of the money. Now, this is for Mama and here's one for your as well, Claire." Rob replies as he hands Delphie and Claire packages wrapped in white butcher paper tied with string.
"Joseph, please hand this to Pa and the one in brown paper is for you. Now for Ben and George. For you two, I couldn't wrap them. If you wait just until everyone else opens theirs, I will get yours, alright?"
At their nods, he says "Ladies, first. Open them, please."
"Oooh! Those are pretty. You have matching pins with Mama, Claire."
"Yes, that's true, George. Thank you, Rob. This green stone will look nice with my new brown wool cloak."
"Thank you, Dear. The stone reminds me of the shimmering grass of Ireland." Delphie says rising to give the young man a kiss.
Smiling at his blushing son, Ethan opens his gift to find a new belt buckle. Thank you, son. My Sunday trousers will look spectacular wearing this."
"The Legend Of Sleepy Hollow." Joseph reads looking at the title page of the leather covered book. "Thanks, Rob. I will enjoy having a new book. I haven't seen a book bound in a soft cover before. All the ones I see are hard bound."
"You are welcome, everyone. Joseph that came from a trading post. Someone left it there. Okay, you two, let's look on the side porch."
Scrambling up and fast walking the two youngest jerk the side door open causing it to slam against the wall in their hurry.
"Boys! Let's not kill the door, please." Ethan calls out, earning giggles and "Sorry, Pa." from the eager boys.
"These are rubber balls. They will bounce on the packed ground and be good for kicking too. Red for Ben and blue for George. Try not to let them land on a stick because it might puncture."
"Thanks, Rob! They look fun!"
After everyone has gone to bed, Joseph hears a knock on his door before it opens.
"May I come in?"
"Yeah"
"I came to apologize. I overreacted earlier and got you punished. You didn't get a whipping did you?"
"Not this time. He said I would if he heard of me swearing again. Why are you treating me so rough, Rob? You and I don't treat each other that way. When I followed you to join the drive, you were going to whip me before Mr. Campbell stopped you. Today, months later you just got back and are rough with me again. Are we no longer brothers?"
"Of course we are! I will always be your older brother. You can be mad at me all you like and I won't stop being your brother. There are times when you have turned Ben over to Pa when he has misbehaved, right?"
"Yeah, many times, actually."
"Did that make you stop being his brother? Do you not care for him any longer?"
"No, I care a lot and want him to learn better than to behave the way he did."
"Same goes for me when it comes to you, Joseph. I want you to be better than I was at your age. Now, come stay with me in my room. I found the journal you left there. Did you really take Goldie to the canyon?"
"Yes, we did. I let him be free. It cost me, too. Pa got me good for that. I would absolutely do it again though."
"C'mon, let's go upstairs where we can talk without having to try to stay quiet. I have some things to tell you."
A.N. Thank you to guest J. who left the review for Being Real Men. You asked for a back story of Rob. I will try to get one for you soon.