New Beginnings: Life Changes

Ch. 26

Starting Fresh

Monday morning, Paradise:

Greeting the three boys as they come to breakfast, Delphie says "Here are my three scholars! I have breakfast all prepared. We are having eggs, bacon, ham, biscuits, and cinnamon apple oatmeal. I have a sweet bread for anyone who eats all of their oatmeal."

Joseph asks "Why didn't Pa call us for chores? We aren't going to have time to eat all of this if we need to finish chores before leaving."

"Your Pa is doing the morning chores right now. He said to let you sleep since it is your first day of a new school year. He will join us soon."

"Mama? Do we have any more jam left from when you and Claire made some this summer?" Ben asks after serving himself two flaky biscuits.

"Yes, we have strawberry and blackberry. Which one would you like?"

"I like strawberry best. Is it in the root cellar?" Ben asks.

"Yes, you may get it but use the pulley pantry to get the jar up. Don't try to carry it and climb the steep stairs."

Just as Ben places the canning jar on the table, Ethan walks in.

"Good morning boys. You look well rested and ready for your first day. Ben, George, you two be helpful to Miss. Donaldson. She is having her first day of school in Paradise today. She may have some different ways of running her schoolroom than your Aunt Linnea. I expect all three of you to be respectful and obedient to your teachers. Ben, no tomfoolery in class. Save your silliness for recess. You are in school to learn, not play. George, Joseph, you remember that as well. I will expect good deportment or there will be unpleasant consequences. Remember what we discussed yesterday. You are to follow the school rules and do your best work. Those are the two main behaviors your Mama and I expect. Now, please pass me that jar of jam and plate of biscuits. Your Mama makes delicious biscuits."

"I only learned from Alex. He taught me the tricks needed to create the layers. He has a talent for cooking. That young man could be a chef."

""What's a chef, Mama? Someone who makes bread?"

"Not just bread, Ben but fancy desserts and elegant meals. A chef is a very talented cook."

"You are talented, Mama. You make special desserts. Maybe you are a chef. Could I have some of that sweet bread now? I finished my oatmeal."

"Ben, you are quite the flatterer. Yes, you may have a slice. George, you need to eat some more of your breakfast. You've barely eaten anything except a biscuit with jam. That won't keep you from being hungry in school, dear."

"I don't want any of this." George answers looking at his plate as he pushes the now cold eggs across it.

"Try to eat some oatmeal. You like apples and cinnamon mixed in it." Delphie encourages.

"I Don't Want Any." George repeats firmly while glowering at the bowl of oatmeal.

"George, watch your tone of voice young man." Ethan scolds watching the boy continue scowling at his breakfast.

"George look up at me right now! When someone is speaking to you then you are to look at them. You know how to be polite." Ethan reprimands.

When the boy complies, he continues. "I understand you are sad and are missing Claire. We all miss her as well. That is no reason to be impolite. We have talked about this several times. She is going to school to learn more about nursing as she always hoped to do. You have moped enough. You were aware at least two weeks ago, Claire and your Mama were preparing clothes for Claire to take. We talked of her attending nursing school. You saw us preparing trunks and carpetbags for the journey.. She talked of going and staying with Alex's family so it was not a huge surprise when she left. As I told you last night, you may feel sad but the time for moping is over. You have a choice young man. Either change your behavior, obey your Mama and eat or continue to behave rudely. Only one choice will allow you to sit comfortably in school. I am positive you know which one. I give you to the count of five to show me your decision. One. ...Two...Three..."

As his Pa reaches three, George eats a spoonful of oatmeal.

"Good choice. Now finish the bowl and drink your milk. No more refusing to eat what is served. This is the fourth time in two days we have had this behavior and it ends now. Do you hear what I am telling you, George?"

"Yes sir."

"Good, see that you remember. Boys, I will take you to school today so in a few minutes begin gathering your school things. Your Mama has sandwiches and more ready in your lunchpails. Take time to eat what she has prepared. It is a long day between breakfast and supper."

"Won't we get a snack when we get home from school?" Ben asks giving Delphie a sad look.

"No need to pull your sad face for me, young rascal. You will have a snack of some kind when you get home. Now, everyone go gather your school kits and find your jackets. The weather is cooler today." Delphie urges the boys.

Arriving at the school, the boys see children playing as others are arriiving.

"You may play as well, but first come inside with me." Ethan instructs his sons.

"Hello again, Mr. Cord. Hello boys." The teacher greets them as they walk into the building.

"Good morning, Ma'am. These two belong to you. Joseph is in Mr. Davis' class upstairs. If you experience any problems or have concerns, either send me a note or drop by the sheriff's office. Before the boys join their friends, are there any instructions you wish to give?"

"Boys, choose your seat and put everything on the desktop. Afterwards you may join the rest outside. I will ring the bell to enter."

"Yes ma'am. Bye Pa, Joseph." Ben answers as George nods before both walk away.

"George, you are to answer your teacher." Ethan reminds firmly after calling the child back to him.

"Yes Ma'am Miss. Donaldson, may I choose any seat?"

"As long as the desktop is clear, it is available. We have desks for everyone now. This room is larger now that the school board extended into the next room."

"Thank you, ma'am."

"George is not the enthusiastic happy boy I met a few weeks back. Has something upset him? I thought he liked school. Did I confuse the two boys?" Miss. Donaldson asks after the three boys leave the room.

"You are very intuitive and have good memory to recognize a difference in George. You only met him briefly that one time. He is indeed the boy who loves school."

"Part of being a good teacher is to quickly learn the personality of students. Knowing when something changes helps me focus on helping the child. I believe education is not just assigning memorization but teaching with compassion. It helps to know your students to teach this way. Is everything alright with the boy's mother?"

"Yes, thank you for asking. My daughter, Claire just left for nursing school in Boston. You were not able to attend church here in town so you would not know. George is having a difficult time accepting this. He has a very special attachment to Claire. She practically raised him until he was six and they moved in with me. If you recall our conversation last week, I adopted these children when their parents died."

"Poor boy. I do remember our conversation. I thank you again for sharing your children's story with me. I look forward to learning more about Ben and George. It seems as if it is time to call the children. Would you like to stay for our 'Get To Know You' meeting?"

"I think not. I already know your class. Be mindful, there are some real rascals. One belongs to me. Ben can get out of hand at times. In Paradise, teachers do not strike the students. If you have behavior that you feel warrants that sort of punishment, speak to the parents."

"Yes, that is my policy as well. You can assure the other school board members of this. I have never believed in teachers physically punishing their students although it is a common practice in most schools."

"I will leave you to meet your students. Enjoy your day." Ethan replies before walking down the steps. Waving at the kids, he heads towards the sherriff's office.

Deciding the time has come to begin, Miss. Donaldson gives the bell rope two quick tugs. At the sound of the bell, the children playing all dash to form two lines, boys in one girls in the other.

"What a wonderful job lining up quickly, children! I am impressed! Can you impress me more by entering quietly? Let's come in and sit down. We have introductions to make."

As the children settle into their chosen seats, Ben leans over to ask "George? What is introductions and how do you make it?"

Hearing his question and some snickers from other children, Miss. Donaldson continues walking to the slightly raised platform at the front of the room.

"Children, in this classroom we are all here to learn. We are here to help each other learn. You are not just students but also teachers. You each bring to school knowledge, knowing things, that someone else may not know. How many of you, raise hands, know how to milk a cow?"

Seeing at least nine of the fifteen hands go up, she smiles. "Yes most of you seem to know how to milk a cow but there are some that don't. Those who do will help teach those who do not, very soon. Now, George, I heard Ben ask you what introductions are. Would you like to teach him or would you prefer me to?"

"I would like you to, Ma'am."

"Alright, Ben let us pretend we have never met each other. Now, an introduction is when people meet and learn each other's names. It can be more than just names. It can be learning about the other person. Let's practice. I will go first."

Walking over to Ben's desk, she whispers "stand by the desk" waiting for him to do so.

"Hello, allow me to introduce myself, young sir. My name is Samantha Donaldson. I have just moved to Paradise to help my grandparents. What is your name?"

"Ben"

"Very nice to meet you, Ben. Would you introduce me to one of your friends?"

"Yes, ma'am. Right over here is my friend, Aaron."

"Very good, Ben. Now tell Aaron, 'Aaron, this is Miss. Donaldson.' to make the introduction."

"Aaron, this is Miss. Donaldson." Ben repeats.

"Thank you for the introduction, Ben. It is a pleasure to meet you, Aaron. Now, Aaron, please introduce me to someone else."

"Yes ma'am. Miss. Donaldson, this is my twin sister, Alyssa."

"Hello, Alyssa. It is a pleasure to meet you. Who will you introduce me too?"

After meeting all of her students, Miss. Donaldson returns to the front raised platform.

"Thank you children for your excellent introductions. It is exciting to meet all of you at last. Some of you, I met in town but some we just met. Now, let's do more introductions but write them down this time. If you look here on the side chalkboard, I have written a list of things we might write about ourselves. I would like to get to know you more. Things such as brothers and sisters, pets, other family members you have, favorite activities, favorite belongings, foods, these are some of our topics. There are ten things listed but you do not have to use them all. Just choose at least three. You may also write anything else you would like to tell me. These are just for me to read so you can say anything. Also, spell it just as it sounds if you are unsure. I am quite good at decoding, which means figuring out words. I will be calling you up to read one at a time while you work. Let's begin."

Opening his lined tablet, George writes 'Introducing George Cord' across the top as instructed. Biting the end of his pencil in thought as he reads the choices, he decides where to begin. Moving to the first line he writes;

My favorite activities are climbing our pirate ship, playing on our barn swing, getting sodas from town, fishing and helping my Mama. I kind of have two well really three mothers. My first Mama lives in Heaven. I don't remember much about her but she liked to get me to climb in bed to hug. She died when I was five. My next Mama is really my sister, Claire. She looked after Ben and me a lot from when we were babies. Our Mama was a singer and really busy. Claire took care of us and taught us and she was my age now then. I couldn't look after really little kids at ten years old. Claire is seventeen and just left me to go learn to be a nurse. She knows how already so I don't see why she went. I miss her as she was my special sister mama. My next mama is my new one. Delphie is already a nurse and could teach Claire here. She married Pa in the spring. I have three brothers. Rob is seventeen, Joseph will be fifteen next month and Ben is eleven. After Christmas we will get a baby. Mama may have two babies like Aunt Linnea. She says only one but it could be two. I don't know if it will be a brother or a sister. School things I like are all of them. I like math and reading and spelling bees and writing. I like to draw but Pa says not to do that at school. We have two cats, two ponies, chickens and a dog. Our ponies are called shetland ponies and won't be bigger.. Ben says chickens are not pets because you can not play with them. So he won't tell you of them. I like my chickens.

Across the aisle from George, Ben has written his essay as well.

I am Ben and I am eleven. I like to go fishing and sploring. Pa won't allow me to splore canyuns or caves or woods either so I can not do sploring much. Sometimes my friends and I splore in the woods by the bording house. Don't tell on us. We would be in trubl. I like outside. Staying inside is hard. I need to run and climb, Claire says. Claire is my sister. I have three brothers George, Joseph who is sometimes bossy and Rob who is evryday bossy. Rob thinks he is same as Papa. Papa says he isn't. Rob and Claire are mostly grown ups now. They are going on a train to a place called Bostun. I like riding trains. I want to go on a long trip too. We went to Denvr on the train bfor. It was fun. We saw snow. My schoolwork is not good sometimes I cant membr things so well. Stuff gets mixed up. Don't get mad at me for it. I had what Claire called skarlit feevr and membring things is hard favrit school things are lunch and recess. I like books and stories but sometimes reading new words gets hard. We have a new mama now. She makes good dessarts. We get dessarts more now. She came from Irland and Doctur Amy is her sister. Rob and Joseph help Pa with Army horses. Pa won't let me and George help gentl them. He thinks we are littl babys. Pa is the sheriff here in town and knows lots about guns. He won't allow us to use a gun only he can. Sometimes Rob and Joseph can use a shot gun. I want to learn to shoot to proteckt Mama. She is having a baby soon. I want a baby brother. Sisters are not as fun cause they boss you and get you in trubl with your Pa.

Denver, Monday morning

"My clerk tells me you wish to withdraw three hundred dollars. I need to see a written statement from a Mr. Ethan Cord as he is on record as manager of the account. Any amount over one hundred dollars is referred to me. Do you have a written release, sir?"

Standing beside Rob at the teller window, Claire waits to see how Rob handles this development.

"Every time I come to your bank to do business, I am questioned and feel I am found unworthy. Have you looked at the total of my bank account recently, sir? I would like to continue doing my banking with your establishment but if the bank in Denver treats high account holders this way, I feel I should remove my account. I hear the American National Bank in Colorado Springs is friendly and is an excellent bank."

While listening to Rob, the assistant manager has been veiwing the numbers of the account. At the words "remove my account" he looks up worriedly.

"No need to do that Mr. Cord. We can accomodate your request. All I need is a withdrawal form signed by yourself and Mr. Ethan Cord. As both names are on the account, it is policy."

"That is understandable. Here you are, sir." Rob replies reaching into his coat to remove the signed form.

"Very well, all is in order. Teller, grant Mr. Cord his withdrawal."

"Yes, Sir. How do you wish the cash Mr. Cord? Large bills?"

"No, I wish to have fifty dollars in tens, fifty in fives. The next hundred in twenties and the final in two fifty dollar bills." Rob responds as he and Claire discussed the night before. Both deciding smaller bills would be better to have to use on the trip.

"Here is your money, sir. You and your missus have a nice day." The teller says handing Rob the small folded leather book.

"Thank you, we intend to. Let's go, Dear." Rob tells Claire with a wink only she can see. He takes her arm, walks them out and past the front windows before stopping.

"That man thought I was your wife! Can you believe we look old enough to be married?"

"We are dressed up so we look older. I just let him think what he wished. Did you mind?"

"I didn't mind. You really know how to play the part of the offended gentleman well. I just hope you can convince Pa you needed this much money as well as you did those bank managers. I doubt he would have agreed with you."

"Probably not but he doesn't necessarily know how pricey Boston might be. If we don't need the money, I can just deposit it back when I come through here going home. I think we should have more than we need just to be ready. Alright, let's stop in the leather goods store and buy two money belts. I will wear one and you wear one. We will keep our money next to our skin where no one can find it."

Having returned to the hotel to gather the trunks and fix the money belts, Rob asks "Are you ready to go? You are about to start fresh with a new place to live."

"I am ready if you mean packed. I do have some anxiety about our train trip. It is such a long journey. How will we sleep, what will we eat? How will we get a bath? I don't want to smell like a train when we meet Alex and his family."

"We will work all of that out, Claire. This train is more a traveling hotel. It has a dining car, places to sleep and most likely more. We will find out as soon as we get to the train station. Let's gather our things and go find a buggy to take us to the station. I have a bellhop waiting outside the door to help with the large trunk."

"Here we are, the Denver rail station. I will see to your trunks while you purchase tickets. Come back afterward and I will help you load them on the train." The buggy driver tells Rob as they arrive.

At the ticket window, Claire listens while Rob asks about prices. Men are accustomed to doing business with men not ladies, so she stays quiet.

"Claire, we can purchase a seat in the sleeping car called a Pullman. There are beds in it. Doesn't that seem grand? By day it is a seat and by night a bed. Dining is included with the ticket but he says some meals cost extra. Would you like to get the Pullman seat? It is not much more than regular car price. I think we should."

"I agree if it isn't too expensive, Rob."

"Sir? We would like to purchase seats in the Pullman car. Make sure dining is included with that. We are traveling to Boston."

"Right, two full trip or one way tickets?"

"Just one way. We can purchase return tickets later." Rob answers.

"Two one way tickets to Boston, Massachusetts, Pullman car with dining. Here you are, sir. The price is listed."

"I need to know what to do with our trunks. The buggy driver is holding them. Do we ask him to load them?" Rob asks after passing over the bills and collecting the tickets.

"Have him bring your trunks to the right side of the station. The train porters will load them and assist you on the train. We are boarding now so go ahead. The train is not scheduled to leave for at least an hour. You will hear a call saying'"Last call for boarding' before the train leaves the station. Pleasant journey, Ma'am, Sir. Thank you for choosing Pennsylvania Railways for your journey."

As the pair and the buggy driver carry the tunks to the designated side, Rob looks for help. Finding a man dressed in a dark blue uniform with gold trim and buttons, Rob asks "Excuse me, can you tell me where to find the porter for this train?"

"Yes sir. I am one of the porters. My name is David. How may I be of service?"

"We are traveling in the Pullman car and need assistance with storing these trunks."

"Which Pullman car? There are four on this train. May I see your ticket?"

"Yes, Car C, right this way. Your porter is Jeremiah. He will be your attendant during the trip. Any needs you may have just tell him and he will help you. Here we are, Car C. Wait and I will get Jeremiah." David tells them before swinging up the step and into the train.

"Well he seemed helpful. I had not realized their were four sleeping cars." Claire murmurs to Rob as David reappears followed by a large middle aged black man.

"Hello, I am Jeremiah. I will see to you on the trip. Let me stow your trunks and we will go up."

Passing over the largest of the two trunks, the buggy driver snaps "Be careful Boy. Don't break it."

Aghast at the driver's rude behavior, Claire seethes but stays quiet.

"Yessuh, masser! Thi' boy'll bees ca'eful" Jeremiah responds slipping easily into a role he has played often. The unschooled old south negro.

"Thank you for your help today. We no longer need a driver and you must need to pick up someone else." Claire says quietly.

"Yes, I need to be leaving. Safe journey, Missus, Mister." The man replies before leaving.

"Well now, those trunks are safely stowed until you reach your destination. Are you ready to board now? It will be more comfortable sitting down than standing on the platform. Have you anyone seeing you off today?" Jeremiah asks having returned to the brother and sister.

"Our family saw us off Saturday at home. We are on the second part of our trip." Rob answers as they follow him to the two steps by the open door of the long black train car.

"Mr. Jeremiah?" Claire asks as they find themselves alone in the car.

"Yes Ma'am? I don't have a Mister in my name, Ma'am. I go by Jeremiah."

"I will still call you Mr. Jeremiah as it is polite. My upbringing taught me to recognize theatre when I see it. You were acting a part outside with the trunks. May I be bold and inquire why? Why did you put on the fake accent?" Claire asks.

Giving Rob a side glance, the porter doesn't answer.

"You might as well answer Claire. Once my sister gets riled up about something she will keep asking until she finds out what she wants to know. I'm Rob by the way. I am escorting my sister to attend nursing school in Boston. We do not look down on others because of differences. We were raised better."

Quite taken with the two young people, Jeremiah smiles.

"Well then, I will answer. Many people are not as well heeled as you two. They see dark skin and assume I am a former or runaway ignorant slave. I adopt that speech because they expect it. I grew up in a family of coal miners. My father and older brothers worked the mines. As the youngest, I was sent to school where I was taught well. I hired on with the railroad ten years ago. I became a porter seven years ago. I enjoy my job and accomodate the customers to keep it. May I bring you a cold beverage?"