New Beginnings: Life Changes

ch. 37

Assumptions and Consequences

Taking the two boys to the Sheriff's office, Ethan leaves them under Chris' firm eye.

"Chris, they are not to leave this building for any reason! I have some urgent business to attend to but will return for them in half an hour. Boys? You two best not even THINK of disobeying Chris!"

He then escorts Amelia to the Paradise Boarding House. Introducing her to Mrs. Blackstock, Ethan explains just a little of her circumstances and arranges to pay her room and board.

"Mrs. Blackstock can help you if you need anything. I will most likely see you tomorrow or if not then on Sunday. Perhaps you could come to the ranch after church. My wife, Delphie, would enjoy meeting you. As for now, I need to get the boys home. Their mothers are waiting."

"Thank you once again for your kindness. I can tell already, I will enjoy staying in this lovely place. I will be just fine, Sheriff. Your family comes before me, do be easy on young Ben. He is an adventurous spirit." Amelia answers.

Leaving Amelia to settle into the boarding house with the help of Mrs. Blackstock, Ethan takes Caleb to Matt.

Sending the boy to his mother after a hug and strong swat to the seat of his pants, Matt turns to Ethan.

"Thank you for the telegram, Ethan. I know having word the boys were safe, helped Delphie and Linnea. We had been searching for hours. When I finish my upcoming talk with Caleb, I believe he will think long and hard before jumping a train again."

"I delivered a very firm reprimand by applying my hand to both boy's backsides! I informed them they would hear more about the behavior once we arrived home. We had a very firm discussion of the safety risks and law breaking their actions involved. Ben was the instigator. He talked Caleb into going along. According to what I learned, they climbed into the boxcar carrying wood for the engine, here in Paradise. Luckily this train was headed to Colorado Springs today. Ben reported he was looking for the train with 'the sleeping car'. He learned of those by Claire and Rob's journey. Thankfully in Colorado Springs, they did get on a train heading back this way. I found the boys hiding behind crates in another boxcar. Caleb told me he made sure to find the train coming back through Paradise. Ben might have had them going anywhere! They were alone in the boxcar both times. They were very lucky in that. Other than having a massive scare of missing children, how has life been here? Any problems?"

"The only problems were with temperamental children. Mitch sent Frank Palmer over to help build the new ice house. He has a way of needling people just enough to make someone angry. Joseph and Frank had a scuffle but Joseph was innocent of fault. Frank misinterpreted a comment about his mother into some way out of proportion idea. Joseph was offering candy to the boy and mentioned his mother might enjoy some 'because she works hard.' Frank jumped him."

"Did the boys receive punishment?"

"I did not punish them. After my talk with Joseph, I learned he only intended kindness. He seems confused over Frank's animosity, why his attempts at friendship have been unsuccessful, and is a bit resentful over it as well. He reported being teased and called 'Perfect Sheriff's Kid.' I, myself, know you are not the 'perfect sheriff'. Frank could mean Joseph is a perfect kid of the Sheriff, however!" Matt finishes his report with a grin.

"Funny man aren't you? Let me go, I have Ben waiting at the office. We will see you all at church on Sunday."

"Are you planning to attend the Harvest Festival tomorrow?"

"I am hoping not to need to attend. Joseph and George will most likely be going. Will you allow Caleb and the girls to go? Ben has forfeited that pleasure although he does not know this yet."

"Sarah has plans to meet Joseph there. Chris has offered to take the girls as I am not going. I believe those two are fast becoming a couple instead of close friends. I have not heard if Elisha wishes to go. She does not enjoy large gatherings much. Caleb will be kept home."

Ignoring the comment of Joseph and Sarah becoming a couple, Ethan says goodbye, turning to walk back to collect Ben.

Hailed by a voice, just as he nears the office, Ethan looks to see Mr. Davis approaching.

"I have something I want you to see. Here is Joseph's latest composition. You should look at it before you confront him about his run-in with Frank Palmer. Welcome home, by the way."

"Thank you. I will look at it. If it needs corrections, I will see he does a rewrite of the composition." Ethan replies taking the folded paper as he wonders how the teacher knew of the incident at Matt's store. Dismissing the thought as most likely the small town gossip chain, he adds "I haven't made it home to the ranch. Let me get my wayward child and deliver him to his mother. I will speak to you soon."

Having been hugged and then thoroughly scolded in both Irish and English by his mother, Ben hears Ethan's stern command "Go to your room until told differently. You may leave to use the W.C. only. We will talk later."

"Ethan, thank you for your telegram. Linnea and I were frantic by the time it arrived. There were searchers looking everywhere and no one knew where to look next. The boys just vanished! How could they think climbing into a boxcar on a train was a good idea? They are fortunate not to have had contact with outlaws hopping trains from what you have told me! They know better than to ride a train that way!" Delphie exclaims as she paces the kitchen.

"I sent word as soon as I could. I knew you would be worrying. Ben does know not to act this way. He has known playing in or around trains or on the tracks is forbidden since the age of six. I reminded him just a few weeks ago after the school class visited the depot. He also is very much aware of the consequences of disobeying this rule. Would you happen to have any bread made? I could use a bite to eat before I do much else. Cheese and bread will do."

"I have a roast ready. We'll have boiled potatoes, carrots, corn, green peas, bread from yesterday plus cake. I just need to boil the potatoes. Let us eat before you handle Ben. Is he to come to the table?"

"Good, I am pretty hungry. No, I will fix him a plate to eat in his room. Where are the other boys? Did you have trouble with any of them?"

"Ben behaved as he often does when you must leave. George was his helpful, cheery self. Joseph tried very hard to do all of the tasks you left for him, be the man of the house, go to school, and to make his brother behave. Be sure to praise his efforts as he, and George also, worked extremely hard for you."

"So Ben acted out is that what you are saying? I want to hear more of this before I talk to him. The list was meant for all of us to accomplish before winter. I did not intend for the boys to do it all. I just asked them to do the first two listings." Ethan replies, correctly assuming she is displeased.

"I will go see what they have done. We won't be long."

"Hello, boys. I have been walking around the ranch. I see so many tasks already completed! You did so well! I am very proud! The chinking on this barn, the pasture fencing, piles of chopped wood, and the hay is even raked into stacks! How in the world did you get all of this done in the short amount of time I was gone? Did you three boys work all afternoon and evening every day?" Ethan addresses the two putting fresh bedding in the stalls.

"Pa! I missed you so much! Did you whip Ben for running off? He deserves it! He was so bad while you were gone. He was disobeying Mama, Miss. Donaldson, and Joseph! He would not help do any chores even regular ones! Joseph spanked him twice but it did not help!"

"I missed you as well, George." Ethan answers ignoring the question as he holds the boy who leaped into his arms.

"Joseph? I did not intend for you to try to accomplish ALL the tasks on the list at once. I am very proud you did so many but I never intended for you to feel that pressure. I thought I had made it clear we would be doing the list together. Are you irritated, son?" Ethan asks the older boy who has yet to face him.

Reluctantly turning so his Pa can see his face, Joseph waits for a reaction to his black eye.

"Hmmm, Matt did mention you had a scuffle at his store over a misunderstanding with Frank Palmer. That is quite the black eye. I suppose your Ma has been treating it."

"Yes sir, she has been." Joseph replies not correcting his father's assumption. "George is right. Ben has been awful, Pa. George and I have done all the work. I tried forcing Ben to help but not even walloping him with a wooden spoon helped. He would not do anything I said! He was disobedient with Mama and in trouble with his teacher. He has just been awful. I haven't seen him act this way in a long time, if ever. Then running off and jumping a train! He's lost all sense!"

"Come boys, let's go inside as it is time to prepare for supper." Ethan states, refraining from reminding his son that he himself had once run off and jumped a train! "We need to wash and help your Mama. I will hear your account of what went on during supper. Ben and I will have a thorough discussion later."

Walking beside their Pa, Joseph and George exchange knowing looks about what a "thorough discussion" means.

Leaving the other boys helping with the kitchen cleanup, Ethan takes a woebegone eleven year old out to the barn.

"Benjamin, I have been informed of your actions while I was away. Besides the fact you put yourself in extreme danger with the train incident, you have other misbehavior. Direct defiance of your mother, Miss. Donaldson and Joseph, being disrespectful, and refusal to help with the ranch work you knew you were expected to do. I am deeply disappointed."

"Joseph was bossing us around! Telling us what chores we had to do and they were not on our chore list! He hit me with his hand and that wooden spoon too! You ought to wallop him for it!"

"Before I left, we had a family meeting. What did I tell you about your responsibilities?"

Watching the child carefully, Ethan sees the telltale glint enter his eyes.

"You are in big trouble already young man! If you are smart, you will not add lying to my face to your list of transgressions! Answer me!"

Shoulders drooping, Ben answers "You said we had to obey Joseph with the outside chore list. We were to mind Mama and help her."

"Did you do as I told you?"

"No, sir."

"What is our family rule about schoolwork and school behavior?"

"We are to always do our best on our schoolwork and follow the school rules." Ben recites.

"The main one of those school rules is to obey the teacher, correct?"

"Yessir, it is."

"Would you say a child refusing to even try to write the spelling words and dictation sentences is following our home rule as well as obeying the teacher?"

"No sir."

"I agree with you. You knew the rules but decided to break them. You now have consequences for that decision. I expect you to apologize to your mother tonight for your defiance. Then you will do the same with Miss. Donaldson on Monday morning. I will take you inside to see to it you obey me. She may assign punishment as well. For your refusal to help your brothers, you will clean all of the stalls and do after supper cleanup alone every night next week. It appears to me you need much time to think of how you are expected to behave. Fortunately being housebound to the ranch yard for two weeks will provide that time. You will come straight home from school and no visits with friends during this restriction. You will also go to bed an hour early the entire two weeks of your restriction! Your punishment begins tomorrow."

"Starting tomorrow?! NO, PA! THAT'S NOT FAIR! The Harvest Festival is tomorrow! You said I could go!" Ben declares loudly as he realizes he is losing his chance to attend.

Standing and lifting the boy off the opposite hay bale, Ethan carries the protesting child into the tack room.

"You have been disobedient at home and at school, put yourself and Caleb in danger, been disrespectful to your Mother, Joseph, Miss. Donaldson and now you shout at me. You lost the privilege of attending the festival. My word goes until you are of age. You do what I tell you! End of story! We talked on the train of the reasons your behavior was so dangerous. If you remember, I told you to stay away from trains a few weeks back when you were playing on the tracks. I warned you what would happen if you defied me. The time for talking is at an end. When you think back to this, remember what you did to earn this punishment. Do not ever even attempt to ride a train without permission again!"

Finished with his brief lecture, Ethan lifts the thick strap off the nail.

"Papa! Not the strap! You never use it! You already spanked me and it hurt! I'm deeply sorry! I AM!" Ben exclaims, eyes not leaving the object. He has heard tales of it being able to light a fire on your bottom without matches.

"Unbutton your pants, push them to your knees and position yourself over the barrel. You have six coming. I love you, Ben, and if it takes a whipping to teach you to stay out of danger, I will deliver it!"

The first whack confirms his older brothers were telling the truth. Ben feels his howl could probably be heard inside, but the fire being set on his butt is too great not to yell.

Later that evening as he is preparing for bed, Ethan takes time to read the composition he was given by Mr. Davis.

"Ethan? Is something wrong? You have been staring at that paper for fifteen minutes. Is it bad news?" Delphie's concerned voice penetrating his fog.

"No, it is just shocking news. I had no idea. I could have sworn he was against my actions at the time. Here, read this. I need to go talk to Joseph." Ethan replies, passing her the theme.

Not being able to settle his mind, Joseph decides to go downstairs to talk to his Pa. Opening the bedroom door he gasps at coming face to face with Ethan.

"Pa! I was just coming down to see you! I need to talk."

"Well, that is interesting because I am here to talk to you too. I am older so I get to talk first. Kindly sit down, young sir." Ethan's jovial tone and pronouncement of why he goes first getting a smile out of Joseph.

"Joseph, Mr. Davis gave me your composition this afternoon. I just read it. Son, I am very moved by your kind words. Of course, I came to St. Louis for you children! You are my family. If the roles were reversed and I had children who were orphaned would your mother have abandoned them?"

"No, she would have probably come here and raised us all together."

"I want to apologize for how hateful, rude, and troublesome I was back then. I am ashamed. You were only trying to help us."

"Joseph, son, look at me." Ethan says softly, waiting for compliance.

"I appreciate and accept your apology but you were a young boy who was grieving. I knew that but also knew not to allow your behavior. Just as Ben is doing, you were testing the boundaries. Is it sufficient to say, you now know them? I saw where you wrote of being taught to live up to what is expected of you. I assume that means your boundaries as well."

"Yes sir. Pa? Speaking of rules, I need to say something. Will you hear me out?"

"I will."

"My black eye did not come from my scuffle at Uncle Matt's store as you assumed. Frank and I got into a fistfight at school on Thursday. I jumped him first so I should be punished. Mr. Davis sent us home early for fighting. Mama punished me by making me write an apology letter to Mr. Davis and sent me to bed early. You always said we are not to start a fight, I did. You also said we would be punished if sent home from school for misbehaving. Would you want me to wait in the barn?"

"What happened to make you lash out? You have been able to control yourself when teased for quite some time so it must have been something else."

"I lost control. I jumped him and punched him. I started it. I deserve to be punished. I'll wait in the barn now." Joseph answers standing up from the bed where he was sitting.

"Hold up, Joseph. We can handle it right here. No need to go to the barn. Bend over the bed." Ethan orders as he unbuckles his belt. His words and action causing the boy to swallow nervously as he obeys the command.

Folding the belt in half, holding the buckle, Ethan aims for the upturned target and delivers two smacks that echo in the room but hardly sting at all.

"There, you have been punished. One for fighting and one for being sent home early. Now tell me what Frank said or did. I know you too well to believe you just hit him for no reason. This boy has caused problems with you for months and you never hit him. Time for the rest of the story, son."

Rubbing the spot where the belt connected, Joseph answers "He was making insinuations about Mama and Mr. Davis. He talked about Mr. Davis visiting Mama while you were away. The way he said it let me know he didn't mean it in a nice way. He seems to always be angry and I haven't done anything but try to be friendly. Earlier this week he jumped on me just for saying he should give the candy I offered him to his Mother because she works hard. I only meant she is a mother and all mothers work hard. He tried to fight me over it. He has a chip the size of a fence post on his shoulder!"

"I did hear about that incident and agree the boy has a problem. Tell me in exact words what he said about Delphie. I want to hear it now, Joseph."

"He said: "It must be that the teacher enjoys nighttime favors with your nursey! What about it? Does he visit your house while your sheriff's away?" Joseph says quietly before adding "He was nasty, Pa. I can't let him talk that way and not do something."

Seeing his Pa grit his teeth and then clinch his hands, Joseph asks "Pa? Are you alright? Are you angry?"

"I am not angry at you, son. Thank you for telling me. Go to sleep now. We can talk more tomorrow if you wish. Thank you again for your praise in the essay. I agree it deserved an A grade."

Saturday afternoon George and Joseph are ready to leave for the Harvest Festival but are having to endure parental reminders.

"Remember to stay in sight of adults. No wandering off into the woods by Dawson's farm. I also want you home by dark. I do not want you out at night. That gives you four hours to enjoy yourselves. Do you hear me, boys?" Ethan asks, firmly.

"Yes, Pa. I hear you. We will stay safe and be home before dark." Joseph answers.

"Boys? Remember to not eat any of the pickles or jam Mrs. Pennyworth made. She uses her brother's whiskey to brine the pickles and that jam will kill flies it is so awful! Do have fun and be safe." Delphie adds her instructions to the lecture.

Giggling at her statement about the jam, George answers "We will not be trying any pickles or jam this year because you did not enter the competition." Then seeing Ben in the doorway, George calls "I will win a chocolate cake if I can, Ben. I will bring some treats home for you."

"Thanks, George." Ben answers forlornly before turning to go to his room.

"Papa? Ben was about to cry. Can't he please come too? He has been waiting weeks for this festival."

"No, George. He has a lesson to learn and being housebound is part of the lesson. Joseph is in charge today. You do as he tells you, alright?"

"Yes, Papa."

"Okay George, enjoy yourself when we get there but do not get in any trouble. Pa is still upset and it won't take much for him to be mad at us."

"Did you get a whipping too? For getting in a fight? Ben said Pa used the strap on him! He's also housebound for two whole weeks!"

"Not really, no. I explained what happened and he seemed to understand. Here, slide over on my lap and you can drive. Don't pull too hard though. Bob doesn't like it if the bit is pulled tight. What game are you playing first?" Joseph asks as he monitors George's hands on the reins.

"I will do whatever Aaron and the other boys want to do. I just want to have fun. We've done nothing but schoolwork and ranch chores for a long time."

"A week isn't that long, George."

"It is when you are ten! Look, there are lanterns hung in the trees!"

"I suppose it's for the nighttime hayrides. We can't stay for that. Maybe there is one in the day as well."

Driving the buggy under the shed, Joseph unhitches the horse. Leading him to a long rope strung between trees, he ties the animal, making sure there is hay for him to munch on.

"Be good, Bob. We'll be back to get you later. Enjoy talking to your friends." George tells the horse, having come along to help.

"Let's go find some fun. Remember, no going into the woods and stay where the adults are able to see you. If you need me, I'll be with my friends. I'll find you when it's time to leave if not before, alright?"

"Yes, Joseph. I'll be fine. I don't want to go in the woods. Do we have to pay any money for anything? I don't have any."

"No, we don't. It's all free. Go on, I see Jackson and Aaron over there by the pumpkins."

"Hi, guys! What are we going to do first?" George greets his friends.

"There is a pumpkin carving contest. We can do that! Want to?" Aaron asks.

"They're going to let us use knives?"

"You have to use knives to carve! Come on, they're already getting ready." Jackson encourages the other two.

"Hello, Mr. Madison! We are going to carve really good faces!" Jackson declares to the man at the table.

"Hello yourself, young Jackson. I'm sorry, boys but this is for ages fourteen and older. You three are too young. There is a good contest over by the barn for you, though. It's a pumpkin chucking contest. You get to throw three pumpkins and the one that goes the furthest is a winner! We also have plenty of food if you want to snack. There is roasted corn on the cob, cookies, pie pieces, candied apples, and hot cider. The women have the food table across the way. You can see it from here."

"Could we just watch the carving, sir?" George asks.

"Yes, be sure to stay out of the way."

"George, let's not. Let's go do something else. How about the sack race? We can do that when it is time. Before, let's go get something to eat. I haven't had lunch." Aaron tells his friend.

Loaded down with candied apples, wrapped ears of roasted corn, and a piece of cake, the three friends walk over to the hay bales to enjoy their feast.

"Did you hear Mrs. Jensen? She said there was going to be a wagon ride through the forest. There's something set up in the trees, she said." Jackson tells the others.

"Yes, I know about that. Pa came this morning to help hang the decorations or something. He told us there would be a hayride before dark and one after. We won't be here at dark though. Pa said we have to meet him at the barn when it starts to get dark. Sarah is here with us. Does Joseph know that?"

"Yes, he knows. Aaron, where's Alyssa? Didn't she want to come?" George asks as he enjoys his corn.

"She's off with the girls. They're all in the barn looking at the quilts and girly junk. She doesn't want to get her dress mussed so she won't come do the fun things like sack race or pig wrestling! I want to wrestle a pig! If I can catch one, I can keep it!"

"Where would you keep a pig, Aaron? You live in town like me." Jackson asks.

"We have a yard, Jack. I can keep it there."

"You probably can't catch one, anyway. Go ahead and try though. If you do, maybe you can give it to George to raise for you."

"I would not want someone else to raise MY pig. George? What about you? Would you want to raise a pig?"

"If I could catch one, I would. Where is the pig wrestling? Let's go try it?"

"They're over by the stacked hay bales. We just have to chase it around the inside of the square and try to catch one. They are young pigs, not adult ones. We can catch one! Come on, let's try it!" Aaron encourages.

"If all we do is run after it, why do they call it wrestling? Isn't wrestling when you have to roll around on the ground? Pa forbid me and Ben to do that when we were younger. He said we made too much work for Claire by getting dirt ground into our clothes. He never told us not to wrestle a pig, though."

"I guess it's because you might trip over the pig. I don't know, exactly." Jackson replies as the boys walk towards the event.

**** If you would like to read it, Joseph's theme is in chapter 33. *****