New Beginnings: Life Changes
ch. 54
Too Young To Be Parents
Part 1
Shaking first Ben and then George awake, Joseph says "Wake up sleepyheads! We have to get dressed, eat breakfast and go board the train. Remember, we are going to Denver today."
Standing up from his bedroll of twisted blankets, George declares "I'm ready! I slept in my clothes. Let's get breakfast!"
"Ben, come on. Time to get up. Rob is cooking fried ham, and eggs. Alex is making another batch of the German pancakes we all enjoyed. Amelia and Claire could use some help making a bunch of sandwiches to take today."
After the table is ready, Rob realizes he is out of milk. Addressing his three young brothers he asks "Would you like coffee or water? I'm afraid we've used almost all the milk in our cooking this morning. There is just enough to add to the coffee to dilute it some."
"Rob, young boys can't drink coffee. It isn't good for them." Claire scolds her brother.
"Mama has let us have coffee a few times on really cold mornings, Claire. Please can't we have it just this once?" George asks as he pulls out his sister's chair for her as Ben does the same for Amelia.
"I suppose one cup each won't harm your growth much. Thank you for being a gentleman, George. You as well, Ben." Claire replies.
"Yes, thank you for the help with the chair, Ben. I can pull out my own chair but I do appreciate the kindness." Amelia tells the boy with a wink.
"Mama told us to behave as young gentlemen while we were away. Pa said we were to be on our best behavior and do as we were told. He said you four were our parents during our time away." George informs everyone.
"Parents? I'm not old enough to be a parent. I'm not ready to be stuffy and deny everyone some fun! I'm nineteen, not twenty-nine!" Alex says to no one in particular causing the younger boys to giggle.
"We'll let Rob be the parent. He likes being 'IN CHARGE' of everyone." Joseph contributes to the conversation as he helps himself to a large helping of the ham and egg mixture as the bowl finally comes to him as he is next to last.
"I accept the offer, so as your parent I say "Mind your manners! Don't be so greedy with that bowl of food, young man. I would like some too!"
"Aww, did I take your helping, Rob? Well, there are a couple of pancakes and some bacon left. Have that why don't you." Joseph replies saucily.
"There are more eggs, Rob. I'll scramble a few more. I can toast some bread as well. We forgot to do that." Amelia declares as she rises to do as she said.
During the train trip, Amelia asks Claire "How did you come to live with Sheriff Cord? I know he adopted all five of you. Rob has told me how he came to be part of the family but not much about the rest of you. How old were you when you moved here?"
"You're going to have to stop calling him 'Sheriff Cord" when you become his daughter. It would sound strange." Claire says teasingly.
"Yes, I know. I just can't seem to stop. Now, you and the boys tell me about your coming to live in Paradise."
"Our parents were theatre people. We grew up traveling to different towns for stage shows. Our father left the family when I was the age Ben is now, eleven. Joseph was nine, Ben was four nearly five, and George was three, nearly four. Mama kept working and we took care of Ben and George. About six months after our father left, she got very sick. It turned out to be the lung disease, Tuberculosis. A year later she was gone.
She mailed a letter to her brother, Ethan Cord explaining what had happened with our father, her illness, and giving him custody of her children. It took some time for him to receive it as he was not in Paradise when it arrived. He was doing work as a Bounty Hunter. When he did get the letter, he came to St. Louis and collected us. We were living with an elderly couple who were the troupe managers. I was nearly thirteen, Joseph going on eleven, Ben was seven and George was only six."
"We came on a train that was a lot like this one. Remember how we saw Indians on that trip, George? Claire was scared but I wasn't! Indians were exciting with the feathers in their hair and they were riding what we now know of as palomino ponies." Ben contributes to the story.
"Yes Ben, I had read of Indian attacks on settlers and heard tales of people's encounters with Indians. I was afraid of them until we met John Taylor. I realized Pa wouldn't be friends with someone who would hurt us. We all learned more of Indian life after meeting him, didn't we?"
"Yes, some Indians were nice people just like us and some weren't behaving nicely at all. We know now which tribes aren't very nice." Ben replies.
"Weren't you also scared coming to a place you didn't know and not having your parents?" Amelia asked.
"Yes, we were children and didn't know much other than our uncle was taking us to live with him. Our Mama had told us stories of him and Joseph and I remembered him from a time he visited us. We knew he would take care of us. We had nowhere else to go but Paradise. It wasn't as built-up back then and there were only a few kids living there. More families moved in the next year, especially with the silver mine opening again. We even got to go to school which I loved but Joseph couldn't tolerate it very well. He wanted to be home learning about the ranch and the animals we had accumulated. Uncle Ethan was quite firm with him and insisted he go to school and study. Our Mama wanted us to have an education and he made sure we knew that. Joseph got in big trouble over school often."
"Do you like going to school, boys?" Amelia asks the younger boys.
"I have always liked going to school. I think it is fun to learn new things." George answers. Ben tells her "I like it now. Miss. Donaldson lets us have fun and do lessons outside. We've learned all about which plants are edible and how to identify them. She takes us to places to learn about jobs like the train depot and the blacksmith shop. I didn't like school as much before this year. I like being outside not sitting still at a desk all the time. Pa thinks we need to go to school so I have to go if I want to sit down comfortably."
"Oh, well, yes, that would convince me to go to school as well!" Amelia says, giggling.
"Claire? How much longer will we be on the train?" George asks.
Checking her brooch pin with a timepiece, Claire answers "We have at least two more hours. We've only been riding an hour."
"I need the w.c and can't wait that long. I think it was the coffee. I need to go badly." George whispers.
"Alright, go tell Rob. He or Joseph can help you."
Having successfully completed his journey to the next car and back, George informs Ben "It wasn't a w.c. at all. It was more like a privy. Just an empty hole under the seat. You could see the tracks and if I was smaller I could have fallen through!"
"George! That is not something to discuss in polite company." Claire scolds feeling her face get warm in embarrassment as several people nearby laughed.
"I'm sorry Claire."
As the train pulls into the station in Denver, the group gathers their knapsacks to leave. Suddenly remembering something as he sees the bag of sandwiches, George asks "Since we didn't eat the sandwiches, could I give them away? There's a boy and his family sitting in the next car and they don't have any food. He said they are going to get on another train to keep riding all night. He told me they would sleep on the seat and when I asked, he told me they didn't have money for a dining car ticket. Could I take this bag of sandwiches to them?"
Hearing his young brother, Joseph says "We might be needing those for our lunch."
"No, Joseph, we won't. We're eating at the hotel. The sandwiches were just for emergency food such as if we had a train breakdown or some such. George, you go ahead and take this bag to your friend. Claire? I think you should go along. The rest of us will take our things and wait on the platform by the station." Rob says.
Meeting the group waiting by the station, Claire says "They were very appreciative. It's a good thing we packed eight sandwiches as they now have enough for two each. Those little children look starved. I wish I'd had money to give them."
"Well, giving food is better. They needed that right now from what you and George described." Alex reassures her.
"Everyone, you know what? That family thought Claire was my Mother! The lady said 'Your little boy is so nice to do this for us." when she told them it was my idea."
"That's funny! Claire's not old enough to be our Mama! Let's go get something for us to eat now. I'm hungry!" Ben declares beginning to walk away only to be grabbed by Joseph.
"Where do you think you are going? You can't just walk off in a big city!" Joseph tells him holding him firmly by his upper arm.
"LET GO OF ME! YOU AREN"T THE BOSS OF ME. I'm hungry!" Ben shouts angrily.
"Stop shouting! We're all hungry but you just be still and wait for directions of where to go! Now behave yourself!" Joseph scolds.
"Hmmph! Stop bossing me! I don't have to listen to YOU, Joseph! So just shut your stupid mouth!"
"Watch it, Ben! You know better than to talk that way! You may get a sore behind if you don't watch what you say!" Joseph warns.
"Stop telling me what to do Mr. Big Mouth! You are not my Pa and I don't need you to act as if you are. You are so bossy, Joseph!" Ben answers back.
"When you two are done snapping at each other, we'll go to the hotel. I, for one, am ready for a wash and lunch! That open window we sat by made me feel like I have coal dust all down my shirt." Rob says calmly.
"Don't you at least want to scold him or something? He is being inconsiderate and impertinent!" Joseph asks, astonished.
"Just drop it, Joseph. Let's go eat!" Rob replies turning to leave, missing seeing Ben sticking out his tongue at Joseph.
Forcing himself not to react to Ben's behavior, Joseph walks ahead of the younger boys to join Rob and Alex.
In the hotel dining room, Claire asks Rob what he plans to do after they finish lunch.
"I'd like to go check on the furniture. The craftsman's home is across town. He has a workshop in a barn there. We'll take a buggy ride."
"Ben, stop kicking me! Your boots are hurting my legs." George tells his brother sitting across from him.
Sitting beside Ben, Joseph bends down and whispers in the boy's ear "STOP ACTING THIS WAY BEFORE I PADDLE YOUR BOTTOM! Slurping the soup, banging the spoon, and now kicking! CUT IT OUT!"
"Do we all go?" George asks.
"I was planning for everyone to go along but if you and Ben would rather not go, Joseph can stay here with you." Rob answers.
"So, I'm to be the babysitter, is that it? I wondered if you really wanted my company or if I was asked to come just to keep up with these two." Joseph says somewhat irritated.
"I asked you to come because I wanted ALL of us to have a fun trip as brothers and sisters just as I have told everyone. I didn't ask you to come just to mind the boys. If I planned to just leave them at the hotel all the time, I wouldn't have asked them to come either. Brush that chip off your shoulder, please. Let's have a good time together. Claire and Alex won't be with us after the summer. Alright?"
"Yes, alright. I apologize for being grumpy."
"Apology accepted. Now, boys would you like to go for a buggy ride out of town a bit? This man has a furniture workshop and is storing the furniture I bought from him."
"I want to go!" George answers as Ben says "I would like a buggy ride if I can sit with Claire and Amelia, not Joseph."
"That sounds perfect to me, Ben." Joseph declares with a glare at his young brother.
"Let's finish the soup and sandwiches then. Out of all three types of soups we bought, I like this potato soup the best. Which is your favorite, Amelia?" Claire asks the quiet young woman sitting beside her.
"I'm partial to the one with the vegetables and tomatoes. What was this one called?"
"The waiter called it minestrone. It is good, I agree. Which do you like Ben?"
"I liked all three but the chicken with the long noodles was my favorite. I wonder if Mama knows how to make noodles like these. Do you like the chicken soup, George?"
"Yes, but my favorite was the potato one. I did like the many stroh knees like Amelia, too. What are stroh knees and how many did they put in this?"
"It is pronounced min uh stroh nee, George but that's just the name of the type of soup. There are no such things as stroh knees and certainly not in the soup." Alex replies as Claire and Amelia hold napkins over their mouths to stifle the giggles.
After the group arrived at the furniture workshop, Rob tells the younger boys "Stay with us, please. Don't touch any of the furniture without permission. Come let me show you what I had made. Let's go find the owner."
"So, you did make it to inspect your purchases. Right this way, I grouped them all together. I hope you are pleased." The man greeting them says.
"Mr. Mulligan, you outdid yourself! I am amazed and very pleased. The craftsmanship on these headboards is amazing. Do you like them, Amelia?"
"Yes, the intricate carvings are amazing. There is a sunburst on our headboard. I love that! The others with the extra circles inside each other, for the center, that design is so nice too."
"Thank you, Ma'am. I thought you might. Your intended mentioned you enjoyed sunsets. I did my best to put in a sun element into your headboard. I have your long bench with the ironwork for the side arms ready as well. You requested an ivy leaves and vine look for the sides. I had a blacksmith make the sides for me. Do you approve, Ma'am?"
"It's gorgeous! Rob, we are going to have such elegant furniture! Please, sir, call me Amelia, Ma'am makes me feel so old."
"Amelia, it is. Now, the tables you asked for are here. I did the double center pedestal you requested rather than the four legs for the dining table. Your chairs are all curved back with spindles. The living room and other small tables, I have carved legs on those."
"Look Ben, the table has paws! It looks just like Pepper's feet!" George exclaims examining the smaller tables.
Not hearing a reply, Joseph glances around for the boy. Not seeing him, he looks further down the main part of the workshop. Spotting the missing boy, he walks over to him.
"Get off of that! You know you aren't to be climbing up on furniture! You were told not to touch without permission! Honestly, Ben, you have been acting like a five year old since we arrived in Denver! Get DOWN!"
"Stop bossing me! I don't have to listen to you! I've told you this already today. Besides, this is a bed, Joseph! See the mattress? It's supposed to be climbed on! How else do you get up to sleep? I like this kind of bed. One bed standing on top of another would be fun to have!"
"You're right about that, young fella. These bunk beds are fun to have. However, I would appreciate it if you would kindly remove yourself. This isn't ready for use as I haven't attached the two beds together." Mr. Mulligan says as he too had spotted Ben perched on the top bunk.
"Off with you, young prince. You are not ready for a princely sleeping place right now. It's barely even two in the afternoon." Alex informs the boy as he swings him to the dirt floor.
Noticing Rob was still examining his furniture, Ben calls to him. "Rob! Come look at this!"
"What did you find?" Claire asks as the rest of the group joins Joseph, Alex, and Ben.
"These two beds are made for one to stand on the other. You can sleep up high! What kind of beds are these again, sir?"
"They're called bunk beds." Mr. Mulligan replies.
"ROB! You could buy these for your house! George and I can sleep in them instead of on the cold hard floor like last night"
Rolling his eyes at his brother's dramatics, Joseph says "Did you only have bread and water for food as well? You made it sound as if Rob was torturing you. He has no beds, remember?"
"Well YEAH, I KNOW! That's WHY I want him to BUY THIS ONE!" Ben answers in his best sarcastic voice.
"Mr. Mulligan, my brother Joseph, here, is a woodworker as well. He carves too. Isn't that right, Joseph?" Rob says, distracting the young man from manhandling Ben. The look in his brother's eyes told him to do something quickly to save the boy.
"I can carve but nothing like the way you do. I can't do a sunburst or elegantly carved table legs. Mostly I am just playing around with carving. You are a master at it."
"Thank you, young sir. I began much as you described at about your age too. I was lucky enough to hire on as an apprentice to a carpenter at seventeen and opened my own woodworking business by twenty two. You keep at it and you will develop into a fine craftsman as well."
"I will have all of your purchases loaded on the train for Sunday morning departure. I've already reserved half of boxcar number three for your items. The one special item you requested is in the back. Would you like to see it while your family peruses the showroom?"
"Yes, I would. I'll be right back, everyone." Rob announces.
"Your young bride will enjoy this rocker for years. I put extra work into carving the sun on the headrest."
"Thank you. I appreciate all of your extra work. I will add ten dollars to the total as appreciation. We settled on forty dollars but here is fifty! I couldn't find better furniture. Amelia and I will treasure these pieces for years, sir." Rob says as he removes his bifold leather money case from inside his shirt and removes the bills.
"Four sets of headboard and footboard, three tables, dining chairs, and one long seat with ironwork. I look forward to doing business with you again." Rob says knowing he has paid for the rocker while in the back room, his total comes to sixty dollars.
Arriving back in the main shopping section of the city, Rob pays for the buggy ride before asking Joseph to move away from the main group to talk privately.
"I need to ask for a favor. Would you take the boys over to the Whittier Toy Emporium for a while? Alex and I want to take the girls shopping for dress clothes. I will let you in on a secret. Amelia and I are going to ask Claire and Alex to join us in the wedding ceremony. We'd like to have a double wedding. I want to keep this a secret from the parents though. They'll just think Claire and Alex are our attendants. Your help will be greatly appreciated! Will you do it?"
"I'll do anything to keep from being forced to go shopping for dress clothes! Will you be more than an hour?"
"Hmm, well it's hard to say exactly but I would guess it will probably be about two hours. We'll just meet back at the hotel. It's only on the next block. You can walk there. Here, keep this six dollars for you to buy yourselves something to eat if we are later than five o'clock. We shouldn't be that late as it's two thirty now. I want us all to eat a nice dinner at the Cattleman's Hotel restaurant. Do you have your pocketwatch on you, Joseph?" Rob asks.
"Yes, I have it. We'll meet you at the hotel."
"I remember coming here the time we saw the family with the motorboat. We visited this store. There are many big toys here." Ben exclaims as the three boys approach the entrance.
"If you want to spend your money, today is a good time to do it. I don't know if we'll be visiting another store where you two might find a treasure." Joseph tells them before adding, "This isn't Axelrod's or the General Store, be careful what you touch. Look at the prices and check for warning signs. I remember some signs of caution in there. There are some expensive things here."
"Yes, Joseph. I want to see what I can find for Emerson. Maybe a cloth doll or a ball, something she can play with." George answers.
"That's nice of you, George. I don't know what toys are suitable for a baby not yet six months old. She's just learned to sit up propped up with pillows. Just don't get anything she can hurt herself with."
"Look over here, Joseph. I found something." George requests after having wandered around for some time.
"Look at this doll. Look at all the ringlets in the hair. It even has eyes that open and close, little socks and shoes too! It's so pretty with the lace on the velvet dress. There is a rolling baby carriage too. The doll fits in it. Wouldn't Emmy have a great time playing with these?"
"It is very nice, George but this is not a doll for a baby. This doll has a china head, arms, and legs. This would be for someone much older than five months. Let's look some more. Besides, it's way over our price range at seven dollars for the baby carriage and five for the doll. I would guess it's for a rich child."
"Hey, George! Look at this! I am up high!" Joseph hears from the aisle next to him. Looking up, he sees Ben riding a big-wheeled velocipede.
Moving quickly around the table of toy trains, boats, automobiles, wagons, and buggies, Joseph grabs the handlebars to keep the boy from moving.
"Are you out of your mind? You don't RIDE INSIDE or ride something like this without supervision. It also has a sign hanging right here on the handlebars, saying 'LOOK BUT DON'T TOUCH!"
"How do you not touch if you practice riding? I say there are too many fussy signs here. I saw several 'Do Not Touch' a couple of them have a poem. It says 'Nice to look at, Nice to hold, If I am broken, I am sold'. If you can't touch, how do you hold things? Miss. Donaldson would like the poem, she's a big fan of poetry."
"Ben, when you see signs like those, follow the directions! This thing you casually took for a ride costs EIGHTY DOLLARS! What if you broke it? What is your plan to pay for it?" Joseph asks angrily.
"Shut up, Joseph! I didn't break it. I just tested to see if it works. Go away!"
"Listen carefully, Ben. I have had all the rude backtalk I am taking from you. You are to obey me and be polite otherwise I will take you out behind this store and wallop you!"
"Yeah Yeah yeah, you and whose army? You are thinking you are a bigshot boss but you aren't. Go stay with George and play dollies."
"Come with me, Ben. We are going outside." Joseph says as he grabs the recalcitrant boy by the arm.
"Excuse me, young man. Would you please put the velocipede back by the wall? I don't have the strength to move it." Joseph hears behind him.
Turning to see a younger woman, he answers "Certainly Ma'am. I apologize for my younger brother."
"Yes, thank you. I've told my father to put this thing up high or at least put a fence around it so young children don't get hurt on it. He's stubbornly set in his old fashioned ways and won't listen."
"I know all about people who won't listen." Joseph says shooting a reproving glare at Ben.
"You do have a high spirited boy on your hands. I have a brother who once acted much the same. The military school Father sent him too, took that right out of him, though."
"I'll keep that in mind to tell my own father. Thank you." Joseph replies.
"Joseph, I ... oh, uh, hello, I'm George." the boy greets the woman.
"Hello George, I see you found the jumping jack. I know the person who makes these. He'll be excited to know someone likes them. Did you test it out?"
"No, because it was under the 'Do Not Touch" sign. I had to touch it to look at the price tag attached to its waist. Joseph, it's seventy-five cents."
"Pull the ball hanging from the cord, George. Watch what happens."
Doing as she instructed, the boy smiles in delight as the arms and legs move up and down bending at the elbows and knees,
"Wow! This is different. I've never done one where the legs and arms bent like this. Even the head bent a little! I have a dancing man on a stick that has legs that bend like this though only at the hip and foot connection. Joseph? I want to buy this and this rubber ball for Emerson. The ball is small and costs twenty-five cents."
"The ball is a new item we just began stocking. Is Emerson your best girl? Emerson is a beautiful name, very different."
"I don't have a best girl. I'm ten! Emerson is our baby sister. She is almost five months old. We love her name. She's named for the Emerald Isle. Do you know of it?"
"I can't say I do."
"It's another name for the country of Ireland. Our Mother is from there."
Joseph sees the young woman's face change. "Irish? Let's settle up the price for your items. I need to close the shop."
"Why are you closing at three in the afternoon? You are missing the end of the day customers."
"I want to close, now come check your purchases. I see your other brother at the counter.
Following behind her, George gives Joseph a questioning look. He's puzzled as to why the young woman is no longer friendly.
"Just come along, we need to get back to the hotel anyway," Joseph says in answer to the unspoken question.
"Look George, I picked a propeller boat for us to have. It winds up with this key on the side. It's a dollar fifty so I have money left."
"Your total comes to six fifty today."
"I'm sorry but there's obviously a mistake. The jumping jack and ball come to one dollar and the boat is a dollar fifty that total is two dollars and fifty cents, Ma'am." Joseph answers politely.
"Yes, but when you add in the price of the four Parisian chocolate bars in your brother's clothing, the price is six fifty. Each candy bar is one dollar. There were eight on the counter, now there are four. He was standing right here and no one else has entered since I placed the display."
"BEN? What do you have to say?" With no response from his brother, Joseph snaps "ANSWER! NOW!"
"I don't have it! My pockets aren't big enough for that large of a candy bar! I don't have them in my pockets, MR. BOSSY." The defiant child answers while crossing his arms over his shirt.
"OPEN THE SHIRT. YOU HAVE UNTIL I COUNT THREE! ONE! TWO!..." Joseph says ominously.
"ALRIGHT! SO WHAT! SHE HAS A BOX OVER ON THAT SIDE OF THE COUNTER FULL OF THEM!" Ben replies over George's gasp of "Ben! YOU STOLE!"
"I'm sorry Ma'am. Ben knows much better than this. Here's the candy."
"Irish are thieves so I'm not at all surprised. I don't take things back after they were in clothing. I will go to the marshal if your family doesn't pay the four dollars."
"IRISH ARE NOT THIEVES!" George declares angrily.
"Hush! Right NOW!" Joseph hisses as he puts the four one dollar coins on the counter.
"How much are your rulers, Ma'am? I see you have school necessities behind you."
"Those are only ten cents."
"I'll take two, please. Here's the twenty cents." Joseph says as he takes the two 1/2 inch thick wooden rulers.
Back at the hotel, Joseph tells George to stay in the girl's room while he talks to Ben. Taking his young brother over to the one armless chair in the room, Joseph says "What you did today is wrong. You know it and I know it. If Pa were here, you would be feeling his belt! Stealing is never permitted. You have been absolutely obnoxious since we arrived today. Now, I am going to help you become well behaved. You are not going to ruin this trip for Rob! Unbutton your pants, Lay over my lap! If you don't I will tell Pa all about this incident and how you have behaved today as soon as we get off the train!"
"Joseph! You can't do this! You're not in charge! Rob is in charge!"
"I'm counting to three.. ONE, TWO, THR..." He suddenly has a boy over his lap.
Opening the flap of the union suit, Joseph takes the two rulers he tied together and snaps it down with a 'whap'.
"YEOWch! That burns! I'm going to tell Rob you walloped me!"
"Tell him! Find out what happens to you then!" Joseph answers as he applies four more before moving down to the more sensitive section of the boy's behind and landing three more smacks.