New Beginnings: Life Changes
Ch. 70
Surprises and Strategies
Deciding not to put off talking with his Pa any longer, Rob walks into the Sheriff's office hoping to find his Pa alone. Seeing Chris there as well, he greets him and then asks "Is my Pa out, Chris?"
"He's in the back cleaning the cells. Go on back and pitch in. We can always use an extra set of hands to keep things tidy."
Approaching the cell, Rob sees Ethan making the small framed bed. The sight of that bed brings memories of the time he himself had to sleep in this cell. Shaking off those unpleasant memories, he asks "Do you need some help, or do you want to finish this alone?'
"Hello Robert, nice of you to drop by." Ethan greets his son.
The name "Robert" gives Rob flashbacks to childhood as "Robert" was his BIG trouble name.
"Hello Pa, is there something wrong? Are you angry with me for something? You called me "Robert" which you only do when you are very upset."
"I had a visit from Mr. McGuillicuddy on Saturday morning. He wanted me to approve your bank withdrawal of three hundred dollars. I thought we were in agreement you would come to me before making large withdrawals or purchases. I was thinking we'd talk after church services yesterday but Amelia came with Claire and Alex instead of you. Your mother was disappointed you didn't attend."
"I'm nineteen near to twenty years old plus I'm married, living on my own, and making my own decisions now. The man acts as if I'm a child needing my Pa to approve everything I do. It is getting tiresome. That's why I came today, to talk over my plans. I had work to do on the ranch yesterday. Tell Mama, I will see her soon."
"The man as you called him is only doing his job. He has to follow the rules of his employer, Rob. Now, what are these newest plans of yours and why are they so expensive?" Ethan asks as he tucks in the last corner of the bedcovers.
"I plan to purchase twenty-five head of cattle to start my ranch. Mr. Campbell, the trail boss I worked for told me then to contact him when I was ready to begin cattle ranching. I've spent months clearing and preparing for the herd. I contacted Mr. Campbell and he's willing to sell some of his stock. He's offered to sell twenty- five head of beef cattle including heifers for me to breed. He's offering them to me for five dollars a head. Considering his stock is well known to be some of the best in the area, five dollars is a discount. I have to purchase horses as well so the three hundred will be needed. I'm planning to go by train to get them and drive them back."
"Remind me where Mr. Campbell's ranch is located."
"Around the Cheyenne, Wyoming area. I don't know exactly where."
"So you plan to drive the twenty-five head of cattle alone from Wyoming all the way to Paradise?"
"No sir, not alone. Alex is going to help and perhaps one of Mr. Campbell's men can be spared. I was hoping you would allow Joseph to go along. He's experienced and can be helpful. He's matured in the year and a half since I went on the cattle drive and he ran off to join me. He's very helpful, will you allow him to come with us, please? It would be about two maybe three weeks. That's not very long, Pa."
"Have you discussed this with your brother?"
"No sir. I haven't said anything to him. I wanted to talk to you and let you decide before saying anything to Joseph. If you do not choose to agree with him coming, I won't say anything at all about my plans for him."
"That's good as he won't be angry or disappointed if it doesn't happen. I'll discuss the idea with Delphie and we'll make a decision. I'll let you know tomorrow."
"Yes sir, that's great news. Thank you, Pa. Just so you know, Ben is going to be upset at not being included. He thinks he's old enough now that he's twelve to do everything Joseph does."
"Yes, I have noticed this as well. We'll deal with Ben if it comes to that. Twelve is not as mature as he thinks."
Closing the side door slowly, Ben walks quietly into the room relieved to only see George playing with Emerson and not his Mama.
"Where's Mama?"
"She's upstairs talking to Joseph. Did you see or hear anything outside? Joseph looked upset when they came in and Mama followed him upstairs. She told me to look after Emerson while she and Joseph were upstairs."
"No, I don't know anything. I was finishing cleaning the chicken coop. I don't like this new schedule where you and I have to clean the coop for a week by ourselves. I liked it much better when we did it together!"
"I'm sure you did, Ben. Because when we did it together, I'd wind up doing most of the work! Drat! She's getting the quilting basket again!" George declares moving across the room to rescue Delphie's quilting materials.
"Emmy! No touching. NO! Don't touch!" the boy scolds his baby sister as he pulls the basket from her chubby fists.
"MMMaMaaa! NNNN OOO Nnnnn! MI!" Emerson babbles back now scowling up at her brother.
"Mama is upstairs and you are not to touch that basket! I've told you three times just this morning after Mama told you "No" as well.
"MI! NNNNN MI!" The baby babbles still scowling up at her brother.
"No, it is not yours. Saying "MI" for mine doesn't make it true. Be a good girl and play with the wooden animals Joseph gave you. See, here's a horse... Neighhh, horse.
"nnnn ayyy hoze" the baby repeats crawling over to where George is holding the wooden horse.
"How did you translate that? All I got was "mama" from her babbles." Ben asks his brother as they watch Emerson play with the horse.
"I can hear her thoughts, remember? She makes it well-known what she means. Our baby sister is a feisty little girl who wants her way and wants it right now! Kind of like you do at times!" George answers, teasing his brother who ignores that part completely.
"She's getting to be a good parrot to repeat what you say. Can you get her to say "Go play, Ben?" Ben asks.
"You are not going to get to go play. You have inside chores unfinished. It's our day to clean the rugs and you have to help me."
"I have a quarter. I will share half with you if you do the rugs just this one time and do not let Mama know I came inside. Please? Twelve and a half cents is going to buy good things at the store."
"Who are you and why are you in here? Leave this place." George replies with a grin.
Meanwhile upstairs in Joseph's room, an uncomfortable discussion is occurring.
"Joseph, I just want to know why. Why were you smoking that pipe? I was under the impression you disliked pipes. What with the barn fire years ago and other incidents."
"Yes Mama, I do. Please, Mama, don't tell Pa about this. He's likely to use his belt on me again as he did for what happened at the Indian Compound. I swear I wasn't really sneaking to smoke. I saw it in an old tack crate and picked it up. It still had a bit of something in the barrel. I found a box with only one match so I tried to light the pipe. Yes, it was a dumb thing to do and I know better, it didn't light though. If it had, I would have snuffed it out right then. I wanted to smell what was in the pipe as it didn't look like the tobacco I see men put in pipes. Night Hawk had what he called 'Indian Fresh Tobacco' and I thought this might be some. Do you believe me?"
"Yes, I believe you, calm yourself. You had a time where you weren't thinking straight and that could be very dangerous. You spoke of the time you went away from the safety of the compound and tried to harvest a deadly plant. Luckily it was the wrong plant. That was another time when you were not thinking straight and acting on impulse. Your Pa punished you for putting yourself in danger as he should have. Promise me you will think things through before acting on impulse. As you know this impulsiveness leads straight to problems." Delphie replies.
"I promise to think before I act. I know I disappointed you, I'm sorry. Are you going to talk this over with Pa? Please don't, I'll wash diapers, scrub the floors, anything just don't tell him. Smoking is one of the seven deadly sins and he may not believe I didn't smoke. Then he'd say I put myself in danger again. He'd get me for that for sure."
"Extra chores are not necessary but thank you for offering. I will not mention it as long as this does not happen again. I am specifically speaking of smoking or attempting to do so. You underestimate your Pa, Joseph. He would believe you." Delphie replies with a reproachful look.
"Yes, Ma'am. Thank you for not telling Pa. Maybe he would but he's been distracted and irritable for the entire two weeks we've been home from the Indian Compound. This thief on the loose is getting to him. He really can't seem to figure it out or find the thief. When he gets involved in something like this to try to solve a crime, he gets very crabby. I don't want to risk getting my backside set on fire again."
"Then begin to think before you do these impulsive acts, please. We won't speak of this again." Delphie answers
While in town, Ben finds his new friend Paul, behind the General Store.
"Hi, I saw you come back here. Are you free to go fishing?"
"No, I have to get some things but I don't have money. Come walk into the woods and we can talk."
After the boys are hidden in the trees, Paul explains "I need more food for the family. We used up what we took last. Will you help? I can't go home without them or I'll be too sore to sit."
"It's too much risk to do the tall man bit here in town. I'll help you but not that way. Do you want me to distract the worker while you get what you need?" Ben replies.
"That won't work, Ben. I've seen the inside. Whoever is working the counter can see the whole store. I do have an idea though. Listen, how about we switch clothes and you wear these overalls and cap? You can go in and get what I need for me."
"How would that work? I'd get busted for taking things no matter what I wore! You must want ME to be the one who can't sit for supper! They'd haul me over to my Pa here in town!"
"You didn't let me finish the plan. After you take the things, you leave, keep your cap low and head down. Don't talk. Go in fast, grab them, and go. We switch clothes back here, you wait a few minutes and go back inside through the other door. They will be so mixed up if anyone does see you. Wanta trick them?"
"Let's do it! I'm quick and quiet so I can get your food for you. What do you want?"
"Four tins of beans, two loaves of bread, maybe a couple apples if you see any. I know he loves apples."
"I don't think they have apples, Paul. I can get the rest. Swap with me, I can wear your clothes."
A few minutes later, Ben, dressed as Paul, quietly opens the front door and walks softly to the shelf of tin cans. Stuffing two cans in his pockets, he puts two down the bib of the overalls. Turning, he checks the front counter happy to see no one there. He then walks quickly to the front, grabs two loaves of bread and goes toward the door.
"Stop right there! I see you! Ben Cord, is that you? How dare you try to steal!" Ben hears David Abbott call before bolting out the front door.
Zig-zagging around the other building nearby, Ben arrives back where Paul waits in the woods.
"Quick, change clothes. I was seen and he may be looking for me!" Ben pants as he thrusts the food under a bush.
"Calm down no one is coming, be still, and breathe. You have to go back inside as yourself and you can't be panting or they'll know."
"Take your things and leave. I'll see you tomorrow or the day after. I'll be fine, don't look so worried. No one will find out. I'm going in through the Ice Cream Parlour. My first Mama was an actress, I know how to act a part."
"See you. Be careful," Paul replies as he walks further into the woods.
Walking into the side of the store for ice cream, Ben greets Hannah.
"Hi, Mrs. Hannah, Mama sent you herbs. She said to tell you to 'put just a pinch of this in hot water and drink it every morning for as long as you need it. It's going to help with the problem.' Do you not go to Dr. Amy for medicine? Maybe you're like me and do not like disgusting-tasting medicine."
"Hello to you, young Ben. Thank you for the herbs and instructions. Tell Delphie, 'Thank you', as well. I need a different kind of medicine than Dr. Amy has to offer." Hannah answers swallowing the giggle at the boy's remark of 'disgusting tasting medicine'. May I make you an ice cream soda today?"
"No, thank you, I only have money for Mama's purchases, not ice cream money. I need diaper cloth cut and more diaper pins as well. We're getting things ready early for our Spring baby. Mama wants to sew diapers now."
"Well, that's a good plan. I may remember that for myself in a few months. You see, Mr. David and I will have a baby by Summer. Your baby and our baby can grow up being playmates."
"Yes'm. Can we go get the cloth now? I need to get home soon." Ben answers, not at all interested in hearing talk of babies.
"There you are! You, young man, are in huge trouble!" David exclaims as Ben and Hannah enter the main store.
"What for? I've been talking to Mrs. Hannah," Ben answers.
"YOU STOLE FROM THE STORE! I saw you, just minutes ago!"
"David, Ben was with me in the shop. You must be mistaken." Hannah tells her husband. "Think back, what was the person wearing?"
"Overalls in need of a good scrubbing, a boy's cap, and ..." David trails off as he gets a look at Ben's clothes. The boy is wearing brown tweed pants, and a cream-colored pullover shirt, with suspenders over it to hold up the pants.
"I apologize, Ben. I see you are not dressed that way. Whoever it was seemed your size and hair color too. They tried putting their hair under the cap but some was hanging in the back.
"Excuse us, David. We need to get to the bolts of fabric. Ben is purchasing diaper cloth today for Delphie."
"Well, I'll just be in back again. I've bookwork to finish. Matthew is not coming to the store until two o'clock today so I'm working the counter. Do keep an eye out for that child I saw, Hannah. Holler out if he comes inside. Remind me later to get that bell fixed and put back on that front entrance! Someone cut the cord and it's on the floor so I didn't hear the child come inside."
"Yes, David."
That evening at the ranch, Ethan asks Delphie "Did you have a good day today? Were the boys cooperative?"
"Yes, Ethan, our day went well. How was your day? Any news on the thief you've been looking for?"
"No news, there were no reports of what Chris has named the 'Tall Thief" today. David Abbott reported a child he didn't recognize swiping food from the General Store. He said he thought it was Ben at first but realized the child was wearing different clothes. I suspect it is the same child who stole from several stores in town in the last few weeks. I have yet to catch him but I will." Turning to Ben he asks "Why were you in town today? I thought your Mother and I had given you a long list of chores to do. It seems odd you would have time to go to town. Did you complete the list?"
"Yes sir, the chores were finished. Mama needed some things so I went to get them for her." Ben answers.
Delphie confirms this with a nod at Ethan's questioning look.
"George? Did you go along as well?"
"No Pa, I stayed and helped take care of Emmy plus finished chores."
"Don't you want to leave the ranch to do something fun? You haven't been anywhere since we returned from the Indian Compound."
"I know, I just like staying here with Mama and Emmy."
"Time for bed, Ben, George. You may have thirty minutes to read or talk but then it's lights out, understand? I'll be up to check on you at that time."
"Yes sir." George answers, glad to get to go to bed. The end of the day was tiring what with having to beat the rugs by himself. Lifting them onto the clothesline alone made his shoulders sore.
"Good night everyone" Ben calls echoing George as they climb the stairs.
"Good dreams Ben, George," Delphie replies.
After the two younger boys leave she says quietly "I do hope George gets a good night's rest for once. Five nights now, he's woken screaming and crying for John Taylor. He doesn't remember it, however."
"I hope he does as well. These night terrors are keeping the whole house awake. Perhaps the herbs you slipped into his milk will finally take effect tonight. The boy looks exhausted." Ethan replies before turning to Joseph.
"Joseph, your mother and I have something to discuss with you tonight." Ethan begins as a knock is heard on the front door. Rising to answer the door, Ethan misses the anxious look Joseph sends Delphie.
"No, I didn't say anything, calm yourself." his Mother whispers knowing what he's thinking.
Walking back into the sitting room with Rob, Ethan asks "Rob, would you like pie, cake, or coffee?"
"No thank you. I can't stay very long, I just came to ask a favor."
"Come sit with us, we were just about to discuss this with Joseph. Would you like to tell him?" Ethan asks ushering his eldest into the room.
"I suppose I can if you don't mind. Hello, Mama, Joseph." After they greet him in return, Rob begins by asking "Joseph, do you have any big plans for the next two weeks?"
"Nothing other than ranch chores, and church, why do you ask?"
"I've arranged to buy some cattle and I need an experienced cowhand to travel with me to get them. We'd go by train to Wyoming and drive them back. Alex is going as well. Are you available? I'll pay for your trip, plus give you a wage of two dollars a day. How about it?" Rob asks.
"Rob! Honestly? Two dollars a day? Of course, I'll go! Holy smokes, that's a big wage since most places pay a quarter to fifty cents a day! I'd be a good help and do as you ask! May I go Pa?" Joseph exclaims remembering to ask permission after accepting the job.
Both of his parents are smiling at his eagerness. "Rob and I have already discussed this and your mother agrees, we think this is a good learning opportunity for you. You may accept but there are a few conditions, Joseph. Are you willing to calm down and listen to those conditions?"
"Yessir, I'm listening."
"First, you must obey the family rules as you know them to be. Being away from home does not give you free rein to smoke, drink, gamble, or do anything against the rules. Agreed?"
"Yes sir. I will obey the rules."
"Second, Rob is your boss on this trip. You will do exactly what he tells you to do. There will not be any arguments or complaints about him telling you what to do. Agreed?"
"Yes sir, I understand Rob is in charge and I do as he tells me."
"You do as Alex or another adult tells you as well," Ethan replies firmly.
"Yessir, I will."
"Third, Rob has the ultimate authority to punish you if he sees fit to do so. That punishment can be whatever he chooses. Am I understood?"
"I won't need punishment Pa but yes sir, I understand," Joseph answers trying not to show he's embarrassed by this condition.
Delphie speaks for the first time since the discussion began. "I have a fourth condition to add. Joseph, I want you to keep yourself safe and come back ready to share all about your adventure. Will you do that for me?"
"Yes Ma'am, I will be happy to do that for you," Joseph answers sharing a smile with Delphie.
"Well now that we have all the 'musts' out of the way, I really do have a favor to ask," Rob says with a wink to Joseph. "Since Alex and I will be away from the homestead, we'd like our wives to stay here with you. They are arguing they will be needed to care for the stock and can take care of themselves but we feel that here is the best place for them to stay. Pa, Mama, would it be too much trouble to have them come and perhaps let Ben and George accompany them back to do livestock chores?"
"Not at all and I agree the girls need to stay here. Your place is too far from town for them to stay alone. The boys will help with the chores so no worries on that front." Ethan replies as Delphie adds "I would love to have them come. You tell those young women their parents insist they stay here."
"Good, that settles that worry. Now I just have to convince them. Claire has taught Amelia how to be stubborn." Rob answers.
"I'll go visit tomorrow and they'll be ready to come when you leave," Delphie assures the young man.
"When do we leave, you didn't say," Joseph asks,
"I've train tickets for Saturday morning at nine o'clock. That gives us three days to finish getting everything ready at home."
"You bought me a ticket before you knew I could come along?" Joseph asks.
"Yes, I was pretty confident I could get you to come with me. I was also prepared to return it for my money back if something or someone caused you not to be able to come." Rob replies with a glance at Ethan.