The Christmas Child: Sequel to Return to Shiloh
[Chapter Three]
[Getting Settled]
You sure have a big house, Josie. It won't be so big once you get used to it, Lottie. Your room is right up those stairs. Come on and I'll show you. Here we are. And my room is right next door if you need anything. The dresser and wardrobe are right here for you to use. Well, I only have one extra dress with me. Well, don't worry about that,Lottie. We'll take you into town and get you some clothes today. I'll go hitch up the surrey, Josie. Thank you, Jamie. Now we'll go tell my uncle what we need to do. Come on, Lottie. There you two are. Did my niece get you all settled, Lottie? Yes, sir. Uncle Henry, we need to go into town and get Lottie some proper clothing. She only has one extra dress with her. Alright, Josie, we can do that. I'll go with you both. Jamie is hitching up the surrey right now. He can come along as well. I'll go and get my coat from upstairs, Uncle Henry. You stay here, Lottie. I'll get yours,too. Now, Lottie, do you remember anything that might help me find your family? Well, I was born in Texas. I remember my daddy's name was Jesse and my mama's name was Elizabeth but everyone called her Bess. My daddy was gone a lot when Mama was alive. How old are you, Lottie? I'm seven years old. I remember people said my daddy was an outlaw. What happened to your mother? She died when I was five. She just got sick one day and then she died. After Mama died Daddy took me along with him. But I did'nt like it much. I won't ever want to be an outlaw. Do you have any other family, Lottie? There's my mama's sister Aunt Charlotte, but I don't know where she is or even if she's still alive. She's the one Mama named for. They were real close. There's a box in our wagon that has my aunt's picture in it. My daddy kept it for some reason. Thank you, Lottie. I'll do the best I can to find your family.I'm ready, Uncle Henry. Here's your coat, Lottie. Here comes Jamie with the surrey. After you, ladies. Thank you, Uncle Henry. Come, Lottie. Would you come with us into town, Jamie? I'd be glad to, Judge. Josie? Thank you, Jamie. Up you go, Lottie. Thanks, Jamie. Giddy up, you two. It sure is a big country out here, Josie. Even bigger than Texas. You're right about that,Lottie. What part of Texas are you from, Jamie? I grew up in Big Springs, Lottie. Have you always been a cowboy? From the time I was twelve or thirteen. My daddy was a foreman on a big ranch so he taught me. What about your mama? She died when I was ten from a fever. Mine died when I was five. How far is it to town? Not too much farther, Lottie. What's the name of it again? Medicine Bow. That's a funny name for a town. It got its name from the Cheyenne that used to live around here, Lottie. What happened to them all? They moved away, Lottie. What should I call you? Well, most people call me Judge, but if you like in time you could call me Uncle Henry like Josie does. I think I could, in time. Were you really a judge? Yes, I was a long time ago. How long? Well, my daughter Betsy was a few years younger than you when I retired. That was more than twenty years ago now. That's a long time. It certainly is, Lottie. Look, we're almost to town. It's a nice looking town. I'm glad you think so, Lottie. Uncle Henry, I'll take Lottie over to the dressmaker's and we'll be back as soon as we can. Alright, Josie. Jamie and I will wait for you here. Now, Jamie do you have anything that might be a help in finding your cousin? I have a picture of her and some letters that my Aunt Elizabeth sent my mama before she died when I was ten. And how old would your cousin be now? She'd be seven, Judge. And Jamie, do you remember what your uncle's name was? Yes, I do. It was Jesse Kertzer. Do you know what his job was? No, Aunt Elizabeth never wrote about it that I recall. Would you mind if I read those letters, Jamie? No, of course not, Judge. I'll get them to you tonight. Now lets go over here while my niece and Lottie are finishing up. An hour passed and Josie came back. We're finished, Uncle Henry. Would you two help with packages? Of course, Josie. Thank you, Judge. You're welcome, Lottie. Josie, ask Jamie to distract Lottie for a moment. Alright, Uncle Henry. Would you distract her for a moment, Jamie? Sure, Josie. Come on, Lottie. I'll show you the sights. What is it, Uncle Henry?, Josie asked when they were gone. I suspect Lottie may be Jamie's cousin that he's been searching for. Are you sure, Uncle Henry? Not yet, Josie. I don't have any concrete evidence yet. Just don't tell Jamie, alright? I would'nt want him to get his hopes up for nothing. I won't breathe a word, Uncle Henry. I promise. I don't want to see him hurt, either. Let's find them and get home. Alright, Uncle Henry.
