Joseph, My Son
Chapter 13
The month of June went by quickly, but not quickly enough for Prudence. She counted the days before school was out and her sister and younger brother would arrive in Virginia City. She counted the days until she no longer had to travel into town five days a week to teach. It wasn't that she no longer loved being a teacher, it was just that she loved being a ranch wife to Hoss more. And she also counted the days that she could be sure about her immediate future.
Joe and Eleanor also counted each day of June. Every day little Andrew Joseph seemed that much stronger and grew just a little bit more. Some days his breathing wasn't quite right, and they watched him every moment, shaking him gently if they thought he wasn't going to take another breath imminently, but with every day that passed, their worry diminished a tiny bit. It took some weeks, but by the middle of the month he was able to latch on and suckle some before he tired. He didn't seem to have the makings of the appetite his godfather Hoss had, but day by day he took more milk and was able to nurse for a little longer.
Eleanor's mother had stayed for a week and then wisely allowed the young family the time to bond together. Ben still insisted that Joe stay home and tend to his wife and child, but the new father still had the horses and the barn animals to care for, plus cutting more firewood to keep little Andrew from being chille which occupied him. Eleanor was so involved with her delicate son that she didn't even concern herself with what the next few weeks would bring. For her, getting through each day with the tiny boy was a victory.
Adam was a dutiful brother and uncle, bringing the weekly supplies up to them from town and making some inserts for Andrew's cradle so that the tiny boy wouldn't slide from side to side when rocked. He was also counting the days until Teddy…oops, Ted, his apprentice for the summer arrived, along with Sally Ann. And speaking of her, sometime during the summer, he, Ted, and Hoss would have to make sure that everything in the schoolhouse was in good order and clean for its next inhabitant and the next year's school children.
Hoss was counting the weeks until Jill's foal was born. He was sure too, that Mitchy was carrying a foal, meaning that by this time next year they'd have three young horses to gentle and introduce to harnesses and saddles, and at least a couple of mares ready for breeding again. The question was whether to buy another mare or two, depending on whether any of the foals turned out to be males. Their testing with the local teamsters had shown them that the shippers were looking forward to when the Ponderosa had enough Clydesdales to sell. The Overland Stage Coach Company had also heard about the horses and were showing interest as well. They knew that as railroads reached more and more cities, their business would have to adjust. They might not be able to profitably provide service between large city centers anymore, but there was still the need to connect the smaller cities and towns to them. Big, strong breeds like the Clydesdales would be able to make those trips more easily. Hoss was also helping out with the routine ranch duties, as was Adam, making sure that the fences remained standing, and the line shacks were kept supplied and in good order.
For his part, Ben was busy with ranch business. Without Joe, he was back to being completely responsible for the sale of their cattle and the wild horses they captured and tamed as well as some of the lumber contracts. It was a good thing that they had a good group of ranch hands, because he seemed to be always in the saddle riding back and forth to meet someone or other who had business to offer the Cartwrights'.
In Virginia City, Eleanor's family was getting more fretful. Both Leandra Hood and Anna Williams felt that the young family would be better off in town, close to the doctor and themselves than stuck on top of that far-off mountain.
"They were too impulsive when they chose that spot," declared Leandra. "Why didn't you stop them?"
"I tried," replied her sister-in-law. "Lord, how I tried! But you know how those two are. You tell them to go left, and they just naturally have to go right! All I heard last autumn was how beautiful the view was, how good the water and the grass and the air was and how much room they'd have for a nice, big house. And of course, Eleanor wanted to have a bigger house than Prudence had just to show off."
Leandra sighed. "And just how was she going to fill a big house all the way out there? Who would want to make the trip up that mountain for parties and dances? Did she intend to make it into a hotel for friends and relatives? Or did she think that she would fill it with children? She'll think twice about that now, I suppose." The woman shook her head. "She's my daughter and I love her, of course, but sometimes I think there's less sense in that girl's head than in a mouse's!"
"And Joseph is the same. He never thought about what it would mean to be so far away from anyone up there," Anna countered. "Thank the Lord that Prudence was able to respond. Eleanor and the baby likely would have died without her." Leandra nodded her head solemnly. Anna stood, a decision decisively made. "We must look for a house or a lot in town for them to purchase. They must live here, for everyone's safety and comfort."
"Yes, exactly," agreed Leandra. "Too bad the houses in this part of town are all occupied. Perhaps, if the price is right, someone might be induced to sell?"
"Perhaps. In the meantime, we can give Eleanor and Joseph the third bedroom and they can live with us. It would make it easier to help with Andrew and the doctor would be only steps away."
"Yes, Anna. I agree. It would be perfect!"
XXXXX
A few days later, Adam came across Mrs. Hood and Mrs. Williams on his way into town for supplies and mail. They were headed up in their buggy to visit with Eleanor, Joe, and the baby.
"'Morning, ladies!" he greeted them with a tip of his hat from the bench of the buckboard.
"Good morning, Adam," replied Anna Williams, holding onto the reins of the carriage. "Will you be bringing some things up to Eleanor's or to your father's house?"
"Hoss brings his and Pa's supplies in one trip with the Clydesdales and the big wagon. I'm getting the order for Joe and Eleanor. She also wanted me to pick up some material for baby clothes for Andy," the women looked at each other with pained expressions at Adam's use of the diminutive for their grandson, "but she didn't tell me what she really wanted other than it be made of cotton. Do you think I should buy some ribbon or some other decoration, too?"
"Well, Eleanor has always been partial to satin ribbon, but you have excellent taste, Adam. Use your judgement," Leandra urged.
"Thank you. I will see you up there, then."
"And we'll save some lunch for you," Anna promised.
Joe poured the pail of milk into the butter churn as Elly came out with Andy and settled him into a second cradle that Joe had recently completed. "Do you really think you want him outside while you churn the butter?" he asked.
"The doctor said he needs some sun and it's such a beautiful morning."
The young man bent over his wife to offer a kiss. "It is because you're beautiful." After their lips separated, he frowned, looking between his wife and the butter churn.
"Are you sure you don't want me to do that? It'll take you nearly an hour to do it yourself, and even if Doc Martin want's Andy to get some sun, that's a long time to have him out. And you haven't done it for weeks. I don't know if you've got the strength yet. Let me do it."
"No, Joe. You churn the butter too hard. And besides, I'll never know if I have the stamina to do it yet until I try. I promise, if I get tired, I'll call you. Anyway, you've got to think about getting back to your own work sooner or later."
"Yeah, yeah, I will. But not until I'm absolutely sure you and the baby will be alright. Pa's understanding and he won't force the issue if I tell him we need more time. Besides," he leaned down for another kiss, "I like spending time with my wife."
The second kiss was interrupted by the sound of the buggy pulling into the yard. Joe gave Elly a wry smile as he stood up and went to take the horse's lead from Aunt Anna.
"Well, good morning to you! It's good to see you outside of the house. But should you really be churning butter, Eleanor?" her mother asked.
"Oh, mother, really! I'm just sitting here not doing anything terribly strenuous and Joe was just saying that he'd finish it up for me if I got tired."
"Well, I don't know why you go to the trouble when you can get butter in town. We met Adam on the way here," Anna informed them.
"Yes, I'm sure we could buy our butter from the green grocer's, but fresh is better, safer too," replied Joe.
Settling themselves on chairs on the porch, the two older women looked askance at the young man. Leandra picked the baby up and held him close, cooing.
"Speaking of town, Eleanor," her aunt began, "your mother and I were talking recently about how far away you are. I think we've seen the folly of making your home up here. Especially when no one is around, it's a danger to be so isolated. All of us, your uncle included, think that it would be much better if you lived in town. The Carrow's indicated that they might sell their house if the price was right. Their only two blocks away from us and they have a beautiful and spacious home. You really must think about it, especially for the baby."
Joe was astonished. What upset him even more was that Elly seemed to be seriously turning the proposition over in her mind.
"Living in town isn't possible," he replied. "It's too far away from the Ponderosa to be practical on a daily basis. Ranch work starts at dawn and often doesn't finish until long after dark. I'd never be home to see the baby."
"Yes, I suppose that is a bit of a complication," responded Leandra, as if she had prepared for his objection (which she had). "Of course, you could live at your father's house during the week and spend Sunday with Eleanor and Andrew."
"Why would I want to live apart from my wife and child?" Joseph was starting to get upset.
"Now, Joe! Mother and Aunt Anna do have a point. Being close to the doctor might make sense right now for the baby. And perhaps you might find a way to work as the ranch's agent from town and leave the physical jobs to your father and brothers. That way you could still be part of the family business, but we could live in Virginia City."
"Elly, you know how much goes into working the ranch. My hands are needed. If you want to move to a property closer to town, near to Hoss and Prudence, we can discuss that, but there's no way that I can see permanently moving into town."
A look crossed her face that he'd never seen before; stubbornness.
XXXXX
It was finally the last Friday in June, and like the year prior, the Virginia City School held a graduation and commencement ceremony. Ben was still the Chairman of the School Board and so attended with the rest of the board members. This graduating class consisted of two boys and two girls. Neither girl was rushing off to be married, just yet. One of the boys would be apprenticed to a harness maker in Carson City while the other had his family's small goat farm to work on. Some of the students had won prizes, and Prudence was very happy that the Board had agreed with her to give a "Most Improved" award to Clarence. For his part, he beamed as he held his scroll and the silver dollar that came with it. Last of all were two surprises; The Board gave her an engraved silver cup to thank her for her service and guidance to the school and the town's children. Even more meaningful, however, was the hand-made gift from the children. On a large, painted board, each child from youngest to oldest had made a handprint in paint and signed their name below it. It then had been lacquered and buffed and a wire attached for hanging. Pru would end up hanging it in the parlor of the house, where it would stay for the next sixty-odd years until her demise.
At the end of the festivities, Ben put his arm around her. "I know that Sally Ann will be a good teacher, but I can't imagine how she can surpass what you've done here. The Board debated renaming the school in your honor, but we -most especially me- weren't comfortable with another thing around here named for the Cartwright's."
Prudence laughed in understanding. "I think the school is perfectly named as it is. I don't suppose you could have imagined the impact you'd have on the region when you first arrived."
"Not in the least, my dear. I've have been very blessed. But most of all, I have been very blessed with my family. Now, have you told Hoss yet?"
Prudence was astounded. "Told Eric what exactly?" She wasn't even convinced yet herself.
"I've seen three sons born. I know the signs. You're going to have a child aren't you?"
Pru usually wasn't at a loss for words, but for once all she could do was look at her boots as she made little patterns in the dirt.
"Well, you're more experienced than I am. I'm not entirely sure yet, so I haven't said anything to him." She chewed her lip. "I thought I'd wait a few more weeks. I wouldn't want to disappoint him, and besides, he's going to be very busy with Jill. The foal will be born any minute now. He doesn't need the distraction."
"Well, 'Dr. Pa' says you are with child. You can take that to the bank, but if you feel that this would be an inopportune time, then wait until after the foal comes. But then, if you don't say something to Hoss, I will personally chase you around that yard of yours! Now let's go have a special celebratory lunch at the Palace Hotel, just you and me."
As they walked through the town, they passed the William's house. Eleanor, her mother and aunt had spent the intervening weeks haranguing Joe about moving to town. It was becoming a big discomfort to the youngest Cartwright son and was making Ben seriously upset. They had come to a temporary compromise; while Andrew continued to get stronger and slowly put on weight, he and Elly would stay in town with her family and near to Doc Martin. The young woman felt more confident with her female relatives around her. She enjoyed the friends and acquaintances of the town and the "civilized" atmosphere (although it couldn't compare to what she'd grown up with in Sacramento). To avoid too much travel with the infant on the ride to the Ponderosa and back for the weekends, Joe would join them on Saturday nights and Sunday, before going back to stay with his father and Adam in the big house during the week. But as far as he was concerned, as soon as the doctor gave his approval, they would move back to some part of the ranch. Joseph was willing to disassemble their house and rebuild it closer to town, but he adamantly refused to consider living in Virginia City. On the other hand, Eleanor refused to believe that her delicate son could ever survive without a doctor's immediate attention. Things were not good for the young family.
Thank you for your reviews to date. Continued reviews help me to become a better writer, so please send along any feedback that you have!
Julie