Chapter 7 Long Lost Twin

Mrs. Carlson, lay on the bed as the midwife told her to push. She did and the baby was out. Then the midwife told her to push again,

"But the baby is out, why again?"

"Because dear, you have twins! Now let's get the second one out, so push!" The midwife said and sure enough a beautiful little girl with golden curls on her head, came out. She did not move. The midwife was worried.

"Thomas, get you father, I need help!" The midwife said to the oldest boy standing just outside the door to the birthing room. Reverend Carlson came running in and asked what was needed.

"Reverend, this child is the twin of your next son, Harry. She seems to be having problems with breathing. If she is helped she will live, if not, she will die. What do you want me to do?" Mrs. Carlson looked at the midwife in shock,

"Wait, why cant both survive?" The reverend looked at his wife and said:

"My dear, if she survives, we will have to send her to live with another family and right now, there are no family's who can afford to care for her. It is better to let her die than to keep her alive, only to watch her die later?" he said to his wife. He really had not scruples, and she had not realized that he, although a 'reverend' was just one of the many jobs he held. She started to cry. She held the little girl for just a few more minutes. The girl herself felt the sadness and almost stopped breathing altogether! Stan came in to the room and saw her and said:
"Mother, Father, Amy will take her, I know she has been wanting a girl around for some time now! I will take her to Amy's house tonight. Let's get her breathing regular though!" Stan said. The Reverend looked at his son and his mother smiled and nodded in approval. There was a sudden sound of whooshing air and the baby girl suddenly turned pink and was breathing and opened her eyes to see her mother's eyes gazing at her with love. She took it all in. Late that night Stan took her and dressed her warmly, then silently rode to Amy's home. She and several ladies lived in a small house out beyond the woods. They were always taking in children who had no homes. They worked to find them homes. Sometimes it was a good thing other times not so good, but they did their work with faith in God. Stan put the basket down on the porch, rang the bell and waited, It was Amy's turn that night to stay up and take any children in that needed help. When she opened the door, she saw Stan, she smiled and looked down at the baby.

"Who does this sweetheart belong to?" Amay asked as she picked up the basket.

"Amy, she is my sister, she has a twin brother, but father says we cant keep her. So, would you take care of her until I get a chance to marry and then take her home with me?" Amy looked at Stan, They had been friends in school, they had tried to see each other but her father forbade it. When she was old enough she went to live with some sisters in a community and took her solemn vows. Now she ran an orphanage in conjunction with that religious community.

"I will do my best to let the others know whose child she is. Take care my friend!"

"You too Amy. I will be back for her. Her name is Tracy, I named her that!" Stan said as he got on his horse and left. So, Tracy lived with the sisters until her 9th birthday. When Stan came back he was surprised about what the sisters had to say about Tracy.

"Stan, she is a special child. I don't think having her leave right now is good for her. She has some complications and is well. She seems to not be capable of learning, she can see and hear and talk all right, but her actions and abilities are that of a 5 year old. We are not sure if she will even comprehend what you ask her to do?" Said Amy who had been in charge of her schooling. She can write her name but cannot read what she has written. She does paint very well, in fact, her paintings have helped us to stay afloat!"

Stan looked at Amy and then at his sister Tracy. Then he asked:

"Do you want to keep her for what she can do for the community, or do you really feel that she is not capable of living in a family!" Amy was not sure of what to say. Sister Anita Marie came in and said:

"Mr. Carlson, I know that you asked Amy to keep her until you could take her and raise her yourself, but she would not be able to handle a change of environment. In fact, when she was a few years younger, she would have temper tantrums and refused to eat or do anything. Sister Clara, who has a fascination with doorknobs, let her play with those and soon she was able to reach inside her and bring her out. She can sit at a table, eat with good manners, and she knows 'Please and Thank you' but she still has tantrums, she still kicks and screams whenever she does not get her way! Are you prepared to love her no matter what she says or does?" Stan looked at the sister then at his own sister. Wondering if Ada, his wife of three years would be able to handle her, or even if she would love her.

"Sister, Anita Marie, We will be back to pick her up tomorrow at noon. Please have her ready! And my wife will need to know what to do for her, as far as how you have taught her and what she knows. Thank you." Tipping his hat, he said goodbye and left. Tracy had no clue who that was or why he wanted her, she sat on the floor playing with her dolls.

By the time Tracy had gone through the attic, she was now 11, she still could not read, but she painted and Ada had made sure she had art supplies, in fact, the art that Tracy did, she would sell to tourists or anyone that wanted a pretty picture.

Tracy was the girl that came out of the door that evening. She had stood on the porch listening for Harry's voice, she knew that voice, although she had never heard or seen him from the time they were born. She called his name.

"Harry, Harry, come for me!" Harry had been on the horse sitting in front of Mr. Duncan Bolt when he heard the voice. Apparently Duncan heard it as well and turned around. He looked at Harry and said:

"What is it boy? Someone knows your name?" Duncan said as he waited for Harry to answer.

"I know that girl! That is my sister, Mr. Bolt we have to rescue her!" Harry said.

"You only have one sister, I thought!" Harry looked at Mr. Bolt and said;
"Sir, I am a twin, my mother told me the last night we were together as a family. She did not want dad to know that I knew I had a twin. She told me that if anything happened to Stan, I was to rescue Tracy from Stan and Ada, especially Ada!" Duncan listened to Harry, he had told his nephews to leave, but now they were coming back.

"Uncle Duncan! I am glad you are not hurt! What was the shooting for?" Jason asked as he dropped Carolyn down next to James who untied her. Harry got down from Duncan's horse as well.

"Carolyn, we found Tracy!" Harry said. Carolyn looked surprised, she did not remember a sister, if she had one she would have remembered!

"I did not know we had a sister!" How do you know that she is our sister, mom never told me, and she told me a lot of things!" Carolyn said to Harry.

"Never mind that Carolyn, I have a twin sister, her name is Tracy!"

Chapter 8 Tracy's Heart

Ada was Stan's wife, she had two girls of her own from a previous marriage. She and her girls had done many scandalous things and when Tracy was brought into the family, they all decided that Tracy was not going to get anything. Stan did not know this of course because he figured woman and girl children needed each other, So, he would do his jobs, get caught, put in jail and then get out later. He never knew what happened with Tracy when he was in jail. When he was home, they treated her just like any other in the family except they were able to make her do all the work and chores without Stan knowing. Mostly because Ada had told Tracy if she dared ttell her brother, Ada would kill him and then her. Tracy was afraid of Ada and her two daughters. She did as she was told. Stan never suspected it until one day, when he returned he found a note from Ada that she had left. And at the end of the note, she said that Tracy was locked in the outhouse and if he wanted he could see if she was still alive. Stan was beside himself. He loved his little sister and if he had known all the things that Ada had done, he would have shot her himself. When he found Tracy she was sitting on the bench, crying. When she saw Stan she immediately shrunk back hoping that he wasn't going to hurt her.

"Tracy, I am your brother, I couldn't hurt you!" Stan said; Tracy looked at him as if he were a monster and then she said quietly:

"I'm scared! Mama Ada told me that you would kill me if you found me!" She started to cry, and he took hold of her and held her for a very long time. He swore if he ever saw Ada or her girls again, he would personally shoot to kill them. After that Tracy accompanied Stan and Thomas to many of their 'jobs' She was good at helping her brothers. But one day, she had collapsed, they took her to a doctor who said that she had a very bad heart. Stan was beside himself. Thomas really didn't care, but Stan had decide to rob a bank to pay for her medical expenses.

She had come out of the door and saw Thomas ready to shoot Mr. Bolt. She moved just enough to make him miss twice. He was angry with her and wanted to slap her, but Stan came out and knocked his brother out. They stood on the porch calling to Mr. Bolt to come to them. Duncan took his horse and slowly rode up to the porch.

"Mr. Bolt, sir, this is Tracy, she is my sister, Harry's twin. I had a talk with her and she would like to settle down. She has a heart problem, and she cannot come with my brother and I anymore. Would you be willing to care for her?" Stan asked.

Duncan sat on his horse Jason and Joshua came up both still had Carolyn, Harry, and James with them. Tracy stood back a little, afraid that she would not be accepted. Harry went over to her, as did James and Carolyn.

"Tracy, I sure am glad to finally meet you! Mom only told me a week before her death. I kept it a secret until now." He turned to Duncan and the brothers and said:

"I left to find Tracy, I knew that Stan had a house nearby, but I wasn't sure where, that is why I climbed into the attic, not to get the rest of the 'treasures' but to see if there was a clue to her whereabouts!" Jason, Joshua, and Duncan looked at each other and got off their horses.

"Jason, I am going over to check on Thomas…" Stan interrupted, there will be no need, he is dead!" Everyone was shocked, they thought that Thomas had the gun and fired two shots. Stan took his gun and gave it to Jason and said:

" I will probably going back to jail and then prison that is why I would like you to take care of Tracy until I get out. I will find a way to pay for her medical expenses, at least until she comes of age. But she will be better off with a family rather than roaming around the countryside with me!" While Stan was talking, a woman walked up to the group, she had the sheriff and Marshall with her. They had handcuffs. She took in the situation and then asked Jason:

"Hello, Jason. I see that you will be taking on an extra child? Matilda said as she came up to him and the little group. Jason looked a little surprised and said:

"Matilda, how are you? What have you been up to?" He asked these questions so he could think a little about what he was going to say, when Duncan Bolt stepped up and said:

"Since you seem to have your hands full with one girl we might be able to accommodate taking another child in the family. My wife Doralee loves children and is always talking about having more!"
"Mr. Bolt, I think that is a good idea, however, she does have medical expenses that may end up being too much for your family to handle. I am prepared to take the children to an orphanage. So far that has been no other relatives for them." Matilda looked at Carolyn, Harry and Tracy. Three children, one almost a woman, whose lives had not been so well. If they were put in an orphanage, Carolyn was almost too old now. She would be better off in the dormitory, but Harry and Tracy they have just met, they may very well be separated and Tracy, with a heart problem may never be adopted. Jason and Joshua were thinking along those lines as well when Harry asked a question:
"Mr. Bolt, I have stayed with you for at least a couple of months. Would you please consider taking me and my sister into your family? I promise I will not get in trouble again!" Harry then took hold of his siter's hand and waited. Duncan looked at Harry, thought about it awhile and said:
Harry, I have no doubt you will get into trouble again. It is just something boys your age do. All I ask is if you both stay with us, you treat us with respect as we treat you!" Duncan, as big and round as he was seemed intimidating to Harry, but Tracy looked at him and then decided to go up to him and ask:
"Mr. Bolt, sir, may I ask a question?" He nodded his head yes.

"I know you have several children, so adding another may be difficult for you, but if you will have me, I will do what I can to help your wife and family." Duncan smiled at her and lowered down to get eye to eye with her and said:

"Tracy, I believe you will do that. Welcome to the family! You too, Harry!" Tracy stepped up and he gave her a good strong encouraging hug and he did the same for Harry.

Stan watched and smiled, he knew his sisters and brother would have a happy and safe home.

"I will write to you, and you can write to me.!" Stan said. Harry and Tracy watched as he was put into the jail wagon. Tracy ran up to him and gave her big brother a hug as well. They said their goodbyes and left.

"I am glad they have a home." Matilda said as she lingered near Jason. Joshua had already gotten his horse ready and would have taken both Harry and Tracy but Duncan had Harry and James on his horse, so someone had to take both girls.

"Josh, I think we can borrow a wagon to take the girls!" Jason said as he looked longingly at Matilda.

"We are still in Olympia, want to go to the Olympic Hotel for a meal?" he asked Matilda. She looked at him and said that she would like that. She dismissed her two other agents, and they walked off to the hotel. Joshua, was going to follow Uncle Duncan home and then return to Seattle the next day. Carolyne was staying with her sister and brother to visit, she planned to return to the dormitory because, after all, she was almost a 'woman'!

Stan arrived 6 months after and came to visit with his brother and sisters. He had no job, nor prospect for a job since he had been in jail and the trial came about and they said that he was defending his sister. He was a free man but the idea of a 'murderer was not everyone's idea. He had enjoyed the letters his sisters and brothers sent him. He was glad that Tracy was doing better. He arrived back in Dupont, Duncan Bolt found him a job at the military base. Stan felt he had finally settled down and decided to see if he could not get a place to live, so that his brother and sister could visit with him. He was looking in Tacoma when he heard a familiar voice:

"Hey there, what you doin' tonight!" He stopped and turned around, he saw her, not Ada, but her daughter, standing on a porch that led to a house of ill repute.

"Casey?" He said as he walked over to her. "What happened? Why are you here?"