The following Monday, a few days later
When you hold something in the air and let it fall, the law of inertia dictates that it should stay in the air. However, it fell to the ground. Can you tell me why it falls? There is something called... Anyone? It's gravity. And gravity should not be... Elisabetta said
As the student murmurs,
If I drop this shoe and this hair at the same time, which one will hit the ground first?
(The student's shoe!)
Miss Letcher, why did the shoe not hit first? 'It's heavy,' said a boy.
Remember when I said that gravity is the force that pulls things toward the earth? Well, even though the earth pulls stronger on a heavier object like a shoe, that heavy object is more reluctant to get moving. Elisabetta said
So, is it a tie? A little girl said
That's right Emelina, it's a tie; now it's your turn to give it a try. I want you to partner up with someone sitting next to you, get up on a chair, and pick two objects to drop. But nothing breakable, please! Elisabetta said
In the evening, after school
Oh, and I made stew and biscuits for dinner. As Elisabetta stated
Oh, well, that is very kind of you, Elisabetta, but I think I would fall asleep on my plate, Abby said.
Aren't you just everywhere? As Elisabetta stated
Later that evening
I am responsible for keeping an eye on what Seth says.
Is there anything more you could be doing than sitting around looking smug? Elisabetta stated
The rules and regulations of my organization prohibit me from taking sides in this matter. Seth said
At least not until you have to enforce Mr. Gowen's eviction, right? Elisabetta said
In the event that they become necessary, not because I would take pleasure in doing so, but because I am required to do so by law, Seth said
Well, they won't be necessary. Elisabetta said
How can you be so sure? These ladies they've taken on an impossible challenge. Seth said
Just because they're women? Elisabetta said
The woman who needed a man's help lifting her crates into the saloon. Seth said
You think I'm weak. Elisabetta said
What I'm saying is that if there was ever a time for you to use those big-city brains to look for another way out of this mess, it's now. Seth said
Next morning
As the student whispers, what should we do? School has already begun; she drools like a horse, which might explain why the paper is stuck to her head. Miss Letcher? Rachel said
Hi Rachel, Oh, my goodness! What time is it? Oh, dear children, I, um... I was trying, but... never mind, it just got very late, and I must have... Elisabetta said
You definitely did. A student said
Oh, my... Elisabetta. said
What's our first assignment for the day, Miss Letcher? Math A girl said
Yes, on the note she had on her head, it said, ''Use the kids to help with research." No, actually. I want each of you to grab a research manual or encyclopedia from the bookshelf and bring it back to your tables.
Why, Miss Letcher, Emelina said
We're going to try to find a way to help the mothers in the mine. Elisabetta said
With a book, A Boy Said
Yes! Books can be very powerful weapons. We're going to do a word search when you get your book. I want you to go through it page by page, looking for the words home, house, or property. Elisabetta said
It seems kind of boring, James said
Pipe down, James; if it keeps us off math... Elisabetta said
Who cares? A boy said
Yes, James, nobody cares about math right now. Elisabetta said
The next day (clock chimes)
It's the reading hour, Miss Letcher. Miss Letcher. A girl said
What's that? Elisabetta said
There is supposed to be a reading hour during this time. Rachel said
(Sighs) Sorry. You're right Elisabetta said
Do you feel okay, Miss Letcher? As Rachel explained
Rachel, I am fine. Thank you. Elisabetta said
Yesterday, when my mom returned from the mine, she informed me that we would have to leave Valley Spring. I would like you to have this. I hope that it will help you to love this place as much as I do. Rachel said
Children, please gather your belongings. School is out until further notice. Elisabetta said
Later that afternoon, at Abby's and Elisabetta's house
I'm just saying that this isn't the best idea. Seth said
I don't have a choice. My first plan failed Elisabetta said
I know. Seth said
Look, I live here now; this is my community, and the children I teach are terrified about losing their homes. I have to do something. Elisabetta said
Elisabetta, it is too dangerous. Seth said
Because I'm a woman? Elisabetta said
No, Seth said.
Because right now, that mine is filled with the woman Elisabetta said
Yes, I know, and I wish I could stop all of them. Legally, I can't say what Seth said
You can't stop me either, Elisabetta said
(Knock on the door and the door opens.)
Bradley, my son, reported that school has been canceled until further notice. Is that true? Miss Radford said
Yes, I would like to assist the lady miners. Elisabetta said
You are being paid to teach, not to dig coal. Miss Radford said
I realize that but Elisabetta said
So you need to go back to school and do your job. Miss Radford said
I'm sorry you feel that way, Miss Radford but Mr. Gowen has given these widows until tomorrow. Elisabetta said
I don't think it's your place to go into the mine, said Miss Blanda.
Ladies, it seems to me that if she's willing to put her community before her own safety, that is something to be commended now. As risky as it is, some of the women in this town are standing together to save their homes now, I'd like to think the other mothers would understand that since most of them are married to men who walk into that mine every day there, but for the grace of God, all of you said, Seth
I wish you, Elisabetta, weren't doing this; I understand why you are. Just be careful. said Seth
Thank you. Elisabetta said
Sometime later that Thursday Afternoon
Elisabetta: When my father saw me off on my journey west, he told me he hoped I would find what God had shaped me for, and then give my whole heart to it. I thought I already knew what. That was as a teacher, I would be a molder of young minds and an encouragement to the mothers and fathers. But in trying to give my heart to that purpose, I've learned it's much more than what is in a book. One sometimes has to go against his or her nature to dig deep into the dark trenches of life. One has to be willing to lose everything in order to gain what God has shaped them for. Because there's a cost to the things that matter most in life, and it's in that sacrifice that we find our true treasure.
Friday afternoon
I never got to thank you for leaving me that note in the saloon. Elisabetta Said
You're welcome, I figured it was the least I could do..Seth Said
Was it really necessary to leave it on my forehead? Elisabetta said
You were snoring. I didn't want to wake you up. Seth said
Please, I do not snore. Ladies, do not snore, Elisabetta. said
You're right, so... have you been writing in that journal? Seth said
Of course, that's what it's for. Elisabetta said
Well, anything about me in there? Seth said
That would be why it's a private journal. Elisabetta said
I hope it's not all bad Seth said
You were the one who told me to write that you were forced here by my father to babysit me. Elisabetta said
Which is all true, but maybe ''forced" is slightly too harsh. Seth said
Does "compelled" cover it? Elisabetta said
Still not quite right Seth said
Manipulated? Elisabetta said
It was a major blow for me not to receive my posting in Santa Clarita along with my cousin and two friends. Seth said
Following pirates and whiskey runners. Elisabetta said
Yeah, I was really looking forward to that. Seth said
A darn shame Elisabetta said