We Gather Together : A Shiloh Thanksgiving
Chapter 1 : Two Days Before - November 28th , 1899
''I can't believe it's almost Thanksgiving , Daddy'' ; Betsy said on a cold November evening.
Neither can I , Betsy , ; her father replied.
What would you like to do for Thanksgiving , Betsy ? ; the Judge asked thoughtfully.
Well , Daddy , Thanksgiving is for family and sharing with others , so I'd like to invite all the boys for Thanksgiving dinner , ; Betsy finished.
That's an excellent idea , Betsy , ; Judge Garth replied. I was thinking the same thing myself , dear , ; her father added.
We'll have to get a turkey and all of the fixings , ; Betsy said practically.
I'll have The Virginian go hunting for one tomorrow , Betsy , ; Judge Garth said.
We'll have to do it in the bunkhouse because there's so many of us , Daddy , ; Betsy pointed out.
And I'll ask Cookie to help me with all the food , ; Betsy said. And would you do the honors of asking them to dinner , Daddy ? ; Betsy asked.
I'd be glad to , Betsy , ; her father replied. In fact , I'll go and do it now , ; the Judge added.
Can I come with you , Daddy ? ; Betsy asked as she got up. Of course , Betsy , ; her father replied.
I'll get my coat , ; Betsy said as they headed for the coat- rack in the hall.
I can't wait to surprise them all , Daddy , ; Betsy said when they reached the bunk-house porch.
I'll knock , Daddy , ; Betsy said when they got to the door. Alright , Betsy , ; her father replied.
Can we come in , boys ? ; Betsy called out softly. Come on in , Betsy , ; The Virginian answered from inside.
Evening , Judge , Betsy , ; The Virginian said when he saw them come in.
Evenin' , Judge , ; Randy said from his corner. Hello , boys , ; the Judge replied good-naturedly.
Hi , Betsy , ; Randy said , smiling at her from his corner. Hi , Randy , ; Betsy replied , smiling back at him.
Is there something you'd like to talk to us about , Judge ? ; The Virginian asked. As a matter of fact there is , ; Judge Garth replied.
Betsy and I would like to invite all of you to Thanksgiving dinner , Virginian , ; the Judge said graciously.
We've had a wonderful year , and all of you were part of it , ; Judge Garth added.
Thank you , Judge , the boys and I would be pleased to accept , ; The Virginian said gratefully.
I'm glad to hear that , Virginian , ; Judge Garth replied. Betsy and I will be pleased to have you all , boys , ; the Judge added, looking in the
direction of Randy and the others. Do you think you could bring us back a turkey , Virginian ? ; Betsy asked.
I'm sure I could , Betsy , ; he replied. In fact , Randy and I could go out tomorrow and get a couple , ; The Virginian added.
Could'nt we , Randy ? ; The Virginian said , grinning playfully at his young friend.
That we could , boss , ; Randy replied good-naturedly.
I bet you'll bring back the biggest , plumpest turkey there ever was , Randy , ; Betsy said , smiling at her friend.
I'll sure try to , Betsy , ; Randy replied , smiling back at her warmly. I'm sure you''ll both do fine , Randy , ; the Judge said simply.
You sure you don't wanna come along , Judge ? ; Randy asked playfully. Oh , no , I'll probably just scare everything away , ; the Judge replied ,
laughing at Randy's question. Good luck to you both , though , ; the Judge said amiably.
Thanks , Judge , ; The Virginian said laughing. Thanks , ; Randy said from his corner. Good luck , you two , ; Betsy said , her eyes dancing with merriment in Randy's direction.
Goodnight , boys , ; Judge Garth said kindly. And a Happy Thanksgiving to all of you , ; he added warmly.
Goodnight , Judge , and the same to you and Betsy , ; The Virginian replied warmly.
Thank you , Virginian , ; the Judge replied. Goodnight , Judge , ; Randy said quietly from his corner.
Goodnight , Randy , ; the Judge replied to his youngest and newest hand. Goodnight , Randy , see you tomorrow , ; Betsy said, smiling warmly at her friend.
Goodnight , Betsy , ; Randy replied , smiling back at her just as warmly.
Sleep well , boys , ; Judge Garth said as they left.
Well, I'm glad they're coming to Thanksgiving dinner , Daddy , ; Betsy said as they walked back to the house.
So am I , Betsy , ; her father replied. How you said that Thanksgiving is for family , Betsy - ; her father began.
Yes , Daddy ? ; Betsy asked. They're all like family to me , too , dear , ; the Judge said softly.
I know , Daddy , ; Betsy said as they walked up the steps. I love them all dearly , Daddy ,; Betsy said.
The Virginian , Randy , all of them , ; Betsy added. I'm glad they're part of our family , ; Betsy said.
So am I , dear , ; the Judge said. In fact , I could'nt fathom life without any of them , Betsy , ; her father said.
So , how are you and Randy getting on , Betsy ? ; her father asked thoughtfully.
He's my best friend , Daddy , ; Betsy replied. I enjoy being with him , and I hate when we're apart , ; Betsy said.
And I'd trust him with anything , ; Betsy added. And does Randy trust you , Betsy ? ; the Judge asked.
Yes , Daddy , he does , ; Betsy said as they walked onto the porch.
So far Randy's told me everything about himself , about his life and family in the mountains , how it was for him coming west,
the places he's seen , and the people he's met , and what happened the year before he came here , too , ; Betsy finished.
It sounds like he's had quite a life for such a young man , Betsy , ; her father said as they went inside.
Well , I'm glad he's here with us , and that he lived to tell me about his adventures , Daddy , ; Betsy replied thoughtfully.
So am I , Betsy , ; her father said. And Randy's asked me as many questions as I've asked him , Daddy , ; Betsy added thoughtfully.
And have you had answers for them all , Betsy ? ; her father asked.
Most of them , yes , a few , no , ; Betsy replied. Well , if any of them are a puzzle to you , Betsy , run them by me , alright ? ; Judge Garth said.
Alright , Daddy , thanks , ; Betsy replied. Goodnight , Daddy , ; Betsy said finally.
I've got a lot of things to do tomorrow , ; Betsy added.
Goodnight , Betsy , see you in the morning , ; her father replied as Betsy headed upstairs.