Chapter 39

Home

At the Thatcher's everyone was packing. It had been a long 3 months. Wynn came in with Jack's transfer paperwork back to Pine Springs starting the following week. Mother and Father were sitting in the library with Elizabeth and Jack visiting and said, we are going to miss you all so much! We've got used to having you all around 24/7. Father, you all are coming for Christmas. That's just 3 months away. I know Beth but we are still going to miss you. We'll miss you too Father. We want to thank you both for letting us stay for the past 3 months. Beth, you may be grown and live away from home but this is still your home for as long as you live! Thank you, father.

The train tickets were bought and they would be leaving on Thursday at 8:00 am. Dad got 2 joining private compartments. Charlotte would stay with Jack and Elizabeth to help with the children. Jack had sent a telegram to McMurphy to have the cars ready and meet them at the station Friday evening at 6:00 pm. Jack got confirmation that he and Phillip would meet them.

All the sad goodbyes were made with a promise to come for Christmas. On the train Elizabeth, Charlotte, and Mom got the children settled while Jack and Dad tended to the trunks and bags. They were all fed before leaving the house. Mom had ordered coffee and tea to be delivered once the train left the station.

At 6:00 pm Friday evening the train rolled into Lacombe. Jack and Dad stepped off the train first. Jack held Jarrick in his arms as he helped Elizabeth and Abby step off the train. Dad helped Charlotte and Jackson step off the train then helped his wife step off. Jack handed Jarrick to Mom while he helped load the trunks into Phillip's car. Everyone loaded into the car with McMurphy. 20 minutes later they pulled up to their house.

Jarrick's crib was moved into their room for the twins. As small as they were, they would be in the crib for a while. All the trunks were put in the correct bedroom. Everyone changes out of their travel clothes.

Jack and Dad went out to check the horses. They turned them out for a few minutes while they put the feed and water in their stalls. When they finished they stepped outside and whistled. The horses didn't wait for their specific whistle, they all came trotting into their stall. The men shut the stall doors and patted each horse. Sargent stuck his head out and nudged his partner. Jack hugged his neck and said, I missed you too Bud! Sargent nods his head up and down.

In the house, Mom noticed a basket with a note in it. She read the note and said, Beth, the Ethridge family left a basket of food for dinner tonight. Do you want me to heat it up? It is rabbit stew and biscuits with Lemon pie for dessert. If you would Mom, I would appreciate it while I get Abby and Jackson fed, Elizabeth replied.

After she fed and got the twins changed, she brought them out and sat down on the sofa. Jack and Dad came in and got washed up. Jack took Abby and sat down next to her. Jarrick came over and asked, Ja'son pway wif me? Jack picked him up and replied, hey little man, they can't play with you yet. They're still too small yet but in a few months, they can sit and play with you, ok? Ess sur. He jumped down and ran to his room to play with all the toys he hadn't been able to play with since they left.

Mom and Charlotte had set the table and put dinner on it. They called everyone over to eat. Jack put Jarrick in his high chair and set his plate on his tray. Mom took Jackson while Charlotte took Abby so Jack and Elizabeth could eat without juggling a baby. They both said, thank you! Instead of waiting for dessert later, everyone had a slice of pie after dinner.

A couple of days later Elizabeth received a letter from the school board saying, we are sorry but we won't be extending your contract. We understand that you just gave birth to your babies. So we will give you until the end of this school term. Miss Nieda Fuller will be taking your place being she lives there. We appreciate your service in teaching the students in Pine Springs. We will let you know by then where you will be going to.

She plopped down on the sofa and gasped. Mom rushed to her and asked, what is it, Beth? She handed the letter to her Mom. Mom reads it and says, Beth, I'm so sorry. Jack came in from feeding the horses and saw how pale she was and asked, Bella, what is it? Mom hands him the letter. He sat down next to her, put his arms around her, and said, oh Bella, I'm so sorry. It's going to be alright. We have plenty of time to get everything packed. Jack, what are we going to do? Bella, we will go where God leads us. He lead us here so He will lead us to where He wants us. Hon, this is our home. No Bella, we made it our home. This belongs to the school district. It doesn't belong to us.

Mom and Dad decided to stay through Thanksgiving and spent as much time as they could. They went home but promised to return to help pack everything up. Mother and Father came for Christmas and New Year's. Jack and Elizabeth took advantage of everyone wanting one of their babies. They took walks on days that weren't too cold to get outside. They never went too far away from the twins just in case one of them needed them. Mother and Father went home at the end of January.

It's now the end of April. Elizabeth was helping Neida at school as of January 6, 1914. They took the students for their science field trip. This science project was on different rocks in the area. The children were so glad to have her back. Ok, after everyone has their rock we want everyone to line up so we can go back to the school and look them up in the book. We want an essay on what it is used for. We know that some will have the same rock and that's ok. Everyone will be doing their own essay. We'll give you until Monday to finish it. On Monday everyone will read them in front of the class.

Monday morning she took attendance and got started with the essays. Some were funny and some were very serious. She enjoyed all of them. At the end of the day, she sat down and explained that she would not be returning next year. There were several who cried, some were angry, and some were just shocked.

In May she received her letter of where she was to be sent. She was being sent to Didsbury, Alberta. A 3 bedroom house is included. You will have 15 students. If you choose to take this contract, please arrive 2 weeks before September 7, 1915. Train tickets are enclosed. If you choose not to take this contract please send the tickets back.

Jack came in from work and went to change out of his uniform. Jarrick started yelling, Where's daddy? Jack didn't say anything so Jarrick yelled again, this time louder. Jack steps out of the bedroom quietly, walks up behind his son, grabs him, and says, here I am! He scared Jarrick making him scream in delight! Abby giggled and said, Dada! Jack scooped her up and said, Bella, did you hear our little princess? She said, Dada! I heard hon! She's getting so smart! Jack walked up and kissed her and asked, did we get any mail today? There's a letter on the desk, she replied. He walked over and picked it up and read where it came from. Bella, is this good news or bad news? It depends on what you think. He set Abby on the floor. Charlotte and Elizabeth were getting dinner ready to set it on the table. He opens the letter and reads it. He reads it a second time before he says anything.

Nothing was said at dinner except for the everyday conversations, how was your day, what did you do today? That was it. After dinner, Jack helped get the children ready for bed. Charlotte sat in the living room staring at her book but not reading it. She never turned a page. Jack and Elizabeth came out and sat down. Bella, what are your thoughts on this? Hon, I've never been to Didsbury. Have you ever been there? I have actually. It's north of Airdrie where Henry is. How big is it, she asked. It is bigger than Pine Springs. It's about the size of Coal Valley. The weather is about like here. Hon, what do you think about moving there? Well, I think it's a bit of a bad area. Maybe we should contact Dad about it before we make a decision. I'll call him tomorrow when I get to work. Thanks, hon because I don't want to take the children where they aren't safe. Me either Bella. Ma, you're mighty quiet over there. What are your thoughts on this? Son, I'll go wherever you 2 go. I know you will, Ma.

O'Toole I need to speak with the Deputy Commissioner asap, please. Put it through to my office when you reach him. Yes sir, right away. A few minutes later, hey Dad, how are you and Mom doing? We're doing fine! How are our grandchildren? Oh, they are growing like bad weeds! What can I help you with? I know it has to be personal for you to call me Dad at work. Yes sir it is. Elizabeth got her letter yesterday. They want to send her to Didsbury Dad. That's not a safe place to raise a family at least it wasn't the last time I was there about 4 years ago. It was full of gun and whiskey runners. You are very right son. They can't keep a teacher there.

Well Dad we can't take that job but I don't know what we will do before she gets another contract offer. Son, why don't you all come here for a visit? You can store your things in the shed out back. I'm sure it's plenty big enough. Thanks, Dad, I will talk to Elizabeth and let you know. Son, we will be there next week to help you pack. She only has 2 weeks left of school. Ok Dad we'll see you next week.

The following day Elizabeth sent a letter declining the contract and enclosed the train tickets. She asked them to keep a teaching position offer open so that she could take her family safely. Elizabeth was planning a surprise party for the last day of school to say goodbye. The mothers had come to the school to tell her that they would miss her and her family. She had told them about the surprise party. They asked if they could help. She welcomed the help but what she didn't know was that it was actually going to be a going-away party for her and her family.

It was scheduled for the last day of school. There weren't any students graduating this year. They had finished all the testing. Everyone had passed to the next grade. That afternoon the mothers had set up everything outside by the time school was over. At 5 o'clock the fathers showed up and started a bonfire. Jack had ridden up and asked, what's all this? Phillip stepped up and said, this is a going away party for you all! You all didn't have to do this but we thank you! By 9 o'clock the babies were asleep in their parent's lap. Jarrick was asleep in Papa's arms. The men had said they would be by on Saturday to help load everything and get it to the train station to be shipped. Jack thanked them.

That night Mom, Dad, Charlotte, Jack, and Elizabeth sat around to discuss where they would go. Dad had said they were welcome to stay with them until Elizabeth received her next contract. They had agreed to stay with them and Jack would be transferred to Vancouver until then.

Early Saturday morning, the community showed up to pack everything in crates to be shipped to Vancouver. It took several wagons to get everything to the train station. There were plenty of sad goodbyes all around. Elizabeth had packed all their personal items in 2 trunks and enough clothes, diapers, and toys for the 4-day trip to Vancouver. Charlotte had her things in her bag, everything else was packed in all her trunks. The wagon, buggy, tack, and horses were loaded on the train as well. The men had got together and bought all the extra hay and feed from Jack. Nieda Fuller promised to take care of the children.

Sunday morning Phillip arrived along with McMurrphy to take them to the train station. Jack closed and locked the door for the very last time. He stepped off the porch. Elizabeth walks up to him and says, this was our very first home. I'm going to miss it here but our future is somewhere else for now. He kissed her cheek and said, we go where God leads us, ok? Yes, she replied. He helped her into the car and got in beside her.