Medicine Bundle

by Patrick E. Andrews

  “The same exact manner,” Grant said. “Of course we will release you at any time. Such as on that special day when you can buy your own place. But in the meantime you should do quite well on my farm.”

  “Oh, ja!” Ingvar agreed, then he frowned in puzzlement. “Are you not the farmer no more, Mr. Hollings?”

  Grant shook his head. “I’ve accepted a commission as deputy United States marshal. I’ll be serving under Marshal Sinclair in the Medicine Bundle office.”

  “Oh, you are a policeman den, Mr. Hollings?” Ingvar asked. “I bet dat is good pay.”

  “Not so good,” Grant admitted. “But with the money we’ve already saved along with what we’ll get while you’re working the farm, we’ll do just fine. We’ve already bought a house in town. A very nice two-story frame with a fence around the yard.”

  “You and Anna talk this over then let us know,” Luther said. “They ain’t no rush.”

  “Can we go to da farm anytime?” Ingvar asked.

  “Sure,” Grant replied. “We’re moving out tomorrow. By next Monday we’ll be in our new house. I have to report for duty that same day.”

  “Vait!” Ingvar said, jumping up. “I talk to Anna right now. I take her outside.”

  Luther and Grant followed him back to the kitchen where he grabbed Anna and pulled her toward the door. “Ingvar!” she cried out. “Var går vi?”

  “Utsida!” he said tugging at her. “Kamm!”

  Rebecca looked at Grant. “You must have made the offer.”

  “Yeah,” Grant said. “Let’s hope Anna will agree to it.”

  Rebecca walked over to the window and looked out. “Anna is crying.”

  Luther shrugged. “Well, I guess if she don’t like the idee, that’s the end of that.”

  “We’ll have to find somebody else,” Grant said.

  “O’course she likes it!” Rebecca exclaimed. “She’s crying ’cause she’s so happy.”

  “That don’t make a lick of sense,” Luther said.

  “Men!” Fionna said going back to scrubbing a pan. “You couldn’t figger out what a woman is thinking even if she wrote it down for you.”

  When Ingvar and Anna came back into the kitchen, she was wiping her eyes. Ingvar nodded enthusiastically. “Ja! Ve are gonna do it.”

  “I am so happy!” Anna said.

  Rebecca looked at her husband and father. “See?”

  “Dere is somet’ing else,” Ingvar said with a grin. “I didn’t know about it ‘til right now.” He looked at Anna. “Go on and tell dem.”

  “You tell dem!”

  “All right,” he said, turning his glance back to the others. “Anna tells me she is gonna have a baby.”

  “Sweet Lord!” Fionna cried. “When?”

  “In da spring, I t’ink,” Anna answered.

  “You go see Mary Matthews,” Fionna said. “She’s a wonderful midwife.”

  “Ja!” Ingvar said. “Ve can pay now dat ve make money on da farm.”

  “Well,” Grant said, “as of Saturday morning, the place is yours.”

  “Ve move in right avay kvick,” Anna said. “Such a nice house!”

  “Take my wagon back to town with you this evening,” Luther said. “You can use it to carry your stuff out to the farm.”

  “I pay you for dat out of da first crop,” Ingvar said.

  “You don’t have to pay for the wagon,” Luther said.

  “Sure! I pay!” Ingvar insisted.

  “Listen, Ingvar,” Grant said. “I already told you we pay for everything in a deal like this. The seed, repairs, tools, or whatever is needed. That includes furnishing you a wagon and mule to move your stuff out here. You’re going to need them for the farm anyway.”

  “Oh,” Ingvar said. “Dat’s fine den.” He looked at Grant. “I help you move.”

  “I would appreciate that very much,” Grant said. “In that case you and Anna stay with us tonight. Tomorrow morning we can move our things into town. Then, instead of using Luther’s wagon, you can use ours to take your belongings out to the farm. Then it can stay there.”

  “This is getting confusing,” Fionna said. “I hope ever’one understands what we’re gonna do.”

  “Sure,” Ingvar said. “Me and Anna sleep at Mr. and Mrs. Hollings’ house. Tomorrow ve put deir stuff in da vagon and go to deir new house.”

  “Da new house in town,” Anna added.

  “Ja,” Ingvar said. “Den ve take da stuff off da vagon and put it in da new house.”

  Anna joined in again. “Den we go to our little house and get our t’ings. Ve take dem to da farm and dere ve live. Ja?”

  Fionna laughed. “Ja! See? I just spoke in Swedish.”

  Anna went to the cupboard and got her box of cookies. “Now ve celebrate vit’ dese.”

  “And coffee,” Ingvar added. “Svedish cookies must be ate vit’ coffee.”

  ~*~

  Luther and Fionna arrived early at Grant and Rebecca’s house — soon to be occupied by Ingvar and Anna — to lend a hand with the moving chores. Luther brought his own wagon to make sure only one trip would be necessary both to and from town.

  Anna already considered the farmhouse hers. She bustled around the place straightening up and making decisions where to place her own meager belongings. Rebecca left a few minor pieces of furniture she wouldn’t need in the new house. Rather than consider them gifts, Ingvar and Anna looked on the items as part of the property they would be using but not owning.

  It took most of an hour for the three men to move the heavier pieces of furniture onto the vehicles. When the last piece was put aboard and lashed down, they began the slow trek toward Medicine Bundle.

  Grant and Rebecca’s house in town was not a new one. The home, a beautiful gingerbread Victorian with turrets, had been built by one of the town’s first bankers. Its ten rooms consisted of a large parlor, dining room, kitchen, den, sewing room, a small maid’s quarters, and four bedrooms upstairs. A wooden picket fence with an oversized gate led to a large front yard. A carriage house was set back flush to the alley, and a root cellar could be accessed around the back of the home.

  The banker decided to sell the place after his own worth had increased considerably with the commercial growth of Medicine Bundle. He built a larger house in an area east of town where the richest of the local gentry had begun to establish their residences.

  Part of the deal that Grant made included keeping the downstairs carpets. He’d had to pay extra for the floor coverings, but Rebecca had fallen in love with the thick, heavy rugs and could not bear having to put up with bare floors until suitable ones could be purchased later on.

  She also had bric-a-brac and other odds and ends she had collected during her short career as an army wife. They seemed out of place in the farmhouse and had been kept securely wrapped and tucked away in boxes. Now the decorations, vases, a couple of lamps, and pictures would be used to dress up the parlor to her fancy. Her best silverware and set of dishes would also be given their proper places in the new home.

  In less than an hour and a half, the Hollings’ possessions were off the wagon and in the house. Grant, Luther and Fionna stayed to help Rebecca put things away while Ingvar and Anna took Grant’s farm wagon to the small house to load their things on the vehicle. They were ashamed of their cheap belongings, and turned down offers of help. The McCrackens and Hollingses understood and diplomatically acquiesced to the Swedes’ polite refusal of assistance.

  Grant and Rebecca, with help from her parents, went about settling in. Since the only things to move upstairs was one bedroom set and the children’s things, Grant and Luther quickly got the job done. From then on, it was up to the women to put things away and give orders as to the proper placement of furniture as the downstairs was organized.

  Grant was given a list to take to the store for the night’s supper. When he returned, they fired up the large stove in the kitchen, and the entire family enjoyed their first meal in the new home.

  “Ther
e’re still lots of things I need,” Rebecca observed.

  Luther looked at Grant and winked. “For your sake, I hope your new salary can cover all that expense.”

  “We deputies don’t have regular salaries,” Grant explained. “We get so much money per head for outlaws we arrest. Two dollars each, as a matter of fact.”

  “Then you better grab a lot of ’em from the way Rebecca is talking,” Luther said.

  Grant pulled a piece of paper from his pocket. “I wrote down what I get paid. Let’s see. I’m allowed six cents a mile for travel and they give me seventy-five cents a day to feed my prisoners.”

  “That seems like a lot to spend on an outlaw’s grub,” Luther said. “If I was you, I’d spend two bits a day and keep the rest for myself.”

  “Actually we’re not expected to spend that much,” Grant informed him. “It’s the same with the six cents a mile. It’s extra compensation.”

  He started to mention he had to provide his own pistol as well as pay for his own bullets, but thought the subject of weapons and ammunition might upset Rebecca and Fionna. “Not to worry. With the farm income, we’ll get along just fine.”

  Rebecca looked at her mother. “You and Pa can spend the night here on Saturday market days and we’ll all go to church together Sunday mornings.”

  Fionna felt a wave of happiness sweep over her. That undying faith she had in the future was beginning to bear fruit. Now if only Silsby would come home, all her dreams would be realized.

  Chapter Thirty-Four

  Silsby McCracken and Mildred Duncan walked arm-and-arm up the street in the residential neighborhood of Clarkville, Kansas. Charlie Ainsley had to follow behind them because of the narrow boardwalk. The weather was in the midst of a January thaw that seemed more like a nice spring day rather than mid-winter. In spite of the pleasant conditions, Silsby was in a bad mood. “This really riles me!”

  Mildred patted his arm. “Now this ain’t the day for you to be all upset, darling.”

  “Sure,” Charlie interjected from behind them. “You cain’t blame the justice of the peace, Silsby. He’s got to go by the law. If’n he didn’t, then the thing wouldn’t be legal. You wouldn’t want that, would you?”

  Mildred agreed. “He cain’t marry a girl my age to a feller without her pa saying it’s all right, unless —” She let the statement drop.

  Silsby patted his pocket. “This note from the sawbones will set that old son of a bitch right. I don’t see why folks got to stick their noses into things that ain’t none of their business.”

  “Calm down, darling,” Mildred said. “Ever’thing is gonna turn out just the way we want it.”

  Silsby relented, saying, “I reckon you’re right, sweetie.”

  “That’s my honey.”

  “Sure,” Charlie said. “You two is gonna laugh about this someday.”

  They reached the picket fence where the sign identified the house behind it as belonging to the local justice of the peace and notary public. Dennis Nettles and Tommy Chatsworth sat on the porch swing waiting. They stood up as the three approached. Tommy asked, “Did y’all get what was needed?”

  “Yeah,” Silsby said, knocking on the door.

  “So ever’thing is took care of?” Dennis asked

  “We got what we was told to get,” Silsby said, “Didn’t you hear what I told Tommy?”

  “I’m just tired of waiting around,” Dennis said.

  Charlie called out, “Mr. Walker!”

  A middle-aged stocky man appeared at the door. “Well?”

  “Here’s what you need, sir,” Silsby said, handing the note to the justice of the peace.

  Walker read it and nodded his approval. “Sorry to put you young folks through all that, but I cain’t marry an underage girl without her parents’ consent ‘less she’s expecting. Dr. Butler says here that she sure is. Now I can marry you legal and proper. Nobody in this world can put a stop to it.” He opened the door and smiled at Silsby. “You’re doing the right thing, boy.”

  “Thank you, sir.”

  “You’re a fine decent young man. I’ll give you that.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  The group trooped into the parlor that also doubled as the man’s office. The justice of the peace’s wife came in from the dining room. She was a small, thin woman carrying a bouquet of artificial flowers. She handed them to Mildred. “It’s the wrong time of year for real ones, dear,” Mrs. Walker said. “These is made of silk and wire. Anyhow, a girl shouldn’t get married without flowers, even if they ain’t real ones.”

  “I thank you most kindly, ma’am!” Mildred exclaimed. “I never even thought of that.”

  “I wish my daughter was to home,” Mrs. Walker said. She indicated the piano. “It’d be nice to have music, but I don’t play no more. My fingers is all stiff from the rheumatiz.” She looked at the young men. “Are any of you inclined to music?”

  “No, ma’am,” Charlie answered.

  “Well,” Walker said, “music or no music, let’s marry these young folks. But first we’ll take care of the certificate and license.”

  It took a few minutes to fill out the forms with Mrs. Walker and Charlie signing as witnesses, although Charlie actually made an “X” on the document that Mr. Walker had to co-sign. With that done, the justice of the peace pressed the seal of his office into the paper. “Tell ’em what to do, Mother,” he said to his wife. He looked at Mildred. “Mrs. Walker likes for these things to be did nice and proper, so I let her set it all up.”

  “A marriage is a very sacred thing,” Mrs. Walker said.

  “We got a ring,” Silsby said. “It’s just a cheap ol’ thing. I’m gonna buy a better’un later when I got the money.”

  “It’s what it represents that counts,” Mrs. Walker said. The lady arranged Silsby and Mildred to face her husband. Charlie stood by the groom’s side while Tommy and Dennis were positioned in the rear. Then Mrs. Walker went to her spot beside Mildred.

  Walker went through the routine slowly, carefully pronouncing each phrase of the reading. When he finished, he lowered the book and recited, “By the authority vested in me by the State of Kansas, I pronounce you man and wife.” He cleared his throat. “Ahem! You can kiss the bride.” Mildred turned her face to Silsby and lifted it to be kissed. Embarrassed in front of his friends, he gave her a quick peck on the cheek. “I’ll turn in a copy of this to city hall,” Walker explained. “Your marriage will be registered official and legal and proper forever.”

  “Yeah,” Silsby said. “But that note from the doctor saying that Mildred’s having a baby is there too.”

  “I’m sorry, son,” Walker said, “but if it ain’t all there, somebody could challenge it later on. You wouldn’t want that, I’m sure.”

  “No, sir.”

  Mildred turned to Mrs. Walker. “You was real helpful, ma’am. Thank you for being so nice to us.”

  Mrs. Walker hugged Mildred. “I wish you all happiness, honey.”

  The young people went outside. Charlie, Dennis, and Tommy’s horses were tied up to the buckboard that Silsby and Mildred used on the trip from Kensaw. It was the same one he had rented when he’d called on her the evening Sefton Duncan ran him off. Silsby helped his new bride up into the vehicle. As she settled in the seat, Mildred asked, “Do we have to go right back, darling?”

  “I’m afraid so,” Silsby said. “Me and the boys has got some work to do.” He climbed up beside her. “Don’t worry now, honey. When the job is all finished and I’m back in Kensaw, you and me’ll take us a trip up to Wichita. Wouldn’t you like to see Wichita? That’s a big city. Why I hear they’s five thousand folks living there.”

  “You got to buy me another ring too.”

  “We’ll get a real nice’un in Wichita,” Silsby assured her.

  The others mounted up and waited for Silsby to get the buckboard moving. After going through Clarkville, they turned toward Kensaw, traveling slowly out of consideration for Mildred. The thaw had melted th
e snow several days before, but the road was dry enough to make it firm and smooth.

  Charlie ranged out ahead while Dennis and Tommy rode off to each side. All three turned their eyes to the distant horizons, keeping watch. There was some danger in the journey that would cross open country. Robbery and murder were always unpleasant possibilities out on the open prairie. Mildred sat close to Silsby with her arm entwined in his. “How long are we gonna be living in that hotel in Kensaw?”

  “We’ll save us some money and rent a house or something,” Silsby said. “Or buy one. We might even build one. How’s that?”

  “Just fine,” Mildred said. She waited a moment, then asked, “Just what is it you and them boys do to make money, Silsby? You never told me nothing about your work.”

  “We deal in horses and cattle.”

  “You ain’t robbing banks, are you?”

  Silsby laughed aloud. “You mean you’d’ve married me even if I was a bank robber?”

  “Maybe not,” she replied.

  Silsby felt an unpleasant twinge. He’d learned during conversations in the barn loft that her initial attraction to him for his wild reputation had waned. He realized he had to hide the illegal aspects of his life if he was to keep her as his girl. He rationalized to himself that lying to Mildred wasn’t a bad thing since the crime sprees were only temporary.

  Mildred said, “Y’know, I think we learned a lot about each other during the times we got together in the barn.”

  He grinned and winked. “We sure did get together.”

  “Silsby!” she scolded gently. “Don’t you start talking naughty!”

  “All right, honey.”

  “Now you go on and tell me how it is you make money.”

  “Well, I ain’t doing nothing wrong and neither are my pards. They’s a feller over to Liberal that deals in livestock. We act as his drovers when he needs us. Charlie makes all the arrangements about pay and ever’thing. We do perty good.”

  “The only trouble is that it takes you away from me.”

  “I don’t like it neither, honey,” Silsby said. “What we’re thinking on doing, is really working hard on a couple of big deals and making a pile of money. Then us fellers is gonna change jobs. What do you think of me and you having our own cattle spread in Texas?”