by Janette Oke
At last it came and Marty heard Ole Bob's sharp bark, and the happy shouts of children.
Missie was the first one in.
"Guess who we found?" she teased.
"Where did you come from?" asked Marty.
"Pa came round by the school to give us a ride, too, seeing it was closin' time."
They all came tramping in then, Clark bringing up the rear, carrying Clae's suitcase and a large bag.
Marty pulled the girl into her arms.
"Oh, Clae, jest look at ya. Why ya've gone and plumb growed up on us since ya been away."
Clae hugged her in return.
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"Oh, it's so good to be home. I could hardly wait."
She went from Marty to her sister and then to Ellie and
Luke, hugging each one in turn, and exclaiming over how the youngsters had all grown, and making Nandry's cheeks flush
red with teasing her about her Josh.
The whole cabin took on an atmosphere of celebration, and the chattering was both confusing and near deafening.
"I be thinkin'," said Clark, setting down the suitcase and the bundle, "thet we be needin' a bigger house."
Marty just smiled. They were hard put for space at times; she knew that. Again she was having to put up with a crib in her bedroom, and the three girls who shared one room barely had room to turn around.
They were crowded, but they were happy. The conversation did not lessen as the evening wore on. There were so many things for Clae to tell, to describe. There were so many questions for the others to ask.
After the young had been put to bed, with the promise of full socks in the morning, Marty, Nandry, and Clae still talked on. Clark listened and added his occasional comment.
"When's the day for your wedding?" Clae asked Nandry, and Marty noticed Clae's careful speech.
"The last o' May. We wanted to wait 'til ya'd be home. You're to be my maid o' honor, ya know."
"I hoped that I would. Where are you going to live?" "There's a small cabin on the Coffins' farm. The people who usta farm it lived in it. The Coffins built a bigger one
when they came. We'll use the little 'un fer now." "You must be excited?"
"I am," said Nandry and her face verified it. "It's a funny feelin'. I want so much fer time to go quickly, yet I hate it at the same time."
"Meanin'?" Clae forgot herself for the moment and used a familiar expression.
"This house--the kids--I really hate to leave the kids."
It was the first time that Marty had ever heard Nandry give anyone a glimpse into how she felt. It made her feel closer to the girl.
"You won't be too far away," said Clae. She shook her
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head. "No one will ever know how homesick I was at first. I thought I'd just die if I didn't get home. I thought that I'd just never make it--but I did. I reminded myself of the money paid for my schooling--the faith that people had in me--and--and I remembered Ma, too. Sometimes I think about Ma, about how proud she'd be, how happy that we got a chance."
Marty remembered too.
"She'd be happy for both of us," Clae went on--"for me being a teacher, for you marrying Josh. It sort of gives it extra meaning, remembering Ma."
It was the first time that the girls had ever talked to her about their mother. Marty spoke softly.
"Yer ma would be very proud. She wanted so much thet ya both make good, an' ya have, both of ya, an' I'm proud, too."
Clae put her arms around Marty's neck and gave her an affectionate squeeze.
"And we know why," she said. "We never say much maybe--not as much as we should, but we know why we've made good. Thank you--thank you so much. I do love you and I'll never forget--never."
Nandry nodded her head in agreement but said nothing.
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Chapter 37
Christmas Dinner
The household was awakened early the next morning by Arnie's squeals of delight. Clare's voice soon joined his and then a general hub-bub followed. Marty pulled herself out of bed and slipped into her house-socks and robe. Clark was already on his feet, tucking his shirt into his trousers. They entered the sitting room together and watched the excited children. Nandry came in carrying the awakened Luke, and Ellie danced round the room waving her arms excitedly. So far, she had been caught up in Arnie and Clare's yelling and had not even thought to check out what her own stocking might hold.
Luke quickly dismissed the silly antics of his older kin and stood transfixed, gazing at the glittering tree in the corner that had sprung up from somewhere during the night.
Missie emerged rubbing her sleepy eyes.
"It's not even five o'clock," she said in disbelief. "Ya usta make me wait."
"They'd waited, too, iffen I'd had enythin' to do with it," responded Clark, but Marty noticed that he seemed to be enjoying the whole, wild uproar.
Eventually things began to simmer down, the fire was kindled in the kitchen stove and the kettle put on to boil. The fireplace was replenished and coaxed to flame.
The children's roar simmered to an excited hum, and the adults took advantage of the near quiet to exchange their gifts. Clae had somehow managed to bring a small gift for each of
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them. Marty knew that she did not have much extra spending money and appreciated her gift the more for it. What Clae had lacked in shekels she had supplied with creativity, and her sewing skills had come to the fore. Luke had received a stuffed teddy bear; Ellie, a pint-sized apron complete with pocket; Arnie and Clare, checkered man-sized handkerchiefs. For Missie there was a lace-trimmed bonnet, and for Nandry a carefully embroidered pair of pillowcases for her hopechest. Marty unwrapped her gift to see the most beautiful lace handkerchief that she had ever seen, but the note that accompanied it was what made Marty cry, for it bore the simple words, "To Mother, with love, Clae." None of her children had ever called her Mother, and it seemed appropriate for this "special" child to use the name.
Clark's gift, too, carried sentiment, and he slipped the card that accompanied it into Marty's hand, knowing that it would bring her pleasure. The card read, "Thanks for being a true pa. Love, Clae."
Marty tried to blink away the happiness that was showing in her eyes and exclaimed over the new woolen mittens that Clark was proudly trying on.
Nandry too had surprises for them. She had made picture books for all of the younger children, gluing the newspaper and calendar pictures that she had gathered onto pieces of cloth. Missie received new hair ribbons--her sense of self- esteem ever needing bolstering by new ribbons. Marty got a little wooden box to hold her many and varied recipes that were forever flooding over in the drawer space where she kept them. Clark received a hand-made cover for his well-worn family Bible.
Marty and Clark passed 'round their presents and watched with pleasure the shining eyes of the recipients.
The clutter was cleared away, the cherished gifts put carefully in their new places of belonging, and the day proceeded, the excitement spilling over into every area.
After breakfast Clare and Arnie were allowed to go out to try the new sled that Clark had made them. Ellie went, apron- clad, to play with her tiny new dishes, and Luke was put back to bed to catch up on some of the sleep he had been denied.
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Missie, feeling quite grown-up, went with the ladies to the kitchen, where she followed orders in helping to prepare the Christmas dinner.
Josh arrived earlier than expected. He just didn't seem to be able to stay away. He shyly but eagerly offered Nandry his gift. It was a new lamp to be used in their home. Marty had never seen a prettier one. A soft cluster of roses was painted on the bowl in reds and pinks, and the shade was generously trimmed with gold. What Nandry presented to Josh, the family did not get to see, but Marty had her suspicions that it was a mustache cup--for Josh was nursing a mustache that he hoped to have full and well-groomed by his wedding day, making him feel more like a man.
They roasted chestnuts at
the fire and sniffed hungrily at the cooking odors coming from the kitchen. Just before the meal was set on the table, the family gathered for the reading of the Christmas story. Even Luke, from his spot on Nandry's knee, appeared to listen. Marty looked 'round the room at all the happy faces and her heart filled up with praise. She slipped her hand into Clark's during his prayer and he pressed her fingers firmly.
Just as the chairs were being placed around the table, Ole Bob began to bark. It was unusual to have uninvited guests on Christmas Day, and Marty felt her heart flutter, hoping that nothing was wrong. She followed Clark to the door, almost afraid to look out.
She could hear the footsteps approaching the door and with barely a knock the door pushed open.
"Tommie," was all she could say.
"Tommie," echoed Clark, equally incredulous. "Good to see ya, boy," he said, greeting the young man with a bear hug.
Then it was Marty's turn--then greetings all round, excitedly and with great gusto.
"Jest a minute," Tommie said holding up his hand. "I got somethin' to show ya."
He was gone, but soon back, his arm around a small, blond-haired girl who came forward shyly.
"My wife," he said with pride; "my wife, Fran."
"Oh, Tommie," said Marty. "Tommie, when did ya
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marry? Why didn't ya write?"
Tommie laughed joyously. "Five months ago now. I wanted to surprise ya. Isn't she somethin'?" He looked at her again and his arm tightened. Fran smiled--beginning to cope with her feeling of being overwhelmed.
"I'm pleased to meet ya all," she said, putting out one small hand to Clark and then Marty.
Marty stepped forward to give her a welcoming embrace.
"An' we are jest so glad to meet you. Won't ya come in? Take off yer coats. We are jest sittin' down, an' we are so pleased to have ya join us."
"No, no," said Tom, "we haven't been home yet. We must run, but I did want ya to meet her, first off. Ma would never fergive me iffen I stopped here to eat Christmas dinner."
That was true, Marty knew, but there was so much that she wanted to talk about.
"Oh, it's gonna be so hard to let ya go now. I've a million questions."
"They'll keep," said Tommie. "We'll be around. I decided thet I'd take up thet piece of land o' mine. See iffen I can make a farm outta it. Fran's ma and pa owned a store out West. Now there's a switch, huh?" he winked; "long comes a guy, marries yer daughter, an' takes her East."
"Oh, Tommie! I hope thet you'll be so happy."
"We already are," Tommie assured her, and his eyes said that it was true.
They bid their good-byes and promised to be back soon for a nice, long visit.
The family returned to their Christmas dinner.
"Well, this has truly been some day." Marty expressed the feelings of them all.
They bowed their heads and Clark's deep voice spoke reverently to their Father, thanking Him for the many blessings that life held, and especially for Tommie, a son come home and the joy that it would bring to the Graham household.
Marty wondered about the pretty Owahteeka. Had she found happiness with her Running Deer? Marty truly hoped
SO.
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Chapter 38
Tryin' Agin
The people of the community reluctantly admitted to themselves and finally to one another that the highly trained Reverend Watson was just not fitting in to their community and meeting the needs of the congregation.
Now that they had admitted it, they wondered why it had taken them so long to bring it to the fore. What to do about the problem became the next question, and it was one that did not seem to have an easy answer.
A committee was picked in due course and much to Marty's chagrin, Clark was named as chairman. A meeting was called at which time the men hoped to be able to discuss quite openly with the Reverend Watson how the people felt.
The Reverend showed no surprise at being asked to meet with the men, but the meeting itself had its touchy moments. It appeared that the Reverend thought the meeting had been called to offer him commendations, and perhaps to even suggest an increase in his rather meager, to his standards at any rate, salary.
He was taken aback when the meeting took a different turn.
It came to light that the Reverend was not only educated himself but was also using the brains of other highly trained theologians. Much of his sermon material was copied directly from one textbook or another.
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The good Reverend found it hard to believe that anyone could be so unappreciative as to not highly favor his intellectually charged sermons. He had had no idea that the people of the area were so bereft of learning and so insensitive to spiritual enlightenment. He would do better. He knew of a great scholar whose books had just been made available, and though they were full of exceptional material, they were written in the "easy language of the layman." He'd send for a couple. He was sure that the people would find encouragement and religious sustenance in the works of this great man.
It was with difficulty that the committee, Clark in particular, convinced the Reverend that what they were there to say was that they wished him to end his service to them as their minister.
Clark said it thus, "Reverend, we realize thet ya are a very learned man, an' we realize thet we be a mite slow. We wouldn't want to hold ya back from preachin' to those who could understand and appreciate yer great skills, so we are releasin' ya to go back to wherever ya wish to go, an' at such time as ya are first able to make the arrangement."
The Reverend sputtered. "Are you saying, gentlemen," he finally choked, "are you saying that my service has been terminated?"
"Shucks, no," put in the elder Coffins, who was also a committee member, "not terminated, jest excused."
So they excused the parson, gave him a going away purse, wished him well, and got on with the job of selecting a new minister. This time Mr. Wilbur Whittle was not asked to serve as correspondent.
The parson had no more than packed his bags and left the area than the people had a reason to wish him back. As yet the cemetery beside the little church stood empty of markers. They all knew that it could not always be so, and the unasked question often hung in the air--who? Who would be the person who would cause the ground to be first broken in order that they might be laid to rest?
Unconsciously they observed their neighbors. Grandpa
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Stern Stern was well on in years and seemed to be failing. Mrs. LaHaye had never really recovered her full health. One of the Coffin girls seemed very delicate and was always down with one sickness or another. Her parents didn't even allow her to go to school. Mrs. Vickers showed signs of high blood pressure, and some feared that she'd talk herself right into an early grave. But when it happened--it was none of these, and the whole community was shaken by the suddenness and the sadness of it all.
It was Tessie. It took some while to accept. Tessie had always seemed like such a strong, healthy girl, and the community folk were pleased when the evidence showed that she was going to make her schoolteacher husband a father. As for Mr. Whittle himself, his bowler hat had never been dusted more frequently, his giant mustache been trimmed with more care, nor his spats whitened with such vigor. He was well pleased with himself. To have a young and attractive wife who idolized him was a wonder in itself, and to be about to become a father was hardly bearable for its magnitude. Mr. Whittle was on cloud nine. The big boys teased that his voice was now always squeaking with excitement, but Mr. Whittle did not seem to notice.
The great day came and the doctor was duly sent for. With tired eyes and a heavy heart, he left the next morning. Both Tessie and her baby boy had died during the night. The news shook the whole community. The neighbors responded, the grave was dug in the new cemetery, the pine box formed and carefully draped, the bodies prepared for burial. Through it all Mr. Wilbur Whittle moved as one in a daze. It was beyond his comprehension, this great loss. He could never believe n
or accept it. In the absence of a parson, Mr. Whittle did have presence of mind enough to ask Clark if he'd read the scripture and say the words. Clark accepted.
The day of the funeral was a cold, dreary day. The pine box was lowered, the earth heaped upon it.
Marty stood gazing at the fresh grave that held a young mother with a baby boy in her arms. "It's no longer virgin-- this cemetery. From now on it will be grave added to grave."
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Time and again the earth would be opened up and asked to receive a new burden.
"Oh, Tessie," Marty cried inwardly, "who would have thought that it would be you! Life be full of the unexpected."
Classes were cancelled until further notice, but Mr. Whittle never did get around to resuming them, so school for that term ended in April. And toward the end of May, when the roses were beginning to bloom and the birds were rebuilding their nests, Mr. Whittle took a bouquet of wild flowers and placed it on the new mound of earth. Then dusting his bowler hat, he picked up his suitcases and returned to the East.
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Chapter 39
Josh and Nandry
The Parson's leaving had two other members of the congregation feeling concern. Josh and Nandry became worried about what it would do to their wedding plans. Clark perceived what they must be thinking and did some inquiring on his own.
He discovered a parson two towns away and made arrangements for the man to be at their community church on the day that had been set for the wedding.
When he felt quite confident that nothing would happen to put a hitch in the plans, he broke the news to Josh and Nandry.
"This here weddin' ya been a plannin'--ya changed yer minds 'bout it?"
