The Secret Saddle_Anna Troy's Emancipation

by Dani Larsen

  Ida was waiting for them in the lobby, and her husband was out in front with the buggy waiting to take them home. Although they were all disappointed that there was nothing that could be done for Frank, they decided to have a little party for him that night. Mary and Oscar came over with Ida and John, and they all sat around the small living room and reminisced about the way things used to be. Frank sat in a chair looking around the room as if he had never seen the place before. He was getting used to the people in the room, and seemed to be happy that he had left the hospital. Mary baked a cake, Caroline made the lemonade, and Agnes took care of serving the dessert and drinks. Ida's neighbor had offered to come over and watch her children at their house, which made it easier on everyone. It was an emotional evening, as they all knew that Frank would not be with them for very long.

  Caroline wrote to her oldest son a couple of days later, asking him to come and visit as soon as possible.

  Dear George,

  I am sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but I must tell you of the results of Frank's hospital visit. It seems there is nothing that can be done for his condition. The accident caused him to go into early senility, which means that he will probably not be with us for long.

  I know that Anna is with child again, and that the baby is due around Christmas, so I certainly understand if you can't make it to visit him at this time, but we would love to see you. As you know, your father does not seem to recognize anyone for very long, so it is not that important to him. I also understand that you have a farm and four children to take care of, so do not feel obligated to come and see him.

  Frank was so proud of you, George, and he adored you, Anna, and the children, but as he is not in his right mind right now he most certainly will not be upset if you cannot come.

  One note of good news that you might want to hear is that Mary is with child, and her baby will be born in mid-November, about a month before your own child is due to arrive, so a little brightness is expected here too.

  We send our love and will keep you informed of his health as often as possible. We had a little party for him again last night. We have been doing that about once a week, as we do not know if that one will be the last one. Mary and Oscar and Ida and John attend every one, and we all reminisce about what used to be. Ida's children usually stay at home, as we think that the noise of the children might confuse your father, since anything new seems to do that these days, and that seeing their grandfather in his present condition might not be the best for the children either.

  We all send our love and will keep you informed of his health as often as possible.

  Love,

  Mama and Papa

  Walla Walla, Washington

  George read the letter out loud to Anna and she began to weep.

  "I'm so sorry, George, your father is such a lovely man, and I can't believe this has happened to him. I know I can't travel right now, especially when we don't know how bad the weather will be. But, if you need to go, you could take the train from Baker City and at least visit them for a couple of days. I'm sure Fan or Zee could come up and stay with us for a few days."

  George's eyes were wet too, and he wiped them with the back of his hand.

  "I don't know. We are so short of money right now. I will have to get my work done in the fields before I go. I will check on the cost of a train ticket when I go to market on Saturday. We can ask your family about helping out, if I decide to go, when they come up on Sunday."

  They discussed the trip with the Troys when they came to visit that Sunday, and Fan said she would be happy to come and stay for a few days while George took a trip to Walla Walla.

  "I think ye should go and see yer father while ye can, George. He may not know ye, but ye will know ye were there. I would like to pay fer yer train ticket, as a gift from us, as we admired yer father very much." John Troy spoke up first.

  "I agree, George. Yer mother needs ye if yer father doesn't. Anna isn't due until December, so she should be okay while yer gone. We will make sure of that, so there is no need for ye to worry." Mary added.

  George got all of his fields reaped, and he took the annual crop of alfalfa to market on Saturday, then bought his ticket to Walla Walla at the station afterward.

  He took the train on October 1st, to Walla Walla, and arrived in the early evening. Ida and her husband met him at the train station. He slept on the sofa at Ida's, for the three days that he was there, and spent tearful days talking to his mother and holding his father's hand while he was there. Mary and Oscar came to visit them every evening. Mary was very big as she was expecting their first child in a month. Oscar worked at the post office during the day, so they came over around dinner time, and she helped her mother and Agnes fix dinner. Agnes was attending school during the day and went to bed shortly after they ate. Then George went back to Ida's after dinner and slept on the couch, as their large family occupied the bedrooms, and he did not want them to be put out of their rooms.

  George left three days later, happy that he had come, but sad that he would probably never see his father again. The family came to the train station to see him off. Ida brought him a basket of food to enjoy on the way home. She used the same basket that Anna had sent with him when he left. Snow was falling as the train left the station, and he felt a cold chill as he waved at his three sisters and wondered how much they will have changed by the next time he saw them.

  What he couldn't foresee was that one of those girls would become very ill in the next month. Mary had been volunteering at least once a week serving food to the needy in Walla Walla, even as big as she was getting. There were more people in need as the weather worsened, and ice and snow remained on the ground for several days at a time. Then one day she woke up with a terrible headache and stayed home in bed. She got diarrhea the next day and was feeling awful by the weekend. Everyone had tried to talk her out of volunteering when she was so big with child, but she argued that there weren't enough volunteers to help, and they needed her. Oscar stopped by to see Ida and told her how worried he was about Mary, and that she was feeling awful. Ida began bringing meals to the couple every day. By the next week, Mary was running a high fever and everyone was worried. Oscar retrieved the doctor when she wasn't better in ten days.

  "I think she shows all the signs of Typhoid Fever, Mr. Berthelot. Are you feeling okay? Or has anyone else that has eaten with her been sick?"

  "No, no one else is feeling bad that I know of."

  "Has she eaten anywhere else that you haven't eaten with her in the last few weeks? Typhoid is an illness usually carried through food or water."

  "The only thing I can think of is that she has been helping to feed the needy once a week, and I think she usually eats her lunch there before she comes home."

  "That explains it. There are several suspicious cases in that part of town that have developed in the last few weeks. I believe it is Typhoid. This usually lasts three to four weeks, and sometimes, I'm sorry to say, it can be fatal. Your wife is very sick, sir, and there doesn't seem to be much movement from the baby. I really don't know how this could affect your child, if it should survive this. We can only hope they will both survive, but I'm afraid you should be prepared for the worst. All you can do is give her liquids and pray that she gets over it."

  Oscar was devastated at the news. The couple had been married less than a year. They were very excited about the expected child. When Mary was finally sleeping fitfully, he went over to Ida's and told her about the diagnosis. After Ida told her mother, the family spent most of the next ten days by Mary's side, except for Agnes and Frank. Agnes stayed home from school to take care of Frank, who had been bedridden ever since George left and seemed to be getting worse by the minute. Caroline, Oscar, and Ida took turns by Mary's bedside, cooling her off with wet rags, and forcing liquids on her. They constantly washed their hands as the doctor had suggested and wore handkerchiefs over their face when they were with her.

  In the early morning of November 9th, Mary w
ent into labor, and her fever worsened. They all cried when the doctor brought out the stillborn child. He was perfectly formed and beautiful. Oscar and Caroline both held the tiny baby for a few minutes, until the nurse took the child from them. Their hearts were breaking, as they went to say their final goodbyes to Mary. She seemed to revive for a few minutes and became very lucid. She looked at each of them and told them not to worry. "I will be going with my son, Oscar. I'm sorry I cannot stay. He needs me you know. I don't want him to be lonely. I hope you all understand. I love you."

  Oscar held one hand and her mother the other. She smiled at them and seemed to be at peace as she took one last breath, before her chest quit rising. The nurse laid the tiny infant in her right arm and pulled the sheet up over their heads as the family broke into loud sobs. Until those last few moments, she had been delirious and didn't seem to recognize anyone. Ida's husband had gone for the priest, and Father Murphy had given her the last rites before she went into labor as her husband, mother, and sister wept.

  The family was devastated at the loss of Mary and her baby. They knew that Frank would be following shortly, although no one told him of his daughter's death. On December 16th, only five weeks after Mary's passing, the family was at Frank's bedside for the same sacraments. Father Murphy again gave the last rites to one of the Hempe family, while the mourning family said their last goodbyes.

  It was a very hard time for Caroline. She found herself crying all of the time. Losing her daughter, grandson, and husband within a few weeks of each other was almost more than she could bear. Ida stopped by every day to try to comfort her mother, and Agnes came home from school and sat holding her hand every evening. Ida finally convinced her that she needed to write to George and Sylvester, to let them know about the death of their father and the unexpected passing of their sister.

  Dearest George and Anna,

  It is with a very heavy heart I write this letter. I know you are expecting a very blessed event, and I hate to be the one to send such bad news just before Christmas.

  Your dear father passed away peacefully on December 16th. We were all at his side when he took his last breath. I should say all, but our dear Mary. That is the other very sad news I have to tell you. I know I should have written to you about this sooner, but I was in a terrible state of melancholy, and I didn't want to ruin your Christmas, but the family told me that you have a right to know what has happened here.

  As you know, we were all prepared to lose your father, and his quality of life had been in such a terrible state since that accident that it was surely a blessing for him to go and meet the Lord. But what transpired on November 9th was so unexpected that your family here is in a very sad state of mind.

  Mary became ill with a headache in the middle of October, and she got sicker every day after that. When the doctor came ten days later he told us he was sure it was Typhoid, and that she had probably contracted it while she was doing her volunteer work and feeding the poor. It was on the 9th that we said our last goodbyes to your dear sister. Her sweet little boy was delivered shortly before she died, and he did not make it either. I cannot tell you how devastating these events have been for all of us. Poor Oscar is in the depths of melancholy. The only peace of mind I have is when I think of her welcoming your father, to his place in Heaven beside her and her child. We all know what wonderful, kind people they both were, and for some reason the Lord called them home. It is those of us who are left behind who mourn their loss. I do know that I will see them again someday, but right now my heart cannot seem to accept their loss.

  Ida is insisting that I sell the house and move in with them. Perhaps, I will do that after Agnes marries and I know she is taken care of. As young as she is, she has met a nice young man named Nicholas Newhouse, and they seem to be very enamored of each other, so I think after she graduates another wedding may be planned. That will give us something to look forward to.

  How is Anna? The baby is due soon, I believe. I am praying for a safe and blessed delivery. We are looking forward to that news and a reason to be happy again.

  I am so sorry to give you this terrible news just before Christmas. Please give my love to all of your beautiful family and hold them close, my son. I miss you and love you dearly!

  Yours Always,

  Mama

  George opened the letter and within minutes sat down hard in his chair. Tears were rolling down his cheeks as he handed the letter to Anna, who was stirring the stew on the stove.

  "You had better sit down to read this, Anna."

  "Oh no, your father is gone, isn't he?"

  "Yes, Anna, but there is other news, too, that will be upsetting. Please take the food off of the stove and sit down."

  Anna took the stew off of the stove, put the pot in the middle of the kitchen table, and sat down in her chair. She started sobbing when she read about the passing of her dear sister-in-law and her baby. They had spent so much time working together at the fair that she thought of her as her best friend. George and Anna sat there for a long time with their own private thoughts, until the children came in from the bedroom.

  "Is supper ready, Mama?" asked John. Then seeing how strange his parents were acting, he asked, "What is the matter, Mama?"

  Anna wiped her eyes on her apron, as she got up from her chair and helped her children get up to the table. George stood up and helped Anna prepare the rest of the food and serve it. The children were very quiet, all realizing that something was wrong. Finally, when they had all sat down and had their food on their plates, George spoke.

  "I am sorry, children, but your mama and I have had some bad news. We told you that Grandpa Hempe was very sick because of the accident that he had last year, and that was why I went to visit him. We just got a letter from Grandma Hempe, telling us that Grandpa has passed and is now in heaven."

  John, at seven, seemed to understand what his father had said. His bottom lip came out and a tear fell from his right eye.

  "I loved Grandpa."

  "But John, he has gone to Heaven." Five year old Helen tried to soothe her brother.

  Four year old Joey just looked at everyone, not understanding what was happening, and started to eat. Little Mary sat on her mother's lap waiting to be fed.

  "We all loved Grandpa, John. And yes, Helen, he is in Heaven now. Let us say a prayer for him, and Aunt Mary and her baby, who have gone with him. Then we can say the blessing. Joseph put your fork down please."

  "Why did Aunt Mary and her baby go too?" John asked.

  "I don't know, John. I guess God loved them all so much he wanted them with him too."

  "Bless us oh Lord, and these thy gifts, which we are about to receive, from thy bounty, through Christ, our Lord. Tonight, we also ask that you bless and take good care of Grandpa Hempe and Aunt Mary, and her wee babe, and make sure they are happy by your side. Amen." George said the blessing with tears in his eyes.

  "Amen." They all said in unison.

  Anna went into labor two days later, early on Christmas Eve. George went for the doctor in Keating as snow started to fall. There was an inch on the ground by the time he got back. The baby boy with the large brown eyes made his appearance at eight o'clock that evening, which brought smiles to everyone's faces. The doctor left soon after the delivery so that he could get home, before the snow piled so high that he couldn't make it at all.

  The children were all still awake and looking forward to Christmas the next day, when George came in carrying his youngest child wrapped in a blanket.

  "Children, we have just received the best Christmas present that we could every get. Do you want to see your baby brother?"

  "Oh, yes, Papa!"

  "What is his name, Papa?" Helen asked.

  "Albert Noel Hempe."

  "Oh, he is so cute!" Joey said.

  They had decided on Albert, because of George's lost little brother and a favorite uncle of his in Illinois, who had passed away before they moved to Oregon. George had received his violin after his passing
. Noel, was because he was born on Christmas, but also because Anna's cousin was named Noel.

  The baby's arrival brought happiness back into their home, and their Christmas was a happy celebration. George took the children out to play in the snow the next day. The peace and quiet of the beautiful white countryside brought him warm thoughts of his father and his sister, and he suddenly knew that they were in a happy place. When they came back in he sat down to write to his mother, hoping that his news would somehow brighten her world.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  "Jude's Search"

  Jude knew he had stayed too long at the Hempe Ranch. His intuition told him that his crimes were on the verge of being discovered. His mother wasn't stupid, she would soon realize that he was responsible for Tilly's death, and she might tell that Pinkerton detective when he next came back to town. Tilly had helped Dolly so much when she first arrived in town, and he knew his mother would be angry about her death. The thought of getting rid of his mother crossed his mind, but he knew that he would immediately become a suspect, so he decided to leave without threatening her again. He hoped she would just keep her mouth shut. He knew that when the Pinkerton man came again that he would be not only looking into the beating of his mother, but also Tilly's death.

  The Hempes were moving anyway, and he wanted to get out of there before Frank woke up and remembered what happened that day at the bridge. It was important for him to go where no one would be looking for him. Caroline thought he was headed to Canada or Montana, but that is the last place he would go. He had told her that to lead Siringo in the wrong direction. All he wanted to do was to look for that saddle. If his father had found gold and it was hidden in the saddle, then he needed to find it before someone else did. The man hadn't done anything for him his entire life; at least he could inherit the gold that he left behind. Damn his mother for not telling him sooner. He didn't think anyone had found the gold yet, or he was sure he would have heard, as news like that traveled fast. The one clue she had told him was that the old sheriff in Baker City had taken the horse and the saddle, so he should know where they went to. She said that the man was no longer the sheriff in Baker City, but he was now the town drunk. He should be easy to find, and with a few drinks perhaps he would spill all that he knew.