by Beth Bennett
Brushing the hair from her face, she tied it at the back of her neck. Gathering a pitcher of water and a cup, she went to the old man’s room. “Here you go.” A plate of eggs and ham from the morning sat untouched. “You didn’t eat hardly anything for breakfast. I’ll go fetch some dinner. Got some dried apples and black eyed peas. Your favorite.”
“Who was that outside? I know I heard voices.”
“You did. It weren’t nobody. Just some men passing through.”
“Were Job and Sam home? Are you all right?”
“Job and Sam are working on the orchard in the far field up the mountain. Those men didn’t bother me. They thought I was a boy, anyway. I was wearin my work clothes.”
Paw chuckled. “Well, see to it that any stranger coming on the place keeps thinkin that. These are hard times and it ain’t safe for a young girl to be about. You’re a beauty. Maybe it is best for you to wear those cussed overalls.”
“Don’t worry about me.” Olivia looked down at the wizened old man in bed. He looked like the north wind could pick him up and blow him away as easily as it might a dandelion seed. “Let me bring you some supper, you need to eat.”
Paw shook his head. “Ain’t hungry much but you can bring it.” Olivia was worried. They couldn’t afford to call the Doctor again. It wouldn’t do any good anyway. Doc as much as told them there wasn’t any more he could do for the old man. She was tired. The drudgery of working from day break till sunset was wearing, not to mention trying to take care of Paw. Job and Sam didn’t understand. They were good men, but if the farm failed, they would simply leave and find work elsewhere. What would she and Paw do?
The war had ruined the economy. Apple prices were at an all-time low. Olivia had no idea how they were going to make it through another year. The arrival of the B & O railroad seemed like just another harbinger of hard times. They were buying up property at rock bottom prices. The Overton farm had been in the family for generations. Olivia wasn’t going to sell, no matter how bad it got and she wasn’t going to burden Paw with the problems either. There was nothing he could do about it.
Job came bursting into the kitchen as she prepared a plate of food for Paw. “Ollie, Cow got out and been eating wild onions. We won’t be able to stand to drink that milk nor make butter for a week!”
She was disgusted. “I told you to fix that fence down by the pasture. I knew that cow was going to get out. You’ll just have to drink onion flavored milk and eat onion butter. We’ve nowhere else to get any.”
Job shook his head. “Why you foolin with this old farm anyway? Ain’t nothing but trouble. Me and Sam ain’t been paid for months.”
“You been putting your feet under my table everyday haven’t you? I told you I couldn’t pay you by the month anymore. You agreed to wait until the apple crop came in and got sold this fall. Stop frettin me with nonsense.”
Job snapped up a piece of corn bread left to warm on the wood stove. “Fine.” He stomped out the house.
Olivia sighed. They’d made it through last winter, but just barely. One bad season would be all it would take to push them over the edge. She finished making supper. Sam would be along soon. She could hardly wait to finish with the chores, clean the dishes and fall into bed. Perhaps she would dream of Jim like she had the night before.
Jimmy Simpson…the most handsome boy in all the Shenandoah Valley. Olivia had loved him since she was a child. His father had owned the neighboring farm and he had been the best friend Olivia had ever known. He was her protector. He’d even punched Slim Hanes in the nose for calling her a name. As they had grown older, Jimmy had even kissed her one time, down by the creek. But that was right before he left to go to war. Olivia never heard from him again. His mother and father gave up the homestead and headed back to eastern Virginia where they had other family. Jim had been on the missing lists after the battle of Bull Run. His body was never found and he was presumed dead. Olivia thought she would never stop crying over it.
But just as Paw had said, you couldn’t cry forever, she eventually got used to the idea that Jimmy would never be coming over the mountain to see her again. They wouldn’t get to fish in the creek and she could never gain the courage to kiss him back. Well, she supposed it was a silly girlish dream anyway. She was eighteen. Time to grow up and face facts.
The last of the dishes were done and the damp cool of the night began to creep over the house. It was warm enough not to need much of a fire in the stove but Olivia gave it one last check. She fell into bed and immediately went to sleep.
She awoke after a good night’s sleep and quietly lay awake for a few moments, as dust motes danced along a beam of light. She was going into town to pick up a few supplies today. At least it would be a little change of pace.
After checking on Paw, and helping him to the outhouse, she got him settled back in bed and encouraged him to eat. He did better than usual. She took his plate and pulled the blanket over him while giving the rough cheek a pat. “Going into town, Paw, you need anything?” He was already asleep and didn’t answer. Just getting out of bed for a few moments had tired him out. She sighed and rubbed the worried frown across her forehead. She would tell Sam and Job to check on him while she was gone.
She called out as the rickety front door slammed behind her. “Boys, I’m headed out to town for some flour and a little sugar. We need anything else?”
Job laughed. “I got a list as long as my arm but your pockets is empty I’m afraid.”
Sam chuckled but tried to be encouraging. “Don’t let it worry you. Just you git what you can. We don’t need nothing.”
She went to the barn to hitch up the small wagon to their old mule Penny. Penny was on her last leg like the rest of the farm but Olivia guessed the old thing could make it into town. The weather was nice. It would be fun to get away for a couple of hours. A heavy rainstorm had blown through the day before, and everything was bright and green. She enjoyed the whisper of spring as it fell over every branch and hill across the mountain.
The nearest town was Goldsboro. Olivia always wondered why the timeworn town had been named that. It certainly never had any gold in it as far as she had ever heard. Filled with only a few hundred residents, there was just one general store. Mr. Lacey and his wife had run it as long as she could remember. A fair man, the couple helped out whenever they could. They allowed the Overton family to keep a running tab and pay when the apple crop came in.
Olivia pulled up to the mercantile and looped Penny’s reins around the hitching post. Placing a bag of oats around her head, Penny happily began to munch. Olivia looked over to see another horse tied to the post. Strapped ignominiously to the saddle was her scatter gun! It was that damn Yankee’s horse! Luck was finally on her side. She happily took her gun and hid it under a blanket in the back of her wagon. Throwing her shoulders back, she entered the store, determined to call him out. There he was, standing like the king of Egypt himself, right by the cash register. A pile of goods he was obviously purchasing piled on the counter. Well! He certainly didn’t lack for any money. The men who had been with him were nowhere to be seen. What was that jackdaw’s name? Daniels? She couldn’t remember his first name and didn’t care to.
He turned when she entered and a hint of recognition flitted across his face. She had never seen such a stern looking man. His hair was as dark as coal but had an unruly curl to it. When he turned his sky blue eyes on her, they were so piercing, she felt like he was looking into her soul. His face was covered with a long beard that ended at the top of his chest. It was hard to tell how old he was, but there wasn’t even a hint of gray in the black locks. The charcoal colored suit he sported, fit like a glove. A pinstripe short vest underneath the long tailed coat set off the light grey tie at his neck. The matching traveling hat which sat atop his head, caused the ends of his hair to curl around the brim. The britches he wore, were tucked into black leather boots that came nearly above his knees. He cut quite an intimidating and very fine figure. Completely rela
xed, one hand lay on the counter, the other rested on his hip. He stared at Olivia in distain.
“Have you found your father yet?”
She blushed to the roots of her hair despite her anger. Her real father had left her on Paw’s doorstep when she was only two years old. The whole town held Thomas Overton’s son in the lowest regard. She wasn’t about to tell that jackdaw any of that. Besides, he still thought she was a boy.
Jackson Daniels picked up a big pouch full of tobacco and put it in the saddle bag resting on the counter. “I’m not going anywhere till I talk to Thomas Overton. You should expect me tomorrow afternoon, young man. This time, I won’t be leaving until I accomplish my goal.” He motioned toward Olivia and spoke to Mr. Lacey. “Do you know the Overtons, Mr. Lacey?”
“Shore, shore, of course. No finer man than Thomas Overton. That there is...” He motioned to Olivia but she jumped in before Mr. Lacey could finish.
“My name’s Ollie. Ollie Overton. We ain’t been properly introduced have we?”
Jackson threw the saddle bags over his shoulder and picked up the crate of supplies he had purchased. “No, indeed, sir, we have not.” He turned to Mr. Lacey again. “One of my associates, a Mr. Felt will be by to pick up these supplies this afternoon. I shall leave them by the front door.”
“Shore, shore,” Mr. Lacey replied. “They’ll be fine there.”
Olivia turned her back on Jackson Daniels. “I need some flour and sugar, Mr. Lacey. Put it on our tab, thank you kindly.”
“Shore, shore.” Mr. Lacey turned to collect the items and Olivia turned to look at Jackson.
She tried to meet his challenging stare with courage. “I ain’t gonna let no damn Yankee push me around.” The last word came out in a whisper. She had wanted to appear bold. Now, she just felt like a fool. Staring at the ground, she stubbornly crossed her arms.
Jackson Daniels’ voice rang out across the store. His voice was so deep, it carried all the way out the door. “You think swearing at me makes you a big man? Ha! If I wanted to push you around, no one, let alone you, would be able to stop me. I WILL meet with your father, whether you like it or not.”
Olivia jerked her head up and tried to stare him down. The effort was ruined by his tall stature and looming presence. He continued. “You tell Thomas Overton, I’ll be arriving with my assistants tomorrow, by noon. I won’t be tolerating any bad behavior from you this time, either. The railroad has sent me to make a good offer for your farm and I won’t leave without doing so. You can have your shotgun back then. And, let me remind you, there are plenty apple tree switches growing around your place.”
How dare he! He was so disrespectful. He was treating her like a child! How dare he threaten to whip her again! This jack nape had no idea who he was dealing with. Well, Ollie Overton was going to show him.
“You come right on ahead, Yankee. We’ll prepare a right fair welcome for you.” Mr. Lacey had her order ready and Olivia grabbed it off the counter in a huff. She turned and stomped past Jackson Daniels and out the store. Her hatred for him was growing by the minute. Placing the flour and sugar securely in the wagon, she pulled out her shotgun. Hopping up on the buckboard, she lay it across her lap and waited for Jackson to exit the store. He appeared on the steps, saddlebag over his shoulder. Cupping his hands around his face, he lit a big fat cheroot.
“Yaw, Penny, yaw.” Penny moved forward at a ponderous pace, pulling the little wagon right in front of Jackson Daniels and right through a heavily rutted mud hole. Muck splashed up and covered the Yankee’s pants. It even ruined his top coat. Olivia wasn’t sure, but she thought it even put out his cheroot. He angrily threw it to the ground. She loved his reaction. Laughing with glee, she waved her shotgun up and down as Penny lurched toward home.
Chapter 3
Jackson Daniels was furious. There couldn’t be much to Thomas Overton. He had raised a rude and disobedient child. The boy had even had the audacity to take the shot gun, right off his horse! I’ll not stand for it! He straightened his hat and steeled his resolve. Nothing would keep him away from the Overton farm tomorrow. He would find Thomas Overton and put that child in his place at the same time! I’ll get that farm for ten cents on the dollar!
Lawrence, Felt and Manning were waiting for him at the hotel. They were seated at a table working on land plats and reports. They looked up in surprise when they saw his mud splattered clothes. Jackson was in no mood to explain anything to them.
He stormed up the hotel steps and growled, “I’ll be right down.” After changing, he returned to his men. The written reports were stacked neatly to one side. He ordered a bottle of his favorite whiskey, “Wild Turkey,” and stared at the label. The drawing of a scrawny bird reminded him of the Overton boy. He could not believe what an outrageous brat Thomas Overton had raised. Sick of thinking about him, he passed out four glasses then poured the shots. “How much is the Overton farm worth? Whatever amount it is, we’re going to offer half.”
Olivia made it home in plenty of time to fix supper. It had been a most gratifying day. She practically floated around the kitchen as she made the corn bread and beans. Job and Sam showed up, right on time for supper. She sat the food on the table and went to check on Paw. He was doing all right. She set a plate by his bed.
“Thank you, darlin.”
“How you feeling, Paw?”
“Well, I’m about the same. Don’t you fuss over me. I’m jes old is all.”
“I’ve brought you some buttermilk. Job says the cow got out and ate onions. You’ll have to tell me if it tastes bad.”
“It’ll be fine, be fine. Now, you go on and eat your own supper.”
Olivia left to go into the kitchen. Job and Sam, in the habit of gobbling every bite, were practically finished. “I might be making some fried apple pies for you boys in a little while. Check back afore you bed down for the night.”
“We will.”
“Before you two leave, I’ve got a special favor. You know that man that was here yesterday? That Yankee?” Job and Sam looked on with interest.
“Well, I saw him in town today, and he says he’s coming back on the place tomorrow. I want us to be ready. I don’t take kindly to him bothering Paw and I want to fix it so he don’t ever come back. Ever.” The two nodded together. Olivia could tell they were excited. Hardly anything interesting ever happened on the farm beyond a pig getting out. “I want us to get some pepper shot ready. You’ll need enough to load up your scatter guns just right. I’m going to take Paw up to Aunt Bessie’s in the morning. When that devil and his cumpanyuns gets here, we’ll be ready for em. We’re going to fill his backside full of pepper. I bet he don’t come nosing around here again.”
Job slapped his knee in joy. “Golly, Ollie, I can’t wait! I’ll be more than happy to oblige that Yankee with some pepper shot.”
Sam, ever cautious, was shaking his head. “You sure that’s such a good idea? Won’t they just come back with more men, later?”
Olivia didn’t care. She had no desire whatsoever to be reasonable. The thought of shooting those no account Yankees with pepper was too much to resist. No matter what the cost might be. Later that evening, by the light of an oil lamp, the three sat rolling pepper shot in paper. They had more than enough ammunition prepared. Olivia could hardly wait.
Come morning, she and Job got Paw in the wagon and drove him up the mountain for a visit with his sister. He was more than happy to go. She bit her lip and shared a worried glance with Bessie as Paw slowly climbed out of the wagon. He was getting weaker by the day.
“I’ll be by to bring him home come supper time.”
“Fine, child that will be fine.”
They drove back in happy expectation of shooting Yankees come afternoon. Job posted himself at the end of the lane behind a deep-rooted maple tree. Sam sat midway below an ancient rock wall. Olivia was perched in the Oak nearest the house. Her heart pounded in fear as she squinted in the distance, trying to get a bead on the enemy. She glanced back towar
d the house. The front door was wide open in invitation. She wanted those Yankees to come as close as possible. Swallowing the lump in her throat, she sat watching the road. It wasn’t long before the Yankee’s arrival was announced by the sound of horse hooves.
“I’m not putting up with any nonsense today, men. I want you three to wait in the yard. We aren’t leaving till I speak with Thomas Overton. If that boy steps out of line, I shall confront the young scallywag myself. Be ready, I wouldn’t put anything past him.”
“Yes, sir,” they replied in unison, their voices echoing through the mountain hollow.
Job held his fire as the men passed by. Olivia licked her lips in anticipation. A bead of nervous perspiration fell in her eye. She quickly wiped it away. The group passed by Sam and finally came to a stop in the yard. She stared a burning hole of hatred through Jackson Daniels as he dismounted.
“Mr. Overton,” he called. “I say, Mr. Overton. Jackson Daniels here to speak with you.” The request was met with silence.
He went so far as to step up on the porch and push the door wider. Peering in, he turned and spoke to those waiting outside. “There’s no one home.”
At that moment, Job’s itchy trigger finger got the better of him. His shotgun went off. The spray went wide and dusted the back end of a horse. As the horse reared, Lawrence was summarily deposited upon the ground. When he stood to run, Job shot again. Felt let out a scream as the pepper shot got him in the arm. Jackson sprinted off the porch toward his own horse. It was absolute mayhem. Sam joined in and got off a shot, knocking Manning to the dirt.
His screams could be heard all over the mountain. “Pepper shot! Pepper shot! My side is burning me to death!” The shot must have sprayed a wide swath, for by this time, two of the horses had bucked their riders to the ground, and the other was pulling at the bridle in an attempt to flee. Jackson Daniels’ horse had run down the lane and left him standing in the yard. He’d not been able to get to his rifle but he had a pistol on his hip.
