Amish Country Arson

by Risner, Fay

  Aunt Tootie backed up behind the buggy, ready to run for the house. She shook her finger at the turkey. “Oh dear, Tom looks mad.”

  Emma waved her apron tail at Tom, backing him up a few feet. “Shoo! That's not a very nice wilcom for the new rooster!”

  Noah frowned. “Mama Hal, Tom is not going to let you turn the rooster loose. He is asking for a fight already. The way the rooster is bristling up, I think he is willing to oblige.”

  “I do not think the rooster can win in a fight with Tom,” Daniel surmised.

  “Fudge! What are we going to do?” Hal asked.

  “Put Tom in the barn for a few days until the rooster gets used to the farm. That way he will have time to find places to get out of Tom's reach,” Daniel suggested.

  “Just make sure that turkey stays in the pen room. I do not want him pestering the milk cows when we milk,” John warned.

  “Sure enough,” Noah said. “Help me get Tom in the barn, Daniel.”

  Noah and Daniel herded the turkey to the barn. Daniel opened the door. Curious now, Tom forgot about the rooster as he craned his neck to look inside. This was a new place for him to check out. He hopped in and wandered around.

  “What are you going to name your rooster, Hallie?” Emma asked.

  Hal paused to think. “I hadn't thought about a name. How about Joseph?”

  “Why Joseph?”

  “Because the rooster has a coat of many colors,” Hal replied.

  “Sure enough,” Emma agreed.

  Noah hitched up Emma's buggy for her, and she left for home. The women went to the house to fix supper. While John and Jim was busy in the milk room, Noah climbed to the loft and stood on a stack of bales to reach the top side of a rafter. He fished the radio out of his trouser pocket and placed it next to a beam so he could easily find it. When he came back to the milk room to help, Daniel raised an eyebrow at him. Noah winked.

  In the kitchen, Aunt Tootie said, “While you ladies get prepared for supper, I'd be glad to go gather the eggs.”

  “That is great,” Hal said. “Thank you, Aunt Tootie.”

  After the mudroom door closed, Hal gave her mother a wide eyed expression. “Aunt Tootie has never offered to gather eggs. Why now?”

  Nora giggled. “You should be wise to your aunt by now. My dear sister likes to pick and choose the tasks she volunteers to do. At this moment, she thinks gathering eggs is the easier one.”

  Aunt Tootie swung the egg bucket back and forth to scare the chickens out of her way. The hens cackled and scurried to keep from getting hit. Tootie narrowed her eyes to see into the dark hen house. Just two hens on the nests which beat half a dozen or better. She should scare the hens off the nest, but she wasn't going to bother two. She excused they might still be trying to lay. If they had an egg under them, Hal would never miss one or two eggs from this gathering. Tomorrow Hal could bring the extra eggs. The hens would peck if Aunt Tootie stuck her hand under them, and she didn't like to get peck.

  She walked along the three tiers of empty nesting boxes and gently put the eggs into the bucket. That job didn't take long. She could walk slowly on the way back to the house to kill a little more time while Hallie and Nora cooked. She was wore out from the day's outing to town.

  The strong sun beamed in the west, making it hard to see. Aunt Tootie squinted, trying to be careful where she put her feet. She didn't want to trip over a stick or lose her balance on unleveled ground. Plus, she'd sure hate to step in something nasty smelling that she'd have to wash off her shoe soles.

  Somewhere close behind her came an awful growling noise. Aunt Tootie turned around. The new rooster, with his head stretched out, was racing at her. Joesph meant business. Tom wasn't the only one he didn't want around.

  Aunt Tootie trotted toward the house, making little eeking noises. She had to stop to open the screen door. When she did, the rooster caught up to her. He flogged the calf of her legs with his spurs and pecked her. Aunt Tootie let out a scream as she squeezed through the open door.

  Hal and Nora were to the mud room in a second.

  “What's wrong, Aunt Tootie?” Hal asked.

  Aunt Tootie leaned against the screen door, panting and waving her hand in front of her flushed face. The rooster struck the back side of the screen, flogging the door. Aunt Tootie jumped away and placed the egg bucket on the floor. She glared at Hal. “Your old rooster chased me and pecked my legs.”

  “Surely not,” Nora said. “He must have thought you had some corn in the bucket to feed him.”

  “I tell you that mean thing wasn't interested in what was in the bucket.” Aunt Tootie twisted at the waist, hiked up her skirt and looked at her legs. “See, I'm bleeding. Last time I gather the old eggs at this place.”

  “I am so sorry,” Hal took Aunt Tootie by the arm when the elderly woman stuck out her lower lip in a pout. “Come sit in the kitchen and rest. I'll wash your legs and put bandages on the wounds.”

  That evening after everyone called it a night, Hal said softly to her husband's back, “John, are you asleep yet?”

  He grumbled, “Almost. Was ist letz?”

  “John, I need to buy a milk goat,” Hal responded fast.

  John whipped over on his side. “What did you just say?”

  “I need to buy a milk goat,” Hal repeated slower this time.

  John sat up in bed with his eyes opened wide. “Where did that idea come from?”

  “Rudy Briskey mentioned it to me at the fellowship lunch,” Hal said quietly.

  John rubbed his forehead like he felt a headache coming on. “I might have known. Why does Rudy think you need a milk goat?”

  “Rudy said I wouldn't have to bottle feed lambs in the spring if I had a goat. If I penned her up with her babies in the barn, she'd claim orphan lambs,” Hal explained, looking hopeful.

  “Let me guess. Rudy has the perfect milk goat. He is willing to sell it to you to help you out,” John said wearily.

  “Jah, that's what he said,” Hal agreed.

  John eyed her in the dark. “What did you tell him?”

  “That I'd have to ask you about it. If it helps any, he says he will deliver,” Hal added as an incentive to help John decide in her favor.

  “You have your sheep bred already. The milk goat will not do you any good if it is not bred yet. She has to kid when the lambs are due,” John explained.

  “Rudy said the goat is bred already,” Hal assured him.

  “I never know about Rudy and his deals. It seems there is always a catch, but if you want to try a milk goat who am I to say nah,” John said.

  Hal said excitedly, “Oh, denki, John.”

  “Just one goat. No more even if Rudy thinks you need a herd,” John ordered.

  “Recht, I understand,” Hal agreed.

  “The goat has to have a sound milk bag, or you will be feeding her kids on the bottle next spring along with lambs. If you go through with this, I want to go with you to inspect the goat, before you buy it. No sight unseen deals. Especially with Rudy Briskey,” John instructed. He yawned as he flopped back down. Groggily, he said, “Could the rest of this talk wait until morning?”

  Hal smiled and kissed John's cheek. “Jah, we can talk more about goats tomorrow. Go to sleep.”

  Chapter 6

  The following day at breakfast, John and Jim talked about the fire that wiped out most of Rudy Briskey's corn shocks. John said Jim and he should drive over and check out the damage. He'd like to hear from Rudy if the sheriff investigated yet and had an idea how the fire started.

  Hal laid her fork on her plate as she added, “I really should go along to help Martha with the house cleaning.”

  “Gute idea. Amos said it will be a chore for her to get rid of the smoke smell in the whole house,” John said.

  “I can go along and help if that's all right. Three of us will get done faster than two,” Nora said. “How about you, Tootie? Want to go with us to clean the house.”

  “I don't do well in smoky plac
es with my bad breathing.” Aunt Tootie put her hand over her mouth to cover a weak cough. “Besides, my legs are sore from the rooster bites. How about I stay here with the girls?”

  “Sounds gute to me,” Hal agreed. “They don't need to be in that smoke, either.”

  Later when John drove by Rudy Briskey's burnt cornfield, he shook his head. “What a waste is that.”

  “It is,” Jim agreed.

  “How could anyone think it was a fun game to start fires like this,” Hal declared.

  “Someone who is sick,” Jim said simply as John parked by the house.

  Rudy came out of the barn to greet them. “Wilcom. Get down. It is nice to see you. What brings you here this fine day?”

  Hal climbed down and picked up her cleaning basket from the back. “Gute Morgen, Rudy. Mom and I are going to help Martha. Come on, Mom. Let's get Martha's house back in order.” She rushed her mother away from the men, knowing that Rudy would delay them if he thought about selling her that goat.

  Martha came out on the porch with a broom in her hand. “Wilcom, but you might not want to come into my smoky house.”

  “That's exactly where we're headed,” Hal said, smiling. “Mom and I want to help you clean.”

  Martha held the door for them. “That is very kind of you. I would appreciate the help.”

  The ladies divided up the cleaning detail. Hal washed the windows on the outside while Nora washed the inside glasses. Martha had scrubbed the floors before they got there, and now she started washing the gray smudge off the walls.

  While Hal and Nora washed all the pots, pans and dishes, Martha cooked their lunch. By the time John, Jim and Rudy came in, the women were ready to sit down and almost too tired to eat.

  That afternoon while the women finished washing the walls, Martha said to Hal, “You plan on cooking molasses this fall?”

  “Jah, the boys mowed the grass at Sugar Camp this morning. This afternoon they're cutting a stack of wood to burn under the vat. After that, we will be ready to start,” Hal said.

  “You let me know when you are ready. I will help cook the molasses for your help here,” Martha told her.

  “That is nice of you to offer, but stirring over the vat is such a hot job. If you help, you can share the molasses,” Hal told her.

  The afternoon flew by. By the time, the Lapp family was ready to go home Martha's house was smelling much better.

  Rudy and Martha walked to the buggy with them. Rudy cleared his throat to get their attention. “Nurse Hal, have you decided about getting a milk goat yet. I have one penned up in the barn for you to look at.”

  Hal glanced at John. “I left it up to John to decide.”

  “So you really want to get a goat, Hal?” John just remembered the sleepy conversation he'd had with Hal.

  “Only if you think she will be useful in the spring when I need milk for the lambs,” Hal said not wanting to seem pushy.

  “I penned one up in the barn. You are wilcom to look at her. I will give you a gute deal on her for helping Martha,” Rudy said.

  “Sure enough, we can look at this goat,” John agreed. He started off after Rudy then stopped. “Is the goat bred already?”

  “Jah, she is bred. Do you have a buck in with the ewes now?” Rudy asked.

  “Jah, and we expect lambs in early March,” John said.

  “That will be perfect. This nanny goat will kid in March,” Rudy exclaimed.

  Hal followed behind the men. She felt John would take buying the goat better if he dealt with Rudy. If the goat had any problems Rudy didn't mention, John might not tease her so much if he made the choice to buy the goat.

  When they entered the barn, the door banged shut, causing sharp bleats to come from a horse stall. Rudy said, “She hears our voices. Goats do not like being alone, but she would be happy with your flock. She is used to running with my sheep.”

  Hal noted the brown goat had a trim of white running around her face and four white stockings on her frail legs. “What breed is she?”

  “Toggenburg. Her name is Gano,” Rudy said.

  Hal stared at the goat. “That is an odd name.”

  “Jah, that it is, but if you dislike it you can change the name,” Rudy stated, not willing to elaborate on the origin.

  “Can I go in the stall with her?” Hal asked as she watched the goat pace along the back wall.

  Rudy opened the door. “Go recht in. I milked her this year, so she is already trained to stand still. She is calmer than she looks.”

  Hal held her hand out to pat the goat. “Hello, Gano. I'm Hal.”

  Gano ran to the far corner and watched her through wide, dark brown eyes. With no where else to run, she let Hal walk up to her. When Hal put her hand on the goat's head, Gano ducked her head as if Hal hit her.

  “She does not act very friendly,” John stated bluntly.

  “She just does not know what to make of all the strangers. After she gets used to you, she will be a pest,” Rudy assured him.

  “All recht, I will buy her. Jim, you want to hold on to the goat while I drive home?” John asked.

  “I think I can handle that,” Jim said, grinning.

  Rudy led the goat to the buggy with a rope around her neck. Jim climbed in and sat at the back of the buggy. Rudy and John lifted the squalling and kicking goat. Jim grabbed the rope around the goat's neck and pulled her to him. She eyed Nora and Hal when they sat down. Her nose wrinkled up as she sniffed their direction.

  When they arrived home, John drove over by his barn and stopped. Aunt Tootie had Redbird and Beth by the hands, coming to see the latest animal. Hal picked up Redbird and Nora picked up Beth.

  Once Gano's hooves hit the ground, she only had Jim holding onto her rope. She bucked and strained, trying to get away. Jim held on tight and settled her down. Both girls held out a hand, wanting to pet the nanny.

  Aunt Tootie gasped and sidestepped close to Nora.

  “For Heaven's sake, Tootie, don't crowd me so,” Nora complained.

  Aunt Tootie huffed, “Sorry, but I was afraid that goat would butt me.”

  Jim relaxed his hold on the rope while he picked at the girls. Gano quickly stretched her neck and got a mouth full of Aunt Tootie's skirt. The goat tugged to bring it closer to her. Aunt Tootie's face blanched as she jerked the skirt out of the goat's mouth. “Shoo, goat! Jim, hang onto her better.”

  “I'm sorry about that, Tootie. She just wants to say hello. She won't hurt you,” Jim defended.

  John decided, “Jim, let's put the goat in a pen for the night. It will easier to watch her in the day light to see how she gets along with the sheep.”

  “John,” Aunt Tootie said. “The veterinarian stopped by this morning and said the test on the skunk came back all right. The dog can be turned loose now.”

  “That is voonderball gute news,” Noah cried. “We can take Biscuit coon hunting now.”

  “I will turn him out of the shed,” Daniel said as he ran that direction.

  After milking, the barn went silent. Gano cried from the minute the men left the barn and continued to protest all evening.

  Finally, Noah offered to go see about her. He came back to the house and related he thought she was just lonesome. Half an hour later, the goat's crying started again. This time she sounded stressed. Daniel offered to take a turn to see about the goat. After Daniel left, the goat became quiet.

  When Daniel returned, Hal asked, “What did you do to make her shut up?”

  “The goat tried to jump over the pen. She caught one of her back legs between the top two boards. I got her loose and gave her more hay.”

  Hal looked worried. “Is she all recht?”

  “She's limping a little. The hair is off just above the hoof, but she will be all recht,” Daniel reported.

  “If only she'd settle down. The constant crying is getting on all our nerves,” Hal said.

  Jim patted Hal's arm. “It's like Rudy Briskey said. When she has the ewes for company, she'll be content th
en.”

  “If I recall recht, what Rudy said was once the goat gets used to us she will be a pest. She is that already,” John said dryly.

  “Sure enough, but she was eating hay when I left. Maybe she will bed down for the night now that it is dark,” Daniel said hopefully.

  “Speaking of settling down, how long are we leaving Tom in the barn. He is getting restless and mad at us. The goat's bawling is bothering him, too. He just chased me out of the barn,” Daniel said.

  “Really?” Hal asked. “Maybe tomorrow let's turn Tom out. We'll see how he gets along with the rooster. If Tom is still mean, we'll just have to pen him up again.”

  Tootie's lower lip pushed out in a pout. “As mean as that rooster is, if I were you boys I'd worry about Tom's welfare if they get in a fight.”

  At bedtime, Hal threw her nightgown on the bed and paused to listen. “It seems peaceful in the barn yet. Daniel was recht about the goat settling down after dark.”

  John untied his farmer shoes and toed the heel of one. It plunked to the floor. He reached down and slid the other off. “I am glad for the peace.”

  A series of frantic baas broke the silence. Tom joined in, gobbling loud and hostile.

  “Fudge! I spoke too soon,” groaned Hal, throwing her gown back on the bed.

  “So much for peace and quiet. Tom is giving the goat a hard time now that he thinks he owns the barn,” John said, reaching for one of his shoes.

  “Nah, John, you go on to bed. She's my goat. I'll go rescue her from Tom,” Hal said.

  “It might be more than you can handle. Tom is a real fighter when he is mad,” John reminded her.

  “Nonsense, he'll mind me,” Hal said, starting for the door.

  “Wait, Hal! I do not know if you should be out alone after dark,” John worried.