Chapter One

 

 

"Are we almost there Papa?," Letty asked as she squirmed around on the stool and poked her head between her Mamma and Papa on the wagon seat.

"You settle down, young lady," her Papa replied, as he slapped the reins against the backs of the mules. "We still have a long way to go."

Letty sat on a stool behind her parents as two gray mules laboriously pulled the loaded wagon, making deep ruts in the water soaked earth. It had rained for two days, but the sky was almost clear today and they could move without putting a cover over the furniture.

The wagon of furniture rocked back and forth as the wheels dropped into the ruts, and the mules strained at their load, making sinews in their flanks expand in the morning light.

There was a quilt over Letty's lap to break the morning chill and she leaned back and looked up at the few remaining clouds flitting across the sky. It was though they were in a hurry, and she wondered if they were scampering to give rain to some farmer who needed it. She had heard her Mamma and Papa talking about needing rain at their other farm.

She listened to her parents as they talked about planting crops at their new farm. Her Mamma was a petite woman with small hands and feet, and a waist that was the envy of all the ladies. Her hair, kept neatly puffed around her oval shaped face, was a dark auburn and her eyes were a hazel color with specks of green. She was wearing a green bonnet that made her eyes sparkle, and Letty thought she was the most beautiful woman in the world. Her Papa, a handsome man, was slender and tall with dark brown hair combed neatly back from a high forehead and his dark blue eyes could almost look brown at times. He was ten years older than her Mamma and a neatly kept mustache graced his top lip. His visage was solemn, for he was a hard worker, serious by nature, and wanted the best for his family. But his solemn nature made him appear strict and staid.

Letty had two sisters, Betsy and Carla, and an older brother, Allen, who were following behind them in their neighbor's wagon. As usual, Letty had made a nuisance of herself requiring her to ride with her parents. Oprah, her four month old baby sister was asleep in her Mamma's lap.

The ride was getting rougher and Letty grew more restless, squirming around on the stool complaining about not having enough room for her legs. Her Papa listened to her complaints, then glanced at the sun and determined it was time to rest the animals and let everyone eat the food his wife, Dolly, had prepared for the trip. He motioned to his neighbor, Mr. Hayes, to pull over beside a small pond.

"Let's give the animals a rest and eat lunch," he said to Mr. Hayes.

"I'm ready. My horses need a rest and a drink from that pond."

Isaac Hemphill secured the reins to the wagon brake and stepped gracefully to the ground. He took the baby while Dolly helped Letty get her legs free of the quilt, then helped her down. The hard work of moving had already made Dolly weary and she was glad to stretch her legs, as she stepped onto the wagon step. It was good to feel the soft earth under her feet.

Betsy held Oprah while Dolly got the basket of food to spread out, as the others gathered around. Their day had begun early and everyone was starved.

Isaac called to Allen. "Unhitch the mules and let them drink. Tie them to that large bush by the tall grass and let them graze while we eat."

While her Mamma was getting the food ready, Letty decided to go exploring around the pond. She walked on the dam, kicking at rocks and threw some in the water. The pond was shallow and willow trees grew out of the bank and leaned across the pond. She decided to climb on one of the low branches and stood for a moment letting the breeze blow her long, auburn hair. She looked up through the lacy branches and watched the slim leaves as they rippled this way and that in the breeze. Then she spied a bird's nest higher on a forked limb. Being naturally curious, she had to see if there were eggs in the nest and began to climb higher in the tree. The early morning rain had made the willow bark slick, and without warning her feet slipped, sending her sprawling into the edge of the pond! She came to her feet quickly, sputtering, and wiping mud from her face. Water dripped from her dress and squirted out the top of her shoes.

Carla had come to tell her their dinner was ready and saw her fall into the pond.

Laughing at Letty, she said, "now you'll get it!," as Dolly appeared and led her away from the pond, giving her a swat on the backside.

All her clothes were packed in boxes under the furniture with a mattress on top, so Dolly stripped her to her underwear and wrapped her in the quilt. She was too embarrassed to come eat with them. But Mr. Hayes noticed her reluctance and came and gently tucked the quilt around her shivering body. She and Mr. Hayes were buddies, since Letty was a baby, and he always seemed to know how she felt.

Allen said, "leave it to Letty to get into a mess!," and everyone laughed at her bound up like a mummy in the quilt.

They found seats on a fallen log and some large rocks and began to eat.

They ate Dolly's fluffy biscuits filled with crisp salt pork and some peaches for dessert. The men went to get the horses while Betsy put the dinner basket back on the wagon.

"I appreciate your help with the moving," Isaac ventured.

"Glad to do it. I had to go into St. Louis for spring supplies anyway. Carrie has a list a mile long for me to get. It's not much further this way and I wanted to see your new place. I'm glad to have your company on the trip."

"The planting season is right upon us, so you've saved me some valuable time. I'll have to work hard to get my crops in, and I hope to do better on this farm. The land looks like it has been managed well by crop rotation. Last year was a disappointment with the drought, and I didn't plan on getting sick. Allen helps a lot, but he's not quite old enough to take over yet - - and there's school. I want him to have a better education than I was privileged to get."

"I don't like to lose a good neighbor," Mr. Hayes said, as he lit his pipe. "My Carrie and I have enjoyed your children, since God never blessed our home with any. You are a lucky man. Letty has always been special with her long, auburn hair and mischievous ways. She's a very bright girl too!"

"Sometimes I'd gladly give her to you," Isaac said with a grin. She's a lively one, that for sure!"

Isaac told everyone to take their places on the wagons so they could arrive at the new place by nightfall. He picked Letty up, bound in the quilt, and sat her on the stool. She was getting tired, and the traumatic experience at the pond had taken it's toll, so she wiggled into a more comfortable position and was soon sound asleep.

The wagon creaked under it's load as Isaac and Dolly were in deep thought. Isaac thought of the job he had heard about at the Home Comfort Stove Factory in St. Louis. If he could get the job it would help them recover from the previous year of bad crops. He could still do the farming with the family helping. It hurt his pride to see his family needing things he could not afford.

Dolly had her own thoughts. She hadn't seen the house, but Isaac told her it had two bedrooms and a large living room where they could put another bed. He told her the kitchen was small, but had a fireplace, which would be handy, and she liked to watch the flames on a cold day. She loved her husband and hoped he would leave alcohol alone. It had been the only source of trouble between them and she was hoping this would be a new beginning in many ways.

Isaac looked at Dolly, just as she was about to ask him how much further they had to go. "It shouldn't take much longer. The house is just over that ridge to the west," as he motioned with his hand.

"I'm anxious to see it," Dolly said, with excitement in her voice. She picked Oprah up from her lap and laid her across her shoulder as she gently patted her back.

The sun shone through a hole in the thin clouds and rays of pink, orange, yellow and blue pained a beautiful sunset across the west.

"What a glorious end to the day!," Dolly exclaimed.

"Maybe it's a sign that things are going to be better for us," said Isaac, and then, "I forgot to tell you, there's a smokehouse. Maybe we can raise some pigs and cure the meat."

"Cured ham would be good for a change. I'm getting tired of salt pork," Dolly said, and then berated herself for seeming ungrateful for what they had. She knew how sensitive her husband was to their needs, and didn't want him feeling he had failed to provide for them.

The sun sank below the horizon, leaving the colors scattered across the sky. Dusk was slowly settling over them and in the distance they could see the outline of the new homestead.

When they turned into the gate a full moon peeped over the horizon, lighting the whole outdoors. A few stars were still visible in the huge expanse and a large milky way spread across the heavens. Isaac pulled the mules to a stop and Mr. Hayes guided his wagon close beside him.

"Dolly, take the lantern into the house while we get the furniture unloaded," Isaac said as he helped her down. "The bright moonlight gives us plenty of light to unload the wagons."

Dolly gave Oprah to Carla so Betsy could help them arrange things in the house. Oprah began to cry and Dolly told Carla to take her into the house out of the night air and change her.

Letty began running through the house, and as usual, making a nuisance of herself. She was dragging the quilt behind her, getting in everyone's way. Dolly looked through one of the boxes and found a long flannel nightgown and handed it to her.

"Here, put this gown on and stay out of everyone's way," she told her sternly.

Glad for more freedom to explore the house, Letty began going from room to room. One of the bedrooms had a window seat and she climbed upon it and looked out at the beautiful sky.

"Mamma!, Mamma!, can I sleep in this room? You can almost touch the stars from this window!," and she raised her arms to see if she might touch one.

"We'll see. Just stay out of the way so we can get our work done," Dolly told her.

With Allen's help unloading the furniture, the wagons were soon empty and the ladies guided them to place the furniture. Most everything was in order, leaving only the boxes to unpack later.

"We'll put the animals in the shed and feed them," Isaac told Dolly. "Mr. Hayes will spend the night and get an early start in the morning."

"Betsy and I will see if we can find something to eat among all this clutter. I know everyone is starved after working hard all day," and Dolly began rummaging around through the boxes.

"Allen, get your Mamma some wood for the fireplace," said Isaac. "Maybe some hot coffee would be nice," and he gave Dolly an inquiring look.

Allen found several pieces of firewood left by the former tenant and brought it into the house, placing it in the fireplace.

Dolly soon had a nice blaze going and searched through the boxes finding her large enameled coffee pot. She handed it to Allen, who went to fill it at the well. The sparkling fire took away the night chill, making a homey, comfortable feeling through the house.

There were enough of the biscuits and salt pork left from their lunch, and Dolly found a jar of grape jelly. They gathered around the table to eat and talk of the day's events.

Dolly and Betsy began the process of making beds. Mr. Hayes had brought his bedroll and would sleep in the room with Allen. The girls had the other bedroom and Dolly, Isaac and Oprah would share the bed in the living room.

They sat around the fire and talked for a while. Mr. Hayes took slow draws on his pipe as Letty curled up on his lap watching the flames in the fireplace. The day had been grueling and everybody was exhausted. Everyone, including Letty, who was going to sleep on Mr. Hayes lap, was glad to go to bed.

A rooster crowing in the distance awakened Isaac early the next morning. Pulling on his trousers and shirt, and about to slip on his shoes, he heard someone chopping wood. He stepped out into the crisp morning air to see Mr. Hayes wielding an axe against a stubborn log.

"Good morning! You're up mighty early after a hard day's work. Leave the wood. I'll chop it," Isaac said, as he stretched himself and yawned. "You've done enough already. Wish I could pay you somehow for helping me."

"We're neighbors, and you'd do the same for me," he said as he gathered a load of wood in his arms to carry inside.

Dolly was making coffee, so they sat down at the table. She searched through boxes for supplies to make breakfast while the men drank their coffee. The stove wasn't ready for use so she found her dutch oven, placed it in the coals to heat, and began to stir up some flapjacks. To this she added her most precious strawberry preserves, and the men ate a breakfast fit for kings.

"Your wife is a mighty fine cook," said Mr. Hayes, as he held his cup for more coffee. "I'm going to be on my way soon as I drink another cup of coffee. I need to get back home tonight. Carrie doesn't like staying by herself."

"I don't know what I would have done when Isaac was sick last fall if you hadn't helped me with the crops," Dolly told him. "You have certainly been a good neighbor and I hope you and Carrie will come see us when you go into St. Louis for supplies."

"You can bet on it," he said, as he lifted his lanky form from the chair. "Take good care of the children and tell Letty `bye' for me. I'm really going to miss them, especially Letty," and he and Isaac left to harness his team.

Oprah and the other children were still asleep, so Dolly decided to unpack more of the boxes. She carefully unwrapped her most precious china pieces and placed them on the rack above the fireplace. The place was in need of a good cleaning so she would wait until there was more light. She glanced out the window to see day was breaking with a clear sky. "Good," she thought. "When the sun comes up I can make more progress."

Oprah began stirring, with her little arms and legs flailing the air, making the covers come alive on the bed. Dolly picked her up to feed and change her while sitting before the embers in the fireplace.

Isaac came back into the house and poured himself another cup of coffee. He came over to Dolly and Oprah and gently picked up one of Oprah's hands, winding one of her tiny fingers around his own.

"You two look mighty pretty in the firelight. She sure is a beautiful baby."

Dolly looked up at him and he quickly turned away, going to stand by the fire. He had never been one to show his emotions, but Dolly knew he was showing he loved them and it gave her a warm feeling that radiated in a smile.

"This is going to be another busy day," he said. "I'll get the cooking range set up for you, then I'm going into town to see about that job. Wish I could have gone in with Mr. Hayes, but didn't want to hold him up any longer. Get Allen to help you with any lifting, or whatever you need. There's fresh straw in the attic of the shed and you may want to put some in the mattresses. The move made them a little lumpy. Now make them help you," and he gave her a stern look.

"Alright. I like the house. When we get things arranged a little better and put curtains on the windows it will be very comfortable. I'm anxious to see the land and the garden area."

"There's a plum tree, and I believe a pear tree out by the smokehouse," Isaac said, thoughtfully. "Plum jelly and pear preserves sure sound good!"

"You and your sweet tooth," Dolly commented as she smiled at him. "If you get the job I'm hoping we can get another cow and some chickens, maybe even a pig or two. With the vegetables from the garden, it should be all we will need."

"I believe this was a wise move, though I will miss the Hayes for neighbors. They don't come any finer than that pair. Well, I'd better get the stovepipe for the stove and be on my way," and he headed for the door.

Soon he had the stove assembled and the other children began to awaken. Letty came in, rubbing her eyes, with mats in her hair and a couple of curls hanging down across her forehead.

"I'm hungry!," she said, leaning against her Mamma.

Dolly placed Oprah on a pallet close to the warm fire and said, "play with your baby sister and I'll cook you a flapjack."

Letty loved flapjacks, so that was music to her ears as she licked her lips in anticipation. She spied the strawberry preserves, which was another of her favorites, and could hardly wait for her mamma to put them on the plate.

After she ate, Betsy, Carla and Allen came in to eat. Dolly said, "Betsy, cook everyone some flapjacks and I want you and Carla to wash the dishes after you eat. Then we will clean house and get everything unpacked. Let's have it all done when your Papa gets back from town."

"Dolly, where's my blue shirt?," called Isaac as he came in with a big load of wood and stacked it in the woodbox. "I want to look my best when I apply for the job."

Dolly found the shirt and as he was leaving he gave the children instructions about helping Dolly with the work. Dolly watched him mount one of the mules and head down the road toward town.

As she watched him leave, her mind recalled the hard times they had been experiencing and she said a prayer that he would get the job. Meeting the needs of five children took a lot of work and sometimes she grew weary. The extra money could surely be the answer. She made mental notes of their needs as she went about her work. All the children needed shoes. She had put cardboard in Letty's and had used her large needle to sew a place on Carla's. All of them were in need of dresses for school and Allen's shirts were getting threadbare. She had turned two of Isaac's shirt collars and needed to make him more before the collars wore again. There had not been any extra money for these things in a while because Isaac's illness had taken money for the doctor and medicine.

When she recalled the time Isaac was ill, it brought fear to her heart. Isaac was a hard worker and didn't give up easily, which was part of his problem. He must learn to take better care of himself. Would the extra job be too much for him? The doctor had warned him that his lungs were weak and he must protect himself from having pneumonia again. Maybe a regular job, where he would be inside, would be best for him. The family would do as much of the farming and hard work as they could. Allen was old enough now and a dependable boy. She thought about their children who never gave them problems, like so many did these days.

She heard Oprah beginning to cry and knew it was time for her to eat. She washed her hands before picking her up to sit in the rocker before the fireplace.

As she rocked Oprah and tended to her needs, she let herself bask in the good things she could see ahead. All of them were well, and this was a good farm. She would not think of bad things and get herself discouraged, for this was a new beginning. She would focus on believing the best.

She closed her eyes and leaned her head back against the cold, hard wood of the rocker.

It was the spring of 1908 and it wasn't easy to provide for a family as big as theirs, but they were simple, hard working people and Isaac saw that all their needs were met.

She would rest in this assurance.