Story Repent, or Repeat
- Thread starter PacNorWest
- Start date
sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
A thank you from me as well. Glad I stopped in.
Texican
Live Free & Die Free.... God Freedom Country....
I want to find land with rich soil, land that will accept seed and prosper. Crops, gardens, flowers, I want to put things in the ground and watch them grow." Clara went silent, waiting with baited breath for Corbin's response.
That is settled for Clara and Corbin will be going to Iowa to live and farm....
Thanks Pac for the chapter....
Texican....
That is settled for Clara and Corbin will be going to Iowa to live and farm....
Thanks Pac for the chapter....
Texican....
PacNorWest
Veteran Member
Sammy55,
Thank you for your kind words. The most important thing about my stories is listed above in Proverbs 3:5-6. You well understand.
Thank you for your kind words. The most important thing about my stories is listed above in Proverbs 3:5-6. You well understand.
Sammy55
Veteran Member
Well understood.
Proverbs 3:5-6 is my life goal. I say it often to myself. But it's easier to say than to live sometimes. Especially for independent, stubborn, country gals like me who are used to taking charge and doing it on their own!
I always say, "God isn't finished with me yet." He's still teaching me, and your stories are some of the avenues through which He teaches me. And for that, I give you many thanks - for letting God speak to people like me through your words. I yearn to become like Clora....
Proverbs 3:5-6 is my life goal. I say it often to myself. But it's easier to say than to live sometimes. Especially for independent, stubborn, country gals like me who are used to taking charge and doing it on their own!
I always say, "God isn't finished with me yet." He's still teaching me, and your stories are some of the avenues through which He teaches me. And for that, I give you many thanks - for letting God speak to people like me through your words. I yearn to become like Clora....
PacNorWest
Veteran Member
#368
"Um, Clara, tell me is your heart set on going to Iowa; or would you be open to another spot just as rich with possibilities. As a incentive, what if I told you this place is here in Missouri, has a good sturdy house, a good barn and a garden spot overgrown with weeds?" Corbin was using all of his persuasive powers.
"I believe I would say, tell me more," Clara said with a smile. "Is this the place you had with your first wife?"
"Yes it is. It's just outside Bowling Green, Missouri. A farm, a good farm," Corbin said earnestly, "A pretty darn good spread, if I say so myself. There's grass knee high to a tall elephant, good fences for cattle, slopes for haying, farm fields for crops. The house is a two story with..." Corbin drew out the suspense with a wicked grin, until Clara poked him in the arm.
"A wrap around porch," he said smugly. "The farm is almost as highly desirable as it's owner." he tried for modesty and completely failed, and Clara gently mentioned this to the handsome gent.
"Oh really?" there was amusement in his voice. "Clara this is such a great place, I really want you to like it. I'm about beside myself trying to get you to realize how great a place this one is."
"Corbin, please slow down. The best place in the United States doesn't appeal to me unless I think the guy that owns the place is just as great." Clara whispered with laughter. "Can we get better acquainted please. This place of yours, can you travel with us for a while without getting too far away from it?"
"Yes," Corbin had a bit of a thwarted little boy attitude. "So what your telling me, you don't want to get married tomorrow, huh?"
"Not tomorrow," Clara spoke gently with a smile. "We need to be better acquainted, do a lot of talking, find out what we like and don't like. Especially Corbin, I want you to think tonight about me coming into your farm and changing things. Are you stuck in a position that if your first wife had the house and kitchen arranged to her liking, that it's a sacrilege to consider moving anything?"
"No, I don't think that way." Corbin said immediately. "But if you want me to wait until tomorrow morning to tell you that,...I will." he said most reluctantly.
His face made Clara chuckle. "It's late Corbin, we need to sleep and not disturb the rest of the family."
"I need a good night kiss, or I'm sure I won't sleep a wink," Corbin cajoled with all his might. It was actually three kisses, but who was counting, he smiled as he handed Clara into her wagon.
Judy was laying in her bedroll listening to her mother and that Corbin guy talk. She had a monumental sadness hurting her heart. She and Andy wanted to go West. Andy intended to go West and she wanted to go with him. So....she guessed that meant getting married. Judy hoped that her Mom would be reasonable about such a gigantic step to take when she was so young.
Judy could hardly wait until the morning so she could talk to Andy, they had a lot of decisions to make.
Gary and Jainy lay together in the wagon, hurting hearts and tears as they tried to sleep amid the oncoming and overwhelming pain and heartache of losing their boys. Bruce and Tricia had said it would be soon, and when Jainy really looked at the boys, yes, she could see they didn't look well. How she had missed seeing how peaked and withered they appeared, she wasn't sure.
Gary was still, but his heart was radiating anger. He wanted to be mad and break things, to work that horrible hurt out of his heart with force. Every once in a while, Jainy would give out a small hiccupping sob, and Gary finally relaxed and put his arm around her and gathered her closer. No words were spoken, and both of them found praying to be the most difficult thing they had ever done.
"Um, Clara, tell me is your heart set on going to Iowa; or would you be open to another spot just as rich with possibilities. As a incentive, what if I told you this place is here in Missouri, has a good sturdy house, a good barn and a garden spot overgrown with weeds?" Corbin was using all of his persuasive powers.
"I believe I would say, tell me more," Clara said with a smile. "Is this the place you had with your first wife?"
"Yes it is. It's just outside Bowling Green, Missouri. A farm, a good farm," Corbin said earnestly, "A pretty darn good spread, if I say so myself. There's grass knee high to a tall elephant, good fences for cattle, slopes for haying, farm fields for crops. The house is a two story with..." Corbin drew out the suspense with a wicked grin, until Clara poked him in the arm.
"A wrap around porch," he said smugly. "The farm is almost as highly desirable as it's owner." he tried for modesty and completely failed, and Clara gently mentioned this to the handsome gent.
"Oh really?" there was amusement in his voice. "Clara this is such a great place, I really want you to like it. I'm about beside myself trying to get you to realize how great a place this one is."
"Corbin, please slow down. The best place in the United States doesn't appeal to me unless I think the guy that owns the place is just as great." Clara whispered with laughter. "Can we get better acquainted please. This place of yours, can you travel with us for a while without getting too far away from it?"
"Yes," Corbin had a bit of a thwarted little boy attitude. "So what your telling me, you don't want to get married tomorrow, huh?"
"Not tomorrow," Clara spoke gently with a smile. "We need to be better acquainted, do a lot of talking, find out what we like and don't like. Especially Corbin, I want you to think tonight about me coming into your farm and changing things. Are you stuck in a position that if your first wife had the house and kitchen arranged to her liking, that it's a sacrilege to consider moving anything?"
"No, I don't think that way." Corbin said immediately. "But if you want me to wait until tomorrow morning to tell you that,...I will." he said most reluctantly.
His face made Clara chuckle. "It's late Corbin, we need to sleep and not disturb the rest of the family."
"I need a good night kiss, or I'm sure I won't sleep a wink," Corbin cajoled with all his might. It was actually three kisses, but who was counting, he smiled as he handed Clara into her wagon.
Judy was laying in her bedroll listening to her mother and that Corbin guy talk. She had a monumental sadness hurting her heart. She and Andy wanted to go West. Andy intended to go West and she wanted to go with him. So....she guessed that meant getting married. Judy hoped that her Mom would be reasonable about such a gigantic step to take when she was so young.
Judy could hardly wait until the morning so she could talk to Andy, they had a lot of decisions to make.
Gary and Jainy lay together in the wagon, hurting hearts and tears as they tried to sleep amid the oncoming and overwhelming pain and heartache of losing their boys. Bruce and Tricia had said it would be soon, and when Jainy really looked at the boys, yes, she could see they didn't look well. How she had missed seeing how peaked and withered they appeared, she wasn't sure.
Gary was still, but his heart was radiating anger. He wanted to be mad and break things, to work that horrible hurt out of his heart with force. Every once in a while, Jainy would give out a small hiccupping sob, and Gary finally relaxed and put his arm around her and gathered her closer. No words were spoken, and both of them found praying to be the most difficult thing they had ever done.
RememberGoliad
Veteran Member
And here I am, caught up again. When Abby and them wound up spending the night in jail, I went back to Evie angrily slamming the Griz around on the insert and read through the whole saga again. Second time I've gone back to the start, and both times I got more out of it than the previous read. You are one amazing author, PAC. I should say that more, because I sure think it!
Thank you!
Thank you!
PacNorWest
Veteran Member
Folks,
I am having massive problems with the laptop. I have located a computer shop, (by local folks recommendations) but they are swamped and can't get to me for more than a week. Pac.
I am having massive problems with the laptop. I have located a computer shop, (by local folks recommendations) but they are swamped and can't get to me for more than a week. Pac.
Texican
Live Free & Die Free.... God Freedom Country....
we will wait patiently........
Pac,
Maybe not so patiently, but we do hope that the computer shop gets your lap fixed....
Texican....
Sammy55
Veteran Member
Here I fixed it for you, Texican!
We'll wait, Pac! Patiently, impatiently, and all aspects in between.... Just know that we wait with baited breath! (And, no, not fish breath! LOL!!)
Thanks for the newest chapter that i just read. I fear that tears are going to start falling as family leaves family....
PacNorWest
Veteran Member
#369
Clara lay awake for a long time after she finished her prayers. She counted the positive aspects about Corbin and to her mind, there were quite a few. He was a gentleman, mannerly, strong and seemed very capable in his work. He fit in with the men of the clan, and his nephew seemed to recognize him as a mentor.
The next series of thoughts concerned how she felt about him, and Clara had a warm tingle around her heart. He was responsible, kind and generous and he obviously had property and a business. He seemed to be as taken with her, as she was with him, was that a solid enough foundation, Clara thought so. Did she love him? Yes, Clara said decisively to herself. She did.
Corbin was lying in his bedroll, smiling in the darkness. Clara was all he needed, he had the world by the tail on a down hill pull with a woman like her.
The next morning after breakfast Mark called another meeting. "I'd like a spokesman from either side to present the reasons. I'd like for each group to take an hour to discuss their important points. Keep in mind that I'm not opposed to the clan splitting. I'm not happy with the idea, but there are strong feelings for both going West and heading for a rich farm homestead in Iowa. Look deep into your heart and pray for the answer and will of our Lord."
The people stood silently, each deep in thought and prayer. Slowly they congregated off to the side to give their reasons to the man that was naturally assuming leadership.
Toby and Milo stood shoulder to shoulder. They intended to go farm. With their families on either side of the two solid built men, they smiled and welcomed Tess and her three boys, along with Millie. Bruce and Tricia walked over with Tony and Eddie, and Corbin and Clara stayed in the close vicinity.
Robert leaned against the wheel of Gary's wagon. Gary was standing next to him, as Jainy was in the wagon with her two sick boys.
Seamus and Phoebe with Calvin and Siusan joined them; along with Oren and Hattie, Punky and Max. Abby eventually joined them, talking softly with Andy, Judy and Donny. At the last minute, Mason joined the group headed West.
Mark took a cup of coffee and went to the center of the group. "I don't believe I need your reasons for dividing the group. As adults, you know your mind and the will of God. There are some problems we need to work out, such as dividing the supplies in half; and some of the items such as the sawmill, we need to figure out who will need it the most. Get with your people, elect a leader, divide the supplies in your trailing wagon and make a plan." Mark took a drink of coffee and the discussion was over.
People looked at each other. That was it? they questioned, there was no big blowup, repercussions and acrimony. The rest of the day was spent dividing the supplies; with Clara and Judy deep in discussion.
Clara lay awake for a long time after she finished her prayers. She counted the positive aspects about Corbin and to her mind, there were quite a few. He was a gentleman, mannerly, strong and seemed very capable in his work. He fit in with the men of the clan, and his nephew seemed to recognize him as a mentor.
The next series of thoughts concerned how she felt about him, and Clara had a warm tingle around her heart. He was responsible, kind and generous and he obviously had property and a business. He seemed to be as taken with her, as she was with him, was that a solid enough foundation, Clara thought so. Did she love him? Yes, Clara said decisively to herself. She did.
Corbin was lying in his bedroll, smiling in the darkness. Clara was all he needed, he had the world by the tail on a down hill pull with a woman like her.
The next morning after breakfast Mark called another meeting. "I'd like a spokesman from either side to present the reasons. I'd like for each group to take an hour to discuss their important points. Keep in mind that I'm not opposed to the clan splitting. I'm not happy with the idea, but there are strong feelings for both going West and heading for a rich farm homestead in Iowa. Look deep into your heart and pray for the answer and will of our Lord."
The people stood silently, each deep in thought and prayer. Slowly they congregated off to the side to give their reasons to the man that was naturally assuming leadership.
Toby and Milo stood shoulder to shoulder. They intended to go farm. With their families on either side of the two solid built men, they smiled and welcomed Tess and her three boys, along with Millie. Bruce and Tricia walked over with Tony and Eddie, and Corbin and Clara stayed in the close vicinity.
Robert leaned against the wheel of Gary's wagon. Gary was standing next to him, as Jainy was in the wagon with her two sick boys.
Seamus and Phoebe with Calvin and Siusan joined them; along with Oren and Hattie, Punky and Max. Abby eventually joined them, talking softly with Andy, Judy and Donny. At the last minute, Mason joined the group headed West.
Mark took a cup of coffee and went to the center of the group. "I don't believe I need your reasons for dividing the group. As adults, you know your mind and the will of God. There are some problems we need to work out, such as dividing the supplies in half; and some of the items such as the sawmill, we need to figure out who will need it the most. Get with your people, elect a leader, divide the supplies in your trailing wagon and make a plan." Mark took a drink of coffee and the discussion was over.
People looked at each other. That was it? they questioned, there was no big blowup, repercussions and acrimony. The rest of the day was spent dividing the supplies; with Clara and Judy deep in discussion.
Sammy55
Veteran Member
Thanks for the new chapter, Pac! I almost didn't look as you said you wouldn't be able to post for a bit!
So.....I have a question.....If the clan splits, does that mean that when this book is done, there will be two more books coming with each following one of the groups? LOL!! Just teasing.... (Not!) I'm just looking for a way to have you keep writing about Clora and Mark and the family. (What direction WILL Clora and Mark be heading?)
So.....I have a question.....If the clan splits, does that mean that when this book is done, there will be two more books coming with each following one of the groups? LOL!! Just teasing.... (Not!) I'm just looking for a way to have you keep writing about Clora and Mark and the family. (What direction WILL Clora and Mark be heading?)
PacNorWest
Veteran Member
#370
There was an unnatural, weirdness feeling in camp. Never before had there been a deliberate parting of the ways. Brother leaving brother in what was sure to be a 'forever' parting. All the clan finally came to the conclusion, that it was the finality of the split that bothered them the most.
Then there was the surprise of the people that chose to go West vs North to Iowa. It was difficult to think about Gary going West, when everyone thought for sure he would choose Iowa. The same with Seamus. Oren was no surprise; he was like the 'wild card' of the group. Robert, Mason and Abby, not really so unusual for the unattached to go, they had no ties.
Corbin was having a bit of difficulty with Mason. Mason was acting more like his father; Wade was an opportunist, and it seemed Mason was as greedy. Mason, when he signed on with Corbin, brought nothing more than his personal effects; now he was demanding the heavy freight wagon and team, and Corbin was as determined that the nucleus of his freight business was going to stay with him.
"Uncle Corbin, this just isn't fair. I've driven this wagon all the way out here. How am I going to have a place to stay, what shall I do for a job to make money?"
The argument was loud, not in the least bit private as Corbin went about clearing Mason's personal belongings from the second wagon. "Mason," Corbin was exasperated and about to the limit of listening to the whining from his nephew. "this wagon has always been on the contingency that wherever I went, both wagons would go. You have the choice to stay with me, or go West. Be a man, and own your decision."
There was no doubt that was a highly unpopular belief, especially to Mason.
Corbin had already thought out a solution, and he went to talk to Clara. "Clara, will you marry me? Before the preacher man leaves? And what about Judy, are you going to send her out married or unmarried. I want you to know right up front that unmarried is not a 'right' decision for me. If I were Judy's father, I would want her to be protected by marriage, even at her young age."
"Corbin," Clara said softly, "we have already come to these conclusions. May we go back to your original question,...please?"
There was an unnatural, weirdness feeling in camp. Never before had there been a deliberate parting of the ways. Brother leaving brother in what was sure to be a 'forever' parting. All the clan finally came to the conclusion, that it was the finality of the split that bothered them the most.
Then there was the surprise of the people that chose to go West vs North to Iowa. It was difficult to think about Gary going West, when everyone thought for sure he would choose Iowa. The same with Seamus. Oren was no surprise; he was like the 'wild card' of the group. Robert, Mason and Abby, not really so unusual for the unattached to go, they had no ties.
Corbin was having a bit of difficulty with Mason. Mason was acting more like his father; Wade was an opportunist, and it seemed Mason was as greedy. Mason, when he signed on with Corbin, brought nothing more than his personal effects; now he was demanding the heavy freight wagon and team, and Corbin was as determined that the nucleus of his freight business was going to stay with him.
"Uncle Corbin, this just isn't fair. I've driven this wagon all the way out here. How am I going to have a place to stay, what shall I do for a job to make money?"
The argument was loud, not in the least bit private as Corbin went about clearing Mason's personal belongings from the second wagon. "Mason," Corbin was exasperated and about to the limit of listening to the whining from his nephew. "this wagon has always been on the contingency that wherever I went, both wagons would go. You have the choice to stay with me, or go West. Be a man, and own your decision."
There was no doubt that was a highly unpopular belief, especially to Mason.
Corbin had already thought out a solution, and he went to talk to Clara. "Clara, will you marry me? Before the preacher man leaves? And what about Judy, are you going to send her out married or unmarried. I want you to know right up front that unmarried is not a 'right' decision for me. If I were Judy's father, I would want her to be protected by marriage, even at her young age."
"Corbin," Clara said softly, "we have already come to these conclusions. May we go back to your original question,...please?"
PacNorWest
Veteran Member
#370b
"uh, yeah, the first question, uh...… will ya?"
"Yes, can you remember what the question was?" Clara teased.
"Of course I remember," blustered Corbin, looking for all in the world that he didn't have the foggiest notion.
"Perhaps I should ask you?" Clara kept on teasing.
"Most certainly not," his strong voice sounded affronted. "That's the man's prerogative, and as head of this family, I claim that privilege."
"Well then, under those conditions, I accept." Clara hadn't really finished her teasing, but Corbin swooped in for a kiss, and she forgot about talking.
"Seamus said he could marry us at noon, will you be ready? And how about Judy and Andy?"
"uh, yeah, the first question, uh...… will ya?"
"Yes, can you remember what the question was?" Clara teased.
"Of course I remember," blustered Corbin, looking for all in the world that he didn't have the foggiest notion.
"Perhaps I should ask you?" Clara kept on teasing.
"Most certainly not," his strong voice sounded affronted. "That's the man's prerogative, and as head of this family, I claim that privilege."
"Well then, under those conditions, I accept." Clara hadn't really finished her teasing, but Corbin swooped in for a kiss, and she forgot about talking.
"Seamus said he could marry us at noon, will you be ready? And how about Judy and Andy?"
PacNorWest
Veteran Member
#371
Robert had been meddling. Personally the scout thought Andy to be too young to be married, and Judy most certainly too young. For a good while, Robert had been dropping hints, and coloring his talks with Andy concerning marriage. Robert felt he was in a race to prevent Andy from committing the worst mistake of his life.
It wasn't hard to bring Donny into the fray. Donny was afraid for himself, feeling like the odd man out, scared that he was losing the only family member he had left. With the two men working on him almost constantly, Andy was backing off; collecting his thoughts, actions and most importantly, refusing to ask Judy to marry him. If ever a young man had a panic about the future, it was Andy.
Slowly, Andy was withdrawing from the closeness the two young lovers had created for themselves. Judy had been dropping hints that her Mother wouldn't let her go West without being married, and Andy was doing his best to completely ignore the situtation.
Andy busied himself working with the teams, Robert had called for a close inspection of each horse, their feet, any possible harness galls, harness and the soundness of the wagons. Robert felt he and Donny were doing Andy a huge favor, taking Andy as far away from the scene of the upcoming marriage as possible. Almost clueless, but understanding he didn't have the ability to care for himself, much less a wife and most assuredly a family, Andy let himself be influenced by the older man's bitterness and warped thinking.
10am. came and went; with Judy sitting in the back of the wagon, watching her mother brush and pin her hair up in preparation to be married. "He's not going to ask me, is he." Judy was in tears, feeling the compounded misery of young love gone sour.
Clara stopped working with her hair and came to sit close and try and comfort her daughter. "No dear, I believe he will not. You might be ready, but Andy is not. He doesn't know his own mind as of yet. Andy is letting Robert and Donny project their fears into his life, and As long as that can and or will happen, then Andy is not ready to be married. Andy is a fine young man, but he is not capable of being the head of a family if he is so easily influenced by men, and not listening to the council of God in his life."
Corbin was standing outside the wagon, listening to the woman he intended to marry, give her daughter sound advise and gentle wisdom. More than ever he understood how valuable Clara would be to him, and he smiled as he thanked God for bringing this woman into his life. Suddenly, although he hadn't planned it, the solution to moving the second heavy freighter came to him. Clara could drive the second wagon and Judy could drive their wagon. It was almost like God had planned it from the beginning.
At noon, Andy positioned himself on the opposite side of the horse corral, so he didn't have to risk seeing Judy, as her Mother got married. He needn't have worried, Judy stayed in the wagon, unable to face the sympathy she could see in the faces of the gathered clan.
The ceremony was simple, moving, and filled with the bright new beginnings of happiness. It was a shock when Corbin accepted the many cries of best wishes, and then announced that he, Clara and Judy would go North with the Iowa group, until it was time to turn East and head toward his farm in Bowling Green.
Hanging around on the fringes of the group, Mason felt the chance of his getting the freight wagon go down the drain. Evidently Uncle Corbin meant what he said; both freight wagons were going with him to his gosh darned farm. Well, Mason had his clothes, his horse and the rest of his life ahead of him. He didn't need any charity from Corbin, he was man enough to conduct his own life, the way he saw fit.
Clora shook her head in dismay as she looked at the young men so disenchanted with life. Robert, Mason, Andy, Donny, and to a degree..Oren. Add Abby to the mix, and although it made Clora very sad, she understood it was God's will to take the band of discontent and bitterness away from the clan. Clora was not surprised that Seamus and Phoebe were going with the unhappy group, Seamus had work to do, especially with the heart breaking situtation in Gary's family.
Clora also understood it was a fine life awaiting Corbin and Clara, that because they were older and wiser, they would help Judy through her drama of young love with compassion.
Mark came to stand close to Clora and tuck her arm into his, as they stood listening to Seamus conduct the wedding ceremony. He was thinking that every time they listened to the vows, it was like a heavy reminder of their own; a renewal of the sacred promises they had made so many years ago. The couple with white hair and many years of life under their belt, leaned together and touched shoulders, standing in the grace of their God.
Robert had been meddling. Personally the scout thought Andy to be too young to be married, and Judy most certainly too young. For a good while, Robert had been dropping hints, and coloring his talks with Andy concerning marriage. Robert felt he was in a race to prevent Andy from committing the worst mistake of his life.
It wasn't hard to bring Donny into the fray. Donny was afraid for himself, feeling like the odd man out, scared that he was losing the only family member he had left. With the two men working on him almost constantly, Andy was backing off; collecting his thoughts, actions and most importantly, refusing to ask Judy to marry him. If ever a young man had a panic about the future, it was Andy.
Slowly, Andy was withdrawing from the closeness the two young lovers had created for themselves. Judy had been dropping hints that her Mother wouldn't let her go West without being married, and Andy was doing his best to completely ignore the situtation.
Andy busied himself working with the teams, Robert had called for a close inspection of each horse, their feet, any possible harness galls, harness and the soundness of the wagons. Robert felt he and Donny were doing Andy a huge favor, taking Andy as far away from the scene of the upcoming marriage as possible. Almost clueless, but understanding he didn't have the ability to care for himself, much less a wife and most assuredly a family, Andy let himself be influenced by the older man's bitterness and warped thinking.
10am. came and went; with Judy sitting in the back of the wagon, watching her mother brush and pin her hair up in preparation to be married. "He's not going to ask me, is he." Judy was in tears, feeling the compounded misery of young love gone sour.
Clara stopped working with her hair and came to sit close and try and comfort her daughter. "No dear, I believe he will not. You might be ready, but Andy is not. He doesn't know his own mind as of yet. Andy is letting Robert and Donny project their fears into his life, and As long as that can and or will happen, then Andy is not ready to be married. Andy is a fine young man, but he is not capable of being the head of a family if he is so easily influenced by men, and not listening to the council of God in his life."
Corbin was standing outside the wagon, listening to the woman he intended to marry, give her daughter sound advise and gentle wisdom. More than ever he understood how valuable Clara would be to him, and he smiled as he thanked God for bringing this woman into his life. Suddenly, although he hadn't planned it, the solution to moving the second heavy freighter came to him. Clara could drive the second wagon and Judy could drive their wagon. It was almost like God had planned it from the beginning.
At noon, Andy positioned himself on the opposite side of the horse corral, so he didn't have to risk seeing Judy, as her Mother got married. He needn't have worried, Judy stayed in the wagon, unable to face the sympathy she could see in the faces of the gathered clan.
The ceremony was simple, moving, and filled with the bright new beginnings of happiness. It was a shock when Corbin accepted the many cries of best wishes, and then announced that he, Clara and Judy would go North with the Iowa group, until it was time to turn East and head toward his farm in Bowling Green.
Hanging around on the fringes of the group, Mason felt the chance of his getting the freight wagon go down the drain. Evidently Uncle Corbin meant what he said; both freight wagons were going with him to his gosh darned farm. Well, Mason had his clothes, his horse and the rest of his life ahead of him. He didn't need any charity from Corbin, he was man enough to conduct his own life, the way he saw fit.
Clora shook her head in dismay as she looked at the young men so disenchanted with life. Robert, Mason, Andy, Donny, and to a degree..Oren. Add Abby to the mix, and although it made Clora very sad, she understood it was God's will to take the band of discontent and bitterness away from the clan. Clora was not surprised that Seamus and Phoebe were going with the unhappy group, Seamus had work to do, especially with the heart breaking situtation in Gary's family.
Clora also understood it was a fine life awaiting Corbin and Clara, that because they were older and wiser, they would help Judy through her drama of young love with compassion.
Mark came to stand close to Clora and tuck her arm into his, as they stood listening to Seamus conduct the wedding ceremony. He was thinking that every time they listened to the vows, it was like a heavy reminder of their own; a renewal of the sacred promises they had made so many years ago. The couple with white hair and many years of life under their belt, leaned together and touched shoulders, standing in the grace of their God.
PacNorWest
Veteran Member
Freebirde
EXCELLENT!!
EXCELLENT!!
PacNorWest
Veteran Member
#371b
The wedding feast was stew with biscuits. There was good natured talking and laughter, glossing over the underlying sadness of the upcoming split.
The supply wagons were opened up and a member of 'both sides' divided the supplies in half. Oren as the 'West' group medic, looked over the pile of medicinal supplies, took a knapsack full, and told Bruce, "you might as well take the rest. Most of that is beyond my training."
Bruce looked sternly at the happy go lucky medic and proceeded to tell him what extra he needed to take. Oren meekly agreed, eventually filling another knapsack. "I don't want the responsibility of the wagon, that' you are welcome to."
Once again Bruce looked at him, "you are going to have two very ill boys," he cautioned soberly.
"I realize that," Oren replied. "They will die and we will bury them. There is nothing beyond that, anyone of us can do. I guess we can pray, but I really don't see that causing any miracles."
"That's a harsh attitude to take," Bruce protested.
"I'm not a doctor," Oren returned staring at Bruce. "I'm a meatball, patch up the biggest holes and then live or die, kind of medic. That's my attitude, your mileage may vary," he almost dared Bruce to chastise him.
"I will respect your ideas, although, they certainly aren't mine." Bruce stretched the canvas over the pile of supplies and clucked to the horse to take the hospital wagon back over to his wagon to be hitched to the back.
Andy and Donny had already moved their clothes and bedrolls to Robert's wagon, which became a catchall for all the miscellaneous that they accumulated.
Abby's trailing wagon was next. Her second wagon contained most of the weapons. Mark moderated the split. as Gary and Milo quietly divided the rifles and ammo. Mark snagged one box of his special match ammo that he had overlooked when loading the wagon.
Gary was partial to the 308's and Milo favored the 30-06's, and the number of 22's were divided equally. There were a dozen or so orphan guns that actually no one wanted, but Milo went through the pile and found two the same and threw one in each pile.
"Keep the rest," Gary yawned like he was bored with the whole situtation, "I don't want the weight."
Milo flicked his eyes to Mark, seeking his father's opinion. Mark shrugged, leaving the total decisions to his son. "Alright then, we'll take them," Milo sounded reluctant to appear like he was taking advantage of Gary, but Gary turned his back and walked to his wagon.
Abby came to divide up the seeds in Milo's trailing wagon, using cloth sacks to take her share of root vegetables, some wheat and oat seed and a few berry cuttings. "I really believe we will be able to find most of what we need, growing wild from neglected gardens." she commented easily. "I've been watching as we travel, and there is lots of evidence of nature re-seeding from once cultivated gardens. I predict that we will do just fine."
The going West group didn't want the farming tools; the plow, harrow and cultivator, or the sawmill. The re-loading equipment proved to be the most problematic. There were three of the reloading stands and dies for the most popular of the sizes. Mark had kept his reloading equipment separate, as his specialty powders, and he wisely made no mention of the fact. The ammo was divided, and the group going West, left early the next morning.
This is going to end Repent or Repeat.
The bulk of the story may be the reason I'm having computer problems, so I am using the split as a natural stopping place. Give me a little time to get the next story up and going. I have a mound of apples to process, a house and garden to get ready for winter.
There is more to come. Pac, in Homestead, Sweet, Homestead.
The wedding feast was stew with biscuits. There was good natured talking and laughter, glossing over the underlying sadness of the upcoming split.
The supply wagons were opened up and a member of 'both sides' divided the supplies in half. Oren as the 'West' group medic, looked over the pile of medicinal supplies, took a knapsack full, and told Bruce, "you might as well take the rest. Most of that is beyond my training."
Bruce looked sternly at the happy go lucky medic and proceeded to tell him what extra he needed to take. Oren meekly agreed, eventually filling another knapsack. "I don't want the responsibility of the wagon, that' you are welcome to."
Once again Bruce looked at him, "you are going to have two very ill boys," he cautioned soberly.
"I realize that," Oren replied. "They will die and we will bury them. There is nothing beyond that, anyone of us can do. I guess we can pray, but I really don't see that causing any miracles."
"That's a harsh attitude to take," Bruce protested.
"I'm not a doctor," Oren returned staring at Bruce. "I'm a meatball, patch up the biggest holes and then live or die, kind of medic. That's my attitude, your mileage may vary," he almost dared Bruce to chastise him.
"I will respect your ideas, although, they certainly aren't mine." Bruce stretched the canvas over the pile of supplies and clucked to the horse to take the hospital wagon back over to his wagon to be hitched to the back.
Andy and Donny had already moved their clothes and bedrolls to Robert's wagon, which became a catchall for all the miscellaneous that they accumulated.
Abby's trailing wagon was next. Her second wagon contained most of the weapons. Mark moderated the split. as Gary and Milo quietly divided the rifles and ammo. Mark snagged one box of his special match ammo that he had overlooked when loading the wagon.
Gary was partial to the 308's and Milo favored the 30-06's, and the number of 22's were divided equally. There were a dozen or so orphan guns that actually no one wanted, but Milo went through the pile and found two the same and threw one in each pile.
"Keep the rest," Gary yawned like he was bored with the whole situtation, "I don't want the weight."
Milo flicked his eyes to Mark, seeking his father's opinion. Mark shrugged, leaving the total decisions to his son. "Alright then, we'll take them," Milo sounded reluctant to appear like he was taking advantage of Gary, but Gary turned his back and walked to his wagon.
Abby came to divide up the seeds in Milo's trailing wagon, using cloth sacks to take her share of root vegetables, some wheat and oat seed and a few berry cuttings. "I really believe we will be able to find most of what we need, growing wild from neglected gardens." she commented easily. "I've been watching as we travel, and there is lots of evidence of nature re-seeding from once cultivated gardens. I predict that we will do just fine."
The going West group didn't want the farming tools; the plow, harrow and cultivator, or the sawmill. The re-loading equipment proved to be the most problematic. There were three of the reloading stands and dies for the most popular of the sizes. Mark had kept his reloading equipment separate, as his specialty powders, and he wisely made no mention of the fact. The ammo was divided, and the group going West, left early the next morning.
This is going to end Repent or Repeat.
The bulk of the story may be the reason I'm having computer problems, so I am using the split as a natural stopping place. Give me a little time to get the next story up and going. I have a mound of apples to process, a house and garden to get ready for winter.
There is more to come. Pac, in Homestead, Sweet, Homestead.
sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Well lets count me as shocked when they decided to split up the family and then the group going west didn't want the plow.