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A Home in Which To Die

Chapter Twelve

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c. © 1996 by Robert Nielsen Long and Winding Roads

                                                                                                     January 8, 1897

            Ann had finally become pregnant sometime during their second honeymoon which was particularly joyful news to her sister.

Joan would often tell her how it was in answer to her most heartfelt prayers that her only sibling would be having the joy of bringing a new life and a new member of their family into the world.

            It seemed Gemma couldn’t help pursuing her aunt with every question of which a young girl could think, from a woman's procreative chronology, to what would be the best name for her to suggest her new sibling be given.

            The bright young girl felt much more at ease discussing certain things with her aunt than with her mother. Joan had become a great deal more irritable and quite a bit less patient than Gemma was accustomed. Also, she valued the rapport that she and her mother normally had enjoyed and didn't want to exact any more stress than was necessary. Her brother Jimmy was quite thrilled when it was explained to him in detail that he would be having a cousin, too.

            Ann did her best to answer all of Gemma’s questions besides those which she felt could best be answered by her mother.

            However, Ann did manage to persuade Joan to give her eldest child the trust required for Gemma to care for the two youngest while the two expectant mothers went on their monthly outing, while visiting with doctor Collins and having lunch, and a day to themselves in Cortez.

            There began to be a great deal of excitement in southwestern Colorado, over the coming turn of the century. Some people of the began to realize that they no longer would be referring to a century which was said to be in the teens, but to one which would be called the twentieth.

            It wasn't until after the first of the year that this simple fact had occurred to some people. Besides that, the Montezuma Journal had released a special issue of the Cortez newspaper on December 31, 1896 announcing the coming turn of the century and asking the public, "WHAT SHOULD BE DONE TO CELEBRATE THIS MOMENTOUS OCCASION?".

            The proliferation of holidays and the lack of their pedestrian concerns had granted most folks time enough with which to ponder a broader scope of view. And, the thought that in less than three years they should be waking up to the year nineteen hundred was quite astounding to those who always had boldly marched forward as people living in the 1800's.

            Actually, the truth was that the twentieth century would not begin until the first day of January, 1901.

            But, the thought of the expanded designation on their calendars made it correct as far as those most enthused were concerned.

            The county government in Cortez held a special meeting to discuss the celebration of the coming event, three years hence.

            Sheriff Pruitt lamented their decisions. He felt the most which could come of it all were a dozen or so bullet holes in the ceilings of the saloons and other buildings of the county seat and perhaps a few broken widows, not to mention at Mancos and Dolores. And, the public endangerment that such an outlandishly broad forum as a turn of the century celebration organized by the county government could go well beyond his abilities to control.

            There was none who would debate for, or even against, the sheriff's speech of protest.

            The owner and editor of the newspaper finally offered to write a column on gun safety, to be published on December the first of 1899, which broke the uncomfortable din of silence which had come over the group. This was all that had become of the sheriff's speech, that night anyway.

   Almost Like Another Life

                                                                                                                 February 15, 1897

            Time really had begun to fly for the Evans family as they commenced to broaden their horizons in every facet of their lives.

            For the first couple of months, Joan had done all she could to help Ann accomplish the everyday functions of keeping house, raising Jimmy, and caring for Jenny. But, in the course of time and her pregnancy, she had found there was less and less that she would be able to do to help.This fourth child had become a rather difficult pregnancy for Joan.

            Her carriage of her expected child was thought to have become even more difficult due to her reaction when she first decided to build a new house and was trying to oversee clearing out some of the aspen trees to the northeast of the cabin.

            The simple fact of the matter was that Joan had become over-tired and found a place where she could sit. She’d fallen asleep and was suddenly awaken by a tree felled only fifteen yards from her.

            The shock of her having been so abruptly awaken had caused a slight nervous condition to develop and Ann had her work cut out for her to prevent Joan from discontinuing construction on the house, right then and there.

            As soon as Ann was confident that Joan wasn't going to tell the workmen to vacate the property, she saddled a horse and rode into Cortez to get the doctor.

            Upon her return with Dr. Tim Collins, Ann found Joan sitting out on the porch calling out instructions to the workmen with a makeshift megaphone.

            As they rode up the lane, they had seen her the moment she’d hollered out to one of the men, "You there! The one with the hat! Would you please try to clear off some of that brush from my field of view?"

            Ann almost cried and suppressed it by looking back over her shoulder to the doctor and telling him, "At least she's not told them all to pack it in".

            Doctor Collins looked up to the sky, shook his head, and said, "Oh, saints be praised she is seated in a chair".

            They both smiled and had to laugh when they heard another tree crash to the ground and saw Joan plugging her ears with a shoulder and a hand, taking the megaphone up to her lips, and shouting out, "Well done, that man. We shall stack that one with the rest, east of the work shed, please. Thank you".

            The furthest workmen down the lane tried, very poorly to imitate her accent. "Owh, wae sholl, sholl wae?"

Upon his recognition of Ann, the workman turned as white as a ghost, thinking that perhaps he may be dismissed on the spot.

            Ann felt for the man. She had to grin and said, "Quite difficult to bear. Isn't she?"

            The other workman who held the opposite end of the saw burst out in a very loud fit of laughter at his partner, who shook his head and made an attempt to continue to saw the tree, unassisted.

            Just then, Joan sighted the two people approaching on horse-back. She called out to them. "I found that it was the noise which had bothered me in the first place."

            She turned towards the cabin door and called in, "Put the kettle on. We've got company", as though there were someone there who could actually do so.

            Suddenly, Joan appeared quite alarmed, got herself up out of the chair, and went into the cabin to prevent Jimmy from trying to carry out her order. "I was only joking, love. Here, I'll get that for you. That's a good boy. Thank you very much, Jimmy."

            As Timothy and Ann came within two or three hundred feet of the cabin, they were a little startled when Joan emerged from the cabin door with her megaphone and shouted, "You men, fell your trees and we shall take this up again, tomorrow. And, thank you, men. Thank you, very much".

            You could hear the sound of the sawing rising up until it echoed, as they doubled their efforts. They had only been working there for about six hours but, apparently, Joan had made it seem quite a bit longer.

            Ann and the doctor had to hold back a chuckle, noticing an audible sigh of relief that rose up as a chorus from the men which could be heard above the sound of the two saws, cross cutting the trees.

            The doctor and Ann both had no doubt as to what the sighs meant and why.

            Ann dismounted and strolled up towards her sister. "You are going to get a reputation, young lady. Put that whip down and seek counsel from the good doctor, Joan love. He's had a long ride and will need for you to pay attention."

            "Very well. I only need to have quick word with our workmen." One of the trees came crashing down and Joan appeared to be some- what aggravated. "I do wish that they would call out timber, or something."

            She held a bank pouch and was examining its contents when her sister and the doctor stepped up onto the porch. She smiled at him and said, "Good afternoon, doctor Collins. I shall be with you, momentarily.

            "Ann, will you please see that our friend, the good doctor, is seated comfortably and has some tea or coffee, while I give the men a little incentive to encourage their return, tomorrow. I must assure them that now that proper access and view have been provided, my supervision will no longer be requisite".

            She set her megaphone down onto the chair as the last tree began to crack and held her ears closed with both hands. The tree crashed to the earth with a roar, followed by several echoing reverberations, and then a pleasant silence.

            Joan retrieved her megaphone, made of cardboard from one of the packages that Harold had sent, and used it again to call the workmen up to the front porch. "Now, as you men know, I have very much appreciated your cooperation."

            The men all were grouping themselves in front of the porch and making gestures indicating their impatience with her details and annoying megaphone, all of them, looking up to the sky and sighing, arduously.

            Joan put down the megaphone. "Unfortunately, I shall not be able to oversee further development on the landscaping project. You have the plans and I am very confident that you shall be able to perform adeptly and with my eye for aesthetic discernment as you are now experienced with my taste and sense of priority. Here is a bonus for each of you, for having tolerated my constant nitpicking and interference."

            As she handed one of the men a stack of dollar bills, she said, "Each of you may have one of these, every day, provided that he is on time and I am pleased with your progress as a whole. Agreed?".

            The men returned with a chorus of, "Yes, ma'am.", and, "Thank you, ma'am".

            Joan smiled warmly and said, "You deserve this and you are very welcome. Now, if you will pardon me, I must attend to my company. Thank you, again".

            There was a jumble of gratitude and one man even said he would be there earlier tomorrow.

            Joan nodded a few times with appreciation, turned herself, and walked into the cabin.

            Jimmy had taken Joan's new silver service tray, set it over onto the table, and was starting to make jelly sandwiches by the time Ann had noticed he finally was no longer right in the middle of their conversation.

            Ann quickly stood and began to say his name when Joan went straight into the kitchen and started to slice bread for him. Suddenly, she stopped in the middle of cutting the first slice and asked him who it was that had asked him to serve sandwiches.

            Only then did he realize he hadn't been successful in attaining the permission to which he had promised to pursue, several times, before. His face slowly dropped out of sight.

            "Are you going to promise me one more time that you're not going to take it upon yourself to . . ." Joan was suddenly interrupted by his plea for her continued trust.

            "I will. I promise. Next time, I'm going to ask." Jimmy implored with a horrible whine to his voice.

            "Jimmy, dearest. I am afraid that it just isn't good enough for you to promise me, once again." She took what was left of the jar of jam into the doctor and gave it to him. Smiling, she asked, "Would you like a jar of cherry preserves, Dr. Collins?".

            Joan winked and turned to Jimmy to intimate that it was for his good. "The Carlson's make this jam, every year. It's really quite good. I would rather remove the temptation from Jimmy to, again, break a promise that he has made to me, several times."

            Tim Collins was at first somewhat hesitant. He finally responded. "Thank you, kindly. Mmm! Cherry preserves. My favorite. I have only six jars of cherry preserves. I hope this is not the extent of your payment of my fee. You wouldn't happen to have a lid for this jar and perhaps a dish towel, with which to clean it off?"

            Ann went into the kitchen, wetted a clean wash cloth, and brought it into the doctor.

            Joan took her son into her room to have a quiet word, or shall we simply say, to get him quieted down as doctor Collins spoke quietly to Ann.

            He told her that from what he had just seen take place he felt no need for him to make a formal examination of Joan's nervous condition. "I feel that the best which can be done, at this point, is for Joan to take the family, and yourself, of course, to a place that has a warmer climate and is away from worries and so much noise." He finished cleaning the jar of cherry jam and handed the dish cloth to her as Joan quietly came through the door.

            "Mrs. Evans." The doctor quickly turned on his finest charm which Joan always seemed to inspire. "I've almost forgotten what a beautiful creature with which the Good Lord has blessed us. You're a sight that could heal the greatest of ailments. Truly, a glory to behold. I just wish I had that in a bottle." He had stood and bowed himself politely.

            Joan was, at first, slightly disarmed and finally said, "What a lovely thing for you to say. Actually, I feel just a bit fat and unattractive, if truth were known".

            Ann had returned from the kitchen, stood near the fireplace, and began to offer a few pleased looks and nods to indicate her appreciation of the doctor's polite comments. She had intended on signifying her approval of that which she knew to be the doctor's wise counsel, when the fire made her uncomfortable and she had to turn and sit on Gemma's bed.

            Both Joan and the doctor had been looking at Ann, waiting for her to either move or burst into flames. When she finally shifted her position. The resultant relief brought the doctor back to his purpose.

            "Mrs. Evans, this place is much too small for a growing family such as your own. I hope that you won't feel I am taking too much liberty or exceeding the bounds of my position as your physician to suggest a change of scene while your house is being constructed."

            The doctor paused momentarily to judge her complacency.

            "I happen to know a middle aged construction supervisor, named Joseph Brighton, who is in need of such a position whom, I am quite certain, can be trusted to do an excellent job, overseeing every phase of its construction, from start to finish. As a matter of fact, he is the man who built the house in which I now reside."

            Joan set her head on her hand and rubbed the back of her neck. She was shaking off the stress of having heard something which was a truth so obvious and subtle that if she had sat down and thought about it she may have arrived at the same sort of conclusion.

            "I know what it is that you are saying, doctor Collins", Joan began. "The pressure has begun to effect all of us, in one way or another."

            Ann took the occasion to interject. "I have heard of a place, called Anaheim beach, in California. People say it is quite good for getting way from cold weather. And we could go to Los Angeles to shop, on occasion."

            "But are there suitable places which we could stay for any length of time?" Joan was skeptical, not wanting to jump into the water before knowing what lay on the bottom.

            "It certainly is something which would require some planning." Ann said.

            The doctor turned his attention back to Joan. "But, what do you think about leaving the building of your house in the hands of a complete stranger?"

            "I wouldn't leave a complete stranger to do it", she said. "It would be necessary for me to go over the plans, which I've drawn up for the house, with your Joseph Brighton, until he was thoroughly familiar with every square inch. By then, I should have grown to know him quite well, wouldn't you think? Besides, we will likely only be gone a couple of months."

            The doctor became uncomfortable and leaned forward until he put his hands on his knees. "Joan, I was hoping that you might try to stay long enough for the roof to be completed. That would be what I should advise."

            "That sounds quite lovely, doctor Collins. But you see, Ann's husband is due to visit, well before the end of april. We simply must not allow that to go by, mustn't we?" A Profitable Venture

            Meanwhile, Gemma was at the train station loading the buck-board with a shipment of tea her mother had imported from Kenya for herself, McIntyre's Dry Goods, and a food merchant in Cortez.

            Joan had become disgusted with the trite variety available and had decided to utilize one of Harold's contacts in New York City.

            This was her first purchase of tea after a great success with some coffee they had brought in from Kenya, early in January.

            The freight wagon, which was due to ferry the parcel of tea for Gordon's grocery in Cortez, was late and Gemma had to separate the three parcels of tea by herself. If it hadn't been for the owner of the train station offering her a larger knife there might have been tea all over the place. Instead, there only was only one or two ounces lost in the back of the wagon which she had managed to sweep up with her hands and save in a little tin that she used to keep some of her school supplies.

            After she had taken the package to McIntyre's Dry Goods, Gemma noticed that she reeked of the exotic tea.

            The weight of the two pound parcel, meant for their use, was shy of about three ounces and she was rather afraid her mother would be angry with her, when she brought home a package containing only thirty-three ounces of tea. She had forgotten the more than two ounces in her pencil box.

            She had taken the money from Sheridan McIntyre, put it in the money pouch, and almost stumbled out to the wagon, looking rather ill from fright.

            She normally entertained herself while driving home by imagining what it would be like, living in their new house. But today, her in trepidation was delineated by worries of her accountability.

            She tried to tell herself that she had done the best that she could, but it didn't seem to help much.

            Soon, Gemma was riding up the lane to their cabin.

            She stopped and spoke to the doctor briefly as he was riding out, shook the reigns, and shouted, "Hyah!", as she had been instructed by Kib.

            He had been giving her driving lessons, after school, and people had begun to notice her skill and perception increasing at an amazing rate.

            Gemma wasn't really aware that these skills had become second nature until she had begun to carry a bucket of oats out to the horses after stabling them both and brushing them down, without batting an eye nor complaining to herself about the work involved. She even had unsaddled the other, without a second thought.

            She was thinking about how nice it was to have had a new stable built for the horses, when it occurred to her that she hadn't been as afraid to back the wagon into their new wagon shed after coming home from school, as she usually was.

            She sensed a feeling of great accomplishment and had forgotten all about the short weight of their tea package until her mother came around the corner and asked if McIntyre had given her the correct amount for his parcel of tea.

            "Mister Gordon has said that he would be sending his payment in the mail." Joan began to look at her daughter more closely. "However, I shall need the five dollars from McIntyre's. Isn't that what it was? His order was for twenty pounds. Wasn’t it?" She tilted her head with a slight playful curiosity.

            "Well, I'm not quite sure, mother." Gemma was squinting her eyes and her left hand was holding on to her right forefinger. "You see, I was worried that you might be angry with me as our package was quite short of weight. I wasn't paying enough attention. I tried to see that our customers were given at least for that which they were paying."

            "What is all this tea on the floor of this wagon?" Joan had picked up her package and was running her hand all over the back of the buckboard. "Didn't John cut these parcels up for you?"

"No. He was quite late and I thought that I could do it just as well."

            Her mother smiled and said, "So, you cut up all that tea, here in the back of our wagon? You didn't give them any that which you got off from the deck of the wagon, did you? You do realize that it was for sale to the public. And, how on earth did you weigh the stuff? I do hope they were given a far amount". She had begun to have a difficult time to keep from laughing.

            "Oh, they were given a far amount. I made sure of that. The station master allowed me to use the scales he uses for the mail and I made absolutely sure that Gordon's received their three pounds." Her mother's demeanor had given Gemma cause to relax and she took the books, her slate, and the pencil box from the front of the wagon. "McIntyre's package was too heavy for the scales which is used to weigh the mail, so I had to go in to the station and use the luggage scales."

            "Very well, then. Did McIntyre give you any money at all?"

            Gemma had found the five-dollar bill in her notebook and handed it to Joan. During which, she took her pencil box in hand and noticed it was a little weightier than usual. There suddenly was a big grin which appeared on her face that seemed to overcome her whole being.

            Gemma was hardly able to contain her emotions, but finally managed to utter, "Well, I do believe I have found our missing tea".

            She maladroitly set her books back onto the wagon bed and her laughter became a tearful weeping. As she advanced a few steps, her mother took the young lady into her arms and they cried together for her former angst.

            Joan's intentions were to create a little enterprise for which Gemma would be responsible in order to provide a means that she could learn the trade of importing exotic materials and goods which were unusual yet, hopefully, could become popular in their sort of out of the way territory.

            Little had Joan realized that coffee and tea of this particular sort were only novelties in this part of the country and that, in order for her daughter to develop a going concern, she might have to travel extensively and supply the larger cities in the southwestern region of the United States.

            Although, at this stage of the game it was a good tool for Gemma to learn the rules and practice of such a profitable trade.

            Doctor Collins' idea for the Evans family to take an extended holiday was very well received by everyone involved.

            The workmen were certainly relieved that they would ultimately be working with an experienced construction foreman. Ann was delighted and the children were equally enthused.

            Jimmy hadn't stopped talking about the Pacific Ocean once it had been described, or at least explained to him. Although, it was depicted by those never having seen it who, themselves, had their own illusions and enigmatic images.

            He had been terrified by Atlantic when Gemma had told him about their having come across from Wales to the north American eastern seaboard. Her stories and descriptions were just a bit too graphic, vivid, and slightly exaggerated. Apparently, she had been trying to see how much Jimmy remembered about Nantucket Island. When he had learned that the name of the Pacific meant peaceful and that it was relatively more tranquil and serene than that which had become known to the British as "the Pond", he was quite eager to vacation on the Californian shore.

            However, Joan was a bit more intimidated by the anticipation of making such a commitment once she had begun to plan the trip and see to each detail, although her sister helped a great deal.

            Ann was much more used to the idea of having control over large sums of money and was better acquainted with anticipating expenses and estimating costs than Joan had ever thought to have had any need. Ann was also a slightly more self-confident person than was her younger sister.

            Ben always would take care of those kinds of matters and had left housekeeping, cooking, and child rearing to Joan, as a matter of course.

            Now Joan would be responsible for the well being of the lives of her family and was inexorably appreciative of her sister's input, more than she ever had been.

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