New Beginnings: Life Changes

Ch.1

While The Cat's Away, The Mice Will Play

(Thank you to everyone who reviewed the wedding chapter of New Beginnings: A Fresh Start. Panda s Eagle thank you for the very kind guest review for A Fresh Start ch. 59. I've seen your reviews before and I appreciate your comments. It's great to know you enjoy the stories. Thank you to Guest who said the story "leaves a warm place in my heart" as that was lovely to hear. Thank you to "Guest" who said it was excellent.)

***A special thank you to Rachel whose museum photos inspired me to include the pulley pantry idea.

Background of the series:

For anyone new to the story or just needing a refresher :-). Ethan Cord is a former gunfighter who took custody of his sister's four young children after her death in 1897. The children were raised moving from place to place with their parents traveling theater group in and around St. Louis, Missouri during the late 1800's. Their father was abusive to the children and left his family a year before his wife's death from tuberculosis. He was discovered to have been killed after the children were living with their uncle. Ethan adopted his niece and nephews and three years later adopted a friend's teenage nephew as well. Claire, now 17 and Joseph, now 14 were only twelve and ten when they took over raising their two younger brothers as their mother performed and later suffered from her illness. Claire has been the young lady of the home acting much like the mother of the family. Being new to raising children, Ethan has learned on the job with help from friends. During the last year his son, Ben, suffered through scarlet fever leaving him emotionally younger than his age of ten. Ben, with the help of his family, has progressed to acting more his true age except for times of stress. Most of his early memories are gone and he only remembers his time with Ethan. Ethan has recently married Delphie who is trained as a nurse's helper/midwife and is the sister of the town doctor.

The children are Rob age 17, Claire age 17, Joseph age 14, Ben age 11 and George age 10. The two eldest children have just graduated from a high school type of coursework and entered into a year-long engagement with future spouses Alex Hale age 17 and Cecily Blackstock age 16. Alex is the ward of Ethan's deputy Mitch Williams. His parents live in Boston, Massachusetts, having left Paradise after the death of their young daughter from scarlet fever. Alex wished to stay behind to finish school and to be with Claire. Cecily is the daughter of the couple who now owns and run the town boarding house.

*** As with previous stories in the series, there will be corporal punishment at times. This fits the childrearing ideas of the times.

Life Changes: Ch.1

"Claire?" George asks as he and Ben set the table for breakfast.

"Yes?"

"Why didn't Papa and Mama come home to stay after the wedding? Why did they leave? I thought they were going to sleep here Saturday and go to church with us yesterday."

"Well George, when men and women get married they take a trip alone to spend some time with just each other. Pa and Mama stayed overnight in town after the wedding and caught the six AM train to Denver yesterday. They'll be home in nine days to be with you boys. Until then it's up to us to keep the ranch. You two will continue to do just as you do when Pa is home. You'll do your chores and help out around the house. Rob and Joseph will need you to help them just as I know you will help me. We're going to be busy, boys. We have a special surprise to create before Mama and Pa come home. I'll let Rob explain to you what that is." Claire answers as her older brother walks into the kitchen.

"What surprise, Rob? What are we going to do?" Ben asks.

"I'll tell you while we eat. Where's Joseph? He was not out in the barn."

"I'm here. I was in Pa's room. I was checking once more to see if our idea really will work. I think it will." Joseph explains sliding into his chair as Rob and Claire put the biscuits, jam, pancakes, a platter of bacon, bowls of scrambled eggs and pitchers of milk on the table.

"Joseph! You aren't allowed in Pa's room without his 'mission! You didn't have it because he's not home! So, you are going to be in trouble when he gets home."

"PERmission is the word, Ben. No, I won't be in trouble. He won't even know I was in there." Joseph says passing the biscuits to his younger brother.

"Yes he will 'cause I'll tell him! You are going to be in trouble. Prolally housebound for weeks! You just wait, Joseph. You'll see!"

"Ben," Rob says quietly.

"What?"

"The word is probably not prolally. I'm in charge until the parents return. I gave Joseph permission. Now eat. We have a lot to do this morning." Rob informs the boy.

Watching the boy cross his arms and scowl down at his breakfast, Rob is just about to order him to eat when he hears his name.

"Rob?"

"What is it, George?"

"Pa left Claire and Joseph in charge too. You make it sound as if you are in charge of everyone. That's not true. Not telling the truth is wrong, Rob."

"Excuse me, then. Ben, I should say, Claire, Joseph and I are in charge. Is that better your honor, Judge George?"

"Yes. Much better, sir." George giggles.

"What time are the men coming?" Claire asks.

"About one o'clock. We need to have everything we can move by ourselves out of the rooms by then. We'll leave the table here for now but move the small things out." Rob tells her.

"We can't move that chiffarobe. I tried to slide it and it won't move. I'm not sure about parts of the bed either. The headboard and footboard are thick oak and heavy. I think we can lift the chest and I know we can move the coatrack, the mattress, the clothes and little things. The nightstand is heavy but you and I together can most likely move it."

"Why are you going to take all of Papa's things out of his room? He's not coming back like you said, is he? Did he leave us forever? Do he and Mama don't want us now that they are married?" Ben asks beginning to get teary-eyed.

Looking over at Claire, Rob shakes his head in exasperation. The child can go form bratty to obstinate to tearful in less than five minutes. Then turning to Ben, he explains "It's alright Ben. Pa is coming home, I promise. We are going to fix a better bedroom for him and Delphie. Some of the men from town are coming out to help us expand it and maybe even fix the kitchen better too. What do you think about a bigger kitchen space? We won't trip over each other trying to get the food prepared and served. We won't be having to eat at a crowded table built for four when there are now seven of us either."

"Where's the new table going to come from? We don't have time to send for a new one. It takes weeks to get furniture. Remember when we first moved here, Claire? It took weeks just to get our beds delivered from St. Louis."

"I know, George. I'm surprised you remember as you were not quite six yet back then."

"I remember. We had one big room where you, Joseph, Ben and I slept. At first, we slept on hay mattresses on the floor. You stuffed hay in something and we slept on it. Papa hung a curtain so you could pull it shut when you were dressing. Then we got beds. Ben and I always stayed in one bed. You and Joseph each had your own bed. Will we need a new bed for Mama?" George asks.

Sending Rob a "You take this one" look, Claire just shakes her head.

"No, George. We don't need a new bed. Your Mama will sleep in the same bed as Pa. That's what married people do. Now, hurry up and finish eating. As I said we have a lot to get done this morning." Rob answers.

"But where will we get a new table from? I need to know, Rob."

"We built one, George. Rob and I have already finished it. We're going to get Mr. Delaney to carve a design along the edges of the top. He's going to have it finished by Wednesday or Thursday of this week. You and Ben can help us move the table inside when it's ready." Joseph explains.

"How can we get that big table through the front door? Will we have to take down the door? I don't think Papa will like it if we take off the door, Rob." George asks.

"No, we don't need to take down the door. We have the table in two parts with the legs on each half and then fit it together once it's inside. We've just got to get it finished." Joseph tells him joining the conversation to give Rob a break from the stream of questions.

"Are you building chairs too? We have to sit on benches when other people come or we have to sit at that little table Papa sets up." Ben asks.

"We aren't building any chairs. We have enough chairs. I don't know about the little table and benches, Ben. I would think it might still get used in a large gathering. Now, what's for dessert tonight? After we do all this work, we deserve a big treat. Rob, how about letting us go to town to eat and that way we can have ice cream." Joseph answers changing the subject to something his brothers will be interested in.

"YES, let's do that, Rob." Ben agrees. "Claire will be tired and so will you so you won't have to cook when we eat in town!"

"It's way too early to decide something like that. Let's get these dishes washed and start moving things out of Pa's room. You boys clear the table and put the scraps in the bucket. I'll wash, Joseph and you dry. Claire can be moving clothes already."

"Yes, Boss." Joseph teases as he moves to the sink.

Later that afternoon, Ben is happy to see Chris has brought Aaron and Alyssa. With Caleb there that means more kids to play with.

"HI BEN!" Aaron yells from the wagon as they drive into the yard.

"Aaron, sit down! You don't want to fall under the wagon wheels!" Chris scolds.

"Now before you two race off, here are the rules. You do exactly as the adults and that includes Rob and Claire, tell you to do. If you are asked to help with a job, do it without complaint. We may not need you for everything but let's go find out, shall we?"

"Yes, Papa. We want to help." Alyssa replies.

"Hello Rob, what can we do to help? The children are here to help as well."

"Hi everyone. We need the kids to move the dishes and pots from the kitchen. Claire has sheets spread out over by the garden. We planned to put everything there."

"Kids, go report to Claire and do as she says." Chris directs his children.

"Hi, Ben. Are we going to get to play at all or just work?" Aaron asks quietly as he walks up to his friend.

"I don't know. So far all we've done is work. We had to help move furniture and other things. Did you know the men who came already have torn down the walls inside? They've made no walls around Pa's and Claire's bedrooms."

"Claire's room was behind the kitchen. Mr. Blackstock says we should add a top floor to the house. He says it's easy and they can do it in a few days. Rob is thinking it over."

"Would you have a room upstairs then? I wouldn't want to have to climb stairs. It's too far from the W.C. and the kitchen." Aaron tells him.

"Hmm, yes. I hadn't thought of that. I'll keep my room downstairs and everybody else can go upstairs." Ben answers as they walk up the front steps.

"Here you are boys, this is the last of the cooking pots. Alyssa, please take this platter and put it with the dishes. After that everyone come back and we'll have cookies before we start moving the pantry." Claire instructs the children.

"Are we going to move the food outside too? I heard one of the men say we were moving everything out of the kitchen." Caleb asks as he accepts his large pot to carry.

"I don't believe that will be a good idea, Caleb. I'm afraid Pepper, Shadow, Ginger, and the other animals might decide to serve themselves if we leave our food outside. I don't want them to have a picnic with our supplies. We'll have to move it into the cellar for now." Claire answers as the kids all giggle at the thought of the animals having a picnic.

"Do you think the chickens would eat eggs? I know dogs do from when Pepper ate up the Easter eggs." Aaron asks George.

"I don't think they would since hens lay eggs. They'd eat our oats though and peck at the rest. Pepper and the cats would eat the meat if there was any and put their noses in the cream, butter, and milk."

"Ginger and Shadow love cream and milk. They will drink right from the cows. We can be milking and shoot a stream at the cats and they catch it in their mouths!" Ben informs his friends.

"Claire? Are we done for now? Can we go play, please?" Ben asks.

"Yes, but don't wander off. Stay where you can hear one of us call if we need you. Also, remember the barn and yard rules boys. Alyssa, you go with them, sweetie. I don't need any more help right now so go enjoy the pretty day."

"Let's go outside!" Ben calls leading the dash for freedom.

"Rob, Joseph, Claire, come into the front room so I can discuss some ideas with you." Mr. Blackstock requests watching as the children play chase in the front yard.

"Mrs. Blackstock sent along an idea for your new kitchen. I wanted to share it with you three to see if you would like to have one installed. Claire, have you ever seen a pulley pantry?"

"No, sir."

"It's a contraption to use for keeping dairy goods and other perishables handy and safe. It's designed to be lowered from the kitchen into the tin box which is built on the floor of the cellar but stretches up to right below the opening in the floor. The shelving unit fits inside this box. What you do is put your things on the shelves, close the container and then lower it down into the cellar. When you need something you just pull it back up."

"How tall would this be?" Joseph asks looking at the drawing of a four shelf unit.

"I suppose that depends on how many shelves you would want. It could be anywhere from four to six feet. We'd have to have the tinsmith make it from galvanized tin. The shelves wouldn't be much bigger than a standard size cooking pot or bowl."

"So we'd cut a hole through the floor then?" Joseph asks. "I don't know if Pa would want us to cut into the floor that way. What do you think?" He asks Rob who has been studying the design.

"Yes, we would cut into the floor but the tin chute would be attached to the floor. We'd make a special space with the pulley system just for this. It doesn't take much room."

"Claire? Is this useful? Would it be something we need do you think?" Rob asks not answering his brother as he continues to think.

"It would be nice to have. We wouldn't be climbing up and down the stairs to the cellar so often. It would really be wonderful in winter to not have to go outside in the cold. Now we just store things on the shelves down there and risk mice or bugs getting into our dairy products. Having the cats go down and patrol helps some but I still see mice at times. We used to keep extra tin containers and glass jars of milk, cream and butter in a bucket and lower it into the well back before we had a root cellar."

"I say we do it then, Mr. Blackstock. We all seem to be in agreement it is something we can use." Rob confirms as he lays the sketch on the small table they've left inside. His idea to leave the kitchen table where it was had been overruled as they needed room to take down the outside wall as well. The men assured him they would cover the opening with a wagon cover stretched over the opening when they left for the day.

While the adults are busy inside, the children entertain themselves.

"I'm tired of playing chase now. Let's do something else. Can we play in the barn?" Caleb asks George.

"Yes, but we can't play in the lofts or with the horses. We can take turns on the disc swing."

"Hmm, maybe. Let's go see what we can find to do in there."

"What about your bow and your real arrows set? We can take that and play with it." Aaron suggests as they look around the barn.

"I want to swing. George, will you push me?" Alyssa asks.

"Yes, I'll push you and you can do me too." George says following her to the rope swing. "We aren't allowed to use the bow and real arrows without a grown up with us. Remember that, Ben? You better take the wooden pointed ones not the stone arrowheads."

Rolling his eyes and frowning at his brother Ben says "The grown-ups are all too busy to come with us. C'mon boys, let's go play Robin Hood. We'll take turns with the bow and the real arrows. The wooden ones don't work well. We have to move out away from the house though we can't be seen."

"Bennnn, you are going to get in trouble."

"Be quiet, George. No one will know as long as you stay quiet. You will won't you?"

"Yes, but I don't like this at all."

"Stay here and play with Alyssa. We'll be back soon and play something together." Ben tells him as he, Caleb and Aaron walk out the back door.

Helping Alyssa climb up to sit on the round seat of the rope swing he mutters to himself,

"Why do brothers have to be so difficult? I'm not trying to boss him, just keep him out of trouble. If Rob finds out he took those arrows out without him, Ben will get a spanking!"

"Rob spanks you?" Alyssa asks having heard him.

"He doesn't very often but he will when Pa isn't home. This isn't the first time Ben has done this. The last time, he nearly shot Rob in the leg! He got in big trouble for it too."

Twirling around in circles on the wooden rope swing, Alyssa is quiet for a few minutes before asking,

"Do you think your Papa and Miss. Delphie are going to stay gone a long time? My Papa told me all about honeymoons and said the married people stay away from home. I wouldn't want to go to the big city. It's too big and noisy. Horses and buggies and those awfully loud automobiles that try to run over you. Do you like the city, George?"

"I didn't know you'd been to a big city before."

"I haven't but I read in a story in one of our magazines about those automobiles and I remember hearing talk of them. I like where I am. It's quiet and no automobiles here in Paradise. I'm staying here with Papa forever."

"Even when you grow up and get married? Alyssa, you don't live with your Papa when you are old enough to be married. Rob and Claire won't live here when they get married. Claire told me they would be having a home of their own. I don't like it but she said I could come to visit her when she and Alex have their own home. I'm happy that won't be for a long time. Pa said they couldn't get married until a year from now. Rob either. Rob is going to marry Cecily, did you know that?"

"I did know they were going to get married someday. They're always together in town. Where do you think they will live when they don't live here?" Alyssa asks as she climbs off to give George a turn.

"I don't know about Claire and Alex. Maybe they can just live here with us until Alex finds a house. Rob's Uncle Vern had a farm and Rob owns that land now. He's talked some about building a house out there."

"He told your family about wanting to move away? I doubt your Pa would want to hear about him wanting to leave when he's not married."

"Not to Pa about moving away, just he's talked to Joseph and I've heard a few things they've said. He wants to have his own ranch, I guess. He has talked to Pa about that. Pa's not too happy with the idea of Rob trying to run a ranch at his age. Rob has told Pa about how he thinks he should do on this ranch. He thinks we should have cows, not just gentle Army horses. Pa didn't like to hear that either. They've argued some about it. I've heard that too."

"You hear a lot don't you?"

"Yes. I stay quiet and listen and they don't remember I'm there. Ben gets sent away because he won't just listen. It's been a while since the others left. I hope they aren't going too far away. Would your Pa be upset if he knew Aaron was using real arrows?"

"Umm-hmm. He would say that was dangerous. George?"

"What?"

"I'm thirsty and hungry. Can we go inside do you think?"

"They'd ask where everyone else is so we'd best stay here. I can bring you a dipper of water from the well if you'd like."

"I'll wait. I wanted lemonade or strawberry swizzle. Claire is a good cook. I love the swizzle."

"You're so silly. You don't cook drinks. She puts a little vinegar, water, sugar and crushed strawberries in a jar and shakes it up. Then she puts that in a pitcher of a little more vinegar and water and stirs it all together. That's not cooking, that's mixing." George tells her as he spins in circles.

"Hey, guys! We're back. Caleb almost got a rabbit but Ben and I got nothing." Aaron announces as the three boys come into the barn a few minutes later.

"I'm not a guy, Aaron! I'm a girl! I'm also hungry so let's go inside." Alyssa answers her twin as he puts his arrows back in the crate where they are kept.

"Hold on a minute. We have to get the rest of this put up." Ben answers coming in the back door.

"Alright, we have the bow and arrows back where they were and no one can tell we used them. Let's go see if we can have a snack yet." Ben says to the other children gathered around the front doors to the barn.

Walking inside, the children hear "So we would need to raise the roof then? Can we do that without having to take it apart and build a new roof?"

Swapping glances at that news, Ben and George ease closer to the kitchen where the discussion is taking place.

"We can, Rob. Would you be interested in this idea? It will create at least two new rooms up there."

"I like the idea but how much is all of this costing?"

"Now that is not any of your concern young man. I told you already that this expansion project is the town's wedding gift to your parents. We've taken up a collection and many are also going to donate time or materials to get this project finished before your Pa gets home. We are moving fast but it will be done correctly. Claire, Joseph, are you in favor of adding an additional floor to this house?" Mr. Blackstock asks.

"It sure sounds like a lot of work, sir. I like the idea, however. We could use the extra space, I do know that. We're going to have a lot of projects going all at once. The expansion of Pa's room and the kitchen, adding a new covered porch all the way across the front and side of the house, now you're talking about adding a new floor too. That sure sounds like more than we can do in a few days." Joseph speaks up.

"It will get done. I can promise you that." Mr. Blackstock assures them.

"I like the idea as well. This house has been too small for a long time. I think Mama would enjoy a larger home." Claire exclaims before turning to look at her brother. "Rob?"

"Okay, I say let's do it. Joseph and I are good with a hammer and have building skills. We'll both pitch in and help wherever is needed."

"That's great news as we will begin tomorrow right after breakfast. I'll bring six men to work, counting myself. The lumber will be delivered tonight so we'll be ready to begin. You, young people, enjoy the rest of your evening." Mr. Blackstock tells them before heading home.

"Uncle Chris? Uncle Matt?" Joseph asks looking over at the two remaining men. "Do you think we've made a good decision? Will Pa be pleased or angry?"

"Joseph, I think Ethan will be shocked and then pleased. I agree with Claire, this home is too small. I know Delphie will appreciate the extra space. Linnea enjoys our larger bedroom. " Matt answers.

"Ethan will balk at the idea of so many pitching in for a gift but he will accept it. Now, how about we all go to town for supper? You can't cook with all the things spread all over. Would you come, Matt?" Chris asks.

"We'll be delighted, won't we Caleb?" Matt asks turning to look at the group of kids in the entryway. "We'll swing by the house and get your Ma and sisters too. They can use a night out instead of cooking."

"I'm ready now!" Aaron answers as Rob says "We need to get ready, boys."

"I was talking to Ben and George, Sir Aaron. I know you are ready." Rob replies rubbing the boy's hair.

Joseph asks "Do we have the tarp pulled tight enough around the outside wall?" as they gather to load into the wagon.

"It's pulled as tightly as we can get it. I checked a few minutes ago. It's not going to rain and the tarp is around the sides so I'd say we're fine. Would you drive? I'm ready to just ride after all this planning."

"Yes. Everybody in and ready?" Getting a flurry of "Yes, we're ready" in response. Get up there!" Joseph calls to Maggie and Will as he urges the horses into a trot.

"We get to eat in town so that means ICE CREAM!" Ben tells George as they ride.

"Ice cream is only after you eat vegetables and meat, Ben." Claire reminds him from her seat in front of the two in the wagon bed. The wagon now has two seats, one for the driver and a passenger and another behind it.

"Claire?"

"Yes?"

"Someday you're going to be a good Ma. You have had a lot of practice already." Rob calls to her.

"Too much practice. I'm ready to not be one for some time to come." She answers.