Wanted: Gravedigger

by Christine Sterling

  Dawson paid the horse fee, so now it appeared that Mr. Clemmons was a bank robber, a swindler, an embezzler, and a horse thief. Any one of those were hanging offenses. Not that Dawson was in favor of anyone being hurt, but he would like to see Clemmons hanging from a rope.

  Plus, dealing with this was taking time away from his task at hand – to finish burying the bodies that were coming up every day from the mine. Will and Zhang handled most of the day to day supervision, which allowed Dawson the freedom to deal with his family matters.

  They were working on the fifth and sixth graves. The fourth grave was almost full of the linen bags. There hadn’t been any more accidents with the quicklime and Dawson was extremely grateful. Everyone appeared to be taking the necessary precautions, so no one would get hurt.

  His biggest concern was that Clemmons would come back in town and try his antics again.

  Chapter 9

  February 1900

  Tess’s back was starting to ache, and she couldn’t remember the last time she had seen her feet. She was going stir-crazy inside the house. Today she was going to go see Hattie for a follow-up on her pregnancy. She didn’t understand. She had been reading books where the woman glowed while in her delicate state. They moved easily, unencumbered by the swelling in their belly. They still ate like a bird and rested in bed, surrounded by the people who took care of them.

  Not Tess. She didn’t feel delicate or glowing or even moveable. Her hair had grown longer, which meant the bun on her head was heavier. Her belly put her balance off center and she was now starting to waddle.

  Her boots didn’t fit her anymore, so she had resorted to wearing slippers, which were fine for indoors. Not so much for walking on the icy sidewalks.

  And that glow? Tess was convinced she was going to die of mortification as she perspired her clothes every day. Poor Milam didn’t say anything, she just simply washed them and put them back in her room once they were dry.

  Thank goodness for the Pastime hand-powered tub that made the job easier. Tess knew the machine would definitely pay for itself once she started washing nappies. It would be much easier than washing them by hand.

  She called to Milam and the woman appeared shortly.

  “Yes, Miss Tess?”

  “Can you help me get on my boots? Dawson left, and I didn’t think to ask him to help.”

  “Are you going to get those feet in those boots?”

  “I don’t have any other shoes. What do you suggest?”

  “I suggest you get a pair from the mercantile on your way home. I’ll be right back.” Tess watched Milam disappear. She flopped back on the bed and placed her hand over her eyes. When did things become so hard?

  Milam appeared a few moments later and placed a pair of boots on the floor. “These belonged to my Kitch. He shore was a good man. I think they should fit you, we just need an extra pair of socks.”

  “They’re in the drawer over there,” Tess pointed.

  Milam grabbed two pairs of socks and rolled them over Tess’s feet. You may want to ask Doc Hattie about the swelling.”

  “I’ll be sure to do that.” Milam quickly tied up the boots and Tess stood. They were a bit bigger than what she should wear, but with the extra socks they fit nicely.

  It was just a few minutes’ walk to the apothecary. Hattie already had ginger and lemon tea brewing. She dried lemons during the summer and stored them in a large glass jar under the counter.

  The lemons went into many of her teas, but Tess found she liked them best when they were floating in a cup of hot water with a few slices of ginger.

  “Let’s visit for a bit before our appointment,” she said, sitting down on the couch in the waiting area. Tess sank into the cushion next to her.

  “Where’s Anna?” Hattie could be found with her newborn daughter wrapped around her waist. Tess was looking forward to seeing her today.

  “Lacy Lou has her next door. I had so many appointments today and they had a light load, so she volunteered to watch her for me for a few hours.

  Tess tried not to let her disappointment show and took a sip of her tea.

  “How is Momma? Robert and Chelsea have been keeping me apprised of her progress.”

  Tess placed her cup back on the saucer. “I think she is having a difficult time. She appears agitated one moment and then completely alright the next. Then the next moment she has the worse case of melancholy. I don’t know what to do for her. Since she lost her fortune, she seems, well, lost.”

  “What are you thinking?”

  “I am thinking I am tired of being her caregiver. I can’t leave her alone for a minute. The only time I get a respite is when I’m sleeping or going to appointments. I’ve even asked Milam if I can do the laundry, just so I can have a break. I think those months alone with Momma really got to her. The upside is she is helping me sew burial bags. I think it gives her something to occupy her mind with.”

  “Did they ever get the thing in New Harbor resolved?”

  “I know Dawson got some of the money back, but it is nowhere near the amount she had. If she economizes, she should be alright. I tried to talk her into selling the house. There are so many families coming to Silverpines now, that I’m sure someone would purchase it.”

  “How does Momma feel about that?” Hattie took a sip of her tea then added another dollop of honey to it. Hattie did have a love for sweet tea.

  “She insists that she can’t sell the house. I tell you Hattie, I just don’t know what to do.”

  Hattie sat in silence. Tess could tell she was thinking. “I don’t have an answer for you right now, but I’ll think about it and let you know when I come up with an answer.”

  The door to the shop rang and Chelsea stormed in, slamming her hand down on the counter. “That man is absolutely insufferable.”

  “Which man?” Hattie asked.

  “Brawny Winters. You know he just asked me to marry him? As if I would do that after what he said.”

  “What did he say?” asked Tess. She had never seen the young doctor like this. Her eyes were flaming, and her cheeks were flushed with anger. It clashed with her beautiful red hair that was falling out of the twist on top of her head.

  “He said he felt obliged to marry me. He was afraid for my reputation after he heard gossip in town about my being stuck at his mother’s house. I was caring for a patient, for pity’s sake, not consorting in the snow.”

  “It doesn’t sound unreasonable. Perhaps it could work,” Hattie replied coyly.

  “Arrrrgh! I came over here because I thought you would see it my way.” She poured herself a cup of tea from the pot and added a bit of honey before taking a sip. “That is lovely.” She took another sip. “He really is a cad you know.” One more sip. “It is a shame he is such a handsome one. His eyepatch makes him look… dashing.”

  Tess giggled, and Hattie joined in. Chelsea tried to feign indignation but eventually ended up laughing as well. “You know it would serve him right if I married him. I don’t think he knows what he would be getting with me as his wife.”

  “Marry for love, Chelsea. It makes all the difference,” Hattie’s wise words echoed throughout the room.

  “I wouldn’t marry for anything less.”

  “Milam! Get the doctor!”

  Milam didn’t answer. Tess ran into the hallway and called her again. “Milam!”

  She finally appeared from upstairs, rushing down the steps towards Tess. “What is it? I was changing Mrs. Daniels’ sheets.”

  “She’s unconscious, run and get the doctor! Quickly. Then see if you can find Dawson.”

  Milam didn’t even bother putting on a coat, she simply raced out the door and down the road.

  Tess rushed back to her Momma’s side. She was still unconscious, and the color was draining from her face. Tess placed her head against her Momma’s chest. She could hear a heartbeat. It was there, but faint. Her Momma was still alive.

  A few minutes later Chelsea ran into the room with her bag
in tow and Milam on her heels. Milam must have had wings on her feet to get her here so quickly. “Milam found me coming home from seeing Fannie Pearl. I came right over.”

  “Where’s Dawson?”

  “I sent one of the Cutler children to go fetch him.” She pulled out a stethoscope and placed it against Charlotte’s chest. “Her heart is strong. That is what I want to hear. What do you know?”

  “I came in the room and found her on the floor.” Tess picked up an empty bottle and handed it to Chelsea. “This was on the floor beside her. I don’t know how much was in it.”

  “Let’s just assume it was full and go with that. This is laudanum. Too much at one time will kill her. I need to get her stomach empty.” She rummaged through her bag and found a small brown bottle and a syringe without a needle. “Milam, I’m going to need you to help me. Help me get her up in a sitting position.”

  Milam lifted Charlotte by the shoulders and held her in place. “What is that?” Tess asked.

  “It will make her retch her stomach contents.” She drew a dose and forced Charlotte’s mouth open, placing the liquid as far back in her throat as possible.” Tess quickly got up and ran to the kitchen to get a bowl. She could hear the sounds of Charlotte struggling against the two women.

  Tess quickly ran in and handed the bowl to Milam who held it in place. Whatever Chelsea gave her was starting to work.

  Tess ran out of the room and down the hall, so she didn’t have to hear the terrible sound. Her throat burned, and she couldn’t see. She found the chair near the front door by feeling for it.

  Dawson came rushing in through the door. It was apparent he had been running. He ran right past her.

  “Dawson,” Tess called, and he turned, quickly coming to kneel before her.

  “What happened, Honeybee? Ryder came running to get me. Is the baby alright?” Tess couldn’t speak, she took ragged breaths between sobs. Dawson appeared frantic. “Calm down and talk to me, Honeybee. I love you. Whatever it is we will work through it together.”

  Chelsea appeared in the hallway. “She’s alright now. Tess, why don’t you come and speak to your momma and I’ll fill Dawson in on what happened.” Tess nodded and gave Dawson a quick kiss on the cheek before walking down to see her mother.

  Charlotte sat up on the floor crying in muffled sobs as she held a handkerchief to her lips. “Oh Theresa. How can you ever forgive me?”

  “I don’t know if I’m able to right now. I don’t judge you, that is up to God. But I just don’t know if I can forgive you right now.”

  Dawson came into the room. “How dare you! How dare you do this to yourself and to us. You are making your daughter sick with worry. She has already given up everything to take care of you and this is how you thank her?”

  “I know,” Charlotte whispered. “I only wanted one sip.”

  “Where did you even find it?” Dawson demanded.

  “It was under my dressing table upstairs. I forgot all about it until this morning when I found the bottle.”

  “I don’t think she can fight this alone,” Chelsea said. “My recommendation is that we send her to Wickwell Springs.”

  Charlotte cried harder. “I don’t want to go away.”

  “I know it is a few hours away, but it might be best for you to go and rest with people that can care for you around the clock.”

  “I really don’t want to send her to an asylum,” Tess said. “I’ve heard horrible stories about the care there. I don’t want this turning her into a lunatic or something worse. What can we do, Dawson?” Tess was crying heavily now. “I can’t lose my Momma.”

  Dawson held his wife as she cried. “I know just the man who can help us.”

  Will came to the house at Dawson’s request. He held Harris Daniels’ bible in his hand, hoping that Mrs. Daniels would find some comfort in it. There was a list in the back of all the qualities Harris loved about his wife. Even though she was feeling very unlovable, perhaps he could share this list with her and help turn that around.

  The years of fighting his addiction to laudanum hadn’t been easy. They had been the hardest of his life. But now he had hope. He had friends and a new place to live. He had moved from the undertaker’s office to the apartment above the medical clinic where Tess and Dawson lived.

  It was nice having a warm bed and a stove. He enjoyed going home to his apartment every day. The money he earned allowed him to buy a new winter coat and leather gloves. Tess knitted him a hat and a scarf, and he wore those every day with pride.

  He walked up to the house and knocked on the door. He was impressed by the woodwork on the door and the columns. He never lived in a house so grand. He did have a house at one time, but he didn’t want to think about that now. He didn’t want to think about what his addiction took from him, the darkness that consumed him. Yes, he could understand exactly how Mrs. Daniels feels.

  A dark-skinned woman, about his age, opened the door and let him in.

  “They’ve been expecting you. They are in the room on the right.” Will shrugged out of his coat, handed it to the woman and proceeded down the hallway.

  He walked to the door and peered inside the room. It appeared to be ornate, with a touch of simplicity. Books lined the wall, but there wasn’t much else in there other than a few chairs, a settee and several small tables scattered around. The largest piece of furniture was a sideboard.

  Tess saw him and waved him in the room. He thought Dawson had the prettiest wife and she was so kind too, but when his eyes fell on the other woman in the room, the breath was stolen right out of his body.

  She was perhaps the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. She was definitely older than him. Her blonde hair fell in waves around her shoulders and she looked at him with sapphire eyes that appeared larger because she had been crying. The tears caused her cheeks to be pinkened and they matched her full lips. Will swallowed before clearing his throat and entering the room.

  He greeted Tess and then turned to the vision before him. “Mrs. Daniels, my name is Will Tuckering. Tess and Dawson asked me to stop by. I may be able to help you.”

  Dawson had heard murmurings that Mr. Clemmons was back in town. He had been seen walking the street, trying to blend in. Will was the first one who noticed him, as Mr. Clemmons was acting very peculiar. He was walking through alleyways and checking to see if anyone was looking before dashing on his toes over to the next alleyway.

  As there were very few rich widows left in town, Dawson knew it was just a matter of time before Clemmons tried to contact Charlotte again. And when he did, Dawson would be waiting for him.

  That time came sooner than he thought.

  Not even two nights later Dawson saw Mr. Clemmons go to the front door to speak to Milam. Dawson had told her exactly what to say if he should show up. Milam must have done what he said because Mr. Clemmons gave an exaggerated bow and jaunted down the stairs before dashing in the nearest alley.

  “What was that about, Milam?” Dawson said, when he arrived at the front door. He followed Milam into the house and shut the door, looking out through the side window to see if he could still see Clemmons.

  “He wants to see Mrs. Daniels.”

  “What did you tell him?”

  “I said she was asleep and to come back in an hour.”

  Dawson nodded. “Do you think he will?”

  “He said he was.”

  “Good job, Milam.” Dawson patted her on the shoulder. “When he shows up, be sure to show our guest into the sitting room. I need to go down and see the marshal.”

  An hour later Dawson was seated in the sitting room. The curtains were closed so the room was encased in darkness. He heard a knock on the door and Milam’s voice in the background. He was glad he had sent Tess and her momma to the apartment. They would be safe there.

  The sound of footsteps reverberated against the hard wood floors. They stopped outside the room and then the door slowly opened. Dawson could see him through the light of the hallway.

>   “Charlotte.” He heard the man whisper.

  Dawson struck a match on his boot and lit the lantern on the table next to him. “Come in, Mr. Clemmons. Or should I say Shippenbottom? I’ve been expecting you.”

  Surprise was evident on his face. His eyebrows shot up and his mouth opened. “You!” he growled. He turned and started running for the door. Dawson followed him and saw Alex blocking the criminal’s way. The marshal was pointing his Colt Peacemaker at Clemmons. “I wouldn’t do that if I were you. You are under arrest.”

  “I didn’t do anything,” he protested as Dawson secured him in metal cuffs and Alexzander began to drag him away.

  “You can tell that to Mrs. Daniels, and all the other widows you bilked out of their fortunes,” Dawson replied.

  It was done.

  Chapter 10

  April 15, 1900

  It was an usually warm day for mid-April. Tess shifted on her blanket, leaning back on her palms and lifted her face to allow the spring sun to warm her face. She was happy they only had one snowstorm this winter as her coat no longer fit around her wide girth.

  Tess looked at the folks gathered in the park.

  All of the women that remained in Silverpines were there, along with their new families. The miners that Jeremiah brought in were present, as well as the Chinese workers that helped dig the graves for those who were lost under the earth. Many of the families decided to stay in Silverpines after their project was done.

  The tent village was slowly turning over into small wooden houses and an open market area for goods from the Orient. Hattie was thankful she didn’t have to go to New Harbor to get her herbs and spices, as those herbs and spaces were available in Chinatown.

  Today was the one-year anniversary since the events that had rocked the town. Betsy and Maude coordinated the memorial event with the Ladies’ Council and Tess could see that they had outdone themselves.

  The grandstand was covered in paper chains and pictures (for those families that had one available) of the men and women that died that fateful day. Tables filled with every kind of dessert lined the far edge of the park and picnic baskets were scattered among the blankets placed on the ground.