An Amish Deception

by J. E. B. Spredemann

  “Your father may have confidence in him, but I do not. Ephraim is irresponsible and not fit to run this ranch. He will run it into the ground and likely leave us all homeless. You are the one who should rightly have it, Jacob. You would be diligent and care for it as you should. I love your father, but he was not thinking straight. We will make sure that you get the inheritance.”

  And that was part of his dilemma. “We will? But how? It still has Ephraim’s name on it.”

  “I want you to change the name on this one and the one in your father’s office when your father and I go out today. Erase your brother’s name from the will and write in your name with a permanent pen. There are only two copies. It is a homemade will, but it would still hold up in court, if ever contested.”

  “Ach, Mamm. I don’t think I can do that. Dat would be upset. And he will likely just tear it up and make a new will.”

  “Nee. I will handle your father. He will agree with me on this, once he sees things as they are.”

  “I feel bad deceiving him like this.”

  “You won’t feel bad if your bruder inherits this land and it falls apart. Ephraim is unwise, He will squander all he is given.”

  “Ach, you are right.”

  “Trust me in this, sohn.”

  “Okay, I will.” But if his father found out. Or worse yet, Ephraim… He didn’t want to think of the consequences. Surely Dat and Ephraim would be upset.

  “As soon as you do, I want you to go to the bank and put it in a safe deposit box. That way, it will not be easily accessible.”

  “Jah, okay.” Jacob blew out a breath.

  Although he felt just in what he was doing, guilt nibbled at him. If for nothing else, at least for usurping Dat’s authority. It was not Jacob’s place to do so and surely would be frowned upon by the leaders. But if even Mamm had agreed, why should he feel guilty? Ephraim had promised after all.

  THREE

  Ephraim thrust the door wide, slamming it against the wall, and came storming out of the haus. “Alright, Jacob, where is it?” he shouted.

  “Where’s what?”

  “Don’t play dumm. You know exactly what I’m referring to.”

  “Can’t say I do.” He scratched his chin.

  “The will.” Ephraim said through gritted teeth. “Where is the will? My inheritance.”

  “Why do you want it now? What are you going to do with it?”

  Was his brother going to do something narrisch, like put the ranch up for sale so he could buy himself a fancy sports car or a motorcycle? Ach, it was a bothersome thought for sure. But he wouldn’t put it past his brother to do something so foolish. What Jacob lacked in hunting prowess, Ephraim lacked in intellect and common sense. Sometimes, Jacob actually felt bad for his older brother.

  “Is that any of your business? No, it is not. Just hand it over, Jacob. I want my inheritance,” Ephraim demanded.

  “Oh. I think you mean my inheritance.”

  “No. Dat promised it to me.”

  “And you promised it to me, remember?”

  “I did no such thing!”

  The liar. “You did. Remember the money I loaned you? The money you never paid back?”

  “You’re still crying about that?”

  “A promise is a promise. I kept up my end. Now you’re keeping yours too. I’ll make an honest man out of you yet.”

  Apparently, Ephraim hadn’t like that answer. “Honest? You stole Dat’s will and my inheritance!”

  Jacob wished he’d seen what was coming next, but it was too late to block his brother’s punch. As he doubled over, his brother charged him full speed ahead and knocked him to the ground, delivering blow after blow. But Jacob was a gut, faithful Amish man. He refused to fight his bruder, but he attempted to protect himself against Ephraim’s fury.

  “Ephraim!” Mamm shrieked as she dropped a basket of laundry on the ground and rushed toward the tumult. “Nee! Jacob!”

  One of their hired hands rushed toward Ephraim and Jacob. He grabbed Ephraim’s suspenders and hoisted him off the ground, separating him from Jacob.

  Jacob moaned and spit dust from his mouth. Ach, he was certain he had some broken ribs at the least.

  “Jacob, you’re hurt!” Mamm cried. “Dear, Gott, let him be okay.”

  At Mamm’s words, Ephraim left off in a sprint toward the barn. A moment later, the sound of tires squealing met their ears.

  Hopefully, Ephraim wouldn’t be back anytime soon. Jacob would pray for that.

  He attempted to rise, but the pain was too great. He sunk back to the ground. His eyes draped shut, seemingly against his will.

  ~

  Beep. Beep. Beep. Beep.

  Jacob startled awake.

  “Shh…lie still, sohn.” He recognized the voice. Dat?

  He slowly took in his surroundings. A thin white blanket covered his body as he lay on a narrow bed with rails on each side. Some sort of device had been strapped to his hand. As he moved it, a sharp pain resulted. That was when he noticed something sticking to the top of his hand. It was connected to a transparent tube with clear liquid inside, that meandered upward to a bag holding the liquid. It hung from a metal stand.

  Images flashed from a television in the corner, but the volume was turned low.

  He gaze flickered to his father, who quietly observed him.

  Jacob sat up. “Ugh…” he moaned as excruciating pain shot through his middle.

  “Nee, sohn. The dokter said you must lie still.”

  Ach, this whole situation was confusing. Was he having a bad dream?

  “What…why am I here? Where am I?” Jacob frowned. He didn’t like this. He wanted to move.

  “You’re at the hospital, sohn. You and your brother had a disagreement.” Dat’s eyes narrowed.

  “A disagreement?”

  “About the will…” Ach, Jacob read the disappointment in Dat’s eyes. He loathed that look, but it was a familiar one. For once, he wished he could gain Dat’s approval. See the same look of admiration and appreciation Dat often bestowed on Jacob’s twin brother.

  “I’m sorry, Dat. I was wrong. If you want to change it back—”

  Dat shook his head. “Nee. What’s done is done. It is Der Herr’s will.”

  Really? Ach, this is not the reaction he’d expected out of Dat.

  “I am disappointed in your trickery, Jacob. Deception does not become you.” He rubbed his chin. “But I can see that this would be best. With your brother’s actions lately…” Dat shook his head.

  Could it be he was disappointed in Ephraim too?

  “Let this…” Dat gestured to the hospital bed. “Be a lesson to you.”

  “Jah, I will.” He swallowed. “Denki, Dat.”

  Dat reached over and squeezed his hand. “Ich liebe dich, sohn.” He stood and walked out of the room.

  Jacob stared after his father, his mouth agape in wonder. That had gone better than he could have ever imagined.

  “Ach, denki, Gott!” he whispered.

  FOUR

  After spending several long days in the hospital, Jacob felt gut to be back in his comfortable log cabin home. The doctor had said it would be many weeks before he completely recovered from some of his injuries, mainly his fractured ribs, but they’d done all they could for him at the hospital. He’d also sustained a concussion and extensive bruising, which were both well on their way to healing.

  Every movement, it seemed, brought pain. He remembered Dat’s words of warning, let this be a lesson to you. And a painful lesson it had been.

  Fortunately, he hadn’t seen Ephraim at all. He guessed his folks likely forbid him to go near Jacob. At least, that was what he hoped. Because if Ephraim came at him now, there’d be no way for him to defend himself.

  Guilt flooded Jacob as he thought of all the work that would fall on Mamm’s and Dat’s shoulders, now that he was laid up. Perhaps Ephraim would be called to step up to the plate more often.

  Which would only fuel his hatred fo
r Jacob. He sighed.

  Jah, he’d been wrong.

  ~

  “Jacob, may I kumm in?” Mamm called to him from the other side of his bedroom door.

  “Jah.”

  She marched in and pulled the door shut.

  Jacob’s brow furrowed. What was so urgent?

  “I found this in your bruder’s things.” She held out a notebook.

  Jacob glanced down at the writing on the page. It appeared to be a journal of some sort. It was clearly his brother Ephraim’s handwriting.

  “Read it.” His mother insisted.

  Ach, he hated to delve into his brother’s personal items. Ephraim was already so upset. But Mamm seemed adamant.

  His eyes focused on the words in front of him.

  I hate Jacob. I’ve hated him ever since we were little and he turned Mamm against me. As soon as Dat passes away, I will see that Jacob gets what he deserves. Maybe sooner yet. He will not get away with what he’s done.

  Jacob frowned, then looked at his mother.

  “He has been very angry lately and only speaks evil of you. I don’t like to even think this, but I suspect he might be planning to do something really bad. Worse than the injuries you’ve just recovered from. Maybe even kill you, Jacob. Nothing good can come of your brother’s anger.”

  Jacob had barely resumed his duties working on the ranch. He despised the prospect of being laid up yet again. Perhaps even worse than his first stint in the hospital. He groaned at the very thought of it.

  “What should I do?”

  “I found this a few days ago. I phoned my cousin in Pennsylvania and she agreed to help you. I’ve also called a driver for you. He will take you to the bus station. The bus will take you close to the community where I grew up, then you can call Jim. He’s one of the family’s drivers. I have a few distant relatives there—they’re related to your Aunt Lucy—and they will take you in.”

  Wait. What? Jacob’s head spun. He had to leave? Pennsylvania? “What about Dat? Does he know? What does he say about this?”

  “He’s in agreement, but he doesn’t know about what Ephraim wrote. He does not want you to find a fraa here. You know how much grief Ephraim’s Englisch maedel has caused us. He doesn’t want the same fate for you. My cousin says there are many nice maed in the community. More maed than young men, so you’ll likely have your pick.” Mamm smiled. “You will find a nice fraa.”

  “But I’ll have to leave you and Dat? I think I might regret changing the will and taking Ephraim’s inheritance. I know that’s mostly why Ephraim hates me so.” He pressed his lips together in a frown. “Maybe we should try to change the will back.”

  “Nee, Jacob. Just let it be. Ephraim will eventually get over himself. He just needs time. Come back after you’ve found a fraa. This ranch belongs to you now. It will be a wonderful gut place to raise your kinner.”

  Jacob swallowed. “Okay, jah. I will do what you think is best, Mamm.”

  “Your father and I are in agreement on this. Der Herr’s hand of blessing will go with you. We will miss you for sure and for certain, but it is time to make your own way. Away from your brother’s threats.”

  “You will keep in touch then?”

  “Jah, I will write you as often as I can. Do not worry about us. We will be fine.”

  FIVE

  Jacob tapped his fingers on his broadfall trousers. Ach, how many more hours until they arrived at their destination? Fortunately, he’d been told this was the final leg of his journey.

  He was ready for this road trip to be over with. He just wanted to get settled into wherever he was going and acclimate to his new surroundings as soon as possible.

  “Wow, look at that sunset! Isn’t it amazing?”

  Jacob angled his head to where his driver motioned. “Jah, it’s nice.”

  “Man, it just makes me wonder what Heaven’s gonna be like. You know?”

  He shrugged, not really feeling the man’s enthusiasm. “I reckon.”

  “I mean, think about it, Jake. If God made this world and all its beauty in six days, just imagine how Heaven’s going to look after He’s been working on it for over two thousand years.”

  Jacob twisted his lips. What was Larry talking about? “Two thousand years?”

  “Yeah. Before Jesus left this earth, He said He was going to prepare a place for His followers. That was over two thousand years ago.” He shook his head, a grin stretched wide across his face. “I can just see myself walking on those streets of gold, talking with Jesus. Man, it’s going to be awesome.”

  This man was talking as though he knew that he was going to be in Heaven. Like it was an already established fact. And he was Englisch. How could this Englischer sound so sure of his place in Heaven and that he would meet Jesus? He drove this fancy worldly vehicle. His clothes were worldly. His music was worldly. His cell phone was worldly.

  Surely, Larry was deceiving himself. His brazen attitude smacked of hochmut. Pride. And it was downright sinful, to Jacob’s thinking.

  “Don’t you agree?”

  Jacob shrugged. “I don’t know about all that.”

  “What do you mean? You’re Amish, right? Don’t Amish follow the Bible?”

  “Jah, we do.”

  “So?”

  “We do not believe a man can know that he is going to Heaven. It is prideful to think that you are good enough. We will not know if we are good enough until we stand in front of Gott.”

  “Is that what you believe?”

  “Well, jah. Hochmut, pride, is a sin, ain’t not?”

  “Jake, I think you’ve misunderstood me. I can never ever be good enough to get to Heaven. I can do all the good works in the world and it will never be enough.”

  “Why not?”

  “Because God said so. That is not how a person gets into Heaven. That’s not the measuring stick God uses. The Bible says ‘Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and the renewing of the Holy Ghost.’ It also says that our righteousnesses are as filthy rags.’

  The driver glanced toward him, likely getting the message that what he’d just said had gone right over his head. “Are you following me?”

  Jacob shook his head. “Nee.”

  Larry explained. “You see, the Bible says that you must be born again. Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. That is what it means by regeneration. It is like you get a brand-new life, a spiritual one. Until we are born again, the Bible says that we are dead in trespasses and sins.” He looked at him. “Do you understand?”

  “I think so.”

  He nodded. “The thing is, you must place your trust in Jesus, because He is the only one who can save you. When you accept the payment Jesus gave on the cross—His perfect blood sacrifice—His blood washes away all your sins, and you receive eternal life.”

  “I believe in Jesus. I mean, I’ve read about what He did. When He died.”

  “But have you received Him? It is one thing to know about Jesus with your head, but it’s an entirely different matter to believe from your heart. When you believe from your heart, God does something wonderful.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Well, besides cleansing you from your sins and giving you everlasting life—which are wonderful in themselves—Jesus comes to live inside your heart. He changes you from the inside out. He gives you a desire to do His will. He gives you understanding when you read His Word.”

  “Are you a preacher?”

  He chuckled. “No, not in an official sense. But God has called each of His children to share the Gospel. Do you know what the Gospel is?”

  “The story of Jesus?”

  “That’s part of it. But the Bible describes the Gospel like this, That Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the Scriptures. He wants all men to be saved. And that includes you and your people, Jake.”
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  “But this is not how I was taught. I must keep the traditions of my forefathers.”

  “You can keep your traditions. You don’t have to give those up. You see, it is not the horse and buggy that saves you. That reminds me of a verse in the Old Testament. Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we will remember the name of the Lord our God.

  “Jacob, it is not the clothes, or how you plow your fields. Salvation comes through Jesus, and through Him alone. It really is that simple. The only way you’d need to give up a tradition is if it contradicts—goes against—God’s Word.”

  “How do I know if it does?”

  “Well, you’d need to study God’s Word so you know what it says.”

  “Does it say anything about being Plain?”

  “Not directly. Does everyone in your church believe that they have to be Amish to be saved?”

  “I do not know. Our leaders do not teach on being saved. That is a prideful Englisch teaching. They teach us to live like we know we should, to obey our authorities. Then we can have hope of Heaven. When someone jumps the fence, we urge them to return so they won’t be in danger of hell fire.”

  “Why would they be in danger of hell fire?”

  “For forsaking our ways, for disobeying their parents and their leaders, for not continuing in the path Der Herr—the Lord—has laid out for them.”

  “Do you remember what I just quoted to you? The verses about believing in Jesus to be saved?”

  “Jah.”

  “Do you know John three sixteen?”

  Jacob frowned. “I know I’ve heard it, but I’m not sure exactly how it goes.”

  “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

  “I remember now.”

  “Think about those words, Jake. The Bible doesn’t say anything about needing to be Amish or even have good works to get into Heaven. As a matter of fact, over and over again, the Bible states that salvation is not of works. Jesus did the work for us when He died on the cross. That is why we must believe.” He reached over and opened up the glove box, keeping his eyes on the road. “Grab my Bible out of there, would ya?”