by Al Lacy
“You know, Harvey, Jerry, Theresa, and Mandy have already come to know the Lord. We’re so glad Jerry has matured in his mind enough to understand about salvation.”
“Oh yes. It was only a few months ago when he got saved, wasn’t it?”
“Uh-huh. July. And he’s learning better all the time. We thank the Lord for that. And now, according to this letter, the Lord is blessing us with another precious child. There is something so delightful about a houseful of happy children, and Julie and I wouldn’t trade what we have for anything. If need be, we can always add another room onto the house and I can hire a lady to come in and help Julie.”
Harvey shook his head in wonderment. “You two are so generous and kind. The world could use more like you.”
Mike glanced at the clock on the wall behind the counter. “Whoops! Here I stand talking on and on. I’ve got to get home and tell Julie this very welcome news, and besides, we’re having John and Breanna Brockman for supper tonight. Don’t want to be late!”
Harvey laughed. “The chief U.S. marshal just might slap you in jail for tardiness!”
Mike laughed and hurried out the door, carrying the bundle of mail.
Ed Griffin looked at the postmaster, wide-eyed. “I’ve heard much about Chief U.S. Marshal John Brockman. Before he was a lawman, he was simply known as the Stranger, wasn’t he?”
“That’s right.”
“He rode all over the West, helping people who were in trouble and bringing outlaws to justice.”
“Oh, did he ever!”
“I’d sure like to meet him sometime, Mr. Thompson.”
Harvey laid a hand on his shoulder. “You’ll get to meet him Sunday at church. That is, unless he has some kind of emergency, which often happens in his business.”
Ed’s eyes grew wider yet. “You mean Marshal Brockman is a Christian?”
“He sure is, and a fine one, too. He is also a tremendous preacher. The pastor has him preach quite often.”
“Well, I didn’t know this. I’ve been told that Brockman is lightning fast on the draw.”
“You never saw a faster one. Several oudaws have tried to out-draw him. Some of them are now six feet under. Others are behind bars. John tries not to kill them when they challenge him, but sometimes he just can’t avoid it.”
“Some kind of guy, I’ll say. I’ve also heard that his wife is a nurse.”
“Correct. Mrs. Brockman is a certified medical nurse. She works for Dr. Lyle Goodwin at the Goodwin Clinic. Dr. Goodwin also shares her with Mile High Hospital when her services are needed there.”
Ed nodded. “Ah … are the Ross’s other two adopted children also handicapped? It sort of sounded like it.”
“Yes, they are. You see, early in their marriage, Julie gave birth to a little boy who was severely retarded. Little Danny died on his second birthday. Julie had a hard time delivering Danny, and can’t give birth to any more children. However, Danny so touched their lives in the short time they had him, that a few years later, Mike and Julie decided they wanted to adopt some handicapped orphan children so they could take care of them and give them a loving home.”
“They sure are marvelous people.”
At that moment, two customers came in, and after they had been taken care of and were gone, Ed said, “Tell me about the children the Rosses have right now.”
“Well, Jerry was the first one they adopted. He’s eight years old. They got him when he was five. Theresa, the second orphan they adopted, was born with deformed legs. They got her when she was five, too. She just turned seven, and is confined to a wheelchair. But, praise the Lord, she is just now beginning to try to learn to walk with crutches. It’s slow, but she’s making headway. The third orphan, Mandy, was born deaf. She is ten years old. They have had her less than a year.”
“I’ll say it again. Those are marvelous people. So I assume they got each of these children from the orphan trains.”
“Yes. They had heard about the Children’s Aid Society and the orphan trains several years ago, but it wasn’t until just a little over three years ago that they decided to contact Charles Loring Brace. Mike wrote to Brace, saying he understood that the Society sometimes took in handicapped orphans, but found it difficult to place them here in the West because most prospective foster parents didn’t want a child who was handicapped in any way. In the letter, he told Brace about little Danny, and explained that he and Julie would like to adopt a handicapped child.
“Brace wrote back and said he would let him know next time they took in a handicapped child. Just a few weeks later, a letter came from Brace saying they had little Jerry, who was mentally slow. Mike immediately sent a telegram to Brace, saying they would take him. So, Jerry was put on the very next orphan train that was coming through Denver. It also worked this way with Theresa and Mandy. And as you heard, this next one is a blind girl they will take off the orphan train on November 10.”
Ed smiled. “Well, I’ll say it once more. They most certainly are marvelous people.”
“I wholeheartedly agree. The average couple couldn’t afford to take in these handicapped children, even if they wanted to, but the Lord has blessed Mike’s law firm exceptionally well. And I believe this is one reason for it.”
Chapter Sixteen
When Mike Ross opened the front door of his large two-story red-brick home, the tantalizing aroma of baked chicken and dressing greeted him. As he closed the door behind him, he heard familiar voices at the rear of the house and headed down the hall toward the kitchen.
Happy chatter met his ears as he drew nearer the kitchen. “Thank You, Lord,” he whispered, “for Your abundant blessings to Julie and me. That sweet sound coming from those precious children is heavenly music to my ears. And soon there’ll be another one to add her own happy sounds to this household.”
When he stepped into the kitchen, ten-year-old Mandy was first to see him. As Mike was making hand signals to tell Mandy he loved her, she cried, “Papa!” and dashed to him, arms open wide.
Julie was at the stove, checking the contents of the oven, and turned to see her husband place the bundle of mail on a small table beside the kitchen door, then fold Mandy into his arms. She smiled while Mike was kissing the top of Mandy’s head. “You’re late, Mr. Ross, and we’ve got company coming for supper!”
Mike glanced at her, but was instantly jumped on by Jerry, who dashed in front of Theresa as she leaned forward in her wheelchair and spun the wheels to go to her father.
Letting go of Mandy, Mike leaned down and took Jerry up into his arms. “How’s Papa’s big boy?”
Jerry looked into his father’s eyes. “I jus’ fine, Papa. I been helpin Mama fix subber.”
“Good for you!” Mike put him back down.
He then bent over the seven-year-old in the wheelchair and kissed the top of her head. “Did you work with your crutches today, sweetie pie?”
While Theresa was nodding, Julie said, “She did well today, Papa. She walked all the way down the hall from the front door to the kitchen.”
Mike smiled down at Theresa. “Really?”
“Uh-huh,” said Theresa, smiling from ear to ear.
“Well, I’m proud of you.”
Mike then moved over to Julie at the stove, folded her into his arms, and kissed her. “Sorry I’m late, sweetheart, but it just couldn’t be helped. At least John and Breanna aren’t here.”
Julie looked up into the shining eyes of the man she loved. She gave him an impish grin. “And why are you late getting home, my dear?”
A smile that reached all the way from Mike’s overflowing heart broke across his face. “Well, I’ve got some good news.”
The children were looking on, and Theresa was using hand signals for Mandy to convey that their father had something good to tell them.
Mike reached into the inside pocket of his suit coat and chuckled as he pulled out the envelope containing the letter from Charles Loring Brace, making sure that Julie could only see the back of i
t. “I was late because of this letter.”
“Well, what is it?”
He turned the envelope around to display the return address. When Julie saw it was from the Children’s Aid Society, a hand went to her mouth. “Oh, darling, really? It’s about our next child?”
“Mm-hmm. Sure is. I just had to open it at the post office, and when I read it, a curious Harvey Thompson wanted to know about the next orphan Charles Loring Brace is going to send to us. Took some time to tell him.”
Julie’s eyes were dancing. “I understand. Boy or girl?”
“Girl.”
Mandy clapped her hands when Theresa signed her father’s reply to her.
Jerry frowned. “Bud I wanded a brudder.”
“Maybe next time, Jerry,” said Mike, patting his head.
“How old is she, Papa?” asked Theresa.
“Thirteen.”
“Oh. She can help me learn to walk on my crutches.”
“Well, not exactly, honey. You see, she’s blind.”
“Oh.”
“But you can be a lot of help to her!”
Theresa smiled. “Sure I can.”
Jerry frowned again, looking puzzled.
As Theresa turned on the seat of the wheelchair to sign for Mandy that their new sister was blind, Julie said, “This will be a challenge, darling, but I’m sure she will be a blessing to us.”
“I have no doubt of that.”
Theresa cocked her head to one side. “What’s her name, Papa?”
“Leanne Ladd.”
“Leanne. That’s a pretty name, isn’t it, Mama?”
“Sure is,” said Julie. “I know we’ll all love her. Honey, read the letter to me while I put the finishing touches on supper. The Brockmans will be here any minute.”
Jerry and Theresa listened as Mike read the letter to Julie, and Theresa signed its contents for her deaf sister.
When Mike closed off the letter, Julie was placing the bowl of chicken gravy on the cupboard and covering it with its lid. She turned and looked at him with tears in her eyes. Putting the meal aside in her mind for the moment, she dashed to Mike and threw her arms around him, pressing her face against his chest. Mike held her tight, knowing she was overcome with joy, and was certain she was silently thanking her heavenly Father for answered prayer.
After a moment, Julie eased back in Mike’s arms while noting the sheen of tears in his eyes. “Our Lord is so good to us, Mike,” she said in a reverent voice. “He’s going to give us another precious child to raise for Him.”
He ran his fingers over her flushed face, smoothing away the tears. “Yes, my sweet. We are so very blessed.”
The children looked on as their parents gazed into one another’s eyes; each reading what the other was thinking; each thankful for this marvelous blessing.
“Oh my!” Julie said, easing out of Mike’s grasp. “We’ve got company coming for supper. They may have to eat a burnt offering if I don’t tend to my cooking! Excuse me, darling.”
As she turned back to the stove, a contented smile glowed on her face.
While Julie was taking the baked chicken out of the oven, Mike said, “Another reason I’m late is because I stopped by the Western Union office on the way home and sent a telegram to Charles Loring Brace, telling him we definitely want Leanne and that we’ll be waiting for the orphan train at the Denver depot at ten o’clock on the morning of Friday, November 10.”
As she placed the pan of chicken on top of the stove, Julie looked over her shoulder. “Good for you. Then it’s all set.”
“So Leanne will be here three weeks from tomorrow, won’t she?” said Theresa.
Julie smiled at her. “She sure will, honey.”
Theresa turned to Mandy and signed the message to her. Mandy clapped her hands again. “Three weeks. I can hardly wait!”
Mike looked down at Jerry. “Even though you want a brother, you’ll love your new sister, won’t you, son?”
Jerry smiled up at his father and said excitedly, “Yes, Papa. I gonna hab ’nother sidster! Bud she won be able see me.”
Just then a buggy passed the side window of the kitchen and hauled up at the back porch. Mike headed for the back door, looking back at the boy. “That’s right, Jerry. Leanne is blind, so she won’t be able to see you. But you’ll love her anyway, won’t you?”
In his dull, sweet way Jerry said, “Yes, Papa. I will lub her bery much.”
The children looked toward the back door while Julie hurried up behind Mike as he opened the door. “Welcome to our humble home, folks!”
There was a definite nip in the fall evening air as John and Breanna Brockman moved up the porch steps, smiling. A stiff breeze was blowing.
Julie eased up beside her husband. “Come in! Come in! It has really turned cold this evening, hasn’t it?”
“That it has,” said Breanna.
“Makes me wonder if we’re in for an early winter,” commented John.
“Must have been a chilly ride from your place,” said Mike, “with that cold breeze nipping at you.”
As Mike spoke, both he and Julie stepped back to make room for them in the doorway.
“It was a bit chilly,” said Breanna as they moved up and stepped through the door.
The chief U.S. marshal was in his midthirties. He was exceptionally tall, broad-shouldered, and quite handsome. Slung low on his right hip was a black gun belt and holster, which held his pearl-handled Colt .45 Peacemaker. As he removed his black hat, his full head of black hair was exposed, which was beginning to show a slight sprinkle of gray at the temples.
His lovely wife, who had recently turned thirty, was blond with bright blue eyes, and carried a winsome smile.
John sniffed the aroma of the hot chicken, dressing, and gravy. “If the food is even half as good as it smells, it will be well worth the chilly ride.”
Julie hugged Breanna, then looked at John. Knowing his penchant for baked chicken, she said, “Oh, I think you’ll find it palatable, John.”
Breanna chuckled. “Without a doubt, Julie. You know John can eat his weight in your tasty cooking.”
Noting the joy on the faces of the parents, John and Breanna immediately put their attention on the children, giving each of them a hug, and as they studied the excitement that showed in their eyes, John chuckled and looked at Mike and Julie. “I know you’re all really excited to see us, but I get the strong feeling that we’re not the real reason for the elation I see on your faces.”
“We really do have some good news to share,” Julie said. “But let’s get everybody seated at the dining room table and I’ll serve up the food. Then we can share the news.”
Breanna turned to Julie. “I’ll help you serve the food. The rest of you get in there and sit down.”
Mike laughed. “Well, I guess we’ve been given our orders! Come on, John and children. Let’s head for the dining room.”
“Yes!” said John. “Let’s get things going here, so we can hear this good news.”
“I’ll hurry on ahead and get a fire going in the fireplace,” said Mike.
“And I’ll push my sweet Theresa’s vehicle for her,” put in John.
As John went behind Theresa’s wheelchair, took hold of the handles, and began pushing her toward the hall door, all three children looked smugly at each other, delighted to be sharing such an important secret.
Fifteen minutes later, the Ross’s dining room was ready, with a cheery fire glowing in the fireplace and candle flames gleaming off the silver and china.
When the food had been set on the table, and everyone was in his or her place, Mike and Julie put appreciative eyes on their children. Each one sat up straight, hands folded, waiting politely. The Rosses were strong advocates of good manners and had taught their children proper etiquette. They were proud of how well they had learned. Even Jerry was doing well.
Mike asked John to pray over the meal.
When John had prayed and the plates were full, Breanna popped her
hands together. “Okay, now. We’ve been patient just about as long as I can stand it. Let’s hear the news before I explode from curiosity!”
Julie ran her gaze to her husband. “I’ll let Mike tell you all about it.”
“Go ahead and start eating,” said Mike, “or your food will get cold.”
Mike took a few bites, sipped coffee, then told the Brockmans about the letter they had received that day from Charles Loring Brace.
John and Breanna smiled at each other. Breanna said, “John, I had a feeling the good news was going to be that they were getting another child.”
“I did too, sweetheart, but I thought it best to just keep it to myself and wait till it was confirmed.” Then to Mike and Julie he said, “This will certainly be something different for you, to have a blind child.”
“It will,” said Julie, “but we’re both excited about it. And so are Jerry, Theresa, and Mandy.”
Jerry swallowed a mouthful of dressing and nodded. “Uh-huh. Gon get ’nudder sidster. Bud she won be able see me. Bud I will lub her bery much.”
Breanna smiled, reached across the corner of the table, and patted Jerry’s hand. “I’m sure you will, honey.”
Theresa ran her gaze to John and Breanna. “Mandy and I are really excited about Leanne coming.”
“Well, congratulations to all of you,” said Breanna. “This is wonderful.” She ran her gaze between Mike and Julie. “I know that having a blind child in your home will be a real challenge. But knowing you two, I’m sure you’re up to it. What a very fortunate young lady Leanne is to be coming into this home!”
“What do you know about Leanne’s background?” asked John. “Are both of her parents dead?”
Mike set his cup in its saucer. “In telling you the contents of the letter, I haven’t gotten to that part yet. Yes, both parents are dead. Mr. Brace explained that Leanne’s father was pastor of a strong Bible-believing church on Staten Island, New York. He had taken Leanne’s mother on a missionary trip to Mexico. While there, both of them were killed by bandits.”
Breanna’s eyes widened. “Oh my! What a blow it had to have been for that precious thirteen-year-old girl to lose her parents like that.”