Discovering Treasure

by Crystal Mary Lindsey

  “It seems my mother’s bright ideas have rubbed off on you now Ella,” Treasure laughed. “But I second that motion.”

  “Well she claimed herself as my mother too, so that’s where I must have inherited it from.” At this assumption, everyone burst out laughing, and it felt so much merrier than earlier in the day.

  With all the fun nothing was prepared for dinner and Nellie began to wonder what she could make with no preparation time. She voiced her concern, mumbling that time had simply, run away.

  Kelvin quickly came up with a solution. “Let’s collect wood and build a fire outside here on the ground and roast potatoes, and we can just eat them with butter, pepper and salt. I loved doing that as a kid.”

  All heartily agreed, so while the men went to collect and begin the fire, the women gathered and washed the potatoes. Chairs were brought outside with a couple of lanterns, and all had the most jovial of times. It was the perfect end to an extraordinary day.

  Sunday dawned with grey skies. It wasn’t a day for venturing out and as they walked along to church with umbrellas raised, rain began to fall. Many who drove a distance to attend must have decided to give it a miss that morning not knowing whether they would make it home again. Yet with only half the congregation in attendance it was a lively gathering. Thomas preached a memorial service as a lead up to the Christmas message. The singing was hearty and Nellie surprised herself by volunteering to lead. What a superb organizer she was and her hand actions helped with knowing when to sing a high, medium or low note. Everyone came to the strength of being one in unity and worship, their spirits soared together and hearts fluttered with emotion.

  Amid plenty of smiles, each departed for home in their relative directions at the conclusion. Connor and Thomas were invited by Treasure to share their vegetable soup lunch.

  “When those kookaburras wouldn’t stop their cackling at midday yesterday, I suspected we were in for a good fall of rain.” Kelvin, who never seemed to stop smiling, ushered the ladies into the back seat of Thomas’s vehicle, while Uncle and Connor joined Thomas in front.

  With no room for Kelvin, he stood on the running board and thumped his fist on the roof. “Come on mate, put your petal to the metal,” he yelled. With head hunched down, the poor man was getting a full pelting from the heavy downpour. Running for his life the moment they stopped in front of the house, he dashed to his quarters for dry clothes. Nothing could dampen anyone’s spirits, happiness was in the air.

  18

  Uncle Marcus makes a decision

  Rain poured down the whole day. Uncle decided against driving back to Sydney that afternoon, it was too risky with the slippery muddy roads. He would phone the bank first thing in the morning if the phone lines weren’t down. Connor drove back with Thomas to the church later in the day. He didn’t plan to confide in the minister but knew he needed to talk.

  Once seated together in the empty building the Holy Spirit of peace covered and strengthened him. “I don’t know what to say Thomas. Treasure has given me to understand she loves me aside from my half amputated leg. We were going to spend yesterday as our day once the letter was read. I expected a mixture of feelings, but I felt the pros outweighed the cons. Marcus was reassured in front of all that his wife did love him. Treasure and Ella discovered they were sisters. But the spoke in the wheel was when the reference to Ella and Treasure’s father Frank arose, that was hard for Marcus. I don’t know how I would have felt if I were him, I believe his hurt has extended for a long time. Treasure is so empathetic and immediately wished to reassure him, which seemed to work. Yet she totally forgot about us and about me? I feel like my heart has been cut in two.” His hand went to his pocket and he fingered the ring box once more with a deep sigh. How many times had he done that today? He kept waiting for a moment to get her to himself, but it never happened.

  What could Thomas say? Disappointments were a part of life, but to speak these words would not be of any comfort. Instead he decided to be frank and share his own feelings.

  “Hey you know, I’m a bloke also.” He looked down at his hands, which shook slightly, as he confessed his heart. “I can’t ask the girl I’ve fallen in love with to marry me because my future is unsure. I have been placed here in this town on probation for six months. Since it’s my first congregation I am pretty inexperienced in many things, including counseling you. But I can tell you this,” he took a big breath, shaking his head seriously. “When problems come – our faith is put to the test. We can either walk away from God, or we can run to him. It’s our choice! It’s not easy to keep the faith when you can’t see into the future.” Thomas stopped. He was trying to sort out words in his mind, what he should say, but to do that wasn’t trusting in God either. So instead he said, “Let’s pray about this, Connor, it’s our best answer.”

  “Lord, if only we could see into the future and know that all would be well; this anxiety wouldn’t take hold of our hearts. I guess Lord, since we know the spirit of fear is not of you, we will stand together and demand for it to flee from us right now, in the name of Jesus. We claim your written Word from that short verse in John 14:1—, ‘Let not (our) hearts be troubled,’ and help us to just believe in you. Thank you Lord, amen!”

  Thomas gave Connor a lift back to Treasures house, then returned to sit and read, with the sound of rain beating on the church tin roof.

  Connor would bunk down in Kelvin’s quarters for the night; a settee now occupied a spot in the kitchen, with a pillow and blanket. He’d be dry and safe to wait out the weather before he could return home. However, for now, he had to stand on his faith and face the prospect of an evening in everyone else’s company.

  Treasure greeted him as soon as he entered the front door. Standing in the hallway and pulling him to the side, she kissed his cheek. “Thank you Connor, for your understanding today when I gave uncle my unwarranted attention. He is not as young as us and for all of his years I’m afraid he has stepped back and let everyone else enjoy the limelight. He needed reassurance, and may God bless you always for allowing him to have that. You are very special to me and the more I know you the more I appreciate you.”

  Pulling her close he kissed her deeply, clinging to her for the Treasure she was as her name implied. Thanking the Lord in his heart, he knew there would be a special time for the ring, and when that time came, he was sure God would open the way. All he said now was a quiet, “let’s join the others, and see what’s happening with those scones I can smell. Otherwise old Kel will clean them up, all on his own.”

  It was a happy couple who joined the others in the warm room. A fire could have been lit in the dining area but everyone felt relaxed and content to remain in the afterglow of the laidback kitchen. Tea with scones, jam and cream, lay set out, it was great, and then came the suggestion for Treasure and Ella to teach everyone a card game brought from France. The others had never heard of it, and although the Parkers Touring Card Game was best played by two, six could still enjoy it. Amid much laughter and everyone acting like children, with drinks and food –, occasionally dropped or spilled, they played until nine o’clock, and then called it a night. All were thankful to be indoors and not have to contend with the weather. Outside, the wind howled and rain teemed down in the pitch black. Kelvin and Connor made a hurried retreat out into the night under oilskins with a lantern to guide.

  The beat of rain on the tin roof was the best excuse to cuddle up under bedclothes each in their own little domain, listening, listening, until without knowledge, all was forgotten as sleep and tranquility overcame. More drizzle and rain continued in the morning and none wanted to leave the comfort of bed. Treasure stretched leisurely, luxuriating in the fact that she had no longer needed to rush off to any appointments. This was heaven.

  Nellie, as always, was first in the kitchen rousing the fire to blaze and applying oatmeal, water, milk, and salt to a large pot, then stirring the mixture until it thickened. The smell gradually drew Marcus and the girls away from their nests. Ne
llie pushed the porridge to the side of the stove to simmer, while a full kettle of water was placed on the main heat, in preparation for their tea. No one was themselves until after that first hot cuppa. Kelvin and Connor came in as Nellie dished up each large bowl. Ella helped, placing them on the table, and Treasure took over attending to cutlery, honey, milk, brown sugar and cream.

  Marcus looked on the homey scene with contentment, and was convinced there was nothing quite like fresh country fare. He could enjoy this life forever, and with that thought another began to form in his mind. Why stay in Sydney? What future could he look forward to there? Only the same as the past, and that was a pretentious existence. After seeing this beautiful valley and getting to know some of the people, plus his niece living here, what better place could there be?

  This needed evaluating further. It wouldn’t be right for him to invade Treasure’s habitat. He needed a residence of his own. As soon as possible he’d look into selling his property which would give him a good amount of money to build here in the town, and perhaps organize a banking branch for the local landowners. He could also check with the Department of Lands on any future railway development to the area. He didn’t wish to take away from this pretty town, or to commercialize it, but there was no damage in seeing what future progress was planned.

  After breakfast he asked Connor if they could have a word together, and they settled on doing this in Treasure’s office. She didn’t mind, in fact, it was nice to see the two joining forces. Nellie was left to get on with her duties.

  Treasure and Ella went with Kelvin to agree on the interior of the salon. Meanwhile since the framework and outside walls were finished and with the weather protection of the verandah roof, there was much that could be finished off inside. Wall paneling sat on the floor to be hammered up and then it and the ceiling would be ready for a coat of paint. Since it was Ella’s very own, she made the choice as to the colors. This side of the house was situated away from the hot afternoon sun so she decided it needed to be a warm tone. The mirrors and chairs were gilded, so the walls were to be a soft shade of yellow like a moon glow effect with dark brown timber trimmings and of course the ceiling would be white. Uniforms for herself, and in time an apprentice, were to be white, with an umber colored apron to cover over, and sleeve cuffs and shoes the same color. Names would be embroidered on the apron in gold. Ella could visualize it all in her mind’s eye and with the help of Nellie as seamstress; it would all come to pass.

  Meanwhile, Uncle and Connor discussed the possibility for Marcus and business as far as establishing a town bank. Connor approved jubilantly—, he felt it would be a tremendous advantage for those who had trouble commuting to distant banks.

  “I tell you what,” he informed Marcus, as one business man to another –. “I’ll put the word around and ask the opinions of as many landowners as I’m able, and tell them in turn to spread the word. Let’s see—, it’s not quite three weeks until Christmas. I’ll place a closed tin in my office for everyone to record their votes of yes or no, and see how many are counted on Christmas Eve. In the meantime, it wouldn’t hurt to pursue the real-estate agents in Sydney and get evaluations, informing them your home might be for sale. Sometimes people make a dash for something before it actually has a _‘For Sale’_ sign out front.”

  The two men sat back in their chairs and surveyed each other with satisfaction. They felt, as often before, of one accord, both in thought and actions.

  Connor got to his feet first, and shook Marcus by the hand.

  “If you do start up a bank here you will require at least two honest workers, so if or when it comes to that, consult with me first, I know a good deal about the folk of this town.”

  Marcus realized he had a good ally in Connor and of course, lawyers and bankers put business each other’s way.

  “My housekeeper in Sydney has been talking of retiring for a good while now. She is in her mid-sixties and would be happy to move into a small tenement house with her sister. So I would likely need to require a help from around here, or place an ad in the Sydney papers. Of course it could be difficult having a woman living in, it might not be seemingly. But, then instead, perhaps I could have a small cottage built at the back of the main house for a married couple. Now that sounds the answer!” There seemed no limits to Marcus’s ideas.

  After the hearty breakfast, just a cup of hot cocoa was needed for morning tea. Straight after that Nellie requested Marcus drive her the short distance to the shops to stock up on meat and vegetable for the cellar. “I don’t want to trudge there and back in this rain carrying parcels. I’d likely drop something in the mud, so I hope you don’t mind me asking.”

  “Certainly not,” Marcus was only too happy to help and to have something to do. Besides, it would get him better acquainted with the storekeeper’s, which certainly might help in his establishing himself. He brought the Buick around to the side verandah so Nellie could hop straight in.

  After having a short conversation with both the grocer and butcher, Marcus did a quick dash to the baker shop. It was his turn to buy some ready provisions and he enjoyed doing so. A purchase of six meat pies, one each for their lunch, and a couple of loaves of bread, was completed. Then his eyes lit on two large fruit pies, one apple the other apricot, and unable to resist, added both to his other items. Fully laden he needed a hand to get it all to the backseat of the car. The butcher boy was laying the last of the meat supplies in for Nellie before running back inside, a might wet from his frantic sprint. The baker’s goods sat on top of these. Pleased with their errands the two sat up proudly on the brief journey home.

  On arrival Marcus tooted his horn notifying Kelvin to come and help with an umbrella. Connor came also, making the unloading in record time. All got placed on the kitchen table except the meat pies and they went into the oven to keep them warm. Puzzled, Marcus looked around for a cool room or cellar. Baffling? There was none to be seen.

  Nellie surprised, with the removal of a heavy mat off the floor and beneath sat a cellar door in its perfect hiding place.

  “Now there’s no way I’m going to contend with that door or those stairs,” Nellie puffed. Just pulling up the mat was enough for her. Kelvin, lit the lantern, and went half way down the stairs before being handed what needed storing in the coldest section of the concrete room, sitting below ground level. It was amazing at just how much food could be kept in safe storage. All finished, he brought up a pumpkin and some canned beans for their evening meal. Milk, cream, butter, eggs and some vegetables were kept handy in the ice box, where Nellie unloaded the two fruit pies. This ran on kerosene and did a good job of keeping everything cold.

  The smell of those meat pies wafted through the air, as Nellie called everyone in for lunch. Hot water in the kettle— normally for tea –served for another, lovely big cup of hot chocolate each. All of this nourished well, finished off with fresh crunchy apples. Hearing the continuing sound of rain drumming a beat on the roof, everyone retired for a nap after lunch.

  *****

  Seeing the transformation of the salon later that afternoon thrilled Nellie and Marcus. Paint was needed for tomorrow, so Kelvin got on the phone to make sure the hardware had what they wanted. The women supervised where to do what, and the men took care of the labor.

  Nellie felt they needed a good evening meal after all their efforts and placed a huge rabbit—, she’d been soaking in salt water –, into the oven to bake. Another dish full of vegetables, cut pumpkin, potatoes and onion went in next. In a couple of hours all would be ready, for serving with brown gravy.

  In the meantime, Nellie, Treasure and Ella, sorted through the bolts of materials. Those required first for Ella’s uniform and shop curtains got placed in readiness onto the dining room table.

  19

  Meeting treasure’s father

  “I guess I need to buy a couple of treadle sewing machines,” Treasure spoke her thoughts aloud. “Never!” Nellie responded. “Why I’d likely kill myself, using one o
f them treadle contraptions.” The look on her face was one of horror.

  Treasure and Ella laughed; they had seen women in Madame Jeanne- Marie’s back room peddling away like lightning. Why, one dress could be sewn in an afternoon.

  “I don’t know why you are laughing. It’s not an amusing matter,” Nellie felt hurt at them thinking her funny. “And why would you need two machines for one woman?”

  Ahh, so she was considering giving it a go. Treasure explained that she and Ella both learned to use them and they got garments made like magic. “You will never sew another stitch by hand once you use one, Nellie. Everything is frightening until you know how. Why, you should have seen me learning to drive an automobile. I ran over everything and cried many tears. I once declared to my mother I would never get into one and try again. Now it’s like second nature and it doesn’t bother me one bit. And that’s how you will feel after a while, speeding away on it and sewing stitches in a jiffy.”

  Nellie doubted it, but if Treasure said so, then she could do no less than try. So the hardware was phoned for the second time that day with two Singer machines ordered. From some of the gasps on the party line, they would indisputably be the topic of discussion all over the valley by that evening. Change was bizarre to country folk. It was remembered how none of the church women spoke a word about Nellie’s new hair style on the day they first viewed it, but many now hoped they could be made to look as elegant.

  And so, all the changes brought many fascinating deliberations. What would those two –, who once lived in Paris –, and now lived here, possibly get up to next! Some women declared they wanted nothing to do with painting or designing their hair. Others silently prayed their husbands would allow them to be a little bit more fashionable, and make some changes. Gradually people would come around, especially as they saw how good it made them feel. Ella and Treasure both agreed, they didn’t want to design a breed of stuck-up women who desired to compete with one other. No! A bit of style was good but only in helping the woman to have confidence, when around some of the city people. Thesevisited briefly, for refreshments, while passing through the valley.