by Molly Jebber
Mrs. Tisdale winced. “I’m sorry. My sister can be a bit abrupt. We’ll return in a few minutes.”
“We’ll be happy to hold your choices. I hope you find it.” Anna smiled politely at her.
“Thank you, dear.” The sweet woman patted her hand.
Mrs. Foster scowled. “Irene, quit dawdling and let’s go.”
Mrs. Tisdale hurried out liked a scared rabbit.
* * *
Daniel whistled as he weaved his way through the crowd in the hardware store and reached between two Amish men to grab a box of nails off the shelf. “Excuse me.”
Both men gave him a half grin and moved aside as they perused the shelf. He scanned the hammers, saws, shovels, and other tools. Should he buy another hammer? Not today.
Heading to the counter to pay for his purchase, he tipped his hat to familiar Amish faces and smiled. He paid for the nails and returned to the livery. On his way, he passed a peddler hawking timepieces displayed on a small maple table.
“Beautiful timepieces for sale today! Doesn’t cost you to have a look!” The peddler leaned on his weathered cane and tipped his hat as Daniel passed him.
Men and women diverted their eyes from the salesman and rushed by to avoid him. It must be hard to make a living begging people to buy your products. Daniel walked fast across the busy street.
“You simpleton! Look both ways before you cross the street!” A man waved his fist and beeped his motorcar’s horn. “I almost hit you!”
“Sorry!” Daniel ran the rest of the way across the street to avoid being hit by the other oncoming motorcars, buggies with squeaky wheels, and horses clip-clopping on the street kumming toward him. He went inside the livery and put the nails in his saddlebag. He glanced at Noah and backed away out of the man’s sight but kept him in view.
Noah reached in his wagon and lifted a small white bag from under the seat.
I shouldn’t be rude. He wanted to say good-bye to Noah. He might not run into him again before he left. Daniel opened his mouth to greet him, but Noah was on his way out.
Two women bumped into Noah on their way into the livery. They frowned, said something Daniel couldn’t understand, and glanced back at where they’d bumped into Noah. Daniel squinted, rubbed his chin, and watched them. What had upset them? He inched up a little closer but far enough away not to draw their attention.
The taller woman shouted from the buggy. “My coin purse isn’t here.” She narrowed her eyes. “The Amish man we bumped into had something in his hand. He looked suspicious, and I’m betting he stole my money. I’m going to the sheriff.”
“Etta, you shouldn’t jump to conclusions. Let’s go back to where we first were when we noticed it missing and look for it again.”
Etta shouted, “We’re going to the sheriff before he gets away.”
Oh no! The women accused Noah of being a thief. He had to tell Noah. Daniel followed the women to the sheriff’s office but kept his distance. Etta seemed rude and unreasonable, compared to her companion. Noah would wonder why he didn’t greet him earlier. He’d have to confess he was avoiding him. His muscles tensed. Noah’s accuser looked like trouble. He had to help him.
The women ran inside. Daniel sat on the bench outside the building and waited. Through the open doorway, he heard the woman raising her voice and accusing Noah of stealing her coin purse. He should check the shops and find Noah to tell him about his accusers. He ran into Noah kumming out of the bakery close by. “Noah, I’ve got something important to tell you.”
Grinning, Noah slapped him gently on the back. “Anna and I came to an understanding about us. It’s difficult to accept she and I have no future, but our desires for life no longer match and it’s for the best. I hope there are no hard feelings between you and me.”
He smiled and nodded. “You’re a good man, Noah. I have no ill will toward you. Anna told me you are relocating to Lancaster with your mamm. I wish you safe travel and much happiness in your life.” He whispered in Noah’s ear. “I came to find you, because I’m afraid you’ve been accused of wrongdoing.”
Taking two steps back, Noah frowned and raised his eyebrows. “Daniel, what are you saying?”
The sheriff approached them. “I’m glad you’re here, Noah. I thought I spotted you from the window. Would you come inside, please? Mrs. Foster and her sister, Mrs. Tisdale, have some concerns we need to discuss.”
Noah glanced at Daniel and back at the sheriff. “I’m not acquainted with these women, but I’ll kumme inside.” He shrugged and followed the sheriff and Daniel inside
The sheriff gestured to the women. “Noah Schwartz, meet Mrs. Foster and Mrs. Tisdale.”
Mrs. Foster yelled and pointed her accusing finger at Noah. “He’s the man who stole my coin purse.”
Noah gasped and put a hand to his parted lips. “I haven’t stolen anything. Why would you accuse me of such a thing?”
Daniel understood his friend’s dumbfounded look. He couldn’t believe the woman was so bent on accusing Noah of stealing her property. “Sheriff, I can shed some light on this matter. I was in the livery when Noah came in to retrieve something from his wagon. These women bumped into him on his way out of the livery. He didn’t take anything from their buggy.”
“Liar! I’m sure you ignorant dullards all stick together.” Mrs. Foster waggled her finger at Daniel.
The sheriff turned to the women. “Everyone, please have a seat and let’s discuss this in a calm manner. Mrs. Foster and Mrs. Tisdale, this is Daniel Bontrager. I’m acquainted with both these men. They are respectable and honorable gentlemen. In my time as sheriff for the last twenty years, I’ve never had a single bone of contention with the Amish. They possess a deep belief in God and strive to maintain a peaceful community.”
Daniel glanced at the timid Mrs. Tisdale. She had her hands folded in her lap and stared at her feet. She was intimidated by the other woman.
Mrs. Foster leaned forward and splayed her hand on the sheriff’s desk. “Tell him to show you what coins are in his possession.”
“Madam, are you sure you checked your buggy thoroughly and anyplace in town you’ve visited?”
She snarled at him. “What kind of sheriff are you? Asking him to show you what he’s carrying isn’t an unreasonable request.”
The sheriff rubbed the back of his neck. “Noah, do you mind?”
“Not at all, Sheriff.” Noah unwrapped a plain white handkerchief and emptied the coins on the desk.
“Madam, is Noah holding the exact amount of coins you are missing?”
“I had more. He’s had time to hide the rest.”
The sheriff leaned toward Mrs. Tisdale. “Did you observe Mr. Schwartz taking anything from your buggy?”
She darted her eyes to Mrs. Foster, bowed her head, and spoke barely above a whisper. “No, but he was leaving the livery in a hurry, and he did have something in his hand.”
“What are you going to do about this, Sheriff?” Mrs. Foster crossed her arms against her chest.
The sheriff took off his hat and scratched his head. He put his lawman’s hat back on his head with a frustrated expression. “There’s nothing I can do. You have no proof Mr. Schwartz has stolen your money. If someone turns in the coin purse, how can I contact you?”
The furious woman huffed. “My sister and I will be staying at the Berlin Inn tonight and leave to go home tomorrow. Please check with me by six in the morning if anyone turns my money in, or if this man confesses to the crime.” She sniffed and rolled her eyes. “I doubt he’ll tell you anything. I’m already considering my coins gone.” She nodded to Mrs. Tisdale. “Let’s go. There’s nothing more for us to do here.”
Mrs. Tisdale ducked her head, glanced at them with regretful eyes and a smile, and followed her haughty schweschder outside.
Daniel met Noah’s worried gaze. “I suggest we go tell the bishop what transpired before these women have a chance to tell anyone who listens. Even if they don’t, someone may’ve noticed us in the sheriff
’s office and ask questions.”
Noah shook his head. “Jah, we should tell him. I don’t get why these women are targeting me. Sheriff, danki for your support.”
The sheriff pulled out a small can of tobacco and tucked a wad between his gum and left cheek. “I’m sorry to have had to question you, Noah. I believe you, but I can’t stop the gossip. I’ll bet these women will tell anyone who will listen about how you stole Mrs. Foster’s coins. She obviously dropped the purse. I doubt we’ll find her belongings. Push Mrs. Foster’s accusation out of your mind and go on with your life.”
Daniel studied Noah’s face. His heart sank for Noah. Being accused of wrongdoing when you’re innocent would be painful and frustrating. The Amish worked hard to maintain their honorable reputation and kept to themselves. If the women spread gossip about Noah, would their suspicions tarnish the Amish’s good reputation in the Englischers’ minds? He hoped not. He rolled his shoulders and tried to relax. No need to jump to conclusions.
He put a hand on Noah’s back and guided him to the door. “Danki, Sheriff. We’ll be at Bishop Weaver’s or Grace’s Dry Goods Shop with Anna Plank if you find out anything.”
Noah bowed his head, nodded at the sheriff, and left with Daniel. “Bishop Weaver will be upset. Gossip in town about an Amish man accused of stealing will cast doubt in some Englischers’ minds. What should I do?”
“Let’s hope the women, the sheriff, or someone else finds the coin purse. If not, there’s nothing you can do.”
“Why me?”
“I don’t have an answer for you. I wish I did.” He pulled him between the post office and hardware store, away from the crowds. “Let’s bow our heads and say a quick prayer.”
Noah closed his eyes.
“Dear Heavenly Father, please intervene and clear Noah’s name. We love and trust in You, Heavenly Father. Amen.”
Noah opened his eyes. “In spite of what we are going through with Anna, you’ve stuck by me and did your best to help me today. I won’t forget your loyalty.”
“You would do the same for me.”
Noah nodded. “Absolutely.”
They walked a little farther and knocked on Bishop Weaver’s front door.
The bishop removed his spectacles. “Daniel and Noah, what a pleasant surprise. Kumme in.” He pushed the door open and gestured them inside. “Make yourselves comfortable. Coffee or tea?”
“No, danki. We have bad news.” Noah sat and rested his elbows on his knees and folded his hands.
“Has someone been hurt?”
Daniel pressed his back against the feather-filled cushion in the maple chair. His body tensed, and he wished he could do more for Noah.
Noah shook his head. “I returned to my wagon to fetch some coins I’d knotted in a handkerchief and put under the seat in a clean flour sack.” He sighed and slapped his legs. “I’d forgotten to take the coins with me when I got to town. Two Englischers, Mrs. Foster and Mrs. Tisdale, ran into me leaving the livery. They had returned to their buggy to search for Mrs. Foster’s coin purse at the same time I was leaving. They are accusing me of taking their money.”
“Why are they accusing you of stealing her coins?”
“They noticed something in my hand and assumed what I had in my hand was her coins.”
“Did they approach you?”
Noah hung his head dejectedly. “No. They went directly to the sheriff and reported their accusation against me to him.”
Daniel cleared his throat. “I was in the livery when Noah returned to retrieve his money. He went only to his wagon. They passed Noah and remembered he had something in his hand, and they assumed his handkerchief was the missing coins. I overheard the women’s accusation against Noah. I didn’t approach them, but I followed at a safe distance behind them to the sheriff’s office. I found Noah and told him about what happened. The sheriff approached us and asked Noah to step inside his office.”
Noah groaned and slumped in the chair. “Daniel followed me inside. Mrs. Foster angrily pointed a finger at me and boldly said I stole her money. Mrs. Tisdale bowed her head and darted her nervous eyes to her schweschder. She agreed with my accuser that I had something in my hand and agreed my possession could be her schweschder’s coins. I got the impression she was afraid not to.”
“Daniel, did you tell the sheriff what you witnessed about Noah in the livery?”
“I did, and he told the women he is acquainted with us and proclaimed we are honorable Amish men. It didn’t matter to her what he said or what I witnessed. Mrs. Foster believes Noah is guilty.”
“Noah, you’re in a terrible bind. I hope these women won’t spread the word you’re a thief.”
Daniel darted his eyes to Noah and the bishop. “They are staying in town tonight and leaving in the morning, I’m hoping her coin purse with the coins is found, and Noah’s name is cleared before they depart.”
Bishop Weaver took a seat by Noah on the settee. “My heart goes out to you, Noah. Let’s bow our heads and ask God to help us.” The bishop prayed a prayer to God, and the men raised their heads. “Don’t fret. You’ve done nothing wrong. If the coin purse is not found, the women will leave anyway and gossip will change to something else in no time.”
“Your support and encouragement means a lot to me, Bishop Weaver. Danki.”
Daniel and Noah bid him farewell and walked to the dry goods shop to speak to Anna.
Daniel had hoped for time alone with Anna and Leah to relay this story without any customers in the shop. Noah was so troubled. The man’s shoulders drooped, he barely spoke, and his cheery disposition had disappeared. He suspected Anna and Leah would notice Noah’s sad demeanor the moment they laid eyes on him. He walked in the shop with Noah.
Anna and Leah gasped.
Anna approached Noah. “What’s wrong? You look troubled.”
Noah recounted the story to Anna and Leah and told them the women’s names.
Anna’s and Leah’s mouths dropped open.
Daniel watched Anna. She was stunned and hurt someone would question Noah’s integrity.
Anna ran, dragged the remnant box to the front room, and dumped it over. “Those women came to the shop and riffled through two boxes of fabric. Maybe Mrs. Foster’s coin purse is somewhere in the box.” She and Leah separated the pieces to search for the coin purse.
Daniel and Noah pushed the pieces aside to search the sea of fabric for the missing coin purse.
Daniel knelt next to Anna. “The purse isn’t here.”
Leah ran to the back and dragged a box to them. “Mrs. Foster spent more time in the box we checked first. Mrs. Tisdale searched this box.” She poured the fabric and watched the pieces scatter on the floor. She and Anna spread the fabric squares.
Anna looked from one piece to another. “Nothing.”
Leah dragged the box to the back room, leaving the door open.
She yelled, “I found the coin purse!”
Daniel, Noah, and Anna ran to her.
Daniel approached her. “Where did you find it?”
Leah pointed to the faded cedar chest. “I pushed the box next to the chest, and the coin purse was behind the large piece of furniture. The chest is not far from the wall. You wouldn’t notice the purse unless you were looking over the chest. The very reason why we missed the purse before.”
Anna pressed a hand to her chest and blew out a breath. “The lantern doesn’t provide good light in this room. No wonder we missed the tiny thing.”
Noah heaved a big sigh. “What a relief! Here’s proof I’m not a thief.”
Daniel smiled. “I’m delighted for you, my friend. Let’s go and tell the sheriff, your accusers, and the bishop the good news.”
Mrs. Foster and Mrs. Tisdale came into the store.
Daniel froze. Noah looked stunned.
Anna’s and Leah’s faces paled, and they approached them.
Leah waved the coin purse. “We have good news for you. We found your coin purse.”
Mrs.
Foster snatched the coin purse from her. “Where’d you find it?”
Anna clasped Leah’s other hand. “She found the small purse behind a cedar chest in the back room. The purse must’ve fallen out of your pocket and slid across the floor behind the furniture piece.”
Mrs. Tisdale snapped her fingers. “Of course! When my sister changed clothes, I checked the skirt closely and discovered a rip in the pocket seam. The rip was large enough for the tiny thing to slip through it. We were on our way to tell the sheriff how sorry we were to accuse Mr. Schwartz when we caught a glimpse of him through the window in your store. It provided us the perfect opportunity to apologize to you in person, Mr. Schwartz. We are so sorry we accused you of any wrongdoing.” She bumped her sister’s arm. “Don’t you agree, Etta?”
Mrs. Foster lifted her chin and glared at Noah. “What are you doing here? Are these women friends of yours?”
Noah looked perplexed. “They are friends of both Daniel and me.”
She glowered and tapped a finger on her cheek. “Did you ask these women to cover up your crime?”
Mrs. Tisdale rolled her eyes. “I’m sorry for my schweschder’s ill-mannered behavior. Don’t answer her question.” She harrumphed and crossed her arms. “Etta, stop being rude. These people have been kind and gracious, in spite of your bad behavior toward them. You have your coin purse, and the explanation is more than reasonable. You owe them an apology.”
Mrs. Foster stared at her schweschder with a wide-eyed expression and parted lips. She wrenched her gaze from Mrs. Tisdale and over to Leah. “Thank you for my coin purse.” She turned on her heel. “Irene, let’s go.” She swung her arms and marched to the door.
The kind woman smiled. “We’ll tell the sheriff the news.”
Mrs. Foster whipped her head around and glared at her schweschder over her shoulder. “He can tell the sheriff. I’m ready to get out of here.”
Daniel stepped closer to Noah. “We don’t want to trouble you. We’ll tell the sheriff. We’re pleased you have your coin purse and can leave here assured Noah isn’t a thief.”
“Again, we are so sorry, Mr. Schwartz. I hope you will forgive us.” Mrs. Tisdale gave Noah a shy and apologetic grin.