“Thank you, Catherine,” a hint of a tear showed as Sara spoke, “he was a nice boy, wasn’t he?”
Sam was waiting at the entrance when they came out of the sitting room and greeted the girl with a smile, which she returned to him and said, “Thank you for your help, Mr. Fielding,” as she went out the door.
He studied his new wife in a questioning way, her answer being a smile and a look he never saw in her eyes before, the sparkle of dared anticipation.
Sam knew Tom Hall, Catherine’s father, often frequented the saloon on Thursday afternoons. He generally stayed until late evening, leaving more often than not, in bad humour. He agreed the girl could be in danger if her father discovered her condition.
In this time, it was not unusual for the man of the house to lay a beating on his wife and children. Sara had felt the effects of the occasional backhand during her former marriage, but felt certain it was a part of her life she would not be reliving. She agreed it would probably be best to wait until then to speak to Catherine’s mother in private.
It was almost three in the afternoon, on the following Thursday, when Sam came home to report Tom Hall was indeed in the bar and sitting down to play poker. He already consumed a couple shots of whiskey so it was probable he would remain for the rest of the day. Dickens was being harnessed and the couple prepared themselves for the journey to the farm.
It was about a half hour drive to the Hall residence. The home, a “Soddy”, was built out of large chunks of dirt that grass roots held together, with poles near the top to hold more sod over the roof. Often settlers built one for a temporary home, until wood could be found to build a house. This home looked to belong to a family struggling to make ends meet and appeared to be in need of repair. As Dickens trotted into the yard, four children of various ages ran to them with greetings, as a fifth went into the house to tell Mrs. Hall visitors had arrived.
Before the horse came to a stop, Sara asked her husband, “Do the Halls have a debt at the bank, Sam?”
“Not at mine and Tom has been here long enough I’m sure not at any of the new banks either,” he answered, realizing she wondered as they appeared to be in such financial need, “Tom is a man who does not believe in credit, not even at the store from what I’ve heard.”
Mrs. Hall came out onto the porch, followed by her oldest daughter, to see who would be coming to their home. Another child held on to his mother’s leg and Catherine had one looking to be about a year old, in her arms.
With a hand from her husband, Sara stepped down from the sleigh and went to speak with the woman of the house. Sam stayed at the horse and chatted with all the anxious children, who were obviously not used to having much company.
“Hello, Mrs. Hall,” Sara said, shaking her hand. “I am Sara Fielding, Sam’s wife.”
“Hello,” she answered meekly, “I heard Mr. Fielding got married the other day.” Walking to the door she added, “Would you like to come in for a cup to tea?”
“That would be nice, thank you,” Sara followed her hostess into the house, smiling at her new friend behind her mother’s back.
As they sat at the table together Sara started to ask about Catherine. “Mrs. Hall, Sam and I have friends in Winnipeg who need to find a nanny to help care for their three young children. I thought of Catherine when they asked, I remembered her from the church school when Willie went there.”
Immediately Mrs. Hall’s defences came up. “No, I really can’t let Catherine go into the city. Tom would be very much against it and I need her here to help me with the other children.”
“But Mrs. Hall, you have another daughter not much younger than her. She would be a good help for you. This is an opportunity for Catherine to possibly go to college to become a teacher or a nurse.”
Mrs. Hall looked at her daughter who in turn looked down at the floor, not wanting to meet her mother’s eyes. “She went to you for help, didn’t she?” she started out calmly, but more excitedly added, “You went to the witch for help, didn’t you?”
“Mrs. Hall, I really do not do magic. I have learned a lot about medicine, but that is all.”
“She still went to you for help, didn’t she? I was starting to think she got herself in trouble and now she has gone to you to get rid of it.” The woman was standing at the table, her voice shaking with anger. “You little tramp,” she shouted at Catherine, slapping her across the face, but immediately Sara stood up and placed herself between the girl and her mother.
“Mrs. Hall that will do no good now, what has happened has already happened and Catherine has come to me for help. Please let me give it to her. You have probably heard I cannot have children of my own. This child could be Sam’s and my baby, we would love it with all of our hearts.”
By this time Sam heard the commotion coming from inside the house and opened the door to make certain everything was fine and heard the last of what his wife said. “Please, Mrs. Hall,” he said, “We would like to help Catherine. I know Tom and we thought it would be best if he wasn’t told and I am sure you agree.”
The woman stopped for a moment and nodded.
“You know how it feels to love so many children. I believe you only want the best for Catherine. She really is not a bad girl, but got caught in a bad situation. Please let us help her.”
Mrs. Hall sat back down in her chair, unable to speak for a moment. In time she said rather meekly, “I will try to get her father to agree to let her go to Winnipeg. If she could go to college and pay for it herself he may approve.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Hall, all I ask is that you try. I promised Catherine I would help her and we all think this is really the best solution.” They both excused themselves, Sara adding to the girl, “When you can, stop by again and we will make our plans.”
Catherine smiled her thanks, as her mother stood putting her arm around her daughter.
The ride back to Brandon took longer than it did to go out. Sam let Dickens walk most of the way so they could take time to talk.
“How do you feel about it, Sara? Do you think it will be all right with her?”
“Mrs. Hall seems concerned for her daughter, although I thought it wasn’t just her father she may have to watch out for. What about these people you know in Winnipeg, will you telegraph them?”
“No, I thought maybe I would take you on a pre-honeymoon, just overnight, so we can talk to the Stones in person.”
“How is it you know these people and do you think they will be willing to take Catherine in?”
“It is quite a while ago, when I worked in the bank there, Cedric Stone was one of the tellers. I was often invited to their home for meals. Eventually I boarded there for a time, until I came out to Grand Valley. Amelia was a school teacher. I would imagine she still is. At times children who needed a place to stay were there, sometimes for weeks on end. I can’t imagine us being refused, especially to save the life of an innocent baby.”
“That’s good,” she said, reaching through his arm, cuddling up as close as possible. “I don’t know if I should dare let myself believe maybe we will have a baby.” He smiled at her and placed his arm around her, holding the reins with his other hand. “Are you sure it is fine with you, to adopt a baby?”
“I’d be lying if I said it is better than having our own, but I won’t put you through again what you have been before. But I do want to be certain it isn’t a possibility before we say we can’t, all right?”
Sara nodded back at him, smiling, again her eyes showing a hint of hope.
Chapter Fourteen
The next morning Sam and Sara sat waiting in one of the train passenger cars, for their departure to Winnipeg. Tom Sutton arrived early at their home to deliver them to the stationhouse. The Fieldings boarded as soon as the tickets were purchased and found comfortable seats in the nearly empty car. As Brandon was a major stop, passengers occasionally left the cars for their half-hour wait. Two older gentlemen remained on board, tilted their hats at Sara and nodded to Sam and they w
ished each other a ‘good day.’
Sara sat next to the window, feeling like an eager child, anxious to see what was new and interesting. Sam smiled at her innocence, but noticed how it suddenly disappeared at something she saw outside. She quickly sat back in her seat and looked at him, forcing a smile to hide her thoughts. “It is so long since I have been on a train. The last time was when I traveled to Quebec City with my father after I came home from the States. During the war we travelled most often by train, but the cars weren’t near as luxurious as this one.” She bounced a little in the soft cushioning of the well-padded bench seats.
Sam smiled back at her. “This is one of the first-class passenger cars. The ticket costs slightly more, but to see you smile is worth any extra.”
Sara frowned back at him, “Sam, you don’t need to spend extra on me.”
“I didn’t Sara. This is how I always travel. It is generally only business or political men who ride in these cars. You never know who, or what information, you might end up with. Besides, it is generally quieter and easier for us to share time together.” They exchanged smiles and Sam stood up to remove his overcoat, hat and gloves. Sara kept her winter clothes on for the time being and turned back to the window. He sat down holding the daily Brandon Sun he bought from the paperboy at the station.
Sara watched the platform where several men were loading crates into a boxcar further down the tracks. Among the group was Eric, as occasionally he helped the Blye’s transport merchandise and was loading empty crates to be returned to Winnipeg. Toby was leaning against the storage shed, playing with a stick in a fresh skiff of snow. Sam saw her watching so intently and followed her gaze, then realized what thoughts she may be having. He took his wife’s hand, giving it a gentle squeeze, but still she looked out the window, her eyes getting the faraway look he hadn’t seen for some time.
“I sat with him after the accident,” she said as she continued to watch the boy, her voice lost its emotion. “I think he was about thirteen. We hoped he would gain consciousness and continued to pray for fifteen days until he did … maybe we should have let him go.” Again Sam squeezed her hand, but did not speak.
After a moment’s hesitation she spoke again, “Remember how warm it was at the beginning of April.” It was more of a statement than a question. Sara continued as she still watched out the window. “Snow still lay on the ground, but I took a walk down to the lake that morning. William and I had a fight about not letting him take the team to pay his debt. My father gave Bird and Babe to us when we came west. Most people used oxen, but father said he wanted his daughter to travel in style. He used to say the team was his biggest sin because he was so proud of them and the fact they won several blue ribbons at the local fairs.”
A feeling of guilt crept through Sam. He knew the value of the beautiful purebred mares, which far exceeded the amount of the debt and the additional twenty dollars offered to her husband. He continued to sit in silence listening to his wife, still holding her hand.
“It was the first time I saw William show any remorse for what he did. It was the first time he listened to me in my anger without striking back. I was furious and walked away from him until I got to the lake, which was almost a mile from home.”
Sara looked down at their hands and found her knuckles turning white because she was gripping Sam’s hand so tightly. She released her hold a little. She never told anyone what she was about to say and would hardly let herself think about it, although at times the images would hardly leave her mind.
“I was on my way back home when I heard the gunshot. I started running through the bushes. My dress got tangled in some brambles and I ripped it trying to free myself, I was so frantic to get home. I thought William shot himself when I saw him in the hay.” Sara’s eyes closed as she continued, “When I realized the barn was on fire, I tried to drag him away when suddenly I was thrown to the ground and this hairy, slimy face was pushed into mine,” a shudder ran through her body.
Sam placed his hand on her cheek and turned Sara’s face toward his, looking deep into her tear-filled eyes, pulling her from the past back to the present. “Don’t, Sara … don’t live it again. It was not your fault.” He put his arm around her and pulled her close. A single tear ran down her cheek as he placed a gentle kiss upon her forehead.
A loud shout of “All aboard” sounded and a large group of people outside the car, saying their goodbyes and hugging each other, parted to come onto the train. The shrill whistle announced they would soon be pulling out of the station. A small jolt rippled through the cars as the train started to depart and they were on their way.
Sara watched the young man again as he waved frantically to the passengers on the train and to no one in particular. She felt sorry for Toby’s circumstance but still she felt the pain of betrayal. Again she said, “I sat with him …” and again Sam, hugged her close, but said nothing. She leaned into his shoulder and looked away from the window. She closed her eyes because she didn’t want to see the strangers who entered their car. She did not want her eyes to give away her feelings of sorrow to anyone she didn’t know.
Sara turned back to the window and watched as the train slowly gained speed as it travelled to its eastern destination. The tracks were laid part way down the north side of a rolling hill, which seemed to make the new city look as though, between the tracks and the sky, all the land was populated. She knew her quiet country life was coming to an end and as much as she was happy to be among people again, it saddened her. Suddenly the hollow sound of the train crossing the trestle over the Assiniboine River brought her back from her daydream. She looked back at Sam and saw he was watching her. He once again pulled her close, wishing he could take all the bad memories of her past away and hide them where they could not be found. He knew he wanted to fill her life with only happiness and joy, as it seemed to be what she had given him.
Sara rested against his shoulder as she thought about how her life was different. Even though she would not let it show, she hoped just as this land transformed so much, seemingly overnight, maybe her world also would change.
Sam opened the newspaper so to the other passengers it would look like he was reading the latest news, but instead leaned toward Sara and whispered, “For every bad memory you have, I am going to blanket it with a good one,” and he gently kissed her.
They were interrupted by the sound of a man clearing his throat and they both looked up to see the conductor waiting patiently for their tickets. Sara blushed slightly and the gentleman said, “It’s all right madam, can’t leave all the affection to the young folks.” He tilted his head toward a couple on the other side of the car also partially hidden behind a newspaper. “Newlyweds,” he added. Sam and Sara both smiled at the pair as they looked back and shyly returned smiles, but once again went back to hiding behind their paper. The conductor handed Sam back his punched ticket stub as he added, “Must be something in this cool Manitoba air.” He went back to his job of collecting the tickets.
The Fielding’s straightened in their seats and Sam thought it would be best to read the newspaper for a while. Sara tucked her arm around his and glanced at the many ads on the front page. The expression on her face changed to one of confusion. “This is the Brandon paper?” she asked in a tone of disbelief.
Sam straightened the top of the page so she could see the words “Brandon Sun, November 10, 1882,” to which Sara responded,” I have been asleep for a hundred years. How is it two years ago the only white people here were a couple of squatters with shabby shanties? Look, there are ads for about twenty hotels and boarding houses and ads for every kind of item a person could want from moccasins to diamonds. Look, Sam, here’s one for Apothecary Hall! ‘A large stock of pure drugs and chemicals’,” she read out loud pointing to the paper, “I must go one day.”
“I told you Sara, the west is changing and as exciting as it is, it is sometimes frightening. Who knows where it will end? But I must say this has certainly been my fortune. The land, t
he lumber investments and of course the saloon and bank have all made good profit. Someone has been good to me, Sara and now I understand why.”
“Why, love? Why has someone seen that you have made your fortune?”
“So I can give you what you deserve.”
“You don’t need money to make me happy,” she hugged his arm tightly and leaned her head on his shoulder, “Being with you is what makes me happy.”
“But I am still going to give you everything you deserve,” he placed his hand on her cheek and held her close.
They continued the journey quietly watching the scenery and seeing many new homes along the way. It seemed that every few miles either a new home or a town was growing. At times the train slowed and stopped to pick up passengers or freight, but today there were few delays until they reached Portage La Prairie. Here the train would once again have a scheduled stop as in Brandon.
Sam and Sara stepped outside for a stroll, enjoying the warmth in the sun. They decided to go into the dining car and have lunch before arriving in Winnipeg. As they sat enjoying their meal, Sam nodded to a man at the next table and explained to Sara, “That’s Beecham Trotter. He was working for the telegraph, but is planning to settle in Brandon with his cousin Alex. He has an interesting version of what happened to Grand Valley where his cousin was living at the time General Rosser was purchasing the C.P.R. Land. No one knows if it is accurate, but it is similar to most other versions.”
Mr. Trotter was telling his new acquaintance across the table about his tales of the new city and he spoke with such enthusiasm it was hard not to hear. The Fieldings did listen with great interest, not hiding the fact they were also enjoying the tales, but it was obvious he didn’t mind having a larger audience.
“Word got to McVicar the C.P.R. would pay big dollars for the railway. Early in ’81 Rosser and Shaw landed on McVicar’s doorstep with an offer of twenty-five thousand dollars for Grand Valley land. Thinking he had the bull by the horns McVicar demanded twice that and half interest in any sales in the future. Rosser turned on his heel and exclaimed, “I’ll be damned if a town of any kind is ever built here!” He went immediately across the Assiniboine, to Adamson, a squatter on the south side and for a mere pittance of the original offer bought C.P.R. land … and that, my friend, was the death of Grand Valley. No matter how much McVicar begged or bribed, the railroad would not stop there, just as Rosser said. From that day after, Brandon grew from a few squatters to the over three thousand people of today … a period of less than twenty months … every business you can imagine and no end in sight. Why even Sam Fielding here,” Trotter directed his story to the couple, “made his fortune in the grand explosion out here and the land boom in Winnipeg … smart man recognizes when to get out before the bottom falls. Need a good place to stay, The Fielding Saloon will take care of all and I mean all of your needs … good games of poker and spend a pleasant night,” Mr. Trotter explained, raising his eyebrows in a playful manner. He tilted his head toward Sara, “Pardon me, Madam,” adding, “I don’t believe I have met your lovely acquaintance, Sam.”
New Beginnings (New Beginnings Series) Page 14