“Pick one out,” Gilbert said. The two sat quietly for an hour while Gilbert read to Park. Mrs. Williams, felt this helped to take Gilbert’s mind off the situation for a while.
She soon took Ross upstairs for a nap and returned to do more knitting. Grandpa George Williams stepped into the parlor. Mrs. Williams addressed Park, “Park, go with Grandpa, please.” Park hopped off Gilbert’s lap and left the house with Grandpa.
Mrs. Williams sat back down on her chair and started to knit once again. Gilbert began to get tears in his eyes. Mrs. Williams noticed, but did not say anything, she was content to wait until Gilbert wanted to talk. She was confident he would talk eventually and when he did she would be there. It wasn’t very long before Gilbert began to talk to himself, knowing Mrs. Williams would be listening.
“I had some questions answered today.” He spoke slow and softly. “Some good and some not so good. I found out that I have relatives in Dubuque. Now I can’t remember what their names were.”
“We’ll find out for you. Don’t worry about that.” Mrs. Williams reassured him while she apologized, “I am sorry we didn’t pursue finding them before.”
“It’s all right. You had no way of knowing,” he tried to ease her mind. “I found out where my mother is.” He said, “She is buried under my favorite tree.”
This shocked Mrs. Williams so much she couldn’t speak. She went to him and gave him a hug. Gilbert broke down and began to cry. For several minutes they held each other when Mr. Williams came into the house. He stood by quietly while the scene played out. When they finally separated Mr. Williams motioned to speak to his wife in the next room. He informed his wife what Albert had told him. Mr. Williams had already sent a telegram to the Morrisey’s in Dubuque. He also sent a notice to the sheriff to search for Gilbert’s mother. While Mr. Williams was explaining what he had done to Mrs. Williams, Gilbert had gotten up and was appearing to leave.
“Gilbert,” Mr. Williams addressed him, “Where are you going?”
“I am going to collect my mother,” he said.
Mr. Williams moved toward him, “I know about it and there are people taking good care of her right now. I don’t think you should be there.”
Gilbert just nodded silently.
“Charles,” Mrs. Williams suggested, “Why don’t we have Gilbert stay tonight in the guest room.”
“Fine idea,” he responded.
Gilbert stayed in the Williams’s home for the night. The next morning the Sheriff came to the Williams’s home to report to Gilbert. Mr. Williams had been out that morning making sure things were being taken care of properly. Word had gone around Rush Park about Gilbert’s situation and his chores were being attended to.
Mr. Williams explain the situation to Gilbert. He had a large bag which was filled with items they found buried under the tree with his mother. He told him there were pictures, a few books, shoes, and some jewelry. He told him they found some clothes buried next to her remains as well. Mr. Williams offered to pay to have a memorial and burial wherever Gilbert and his family decided.
Gilbert spent the night looking over his mother’s personal effects. There was a pictures of him when he was a child. He began to cry when he saw some of the pictures of his mother. There was a picture of another woman that resembled his mother and he could only guess it was his Aunt Rachel. The pictures were showing some deterioration from being buried for many years, but they were still distinguishable. There was a wedding ring and a broach with a small picture of a baby in it. Gilbert guessed it was him. There was a bible, that was not in best of shape. He decided to cherish and maintain the items.
The next day Gilbert’s Grandmother, Ethel Crandall, and Aunt Rachel Morrisey came to Independence. When they met with Gilbert the first time, both Rachel and Ethal broke down crying and hugging Gilbert. They were very appreciative of everything Mr. Williams had done for Gilbert. They agreed to bury his mother at Oakwood Cemetery in Independence. They invited Gilbert to come back with them to Dubuque to meet his uncle and cousins. They hoped he would stay for awhile to get to know each other.
Gilbert was reluctant since he had so much responsibility caring for Mr. Williams’s horses. But Mr. Williams insisted he go and get away from Independence and away from work for awhile. He also indicated that Gilbert could stay with his relatives for good, if he wanted to.
Gilbert had no intention of leaving his real home in Independence and Rush Park.
He also thought it may be a good opportunity to see Clara in Dubuque, as well as get to know his newly found family. So, he returned to Dubuque with his new found relatives, on the afternoon train.
“Your cousins are very excited to meet you,” Rachel said excitedly.
Gilbert was excited to meet them as well. He was excited to meet any relative. “It will be great to meet them.”
“We’ll fix up a room in the attic for you.” Grandmother Ethel broke in, “You can get a job at the river docks.”
Gilbert was struck with the possibility that he was getting trapped into living with his new family. This would be very different from the life style he had been living. “I have a job already, ma’am. I just want to meet my family and get to know you all for a few weeks.”
“Non-sense we have been kept away from you all these years. We deserve to be together.” Ethel said confident Gilbert would understand and see things her way. “And call me grandmother, none of this, ma’am business.”
“I appreciate your wanting me to be a part of your lives, but I plan to go back to Independence in a few weeks.” Gilbert said with great sympathetic feeling. The two relatives were quiet for a moment.
Rachel broke the brief uneasy silence, “I certainly hope we will see you from time to time.”
Ethel added quickly, “How about we plan to have you come visit for a couple of weeks every year or a couple times a year maybe, like for Christmas and Easter.”
“I would like to do that,” Gilbert said with great enthusiasm. “Winter’s are usually slow around the park.”
The rest of the trip was filled with information concerning the relatives he was about to meet.
“There is your mother’s brother, Herbert,” Rachel told Gilbert, “He has a wife Milly and two sons, Richard and Andrew. Richard is twelve years old and he is always picking on his brother, Andrew, who is eight.”
Rachel then continued on about her family. Her husband Robert, worked at the railroad station loading and unloading railcars. Her two children were, Christina, who was eleven years old, and Emma, who was nine. Gilbert lost himself slightly as he watched the beautiful Iowa country side pass by his window. Many fields were sprouting small green blades of corn from the dark rich soil of Iowa. The trees were filling with bright green buds and some had baby leaves that were waving peacefully in the brisk spring air. The few white puffy clouds added a peaceful serenity to the rolling landscape. Rachel kept babbling on, unaware Gilbert wasn’t listening intently to what she was saying. He felt the vibration of the train on the tracks more then he had ever been aware before when traveling by train.
He began to think about what it might have been like had his mother not been murdered by his father. The thought of his father enraged him. He thought about what it would have been like to be raised by his grandmother. Things most certainly would have been different.
He would have had a much better childhood, as far as being a child. He remembered his father telling him, on his death bed, that he was never a boy. He thought he may have even turned out to be a lazy spoiled school boy, had he not had to care for the business as he did. He was sure glad he was working for Mr. Williams and not being raised by his grandmother. She seemed strict and domineering in some way. He thought he might be to judgmental, considering the fact they had just met. Gilbert was not disappointed with the life he had now. He actually was very happy and proud of the way things turned out.
He
thought if he had a regular childhood, life wouldn’t have even started for him yet. His whole life has had meaning. He still went to school, then to the park to work. He didn’t hang out with friends playing games or going to dances, or just hanging out in front of Purdy’s store. He still did not have any close friends to speak of, but he was well known and was popular around town with many people of all ages. Being associated with Mr. Williams gave him respect for himself translating into respect from the townspeople. As the train rolled on, his depression was turning into a great feeling of pride for himself. Despite his rough childhood, he thought things couldn’t have turned out better.
He was heartbroken to find out about his mother, but he wasn’t taken by complete surprise. He had suspected she was dead. It did shock him, realizing he had been walking on her grave all this time. It also may have explained why he was so attracted to the tree.
Now he had a true family, even though he felt like a stranger. The family was very nice to him and understanding of his situation.
They passed through Winthrop without stopping for passengers or freight. The train continued on to Manchester where a stop would, most certainly, be made. He began to listen more intently to Rachel about his new family. Rachel rattled on about her daughters. “Christina play’s the piano very well. Emma on the other hand, refused to learn the piano because, she says she would never be as good as Christina. However, Emma is very good at climbing trees and teaching our dog tricks. I wish she would try to do something worth doing. I would think she would want to play the piano to be better than her sister.” Gilbert got the feeling Rachel thought Emma wouldn’t be good for anything except for the circus.
Gilbert began to like Emma already and wanted to meet her more than any other relative. Rachel than continued to talk about her daughter Christina and her great accomplishments. “She does well in school, plays her piano at recitals and performances and is the perfect lady.”
Ethel broke in the conversation, “Christina, is also an astounding singer.”
They pulled into Manchester and several passengers boarded the train. Rachel and Ethel got involved in a conversation with a middle aged couple returning to Dubuque. The couple had been visiting relatives in Manchester. Rachel introduced the couple to Gilbert. “Gilbert, I want you to meet Frederick and Evon Moritz.” Then she gestured them to Gilbert, “This is Gilbert, my long lost nephew from Independence.”
“Well young man,” Evon said, “It is very nice to meet you. You are from Independence? Have you ever met Mr. Williams, the horseman?”
“Yes,” Gilbert was afraid to say he knew him very well. “I have met him.”
“It must be exciting to live in Independence these days? We were invited to his home for dinner, but we had to turn him down.”
“It is exciting in Independence,” Gilbert agreed.
Rachel interrupted, “Gilbert works for Mr. Williams. Actually, he was Axtell’s groom and still is Allerton’s groom.”
“Oh,” Evon said as if she was insulted, “how nice.” Rachel felt the sense of tension between them although she did not understand it. Evon had taken it personal that Gilbert did not tell them he worked so closely with Mr. Williams from the beginning of the conversation.
“Mrs. Moritz,” Gilbert said in earnest concern, “I must apologize for my reluctance to speak of my relationship with Mr. Williams. I don’t feel much like talking right now and most people that find out that I work for Mr. Williams have many questions. Please forgive me.”
There was a short awkward silence as Mrs. Moritz answered, “I understand.” She smiled and patted him on the knee. The rest of the trip went well. The Moritz’s son, Arthur, joined his parents. He was a bigger boy, around seventeen years old, swaggering with great arrogance. He had a face full of acne, that was very evident because of his pale skin and blonde hair. Gilbert was able to relax for the rest of the journey to Dubuque.
Rachel’s husband Robert, was standing at the station with the two children, Christina and Emma. Robert gave his wife a hug and kiss. Then she turned to greet the children. Robert greeted his mother-in-law. Then he turned to Gilbert and smiled as he stretched out his hand. Gilbert reached out and accepted the hand readily.
“You must be Gilbert?” He asked.
“Yes,” Gilbert returned with a friendly smile, “and you must be Robert?”
“You can’t imagine the frustration we have felt for you all these years.” He started jabbering, “Rachel and her mother have been wondering all these years where you and your mother had run off to. They were convinced she had run off to Minneapolis, never guessed that your dad had killed her.” He shook his head.
“Robert!” Rachel yelled, “Don’t you have any consideration for his feelings.” She then turned to Gilbert, “I’m sorry, Gilbert.”
“Why, what?” Robert questioned the apology.
“You talk of it as it was idol talk.”
He4 then realized the sensitivity, “Oh. sorry Gilbert.”
He had wondered why they had never looked for him in Independence. He thought it really didn’t matter since it was in the past and the past cannot be changed.
Gilbert was shown his room at his aunt and uncle’s modest two-story home on the side of a hill overlooking the Mississippi River. They had a nice open porch on the front of the house. Gilbert was escorted to a small but adequate room in the attic. There was a cot that had a lumpy mattress on it. The mattress was wrapped in what appeared to be an old blanket. He was happy to have such a nice place to stay. He had slept on worse beds and in worse conditions than this, many times. He could tell his family wasn’t over blessed with money, so he certainly did not expect any extravagant sleeping quarters. He got himself settled in and than went down to join his family. Rachel told him it may be awhile before dinner would be ready. Gilbert excused himself and sat out on the porch to enjoy the view.
The sun was behind the hill to the west shading the house, but the river was still in the sunlight. He watched the boats that were on the river. He was especially interested in one large flat bottom side-wheeled river boat. The river boat’s white paint appeared to glow in the sunlight. He saw the water churning white on the side of the boat by the paddle wheels. Gilbert could see the tiny figures of people on the deck. He could tell they were well dressed in suits, hats and elegant dresses. There were many couples paired off as they strolled or stood on deck.
The door to the house opened up and Emma came strolling out. Gilbert looked back and saw her looking toward him shyly. It appeared to him she wanted to talk to him, but was hesitant to do so. So Gilbert broke the silence, “Hi, Emma. Would you like to sit down and tell me about yourself?” Emma didn’t say anything to him as she sat next to him. “Maybe it would be better that I tell you about myself?”
“All right, talk,” she said quickly.
“I hear you like to climb trees?”
She tilted her head, “I thought you were going to talk about yourself.”
“Oh, well I was getting to that,” he said. “I was going to tell you that I like climbing trees as well. We have this weeping willow tree in Independence I call, ‘The Wishing Tree.’ A weeping willow has long stringy leaves that hang down all around it.”
“I know what kind of tree a Weeping Willow is.” She abruptly interrupted. “Do you think I am stupid?”
Gilbert was caught off guard by the statement, but he was able to recover quickly, “I don’t think that at all. Did you know that not everyone can climb a tree? It takes some skill to find a way to get up and even more skill to find a safe way back down.”
“I can agree with that.”
“Why do you want to climb trees so badly?”
“Because Christina can’t”
“I see,” Gilbert chuckled, “she pretty bad at it, is she?”
“She can’t get to branch one,” Emma laughed. “The one time she did get to a l
ower branch, I hacked up a good one and spat on her. Then I told her a bird dropped on her and she jumped down screaming for her mommy.” Emma had a proud smile.
Gilbert hated to laugh and suppressed his laughter for a few seconds, then he burst out laughing. Emma was amused as well and the two laughed together. Gilbert regained control of himself long enough to ask. “Did you ever tell her the truth?”
“You do think I’m stupid,” Emma said, “She would beat me up if she knew.”
“You don’t care much for your sister do you?” He asked.
“Let me put it this way,” she said then took a deep breath, “Chris-tin-a, Emma, just the name comparisons tells you who is their favorite.”
“Emma is a wonderful name.”
“Chris-tin-a, goes well with crystal and Christ.” Emma said with her eye’s wide open. “Emma, relates well with emena. I bet if you look it up in the dictionary it would be referred to as something very disgusting.”
Even though she had mispronounced enema, he certainly caught the jest of the analogy. It amused him, but it also made him think Emma had a problem with self-confidence and a healthy relationship with her parents. Gilbert felt he was not qualified to give any advice about child parent relationships, since he had never really had any experience being a parent or even having parents. “Do you blame Christina or your parents?”
Emma was stumped silent for a moment. “What are you doing?”
“What,” Gilbert, on the defensive thinking he must have done something wrong.
“You’re not talking about yourself,” Emma said, “I thought you were some important person with Axtell and Allerton. I figured you would be bragging about that.”
“It’s just a job,” Gilbert responded modestly.
“Yeah, well I want to hear about it,” Emma took her tiny fist and gently hit Gilbert on the shoulder. “Do I have to drag it out of ya. No wonder you don’t have a girlfriend.” Gilbert couldn’t help, but laugh at Emma’s grown up juvenile attitude. He could not think of a response for this conversation. She continued to prod him for conversation. “We’re having beans tonight. I would suggest that you spill them here to me now, than in there in front of everybody.”
Allerton and Axtell Page 28