by Paula Mabbel
Why would Isaac want to speak with Father? Or with me? Hannah wondered. It was a rare thing for either of the girls to have visitors, especially one who was a young man.
But more than that, why would Miriam lie to him?
*****
The days passed and the tension between Hannah and Miriam grew. Hannah hated to see her sister upset, but she was also angry with Miriam. She didn’t know what Isaac wanted, but she knew that it was wrong to lie to him, no matter what the reason was.
To make matters worse, Miriam never said a word about the interaction, and she even took it so far as to avoid the question when her father asked if there had been any callers for him that day.
“I was busy in the kitchen all day, Father, and no one came to the door.” Miriam had said it so smoothly that Hannah had to catch herself to not say anything. Her sister didn’t know that she had seen Isaac, and she wasn’t about to tell her what she had done, so she quietly ate the dinner that was in front of her and didn’t say anything about it.
“That is odd. I was expecting a bit of company, but no matter. I am sure I will catch up again soon.” Their father didn’t seem too troubled by it, so Hannah decided not to say anything to him about what had happened.
It all seems very strange to me, but it is a lot easier to just let it go and work itself out than to try to figure out what Miriam is up to. I just wish I knew what Isaac wanted with me.
A few weeks later, Hannah was interrupted by her father as she was working on her patchwork in the kitchen. Miriam had gone to the neighbors’ to help with the baby twins who had just been born, and Hannah had taken the opportunity to have a few minutes to herself.
“Hannah, I wanted to speak with you. Alone. Is your sister around here?”
Hannah looked up in surprise and shook her head.
“Miriam isn’t going to be back for some time now, Father. What can I do for you?”
Her father walked into the room, sat down beside her, and smiled. Hannah felt nervous. It wasn’t like her father to seek her out to tell her anything. He always told Miriam, and if it was important, Miriam would then tell her, but now he was asking for her alone.
Hannah looked at her father in surprise, and she thought that she could detect tears in his kind eyes.
“Well, I don’t know how I should go about saying this. I thought that it was going to be a lot easier to do than it is now that I am here doing it, so I am just going to say it. Isaac Troyer has asked me for your hand in marriage.”
Hannah felt sick. It was that same feeling that she had when she had won the blue ribbon all over again, only this time it was a lot worse. She was glad that her father was there, but at the same time she wanted to be alone. To digest what he had said to her.
How could he want her? How could he see her past her sister? Miriam was always the one who was in front. She was the one who was always trying to get his attention, and she was the one who handled everything.
Ever since their mother had passed away, it had fallen to Miriam to handle the things that went on in the family, and Hannah had always felt like she fell in her sister’s shadow. If anyone wanted to come and ask for anyone, they ought to be here asking for Miriam.
Finally, Hannah found her voice.
“What did you tell him, Father?”
“I told him that I was very protective over my daughters, and that you and your sister are my world. I told him that he had a lot of guts coming here to ask me for your hand, and I told him that I had been watching him carefully the past few months to see what he was all about these days.”
Hannah’s father stroked his beard as he spoke to her, and Hannah could see in his eyes a mix of love, happiness, and sorrow. She could also see that twinkle in his eyes that came when she knew he was planning some mischief.
“I also told him that my little girl had grown up, and that you had grown into a fine young woman. I told him that a fine young woman such as yourself deserved to be with the best of young men, and that as far as I could tell, he is one of the best. I told him that he has my blessing, if that is what you also want, and that I expected him to not make me regret my decision.”
Hannah laughed when her father had finished speaking. She threw her arms around his neck and kissed him on the cheek. She couldn’t believe what was happening, and the thought that she was to be married was beyond her wildest dreams.
“Thank you, Father, thank you! To think! I am going to be Mrs. Troyer!”
*****
The news of Hannah’s wedding had come as a blow to Miriam, and it caused a lot of change to their relationship. Hannah had dreaded telling her sister at first. She loved her sister, and above all, she didn’t want to see her get hurt, but more than anything Hannah was tired of living in the shadow of her sister.
It was always what Miriam wanted first and foremost, and Hannah was ready to take the spotlight now. She wanted to be excited for her wedding, and she wanted Miriam to be happy for her, too.
“Just give her some time, and she is going to come around,” Isaac told her one day when he came to visit. Miriam did what she could to avoid them both now, and it was rare for her to say anything to either one of them when they were together.
“I just don’t want to see her hurt. She is such a good young woman, and I want her to be happy more than anything.”
“I know, and she will be. I can’t imagine a young woman such as Miriam is going to be single much longer, and you both are going to be the married sisters who are racing to see who has the most children.” Isaac kissed her on the forehead, and Hannah laughed.
“I can’t see me winning that one. Miriam is a natural when it comes to children.”
“You never thought that you were going to win that pie contest, either, and now look where you are.” With that, Isaac excused himself and left.
Hannah smiled when she was alone. She didn’t know what Isaac saw in her, but she was glad that he liked it, whatever it was. He always knew just what to say to make her feel better, and more often than not, he was right about what he was saying.
Miriam didn’t always stay so distant, and Isaac was right. It wasn’t long before she, too, was wearing a pledge ring. Hannah was a lot happier for her sister than her sister had been for her, but now she was okay with that. Hannah didn’t need her sister to approve of her any longer, and she was happy that Miriam was finally going to get what she wanted.
“You know, I was thinking…it would probably save Father a lot of time and money if we both got married at the same time. You know, we could do one of those double weddings. What do you think?”
Hannah surprised her sister one day with this idea. She had been planning her wedding for months now, and when her sister had become engaged, it didn’t look like she was going to be able to have the same kind of wedding that Hannah was having.
Their father hadn’t expected both of his girls to be engaged at the same time and he had put most of his money into Hannah’s wedding. Miriam surprisingly hadn’t said anything about this, but Hannah knew that it would bother her sister.
Miriam put her needlework down and looked at her sister. She had felt so jealous of Hannah ever since that day when she won the blue ribbon out from under her, and their relationship hadn’t been the same since. Part of her missed her sister, and the old relationship that they had, but she had to admit, this was a complete surprise to her.
“You don’t think that Isaac would mind?” she asked. Hannah could tell that Miriam was trying to sound as disinterested as possible, but that there was a lot of excitement hidden in her voice.
“Not at all. Isaac still loves you as one of his closest friends, you know, and we both miss you and the way that things were. Besides, I think Ben is going to appreciate the opportunity to meet more of the people in this side of the community.”
Miriam burst into tears. Her fiancé was new to this community, having moved here from a colony down south, and he hadn’t been around much to meet the people. As much as Miriam lov
ed him, she feared that their marriage was going to cut her off from the people she loved so much.
“Oh, Hannah! I love you so much! I am so sorry for how I have been acting. It’s been so hard with everything, and I miss you.” Miriam had burst into tears when her sister had finished speaking, and now they were both hugging each other in the living room.
“It’s okay, Miriam. I understand. I miss you, too. Just promise me one thing…”
“What’s that?” Miriam asked, pulling back and looking her sister in the face.
“That you won’t be mad when I have the most kids!” Hannah laughed and playfully pushed her sister away.
“Oh, you think you will, but just wait, I am going to have a dozen!”
The weddings were a huge success, and the girls were proud to be announced into their new families. Their father was teary eyed to walk his girls down the aisle, but he was proud of them and the men who stood at the other end waiting for them.
Hannah and Miriam still had their skirmishes from time to time, but there was peace in the family. They may have had their differences, and Miriam was going to have to get used to that, but they found that family was enough to get them through anything.
*****
THE END
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The Amish Arrangement
Sadie, standing on her tiptoes, positioned the last glass jar of apple butter onto the shelf. She was glad this year’s crop had been bounteous. The pantry was loaded with numerous jars of vegetables, fruits, jelly and jams. As she placed both feet flat on the floor, she reached for the note her mother had given her. Mamn had composed a list of food items the ladies would need in preparing the potluck meal for Tuesday.
Sadie pulled back the solid black fabric hanging across the door frame, allowing more light into the pantry. Her eyes darted quickly over the list, making a mental note of each item. At the end of the paper Mamn had written the oddest thing. She wondered why in the world Mamn would write “Gottes Wille” on a food list.
Growing up Amish, children learn at an early age to never question their parents. Some things do not make sense, and here was a perfect example. What did God's will have to do with jars of fruit? She would think more about this later, but for now there was too much work to do. The potluck dinner was only one element of the wedding celebration being held on the farm Tuesday.
Sadie's first cousin was getting married. Mamn had agreed to make her dress for the wedding so last-minute details were addressed. The main focus now was preparation of the food. With all of the stressful last minute preparations her cousin needed to balance, Sadie was glad she wasn’t the one getting married.
As the last wedding guest departed the farm, Sadie and two of her younger sisters rushed into the kitchen to wash dishes. Mamn entered the room and requested Sadie's sisters leave them . Sadie had sensed all afternoon that something was not right. There were several older Amish couples from out of town attending the wedding. One couple caught her attention because her parents spent a lot of time talking with them. Her daed had mentioned the Yoders were close friends.
Mamn asked Sadie to sit down. Daed, with Bible in hand, came into the room and sat down next to her. “There is only one way to put this, Daughter,” Daed said, “You are getting married to Issac Yoder in two weeks.” He went on to explain all arrangements had been made and he would take her to Shipshawana, Indiana, where the wedding would take place.
Sadie did not know what to think. At first she wanted to bolt out of the door and run as fast and as far possible. Crying would not resolve the issue, nor would getting angry. She had no other choice. Sadie pleaded with Mamn but to no avail. Mamn assured her in time she would grow to love this man. Sadie knew she was defeated and, with all the energy she could muster, sadly agreed.
That night in bed Sadie cried herself to sleep. How could her family do this to her? Why? What was their reasoning behind all of this? She did not care what her mamn said, she would not love this man for no account. Well one good thing might come out of this; she would acquire a few new dresses. Sadie loved the color of purple.
*****
The next ten days seemed like eternity. Sadie spent hours reliving her childhood. She had fond memories of the farm, trees, and even the farm animals. Amish children are not encouraged to name their animals, but Sadie had names for every animal in her care, even the chickens. As Sadie passed by the barn for the last time, she stopped in to tell her beloved cow goodbye. She recalled the day her precious cow made her grand entrance into the world, and how excited she had been when Daed had allowed her to take ownership of the animal.
Sadie folded and gingerly laid her new purple wedding dress in the wooden box her daed had built for her. She placed her black high-topped shoes on the bottom of the box and her black prayer covering on top of the dress. She folded a few other simple dresses and two aprons inside the box as well. The Amish do not have worldly possessions, but Sadie's mamn had given her a quilt and allowed her to take the no-face Amish doll she was given when she was four years old. Sadie held the doll close to her chest and wept. She knew in her heart she would never return to her home again.
Leaning against the wheel of the buggy, Sadie waited for Daed. It was a cold November morning when they pulled away from the house. A small stream of smoke drifted out of the chimney stack. She glanced up one last time to see her dear mamn standing in the window.
Daed was quiet during the trip. Sadie was nervous, and the closer the buggy got to their final destination the more anxious she became. There were so many unanswered questions. Putting aside the fact her marriage was arranged to begin with, why did she have to move to where her husband lived. Amish marriages are not designed in this manner. The newly married couple lived with the wife, not the other way around. Who would be attending her wedding? So many questions and no one to answer. All the unknowns simply added to the building fear within her.
Daed pulled into a tree-lined, long, gravel driveway. The typical modest Amish home was positioned at the top of the driveway. Over to the left was a long, white building separate from the main home. There appeared to be more foot traffic at this building than at the home.
“Good day to you, Sadie Miller” a lady yelled as she came across the yard. “Please come with me and I will show you where to put your things.” Sadie was so nervous and could not utter a word. She simply nodded her head in agreement. She knew this was her future mother-in-law, Mary Yoder.
Mary led Sadie to a small room just off the kitchen. The room was a typical Amish bedroom, consisting of a bed, a nightstand with a kerosene lantern, and wooden pegs nailed to the wall to hang clothes. Mary turned to Sadie and said, “This room is on the main floor, there are beds upstairs for our six sons. You can stay here until your wedding night, then you will go with Issac to your own home.”
Well, Amish tradition thrown right out the window again. What in the world had Daed been thinking to allow this? She plopped down in the rocking chair and quietly exhaled. Suddenly Sadie thought of her box, which was still in the buggy. Sadie was dumbfounded to discover her daed was gone and the box lay on the wooden floor just inside the front door.
The tears flowed. She did not know if she was angry for such an injustice against God's order of marriage, or sad about being left alone. The more she thought about her situation, the more she cried. She struggled to pick up the box. She did not dare drag the box across the floor. It was heavy, but not due to the contents. Her anger gave her an eruption of energy. She grabbed the box as if it were a paper sack and carried it to the bedroom.
She opened the box wondering what articles to withdraw and what to leave. Pinned to her prayer head co
vering was a handwritten note from her youngest sister. “Love to my sister. Gottes Wille for you.” Sadie thought to herself, This is God's will for me. I am getting married to a man I do not know, living in a community I know nothing of and…the thought stopped as she heard her name being called.
Mary said, “Sadie, please come into the front room.” Sadie stood up, adjusted her head dress and stepped into the room. Standing before her was a tall, bearded man. Her first thought was that this could not be Issac. He has a beard. Amish women know that a man cannot grow a beard until after his wedding. Boy, was she wrong. It was Issac.
Issac spoke to Sadie in a soft tone of voice: “Welcome, Sadie. Glad to meet you. Do you find your room comfortable? Is there anything else you may need?” His kindness overwhelmed Sadie. She had excepted something entirely different. Sadie tried to form words but nothing came out. Instead she just shook her head. Before Issac left the room he addressed his mother, asking permission to excuse Sadie from helping in the kitchen. He knew Sadie was tired from the trip and needed her rest. Mary agreed and instructed Sadie to go rest.
In less than an hour, Sadie heard loud voices followed by boisterous laughter. She could tell the voices sounded manly. What, no females? she thought. Mary called, “Nachtesse,” forsaking them all to come to the table for the night meal. Sadie stood in the kitchen while eight men sat down. There were the six other brothers, Mr. Yoder and Issac. Mary pointed to a chair and Sadie gently seated herself. Mr. Yoder read a short devotion out of the Bible, then prayed.
Normally the Amish eat a light night meal, but an exception was made for the arrival of Sadie. Mr. Yoder picked up a large platter of boiled chicken and started the process of passing food around the table. There were mashed potatoes, green peas, beets and applesauce. One look at the milk in her glass and Sadie knew it was not from a cow but a goat. At this point she did not care, though. She was thirsty.