8.2 He didn’t want to hear anymore.

 Payne Township - June 1874

The next two weeks were filled with activity. Uncle Albert helped Dad fix some things around the farm and expand the cabin. Sometimes, ARJ helped them by handing them tools or fetching something they needed but most of the time, he and the others were sent out to play.

Mum and Aunt Rachel sat outside on nice days, catching up on family news, while Mum worked on her lace and Aunt Rachel crocheted.

“ARJ, would you run in and bring my bobbin bag out to me?” Mum asked. “I guess I didn’t count right!”

ARJ got up from where he’d been playing in front of the porch and went inside. He went into the back room and grabbed the bag. Dad’s and Uncle Albert’s voices filtered in from the other side of the back wall.

He walked back through to the porch and handed
the bag to Mum and resumed his play.

Mum hung the last bobbin pair on a pin and put her hand over them, looking at Aunt Rachel. “How are William and Emma doing since their loss?”

Rachel rested her crochet on her lap and looked at Mum.

“They’re doing about as well as can be expected. Emma seems quieter. I know she misses Little Emma dearly. Poor Alice, though. She’s beside herself without her little sister.”

Mum nodded. “At six, how is she to understand... “It’s so hard on everyone. It was difficult to leave our two… Ada May… such a sweet little girl, and Ada Emily, we barely got to know. Now, they seem so far away in the Ryde cemetery.”

Aunt Rachel waited a minute, and then put her hand over Mum’s. “I can’t imagine what a loss that was for you. It must have been difficult for you to leave.”

Mum pensively straightened her bobbins on the pillow, and then spoke.

“Soon after Ada May was born, my Mum pulled me aside. I remember she said, ‘If something happens to this one, you can always have more children.” Mum shook her head to clear her thoughts. “I know she was right, but the words washed over me like an icy rain!”

“You have three very healthy children now, Anna.” Rachel offered. “And soon, a fourth!”

Mum placed her hand over her very round belly, as Rachel continued.

“Emma’s baby is due in autumn. I’m hoping it helps her to have another.”

ARJ moved to the shadow of the cabin, away from the sad conversation, and sat watching a line of ants marching along the ground. They wound their way around tufts of little green plants with tiny purple flowers. He picked a flower and held it close. If he used his imagination, the small petal looked like a miniature purple rabbit.

He could hear Dad and Albert around the corner of the cabin as they talked about expanding the backroom. Uncle Albert was a bricklayer and carpenter, and Dad had been anxious for him to come.

“If we bring the wall out a little on this side, we could also put a second door back here.” He heard his uncle’s voice.

“Then I could come in through the back and not track mud through the house.” Dad said, and Uncle Albert snorted.

“You’re going to have to do better, little brother, if you want to keep your wife!”

“I tell you, Albert, I never remember walking in with muddy boots, but there, in front of me is the proof, on the floor and on my boots! Maybe I’m just anxious about the trial coming up and not paying attention. Very peculiar!”

Uncle Albert laughed again. “I don’t know about that but, I think we need a trip into town to get some lumber. I couldn’t bring my tools, but you have a few. Let’s get this job going.”

It was quiet for a long minute and then ARJ heard Dad’s voice, a little quieter.

“Listen Albert. If this trial doesn’t go well and I end up in prison…”

“Brother, I don’t think that will happen, but if it does… Anna and the kids will be taken care of until you’re free.”

There was another silence, followed by Dad’s voice. “If she wants to take the children and go back to England—she might find it easier.”

“Arthur, I don’t think we could talk her into moving that far away from you. God knows what will happen, and you can count on William and me to take care of your family.”

ARJ moved quickly away from the house. He didn’t want to hear anymore.

8.1 ARJ stopped to study the occupants of the wagon, fighting the desire to run inside.

Payne Township, May 1874

“Finish your tea, children.” Mum reminded them, as Dad wearily sat down in his chair. “Let Dad sit and enjoy his.”

ARJ stopped himself from asking his father another question and finished the last bite of his bread.

He remembered Dad coming home from his job as a carter in Ryde. He’d stop and wash the dirt from

his face and hands, that came from loading and unloading coal, dirt, manure, grain, and many other things, before coming into the house for tea. As a carter, he worked in the sun, rain, fog, and mist. Once the dirt was off, he looked just the same as always.

Dad looked different as a Kansas farmer. ARJ thought he always looked like he didn’t quite get all the dirt off, even though he could tell Dad had stopped and washed because his hair was still damp. He watched as Dad lifted his teacup and took a sip, letting out a soft breath of satisfaction. The hand that held the cup was sun-burnt and scratched from fixing a fence a few days ago. It was Dad’s face that had changed the most. His skin was much darker, browned in the sun and red from today’s work. Squint lines marked the edges of his eyes and when he wasn’t smiling, the creases opened to show tiny white lines pointing to his temples.

‘It’s only the end of May and the crops are just getting a good start. What would Dad look like by summer?’

“ARJ, are you listening?” Mum’s voice brought him out of his thoughts. He blinked. Giving her the answer that he hadn’t heard her.

“It looks like you’re finished. Will you please bring in some small pieces of wood for the stove and fill the wood box? It’s getting low.”

“Yes, Mum.” He said, as he stood.

He dug through the wood pile, picking out the small logs that would fit in Mum’s stove. The sound of a wagon rumbling on the dirt road landed on his ears. He turned and looked as it turned onto their drive. ARJ stopped to study the occupants of the wagon, fighting the desire to run inside. By shading his eyes from the glaring late afternoon sun, he finally recognized Mr. Brown driving the wagon, but that wasn’t Mrs. Brown next to him. A man in the back stood and jumped to the ground as soon as the wagon stopped.

“Uncle Albert!” ARJ yelled, dropping the wood, and running to him.

His uncle swept him up in the air, laughing! “ARJ! Is that you? You have sure grown since I last saw you!”

The commotion had alerted everyone inside the cabin, and they flooded out the door. Soon ARJ and JW stood staring at Ernest, who was a year younger than ARJ, and James, about two. Uncle Albert walked around the wagon and helped Aunt Rachel down.

“Let me get those bags out of the back.” Dad said. “I sure appreciate you bringing my family to me, Sid!”

“It was good timing. The coach came through and I overheard your brother asking about you. I’m glad I was there.”

Mr. Brown pointed his horses for home, and they all started for the cabin.

Mum turned to ARJ. “We’re going to need that wood now, son. I need to put the kettle back on!”

 

7.1 In the second case, a man accused me of stealing...

 Wichita, Kansas - 14 May 1874

“So, you think there might be a letter for you, son?” Mr. Kellogg smiled at ARJ from behind the counter. “Now let me see...”

“It may be addressed to Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Dibbens, Sir.” ARJ answered.

“Ah, yes! Here it is.” Mr. Kellogg pulled the letter from a nook. “It seems this one has come all the way from Denver.” He turned the envelope over in his hand and then held it out to ARJ.

“It must be from my uncles! They live near the Rocky Mountains! Thank you, Sir!”

ARJ ran through the door and turned left, nearly colliding with a man coming inside.

“Excuse me, Sir!” He said as he looked up. He recognized Mr. Brewer from the law office.

“Whoa! Wait a minute… Can it be Mr. Dibbens?” Mr. Brewer said as he presented his hand. Are you in town with your father, today?”

“Yes.” ARJ nodded. “He let me walk down to check for mail.”

Mr. Brewer pulled out a pocket watch on a long gold chain. “Well, then, I see the trip was fruitful. I’ll see you again in thirty minutes, young man.”

ARJ nodded and hurried up the street to Mr. Kohn’s
shop.

Dad looked up as ARJ walked through the door, holding out the letter. He smiled at ARJ as he took it and turned around to see if Mum was finished showing the shopkeeper her lace.

“This is called Trolly lace.” She was saying as she pulled a piece from her bag, unrolling it carefully. Mr. Kohn took it in his hands, examining its fine design.

“The ladies all seem to be experts at discerning real lace from that which isn’t real, as they say.” He held the piece up to the light that shone through the front window.

“Real lace isn’t perfect, they tell me. Funny. The more perfect it is, the less valuable.” Mr. Kohn looked at Mum and smiled. “They may have difficulty deciding with this fine work!”

Mum smiled.

John William spoke up. “It is real lace. I watched her make it!”

Mr. Kohn laughed. “I’ll take your word on it!”

Dad looked at the large clock on the back wall. ARJ followed his eyes with his own. ‘Fifteen minutes.’ He thought.

By the time they left the shop, Mum had ten dollars and fifty cents for her lace, and more supplies to keep her working.

“I’m so happy the fine thread arrived! I’ll try something a little more complicated next.”

As they came to the office of Howitt, Salisbury and Brewer, Mr. Salisbury came through the door.

“Good afternoon, Mr. and Mrs. Dibbens. You know you really are not required to be here for the preliminaries.”

“I feel better knowing the entire process.” Dad said, and Mr. Salisbury nodded.

“I don’t blame you, and today shouldn’t take long. We’ll just get your case before Judge Campbell and you’ll know about when the district court will hear the case.” He said, as he directed them along the sidewalk.

He glanced at Dad. “Did you tell me? Have you had any experience with the court system?”

Dad nodded. “Back in England, a couple of times.”

Mr. Salisbury looked a bit surprised at Dad’s revelation.

“I was witness to a case of stolen coal. In the second case, a man accused me of stealing manure from his garden.”

Mr. Salisbury halted in his steps and looked at Dad again, stopping the rest of them.

“You’re serious…” He observed. Dad nodded.

Mr. Salisbury guffawed. “Well, I hope you won that one!” he said and laughed again.

The attorney was correct when he said it would be nothing. Dad entered the town hall with Mr. Salisbury, leaving the rest of the family to wait outside.

ARJ kept his eyes on Dad, through the open door. There were several men, including Mr. Brewer, facing who he thought must be the judge. He saw Mr. Salisbury walk to the front of the hall and hand the clerk documents. The judge asked some questions which the lawyer answered.

Within a few minutes, Dad came through the door. ARJ could tell by looking at his face that he was no longer in the mood to laugh with Mr. Salisbury. Dad shook hands with the attorney, and Mr. Salisbury looked him straight in the eye.

“I’ll be in touch. This case needs to be strong. I know Tucker & Sluss. They are serious criminal lawyers that work almost entirely for the state.” Dad didn’t say anything. He just kept eye contact as the attorney continued.

“It needs to be tight. If we need to do a deposition, then we must, but if Mrs. Dibbens can testify in person… the better for all of you.”

When Mr. Salisbury had left them, Mum asked, “Do you know when the trial will be?”

“Sometime during the week of June eighteenth.”

Mum drew in her breath.

At tea, back at home, Dad pulled the envelope from his pocket and stared at it.

“I forgot about the letter. You haven’t opened it yet.” Mum said. “It’s from Denver, isn’t it?”

Dad nodded. “I’ll need to write them another letter this week to let them know the court date.

He tore off the end of the envelope and slipped out a single sheet. “It’s from Albert.” He said as he unfolded it.

Dad read aloud. “Brother. We’re sorry to hear of the trouble. I’m sure Anna and the children were terrified. When I told Rachel of the situation, she insisted on coming to help Anna. We will be arriving within the month. Albert. I guess I’ll be writing the letter to let William know what’s happening.”

Mum smiled. “Sweet Rachel! It’s just like her! I can’t say I won’t be glad for some company.” She gasped, looking around their cabin. “I’m not sure where we’ll put everyone!”

“If we have to, Albert and I can set up in the barn.”

“Boys!” Mum said, “Your cousins, Ernie and James, are coming for a visit!”

The next few weeks were full of activity. Mum gave the cabin a thorough cleaning, from top to bottom. Anticipating visitors lifted her spirits and she hummed again as she worked. Dad seemed relieved to have Uncle Albert on the way.

Winter clothes were put away and Mum worked on some new summer clothes for the children. “Do you remember the heat of last summer, Arthur?”

“How could I forget! The days spent on that wagon bench were the warmest of my life!”

“It’s so much warmer here in the summer than I ever remember in England. Mr. Kohn just received summer hats and bonnets last week. They’ll be gone in a blink of an eye!”