6.1 I can’t even decide what materials they’ve used to build it.

Payne Township, Sedgwick County, Kansas - March 1874

More than a week went by before the roads were navigable and they could make the trip to town. The cold temperatures seemed to have left with the rain and ARJ accompanied Dad as he walked the fields he had mapped earlier.

“It’s nearing the end of March. The potatoes need to go in the ground by next week.” He told ARJ. “After that, we can begin to plant the buckwheat and oats. Then comes the corn.”

“Are we going to Wichita soon?”

“Tomorrow morning. Mum is anxious to show the shop owner of the dry goods store her lace samples.”

“She’s been working on it every day since that big rainstorm.” ARJ said.

Late the next morning, ARJ and John William sat quietly on a bench in front of ‘Solomon Kohn’s Clothing and Dry Goods’ store. JW twisted and tried to see through the shop glass.

“I wish there weren’t so many dresses in the window. I can’t see what Mum and Dad are doing.”

ARJ stared at the men coming out of an office across the street and down about a block. He recognized two of them as the mob leaders. Squinting into the sun, he watched as a man in a fancy suit shook their hands and walked back through the door.

‘Tucker & Sluss Attorneys at Law’ ARJ read the sign above the door silently. He watched until the raucous group entered the saloon, the doors swinging behind them.

 “ARJ! Are you listening?” John William said, nudging his brother with his elbow.

“What did you say?” ARJ asked his brother distractedly.

“I said, I can’t see what Mum and Dad are doing.”

“They’ll be out soon. Mum is probably showing them every piece of lace she has.”

As soon as ARJ finished speaking, the shop door opened, and the boys jumped from the bench.

Mum, in the bonnet that matched her good skirt, started through the door with a big smile on her face. She turned her head once to listen to someone inside, nodded, and then walked out. Dad followed her, holding Eva Anna in his arms.

“What did they say, Mum?” ARJ asked.

“It looks like I’ll be making some lace!” Mum replied.

“What’s in that bundle you’re carrying?”

“Mr. Kohn is sending me home with a few supplies to get started. He’ll be ordering in some proper thread for me to use, but for now, I’ll use the fine yarn he has in stock, instead of the string I used last week.”

Dad pulled on the brim of his hat, turning his eyes toward the sun. “It’s surprisingly warm this morning.” Returning his gaze to Mum, he continued. “Now that your business here is finished, Anna, we can head on over to the seed store and look into getting potatoes planted.”

ARJ tugged at Dad’s coat, motioning for him to listen, and then whispered in his ear. Dad looked up and toward the saloon.

“It’s alright, son. We’re going a different direction to the seed store. We are civil people, and we won’t be scared off by such aggressors.” He patted his son on the shoulder and smiled.

The next Saturday afternoon, the family sat around the table. Mum had opened the windows and door to air out the cabin, taking advantage of a clear spring day.

ARJ could clearly hear the song of the brown and yellow bird that liked to sit on a fence post. It was such a robust melody that he often tried to imitate it. Last week, he had recognized a drawing of it on the wall of the post office. Mr. Kellogg called it the Western Meadowlark. ARJ liked that name. To him, the tones of the bird’s song always sounded like it was singing “I-am-a-meadowlark, I-am-a-meadowlark.”

“Now that the weather is better, I think we should be going to church in town rather than practicing the sabbath at home.” Dad said as he finished the last of his tea.

“Arthur, I agree, but St. John’s in Wichita is nothing like All Saints in Ryde. I can’t even decide what materials they’ve used to build it.”

“I believe they call it adobe…”

“What’s adobe?” ARJ blurted.

Mum softly interjected, “Don’t interrupt your father, ARJ.”

Dad continued, “It’s  a type of brick made from sun dried mud. The wood that covers the outside has kept me from getting a good look at the bricks.” Dad stopped for a moment, then continued as he set his empty cup on the saucer. “Nevertheless, it’s still the Lord’s house and we should be there if we are able.”

“Yes, Arthur, I agree. I just wish they would hurry
and build a real church building. I miss the beautiful sanctuaries in England with tall rafters and lovely stained-glass windows.” Mum said, closing her eyes to remember.

All Saints Church in Ryde, IOW

“And the organ music bouncing off the ceiling and around the walls…” ARJ added. Mum opened her eyes and smiled at him.

Mum looked over at Dad. “The churches in Boston and Peoria were close, in comparison, to what we grew up with in England; steeples and church bells.”

Dad nodded. “At some point in history, even the parishioners of those cities must have been willing to worship in less aesthetic buildings. Those beautiful churches weren’t built in a day.”

Mum sat pondering his words.

“I suppose you’re right, Arthur. The children need to form the practice of assembling together, regardless of the building in which it takes place.”

“Tomorrow morning, we rise, and go to church!” Dad proclaimed.