10.2 He jumped as he heard the sound of the door latching behind him.

 Payne Township, Sedgwick County, Kansas

That night, ARJ pulled the quilt over his shoulder, surrounded on the pallet by his brother and his cousins. He envied them a little because they didn’t understand what was happening. If only he didn’t know about Dad’s worries, he’d be able to fall asleep, too. Instead, he closed his eyes and listened to his parents’ hushed voices as they stood talking with Uncle Albert and Aunt Rachel on the porch. He heard some of what they were saying above John William’s quiet snoring.

Whispered words and phrases drifted through the walls. ARJ wanted to hear, and at the same time, he wished he could fall asleep. “we’ll keep trusting God…” “the truth will win…” “Rachel… stay here… the children.” “…I promised ARJ…” Then Mum’s voice, slightly louder, “Arthur, you what? But what if you’re found guilty?” 

ARJ opened his eyes, concentrating on the voices. He knew Mum wouldn’t want him to go. Dad knew it, too. The voices hushed again. He tried to hear more, but exhaustion from the day’s activities won out and he drifted off to sleep, wishing they could all be home again, on the island.

ARJ suddenly stood in the middle of a green field, lined with trees. It was early morning, and the neatly trimmed grass was wet with dew; soft blades tickled the soles of his bare feet. Ahead of him, the stone wall of a castle rose and touched the wispy clouds in the brightening sky. There were no castles in Kansas. He was home on the island.

Something scurried past him on the green. He looked and saw that it was a little red squirrel. It stopped and stared at him; a small acorn held tight in its teeth. ARJ took a step toward the little animal, but it didn’t move. It looked at ARJ, then the wall, then back at him; its tiny, pointed ears twitched. He stepped forward again and this time, the squirrel cocked his head, seemingly to beckon him to follow.

The creature scampered ahead, and ARJ ran close
behind it along the wall. Bushes finally replaced the wall. He followed the little furry animal as it hopped down a steep hill and soon, he found himself sliding on the wet grass all the way to the bottom. The squirrel stopped for a second and stared at him. Suddenly, it darted to the right around the end of the bushes and disappeared. ARJ stopped to put his hands on his knees, catching his breath then craned his neck to look where he’d seen the squirrel disappear. In front of him was a stone step, the first of many leading to the top of the wall. Tiny wet footprints led the way up the stairs, but his new friend was nowhere in sight.

ARJ stepped onto the first stone slab. He felt the deep cold, that only stone can keep, on his feet. He slowly followed the red squirrel’s footprints higher and higher into the air, counting the steps as he went. Twenty… forty… sixty… He stopped. Looking back, he saw that his own feet had also left a print on each step. Ahead of him ten steps, stood a large wooden door. ARJ reached it and looked around for the squirrel on the dark landing under the stone arch. He was alone.

He picked up the iron doorknob that hung from the oak door and pulled. He was surprised when it creaked open wide, to reveal a large stone terrace. He walked through. A wall circled the terrace that was tall at some points and shorter at others. He walked to a shorter portion and looked out across the Isle of Wight. The morning fog was burning off and he could see rolling hills dotted with sheep or scored with crop rows from the top of the fortress. Small villages nestled in valleys, their church steeples reaching above thatched roofs and treetops. ARJ shaded his eyes with his hand and looked further until he could see the rise of the Solent far beyond. It nearly blended with the blue of the morning sky, but he knew it was there.

He opened each door he found, climbed staircases, and wandered through ancient rooms. Some were light and airy inviting him to stay; other rooms were moody, their gloom hiding something he couldn’t guess. ARJ opened the door to a room in a dark hall that seemed drearier than the others. He walked through and noticed high windows crossed with metal bars. The furniture was heavy and dark. Large chairs were arranged by a bookcase and a bed shrouded in heavy curtains overpowered the room. The fire from a torch crackled and flickered from its sconce on the far wall. A sudden breeze blew sharply through the room causing the flame to sway wildly. It made ARJ think of the mob yelling on a windy night. He jumped as he heard the sound of the door latching behind him. When he turned to look, he saw that it had become a prison door made of metal bars.

He ran to it, pulling and pushing with both hands. It clanged and rattled but wouldn’t open.

“No!” He yelled through the bars. “Let me out!”

The room went dark, and suddenly he was in Mum’s arms. “Shhhhh…” She hugged him close. “It’s only a dream.”

ARJ’s cheeks were wet with tears.

“Are you sure you want to go to the trial?”

He nodded 'yes' into her shoulder.

10.1 As his hunger subsided, his courage rose

Wichita, Kansas - June 1874

They passed a saloon, across the street, that had been quiet when they walked by earlier. ARJ could hear men yelling and laughing inside, their voices exhibiting an air of celebration of the finished cattle drive and long-awaited freedom.

“Give them a couple of hours and there’ll be a few cowboys out those doors on their ears!” Uncle Albert said.

Dad nodded. “I’ve heard the police keep them under their thumb around here. It’s good they’re required to check their guns this side of the river like everyone else.”

More cowboys on horses appeared from around the far end of the depot. They rode up the street and secured the horses on the rails, ready to join the celebration. The Dibbens men walked on toward the east end of Wichita.

They came to a glass front building with a large sign in the window – Valley House Dining Room - Lunch at 12 noon or any hour of the day. $1.50 per day. Proprietor: Jackson Roland – 

“This looks fine!” Uncle Albert said as he opened the door, beckoning his brother and nephew to go through. “It smells good, whatever they’re cooking!”

A woman in a white apron carried a large tray through a door at the back and toward a table where several men awaited their meal. She smiled at ARJ and called to them. “Find a table of your choosing and I’ll be right there!”

Dad looked around the room and finally spotted an empty table near the front window. They hung their hats on a rack and got settled. ARJ looked around at the crowded room while Dad and Uncle Albert talked.

“So, did your lawyer give you an exact date?”

“He said they would likely seat the jury on Thursday. They’d like Anna to testify on Friday.”

Uncle Albert breathed out a long sigh. “I know you’re worried about her but it’s better for your case if she can be there in person.”

“The baby is due any day.”

“Welcome to Valley House!” The aproned waitress appeared at their table, brushing a loose lock of hair out of her eyes with her forearm. “What can I get you all? We have a hearty beef stew going in the kitchen. It’s been very popular today!”

Albert smiled. “That sounds wonderful to me! How about you, Arthur? ARJ?”

They both nodded. “That will be fine for me.” Dad said.

The woman bustled off and ARJ heard her repeating their order to the kitchen staff.

Dad continued, “I do worry about the stress of the trip into town, having to appear in court and the concern over the… future.”

“Anna is a strong woman. It isn’t her first child and she’s adamant about being there. I’ll be there, also, to keep an eye on her.” 

ARJ took a deep breath and opened his mouth. A roar of laughter suddenly burst from the big table of men, momentarily drowning out the conversations at the other tables. ARJ closed his mouth again.

He looked at his dad, wondering when it would be the right time to ask an important question.

The woman rushed by their table, setting a platter stacked high with big slices of bread, along with a pot of tea, before hurrying on to take an order across the room. A generous portion of butter sat in a bowl next to the bread. Dad led them in a quiet prayer. That ended just as the woman came back with 3 large bowls of stew.

For a while, the three ate in silence. ARJ didn’t realize how hungry he was, even with the worry that tickled his stomach whenever he thought about the trial. As his hunger subsided, his courage rose, and he turned in his chair.

“Dad, I really want to be at the trial. Can I go?” ARJ could tell he’d surprised him.

Dad put his fork down and slowly turned his head, locking eyes with him. “Son, I don’t know if it’s a good place for a boy...”

“Please, Dad? I don’t want to wait at home all day, wondering what’s happening here.”

Uncle Albert cleared his throat. “Arthur, I’ll be there. He can stay right with me. After all, ARJ did experience the ordeal, too. It will be good for the boy to see how justice works.”

He held Dad’s eyes before continuing. “Arthur, you will get justice.”

Dad looked at his brother. ARJ could tell there was communication happening between them, as he waited on the edge of his chair.

“He was there that night. He has a stake in the whole matter…”

Dad sighed. “Alright. But…” He turned back to ARJ. “I want you to obey Uncle Albert and always do what he says. Understand? You may hear things that don’t fit with what you know happened.” Dad captured his eyes again. “You’ll need to remain quiet – no matter what.”

ARJ nodded solemnly. “I promise, Dad.” His stomach did another leap. Dad kept his eyes on him another moment and then he sighed again.

“Now,” Dad continued. “Let’s finish this fine lunch and get that lumber loaded.”

They ended lunch with apple pie. ARJ couldn’t
remember a time his stomach was so full.

Uncle Albert paid for their meals, and they walked

down the street to Shellabarger & Oliver.

A sign set near the door read – CHICAGO LUMBER – KILN DRIED – GLAZED SASHES – BEST FINISHED AND SEASONED DOORS –

“Looks like we’ve come to the right place!” Uncle Albert said, as they entered the building.

In an hour they had the wagon loaded and secure. Dad went to retrieve Sugar and Spice and hitched them to the wagon.

“We’ll make it home in time to unload before dark.” Dad said, as the three climbed onto the seat.

9.2 ARJ noticed worry lines running across Dad’s forehead

“How did you learn about cattle drives, Uncle Albert?”

“They drive cattle to trains coming into Denver, too.”

Dad looked around, eager to get Sugar and Spice onto a quieter street. “I think we’ll go around the back way, so we can avoid the cattle. We can see what Shellabarger & Oliver have for lumber.”

They traveled east on a road parallel to Douglas. At every intersection, ARJ turned to spot the cattle walking the same direction, a block to the south. Finally, they turned back toward Douglas, and the building supply store. ARJ could see the cattle and cowboys to the south of them near the depot.

Dad decided to board the horses after looking at what the store had in stock. “We can park the wagon to load later, and Sugar and Spice will be sheltered from the activity happening today.” He pulled a cloth bag from under the wagon seat. “I’ll take Mum’s lace to Mr. Kohn first.”

The three of them walked down the boardwalk on the north side of the street toward the dry goods store.

While Dad talked to Mr. Kohn, ARJ showed Uncle Albert the case in the grocery store, down the street, where he had seen the book with the cattle drive drawing on the front.

“I’m glad they didn’t drive that many cattle into town today!” ARJ said.

Uncle Albert agreed. “That would be too much for any town. They bring them in to load them on the train in smaller groups.”

“No train could carry that many at a time!” 

“No.” Uncle Albert said as he put a hand on ARJ’s shoulder. “And, now you’ve seen a cattle drive for yourself!”

ARJ wandered outside and looked east. The only visual sign of the cattle were thousands of footprints in the dirt road, but he could hear them bellowing behind the depot, loud bangs, and bumps filled the air as the cattle hit the sides of the fences, edging the cattle ramps, as they were loaded into train cars. The yips and yells of the cowboys as they finished their job echoed through town.

He spotted Dad as he cautiously made his way across the soft dirt toward the lawyers’ office to check on the court date.

“Let’s take a look at the river.” Uncle Albert said as he and ARJ walked west toward the bridge that spanned the Arkansas River.

“It seems to be almost out of its banks.” Uncle
Albert observed. “There has been a lot of rain lately.”

“That’s why we have to go to the town hall for church.” ARJ said. “Mud was dripping from the ceiling during the meeting.”

“Ah, yes. It would be difficult to listen with mud dropping on your head!”

ARJ laughed.

“I see your father coming. Let’s meet him.”

Dad’s face seemed tense when they got closer.

“At this point, Mr. Salisbury is predicting my case will come up the middle of next week.”

ARJ’s stomach flipped and turned, but he stayed quiet as Uncle Albert responded.

“It’s good that it will soon be behind you, Arthur. We better get that improvement to the cabin finished.”

ARJ noticed worry lines running across Dad’s forehead and then turned to see his Uncle’s confident face. He wasn’t sure that was Uncle Albert's true emotion, but he chose to focus on his uncle’s faith that everything would be alright, even though he couldn’t help worrying about Dad… and the rest of them.

“Let’s get some lunch and then load the lumber.” Uncle Albert cut the tension. “Where can we find a hot meal?”

“Valley House dining room is across from the depot.” Dad told him.

“I’ll treat!” Uncle Albert turned and headed east along Douglas Avenue. ARJ put his hand in Dad’s, and they followed Uncle Albert down the boardwalk.