The Secrets of Matthew Hill -Changes

By Grace Stamper

Matthew Hill, an old town on Long Island, was named for its founder. When tragedy struck the family he gave it all up, moved back to the city, and never returned again. The town still carries the Matthew family secrets. When the Coopers move to town their daughter, Sara, gets tied up in those secrets as she tries to adjust to the changes in her life.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Grace Stamper
• Release date: Nov 24, 2010
• ISBN: 9781458039705

Grace Stamper

I am a former history teacher and published author. I graduated from the University of Dayton in Ohio, with a major in history and government and received my Masters from Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas. I have a passion for history. A native New Yorker, I was born in the Bronx but grew up on Long Island. My published works include The Native Americans of Texas along with a companion student workbook and teacher guide. I have also written two books of lessons for Texas teachers, A Little Bit of Texas Part 1 and A Little Bit of Texas Part 2. I live in a suburban area north of Houston, Texas near my son and his family. My grandchildren are my biggest joy.

Book preview

Secrets of Matthew Hill

Changes

Grace Stamper

Smashwords Edition

Copyright 2016

Smashwords Edition, License notes.

This e-book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This e-book may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

This book is a work of fiction. Any reference to historical events or real locales is used fictitiously. The other places and events, and the characters in this book are fictitious and come from the author's imagination. Any similarities to real persons, places or events, are coincidental and not intended by the author.

For my grandchildren, Ellisa, Devin and Hayden.

Contents

Prologue

Chapter 1 – Leaving

Chapter 2 – The New House

Chapter 3 – A New School

Chapter 4 – The First Day

Chapter 5 – Riding Lesson

Chapter 6 – The Dinner

Chapter 7 – Matthew Hill

Chapter 8 – Practice

Chapter 9 – Sunday

Chapter 10 – Columbus Day Weekend

Chapter 11 – The Historical Society

Chapter 12 – The Matthew Family

Chapter 13 – Halloween

Chapter 14 – Matthew Cemetery

Chapter 15 – Thanksgiving Weekend

Chapter 16 – The Dance

Chapter 17 – Party Planning

Chapter 18 – The Christmas Party

Chapter 19 – Christmas Eve

Chapter 20 - Sister Marie Matthew

Chapter 21 – New Year’s Eve

Chapter 22 – Winter Doldrums

Chapter 23 – The Letters

Chapter 24 – Catastrophe

Chapter 25 – Charles Hammond

Chapter 26 – The Spring Dance

Chapter 27 – Sweet Sixteen

Chapter 28 – The Interview

Chapter 29 – Decision

Chapter 30 – Preparation

Chapter 31 – The Spring Show

Chapter 32 – The Reception

Chapter 33 – The Plan

Chapter 34 – Information

Chapter 35 – Surprise

Chapter 36 – The Luncheon

Chapter 37 – The Confession

Chapter 38 – Memorial Day

Chapter 39 – Success

Chapter 40 – Summer Drill

The Matthew Family Tree and Annotations

Acknowledgements

About the Author

Prologue

Sara Cooper sank into her pillows and soon fell in to a peaceful sleep.

From the shadows, it must have been late afternoon. Sarah Matthew was running, the key around her neck bouncing to and fro. She kept looking around, searching for whoever was following her. There were bits of forest debris on the ground. It was hard to tell the season, but Sarah ran through the woods without a coat. She jumped over fallen tree limbs and large rocks. She slipped and fell on some wet leaves. As she tried to quickly get up a hand reached out and grabbed her.

NOOOOOOOOOO! Sara Cooper woke up screaming.

Chapter 1

Leaving

Sara Cooper looked out the window of the fifth floor apartment. She was sad and excited all at the same time. The sadness came from the thought that she would never see her friends again. There would be no more meeting at the park and playing in the only green area their part of the city had to offer. Mary O’Reilly had cried as they said good-bye. Sara had cried too, but she promised to visit when she came back to see her grandparents and uncles. Far below, on the street, Sara watched her father loading the last of the suitcases into the car. Her parents had been so proud of that car when they bought it.

Who needs a car in the city? Papa had asked. Everyone can take the subway!

Sara’s parents wanted more. They wanted more than the two bedroom apartment in the best building in the neighborhood. It was the only building with an elevator. They didn’t have to walk up five flights of stairs to get to their apartment like Nana and Papa. That was just another sign of wanting more, better. First, they had the best apartment, then the car, and now a house sixty miles away on Long Island.

In the beginning, it had only been Sunday car rides to the country just to get away from the city. The rides were soon followed by trips to small towns and villages in New Jersey, on Staten Island, and finally Long Island. Sarah had no idea they were looking for a new home. She never imagined leaving the city.

Sara, it’s a better place to live. The air is cleaner and healthier. Her parents had said.

The schools are wonderful. You can even go to public school. Her mother had smiled at her like public school was the best place in the world. Sara had met public school kids. They were loud and mean. She loved St. Rosa’s, and didn’t want to leave its safety.

Admittedly, Sara liked the house. It was big and had a huge backyard. She was going to have a brand new, much bigger, room. Her parents even allowed her to pick the wallpaper and her new bedroom furniture. But, what good was any of that if there were no friends to share it all with? Maybe Mary could spend a weekend with her every once and a while? Tears welled up in her eyes again.

It’s time, said her mother.

Don’t worry, everything will be just fine. In no time at all, you will be at home in the new house, and have new friends. Her father walked into the room just then, and he looked so happy.

We’ll be back to see Nana and Papa, and you can visit Mary. We aren’t moving to the moon after all. He laughed at his own statement.

Sam, you’re so silly sometimes, her mother giggled. Her parents were like that sometimes. They would seem like overgrown kids with a child they were raising. People often thought she was their little sister.

We really should go now. Sari, are you ready? Sarah, have you checked all the rooms? Her dad asked her mom. Sari picked up her cat, Fluffy, and walked out of the apartment forever. She took her last ride on the elevator with Archie, their building superintendent. He hugged her good-bye and told her to have fun in the country.

Don’t go breakin’ any of those county boys hearts Miss Sari, he smiled.

Archie, you know I don’t like boys, she frowned. He winked at Sari when her parents looked away. Archie knew about her crush on Johnny O’Reilly, Mary’s brother. Johnny was two years older than Mary. He had blonde hair and blue eyes. Sara was old enough to notice, but young enough to giggle and stammer when he spoke to her. He spoke to her often because he was best friends with her youngest and favorite uncle, Robbie. Sara adored Robbie. He was like an older brother. Robbie walked her to and from school each day, and looked out for her in the school yard. That was all ending too. There would be no older uncle looking after her at the new public school. As she reached the car, Robbie came running up.

Hey, Sorry, he yelled.

Not going without saying good-bye are you? Robbie always called her Sorry instead of Sari when he was teasing her. Sara jumped up and hugged him as tight as she could.

You’ll spend weeks with us next summer, right? She said, trying not to cry.

Oh, and Christmas too, he smiled. From behind him she heard Johnny say,

"Bye Sari. Don’t forget to visit Mary when you’re in the city.

As her dad pulled the car out on to the avenue, she waved rapidly to the boys on the sidewalk. She kept waving until she couldn’t see them anymore. It’s a new adventure, Sara thought to herself as she sat back in her seat for the long drive to their new home. Change is good. I’ll find new friends and have a great time at public school. That thought made her very sad as they were just driving pass St. Rosa’s. She vowed to be just as happy at her new school, even if it was to be a public school. Sara nodded off to sleep just after they passed over one of the bridges which connected the city to Long Island.

Chapter 2

The New House

Sari wake up, we’re almost there. Sara’s mother tapped her gently on the knee. She was turned around in the front seat of the car. Her dad smiled at her in the rearview mirror.

Aren’t you excited to see your new room complete with your new furniture? Her dad asked.

Sure, Sara answered, but she didn’t sound very convincing. It was all right though. They had just turned on to their new street. Her mom and dad looked at each other with such joy they didn’t notice. The movers were waiting for them as they pulled up to their garage. Her father quickly turned off the car, jumped out, greeted the movers, and got them started unloading the van. Her mother moved slower.

She turned to Sara and asked, Ready?

Sara nodded and opened her car door. She jumped down from the car and on to the grass which lined either side of the driveway. Sara looked around, but she didn’t see anyone. Slowly, she moved to the front door and stepped inside. The living room was bigger than she remembered. Even with the movers coming in and out, it look twice as big as the one in the apartment. She started toward the stairs that lead to the second floor and the upstairs bedrooms. Hers was among them. As she moved closer she passed the kitchen and dining room. Both were larger than any she had ever seen before. The kitchen had beautiful wood cabinets and a bay window facing the backyard. As she climbed the stairs her feet sunk into the thick carpet. It was so different than their apartment in the city. As she approached her room, Sara worried. Maybe I won’t like the wallpaper on the walls, she thought. I bet the furniture looks silly. As she opened the door, she could feel her heart racing with fear. Then she saw it. The most beautiful room she had ever seen. The wallpaper was perfect, a pale blue with tiny white flowers. The furniture was French white with a canopy bed. The canopy was white lace and it matched the bedspread and curtains. There was a mirror over the dresser and a night table next to the bed. It was just what she wanted. She heard a noise behind her, turned and saw her father smiling at her.

Daddy, its perfect! she exclaimed. He smiled as he set her suitcases down inside the room.

Great! Thanks, Dad. I need to set up the rest of my room. Sara smiled the widest smile, and turned to see Fluffy lying in the center of the two bed pillows. The white Persian fit perfectly with her new room.

Sara spent most of the day arranging her room. She also helped her mother put dishes and glasses away after washing and drying them. Boxes were stacked in most of the rooms with books and other things that were to be placed in those particular rooms. Sara figured it would take weeks to straighten everything out and find just the right place for it all. At about six o’clock that night they all realized how hungry they were. Of course, there was really nothing in the house to eat for dinner.

Let’s go out and eat, announced her father. Sari, what would you like to eat?

Sara shrugged, I don’t know what kind of food they have around here.

Well, said her father. We will just have to go exploring then. Sarah, he called to her mother.

Are you ready for an adventure? We’re going to discover what our new land has to offer. Her mother smiled.

After a hard day of moving and unpacking, I can use an adventure. They all cleaned up and headed for the car. As they drove around the neighborhood, Sara noticed a tall stone building.

Dad look, She pointed, It looks like a castle. I can only see the top of a stone building.

That’s not a castle, Sari. I think its one of the school buildings. Her father responded.

School, Sara shouted.

That’s part of the public school? I get to go to school in a castle? That made Sara smile. How bad could public school be if it was in a castle?

Sari, first, that’s not a castle. It’s more like a mansion. Her father explained, And secondly, if you look to your left you will see the public school.

Oh, was all Sara could say as she looked at the square boring brick building that was to be her school. It would have been so interesting to go to school in a castle or even a mansion she thought.

As they drove around town, they found an Italian restaurant. They decided to try it. Sara was very happy with her spaghetti and meatballs. She decided it was her new favorite restaurant. On the way home they found the grocery store and picked up a few things for breakfast.

We can wait and really do the shopping tomorrow. Her parents explained when she wanted to stock up on her favorites. Later that night, Sara was watching the stars out the window of her room. You can’t see the stars in the city, she thought.

Aren’t you supposed to wish on the first star you see at night? She said out loud, but in a whisper.

Well, I wish I could explore that castle/mansion school even if I can’t go to school there myself. That night she dreamed of a young girl walking up a marble staircase in the center of a large entry hall. The girl seemed happy, even though she was alone. She never turned to face Sara. It wasn’t a bad dream, but it was curious and seemed unfinished.

The Coopers spent the next day emptying boxes and putting things away in their new places. Sara went to the grocery store with her mother and the hardware store with her father. Everywhere they went the people seemed friendly, but they were all adults. That night they ordered pizza from her new favorite restaurant. When she and her father went to pick it up, she met Vinnie Marino, the owner’s son. He was about Robbie’s age, and very friendly. He had gone to the local Parrish school, St. Margaret’s, but would be attending Marquette Military Academy for high school this September. Sara asked as many questions about St. Margaret’s as she could in five minutes. She thought St. Margaret’s might be a better choice for her than the public school. St. Margaret’s would be their church, so maybe she could convince her parents to send her there instead.

The family dinner was spent laughing, talking, and sharing pizza and sodas. The Coopers made plans for a picnic in the town park after church on Sunday. It would be a good break from all the unpacking and putting away they had been doing. Sarah was looking forward to it. They would have a nice family day before arranging school and her dad’s return to work in the city. Maybe she might even meet some other kids her age at the park with their families.

That night she dreamed again of the young girl on the marble staircase. The girl was dressed in what looked like a purple dress with little darker purple flowers. In her hair was a purple ribbon that matched the ribbon trim on her dress. Sara thought she might be dressed for some kind of a celebration. The dream was the same, except there was more detail. Still, she never saw the girl’s face.

Chapter 3

A New School

Sunday arrived bright, clear and warm. It was reaching the end of summer. Church was very hot that morning. There were no fans or air-conditioning in most of the buildings on Long Island. The hot weather didn’t last long enough for air-conditioning. If things got really bad, you could get a fan or go to the beach. The water wasn’t that far from anywhere on the Island. Sara’s mom had made fresh cold slaw and potato salads, sliced cucumbers, fried chicken, and brownies for the picnic. She had enjoyed the new kitchen so much; she even made biscuits from scratch.

There were other kids at church, but Sara never got a chance to talk to them. She saw

a red haired girl, about her age, who smiled as they passed each other. The girl reminded Sara of Mary. Sara also noticed the school building, which wasn’t very big. She wondered how many students it could hold. The driveway for the church parking lot was on a dead-end street. When her father was pulling out of the lot, Sarah noticed a gate with a road beyond it at the dead-end. There were woods on either side of the road behind the gate. Sara wondered where it led.

At the park, Sara asked her parents if she could attend St. Margaret’s. They both looked at her rather sadly, but it was her father who spoke.

Sari, we tried, but there are no openings. I’m sorry. He really did look sorry. They both did. I know you really don’t want to go to public school, but it seems like that’s our only choice. Your mom and I went to public school. We didn’t turn out too badly now did we?

What about the castle or mansion or whatever? It’s a school? Sara asked quickly.

It’s private, Sari, probably full and expensive, her mother responded.

Could we go see it, and find out? Sara was determined not to go to the ugly brick building with the public school kids. Sara’s parents looked at each other.

Well. I suppose it wouldn’t hurt. We could at least ask about costs and openings. Sara’s father smiled at his only child. We can go early tomorrow morning.

You are already on the waiting list at St. Margaret’s. We didn’t tell you because we didn’t want to disappoint you if nothing opened up for you. Her mother added.

The rest of the afternoon went by quickly. It was a great family day. They ate, relaxed, played catch, and just enjoy the day. The sun made Sara very tired, and that night, she fell into a dreamless sleep almost as soon as her head hit the pillows.

The next morning was just as bright as the day before. Sara dressed carefully in a really nice yet simple dress. She tied a matching ribbon in her long brown hair. In the mirror, over the dresser, she examined her image. Did she look like a private school girl? She sure hoped she did, but what exactly did a private school girl look like? As she walked downstairs, her father called her to the kitchen.

Sari, eat something before we leave, please. You look very nice by the way.

Thanks Dad, she answered, but I’m too excited to eat.

How about eating a piece of toast and having a glass of milk? Her mother walked over with both and placed them on the table in front of her.

You have to eat, she added with a smile.

Sara managed to eat most of the toast and she drank all of her milk. Then, she ran upstairs, brushed her teeth and took another quick look at her image in the mirror. She ran down the stairs and out the door reaching the car just before her parents. They all settled into the car and off they went to the private school.

As they drove down the main road in town, they looked for the entrance to the school.

Did you call? Do they know we’re coming? Sara was bursting with questions.

Of course I called. Who’s the parent here anyway? Her dad answered trying to act insulted. Sara was about to apologize when she saw the entrance to the school. It made her speechless. There was a huge set of gates in front of the car. A guard with a clipboard approached her dad’s window.

Can I have your name, please? He asked in a very business like manner.

We’re the Coopers. We have an appointment with the Headmistress. Sara sat quietly in the backseat. Maybe the guard reported first impressions to the headmistress? She want to act as proper as she thought a private school student would act. The guard checked his clipboard, opened the gates from his little booth, and waved them through. The drive was long and winding. On either side were various fields, an orchard, a barn of some sort, and what looked like a stable and riding ring.

Do you think all this stuff is for the students? Sara asked her parents.

I don’t know, Sari, said her mom. I guess we’ll find out during the interview.

Sara was so excited. The grounds were unbelievable, and they seemed to go on forever. This place had to be so expensive. She was afraid that her parents could never afford to send her here. You don’t know until you have the facts, she reminded herself as she climb out of the car like a perfect little lady. They had parked in an oval parking area in front of the school’s main entrance. Directly opposite the parking were huge stone steps that reminded Sara of the Lincoln