Ruth

By David N. Walker

When 12 year-old Ruth's father left for the Civil War, she was left to operate the farm while her handicapped mother ran the house. Follow Ruth as she has maturity thrust upon her, not only operating the family farm on her own, but also marrying a worthless husband and dealing with his immaturity.

Ride along as Ruth and her husband Sam head across the country to a new life in the Pacific Northwest, breaking through the Union Army's battle lines along the way.

Agonize with Ruth as she is faced by one roadblock after another in her attempt to build a normal life.

• Language: English
• Publisher: David N. Walker
• Release date: Oct 10, 2016
• ISBN: 9781370632596

David N. Walker

Born in Dallas, Texas, in 1943, I grew up in Fort Worth and graduated from the public school system there in 1961. I attended Duke University, graduating with a B.A. in political science and a minor in accounting.During my service in the Army, I was stationed at Fort Polk, LA, Fort Sam Houston, TX, and Fort Sill, OK.Most of my career was spent in the insurance business, with a few brief forays into accounting. Although I spent a year in life insurance and a couple of years in financial services, my primary emphasis was health insurance.I served as president of an Optimist club in Lawton, Oklahoma, and another in Fort Worth. I also served as lieutenant governor in each state and held several district committee chairs. As a member of Toastmasters International, I won a district Humorous Speech contest.I am a member of McKinney Memorial Bible Church, where I serve as the leader of my Sunday School class.Hobbies include travel, golf, skiing and flying. I have traveled the nation extensively and have been in or near all the places I use for settings in my books.I have served as vice-president of the Freelance Writers’ Network of Fort Worth and have been a member of the Oklahoma Writers’ Federation, Inc. I also co-founded a novel writers' group called Warrior Writers Workshop.For the last year and a half I have led a small group of published writers in the Fort Worth-Dallas Metroplex.

Book preview

CHAPTER ONE

Ruth Wells reached for the reins her father held in his hand. I think I've got the idea, now, Daddy. Let me try again.

Sure, honey. Harold Wells handed her Ol' Sukey's reins to his twelve year-old daughter. He'd been teaching her to plow in anticipation of his being called up by the Confederate Army. I really think you've got this down. It's not right for a twelve year-old girl to have to do this, but I don't know what else to do. I hope I'll be able to get finished planting this cotton before I get called, but I'm not sure of that.

I don't mind, Daddy. I know it's got to be done, and Mama sure can't get out here on her bad leg and do it. Handling the plow isn't that difficult. After all, Ol' Sukey's doing the hard part. I just need to be sure I know how to drop the seed into the ground while I'm plowing.

He watched her plow a row and was pleased with her results. Honey, the hardest thing is keeping the row straight, and you're doing a good job of that. You can run play now, and I'll take over the planting.

Why don't we take turns, Daddy. The more experience I have, the better I'll do.

Ruth loved spending time with her father. She loved her mother dearly, but he was the one she'd always felt the closest to. When she was younger, she spent many days walking along beside him while he plowed or when he went hunting. He'd taught her to shoot his rifle and had given her the first one of her own when she was six. Through the years, she'd become as good a hunter as he was.

The sun was near the western horizon when she glanced up and saw a man ride into the barn yard. She pointed him out to her father, who called out to the man.

The man dismounted and walked out into the field toward them. Major Harold Wells?

Ruth had a sick feeling in the pit of her stomach. No one came all the way out from town like this unless it was very important. And he didn't say 'Mister.' He said 'Major.' She knew it must have something to do with the Confederate Army. It must be his orders to report for the war. Oh, God. No.

She'd known for several months that a war was likely. The Yankees insisted on imposing their will on the South, and the South was not going to accept that. And she knew that, as an officer in the Mississippi National Guard, her father would be called into active duty. But that had all been head knowledge—like knowing that New Orleans was an important port. She knew it, but it was far-removed from her day-to-day existence. Now, all of a sudden, it was real. Now it was more than head knowledge. It touched her heart and every fiber of her being.

She felt like she had to throw up, but she wouldn't let her daddy see that. What about his feelings? She couldn't add her own fears to his burden.

Yes. Harold returned the salute the man gave him.

Orders, sir. The man handed him a sealed envelope and turned to leave.

Harold ripped the envelope open and read the orders, holding the paper where Ruth couldn't see it. Honey, it's time to quit. Please take care of Sukey. I need to go talk to your mother.

What is it, Daddy? Are you going to have to go now? Try as she might, she couldn't keep the fear from her voice as she studied her father's face.

We'll talk about it up at the house. Please take care of Sukey. He left her and headed to the house.

Ruth started the mule toward the barn, but as soon as her father disappeared into the house she bent over and threw up all over the ground.. She didn't need her daddy to read the paper to her to know what it was about. She knew he would soon be leaving.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sergeant Hugh Taylor zipped up his uniform pants. Corporal Frazier got off the girl's mother just as Taylor finished with the girl. The two other men he'd brought along, Privates Meeks and Sawyer, took their places as the women continued their hopeless resistance.

The mother screamed again as Private Sawyer took her daughter.

Taylor stepped over and kicked the woman's head as Private Meeks mounted her. I told you not to scream again. No one's coming to help you, and I don't want to hear the screaming.

He glanced around the barnyard to reassure himself once more that the old man and both boys were dead. He didn't want anyone playing possum and then telling on him later. He picked up the rifle the old man had tried to defend them with.

At that moment a rider approached. He realized it was his lieutenant.

Sergeant, what's going on here? The officer raced into the yard and dismounted while the two soldiers were still on top of the women.

Well, sir . . . Taylor hit his superior in the face with the butt of the rifle, knocking him out. What's happening is you rode up here at the wrong time. He turned to the two privates. Carry on men. We'll take care of the lieutenant when you're through.

Hugh, we could get into real trouble for this. Corporal Frazier's voice trembled as he spoke. Killing an officer?

You wanna join him?

The corporal shook his head.

Then shut up. After the lieutenant got through raping the mother, he started in on the daughter, and that's when the mother got this here rifle and killed him. Too bad he shot her before he died.

He shot the officer with the rifle. When the two men finished with the women, he walked over and shot both the mother and the daughter with the officer's revolver. Then he had them remove the lieutenant's pants and underwear and place his body on top of the daughter's.

Mount up, men. Let's get back to camp.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Harold Wells stood in the kitchen doorway watching his wife work for a long moment. Naomi . . .

I saw the young man hand you the envelope. She wiped tears from her eyes as she turned to her husband. It was your orders, wasn't it?

Yes. He crossed the room to embrace her. We've both known this day was coming. Now it's here. He kissed her with great tenderness. I'm going to hate being away from you and Ruth, but I have no choice. Only a coward would try to avoid the call.

I know that, honey. I don't want to try to stop you or to make it more difficult for you, but I hate it, too. I can't stand the thought of not having you around here doing everything you do, protecting us, warming my bed. We'll make it somehow, but I don't know how.

"You'll keep doing what you always do, and Ruth will take over what I do. I watched her plant this afternoon, and she's good at it. She's as good a shot as I am when it comes to hunting with a rifle or shotgun either one. I've even taught her to use a pistol, because you never know when the need might arise while you're out in the fields.

She'll do fine. I just hate for her to have to. A kid her age shouldn't have to shoulder such responsibilities, but we have no choice.

Naomi wiped tears from her eyes, put her hands on his arms, and pushed away to look at his face. I know. I just wish I could do more of it so she wouldn't have to, but . . . She hit her bum leg with her fist.

Don't, Naomi. He grabbed her arm before she could hit herself again. It's not your fault your leg is like that, and it's not our fault the Yankees have pushed us into this war, either.

It's not right you have to go fight this war when we don't even own any slaves.

Now, now, dear. He brushed her hair out of her face. You know this war isn't about slavery. That's just their excuse. It's about the rights of sovereign states to make their own laws and set their own standards.

I know. They talk about Southern slaves, and all the while they make children work ten or twelve hours a day in their dingy factories. They're such hypocrites.

Well, there's nothing we can do about that, honey. The Confederacy has declared war and called me to active duty, and that's all there is to it.

Harold saw Ruth standing in the doorway as he hugged his wife once more. How long have you been standing there, honey?

Long enough to know what's going on. I was pretty sure that's what the envelope was. I've been dreading this day. She ran across the room to hug her daddy as she burst into tears.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Ruth arose from the breakfast table and set her dishes by the dishpan. Daddy, I've got to deliver the milk and eggs to Mrs. Black this morning. If you'll wait for me to hitch up the wagon, I'll ride along with you.

Sure, honey. I'll get the rest of my things together while you're doing that.

She saw tears in both of her parents' eyes when she turned to leave, wiping her own eyes as she went. She dreaded seeing her father leave, and she wanted to do everything she could to delay their parting. She had the horses hitched and the milk and eggs and butter loaded in the wagon when he came out of the house striding resolutely toward his horse.

Come on, hon. Let's go. He mounted and started out of the yard without another word.

Ruth had to run the horses for a moment to catch up with him. Once out of the yard and down the road a little way toward town, he slowed his horse and waited for her.

I'm sorry about rushing off ahead of you like that. Harold turned a somber face to his daughter. I'm just so torn up about having to leave. I couldn't stand to look at the sorrow on your mother's face for another moment. Your mother and I have never spent a night apart since the day we married, and I hate this. I hate leaving you, too, sweetie.

I know, Daddy. She gave him a bleak smile. I can't stand the thought of not having you around.

I worry about your mother, Ruth, with her bad leg. And you shouldn't have to take on so much responsibility at your age.

Don't worry about us, Daddy. She tried to brighten her smile. I'll be okay, and I'll look out for Mama. But we'll miss you something awful. You take care of yourself. Stay safe. Don't let those Yankees hurt you.

He did smile at that. I'll do my best, Ruth. Let's just all pray this war doesn't last very long. Maybe the Yankees will go back to their factories and leave us alone.

They rode in silence the rest of the way. Harold pulled up at the edge of town. Honey, I reckon we've gotta part company now. You go on over to Mrs. Black's, and I'll go report to the army. He leaned over and kissed his daughter, then rode off.

Oh, God. Ruth felt sick in the pit of her stomach once again. Oh, God. Don't let me throw up again. When will I see him again? Will I ever see him again?

She clicked her horses into motion and drove over to Mrs. Black's restaurant, pulling up behind the back door to the kitchen. She called to Mrs. Black as she took the eggs off the wagon. The door open, and Mrs. Black came out to help her carry things in.

You got time for a cup of coffee, Ruth?

Sure. Ruth always enjoyed visiting with the woman over a cup of coffee when she made her deliveries, and it made her feel like an adult to be invited.

The woman poured cups for each of them, and they headed into the dining room, which was always empty this time of day, between the breakfast and lunch rushes. But not today. This morning, Nathan Black, Wilma Black's husband, was sitting at a table sipping a cup of coffee and smoking a cigarette.

Ruth, you remember my husband? Wilma set her cup down. Nathan, you remember Ruth Wells. She delivers us milk and butter and eggs.

Nice to see you, Mr. Black. Ruth didn't care for the man, but she'd been raised to be respectful to all adults.

Uh. Black grunted.

Wilma motioned Ruth to a chair at another table. He's a little upset this morning. He got orders to report to the army today.

I ain't goin'. He blew a cloud of smoke.

My daddy got his orders, too. He rode into town with me, and he's over there reporting in right now. She lowered her voice. I didn't know they had a choice. I thought they had to report once they got orders.

Black spoke up. Harold Wells ain't got nuthin' to worry about, bein' a big shot major and all. He'll sit back in a tent somewheres while the rest of the grunts do the fightin'. Not me, though.

Wilma started to speak, but the front door opened at that moment, and two men came in. Ruth recognized them as locals, but she didn't really know them.

Come on, Nathan. One of the men went over to his table. We're on our way over to report. Come on with us.

Nathan shook his head. I ain't goin'.

Of course you are. The other man spoke up. We got no choice. If we don't show up, we can be shot as deserters. We gotta go. 'Sides that, we gotta whip them damn Yankees an' send 'em home with their tails betwixt their legs.

Wilma stood up. I've packed his things. I'll get them. Make sure he gets there. I don't want him shot for deserting.

I said I ain't goin', dammit. Y'all leave me alone.

One of the men walked over to where he sat. Cain't do that, Nathan. We all gotten our orders, and we gotta go.

The hell you say. Nathan Black rose to his feet and took a swing at the man standing next to him.

The man ducked. As Nathan's momentum carried his arm past, the man grabbed his arm and twisted it behind Nathan's back. Don't ever swing at me again, Nathan. I'll give you a beating you'll never forget.

Nathan winced in pain as the man kept up the pressure on his arm. Then he began to cry. Dammit, let me go. I don't want to go into no one's army.

The other man hoisted Nathan's duffel bag over his shoulder and grabbed his other arm. C'mon. You'll settle down once we get over there. They marched out, Nathan between the other two.

After the men left, Wilma shook her head. I'm sorry you had to see that, honey. He's not really a bad person. He just doesn't believe in this war.

Ruth said nothing. They visited for a few more minutes, and then Ruth left to return home. As she drove out of town, she couldn't get the scene with Nathan Black out of her mind.

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Ruth spent the rest of the day planting after she got home. She'd just walked into the house after putting up the plow and tending to Sukey when she looked out the window and saw their neighbor, Jim Wells, walk into the barnyard. Mama, Jim's out there. I wonder what he's doing here.

Didn't I tell you child? When your daddy freed him and the other slaves, he made a deal with Jim.

Ruth knew her daddy had freed all the slaves her grandfather owned when the older man died. Jim and his wife Bessie were the only ones who stuck around. When the others all went north to get away from the Southern slave mentality, they had married and stayed. As was the custom of the day, they'd taken their master's surname.

What kind of a deal, Mama?

He gave them that twenty acres where they live and farm, with the provision they would help out over here if he was ever laid up or died. I guess Jim considers his current absence to fit in that category, too. You'd better go out and speak to him, sweetie.

Ruth headed back outside waving to Jim as she shut the back door.

Afternoon Miss Ruth. Jim's white teeth magnified the grim he always seemed to have on his face. Lookin' like you needin' he'p finishin' plantin' da cotton.

Yes. I figure I've got another week or more to finish.

Guess yo' knows I done promised yo' pappy I'd he'p out with things like that if'n he wasn't here to do 'em.

I appreciate that, Jim, but you need to plant your own crop.

Reckon we done finished wid dat dis afternoon. Bessie 'n' me workin' together, doan take too long to plant twenty acres. I be over here tomorrow wid my ol' mule and plow to get started he'pin' yo'.

Thanks, Jim. I really appreciate that.

Be back in da fall to he'p wid da pickin', too.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Ruth was dog-tired that night after spending most of the day planting, but she took time to make an entry in her diary anyway.

This morning, I had to tell Daddy good-bye. It was the hardest thing I've ever done. I already miss him terribly, and Mama's just been moping around the house all day.

What will happen to him now? I hate this war, but I can't blame Daddy for going when they called him up. I thought Mr. Black's behavior this morning was despicable. As much as I hate seeing Daddy go, I'm glad he went like a man instead of cowering like Mr. Black. Made me really proud of my daddy.

I don't guess Sam Black's got much to be proud of in his daddy. He's got a wonderful mother, but . . .

God, please protect my daddy from the Yankees. Don't let him be hurt or killed or captured. Bring him home safely to Mama and me. And give us both the strength to carry on in his absence. And give Mrs. Black strength, and don't let her son Sam grow up to be like his father.

CHAPTER TWO

Mama. Ruth Wells yelled at her mother, who stood at the kitchen window watching her. The damned hog got out again. If it's not one thing, it's another. Just finished the planting and loading the eggs and stuff to take to town, and now this.

Naomi Wells disappeared from the window, then emerged at the back door, leaning heavily on her crutch. Watch your mouth, child.

I can't help it, Mama. I hate that hog. And he scares me, too.

Star, their chocolate Labrador Retriever, began to bark around the corner of the barn. At the same time, the hog set up a loud squeal from the same direction.

Naomi looked beyond her daughter. Well, it looks like someone is on the ball around here. Good boy, Star. She turned her attention to Ruth. You know I can't chase that hog around with my bad leg. You're gonna have to catch him. I'll help you nail the boards back up after you catch him.

Ruth knew she was going to have to brace herself and catch the hog, regardless of how she felt about it. Her mother's bad leg, which was not set properly when she broke it falling off a horse as a child, limited her activity severely. She could get around well enough to do the house work, but she couldn't move very fast or walk very far.

When her daddy was around, Ruth had followed him like his shadow, but now it was all up to her. With Star's help, Ruth herded the obstinate boar back into the sty. By then, her mama had hobbled out with a hammer and some nails.

You hold the boards, honey, and I'll hammer. Naomi directed Ruth where to place the first board. Soon the sty was as good as new.

I wish we could just slaughter that mean old boar, Mama. I hate having him around.

Naomi laughed. How would the sows have any more shoats if we did that? The first rule on a farm is not to do something that endangers next year's crop, whether it's cotton or hogs or whatever.

Well, when Daddy was here he kept that mean old boar in check.

Yes, dear, but your daddy's not here. We have to do what we can to keep this place going until he returns. Naomi went back into the house, leaving Ruth to her morning chores.

Ruth thought about her daddy. Harold Wells named her Ruth because he thought the name went well with Naomi, her mama's name, because of the book of Ruth in the Bible. Harold was always big on reading the Bible. Used to read it to Naomi and Ruth every evening after supper.

Who would read it now that he had to go off to war? Ruth had always been a daddy's girl, and she missed him terribly.

Now that he was gone off in the army, it was just she and her mama to take care of the farm. It was a daunting task for a twelve year-old, but she had no choice. It was hers to do.

Her first chore that morning was to take all the extra eggs and milk and butter and haul it into town to sell to Mrs. Black for the restaurant. That evening, she sat down with her diary. Sometimes her entries went into a lot of detail about what went on and how she felt.

That night she wrote:

I saw Mrs. Black's son Sam this morning. As always, I thought this Sam boy was mighty good-looking. He was nearly six feet tall and very slender, with wavy dark brown hair and pretty blue eyes.

Guess he must've thought I was, too, 'cause he couldn't seem to keep his eyes off me. What did he see?

She glanced in her mirror as she wrote, examining her own image to see what he saw when they met. She looked at her long blonde hair and her blue eyes. At age twelve, her body was barely beginning to fill out into a woman's form. All she saw when she looked at herself was a skinny little girl. She wondered why he would have thought her pretty enough to stare at.

We didn't actually speak to each other, both of us being a little bit shy-like, but I like him, and I think he likes me. Star jumped into the wagon and went with me, and he must not have liked Sam. He growled at him when I was talking to him.

She put the diary away and glanced once more at her reflection in her mirror. She fluffed her hair and stuck her chest out to emphasize her barely developing chest. She didn't think of herself as a beauty, but she supposed she looked about as good as other girls her age.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

As she entered the town of Gum Pond a few days later, Ruth could see signs of extra activity. Every year when the planting was done, the community gathered for a big barn dance to celebrate, and preparations were being made for it. She'd been wondering if they would even have it this year with so many of the men gone off to war, but apparently the community wanted life to continue as normal as possible.

Ruth always enjoyed going to the cafe. She loved the smell of coffee and whatever Mrs. Black was cooking. The place just felt warm and friendly. And Mrs. Black always invited her to sit down with her for a cup of coffee, frequently tossing in a donut or sweet roll.

Sam strolled into the room as they sat visiting. Ruth almost felt a physical impact from his good looks as he sauntered toward the table. This was the first time he'd actually sat with them, and Ruth felt a flush in reaction to his nearness. After few more minutes, Mrs. Black arose and returned to her kitchen, leaving the two of them to visit.

That evening, Ruth made the following entry in her diary:

Sam finally got over his shyness today for the first time. Ruth, you know the big dance is this Saturday. I was wondering . . .

Seemed like the cat got his tongue about that time.

Yes? I thought I knew what he had on his mind, but I wanted to hear him say it.

Well . . . His face turned beet-red. Would you like to go to the dance?

Mama and I were talking about that. We probably will.

He pawed the floor, his eyes cast down. What I meant was, would you go with me?

Well, I didn't know what to say to him. I didn't know whether Mama would let me go or not. I was actually sorta scared of the idea, but I was kinda interested, too.

Maybe. I don't know.

We talked a little bit, and I finally told him I'd have to ask my mama if it was okay. He said he'd come by our place tomorrow to see.

I couldn't see Mama when I pulled the wagon into the yard. Star jumped out and ran around the corner of the barn to bark at the chickens.

I wanted to rush in and ask Mama if I could go with Sam, but I knew I'd be in trouble if I didn't unhitch the durn horse and turn her out to graze. Just as I got back to the barn to hang up the halter, I heard Mama calling from the back stoop.

Yes, Mama. I ran out of the barn to see what she wanted.

Where you been, child? She gave me a stern look.

I could tell from the blood on her apron she'd killed a chicken and had been preparing it to cook. Seemed like she always got herself into a bad mood when she had to kill a chicken. I never knew why, but it always seemed to happen. This probably wasn't the time to ask her if I could go to the dance with Sam Black.

She closed her diary and tucked it under her pillow, thinking about how wonderful it would be to go to that dance. To be held in Sam's arms. She wondered if he would try to kiss her. Then she wondered what she'd do if he did try.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Ruth thought the sun was hotter than she'd ever felt it before. She'd been forking hay down from the loft for the horses and mule and the cow all morning, and she really welcomed the break when her mother rang the dinner gong.

Whew. Ruth wiped her brow as she hung her hat on a peg beside the door. It's so hot out there, those hens are liable to start laying hard-boiled eggs.

Naomi giggled at the thought. Wash your hands, honey. It's on the table.

When they had blessed the food and Ruth filled her plate, Naomi asked her how the work was going.

Ruth hurried to swallow a bite before answering. Doing real well.

What do you think about going into town Saturday?

Ruth hesitated. She hoped her mother hadn't thought of something for them to do that would keep her from the dance. Yes, ma'am. I could probably manage that.

Aren't they gonna have the big annual barn dance Saturday?

Ruth felt her heart skip a beat or two. "Yes. Everybody was talking about it when I