The Rawlinson Family Story: Volume 3 Kingdom & Empire

By B. J. Newing

Dean was very similar to his father in that he showed very little feelings and only had a few friends that were very close to him. Among them was Runaway Joe, his Indian friend, who introduced him to a wonderful wild Mustang called Tracquill. He had a very special friendship with a crippled young lady, called Rosie Poppalongski, the daughter of the neighboring farm. After the destruction of Kingdom, Dean set out to establish Kingdom and Foundation, becoming one of the largest cattle herd in the Southern States.
The last member of the Rawlinson family spent most of his time in Europe surviving the Nazi regime and also assisting people to escape from East Germany to West Germany from the communist party.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris UK
• Release date: Apr 30, 2013
• ISBN: 9781483615264

B. J. Newing

Long-time Orpington resident, Bernard James Newing was born on December 16, 1935. A retired telephone engineer who left school at the age 16 in 1951, unable to read, write or spell. He started the trilogy of the Rawlinson family story in 1970 which was completed December 2009. He has one son and two daughters.

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

Everybody Needs Someone

The shock of Dean losing his father was so unexpected that he was in a devastating state of mind. He wasn’t aware that on a number of occasions he lapsed into a form of coma, leaving him isolated from people around him. It was the voice of Do-run that broke the tenuous state of his mind, as he was fighting the pain of accepting the tragic event of reality. Do-run had followed Hector’s instructions, to wait for an hour before approaching the father and son reunion.

You have led us a right merry dance that in the long run your father was never considering giving up. Where is he? Doing something that we cannot do for him?

You don’t want to know. It happened so quickly. It was purely fear that created the situation, that my father did what he had to do. By the sound of his voice Do-run knew that something major had happened. His natural response was to hug Dean close to his chest. No sooner did they come in contact with each other, Dean broke down in tears and was sobbing as he tried to explain what had happened.

My Dad was sucked under the water while trying to save my life. The things he said to me in such a short period of time. I realized what he was doing, just to ensure that I was able to live.

Do-run, being an Indian, had no understanding of the white man’s thoughts of death. In his natural tribe the code to give your life for a friend or family is the rights to be with the spirits of the gods. Therefore you have earned the honour and respect of the whole tribe. Do-run had no words to help his friend, and did the only thing he believed that may help him.

I can see by the way Tracquill is moving, that he must be in some pain.

Dean’s reply was, I think I am to blame for that as well. It is possible I pushed him too hard and expected too much of him. Do-run didn’t reply. His only reaction was to examine the animal’s leg. He then asked the question, Who decided to put these big plates on the animal’s feet?

Why, it was done by the blacksmith at the railroad encampment.

Well that’s the main reason. No wonder he is having trouble. They must be causing him a considerable amount of pain. All the time he is travelling on sand in the desert, being a wild Mustang he has no need to be fitted with horseshoes.

Dean wasn’t saying anything, although he was no longer weeping. Knowing how much he loved this animal, Do-run had given him something else to think about. By doing so Do-run had taken control of the situation, hoping this would motivate him to deal with his shock, and detach him from this area.

I feel sure there is no need for you to stay around this pond and it would not be very wise for you to spend another night by the swamp.

Dean reply was. We cannot do much for Tracquill out here. I suggest we retrace and backtrack to the campsite to see if they are still there. At least they can remove the shoes, to enable Tracquill to recover quickly. Just as they were about to move out, Dean removed his neck band and tied it around the tree, at the same time replacing the medallion and chain that had saved his life.

The pair of them reached the camp just as Wo-Foo-Loo was about to serve the evening meal, which was gratefully received by the despondent travellers. Unfortunately the blacksmith was unable to attend to Tracquill until the following day, as he was recovering from a hand injury. This resulted in them spending an additional evening in the company of the Chinese cook. It gave Dean the opportunity to convince him he was needed back at Kingdom and it was in everybody’s best interest that he should join them on the return trip. Dean had made this decision due to the fact that over the last few months he had lost so many people in his life, he did not intend to lose anybody else. He had pressganged Woo into joining them by telling the Chinese cook that he was needed to start again and try to continue what his father had already started.

Now that Tracquill had fully recovered from his ordeal, all three of them set off at a comfortable pace on the long tiresome journey back to the plantation. Due to the fact that Do-run had decided to spend some time living with the Blackfoot Tribe, once they returned Dean told Woo he needed somebody he could rely on and support him on a daily routine basis and suggested he move into the Roadhouse with him.

CHAPTER 2

Getting Back on Track

On the second day of his return Dean spent the best part of the morning standing alongside his Mother’s grave. Just before midday he was joined by Ramadin. They both stood alongside each other for a considerable time without conversation. There was no need of words to pass between them as they each shared the same loss.

Ramadin was the first to break the silence. Dean, I don’t know what you have decided, if anything. If you think of continuing your father’s ideas, you can call on my hundred percent support.

That is something we have got to talk about.

There is a great deal to be done, for which I shall not be around to see the final end, that is if there is any. All the time I am fit and able, if you wish me to help, I shall be available to assist.

While talking and strolling around the devastated grounds, which had virtually destroyed the best part of Kingdom, it was a very sad sight, seeing an elderly grey haired old man and the eyes of sorrow in such a young face, surveying the ruin of their precious estate.

This period of young Deans life was sad. The place he had grown up in was completely devastated. The family and friends whom he had grown to love were no longer there to comfort him.

While Ramadin set about recovering a great deal of debris, with the help of the farmworkers on loan from their neighbour’s farm, Dean had decided it was better to spend some time on the Popalongs farm. By doing so, he could get to know his son and understand him, with the hope they could bond with each other. At the same time he could enjoy the company of Rosie, while he was trying to come to terms with what his future was going to be.

Dean had no skills in becoming a father overnight. The problem could only be achieved step-by-step, one day at a time. He was aware that if he needed help, he was always able to call on Rosie, but he thought it was unfair to lay the burden on such young shoulders.

After a few months had drifted by, Ramadin had most of the workers from the farm now working on the task of rebuilding the Estate. They had made considerable progress, but it was impossible to bring about re-establishing the property to its original conditions, it was obvious that would mean a great deal of change taking place.

Dean had arranged for John to be collected and brought back from the group of Crow Indians travelling up and down either side of the Craggy. Dean had decided that he should take care of him and have him close to Rosie and himself. Although he was free of injury, he still had the problem of not knowing who he was or anything that had happened to him in the past. Rosie and Dean had talked it over and come to the same conclusion. Now that the large barns were empty, they could be put to good use. There were a few children of the farm workers requiring education.

Dean approached Elgar Holt, the wife of Hans, and offered her the job of teaching. Due to the fact her young son spent most of the time with his father, she was only too pleased to become a part-time teacher, giving her something to concentrate on during the day.

Rosie put the idea forward that they employ John to help in the classroom, hoping the contact with the children would help with his progress and improve his chances of a full recovery. The principal idea behind their scheme was that it would give him something to do and at the same time occupy his mind.

Once everything was up and running, Dean decided he was going to reward Rosie for all her effort of caring for Scott Parker. What he put into action was to book her into a hotel for the next three weekends in the local towns to enjoy the different forms of entertainment. Dean being a shareholder in the Mayfair hotel in Greenwich-ville, she would be given red carpet treatment being a priviledged guest. He was confident this experience would give her an example of how the outside world beyond the farm existed. The three local towns had a different culture and were able to offer a great diversity of entertainment. The excitement in her face and the pleasure she particularly loved was at a musical concert. Dean’s reward was being in her company and to appreciate the rapid development of this intelligent young lady open out as she blossomed like a rose as it develops into a wonderful flower.

CHAPTER 3

To Build the Foundation

Eighteen months had passed since the end of the Civil War. What was unexpected was the amount of injured ex-soldiers who arrived in the local towns. The Ministry of Defense no longer required their services and they had limited services available to deal with the problem. It became a common sight to see ex-serviceman just wandering around killing time, trying to re-adjust to civilian life. The amount of injuries was staggering, such as head injuries, arms and legs amputated, blindness and victims of burns.

It was Rosie’s question to Dean. Why doesn’t anybody do something for these people? that had an impact on him to consider an idea. With the wealth of the Corporation within his power he was in a position where he was able to have an impact on the situation. This remark must have touched a nerve because Dean started thinking he had the money and power to make a difference. He told Rosie that he had an idea that could be a considerable Improvement in caring for these people. It could relieve some of their suffering and give them some hope for the future.

Well Dean, don’t keep me guessing. What do you think you are able to do that could help these poor souls?

Well what I had in mind is that I do not need to live in Camberley any longer. So instead of rebuilding the big house, it can be converted into a hospital. By doing so, a number of the injured from the local town can be treated.

What a splendid idea. You are the most wonderful man in the world. She was hopping up and down with the delight.

I wouldn’t go as far as that. If I do this, it would have to be with Ramadin’s agreement. We could quite easily acquire the labour force from the local towns. When the system is up and running, it can be handed over to the military’s control with the proviso that sixty percent of the servicemen be treated, leaving the remainder of the facilities for treating the locals when they require hospital treatment.

It also occurred to him this would be the ideal job for Jackson. He could be given the power of acquiring the food and equipment required by the hospital, as well as the employment of porters and cleaners."

CHAPTER 4

A Change of Direction

It was now 1866 when Dean finally decided to pick up the reins and continue what his father had started, with plans to develop the Estate. Ramadin and Dean had an unspoken understanding of each other and were able, between the pair of them, to solve most problems that arose. Dean wasn’t a one for board meetings. Most of his life he had become a Humpy Dumpy, as he did not like making decisions. However, there was a side to his personality that once he had made up his mind, nothing would stop him until he succeeded. This being his free spirit coming to the forefront, and also the experience of living with Indians and understanding their outlook on life. The one thorn they both shared was what to do in dealing with Jackson.

All the time the lease was active, they were restricted from removing him from the boardroom. Originally the Roadhouse and lease were Hector’s way of showing Elizabeth his respect and appreciation for all she had done in the past for the family. However, it turned out it was Jackson that used the gift for his own advantages and for self gain. Because they both felt the same way, they always had majority voting rights over him. There wasn’t anything he could do about it. The problem was that he was content to put in as least effort as possible, yet expected to be supported by the Estate and reap the benefits.

They both decided it was far better to give him work that needed doing and could a keep a check on him and control his activities. At least, if it achieved nothing else, it would ensure he was out of harm’s way and away from the Estate office and daily routine.

Ramadin agreed to the principal of converting Camberley into a hospital, mainly due to the fact of Dean’s view on where he intended to make his home for the future.

Due to the fact that most of the trees in the night of the fire were destroyed, Dean had plans to develop the area to build a ranch house. It would be of the large ranch house style, all on one level, spread over a large area, using a few trees that had survived to provide a reasonable amount of privacy. While Dean toyed with the idea of his new home, Ramadin had plans of his own which he set about putting into action.

Sometime after they returned to Kingdom, they set Wo-Fo-Long up as the cook in charge of the Roadhouse, having the reasonability of the meals and menus. By the time the influx of riders was completed the Outstation was full of cowboys, so he was proud of this privilege.

John’s army horse had given birth to a young stallion, none too dissimilar to Tracquill. They gave him the name of Tracker, as he would follow Tracquill everywhere when they were free to wander in a field. Watching the two animals together gave Ramadin an idea which he set about putting into action as quickly as possible.

With Jackson being occupied with Camberley, and now that Dean had given Hans the job of overseeing the work on the ranch house, this left Dean with the only work he loved doing, which was riding out in the outback, working with the cowboys. He had taken the decision to develop his beef stock, to become the largest herd in the vicinity of the southern counties. Trading on his family name, and using old friends and contacts associated with the Army, he had made arrangements to supply the meat ration for the majority of the Union Army operating in the county.

Ramadin, in the meantime, had already started converting the old cotton field into a large open grazing land, creating a field that would be available, when ready, to train racehorses and, with the backing and support of Dean, to use Ann’s two thoroughbred fillies to develop a stud farm. Although he only had two fillies to start with, his plan to increase his