Kids & Families of the Old West

By Doreen Milstead

A Woman’s Heart Is Beautiful - An amputee woman decides to move from Chicago to North Dakota and become both a teacher and then hopefully, a mail order bride. A Miracle for the Orphan from New York - An orphan on the run from police, boards a train headed somewhere and then takes refuge in a compartment where an older woman sits quietly. Accidental Love - A woman from Nebraska makes a contract to marry a cowboy in California but along the way there’s an accident with the stagecoach she’s in, and she’s the only passenger. A New Family Is Formed Along the Oregon Trail, is the story of a young woman who lost her parents at the start of their journey west along the Oregon Trail. Close to her as she travels along, is a group of young men and boys who had also lost their parents and had decided to make a new beginning in the west, raising cattle. While bathing at the river one day the woman hears, then sees, a baby crying and she retrieves a young Native American infant found propped up against a tree.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Susan Hart
• Release date: Jan 15, 2020
• ISBN: 9780463479308

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Kids & Families of the Old West

By

Vanessa Carvo

Copyright 2020 Susan Hart

Table of Contents

A Woman’s Heart Is Beautiful

A Miracle for the Orphan from New York

Accidental Love

A New Family is Formed Along the Oregon Trail

A Woman’s Heart Is Beautiful

Synopsis: A Woman’s Heart Is Beautiful - An amputee woman decides to move from Chicago to North Dakota and become both a teacher and then hopefully, a mail order bride because she has been corresponding with several young men who seemed interested, but she has not chosen one yet. She meets a young half Native American man in the lawless small town and also learns what it’s like to defend both your life and honor.

Sitting in a mahogany colored sitting chair beside a silent stone fireplace, Mandy heard the front door close with the sound only angry disappointment could achieve. Bowing her head, she tossed her eyes down onto her lap. As she bowed her head, long, pretty, blond hair rushed forward over her frail shoulders, reaching down over a lovely blue and white dress from France—reaching to cover a broken heart and broken spirit.

You were wrong to deny Mr. Brown’s proposal, a sharp voice snapped at Mandy rushing into an expensive parlor decorated with furniture that, Mandy assumed, came from old parts of Europe that only her elders could name.

Unwilling to raise her eyes to meet her mother’s angry voice, Mandy placed her shaky hands together and drew in a deep breath of stale peppermint and old pipe tobacco that had stained the parlor’s atmosphere with good and bad memories. Mr. Brown wishes to marry me for money. He does not love me.

Love, Mandy’s mother hissed and then rolled her eyes, love is not an emotion young women must depend to find a good husband.

Feeling her mother angrily fold her arms, Mandy cowered down and waited for another tongue thrashing. Even though her mother was a small woman with dark black hair, she somehow overpowered Mandy with just the look in her eyes and the words from her hateful mouth. Mother, please, I just wish to be left alone.

Left alone, Mandy’s mother snapped. Unlocking her arms she threw them down the dark purple dress, she was wearing and then bawled her hands into tight fist. Your father and I cannot take care of you forever. We have been very patient because of your…condition. However, we are becoming impatient with you. We wish to move on with our lives.

My condition, Mandy whispered. Against her will, she allowed her eyes to drop down to her right leg like hard stones. Even though the dress she was wearing covered her right leg, beneath the dress from the right knee down there was only empty space. I have lost my leg from the knee down. I do not have a condition, mother. I was in a horse accident…a horse ran wild and toppled the buggy I was riding in. The buggy crushed my right leg.

I’m aware of the accident, Mandy’s mother said impatiently. I am also aware that because of your condition, certain young men are no longer interested in accepting you as a wife.

I know, Mandy agreed as tears began to drop from her eyes. I am aware that I am a cripple and a horrid sight to the men who once chased me for my beauty. I am also aware Father bribed Mr. Brown to propose to me. Mr. Brown is a shallow man. His heart is set on the dollar.

Your father and I only want—

Leave me alone, Mandy begged. Throwing her hands up to her face, she began to cry. Mother, leave me alone this very instant.

Snarling her voice up into an ugly knot Mandy’s mother stood silent and watched her daughter cry. Finally, she decided to speak as a hard rain began to fall outside. Your father and I are taking a trip to France next week. Summer has arrived. It has been a long, difficult winter. I suppose you should come along with us now that you have insulted Mr. Brown.

Mandy shook her head no. I am still a school teacher. I have...been considering taking a teaching position in North Dakota.

Shocked, Mandy’s mother slowly refolded her arms. Continue.

Dean McMillan has made it very clear to me that teaching at Academy is no longer an option for me. He politely insinuated that my age was the factor for his decision. But we both know that is a lie, Mandy explained forcing her tears to the side. I am twenty-two years old. I have two years teaching experience. Yes, I am still young. However, only experience can allow me to develop into a better teacher for my students.

Listening to the heavy rain fall outside Mandy’s mother simply nodded her head as a selfish idea began to form in her hard mind. Dean McMillan dismissed you because of your condition. Your father and I debated on whether to object to his decision, but we both know that any objection would end in failure. However, I am somewhat taken back by your sudden announcement. Why haven’t you expressed interest in this teaching position before now?

Dean McMillan may have dismissed me, but only because the Board pressured him. He isn’t a horrible man.

I see. So it was Dean McMillan who brought this position to your attention, then? Mandy’s mother inquired. Walking over to a double window covered over with a dark green drape, she carefully peered out onto a front cobblestone street being drenched with heavy rain

Yes, Mandy confessed and wiped at her tears. I have been debating on this matter all winter. I am a cripple and such a trip will be very difficult on me. However, Dean McMillan has assured me that the town of Black Bear, North Dakota, is in desperate need of a schoolteacher as well as decent women who wish to become mail order brides. I have made plans to become both and have been corresponding with several men.

It seems to me, Mandy’s mother answered as a selfish grin slipped across her thin lips, that you have already made your decision.

Dreams of dining at expensive Paris restaurants and sipping delicious wines cheered her mood.

Understanding her mother’s tone pained Mandy’s heart. Yet, she knew that her mother’s wish for her to move away held no room for personal considerations toward her emotions. I have, Mandy confessed. I have informed Deal McMillan. I am due to leave next Monday. I was going to tell you and father tonight over dinner.

Widening her grin Mandy’s mother looked through the hard falling rain into a warm and blooming Paris. Your father and I will do all that we can to accommodate you financially. We will support you on your new endeavor completely.

And if I decided to return home, Mandy dared to ask. I was born and raised in Chicago. I may not be able to adjust to a location that isn’t Chicago.

Then, Mandy’s mother admitted without turning away from the window, You will live here in this house, but you will no longer be a burden to me or your father. But, I have a feeling this new position will not be one that you will give up on so easily.

Leaning back in the sitting chair Mandy drew in a deep breath. Yes, mother, I pray you are right.

So do I, Mandy’s mother replied. Walking away from the window, she strolled over to the door to the parlor like a cruel finger pointing hateful accusations. Dinner will be ready at its usual time. Over dinner we will discuss what financial assistance you will need for your trip.

Watching her mother leave the parlor, Mandy bowed her head. Against her will, she began to cry again. Her tears reached out into the wet front street and mingled in with the hard falling rain—mingled into a dance of fear and pain. You can do this, she whispered in a trembling voice.

Stepping down from a dusty stagecoach with the help of an old man that looked as rugged as a sun soaked stone, Mandy coughed as a storm of dust ran at her face in a dry laugh. She felt dust was consuming everything from her hair down the light gray dress she was wearing.

Gripping the wooden cane in her right hand, she slowly eased her way down onto a dry, dusty street. This drought ain’t gonna let up no time soon, the old man helping Mandy down from the stagecoach said with a dry tongue. Worst I’ve seen in years. Winter didn’t bring much snow, so there ain’t no snow melt off.

I see, Mandy said, forcing a polite smile to her lips. The old man helping her was a nice enough man. The clothes he was wearing were ragged, worn down, dusty and hot. His short gray hair was messy and sweaty. But he had a kind, honest, face that wasn’t capable of spilling out a single lie; not intentionally anyway. I am supposed to be meeting a Mrs. Landon?

Ah, the old man said and wiped sweat from his forehead, Mrs. Landon ain’t one to ever be on time. She’s on up in her years, but she’s tough as nails. It just takes her a whole to hitch her horses. She’ll be along shortly.

Nodding her head Mandy walked her eyes around the small, dry, town before her. Her heart sank in misery. A single dirt street stood before her, lined with wooden buildings desperately in need of painting. In the middle of the street, she saw a hotel. A general store, sheriff’s office, and saloon stood across from the hotel. A few horses were hitched in front of the saloon; the horses all had their head down, too hot to keep them raised.

Daring to raise her eyes skyward again, she witnessed a blazing blue sky that was forcing any hope of rain away. What can tell me about Black Bear, Mandy asked the old man.

Not much to tell, the old man replied and scratched the back of his head. The hills surrounding this town once had some gold in them, but that gold ran dry. But the land is good for cattle…well, when there’s rain, that is. There’s a few ranches around. The ranches help keep the town going. But with this drought…the cattle just ain’t got enough grass to eat.

The worry in the old man’s voice concerned Mandy. Feeling homesick for streets lined with people and lights, Mandy sighed miserably. Perhaps this was a mistake?

Last teacher made it two weeks and then ran back to St. Louis, the old man told Mandy. Young ones around here sure need to learn how to read them books you have with you. It ain’t likely you’ll stay long enough to teach them, though.

The old man’s words struck Mandy hard across her face. Feeling ashamed of her statement, she looked into the old man’s eyes. You don’t know how to read, do you?

I know horses, the old man tipped a wink at Mandy. And speaking of horses, I’ve got to get the bunch hooked to this coach moving or my boss will tar my hide. I’ll unload your belongings over at the hotel. Mrs. Landon wanted me to put you off here.

Why? Mandy asked.

The old man pointed his left. At the end of the street, sitting off in the distance on a small hill, Mandy saw a little wooden school building. She wants you to meet up there.

I see, Mandy said. Thank you. I’ll walk up there.

Before Mandy could take a single step, a loud commotion behind her caused to her turn around. A man wearing a brown shirt came flying backwards out of the saloon. A man wearing a red shirt came barreling out after him. The two men met up on the dry street and began throwing punches at each other. As they fought, other men appeared from the saloon, whooping and hollering, encouraging the violence.

Mandy watched, horrified, as the two men beat up each with bloody enthusiasm. Finally, the man wearing the brown shirt was hit so hard he dropped down onto the dry street and fell unconscious. The men cheered and then dispersed back into the saloon. Oh my, Mandy gasped staring at the unconscious, bloody, face. Is that man…dead?

Nah, the old said and laughed. Joe just crossed Charlie the wrong away again. Those two chew each other’s fist at least once a week. Well, be seeing you.

Yes…of course, Mandy said. I’ll…make my way to the school now."

Forcing her eyes away from the unconscious man, Mandy began the difficult struggle of walking. Even though no one could see it, Mandy had a wooden leg peg attached to her right knee to help her walk. Sure, Mandy knew only pirates wore wooden leg pegs, but she didn’t feel like a pirate and she thanked God that she was able to move around with the assistance of her cane and wooden leg peg.

Slowly walking away, favoring her right side with difficulty but success, Mandy moved forward. The school building, although in sight, seemed impossible to reach. The bright sun overheard laughed and mocked her with unbearable heat. Don’t give up, Mandy begged forcing her body to fight against the heat and her heart to battle against her fears. One…step at a time.

Feeling her right knee begin to ache from the stress of the walk, Mandy knew she was going to have a miserable night of pain awaited her. Dr. Hudson always stressed to take easy walks. Taking a morning walk to get the morning newspaper under a soft snow was one thing—battling a tormenting heat while struggling to reach a building sitting on a small hill was another. One…step…at a time, Mandy begged as streams of sweat poured down form her soft forehead into her dark, beautiful blue eyes.

After what seemed forever, Mandy reached the front steps to the school building. Breathing hard she cautiously sat down on the wooden front steps leading up to closed door. Taking deep breaths, she placed her cane down next to her and stared down onto the town below her. Her first thought was one of wondering how people could leave in such a horrid place. And she had yet to see a single child.

But, when she turned her head to left, and then to the right, and witnessed the beautiful hills surrounding her, she understood. Peace and serenity surrounded Black Bear like a heavy blanket of beauty surrounding the dreams of a romantic dreamer. The sounds of silence drifted into her ears over a hot wind like a strange friends saying hello for the first time.

Captivated in the beautify surrounding her Mandy didn’t see a young man walk around the right side of the school building. Spotting Mandy sitting down, the young man smiled. Hello.

Startled, Mandy jerked her head around, shocked to see a tall, handsome, young man her own age smiling at her. Oh, hello, Mandy said. You startled me.

I have that affect. My name is John O’Mally. You must be Ms. Green.

Pulled in by the smile on John’s face, Mandy felt strange ease come over her. She looked at John’s short black hair that covered a tanned face that held gentleness but strength. She looked into his dark green eyes that held kindness and intelligence. She looked at the white shirt he was wearing tucked into a pair of gray trousers. I was expecting Mrs. Landon, Mandy replied, hoping her quick analysis of John had gone unnoticed.

Mrs. Landon is has fallen ill, John explained allowing his eyes to catch Mandy’s cane. "It’s nothing serious. Her arthritis is acting up

Reviews for Kids & Families of the Old West

[benn9314 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I would like to think that many of our forefathers had faith like this