Keep on Singing: A Novel

By Barbara Harman

It is the late 1800s and Brandon Percival is a handsome Bostonian who is already feeling old now that he has reached his thirties. Although he has recently suffered the heartbreak of a broken marriage, he does not lack for female companionship. He has three sisters who nag him, entertain him with the latest gossip, and fill him with good food.

Brandon is especially fond of his invalid sister, Sarah. When his father announces they must take her to a drier climate to improve her declining health, Brandon agrees to leave his old life behind and head on the train with Sarah and another sister to the Idaho territory with his remaining family members trailing behind in a wagon train. When their stagecoach is robbed, Brandon and his sisters realize the Idaho territory is not without danger. But it is not until their journey ends in Boise that Brandon and the others discover their real adventure has just begun in a wild land they share with Indians.

Keep on Singing shares the historical tale of one familys adventures in the untamed 1800s west as they begin a new life filled with hope, love, and with any luck, a miracle.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Apr 30, 2015
• ISBN: 9781504902946

Barbara Harman

I am Barbara Haskett Jones Harman. I love God, my children, step children, writing and painting. I lived my childhood during the great depression that began after the crash of 1929. I met my husband, father of our children in 1942 we were at war. I had our first son in 1943, and then my husband was drafted into the army. I lived with my mother until the war was over. Ted came home in 1946 and we began adding to our family. My mother in law was from the hills of Kentucky. She told me many stories of incidents that had happen there. I felt a desire to put them in writing. however raising a family was a priority, everything was put on hold. my husband died in 1973. We had raised our children and they are living their own lives. Later I met my prince charming and married again. My husband discovered my box of unfinished manuscripts in my belongings. He began in insisting I complete them and would not give up on the idea. My prince died leaving me a widow again. By now, I have developed a deep love for the word in writing. I have published two books with AuthorHouse; Shadow of the Pines, a story of the Blue Ridge Mountains of Kentucky and Kimberly’s Song back in Idaho. I fill my days with loving my many children, writing and adding a hobby, painting. The photograph was taken by my grandson, Jason Denver, Spokane WA

Book preview

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Chapter One

A Promise

Sarah admired the blue green of the ocean. She compared the magnificent colors so well blended on the horizon. It was hard to tell where one stopped and the other began. She sat in her chair with the wheels placed securely in the surf, her bare feet enjoying the salty brine. She curled her toes in pleasure as the foam swirled around her trim ankles.

Douglas Percival watched his youngest daughter, hopeful she would have some feeling from the pounding surf. He watched the huge ball of vibrant orange as it slowly pushed into the horizon, informing him that the day would soon be gone. He carefully pulled Sarah's bulky chair from the water and pushed it up the path to their buggy.

Do we have to go so soon, Papa? It's so beautiful here. It makes me feel better just watching the ocean and listening to the birds singing on the cliffs. Sarah begged her father as he dried her feet and put on her stockings.

I know darlin' girl but it would be better for us to be at the house before dark was her father's answer to her request.

Because of the accident, Douglas, you are aware that Sarah will never walk again. In addition, her consumption is becoming worse. She needs to be in a dryer climate and isolated. It is very contagious and if you don't take her away, we will have to put her in a hospital. A long rest will perhaps help her recover and protect people around her.

Douglas Percival was remembering with despair the week previous when he had taken Sarah to see Doctor Huggard. Left with a hard decision to make, he pondered whether to leave his job and go west or keep his job and send her to a hospital for rehabilitation. The thought of her being alone in some institution with strangers caring for her was terrifying. Would he know if they were caring for her kindly and properly? No! He would never let her out of his sight.

He had not told his family of the decision to go west. He had already started plans. They had jobs. Could he expect them to leave and go with him? If not, it would mean separating his family. Nancy had just finished high school. She would hate leaving her friends and making a new home. Making the decision to take Sarah west was not easy and was not an instant conclusion. He had prayed a lot and had convinced himself that his Lord wanted him to save his daughter by taking her to a dryer climate. He would break the news to them after they had supper.

Crystal, Douglas's oldest daughter, met them on the porch of their home when they returned from the ocean, which was just over the hill. She knew Sarah loved going down to the beach and was certain, because of the late hour they would be coming soon. She watched the lane that lead to their home. She waved when she spotted the small surrey moving slowly toward her.

It was early spring and Crystal was worried that the water would be too cold for her young sister. However, she knew it would not matter to Sarah because she loved the ocean and had persuaded her father to take her there.

Crystal Percival, a handsome woman of twenty-five was beyond the marriageable age and already classified as an old maid. She was tall for a woman, 5'10" with reddish hair which had always been her dismay, but now, to her delight, was beginning to darken, as she grew older. She wore it in a style that was suitable to her height. The Gibson Girl roll had become popular in the 1890's and was still holding its place as the top style in this year of eighteen ninety-three.

Papa, I was getting concerned. The temperature is falling and I was worried about Sarah. Crystal's eyes, blue green as the ocean, snapped with anger at their father for keeping her sister out so late.

I could not get her to take her feet out of that cold water. She claimed the surf was moving so fast it felt warm to her. Douglas laughed. I'll take the buggy and the horse to the barn. After all, Crystal, she was in good hands! Now you take care of our girl! Douglas was perturbed at his daughters concern. He hurried to remove the wheel chair and lifted Sarah from the buggy seat.

I will, Papa, I started supper. Stella went home but she left a chicken roasting in the oven and other things warming on the top of the stove. When Nancy and Brandon arrive, it should be ready. Sarah and I will set the table, right little sister? Crystal hugged her sister in the wheel chair.

I will help, Crysie. Let's hurry because I am getting tired. Papa and I had a great day at the ocean and I'm hungry as a bear. I didn't get to say good-bye to Stella. Sarah complained, snuggling her shawl closer to her body, Take me inside, Crysie, I feel a chill.

Stella Gregson was a middle-aged widow lady. Douglas hired her as a companion for Sarah when the family would be absent during the day. She also was cook and part time housekeeper. She helped to fill the vacancy left by Mrs. Percival's death. Stella had been with them for three years and the family took her presence as someone who would always be there whenever they needed her. With no family of her own, she had taken the Percival's into her heart and loved Sarah as if she were her own child. Not just because of her handicap, but the youngest member of the family had a gentle and loving nature. Still grieving over her mother's death, Sarah adopted Stella for her own.

The Percival home, a three-story English saltbox consisted of six bedrooms, living room, and parlor for special visitors. A large dining room could seat fourteen comfortably. There was a big kitchen with a huge Monarch range, an indoor water supply and a good-sized pantry. The home had always been more than adequate for their needs.

The evening meal proceeded with much laughing and talking. Brandon Percival's brown eyes twinkled with merriment after telling a riddle, When is a pair only one? The second daughter Nancy also arrived with her brother Brandon, just as they were serving the meal.

We must remember to thank Stella for the wonderful meal. Now that we have our belly's full and we are very thankful that we are together, I have something I need to talk over with you. I have already put this to Sarah. I told her first because I needed her consent, because it is about her. Douglas smiled at his youngest daughter, who was trying to keep her head from nodding in slumber.

Please stay awake, darlin' girl, this will only take a minute, and then you can retire. I must tell you, if this does not meet with your approval, you can make other plans. Although I need you with me, I think we could manage. As you know the report we had from Doctor Huggard last week when I had Sarah there, was not good. To insure her future health and well-being we must take her to a drier climate. Sarah approves of the plan to take her west. I have already started making arrangements. I can keep my position with Prudential Mutual. They are already looking for me an office space. If you decide to go with us, I hope your relationships with your employers will not suffer. Our destination will be a town in the Idaho territory called Boise. This will be new to me, but it must happen for your sister's sake. You do not have to decide right now, take a few days if you need. Time is not on our side. It is a long ways and we need to leave while the weather is with us.

Douglas was concerned at the silence that followed his announcement. His heart filled with joy when his children left their chairs, came around the table, and engulfed him with hugs.

Brandon was the first to speak. You don't think for one minute you are going to leave us here while you are having an adventure of this magnitude. Sarah is our sister, her health and wellbeing is our concern too. At least I am one that will be with you. I will be there all the way. Just tell me, Papa, what needs to be done.

Me too, Papa, me too, I am with you all the way. I know it will be the best for our dear sister. Tell us how to start getting prepared. Crystal hugged her father again and kissed his cheek, then went around and hugged Sarah, telling her, This is going to be exciting dear, and we are going to see you get well. Come I will take you to bed. Don't worry we are not going to leave any one behind. We are a family and we are always going to be together. Come Brandon, take Sarah up to bed.

Nancy sat silent not offering a decision. She bowed her head and looked at her hands, folded in her lap. Her brain was busy. She did not agree with going west. There was not anything out there for her. There would be nothing but high mountains and wild Indians, miners working their claims that only cared about gold and cowboys herding their cows. No, she had better stay in Boston. Sarah would have plenty of care and didn't really need her.

Nancy raised her head to look at her father. She flipped her yellow golden curls back over her shoulders. Her brown eyes so like Brandon's were not shining with happiness, they only darkened with deep thought.

I think I will not go with you, Papa. I will be fine here. I can stay with Stella. I am sure she would let me. You will have plenty of help with Sarah. You can write to me and let me know how she is doing. Maybe you won't like it out there and will come back when Sarah is well. She smiled wanly at her father.

Very well, daughter, it is your decision. I will miss you. Perhaps you might change your mind before we leave. What say you? Douglas looked hopefully at his daughter thinking how Nancy was prone to change her mind often and hoped this would be one of those times.

Nancy shook her head. I don't think so, Papa. She rose and started clearing the table. She could hear the teakettle whistling on the stove in the kitchen. The water was also hot in the dishpan. Dishes and cleanup was her duty tonight. She better start working before Crystal finished with Sarah and came downstairs to nag her to finish her chores.

It will be so much fun, Sarah darlin', going westward, her older sister stated as she carefully placed Sarah's nightgown over her head. To finish the task she began brushing the girl's brown hair, shining with bright lights and curly to the point of needing a currycomb to free it from the snarls.

What if I don't get better, Crysie and what if we go way out there and I stay sick? I'm getting so I cough a lot now and it makes me tired.

I know darlin', but it will make a difference, you will get well, you will see!

But it is not going to make me able to walk! There is no promise there.

We will be your legs little sister. We will help you do whatever you need. Let us pray for a restful sleep and ask the Lord if it is his will for us to go west and with his help it will be the way for you to get well.

After their prayer, Crystal tucked Sarah lovingly into bed. She had been her bedroom partner since the accident had crippled her little sister. She was her helpmate, if she needed anything in the night and would ready her in the morning for the day ahead.

Brandon Percival was a handsome, well-mannered young man as any Bostonian gentleman should be. He was climbing over the number thirty and feeling a bit old. He had been almost married at one time. However, his sweetheart moved away with her family, back to their home in Germany, leaving Brandon sad and broken. Nevertheless, he did not lack for female companionship. He had three sisters that were very dear to him. They nagged him constantly, kept him up on the latest gossip, and filled him with good food and laughter. He was especially fond of the youngest sister Sarah. Concerned for her health he feared for her recovery. Perhaps she would not live long and leave him too.

Brandon talked to his employer and would receive a release from his job in two weeks. However, his position as a union leader only increased. He had met his father at a corner coffee shop for breakfast. They finished and were back on the street returning to their places of employment. He looked across the cobblestone street they were walking down, thinking how clean and neat his town was. He would miss Boston. It had always been his home. His family had become very much a part of the Boston culture.

Brandon had always wondered about the western territories. Interested in its history, he began reading everything he could find about the cowboys and Indians of the plains. He wondered how his family would adjust to the primitive ways after being a part of a very modern city. His friends promised him traveling west was not as it had been in earlier years. The Indians were peaceful and on reservations and the cowboys had settled down to herding cattle instead of being outlaws. Wagon trains were few and becoming an endangered species since the railroads had taken over, even in the west. His father was rattling on about his plans and walking fast as he talked. Brandon was trying to keep up and keep attentive at the same time.

I want you to take Crystal and Sarah on the train since it will be more comfortable and faster. Perhaps it will save her any stress that could accrue from this move. I will leave first with the two Conestoga wagons I have purchased. One will carry whatever personal belongings and furnishings we can haul. The rest we will put into auction after you leave, under the supervision of Stella. She will take care of everything. I will allow her 40% of what will be acquired and put the rest in my bank account to be held here until I notify them differently. The other wagon will be for our living quarters and should keep us very comfortable!

Brandon wondered when his father was going to run out of wind with the fast walking and continued chatter. He was trying to keep up the stride without complaining or slowing down.

Crystal will go with you to help with Sarah on the train. I am dreading to be away from my little girl for a moment, not knowing how long she will be with us. However, I will trust her into your hands. I have hired a driver for our second wagon. He seems to be capable. The farmer he works for said he was very good with the big horses I purchased. The young man's name is Evan Beasley. He is about twenty-five and looks to be very strong. Evan has been west with his father trapping. He was a young boy then and is anxious to go back. He tells me it is very beautiful out there. The mountains reach the highest clouds and deserts seem as wide as the ocean. This all sounds good to me son. Douglas finally took a deep breath but did not stop talking or walking.

Evan tried to talk me into purchasing mules instead of the Belgians. He said they would take less feed than the big horses. I considered his suggestion, but they are too darn temperamental. I don't need that to contend with at this time. Do you think I was wrong in that decision?

I think you were right, Papa. It will be easier to sell the horses if you want. They would be good for any kind of work. I will write a letter to my friend William Johnson. You remember him. He left and went to Boise, Idaho a year ago to open a bank there. It would be a good place for us to go. Perhaps he can find a house for us to rent when we get there. I suppose the girls and I will go soon then? Brandon questioned his father.

No son, Evan tells me it will take seventy to eighty days to make a trip west in the big wagons, that is if the weather is on our side. On the train, it will only take a few weeks. We will leave before you and the girls. You will have plenty of time to settle before we arrive. Perhaps we will be in luck, Douglas stopped, removed his suit coat, and threw it over his shoulder. Maybe there will be some other pioneers on the trail we can travel with. Nancy has changed her mind and will be coming with us.

Is this move going to endanger your position with the union, Brandon? Douglas questioned his son suddenly remembering this move would affect others also.

No, Papa, in fact they are quite pleased that I am going. They want very much for me to keep my position as troubleshooter. There has been news that conditions, work hours, and wages are very bad with gold and silver mines. They have been trying to get some organizing action there. Of course, like everywhere, owners are very unconcerned with what their employees want. The unions would make a difference for them, as they have in the coalmines. I understand there have been threats and riots from people hired by the owners to discourage any kind of organization. It could be a challenge for me. I am not knowledgeable about gold or silver mining. It couldn't be too different from coal.

Brandon had been thinking hard about the effort it would take to organize the miners in the west. He was certain if he could convince them to join a union, conditions would get better. He was thinking of the possibilities and Sarah's chance to get well. He believed there had been a promise that faith could move mountains. He was excited and anxious to start the journey west! He had decided without reservations he would be there all the way.

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Chapter Two

The Journey Begins

William Johnson had been troubled over his position as Vice President of the Boston Federal Bank. The depression that started in 1892 had affected all the banks. His position was a responsibility he took wholly to heart. His concern was for the future of all the banks and the prosperity of the country he loved. He had been greatly pleased when his bank offered him the position as President to establish a new bank in one of the great western territories. It