Jessop's Landing: Northwest Territory God's Country

By Edward G. Cooper

Ross and Martha Jessop moves into the Northwest Territory and builds a homestead in harsh but beautiful land; Land that took Rosss loving wife but gave him a son, Frank and a daughter, Patience. And Patience it took to raise her. Adopting an orphan cougar, which became her protector for life. The story follows the young girl from birth to marriage with her protector always close by to oversee the family and yet remain free. A trial of an innocent man shows that justice exists in this remote area of the North where men have to be hard to survive. See how one man keeps his family together without the help of a woman, raising Patience from infancy. Her older brothers feelings of rejection leads him to run away from home and Ross finds him to be trapped by a bear yet protected by a cougar. Adventure awaits at Jessops Landing.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: May 9, 2001
• ISBN: 9781462842179

Edward G. Cooper

Nedra followed in her brother’s footsteps into one of the toughest places there is to work. Most of her success she owes to her big brother who paved the way for her. Between the two of them they had some of the roughest convicts believing that they were twins (brothers), that Robert had wrestled a shark that had bitten him and he had the shark tooth on a chain around his neck to prove it. Now, who is the Con-artist here? These two officers were born in Houston, Texas and grew up there. Nedra left in 1959 to join her husband in the army, traveling to Germany twice. Her husband died in 1975 leaving her to raise her four children on Social Security. She now has nine Granddaughters, a Great Grandson and four Great Granddaughters (two of the girls are twins). At this time she is retired, living on a sailboat with the soul mate of her dreams and cleaning charter boats. She says “Where else can you go to work out in fresh air, work up a sweat and get paid for it. A lot of people pay good money to go to a gym. I get it free and they pay me to boot. Now what more could you want?” Nedra has written several short stories, poems, news letters, working on that great novel “Winds of Time” as well as maintaining her family genealogy sites on the internet. She is fascinated with her family research having traced her father’s side of the family back to 1600 Scotland and her mother’s side to Wales in the same century. Her dream is to go to Scotland and Wales to visit the homeland of her ancestors.

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PART ONE

Death and Life Come to the Valley

The big cat made her way along the ridge. As she did, her kittens ran behind her. She scolded them. Keep close. She warned. She had a scar across the back of her neck and a bullet hole in her right ear. She was four summers old and in fighting trim. There was someone living at the cabin. She tells her young ones. It’s a good place to stay away from.

She had been chasing that big Jersey cow when the man with the fire stick had shot her. She made tracks for the woods and had never gone too close again. She went back into her cave that had been her home for so long. She had been born here in this warm cave. Her mother had been gone two summers now. She had gone hunting one day and never returned.

The big Cat’s mate, a big male, had been shot. She had watched the human’s takes his fine fur coat and throws his body into the bush. She went to where his still body lay after they had gone. What she saw had sickened her and she didn’t look at him again. She scratched at the dirt and rocks and covered him. Then with a heavy heart she made her way back along Grizzly Creek and home. It was two days before she had been able to eat. But as she felt the movement in her body she said to herself, ‘I must live and get stronger for the sake of the little ones.’ At nightfall she would go hunting and bring in some fresh bedding for the cave. She watched the goats move.

‘Mans deer.’ she thought. ‘Better leave them be.’ The goat’s bells went tink, tink. She didn’t like the fire sticks.

Martha Jessop was carrying water from the well when the pain hit her. Little Frank had been building rock castles by the front of the cabin.

Frank! she called out. Frank! Go ring the gong. Hurry Frank!"

Now little Frank was only seven years old but he was a bright lad. He sprang up to his feet and ran to where the gong was hanging from the Spruce Tree. It was made from a disk plow long ago abandoned. He grabbed up the hammer in both hands and hit the gong with all his might. The sound echoed throughout the valley. Ross Jessop was half a mile off fixing his still when he heard the gong.

Hear that? he said to the Redbone Hounds. The way that gong is ringing we’d better make tracks. He started for home at a dead run.

Martha headed for the cabin. She was bent over and not making very good timing. ‘Oh God’ she thought. ‘Something is not right. I never had this kind of pain with Little Frank!’

Ross cried out. I’m comin’ fast as I can. The war wound in his right leg slowed him down some. He was thirty-eight years old now. The bullet had put two holes in his leg and took a piece of his kneecap. The two Redbone Hounds had got to the cabin well ahead of Ross. Little Frank was still beating the gong and getting tired. His arm hurt but he kept beating on it. His Dad ran up behind him. Frank. What is it. Ross said, trying to get his breath.

It’s Momma. Momma’s hurt. Frank urged.

It’s okay Frank. I’m here now. He ran to the cabin and found his wife hanging onto the table with both hands. Got to get the kettle on. The baby’s coming. Oh God! Ross, get me to the bed!

Ross picked up his wife and lay her gently down on the bed. He ran to the cook stove and threw in some dry wood. The fire blazed up and Ross put the stew kettle and the big copper teakettle on to heat, both filled with water. Frank stood there looking lost. Get them Damn hounds outside. He spoke sharply to the boy and right away he said he was sorry. Frank. You’re a good boy and ya done good. Momma’s gonna to have a baby so that means your gonna have a little brother or sister to play with.

Ross heard Martha cry out. Ross! I need you. The baby won’t come out. Ross! Something’s wrong! She was sweating and her lip was bleeding by the time Ross got to her.

Hold on Honey. Christ! I gotta wash my hands. He plunged his hands in the pot on the stove. It wasn’t hot yet but at least it was above lukewarm. He rolled up his sleeves. Martha, Honey. I gotta turn the baby. It’s trying to come out butt first. Bear with me. Frank! Bring me a bottle of whiskey. And hurry up about it!

There was the sound of breaking glass coming from the direction of the kitchen. Pa! I’m sorry! I dropped the bottle!

For Christ’s sake. Frank. Don’t you do nothin’ right? There’s another one under the sink. Go get it and don’t drop that one.

Ross took the bottle from the boy. Now you go outside and play. Ross poured the whiskey over his hands and turned back to his wife. I got to do this Martha. He said, gritting his teeth. He wished that his hands were smaller. Martha bit her lip and Ross, with sweat pouring down his face, worked at the ordeal of maneuvering the baby while listening to his wife’s screams. He at last looked up into Martha’s face.

I got it turned Honey. He said. Frank! I told you to go outside! The boy was sitting in the middle of the floor holding his foot in his hands.

Can’t Pa. I done cut my foot on the broken bottle.

Martha groaned. The baby was about half out now. Just a little more Darlin’. Ross said. There was blood everywhere. ‘She’s bleedin’ too much,’ he thought. Oh why! Why did I bring you to this God forsaken country Martha? Frank! Wrap a towel around that foot and get the hell outta my way!

The baby was finally on its way out but Ross had to help it along. His hands were trembling as he lifted the baby up, cleaned out its mouth and slapped it gently on the butt. The baby was a big one, a little girl. He had hoped for another boy. He washed his wife and changed the bed. Martha was still bleeding.

Damn! I got to get this blood stopped! After he had gotten all the afterbirth out, he packed her the best he knew how with a torn up towel. The baby seemed okay. She had cried when he slapped her. He cleaned her with water and then wrapped her in a big clean towel. Martha was white. Oh Ross. Let me see her.

How did you know it was a her?

Martha smiled. I just knew. She put the baby to her breast.

The little tike seems to know what that’s was for and it wasn’t long before she started to suck.

Are you okay for a minute. I got to see to Frank.

Martha’s voice was weak. You go ahead. We’re fine.

"Papa. I didn’t mean to break the bottle. I never meant to cut my foot. I’m sorry Papa.’

No Frank. It was my fault, not yours. Well, it’s not deep. Thank God for small miracles. I’ll get some cobwebs and stop the bleeding and then put a bandage on it.

Are you mad at me Papa? Frank asked.

No son. I’m not mad at you.

Then why did you yell at me?

Ross reached out and hugged his son. Papa’s sorry. It’s just that Momma was having the baby and I wasn’t prepared, that’s all. We’ll take Momma some soup. But first, you can go in and see your new little sister.

She’s all red. Frank said as he approached the bed where his mother lay holding her baby close to her heart. And she ain’t got much hair. I think she’s funny looking.

Martha said, Oh Little Frank. She’s just beautiful. You looked like that too. In a few days she’ll be just fine.

Martha didn’t sleep much that night. Ross slept with Little Frank so she could have the bed. She was so weak that she could hardly sit up in the morning to feed the baby. She took her husbands hand. Oh Ross. I love you. I have always loved you ever since the first time you come into the restaurant where I worked. Course you never noticed me for about a week.

Martha, he said. I noticed you the first day. You had the prettiest green eyes I ever did see. I think I done wrong fetching you up to the high country with no doctor for miles.

After supper Martha started bleeding again. I gotta ride for the doctor. Ross said.

No. Martha said. Time you ride there and back it’ll be too late anyway.

By the next morning, Martha’s life was slipping away. Ross had prayed on his knees most of the night. Lord he begged. Don’t take her from me. You spare her and I swear I’ll not touch another drop of liquor in my life.

In the hours of six and seven a.m. Martha Jessop handed Ross their baby. She said, Promise me Ross that you will raise her right.

Ross held the baby in his arms and clasped his wife’s hand. Darlin, don’t leave us. God, how can we manage without you. Martha, I love you.

The last words she whispered were, Ross, I love you. Now promise Ross!

The tears streaming down his face as he said, I promise Martha. Then she was gone.

For a long time Ross just sat there, the tears flowing like a river. Frank touched his shoulder. Why you cryin’ Papa?

Oh Frank. Your Momma has gone to Heaven. God took her away from us.

Don’t cry Papa. I’ll tell God he can’t have my Momma and he’ll give her back.

Well Frank, I sure do wish he would do that. Now you go feed them hounds. I got to dress Momma up pretty. We’ll put her out by the old Lilac Tree she planted and loved so much. The baby was crying, making little mewing sounds.

‘I should drown you!’ Ross thought. ‘You killed her. Oh my God! What and how am I going to feed you?’ Frank! he called.

Go round up the goats. He had bought three nannies and a billy a while back.

Papa. That billy don’t like me none.

You take a stick, Frank. And you wamp him good, and then you bring them goats in.

Come on Red. Frank said to the big male red-bone hound. You won’t let that ol’ billy butt me will you? The red hound just wagged his tail. He was sad. He felt a terrible pain. He and his mate had howled into the night until Ross had yelled at them to stop or by God I will shoot you both. He knew his mistress was dying. Dogs know these things. But if Frank wanted to hunt goats, that was okay by him. They had gone about one-third of a mile from the cabin when they heard the bells ringing. Ross had put brass bells on every one of them. Come on you goats. Papa wants you to come home.

The nanny was the first to come to Little Frank. He used to give her carrots and other roots. But today Frank took her by the collar and fastened it with his leather belt to lead her along. Something was wrong. She could sense it. She bleated loudly and all the other goats fell in behind her. She had twin babies and they jumped here and there like life was a game. She scolded them and they dropped their ears and followed along behind. Even Billy sensed something was wrong. He never even tried to butt frank but even so, Frank kept the heavy stick in his left hand held ready for him. He found his Dad out by the barn, pounding nails.

What are you making Papa? A boat for fishin’?

No Frank. Take the goats into the barn and tie them up. You’re a good boy Frank and Papa’s going to need your help a lot from now on.

Ross came into the barn. Well Nan. I gotta’ get some of your milk. Nan kicked at first but with Ross’s gentle hands and words she soon gave down her milk to him.

They went to the house with the honey pail of milk. Frank. You search over there and I’ll look over here. Look for a nipple. They looked for over an hour. Nothing.

Why do we need a nipple Papa?

To feed the baby with. Ross answered.

Finally he found a pair of new rubber gloves. This’ll have to do, he said. He carefully cut the little finger of the glove off. Now if I could just find a darning needle.

Momma has one! cried Little Frank. It’s in her wool box with her wool.

You’re a good boy Frank. After punching a hole in the end of the glove finger, Ross stretched the rubber finger over the neck of a whiskey bottle and it fit tight enough to do the job. Now we can get some of the goats milk into this bottle and we’re in business. We gotta’ get some milk into the wee one. This has just gotta’ work.

It did. She took right to it. Papa. Why don’t you just let her suck Nan and run around with the twins? Frank asked.

Well son. She can’t walk yet so we’ll just have to do the best we can. She’s sure been patient till we could get to her. Guess we need to have some patience too. By God Frank! That’s what we’ll call her! Patience. Patience Martha Jessop. What do you think Frank?

Little Frank just shrugged his shoulders. Whatever you say Papa.

The baby had been feed and changed. Frank, you get a clean shirt and your shoes. And that new hat you got for last Christmas.

Gee Papa. Frank said. Why do I have to get all dressed up for?

Because, Frank. We got to bury your Momma today. Ross had fetched the team of horses up to the door. The coffin was on the stone-boat. He first carried out the good blue comforter, the one they got for a wedding present. He placed it in the coffin along with the little white satin pillow that had a deer on it. Finally he carried his wife’s still lifeless form out and placed her gently in the coffin.

Frank came out and he had his black shoes and his new black felt hat. Hang onto the team.’ Ross said. I gotta’ go get my good clothes on and get the baby ready."

Ross was back in fifteen minutes dressed up in his blue shirt, his good Wellington boots and his gray cowboy hat. Okay Frank. You come around and walk with me and Patience. Bert. Bess. He spoke softly. Easy now. You walk slow. We’re gonna’ take Momma up to the creek and see the wildflowers on the hillside and the apple trees she planted and then we’re gonna come back here.

The big Clydesdales moved off slow. They knew something was wrong. They could smell it. Horses can smell death.

Frank held onto the lines and walked behind his Dad. Papa he said. You cryin’ again? I looked in on Momma and she’s just sleepin’

Yeah Frank. Ross said. The only trouble is she ain’t never gonna’ wake up. She’s gone to Heaven. Your Momma and me and you: we planted them apple trees. You was two then. They sure are a growin’. Ross brushed the tears off his face.

They came back near the cabin where the Lilac tree stood and beside it was a large mound of fresh dug earth. Whoa. Ross said. Take off your hat Frank and you give Momma a kiss goodby.

Frank got down on one knee and kissed his Momma’s lips. Papa! he cried. Momma’s so cold! He tucked the comforter around her.

Ross got down on his knees and said Martha Darlin’. We love you so much. And then he gave the baby to Frank. Here Frank. You take the Baby over there and sit with her. Don’t drop her now. Just sit over there on the grass, okay? He put the lid of the coffin in place and with a few sharp blows he had the nails in place and the lid was sealed. He pulled the coffin off the stone-boat and shoved it onto two poles he had lain over the grave. He now got the Bible out of his pocket and read out loud. Lord. Lord, we deliver this good woman into your hands. She’s a good wife and mother and we ask that you take real good care of her. Amen.

Frank, he said. Lay the baby on the grass there and help me. When I pull these ropes, then you pull out those poles, okay?

Frank laid his sister on the grass. ‘She has green eyes just like Momma’s,’ he thought.

Lets go Frank. His Dad said. Frank pulled the poles out and watched his dad lower his Momma into the earth. Ross took the shovel and began throwing dirt into the grave on top of the coffin.

Oh Papa! Papa! Stop! Don’t cover Momma with dirt! When she wakes up she won’t be able to get out!

Ross stopped and hugged his son. Son. Look way up there. Your Momma, she’s gone up there.

Why can’t I see her there? cried Frank.

Because, said Ross. "She’s