Bequest for Nathan

By Lois Casto

NO MONEY! DONT WORRY!

Nathan finds happiness and contentment for free!

There is absolutely no charge for sharing in Nathans bequest.

You will thrill to the trials and adventures of this brave frontiersman as he

makes his way into the wilderness.

Should he trust his skill and persistence or should he follow Gods direction

to find the real treasure of his life?

You will be at Nathans side as he:

Leaves his parents and a safe inheritance.

Spends the winter with his family in a very special shelter.

Becomes a blacksmith when he wants to be a pioneer.

Uses his Grandpa Azariahs medical notes to help others.

Experiences the Civil War torn between the North and South.

Watches his family grow up and follow their dreams.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: May 13, 2009
• ISBN: 9781467051781

Lois Casto

LOIS CASTO is a West Virginia author and a founding member of the writing group, Appalachian Wordsmiths. She has been a successful entrant in the annual competition sponsored by the West Virginia Writers. Lois goal is to share her Christian witness with others in the form of enjoyment and inspiration found through her writing. The first book in the series, Azariahs Legacy, brings the Bandelow family to America to realize the legacy of the assurance of Gods care where ever they may be. Lois is a retired educator, mother of four, and grandmother and great grandmother of eighteen. Her writing was supported by her late husband of fifty-five years, Bill.

Book preview

Bequest for Nathan

Lois Casto

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Hill Country

Books

AuthorHouse™

1663 Liberty Drive, Suite 200

Bloomington, IN 47403

www.authorhouse.com

Phone: [phone]

This novel is a work of fiction. Any referrals to real events, businesses, or locals are intended only to give the fiction a sense of reality and authenticity. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is coincidental.

© 2009 Lois Casto. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

First published by AuthorHouse 6/17/2009

ISBN: 978-1-4389-5371-7 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4389-5372-4 (hc)

ISBN: 9781467051781 (ebk)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2009901506

Printed in the United States of America

Bloomington, Indiana

All biblical references are from the King James Version Bible.

Cover photography by Judy Lieving

Contents

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty One

Chapter Twenty Two

Chapter Twenty Three

Chapter Twenty Four

Chapter Twenty Five

Chapter Twenty Six

Chapter Twenty Seven

Chapter Twenty Eight

Chapter Twenty Nine

Chapter Thirty

Chapter Thirty One

Chapter Thirty Two

Chapter Thirty Three

Chapter Thirty Four

Chapter Thirty Five

Chapter Thirty Six

Chapter Thirty Seven

Chapter Thirty Eight

A RECORD OF THE GENEOLOGY OF AZARIAH:

Azariah is the father of ANDREW,

Andrew was the father of ELIJAH,

Elijah was the father of TIMOTHY,

Timothy was the father of HAROLD,

Harold was the father of FREDERICK,

Frederick was the father of NATHAN.

Chapter One

Nathan Bandelow opened the gate to the split-pole corral next to the weathered gray barn and slapped the big roan stallion on the rump to send him running for the watering trough. Nathan had ridden the horse hard for the last hour and the brief rubdown left the animal anxious to feel freedom from the saddle and its’ rider. The lanky young man took the worn leather hat from his shoulder length red hair and rolled it unthinkingly between his calloused hands as he walked toward the long, low shingle covered house standing on the grassy knoll overlooking the roadway. The house, new twenty years before, was seeing more travelers go by every day.

Nathan! The front door swung open and a willowy black-haired woman ran toward the smiling man. I’m so glad you’re home! We were starting to think you weren’t going to be here today. He picked her up and swung her around, Sweet, sweet Esther, how glad I am to see you. She threw eager arms around his neck placing kiss after kiss on his stubbly cheeks.

That’s a welcome a man would ride hard to get home for, he placed his hat on her head and drew her close for a more lasting kiss.

Nathan, your mother is looking out the window. You can bet on it.

What of it? We’ve been married plenty long enough and little Gerald is somewhere close behind you I’ll wager."

She swung their intertwined hands and matched her stride to his as they moved up the stone path to the house. He would be here but he’s taking a late nap. I know he’ll be up as soon as he hears your voice. What did you find out while you were in Bradwell?

It’s a long story. Let’s wait and tell it once for Ma and Pa. I can tell you it’s exciting for me and I hope for you. There’s Pa coming in from the barn now. Nathan raised his hand in greeting to the wiry man who looked more like an older brother than his father.

Welcome home, boy. I’m glad it’s supper time so we can all sit down and listen to your adventures of the last few days. Smiles born of the contentment at being together glowed on their faces as they climbed the shallow stone steps to the front porch.

I’m glad, too, Pa. Esther is already nagging for details and I know Ma will be the same. I did do lots of talking, but the total amount of information doesn’t change much from what we’ve known for while.

Supper’s ready! The short, round, redhaired woman turned from the stove with a smile, tossed her dishtowel in the air and patted her son’s broad shoulder. Now don’t you just know when to come home! She stood on tiptoe to kiss his cheek. Your Pa just finished the evening chores and we’re all ready to sit and enjoy the evening meal and have a good rest.

Ma, you’re absolutely right. I’ve never been more ready for a meal and a rest. He splashed water in the tin basin while hurrying to wash his hands and face. As he turned he caught sight of the chubby child who was busy pulling over everything not fastened down. Here, young man. Is that a celebration for your dad or just a way to make work for your Ma and Grandma? He tossed him into the air and the child laughed aloud fastening his hands in his father’s long red hair just the color of his own.

The reunited family group sat around the scarred handmade table enjoying the steamy mashed potatoes and crisply fried deer steak. As Nathan mopped up the meat drippings with a flaky biscuit he said, I talked to Jed Trimble every day I was in Bradwell. I should say I mostly listened. There were so many people wanting to hear about Kantuck and beyond, it was like he was making a speech.

Anyone knows about the land it should be him, he’s been there enough times. Did he mention your Uncle Titus? questioned his father.

Yes, that was the only time I spoke to him alone. He seemed sad, said it was one of the few times he lost anyone.

How did Jed tell it, was it the same as we’ve been able to piece together? It’s been a lot of years now and I still wonder just what happened. The man looked older as he pushed his chair back from the table rubbing his hands nervously across his face.

I can tell you what he said, I paid close attention cause I knew you’d want every word. He said Uncle Titus and Aunt Anna and little Angela were late starting after the other four wagons because Aunt Anna was feeling poorly. He intended going back after them if they didn’t catch up by the noonin’ and they didn’t. Jeb said he followed the trail until he came to the place where he found ‘em. The wagon was turned over, horses gone, Aunt Anna and Uncle Titus both killed. I didn’t ask him if they was scalped, I didn’t want to think on it. Little Angela was gone. Not a trace. He camped the other wagons and he took the men and looked all over the area.

Rose Bandelow got up from the table and with trembling hands kept busy carrying dishes to the dry sink, tears running down her cheeks. Esther pulled little Gerald onto her lap and stroked his red curls with one hand while she held him tight with her circling arm. Neither woman spoke, but both were pale with remembrance.

Jeb said it was the strangest thing, he didn’t hear a sound from those Indians during the whole thing. Not one war cry, not a horse whinny. They’d riffled through the belongings and took silverware, maybe some clothes and, of course, the horses and rifles. Said the men from the wagon train buried Uncle Titus and Aunt Anna under the trees, piled lots of pine limbs on the graves and one of the men recited verses from the Bible.

Frederick Bandelow walked to the low burning fire and sat down in the rocking chair. Thanks, son. That’s the closest to a first hand account we’ve had of it. Maybe we can lay it to rest now. If only we knew what happened to little Angela. Thank the Lord her older sister was working for the Moore family and didn’t go with them or the whole family would have been lost.

But she’s suffered Frederick, you know she has, loosing her ma and pa and little sister to those heathens. She paused and turned to her son. That’s why we don’t want you and Esther going to Kantuck, Nathan. Rose stopped her work and looked the young man directly in the eye. Think of Gerald, think of Esther.

Chapter Two

With cinnamon-brown eyes twinkling, Nathan’s crisp, strong voice filled the fire-bright room. You haven’t heard Jeb tell about the rolling land, some of it just naturally clear with knee-high grass, doesn’t need no trees taken out. Some of it lays beside creeks that are sparkling and filled with fish. Turkey and deer are everywhere just for the taking. To build a cabin you clear an acre or two, enough for a crop of corn, there’s enough timber for logs for the house. It sounds too good to be true." Now it was Nathan’s turn to pace around the table and the living area of the room.

What is the deal on the land? questioned Frederick in a matter of fact voice.

Four hundred acres to the family that can build a cabin and plant and harvest a corn crop the first year. The second year a man can add two hundred acres if what joins his is not taken just by adding a second crop on it. It’s too good not to try. Why don’t you and Ma come with us?

Indeed not! Rose stamped her foot like a willful child instead of a mature grandmother. This is our home. You can have part of it now and someday share it all with your brother, but I’ll not worry night and day about savages dragging me and your pa out of bed. I don’t know how I will stand having you and your family in such danger. Her anger dissolved as she rubbed her face with the dish towel.

Ma, there’s too many people here. Nathan paced from the table to the door and back; then continued, There’s no challenge to claim the land here, it’s being a farmer and I don’t want to be just a farmer. I want to be a —, he paused at a loss for the right word.

Esther smiled at her husband, A pioneer, you want to be a pioneer.

Right, that’s right Ma. I want to be a pioneer. I want to claim the land. I’ve apprenticed as a blacksmith so I have a trade if I need it.

Frederick leaned back in the rocking chair and stretched his legs. I know the feeling, son. Bandelow men have always wanted to be the first to see a new land. I know the feeling. Blacksmithin’ is something you can always use on your own place and to help your neighbors.

Well, you may know the feeling. We all have heard over and over how your Grandpa Azariah came over from the old country on a pirate ship and wasn’t satisfied until he pushed his way into the mountains of Virginia. But you’re too old. And, this Bandelow woman doesn’t want to clear new land. Just think about what happened to your brother, Titus, and his family and that will cool your heels.

Esther sat the young Gerald on her father-in-law’s lap, went to Nathan and slipped her arm around his waist. I’m ready, honey. I want to see the new land. I like the idea of a clearing with the smell of a new –built cabin and tall pine trees on two sides, crops peekin’ through the ground on two sides. Let’s leave room to add on for a big family.

He put his arm around her shoulders and bent down to place a kiss on her upturned face. Thanks.

Enough of this for tonight, Rose hung the dishtowels over the stove and came into the living area seating herself on a wooden bench with a many colored patchwork quilt over the back. I’m glad we’re all under one roof tonight and I thank the Lord for it.

The trees came out in full leaf, corn was planted, hay was harvested and July brought the hot weather with all the insects so common to middle Virginia. Nathan worked from daylight until dark with his father in the fields, but after supper he found time to assemble the tools and supplies needed for the move to Kentucky.

The women hoed the garden, keeping the weeds out and enjoying the bounty of fresh vegetables as they ripened. Rose’s tears mixed with the extra amounts of green beans, peas, peppers and onions as they preserved the fresh vegetables in the kitchen and over an open fire in the back yard. Rose drew down the corners of her mouth and said with pride, You’ll have enough food to keep you going this winter. We’ll also have some corn, hopefully enough to pickle, for you before you leave. Land sakes, I don’t like this move. It shrivels my soul to think of you and little Gerald and Nathan going off into that uncivilized country. More often than not, tears ran down her face before she finished a frequent warning.

One morning early in July, a smiling woman with a single, long braid bouncing on her back rode a plodding mule into the yard. Hello, Aunt Rose. Good morning Esther and where is that young man of yours? There he is, I spy Gerald peeking from behind the rocker. She slid off the mule and looped the reins over a bush in the yard. "That rocker Gerald is using for a hiding place looks mighty good to my bumped backside.

Esther put her arms around the buxom young woman and gave her a quick peck on the cheek. It’s so nice to see you, Pearl. And guess why we’re really glad to see you because we have a bushel of beans to string and lay in the pickling brine before supper time.

Well, give me a glass of water and a knife and I’ll get to work. The Moores have been putting up all kinds of vegetables and I’m already in gear to go right on working. Even though I thought I was going to have at least part of the day off, she laughed.

Rose handed her a glass of water and a slice of lemon pound cake. Esther was close behind with a basket to use for stringing the beans. Soon the three women were seated on the porch of the farm house with flying fingers and beans quickly being readied for pickling. Gerald ran around the yard with increasing confidence on his short, chubby legs. I get him, I get him, he screeched as he ran after the rooster who had escaped from the chicken pen and was making his way to the yard.

No, Gerald! Leave the rooster alone. He might not want you to touch him," warned his mother who knew he couldn’t catch the flapping bird.

Nothing wrong with a good warning, chuckled Rose. That’s what I keep trying to give you and Nathan about this move to Kantuck. She moved her rocking chair faster as her mouth tightened and her eyes darkened.

Aunt Rose, I think it’s great they’re going to Kantuck. A few years from now it will only be a one or two day journey. You can go in the stagecoach by then and won’t you think that’s fine?Rose sniffed and chewed her lip but she didn’t say a word. Pearl looked at the other two women and put her knife down in her lap full of unstrung beans. She cleared her throat and Rose and Esther both paused to look at her.

Fact of the matter, that’s why I’m here. She paled and clinched her hands. I want to go with you, Esther. I’ve lived with the Moores ever since Ma and Pa and Sister left, I’m tired of it. I want a life of my own.

But Pearl, haven’t the Moores always been good to you?

Yes, Aunt Rose and I feel sort of guilty leaving, but they’re not my family. I’m still like a servant living on their generosity. And I’m not getting any younger. I want a family of my own.

I think it’s wonderful! Esther clapped her hands. I’ll have another woman around for awhile. Pearl knows all sorts of things I’ve never learned and wouldn’t think to ask until I needed to know and then it would be too late. Esther jumped out of her chair and hugged Pearl. Gerald, sensing the excitement, toddled up to the porch and crawled up the two steps throwing himself into Pearl’s lap spilling beans everywhere.

See, Mother Rose. Gerald is tickled about Pearl, too.

I must say, it will give me a little comfort to know Pearl is there. You always were such a level headed girl, Pearl. Have you told the Moores?

Not yet, I wanted to be sure it was alright with Nathan and Esther. I didn’t want to burn my bridges too soon.

Of course, it’s alright. It’s the best news I’ve heard since we started serious planning. Esther picked up the beans from the floor and began to string and cut them with a new energy

Maybe we should ask Nathan, said Pearl.

Ask Nathan what? The young man covered the distance on the path from the barn to the porch in a dozen long strides. He sank down on the top step and looked expectantly at the three women.

Pearl wants to go to Kantuck with us, isn’t that wonderful? Esther plunked Gerald onto his father’s lap to keep him from grabbing the beans.

You do? He turned to face her. After all the things you’ve heard Ma say?

I think it will be a great adventure and I’m ready for some adventure. I guess I was lucky not to go when my mother and father and sister went but I’m ready to go now. Is it alright with you?

Of course. I can’t see where it would be anything but good for us. Are you sure you want to travel with such green horns? Gerald probably knows as much as we do.

I’m ready. I trust you. I trust the Lord. The beans lay forgotten in Pearl’s lap and Rose reached over and finished preparing them for the pickling process.

Well, you’d better get packed, cousin ‘cause Pa says most of the summer work is done and he can finish by himself and get ready for winter with a little help from the neighbors. I’d say ‘bout next Saturday we’ll be ready to pull out. He looked at his wife. That gives you eight days, Esther. Can you be ready?

I’m ready. All we have to do is load up the wagon and get our food supply organized and we’ll be on the road. She swung Gerald high in the air and the squealing boy stretched out his arms for Pearl enjoying the happy mood of the adults.

––––––––––––––––––––––––—

They’re goin’ Pa. Rose brushed her hand across her eyes. I kept hopin’ they would change their mind, but I can see now they’re goin’.

The kerosene light made long shadows on the wall of the bedroom. A bear-paw quilt done in yellow and brown scraps gave a warmth to the high bed taking up much of the space in the middle of the room. Frederick was almost stretched on his considerable belly as he pulled a wooden box from under the bed and sat back on his heels.

Sh, sh, warned Rose. That pulling and scraping sounds like we’re tearing out this side of the house.

We don’t pull this box out much and it was way back against the wall.

It’s because I have most of the remedies we use memorized and we haven’t had an emergency in months, praise the Lord. Rose pulled the sliding lid from the box and took the book, wrapped in a softened animal skin, from its’ depths.

Frederick leaned against the wall and rested his forearms on his knees. Let’s see, I think we figured there was five generations between me and old Azariah. That would be my father, Harold; his father, Timothy; great grandpa Elijah. Then we’ve only heard stories about his pa, Andrew who was Azariah’s son.

I’m just glad Azariah wrote down so many of the doctorin’ things he learned. It sure has helped relieve a lot of misery. I hate to part with it, I’ve always felt so special that you got the book. Rose leafed through the brown- edged pages pausing to read a section here and there.

"They may need it, Rose. Esther seems like such a youngster and in the wilderness she won’t have you for advice. Frederick put his arms on the bed and pulled himself to his feet.

A matter-of-fact voice replaced Rose’s wistful tone, I’ll get some things to put with it—you never know—you just never know what will come up.

Chapter Three

A lark sent its’ clear sweet tones out onto the bright morning air. There was a coolness and a light fog drifted up from the creek and the hollows beyond the partially harvested fields. The big wagon with its’ curved canvas top and metal rimmed wheels was packed in every corner. A barrel of water hung from the back and Gerald leaned around it waving to his grandma and grandpa.

Nathan savored the smell of the light smoke from the morning cooking fire. His chest felt tight and his eyes burned with tears waiting to spill over. He’d talked big to his ma and pa, but the strong-looking young man was scared. He wondered why he wanted to go to Kantuck. This farm could have been his. Esther was seated beside him and Pearl was curled on a stack of blankets for the most comfortable seat in the wagon and she could watch Gerald as he played.

Son, let’s have a word of prayer before you start the wheels turnin’ for Kantuck.

Yes, Pa. Nathan held his soft brown leather hat in one hand and Esther reached for his free hand, extending the other one to Pearl.

"Dear Heavenly Father, this is