The Essence of Sadie's Dream

By Lynn McLean

Sadie a little mountain girl found the need to leave her home near the sky, where anguish, misery and sorrow was her life. She and her courageous German shepherd dog, found dying in the primitive wilderness became inseparable, as they made their way through dark forests to the sea. There, she met a family who swept her into their arms and away from her despicable rejected life. They saw her as precious. Her needs came to her from their very love of her soul. The manifestation of her prosperity came to be her way of life. She grew to be a fine young lady; a doctor and remained forever humble She was loved by all, including the simple folks across the open land.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Nov 27, 2013
• ISBN: 9781493109746

Lynn McLean

Lynn Mclean was born in the spring of 1932, in the shadow of the Cascade Mountains, and felt the impact of the depression. His mother, with her kind and gentle ways; taught him to be honest, kind, and observant as he cared for the animals on the farm. He piloted sea going vessels, flew aircraft, graduated from EWU, and became a teacher. He applied many of his life experience to the creation of the character, Sadie, who flourished as a dynamic individual and applied those values to shape her own destiny. Mclean now lives in Visalia California.

Book preview

THE ESSENCE OF

SADIE’S DREAM

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LYNN MCLEAN

Copyright © 2013 by Lynn McLean.

ISBN:          Softcover                                 978-1-4931-0973-9

                   Ebook                                      978-1-4931-0974-6

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Rev. date: 10/03/2013

To order additional copies of this book, contact:

Xlibris LLC

1-888-795-4274

www.Xlibris.com

[e-mail]

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Contents

Chapter 1:   From Sadie’s Point of view

Chapter 2:   The Three Legged Dog

Chapter 3:   Gertrude

Chapter 4:   Ruth’s Glimmer of Hope

Chapter 5:   Howdy Young’un

Chapter 6:   The Storm

Chapter 7:   Cherished reflection

Chapter 8:   Echo Canyon

Chapter 9:   A Promise Kept

Chapter 10:   A Flower for you, my dear, from the Wilderness

Chapter 11:   Love at First Sight, Dirt and All

Chapter 12:   Ed’s Medical Assistant

Chapter 13:   Sadie’s New Pony

Chapter 14:   Getting Ready For School

Chapter 15:   Sam’s Mercantile

Chapter 16:   A Meaningful Lunch

Chapter 17:   If Two Coats Could Talk

Chapter 18:   Church, the New Experience

Chapter 19:   Sadie’s Sunday Dinner

Chapter 20:   An old Violin

Chapter 21:   Sadie’s First day of School

Chapter 22:   Good Bye Mama Bob Cat

Chapter 23:   On Towards Winter

Chapter 24:   The Cattle drive.

Chapter 25:   How Dear Was My Family

Chapter 26:   Into The World At Large

Chapter 27:   Ezekiel

Chapter 28:   The Ties That Bind

Chapter 29:   The Wildebeest

Chapter 30:   The Hoboes’ Song

Chapter 31:   Mansion on the Hill

Chapter 32:   The Flamboyant Thief

Chapter 33:   George Walden’s Gentle Side

Chapter 34:   In Soothing Repose

Chapter 35:   Sadie’s Sisters Return

Chapter 36:   Too Trust a Dream

Chapter 37:   The Boys and the Wildebeest

Chapter 38:   The Horseman

Chapter 39:   The Little Sister

Chapter 40:   Sadie’s First Christmas

Chapter 41:   Sadie’s Silvery Moon

Chapter 42:   A fast way to the bottom

Chapter 43:   Waiting for Carl

Chapter 44:   Sadie’s Ninth Birthday

Chapter 45:   The Peddler

Chapter 46:   The Mountain Sale

Chapter 47:   Sadie’s Visitors

Chapter 48:   Times to Remember

Chapter 49:   Fond Endeavors

Chapter 50:   The Accident

Chapter 51:   Little Things Mean a Lot.

Chapter 52:   Mable’s Artistic Presentation

Chapter 53:   Dorothy’s Reflections

Chapter 54:   The Essence of a Dream

Chapter 55:   Fair Thee Well, Old Soldier

Chapter 56:    The long Journey Home

Chapter 1

From Sadie’s Point of view

Sadie came into this world as a little mountain girl. Her perception of life was unusually vivid due to the harsh challenges of her mountain home. Now, in her eighth year, she had grown to be tall, thin, and willowy. Her mind was filled with imaginary pixies that danced with fragile grace upon the crests of high mountain ridges. Her spirit was filled with the passion for life. Most of her sorrow, however, was created by the thoughtless conduct of her parents, Ruth and Abe. They were the epitome of poor judgment, thoughtlessness, and despicable behavior. Sadie’s skimpy little dress was full of rips and tears. Her feet were bare and dirty. She used an old black coat to cover her body while she slept. Her outward appearance was that of a wild ragamuffin. The fine qualities of this little girl could be accounted for by looking into her beautiful blue eyes. Her face reflected charm, beauty, and goodwill framed by locks of golden curls. Strangely enough, her attitude often radiated happiness even in times of great sorrow. Ruth and Abe were the most primitive of all hillbillies, living in their remote mountainous terrain, while other wilderness folks enjoyed the pleasure of visiting other mountain folks, drinking good whiskey and creating music suitable to their unique and colorful lifestyle, far from the din of the cities.

Sadie’s mother cared little for the consumption of alcohol, but her father continued to drink more heavily as time passed. Fighting and arguing was part of their everyday outrageous behavior. Sadie was, quite often, the subject of their ongoing controversy. For that reason, the little girl spent most of her time dealing with the wild animals of the forest, and playing out of doors with her beloved dog, Stubby. Wherever Sadie went, Stubby would be there, too. At times she would drag him around the yard as he continued to chew and bite at her tattered old coat sleeve. Sadie loved the dog with all her heart.

Abe, while in a state of drunkenness, saw the dog dragging a rope from its neck which became entangled around a tin can filled with corn whiskey. He tried to grab the can before it spilled but he tipped it over. The whiskey flowed down upon the hand hewn planks of the wooden floor and seeped away between the cracks. Abe flew into a rage and shouted, Get out of here, you son of a bitch!

With that, he kicked Stubby in the ribs with such force that the dog howled in agonizing pain and moved to the far side of the room, where he hung his head. The dog whimpered in anguish and disbelief in an attempt to understand the unjustified assault. Sadie’s father got a gun from the closet. She quickly grasped her father’s arm.

Pa! Please don’t shoot Stubby! she begged.

Get out of the way! Abe snarled.

He pushed her down, hard, with sullen disrespect and shot the dog dead while Sadie watched. She went limping away, with tears streaming down her cheeks, her face, buried in her hands. Sadie went to her dog. She put her hand on him. He was gone. Her anguish turned to anger.

Sadie faced her father. You killed my dog! she screamed.

Sadie ran to the table and picked up a full jug of whiskey and returned to her father. The bottle carried with it Sadie’s profound wrath. She held the bottle within three inches of his face.

See this, Pa? Drink all the goddamn whiskey you want! I’m leaving and I ain’t comin’ back.

Abe stood half-dazed, studying Sadie’s uncommon display of courage born out of grief.

He watched her in his state of drunkenness as the odor of gunpowder dominated the living area. She took bits of food from the table and a hand full of beef jerky from the cupboard; shoved it into the pockets of her old black coat and ran out the door. Ruth came into the house just in time to see Sadie slam the door so hard behind her that it made the window glass rattle. With deep uncontrolled sobs, the little girl ran from the house and down the path that led to the dirt road. She chose to go down into the valley of dense forest instead of turning left into the snow-covered mountains.

In spite of her father’s incomprehensible act, Sadie began to feel the anguish of lost love. After all, they were her mother and father. They were both her parents.

Sadie began the long perilous trip down the dirt road. She knew there were animals many times her strength and size, but she had made her choice. Hour after hour, from mid-morning until late afternoon she took one step after another down the road. She thought about turning back but conceded that doing so was no longer an option. She had traveled too far a distance. She became aware that fear, loneliness, and despair would be a part of her life for an unpredictably long time.

Darkness was upon her. She was tired and lonely. Sadie realized that she could travel no further. Just off the road there came into view an old wooden fence with dry leaves piled deep against it by ongoing winds. She burrowed deep into the leaves. Nothing, not even a wild animal could see her. She pulled her coat tightly about her and pulled her legs deeply into its warmth.

Sadie’s blue eyes that shown so brightly in the morning light, now closed in the welcoming darkness. Thoughts of her parents ran through her weary mind and tears flooded her eyes. The blessing of sleep came upon her while God saw her through the night.

Ruth’s concern, for Sadie’s whereabouts, was building as she saw the shadows of evening turn to darkness.

Sadie still ain’t home, Abe. Don’t that bother ya?

Oh hell, Ruth, she’ll come home when it gits dark. She ain’t gonna stay out there all night!

Abe. You done her wrong. You had no business killin’ that dog in front of a little kid. You’re gonna, pay, Abe. You’re gonna’ roast in hell.

Shut up Ruth! You ain’t doin’ too damn good yourself, with all that slappin’, kickin’, and hair pullin.

I don’t care Abe, she aren’t here! That’s what I’m sayin’. She ain’t here! I’ll tell you what, Abe, She loved that dog. I looked into her eyes when she left out the door. I wouldn’t blame her a bit, if she didn’t come back!

I’m tired of listening’ to you, old lady. I’m goin’ to bed. said Abe, in his drunken state of mind.

Abe got up off his chair, grabbed the whiskey bottle from the table and disappeared behind the curtain near his bed. He took another swig of whiskey. As far as he was concerned, the more he drank the better. Some of it ran out the corner of his mouth and into his long, unkempt beard. He tipped his head upward to take another swig. Long strands of snarled, dirty hair fell from his shoulders and came to rest upon his back. Reeling from the effects of alcohol, he suddenly lost his balance and fell back onto his bed, where his mind drifted into unconsciousness.

Ruth sat down in the chair that Abe had vacated only moments before. She looked on top of the bookshelf where a little picture of Sadie rested in a crude wooden frame. It was the only picture ever taken of her.

Ruth’s heart was filled with remorse. She murmured these words of sorrow.

Damn it, I wish I’d gone with her. She mourned.

Ruth fell asleep for just a little while in the chair. Feeling wretched, she got up and wearily shuffled off to bed. The night was long. Abe snored while Ruth felt the full impact of missing her little daughter.

When morning came, the sun filtered through the cabin window. It awoke Ruth. She knew immediately that Sadie was not in the house.

Abe, get up! She ain’t here! Ruth cried out with anguish.

Ha? She ain’t here? I’ll be damned! I wonder where the hell she went."

Ruth walked down the road into the deep valley. Abe went up the road toward the high mountains. It proved to be a long and fruitless search.

By late afternoon, they were home; tired and weary, wondering what could have ever happened to their little daughter.

Abe looked up at Sadie’s picture. For the first time in his life his face showed signs of remorse. There were no words to describe the gravity of this timely moment. Relentless sorrow was beginning to build. It was an agony that whiskey could never fix.

Morning had come to the primitive forest. Sadie had put a far distance between herself and her parent’s mountain home. The sun rolled its way to Sadie’s side of the old board fence, warming the cocoon of leaves where she endured her first night in the wilderness. She pushed the leaves apart and emerged like a butterfly into the warm morning air. She sat there with leaves steeped about her waist.

A strange feeling of emerging pride swept over Sadie as the morning sun fell gently upon her face. She felt that God was all around her in this vast primitive forest. He was present in the water, rocks and all living things, even in the largest and most dangerous animals, capable of threatening her very life. It was a moment when Sadie felt the need to respect the laws of nature, but still reveled in the joy of her primitive life.

She said to herself, I’m like the animals of the forest. I’m here with them now.

A babbling brook ran alongside the dirt road for miles. With just a few steps, Sadie found herself at the water’s edge. She dangled her legs in the soothing coolness of the mountain stream, while the swift current made its way over Sadie’s feet and between her toes. Deep still waters formed a mirror-like reflection of Sadie’s image. It gave momentum to herself worth as she washed the dirt and sweat from her face.

Sadie cupped her hands and brought water to her mouth. It quenched her thirst and brought a new level of understanding in being alive and free.

She whispered to herself, The sun will soon be high in the sky. The yellow sands, along the creek will be warm. I’ll go swimming then.

Sadie left the cool waters of the creek and continued to walk down the dirt road close by the flowing waters of the stream. A slight breeze came up. It helped to dry her face.

Sadie took a piece of corn bread from her pocket; it was covered with particles of dirt, dust and leaves. She blew most of it away with her breath and ate the morsel. It gave her strength.

The odor of wood smoke drifted on the breeze. At first, it was faint and appeared to be far away, but the odor grew stronger. Sadie noticed that the road curved itself around a hill covered with brush and primitive growth. As she approached the curve, actual smoke could be seen drifting in the gusty currents of air. A log house was standing near the road. Smoke was billowing from its chimney. Sadie smelled fresh bread cooking. She considered going to the door and asking for some of the bread, but upon approaching the house, apprehension started to build. Sadie heard to men talking.

Now, God damn it, Joe, I know that there was one old sow pig and five piglets in that yonder pen, last night. Now, there’s only three. Folks round here been tellin’ me that you can’t keep your hands off other people’s stuff.

No! Dares, I didn’t take a thing!

Well, what in hell were you doin’ on my back forty early this mornin’? inquired Dares

I wasn’t back there, Dares.

The hell you weren’t, Joe. I saw you. That makes you a God damn liar and a thief. I’m gonna’ give ya about three seconds to get off my porch. If you don’t, you’re gonna be dancin’ around with buck shot in your ass. One, two, three, that ain’t fast enough, Joe.

The property owner raised his shot gun and pulled the trigger. Joe scurried off the property while rubbing his butt and limping in an attempt to reduce the agonizing sting of deeply imbedded buck shot. Black smoke curled out the end of the property owners shot gun. Joe’s only reward for such miserable misconduct was that he, now, had three baby pigs to raise.

After observing this degree of conflict, Sadie felt that asking for any hand outs, such as morsels of bread, might not be in her best interest. The whole scenario was too much like home.

Chapter 2

The Three Legged Dog

Abe built his log house a long time ago. It was even before Sadie was born. He constructed it on a high grassy knoll.

The view from Abe’s front porch was spectacular. A huge snow capped mountain loomed up from the far side of the canyon. In the spring of the year, the winter snow would melt and overflow the banks of the creek. You could hear the water rampaging its way downward out of the mountain canyon into the more gentle terrain as it neared the sea.

Abe’s garden was just over the turn of the knoll. The rising sun would spill its long straight shafts of light through a mountain pass to bring its warmth to the maturing garden. From the porch, they could see the vegetables sprouting and growing. In back of the house were the dense forests of trees where Abe would go hunting for wild game.

Abe might have, sometime in the past, appreciated this God given picturesque setting, but as the years rolled on his respect for this unique gift dwindled. Respect for himself seemed to be slipping away, as well. Possibly, the only event in his life that made him search his heart and soul was the recent departure of his daughter, Sadie. He had little hope of ever seeing her again. He knew, very well, the severity of the natural surroundings. In his mind, there was no hope of ever seeing Sadie alive again. She was gone. The memories of his little girl haunted him day and night. He found something out about himself. He always loved his daughter. He just didn’t know how to show it. Now, he never could.

Ruth was devastated. She blamed Abe for Sadie’s leaving. Anguish over shadowed any desire to talk about it. Ruth wanted to run down the hill with no regard for her personal well being and never return, but she still held on to the hope that Sadie might not be forever gone. In past times, Ruth could look out from her porch and cherish the beauty of this high mountain valley. Now there was something missing. The scenery was not the same. Sadie was no longer in view.

The sun’s rays poured down on the surface of the dirt road. Sweat and dirt became part of Sadie’s outward appearance, as she continued to make her way to the lowlands by the sea. There was no reason to stop and rest. It was too early in the day for such comfort.

She took a piece of beef Jerky out of her pocket and stuffed it in her mouth. It gave her nourishment as she continued to walk along at a good pace. It became unbearably hot with increasing weariness and despair. She looked toward the creek. Its waters flowed peacefully on their way to the sea. She had only heard stories of the sea. In her mind, it was a place of curiosity, movement, force, and beauty.

There was a moment, however, when courage gave way to immediate desires. She pictured herself swimming in the clear, clean waters of the stream. There would be time to lie quietly on the warm golden sand along the water’s edge and later continue on her journey down the dirt road to the sea. She didn’t know that she would need to remain at this location for quite some time.

In years past, a log had washed up on the shore. Tall bushes had grown up behind the log, causing far reaching shadows to fall at random along one end of the log where Sadie chose to be seated in the shade. She placed her coat by her side and enjoyed sinking her toes into the sand.

I’m going to leave my dress on when I go swimming, she murmured to herself.

It needs washing anyway. I don’t even need shoes, she continued. My feet are already as tough as leather."

Sadie heard a munching noise coming from the interior of the log. There were big brown beetles moving out one end of it. Some of them were heading straight for her coat pocket where all the food was stored. She threw the coat onto the sunny part of the log, and said, Don’t you come over here and try to get my food! That’s all I’ve got.

Sadie walked into the deepest part of the clear water. It was much colder than she had expected. Only her head was above the surface. No one was there to see the beautiful smile upon her face. A bit later, Sadie was lying on the warm sand near the old log. Her eyes closed. She fell asleep listening to the murmurings of the brook. In early afternoon, a strange sound woke her. It was a painful whining sound coming from somewhere in the sage brush.

What could make such a mournful sound? she asked herself.

She sat up with quiet stillness, her eyes wide open. The sound repeated itself. Sadie imagined it to be some kind of wild beast. She became increasingly fearful. Her heart began to beat rapidly. The noise was coming from back of the log. She approached the far side. There was the head of an animal sticking out from beneath the underbrush. Flies were buzzing around its body. They were gathering thick about its eyes. Sadie’s fears diminished. This animal couldn’t be of danger to anyone. There, before her, was a very large dog. He was nearly dead. Sadie established an intense interest in the animal’s condition. She moved her hand close to the dogs face. Its eyes didn’t blink. Flies continued their persistent pestering. She placed her hand on the animals head just between its ears. The dog closed its eyes as she stroked its fur. Get away, flies, She demanded, in full defense of the dog’s deplorable condition.

While attempting to move the animal from the underbrush onto the sand, Sadie pulled on its shoulder, making him whimper. She took both of the dogs’ front paws and pulled the large animal from his chosen bed of eternal sleep.

I won’t hurt you, old boy, Sadie promised, as she dragged him onto the sand bank in front of the ancient silvered log.

Sadie looked into the dog’s mouth, and found it to be parched and dry. The dog had apparently been without water for days. She ran to the edge of the creek, soaked the hem of her dress in the water and ran back to the dog, to wring the water from the cloth into its mouth. He licked at the water. Sadie placed water into his glazed, dry eyes. She made several trips for water before the animal’s thirst was quenched. Sadie took a piece of beef jerky from her coat pocket and soaked it in the Creek. She ran back and placed it on the dog’s tongue. She held the dog’s head and looked longingly into his eyes. Gradually the dog began to smack his lips, reflecting a deep appreciation for such exquisite nourishment. The dog’s hind leg had been broken. The knee bone was sticking out where the lower part of the leg was totally rotten. When Sadie saw the condition of the leg, she knew that it would never heal. The poison would probable kill the dog. Sadie went to the roadside. She picked out two rocks. One was flat, and the other was sharp on one side. She carried the heavy rocks, one at a time, and set them near the dog. Sadie placed the flat rock under the broken leg. She brought the sharp rock high above her head. With all her might, she brought it down at the point where the leg was to be removed. The rocks crashed and broke to pieces. The leg was instantly severed. The animal hardly felt it. Its leg had been rotten for days. Sadie, with intense emotions, picked up the severed part and threw it as far as she could. It sailed across the creek to the far bank. Sadie kneeled down in front of the dog. She felt his moist tongue licking the back of her hand. She put her arms around the dog and held him. Sadie began to cry.

That evening, just before dark, there could be seen a big pile of golden leaves heaped against the old log. There were two figures with their heads just above the leaves. The old ragged coat covered their bodies. One’s name was Sadie and her new dog name became Hoppy. They were both asleep.

Chapter 3

Gertrude

Sadie and Hoppy had been up for a while. Hoppy was walking around sniffing here and there. He was learning how to walk on three legs much to Sadie’s delight. She rushed over and put her arms around him to support his wonderful progress. He tried to lick her face. She looked into Hoppy’s big brown eyes and smiled as she hugged him and offered him their last piece of dried beef, along with a stray piece of macaroni. She realized that they were inseparable in their travels to the sea.

During the cresting period of the spring flow, fish treaded water above the swales in the creek bed. As Sadie stood in the yellow sand beside the old log, she could see the fish trapped in separate pools as the water had, now, begun to recede. Sadie saw the fish as an easy catch, but a fire was needed to cook them. We’ve got to go down the road, Hoppy. I think someone lives down there. I heard them chopping wood this morning. Maybe we can borrow some matches. Come on, let’s go, Hoppy!

Sadie put on her old black coat and started for the road. Hoppy followed. They walked slowly together as Hoppy limped his way along. She saw a dirt path leading off the main road. Soon she could see the roof of some ones dwelling. The house was in total shambles. The chimney was crooked. There were large tar paper patches on the roof as loose boards hung from the outside walls.

An old lady stood in the door way. She was tall, thin and wiry. Her Graying hair was tied tightly on the back of her head. The brim of her slouchy old hat rested on top the bun and her dress was made of flower sack material that fell below the tops of her crudely fabricated boots. She studied, with intense curiosity, the nature of her new visitors, who stood just outside her gate. She saw a ragged little child with a three legged dog. The old lady went back into the house and came out with a shot gun pointed toward Sadie.

Don’t come any closer than the gate! Stop, right there! the old lady demanded.

Ok, mum, I’ll stop right here at the gate, was Sadie’s compliant response.

Sadie observed a very tough