Jack of Hearts

By Chris Collins

Join Elizabeth Walden as she ventures through a new life in a new country. On her journey, she learns of hardships, joy, and endurance, all the while relying on her Heavenly Father, the continuity of family, and giving her heart completely.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Aug 19, 2014
• ISBN: 9781490844619

Book preview

Chapter 1

And he that seeketh, findeth Luke 11:10

A s the sun began to appear over the horizon, the ship began to pitch to and fro. The steel gray coldness of the night began to fade with the approaching dawn. It was a peaceful time of the morning, the most peaceful time of the day, before all the hustle and bustle of daily activities took over and clouded one’s mind.

Not to worry now, Rachel, my lass. The voyage is about over and we will be seeing the rolling green hills of the Virginia, just like the beautiful land of the old country when I was a lad and you were just a wee slip of a lass.

The sky turned a brilliant alabaster, just before turning into the dark coldness of the approaching storm. They stood arm in arm together for a while as the sun was obscured from view. Jacob, my Daddy, said this would be a special day to remember, although he could not tell exactly why. He was a tall thin man, dark brown hair and bright blue eyes that twinkled whenever he smiled. Unlike my uncles, Daddy was always clean shaved. Momma said she liked him better that way, although I did not remember ever seeing him with the beards and moustaches Uncles have. Rachel, my Momma, felt a stirring within her, and the excitement of seeing the new land. The lightening split the sky from the east to west, just as the ship began to throw her off balance. No, too soon to endure another storm, she thought as Daddy scooped her up and carried her toward their family cabin.

The wind was blowing every way and by the following morning it was blowing straight across the deck of the ship. Daddy had allowed me to come up to the deck with him later that afternoon to see "the land, where our new home will be and where we will be living." But all I could see was a dark line in the distance. I did not see any green grass or rolling hills or houses with thatched roofs. Just a line of darkness in the distance, but it made Daddy happy so it made me happy too.

Come. Let’s get you back in with your Momma and the wee babe. It is much too cold and windy up here for you. Why, you might be blown all the way back to Ireland!

The thought of the wind blowing that hard terrified me and I gripped the railing tighter. Just at that moment, a gust swirled my dress and petticoat around my legs and seemed to lift me up. A thousand and one thoughts raced through my mind all at once. Wind. Rain. Water. Land. Green. Thatched roofs. Granna. Momma. The wee baby. White dresses. Church. Angles. God in the Heavens.

As I looked to the heavens, I saw the smiling face of my father. Then he began to laugh. As my mind began to comprehend I was in my father’s arms, I started to relax.

I did not join in his laughter though because I was still too shaken by the thought of being blown all the way back to Ireland and away from my family. No one I knew was left back at our old home. My uncles and their families were already in the new land and their new homes. My Uncles and cousins had built a new home for Granddad and Granna. We would be staying in their house until ours was built. But for now we were all living on this ship together. Daddy and Momma, along with my four brothers and baby sister were on this ship. And Granna and Granddad were also here with us. We were the last of the Walden’s to come over from Ireland and leave our farm behind us. It had been sold last summer by Granddad to a man who planned to raise horses on it.

The winter months had passed quickly for me. I heard my parents and brothers’ talk of our new home and farm. I also knew we would soon be leaving and arriving to our new home, right after my birthday time. Daddy said the ship ride would be my special birthday present because it meant a wonderful opportunity for our family. The special present I wanted was a doll. I had seen one once. Not the kind that was homemade without a face, but one that looked like a real baby. A little girl about my age was holding it. I asked Momma about the doll and she explained all about it, how the doll was made at a store and someone paid coin money for it and the little girl was given the doll for a special present on her fourth birthday.

But, for my fourth birthday I received something even better, a real live baby sister. Momma said she would be my own live doll and because she came to live with us for my birthday I could name her. So I called her Ella. I was going to make her second name Dolly, but Daddy said her second name was Rachel, just like mine, because we were little ladies just like Momma. I was also the first one to hold her the night she came, after Granna had wrapped her in a soft warm flannel. She was so small and so beautiful. I was happy to learn she would not be leaving the day after my birthday, but going to the new land with us too.

Daddy carried me down the stairs into our cabin. He sat me down on a trunk in our room. Momma and Granna were there. Ella was asleep in Momma and Daddy’s bed. Granna and Granddad slept in a bed across from theirs, and my brothers slept two to a bed above these. Granddad called these bunked beds. We have a wash stand in one corner of the room, and three trunks piled in the other corner. I sleep on the floor between the two beds on a pad of quilts during the night, and during the day time Granna lets me nap on her bed. The rest of our household goods are in crates in the lowest part of the ship.

Come wee lass, let Granna fix your hair. Granddad and the lads went out to the deck after biscuits and water for breakfast. Did you see the new land? Granna asked as I climbed onto her bed. She began to brush my long hair.

I have long golden brown hair, which hangs in soft curls at the ends. My dark blue eyes are framed by golden brown lashes. And everyone says I am small for my age and thin. My grandfather referred to me as a wee slip of a lass. Most of the time I am happy and try to always be thoughtful. I love my parents and adore my brothers with just as much love and respect, but they are all much older than me, with the youngest brother, Levi, who is twelve.

There had been two other sisters after Levi, but they had been lost and taken to heaven when they were tiny babies. I hoped Ella would not be taken to heaven just because she was tiny, but I dinna dare voice this thought out loud to my family. One night, I heard Momma crying, and talking about Kara and Sara, and Daddy sounded sad, too, saying, They are in the Lord’s care now Rachel and we have six healthy children to care for. That happened a few nights ago, when Ella had awaken me by crying and being fussy for what seemed like hours. Ella had a lot of fussy times as Granna called it. Ella was having more and more fussy days and nights, and Momma looked tired.

The Lads and Granddad came into the cabin at that time carrying a basketful of biscuits and a pitcher of water. In Luke’s hand was a small pot on a handle with steam rising around the lid.

The cook sent porridge for you and the baby, Momma, Lance said, as he and Lewis moved the top trunk into the middle of the floor as the table for the family’s daily meal.

How long before the ship docks, Daddy? Momma asked, as she and Granna set out the two biscuits apiece and filled the drinking cups with tepid water.

Discussion in a moment, Lass. Let’s give thanks to the Lord for the food provided and the end of this part of our journey. As Granddad and Daddy both prayed, I prayed also, silently, that I would never be blown back to Ireland by the wind, and be all alone.

Well, son, Granna asked, Did the Captain say about how long before we dock?

By tomorrow morning we will be on dry land, and on our way toward our new home. Da and I will go and purchase the train tickets first thing on the morrow.

At this, protests went up from the Lads, who insisted they also needed to see the sights.

Na, the Lads need to stay with Granna and Momma to see to the trunks and crates, and the wee lasses, stated Granddad.

Ella began to stir and I went to sit beside her. As Ella grasped my finger and pulled it to her mouth, I began to talk softly to her. Ella began to coo and intently watched my every move.

Momma came and picked up Ella, propping the tiny baby on her lap. Come sit by me big lass, you need to be the first one to feed your dolly. Use the small spoon with wee little bites and blow on the porridge to cool it off first.

A slight shudder went through my body as Momma said the word blow. What if the wind would blow my Ella back to Ireland, or even all the way up to heaven? Momma would be so sad, and I would be too. She was my sister, and my doll.

As I fed Ella, the rest of the family watched and laughed. She would open her mouth like a little bird for the spoon, then smack her rosebud lips and moved her pink tongue around and around. After a dozen or so bites, Momma said, Enough for now. We’ll try some more again tonight. Elizabeth, I want you to eat ten bites now.

As an objection began to go up from Lance and Lewis, Momma hushed them quickly by raising her hand saying, There’s plenty enough for Ella, Elizabeth and me to share.

As I looked into the pot of porridge, it did not look like plenty to me, only just enough for a small bowl full. But I ate my ten bites as I was told because all my family was watching. Then Momma ate ten bites and handed the pot to Luke. The pot was placed on the washstand. And then Granddad, Daddy, and my brothers left for the day. They were helping in the kitchen and up on deck, washing, cleaning the floors and such. Daddy said this helped our family save money, but I never saw him put any coins or paper into the little wooden box with the shiny pretty lock like he would at the home with the thatched roof where we used to live.

As I cuddled into my bed on the floor at the sleepy time of my thoughts, I heard the grown-ups talking of our new home and how we would soon be there. That made me happy. I missed my little bed, the green grass and the low rock wall fences I use to walk on top of. Most of all I missed the taste of the cool water in Momma’s kitchen. I fell asleep dreaming of my beloved home, pumping the dark blue handle in the kitchen for a drink, and letting the water flow through my hands.

All Hands! ALL HANDS! Sounded the cry I could hear as the men quickly went out the door. The Captain had a loud voice, but now it was even louder.

The wind. It blew every way. It was blowing the fiercest straight across the deck of the ship. The dark and pitching waves crashed one after the other, slamming the ship. The stern grayness of the water seemed to scream against the ink blackness of the sky. The lightening resounded with a shattering thunder as soon as the blue-white flash lit the sky.

Would this never end? The storm had been raging for hours. All men were to lend a hand, crew and passengers alike. The ship was taking on too much water both from the waves of the ocean and the torrential downpour of the rain. A youth grabbed the rail with his left hand while scooping bucket after bucket of water with his right, balancing ever so tediously on his feet, swaying back and forth to keep his precarious balance.

The Captain and the First Mate were shouting orders only to have most of their words drowned out by the unrelenting wind and waves. The Captain tried to search the sky for a sign, even the smallest one, for the end of this nightmare. As the rain poured down on his face, no one except the light-haired youth could hear his quickly uttered prayer, O’ God, please help us! Let this nightmare end! He cried to the water-soaked heavens, only to turn an instant later and be confronted by what seemed to be an unending wall of water.

Time became nonexistent as the youth with the bucket reached out and grabbed for the Captain as the wall of water hit, only to be empty handed. The next instant, he was thrown into the mast only to be propelled forward into another onslaught of seawater.

Dark head flashed by. Grabbed an arm. Good hold. Child screaming, can feel a head of someone hitting my leg. Just a doll. No. Small child. Very small child. Hold on. Hold on tighter. The child has long hair. Hold on to her. More waves. The ship is going. The ship is going down. Don’t let go. O’ God, please don’t let me let go of the child or her doll.

Chapter 2

Blessed are the eyes that see the

things that ye see: Luke 10:23

C onsciousness returned slowly to the youth as the clouds parted to reveal the moonlight illuminating the shoreline. For a brief moment, Alex thought he was dozing on the deck of the ship. Then the realization sunk in. The sudden storm, the waves, the ship sinking; grabbing someone – the little ones! In Alex’s right arm was a very little one, the child with the long hair, and blood was coming from somewhere. And cradled in his left arm, was it her doll? No. It was a very tiny baby.

Ever so gently he laid the little baby down upon the sand. The gash on the child’s forehead was freely bleeding with a bruise beginning to rise all the way up her left cheek. Alex tore at the shirt tail of his shirt, examined it for dirt, and then quickly tied it around her head. All the while the child never stirred. Should he move her? How to carry her and the baby? He was too young to make a decision about the medical care of children, even ones whose lives he just saved. He ever so slowly lowered his head to seek the Lord’s guidance. Quietly the answer came and peace returned to his soul. He tucked the baby into the arms of the still child and covered them with a somewhat dry blanket. Off to his left he heard more than the noise from the water rushing onto the shore.

Upon investigating his surroundings, he saw trunks, barrels, broken boards, and household goods on the shoreline. Then he came across the body of another youth looking to be a few years older than him. Slowly he approached, not daring to speak. What if he was dead? He had seen enough death in the past year to last him a lifetime. First, his brothers and sisters who succumbed to scarlet fever. Then his parents, and grandparents, within two terrible short months contracted the influenza in the bitter cold winter. All dead within two months from the dreaded outbreak of the influenza and scarlet fever. Alex was the only one who pulled through, but the scarlet fever had left his heart in a weakened condition.

The wavy dark head on the ground slightly moved then began to moan. As if testing each limb to make sure it was still there, he slowly moved one arm, then the other, then his legs.

Ye be alright? Alex asked nervously.

The fellow moaned some more as he sat up, shook his head in an affirmative reply, and then gave Alex an odd look.

Where are we? he inquired.

I don’t know for sure, except on a shore, and alive, and a few paces away there is a very little girl and a tiny baby who desperately are in need of help.

As the two made their way back to the children, more and more people began to come into focus. Some were conscious and assisting others. Others were not moving at all. The wreckage of the ship was all around and more floating to the shore with each passing minute. Many were calling for the names of loved ones and others sat in stunned silence. Mothers were comforting weeping children while the fathers were searching for lost belongings.

There is one of our large trunks! the youth exclaimed as he hurried toward the sand dune.

Careful. The little one is there! Just before your feet! And the baby! Alex yelled just as the youth drew up short. He knelt down and looked intently at the baby and little girl, then flung his hands into the air and turned back toward Alex.

Alex was stunned for a moment thinking the boy had lost his mind. They need help. I cannot move both of them by myself. The little girl has a gash on her head that needs stitching. I tied on a bandage. She will not wake up. What are you …

My sisters! These are my sisters! Elizabeth and Ella. My name is Lance, Lance Walden.

Lance knelt down and looked into the face of the baby. Gently he placed her into the arms of Alex and then scooped Elizabeth into his arms holding her close. The baby began to whimper as Alex adjusted her into a more comfortable position. But Elizabeth remained silent.

Come on. Let’s find Da and Granna and the others. Granna will know what to do. Is she alive? How did she get this cloth on her head? Alex did not have time to respond as Lance led them away from the sand dune and past people and wreckage and trunks and more people.

Who was Granna and where had he seen this Da and who is this person I am following? Alex then thought of the Captain and the wall of water. Where would the Captain be and which little girl did he have? He followed Lance over the next rise of the sand and began to call for Da just as Lance was.

Are you here with your parents too? Lance asked as Alex gave him the most puzzled look Lance had ever seen on another human’s face.

No, my parents are both dead. I thought this Da was a name for your other brother or sister.

Oh’ it’s a name we call my father. Most people in the Ireland country side have taken to calling their father’s Da.

O was all the response which came to Alex’s mind.

As Lance continued to search for his parents, Alex thought what it would be like to have his parents here with him in this strange country and never to return home. HOME! The thought hit him like a wall of water! The ship was wrecked, the Captain nowhere to be found and how was he to return home!

Lance! Lance! a cry came from their right from an older man’s voice.

Rachel! Rachel! He has the wee lass! And another one in tow with the wee little babe! O glory to the Heavens!

Suddenly, Alex was surrounded by people, two women and men, three of them and two other boys who were also older than he was. He continued standing among the group even after the younger woman took the baby into her arms.

This is Momma, and Da, and Granna and Granddad and Luke, Levi and Lewis, Lance quickly said, And this is, O’ I don’t even know who you are, your name or even if you are alright or anything about you, except you led me to my sisters. Who are you?

I’m Alex Jack. He said quietly.

How did you find the wee lasses? Granddad asked of Alex.

I grabbed a hold of the tiny girl and she had a hold of her doll, or ah the baby. The girl, her head has a cut on it. A bad one. I put a cloth around it to help stop the bleeding, but it may need stitching.

How did you know to stop the bleeding and tie the cloth strip like this? Granna asked as she began to examine Elizabeth.

My father was a physician.

Well, well, you must pay close attention to details for such a young man. Maybe he can help us. Do you know where he is? Did he make it through the storm? O’ we must help you search for him, Momma said.

Momma, Alex’s family is all gone, died before he was on the ship, replied Lance softly.

At this, Alex turned and headed solemnly toward the next sand dune. He had never felt as alone as he did since the day his parents had died. Just seeing the family with the baby and the little girl, and helping each other brought back memories. Too many memories. Abruptly, the Granddad was beside him with his big and warm hand on his shoulder.

Ya saved the lives of the wee lassies. Ya are a brave young lad. I will forever be grateful. Where are ya headed and are there folks ya are to be looking for? The kind blue eyes smiled down on Alex and looked into his soul.

Sir, I need to search for the Captain and the crew and to help. The Captain, he needs me, and Alex struggled to continue as a lump stuck in his throat. Your family, they care a great deal about each other and I need to find the Captain. And the little girl, she is not awake and my sister, she did not wake up, and… Tears were pouring down Alex’s face as Granddad held him for a while.

Ya have had quite a shock, as we all have had. But the Lord brought ya here to us for a reason and I think it would be best if you stayed with us for a spell, at least for the rest of the nighttime. I will help you look for the Captain in the morning. And Elizabeth, she will be just fine. Came around the moment you topped the hill.

Elizabeth. I thought she was Ella. Ella is the baby. Alex said as he tried to regain his composure.

Quietly, the man and the youth made their way back to the gathering. A blanket was spread on the ground where the little girl was lying quietly in the arms of the Granna with her eyes open. As Alex looked into her eyes, a tear hit her left cheek.

Are you going to be alright? he asked trying to smile.

Yes was all the little one could reply, but the look on her face spoke more words to him than any book he had seen in his father’s library.

Granna looked up at Alex and softly said, This is the Alex who saved ya and your Dolly, my little lamb.

The Granna was the one who had the wet face, Alex was relieved to see and tried to hide his embarrassment. Elizabeth smiled into Alex’s face and tried to say thank you just as she fell into a deep, but peaceful sleep.

"We could all do with some rest. Let’s huddle around and get a little shut eye afore the dawn