The Essence of Sadie’S Dream

By Lynn McLean

Sadie, a little mountain girl, found a need to leave her home near the sky where anguish, misery, and sorrow was her life. She and her courageous German Shepherd dog, whom she found dying in the deep primitive wilderness, became inseparable. 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 despicably rejected life. They saw her as precious and accepted her into their family. Her needs came to her from their understandings of her remarkable character.

The manifestation of her prosperity and good will came to be a part of her life. She grew to be a fine young lady, became a physician and surgeon, remained forever humble, and was loved by all including the simple folks across the open land who knew her as their Angel in times of joy, sorrow, sadness, and gladness.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Balboa Press
• Release date: Jul 29, 2016
• ISBN: 9781504359726

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.

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The Essence of

Sadie’s Dream

Lynn McLean

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Copyright © 2016 Lynn McLean.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

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Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

The author of this book does not dispense medical advice or prescribe the use of any technique as a form of treatment for physical, emotional, or medical problems without the advice of a physician, either directly or indirectly. The intent of the author is only to offer information of a general nature to help you in your quest for emotional and spiritual well-being. In the event you use any of the information in this book for yourself, which is your constitutional right, the author and the publisher assume no responsibility for your actions.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

ISBN: 978-1-5043-5948-1 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-5043-5949-8 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-5043-5972-6 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2016909223

Balboa Press rev. date: 07/26/2016

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: School Days

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: School Days

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 Tie That Binds

Chapter 29: The Wildebeest

Chapter 30: The Hobos’ Song

Chapter 31: A 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: To 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: Mabel’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

A beautiful little mountain girl was born into misery, Sorrow, and despair. Sadie longed for dignity. She won the battle.

A timely moment in Sadie’s life

Carl and Sadie had finished collage. Even that occurrence was becoming obscured by the turning wheels of time. They had come home and settled in Fred and Elma’s old log cabin. They looked back on their College days as a wonderful experience, but equally challenging. Dedication had settled over their marriage and peaceful times were upon them. They chose to be simple in their way of life.

Of course, Hoppy was included in the move. He liked it there. He ran about beneath the trees in the old apple orchard, Sniffing odors from antiquity. His pace was not as fast any more.

One day in early spring, Sadie and Hoppy chose to go for a walk along the beach.

Oh Hoppy! Are you alright, She wondered.

You usually walk a bit faster. That’s okay Hoppy. We can take our time.

As they travelled, Hoppy walk more slowly. They only got as far as the meadow and he stopped. Sadie sat down in a beautiful place, with flowers all about her. Hoppy came to her in a slow passive way. Sadie felt the gravity of the moment. He put his head upon her lap. Her hand fell upon his old wiry fir. Fare the well, old soldier, she said, in tearful anguish. She stayed there with Hoppy.

As time passed, she heard the murmuring of the distant ocean waves, birds singing in the trees and the droning of bumble bees amidst the sage. A shroud of deep sorrow was upon her. Time was no longer important to her.

Carl came walking in great strides across the meadow. Nothing had to be explained. He lifted her into his arms and covered her body with his hands.

In his soothing voice, he said, I will always be with you, honey and Hoppy will always be with us.

They buried Hoppy in the back yard under an old apple tree.

Chapter 1

From Sadie’s Point of View

S adie came into this world as a little mountain girl. In her eighth year of life, she had grown to be tall, thin, and willowy. Her vivid perception of life was due to the harsh challenges of her mountain home. Even then, her spirit was filled with the passion for life. Her mind was entertained by pixies that danced with fragile grace upon the crests of high mountain ridges.

Most of her sorrow, however, was created by the thoughtless conduct of her parents, Ruth and Abe. They were the epitome of poor judgment, despicable behavior, and thoughtlessness. 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 only be accounted for by her locks of golden curls and her beautiful blue eyes. Her face reflected charm and goodwill. Strangely enough, her attitude often radiated happiness even in times great disappointment and sorrow.

Ruth and Abe were the most primitive of all hillbillies living in the remote mountainous terrain. Other wilderness folks enjoyed the pleasure of visiting old friends, drinking good whiskey, and creating music suitable to their unique and colorful lifestyle far from the din of cities.

Sadie’s mother cared little for the consumption of alcohol but her father continued to drink more as time passed. 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 outdoors with her beloved dog, Stubby.

Wherever Sadie went, Stubby would be there, too. At times, she would drag him around the yard, with him playing rough as he continued to chew at her tattered old coat sleeve. Sadie loved the dog with all her heart.

Abe, in a state of drunkenness, saw the dog dragging a rope from its neck. It became entangled around a tin can filled with corn whiskey. Abe failed to grab the can before it tipped over. The whiskey flowed down onto the hand-hewn planks of the wooden floor and seeped away between cracks.

Abe flew into a rage.

Get out of here, bitch! he growled. 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 it hung its 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 went to him and grasped his arm.

Pa, please don’t shoot Stubby! she begged.

Get out of the way! Abe snarled.

He pushed her down with blatant disrespect and shot the dog dead. Sadie went to her dog. She put her hand on Stubby. He It was gone. Tears flooded her eyes. She buried her face in her hands. 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. She faced her father once more. 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 God-damn whiskey you want! I’m leavin’ and I ain’t’ comin’ back! She cried out in harsh vocal tones.

Abe stood half dazed studying Sadie’s uncommon display of courage born out of grief while the smell of gunpowder dominated the living area.

Sadie took bits of food from the table and a handful of beef jerky from the cupboard. She shoved food 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 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 her parents.

Sadie began the long perilous trip down the dirt road to the sea. She knew about the wild animals. Some were many times her strength and size. She knew of their dangerous ways, but she had made her choice. Hour after hour, from mid-morning until late afternoon, she took one step after another down the dirt 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. Dry leaves were 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 shone so brightly in the morning light, now closed in the welcoming darkness. Thoughts of her parents ran through her weary mind. Tears came to her eyes. The blessing of sleep came upon her while God saw her safely 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’? she lamented.

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

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! she declared.

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

I don’t care, Abe, she ain’t here! demanded Ruth. 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 listenin’ to you, old lady. I’m goin’ to bed, Abe declared.

Abe got up from his chair and grabbed his whiskey bottle from the table. He disappeared behind the curtain and took another swig of whiskey – the more the better, he thought. 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 dirty snarled hair fell from his shoulders and came to rest upon his back. Abe suddenly lost his balance from the effects of alcohol and fell back onto his bed where his mind drifted into timeless sleep.

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 uttered words of deep sorrow.

Damn it, I wish I’d gone with her, she murmured.

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 immediately knew that Sadie was not in the house.

Abe, get up! Sadie ain’t here! Ruth cried out.

Ha? She ain’t here? I’ll be damned! I wonder where she is, Abe contemplated.

They both went looking for her. Ruth walked down the road into the deep valley. Abe went up the road toward the high mountains looking for signs of Sadie. 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 parents’ mountain home. The sun rolled its way to Sadie’s side of the old board fence and warmed 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 her 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 in all living things.

It was a moment where Sadie felt the need to respect the laws of nature. She reveled in the joy of her primitive life.

I’m like the animals of the forest. I’m here with them now, she imagined.

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 her self-worth as she washed the dirt and sweat from her face. She cupped her hands and brought water to her mouth. It quenched her thirst and brought a new level of understanding to being alive and free.

Sadie whispered to herself, When the sun is higher in the sky, I’ll go swimming. The yellow sands along the creek will be warm.

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

She took a piece of cornbread 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 in the breeze. At first, it was faint. It appeared to be far away, but the odor grew stronger as she continued to walk along. Sadie noticed that the road curved itself around a hill covered with brush and primitive growth. As she approached the curve, actual smoke drifted in gusty currents in the 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, her apprehension started to build. Sadie heard two men talking with voices raised.

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! the man shouted with ample clarity.

No! Dares, I didn’t take any pigs! assured Joe.

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

I wasn’t back there, Dares, Joe promised.

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

The property owner raised his shotgun 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 embedded buck shot. Black smoke curled out the end of the property owner’s shotgun. 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 handouts, 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

A be 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 snowcapped 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. One 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 spilled its long straight shafts of light through a mountain pass to bring warmth to the maturing plants. From the porch, one could see the vegetables sprouting and growing.

In the back of the house there were dense forests. Abe would go there hunting for wild game. Sometime in the past, he might have appreciated this God-given, picturesque setting, but as the years rolled on, his respect for this unique gift of nature 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 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 out something 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 overshadowed any desire to talk about it. Ruth wanted to run down the hill with no regard for her personal wellbeing and never return, but she held on to her 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, testing her, with increasing weariness and despair. She looked toward the creek. Its waters flowed peacefully on their way to the sea. The sea was her goal. She wanted to go there. 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. 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 in the back of the log causing shadows to move about at random in the breeze.

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 contemplated. 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 of one end. 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.

Don’t you come over here and try getting into my food! That’s all I’ve got, she said.

Sadie walked to the water’s edge and 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 drying in the sun on warm sand near the old log. Her eyes closed. She fell asleep listening to the murmurings of the brook.

A strange sound woke her. It was a pained, 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 and 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 the 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 swarming about its eyes.

Sadie’s fears diminished. This animal couldn’t be of danger to anyone. There, before her, was a very large dog. It was nearly dead. Sadie established an intense interest in the animal’s condition.

She moved her hand close to the dog’s face. Its eyes didn’t blink. Flies continued their persistent pestering. Sadie placed her hand on the animal’s 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 it whimper. She took both of the dog’s 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 log.

Sadie looked into the dog’s mouth and found it to be parched and dry. The animal gained courage from Sadie’s gentle ways. 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. The dog licked at the water. Sadie placed water into its 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 its 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. The lower part of the leg was totally rotten. When Sadie saw its condition, she knew that the leg would never heal. The poison would probably kill the animal.

Sadie went to the roadside. She picked out two rocks. One was flat; the other was sharp on one side. She carried the heavy rocks, one at a time, close to 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 severed. The rocks crashed together and broke into several pieces. The rotted leg was instantly removed. The animal hardly felt it. Its leg had been rotten for days.

Sadie tore a long strand of cloth from the hem of her dress, twisted it into a rope-like strand, and tied it around the wound as a tourniquet. Sadie, with intense emotions, picked up the severed part of the leg and threw it as far as she could. It sailed across the creek to the far bank.

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