Tyrone Dilemma

By John Fine

This tale tells of the romance between two unlikely man and woman. The main character is placed in a difficult position after the death of his father and stepmother. He is quite young to have this responsibility of taking charge of a large ranch/farming operation and continuing the livestock trading business. He also is charged by the courts to be in charge of the estate and be the surrogate father of his three young half-siblings. This is a monumental task, and this impinges on his pursuit of the woman of his dreams. His dreams are also of the horrendous deaths of his father in particular. The young hero inherits his father's sense of fairness and business acumen. He soldiers on through all these difficult times.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Apr 12, 2017
• ISBN: 9781512778199

John Fine

The chronicler of the book lived the life as portrayed in Tyrone Dust. He is in the eighth decade of his life experience. He was employed in various jobs as a teenager and joined the United States Air Force and was a Chaplain’s Assistant the whole time. He was stationed in Korea, Spain and Southeast Asia and various bases in the United States. He taught junior/senior high school students and entered the Real Estate business for nearly thirty years. He is married to the Love of His Life for nearly fifty-nine years and resides in Illinois near St. Louis, MO

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PROLOGUE

The last chapter of Tyrone Dust was called Weeds. It was devoted to bad things (poor behavior, sin, uncontrollable occurrences, etc.) that happen in life; particularly in regard to the actions and behavior of one of the main characters in the book. Holy Scripture was cited as a remedy.

Jesus told a parable of the tares (weeds that looked much like the crop) in the wheat. It was the story of how an enemy (likely representing Satan) planted tares in the wheat. The Lord of the harvest prevented them from destroying the weeds because some of the good crop might be destroyed. At the end of time the weeds will be destroyed. (Matthew 13: 24-30)

So it is, that all that is bad will be removed from among us in the end.

This is the early life of the Earl Sigler family. Earl became a preacher and Evangelist who influenced many thousands.

PART I

Making a New Family

CHAPTER

1

An Awakening

Earl’s coma was not so deep that he failed to hear the doctors discussing his condition, Mister Sigler has not responded to any treatment we have attempted, the first voice said.

A second voice rumbled, He has lost over one-third of his body weight. I fear there is no way he can survive more than a few more days.

A third voice, a female, said, When will you tell Missus Sigler

The second, sonorous voice said, As the head of the department, that usually falls in my lap. I’ll tell her first thing in the morning. Thank you, Sister, for your prompting.

Earl lapsed into a dark, dreamless state once more. He did not hear the doctor tell Eva that there was no chance of his survival. Eva went out that same day to buy a dark dress and a winter white hat for the funeral.

Two days later near eleven o’clock in the evening Earl heard the soft shuffling of feet entering the room.

The angel hurried from the room. Earl’s mind returned to those magical days of early March of 1932.

CHAPTER

2

Fruition of a Dilemma

On Tuesday the ninth of February Earl Sigler showed up to take Eva Weiler to the pie supper at Pine Creek. He stopped in front of Ray and Mae McAllister’s house. When Earl went into the house, James, their young son was sitting on the floor working on assembling a Tinker Toy invention of his own making.

Mae said, Eva will be out dreckly. She just needs to get her pineapple upside down cake ready.

If you don’t mind, I’ll go back to the kitchen and help her carry it out, Earl replied. I kind of like the smell of it. Chuckling, Earl started back to the kitchen.

When Eva and Earl were in the green Plymouth, Earl sat thoughtfully, What’s on your mind, my darling, Eva said.

I didn’t purposefully mislead you or your folks, Earl said, but I was just so anxious for us to go ahead with our plans for getting hitched. It’s going to be at least two to four weeks before the divorce is final.

Earl, you sounded so sure. What happened, Eva asked.

"I called Jim Hart from the bank today. He said the judge told him that he likes for both parties to be divorced or to have a month ‘cooling off period’ before finalizing it."

Eva said, frowning, Your attorney should have been more clear on it.

Earl turned on the key and started the shiny green Plymouth. I’ll pester him nearly every day until it’s final.

Earl bought Eva’s cake and they settled on the third Saturday of March for their wedding day. Both were happy to have it agreed upon between them. But they both knew that they must have agreements with Wayne and Rena Weiler, Eva’s parents. Since Eva was under the age of twenty-one they must have the signature of a parent on the marriage license.

Earl brought Eva back to McAllister’s about eight thirty and took the last of the cake home with him. He assured Eva, again, that he would call Jim Hart with regularity.

By the time Earl arrived at the ford on North Jack’s Fork, he was preturbed at the lack of progress on his divorce. He reached behind the back seat and fished out his reliant sop, a quart bottle of moonshine. He drank nearly a half bottle before he came into Tyrone. His mind was buzzing but he had the foresight to take a box of Sen Sen from his pocket, chewing on a handful before lighting a Lucky Strike. He hoped it would dampen the smell of the whiskey.

When he opened the door Fibber McGee and Molly was on the radio with the sound turned down fairly low so as not to wake his sisters, Lucille and Vivian, or brother, Glen.

Fern, Earl’s aunt who was only one and a half years older, was more like an older sister.

Mary, Fern’s sister, was married to Elmer, Earl’s father, but when they separated in the summer when Earl was nearing two years old. Mary moved back with her parents so Earl and Fern spent nearly three years together in the same house until Mary married a second time to Charlie Bradford.

Earl sat in a rocking chair, quietly, until the radio program was interrupted by a commercial.

Fern said, You hungry, Earl? I could warm something up real quick.

No need, I’ll just put a piece of baloney between a couple of pieces of bread with some mayonnaise and sweet pickles. I had some of Eva’s upside down pineapple cake. The left over is on the table if you want some.

Fern turned her attention back to the radio program.

Earl lighted a lamp to go to the icebox on the back porch for baloney and mayonnaise and the pantry for the sweet pickles. He slapped together his sandwich and returned the makings to their respective places. He returned to the rocker and munched on his late supper, chuckling over the comedy with Fern.

The program finished about the time Earl was finishing his last bite, Fern said, Now that John has moved into that house over the hill from the home place, I’d like to move in with him.

Earl’s jaw dropped nearly to the floor.

You haven’t figured it out yet, have you?

Figured out what? Earl asked. I just never figured you for a loose woman.

That’s why we went down to Arkansas, Fern was firm in her answer. They don’t have the same hoops to jump through down there to marry. We were married by a Justice of the Peace in Mammoth Springs. John Bradford is such a tyrant, my John didn’t want me to have to put up with him, live in the same house.

Earl knew John and Charlie Bradford were good friends because they had spent a few years in the same household after John Bradford had married John Dunivan’s widowed mother.

Well, Earl said, now your secret is out. Does anyone else know?

I told Mama but I asked her not to tell anyone. I just didn’t want any vicious rumors making the rounds. Fern smiled exposing her protruding front teeth, then continued, We’re having a marriage ceremony this Saturday evening at seven at Nagle church. The preacher down there will officiate. John’s going to ask you to be best man. Lula will be matron of honor.

Of course. I’ll be there with bells on, Earl assured her. In the meantime, how could we work this out until Eva and I set up household next month. Maybe you could drive back and forth in the Model A.

That would work just spiffy, Earl, but I’ve never driven a car in my life, Fern replied.

Earl thought for a while and said, I really don’t have to be at the sale barn until ten tomorrow. When we get the chores done and the kids off to school you will learn to drive.

Fern looked a little frightened by he prospect but retired to her bed without reply. Earl read the day old St. Louis daily, scanning the livestock prices at the National Stock Yards in East Saint Louis. The falling prices concerned Earl. Thankfully, he had no large number of animals he had recently purchased on hand. He would come out on his grass fed steers.

The next morning he listened to the stock market reports. Cattle had fallen again but hogs had held steady and mutton was up. He made up his mind to inquire around who had sheep and he would send a post card to let them know he’d buy what they had to sell. After he helped with the chores, ate breakfast with his sisters and brother, they dressed and went off with their lunch buckets.

It was time for a driving lesson. Earl got into the drivers seat with Fern on the passenger side, explaining how to start the car by setting the throttle and choke, emphasizing not to have too much choke because it could flood the carburetor. He then showed her the four positions of the gear shift, explaining that the clutch must be pushed down or you would grind the gears or stall the car.

He showed her the crank for starting the car. Fern tried to crank the car but wasn’t able to do it. Earl did it and showed Fern how to release the hand brake as she sat behind the wheel. She jerked backwards in reverse across the road and into a shallow ditch before coming to a stop with a jolt.

Now, that was good. To stop the car you must push in the clutch then step on the brake, Earl instructed. He got out to crank the car again, putting the gear in neutral.

Earl said after getting in the car, he said, Shift unto first then let out slowly on the clutch while pressing slowly on the gas pedal. When the car starts forward turn the steering wheel to the left.

Fern, this time, did it perfectly and the car started down the middle of the road toward the center of town, traveling in first gear. Earl didn’t encourage her to use second gear, just yet.

When they came to the closed beer joint, Earl said, Turn the steering wheel left and go on around the building. When you get out to the road, turn the steering wheel to the right an we’ll drive out past the cemetery and on to Sevege’s. Just steer into their drive way and around the circle and back to our house.

Fern did as Earl asked and put the car into second gear halfway up the hill and changed to low when she came to the corner past Winslow’s. When they got back home, fern had shifted down to low three times and up to second gear twice.

Fern barely stopped without hitting the front gate.

Sitting in the car in front of the house, Earl said, Now, wasn’t that fun, Fern?

Fern shook her head, I’m going to ride back and forth on your gentlest horse.

Okay, have it your way. After we get the children fed, I’ll take you down to the home place and you and John can bring me back. You and John can have the Model A to get back and forth.

CHAPTER

3

Bearding the Lion

During the next two weeks Earl called his lawyer about every other day to ask about progress on his freedom with no good news. He bought forty head of young steers from three different farmers at a price that he thought he could make a little profit. It took two trips to East Saint Louis and after each unloading he sluiced out the truck and picked up loads of furniture for stores in Houston and Cabool. A farmer sent him a postcard offering his herd of sheep for sale. The ewes were all bred, fifty eight of them. There were two bucks. Earl brought them down to John Dunivan to pasture on his place and told him to bring alfalfa from the two stacks up on the long field on top of the hill by the orchard.

Earl visited Eva two or three times each week. They went to a movie in Willow Springs on the middle weekend. It was a highly touted western. Eva was aghast at all the shooting and violent fights and long chase scenes.

On the fifth Monday of February Earl went by in person on his way to the Summersville livestock auction to see Jim Hart his attorney. As usual he was there before the office opened. When Jim arrived he motioned him inside.

You’re just in time for some news, Jim said.

That’s good.

A court reporter is a friend and she passed word to me that your divorce will be finalized on the fifth of March, Jim reported.

Earl smiled so broadly, Jim Hart thought his face would crack. Jim smiled himself at the thought.

Thanks, Jim. Good things do happen on Leap Year Day. I’ll stop by and tell Eva on my way home.

On his way to Summersville Earl stopped by Jana Arthur’s place to check on some pigs she was feeding out on her place. Jana was a young widow whose husband had been kicked in the head in a freak accident. The horse had been sold to her by Earl’s father and the two of them had been helping her out ever since (see Tyrone Dust).

Earl left the sale barn in Summersville as soon as the last animal was sold and he had settled up. When he went through Arroll, he saw Monkey Jim Smith, the father of Silvia (Earl’s deceased step-mother), out splitting wood. Earl waved at him and Monkey Jim studiously ignored the gesture.

When Earl arrive at the school in Clear Springs, the door was closed and locked. He drove on a little over a mile on the West Plains to Rolla Road (as it was popularly called at that time) to Ray and Mae McAllister’s house. Eva was walking from the hen house with a basket full of eggs. Most farmers supplemented their income with cash for the eggs and checks for the milk. Many farmers brought their eggs into MFA or the local grocery store and traded them in for groceries and took the balance in cash or paid the difference if the eggs didn’t cover their purchases.

Ray was walking from the barn with two buckets full of milk. Earl hurried to open the gate for Ray. He went ahead of Ray to his five gallon milk cans, lifted a lid off one and put the strainer in the can. Ray set one bucket down and poured the other through the strainer, then the second.

Ray heard the pigs squealing in the back of the truck and said, It’s about time you brought me some nice young stock to feed out. If you remember you took the last batch off my hands last November. I came out really well on them, if you recall.

Yeah, that’s right, Earl said, I undercharged you for the hauling.

Don’t give me that stuff, Earl, I paid you too much. They both chuckled with this repartee.

Hold that thought, Ray. I need to tell Eva something really important. Earl hurried after Eva.

She was in the smoke house sorting out eggs. When Earl went into the building, he put his arms around her from behind and said, I’ve got great news. My divorce will be final on the fifth of March.

Eva turned around in his arms and kissed him soundly, leaning back, she said, That’s only four days away. The nineteenth will work out wonderfully.

Why don’t we move it up to the fifth, Earl replied.

You’ve got to be kidding me, Earl. I’ll have enough trouble to get an agreement for the nineteenth. Papa is wavering but Mama is staunchly opposed.

Do your best, Eva, Earl said with a slight, whiney, aggravation in his voice. Would it help if I came over for another visit to beard the lion.

You’re no Tarzan in my mother’s eyes, just yet, Eva smiled impishly. You’d better let me work on it this weekend. You could pick me up Saturday on your way to Willow and drop me off."

Okay, Earl said, kissing her again. I’d better go talk to Ray. I think he would like to buy the pigs I bought in Summersville, today.

Eva pushed him away and Earl went out where Ray was washing the strainer under the well pump.

When Ray saw Earl he started walking toward him and said, Let’s go look at ’em.

They both grasped the side rail of the stock bed and jumped up to the small ledge around the edge of the bed of the truck. How many do you have, Earl?

Sixty-one.

I can’t count them, all huddle up in the corners like that, Ray said.

You’d huddle up too if you just about didn’t have much hair, when it’s down near freezing like it is now.

Yeah, Ray replied, I heard the news, we may get snow by Friday.

How can we work this, Earl, Ray continued after they jumped down. I don’t have cash on hand to give you a check.

Why don’t we do it this way. I have the bill of sale in the glove compartment. I’ll write down the amount and we’ll take it out of the proceeds after I deliver them to market. You can give me an extra five dollars over what I usually get for delivery.

That seems mighty fair, Earl Ray was thoughtful for a few seconds. The bank would charge more than that for interest.

Earl pulled his truck into the drive back toward the barn. They soon had the pigs unloaded.

CHAPTER

4

The Lion’s Den

When Earl and Eva pulled up to the side of the Weiler house, a misty fog was beginning to creep up the hill, Eva said, Let me do most of the talking. It’ll go better.

Earl grunted his assent, Uh huh."

More verbose than that, Earl.

Okay, Earl growled.

Can you do better than that if you get a kiss? Eva asked.

You betcha.

Eva pursed her lips, Not exactly what I envisioned.

Earl leaned to his right for a reward. Eva obliged.

As the two approached the door to the house, Earl saw Wayne, Eva’s father, coming from the barn with a lighted lantern. The Weilers’ were well known for finishing chores late and not getting up before sunup as most farmers did.

Eva and Earl sat at the same place as the last time. Eva’s mother, was removing a large pot of pinto beans from the stove. She put them on a large hot pad in the middle of the table.

Rena smiled, looking intently at Earl. It’s so good to see you. I presume you have something to say.

Earl nodded, mutely.

Eva poked Earl gently in the ribs.

Earl said, "Yes, ma’am.

Eva nodded her approval.

Rena said, It can wait until after supper.

When the children and Wayne were all seated, Wayne said a beautiful, heartfelt prayer for God’s goodness and the food he had provided. Even though they had worked hard on the farm and harvest from the garden, all knew it was a bounty from God.

After the meal, Eva’s brothers and sisters were sent from the room over the objection of Clyde and Esther, who felt they were old enough to engage in adult conversation.

Wayne said, rather softly, This is a private matter. Thank you for understanding.

The two older children left the room, carefully shutting the door behind them, but Eva knew that Esther would have her ear pressed against the door.

Wayne spoke first, I suppose Earl has something to talk to us about, coming unannounced like this.

Eva put her hand on Earl’s forearm and said, Earl got good news. His divorce is final Saturday. He’ll be free to marry me.

Rena said rather gruffly, What difference does it make. Earl, do you have anything say.

Why yes, I do, thank you Missus Weiler, he spoke quietly and respectfully, I will never marry as long as Eva draws breath. If she should marry another, I’ll still not give up on her because she is the only one I will love because of what I just told you.

The look on Rena’s face softened as she said, Oh, I see.

Eva looked pleased as Wayne said, Any thing else, Earl?

Eva poked Earl in the ribs as a signal for her to speak, Earl and I would like to have a private ceremony on the nineteenth. I would like to have our former preacher, Pastor Mason, do the honors. We’d go up Saturday afternoon to ask him.

The nineteenth. When? Wayne asked.

March, of course, Eva replied.

Rena said, Of course! Isn’t that rather sudden?

Well, Mama, it’s really complicated but Earl has had some rather sudden and complicated happenings in his household. Earl’s young aunt, near his own age, has been acting as his housekeeper and mothering his siblings, Eva paused, then finished with a flourish, She has to leave and this would be an opportunity for me to step in and be a mother and wife where Earl needs me. And the children know me and need me

Rena frowned and said curtly, You know I don’t approve of this marriage.

Eva put her hand on Earl’s forearm again. He spoke hesitatingly, I just don’t know what to say that would convince you of my sincerity but your approval means everything to me.

Rena’s countenance softened at Earl’s words. Then Wayne said, Let Rena and I talk about it this week. I know you go to West Plains on Friday. I’ll go get Eva at Clear Springs, if you’d stop by on your way back, we’ll have an answer for you.

Rena added, rather suddenly, I’ll get Wayne to take me to Mountain Grove This Saturday. We have our annual camp meeting there. I like their square and the good shopping. I’ll stop by MFA and just get cash for our eggs instead of trading for groceries. We’ll stop in an talk to Pastor Mason while we’re there.

Eva felt a rush of emotion. For one who virtually never wept, tears coursed down her cheeks. Thank you, Mama.

Earl said, I must be going. I need to go to Thayer and make some stops early tomorrow.

Earl, wait in the truck for me to go back to McAllister’s. I need to speak to Papa and Mama alone, Eva said.

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The next four days dragged by interminably. The stress of the wait, the hard work, combined with his continuing nightmares, led Earl, usually, inexonerably to the bottles of bootleg whiskey he kept stashed behind the seat of his car and truck. It began to snow heavily.

To relieve his stress, this time, Earl stopped on his way back from Thayer before school was out in Clear Springs. After the children had all left, trudging through the snow on their way home.

Earl felt sorry for the youngest ones because they had several miles to walk to get home and then still had chores to do. Eva came out the door. When she saw Earl sitting in the truck she came and got in.

You came to drive me to McAllister’s, didn’t you? Eva asked.

No. I just wanted to see you. Earl asked, Don’t you want to walk down there? It’s downhill most of the way. The snow isn’t very deep.

Eva slapped Earl’s face lightly, more like a caress. That’s cruel. In this snow. You get out and walk down there and I’ll follow in the truck.

Let’s back up here, start over, Earl replied. What do I get out of it if I drive you down.

How about this? Eva scooted across the seat and kissed Earl heartily.

That’s good enough.

But I meant drive me home. One of the school board members stopped by. Said it was going to snow a lot during the night. He said I should dismiss the rest of the week.

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When the two lovers pulled up by the house, Eva hopped out and went inside. She came out a few minutes later and said, Papa’s still doing milking with Clyde. She says they haven’t come to an understanding.

Earl said, I must take these animals home and unload, especially with snow coming down so hard.

Mama says you can stay the night, said she’d make up a pallet on the kitchen floor, Eva offered.

Tell your folks that was thoughtful, Earl smiled. I’ve slept worse on those cattle drives. Which brings to mind that I’m planning a small cattle drive of about three hundred cattle if the weather is better.

Oh, Earl. How can you consider going away for three or four days next week. We need time to talk over some things. Eva frowned in exasperation.

Earl smiled, I’m not going on this one. Lonnie will ramrod since Dillard has a full time job at the sawmill. Spud Lynch has some steers to bring along. We’ll get a fourth man. Without me, of course, because I’m not meeting a contract buyer this time. Lonnie will get on the train with the herd and sort them out at the stock yards.

Swell, I’ll see you when you stop by from West Plains, tomorrow, then.

Swell! You’re sounding like one of these young teenagers, Earl said. I’d better be off so I can get unloaded before the snow begins again.

On the way back to Tyrone, it did begin to snow again. By the time he got the young heifer’s he had bought unloaded, it was full dark. He trudged up to the house through snow nearly to his boot tops.

When he entered the west door near the dining table, Fern and his sisters and brother were on the divan and floor listening to a radio comedy. Fern got up to meet Earl. Glen brought in a lot of wood and made a fire before I came back up from at the home place. I went down and had dinner with John. I can warm something up, Earl.

Thanks, Fern. Earl replied. I’ll stoke up the cook stove.

No need. There’ll be hot coals yet, Fern averred.

As Fern finished speaking the comedy was over and Earl’s sisters and brothers gathered around. Earl hugged his sisters and put his arm around Glen in a manly fashion. Don’t you think it’s time for bed. I’ll go up with you Glen, if you want.

I’m getting too old for that, Earl, Glen said standing taller.

I’ll see Vivian, back, bud. Lucille spoke. I need to do some homework yet. The teacher has me doing a paper. She said I’d have to do them when I got in high school over in Summersville next year.

Earl was so pleased with Lucille’s progress into a young lady. He nodded his head in agreement. It was nice that a school bus from both Summersville and Cabool now came to Tyrone. He sauntered over to an end table, picked up the day-old newspaper, then to the dining table to await some food. He scanned the livestock market reports and would compare them with the news reports on the radio the next morning to see which way things were going. When the warmed up stew was brought to the table, he chuckled over the comics page.

Fern came to sit at the table. Earl looked up and asked, Do you think John would be able to tear himself away for three or four days for a cattle drive that I’m trying to put together next week, leaving on Monday and back by Friday. Lonnie is going to East Saint Louis with the herd and he’s being told he is the ramrod but I want John along as backup and will get paid some extra.

Lucy (Earl had been calling her that lately and Lucille seemed to like it), I’m going to West Plains on Friday, as usual. Lonnie is driving the truck and I’m following him down in the Plymouth because I have to stop to see Eva on the way back. Will you be okay, if I stop by my folks and stay the night on the way back?

Certainly, Earl. Grandpa Smith stopped by the school yesterday and asked if we could come over to Arroll for the weekend.

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The next morning, Lonnie was at the barn feeding the pigs and had already forked out hay to the grazing animals. Earl was amazed how easily Lonnie had stepped right in to replace Dillard when he went to work full time at Reese’s sawmill. He figured Lonnie had to get up even earlier than Earl and that took some doing.

Boy, Lonnie, you’re up and around early, Earl said.

Yep. One of the cows dropped her calf in the snow last night. I brought her and the calf into the horse stall, Lonnie said proudly.

Good thinking Lonnie, Earl praised.

I’d better put chains on the truck with the snow so deep, Lonnie said.

And I’ll go up and put some on the Plymouth, too, Earl added.

Earl hurried off and came back in the car. Lonnie was struggling to get the chains on the truck but between them they had chains on a few minutes later.

When Earl turned to go to the car, Lonnie said, Earl, there’s something I want to tell you.

Earl cocked his head to one side in a listening posture, Okay.

I need to get this out in the open, off my chest. I never did it with Silvia. She led me along but nothing ever happened. God’s truth! Lonnie slapped his fist into the palm of his hand.

Why didn’t you tell me that day I warned you to get out of the way for a while, Earl said rather stiffly.

Well, Earl, I didn’t want you to think I was just some panty-waist kid. Besides, I thought Sylvia would tell Elmer the truth.

Earl was thoughtful and stricken with remorse over what had happened on that Independence Day last year. Well. What’s done can’t be undone. Earl paused. Sure wish it could have turned out different.

Earl strode to the driver’s side door of the truck, opened the door and withdrew a bottle of moonshine. He unscrewed the lid and said, I’ll need this to settle me down after what you just told me. He took several swallows and held out the bottle to Lonnie.

Lonnie shook his head. I can’t do that anymore, Earl. I’ve been going to church regular with Myrtle. Last Sunday I went forward at Big Creek. I’ll be baptized when it gets warm enough.

Earl nodded.

You and Elmer have been good to my family and I just am so sorry how that all turned out but I hope you don’t hold too much blame against me, Lonnie hesitated and continued, I wish I could change what happened but I can’t

Earl said, We were both way too young to be thrown into such a situation.

Really! Lonnie exclaimed. I was just a kid thrown into a grownup’s game. I just wasn’t ready for it.

We’d better get on down the road, Earl said, I’ve got a lot to get done today. Me, more so than Lonnie, Earl thought.

Thanks, Earl. I hope you understand how sorry I am how this turned out.

I do understand, Lonnie, Earl said solemnly, I’ll be haunted, I am haunted it by it, all the time. I even have nightmares over it. We just need to keep on getting on with life.

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The day had warmed and the snow was almost completely melted except in shaded areas. Earl arrived in the Plymouth after making several stops to visit farmers between West Plains and Willow. Eva met him at the door of the living room and seated him near the heat stove.

They ate a simple meal with cornbread and milk for dessert.

When Eva’s brothers and sisters left the room with the usual protests from Clyde and Esther, Wayne looked at Earl and said, Rena and I visited Joshua Mason yesterday. He would like for you to come visit him tomorrow afternoon about two o’clock. He’ll have some time to counsel with you.

Earl’s heart gave a lurch, Eva smiled at him. Eva said, Does that mean you are giving your approval.

The question had been directed at her father, but her mother answered, We were very open with Joshua about Earl’s marriage and past life and we told him of our conversations. He was somewhat sympathetic. However, that being said, I have strong reservations, still.

Oh, Mama, Eva exclaimed, It is so good for both of us to have your approval.

Eva, Wayne said suddenly, we are if the opinion that you are of age to make your own decisions even though the State of Missouri requires one of us to sign the Marriage License as a minor under age.

I see, Eva replied.

Rena spoke again, I don’t think you really understand, Eva. Because of my reservations, if Joshua Mason agrees to marry you, I will not sign the license. Wayne will sign the license but you still have to get Joshua to do the ceremony. Neither of us sign if you must have a civil ceremony.

So it is up to us, Eva said, to convince my old pastor, who baptized me, that is imperative for us to marry."

Imperative is rather a strong word, Wayne said, but you must convince him.

Earl said, Thank you, both, for your kindness and candor.

Eva smiled rather impishly, I need to go back to Ray and Mae’s. I promised to go to the Hattie school pie supper tomorrow night.

Earl spoke rather quickly, I suppose you were expecting me to bring you back there.

Wayne and Rena looked at each other wondering at this strange behavior.

Eva smiled rather sweetly at her parents, Earl is always teasing about making me walk to McAllister’s from the school, which I do just about everyday anyway. I think he just forgot where we were.

Wayne and Rena were beginning to understand they were being led along.

Only if I get to buy your pie or whatever, Earl said.

Now it’s bribery, is it?

Wayne said, chuckling, With this kind of behavior, maybe you should marry.

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When Earl and Eva were on their were on their way back to McAllister’s Earl told Eva he had planned to stay at his mother’s and Charlie’s to finalize arrangements for the cattle to be brought to Tyrone for the cattle drive the next Monday.

Earl asked Eva to be ready to leave by eleven o’clock so they could stop for dinner at the Horton Hotel in Willow.

CHAPTER

5

To Have and to Hold

Earl helped Charlie with his chores before a hearty breakfast at seven o’clock. It had given him time to stop by Elmer Beltz’s place since he and another farmers were putting together a small herd of steers to bring up to Tyrone for the cattle drive. Earl asked Elmer to bring along a list of the dye brands. Earl knew he would remember every brand but he was not sure Lonnie would be able to remember the brands since he had so much to do along with accompanying the herd to the National Stock Yards in East Saint Louis. On earlier occasions a contract buyer had met them. Lonnie would have to separate them into lots for each farmer. Each farmer would get a check. They would, in turn pay Earl one-tenth of one penny a pound for moving the cattle to market. Earl’s stipend would come to him by mail one check at a time.

Earl was there at eleven o’clock as he had promised.

Eva greeted Earl with multiple kisses and hugs before they set off on their trip to Mountain Grove. Dinner at the Horton Hotel Café was festive although the last hurdle had not been crossed.

When the two aspirants arrived at the Church of God, it was a few minutes early but the door was open so they entered. They heard a voice singing a well known hymn in the back.

They walked toward the sound and found themselves in a warren of classroom space for Sunday School. As with many small church congregations, most pastors were paid very little so it required them to have an outside job or, at least, part-time work, so there was no pastor’s office.

They found Joshua Mason in a room with a long table surrounded by an assortment of unmatched ladder back chairs. He was seated at a small upright piano, playing and singing. He quit playing and turned on the small round seat, with no back.

Sit down here at the table, he said, it was my intention to meet with you here in this room.

Eva and Earl seated themselves at two chairs side-by-side. Joshua seated himself across from them. I know you two young people are here to talk to me about marriage. I have some questions for you.

Earl and Eva both nodded.

Earl, you first, Joshua said, Are you a Christian.

Earl thought for a while, Yes. Sort of.

Earl, you’re either a Christian of your not. What does ‘sort of’ mean? Joshua asked."

Reverend Mason…….

Joshua interrupted, I am Joshua, not ‘reverend’ only God should be revered. let’s be clear on this.

Yes. Joshua, I confessed that Jesus was my Savior when I was nearly fifteen years old. It was at a revival at the Christian Church near Grogan, Earl thought for a while and then continued, It was a Monday, several young people went forward the same evening me, Jimmy Blanton, a cousin, Fern Odor, my friend and aunt, Fern Reeves, another cousin, and Ruby Brewer. We were all baptized the next day on North Jacks Fork. September fifteenth to be exact when we were baptized. The ‘sort of’ is this: I’ve not been living as a Christian man for sometime, now.

Joshua said, That must have been quite a sight, five people being baptized at the same time.

Earl smiled, "It was but there were