TREASURE BENEATH THE BRIDGE

By Barbara Elizabeth Green

William and Emily's father died and not knowing their mother is in debtors prison, they are being raised by Kathern. Being paid to deliver a ham to Lord Stokes, William finds him dead, he had been murdered. William finds a treasure chest filled with gold and jewels under a bridge at a creek down the road from the Stokes Estate.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Candour Publishing
• Release date: Jul 18, 2022
• ISBN: 9781088039632

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Treasure Beneath the Bridge

Copyright © 2022 by Barbara Elizabeth Green

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.

In Memory of Kristina Ramirez and Michelle Gabel Mason taken too soon by covid 2021 .

A ray of sunlight poured through a hole of the tattered curtains that hung from the window of the small bedroom that Emily shared with her brother William. As the rays danced on her nose like fairies fluttering their wings, Emily tried to brush them away with her hand. Realizing that the morning sun was shining, and it was time to get up, Emily sat up in bed and removed her nightcap, spilling her long golden-brown hair over her shoulders. She stuffed her cap under her pillow, pulled back her coverlet and climbed out of bed. William, are you awake? "No! he shouted, as he rolled over and pulled his blanket up over his shoulder. Retrieving a dress that hung on a wall peg beside the bedroom door, Emily quickly pulled her nightgown over her head, exposing her under slip that was becoming too small for her blossoming body of eleven years. Then she stepped into her faded blue dress that had once been her mothers.

I wish we didn’t have to share a bedroom; I get tired of listening to you snore at night. Emily said, as she fastened the front of her dress. I don’t snore! William snapped. Emily turned around and glared at her brother. Then what do you call that hideous noise, that comes out of your mouth, that wakes me up in the middle of the night? she asked, as she placed her hands on her hips. William rolled over on his back and placed both hands together under his head. Looking up at the ceiling he opened his mouth and let out a forced snoring sound. Stop that William, that’s disgusting! said Emily, as she plugged her ears with her fingers, in hopes of drowning out the sound. But that’s not me William said, as he sat up on the edge of his bed. "I told you, I don’t snore.

That’s the dragon that lives in my stomach, and he’s asking for something to eat. Oh! you’re such a big baby. Emily said, as she turned around and bent over to straighten up her bed. Being at the right angle from where he was sitting, William gave Emily a little push on her behind, with the ball of his foot, that sent her face down across her bed. With tears of anger in her eyes, Emily got to her feet. I’ll get you William Hattington, she said, shaking her fist at her brother. Suddenly, the bedroom door flung open. In the doorway stood a petite young woman wearing a scarf that kept her light brown hair that hung in un-ever layers down her back. Her brown homespun dress and apron was soiled, from cooking, cleaning, and laborious jobs. What are you two fighting about? Get dressed and come eat your breakfast before the rats get it. snapped Kathern. Yes Mother, both children said simultaneously. I’ve told you before, stop calling me mother. Only when people are around can you call me mother."

William quickly pulled on his patched trousers that were lying on the floor beside his bed. Then he tucked in his shirt and secured his trousers with a belt that had once belonged to his father. He tied his golden-brown hair back behind his shoulders and made a short ponytail, with a thin piece of rawhide. He was much taller than both Emily and Kathern. And began to develop muscles, and peach fuzz on the face of the 13-year-old. They both headed towards the door and tried to pass through at the same time. William being bigger than Emily got the right of way. The room was large enough for a bed that was against the wall close to the hearth and baking oven where Kathern slept.

Behind the dining table against the wall sat a cabinet with two doors, where dishes and food were stored. At the bottom corner was a hole, that showed evidence where mice had chewed. In the middle of the room a handmade braided rug hid the trap door to the root cellar. The wall on the other side of the fireplace, had windows on either side of the front door, and a cabinet below both windows. One to use for storage and the other waist high, that held a wash basin with room underneath for storage. William and Emily sat at their respective places at the table where bowls of porridge sat.

Until you two start bringing some money into this house, from now on, you’ll only get one meal a day. So, if you don’t start pulling your weight around here, I just might sell both of you to the gypsies. Kathern said matter-of-factly. Emily looked over across the table at William. Then across the room at Kathern. A small gray cloud of dust filled the air as she cleaned the ashes from the fireplace. Turning back towards William, Emily whispered. Mother wouldn’t sell us to the gypsies, would she? Are you two talking behind my back?" Kathern shrieked as she stood up and grabbed Emily’s bowl of porridge. With an open hand slapped her, sending her off the chair to the floor whimpering.

Then she pulled the chair away from the table and sat down. Within seconds she gulped down the remaining porridge. You weren’t hungry anyway! Kathern said, as she wiped her mouth with the back of her hand. Listen here boy! I don’t see you trying to bring any food into this house. She grabbed his bowl of porridge away from him and threw it across the room. The wooden bowl hit the wall and porridge splattered everywhere. Oh! I see you’ve finished your breakfast too. Now get out of here, she shouted, and don’t come back home empty-handed. William jumped to his feet and ran outside, slamming the door behind him. Get this mess cleaned up! Kathern said as she threw a cleaning rag at Emily. Emily pulled herself up off the floor and grabbed the water bucket that was underneath the cabinet where the wash basin sat.

She hurried down to the creek that ran in the back of their cottage. She was careful not to spill the water in the bucket, so she didn’t have to go back for more. William was also hauling water. The corn, pumpkin and other vegetable seeds that had been planted were just beginning to sprout. If the garden is well cared for, we will have a nice crop at harvest time, and we will have food for the winter. We can sell some of the vegetables to have money for next year's garden. William thought to himself.

I think what we need are some chickens. We can sell eggs and have some to eat. Oh! they would taste so good. After Emily left the cottage, Kathern folded her arms and dropped them on the table. Then she cradled her head in her arms to muffle her sobbing so not to be heard. I don’t mean to be so harsh with them. I hope they will forgive me. I need to tell them that