Elizabeth! into the Light and Way Beyond!

By Tom Mayer

The story Elizabeth is about a four old girl who died and she has to find out why she remained behind. In the process she cannot travel beyond her home. Some of the people in her former life try to help her and some try to harm her. Owner after owner she endures until she meets a family. They take her in and through then she is able to go back home and into the light. Where she is finally home at last.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Aug 18, 2022
• ISBN: 9781665568296

Tom Mayer

Thomas Mayer, I was an educator for 26 years and also an investor. I am also a Mosaic Artist and a photographer. I specialize in large and medium format cameras. I still use film but own a digital View Camera. My education: I Have a Master’s Degree from Northern Arizona University in Education Administration, A Bachelor’s of Arts Degree from Prescott College in Elementary Education, and Associates Degree in Social Work from Pima Community College. Then I have my Reading Specialist Endorsement and English as a Second Language Endorsement from The State of Arizona. Being retired I wanted to put my education to work so I started to write novels. Life was passing me by and sitting at home watching the clock tick I knew that I must get up and really do something.

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© 2022 Tom Mayer. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or

transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse  08/17/2022

ISBN: 978-1-6655-6830-2 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-6655-6828-9 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-6655-6829-6 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2022915119

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models,

and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

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.

CONTENTS

Chapter 1     Elizabeth—The Beginning

Chapter 2     Emilia Says Goodbye

Chapter 3     The New Owners

Chapter 4     Another New Owner

Chapter 5     Elizabeth Stands Up to the Devil

Chapter 6     Elizabeth’s Yard

Chapter 7     Thelma’s Family Moves In

Chapter 8     The New Maid

Chapter 9     The Baby Comes Home

Chapter 10   The Bridge

Chapter 11   Elizabeth Comes to Dinner

Chapter 12   Jimmy Comes to Visit

Chapter 13   Dan III and Thelma Call to Albereé

Chapter 14   A Day to Remember

Chapter 15   Dan II Arrives Home

Chapter 16   The Secret

Chapter 17   Elizabeth Gives Herself an Education

Chapter 18   Time Marches On

Chapter 19   Thelma Grows Up and Leaves

Chapter 20   Dan III’s Time Moves Forward

Chapter 21   Eloise’s and Elizabeth’s Time Together

Chapter 22   The Funerals

Chapter 23   Into the Light and Way Beyond

1

ELIZABETH—THE BEGINNING

I n Carson City on April 2, 1882, Emilia Cummings lay in bed expecting her first child. The three midwives brought in extra kerosene lamps. Emilia thought, Most people are lucky to have indoor plumbing or even indoor bathrooms. But for me, just to have a roof over my head and doors that lock is pl enty.

Midwife Amy said, Don’t worry, dear. I’ve been doing this for years along with Denise and Maria here. You’re in good hands with us. How far apart are your pains?

They’re getting close to about three minutes.

Okay. It was good you got us here. It sounds like tonight’s going to be it. I’ll put out the other lamps so the room isn’t filled with fumes, Amy said.

It was 8:00 p.m. The only sound was coming from the grandfather clock in the living room. The midwives waited. Emilia heard them breathing in anticipation.

Where’s your husband? Denise asked.

He’s a cowboy at different ranches and stockyards. Jeff travels hundreds of miles to earn a good wage.

Emilia would have felt better if Jeff had been at her side, but he was taking cattle to Kansas City and loading them up on Southern Pacific railcars. Denise knew that Jeff was nothing but a rough, tough, drunken cowboy. He usually spent his money on liquor and got in bar fights. She was once married to a man just like him, but he had run off.

Jeff was wanted for robbery by the Wichita police. She had heard the talk around town and hoped to change him, but that was just wishful thinking. Perhaps the baby might make him grow up and become a real man she thought. Her heart pounded with love for him, and even in her final hours of delivery, she would not give up hope for a better life.

At 11:00, Emilia’s breathing became labored and short. It’s time! she said barely able to talk. A midwife lit the other lamps while another held Emilia’s hand and whispered to her, It’s going to be all right, while Denise got her ready and in position.

Okay, breathe, and start pushing when you feel it’s time, dear. Denise said, and Emilia started to scream. Now push! Keep pushing even if it hurts. Push even harder. I can see it coming! You’re almost there. Harder. It’s out! Denise spanked the baby, and it started to cry. Emilia breathed a sigh of relief. Her bed was soaked in sweat and bloody. It’s a girl!

Jeff wanted a boy, but God gave us a girl, Emilia said. He’ll be very happy. She’s beautiful! I love her! Looking at her, my heart jumps. I have no regrets bringing such a beautiful girl into this world. She’s darling, she said lying back in bed.

We’ll clean her up, Maria said. She’ll be with you shortly.

They cleaned and wrapped the baby in fresh linens and handed her to Emilia. The baby suckled, and the two were soon asleep. The midwives stayed with them overnight to make sure mother and baby were out of any danger. It had not been an easy birth.

They knew Emilia was not a person of wealth; they were there out of the goodness of their hearts. For anyone else, the going rate was $5 for a delivery. They needed to make ends meet. In the morning, they said goodbye to Emilia and told her not to move around much so she would heal.

Can you take this letter to the Western Union telegraph? It’s to Jeff. I want him to know that I had a baby girl, Emilia said.

What’re going to name her? asked Amy and Maria.

Elizabeth, after Jeff’s mother and sister. Emilia smiled and reluctantly handed them some change. Here’s forty-five cents. She placed the dirty, old, worn-out coins in Denise’s hands embarrassed.

The midwives knew it was the only money she had. Emilia wished she could have paid them everything. Those old coins may as well have been a million dollars to Emilia. It was all the money she had. Denise said, You know we’re not just midwives. You can count on us all as family. They knew that Emilia was holding on by a thread moneywise.

Her cupboards were bare, and the icebox was empty and hot. The idea of Emilia alone with a baby in that house was too much for them to bear. They had used up the last of the lamp kerosene bringing Elizabeth into this world. Most of all, they knew this job was going to cost more than they’d ever make. It was one of those jobs that could not pay, and Emilia broke their hears into pieces when they looked at her dire circumstances. It was unbearable. They felt leaving her in her time of need was plain wrong.

The three midwives acted just like the three wise men who saw Jesus as a baby on the night of his birth. But there was no star of Bethlehem to guide them, just the generosity of their big hearts. The three talked; they knew no one who was in more-dire circumstances, and they knew she desperately needed their help though she had never asked them for anything beyond delivering Elizabeth. They decided to see what they could gather to help Emilia out. They gathered groceries and money from those who could afford it, and they got a few gallons of lamp oil donated. The people filled the gallon jugs a little from each house. Townsfolk went through their groceries and gave whatever extra they had stored up.

A wagon was also filled with firewood. The man who had cut it had died the previous spring, and it was sitting in his yard. He had been well known for his generosity, and the midwives were sure that he wouldn’t have objected. The times were tough for everyone, but the townspeople were bigger than those awful times. They were not going to allow Emilia to face this alone because turning a cold shoulder to those in need was unacceptable in their eyes.

That afternoon, the three along with a few friends knocked on Emilia’s door. There was no answer. Denise and Amy entered and saw mother and daughter fast asleep. They quietly unpacked the groceries and filled the cupboards. They brought in a large stack of diapers and baby pins and a block of ice. When everything was put away, they started tiptoeing out.

Emilia awoke. Who’s there?

The midwives and the others walked into her room. Denise said, We brought you some groceries and ice, and we left about twenty dollars on the kitchen table.

The townsfolk told Emilia that if there was anything else she needed, she should just ask. Everyone thought her baby was adorable.

Emilia sensed their kind, caring intentions, and blushed. I don’t know how I’ll ever repay you all. I’ve never met such kind and caring people. I’ll never forget this!

You can help others when you’re able to, Amy said. That’s how you can pay us back. At one time or another, we were all in a predicament like yours. Emilia, you’re not ever alone. You got all of us beside you!

They all left. Maria said, Imagine that we work our tails off but pay her. We don’t have really anything for ourselves. The general store doesn’t take generosity checks for payment, does it? We better find another in the meantime. That way, we can get ourselves out of our own problems. I’m just glad we helped her.

That’s just who we are, Amy said. There are too many fake people in these parts who would have stolen her blind. We’re not like them. It’s better to have a big heart than to be sniveling, weaselly wretches. It seems lately that that’s what most of our customers have been. We must wait for them to cough up the dough even though they have it. They’d rather short us and buy a new dress.

Denise said, I’m glad we were there for her. Without us, mother and baby wouldn’t have made it. We can take pleasure in knowing we did something good for a good person who desperately needed us.

About three days later, a messenger came with a letter from Jeff and a check for $295. Emilia’s first thought was to pay the midwives. The check made her smile because she would be out of money soon. The bank would be knocking at the door if she was even a day late. She read Jeff’s letter.

Dear Emilia,

I sent you all the money I have in the world and even sold my rifle and horse. I met someone else, and I am no longer in your life. I guess I’m not cut out to be a father. My family is dead set against it. I am running from them and from the law. I would be no good to you. They will hang me for stealing cattle and robbing a general store. Good luck with the baby when it arrives. I only wish I was more of a man to own up to my responsibilities. Take care, Jeff.

Emilia sobbed, and Elizabeth cried. She would have to take care of the baby first and then herself. The letter shattered her world, and she did not know what to do. Even the generosity of the three midwives would have its limits. They were the only ones she knew. They could help guide her, she thought. Knowing the three brought comfort to her.

She prayed that Jeff would have second thoughts and become a father and a husband. She sent up heartfelt prayers for that, but it was just wishful thinking. Jeff was a jerk. She had fallen in love with a coward and a bum. The realization had finally hit home. It was up to her to provide for the baby; Jeff was a lost cause. She was alone with the baby.

His parents sent what little money they had and promised to send more monthly when they could afford it, but that would not put food on the table or clothe the baby. And it wouldn’t keep the hungry mortgage bankers away. Emilia knew that any money Jeff’s parents sent her would stop soon after the shock of what he had done wore off.

She cried all day and night. Having Jeff skip out on her ripped her heart to pieces. She felt all alone, and Elizabeth’s crying every half-hour was driving her out of her mind. Never in her life had she been hurt so badly. She thought that his skipping out had been the result of her foolishness for falling for him. It was a mistake that she had to carry through life. It was not going to be an easy fix.

Oh, what am I to do? How this really hurts! She sobbed uncontrollably.

That night, a storm came rushing in with lightning ripping through the air. The tree branches were thumping the house, and Elizabeth was crying for food. "Shhh! It’s going to be all right, baby. You got me, and I got you. Oh how I love you!" she whispered.

The next day, the midwives knocked at the door. Did Jeff get the letter? Denise asked.

No, but I got one from Jeff, Emilia said and broke down crying.

Did he leave you with the baby? Amy asked.

Yes, and I don’t know what to do anymore! Tears were running down her cheeks.

The three embraced her. When I hear there’s work, I’ll tell you, Denise said.

Talk with your neighbor, Barbara. She’ll help you. You couldn’t ask for a better neighbor than her, Amy said.

Whenever you get a little extra, give us only a little, please. No worries, Maria said.

Come back in a few days. I’ll pay you then, Emilia said. She planned on giving them $5 each, but she didn’t say how she was going to pay them. Perhaps they would take some of the money Jeff sent. She was worried about the bank taking her home away. Without a home, there would be no taking care of Elizabeth. That bothered Emilia the most. Putting Elizabeth up for adoption was not going to happen. She tried later to pay them with Jeff’s money, but the three refused it.

A few weeks later, Denise came by. Emilia! I found a good job for you at Hawkin’s shirt factory. Come quick. They’re waiting for you! It’s a seamstress position. They need someone for ten hours a day!

They left Elizabeth with Barbara, the neighbor, and rushed off. She walked into a large building that made shirts that stores would sell for 45¢ apiece.

The foreman said, We’re going fire the old seamstress. She’s been drinking on the job again. It’s from seven a.m. to five thirty p.m. seven days a week. We pay twenty cents an hour.

I’ll take it! Emilia said.

As long as you don’t drink and you do the work, you’re hired. Give me until Friday so I can let this one go. I got to be proper like.

They rushed to tell Barbara the wonderful news. That way, she could afford the house, put food on the table, and make Elizabeth clothes.

As Elizabeth grew, Barbara took care of her. She knew Emilia was working more than ten hours a day. Elizabeth was a year and a half. She liked watching the horses and wagons go up and down the street. Barbara had milk delivery, but the milkman never talked to anyone. He would stop his wagon and rush to place the milk bottles. The man said, I’ve no time to be ensnared in worthless conversation unless it means more money. Furthermore, I refuse to give Emilia milk because it’s for paying customers only! During her time of need, it was stolen from his cart by a few boys. He had his rounds to make to keep the customers happy. The man was a sour, old, miserable buzzard, and most people would cringe when he showed up. He was angry at the world and gave a damn only about his pocketbook.

Uncle Billy of the Union Ice Company was actually named Moses. He didn’t care for his legal last name because when he was a slave, it changed with every time his owner sold him. Slaves were regarded as property along with horses and cattle decades ago. That made him angry, so he went by Uncle Billy but Moses with a few friends.

Years earlier, he had been a slave in Savannah, and General William Tecumseh Sherman marched through there burning all the crops, burning all the plantations, and freed Moses. He served and fought with Sherman until the end of the war. He made the rank of sergeant. However, he never talked about the war because it was too painful. They referred to Sherman as Uncle Billy because he took care of his men and freed the slaves.

Moses helped Sherman even after the war. They sat and drank whiskey one rainy night by his fireplace, and he even slept there once. Moses was even served breakfast the next morning by his former general. Moses’s face was just as battle hardened as the real Uncle Billy’s.

By 1883, most had forgotten about Uncle Billy Sherman, and the children called Moses Uncle Billy, a name he loved. He kept it because it stuck in the craw of most angry Southerners. That made him smile. He knew that they would never live down the fact that he was free. They were angry that he was better than them in several ways.

He knew that Emilia and Elizabeth couldn’t pay for his ice, but he would give them broken pieces for free. He would really break them off the pieces he sold rude people who rubbed him the wrong way. Barbara gave him an earful about Jeff, but Moses was a kind soul.

Elizabeth had a guardian angel in Moses even the likes of St. Michael would shudder to think about going against. He was as strong as an ox, and he had a red-hot temper of hell-fire to boot, and no one in town ever wanted to cross him. But under it all, he was a kind, beautiful soul. He had a horrible past, but his kindness made up for it. He had been sold away from his parents at age six. By God almighty, he’d never allow anyone or anything come between him and that baby.

Some townspeople heard that Uncle Billy had that scoundrel Jeff pushed onto a moving train later, but that was just talk. No one really knew what happened to Jeff. Uncle Billy said, He was just dealt with, and that’s all. Nature just has a funny way of takin’ care of losers like that rat. And he said it with a big grin. No one deserves that much pain! I know their pain all so well! If I ever find that rattlesnake, I’ll take care of him myself. He’s just plain yellow! I don’t have any kind words to throw his way.

When Elizabeth was two, Uncle Billy was her favorite person besides Barbara. She would get out onto the porch and as the wagon would come click-clonking up the street, she’d yell, Uncle Billy! and dash out to greet him. He would stop his wagon, pull out his sharp knife, and scrape enough ice off the blocks to fill her cup. Here you go, Elizabeth, some nice cool ice. You get back off this busy street! It’s dangerous! These wagons won’t stop.

Thank you, Uncle Billy. I love you!

Billy blushed and moved along. One never wanted to get on his bad side because the ice business in town was his alone. It came in by railroad four times a week. They would also ship ice cream in the cold months packed between the big ice blocks. That was for his clientele who had money, a dessert reserved for the wealthy.

He knew and got along with Mrs. Olson, a well-to-do widow, and on Elizabeth’s third birthday, Mrs. Olson gave him a gallon of French vanilla ice cream to give to the girl. Emilia had made her a vanilla cake with white frosting. Barbara was there too.

Hi, Elizabeth. How are you? Uncle Billy asked as he approached their house.

Uncle Billy! I love you! And you remembered my birthday!

This is for you. From behind his back, he pulled out the ice cream. You must eat it slow or it will freeze your brain. He chuckled.

Neither Emilia nor Barbara had ever had ice