The characters and events in this story are fictional and any resemblance to real people is purely co-incidental. The following story may contain sexual or reference to sexual situations. If this is illegal in your area, you are underage or you find it objectionable, do not read any farther and exit now.
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Headed West
Chapter 5
"I think that in a day or two, we can look for a place for all you homeless people. I hope we can find places nearby. It would be a shame to lose any of you after all that we have gone through."
"Charlie, don't you think that you have done enough for us? Why don't you let us look for our own place.?" said May Belle. Everyone agreed with her.
"Not going to happen. Once we took you in, it was for a lifetime. Meanwhile, there is a lot to be done here. There is enough to keep us all busy," Mary Ann said.
"Okay, have it your way. I like this community. I would like to have a small place, maybe 10 to 20 acres with a good house. If possible I would like to find it the center of the community. When I set up my practice, I want to travel the shortest distance possible," said Dr. Morris
"I don't know what I want yet. I'll wait for awhile and then make my decision. Mary Ann, may I stay here while I'm deciding?" asked Amy Marcela.
"Why don't you just move in with me. You wouldn't have to be in a big hurry to leave. I could always use a little help with my practice. I could train you to be my assistant." Dr. Morris suggested.
"Thanks, I think that I would like that!" replied Amy.
"Jeff, would you like a place of your own or do you want to stay with your folks for the time being.?"
"Charlie, I think I will stay with Mom and Dad. They will be need a strong back to help."
"Jeff, you left out and a weak mind." Laughed May Belle.
"What ever! You can't get rid of me yet!" retorted Jeff.
We worked for two days putting everything in its place. We did a little repair work and I had to split some wood.. I notice the wood pile was getting a little low. I would have to get busy and get some hauled in before winter sit in.We were all sitting around that evening just visiting. Mary Ann spoke up, "Let's throw a food basket together and take a buggy ride and look for a home for the homeless!"
"Great idea! Let's go into the kitchen and get started said Dr. Morris.
"Let's use the hay wagon and use our work horses to pull it. We could all go in one wagon. I bet the kids would love a hayride." remarked May Belle.
"Hurray!" shouted all the kids.
Early the next morning , we hitched the horses to the wagon and all of us got on it, Gerald wanted drive the team. I let him and sat up front with him. He and I had become good buddies. I though of him as my little brother. I lost my only brother when all the people in my valley back home got sick. I am sure that God gave him to us and the four kids.
We decided to go North from our place. We came in from the South and there was nothing that way for a long ways. We went about a half mile and came to a school yard. About 10 kids of all ages were out in the yard playing. We stopped and our four kids joined the others playing games..
The adults went into the school house and introduce ourselves to the teacher. We told her that we had purchased the Brown farm and that We had 2 children that are of school age and the we would bring then and enrolled in the morning.
"I saw you drive up and the children start playing with the other children. Why don't you just let them stay and you can pick them up on the way home. If you are not back by the time school lets out, the children can go home with me. I live in the first house just North of here."
"We are looking for two farms which have 100+ acres each with houses for sale and one with about 20 acres or less and a house. We would like this one to be located in central location because this woman is a Doctor and would like to cut down her travel as much as possible. Do you know of any near here?" I inquired.
"Yes, to the small farm. Continue North for about for about 2 miles. You will come to a crossroad . Take the right fork and go East for another 2 miles and you will come to a little town Riverview. Go to the center of town and the owner of the Mercantile has a place. It is the first house on the left before getting in town. It has a for sale sign. Ask him about farms for sale. He would know if there are others."
"Thank you. We had better be on way so that we can get back and pick up our children before dark." said Mary Ann. "I will leave a lunch for the children."
"I need to call the children in any way. Nice meeting all of you. Good-bye."She went out on the porch and rang her bell and the children came running. LeAnne and Cody were delighted that they would get to stay.
We continued to the town of Riverview. We stopped and looked the house over from the outside. Dr. Morris and Amy became very interest in it and we continued on into town. Riverview which was a small pleasant looking town. We went into the Mercantile. The Mercantile was owned and run by a middle aged man and his wife.
Dr. Morris introduced herself and us. She told the owners what she was looking for and that they had seen the house outside of town that belonged to them.
"We live in back of the store, so why don't we go back there and some coffee and dessert. We can have a little visit and do some business at the same time."
We were amazed at the size of the living quarters. "I am a medical doctor and would like to set up practice here but I don't want to run competition with another doctor."
"Dr. Morris, you won't be cutting in on another doctor. The nearest one is 15 miles away. Our medical needs aren't covered very well. I think this community would welcome you and forget that you are a woman. There is a couple of fuddy-duddies that probably won't take advantage of your services. But that will be their loss," said Mrs. Benson.
"I can take you out and show you our little farm. We lived in the little house until the owner of this place got itchy feet and wanted to move to the big city. We got a good deal and so here we are. We can just put a closed sign on the door and that we will return in a couple of hours."
"Oh, that would be very nice. Thank you," replied Dr. Morris. We went back and looked at the place and told Mr. Benson that they would return tomorrow to complete the deal.
"I have two farms right next to each other near the school house. Each contains 160 acres. The houses are completely furnished and all the farm equipment goes with the property. Each farm has a large orchard. There's some livestock. In other words, everything that you will see comes with the place. Would you like to go out and look the places over.? I can make you a good deal. I picked up the places real cheap when the owners wanted to go to California. So far I haven't been able to sell them and my cash supply is getting a little low. I need to recoup some of my losses."
"Sounds too good to be true. We certainly would like to see them. Just led the way." said Mary Ann.
"Just go to the school house and turn left. Go ½ mile and the 1st farm with be on the right..
After seeing the places, we all decided that these were just what we were looking for. They were real close to Mary Ann's and my place. It a hill wasn't in the way, you would be able to see our place.
Morning came and we headed toward Riverview. After dropping the children off at school, we continued on our journey to Riverview. We went into the living quarters behind the Mercantile and had coffee and cake with the Bensons. We made a good bargain with Mr. Benson. We would have all three places for what Mr. Benson had paid for them plus 5 percent. Mr. Benson gave us a bill of sale and all we had to do was go to the county seat and get our deeds. Amy and Dr. Morris had come prepared to move into their new home. We stopped by to help them move in. With the help of a couple of neighbors, we had cleaned the little house from to bottom and had made all the repairs necessary for ladies to move in.
The Bensons came out with us to help. After everything was unloaded , Mrs. Benson brought in a big basket of food that she had cooked the night before. We had the first meal in the new home. While eating lunch, They invited all of us to go to church with them in the morning.
"We told our neighbors that all of you were moving into our community. They were to spread the word. After church, we are going to have a covered dish social. We have a social quite often and a barn dance. I think you will like all the people here in the valley. We are all just one big happy family." Mrs. Benson said beaming with pride.
"We'll be there," said Mary Ann.
"Services will start at 10:00 for Church School and worship will begin at 11:00