{No Turning Back-part XVII}
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| descending Big Hill |
August 5th,1847
This morning we came to Thomas Fork Crossing. It was the worst crossing we've had yet. There were steep banks down to the river, and more banks to get out. We anchored each wagon to some trees and let them down one at a time to the river to cross. Thankfully the bank going out wasn't quite so steep, and double-teams were able to pull the wagons back out.
The third wagon almost rolled over, but somehow managed to stay upright. By the time we got to two wagons in front of us, things were going smoothly. Then it was the Cooke's turn. The Cooke's have four kids, the youngest being five years old.
Everything was going fine until they were halfway down the bank. Then the rope snapped, and the wagon fell upside-down into the river.
I can't write any more about it, it was so sad. All I can say is that the only one to survive the wreck was the five-year-old, Miriam. She was thrown from the wagon into the river and woulda drowned, but one of the men on horseback grabbed her.
Miriam is staying with us. Pa says we'll keep her until she can find a family. She'll sleep between Missy and me. I rode in the wagon with her all day and held her. She cried for her ma whenever she wasn't sleeping. Poor tyke. She clings to a quilt Mrs. Cooke had made. Clint found it down river and gave it to her.
August 6th, 1847
Walked with Susannah today. It was good to talk to her. She told me she's been real busy making thing for her hope chest, and helping her ma.
"I really feel different, Callie." she said," I feel like I'm getting ready for the future. It's a good feeling. Thanks."
"No need to thank me."
"Sure there is. You kinda set me straight. I tried telling Tressy what you told me, but she thought I was being ridiculous." Susannah sighed.
"Some people never will see, I guess. I sure am glad you do, though." I said.
"Ya know, it really was hard in the beginning. I didn't know what to do at first. I felt silly askin' my ma if she needed help, but when I did she looked so pleased it made me happy, too." she went on, "Now we have a great time, and I'd rather spend time with her than with anyone else."
"That's good. I think I'd feel the same way if my ma were here." I said. "I used to love the time I spent with Ma. She was always so patient with me an' Missy. I only remember her losin' her temper once, an' that was because Joel nearly set the house on fire.
"I remember cooking and sewing with her. She always said nice things 'bout what I did and gently told me how to fix things that were wrong. That's what I miss most, I reckon. Hearing Ma's voice tell me what needs fixed and how to fix it." I said.
Susannah didn't say anything. Then Miriam, who was walking between us, said, "Me too. I miss Mama singin' to me." And her eyes filled up with tears.
We stopped, and I got down and looked at her. "I know, honey. And I hate to tell you, but you'll never stop missin' your mama. I still miss mine. But you know what my Pa told me?" I said. When she shook her head, I went on. "You gotta live to make her proud. You gotta stop mopin' and start smilin' again. I think your mama'd want you to be happy, don't you?" Miriam nodded, and I wiped her tears and hugged her close. She clung to me, and then pushed back.
"I'll try, Callie. I'll try ta be happy." she said.
"Good girl. I'll pray for God to help you." I said, then I took her hand and we walked on.
We climbed Big Hill today, and had three broken wheels. It was a tough hill, but thankfully there were no accidents.
This morning we came to Thomas Fork Crossing. It was the worst crossing we've had yet. There were steep banks down to the river, and more banks to get out. We anchored each wagon to some trees and let them down one at a time to the river to cross. Thankfully the bank going out wasn't quite so steep, and double-teams were able to pull the wagons back out.
The third wagon almost rolled over, but somehow managed to stay upright. By the time we got to two wagons in front of us, things were going smoothly. Then it was the Cooke's turn. The Cooke's have four kids, the youngest being five years old.
Everything was going fine until they were halfway down the bank. Then the rope snapped, and the wagon fell upside-down into the river.
I can't write any more about it, it was so sad. All I can say is that the only one to survive the wreck was the five-year-old, Miriam. She was thrown from the wagon into the river and woulda drowned, but one of the men on horseback grabbed her.
Miriam is staying with us. Pa says we'll keep her until she can find a family. She'll sleep between Missy and me. I rode in the wagon with her all day and held her. She cried for her ma whenever she wasn't sleeping. Poor tyke. She clings to a quilt Mrs. Cooke had made. Clint found it down river and gave it to her.
August 6th, 1847
Walked with Susannah today. It was good to talk to her. She told me she's been real busy making thing for her hope chest, and helping her ma.
"I really feel different, Callie." she said," I feel like I'm getting ready for the future. It's a good feeling. Thanks."
"No need to thank me."
"Sure there is. You kinda set me straight. I tried telling Tressy what you told me, but she thought I was being ridiculous." Susannah sighed.
"Some people never will see, I guess. I sure am glad you do, though." I said.
"Ya know, it really was hard in the beginning. I didn't know what to do at first. I felt silly askin' my ma if she needed help, but when I did she looked so pleased it made me happy, too." she went on, "Now we have a great time, and I'd rather spend time with her than with anyone else."
"That's good. I think I'd feel the same way if my ma were here." I said. "I used to love the time I spent with Ma. She was always so patient with me an' Missy. I only remember her losin' her temper once, an' that was because Joel nearly set the house on fire.
"I remember cooking and sewing with her. She always said nice things 'bout what I did and gently told me how to fix things that were wrong. That's what I miss most, I reckon. Hearing Ma's voice tell me what needs fixed and how to fix it." I said.
Susannah didn't say anything. Then Miriam, who was walking between us, said, "Me too. I miss Mama singin' to me." And her eyes filled up with tears.
We stopped, and I got down and looked at her. "I know, honey. And I hate to tell you, but you'll never stop missin' your mama. I still miss mine. But you know what my Pa told me?" I said. When she shook her head, I went on. "You gotta live to make her proud. You gotta stop mopin' and start smilin' again. I think your mama'd want you to be happy, don't you?" Miriam nodded, and I wiped her tears and hugged her close. She clung to me, and then pushed back.
"I'll try, Callie. I'll try ta be happy." she said.
"Good girl. I'll pray for God to help you." I said, then I took her hand and we walked on.
We climbed Big Hill today, and had three broken wheels. It was a tough hill, but thankfully there were no accidents.
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