Claiming the Heart Mass market paperback - 2012

Summary

Excerpt

ONE

Fort Worth, Texas

After the storm of the Civil War had passed, Henri saw opportunities in Texas. He sold out in St. Louis, and when Josie was sixteen years old, they and the Lanes, along with the LanesâÈç two-year-old son, Julius, moved to Fort Worth, where Henri started the Laclede Grocery and Dry Goods store. They had been in Fort Worth for five years when seven-year-old Julius, who was sweeping the boardwalk in front of the grocery store, looked up to see the stagecoach arriving.

Dropping his broom, Julius ran inside to give the news.

âÈêMiss Josie, the stagecoach is cominâÈç in! The horses are runninâÈç fast!âÈë

Empress Josephine Laclede brushed aside an errant fall of blond hair and walked to the front of the store to look out onto the street. A cloud of dust assailed her nostrils.

âÈêDooley, why do you have to do this? We know youâÈçre coming,âÈë Josie said aloud to no one in particular. She stepped out of the store, watching the other shopkeepers up and down Main Street hurry to meet the stage.

Dooley Simmons liked to make a grand entry, so the coach rolled down the street with the six horses at a trot far more rapid than their normal rate on the open road. Dust flew from the horsesâÈç hooves and roiled up from the wheels, leaving a long haze hanging in the air behind it.

âÈêHeyah! Heyah!âÈë Dooley shouted to his team, snapping the reins. Children, black and white, ran down the street, keeping abreast of the coach, until it reached AndrewâÈçs Tavern. There, the coach stopped, but the dust did not, and the cloud rolled over it so that when the passengers, three men and two women, stepped down, dust was on their clothes, in their hair, and hanging on their eyebrows. The women were coughing.

âÈêHow was your trip, Dooley?âÈë someone called up to the driver as he was setting the brake and tying off the reins.

âÈêNo problem, but IâÈçve got news,âÈë Dooley said as he threw down the mailbag to the postmaster.

âÈêWhat news is that?âÈë

âÈêThe railroad is aâÈçcominâÈç to Fort Worth.âÈë

âÈêWhat?âÈë

âÈêI heard it with my own ears,âÈë Dooley said. âÈêThereâÈçs some fellers from the Texas and Pacific thatâÈçs on their way to Californey. TheyâÈçs scoutinâÈç the route for the railroad, and I heard tell theyâÈçs cominâÈç to Fort Worth.âÈë

âÈêYou donâÈçt say. When do you think theyâÈçll get here?âÈë

âÈêI canâÈçt say for sure, but theyâÈçll be pullinâÈç into Dallas moreâÈçn likely by the end of the week.âÈë

âÈêThe railroad is aâÈçcominâÈç, the railroad is aâÈçcominâÈç!âÈë several of the children began to shout.

As Josie looked toward the coach, she wondered what had caused all the excitement.

âÈêGood morning, Josie,âÈë John Jennings said, touching the brim of his hat. âÈêDo you know if Paddock is upstairs?âÈë

Paddock was Buckley Paddock, publisher and editor of the Fort Worth Democrat, the townâÈçs only newspaper. PaddockâÈçs office was on the second floor over LacledeâÈçs grocery store.

âÈêIâÈçm sure he is, Mr. Jennings,âÈë Josie said. âÈêI havenâÈçt seen him this morning, but IâÈçve heard him moving around up there. WhatâÈçs going on? WhatâÈçs all the excitement?âÈë

âÈêThe most wonderful news you can imagine. The railroad is coming to town.âÈë

âÈêThe railroad?âÈë

âÈêYes, maâÈçam, the Texas and Pacific. IâÈçm sure you know that a lot of town folks have been trying to get this; now it looks like itâÈçs actually going to happen. You and your pa better get ready for a lot more business. This town is going to start growing like a weed.âÈë

Shreveport, LouisianaâÈ'July 1872

Gabriel Corrigan stood on the platform waiting for the incoming train that would bring Colonel Thomas Scott to Shreveport. Colonel Scott, his immediate superior, was coming to congratulate Gabe on a successful business endeavor that had brought the bankrupt Southern Pacific Railroad under the name of the Texas and Pacific Railway. Gabe had been in Shreveport for the past several weeks, enlisting the help of Loomis Galloway, a former Confederate general. Galloway had helped him find those bankers and investors who would relinquish their rights to the Southern Pacific.

Marthalee Galloway, the generalâÈçs daughter, approached Gabe then.

âÈêCaptain Corrigan,âÈë she said in a soft Southern drawl, as she pinned a flower to the lapel of his jacket. âÈêWhen you welcome Colonel Scott to Shreveport, FatherâÈëâÈ'in her sultry accent the word sounded like fawthuhâÈ'âÈêwants you to inform the colonel that he stands ready to provide any help you might need in building your railroad.âÈë

âÈêIâÈçll tell him that, Marthalee.âÈë

He had met the generalâÈçs daughter on the first day he arrived in Shreveport. With long red hair and green eyes, she was a lovely and effervescent woman. Gabe had never met anyone more vivacious, or more beautiful, and she had done much to make his stay in Shreveport pleasant.

But lately, he was beginning to have an uneasy feeling about their relationship. She seemed to be getting more and more possessive. If he had to describe it, he would say that it was cloying.

âÈêOh, Gabe, darling. IsnâÈçt it exciting? Standing on the platform of your very own railroad?âÈë

âÈêIâÈçm afraid Colonel Scott may find a little fault with you assigning this railroad to me, when he is the one who paid the receivers one hundred and fifty thousand dollars of his own money.âÈë

âÈêYouâÈçre just being modest. We both know he wouldnâÈçt own this railroad if it had not been for you and my father.âÈë Marthalee took his arm and began clutching it to her chest, rubbing her barely covered breasts against it. With embarrassment, Gabe glanced toward General Galloway, who was just coming toward them.

âÈêMy boy, youâÈçve got to get used to these Southern belles. TheyâÈçll sing your praises, even if you wonâÈçt do it for yourself,âÈë General Galloway said, removing an unlit cigar from his mouth.

Then the oncoming train blew a whistle announcing its approach. Gabe disentangled himself from Marthalee and stepped toward the arriving train as it roared into the station, gushing steam and spilling glowing cinders from the firebox. The driver wheels were three-quarters as high as Gabe was tall, and the train was so heavy that it shook the very ground.

Shortly after it came to a stop and sat there wreathed in escaping steam, the passengers started detraining. A man stepped down to be greeted by a woman, apparently his wife, who ran across the platform to take him in her arms. An older couple stepped off the train and stood there for a moment as if confused over what they should do next. Then a striking gentleman, whom Gabe knew to be twenty years older than his own twenty-nine years, disembarked. Gabe smiled, for that was Colonel Thomas Scott.

âÈêWelcome to Shreveport,âÈë Gabe said as he extended his hand to Colonel Scott.

âÈêA job well done,âÈë Colonel Scott said, shaking GabeâÈçs hand and clasping his shoulder. âÈêAnd who, pray tell, is this beautiful lady?âÈë

âÈêYou, of course, know General Galloway,âÈë Gabe said, indicating the general. âÈêThis is Miss Galloway. Marthalee, this is Colonel Scott.âÈë

âÈêI am charmed, sir,âÈë Marthalee said as she curtsied to the colonel.

âÈêTom. Call me Tom.âÈë

âÈêWhy, thank you. IâÈçm sure you and I will become very fast friends, and I will be honored to address you, my future husbandâÈçs superior, by your first name.âÈë

âÈêReally! Well, now, Gabe, I didnâÈçt know congratulations were in order. I can see that you have chosen a beautiful woman to be your wife, and that is a business asset that cannot be overlooked. IsnâÈçt that right, General Galloway?âÈë

âÈêWhen Marthalee told me of this young manâÈçs plans for her, I was a little apprehensive, but IâÈçve decided he can be a damn Yankee if heâÈçs a rich damn Yankee,âÈë General Galloway said with a chuckle. âÈêIâÈçve even decided to make him the junior senator from the state of Louisiana if he plays his cards right.âÈë

âÈêBut, butâÈöâÈë Gabe was speechless. What was happening to him? He had no intention of even living in Louisiana, let alone being the stateâÈçs senator. And marry this woman? What was that about? Gabe had to admit he had enjoyed MarthaleeâÈçs company, and he had taken more liberties with her than perhaps was considered proper, but he could testify that this dalliance had not been her first.

âÈêGabe, darling, isnâÈçt it exciting? We can be married while Colonel ScottâÈ'TomâÈ'is here in Shreveport.âÈë

âÈêOh my dear, has Gabe not told you why I am here? He and I are taking the maiden run to Longview on the newly christened Texas and Pacific Railway. Governor Throckmorton is going to join us there for a cross-country trip that will take us all the way to San Diego. I want to see exactly where this railroad of mine is going to go.âÈë

âÈêYes, thatâÈçs right,âÈë Gabe said. âÈêIâÈçm sorry. I wonâÈçt be able to marryâÈ'âÈë

âÈêThatâÈçs nonsense, my boy. Why, while youâÈçre gone, Marthalee can plan the biggest wedding Caddo Parish has ever seen. WeâÈçll invite everybody who is anybody in the whole state of Louisiana, and, hell, weâÈçll throw in politicians from Arkansas and Texas to boot. They may as well get to know you if youâÈçre going to be a politician, son. YouâÈçll be here, wonâÈçt you, Colonel?âÈë

âÈêI wouldnâÈçt miss it,âÈë Colonel Scott said. He looked back toward the train. âÈêOh, hereâÈçs John.âÈë

âÈêJohn?âÈë Gabe said.

âÈêJohn Forney, editor of the Philadelphia Chronicle. I invited him to make the trip with us.âÈë Colonel Scott smiled broadly. âÈêWe need people to know that there is more to Texas than the Gulf Coast, and I figure a few good articles can prime the pump. ThereâÈçs no money to be made from a railroad if there are no people to serve.âÈë



The Texas and Pacific Railway train, appropriately pulled by a 4-4-0 locomotive named Scott, would make the trip from Shreveport to Longview in a little less than three and one-half hours. Gabe stared through the window as he thought about Marthalee Galloway and her determination that they get married.

This trip to the Pacific Coast and back would take over two months, and maybe a little longer. Three months of cooling off. He was sure that in that time a woman such as Marthalee, impetuous, aggressive, and free-spirited, would forget all about him. He made a silent vow to write not one letter to her in the whole time of his absence. Out of sight, out of mind. He smiled. There was nothing to be worried about. He was certain that Marthalee was not the kind of woman who could be kept waiting.

âÈêWhy are you smiling?âÈë Colonel Scott asked.

âÈêBecause I am here, part of the beginning of history in the making,âÈë Gabe replied, not wanting to even mention MarthaleeâÈçs name.



When they reached Longview, the three men left the train. The engine in the background was still but not quiet, emitting loud sighs as the pressure-relief valves made rhythmic releases of steam, almost as if it were a living creature breathing hard from its recent exertion. Overheated bearings and journals popped and snapped as they cooled.

A man stepped down to be greeted by a little girl who ran across the platform, her arms wide, calling, âÈêDaddy!âÈë

âÈêGabe!âÈë called a distinguished-looking gentleman with chin whiskers and a pinched face as he stepped away from the small group of townspeople who met the train.

âÈêGovernor Throckmorton, itâÈçs good of you to meet us.âÈë

James Throckmorton had been brought on board the Texas and Pacific venture at GabeâÈçs suggestion. The former Texas governor still had tremendous political influence among the state legislators and enjoyed a lot of support from the citizens. Gabe thought if the T&P needed it, the governorâÈçs popularity could sway public opinion in their favor.

Gabe had telegraphed ahead to make arrangements for a private stagecoach to meet them at the depot in Longview. It would be at least a three-day trip to Dallas, then another day on to Fort Worth, the only two towns of any size that the group would encounter as they made their way across West Texas and on to San Diego.

Colonel ScottâÈçs ambition was to construct another transcontinental railroad, this one across the South, where his main selling point was the advantage of better weather year-round.

âÈêI thought you arranged a coach for us, Gabe. What happened to it?âÈë Colonel Scott asked as he and John Forney joined Gabe and Governor Throckmorton.

At that moment a coach, pulled by six horses, came driving up. The coach was painted red, and on its side, in big gold letters, were the words TEXAS AND PACIFIC RAILWAY.

âÈêI believe that is it,âÈë Gabe said.

Scott and the others laughed. âÈêI should never doubt you, Captain Corrigan. I would stake my life on you getting done whatever it is I ask of you. I like it.âÈë

âÈêI thought you would. We may as well let people know who we are.âÈë

âÈêTell me, Mr. Corrigan, if you ever tire of working for this moneygrubbing railroad tycoon, would you consider coming to work for me at the Chronicle? I could use a good advertising man,âÈë John Forney said. âÈêThis is a good idea. No, itâÈçs a great idea!âÈë

âÈêStay away from my main man, Forney, or IâÈçll send you right back to Philadelphia before we even start this trip,âÈë Tom said.

âÈêYou canâÈçt do that, because we both know you need my articles to sell this crackbrained idea of yours.âÈë

It had taken quite an effort on GabeâÈçs part to get the coach, but he prided himself on his resourcefulness and his persuasiveness. He had made arrangements with Wells Fargo to provide replacement teams, replacement drivers, food, and some sort of lodgingâÈ'even if it meant pitching a tentâÈ'for the entire fifteen-hundred-mile trip to California.

As the coach got under way, the men returned to conversation. âÈêDisabuse yourself, Governor, of the notion that you are the only politician aboard. Captain Corrigan here could be the next senator from Louisiana,âÈë Colonel Scott said.

âÈêReally? You didnâÈçt mention that, Gabe,âÈë Governor Throckmorton replied.

âÈêI think Colonel Scott is putting the cart before the horse,âÈë Gabe said.

âÈêNot too far before it. As soon as you marry Marthalee, IâÈçve no doubt youâÈçll be made a Louisiana senator.âÈë Then, to Throckmorton, Scott explained, âÈêGabeâÈçs fiancÃûe is the daughter of General Loomis Galloway.âÈë

âÈêAh, yes,âÈë Throckmorton said. âÈêI know the general quite well. And I know what political influence he has in the Louisiana legislature.âÈë He stuck his hand out. âÈêI know that congratulations are premature, my boy. But if you marry the generalâÈçs daughterâÈ'âÈë

âÈêWho is one of the most beautiful women I have ever seen,âÈë Scott interrupted.

âÈêâÈ'then you are truly to be congratulated,âÈë Throckmorton continued.

Gabe smiled at the governor, not wanting to give credence to this scenario by refuting the suggestion or accepting it.

âÈêIâÈçm all for it. With all the stink of CrÃûdit Mobilier, we are going to need all the influence and goodwill we can muster in Congress. Right now, itâÈçs the devilâÈçs own task to get any railroad money from them,âÈë Colonel Scott said, making known his own reason for promoting the marriage.

As the coach continued on its journey, Gabe stared out the window, oblivious to the conversation going on among the other three. He had only met Marthalee a few months earlier when the T&P had acquired the Southern Pacific Railroad, which ran between Shreveport and Longview. He had gone to Shreveport to inventory the stock and supervise the takeover. Why hadnâÈçt he just tended to business?

Fort Worth, TexasâÈ'July 1872

Fort Worth was known as a cow town, not because it had so many cows of its own, but because it was the last town of any consequence where cowboys driving cattle could reprovision and raise a little hell before entering Indian Territory. The cows trailed through Fort Worth, entering through the south end of town, where the Chisholm Trail became Rusk Street, following the street through town, then crossing the Trinity River just east of the Courthouse Bluff.

Once the cows were across the river, the drovers would rest their herds for a few days, during which time they would return to Fort Worth. Not only would they stock up on suppliesâÈ'coffee, flour, beans, dried fruit, and bacon, among other items they would need before crossing the NationsâÈ'they would enjoy whatever pleasures the town had to offer.

Being a focal point on the cattle drives was a two-edged sword for Fort Worth. Everyone depended on the business the cattle herds brought, not just the saloons and brothels. Grocery stores such as the one owned by Henri Laclede, leather and boot shops, gunsmiths, all commercial enterprises were enriched by the money brought in by the cowboys and cattlemen. On the other hand, when the cattle came through town, they had the absolute right of way. All horses, carriages, and pedestrians had to be off Rusk Street for up to an hour as up to fifteen hundred cows passed through. Mounted cowboys herded the cattle, and if nothing spooked them, all went well.

âÈêWonâÈçt they ever get through?âÈë Buckley Paddock said, the tone of his voice showing his irritation as he watched a herd of cattle ambling down the street raising a cloud of dust. âÈêLetâÈçs hope the railroad people arenâÈçt trying to get here right now.âÈë

âÈêBe of good cheer, Buck,âÈë Henri Laclede said. âÈêYou know that without the cows, thereâÈçd be no reason for Fort Worth to be here and no reason to even get a railroad. And if there was no Fort Worth, where would your newspaper be?âÈë

Outside, the sound of the passing herd and the whistles and shouts of the cowboys continued to fill the streets.

âÈêWhere are we going to hold the meeting?âÈë Paddock asked.

âÈêWeâÈçre going to hold it right here, in my store,âÈë Henri said. âÈêKhleber Van Zandt, Ephraim Daggett, J. J. Jennings, Judge Hendricks, John Peter SmithâÈ'all of them know to come here.âÈë

âÈêAssuming the cows get out of the way,âÈë Paddock said.

When the leading businessmen of the city began to gather, the noise had diminished somewhat because the herd was now considerably farther up Rusk Street, though the bawling, snorting, and whistles could still be heard.

âÈêAre we sure theyâÈçre coming?âÈë Judge Hendricks asked. âÈêOur only confirmation is what the stagecoach hearsay tells us, and we all know how Dooley likes to spin yarns.âÈë

âÈêItâÈçs real,âÈë Paddock said. âÈêMy newspapers from Austin and Galveston came on todayâÈçs stage, and both say thereâÈçs a T&P delegation coming. And then thereâÈçs the Waco paper. Those folks are still bellyaching because they think the road should pass through McLennan County.âÈë

âÈêDo we know just who it is thatâÈçs supposed to be coming?âÈë Khleber Van Zandt asked.

âÈêWell, you canâÈçt get any higher up than the president of the company. They say Colonel Thomas Scott is coming and heâÈçs bringing someone named Gabriel Corrigan. HeâÈçs supposed to be an âÈæexecutive administrator,âÈç but IâÈçll just bet heâÈçs some horse-holding flunky for the colonel.âÈë Buck Paddock paused for a moment. âÈêAnd John Wien Forney is coming, too.âÈë

âÈêAnd what do we know about him?âÈë Henri coaxed.

âÈêWell, I hate to admit it, but heâÈçs probably one of the best newspaper columnists in the country.âÈë

âÈêDonâÈçt sell yourself short, Buck. Since you took over the Democrat, weâÈçve got a fine newspaper the whole town can be proud of,âÈë Van Zandt said.

âÈêThank you, sir,âÈë Paddock said. âÈêIâÈçve saved the best for last. All of us will be happy to see our old friend Governor Throckmorton.âÈë

âÈêGood.âÈë Jennings said. âÈêIf you agree with the man or not, and most of us didnâÈçt when he voted against secession, everybody knows the former governor stands on principle, and heâÈçll do what he thinks is best for Texas. I guess it canâÈçt hurt that Fort Worth named a street after him.âÈë

âÈêWe should have a gala reception and invite the whole town. Maybe even have a dance.âÈë

The men as one turned toward the unexpected source of the comment.

âÈêJosie, this is a meeting for men only, and it is most inappropriate for you to be caught eavesdropping. Gentlemen, I apologize for my daughterâÈçs interruption,âÈë Henri said. âÈêDonâÈçt you have business to attend to at the counter?âÈë

Josie lowered her head. âÈêIâÈçm sorry, Papa.âÈë She turned toward the front of the store.

âÈêJosie, no, donâÈçt go, letâÈçs hear what you have to say,âÈë Major Van Zandt said with a chuckle. âÈêAfter all, gentlemen, didnâÈçt we read just last week that the Equal Rights Party has chosen a woman to run for president? So we all better get used to listening to the women whether we want to or not.âÈë

âÈêA woman? For president of the United States?âÈë Daggett asked. âÈêIâÈçve not heard that.âÈë

âÈêKhleber is right,âÈë Paddock said. âÈêVictoria Woodhull is running for president.âÈë

âÈêOh, that woman. IâÈçll bet ole Grant is shaking in his boots over her entering the race,âÈë Jennings said.

Josie had read about Victoria Woodhull and her sister. Newspapers called them âÈêthe lady brokers of No. 44 Broad StreetâÈë when they were being nice, and âÈêprostitutesâÈë when they were being nasty. Josie blushed in embarrassment at the thought of being compared to such women.

âÈêJust a minute, Josie, IâÈçm serious,âÈë Van Zandt called out. âÈêThe reception and dance seems like a good idea. What do you have in mind?âÈë

Josie looked at her father before she answered, and with a smile, he nodded.

âÈêI would say that we clean the first floor of the courthouse, decorate it with bunting, and paint a few signs that say WELCOME TEXAS AND PACIFIC. IâÈçm sure we can get the band to play, and we can have a square dance. WeâÈçll get the word out to Birdville and JohnsonâÈçs Station for sure and maybe even as far away as Grapevine, so weâÈçll have a big crowd. With that many people here, the railroad folks will see that Fort Worth and the whole area really are interested in having the line come through our town. And more important to them, it will show that we have a big enough population so that if they do decide on us, theyâÈçll know they can make the road profitable.âÈë

âÈêYouâÈçve been hiding this young woman in plain sight, Henri. She makes a lot more sense than many of us do, and with the head for business she seems to have, why, who knows?âÈë Van Zandt said.

âÈêAnd,âÈë Jennings suggested, getting into the spirit of the event, âÈêwe could charge a fee and use the money for a special fund to be used by the town in preparing for the railroad.âÈë

âÈêNo, no fee. That might leave some people out. I think everyone should be welcome,âÈë Josie said.

âÈêJosie is right,âÈë Van Zandt said. âÈêIf we put you in charge, will you get some ladies to help decorate the courthouse?âÈë

âÈêI can do that.âÈë

âÈêHow long do you think it will take you to get it ready?âÈë

âÈêIf we start right away and work in the morning, we could have it done by noon tomorrow.âÈë

âÈêThat sounds good, because we want to be ready anytime they get here. And, Josie, if you need to buy anything, come see me.âÈë

âÈêThank you, Mr. Van Zandt.âÈë



Late that afternoon Josie and four other womenâÈ'Jenny Welch and her daughter, Hannah, Mary Daggett, and Mattie Van ZandtâÈ'were working on the first floor of the unfinished courthouse. The hard-packed dirt floor had been swept and the windows washed until they sparkled. The women hung swags of red, white, and blue bunting.

âÈêThe only thing left to do is hang the banner, and that has to be a job for you youngsters,âÈë Mrs. Daggett said.

âÈêI guess that means us, Josie,âÈë Hannah said. âÈêSome people think that an unmarried woman of twenty-one is a spinster, but these ladies call us youngsters.âÈë

âÈêSpeak for yourself, IâÈçm not twenty-one yet,âÈë Josie said, and she smiled broadly.

âÈêUntil tomorrow, that is.âÈë

âÈêGirls, girls, letâÈçs get this done,âÈë Mrs. Van Zandt said, unfurling a large banner that read FORT WORTH WELCOMES THE TEXAS AND PACIFIC RAILROAD. MAY IT BRING PROSPERITY TO ALL

âÈêIâÈçm sure Ephraim will furnish a steer, if we can get someone to cook it,âÈë Mrs. Daggett said.

âÈêIf the steer is butchered and prepared, Uncle Willie will cook it,âÈë Josie said. âÈêHeâÈçll spit it over a fire. He does a wonderful job.âÈë

âÈêWill he cook it out behind the store?âÈë Hannah asked.

âÈêI suppose he will. Why do you ask?âÈë

âÈêBecause the smell makes me so hungry.âÈë

âÈêWillie Lane does make the best barbecue in Fort Worth,âÈë Mrs. Van Zandt said.

The women worked out the menu, each of them taking on the responsibility of preparing a dish and then finding others to help. Hannah and her mother would fix German potato salad; Mrs. Van Zandt, boiled eggs; Mrs. Daggett, a big pot of beans cooked with bacon and molasses; and Josie would bring Ida LaneâÈçs fried peach pies.

âÈêIâÈçll have someone deliver the steer today,âÈë Mrs. Daggett promised.

âÈêThank you,âÈë Josie said.

âÈêOh,âÈë Hannah said, after her mother and the other two women left. âÈêThis is going to be so much fun!âÈë

âÈêYes, it is,âÈë Josie agreed.

âÈêHave you ever ridden on a train?âÈë Hannah asked.

âÈêYes, I have.âÈë

âÈêIs it frightening? I mean, donâÈçt they go so very fast?âÈë

âÈêIt isnâÈçt frightening at all. Why, when youâÈçre sitting inside the cars, itâÈçs almost as if you are sitting in your very own parlor. The only difference is you get to see the countryside just passing by the window.âÈë

âÈêOh! How wonderful that sounds!âÈë

Josie and her father lived in quarters behind the grocery store. It was nearly dark when Josie walked out into the alley behind the building. Willie and another man had built a huge fire that had now burned down to glowing coals. Four huge quarters of beef were spitted over the coals, and Willie was carefully rotating one of the quarters.

âÈêThis seems like an awful lot of meat. How long will it take to cook?âÈë Josie asked.

âÈêIt should be done by about noon tomorrow,âÈë Willie answered.

âÈêYou mean youâÈçll have to be out here all night?âÈë

âÈêYes, maâÈçam, but donâÈçt you be worryinâÈç none about that, Miss Josie. Sam is here with me, and we brought us a bedroll. WeâÈçll take turns cookinâÈç and sleepinâÈç all night long. Tomorrow, when the folks bite down into this, why, they are goinâÈç to say this is the best thing theyâÈçve ever tasted.âÈë

Josie laughed. âÈêI donâÈçt doubt it, Uncle Willie.âÈë



Once, during the night, Josie got out of bed and pulled the curtain aside to look out through the back window. She saw someone basting the meat, which now was glistening in the light of the fire. As she crawled back into bed, she wondered if the people who would be enjoying the beef tomorrow would fully understand what had gone into preparing it for them.