Putting his hat on The Captain said to Sam ...Do not be beguiled by her caring and kindness Sam ! My time with her was wasted by my talking about my own family . She Stood up and walked to him looked him in the eyes and said ...You were not beguiled , I wanted to know more about your family , I knew so little . Our time together is short and you know so much about my family . I wanted to hear about yours . I found out you love and care for them all . Thank you for sharing your family with me .
He took her hand and said ...I wish you were my daughter ! I had only boys ! Thank you for being my friend . And he left to find Wade .
She smiled at Sam and said ...Will you tell me about your family ? He said ...Sure I will ! Soon as I wash these dishes !
Tumbleweeds
Moderators: carlson1, Charles L. Cotton
Re: Tumbleweeds
Sam said ...When I wash these dishes we will talk but you are to do no work today ! You do so much for us let us be of service to you . We want to help you in this time . She said ...To have friends like all of you is a blessing and ya'll will never know how much I value your friendship !
Sam washed the dishes quickly and dried them with a flour sack stacking them on the table . He hung his hat and sat down across the table from her and said ...You need a counter or work table ma'am . It would make things a lot handier cooking and doing here . It should be to the right of the fireplace with shelves for dishes and such . She agreed and said Hosea had planned on doing that very thing she said it would get done sometime but there seemed something always more important to do .
Sam talked of his wife and son , he said he was thirty eight years old and had been a Ranger since he was eighteen . He said he wanted to retire in two more years then buy a place in the valley and be with his family . His wife was seven years younger than him and he would like to have two more children . They just talked and drank coffee enjoying each others company .
Sam washed the dishes quickly and dried them with a flour sack stacking them on the table . He hung his hat and sat down across the table from her and said ...You need a counter or work table ma'am . It would make things a lot handier cooking and doing here . It should be to the right of the fireplace with shelves for dishes and such . She agreed and said Hosea had planned on doing that very thing she said it would get done sometime but there seemed something always more important to do .
Sam talked of his wife and son , he said he was thirty eight years old and had been a Ranger since he was eighteen . He said he wanted to retire in two more years then buy a place in the valley and be with his family . His wife was seven years younger than him and he would like to have two more children . They just talked and drank coffee enjoying each others company .
Re: Tumbleweeds
Captain Jack , Wade and Zeke were digging the grave for Hosea where she wanted it . Zeke took the scythe and mowed the grass around the area carefully in a square . The dirt was piled in a neat pile on the south side of the grave and effort was made to make everything as nice as possible . They had placed Hosea's remains in the coffin and Wade and Sam used a brace and bit to drill holes evenly spaced . They had made dowels to put the top and bottom on the coffin , there were no nails showing . They had done an amazingly beautiful job of it .
Re: Tumbleweeds
It was getting close to lunch time . Wade came in and Sam reached across the table and offered her his hand . She took it and Sam Said ...I am so glad you are my friend and in my life . Thank you ma'am for being who you are . He squeezed her hand and said as he stood up and pulled his hat from it's nail ...I will see ya'll later . He walked outside putting his hat on his head .
Wade started rolling the catfish fillets in cornmeal with a little flour in it . Laying them on a clean sack on the table . He was just talking about the new pup , Nate , building Zeke's cabin ...just things . She responded happily in conversation . Then she asked ...Where is your sister Cynthia living now ? He quickly replied … The last I heard she was in Austin . She was just getting by after her carpetbagger husband ran off with all she had . She has two children by him . But my information is old ma'am . She asked what is her last name now ? Wade replied as he was peeling potatoes … The husbands last name was Smith but I heard she was using her maiden name ..Mcloughlin again . He was slicing an onion while heating a frying pan .
Wade said ...Ma'am I forgot how much bakin powder you use in the cornbread ! Could you tell me ? She said ...Let me see how much meal your using . He did and she told him , then they kept talking . Wade said ...I haven't made the cornbread since I was a kid , we all were expected to help with everything . He hung the Dutch oven on the fireplace hook with coals on top of the lid . and started frying potatoes with sliced onions . It smelled really good .
Wade started rolling the catfish fillets in cornmeal with a little flour in it . Laying them on a clean sack on the table . He was just talking about the new pup , Nate , building Zeke's cabin ...just things . She responded happily in conversation . Then she asked ...Where is your sister Cynthia living now ? He quickly replied … The last I heard she was in Austin . She was just getting by after her carpetbagger husband ran off with all she had . She has two children by him . But my information is old ma'am . She asked what is her last name now ? Wade replied as he was peeling potatoes … The husbands last name was Smith but I heard she was using her maiden name ..Mcloughlin again . He was slicing an onion while heating a frying pan .
Wade said ...Ma'am I forgot how much bakin powder you use in the cornbread ! Could you tell me ? She said ...Let me see how much meal your using . He did and she told him , then they kept talking . Wade said ...I haven't made the cornbread since I was a kid , we all were expected to help with everything . He hung the Dutch oven on the fireplace hook with coals on top of the lid . and started frying potatoes with sliced onions . It smelled really good .
Re: Tumbleweeds
The men hadn't talked like they usually did the last few days . The situation with Hosea and their concern for her had put a damper on normal things . It was a time for their focus to her and taking care of burying Hosea . They did all talk in the shed off and on about what a shame it was that he died at the hands of a backshooting bushwhacker like Kyle .
They were determined that she would have as good a memory as they could provide . They worked together .
They were determined that she would have as good a memory as they could provide . They worked together .
Re: Tumbleweeds
Captain Jack and Sam came in and said ...We will need the gun port seats for a while ma'am as they loaded them on the sledge behind the black mule and left . She could hear sawing and hammering from back of the shed . She was holding Nate and the pup took off at a run to the shed to see about the noise although it had been going on for three days now . Her and Wade just talked as he cooked lunch .
Re: Tumbleweeds
Sam , Zeke and Captain Jack came in to eat lunch . They were dirty and had sawdust on them but were talking and pleasant . Captain Jack said ...We are building you a surprise ma'am ….and your going to like it ! She said ...Now I'm going to go crazy wondering what it is ! All of you spoil me too much ! Zeke teasing said ...You sure are gonna like it ! Yes ma'am …...It's gonna be a nice thing !
They agreed as Wade put the food on the table and Zeke got the dishes on the table . She said ...I haven't had potatoes since last year ! They look and smell amazing ! They all talked and encouraged one another , they all complimented Wade on his choice of food for the meal . The men went out to work and Zeke stayed with her .
They agreed as Wade put the food on the table and Zeke got the dishes on the table . She said ...I haven't had potatoes since last year ! They look and smell amazing ! They all talked and encouraged one another , they all complimented Wade on his choice of food for the meal . The men went out to work and Zeke stayed with her .
Re: Tumbleweeds
Zeke and her talked . Zeke told her in the beginning after hearing her tell of Hosea he had hoped he would ride in one day . He had hoped Hosea accepted him like she did and his family could be bigger and maybe Hosea could be as a son to him . Zeke said ...I'm just a foolish old man ! But it hurts ma'am never having met him , never getting to know him . Zeke had tears in his eyes and said ...I hate to see you suffer for him , I know your trying to be brave . But I know your scared too knowing he is a big part of your life and now gone .
She had tears running and she said ...Zeke we are going to get through this . We have to ! Think of Nate and the rest of our lives .
They talked for a long time , the hammering and sawing ever in the background then the noise stopped . Zeke said ...It's time to get ready for the funeral ma'am . I have to bath and such . It is cooling off a bit , take your time getting ready ..there is no hurry . I will walk you to the grave when your ready . He gave her a hug and left . She put two buckets of water on the coals to heat .
She had tears running and she said ...Zeke we are going to get through this . We have to ! Think of Nate and the rest of our lives .
They talked for a long time , the hammering and sawing ever in the background then the noise stopped . Zeke said ...It's time to get ready for the funeral ma'am . I have to bath and such . It is cooling off a bit , take your time getting ready ..there is no hurry . I will walk you to the grave when your ready . He gave her a hug and left . She put two buckets of water on the coals to heat .
Re: Tumbleweeds
The men bathed and prepared , they were few but wanted a nice funeral for her . They had discussed their rolls in the preparation for this time in the last days .
She bathed and washed her hair . She took her time and gathered a petticoat , black and red bonnet and dress shoes from her box of good clothes she had brought from Iowa . She ironed her new blue dress she had finished and picked a blue hair ribbon from those Hosea was bringing her from him saddlebags . She braided the hair behind her neck lacing the blue ribbon in it and tied it in a bow for her long ponytail .
She was ready . She opened the cabin door and Zeke was standing there . He offered her his hand and they walked toward the river .
She bathed and washed her hair . She took her time and gathered a petticoat , black and red bonnet and dress shoes from her box of good clothes she had brought from Iowa . She ironed her new blue dress she had finished and picked a blue hair ribbon from those Hosea was bringing her from him saddlebags . She braided the hair behind her neck lacing the blue ribbon in it and tied it in a bow for her long ponytail .
She was ready . She opened the cabin door and Zeke was standing there . He offered her his hand and they walked toward the river .
Re: Tumbleweeds
She carried Nate on her shoulder in a new gown . The blue eyed pup followed them at a short distance till they reached the grave . The area was mowed and raked in a large square around the grave . There were two of the gun port seats spread about four feet on the side of the grave and two seats set back about twenty feet . Zeke took her to the two seats set back and just said ...Set down . She did and he sat in the other on her right side still holding her hand . She heard something and looked behind them , it was the wagon and team with Captain Jack driving them coming slowly to the gravesite . Wade and Sam followed walking behind the wagon .
Re: Tumbleweeds
Captain Jack drew nigh to the grave and turned the team to the east . Sam and Wade walked to the east gun port seat by the grave and stood there . Captain Jack stopped the team then hollered low … Hup ! Back Hup ! The black mule backed into the harness breeching backing the wagon , Zeke's black horse backed into his and the wagon backed up to the seats by the side of the grave. Hosea's coffin was in the wagon , the head of it on the gate . Captain Jack got out of the driver's box and jumped on the ground . Zeke let go her hand and walked to the gate . Sam and Wade pulled the coffin nearly out then lowered the head a few inches letting Zeke and Captain Jack get hold of the foot end . They quietly carried it and sat it on the two seats beside the grave . Zeke returned to sit by her and picked up her hand . Captain Jack pulled the team up out of the way Then Sam and him walked and stood on either side of her back laying a hand on her shoulder . Wade walked to the side of the coffin standing with her bible in his hand looking down in front of them .
Re: Tumbleweeds
Wade looked up at them and looked in thought . He said …..
We come to bury a good man . He was taken from us quickly and in a terrible way . He was going about the business of taking care of those he loved ...Her and Nate . The man that killed him in cold blood left a grieving widow and a son that will never know his father . Every man here feels cheated not to have known him ...He was a good man . We come here to honor him . A man of faith in his GOD . A good and loving husband and father . A good friend and a patriot who served his country . A man who suffered great personal loss and saw the horror of war but still kept his faith and did the best he could in what was good and right . That we would use his life as a guide would serve us well .
He leaves his wife and son with his memory , she can proudly tell Nate of his father's story . I ask her to come now and say goodbye to Hosea who she will never forget .
Zeke stood and looked at her , she rose with Nate and Zeke walked her to the coffin then walked back to his seat . She stood there at the side of it tears running down her face , Wade said ...Tell him goodbye , talk to him . He laid his hand on her back and said ...just tell him what you feel .
We come to bury a good man . He was taken from us quickly and in a terrible way . He was going about the business of taking care of those he loved ...Her and Nate . The man that killed him in cold blood left a grieving widow and a son that will never know his father . Every man here feels cheated not to have known him ...He was a good man . We come here to honor him . A man of faith in his GOD . A good and loving husband and father . A good friend and a patriot who served his country . A man who suffered great personal loss and saw the horror of war but still kept his faith and did the best he could in what was good and right . That we would use his life as a guide would serve us well .
He leaves his wife and son with his memory , she can proudly tell Nate of his father's story . I ask her to come now and say goodbye to Hosea who she will never forget .
Zeke stood and looked at her , she rose with Nate and Zeke walked her to the coffin then walked back to his seat . She stood there at the side of it tears running down her face , Wade said ...Tell him goodbye , talk to him . He laid his hand on her back and said ...just tell him what you feel .
Re: Tumbleweeds
Wade walked to the seat next to Zeke and gave her time to say goodbye . They all looked down at the ground in an effort to give her some privacy . She laid her hands on top of the coffin and lowered her head talking quietly . In a bit she removed her hands and stood crying . Wade stood and walked to her offering his arm which she took and he walked her back to sit beside Zeke .
Wade walked back to the coffin and turned around with the bible in his right hand .
Wade walked back to the coffin and turned around with the bible in his right hand .
Re: Tumbleweeds
Wade looked at them and said …
For as much as it has pleased our Heavenly Father in His wise providence to take unto Himself Hosea , we therefore commit his body to the ground, earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust, looking for the blessed hope and the glorious appearing of the great God in our Savior Jesus Christ who shall change the body of our humiliation and fashion it anew in the likeness of His own body of glory according to the working of His mighty power wherewith He is able even to subdue all things unto Himself.
In the light of these promises God has given us in His Word and in as much as it has pleased the Lord in His sovereign wisdom and purpose to take from our midst Hosea, we now commit his body to its final resting place to await the fulfillment of another promise of Scripture. In 1 Thessalonians. 4:13-18, writing to the Thessalonians church, the Apostle Paul wrote:
Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. According to the Lord's own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage each other with these words .
For as much as it has pleased our Heavenly Father in His wise providence to take unto Himself Hosea , we therefore commit his body to the ground, earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust, looking for the blessed hope and the glorious appearing of the great God in our Savior Jesus Christ who shall change the body of our humiliation and fashion it anew in the likeness of His own body of glory according to the working of His mighty power wherewith He is able even to subdue all things unto Himself.
In the light of these promises God has given us in His Word and in as much as it has pleased the Lord in His sovereign wisdom and purpose to take from our midst Hosea, we now commit his body to its final resting place to await the fulfillment of another promise of Scripture. In 1 Thessalonians. 4:13-18, writing to the Thessalonians church, the Apostle Paul wrote:
Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. According to the Lord's own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage each other with these words .
Re: Tumbleweeds
Zeke , Captain Jack and Sam walked to the coffin as Wade went to the back of the wagon and took two short coils of rope off the gate . He walked back and laid them spaced out behind the grave . They all took a corner of the coffin and walked it over the ropes and gently laying it on them .
They all picked up a rope near the coffin and took one wrap around their wrist holding the rope tight and lifted the coffin off the ground . They walked down each side of the grave till it was in the center then started lowering it into the grave . When it was resting in the bottom of the grave they looked at one another and dropped their rope into the grave .
Captain Jack and Sam went behind the mound of dirt removed from the grave and got two shovels then stood on both ends of the mound shovel in hand . Zeke had already went to sit by her and Wade walked around the grave gathering a double handful of loose dirt from the mound as Captain Jack and Sam stood on either end of the mound .
Wade walked to her and asked her to stand . She gave Nate to Zeke and rose . Wade said ...Help bury your husband ma'am ! He was holding out the dirt . Crying she held out her cupped hands and he slowly filled them . He put his arm gently in hers and walked her to the grave . She looked down at the beautiful coffin with the ropes on top and slowly let the dirt sift between her hands as she cried .
Wade again took her arm in his and escorted her back to her seat . Sam and Captain Jack started gently filling the grave .
They all picked up a rope near the coffin and took one wrap around their wrist holding the rope tight and lifted the coffin off the ground . They walked down each side of the grave till it was in the center then started lowering it into the grave . When it was resting in the bottom of the grave they looked at one another and dropped their rope into the grave .
Captain Jack and Sam went behind the mound of dirt removed from the grave and got two shovels then stood on both ends of the mound shovel in hand . Zeke had already went to sit by her and Wade walked around the grave gathering a double handful of loose dirt from the mound as Captain Jack and Sam stood on either end of the mound .
Wade walked to her and asked her to stand . She gave Nate to Zeke and rose . Wade said ...Help bury your husband ma'am ! He was holding out the dirt . Crying she held out her cupped hands and he slowly filled them . He put his arm gently in hers and walked her to the grave . She looked down at the beautiful coffin with the ropes on top and slowly let the dirt sift between her hands as she cried .
Wade again took her arm in his and escorted her back to her seat . Sam and Captain Jack started gently filling the grave .