Restitution and Atonement

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"Kearney, folk. We'll be stopping here for lunch. Hotel serves a good feed or there's a cafe down the street a ways. Or if you're so inclined, the "Long Brand" serves a free feed along with some beer. Just be back here and loaded in an hour." The burly stage driver helped the passengers down from the dust-covered vehicle.

A man brushed the travel dust from his well-fitting suit and looked around the small frontier town. All towns west of the Mississippi looked the same. Muddy rutted streets littered with horse droppings divided the false front buildings. He followed his fellow passengers toward the hotel dining room. He couldn't wait to get away from these western villages. Why anyone in their right mind would want to live away from the civilized eastern half of the country was a mystery to him. This trip provided him with the answer to one of his quests but it was time to give up and return to Virginia.

"Hey Kid, we got everything loaded. Where's Louise and Teresa?" the teenage boy asked to the man mounted on an aging paint mare.

"Here they come, it's about time. Hi, sweetheart." A young woman holding a little boy's hand and a preteen girl carrying a small crying bundle approached the loaded wagon, smiling at the two waiting gentlemen.

"Now don't tell me you've been waiting hours for us. I saw you just ride up. Come on, help us get loaded. It's time to head for home."

The man dismounted and took a hold of the youngster, setting him up on the large horse. He turned and assisted his wife up on the wagon seat before handing the baby up to her. Grabbing the girl by the waist, he swung her up beside the other woman. With the baby settled in the girl's arms the woman released the brake and shook out the reins. The team turned and headed out of town. The man remounted his horse, settling the little boy before him, and joined the wagon and other rider.

The stagecoach rider stared at the departing family, replaying the conversation he just overheard. He gazed at the man's back, shudder's running down his spine. Changing his direction, the older man walked into the only general store the town provided.

"Excuse me. I just rode into town. That family that just left, the lady reminds me of a daughter of a friend I hadn't seen since before the war. What's her name now? I didn't want to yell "hey there, on the wagon."

The balding storekeeper glanced up from his ledger sheets and looked out the window. "Oh, them. That's the McCloud's. Louise and Kid. Don't know a other name for him. They live north of town, out along the west fork of the Turtle Creek."

"Thanks, yes, Louise. I wish I had the time to ride after them but I'd better get back to the stage. Have a good day." He tipped his bowler hat and exited the door.

Walking briskly into the stage office, he approached the man. "I'd like to cash in my ticket. Do you offer refunds?"

"You want to stay here, mister? You don't look the western type."

The traveler's face changed expressions slightly, but his eyes bore into the other man. Quickly, money was counted out on the counter. The former passenger collected his baggage from the stage boot and walked toward the local livery. A plan was forming in his head.

"Kid, someone's living a ways up the creek. I didn't see him but he's got one of Buster's horses staked out. Looks like he's been there a few days."

The twenty-five year old man looked at his young brother-in-law. He trusted Lou's younger brother's instinct. "Good job, Jeremiah. Keep your eyes open. I'll warn Lou and Teresa. Maybe its just someone trying to get away but I'd rather know our neighbor. Do your chores, I'll go take a look around."

Kid rode towards the location Jeremiah described, carefully watching for any sign of the mysterious individual. He located the camp but the horse and the man's gear were gone. Remains of the campfire revealed charred fish bones. Had the man only been fishing? Riding up and down the creek, Kid saw footprints along the creek, sign of a man fishing. Not satisfied he looked beyond the creek but found no evidence the man was anything but a fisherman. He returned to the small farmstead and put the unknown visitor out of his mind.

"Hey, anybody in the house?" yelled a fiftyish year old man. Lou ran around the small cabin from her vegetable garden toward the voice.

"Is this your little fellow?" he asked.

"Jed!" she screamed as she saw the limp little child in his arms.

"Now, don't get all frazzled, ma'am. He slipped into the creek and couldn't get out. He's just sleeping."

She ran to retrieve her four-year-old son. The little boy opened his eyes and smiled. "Hey, ma. I fell."

"Are you all right?"

"Yeah, Tom pulled me out. I know I'm not supposed to go to the water but I was chasing a bunny."

The young woman hugged her wayward and wet son. She looked at the shoddily dressed, unshaven man and smiled. "Thank you, mister. I'm Louise McCloud and this is my son Jedediah."

"Glad I could help, ma'am. Name's Tom."

"Can I get you some coffee or something to eat? You need to get out of them wet clothes."

He smiled at the caring young woman and felt his heart racing. She was beautiful yet strong. Katherine would be so proud.

"I'll take you up on the chow. I'm looking for work and a hot meal I didn't cook would taste great. I got me a horse and dry clothes. I'll go get him and be right back."

"Where is it? I'll send my brother down to fetch it up here and I'll get you some coffee. It may be summer but a person can still catch a chill."

"Thank you ma'am. I haven't eaten a meal this good in many days."

Lou smiled at the compliment. Getting a compliment on her cooking was a rare treat. "Where are you headed, Tom?"

"Not sure. I've been looking for farm work, but there's not many hiring an old man like me this time a year. You folks need any help?"

Lou shook her head negatively. "I wish we could help you out but we can't afford to hire anyone. We make do with my husband, brother and me doing the farm work. My sister looks after our boys when I'm out in the field."

"You folks look like you're making a dandy job of this place."

"Here comes Jeremiah with your horse. Please stay until my husband, Kid, gets back. I feel awful about Jed, I didn't even realize he'd wandered off."

"Now ma'am, boys got a way of doing that. They get one thing in their mind and don't see where things are leading them. They don't see the whole picture like ladies do."

She smiled at the older man's advice and remembered another gray haired friend's counsel. "You sound like you've had experience with little boys."

A sad look quickly passed over the weathered face but he forced a smile to return. "I had me a couple of fine boys but I wasn't a good pa. I figured out too late what a good thing family was. By the time I realized what I'd lost, them boys grew up and went their own ways. I ain't seen them since they was younger than your sister there. I pray they grew up to be better fathers than the poor example I set."

"You sound like you're from the South?"

A worried look past through his eyes. "Me being from the south be a problem for you folks?"

"No, my husband grew up in Virginia. We've got friends on both sides. The war was a horrible loss for this entire country. I'm glad Kid decided to move us west rather than him returning to fight. Here he comes now!"

She ran out to greet her dirty husband. The young couple strived to create a profitable farm from the rich soil but carving farmland from the virgin prairie tried one's patience. Taking advantage of the Homestead Act, the former express riders filed on adjoining quarter sections. Adding Lou's brother and sister to the family was a bonus. Jeremiah's relationship with his older sister began strained but he admired her husband and eagerly learned from his instruction. Teresa gladly cared for the couple's young children. Both knew they were wanted and loved as much as the couple loved and cared for their own sons.

"Jed fell into the creek today. A man looking for work saw him and pulled him out. He's still here."

Kid looked worriedly up towards their small cabin. Another stranger? "The boy all right?"

"Yes, he's fine. I gave him, Tom's his name, some stew and coffee. I wanted you to meet him."
"Lou, you know we can't afford to hire anybody. If it stays this hot, we'll be lucky to have any crop at all to pay the bank loan."

"I already told him we can't afford to hire anyone. I just wanted you to meet him, tell him thank you."

He smiled sheepishly at his petite but stubborn wife. She brought so much joy to his life. Growing up fatherless in Virginia, he feared he'd never experience the love of a family. With Lou he got more, a family and an unconditional love from a woman he admired. Though he hated her putting herself in danger during their express days, he respected her choice.

He walked into the cabin with his hand outstretched. "My wife tells me you pulled Jed out of the creek. Thanks."

The older man stared at the young man standing before him and a huge smile crossed his face. "Glad to be in the right place at the right time, Mr. McCloud," the name spoken with a slight amusement.

Louise caught the change in the older man's eyes. Was he something more than just a passing stranger? She didn't dwell on the passing thought; the baby demanded attention. He knew when his pa returned and that meant it was time to play.

"I hear you're looking for work, Mr. ?" Kid asked. "I wish we could help but, well, the way things are this summer.."

"I understand how it is." He looked over at the small squirming child in the woman's arms and felt his heart constrict. "How about I help you during haying, just for food and a place in your barn? I'm really tired of traveling."

Kid looked at his wife. An extra set of hands during haying could mean the difference between loosing everything and making a profit eventually from their small livestock herd. Her small smile gave him the affirmative answer. The older man saw the slight yet unspoken exchange between the couple.

"Like I said we can't pay ya, but if your willing to work for room and board, we can sure use the help."

"Name's Tom, Tom.." He hesitated slightly before adding, "Boone. And don't worry, the barn's just fine."

The next few summer weeks, blessed with sunny days when the hay was cut and timely rains to keep it growing, were busy ones for the family on Turtle Creek. Multiple haystacks dotted the pasture while the few cattle and horses fed on the lush grasses. Kid held his optimism in check, waiting for the next disaster to befall the struggling family. Homesteading the free land, gaining equity with sweat, the family struggled to make a profit. Against his gut feelings, he received a loan from the local banker, with the farm as collateral, to purchase corn and oat seed, in an attempt to grow real cash crops. Being in debt and the fear of loosing his home weighed heavily on his mind. He knew he needed to prove his success to his wife and her siblings, but he also wanted to prove it to his deceased brother and parents. Someone in his family could lift themselves out of poverty and prove successful. The hay crop produced large tonnage but the other crops suffered from the heat.

"Lou, we're in trouble. I'd hope the oats and corn would be enough to pay off the loan at the bank but we don't have enough to sell."

"How about the cattle? They had good feed this summer."

He shook his head. "The price is real low right now and we've only got a few steers ready. If I sell off the cows, then we can't increase the herd size. When we get done with the harvest, I'll go see Schroeder at the bank and see if'n he'll extend the loan. I sure wish I'd never agreed to that damn thing."

"Kid, we talked about this. Without some hard cash put into this place, we'll never make any progress. Hard work only goes so far, and not far enough to get started. Come to bed and leave your worries out here. Somehow things will work out for us. Besides we've got the best things right here, the boys are strong and healthy, Jeremiah and Teresa want to be with us, and we've got each other." She leaned over to place a tender kiss on his cheek.

Kid gently grabbed his wife and pulled her down into his lap "Where does she get the courage to continue, and to pull me up when I feel down," he thought to himself. He held her tight and nuzzled her neck. "I love you so much, Louise McCloud," he whispered into her ear. Reaching under her legs, he deftly picked her up as he stood and carried her into the small house. She was right, they were a family together and that was the most important thing.

The eavesdropper silently retreated from the spot near the cabin, thoughts racing through his mind. Maybe there was a way to give restitution for his former sins. It was about time to finally return home and live in peace.

"Tom, we sure hate to see you leave. We're glad you showed up. Thanks." Kid reached out his hand to shake with the older man. "I feel awful not payin' ya for all ya did this summer."
"Don't give it another thought, Kid. I'll do fine. I can't begin to tell you how much living here, working with you and Louise, meant to me. I realize now it's time to go home." He pulled the younger man into a firm embrace. "You're a good man, son. Take care of those boys and Louise."

Breaking apart, Kid looked at the older man, wondering about the last comments but Tom turned and mounted his horse. "Good-by, ladies, boys" He nodded to Louise, Teresa, Jeremiah and the two small children, turned his horse and rode from the homestead.

"I wonder what came over him," Kid asked no one in particular. No one replied but each turned and returned to the chores waiting.

"Mr. Schroeder, I need to refinance my loan. We can make a partial payment, but the corn didn't yield as well as I'd hoped."

The portly banker smiled at the young farmer and said, "I think we need to talk, Kid. Come into my office. Is your wife here? She needs to hear what I'm going to say, too."

"She's at the store. I'll go get her." Kid answered dejectedly, fearing the worst news from the banker.

The young couple returned to the bank, ready to hear their dream deflate. They walked to the back of the bank to the president's office and sat down, holding hands.

"Kid, Louise," Mr. Schroeder paused. He was used to informing customers bad news, the bank's immediate foreclosure. He smiled and continued, "You needn't worry about that loan, it's been paid."

"What?" exclaimed the Kid. "Who? What are you saying?"

"A few weeks ago a well dressed elderly gentleman came to me. He paid off your loan, principle and interest. Here's the paperwork. He paid in cash and wouldn't tell me his name. All you need to do is sign the bottom and that loan will be history."

"You mean some stranger just came in here, gave you some money and said he was paying our loan?" Lou asked.

"Actually he did more than that. He opened up savings accounts for your children and your siblings, Louise. He asked me to give you this envelope. I promise you no one knows what's in it except whoever wrote it."

My dearest Louise and Kid.

Please excuse my cowardice in keeping my anonymity. It would serve no purpose to reveal my true identity. Many years ago I committed a most grievous mistake and this small gift is necessary for my atonement. Family is the most important value to uphold. Yours is the most wonderful family. It goes beyond you and your husband loving each other, you also respect each other. Kid, you opened your home to Louise's siblings and treat them with dignity and friendship, not as servants or impositions. Louise, you share the load, never demanding, selfishly, things. I wish I could turn back time to when my family was young but I hurt them and then walked out on my wife and children. This I regret every day, but now I was given my second chance. Value your boys. I pray they grow up to be as fine as their extraordinary parents are.

Most Sincerely.

"Who is this fellow?" Kid demanded. "I don't need charity."

"Kid, I don't think this was charity. He knows us and is someone from our past, I just don't know who," Louise cautioned.

Kid scowled at the banker, "This guy still around town."

The banker shook his head, "I saw him get on the eastbound stage directly after leaving the bank. Can't help you anymore but you don't need to worry about that loan. If ever you need to borrow money again, we'll be glad to help."

"Come on Lou. We don't need anything else here."

The two from Turtle Creek rode home in silence, lost in thought about the generous yet mysterious benefactor. A mile from home, Louise spoke. "Sounds like something Teaspoon would do, but he'd come out in the open."

"It weren't Teaspoon."

"Kid, stop the wagon. I know who it was. Tom did it. He must have heard us talking about the bank loan."

"But where would a fellow like Tom get that kind of money? He was down and out, needed a job."

"But he said he had some money, us not payin'm wasn't a problem. He just wanted a place to live."

"I don't think it was Tom."

Lou looked over the letter again and said, "It was Tom, something he said when he showed up with Jed. He had a family once but left them. Too late he realized family was more important."

"I don't remember him saying anything about his family."

"Some days when he was helping around with the boys or carrying wood, he'd talk about his boys. He messed up real bad and never saw them again. He's worked around looking for them, except he found one's tombstone. Nothing else mattered." "If finding his son was so important, why'd he spend the summer with us, working for nothin'? If he had so much money, he should'a kept looking."

Lou looked at her husband and saw a different face, Tom's face. She gasped. Tom spent the summer with them because his son was no longer lost.

"What's wrong, honey?" Kid asked looking at his pale faced wife.

She swallowed the lump in her throat before speaking. "Who was that man, Kid? Tom and the man at the bank have to be the same person. Besides that I think Tom found who he was looking for."

"What are you saying, Lou? If Tom was looking for his remaining son, why would he stay and help us?"

"You know the answer to that one more than me, Kid." She smiled as she saw the recognition cross her husband's face.

WHO WAS THE MAN?

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