Chapter 4

A Piece Of Heaven

December 1898

In the classroom:

The children have been busy making gifts for their families. Christmas vacation begins today and Christmas is just four days away. The children are all excited and busily talking about the presents they have for their families.

George and Ben are listening to some of their classmates talk. Linnea announces "I made a calendar for my Mama and a pipe holder for my Papa." One of the older boys, Tim, tells everyone "I have a clay bowl for Ma to use for her bread making. I braided some rawhide strips into a lariat for my Pa."

While several other children talk, George asks "Ben? What did we make for Mama?"

Ben looks confused. "We made a peg board for Uncle Ethan to hang his hat on but, we didn't make anything for Mama." He answers.

"Why not?" George asks. Before Ben can think of an answer, George says "We have to make something for Mama! It's almost Christmas and we don't have anything to give her!'

Claire hearing George sounding very upset comes over to them. "What's wrong George? What is upsetting you?"

"Ben says we didn't make anything for Mama for Christmas this year! Claire, we can't forget her!" George says loudly, about to cry.

Joseph, also coming over to see what his little brother is all upset about, asks "What's going on Ben? What did you do this time to get everyone upset? What's the matter with Squirt?"

George calms down enough to say "Don't call me Squirt!"

Joseph knowing he really does like to be called Squirt, teases "Whatever you say Squirt."

Claire says "Come on, we need to be starting for home. It's getting colder outside and there's still some snow from last week so be sure to remember your snow boots. Ben, will you get the rest of the coats from the coat room while I help George?"

"Yes, I'll get them but I can't carry the boots too."

Joseph says "Come on, I'll get some of the coats and boots. If we both put on our boots out there we won't have to carry them."

Ben complains "But, It's cold out in the coat room! It's too close to the outside door."

The school was built with an outside door that opens into a long narrow room the children call "The coat room." The Inside wall has hooks for hanging coats and a long shelf all the way down the wall. There is also a long wooden bench the children sit on to take off their boots after they come in from being outside. There is a second door that opens into the classroom.

In the classroom, Claire takes George over by the big, black wood burning stove to help him put on his coat. The seven year old sometimes has a problem with the big buttons.

"Claire?" asks George

"Hmm ?" She asks as she tries to button his coat.

"Claire!" George says sounding impatient.

"What is it George? Quit wiggling so!' I can't get this last button in the hole."

"Never mind ! I'll ask Joseph later." George says.

"Alright, then let's go find Joseph and Ben so we can start for home."

As they walk home, George is walking next to Joseph with Claire and Ben up ahead of them.

George says "Joseph? Can I ask you something? It's something important!'

"Sure, Squirt, what is it? What do you want to know? How high is the sky? Or maybe you want to know why people can't fly when birds can." Joseph remembers being asked these "important" questions before from his seven year old brother.

Shaking his head no at what his older brother said, George asks "Why can't we see Mama anymore? Why didn't she come see us when we moved here? Is it because she doesn't know where we live now?"

Joseph stops walking and just stands there. He's thinking "What do I do now. How am I supposed to answer that?" After thinking a few minutes and seeing George staring up at him, he decides "I'll let Uncle Ethan handle these questions."

Taking George by his hand, he just says "Come on, we'll talk to Papa about it at home. It's too cold out here to stand around talking. My nose is getting frozen! Do you want me to freeze my nose off, Squirt? Besides I have chores waiting at home to finish. Uncle Ethan said to do the chores as soon as I got home because of the cold. It gets colder by night."

George giggles. "No, I guess you'd look funny without a nose! I'm already cold. My feet and hands are tingly, Joseph. I can't walk in these boots too good."

"Too well, George. Say "too well not too good." Claire corrects him, having walked back to see why her brothers weren't keeping up. "Joseph, I'll carry your books if you carry him piggy back. We need to keep moving as it's so cold out. I sent Ben on ahead so let's go catch up to him."

Getting close to the ranch, Joseph feels George squirming on his back. "Be still back there! I'm not a horse and I don't want to get kicked!"

"Hurry Joseph. I have to go to the outhouse. We have to unbutton me before I can go and I might not make it if you don't hurry."

"I'm hurrying George. You just make sure you hold it! You wet on me and I'll paddle your bare backside! I don't care if I get one too, I'll still do it! Now hold it!"

The ranch, inside the barn

Joseph is busy finishing raking out the stalls when his Uncle comes into the barn.

"Joseph, Claire said you had something you wanted to talk to me about. Have you gotten yourself in some kind of trouble?" Ethan teases.

Joseph grins but protests "Why do you always ask me if I'm in trouble?"

"Because that seems to be about the only time you want to talk to me alone." Ethan answers. "Well, if you aren't in trouble, then what is it you wanted to talk to me about?"

"Well, I haven't done anything to get in trouble for. It's just that George asked me some questions today. I didn't know how to answer them so I wanted you to know. I'm hoping you know how to answer. He asked tough questions." Joseph tells him.

Ethan smiles and asks "Did he want to know why the sky is blue and the grass is green instead of the other way around?"

"Not this time. He wants to know why he couldn't see Mama and why she never visits. He asked if it's because she doesn't know where we live. He got upset because we didn't make Mama a Christmas present at school."

Ethan sighs. "Oh boy! Those are tough ones. Have you or Claire told him anything about dying?"

Joseph answers "I haven't! I really don't know if Claire has or not. When Mama died, we were taken to stay with some of Mama's theater friends. When they found out where you were, they sent for you and we stayed there until you came for us. It's all kind of like a dream and I don't really remember much. It all seemed to happen so fast we didn't talk much about what happened to Mama."

Nodding his head at that, Ethan remains quiet hoping the boy will continue to talk.

"Ben knows Mama was sick and didn't get better. I always thought George knew too but I guess he doesn't."

Ethan says "We'll all have a family meeting and talk about this after supper and clean up tonight. Maybe by then I'll have some answers fit for a seven year old. I don't know if I can explain it though."

Later that night

Everyone is sitting around the fireplace in the front room. Both Ben and George are wrapped in blankets and snuggled up next to Ethan. Ethan says "George, Joseph says you have some questions about your Mama. What is it you want to know?"

"Papa, I want to know why Mama doesn't love us anymore." George says sniffling a little.

"Where did you get an idea like that?" Ethan asks him.

"Well if Mama loved us and missed us, she would come visit. Claire told me on the train, when we were coming here, that Mama had to go away. She said we would see her again sometime. Papa, I wanta see Mama. It's been a long time and she hasn't come. Will you take me to see her?"

Ethan looks at the other children before he answers. Claire is wiping away tears and Ben looks about to cry. Joseph is red in the face and blinking a lot. Ethan looks back at George as he pulls Ben into his lap and hugs him.

"George, I would love to take us all to see your Mama. It just isn't possible."

George asks "Does it cost too much? I've still got the ten cents in pennies Claire let me have from selling the extra eggs."

Ethan pulls him into his other arm and hugs him close. "No, George, it isn't the cost that's the problem. Do you know what Heaven is?" George shakes his head. "Well, you see, Heaven is a place people get to go to when they can't live here anymore. It's a very nice place but we can't visit there and no one who is already there can come back to visit here."

"That's where your Mama is. She didn't want to leave us but she didn't have a choice. Now she's in Heaven. You will get to see her sometime but it will be a long time from now."

Ethan looks at George "Do you understand what I'm saying?" George thinks about it for a few minutes. Then he says " I think so. It's like when Mr. Jones played Mr. Bones. When he was done playing Mr. Bones, he said Mr. Bones had gone away and wouldn't be coming back."

Ethan looks over at Joseph hoping for an explanation. "Mr. Jones was an actor with one of the theater groups. One time he was in a minstrel show and he dressed up with black shoe polish on his face. He wore a funny looking suit of clothes and some old floppy shoes. He called his character Mr. Bones."

Ben smiling now says "He was really funny looking. We used to laugh at his outfit!"

Joseph nods and continues his story "Each night when the show was over he would pack up the costume in his trunk and wipe off the shoe polish. He told George and Ben that Mr. Bones had gone away and wouldn't be back that day. When the show closed, he told them Mr. Bones wouldn't be coming back anymore."

Ethan looks at George and George nods his head. "I understand now, Papa. Mama is packed up and can't come see us anymore."

Ethan says,"Well, I guess that's as good an answer as any. Now, if you children want to go into town tomorrow for the Christmas celebration, then we need to go on to bed." Sending the two youngest in with Claire to get ready for bed, Ethan stops Joseph to ask him a question.

"Did your Mama allow the boys to see this minstrel show?"

"No sir, we were not allowed to see any shows unless she was singing in them. We could watch as the performers dressed in their costumes if it was alright with the actors. Mama was strict about what shows she let us go see. Even the rehearsals were off limits on some shows. I got caught at one of the rehearsals for a show and she made me scrub down the kitchen floor in the apartment with a scrub brush! I never went to a show without her permission again."

"Hmm, I'll have to remember that punishment for you. You shouldn't have told me that." Ethan teases as he walks the boy to his room.

In Town

Ethan and the children take the wagon into town the next afternoon. There is a Christmas celebration planned. All of the school children are going to sing Christmas carols around the town's first Christmas tree. When the children finish, the adults will light the candles on the tree.

Ethan asks "What time is everyone supposed to be at the tree?"

Joseph tells him "Miss. Harrison said we all have to be in position by 4:00. Since it's only 2:00 now, can we please go look around town?"

Ethan answers "Yes, you can all go. Joseph, you are to help Claire keep an eye on the boys. I don't want you splitting up and going off by yourselves." He says fixing Joseph with a stern gaze. "Ben, George, you are to stay with Joseph or Claire. There are many people in town and I want you to stay safe. Do you hear what I'm saying?"

After the children agree he lets them go. Ethan goes to visit his friend Sheriff Kincaid. The children all go to the mercantile. Mr. Axelrod has stocked his store with all kinds of Christmas gifts and treats.

"Ben! Just look at that sled." George says looking up at a sled hung on the wall. "We could really go fast down the Turtle Hill if we had that. Let's find out how much it costs. How much money do you have?"

"Twenty five cents'" Ben tells him.

"I have my ten cents with me." He sees Mr. Axelrod walking by. "Ben, ask him!" George whispers.

"Mr. Axelrod, How much is that sled on the wall?" Ben asks.

"More than you two could ever have. The price is $2.00." Mr. Axelrod snaps.

Joseph is across the store looking at the new boy's air rifles. He wants one so badly but knows his Uncle will not let him get one. Ethan does not believe in children using or even touching guns. Touching a gun would earn him a session in the barn so Joseph just looks at them. While he's standing there his friends come up. Jeff and Jason quickly join Joseph by the gun rack.

"Aren't those rifles something! Let's take one down and look at it close up. Joseph you're taller than we are so you get it down."

"Are you crazy, Jason? One of you will have to get it if you want to look at it. I'm not touching that gun! If I did and my Uncle found out, he would take the strap to me ! I don't want a whipping with the strap for Christmas, thanks just the same." At the twins smirks he adds "Touching any guns, smoking, gambling, stealing, lying, cheating and drinking are all what we call the seven deadly sins. Uncle Ethan told us if we did any of them he would take us to the barn and whip us with the strap."

Meanwhile, Ben and George are still looking at the toys. Claire calls "Ben, George, come over here with me." Ben walks over to the yard goods section. He asks "Claire, are you buying things for a new dress?"

"No, I don't have the money today."

She looks around for George. Not seeing him she goes to find Joseph. "Joseph!" At the sound of her voice Joseph jumps guiltily. "Um HHHi, Claire. What are you doing over here?"

"I know a better question. What are you doing holding that gun? You know you are absolutely forbidden to touch a gun." Claire asks him.

"Jason got it down, I was just looking at it."

"Well, if Uncle Ethan happens to walk in about now or finds out somehow, you'll just be getting a whipping too!" Claire tells him.

Joseph looks at her with a pleading look on his face. "Alright, I won't say anything to him about it. After all it is Christmas and we don't want to spoil everyone's Christmas fun."

Joseph lets out the breath he was holding as he says "Thanks, Claire!"

Claire says Joseph "Where is George?"

"George? Isn't he with you?"

Claire answers "He was up until a few minutes ago. I thought he had wandered back here to be with you."

"He's not been back here, Claire." Jeff tells her.

"Do you think he could have been snatched by somebody?" Jason asks excitedly.

"Claire, Joseph and Jeff scold "JASON!"

Claire says "Don't even joke about something like that. Come on let's start looking. Joseph, you and the twins look around back here. Ben and I will check the front. Let's meet at the front door when we finish."

"There's no sign of George here in the front." Claire tells Joseph as they meet at the front of the store. "I don't see him with you so I guess you didn't find him."

"No, but we haven't looked in other stores yet." Joseph says hoping to avoid telling their uncle.

Claire says, "We've got to go find Uncle Ethan and let him know George has disappeared."

Joseph tells her. "I guess it is time." They look at each other knowing their Uncle is going to be angry. "Claire, YOU tell him what happened. He won't whip you. He might whip me if I tell him."

Claire answers ""No, he probably won't whip me, but he'll still punish me. Come on Ben, we'll all go tell him."

Ben says "Maybe George went to find Uncle Ethan. If he did then we'll find him when we get to the Sheriff's office."

When they arrive at the Sheriff's office they find Ethan and Sheriff Kincaid but not George.

Claire tells Ethan, "George has wandered off and we don't know where he went. We can't find him."

"Where were the two of you when he "wandered off"? " Ethan asks Claire and Joseph. "I thought I told you to keep an eye on the younger boys!" he says sternly, his eyes getting dark.

Joseph thinks "I'll let Claire tell him. I won't say anything unless he asks me. I hope he doesn't ask me. I don't want to talk about the rifles I was looking at. He might start asking questions. If it comes out I was holding the gun, I won't sit for supper!"

"They were looking at the toys and I was just across the room. Uncle Ethan I could see them from where I was. I turned around to talk to Ben and George disappeared. We've looked all in the store and right outside the store, too." Claire answers. "We can't find him anywhere he just vanished."

Ethan turning to Sheriff Kincaid, asks "Would you make an announcement at the town square? It could be that someone has seen George. Most people will be gathering there for the Christmas concert and tree lighting. I'm going to take the children and start searching the area around the Mercantile. Maybe he just went in one of the other buildings. Joseph, go check the outhouse closest to the store, Claire, you take Ben and check the hotel. All of you come right back to the Mercantile and wait for me."

"Yes, I'll go do that right away." Answers Tom. "I'll join you in the search as soon as I make that announcement."

Fifteen minutes later Tom catching up with Ethan and the children tells them "Someone says they saw a young boy about George's age walking down the street that leads to the mining camp. Do you know if he would go that way?"

"I don't see any reason that he would. I've been very clear to the children that they are to stay away from that side of town. I don't want them around the area where the miners gather after work. The children and I will go down that way anyway, just to see if he went down there." Ethan says.

"I'll keep asking if anyone has seen him. If I find him, I'll keep him with me until I see you at the town square." Tom responds as Ethan and the children walk towards the other side of town.

Earlier in the Mercantile

George was looking at the toys with Ben when he overheard two men talking.

"After we finish up our business here, let's go down to that new place, A Piece of Heaven."

"Where is it?"

"It's down close to where the mining camps are."

Hearing the men say "Heaven" George decides to follow them. George sneaks out as soon as Ben goes over to where Claire is in the store. He walks for a long time until he finally gets to a building with big letters written on a sign hanging over the open doorway. The sign reads "A Piece of Heaven".

George thinks "Last night, Papa said Mama was in heaven. Well this place says it's heaven, I bet I can find Mama in here." He pushes through the swinging doors and goes inside. As soon as he gets inside he hears music coming from the back of the room. There's a stage with a piano next to it where a woman in a bright red costume is singing.

George thinks "This must be where Mama is! There's a piano for her music and a stage for her to sing on! Now I have to find HER!"

Seeing a door next to the stage he opens it and goes inside. The room is set up to be used as a dressing room. "This just has to be where Mama is. This is her dressing room!" He thinks.

Just then the door opens behind him and a woman comes in. She's surprised to find a young boy in her dressing area. "Hello, young man! What are you doing in here?"

George turns to see who came in. He sees a woman dressed in a strange looking outfit with red feathers fixed to look like a very large tail sticking up behind her. "I'm looking for my Mama. Have you seen her? Papa says she lives in Heaven now. That must mean she lives here. I haven't seen her in a really long time."

"Well, now let's introduce ourselves and then we'll see if I can help you." the woman says. "My name is Jubilee Bright. What's yours?"

"I'm George Alan Carroll Cord. It's a pleasure to meet you Ma'am."

Miss Jubilee thinks "MY!, What manners this little fellow has. Someone must be searching all over for this precious little boy." Then stooping down to look George in the face asks "Well, young George, what's your mama's name?"

"Her name is Lucy Carroll and she's a singer like you. Is she here?"

About that time they both hear Ethan call "George! Come on out here, son." Ethan has come into the saloon looking for George. He walked in just in time to hear George's answer.

"That's my Papa! He came to find Mama too!" George tells his new friend.

Miss Jubilee takes George by the hand and walks with him out to where Ethan is waiting. Seeing the look on his Papa's face George suddenly realizes he's probably going to be in trouble. He wandered off and went somewhere he had been told not to go.

"Hi, Papa!" George says brightly. "I made a new friend. Her name is Miss. Jubilee. She puts on performances and sings just like Mama does. I want to watch her sing sometime. Papa, she's going to help me find Mama!" He smiles up at his "new friend."

Ethan, looking a little angry and also concerned turns to Miss. Jubilee. "I'm Ethan Cord, Ma'am. I thank you for looking after George here. I'm surprised he would come into a saloon like this. He has been told to stay away from this type of place and this side of town also." He says giving George a stern look.

George suddenly wonders if he is in for a spanking. That look in his Papa's eyes is making him squirm. Biting his lip he says "Papa? I'm sorry I was bad and left the store."

"We will discuss this at home, George. Now apologize to this lady for bothering her so we can leave."

"Are you going to spank me when we go home?" George asks as his bottom lip begins to tremble.

Before Ethan can answer Miss. Jubilee speaks up "Sir, If you'll allow me to, I think I can explain what he's doing in here. He told me he was looking for his Mama. He believes she "lives here now" because you told him she lives in Heaven."

Ethan looks over at George. "Did you think you would find your Mama here, Son?"

"Yes Papa! This place is heaven! Look outside on the sign."

"I can read it and that's what it says A Place Of Heaven."

Miss Jubilee and Ethan both smile at this bit of news. "Well George, you may just be right. This could be a place of heaven for some people." Ethan tells him.

Then he says "George, this isn't the heaven we were talking about last night. The heaven where your Mama is has to be a long way away. Remember, how I said she couldn't come back and we couldn't visit?"

"But Papa, I want to visit. I want to see her dance and hear her singing again." George says tearfully.

"Yes, everyone wants to visit their family who lives in heaven. It's just that people who don't already live there are not allowed to visit. That's one of the rules."

Miss. Jubilee speaks up. "Mr. Cord, if it's alright with you, George can come visit me here some Sunday afternoons. We're not open for business on Sundays so he could come and "help" me get ready for the next week's show."

George looking excited says "Please let me come, Papa."

"All right George, if it's alright with Miss. Jubilee, we'll all come one Sunday. Miss. Jubilee I have three other children who have been missing their mama's singing. Would you mind if we all came?" Ethan asks. As he says this he turns and motions to the swinging doors at the entrance.

Miss. Jubilee turns and sees three more children watching from the doors. She smiles and answers "I would enjoy having a nice audience, Mr. Cord."

"How about next Sunday, the day after Christmas?" Ethan asks

"I'll see you then."

"George, I really enjoyed meeting such a well-mannered young man. I'm sorry I couldn't help you find your Mama, but we found each other didn't we?" We can be friends." Miss. Jubilee says.

"Yes, we are going to be good friends. I'll come see you a lot, Miss. Jubilee."

Seeing the look on Ethan's face, she quickly, stoops down to look George in the eyes. "George, this is not a place for children during the week. I can't be your friend unless you promise me something."

"What?" asks George.

"I want your promise that you will not come here except when your Papa says it's alright to come. If you don't promise or you break the promise, we can't be friends!"

"Yes, Ma'am, Miss. Jubilee. I promise I will only come visit when Papa brings me or says I can come."

"Very Good George! Then I'll see you all on Sunday." She answers.

Ethan taking George by the hand says, "Thank you for your help and understanding. We'll be looking forward to your performance. Come on George, I believe you, Claire, Joseph and Ben have a performance or your own to do. The Christmas Concert is being held in just a few minutes."

Miss. Jubilee calls out, "Sing well George, your Mama and I will be listening."

Later that afternoon after their performance, Ethan takes the children to the hotel for a special treat. The dining room was full with other townspeople. Listening to the people talking, George hears a woman say "Mabel, I just know I saw an angel come flying down when those children sang. Did you see the same thing?"

"I saw something white around the children. I think I saw a woman up on the stage with the children at the gazebo. She was singing along. I don't know who that was do you?"

George doesn't hear the other lady answer because Ben leans over and whispers to him "It was Mama! I saw her and you did too, didn't you?"

"Yes, I saw her, Ben. She did come visit us! I don't think Claire and Joseph saw her or Papa either. Let's not tell them since they didn't see. They probably wouldn't believe us. Papa is convinced Mama lives far away."

"We'll keep it our special secret. Mama whispered to me that she probably has to stay away now. She just came to check on us." Ben whispers back brushing the tears out of his eyes quickly and hoping no one notices.

(Edited and extra content added 2016.)

A/N : Thank you for reading and please review no matter what year it is that you read the story. I love hearing from readers. :-)