San Francisco Surprise

 By Mabel Jo F., age 13

#7 Attic Surprise

March,1878 San Joaquin Valley, California                                                                       

One summer day, Andrea Carter woke to the sound of rain.  “Hmm, I wonder if breakfast is ready? I’m starving,” she thought. “Andi.” Andi looked up as Rosa stuck her head in. “Breakfast is ready.”

“I’ll be right down,” Andi replied, turning and standing up. “I think I’ll wear this blue dress; it doesn’t have any ruffles on it.” Andi put the dress over her head and struggled to button it up. She left her room and looked at the banister railing. The temptation was too great. She hopped aboard and slid down, landing with a thump. 
Andi picked herself up and headed for the dining room. “Good morning, Mother! Good morning, Justin, Chad, Mitch, and Melinda!” Andi greeted everyone cheerfully as she sat down.

“Andrea, Melinda, Justin, and I are going to San Francisco on the twelve o’clock train. Do you want to come?”

 “No thank you, Mother,” Andi responded. “You know I don’t like San Francisco.”

“I know, I just thought I’d ask, dear.”

 “You look very nice in that dress, Andi.” Justin complemented,

“Thank you, Justin.” Andi replied.                                                                                                  After breakfast was over, Mother and Melinda went upstairs and checked to see that they had everything they needed.   Meanwhile Chad hitched up and helped his mother and sister into the buggy. Justin, stepping up beside them, took the reins Chad offered. “Thank you, Chad. I’ll leave the buggy at Blake’s.”

 “All right. Have a nice trip.”

 “Goodbye Mother, I’ll miss you!” Andi cried.

 “I’ll miss you too, Andrea.”

 “And I’ll miss you as well, Melinda and Justin. Goodbye!”                                         

As Justin turned Pal towards town, Andi walked towards the barn. As she entered Taffy, nickered at her mistress. “Oh Taffy, I wish we could go for a gallop, but it is way too wet out.” She thought, “I’ll be back, Taffy, maybe the rain will quit…  But it probably won’t.” With that, Andi turned and ran for the house, determined to explore the attic, thinking, “I wonder if there’s anything worthwhile in the attic? Well, it wouldn’t be a bad idea. I know Luisa’s been wanting to clean the attic, maybe I’ll help. Especially since I can’t go riding in this weather.”

When she got in the house, she walked up the stairs and up to the attic. She opened the door and stepped in. The attic was dusty and had lots of cobwebs. “Hmmm, well, I guess I’ll start with this crate here.” Andi mused aloud, sitting down next to the crate and prying at the lid. “This lid sure is nailed down tight. I think a hammer might be useful.”                                                                                                              

With that said, she got up and ran back downstairs to her room, where she knew she had a hammer or two. Luckily, she knew right where one was, as she had just worked on her room earlier that week. She retrieved the hammer and ran back up the stairs and into the attic. She sat back down beside the crate and applied the hammer to a crack between the lid and the box and pried it open. As the lid fell open, Andi gasped. The crate was full of baby clothes! “I wonder whose baby clothes these were? Oh look, a letter.” Andi picked up an old brittle looking piece of paper. It said; ‘Elizabeth Carter’s first clothes.’ Andi carefully put the piece of paper back in the crate and nailed the lid back down.                                                                         “On to the next,” she thought, kneeling beside another old crate and peeling back the lid, “Oh!” She exclaimed, falling backward. The crate was full of spiders and Christmas decorations! Andi quickly put the lid back on and knelt by an old trunk under the only window.

Chapter 2                                                                                                                                                                                           

She opened the lid and saw that the trunk was full of patterns and old dresses. She lifted the tray and saw a bunch of papers. “I wonder what these are?” she said, reaching down and picking up a couple of them. One of them she noticed had Elizabeth Carter on the address from a Mr. Aaron Johnson. “I think that’s my Uncle Aaron. I wonder what it says?” 

Andi opened the letter and started reading;                                                     

Mr. Aaron Johnson                                                                     

 On Shipboard for France, 1866                                                                                                                                                                            

My dear Elizabeth, I regret to inform you that your sister-in-law has gone to be with the Lord after giving birth to twins, Connie and Cassie. Connie died a few months ago, but Cassie is still with me.                                                                                                                                                           How are you and your family?  I recently paid a visit to Rose in San Francisco, and left Cassie with her as she needed a mother. I am on my way to London, England as I have always wanted to see Big Ben.                                                                                                                                                                  Sincerely, Aaron Johnson                                                                                                                                                      

 “Well, I didn’t know my uncle was married, much less had kids. Wait! Mother and Melinda are going to San Francisco.”

 At that moment, Andi heard Luisa calling, “Lunch is ready!” Andi quickly got up and shut the lid on the trunk, and ran for the stairs. Chad and Mitch were just sitting down at the table. Andi sat down and Chad asked the blessing. The lunch was fried chicken and biscuits, one of Andi’s favorites.   After lunch, Andi took the letter and talked to Taffy about it. While she was talking to Taffy the rain stopped. “Taffy! The rain stopped! Let’s go for a ride, shall we?” When Taffy nickered in reply, Andi put on her saddle and bridle. “Come on, girl!” she said. Taffy stood still for her to mount and then jumped into a gallop. “Let’s go to our special spot.” Andi suggested. Taffy neighed in reply and turned for the creek.

When they got there, Andi pulled Taffy to a stop and stared in amazement. The creek was very swollen and muddy. “No fishing today, girl. Too bad, because Luisa makes good fish.” Taffy lowered her head and started grazing. Andi slipped off and lay down in the lush grass. When she awoke, the sun was low in the sky. “Come on Taffy, we’d better hurry.” Taffy shook her head in acknowledgement and started trotting for home. They got back right before supper and Andi had just enough time to unsaddle Taffy and feed her. She ran upstairs and changed, then ran back down for dinner.

 “Hi Andi! Where have you been all day? We received a telegram from Mother.” Chad said, grinning.

 “I went on a ride with Taffy. What did the telegram say?” 

“It says; ‘Safe in San Francisco. Found an old friend’s daughter, am bringing her home tomorrow on the 3 O’clock train. Elizabeth Carter.’”

After dinner, the family went to the parlor and read.

“It’s time for bed.” Chad said.

“Goodnight, Chad. Goodnight, Mitch. Andi turned and walked upstairs. Turning into her room she took the dress off and put her nightgown on, then fell into bed.                                                                                                                                                                   The next morning was a beautiful spring day, sun shining and no clouds in sight. Andi got up and dressed to go riding for it was a beautiful day. Luisa made some scrambled eggs and toast for her as she had gotten up early to ride. “Gracias, Luisa!” Andi said as she ran for the barn to tack up Taffy. “I think I’ll go bare back today. Come on girl!” Andi sang, as she bridled Taffy and swung onto her back. Luisa had given her a packet, so she stuck it in her overall pocket. Andi and Taffy galloped to her spot and each had their own lunch. “Hmm, it’s getting close to one. I’d better head back,” Andi thought. “Taffy! Come here girl, we need to head home.” Taffy whinnied and came trotting over to Andi, who grabbed her mane and swung up. “Let’s go girl.” Taffy cantered home, arriving just at 2 O’clock.                                                                                           

She led Taffy into the barn, unbridling and feeding her.                                                                                                   

Andi then went to her room and changed into a coral dress with a lace collar. After that she asked Chad when they were going to town. Chad said that he’d hitch up the buggy and they could go. Andi tagged along after him and watched him harness Pal to the buggy. Chad helped her in and climbed up and handed her the reins. ‘I can drive into town?” Andi exclaimed surprised. “Why else would I hand you the reins?” Chad asked, teasingly. “Oh, thank you!” she exclaimed, slapping the reins and telling Pal to trot on. Andi pulled up in front of the train station and looked for her mother.  “There they are.” Chad said. Andi and Chad stepped out of the buggy and went to meet the person Mother had brought with them. “Andrea, this is your cousin, Cassie.” Mother introduced with a smile.  “Hi.” Andi greeted her new cousin. “Hello.” Cassie greeted shyly. Chad helped Mother, Andi, Melinda, and Cassie into the buggy and then stepped up and drove the buggy home. When they got there, Andi showed Cassie the room where she was staying, right next to Andi’s. “Dinner is served at 5:00, no later,” As Andi turned to go, she asked, “Do you like Horses?”

“Oh yes, I love horses!” Cassie replied with enthusiasm.  “See you at dinner,” Andi said and left the room and hurried to spruce up before dinner.       

At the dinner table, Cassie was quiet as a mouse. When dinner was done, Cassie said she was tired and went to bed. Andi followed her to try and learn more about her. She felt certain that Cassie would make a good friend, especially as she liked horses. Andi crept to her cousin’s room and peeked inside. Cassie was on her knees on the floor, talking.  “…Please bring my father back, Lord. I miss him so much. Amen.” Andi realized she had been talking to God, and quietly knocked on her door. Cassie turned and opened it. “Andi!”

 “Can I get you anything?” Andi asked, thinking up an excuse.

“No, I can’t think of anything. Come in, please,” Cassie invited.

 “Thanks.” Andi walked in and sat in an easy chair. “Did you have horses where you used to live?” Andi asked.

“Yes, we did. But they were for carriage use only. Do you have horses?” Cassie inquired hopefully.

 “Yes, we have a lot of horses. What’s your favorite breed?”

“Mine is Friesian, I love how pretty they are, curly manes and all.”

 “I don’t think I’ve ever seen a Friesian.” Andi said, thoughtfully.

 “What is your favorite breed?” Cassie asked politely.

 “I like quarter horses. That’s really the only kind of horse on this ranch.”

 “Oh! Look, it’s 10 O’ clock!” Cassie said, “I really need to go to bed, please excuse me, Andi.” Andi nodded and said goodnight, then she went to her room and bed as well.                        

The next day, Andi woke early, to think about yesterday and last night, when a thought came to mind, “I wonder how long Cassie is staying?” Andi quickly got out of bed and dressed before running to her mother’s room. “Good morning Mother! How long is Cassie staying?”  Andi exclaimed!

“Good morning. I think about a month, do you like her?”

“Oh yes, I do like her, Mother.” 

“Are you two going riding today?”

 “If we may, Mother.”

 “You may.” Elizabeth Carter smiled down on her youngest with affection. “I hear Luisa saying breakfast is ready. Let’s go, Shall we?”

“May I see if cousin Cassie wants any breakfast?”

 “Yes.”

  Andi thanked her mother, then ran down the hall to Cassie’s door. Knock, knock. “Breakfast is ready, Cassie.”

Cassie opened the door, saying, “I’m coming.”

 “Well, breakfast will only get colder the more we stand around, come on.”

Cassie stepped out and along with Andi, hurried for the dining room.

The whole family greeted Cassie. “This is my favorite breakfast!” Cassie exclaimed, happily. “I love pancakes, sausage, and eggs!”

After breakfast, Andi asked Cassie if she would like to go riding.

 Cassie answered, “Oh yes, I would love to go riding, thank you.” Andi and Cassie went upstairs and changed. Andi showed her to the stables and said she could ride any horse she chose. “Oh! May I ride this Buckskin?”

 “Yes, you may. His name is Buck.” Andi found a saddle that would fit Buck and put it in the aisle. “Do you know how to saddle a horse?” Andi asked.
“Yes, I did it a lot where I used to live,” Cassie said, picking the saddle up and setting it on Buck. “Do you know where his bridle is?”

“Yes, right here,” Andi said, grabbing a bridle. Andi busily saddled and bridled Taffy and led her into the aisle. “Are you ready?” She asked. Cassie nodded and led Buck out. Cassie mounted, Buck and was eager to go on a ride.

“Where shall we go?” Andi asked. “We could go to my special spot.”

“Yes! That sounds like fun.” Cassie agreed. Andi grabbed the fishing pole and off they went. Cassie and Andi slid off the horses and taking their shoes and socks off and soaked their feet in the stream. Andi asked Cassie where she lived.

“I lived in Colorado, then I lived in San Francisco until I came here, why?”

“I was just curious,” Andi answered, “Where is your mom? Or your dad?”

  “My Mother died right after my sister and I were born, My Father is somewhere in Europe, I wish he would come home.” Cassie said, tearfully.

“Why is…” Andi was interrupted by a yell,

 “ANDI!”

 “What on earth? Do you never get a moment’s peace?” Cassie asked, surprised.

 “No, I do get a lot of peace, I don’t know what is going on, but we probably should get ready to go back.”

 “Andi!” Mitch said, pulling up on Chase. “Mother wants you and Cassie to come home right now.”

“I guess we should,” Cassie agreed slowly.

“Mitch, why does Mother want us?”

“I don’t know, Andi, but there was a man in the parlor when Mother told me to get you two.”

 “Did you catch a name?”

“No... yes, I did. Aaron Johnson.”

“Oh! My Father! Hurry Andi let’s go!” Andi and Cassie raced for the horses and leaped on their backs. Taffy and Buck turned toward the house and galloped the whole way. Andi told Cassie she would take care of the horses. Cassie thanked her and ran to change. Andi put the horses up and ran to her own room to change.

Cassie and Andi then went to the parlor.

 “Father!” cried Cassie,

 “Cassie! Oh, how I’ve missed you.” After the greeting, Mr. Johnson turned to Mrs. Carter. “I really regret not being there to see my daughter grow up.”

 “Why don’t you stay here for a while and get to know your daughter?” Elizabeth suggested

“Thank you, dear sister, that’s a wonderful idea!”