Trials and Trust

by Ariel Humphries (ages 10-13)

Chapter One

  It was 1892, an exciting year for sandy haired, blue eyed Cory Blake. His wife, Ida Blake, a woman with long, wavy, light brown hair, deep brown eyes, and a cheerful attitude, was to have their second child in the next two months.

On this particular day, with the hot California sun beating down on his back, he was jostling along to their home while carrying a load of wood. When he came to his quaint, dainty little home at the edge of town, he found his friend, Andi Prescott, inside.

She jovially chatted with Ida, holding small baby Rebecca in her arms.

“Cory!” Ida said. “You’re home early. I was just starting supper when Andi came.”

Andi smiled at Cory, and was just about to say ‘howdy’ when a little brown haired girl stampeded in and interrupted her.

“Daddy!” Little Emma squealed. Thrusting (All too eagerly) a letter in his hand, she jabbered, “Read it Daddy! It’s from great-Grandmother Betty!” Cory opened it. It said,

 

         Dearest Cory,                                                                                   June 12, 1892

            You have not visited  in a while. I was wondering if you could come on the    

             17th, for that is when your father’s good friend, Mr. Coleson, visits. I know

            you have not seen him in a long time. I have been getting sick, (nothing you

            need to worry about) and have not been able to keep up the house, or feed

            the horses much. After Mr. Coleson leaves, he will go to New York. You

            might not be able to see him for a long time, if you do not visit. I under-

            stand  if you cannot come.

                         With much love,

                               Grandmother Betty

 Ida had been reading it with him. “I think you should go,” She said. “If your grandmother is sick, then I would be worried. You know how she does not always tell the truth to you.”

Cory sighed. “I know; it’s just that I don’t want to leave you, especially since you are going to have the baby any week now.”

 “Don’t worry,” Ida said. “We’ll be fine.”

“Yeah,” Andi cut in, “She’s got me and Riley. And maybe Ida needs a break from you!” She joked, her blue eyes teasing. So it was decided. On Thursday, June 17, Cory would hop aboard a train to Bakersfield.

Wednesday night Riley, Andi, and baby Rebecca were invited over for supper. It was a happy time. After they ate the delicious meal, everyone sat in the tiny parlor to talk. Cory sat on the soft brown sofa with Ida and Emma, and Riley sat in a stuffed velvet chair, Rebecca in his arms.

Andi sat in a wooden rocking chair. “Will your father go with you?”

Riley asked. “Nah, he wouldn’t be able to come. Who’d work in the Livery?” Cory told the young fellow.

When it was time to leave, Andi took the baby and waltzed out the door after a “Goodbye and good luck.”

Riley stood up. As he walked out the door, looking at Cory with teasing eyes, he said, “Maybe one day you’ll get a beard like mine!” 

Cory woke up. Ida and Emma were still asleep. Not wanting to bother them, he grabbed his sack and walked to the front door. A light blue bracelet caught his eye. Picking it up, he saw it was made with wooden beads painted blue. A paper fastened to it said: Goodbye Daddy, Love, Emma. 

 Strolling along Fresno’s dusty streets, he saw the sun rising in a mix of rose pink, golden yellow, and deep purple. Shopkeepers were just getting up. Nearing the station, Cory saw that a few other early risers were waiting. At the sound of “All aboard!” he hurried in line and was soon seated in a red plush chair.

 Along the way, the train stopped at a small town. Cory got off and dug into the lunch Ida had packed, looking at the beautiful view from the town. Sinking his teeth into a corn beef sandwich, rich flavor filled his mouth. Drinking the last of the cool water from his canteen, he clomped towards the station when he heard the shrill whistle of the train.

 Cory was about to step on the train when he heard a loud and panicked wail. He turned around to find a woman and three dirty children. The woman was looking at a man in a fancy stiff-collared tuxedo.

 “Please. My children starve. We have no shelter!” She begged the man. The elegant-looking man kicked dust on them and shouted,

 “Get away, beggar scum!” No one else in the station looked concerned, but just minded their own business.

Cory hurried forward. “Hey, easy. That’s a lady you’re talking to.” The man spat at Cory’s shoes then hurried onto the train.

Cory walked forward. “Are you okay?” He asked. The woman nodded. Cory drew his wallet out and handed the woman money. “This is all I can do for now, but I’ll be returning to this town.” Tears of joy trickled down the woman’s cheeks.

 “Thank you! God bless you.”

Cory smiled. “He already has, by leading me to you.” Then onto the train Cory walked, taking his seat. Soon, sleep overcame him.

 

Chapter Two

 Cory woke up. The train had arrived in Bakersfield. As he stepped out of the train, he spotted Mr. Coleson. Quickly stepping over, he said,

 “Mr. Coleson! How good it is to see you. Where’s Grandmother?” Mr. Coleson led him to a shiny looking buggy.

 “Hello, Cory. I’m afraid Betty could not come. It’s good to see you again.”

Soon they arrived at Grandmother Betty’s small white house.

 “Well howdy! If it ain’t Cory then I ain’t 84 years old! You’ve grown.” Grandmother Betty said, relaxing on the porch. She could chat till your ears stung.  “How’s Ida n’ Emma?”

 Cory gave her a long hug, then answered, “Yeah! They’re great. Ida’s doing just fine. The baby’ll arrive in the next few weeks, hopefully.”

Soon the trio was happily eating fried chicken, green beans, and buttered bread. Grandmother Betty did not have any servants, so it was all cooked on her own. After chewing on a tender, salty, green bean for a moment, Cory spoke.

“So, Mr. Coleson,” He took a big bite of crispy golden chicken. “What business do you have in New York?”

Mr. Coleson finished gulping down a piece of toasted bread. “I’m looking for a job, actually.”

“A little far away.” Grandmother Betty remarked.

“Sure, it’s far,” Mr. Coleson admitted, swallowing some water. “But the money sure is good!”

After supper, they talked in the parlor, sharing memories. Mr. Coleson excused himself, walked out the door, and headed towards his hotel. Then Cory and Grandmother were alone.

“How is Ida doing, with the pregnancy?” Grandmother Betty asked.

 “She is fine.” Cory said. “She’s a little tired, and craving the strangest things! The other night, we were eating cold chicken, and she insisted upon putting fresh cut peaches on top!”

Betty Blake smiled at this. “Well, you must be tired from the train ride. The guest bedroom is up the stairs, first door on the right.”

Cory climbed the stairs and was about to go in his room when he spied Grandmother Betty get up, limp to the kitchen, and wheeze really loudly. Cory felt worry trickle up his spine. She was sick. Should he get the doctor? 

It was morning. Cory was eating some biscuits and jam with Grandmother when Mr. Coleson came inside.

“Howdy there!” Sitting himself down, he said,  “I always tell my wife that nothing beats Mrs. Blake’s biscuits.” He took a bite. “Delicious!”

 When they were done, Cory wrote a long letter to Ida. In it he told her he was going to return in a week. When he came downstairs, he found that Mr. Coleson was going to drive them to the business side of Bakersfield. Cory helped Grandmother Betty in the buggy, who wheezed the whole time, then jumped in himself. Mr. Coleson climbed in next, and Cory handed the reins to him. With a quick ‘Giddyup!’ they were off.

Grandmother needed a few things at the local mercantile, so Cory helped carry flour sacks, sugar barrels, salt bags, and bolts of patterned fabric.

After they drove home and Mr. Coleson had gone to his hotel, Grandmother Betty to the kitchen, where she busied herself making a pie and peach jam. Cory went out to the tiny barn and mucked the two tight-fitting stalls, gave the mares fresh hay and sweet oats. In the house he enjoyed peach pie, a glass of cold milk, and played chess with Grandmother Betty, who managed to win every time. After that, they hung around in the parlor. Grandmother Betty sat on the large couch, Cory beside her.

“Cory,” Grandmother Betty said in a serious tone, “I want you to know that I am old, and I am going to die soon. I want you to accept that. It is the Lord’s will and I am ready.”

Cory was too astonished to answer.

“Please don’t be too sad when I go.” Grandmother said.

Cory was sad, but he wanted to say goodbye. “Grandmother, I will never forget you, or what you have taught me when I was a child. I love you.”

Then he headed to bed, sorrowful but thankful for all she had done for him.

 Chapter Three

 Cory woke up. Walking into the parlor, he found Grandmother Betty in her favorite chair. She had peacefully passed away, and gone to be with the Lord. Tears seeped out of Cory’s eyes. He would miss her deeply.

Knock! Knock! It was Mr. Coleson, at the door. He was holding a mirror, wrapped in cloth. He did not look at Cory as he walked in. “I bought this the other day, but I- Why, whatever could be wrong!?” Then he saw Grandmother.

 The funeral was fast. Cory’s father could not come. It was only Cory, Mr. Coleson, and Grandmother’s friends in Bakersfield. Mr. Coleson told Cory he would be going to New York Sunday.

Cory decided he would not stay, either. He sold the house, land, horses, and furniture. Finally, Cory got on the train and started his trip home. 

Along the way they stopped again at the small town with the beautiful views. At the station, he found the poor woman and her children. The woman was very relieved to see him. They were out of food, and the toddler was deathly ill.

Cory was able to find them a sheltered house, where a kind lady took in beggars and fed them. He brought a doctor to see the little toddler. The doctor told them with proper nutrition she would be fine. Cory gave the beggar woman the money from the sale of the house, land, horses, and furniture. He thought Grandmother Betty would be glad to give it to her.

The woman smiled. “You never knew my name. It is Hannah Mays.”

 Cory decided to stay the night at a hotel. After eating supper he read his bible. He realized how he had trusted the Lord even more after Grandmother Betty’s death. The Lord puts trials in our lives so we learn to trust Him even more, he thought.

Two weeks after he returned home, the baby was about to be born. Waiting nervously in the kitchen, Cory sat at the table with Emma. Suddenly Dr. Weaver came into the kitchen. Finally, Cory thought. Dr. Weaver smiled, clearly seeing Cory’s jitters.

“The babies are born, and very healthy ones at that.”

Hold on a minute. Babies?! I thought- wait- babIES? I thought we were gonna have just one! This is amazing! Cory’s thoughts were like minnows swimming in a pond.

“Yes!” Doctor Weaver laughed his deep, hearty, laugh. “You had two very healthy babies, twins. One boy and one girl.”

  So that is how Jacob Arnold and Betty Rose Blake came into the family. Cory felt deeply blessed to remember his grandmother in this way.