To Rise Above Page 16

  “We’ll be fine.”

  “I’ve heard that before.”

  “Truly, we’ll be fine.”

  “All right.” It was obvious her husband had made a decision. “I’ll talk with the magistrate this morning on my way to the hospital. I have a few patients to attend to but I should be home by midday.” Pushing his chair back he rose to his feet. “I just hope this is the right thing.”

  Chapter Sixteen

  Samuel stood the hoe into the soil and wiped the sweat from his face. He should have done this months ago – or waited for a cooler day – but he was no gardener. Strange how one brought up as he had been in a rural village could know so little about farming and tilling the soil – could even be said to be adverse to the whole notion of farming.

  “You should let me send some men up to do that for you, Pastor.”

  Samuel turned at the sound of the voice and nodded at the police magistrate seated atop his horse. Samuel walked over and caressed the horse’s neck. Well, there was one thing he wasn’t adverse to.

  “Preparing a garden are you?”

  “Trying to,” Samuel admitted ruefully. “I’m afraid I’m neither a farmer nor a gardener.”

  “Let me send some men up.”

  “You don’t need to.”

  “There’s not a lot of work for them to do at present. Let them do the work for you.”

  “All right, I agree. And thank you.”

  The magistrate’s eyes roamed over the small area. “It’s a bit late to be planting vegetables, isn’t it?”

  “I wouldn’t know. But you’re probably right.”

  The magistrate leaned down and patted his horse’s neck. “Leave it to me. I’ll have your garden prepared and planted in no time.”

  “Again, thank you.”

  “Think nothing of it.”

  As he watched the magistrate ride off it suddenly occurred to Samuel that perhaps as Mark had predicted he was going to have a ministry amongst the convicts after all. If they were going to be working in his very own garden then surely there would be many opportunities to talk to the men and get to know them.

  “I stand corrected,” he muttered as he thought of his friend and what that friend’s response would be. Perhaps he would put off telling him until he felt ready to hear “I-told-you-so.”

  Rhiannon’s Journal

  November 23, 1830

  It has been so unbearably hot lately and we are all feeling it. This morning Katie and I were sitting out front of the house trying to catch a whiff – any whiff – of a sea breeze. Moses was asleep in his basket beside us, Father had taken Seamus into town to make arrangements to visit Wallis Plains to check on the progress of our house, and Mother was inside. We had been out there for nigh on an hour when Mother brought the mail out. For some reason it had been delayed and when Katie took the letter addressed to her I don’t think she realised that it was from overseas.

  While Katie read her letter, Mother begun talking to me about asking Lola to make some cold mint tea and about how I should wear a hat so as to protect my complexion (as if anyone cares anything about that now that I’m in a chair) and about how to remain ladylike in such hot circumstances. Suddenly Katie jumped up and tore off down the path. Mother stopped mid-sentence and looked at me in surprise. She called after Katie but Katie didn’t stop.

  “The letter must have upset her,” I suggested and Mother agreed that it was likely so. Mother picked up the scattered pages and placed them on the seat beside my chair – the seat that Katie had been sitting on.

  “Perhaps I should follow her. Where has she gone do you think?”

  “The beach. She always goes to the beach when she’s upset.”

  Mother went inside to change her shoes and to put on her hat. While she was gone I opened Katie’s letter. I only had to read the first line to understand why Katie had run off like that.

  “Her da’s dead,” I explained to Mother when she returned.

  Mother was shocked. “Rhiannon! Did you read Katie’s letter?”

  “Only the first line.”

  “You had no right.”

  “Her da’s dead,” I repeated.

  “The end doesn’t justify the means.”

  “But her da is dead.” Poor Mother! She has really had a difficult task raising me.

  Mother stopped tying the ribbons on her hat and stood still. “Are you sure?”

  “It says so in the very first line. Here,” and I held the letter out to Mother but she backed away as if it had been one of those red bellied black snakes we sometimes see and refused to take it.

  “I must find Katie,” was all she said as she hurried off down toward the beach.

  While she was gone Father and Seamus returned home. After I explained what had happened – including my part in reading Katie’s letter and to which Father gave me a stern look which said “we’ll talk about this later” – Father arranged for Lola to care for Seamus while he went looking for Mother and Katie.

  I couldn’t do anything but wait. That is what is so frustrating a lot of the time. I get so tired of waiting. Some times – like today – it can be agonising to have to wait and not know what’s going on or to be a part of it. It’s as if my life is on hold until someone remembers me and takes pity on me and moves my chair so that I can be a part of things. So often they forget or are busy and I have to just wait.

  But I’m hoping that will all change one day. There have been times … but no, I won’t write more yet. Not until I’m sure.

  It certainly seemed as if I waited an age for them all to return although in reality it was probably only half an hour. When they did return I could see that Katie had been crying and so had Mother.

  It was the letter that had upset Katie and it is because her da has died. The letter was written by Kieran, Katie’s brother. As the family were preparing to immigrate to Australia, Katie’s father suddenly took ill and subsequently died. There were few other details given so we don’t know if it was a fever or some other illness. However it appears that no one else has taken ill and Kieran has decided that the remaining family will still come out to Australia as planned. The letter was dated over four months ago so they should be on their way now.

  Father and Mother allowed Katie to cry and express her grief before informing her that they would do everything possible for Katie’s brothers and sisters. Katie thanked them but I think she was still too shocked to take it in.

  It was only a few days ago that she had news from them and now this! Poor Katie. The mail is so unpredictable. At least we can be thankful that she didn’t get this letter before the previous one. That would have been even more of a shock.

  I don’t know what to say to Katie to ease her pain. I hurt for her so much. I also feel mean and small. I’ve been concentrating on my own problems and feeling sorry for myself and envying – yes actually envying – Katie and now I realise that we all have our burdens to bear. I’ve lost loved ones and things that are important to me but so has Katie. Unlike me, Katie has never felt sorry for herself. Even now, she refuses to give in to self-pity. She’s sad that she’ll never see her da again, yet at the same time she has said that she’s glad that she knows she will see him in heaven. At least she has that assurance.

  I know she doesn’t mean to make me feel self-centred and selfish yet that’s exactly how I feel. I just wish I could change the way I’ve behaved over the past months and act more like the way I should. More like the way Katie does when she’s faced with adversity.

  Will I ever learn? And if I do, will it be before it’s too late?

  “‘And now with the power invested in me, I now pronounce you man and wife.’” Samuel closed his prayer book before holding his hand out to his friend Mark. “Let me be the first to congratulate you and to wish you God’s blessings. And Missus Richards, may I now offer my deepest condolences?”

  The bride smiled shyly but Mark took Samuel’s hand and squeezed it hard. “Thank you for your best wishes. As to the r
est, I’ll overlook it for the sake of our friendship. And now it’s time we were on our way.”

  Samuel pulled out his pocket watch and glanced down at it. “Yes, you need to hurry if you’re to make the boat. Are you sure I can’t take you there?’

  “Thank you, but no.”

  “I guess it’s goodbye then.”

  The two friends smiled at each other.

  “I guess it is. For now. If you’re ever up our way, I hope you know that there will always be a place for you. And when you come, bring Katie with you.”

  Samuel punched Mark lightly in the arm. “Off you go now.”

  As the couple and the bride’s daughter left the church, Samuel busied himself with tidying the few hymnbooks that his congregation had been able to afford. It was better – or at least he told himself that it was – that he didn’t see them go. Easier this way. But as his hands found work to do, his heart listened for the sounds of their departure. When at last he heard them drive off he paused and stared out the window and said a prayer for his friend. Suddenly he felt lonely. He drew his eyes away from the distant view and focused on the interior of the church. Things were going to be very different around here for a while – not the least being the absence of his friend and the help he had given him. And then there was Sarah. She’d been a wonderful teacher to the older girls and an incredible help in the Sunday School – who was going to take her place?

  Slowly he lowered himself to one of the pews. Life was change – had always been change – but for a time he’d like to see it stay the same – especially where friendships were concerned.

  Mark held out his hand and assisted his wife down from the wagon. Grasping hold of Micah’s waist he swung her down and delighted in her giggle. Sarah’s four-year-old daughter had been named after the father who had died on the passage from England and whom she’d never known. Sarah had done an admirable job raising her daughter alone. Craning his neck to find a way through the crowd at the wharf he was surprised to see a familiar face. Holding tightly to the hands of his wife and daughter he made his way through the crowd.

  “Doctor Sanford! What a surprise!”

  “Likewise,” the doctor responded as the two men shook hands.

  “Doctor allow me to introduce my wife Sarah and her daughter – I mean our daughter – Micah.”

  The doctor raised his eyebrows but simply said, “The pleasure is all mine.”

  “I must admit I wasn’t expecting to see you.”

  “I’m here to check on the progress of our home. And to see old friends of course.”

  “I’m sorry then that we’re leaving but I think you’ll be pleased with your home. It’s almost done. And the cedar panelling and flooring are beautiful. It’s going to be a very fine home.”

  “Good. Good. We can make plans to move soon I gather.”

  “I imagine so. There’s our whistle. We need to board.”

  “You’re going on a journey?”

  “Returning to Port Macquarie.”

  “Then I wish you both all the best. Keep in touch.”

  “Thank you. Sarah?” and with his hand on her waist Mark gently led his wife and daughter away.

  Not until they were settled on board did Sarah speak. “Your friend – he is an English gentleman?”

  Mark shrugged. “I assume so. I’m not overly familiar with his background. Why do you ask?”

  “His name – Sanford. The man who swindled my husband was named Sanford. That’s why we had to leave London.”

  “Well I don’t think it’s at all likely that it was the doctor.”

  “No, but perhaps a relative?”

  “It’s possible. But I’m afraid I’m not in confidence with the good doctor. I know nothing of his history or why he left England.”

  Sarah was silent. Mark watched her for a few moments. Her profile was truly beautiful. How was it that God had blessed him so abundantly? “Is it important?”

  She shook her head. “No. Not unless it is the same man and he intends mischief for your friend.”

  “For Samuel?”

  Sarah nodded.

  “I’m sure Samuel would appreciate your concern. But I’m sure the doctor and the man that swindled your husband are not one and the same.”

  “I hope you’re right.”

  “I think I can say with absolute confidence that I am. And now, let’s not forget that it’s our wedding day and while I’m grateful that you care for my friends as I do, perhaps they need not be the focus of our attention at this particular point in time?”

  Sarah laughed. “And what is your focus?”

  “The two beautiful girls sitting right next to me. Micah, climb up here and you’ll be able to see better. Don’t worry Sarah, I’ll hold her tight.”

  And for the rest of the journey they chatted only about themselves and their hopes for the future and nothing of their friends or their friends’ concerns.

  Rhiannon’s Journal

  November 30, 1830

  Father has gone. He has journeyed to Wallis Plains to ensure that the building of the house is on schedule and that we can move soon. Mother and Lola have begun packing all our household goods. Katie has been responsible for Seamus and Moses. She looks so tired. She says it is the heat but I know better. She is hurting. Hurting for her da. I hear her crying at night and I can’t go to her. When I try to talk to her about it during the day she just cuts me off and says that he is in a far better place. She’s carrying so much pain inside and won’t share it with anyone.

  Now I know how I’ve behaved.

  He had to get out. His first preference would be to ride but it was not likely that he could secure a horse at this time of day. There was nothing for it then but to walk. Barely knowing where his feet were taking him he soon found himself on the now familiar path to the Sanford’s new home. Building had finished for the day but he was surprised to see a figure standing surveying the house. On closer inspection he was amazed to see it was one he recognised.

  “Doctor Sanford?”

  The older man turned at his name. “Samuel. It’s so good to see you although I must admit I didn’t expect to see you so soon. I’ve recently seen another friend that I didn’t expect to see – Mark. And his wife and daughter.”

  “Ah yes. I married them this morning.”

  “Then I wish I’d offered them my congratulations. He didn’t tell me that it had been so recent.”

  “Mark will be laughing at the little joke he played on you.”

  “No doubt. Well no harm done. And is he really returning to Port Macquarie? With his wife?”

  “That’s his intention. He believes that God has called him back to that place. At least now he doesn’t go alone.”

  “When we’re with God we never go alone.”

  “True. Yet sometimes there is comfort in the companionship of another human.”

  “I agree. And with a lovely wife and daughter what more could he need?”

  Samuel was quiet for so long that the doctor ventured to suggest that they look inside the house. “I’ve heard that the timber work is beautiful.”

  “I think you’ll find the craftsmanship beyond reproach.”

  “And the cedar is really all local?” the doctor asked as they climbed the steps to the wide veranda. It was really a stately looking home and Samuel had no doubt that the doctor and his wife would admire it.

  “It certainly is.”

  Slowly they moved through each of the lower rooms before moving upstairs to the bedrooms.

  “There are a lot of rooms, Doctor,” Samuel noted.

  “I had thought that initially some of the rooms would be used as a hospital but it seems that God already has other ideas. My family is to grow again,” the doctor finished with a laugh.

  “Sir?”

  “Katie’s brothers and sisters will be joining her here. They’re on their way now. In fact they could arrive any day, depending on how long the journey takes.”

  “Katie’s brothers and
sisters? What about her father?”

  The doctor turned and looked at the younger man. “I’d forgotten that you have likely not heard the latest news. Katie’s father is dead. He died just before the family left Ireland.”

  “Dead?” Samuel walked over to the large window and looked out. One day perhaps in the future the same window would provide a commanding view of the river but for now all he could see were trees. Still, it was not an unattractive sight. “Poor Katie. How did she take it?”

  “She’s taken it hard. But at least she has assurance that she will see him again. He came to know our Lord and Saviour before he died.”

  “That is great news.”

  For a few moments there was silence. Finally the doctor ventured, “Shall we go downstairs? I’m sure my wife will never forgive me if I don’t closely inspect the kitchen and linen cupboards.”

  Samuel turned from the window. “I’d like your permission to marry Katie.”

  Samuel steadily returned the doctor’s gaze, refusing to blush under the obvious scrutiny. “Is this a reaction to the emotion of the day?”

  “It’s been on my mind for a while. Truth is, I should never have accepted her refusal in the first place.”

  “Refusal? You’ve asked her before? But she’s just a child. Was,” he corrected himself.

  “I offered her marriage to prevent her from being returned to the Female Factory. She decided that servitude – begging your pardon – was preferable to marriage to me but I’m hoping that she’s changed her mind.”

  “The truth is, nothing would please me more but I’m afraid I can’t offer you any assurance. I’m not privy to Katie’s thoughts.” At Samuel’s disappointed look he continued, “You’ll have to ascertain that for yourself.”