June, p.12
June, page 12
Dropping into his chair, Parker propped his boots on the desk. “Or anything else they need.”
“True. Well, I’m willing to pitch in a month’s pay. If we explain the kids’ needs to the men, they’ll chip in all they can.
“I have a better idea.”
Simon met Parker’s steady gaze. “What’s that?”
“Inman could help out here.”
“Reverend Inman?” Simon frowned. “You can’t be seri��� ous.
Parker felt his blood pressure rise. “Yes, I’m serious. Why not? He needs to think of the community’s needs first, for a change.”
“There you go again, boss-you’re bullheaded, you know that? You judge every evangelist by your Uncle Walt’s shortcomings. You know the reverend feels he’s been called by God to build that tabernacle. That doesn’t make him crooked.”
“We’re not talking about my Uncle Walt,” Parker snapped. “We’re talking about the orphanage. Isaac should see the need without having to point it out to him. After all, it’s his community.”
“And we’re all God’s children.” Simon shook his head. “Isaac’s a good man, whether you want to believe it or not. I’ve talked to his people. They say he’s the salt of the earth, will do anything in his power to serve the Lord. But he’s fixed on erecting that tabernacle in his wife’s memory. No doubt he sees the orphanage’s need, undoubtedly sympathizes with them, but he won’t stand for a penny of the contributions to go toward the orphanage-you know that.”
“And that’s Christianity?”
“Well, Christianity walks a fine line. In one man’s mind, what Isaac’s doing is the height of servitude; in another’s, it’s heresy. Men like Isaac confront needs every day-dire, unimaginable needs. Inman’s not a miracle worker, Parker; he’s one man, a man with a mission-a worthy mission, whether you like it or not. The tabernacle will serve thousands, the orphanage only a handful of children.”
“Only a handful of children.” Parker found that a bit ironic. “Wonder if that’s how God sees it-only a handful of his children?”
Simon got up to pour a cup of coffee. “We could argue all day about what’s needed where, and the most, and never come up with a solution. It’s up to you and me to find a way to help these particular children.” He warmed Parker’s cup, then set the pot back on the stove.
Parker sat for a long moment without speaking. The church served the community. The community’s future lay with its children. Isaac was obsessed with building the tabernacle, blinded by intent. Couldn’t anyone else see that?
“I’m going to have a talk with Isaac.”
“You? Talk to Isaac? That would be a first. Thought you didn’t approve of him or the tabernacle.”
“I don’t, but he serves the community’s spiritual needs, and the orphans are part of the community. For too long he’s turned his back on them. Someone needs to point that out to him.”
Simon stirred sugar into his coffee. “The tabernacle’s blinded Isaac to a lot of needs.”
Parker pushed away from the desk, stretching. “I’ll talk to him. If he doesn’t like it, that’s his problem. Meantime, we’re going to have to do more. Have the men take up an offering and send it over to the orphanage-or have Miss Kallahan deliver it.”
Simon grinned, and Parker gave him a sour look. “Something funny?”
“Yeah, you and Miss Kallahan. You cross swords more than Sioux warriors. What’s wrong with you? She’s a pretty woman-available now that Eli’s gone. You’re single. Why do you want to argue with her?”
“Let’s just say I don’t like pushy women.”
Simon grinned, then quickly recovered when Parker shot him a dark look. He watched his boss drain his cup and set it on the desk, then shrug into his coat.
“Think I’ll have that talk with Isaac while it’s on my mind. Can you take care of things here while I’m gone?”
“I’ll give it a try. If you see Sam, tell her I said hello.”
Parker paused at the door. “Seems to me you’re getting mighty interested in Sam Harris all of a sudden.”
Simon took a sip of coffee, grinning. “Seems that way to me, too.”
“Sam’s worried about your shyness-thinks the cat gets your tongue.”
Simon scowled. “Who told you that?”
“I overheard June and Mary discussing it the other day.”
“Women!” Simon shuffled the work orders. “You know talking to women don’t come easy for me-except talking to Sam. I feel comfortable around her, even if I don’t talk her leg off”
Parker frowned. “If it’s talking you’re worried about, you should have Miss Kallahan help you with that. She talks enough for two people.”
“Isaac, I want to talk to you.”
Isaac glanced up, and upon seeing Parker standing in the doorway, returned to the papers he was reading. “That’s surprising, since you haven’t been so inclined now for several years.”
Parker ignored the rebuke. He wasn’t here for scones and a tea party. “I want to discuss the orphanage.”
Isaac frowned. “The orphanage. Is that all that’s on people’s minds these days? The orphanage has been here for years. Why all the sudden concern? The children are healthy, aren’t they? They have a roof over their head, and food on the table.”
“Healthy, maybe; food, occasionally. The roofs a laugh. Something has to be done about their situation.”
“I have no argument with that, but you must realize there are so many
Parker’s deadly tone stopped him. “Cut it out, Isaac. It’s me-Parker. Remember? Of course there are many needs, but the orphans are our particular problem. I want your ministry to help them.”
Removing his glasses, Isaac polished them, refusing to look up. “How can I help?”
“Give the orphans at least one Sunday-night offering a month. That’s an insignificant amount compared to the overall picture. The kids will have proper food and clothing, and the community can rest in the knowledge they are taking care of their own.”
Isaac stuffed the handkerchief in his pocket, his features tight. “I’ll have the elders prepare more food baskets and deliver them-”
“The children need more than food baskets. They need a steady income. The old woman is sick. She isn’t able to drum up donations like she used to. Provide those kids funding, Isaac. If the tabernacle is God’s plan, he will see it built.”
Isaac’s eyes centered on the window, where outside a gray drizzle fell. “My heart goes out to those children-to needy children throughout the world. If I could, I would see to it that not one single child would go to bed hungry tonight. But it isn’t within my power. I’m only one man, Parker. You must know a minister’s task is overwhelming. As much as I want to help, I cannot take money from the crusade and give it for another cause, no matter how worthy that cause might be. Donations received from this ministry must go to build the tabernacle.”
A suffocating tightness squeezed Parker’s chest. Remember, you’re here for the orphans, not to chastise Isaac, he reminded himself.
“You’re wrong, Isaac. You know that. My men do all they can, but they’re following you, and forgetting their responsibilities toward those less fortunate.”
Parker saw the way the loggers gave outside the saloon, but all collected funds were channeled toward the tabernacle. The orphans were getting trampled in the shuffle.
Isaac stared straight ahead, refusing to meet Parker’s eyes. “I wish I could help, but I stand firm in my conviction-my knowledge of what I have been called to do.”
They were getting nowhere. “Those children need your help. Read your Bible.”
“I am aware of their needs, and I read my Bible daily, thank you. I am concerned about the orphans, but God has called me for a different purpose. God has called me to build a tabernacle. I will abide in his Word and see my mission accomplished. I must keep my eyes focused on the tabernacle. A place of worship that will feed the spiritual needs of thousands, not just the everyday needs of a few.”
“OK.” Parker realized he couldn’t argue with a fence post. Isaac’s mind was made up. If the children were to eat properly, he’d have to find another avenue. “I hope you can sleep warm tonight, Isaac, and aren’t kept awake by the knowledge there are babies down the road who can’t.”
Isaac never raised his eyes. Parker walked out.
Chapter Ten
MARY, what a pretty necklace!” June admired the chain of colorful glass beads before handing it to Sam. “Did you make this?”
Mary blushed. “Oh, it’s nothing, really.”
“Ow, lovey, it’s smashin’, it is! I didn’t know you did such handiwork!”
Color deepened in Mary’s cheeks. “Oh, go on-it’s only cheap baubles woven onto golden thread. My grandmother taught me how to do it.”
Sam closely examined the trinket, her eyes bright with admiration. “Where do you get such lovely beads?”
“Oh, my Eddie buys them when he goes to visit his mother in Spokane. I’ll make you one, if you like.”
“I’d love it!” Sam grabbed the skinny cook around the neck and hugged her. “It would be ever so nice o’ you.”
Mary glanced at June. “I’ll make you one too. I’ll have them both finished by next Sunday.”
The women admired the necklace as the cookshack filled with morning worshipers. Twenty-eight, in all, sat around the long table. June mentally calculated the multicolored paper chains left in her box, glad she’d brought extra.
After services, June and Sam repacked the box, and Simon carried it back to the wagon. June looked the other way when Sam leaned over and whispered something in Simon’s ear. The gentle giant turned beet red and nodded.
“What did you say to him?” June whispered under her breath as they walked off.
“I told ‘im ‘e looked right smashing today, ‘e did, and told im ‘e looked good enough to kiss.”
“Oh, Sam.” June punched her in the side. “Stop-you’ll embarrass the poor man.”
“Too late.” Sam’s features turned solemn. “Already did.” The women burst into laughter, June’s fading when she spotted Parker through the office window. He was leaning back, boots on the desk, engrossed in a handful of papers.
“Ow, look, lovey.” Sam punched her. “There’s your sweetie.”
Sweetie, June scoffed, ignoring Sam’s mischievous grin. Parker wasn’t her sweetie-though the thought wasn’t that unappealing.
“Oh, Sam, I wish he would just once look at me the way Simon looks at you.”
“Maybe ‘e would, if you’d be a bit more friendly.”
“I try to be friendly, Sam. He just plain doesn’t like me.
Since I’m working with the crusade, he equates me with Reverend Inman. It’s so unfair. Parker acts as if Reverend Inman doesn’t care about anything but the tabernacle, but it’s not true. Reverend Inman mentioned the orphanage twice this week, and just yesterday he sent Ben over with two bushels of apples and three hams.”
Sam tsked. “Such a pity. Hardheaded as a rock.”
“Those two remind me of hardheaded Christians who-” June’s footsteps slowed, and she turned to face Sam. “Why, that’s exactly what they remind me of. I hadn’t realized it until this very moment, but Reverend Inman and Parker have forgotten what Christians are supposed to do when one or the other is overcome by sin. They are to gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. Reverend Inman and Parker are trampling each other in their efforts to prove the other wrong!”
“Don’t know what you can do ‘bout it. Until they both realize what they’re doing, their warrin’ won’t cease.”
June gathered her skirt and climbed into the wagon. “That may be, but perhaps it’s my duty to remind them.” Sam took her place on the board seat beside her. June continued, “It was nice of Mary to offer to make us a necklace. They are lovely.”
“Breathtakin’, to be sure,” Sam agreed. “I wouldn’t have thought poor little Mary was so talented, ‘er being so mousey and all. Why, what woman wouldn’t love to own such a pretty? I’ve seen nothing in the mercantile like it.”
June squealed, hauling back on the reins. Sam grasped June’s arm and held on for dear life. “What’s wrong? More pigs?”
“No, you! Do you know what you just said?”
Sam frowned. “More pigs?”
“No, before that!”
Sam concentrated, her face a mask of confusion.
June prompted her. “You were talking about Mary’s necklace.”
“What about it? I said it was pretty-”
“And other women would like it too. You said there’s nothing like it in the mercantile!”
Sam released June’s arm. “June Kallahan, ‘ave you lost your bloomin’ mind? What does Mary’s necklace ‘ave to do with anythin’?”
“Don’t you see? I’ve been wracking my brain for days for a way to raise money for the orphanage other than using crusade funds. We can sell necklaces! Mary said the beads were inexpensive. I have a small nest egg, not much, but if the beads are inexpensive and the necklaces simple to make, perhaps Mary will teach us how.”
June sat back, plotting her strategy. “I’ll use my savings to buy the beads and thread, and we can sell the necklaces to the loggers. Most all have wives and girlfriends waiting at home. I’ll bet the men would love the chance to give their sweethearts a present to make up for their absence. And for those who don’t have sweethearts, they surely have mothers! Just think, Sam! If business is good, we can buy that stove for the upstairs bedroom in no time at all! “
“But using your life savin’s, lovey-are you sure you want to do that?”
“I’m positive! It’s not much, but it will multiply threefold if the men like the necklaces.”
“Mary might not be anxious to share ‘er secret.”
“Oh, but she will, once we explain what we’re doing. Come on, Sam! It’s a brilliant idea. We’ll take the necklace money and use it for the orphans’ needs. I won’t be taking money from the crusade, so Reverend Inman can’t object, and I won’t be angering Parker, because I’m not soliciting donations for Reverend Inman.” June flung her arms around Sam and hugged her right there in the middle of the road. “It’s perfect!”
“Ow, I don’t know, lovey.” Sam pried June’s arms loose, choking.
“We’ll talk to Mary.” June reached for the reins and wheeled the buggy around in the middle of the road.
“Now? But I’m hungry!” The clattering wagon drowned out Sam’s protests.
June gripped the reins and planted her feet. This was too important to wait. Much too important!
Within a month, necklace sales had exceeded June’s wildest expectations. Mary had opened her heart and her cookshack to assemble the colorful trinkets, and the men opened their wallets and splurged on the jewelry. Luther Medsker even bought one for his mother-in-law.
Lying back on her bed, June thought of all the exhausting work she, Sam, and Mary had put into the entrepreneurial venture. But it was paying off! In just the past three days they had collected over thirty dollars. This morning June was taking the oldest children to the mercantile to be fitted for new shoes. And not one cent had come out of the tabernacle fund.
Glory be to God! June hugged her pillow, elated with the progress. In no time at all, the children would have the new stove and winter coats.
The mercantile was empty when June led three children in later that morning. Peter shot straight to the shoe rack and began inspecting the merchandise, his eyes wide with wonder. Allowing the others equal time to browse, June purchased peppermint sticks for the smaller children.
“I threw in a couple of extra sticks,” the clerk confessed with a conspirator’s wink.
“Thank you.” June smiled. “You can’t possibly know how much your kindness will be appreciated.”
Picking up a bolt of red hair ribbon, she laid it on the counter. The girls would have a squealing fit when she tied the ribbon in their hair tonight.
Stepping to the Home Fire stove displayed on a wooden platform, she admired it. It was a fine stove-the finest she’d ever seen. Running her hands over the shiny cast iron, she mentally calculated how many necklaces she would have to sell in order to purchase it. A lot, she decided, after numerous attempts to cipher the amount.
The front door opened, and June glanced up to see Reverend Inman coming in. The reverend took off his hat, his eyes casting about the room. When he spotted June, he broke into a smile. “June!”
“Good morning, Reverend,” June called.
Reverend Inman hurried over to her, mopping his brow. “It’s too soon to be this warm.” His eyes brightened when he saw the orphans. “My, my. Who have we here?”
The children gathered around the minister, the youngest hanging on to his leg.
“What brings you children out on such a warm day?”
“We’re gettin’ new shoes!” they chorused.
“New shoes!” Reverend Inman looked surprised. He addressed the storekeeper. “I think we should have three of those nice, plump candy balls to go with those new shoes, don’t you, children?”
The children nodded their unanimous, enthusiastic endorsement.
Reverend Inman dug in his pocket and laid a coin on the counter. “Let the children select the color they want.”
The clerk nodded. “Come along, children. Who wants a red one?”
“Me, me,” they clamored. Footsteps echoed across the wood floor as they made a beeline for the candy jar.
June turned back to face Reverend Inman. “That’s generous of you, Reverend. The children rarely get such a treat.”
Reverend Inman’s eyes followed the children and softened with compassion. “Poor tykes. I wish I could do more.
June selected a tin of sugar and laid it on the counter. “What brings you to town so early?”
“Ettie’s running low on coffee. I promised to bring some home before dinnertime.” Reverend Inman glanced at the bolt of red ribbon and the peppermint sticks lying on the counter. “Looks like you’re doing quite a lot of shopping today.” He turned to look at the children, who were busy now trying on the new purchases. “Did the orphanage come into a windfall?”
