Story Grace, Mercy and Blessings

PacNorWest

Veteran Member
#33

The next morning, Mark was in his 'office' when there was the loudest banging and screeching outside the back door.

Clora was tired of waiting for Mark and or Donny to open up the locked root cellar door. Armed with a hammer and a nail puller from the poorly equipped shop, she was taking matters into her own hands.

Patiently hammering the nail puller jaws under the bottom of the hasp, Clora rocked the puller back with a liberal swing of the hammer. and forcibly yanking the screws from the surrounding wood. They made a horrible shrieking, screeching sound; but Clora was one determined woman. She had already spent one day in the funky yellow, about to have severe weather atmosphere, and today seemed like it was a repeat for questionable tornado activity.

The noise brought Mark on the run. He shaded his eyes to look up at the boiling thunderstorm approaching, and went over to ring the bell hard. All over the small town, as soon as they heard the bell, people joined in, ringing their own bells to alert everyone.

Clora didn't even spare him a glance. She wanted the safety of the cellar available at a moment's notice, so she worked hard to open the locked door.

"I'd do that, if you would like me to help," Mark offered quietly and was rewarded by the flashing look of a very annoyed wife. Clora tightened her lips and thrust the hammer in Mark's direction.

"Yes please," she answered crisply. "Tess's shelter door is the same as ours. I'm going there next."

Using his strength, Mark applied a crowbar to the hasp and padlock and pried the lock off the wooden door.

Tess rang her bell, motioning Mark to come help her, and he took the short cut across the boundary fences, hanging on to his tools.

"Thank goodness you are doing this Dad; it doesn't look good in the weather department." Tess had her hands full, keeping little noses out of Mark's way. All three boys wanted and needed to see what was going on, and to help in the worst way.

"Hey guys," Grandad stopped the pushing and shoving. "mind your mother, stay back for a minute so I can swing the hammer without hitting you kids." Tess's hasp and padlock was set in tighter than his had been, and it was a tussle to get it off.

"Hold on boys, I want to check and make sure there are no snakes. Just be still for a minute," Mark commanded, as he lifted the door to the black hole. All three boys shrank back from the dark pit, their chattering silenced as they went to stand beside Tess.

"I'd better have a lamp," Mark said, trying to get his eyes to adjust to the darkness. "{ can't see a blasted thing."

Tess and the three boys all went inside for the lamp, returning the same way. Tess was smiling, but she didn't say a word.

Mark had a momentary pang, he hadn't stopped to clear the cellar for Clora, and he hoped she was doing alright. Tess returned with the lamp and a match, and Mark lit the oil wick. Walking down the concrete stairs, he bent over to pass through the low doorway.


Clora got her lamp, and she thought to get her hoe, in case she encountered anything that needed killing, such as a snake.

It was dark and cool inside the root cellar. The three walls were covered with shelves, and there was a treasure in jars sitting on those shelves.
 

Texican

Live Free & Die Free.... God Freedom Country....
Now the jars are a treasure either filled or empty.

Thanks Pac.

Texican....
 

PacNorWest

Veteran Member
#34

There were several stools stacked on each other in the cellar. Clora got two of them down and put the lamp on one, and herself on the other.

"What a treasure," Clora whispered, sending a prayer of thanks to God. One whole side of the cellar was full of empty jars. Jars just waiting for the earth's bounty to be sealed inside; then put aside for the time of winter.

There were bins that were for potatoes and squash, perhaps apples. They had been swept clean, so there were no extra's. There were glass gallon jugs filled with what looked like water, and many half gallon jars holding what looked like grapes in juice.

Clora looked at jars of apples and peaches, green beans, corn and potatoes. If the produce had been grown on the farm, this would be a good place to live and grow what they needed.

Mentally, she resolved to ask the sheriff the next time he came around, how long the people that used to live here, had been gone. Clora had supposed that they had gone with the 'cleansing wind', but the status of the provisions in the cellar, was leading her to a different conclusion.

Turning the lamp low, Clora climbed the steep stairs to the outside. The weather hadn't improved any, the storm coming closer.
 

Freebirde

Senior Member
Thank you MS. Pac!

I am just wondering if they are the same bunch that they met on the trail and Mark help change the leadership.
 

Texican

Live Free & Die Free.... God Freedom Country....
Thanks Pac for the chapter.

Empty canning jars and filled canning jars. Now the clear water in the canning jars is probably moonshine which makes good tinctures.

Texican....
 

PacNorWest

Veteran Member
#34b

Clora went to the house and brought out boxes of canning and dried food they had brought from North Carolina, taking them to the safety of the root cellar.

One of her trips back and forth, Clora brought out one of the glass water jugs and took it to the house to clean and replace the water. Only it wasn't. Clora and Mark were the proud owners of ten gallons of high quality moonshine.

Clora took her finger and stuck it in the shine and then licked her finger. That little taste made her cough, then giggle. Just wait until Mark got home, she was gonna have some fun.

Mark helped Tess and her boys down into their cellar. Well made by a slip form concrete structure, the cellar would be a secure place for the small family to ride out any storm. Like the one that's coming, Mark guessed.

Tess's cellar had jars, empty and full and several glass jugs of water. "I'm going to bring down some comfort items, in case we have to make a run in the middle of the night. Thanks Dad for getting the door open. I looked all over the place for a key, so we didn't have to destroy the door."

"You're welcome, I'm going to help your Ma get some of her important stuff in our cellar; if I know her, and I do; she's already working hard packing in stuff."

Tess laughed and said bye, and that triggered all three boys having to say goodbye and giving Grandad a hug. Mark didn't allow anyone else to touch or hug him besides Clora, sometimes Tess and naturally her boys. As much as he wouldn't admit it, those three boys melted his heart.

Mark crossed back over the fences to his place, whistling a soft little tune. Clora was busy moving extra rifles and ammo into the cellar, slowing down as the steepness of the steps hindered her steadiness on her feet.

"Clora, how about making sure we have some coffee and food cooked ahead, I'll finish moving the hardware," Mark suggested and Clora nodded gratefully. The stairs had to be negotiated with her feet turned sideways, one step at a time, and the heavy rifles put her off balance.

Ivory laid beside the back door and watched the comings and goings with a critical eye, smiling back at Clora every time the woman passed by and smiled at the dog.

Mark worked hard unloading the remainder of boxes from both wagons, taking them in the house. Although it wasn't quite noon, Donny came home with his team and took care of their brushing and feed. Turning the horses out into the pasture, he reasoned they didn't want to be caught in the barn in case of a tornado.

"Milo and Chuck shut the mill down and we secured many items to keep them from blowing away. What can I do here to help.?" Donny reported as he helped carry a box into the gaping hole. "Wow, you guys have already moved a lot of stuff in here, I didn't see any container of cookies however. How do you expect a guy to ride out a bad storm without cookies?" he acted so forlorn, Clora had to laugh.

"Never fear, I have cookies," she promised. Right then there was a gust of wind with hail. ""Oh my, bad sign," Clora said. "I'm going to shut the stove down, we'd better get to the cellar for safety."
 

Sammy55

Veteran Member
Thanks, Pac! Two new chapters are a wonderful surprise to end the day!

Hope all is well in their little community...no storm damage to buildings, animals, items, and especially people!
 

Griz3752

Retired, practising Curmudgeon
So -- cookies AND High Grade Shine

An interesting combo.

As always, Pac -- a slightly sheer cliff with the promise of mostly sunshine after the clouds clear.

For about the 100th plus time on my own behalf -- Thank You.

The quality and quantity of this on-going work is unparalleled.

G
 

ted

Veteran Member
Mayhap the storm took care of the watchers...Thank you

Now they need to find the still.
 

Freebirde

Senior Member
Great story!!!

Now they need to find the still.

Now, where to hide the still? Place where people are going in and out at odd hours, carrying in grain and such, already has odd smells - barns and stables. Last place the law would look for it, under/near the doctor's office or church. Does the clinic have a stable?
 

Texican

Live Free & Die Free.... God Freedom Country....
Pac,

Thanks for the chapter. Now what does Clora have planned for Mark with the shine?

Texican....
 

PacNorWest

Veteran Member
#35

"You'd better come too," Donny told Ivory, and the dog merely thumped her tail. "She won't come unless you tell her, Ma." The young man complained. "I've never seen an animal so stubborn about minding Ma only."

"If you'll carry these last two boxes, Mark and Donny, I'll bring the coffee and the dog.: Clora had to hunch over and run through the driving rain and hail. "Come Ivory," was all she had to say, and the dog was there beside her in a flash. Down into the root cellar they all disappeared and Mark shut the door.

"How do we get air in here?" Donny questioned as he accepted the towel that Clora handed him, to dry off.

"I see vents in the roof, but I don't remember seeing any pipes topside. When this is over, we can sort it out then." Mark answered. The wind noise increased, and the hail could be heard hitting the wooden door.
Clora started praying softly, and both men stood silently as she asked God for a hedge of protection for them, and all the clan in the small town.

By design or happenstance, all the places in the town and surrounding area had sturdy basement shelters, or root/tornado shelters close by.

Seamus and his family went to the clinic, where he and Don helped Bruce to the basement. That turned out to be a time consuming task and they were nearly caught by the wind and hail.

George and Millie were sheltered, as were Tess, Milo, and Toby's families, by the time the roaring sound came close. The only one out and unaccounted for was Chuck, and each family supposed he was with the other.

Chuck was in the small store front building to the South of the shop that Seamus claimed for his engineering office.

The way to the basement was dark and narrow, the small area behind the store part was empty, dusty and extremely spooky feeling. Rather than go all the way down into the darkness, Chuck sat hunched over in the stairwell. He had no light of any sort, and wasn't about to enter a dark hole.

To keep himself occupied as the storm raged outside, Chuck put together the nucleus of a second hand/thrift store idea that he had been toying with. He had listened carefully to all the clan as they mentioned the extras that had been found in each of the houses, and he smiled at the thought of creating a business from castoffs.

He would need to build tables and shelves, but if he took lumber as his pay from the sawmill, he had the basis to begin with.

The storm roared and raged and hail hammered the town. If there was a tornado, it passed to one side or the other of the hamlet. In an hour, the clan members opened the secure doors and the freshness of ionized and rain washed air flooded their lungs.

Mark went to check on Tess and her boys, Donny went running into town to check of the rest of the members. Clora took her coffee pot to the kitchen and started the stove to cook supper.
 

sssarawolf

Has No Life - Lives on TB
Very good Pac, I always hated tornado's. Been in or close to way to many. I grew up part time in WI. Later our family lived in MO. and IA . In MO. we had one hop over those house.
 

Texican

Live Free & Die Free.... God Freedom Country....
Mark went to check on Tess and her boys, Donny went running into town to check of the rest of the members. Clora took her coffee pot to the kitchen and started the stove to cook supper.

Yes, grandmother Clora knows what needs to be done for she knows that all are safe.

Thanks Pac,

Texican....
 

Griz3752

Retired, practising Curmudgeon
#35
Mark went to check on Tess and her boys, Donny went running into town to check of the rest of the members. Clora took her coffee pot to the kitchen and started the stove to cook supper.
This ongoing epic is now over 3360 - 8.5x11 page of Arial 11, 5pts before, 2pts after, text. Yes you might need a cast of characters list and possibly, even notes to navigate the whole thing but-- its worth it.

I don't think I've ever found a piece of work, on any board, which has kept me coming back on a daily basis like this one.
 

Griz3752

Retired, practising Curmudgeon
This ongoing epic is now over 3360 - 8.5x11 page of Arial 11, 5pts before, 2pts after, text. Yes you might need a cast of characters list and possibly, even notes to navigate the whole thing but-- its worth it.

I don't think I've ever found a piece of work, on any board, which has kept me coming back on a daily basis like this one.

BTW Pac -- I'm finally caught up; it was a long road.
Thanks for your generosity in sharing.

G
 

john70

Veteran Member
"
To keep himself occupied as the storm raged outside, Chuck put together the nucleus of a second hand/thrift store idea that he had been toying with. He had listened carefully to all the clan as they mentioned the extras that had been found in each of the houses, and he smiled at the thought of creating a business from castoffs."


I HAVE NEVER HAD ANY EXTRA
i might have a spare
ONCE IN A GREAT WHILE i might have a spare spare

great story
 

PacNorWest

Veteran Member
#36

During the Sunday afternoon free time, Chuck and Donny got the itch to ride up the road and 'see what was around the corner.'

Clora laughed at the two, especially as they delayed the trip until after the noon dinner. A nice venison haunch and not much else except bread and gravy, filled the four of them nicely. Clora had cookies and a small butter cake with a sprinkling of sugar on the top.

"If you see Abby, tell her hi from us, and I hope they weren't harmed by the tornado." Clora sent them off with a cookie.

The two men looked totally innocent, as they exclaimed, "oh, is that where Abby went too?" and rode off laughing.

Mark went outside to sit in the shade, and he went to sleep in 6.23 seconds. Clora started the dishes, keeping a close eye on her tired man. It didn't take long for her to join Mark in the shade, happy to be in a slow time of crisis and drama.

Chuck and Donny rode up to the Inn, the scattered branches and several downed trees evidence that the tornado passed by close. Abby was sitting on the large veranda in the shade, fanning herself with a folded piece of paper.

"Hey guy's, how are things? Did you have any problems with the tornado?" Abby asked the visitors and then looked up when the screen door slammed and the Sheriff walked out with two glassed of what looked like lemonade.

"Gents," the Sheriff acknowledged, "every thing alright in your town?" He sat down next to Abby in a cozy closeness.

The move wasn't lost on Chuck, and he smiled a quirky smile. As usual, the grownup maneuvering was lost on Donny, but Chuck was thinking that Jerry was on a downhill slide out of Abby's life.

"What's on the road further up?" Donny asked with great curiosity. "Anything interesting?"

Sheriff Coleman shook his head no, "the tornado ripped through about a mile further north, but missed anything important. It's mainly farmland, empty fields and few homes."

"Oh," Donny sounded very disappointed. "Really not worth investigating, then, is it?"

Wyatt Coleman shook his head no, "it's ten miles plus to the next small village and a crossroad. Not interesting or exciting at all."

"Just my luck," Donny mumbled. "I was looking for kids my own age."

"There are a couple of farms that have girls around your age," Wyatt tried to be encouraging.

"I've met one," Donny's voice was low, but both Abby and Wyatt heard, and Abby chuckled.

Chuck asked the next important question. "Did you hear about the group that intended to sort of 'muscle' us and might have been an extortion scheme?"

"No," Wyatt sat up straight and put his drink on the table. "What happened?"

Chuck gave him a quick rundown, and Wyatt asked if they minded if he rode back with them, to talk to Mark. The lanky sheriff bounded off the porch and went to his horse.

"Not at all," Chuck didn't mind and neither did Donny. Abby smiled and waved goodbye to Wyatt, closing her eyes and leaning back into the chair in tiredness.

The trio rode in silence but haste, Wyatt formulating all sorts of questions to ask the patriarch of the clan.


Without Chuck to help, it was the very devil of a time to get Bruce up out of the basement. Seamus finally went to get Milo and Toby.

"Need yer help lads, we dinna can get the doctor up the stairs to his bed. We need to be thinkin on a way to make a elevator or bosun's sling, or something." Seamus looked into the basement, and shook his head.

"At least he doesn't weigh as much as he used to," Milo joshed, lifting the front of the stretcher high over his head to maneuver up the stairs. Seamus and Toby had the foot end, walking slowly backwards up the stairs.

"Don't bump him, "Phoebe was shouting, "he's doing real well in healing."

At the sound of Phoebe's voice, Bruce twitched and Phoebe laughed, and she was only supposing what had happened, and had a laugh over it.

Trish was nervous, flitting like a bird all the time Bruce was in transit, and didn't settle down until he was safely in bed.
 

Texican

Live Free & Die Free.... God Freedom Country....
The sheriff and Abby and now the sheriff off to talk to Mark about the group.

Now just what could happen?

Thanks Pac for the chapter.

Texican....
 

PacNorWest

Veteran Member
#37

Chuck and Wyatt did all the talking on the way back to town. Donny rode on the offside of Chuck and pretended indifference to the conversation. Personally, Donny didn't think it was right of Wyatt to be moving in on Abby, as far as he was concerned, she was Jerry's girl.

Chuck looked over once or twice at the suddenly moody teenager, and then ignored the sour disposition.

Wyatt was busy asking questions about the clan, and Chuck had to admit he didn't know most of the answers. Chuck and Donny had to trot to keep up with Wyatt's single-footing horse, and that was the end to the conversation.

Mark wasn't at home, he was down talking to Seamus and George. Donny dropped off at home and went to the barn in silence. Chuck and the sheriff went down into town and stopped at the general store.

Wyatt was just as interested in the store and it's contents, as he was in talking to Mark about the extortion scheme.

The store was tidy and stuffed with merchandise. Well stocked with a wide variety of items, George and Corbin had done a masterful job.

"What's that above the windows?" Wyatt asked, and George was proud to show off his anti-theft ideas. Boards rolled into the semblance of bamboo shades, could be lowered in a flash and secured on both sides of the glass. The front door had a welded inner door of wrought iron and the back door was a metal clad piece of resistance. There was a metal set of bars at the foot of the stairs up into the apartment where George and Millie lived.

"You've done a good job of securing the store," Wyatt praised as the four men walked around the building. "The idea of hanging the flag out when you are open for business is good. I like what you gentleman have done with the town. So,...tell me about the 'force' you came in contact with," The sheriff invited.

"Didn't Donny say anything?" Mark asked, puzzled. "He was the first one to spot them, and the head honcho seems to be his uncle."

"Didn't say a word," Wyatt countered, looking at Chuck for confirmation. "He seemed real moody on the way back, but I put it down to the fact that there aren't many kids around here. He seemed sad when he got the information."

"I'd say they were semi-military, or at least rogue military," Mark gave out the information. "We were invited into their camp. Donny and I went together, and not much was said and I got a little hot because I figured he was stalling. The leader asked who I was, that I would be giving him orders, and I had to show him my badge. They folded their camp and moved out in less than fifteen minutes. Now,...nothing was said about 'protection' or extortion money, that was just my feeling. But I don't think I was getting the wrong impression. Donny seemed to recognize the leader as his uncle, no love lost between either boy, and the uncle seemed to almost recognize Donny. However, I think the jury is still out on the situtation, I don't believe it's over."

Wyatt accepted a cup of coffee from Millie. "This is so good, I can't believe you have coffee."

George was grinning, "it pays to know the freighter," he chuckled. "Especially a guy that has the connections that Corbin has."

Wyatt hadn't heard of Corbin, so he asked a lot of questions of George. George gave reasonable answers, but wasn't one to 'spill' all his information, just because someone asked.

Mark was standing off to the side, hands stuffed in his pockets, listening to George and Wyatt.
Chuck, taking a non verbal lesson from Mark, did the same. Chuck was amazed to find out so much information about Wyatt, by the questions he was asking. This was a trick he discovered by copying Mark, and suddenly a lot of the suspicion Mark had initially displayed against him, now made sense.

Chuck was thinking, lost in the dawning light of his own behavior. Suddenly it hit him, if he could learn to think and react as Mark did, he had the upper hand with almost everyone he would meet.

"It's a surefire way to analyze," Chuck said quietly, forgetting that he was speaking aloud. Mark looked up at him and gave a small grin, but didn't say a word.

As the afternoon crept into evening, Wyatt excused himself and headed back to the Inn and his supper date with Abby. Mark invited Chuck home to supper, and the two men walked up to the house, deep in talk.

Clora saw them coming and had another place set at the table. All through supper, Chuck was thinking and asking questions, intending to get on the better side of Mark, than he had been.
Then he asked the question.

"How come you didn't talk to the sheriff about your part in discovering the 'protection squad'? Chuck inquired. "You were right there." he asked of Donny.

Donny flicked a glance at Mark, almost if he were asking permission to talk. Chuck caught the look and then the small nod Mark gave back.
Puzzled, he was thinking, now what was, or is, so important that he has to get permission to speak.

"A couple of reasons," Donny started slowly. "First, I didn't want to 'color' the sheriff's impression of me. If my uncle turns out to be a low-life scum, I don't want to be painted with the same brush. I'm still a kid, and I hope to be around here for a long time; and I definitely don't want to be the first person the sheriff thinks of, when something bad goes down in the neighborhood. The second reason is, I think my uncle would be more useful dead."

Donny helped himself to his third bowl of stew, snagged two biscuits from the plate and resumed eating. He had said his piece, as far as he was concerned.

Chuck was fiddling with his coffee cup, rolling it between his palms. "Well I guess I sort of understand, especially since Wyatt is the Sheriff. I have a lot of questions Mark, that I would like to ask when you have time."

"If your done eating, bring your coffee into the living room. Donny will eat another two or so bowl fulls, perhaps I can answer your questions now. The two went in the living room and Donny and Clora had a agreeable and silent time in the kitchen.

"I'm going to plow more garden in Andy's front pasture tomorrow," Donny finally said. "I'm supposing that he's gonna bring Judy back as a wife; so what do you suggest I plant for them Ma?"

"Stew veggies," Clora was finishing up the dishes. "Onions, potatoes, carrots, turnips, some lettuce and radishes, try a small amount of cabbage. If nothing else, bank the fall vegetables with dirt and they will overwinter in the ground and produce seed next spring. That's how you get to save seed for the next year."

"Ok, I can do that; will you show me how much seed to plant in the beginning?" was his next question.

Clora answered, writing out on a piece of paper what she would sow if it were her garden.

"Ma, do you and Dad mind me being here, I mean staying here and eating and all that."

"We don't mind at all Donny. We wouldn't say, well now that you are eighteen, you're on your own. You have a lot of information that you need to catch up on. It will be different now that Andy is gone. Before you expected him to gather all the information, because he was older. Would it be fair to say that you weren't always paying attention, as you should have?" Clora poured herself a cup of coffee and came to sit at the table.

"Yeah," Donny ducked his head. "I kinda treated Andy like a twin of me, didn't I?"

"Yes, but you are a very intelligent and quick witted young man. This winter, between wood getting, sawing and hunting, I will give you a crash course in becoming a Linderman adult."

"Sounds ominous," Donny jested. "I suppose I need to learn to cook and sew buttons on also." Donny wasn't surprised when Clora nodded.

"What if you decide not to marry for ten years," Clora teased. "You're going to be awful hungry and shirtless for a good many years."
 
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