Pony Express Courtship

“Boys, let’s unload this wood,” Seth ordered. His strong voice had her other sons hurrying to do his bidding.

Rebecca held the door open for Joy and Jacob. Once inside she said, “Joy, go change into your work clothes.” Then she headed for the kitchen, where the real work awaited her.

She allowed Jacob to place the box on the kitchen counter and then asked, “What happened in the general store that upset you so?”

Jacob met her gaze. “Do you have any idea what they are saying about you and Seth?” He lowered his eyes as if realizing for the first time how personal this situation was for his mother.

“I have a good idea of what Mr. Edwards says.” She began to unload the box.

Anguish filled the young boy’s voice. “It isn’t right.”

Rebecca sighed. “No, son, it isn’t, but I can’t stop people from talking.” She met his gaze. “We need the money the Pony Express pays to provide a future for you boys and the experience it offers could be useful later in life. You’re going to make history, I just know it. Papa John thought so, too.”

“Well, we may not be able to stop them from talking but I made the decision to move back into the house on the way home. You and the little kids need a grown man to watch over things.” He put both hands on the back of the chair and leaned into it.

She turned her back on him to hide her grin. Her oldest son planned to protect her reputation. Rebecca nodded. “I like that idea. Why don’t you take the room across from mine?”

His sigh warmed her heart. Day after day, Jacob proved to be a good man and, God willing, would make a good husband someday, too. “I’ll go help unload the wood and then bring my things inside.”

Rebecca turned from the spices she’d just taken from the box. “Jacob, wait.”

He stopped and looked at her, his eyes sad. Things had changed a lot for the young man in just a matter of hours. Rebecca walked over to him and wrapped her arms around his narrow waist.

Jacob hugged her back. “It will be all right, Ma. Seth seems like a good man. I’m sure he’ll set folks straight soon enough.”

Rebecca grinned. Once more the boy thought only of her. She pulled away. “I’m sure he will, son.” She released him. “You better go on out and help with the lumber.”

Jacob patted her shoulder, then turned to do as she said. Rebecca wanted to pull him back, offer him comfort, but Jacob wasn’t twelve years old anymore. He’d work through whatever bothered him in his own time. She just prayed he’d share his troubles with her should they get too great for him to carry alone.

* * *

Seth looked around the barnyard. The lumber had been delivered from the general store. Each of the boys had chosen a mount to care for and Jacob had shared his concerns about his ma and younger siblings being in the house alone at night.

The horses moved quietly in the corral as the sun sank in the western sky. Weariness hung about Seth’s shoulders like a dark thundercloud.

Rebecca stepped out on the front porch. He waved to her and watched as she walked across the yard to join him. A light blue shawl hung over her shoulders, and her hair, which he’d only seen up in a bun, now hung down her back in a braid that reminded him of a golden lasso.

When she got within speaking distance he said, “I’m about to swear the boys in as Pony Express men. Would you like to join us?”

“Yes, John and I had planned on doing that as a family, so I should be there, even if he can’t be.” Rebecca pulled the edges of her shawl tighter around her shoulders. Sorrow filled her pretty blue eyes. “Is it a ceremony-type swearing in or a simple handshake and ‘welcome to the Pony Express’?”

“It’s a solemn formality, so, yes, I guess it’s a ceremony.”

“Would you like to use the house? I could put on the tablecloth we use for special occasions. It’s late but shouldn’t take but a few minutes.”

“No, that won’t be necessary. In front of the fireplace will be fine. That way, Benjamin will see how we do things and learn what’s ahead for him and perhaps even look forward to it.”

Seth had thought about having her come to the bunkhouse, but at her suggestion he decided it might be better to have the boys go to her. Plus, she’d have to bundle up Joy and Beni, so it would be easier on her if he brought the boys to the house. “I’ll get the boys and we’ll be right in,” he offered.

“Thank you.” She turned and walked back to the house.

Ten minutes later, they assembled in the living room, Joy propped against Rebecca’s legs, her corn-silk doll in her lap. There was an air of expectancy among them, an excitement about the unknown.

Seth cleared his throat. “This is an important day as you boys take your first step into manhood. When a boy can handle responsibility, can be depended on to carry out a job, then he is thought to be a man. I trust that each of you will with honesty and pride uphold your position in the United States Postal Service.” He reached to pick up his Bible from the table. “If you young men will step forward we will commence with the swearing in.” They walked forward, shyness preventing them from showing how eager and proud they were to be involved in something bigger than themselves.

When they stood in front of him, he paused a moment, his gaze moving from one to the other. “Lift your right hand and repeat after me. ‘I—’” he waited until each boy had voiced his name, then continued “‘—do hereby swear, before the Great and Living God, that during my engagement, and while I am an employee of Russell, Majors and Waddell, I will, under no circumstances, use profane language, that I will drink no intoxicating liquors, that I will not quarrel or fight with any other employee of the firm, and that in every respect I will conduct myself honestly, be faithful to my duties, and so direct all my acts as to win the confidence of my employers, so help me God.’”

The boys repeated the words with force and pride. Seth glanced at Rebecca and noticed Benjamin standing beside her, holding the same pose as the other boys. He walked over to him. “Benjamin, did you say the oath, also?”

Benjamin nodded his small head, his eyes down.

Rebecca dropped a hand onto the little boy’s shoulder and gave it a gentle squeeze. Her eyes begged Seth to let the boy pretend to be a Pony Express rider.

Seth kneeled down in front of him. “Do you understand what you’ve agreed to?” he asked.

Benjamin bravely met his gaze. “Yes, sir.”

Seth nodded. “Well, in that case, go get in line with the other men. You’ve pledged to be a Pony Express man.” He stood and met Rebecca’s gaze as the little boy darted around him and went to stand beside Jacob. Gratitude and moisture filled her eyes.

For a moment, Seth understood her burden. She had a houseful of children to care for and she did it on her own. His respect for her inched up a degree. Seth nodded at her then returned his attention to the young men now fully in his charge.

Seth picked up the stack of Bibles that he’d carried with him to the farm, now a full-fledged Pony Express station. He handed one to each of them. “You are now employees of the Pony Express. Jacob, I have decided that you will be the station’s stock tender. Your job is to take care of all the horses and make sure that a horse is ready to ride at all times. Andrew, Clayton, Thomas, Philip and Noah, you will all be riders. Your job is to make sure that the mail goes through.” Each young man nodded in turn.

Benjamin studied the tip of his brown boots. Seth knew the boy felt left out. He ran his small hand over the engraving on the front of his new Bible.

Seth fought the grin that threatened to break across his face. He steeled himself and then said, “Benjamin, you are too young to be a Pony Express rider, so I am making you the stock tender’s assistant. It will be your job to help Jacob take care of the horses and barn. Whatever Jacob or I ask you to do, you will do it.”

A smile split Benjamin’s lips. “I’ll be the best stock tender’s ’sistant that anyone has ever met.”

Seth wasn’t sure there were other stock tender assistants in the Pony Express, but he nodded just the same. “I’m sure you will.” He motioned for everyone to sit down, then pulled up a stool for himself and faced them. “I’m not sure what Mr. Bromley told you about your jobs, but let me assure you they are dangerous. You will face bad weather, robbers, outlaws and Indians. None of these should be taken lightly. You’ll have to think on your feet, learn to outrun, outsmart, and you need to trust your gut. The main point is, stay alive but get the mail through. Do you have any questions?” Seth immediately looked to Benjamin, but the boy remained silent along with his brothers. “Since there are no questions, let me explain to you exactly what my job entails. I am called a station keeper for a home station—that’s what the farm is called. I make sure that you men are ready to ride. That the station runs smoothly and that the horses are tended well. I also make sure that during your stay at the home station you aren’t idle. You will follow my orders. If I say build a fence, you build a fence. If I say ride on out, you ride on out. Is that understood?”

“What about Ma?” Benjamin asked.

Seth looked at the boy. “What about your mother?”

“Does she have to take orders, too?” His eyes challenged Seth, something Seth hadn’t expected. He smiled at the boy.

“No, your mother isn’t a Pony Express employee.”

“Oh.”

Clayton asked, “What if Ma says to chop wood and you say to ride out, then what?”

“You ride out,” Seth answered, aware they walked a tight line here. “But if you aren’t working for me and your Ma says chop wood, you best chop wood.”

Rebecca spoke for the first time since they’d all arrived in her living room. “Mr. Armstrong, I can understand the boys’ confusion.” She pushed a strand of hair behind her ear. “They simply want to know who has the most authority, you or me?”

Seth knew that. How many other station managers had to answer questions like these? He doubted any of them did. “It’s really very simple. They work for me. Each boy will have time off and that is when they can do whatever you need or want them to.”

Her eyes flashed but she simply nodded. He noted her growing quietness as he outlined the job. First the barn had to be rebuilt and second they’d need to work on their riding skills.

Did she disagree with him on what her sons would be doing? Or did she just not like the way he’d come in and replaced her deceased husband? Confrontation wasn’t his strong suit when it came to women, but Seth had known from the start that he and Rebecca Young must have a heart-to-heart discussion about what might and would happen to her farm and children.

* * *

Rebecca finished making Jacob’s bed then headed to the living room to wait for Seth and Jacob to return to the house. Joy and Benjamin were both tucked in for the night and the house seemed very quiet. Normally she relished this time, but tonight the stillness seemed to grate on her frayed nerves.

Earlier, as the boys had filed out to return to the bunkhouse, Seth had stood beside her and quietly asked if he could speak to her in private. She’d agreed. Not because he’d asked for the meeting, but because there were things she needed to say to him.

She’d have to be both blunt and gentle in her words to the man. Rebecca knew without him having to say so that he wasn’t going to agree with her thoughts, but she had to speak them.

Would he fire the boys? Tell Mr. Bromley that the Young farm wouldn’t make a good home station after all? What would she do if he did that? What would become of her boys?

If they worked for the Pony Express, each one of them could potentially earn enough to buy a parcel of land, or go to a college back east. They would have a foot up to a better life. John had left her well-off, financially, but the boys would need to earn their own way.

But at what cost? Their lives?

Chapter Four

Rebecca heard them come through the door and stopped pacing. Jacob carried a box with his things in it. Cold air whipped about the room as Seth closed the door behind them. He, too, carried a box of Jacob’s things.

“I’ll take these to Jacob’s room and then be back for our talk,” he told her as he passed.

She had to get her thoughts together. How should she approach her concerns with him? Calmly and quietly. That was the way she always approached John—Seth would be no different.

He reentered the room alone. Rebecca sat down on the couch and motioned for him to take the chair across from her. She decided that since he asked to speak to her, she’d let him go first.

Seth sat down but leaned forward on the edge of the seat, placing his brown hat on his knee. “Mrs. Young, I get the impression that you don’t care for the way I’m running things around here.” He lifted his right eyebrow as if to accent his statement.

Rebecca chose her words carefully. “I have my concerns. You’ve been here one day and I can’t say what you are doing is good or bad.”

“But?”

She took a deep breath. “But I didn’t think my two youngest boys would be working with the Pony Express.”

He sat back. “So you are objecting to me swearing Noah and Benjamin in as employees of the Pony Express?”

“Yes.” She knitted her fingers together and laid them in her lap. “Well, no.” She shrugged to hide her confusion. “I know you included Beni so he could feel important. I’m grateful.” To her annoyance she heard herself start to stammer. She forced her voice to steady and reined in her thoughts. “I just feel Noah is too young and small to be a rider and Beni shouldn’t be burdened with such a heavy workload.” She searched his eyes, looking for signs of anger.

Seth offered her a grin. “Benjamin is too young to ride. That’s why I made him Jacob’s assistant. The boy wants to prove himself and who would be a better teacher than his oldest brother?”

Rebecca recognized a spark of amusement in his gaze and relaxed a little. “Yes, Beni wants to do what his big brothers do.”

“As for Noah, Jacob seems to think Noah is the best horseman on the farm and stated that he is good with his gun. Both are important skills I need in riders.”

She clutched her hands tightly in her lap. “But he’s twelve and I’ve only had him a few months. I don’t know if he’s ready for this responsibility.” Rebecca searched Seth’s face. Did he understand what she was saying?

Seth leaned forward again. “What do you mean you’ve only had him a few months?” His eyes searched hers, looking for what she could only assume was both confusion and truth.

“Noah is adopted, Mr. Armstrong. All of the boys are. I thought Mr. Bromley would have told you that.” From the look on his face it was obvious Seth hadn’t known.

“No, he didn’t,” Seth said. “I thought it odd that none of them look like you or each other. Well—” his voice broke in midsentence “—except Joy, she looks like you.” He offered her a smile.

Rebecca couldn’t help but smile. “Joy is my daughter by birth. She is the only child John and I have. But that doesn’t change the fact that I love the boys just as much as I do Joy and I don’t want to see them get hurt...or die.”

Seth met her gaze and held it. Sincerity rang through his voice as he vowed, “I promise as long as I am the station keeper here, I will do everything in my power to keep the boys safe and alive. Safety is the reason I will teach them how to ride, shoot and avoid trouble while out on the trail.”

She understood that the boys would be in danger and that she didn’t consider them to really be men. The orphanage had called them men at the age of twelve, the same age as Noah, but to her they were still her little boys.

“I know you are still concerned and I can’t blame you. Being a Pony Express employee is dangerous. The only thing I can do is teach them how to survive and pray that God keeps them safe. It’s either that or I fire them all and have Mr. Bromley send me a new set of men.” He shook his head. “I really don’t want to do that, Mrs. Young. I truly believe these young men have what it takes to be riders. I’ll leave that decision up to you.”

Rebecca didn’t want him to fire the boys. She’d promised John that she wouldn’t interfere when this time came. John had wanted his sons to become honorable, strong individuals who could take care of themselves and their families, should the Lord one day bless them with such. He firmly believed the Pony Express would provide the training that life had cheated these boys out of. “No, they would never forgive me if I asked you to fire them.” She didn’t tell him that the money the boys made would provide for their future well-being, establishing them in whatever careers they chose.

He exhaled as if he’d been holding his breath. “Thank you. I know this is hard for you and I want to make it easier on both of us. How about we have a nightly meeting? I can fill you in on what I’m doing with the boys in regard to their duties as Pony Express riders and you can tell me if you need them to assist you with something specific around the farm.”

It was a reasonable request and far more than some men would have offered her if they had been in Seth’s position. Rebecca nodded. “That would be nice, thank you.”

They sat still for several moments. The sound of boots retreating down the hallway alerted Rebecca that one or more of her children had listened in on their conversation. A grin crossed Seth’s lips. He’d heard it, too.

“Mr. Armstrong, I’d like to suggest that we have our conversations out on the porch if the weather permits. I’m sure there will be times when we don’t want others hearing your reports.” Rebecca unclasped her hands and then stood.

“That sounds like a good idea to me. If the boys think you need a chaperone, they can watch us through the window of the bunkhouse.” He picked up his hat from his knee and stood also. He pulled a piece of paper from his hip pocket and handed it to her.

Rebecca looked down at the paper. “What’s this?”

“The letter from Mr. Bromley. I should have shared it with you sooner. You can return it to me in the morning.” Seth walked to the door and left.

She sank down onto the couch. Was she doing the right thing letting the boys continue working for the Pony Express? Sure, they each would need the money they’d make, but... Rebecca warred with her conscience—did they need the money so badly that she’d allow them to put their lives in danger? Wasn’t her job as the adult and their mother to protect them until they were old enough to know what they were doing?

Not wanting to answer that question, Rebecca pressed on with her thoughts as she looked down at the letter. Without the money, the older boys would have to leave home and seek out work. Her family would swiftly break up.

So soon after losing John, Rebecca knew she wouldn’t be able to cope with losing any of the boys. And there was always the likelihood that they’d find other work, maybe even more dangerous work. She shuddered at that thought.

She couldn’t allow that to happen to her precious boys. No, to keep her family together Rebecca would allow the boys to continue working for the Pony Express.

* * *

Seth looked up at the framework of the barn. He stood amazed at how quickly he and the boys had gotten the structure up. Sawdust floated in the sun’s rays and the pleasant smell of pine mingled with their sweat and filled the air around him.

He placed a hand on the pole closest to him and gave a shove. It didn’t budge. Solid and stable. His smile broadened in approval. They’d worked hard and accomplished a lot in one morning. Could be that this little group of misfits would accomplish much more than he had hoped for. But one thing had been proven to him as they worked. The boys needed a firm hand to stay at the job; they worked as long as you kept your eye on them, but fun was uppermost in their minds.

His gaze moved to the boys now washing up for lunch. It wasn’t hot outside, but all of them had cast off their coats while they worked. Even little Benjamin had worked hard alongside his brothers.

Seth had been aware of Rebecca watching them all morning. She’d frowned when he’d yelled at Philip for playing around instead of doing his work. It wasn’t hard to figure out that the boys worked on their own time schedule. Seth wondered how long their adoptive father had been dead. Had he allowed them to play when they were supposed to do chores?

A good while later, Seth left the bunkhouse feeling refreshed. Thanks to his time alone with the Lord, he now had more direction. Clayton carried a sandwich and a glass of milk out to him. The rest of the boys followed.

“Ma said you need to eat something.” The young man handed him the sandwich and milk.

He grinned his thanks and took a big bite. Thick ham and cheese coated his taste buds. The butter-flavored bread that surrounded them tasted wonderful. His stomach growled its appreciation. Seth swallowed. “Let’s head to the corral.” He waved the sandwich.

Feeling as if someone was watching them, Seth turned to the house and found Rebecca standing in the doorway. He waved to her and once more smiled his thanks before turning back to the corral, where the boys waited.

“I thought we were going to work on the barn,” Jacob said as Seth approached.

“We are, but first I wanted to spend some time with the horses.” He looked out at the ten horses. “Have you each chosen the horse you want to train with?” He knew they had but wanted to make sure that one of them hadn’t changed his mind.

The six older boys nodded. Benjamin climbed up on the fence. He looked longingly out at the horses.

“Benjamin?”

The eight-year-old turned to look at him. “Yes, sir?”

“Sir?” Seth allowed a surprised, questioning note to enter his voice.

Benjamin nodded.

“Benjamin, looks like you and I need to get a few things straight.” Seth walked over and leaned against the fence beside the little boy. “The rest of you, go find some rope and then round up your horses.”

The boys pushed and shoved as they went in search of rope. Jacob and Andrew followed at a slower pace, shaking their heads. When they were all out of earshot, Seth told Benjamin, “First, let’s get this straight. I’m not sir, I’m Seth.”

The boy nodded still, looking sad. Seth reached over and tousled his hair.

“Good. Now, how come you didn’t pick a horse?”

Benjamin sighed and climbed a rung higher on the fence, watching the boys exit the stable and enter the corral. “I’m not going to be a rider. I heard you tell Ma last night.”

Seth rubbed his chin. So it had been Benjamin eavesdropping the night before. “Yes, I did say that, but I think you should have a mount.” He watched closely as Jacob returned and quietly singled out a rum-colored pinto, gently rubbing its mane, talking in a low voice. Thomas and Philip followed suit. For all their pushing and shoving, once they were within the corral, they became serious.

“You do?” Hope filled the little boy’s voice.

“Yep, seems to me you’ll need one if we all ride into town or if I need you to go out to the back pasture and get one of the other boys. There are all kinds of reasons a boy needs a horse.” Seth lifted a brow in question, holding the boy’s gaze. “Don’t you think so?”

Benjamin nodded. His hair flopped down into his eyes. “Can I pick out one now?” he asked, already preparing to climb down from the fence.

“Yes, but go see if one of the older boys will help you find some rope.”

“Yippee!” Benjamin ran to the barn, where Andrew and Noah stood cutting lengths of rope.

Each boy returned to the corral and began trying to catch the horses. They weren’t all bad at roping. Jacob, Andrew and Noah were the best and as soon as each caught their own horse, they helped the four brothers. Seth coached from the sidelines.

“I want a horse, too, Ma.” Joy’s young voice sounded behind him.

He turned to face the little girl and Rebecca. Seth finished the milk in his glass and handed it to Rebecca.