New Beginnings (New Beginnings Series) (19 page)

Sam smiled back at her. “This is one of the first-class passenger cars. The ticket costs slightly more, but to see you smile is worth any extra.”

Sara frowned back at him, “Sam, you don’t need to spend extra on me.”

“I didn’t Sara. This is how I always travel. It is generally only business or political men who ride in these cars. You never know who, or what information, you might end up with. Besides, it is generally quieter and easier for us to share time together.” They exchanged smiles and Sam stood up to remove his overcoat, hat and gloves. Sara kept her winter clothes on for the time being and turned back to the window. He sat down holding the daily
Brandon Sun
he bought from the paperboy at the station.

Sara watched the platform where several men were loading crates into a boxcar further down the tracks. Among the group was Eric, as occasionally he helped the Blye’s transport merchandise and was loading empty crates to be returned to Winnipeg. Toby was leaning against the storage shed, playing with a stick in a fresh skiff of snow. Sam saw her watching so intently and followed her gaze, then realized what thoughts she may be having. He took his wife’s hand, giving it a gentle squeeze, but still she looked out the window, her eyes getting the faraway look he hadn’t seen for some time.

“I sat with him after the accident,” she said as she continued to watch the boy, her voice lost its emotion. “I think he was about thirteen. We hoped he would gain consciousness and continued to pray for fifteen days until he did … maybe we should have let him go.” Again Sam squeezed her hand, but did not speak.

After a moment’s hesitation she spoke again, “Remember how warm it was at the beginning of April.” It was more of a statement than a question. Sara continued as she still watched out the window. “Snow still lay on the ground, but I took a walk down to the lake that morning. William and I had a fight about not letting him take the team to pay his debt. My father gave Bird and Babe to us when we came west. Most people used oxen, but father said he wanted his daughter to travel in style. He used to say the team was his biggest sin because he was so proud of them and the fact they won several blue ribbons at the local fairs.”

A feeling of guilt crept through Sam. He knew the value of the beautiful purebred mares, which far exceeded the amount of the debt and the additional twenty dollars offered to her husband. He continued to sit in silence listening to his wife, still holding her hand.

“It was the first time I saw William show any remorse for what he did. It was the first time he listened to me in my anger without striking back. I was furious and walked away from him until I got to the lake, which was almost a mile from home.”

Sara looked down at their hands and found her knuckles turning white because she was gripping Sam’s hand so tightly. She released her hold a little. She never told anyone what she was about to say and would hardly let herself think about it, although at times the images would hardly leave her mind.

“I was on my way back home when I heard the gunshot. I started running through the bushes. My dress got tangled in some brambles and I ripped it trying to free myself, I was so frantic to get home. I thought William shot himself when I saw him in the hay.” Sara’s eyes closed as she continued, “When I realized the barn was on fire, I tried to drag him away when suddenly I was thrown to the ground and this hairy, slimy face was pushed into mine,” a shudder ran through her body.

Sam placed his hand on her cheek and turned Sara’s face toward his, looking deep into her tear-filled eyes, pulling her from the past back to the present. “Don’t, Sara … don’t live it again. It was not your fault.” He put his arm around her and pulled her close. A single tear ran down her cheek as he placed a gentle kiss upon her forehead.

A loud shout of “All aboard” sounded and a large group of people outside the car, saying their goodbyes and hugging each other, parted to come onto the train. The shrill whistle announced they would soon be pulling out of the station. A small jolt rippled through the cars as the train started to depart and they were on their way.

Sara watched the young man again as he waved frantically to the passengers on the train and to no one in particular. She felt sorry for Toby’s circumstance but still she felt the pain of betrayal. Again she said, “I sat with him …” and again Sam, hugged her close, but said nothing. She leaned into his shoulder and looked away from the window. She closed her eyes because she didn’t want to see the strangers who entered their car. She did not want her eyes to give away her feelings of sorrow to anyone she didn’t know.

Sara turned back to the window and watched as the train slowly gained speed as it travelled to its eastern destination. The tracks were laid part way down the north side of a rolling hill, which seemed to make the new city look as though, between the tracks and the sky, all the land was populated. She knew her quiet country life was coming to an end and as much as she was happy to be among people again, it saddened her. Suddenly the hollow sound of the train crossing the trestle over the Assiniboine River brought her back from her daydream. She looked back at Sam and saw he was watching her. He once again pulled her close, wishing he could take all the bad memories of her past away and hide them where they could not be found. He knew he wanted to fill her life with only happiness and joy, as it seemed to be what she had given him.

Sara rested against his shoulder as she thought about how her life was different. Even though she would not let it show, she hoped just as this land transformed so much, seemingly overnight, maybe her world also would change.

Sam opened the newspaper so to the other passengers it would look like he was reading the latest news, but instead leaned toward Sara and whispered, “For every bad memory you have, I am going to blanket it with a good one,” and he gently kissed her.

They were interrupted by the sound of a man clearing his throat and they both looked up to see the conductor waiting patiently for their tickets. Sara blushed slightly and the gentleman said, “It’s all right madam, can’t leave all the affection to the young folks.” He tilted his head toward a couple on the other side of the car also partially hidden behind a newspaper. “Newlyweds,” he added. Sam and Sara both smiled at the pair as they looked back and shyly returned smiles, but once again went back to hiding behind their paper. The conductor handed Sam back his punched ticket stub as he added, “Must be something in this cool Manitoba air.” He went back to his job of collecting the tickets.

The Fielding’s straightened in their seats and Sam thought it would be best to read the newspaper for a while. Sara tucked her arm around his and glanced at the many ads on the front page. The expression on her face changed to one of confusion. “This is the Brandon paper?” she asked in a tone of disbelief.

Sam straightened the top of the page so she could see the words “Brandon Sun, November 10, 1882,” to which Sara responded,” I have been asleep for a hundred years. How is it two years ago the only white people here were a couple of squatters with shabby shanties? Look, there are ads for about twenty hotels and boarding houses and ads for every kind of item a person could want from moccasins to diamonds. Look, Sam, here’s one for Apothecary Hall! ‘A large stock of pure drugs and chemicals’,” she read out loud pointing to the paper, “I must go one day.”

“I told you Sara, the west is changing and as exciting as it is, it is sometimes frightening. Who knows where it will end? But I must say this has certainly been my fortune. The land, the lumber investments and of course the saloon and bank have all made good profit. Someone has been good to me, Sara and now I understand why.”

“Why, love? Why has someone seen that you have made your fortune?”

“So I can give you what you deserve.”

“You don’t need money to make me happy,” she hugged his arm tightly and leaned her head on his shoulder, “Being with you is what makes me happy.”

“But I am still going to give you everything you deserve,” he placed his hand on her cheek and held her close.

They continued the journey quietly watching the scenery and seeing many new homes along the way. It seemed that every few miles either a new home or a town was growing. At times the train slowed and stopped to pick up passengers or freight, but today there were few delays until they reached Portage La Prairie. Here the train would once again have a scheduled stop as in Brandon.

Sam and Sara stepped outside for a stroll, enjoying the warmth in the sun. They decided to go into the dining car and have lunch before arriving in Winnipeg. As they sat enjoying their meal, Sam nodded to a man at the next table and explained to Sara, “That’s Beecham Trotter. He was working for the telegraph, but is planning to settle in Brandon with his cousin Alex. He has an interesting version of what happened to Grand Valley where his cousin was living at the time General Rosser was purchasing the C.P.R. Land. No one knows if it is accurate, but it is similar to most other versions.”

Mr. Trotter was telling his new acquaintance across the table about his tales of the new city and he spoke with such enthusiasm it was hard not to hear. The Fieldings did listen with great interest, not hiding the fact they were also enjoying the tales, but it was obvious he didn’t mind having a larger audience.

“Word got to McVicar the C.P.R. would pay big dollars for the railway. Early in ’81 Rosser and Shaw landed on McVicar’s doorstep with an offer of twenty-five thousand dollars for Grand Valley land. Thinking he had the bull by the horns McVicar demanded twice that and half interest in any sales in the future. Rosser turned on his heel and exclaimed, “I’ll be damned if a town of any kind is ever built here!” He went immediately across the Assiniboine, to Adamson, a squatter on the south side and for a mere pittance of the original offer bought C.P.R. land … and that, my friend, was the death of Grand Valley. No matter how much McVicar begged or bribed, the railroad would not stop there, just as Rosser said. From that day after, Brandon grew from a few squatters to the over three thousand people of today … a period of less than twenty months … every business you can imagine and no end in sight. Why even Sam Fielding here,” Trotter directed his story to the couple, “made his fortune in the grand explosion out here and the land boom in Winnipeg … smart man recognizes when to get out before the bottom falls. Need a good place to stay, The Fielding Saloon will take care of all and I mean all of your needs … good games of poker and spend a pleasant night,” Mr. Trotter explained, raising his eyebrows in a playful manner. He tilted his head toward Sara, “Pardon me, Madam,” adding, “I don’t believe I have met your lovely acquaintance, Sam.”

Sam straightened in his chair, not smiling but his eyes showed a sparkle of anticipating the pleasure he was going to receive by surprising Beecham with his news. “Oh, pardon me, may I introduce you to my wife … Mrs. Fielding.”

The expression on Mr. Trotter’s face was exactly what Sam expected as the smile disappeared and a look of disbelief covered him. The sip of coffee he had just started to swallow seemed to catch in his throat and he began to choke. His friend from across the table rose suddenly and started slapping him on the back. Quickly Sara stood to assist the man and also placed her hand on his back and as the coughing started to subside she said, with a twinkle in her eyes, “Please call me Sara.”

Beecham gently shook her hand, sat back in his chair, holding a cloth napkin to his mouth. With a puzzled look he turned to Sam, who by this time was having a hard time to stifle a laugh. “I heard the last time I was in Brandon you were shot. One fellow said you must have been shot in the head as he said you have completely changed, even giving up some of your profit at the bank. Looks to me like maybe you have been shot in the heart.” He shook his head and added, “Never thought I would see the day.”

“Well,” Sam replied, “I wasn’t shot in the head or heart but Sara came to my rescue.” He stood and looked at his wife, offering her his hand, “But I think we should return to our car as it seems we are arriving at our destination. It has been interesting seeing you again, Trotter,” he said, tipping his head toward him, then again to Mr. Trotter’s table guest. Sara smiled her goodbyes and they left to go to their seats in the first-class passenger car.

As she sat down, Sara said, “Well, that was certainly an interesting piece of information. Is it true, Sam, General Rosser said Grand Valley would cease to exist?”

“Few people are certain, but it is general consensus McVicar asked Thomas for much more than the land was worth and knowing the man I wouldn’t doubt he would do such a thing.”

“You were on a first-name basis with General Rosser?”

“We have had a few dealings together, let me in on a few guaranteed investments. But I will tell you about that another time. We are pulling into the station.”

Sara watched out of the window. For the last hour or so, after the sun set, little could be seen outside the car.

As the train pulled into the station, Sam spoke. “There is Cedric waiting for us.” He gave a slight wave out the window as they rose to depart from the train.

Sam stepped down from the car, having some difficulty, as the long train ride irritated his leg. Although he recently set aside his cane at most times, he had to use it now. Cedric stepped ahead and held Sam’s arm as his foot met the platform.

“My, you have changed,” Mr. Stone grinned at him. “The last time you were in Winnipeg you would have decked any man who would offer you help.”

“Not you, Cedric,” Sam shook his hand and then went to offer Sara help from the car.